I only blog here occasionally, as most of my blogging energies go into the Exchange Church Blog, so you might also like to head over there for more of thoughts.
Time is a mystery.
It's been Saturday in Australia for 17 hours as this post goes live.
But on the west coast of the United States of America, the clock has just gone midnight, and Saturday the 6th of June, 2009 has just begun.
The apartment that has been our home for almost 4 years has now been sold...but as I type this, I have no idea how the auction has gone as it is yet happen for another hour or so. And as this post goes live, I will be driving through the mountains, far away from my every day life.
But for some close friends, met through Twitter and blogging, and consolidated through LifeGroupOnline, today is a day of remembering a dear friend.
Many of you who read this will know exactly what I'm talking about, but if you don't, head over here ... and pray.
Honour the memory of a man who is loved, who will be missed by many, and who has affected my life even though I've never met him or the family he has left behind.
That's what the Church does.
"Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief]."Romans 12:15, Amplified
Though grief is not without hope.
"Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus.And then this: We can tell you with complete confidence—we have the Master’s word on it—that when the Master comes again to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they’ll be ahead of us.The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God’s trumpet blast! He’ll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise—they’ll go first.Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master.Oh, we’ll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words."1 Thessalonians 4:14-18, The Message
So today, I grieve with my friends, in the hope of a perfected tomorrow.
And tomorrow is here in the blink of an eye, though it may be years.
Time is a mystery.
I've really been enjoying my walk down ChoralMemory Lane, and since it (tenuously) links in with my aim of mixing choral music with electronica, I've extended it to a third part.
(I know - I'm really stretching the friendship aren't I...I might stretch it even further too. So there.)
This week I've posted just the one song (I can hear your sighs of relief), but have given you a little bit more information about the inspiration.
Actually, that's a lie...all I've done is include this link to the beautiful part of Queensland that inspired this song. And to say that Diane and I also spent our first anniversary in a stunning resort that overlooked some of the beautiful sub-tropical rainforest that covers most of this amazing place.
It all feels so long ago...and yet, as though no time has passed by at all.
I enjoy living in a large city, being surrounded by hustle and bustle, hundreds of different cultures, cuisines, artistic expressions...the list of diversities is endless.
But, kinda peversely, what I enjoy about it the most is how much more I appreciate the beauty of God's untouched creation.
This "song", the third movement from Great Southern Spirits, as featured in my last choral post, and performed by Australian Voices, never fails to take me directly to Kondalilla National Park. It is like going on sabbatical without ever physically leaving; instant refreshment, ready to take on world once more. A lot like meditating on the Word of God; certainly no replacement for that - just a wonderful accompaniment.
It's an unconventional piece (as if you'd expect anything less), but truly evocative of the Australian bush. Lyre birds, whip birds and bell birds can all be heard in the amazing female parts that form basis of this piece.
I love it, and I hope there's something in there that you can appreciate to.
Where does music take you?
