I understand confidence.
I understand arrogance.
(They're not the same thing.)
What I don't understand is arrogant confidence.
The two become muddled into one and it's difficult to tell where one ends and the other begins.
The arrogance tends to overshadow the confidence and by doing so, all respect is also left behind.
(Some things should never be blended together.)
When combined together, what you're left with is an unbecoming attitude.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Attitude
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
the Seasons - Spring
New cover art created for the SPRING Heavenly Guitars arrangement.
The music can be heard on Last.fm at:
bit.ly/NKyVht
The videos can be viewed on YouTube at: youtu.be/EVxjrXFHuq4
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Thanksgiving
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his Holy name.
(Psalm 100:4)
Many people believe that if there is a heaven, they're gonna be admitted there. Unless you share the same attitude as the Psalmist, heaven's not really the right place for you.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Every Time and Place
Shown is the 'Every Time and Place' rendering which coincides with the 'Heavenly Guitars' Spring video.
Music of 'Miracle on the Damascus Road' can be heard on Last.fm at:
http://bit.ly/SUZlPw
Joy on Every Face
Music of 'Miracle on the Damascus Road' can be heard on Last.fm at:
http://bit.ly/SUZlPw
Shown is the 'Joy on Every Face' rendering which coincides with the 'Heavenly Guitars' Spring video.
I Really Like Your Jesus, uh... No You Don't!
This statement was coined in the last century by a man known for peace and revolution, but who also had a very jilted and poorly thought-out theology. Since then, it has been repeated and proclaimed by many other people who also tend to suffer from a weak doctrinal view of God and His spiritual kingdom.
If you are one who also believes in the "I like your Jesus" sentiment, I am restating a couple variations of it so the full absurdity of it can be felt…
"I really like Martin Luther King, I just don't like the dark people who follow him."
"I really like the Democratic party, I just don't like people who call themselves Democrats."
"I really like television, I just don't like the shows which they air."
etc,
etc.
In all four cases… Jesus, Dr. King, a political party, and a mass-media entertainment network, we cannot say we like the center but not the outlying branches. What we actually feel is that we don't like the results of the center focus/leader/source/ideal and if we really knew more about who or what is being followed, we really wouldn't like them/it as well.
So, when I hear someone proclaim the "I like your Jesus, but…", I think to myself, "No. You really don't like him either." And if it's someone I know, I might add, "… and your life and actions really show you don't like him as well."
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Overlooking Rio
"Overlooking Rio" rendered for 'Down Through the Ages'.
Heavenly Guitars arrangement can be heard on Last.fm at:
bit.ly/NKyVht
Friday, September 14, 2012
Greed
Currently the Door is Open
"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Luke 11:9)
The music which goes with the art can be heard at Last.fm at:
bit.ly/NKyVht
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Motivate Me
Why do I disdain a well-executed motivational presentation?
Perhaps it's what lies behind whats actually being said and presented. Perhaps it's the semblance of mind-control lying underneath.
One of the greatest motivational speakers of the past hundred years was Adolf Hitler. He was superb at stirring the inner being… right to the heart and core of his listeners.
The average politician tries his/her best to use motivational tactics too. Most aren't as successful as Hitler was, but that doesn't mean they don't make the effort.
I really do dislike motivational speeches.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
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)
Friday, September 7, 2012
What's Your Vice?
We commonly ignore and forget this principle until it catches up to us and it's damage has been done.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Dirty Twitter
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!!
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
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Allowance
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.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Comment on 'All Roads' Jargon...
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:
All good Blessings to you and your continued work in His Ministry.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Music Appreciation
"All I can say is "wow". I am really enjoying your music. Absolutely beautiful. Thank you."
Justin
Monday, August 27, 2012
Coins make Noise
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
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
Pray over all decisions and situations. If nothing less, it will at least start you out on the right track.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Me at Wal-Mart
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'.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Neil Armstrong
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!
Friday, August 24, 2012
All it Takes is One
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
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.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Heaven Heart
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
-Matthew 6:21/Luke 12:34
Disney Robbers
(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
Otherwise, irresponsible offensive behavior is best left for those who don't know any better. (Politicians excluded.)
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
That's Your Interpretation
Another Turtle on a Fence Post
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
— 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!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Expensive Entertainment
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
(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.)
Monday, August 20, 2012
Awards
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.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Expertation
Yeah, sure.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
New Art
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.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
One Step Beyond
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.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
I won some $$$
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.
Monday, August 13, 2012
You're a Mess
More Politics 102
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Polluted River of ________!
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.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Diversity
"The world would be a much better place if there wasn't so much diversity…
And more people were just like you!"
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Vacation Blues
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!
Monday, August 6, 2012
Misnomer
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.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Have a Gay (fun) time at Chick-fil-A
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?
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Olympic Fans from Hell
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 only place you can find a lot more hypocrites than in the church is when you look outside of the church.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Boring Movies
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
(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.
