daily life as life goes on . . .

Abraham Heschel’s book on Sabbath was suggested to me recently.  His Jewish perspective attempts to root the Sabbath in Jewish Scriptures (the Old Testament).  One review/comment on Heschel gives the following consideration:

Heschel says that Judaism teaches that humanity meets God in the realm of time. But if every instant  (space in time) is a moment when we may feel the possibility of living differently, of “turning” to use the Jewish term (teshuva, often translated “repentance”), . . .  [Sabbath] is an acknowledgment that God awaits one the next instant if only one looks beyond the things in space that occupy one’s time. The Sabbath is Teshuva, and it is also the reward for it. Both at once. The instant one performs the “turn,” one gets the reward.

Just a quick side note:  I love the idea of repentance being the moment when we may feel the possibility of living differently – and we act on that.  True repentance then, requires one who can create that possibility.  Certainly not ourselves – we soon realize our finiteness.  We need to look to the infinite creator – Jesus!

I love listening to music that is an expression of the musician(s). 

Today at music festival, the equivalent of a music recital but for more people, a friend of ours played clarinet.  Not just well, but very well. 

Vanessa is one of those “kids” who grew up around us over the last 6 years.  Last year my wife played for her at music festival.  This year the pieces increased just slightly and Jill was also busier.  The reins of the piano were turned over to another friend, Wayne Gibson. 

Put the two together on a Mozart extravaganza and the evening was magical.  The adjudicator thought so as well. 

He started the adjudication by talking about being a performer, not about the instrument or technique (both of which she has a great ability to master).  He said, “When you go on, and you will go on,”  and proceeded to talk about stage presence.

High praise for a young lady of 16.  In years to come I hope to have the privilege of hearing her reach greater heights.

Thanks, Vanessa – well done!

Calendar squares are populating my office wall.  It’s all part of a conspiracy.  To be sure I can see at a glance what happens next. 

These last few weeks have too quickly gobbled up my time.  Striking back at the dark forces of minutes and hours, a few black felt pens have filled in the spaces. 

Now all I have to do is stick to the plan!!

Today around 2:00 my uncle Ray Somerville passed away.  He was married to my father’s sister, Myrtle, for something like 60 years.  His life had deteriorated over the past years, pneumonia took him quickly over this weekend.  The children gathered at the Kindersley hospital – we were able to come by just shortly after his death.

There is a hole in the world when a loved one passes.  Even so for my aunt and cousins today.  Pray for them in this time of sorrow.