Just for your listening pleasure – acappella men’s chorus. Check out the name “Coro Mongioje Imperia”.
Although the recording is not great, the idea of a men’s chorus always intrigues me! I’ve sung in them over the years, and as my high school singing “mentor”, Doug Richards, always proclaimed – there’s no better music instrument than the human voice. Most of the recordings are in a beautiful cathedral setting with great acoustics.
This morning was a busy one! Up early to clean up the week which is full of committee meetings and activities. Also helped my wife do some preparations for a meal she caters tomorrow.
Busy!
Which makes the afternoon all the more fun. Rested for an hour, then listened to some new music on the internet. Looked at an old photo of a singing group I once toured with (from 1975 when I had hair). Came across a free music site called www.noisetrade.com – a site where a lot of Christian music samples can be heard and downloaded for free. Amazing what is available (and has been for awhile) that just passes you by.
And now I’m lazily leaning back and considering what I don’t have to do for the rest of the day.
This was a day to head into our nearest city (2 hours away) and have an appointment with our pace maker clinic. Routine. Yearly. Average.
As we walk into the hospital we meet a pastor friend. We discuss current pastoral issues that affect our church and his.
Off to the pace maker clinic. Jill explains she has encountered some heart problems. The clinician immediately contacts our cardiologist (who just happens to be in today), and we are given an appointment in the next hour or so.
As we sit to get tests for the appointment, a friend of ours (who worked on a previous CD I produced and is now doing sound equipment as well), sat down next to us. We traded cards and I will consult with him on sound upgrades we are considering at our church.
The appointment reveals that further tests are needed. Perhaps nothing unusual will arise, but it will rule out some potential problem areas. And the testing will take place in the next month or so. Not bad, considering we had asked for an appointment with the cardiologist a week or so ago, and had been told we would have to wait until July.
All in all, the small miracles added up to a great day!
I was pleasantly surprised by a turn of phrase. The word cluster stopped me in my tracks.
A family I would call friends has a gracious way of letting you know that you are appreciated. They will comment on Facebook, send cards, and be generous in their words. This is the kind of people you want to know, and enjoy knowing!
This past week we received a card from them. Nothing out of the ordinary – but truly extraordinary.
In our day and age we don’t much pass us cards anymore. Nor do we often show appreciation unless prompted by a Facebook comment or an unintentional serendipity crossing of paths.
Which makes those who have a discipline of encouragement all the more unusual.
May their tribe increase – and may I be one of that tribe!
Well, 24 hours (or so) later, we’ve seen Christopher and Hannah – the grandkids. And also Alli and Scott.
A quick trip. An opportunity for connection. And a fun time.
Supper was ribs – a favourite of the family. And a favourite of mine! After supper a short while together before the kids headed to bed. And then the adults were not far behind – somehow busyness catches up to us.
This morning I walked the town – a few blocks only. The morning was cool and crisp and cold. Found out the boil water order for Birch Hills had been lifted. Had breakfast, helped clean up some games, walked with the grandkids, ate lunch and headed home.
And now we are resting at home. Enjoy you evening.
Those were the words we spoke as we left a Passover Seder last night.
Often we forget that in the “time” of many parts of the world, the night is the beginning of a new day. We are not waiting for the sun to rise. We are not waiting until after our rest. We are not waiting for our break-fast.
When the sun goes down, a new day is dawning.
In the Christian calendar, today is Resurrection Sunday. This is the day we remember that death is conquered. Our death will have meaning – a future. Our living has meaning as well – we are a part of the “present” which is further unwrapped in the future.
So, as we left the meeting hall the facilitator said – “He is risen.” We responded – “He is risen indeed.” Not risen in our thoughts. Or risen in fiction.
NO, Jesus is risen. In time and space, 2,000 years ago. Documented, wind touched, sun crested time. And we know that God cares for us, for in flesh and blood He provided a way back to him through Jesus. Thanks be to God!
Well, I’ve been having fun with my home wireless router.
Which is to say that I haven’t had much connection with the internet at home for the last while. But that is now remedied (at least for the moment – I’ll keep pushing it to the limit and see what happens).
Hope to see you on this blog in the next while – I will be back to regular updates soon!
My wife has been experiencing heart problems recently.
Not unusual. She was born with heart holes and problems. Surgeries and hospital stays have been part of her life.
Sunday a young child in our church family started praying for Mrs. Jill. She had no idea of what was going on – she probably doesn’t even understand the history. She prayed that Jill would be protected and kept safe.
Right at around the time we have been trying to figure out what was going on. Some days you have to wonder if God has these direct lines to children that we as adults seem to miss!
Today’s opportunity was helping with a grief and loss session. One of the participants was too raw to the death of a loved one. An hour or so of time together was about all she could take.
Another came with issues related more to the aftermath of family relationships than the direct personal impact on the participant. Another is working on emotions that rage in out of control at some times.
The thing that reigns supreme in these sessions – what often we think is abnormal is really quite normal. As we completed the day, I was reminded.
My own grief and loss – parents, sibling – doesn’t have to capture my life. The thing that provides hope in the midst of all this is that God is in control. Faith grabs a hold and won’t let go. And soon God’s love captures our hearts.
Grief and loss can be a stepping stone to something greater. We don’t have to medicate – we can go through and come out on the other side brighter, stronger and a better person.
The other day I heard someone proclaim that the cynic is one who throws the towel in. Life is never as good as we might want, people disappoint, and clouds overshadow the sun. No wonder the cynic throws the towel in!
Then I got to thinking.
A servant also throws the towel in. Jesus, in the last hours of his life threw the towel in. Into the lives of those he was working with. Washing their feet. Serving them. Caring for them.
I guess I would like to be known as one who throws the towel in.