Giver of Music

It's Christmas day and gifts galore. As I reminded my boys to write thank you cards, I found out I need to examine my own thankfulness as well.

Since my "obsession du jour" has been piano playing and classical music, I realize I haven't been thankful to God for my ability to both play and enjoy. I have been constantly coveting the technique, musicality and even the big hands of various concert pianists. And don't get me started on child prodigies!

Granted, my talent has nothing worth bragging about, but what a gift it is to be able to make music on a beautiful instrument. From the interpretations of virtuoso pianists like Richter, Argerich, Horowitz, Kempff and more recently, Kempf, I get to appreciate Bach's earnestness, Beethoven's fiery passion and Chopin's poetic sensitivity, (Thank you YouTube!)

So I'll never be a concert pianist. But even if I'll never be able to play Rachmaninoff's fat chords, Chopin's Etudes in the speed of lightning, or even finish playing the 1st Movement of Pathétique without my left hand falling off, (those pesky tremolos!) I'm tremendously and undeservingly blessed with the beauty of music in my life.

And do I need to be reminded, on Christmas day, that the greatest gift we have is Jesus who was born unto us, to live a perfect life to cloak us with His righteousness, and to die to paid the penalty of our sins? Actually, I do.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" Isaiah 9:6

Moneyback Guarantee?

I got a colorful direct mail from a new local church, promoting their sermon series on improving family relationships. The brochure highlights the "five guarantees" of the church:

A Casual and Contemporary Atmosphere!

The Music Will be Contemporary!

Your Kids will Love It!

The Talk will be Positive and Encouraging!

You are our Guest! We want you to feel relaxed, welcomed and accepted!

As I got all dizzy with all those exclamation points, I try to look for any indication, other than the name of the church, that it's actually a "Christian Church". Well, in the mist of all the promises to make sure the readers know this is not the kind of church that is "boring" or "stiffly", I finally see the word "Bible" in the kids section, indicting that after all, the kids are going to hear some Bible stories. But nowhere is "God" nor "Jesus" even mentioned.

I got curious and checked its website. While the mission statement is still man-centered rather than God-centered, at least the doctrines seem solid. I'm praying that the brochure is more like a "bait-and-switch", lures people in and then fill them with Scriptures and the greatness of God. Though I'm not even sure if I like that approach to outreach.

Here's what I'd like a Christian church to guarantee:

We will only and always teach from the Bible.

We will remind you of the sorrow state men are in without God, and then rejoice in the mercy and grace that our glorious God freely gives through Christ Jesus.

While we bask in God's mercy and grace, we understand the seriousness of sins and therefore we will exhort you to a live a holy life.

Our worship will focus on God. Not so much as "what God can do for me" type, but meditating on and praising God's wonderful attributes.

And yes, we do want you to feel welcomed and accepted. But more importantly, we want you to grow in your faith and depth of your relationship with God.

And moreover, no overuse of exclamation points in our brochures!