I just completed the 'Heavenly Guitars' Spring arrangement of 'MOtD, which can be heard on Last.fm at:
http://bit.ly/NmDhtG
The original composition was released in 2008 and various versions of it can also be heard on my Last.fm page.
(artwork shown from the 'Down Through the Ages' video which will soon be released on YouTube)

"Being a Berean" is a rendering which embellishes the video of 'Down Through the Ages'.
Though the video is not yet completed, the music is, and can be heard on Last.fm at:
http://bit.ly/NKyVht

What's Your Vice?

"Vices spread much faster than virtue."

We commonly ignore and forget this principle until it catches up to us and it's damage has been done.

Dirty Twitter

Twitter promotes very biased and slanted politics! In your Twitter account settings, be sure you go to your 'email notifications' and uncheck boxes in 'Updates from Twitter' so you won't receive them anymore.

During this nasty campaign season, Twitter is showing their true dirty colors! It's bad enough we have to put-up with the politicians deceiving us, now we have to put-up with Twitter shoving their views down our throats!!

Shown is the rendering which coincides with the "time and space" lyrics from the 'Heavenly Guitars' Spring arrangement of 'Down Through the Ages'.
Though the video is not yet completed, the music is, and can be heard on Last.fm at:
http://bit.ly/NKyVht

Shown is the rendering which coincides with the "opens the door" lyrics from the 'Heavenly Guitars' Spring arrangement of 'Down Through the Ages'.
Though the video is not yet completed, the music is, and can be heard on Last.fm at:
http://bit.ly/NKyVht

I previously mentioned that art is being created to go along with the 'Heavenly Guitars' Spring arrangement of 'Down Through the Ages'. Shown is the rendering which coincides with the "lions roar" lyrics.
Though the video is not yet completed, the music is, and can be heard on Last.fm at:
http://bit.ly/NKyVht

Allowance

Make sure most things in your life are for the good and benefit of all.

Let your tolerances be positive and your intolerance be even more positive. We all can benefit by those things you allow, as well as those things you won't allow.

Quote Me

"Far too many quotes are not worth re-quoting... including this one." -me

Comment on 'All Roads' Jargon...

Fallacy: "I love the peaceful, loving, and kind Jesus, not the Jesus who Christians portray."

This is a fallacy because the many, many people who think that way really have no love for Jesus at all. They purposely pick an attractive non-confrontational Christ. They only hear the sweet, loving things he occasionally said. They ignore the bulk of his teaching which minces no words about who he actually is; what God expects from us; the terrible predicament we are born into; and the one and only way out of our nasty predicament.

Christ's ministry began upon the all-important message of 'Repent', and it is that very message which the average person intentionally ignores and downplays. It is only those handful of folks who take that message serious and do exactly what we are told to do... not because we are forced to do it, but because our heart shifts and we recognize the truth and have a new desire to do what God wants us to do. (No, most people have no honest desire to please God. It's not a part of our makeup.) It is only after we make that all-important, life-or-death, honest change-of-heart, and make Jesus our highest Lord and King, that we will follow Him wherever He might lead... here, there, east, west, north, south, good times, bad times, tribulation, turmoil, persecution, and finally.... to His eternal Kingdom which requires a second birth in order to enter.

Yep, Jesus never once minced words about how difficult it is to "go to where I am going". In order to get there we must choose a tiny narrow path; go through a small narrow door; quit joining in to the majority rule; and die to our egotistical, selfish self in order to get there.

Jesus might have come as a humble servant, but He can only be a part of us when He truly is King of Kings within our heart!

REVIEW BY NIFER:

The nine years put into this album has sure been worth the time. What a beautiful and inspirational way to teach about Jesus. Every song is so captivating that I didn't mind the length of the album at all. Thank you so much for your wonderful product of your faith and the God given talents, which are abundant.

All good Blessings to you and your continued work in His Ministry.

Music Appreciation

It's always great to hear from listeners of my music. This one came from someone who heard it played on Last.fm...

"All I can say is "wow". I am really enjoying your music. Absolutely beautiful. Thank you."
Justin

the Psalmist's Sonata (Autumn)

Coins make Noise

The loud, boisterous pastor was known to exclaim as the offering plate was passed around, "I don't like the sound of coins hitting the plate. Paper money doesn't make that kind of noise, and that's what I like to hear... the sound of paper!" His congregation was not known for their large incomes or excess wealth. Coins might have been the best that some could muster.

The pastor's attitude was the direct opposite of Jesus on the day he defended the impoverished widow who was only able to place two measly mites into the temple treasury. Jesus is not impressed by the amount of money that we might give, but by the heart by which it is given. He knows our hearts. He is aware whether we're giving the most we are able to under our circumstances and He also knows whether we're only robbing from God by Scrooginizing against Him.

Yes, I can personally give more than the widow did simply because I am able to, but in no way am I going to be commended for what I do give in the same way that she was. Also, I don't know much about that pastor, but his attitude toward the offering instantly throws-up a red flag in front of my eyes which makes me question the rest of his teachings.

a Dozen Mistakes

Dozen is a word that is occasionally pluralized when it really shouldn't be.

Example:

"A dozen people were involved" means that twelve people were involved.

"Dozens of people were involved" means at least twenty-four people were involved, perhaps more... perhaps many, many more!

"More than a dozen people were involved" means somewhere between twelve and twenty four people were involved. The number could be thirteen, or it could be twenty-three, but normally this statement refers to numbers closer to a dozen.

It is that last statement that the news occasionally screws-up. They might report that "Dozens of people were involved" when actually it should have been reported as "More than a dozen people were involved. They do the same thing with the numerical terms hundred and thousand. The news is extremely guilty of this 'play on numerical words' when trying to make an event appear to be more important than it is... or less important. This is one of the obvious areas we can look at to see if the news-media is being slanted on an issue.

Politically Incorrect

Though I am normally quite politically incorrect in my reactions and thinking, I can see that in certain areas, political correctness is the way to go and should be upheld in those specific situations. Just because someone or something is wrong part of the time does not mean they are consistently wrong all of the time.

Pray over all decisions and situations. If nothing less, it will at least start you out on the right track.

Me at Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart #1: Two of the lanes marked "Speedy Checkout" have two of the world's slowest cashiers. Perhaps speedy doesn't mean what I think it does.

Wal-Mart #2: I could spend all afternoon just sitting here staring at people. Confession... staring with amusement and amazement!

Wal-Mart #3: The way I'm dressed, I wouldn't be surprised if someone is staring at me with amusement! I also wouldn't be surprised if I end-up on the infamous 'People of Wal-Mart' website.

Return of the Prodigal (Winter)

Perhaps one of my more powerful compositions now has a completed video. This one has more original art than the previous videos and took a little longer to complete. Whether you agree with the strong gospel message or not, I hope you can enjoy and appreciate 'Return of the Prodigal'.

Neil Armstrong

When I heard that Neil Armstrong passed away today it finally donned on me that this person did something which no other person in the history of the entire world had done before. He actually stepped foot onto the surface of the moon! Yep, he was the very first!

I've heard about the first moon landing my entire life but the uniqueness of it didn't hit home until just now when learning of his death. I guess I was so young when it happened, I must have trivialized the whole event in my mind.

Mr. Armstrong's tombstone will have one statement which no other person can make claim to. It will read, "He was the first person to walk on the moon." Simply incredible!

Right

Most people honestly think they are right... even those who are honestly wrong.

All it Takes is One

For a marriage to last a long time, all it takes is one person who is able to put-up with a lot.

Two people with high endurance is a guarantee of many years together (bar death). If neither of them are able to put-up with much, that marriage is pretty much doomed.

Of course the other guarantee of a long-lasting marriage is when two perfect people are unified, but since that doesn't exist in real life, we have to rely on at least one of the people with a long suffering disposition!

Jerk

Everyone's an a-hole at one time or another... whether intentional or not intended. But, when you are one, do people just shrug it off as being typical-you, or are they shocked and surprised that such behavior came out of you?

Perhaps some rare occasion requires lousy behavior, but the majority of the time being a jerk is not a goal any of us should strive for. Being the best we can be means getting over a bad case of jerkitus as soon as possible and moving directly in the opposite direction.

Heaven Heart

I'm more and more convinced that most of the folks who try to create an opulent 'heaven on earth' are for the most part the same folks who probably never will experience the 'heaven not on this earth'.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

-Matthew 6:21/Luke 12:34

Disney Robbers

In 1981 a person earning minimum wage had to work 3-1/3 hours to purchase an admission ticket to either of the Disney parks. In 2012 a person earning minimum wage has to work 12-1/2 hours!!! If minimum wage were aligned with the incredible inflationary prices which Disney charges to get into their parks, it would currently be $27.70 per hour!
(No, the argument that the parks are better now doesn't hold up... Disney has been arrogantly greedy with their park price hikes which are not based on wages earned or on inflation.)

It now cost over $14 a day to park your car there. I haven't located the exact amount of quarters it cost back in 1981 to do the same.

Final thought: If we could get Disney to negotiate for us, many of us would be glad to work for the Disney equivalent minimum wage, LOL.

You are Offensive

Sometimes the truth is quite offensive. Therefore, never refrain from offending someone if it: (1) has been asked for, (2) is with the right loving motive, (3) never done with anger or malice, (4) and is honestly for the greater good (the other person's benefit).

Otherwise, irresponsible offensive behavior is best left for those who don't know any better. (Politicians excluded.)

That's Your Interpretation

Some things can be interpreted different ways. Other things can never be interpreted in various ways. Those are the things which you must absolutely be 100% sure you are interpreting correctly. Wars have been fought for less.

Another Turtle on a Fence Post

A turtle on a fence pole is much like an eagle in a dense hole.

Both of them are not in their natural environment, and
both of them are in a location they would rather not be in.

Jesus Light

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
— Matthew 5:16

No, our good works won't get us into heaven (unlike several religions believe) but our good works are still important. They glorify God and point the way to Him... if we're not getting all the glory for our self (in that case neither is God glorified, nor do we receive any type of eternal reward). Since Jesus is THE light of the world, when we let our light shine, we are showing the true Jesus to the world in a beneficial and authentic way!

Expensive Entertainment

1963... Minor amusement parks were around $2.50 for adults and $1.25 for kids (I have the admission tickets). Parking was free. Drinks in the park were 10¢. The same parks now are around $30 for kids. $40 for adults. $5 to $10 parking. $3 to $5 for drinks. Multiply 4x for a family of four. When it comes to amusement, our dollar doesn't go near as far now as it did then (I paid 15¢ for movies throughout early sixties, 10¢ for popcorn).

Bottom line... entertainment is far more sophisticated now but you work many more hours to be entertained. Inflation runs amuck.

PS... And it took only one income to support that family of four and pay for that day at the amusement park. Now it takes two incomes, or one income using a credit card which is money they haven't earned.

Speelchek

One alarming thing which becomes apparent when reading forums and online comments is just how much 'flawed thinking' takes place in general. I'm not sure it knows no bounds between the highly-educated or the lesser-educated, it seems to come from all corners.
(No, I'm not referring to grammar. I am not referring to anything which spell-check could correct. I'm talking about those things which spell-check has no clue about.)

Awards

Much of the time when someone is nominated for an award of achievement, their nomination is more a statement about the person or committee that does the nominating than it is about the recipient.

Awards are given for perceived excellence. Sadly, most excellence goes unnoticed and it is only that wee bit of perceived excellence that just happens to be noticed by the right person that ends up receiving recognition.

Expertation

When 'the experts' say something contrary with what you know is right, it makes you question who these experts are and why aren't they able to do a better job in their field. Unfortunately, the experts are the ones who get widely quoted, publicized, and acknowledged with having the final word on a given subject.
Yeah, sure.

New Art

Fifty five iPad paintings and probably another twenty to go!
I've been working for over a month on the artwork to accompany the 'Return of the Prodigal' music video. This one's taking longer than the others for two reasons... the length of the song is longer than many of the others, and the art has far more people in it. People normally take longer than objects or nature to paint.

I have also changed the app which is being used for the video edits. Perhaps I'm editing slower than normal. Maybe in a couple of weeks it will be ready to post.

One Step Beyond

One truth we seldom hear (but most likely are told just the opposite), is...

Those who are aware of their limitations and limited means can often push right to the wall and as a result achieve excellence. But those who aren't aware of their boundaries, or choose to ignore them, often push past their wall and are only guilty of excess and over indulgence. Because of society's unwarranted decree to go a step beyond, we see this happening more and more. Granted, on rare occasions some positive does emerge, but more commonly the end result is we are bombarded with lavish, opulent, and excessive extravaganzas of personage, places, or events produced at tremendous cost and which most probably shouldn't have happened in the first place. When we don't know why a wall is there, we are quick to scale it and land in areas of corruption and infectious wastelands.

I won some $$$

What do you think of this scenario?

I win $310 million in a lottery. I decide to give it all away to two co-workers. I give $300 million to one co-worker and $10 million to the other. I have only one stipulation... in order to get and keep the money, the two of them must maintain a 'best friends' relationship for the rest of their lives. They must honestly and sincerely remain the great friends which they have always been.

Do you see anything which might make this simple request difficult for them to maintain? Would this be harder on one than on the other?

Oh yeah, be nice to me... I might just be in a generous mood.

You're a Mess

I've heard old-timers refer to someone with lots of outward and/or inward problems as "she's a mess" or "he's a mess". If you carry this logic to it's full conclusion, it leaves very few entertainers who wouldn't be labeled in such a manner. When talking about someone in the entertainment industry it might be easier to reverse label and refer to those with very few emotional problems as "she's not a mess" or "he's not a mess". Of course, such a statement would be said with shock and surprise for maximum impact! LOL

More Politics 102

I have some facebook friends who are quite radical in certain ways... and yet they still vote for one of the two established political parties which have been around for centuries! Perhaps they're not as radical as they believe (or I believe). Perhaps they buy-into more rhetoric than what they care to admit.

Polluted River of ________!

The Internet ocean is filled with sparkling treasures and priceless gems. The problem is you so often have to wade through a cesspool of rubbish in order to locate the gold. Far too many users are getting swept-up in the riptide of the internet's filthy waters and are pulled low into it's murky depths of character assassination and destruction. WWW's devastation is already leaving it's ugly mark on a near-global scale and a torrent of victims are left treading water in it's wake. We have taken both a step forward and a step backward at the same time.

Our challenge is to filter, block, edit, censor, hide and avoid Internet content (from our self) that is not worth subjecting our minds to before we become numb to it's pollution. The catch-22 is... once a mind has become polluted, it is often unaware that it has been. Denial becomes the norm.

Diversity

'Is it a Compliment or Is it a Put-Down Department'
"The world would be a much better place if there wasn't so much diversity…
And more people were just like you!"

Vacation Blues

Some times you just can't have sympathy for someone.


Take the co-worker who goes away on a vacation and while they're away you have to work extra hard to keep up. So what do they do when they return to the office? They just have to tell you how worn-out and tired they are from that exhaustive holiday they were on... they just did far too many things. Then they joke that they're going to have to take a vacation to get over the vacation they just took!


Some times you just can't have sympathy for someone.
Some times you just shouldn't have sympathy for someone!

Misnomer

When a person consistently calls something by the wrong name, we must evaluate whether they are doing it intentionally or through error-association related to memory. It's an easy fix if the problem comes by poor memory association. All they have to do is make an effort to correctly associate the name with a more accurate reference. But if the problem is due to a smug intention to get the name wrong, this is a different matter all together. Intentional misnomer* indicates they have every desire to keep calling it by the incorrect name.

They are showing that the person, place, or thing is of little importance to them and are emphasizing how little they care by the fact that the name is not important enough to remember. The person is putting-down the recipient of this error in a major way since a name is of unquestionable importance and often states exactly who you are. This is the type of memory error which cannot be corrected because it is not only intentional, but has nothing to do with poor memory in the first place! That is not where the problem lies.

_________________________

*Misnomer...
1. An error in naming a person or place.
2. Application of a wrong name.
3. A name wrongly or unsuitably applied to a person or an object.

Sea of Despair - Showers of Grace (Autumn)

Have a Gay (fun) time at Chick-fil-A

So, uh, well... I was wondering, ahem, (clears throat),
here goes...
Speaking of Chick-fil-A. How is that hand-spun peach milkshake they have out for the summer months? Does it have large chunks of peach in it? Is it worth trying out?

(Now to get totally off topic) How many remember the Allman Brothers' classic 'Eat a Peach' LP? Some good southern-rock, chickn' eatn', toe-tappn', Georgia-based music there! Wasn't it a double LP too?

Olympic Fans from Hell

No more Olympics for me!
Well, not exactly, but there is something that's driving me crazy and I'm not sure if it's always been there or if I just started noticing it and am dwelling on it. I'm talking about the continuous whistling that some fans are doing while the event takes place. It sounds like more than one fan is sitting in the bleachers and blaring out this incredibly irritating high-pitch whistle which continues for the duration of the event. My ears have now tuned-in to the nasty whistle and I can't hear the announcer or much of anything else.

Please, make it stop!! lol

Where do You Look?

The church is so full of hypocrites!

The only place you can find a lot more hypocrites than in the church is when you look outside of the church.

Boring Movies

Now here's something I would never have said a few years ago...
I like watching movies at home, that way I don't have to devote my full attention to them.
(Did I really say that?)

More than a Song

"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you."
(John 15:18)

If you reflect the 'peace, love, understanding' that Jesus occasionally preached then you might not know what this verse emphasizes. But if you adhere to one or more of his numerous less popular stands then you realize what this verse is all about. If you never run into any opposition to your faith, then you should evaluate whether you're not reflecting Christ very clearly.

Olympic Excess

Okay, I'm about to make some enemies.
I'm watching the opening ceremonies and I will sum it up with two words:
(1) Impressive
(2) Excessive*

Yep. They could have ended it after the first thirty minutes and they would have been none for the worse. The impressiveness faded after the Olympic circles in the sky descended. After that is was merely excess.


* Unnecessarily excessive.

Acceptance

Acceptance can be the best thing in the world, or the worst thing... all depending on what you choose to accept.

News Events

I have very little affection for both the good and the bad events which have dominated the news this past week or so. Perhaps that's not a bad thing. Perhaps I'm actually becoming more of the way Christ desires when He instructs us to have very little passion for the things of this world. Our heart should not be set upon the Olympian grandiosity of this world but upon those things which are of true importance and last well beyond the here-today-gone-tomorrow shallowness of our fifteen minutes of menial fame.

Politics 101

If you developed and matured your political views while sitting in a classroom, there's a good chance your views are skewed and not worth much. Political viewpoints can only legitimately be developed by and through life's experiences. They cannot have true validity or maturity if they are simply learned and copied from a classroom professor; talk-show host; or even based solely on a loved-one's opinions. You must experience the good and bad side of life in order to see-through the political rhetoric and nonsensical jargon which is preached from the political podium. Politicians despise genuine independently-minded free-thinkers who are not as susceptible to their pretty words as what the general public normally is.

Republicans Once Were Democrats?

My grandfather was an extremely conservative democrat. Yep, you heard me right… extremely right-wing conservative democrat! He was born and raised that way, and died that way.

I'm not sure that such a beast exists anymore. I believe those folks died-out with my grandfather.

Watch What You Watch

Our viewing habits... the things we see on television; watch at the movies; rent on video; view on the internet; and attend in public, say a lot about us as a nation. The polls, ratings, statistics, and attendance numbers easily show us what we enjoy being entertained by. What we see is who we are.

This sure doesn't say much about us. Perhaps we should resurrect the word 'shame' once again. It serves a purpose which isn't being addressed anymore and our viewing and spending habits sure confirm it.

Bread Plate But No Bread

About a dozen of us ate at an upscale restaurant that is known for it's fine cuisine, but not for it's bread. It doesn't serve bread of any type since it serves eastern, not western food. But, when you sit down, all utensils are laid out, along with the traditional bread plate. Well, a dozen folks get almost a dozen different entries and guess what… not a person ordered anything which that extra plate was used for! At one point the waitress even comes around and removes those unused clean plates (did they have to all be washed?).

Do those plates actually serve any purpose or has the restaurant just copied the table-setting style from establishments which put those plates to use? If so, then they're kinda like cheap flea market electronics that copy the name-brands, even to the point of including buttons and knobs that serve absolutely no purpose except to make them look like the real thing!

I for one could have used some good bread or rolls on them things. I was pretty hungry by the time the food was served.

Slaughterhouse

Many of our Hollywood elite are very poor role models in their personal life.
The majority of them, at one time or another, have come across as a poor role model while in front of the screen... some with every performance they're in.
What we find entertaining is not all that different than what the spectators enjoyed while watching the slaughter and combat within the ancient Roman Colosseum.

Causes

There are multitudes of causes to get involved in.
The ones we choose are the ones we respect.
We also respect some of the ones we don't get involved in.
But, many of the causes we don't get involved in are ones we simply don't respect.
That can be an indication that we have good discretion... or any number of negative issues in that particular area.

New World Has Come - Winter

The Alpha & Omega Suite comes to completion with it's thirty-fifth song... New World Has Come. This is a song of peace and tranquility. The preceding song, Judgment Day, is filled with energy and impact since it deals with the turmoil and destruction of when our tainted earth falls upon God's ultimate judgment. But things don't end there for those who have embraced the Lamb of God, for they now bask in the soothing calm obtained in 'the new Jerusalem' which is centered in the New World which Has Come. Thus, the Alpha & Omega Suite ends on the most positive note imaginable!

The visuals highlighting the video's music are a series of artistic renderings of the world's historic castles and places of grandeur and splendor. These majestic (or once-majestic) opulent palaces give but a small glimpse of how enriched the new world will be... though we can't truly comprehend or fathom the true glory which the new Jerusalem will radiate, palaces will have to suffice.

----------------

Even apart from the Bible, recorded history shows how the effect of sin pollutes our relationship with the world around us and with our communion with God. The perfect unity that was once known in the garden can only be hoped for at a later time when God decides... and that time will come only when man's ruthless behavior justifies the end of things as we know them. Our actions create the circumstances but God brings about the final outcome (2 Peter 3:7). But… there is still yet hope!

The earth's, and man's problems which were introduced "in the beginning" are resolved in the final book of the Bible. Mercy and forgiveness are freely given to the repentant individual and peace is finally obtained on the "new" earth. The previously unobtainable tree of life is once again located within the reach of all who love and trust God (Rev 22:2). Christ is eternally present, supplying righteous light for all to bask in (Rev 21:23). Harmony has finally been restored. Paradise is regained!

The city has no need of the sun or the moon to shine on it...
For the glory of God has illumined it...
And its lamp is the Lamb. (Revelation 21:23)

Stunning Art

I normally associate the word 'stunning' as something beyond the norm; in a class of it's own; beyond description... in a positive way. But after seeing the word used to describe some art exhibited in a gallery, I must question my perception of the word. Yes, the word is appropriate for me to use in regards to that art, but my meaning would be more like, "His art is absolutely stunning. I am completed stunned at just how bad his art is, and yet it's hanging in a gallery with a high price tag attached." LOL

I Can See Clearly Now

There are two types of eyeglass wearers and I have now found out which type I am.

I've worn bifocals for several years and haven't had any problems with them. Due to a rapid change in my eyesight, I recently had an exam and got two pairs of glasses. The optometrist promoted the new seamless progressive lens and I've also heard several folks mention how much they enjoy the progressive lens, so I went ahead and got two pairs of these new, improved glasses. Well, after forty days I absolutely hate the dang things! I just can't get used to them, in spite of the mantra, "Try them, you'll get used to them"… they're worse than not wearing glasses at all. Luckily, the eye doctor has a 90 day guarantee so I had him change one pair over to bifocals. I picked them up last evening and guess what… I can finally see again! I can see great!

So, of the two types of people… those who love progressive lens and those who hate them, I am most clearly (pun intended) a big ol' hater!

What's Your Source?

(1) He holds strong convictions.
(2) He has strong opinions.
(3) He displays strong prejudices.

All three statements are about the same person.
All are about the same manifested traits.
All three paint an entirely different picture… from the positive, to the negative.
This just shows how easily we can be manipulated with words.

When reading, listening, viewing, studying / learning, be sure you thoroughly know the source it's coming from. Not all sources are created equal, and yet all sources have the same power of persuasion. Learn to read between the lines.