And yes, I'm proud of my pun. ;)
Jesus said, "I AM the door."
Monday, 15 August 2016
Saturday, 6 August 2016
a glimpse of glory
The Lord was so kind when He had Nathan in mind for me. I realize this more with each day that passes. I thought I loved him when I dated him, but that love has only grown since I've married him.
Like any couple, our relationship is enriched by both our differences and our commonalities. We are different. We've had different people and places in our past. We have different perspectives on different things. We have different personalities. We have different gifts. And then we are alike in so many other ways. The deepest bond we share is Jesus Christ. We both love to spend time with people. We both love to travel and to eat. We both are intrigued by language and history. And we both share a profound appreciation for music.
One of our favourite words is "juntos" which is the Spanish word for "together." We love to experience life "juntos." It's just more fun and interesting that way!
For all our differences and commonalities, I am moved to worship the God who orchestrated our love story.
Speaking of orchestration, in case you didn't already know, my husband is a composer. And a serious one at that. I mean, the guy has a photo of John Williams and him in his wallet. I'm not even in his wallet! ;)
Anyways, Nathan writes and directs some of the most beautiful orchestra pieces on the planet (not that I'm biased or anything!). Hence why I call his director's baton a wand because that's what it truly is. It works real magic in real time.
One of my favourite things about being married to him is hearing him in the process of a piece of music coming to life. It'll start as a simple melody and transform into an unforgettable theme. It'll capture you and carry you. You'll soar with the score.
Better than that though is when he goes on a heartfelt spiel about how God's glory is WONDERfully shown in music. Just last night he was raving about this very thing. From the depths of his being, he exclaimed, "Angela, our God is so sO SO glorious!!! Isn't it amazing that He has given us music as an evidence of His glory?"
After all, music was God's idea since the beginning (Job 38:7) and is one of His heavenly hobbies (Zephaniah 3:17).
This got me to thinking - just as there are endless arrangements of notes and a stunning diversity of genres and a fascinating variety of instruments, so multifaceted and magnificent is God's glory!
And if I'm so impressed with but a little image-bearer (aka my husband) of our big and glorious God, then I can't even begin to imagine the splendour of the Source! And if I'm so overwhelmed by Nathan's gift of music, then I am in total and complete awe of the Giver.
So, let me end on this "note," ;) I love my composer mucho, and I love the way he imitates our Creator.
Like any couple, our relationship is enriched by both our differences and our commonalities. We are different. We've had different people and places in our past. We have different perspectives on different things. We have different personalities. We have different gifts. And then we are alike in so many other ways. The deepest bond we share is Jesus Christ. We both love to spend time with people. We both love to travel and to eat. We both are intrigued by language and history. And we both share a profound appreciation for music.
One of our favourite words is "juntos" which is the Spanish word for "together." We love to experience life "juntos." It's just more fun and interesting that way!
For all our differences and commonalities, I am moved to worship the God who orchestrated our love story.
Anyways, Nathan writes and directs some of the most beautiful orchestra pieces on the planet (not that I'm biased or anything!). Hence why I call his director's baton a wand because that's what it truly is. It works real magic in real time.
One of my favourite things about being married to him is hearing him in the process of a piece of music coming to life. It'll start as a simple melody and transform into an unforgettable theme. It'll capture you and carry you. You'll soar with the score.
Better than that though is when he goes on a heartfelt spiel about how God's glory is WONDERfully shown in music. Just last night he was raving about this very thing. From the depths of his being, he exclaimed, "Angela, our God is so sO SO glorious!!! Isn't it amazing that He has given us music as an evidence of His glory?"
After all, music was God's idea since the beginning (Job 38:7) and is one of His heavenly hobbies (Zephaniah 3:17).
This got me to thinking - just as there are endless arrangements of notes and a stunning diversity of genres and a fascinating variety of instruments, so multifaceted and magnificent is God's glory!
And if I'm so impressed with but a little image-bearer (aka my husband) of our big and glorious God, then I can't even begin to imagine the splendour of the Source! And if I'm so overwhelmed by Nathan's gift of music, then I am in total and complete awe of the Giver.
So, let me end on this "note," ;) I love my composer mucho, and I love the way he imitates our Creator.
marriage
I can't say it any better than C.S. Lewis - "One’s mind runs back up the sunbeam to the sun." Nathan is the sunbeam in my life. God is the sun.
Thursday, 4 August 2016
what it's not and what it is
The following was inspired by a thought-provoking conversation with a couple of fellow Christians over an authentic Mexican meal. We were glorifying God with our tastebuds and our conversation. :)
Galatians 1:8 issues a sobering warning - "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse!" Yikes!
That begs the big question - what isn't the Gospel, and what is the Gospel?
Galatians 1:8 issues a sobering warning - "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse!" Yikes!
That begs the big question - what isn't the Gospel, and what is the Gospel?
Let's start with what it isn't. People often go to extremes, and both extremes are extremely wrong. On one side of the spectrum, you have "the health and wealth" version which promises only earthly prosperity in this life if you seek God. Do we really think that our righteous God can't see right through our ulterior motives? Let it be clear - the Good News is not about your body's physical health or your bank account amount. On the other end of the spectrum, you have "the doom and gloom" version which preaches all pain and no gain. Do we forget that God's presence is described as being "the fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore"? Let it be clear - the Good News is not ultimately about the bad news of sin and sorrow and Satan.
Both of these lopsided versions are a false Gospel, and the person who preaches either one to anyone is in major trouble.
So, what is the Gospel we ought to preach? It is CHRIST eternal, incarnate, crucified, resurrected, and enthroned. It is an abundant life, but not the way you might assume. It's your sin-sick soul that is healed and your spiritual bankruptcy that is solved. God in all His glory is your ultimate reward. It is an awful present and future without Jesus, but it doesn't have to be. God is not just just; He is just as much love! He loves to love! The Good News is the worthy Redeemer seeking you that you might seek and find and enJOY Him for Him forever.
when students remind the teacher
We had the pleasure and treasure of reading "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis this past school year. The following occurred in our class discussion.
Student: "Mrs. J., why does Aslan not just obliterate the witch? I mean, he could just wipe her out. He's the king! But instead he lets her kill him."
Me: "Very true. But first he wants to take care of Edmund's soul, right? And he wants to melt the terrible winter spell that had been cast over Narnia."
(Hmmm, Aslan sounds like another King whose plan was to REDEEM, then reign!)
Student: "Mrs. J., why does Aslan not just obliterate the witch? I mean, he could just wipe her out. He's the king! But instead he lets her kill him."
Me: "Very true. But first he wants to take care of Edmund's soul, right? And he wants to melt the terrible winter spell that had been cast over Narnia."
(Hmmm, Aslan sounds like another King whose plan was to REDEEM, then reign!)
my moving window
Sheep-like clouds in the sky,
Cloud-like sheep passing by,
Blue sky above, blue sea below,
God's colours everywhere you go.
Soaring birds in the sky,
Tree branches waving bye,
Yellow blooms, green rolling hills,
Arching rainbow, His glory thrills!
- a silly wee poem I penned on the road whilst in Northern Ireland with my beloved travel companion
WONDERing
Why is it that a rainbow looks upside down?
Why does it appear a colourful frown?
Well, perhaps it's right side up from God above,
A smile - a mile long - from the God of love.
P.S. Can you even begin to imagine "the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ," (Titus 2:13) the Maker of the mere magic around us?
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