The heavens are proclaiming

 

The wonderful, mysterious beauty of music

This may not be typical.

I realize everyone will not be able to relate to this post but perhaps some of you will. One of the most extraordinary gifts God has given us is music. For me, it’s not just that certain songs move me deeply and bless my heart in inexpressible ways but some pieces of music can actually, for a moment, treat the difficult, stressful issues of life in such a way that they are gone from my mind. Forgotten.

It may brief, but the mess and struggle are replaced with profound, overwhelming beauty and joy. I don’t even know if it is normal but there are small sections of certain songs—a lick by a horn section, the beginning of a guitar solo, vocals harmonizing, a line in the lyrics—for which I have to make sure no one is looking at me when I hear it because I’m embarrassed that I have tears in my eyes.

Grown men, are not supposed to be that easily moved with emotion. Especially when they are dangerous ninjas.

Thank you Lord for the mysterious, wonderful, staggering, glorious favor you have extended to us through music.

Simple Joy Is Good

I was walking along the Peace River that you see in the photo and I felt prompted to stop.

"Don't Just check 'walking' off of your list of things to do. Pay attention. Look. Be present and actually appreciate this moment and the beauty that you see."

So I stood there listening to some of my favorite music. I noticed the sun shining on the palm trees and the beautiful river. And darn it, I hate to admit it, but tears came to my eyes. (Rugged, manly, tough guys aren't supposed to do that.)

I thought, "Lord, thank you for giving me a glimpse of You in the wonder of your creation. Thank you for the gift of this moment."

Simple joy is good.