Noah

Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. 
(Genesis 6:9)

Saying that Noah was "righteous" and "blameless" does not mean that he never sinned. Rather, it means that Noah wholeheartedly loved and obeyed God. For a lifetime he walked step by step in faith as a living example to his generation. Like Noah, we live in a world filled with unholy/unrighteous ways. What example do you set?

What's Your Perspective?

Everyone has their own perspective on things. Occasionally, deferring perspectives can both be correct… when they deal with issues which are neither right nor wrong. But when dealing with issues which are either true or false; accurate or inaccurate; and good or bad, then differing perspectives can not both be neutral or equal. In those cases, one person's perspective can be much more correct than another person's. In a court of law, the only witness who really matters is the one who saw things from the correct perspective… not the one who's perspective is skewed.

You can tolerate a differing perspective, but you in no way have to accept it's validity, or rely on it when it flies in contrast to what you know to be true. In that regard, a perspective is much like an opinion.

The Heavens Declare His Victory

the Psalmist's Sonata

Change Your Ways

Don't put me on Jerry Springer!

Just because there are certain areas in which you won't stoop below doesn't mean that other people won't happily descend below those same standards. Realizing this, you should evaluate and scrutinize whether those values you've set for yourself are viable and valid, and should you personally adhere to them or reject them. If it's clear those areas are worth avoiding, then you are challenged to make a judgment call about those who have sunk below those areas. Are they swimming in hazardous, toxic waste which is taking it's toll on them in both visible and in unseen ways? If they are unwilling to see just how low they've comfortably stooped, then we must realize they probably see unclear in other areas which require good judgment... they cannot be relied upon for doling out advice or confining in. Our chosen lifestyle reflects who we are on the inside.

Self imposed legalism in and of itself can be nothing more than a personal prison, but when used sparingly and as a benchmark for upholding greater truths, then it shows it's benefits which extend and elevate above the murky cesspool which it protects from. But even then, biblically defined love still trumps any form of legalism when dealing with one's outreach to others!

Tears

The way we interpret tragedies, turmoils, and calamities in regard to God's involvement says a lot about our self. Two common responses is either thinking "surely a good god wouldn't have allowed this to happen" or "because this happened means there must not be any god at all". Both responses make assumptions that God must react in the way we want Him to, and also assume our finite minds are capable of taking God to court and judging Him... based upon our personal feelings. This contributes to our hardening process where our eyes become more and more blind and we grow incapable of seeing God's handiwork in the world around us. Since we have written Him out of the low points of life, we take Him out of the good parts (and every other area) as well. Our 'God vision' becomes so tainted we end-up living day-to-day in a spiritual vacuum we have built for our self. We lock God out. He no longer is welcomed within.

"God has looked down from heaven
Upon the sons of men
To see if there is anyone who understands,
And who truly seek after Him."
(Psalms 53:2)

400 Year Interlude - Winter

400 Year Interlude - Winter

I have now uploaded the '400 Year Interlude' Winter to SoundCloud. I wrote this composition on the guitar back in 2002 and it was unique for two reasons, which are… I created non-standard chords (I don't have a name for them) and also, it was the only instrumental track within the Alpha & Omega Suite. Now the rest of the compositions have been scored and instrumental arrangements produced for all 35 tracks! Another thing worth noting is the artwork shown on this track is the art which goes with the entire Winter arrangement.

Bottom line...

The true hope of an atheist is that there will be no life after death. This world is all there is so we better make the most of it.
The true hope of an agnostic is we just can't know anything for sure, so we may as well be the best we can... just in case!
The true hope of the religious is that all the good things we do in this life just might buy us a better place when we get to the next life. This goes along with most of the world's religions, no matter what their view of the afterlife is.
The true hope of a Christian is everything depends on Jesus. He claimed to not only speak the truth but to also be truth itself, with all events of his earthly life confirming what he spoke and did. Living for him is not only better in this life but also in the life to come... by far!

Symbolic Cymbals

As an artist and musician I agree with the Psalmist when he proclaims, "Praise the LORD with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD." (Psalm 150)

Any other endeavor is an expression of not using our talents and abilities in the way they were designed to be manifested.

the Psalmist's Sonata

The Psalmist's Sonata is not only a song about the Psalms but is also a tributary extension to the Psalms. It elevates with a poet's fervor the strengths, majesty and dynamics found within the collection of beloved Psalms which appear in the Bible. It was composed around 2005 and takes it's place within the first movement, referred to as the Alpha. It originally was recorded with guitar and vocals, appearing on the 2008 release of the Alpha & Omega Suite. It has since been scored and arranged in both the Autumn and Winter versions of 'the Seasons', which is four distinct instrumental arrangements of the Suite. The soothing Autumn strings score is heard in this video.

The video's original art reflects both the calm and the the rage which is experienced from the majesty of the ocean, and it's surrounding domain. I have produced quite a few pieces pertaining to the oceans of the world, and though the sea is not what the lyrics refer to, the oceanic art accurately reflects the gentle spirit of the music. It is used as visual emphasis to go along with the melodic music and dynamic lyrics.

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The Psalmist's songs and poetry inspire, comfort, elevate and reach to the very throne of God. Questions are answered and the full gamut of human emotions are covered. Honest, sincere love is expressed to God and our understanding of Him is greatly deepened.

The Psalmist proclaims, "Praise the LORD with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD." (Psalm 150)

How Low Will You Go?

I continue to witness the principal of 'degenerative values' at work in people I know or hear about. This is where a person (usually a youth), has a set of standards by which they won't step below, but over the course of time they lower their standards and accept values, principals, and morals which at one time were repulsive or offensive to them. Sadly, their statement of "I would never do anything like that" proves to be broken down and discarded as they mature and get sucked-in to the deep dredge which the world freely offers with delight.

The Andy Griffith Show

Though many of us look at Mayberry as being the ideal small town where we wouldn't mind setting-up home, it might be surprising to you that the majority of us folks who have raised, or are raising a family wouldn't even qualify to live there. You might ask why? Well, many of us are married and Mayberry is more a town geared towards single adults!

There are numerous TV shows which are plotted around single people (Seinfeld, Friends, How I Met Your Mother, etc) but the Andy Griffith Show was not about singleness... it was about small town life. Perhaps Mayberry's single community shunned the married folks and didn't have much to do with them. We sure didn't see much interaction between the two groups.

Think about it... practically every major character on that show was single. One of the only characters who was married was Otis the drunk! On several episodes Otis locks himself into jail to get away from his nagging wife. Married life doesn't appear to be the norm in the town of Mayberry!

So, if you're married and you would like to live in Mayberry, I'm not entirely convinced you would be welcome there.

Out With the Old, In With the New

We have so many people come and go in our lives. Surprisingly, it's not only the well loved, friendly, even-tempered, revered, fun, and like-minded who we miss the most, but so often we miss those who lack those virtuous and positive traits associated with friendship. When a person has impacted our lives, we can be affectionately reminiscent of those who were quarrelsome, hot tempered, selfish, abusive, and problem creators.

A great role model for any of us is that of the prodigal son's father. Though his son had distanced himself with every vice and obstacle possible, the father was ready to forgive and forget... and welcome the wayward stranger back with open arms! He could see that an authentic, genuine change had occurred and that he was welcoming a person ready to be revised, revamped, and improved. We too should not force a person to be what they once were, but be willing to accept them for what they have overcome.

the Psalmist's Sonata

Twice in one week... this is a first! My original HD video of the symphonic Autumn arrangement of the Psalmist's Sonata has now been posted to YouTube! I wrote this song to be a complimentary soothing tribute to the Psalms.

The Strong Don't Always Survive

We have the tendency to take a rare success in one of life's arenas and elevate it, cheer, and applaud it as if it were the norm. By doing so, it's as if we are placing a slap in the face to all those who have encountered failure in that same area. We also overlook that the success might have happened because the person possessed traits which are neither becoming or worthy of emulating. Our heroes are not always worthy of the place they hold in our collective heart.

Refrain Pride

I've noticed that people who REFRAIN from certain things usually let you know it…
"I don't eat meat."
"I don't drink coffee."
"I don't like chocolate."
"I don't go to church."
"I don't smoke cigarettes."
"I don't like that television show."
"Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera."

People that DO all those things normally don't make a point to let you know they DO it… they just go ahead and DO it!

UNLESS it's an area they take PRIDE in…
"I exercise two hours a day."
"I only eat natural, healthy food."
"I read five books a week."
"I only listen to so-and-so music."
"Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera."

Change Your Ways

Change Your Ways was written in 2000 and takes it's place as the last piece of the Alpha. It was originally recorded with guitar and vocals and appeared on the 2008 release of the Alpha & Omega Suite. It has since been scored and arranged in both the Autumn and Winter versions of the Seasons. In June of 2012 I picked the song to be the first arrangement to go into the Spring version of the Seasons. This is the arrangement which is referred to as 'Heavenly Guitars' since it uses a wide variety of guitars and other stringed instruments.



The video's art has been produced from various parts of my life. It is a consortium of original pieces gathered from different parts of the world where I have lived or traveled. It is used as 'eye candy' to go along with the melodic music and strong lyrics.



Change Your Ways emphasizes one of the most important doctrines to be found in the Bible, and one that goes fully hand-in-hand with the gospel of Christ... the all important doctrine of repentance. Without true repentance not a single one of us can turn to God and follow His authentic ways of truth. When sending His Messiah, God first paved the way by sending a prophet whom He referred to as "the greatest of all prophets" who's main message was for us to "repent and change our ways and get ready for His Christ". The lyrics emphasize this important message while the music soars with impact and punch.

Follow

If a Christian wants to have a trouble-free, easy, pleasant life where everyone likes them, all they have to do is practice their faith half hearted with very little true commitment or emphasis. But, if they actually desire to be pleasing to God and live like Jesus, following wherever God's Spirit leads, then they can expect similar trials and persecution which fell upon the Lord.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you BECAUSE OF ME. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven... for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." --Matthew 5:11-12

Please

May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
(Psalm 19:14)

So... who are you trying to please?
Your friends?
Your family?
Your co-workers?
How about your boss?
Anyone??
Self, for sure!!!
Well, that's all fine and dandy, but...
Can you agree with the Psalmist
and set your mind and heart
on what is pleasing to God?
It is no mystery, He's made His will known.

July 4th

Note to television networks: In no way is 'Independence Day' a holiday film which should be shown on the 4th of July. It has nothing to do with the celebration of Independence Day. It is a science fiction film which has hardly any science but overflows with an abundance of fiction. One network broadcasts this film over and over around the 4th... what are their lame programming executives thinking? Just another example of the dumbing down of America.

Heavenly Guitars

'Heavenly Guitars' is the Spring variation of Alpha & Omega Suite's the Seasons. I have basically completed both the Winter and Autumn arrangements and have now begun the Spring. In the next week or so I will post a YouTube video with the first finished piece 'Change Your Ways' with guitars, mandolins, and a few other stringed instruments (and tons of original art too). Look for it.

It's amazing how much of the time 'NO' is the most positive answer we can receive.

The Rock

The LORD is my rock,
my fortress,
and my savior;
my God is my rock,
in whom I find protection.
He is my shield,
the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
(Psalm 18:2)

Don't Succumb

The end result of quickly and easily succumbing is we end-up regretting it later.

Victory is found when we maintain a 'NO' stance and firmly adhere to it.

Free

It doesn't matter if it's government or the private sector that offers you something for FREE, you must always ask, "Why is this being offered to me?" and "What is this actually costing me?"

FREE usually has some type of price somewhere down the line.

Futurama

The future turns into the past far too quickly.
(Except for those times when you actually want it to.)

Be Smart

Intelligence and wisdom are not the same thing.
They are vast worlds apart (though they are often mistaken for each other).

A highly educated person might not understand there is a difference,
whereas the wise person fully comprehends they're not one and the same.

Our educational systems excel in boosting the intelligence of students but far too often fail in bringing about growth and maturity in wisdom.

The reverse, opposites of intelligence and wisdom are 'uneducated and foolish'.
These opposite cousins can freely be mixed, thus producing...
'Intelligent but foolish'
and
'Uneducated but wise'

When seeking advice, be sure you fully understand what type of advice you actually need! Otherwise, you'll only be hurt in the long run.

-((NOTE: Yes, a person can have both. It's not always one or the other.))-

Solitaire

Some aspects of our inner personal growth can be compared to a game of spider solitaire. A team effort is of no benefit and can even prove to hinder the final results... you have to play the game alone! Thinking ahead is quite beneficial and helps you develop skills of reasoning, expectation, and deduction. No matter how well you are doing, unexpected surprises will be met which can instantly change your strategic plans and set you behind... or stop you dead in your tracks. But if you do too well at the start and fail to notice what areas need to be filled, you end-up hurting your self and have to purposely go back in the other direction just to finish worse-off than if you had began with more hindrances.

So teach us to number our days that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. (Psalms 90:12)

Invisibility

So, are you one of the invisible people?
Are you one who doesn't stand out in a crowd or turn heads when you enter a room?
Is it usually someone else who is picked or called-on again and again (though they might have lesser skills and abilities)?
Well, God can use invisible people!
Actually, He would rather use invisible people.
Jesus chose to surround Himself with invisible people... then He made them shine, radiate, and be fully seen.

Too much dirt on a windshield makes it difficult to drive, but clean invisible glass allows the driver to clearly see, steer, and move ahead.
Be the type of windshield that allows God to drive... and take you where He wants you to be.

Back from the Dead

So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “ Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” (John 11:3-4)

Jesus intentionally allowed the women's brother to die! He could have easily healed him while he was still sick but made the choice to wait until he was dead to travel to where he was. At first this seems so uncaring, heartless, and drastic, but Jesus clearly explains the purpose. He states that this will be an event so overwhelmingly above and beyond anything that normal people are familiar with and are capable of that it will be proof to all generations that God is who He says He is and Jesus will receive the glorious authentication/ validated/ stamped with approval/ proof beyond all other as being His Son of might and glory! An aspect of Jesus' glory is that He should never be referred to in the same league as any other prophet or religious person. He alone is who He says He is!

Jesus then went on to take Lazarus, who was a decaying, stinking four-day-old corpse and bring him back to a fresh new life. (This event had many witnesses and was well-known and talked about beyond the region. It was even referred to by those in high political positions.)

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NOTE: If interested in the rest of this amazing account, read the remainder of John chapter 11. It is recorded in such an amazing style filled with drama, theological answers, human emotion, impact, timing, doctrine, depth, and angst that it surpasses all other factual historical accounts and practically any fictional writings by the very best authors and/or historians! There has never been a Hollywood movie that was able to show this event with the full impact that it has!

Don't Bother Me

Don't be bothered
If people are bothered
By what you have to say
If what you have to say
Is bothersome.

(Note to spellcheck... Bother and brother are too separate words, don't confuse one for the other)

Know God

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine." — Isaiah 55:8

Whoa! Time to stop, rest, and take a status check on your concept of God. He has revealed Himself and it's up to us to acknowledge He has... and realize there is no possible way we can put Him in our box of preconceived ideas. Our concept of God can only be based upon those aspects of Himself that He has chosen to reveal. It can never be centered on our own imaginings and misconceptions. If we remain far and distant from Him, our ideas of Him will be totally inaccurate. But if we draw close to Him, we can savor in the beauty of what He has made known!

wwJd at all times

When a person criticizes a Christian, it's as if they are saying, "I know the things that I do are quite wrong, but they are even more wrong when a person who is supposed to be like Jesus does them. You appear hypocritical when you act like me."

Christians... keep your focus on the Lord and keep a WWJD mentality at all times. That's the way it is, and others know when you don't.

Betrayed

It's far too easy to accuse someone of being a betrayer when the person who often betrays us the most is our very self! Daily we battle self in every possible way.

1) We are betrayed by our mind. "I did my research and was so sure, and yet I was still wrong." "Wow! That's not the way I remember it. My memory must be going." "You should listen to me, I have more education than he does."

2) Our body constantly betrays us. "I don't even recognize the person in the mirror. Surely that's not me?!" "I tried with everything I have and still couldn't place." "Where are all these aches and pains coming from?"

3) Emotions betray by their very nature. "I can't understand why this didn't work out. I was so sure this would be so right. I trusted my feelings." "I didn't intend to lose so much, but I felt this would be the big win for me." "I fall in and out of love too easily... I just can't resist."

4) We are betrayed by our confidence. "I trust my driving more than anyone else and yet I just didn't see that car coming." "I really should have listened to them and I wouldn't be in this mess today." "Don't blame me for losing the game, anyone could have missed that ball."

5) We are betrayed by our spiritual insight. "I believe god is anything you want it to be." "I don't believe in what I cannot see." "I believe that all people are good on the inside."


Yet we distance or disown the other person when we would never consider disowning our self.

How about reconciling with someone you feel has wronged you... they're really not your worst enemy. It's the best thing you can do.

Tainted

Just because we live amongst tainted humanity doesn't mean we have to remain in this condition and still be covered in stench when we depart.

Your definition is wrong

If the dictionary has to change it's definition to reflect current thought, that should trigger a red flag and make you question popular usage as opposed to the real meaning of the word.

Literalist

Are you a literalist? If so, it is absolutely mandatory when reading poetical writings to shift out of literal interpretation over into metaphorical reasoning. The meaning does not change! A poetical symbol boldly represents the truth for which it reflects. Do not take that symbol and turn it into a 'reliable concrete absolute' which it was never intended to be! It represents... understand it in that way and enjoy the writing in the way it was intended. When finished reading, you can go back to being a literalist once again. The world does have a need for your reasoning prowess.

Fifty Years ago Today

Fifty years ago in June of 1962, the Beatles entered the Abbey Road recording studio for the first time. Those of us who were music listeners at that time were taken on a roller coaster of musical experiences and cultural change which has never been paralleled or equaled, before or since.

As a child I had not been particularly interested in music, but that changed overnight when hearing "Meet the Beatles" for the first time. We knew instinctively that this was different and not like what we had heard before. This was us. Things were changing, and the Beatles were introducing and preparing us for that change.
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"It was fifty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play."

Snow White

On one hand you have 1939's 'Snow White' Disney cartoon. It portrays a very unrealistic (even for then) portrayal of a simple, sweet, and innocent heroine. Now we have 2012's 'Snow White & the Huntsman' which distorts the main figure even worse than the old cartoon did... but in the opposite direction this time around.

Are we so unrealistic in our expectations of fairytales/women/virtue and what's natural that we are totally incapable of having respect for fiction that doesn't adhere to our modern culture's perverse 'dumbing down' mentality? Perhaps we have strayed so far from wholesomeness that we no longer understand it or have the slightest inkling what it's all about.

Are we that 'perverse generation' that we were warned about so many years ago?

The Psalmists Sonata

The Psalmists Sonata
~ (words and music by me, 2004)

Your hymns elevate as they gently resonate.
~ Brightening the midnight hour as they illuminate.
Glancing over the land at Your handiwork,
~ My spirit rises skyward, ever higher and higher!

Reflection… Meditation!
~ A time to spend alone with You, my Lord.
Communion… Inspiration!
~ I love to deeply delve in the study of Your Word.

Painted with a palette of spiritual hues…
~ Revealing God’s poetry of truths.
A cornucopia filled with meaningful sonnets…
~ Reflect a vast smorgasbord of You.

You’ve exalted above all things….
~ Your name and Your Word.
~ Your name and Your Word.

Humble Yourself

I like this point from this morning’s study, so I’m sharing it… 



“If you want to be used by God, be faithful in the little things. You can never be too small for God to use—only TOO BIG. If you are willing to do whatever God wants you to do and be faithful in that, just watch what God will accomplish through your life.”

Judgment Day - Autumn

Judgment Day - Autumn

We have taken a simple statement "do not judge" which Christ made to emphasize that we are not the supreme judge who hands down the verdict of where a person's soul is at, and we have twisted it in being a total license to sin. No, this statement was not aimed at the recipient of the judgment... He spoke numerous times about the outcome of that person's actions as based on the wrongful motives of their heart. We must be careful to not use the 'do not judge' card when our actions are crying out for judgment... that day will come sooner than we like.

'Judgment Day' is the next to the last piece in the Alpha & Omega Suite.

Power

The power goes out sometime around 8pm and comes back on at 3am. I don't know what your feelings are about the utility companies, but aren't you glad that you aren't the one having to put lines back up and restore power--- in the middle of the night--- while a storm is raging!?

Best of Worst

As a true connoisseur of "so bad it's good" films, I had to watch 'Troll 2' last night… since I've heard it's the "worst movie ever made" (This description is often used to promote bad movies. "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" actually billed itself with that exclamation in their promotions of the film… it was false advertising!!)
Well, Troll 2 is quite similar to Tomatoes in that it has many redeeming qualities and in no way deserves the honor of being 'worst movie ever' title. For a fan of low budget films, Trolls 2 is actually much better than quite a few of Hollywood's big productions that are nothing more than boring!

I have noticed that as film's budgets have grown enormous, there seem to be far fewer films that possess the simple homespun qualities that the truly low-budget "best college friends making a movie" once had. I believe that now a person has to search out those incredibly low budget films produced by non-professionals on the internet and in specialty locations.

Just like in music and sports, if you really enjoy the innocent artistic traits of the average person, you have to avoid what the big-business superstars are churning out.

I am Not

"The folks around here are so prejudiced. They always mistake me for a _______."

Uh, here's a little lesson on prejudice…
If you get bothered because people often mistake you for a nationality that you personally do not like, and you are offended because they think you are of that nationality, it is NOT the uninformed people who are prejudiced… it is YOU!

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:3

More Debates

A 'debater extraordinaire' is someone who says the right things at the right times in the most persuasive and influential way... and yet that still doesn't make what they have to say to be accurate, correct, or right!

Know the Truth

A website titled "Why Evolution is True" (based on a book with the same name) is supposedly a scientific analysis of why evolution is definitely true, and any other belief system is not only false, but laughably false. The University of Chicago professor/author goes out of his way to belittle people as being little more than moronic fools who don't share his belief... yet he approaches his own 'scientific' beliefs in an extremely devout and religious manner.

While it's true there are some imaginative (though debatable) bits of information on the site, most of the articles are written with a 'better-than-thou' attitude and excessive pride which causes you to question the true motive behind such endeavors. Would I be out of line to suggest there's a strong indication of a spiritual battle taking place within the "Why Evolution is True" realm?

Defenses

If anyone has ever avoided telling you something because they feel you won't take it well... based upon the way you normally react, it's time for you to reassess your defenses. You are putting your guard up and shielding help from getting to you. It's better to answer with "Okay, I'll think about it" than to get all defensive about something which could benefit you in the long run. It might not be life-and-death this time, but perhaps next time it will be.

Are You Guilty of This?

Scripture says... Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God's mercy to us. — Hebrews 10:29

"You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That's what your ancestors did, and so do you!" (Acts 7:51).

Judgment day is a scriptural definite. Every person born will have a time of accountability. For some it will be far worse than for others. Have you "trampled on the Son of God"? This simply means that you have little place in your life for Jesus, even though you've heard and had the opportunity to serve Him. If you place other religions, beliefs, and teachings above Him, you are guilty of trampling on Him. Spiritually, God's Spirit will only point towards Jesus... no other prophet or religion (there are other conflicting spirits which will lead you in those directions). A hardened heart resists when the Spirit whispers in your ear. This is both insulting and disdainful to God and is the one act you willfully do which places you outside of His mercy.

One simple reminder: there is only one Jesus! Nobody else can take His place.

Counter Melodies in Our Life

Counter-melodies can be one of the most important parts of a song but are often the most overlooked or unnoticed parts of the overall score. I admit, I'm by nature a counter-melody person. I hear, see, and experience many things around me with a counter-melody perspective. Even when I hear a near-perfect popular song, my mind eventually creates a counter-melody to go along with it… I hear what is not there. A counter-melody takes what is already good and makes it just a bit better.
The melody is where the focus is. It is extremely important. It is the main attraction… the headliner! The melody is out in the forefront and is what makes-up the song; what is most likely remembered; what the vocals normally follow and mimic; and what receives most of the praise and recognition. The counter-melody normally hides in the background; seldom receives praise or recognition; and is sometimes not even noticed or heard by certain listeners. It occasionally is not capable of standing on it's own, but it compliments the melody in such a way that it brings out the best in it. The melody might be as good as possible, but it doesn't soar to the higher realm until the counter-melody comes-in and helps bring it there. The whole purpose of the counter-melody is to make the melody shine and sparkle brighter and with more polish and grandeur!
The concept of the counter-melody does not just happen in music. It's counterparts can be found throughout life in social structures; nature; relationships; family; friends; marriage; animals; culinary delights; fashion; visual arts; weather; engineering; and on-and-on. It is not the headliner's (or original's) "exact same counterpart" which makes the original seem better, it is the complimentary non-exact partner which bring's out the headliner's uniqueness in a much bolder, positive way. Most of the genuinely great things in our world are made even greater when they are complimented with the perfect counter-melody!
Just look around and you'll see, hear, and experience counter-melodies everywhere. You will notice the counter-melody is the best partner the melody can have… it is grandly indispensable in what it offers and brings to the table!

Know What You're Eating

We all know that you have the opportunity to eat lobster when you go to Red Lobster.

I assume you can eat a robin when you dine at Red Robin.

But, I have a hard time believing that anyone wants to eat a castle when they eat at White Castle!

Sounds, Noise, and Melody

Living in the middle of hills and dense woods should normally be peaceful and tranquil, but the encroachment of neighbors can change that quite quickly. Since moving here six years ago, one neighbor cut down all their trees, thus allowing the harsh sounds of traffic and civilization to more fully enter our quiet world. Another close neighbor has collected a pack of small yappy dogs who's non-stop barking echoes day and night throughout the neighborhood filling the hills with a wall of noise. Occasionally the entire 'herd' of noisemakers are allowed to retreat inside the neighbor's house, allowing peace and quiet to blanket our wooded domain for a short while. It is at those times that another sound can be heard and appreciated... the soothing singing of the large variety of birds who frequent the feeders in our patio! Their melodious songs echo through the trees and provide the ambiance which is perfectly tailored for living in an area such as this. Once again God shows that He knows best!

Satisfaction

It's in our nature to view things with a 'grass is always greener' perspective, especially in regards to where we live. This is where we work, toil, and struggle. We only occasionally take advantage of all the wonders at our own back door. We drive for a day or more to vacation somewhere which makes us think, "it sure would be great to live here", not realizing a vacation's perspective is not the same as the perspective coming from our daily struggle. Even folks living in a desirous location are often guilty of longing to be somewhere else.

There are exceptions to this rule. Bruce was a simple mountain man... quite satisfied with where God had placed him. His remote rural existence was quite modest by most standards. He told of the time his wife and he responded to the 'all inclusive' promo of a time share resort. After experiencing it's wonders; being shown all it's many amenities; and being pressured to the extreme by the persistent sales force, Bruce gently explained to them why he was not interested. "You have a lot of nice things at your place but I already live in a place that's so good people come from all over to experience my mountains. I wake up every day looking forward to the chores I will do feeding the chickens, milking the cow, and tending my fields... and all the time looking at my mountains. I like what you have here, but it's for someone else that doesn't have things as nice as what I have at home."

Bruce didn't have near as much as folks who aren't satisfied with the multitudes of expensive toys that cannot bring them happiness. His grass was greener on his side of the fence.

Know Who God is

A really broad, all-inclusive view of God is really no view at all... especially if little of it is based on Christ's revelations of who God is. "Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me." (John 15:20–21) What? We've rejected God!!? Jesus is saying that if we listen to any other voice which doesn't align-up with His revelations about God and the spiritual realm, we are in reality rejecting God! He gives us no room to be all inclusive in our viewpoints and interpretations. Perhaps now you understand a bit better why He was nailed to a cross to die. His message isn't what we want to hear.

Sea of Despair-Showers of Grace - Autumn

Sea of Despair-Showers of Grace - Autumn

It's been a full year since I posted "Sea of Despair - Showers of Grace" and so I am posting it once again. It is one of my personal favorites, and though this is the Autumn instrumental version, it's lyrics have strong meaning to me and can be round at the Jamendo music sight. I will post that link as well. Thanks!

Where are IT departments heading?

I read a tech report about the demise of the IT department and the current reasons why there’s a good possibility these departments will shrink in the next few years. So I wrote this little article about my personal experience with IT departments over the years…
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For me it started in 1987.
That was when our company purchased three little Mac Plus’ to do our printed catalogs with. There were already about forty M-DOS computers which had a daily need for the company’s IT department. Those DOS things were basically a nightmare in numerous ways! The employees using the DOS computers would come around and marvel at the way our little boxes operated… so much nicer, user friendly, and more efficient than anything they had been trained on. The IT staff had a different attitude. They believed that any computer which didn’t require their assistance was not worth paying attention to. I could also see that the Macs were a pure threat to their job security as well.

The graphic department’s little Macs also proved to be quite trouble free as well. Looking back at the end of the first year, it was evident these computers which did things differently also required very little maintenance. They were basically problem free! The IT department appreciated the ‘headache’ computers but had a sometimes outspoken disdain for our devices.

Over the decades, having worked at numerous other companies in graphics, I have seen this same scenario repeated over and over in various incarnations. Even when Windows finally entered the workforce, the non-Macs almost always had some type of need for IT. There were always some aspects which weren’t user-friendly for the office staff and had to be maintained by a techie expert to operate well.

I really thought the IT departments would shrink far greater than they had by 2000. I’m a bit surprised they have been around as long as they have when technology had got to the point that their services were no longer in great demand… and I’m not talking about the future, I’m going back a ways.

I think there will always be a need for some type of IT department. Perhaps it will evolve where the position is part of a bigger job description. Perhaps it will be a position where one person can do what three once did. With both computers, and the end-user’s abilities being what they are now, I can’t imagine IT not evolving in some way as well.

Smartphone

Silly me. I once thought that a Smartphone was so-named in reference to it's intelligent computing abilities. But after owning a couple of them, I now think they're called a Smartphone because you have to be fairly smart in order to use the dang thing!

Like Christ

History has given us many great people whom we can pattern our self after and strive to be like. Some of us even have a beloved family member worthy of learning from. But there has been only one who is utterly impossible to emulate without the assistance of God's mighty Spirit working within. When He instructed us to "die to self" He was not joking... there is no other way to even remotely be a reflection of Him and His vastly higher ways!

Above the Law

One fallacy I've heard all my life is that the rich are often above the law, but the poor seldom are. Having observed the local, national, and some foreign laws and the way they are enforced, or not enforced, I have seen that it's not entirely a matter of one's financial status. What it actually boils down to is... what connections does a person have? One's connections are vitally important! Who do you know in the right place who is willing to stack the deck in your favor? Just pick up the paper and see who is prosecuted and who isn't. It's all in the connections... whether obtained by wealth, family, friends, organizations, or social services.