“We do not live in a praying age. We live in an age of hustle and bustle, of man’s efforts and man’s determination, of man’s confidence in himself and in his own power to achieve things, an age of human organization, and human machinery, and human push, and human scheming, and human achievement; which in the things of God means no real achievement at all. What we need is not so much some new organization, some new wheel, but the Spirit of the living creature in the wheels we already possess.”
Dr. Reuben A. Torrey, The Power of Prayer
Matthew has requested a trombone several times. This latest occurrence happened over the cell phone; I often play my trumpet during breaks at work. I had finished playing and called Jenn, who hands the phone over Matthew who wanted to talk to me.
Matthew: What are you doing daddy?
Me: I was playing my trumpet.
Matthew: I want a trombone.
Me: You are too small for a trombone. You need to wait until you get bigger. A trombone is too big for you.
Matthew: I want a small trombone, like on Jack’s Music Show. They have small trombones.
Me: Those are just pretend trombones for fun. They don’t actually play.
Matthew: Trombones are actually made of dirt. Somehow, trombones come from dirt.
Then suddenly a busy signal. I try to call back but Matthew doesn’t answer. Later, Jenn mentions that Matthew couldn’t figure out how to answer the phone when I called back, but he continued to talk as if he was talking to me.
Matthew: I’m sorry daddy. I was waiting for you and I love you and I forgive you.
I’ve been reading the works of John Owen lately and it is difficult reading, but there are many great insights into the Scriptures. I want to share some of the things I’ve been reading, so I’ll post short bits here. Feel free to add comments as you desire.
In this post, John Owen describes the character of an apostate, a person who is said to “taste the good word”, but later they are found to fall away. This is from Heb 6:4-6, and you should be able to mouse over the scripture reference and the scripture will pop-up for you to read.
“When men feed on the word, it is turned into a principle of life, spiritual strength, and growth within; which a taste of it only will not give. As food, when it is digested, turns into flesh and blood and spirits, so doth the word, and Christ therein, unto the souls of men spiritually. Hence Christ becometh “our life,” and “liveth in us,” as the efficient cause of our spiritual life, Gal. 2:20; Col. 3:3; and we grow and increase by the word, 1 Pet. 2:2. A mere taste, though it may yield present refreshment, yet it communicates no abiding strength. Hence multitudes relish the word when it is preached, but never attain life, or strength, or growth by it.” (John Owen, The Works of John Owen vol. 7, 31)
We went to the San Jose fireworks this year. We parked perhaps 1 mile away and walked until we were in front of the Municipal Stadium and surrounded by people. When the fireworks started we could see the spot they were being launched: across the street, over a fence and in the back of the Stadium, perhaps 1/2 a block from where we stood.
Last year Matthew missed the Fireworks, this year he was exuberant. Take a look at the videos. He’s standing a little funny because he’s was sitting on a parking cone. I had to adjust the light level in the video processing program, so it’s a little grainy, but notice where Matthew says, “I love the whole world”. Wow, if only we can all just get a little dose of them fireworks every day, the world would be a better place.
If you have a high speed connection, the high quality videos are available for viewing at the link below. Click here to go to the Video gallery, or play them below.
I marched with the Live Oak Emerald Regime Alumni Marching Band in the Morgan Hill 4th of July Parade this year. We won 1st place for Adult Band, which is encouraging, but it was more rewarding to see old friends and catch up with each other a bit. We hung out after practices chatting and having fun. My friend Dan Hirschler visited from Rippon, CA and even stayed a couple nights at my place. One of the trumpet players, Ernie Molina, visited from Washington D.C. where he’s a now an immigration attorney for the government. And there were many other stories from old friends.
But let’s get serious for a second, it’s all about the music! I do wish we played a few more songs, and there are plans for more songs to be added to the repertoire next year. Meanwhile, watch a few of the videos and pump up the volume—-marching band music is meant to be loud!
Matthew and Claire got down and funky on the dance floor. For the first time ever, the video camera failed to capture sound; of course, it would have to happen during a wedding. Matthew and Claire were dancing to “She’s a Brick House” by the Commodore’s, so I put the original recording in the backround; what you don’t hear is everyone in the backround cheering them on. We didn’t teach Matthew any of the following moves, they are all inventions of his own. Claire plays the role of back up dancer, running large circles, moving her arms to the music. Later, Matthew paid the price from all his hard dancing with aching feet. Let’s just say that he’s not eager to get dress up in a Tux anytime soon.
