Agitato

Here I sit, on a hot June day, aspiring to lazily drink in the slowness of summer. Yet, a phone call interrupted my reverie and ensured that my to-do-list grew to twice its normal size. Barely a few sentences were exchanged before my mind was sent reeling as if in the throes of a busy December. 


Yes, I know the pace of that month all too well.


December is notorious for ushering most people into a world of frenzy because they tend to be overbooked, always on the go, and rarely at ease until the festivities are all over. With to-do lists that stretch wider than a tornado path, even peace-chanting Christians go through the whole month in a state of panic going from one thing to the next, "doing" Christmas instead of truly celebrating Christ and pausing to experience the peace He alone provides.


With my back sunken into my comfortable sofa, my mind drifted back to a particularly painful memory.

In the early hours of December 6, 2008, one of my college buddies lost his life as a result of a man's reckless driving in a police chase in Long Beach, CA. I received the news hours before my orchestral début with the Shawnee Community Orchestra. I was so grieved and troubled by his death that I considered canceling the performance. However, upon praying about it and consulting with a trusted friend, God gave me the stability and strength I needed in my soul to successfully perform a rather difficult aria all the while glorifying God in my friend's memory. 

As I think back on those days of grieving and the unsettled feelings I experienced, I see a connection between the painful loss of a loved one and the frenetic pace of December – they both nurse an agitated spirit in me. When facing such life circumstances, it is not at all uncommon to feel troubled, unsettled, or even angry because my sanity alarm goes off whenever life seems to be spinning out of control. 

Though this feeling of tension is inherent in human nature, it is most accurately depicted in music by the Italian word agitato. Composers employ the term to suggest an agitated, nervous, or even violent quality in the desired sound.  This passionate sound leads to a climax in the music which ultimately resolves in a calm or peaceful manner by the end of the piece.

It is interesting to point out that no matter how agitato the musical passage or piece is, that unsettled or nervous state will eventually come to a close. In fact, the most peaceful passages of music are those that are preceded by big agitato moments.

Might there be a lesson for us to learn in the above pattern?

There is, most definitely, a correlation. God’s Word – the only stable and true source of security – promises peace and deliverance. Worries over economic issues, relational conflicts, rejection letters, missed promotions, unruly children, or even the threat of isolation may consume us. Yet, God’s Word says, 

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 

Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way 

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 

though its waters roar and foam 

and the mountains quake with their surging." 

(Psalm 46:1-3, NIV)

The above passage describes agitato at its most intense; however, God brings peace. He brought peace to the Israelites when He parted the waters of the Red Sea. He caused the fall of Jericho’s walls. He provided manna and quail in the desert when the Jews were facing starvation. He sent His own Son to earth to calm the agitato of the world.

In fact, Jesus calmed the tumultuous waters when the disciples were afraid and thought they were perishing. He simply stood up and said, "Peace," and a hush fell over all of nature, causing the disciples to be in awe of Him.

When agitato accompanied the death of his beloved friend Lazarus, Jesus brought peace by raising him from the dead. Leprosy sent ten men to die; Jesus brought peace by healing them all. The disciples were in a panic trying to feed a hungry crowd; Jesus brought peace by multiplying a meager lunch. Shame was upon the head of a woman who hemorrhaged for twelve years; yet, a mere touch of the hem of Jesus’ robe healed the woman.

Is there any agitato that is not followed by peace in the hands of the Master? 

No, not even a single one because our God’s love never fails.

Jesus still offers peace. He can take care of the agitato of our lives. When everything is chaotic and troublesome, it means that we have come to a place of poverty – a place where we learn to acknowledge our need for God's intervention. Hence, we call to Him and He will give us rest. That is not a cliché; it is the truth of His Word. Attempting to fight the battle on our own is a waste of time and energy because apart from Christ, we will always fail. 

This world is decaying. As such, there will always be unsettling matters here – there will always be agitato moments. There will be deaths of loved ones, quarrels among friends, disappointments and rejections in the workplace, natural disasters in the world, and the list goes on and on. 

Indeed, December often suggests a frenetic pace. However, it also echoes the promises of Advent, one of which is peace. It is a picture of Christ coming to earth with peace during a time of intense suffering for the people of Israel under the Roman scepter. It is also a picture of His ongoing work of peace which provides for us complete rest and deliverance from the snares of sin. Furthermore, it is a picture of His unending peace when He returns for His ultimate advent.


Of course, I still need to tackle my huge list. Clearly, my heartbeat is faster than normal. Nonetheless, I need not fret because no agitato will ever surpass the greatness of my Master.

So, has agitato left its mark on us recently? 

Might we possibly need to cry out to God just like the Israelites did in Egypt and under the Roman oppression?

Do we need to receive His peace anew today?

The Lord’s eyes and ears are always primed and ready to respond. Just like He heard and responded to the Israelites in the wilderness, He hears our cries and responds to us every time we face our own desert. Each grunt is felt by him. Each groan is heard. We have hope and peace in Christ because in Him, every tear is dried, every question answered, every mystery solved, every good desire fulfilled, and every distress is met by His soothing and gentle voice.

Abba, we often forget that our circumstances, worries, and trials are nothing compared to Your greatness. Your comfort and peace are always available to us if we but call to You, our refuge and strength, and receive Your generous stillness. Thank You! In Christ’s glorious name, Amen.

Lento

This morning, I am very grateful for my alarm which woke me up right on time. Yet, soon after I got out of bed, my mind started racing as I quickly went through the activities of the day in my head. I soon realized that I needed to pause and think about God because otherwise, I could easily go through the whole day without ever giving Him a thought. 

“Slow down,” I told myself. 

Immediately, the term lento entered my mind. The musical term lento (slow, sluggish) requires a deliberate effort to make ourselves slow down. Music professors often wear themselves out telling their students over and over that they rush especially in difficult passages. In order for true lento to take place, the approach of the artist must contain such intensity and cohesiveness that the music is held together beautifully. 

In contrast, the tempo of the life of a musician can be so frenzied that agitato and prestissimo are the more appropriate terms one should use to describe it. Our Lord, however, does not intend for us to live such harried lives because it is difficult to hear His voice in those cases. Choosing to slow down offers us the opportunity to hear God’s voice with utmost clarity. The cohesiveness that results from that will afford us great musical and spiritual victories.

These days, my mind continuously dwells on my numerous duties. I must say that as a college professor, I often approach my calendar with a sense of dread. Dread, because looking at my calendar reveals a schedule which is packed with all kinds of activities, performances to prepare, committee meetings and concerts to attend, papers and exams to grade, reports to complete, articles to write, and a growing list of time-sensitive projects. However, I also approach it with anticipation because my calendar points me to the day that will put an end to each busy season of academic life. 

Whether or not you are currently engaged in academic life, you can probably agree with me that busy-ness threatens to bury us under its deathlike grip. Its relentless and frenetic pace has the power to throw people from side to side in a dizzying whirlwind as they go from one thing to another with very little room to breathe in between. I have to admit that I, for one, lose focus and clarity of thought when my life is similarly packed. I find myself thinking, saying, and doing things like:

"I had better slow down because I am not getting it."

"I need to catch my breath."

"This is too fast for me."

"Sigh.”

"Just keep breathing."

"Okay, I have to wait. I must slow down. I have to rest my body a little tonight."

When reality strikes, we are faced with the truth that the human body is not a machine. Despite the tendency to rush through almost everything and to go non-stop, people find that their bodies and minds will sooner or later require a drastic change of pace. 

It is that very principle that gives responsible drivers the wisdom to slow down before exiting the highway. Without slowing down, they will not have the clarity of mind to spot the exit sign, to steer the car in a safe manner, to recognize the landmarks confirming their arrival at the proper destination, and to avoid colliding with other cars or injuring (if not killing) pedestrians. 

When we do not slow down as people, we often get sick because, one way or another, our bodies require that alteration of speed. Recently, it took a heat stroke to teach me that lesson. Now, for the rest of my life, I have to be extra careful when I am working outside in the sun. 

Failure to slow down causes us to stop caring about what truly matters. There is such a profusion of noise, clamor, speed, and traffic in the hyperactive lifestyle promoted by our culture that it is often tempting to tune out the desperate cries of people who are in legitimate need. We do not have the time to pay attention to people who are slowing us down. We lose discernment and our perspectives are often skewed in times of incessant activity. 

Do we feel so overwhelmingly busy that we simply cannot get everything done? Do we find ourselves wishing that there were more than 24 hours, more than 7 days, more than 52 weeks, and more than 12 months? Are the things that keep us so busy and harried merely distractions that mar our ability to focus?

God thinks that we will benefit greatly if we do slow down. In fact, He wants us to stop and be still because in the stillness we are led to know Him. A passage that clearly illustrates that truth is Psalm 46:10,

"Be still and know that I am God; 

I will be exalted among the nations, 

I will be exalted in the earth."

Knowing God is the best thing we can do. We can be armed with the courage to face turmoil, conflicts, fear, weaknesses, destruction, malice, and certainly busy-ness because we know that there is someone who has the power to end and control all of it. Knowing God leads us to honor Him and to live in harmony with other human beings since He has called us to peace.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 

since as members of one body you were called to peace." 

Colossians 3:15, NIV 

O, Precious Lord, show us how to pause even for a brief moment. Teach us the wisdom of slowing down. Lead us to find our anchor in You so we can worry less, stumble less, and stray less often. And help us to grow more desirous of entering Your stillness and more grateful for Your presence. Amen!

G (treble) Clef

Gratitude is the lens through which we should view every circumstance, situation, issue, and decision in life because a thankful heart leads to joy and contentment. When it is absent, uninvited guests such as entitlement, jealousy, grumbling, hate speech, scorn, greed, fits of rage, and depression come crashing the party of our hearts, turning us into miserable creatures.

So, I want to choose gratitude daily. I am grateful for God, life, health, and material blessings. I am thankful for my family, friends, and food. I am full of gratitude for the limitless blessings that I have in Jesus, my Savior and King.

Another blessing for which I am thankful is the divine gift of music. I recently shared with my siblings and friends how vital my understanding of music has been to my spiritual growth and I continue to be amazed by the connections I see between music and faith. 

For example, what if music were to stop its contribution to this world for 24 hours straight? The leaves would cease their rustling, the wind would stop blowing, the waves of the ocean would disappear, the sun would stop shining, people would stop breathing -- in short, life would cease to exist because there would be no movement. It is perhaps this acute sensitivity to music that heightens my awareness of the potential layers of meaning hidden in music symbols.

One of the first symbols I learned in sight-singing class at the North Haiti Music Camp was the G (treble) clef. I remember being told how its presence on the staff gave specific names to each line and space represented. Like many music students, I learned the names of the five lines on the staff by memorizing the well-known phrase “Every Good Boy Does Fine” and the acronym “F.A.C.E” for the spaces. Since music instruction was quite rare in Haiti, I soon realized how blessed I was to be able to look at those symbols on a page and figure out the sounds they represented.

Well, the treble clef has been on my mind lately. I have been meditating on its importance in deciphering music. For instance, if one were to look at a musical staff devoid of a clef and attempt to read it, the musician would be at a loss trying to determine the true pitch of the melody. The same notes would sound quite different depending on the clef used (bass, alto, tenor, soprano, etc). It would be safe to conclude that a clef is necessary in the process of decoding musical notation.

As I think of gratitude, it dawns on me that the treble clef is often paid no heed and simply taken for granted by musicians from all walks of life. It makes me wonder, “When was the last time I was grateful for the treble clef?” Fully convicted, I resolve to be grateful each time I see that G clef because it means that I am one of the fortunate few who know how to decipher every note written on the staff.

The word "clef" is a French word which means "key." A key is an important item that gives its owner access to and authority over restricted information. For instance, a key may give us access to a house. With the key in hand, we may enter the property and do whatever we please therein. Likewise, a key may give us authority over the affairs of the home – any special knowledge that is not available to the uninitiated. We will know where the important family keepsake is held and other mundane things such as kitchen utensils, toiletries, and toys.

The Lord Jesus similarly recognizes the importance of keys on our faith journey. In Matthew 16:16, it is recorded that Peter confessed to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” In response, Jesus said,

“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, 

for this was not revealed to you by man, 

but by my Father in heaven. 

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, 

and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; 

whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, 

and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 

(Matthew 16:17-19, NIV)

I am grateful for the above passage because it speaks so clearly about the role played by God’s keys in our spiritual growth: 

• It reveals the grace of God. Just like Peter, it is God’s grace which reveals to us that Jesus is God the Son. The identity of Christ as God is the foundation of His church.
• It reveals the power of God which brings us to the point where we can acknowledge His lordship over us and confess it with our mouths (and hearts). In fact, Philippians 2 points to the day when “every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
• It reveals our true identity as blessed instruments in God’s hands. At the moment of our acknowledgment of God’s authority, He calls us by name, tells us who we are in Him, and reveals what He intends for us to do for His kingdom. 
• It reveals that we are part of a greater whole (the body of Christ), ensuring that we are secure when we remain cognizant of Christ’s lordship and the fellowship of other believers. 
• It reveals that we have the keys of the kingdom of heaven which are the rock-solid truths found in God’s Word. The more we learn to hide God’s Word in our hearts and apply it in our lives, the more readily and freely we can open the door of His kingdom to those who do not know Christ.

Those five points mirror the five lines of the musical staff. Just like we chanted “Every Good Boy Does Fine” as we were learning the names of the lines at the beginning of our musical journey, we can be assured that “every believer will do fine,” as it were, if those five points are kept close to the heart. 

Correspondingly, just like the acronym “F.A.C.E” represents the names of the spaces on the five-line staff, the “spaces” or seasons of our lives will reflect the face and character of God to the world as those five truths are lived out through our behavior and faith. 

Still, a most important item that puts it all together is a key. Just like the G clef helps us read the music written on the staff, it is the key of gratitude that clarifies our minds to receive God’s special revelation. As Romans 1:21 points out, when we fail to acknowledge God as God and neglect to thank Him for His benefits, our minds become confused, darkened, and futile.

Therefore, the believer’s G (treble) clef is gratitude. Our response to God’s favor should always be one of gratitude. It is gratitude that unleashes the fullness of God’s mercy, love, and provision. It is gratitude that gives us access to and authority over the blessings God has granted to us.

In fact, Ephesians 1:3 highlights the fact that God has given us every spiritual blessing in Christ. Every word, thought, action, step, note, everything comes from Him. He has given us musical abilities to conduct, play, sing, arrange, compose, accompany, and so much more for His glory. So, we are to express our gratitude to Jesus with humility, gentleness, love, and joy. The Bible commands us to give thanks to God in all circumstances and on all occasions. When we are grateful, God receives all the glory and He delights in us.

Holy Jesus, we confess that You are Christ, the Son of the Living God. We bow down and worship You. We are grateful to You for all Your blessings and kindnesses which are renewed to us every morning. Help gratitude to become our decoding system for every situation we face. With thankful hearts, we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen!

Crescendo/Decrescendo

Life is an amazing gift. All of us will concur that once it starts, every second of it is a matter of growth. From conception to death, all life is in a constant state of mutation and progression sustained by an energy-producing ingredient called movement or flow. The movement or flow of such necessary elements as blood, water, food, and air is conducive to the regulation, regeneration, and rejuvenation of life. 


Death, on the contrary, is the cessation of movement or flow. Plants wither and die without the flow of water. People die when blood stops flowing through their veins. When a pregnant woman no longer feels her baby move in her womb, adequate steps are taken quickly to determine whether or not the baby is still alive. So it is fair to say that one dies once one stops growing.


One phrase that I use with my students is, "Don't just sing the note, do something with it." More often than not, a note has to crescendo (grow in volume and intensity) in order for it to become alive and/or beautiful. I have seen numerous beginning musicians improve their skills simply by seeking to move or grow each note, phrase, or musical period.


Sometimes, the score may require the performer to decrescendo or diminuendo (decrease in volume). I would like to suggest that even that is a form of growth because it takes progressive movement and energy to achieve a masterful decrescendo. In fact, most professional musicians agree that it is even more masterful and heart-stirring to get gradually softer than to get gradually louder. Both terms, however, clearly demonstrate the importance of movement, energy, and spin.


For the first few months of 2010, Haiti occupied most of my thoughts and permeated every aspect of my life since that fateful January 12. Almost every other sentence of mine began with the phrase, “Since the earthquake hit . . .” In thinking about the term crescendo, I could not help noticing a similarity between the natural turn of events in Haiti and the gradual increase or decrease of volume inspired by those terms in music.


It finally struck me that an earthquake is not technically a single blow out of nowhere. The activity began long before and has continued long after the point of contact. It is the series of quakes, the constant re-shifting of the plate, and the continual crumbling or buckling of buildings that have provided enough momentum for the mounting and colossal disaster which has brought Haiti down on its knees and affected hundreds of thousands of victims.


I wonder how many of us, like Haiti, have been brought down on our knees by personal earthquakes?

• Shattered dreams
• Broken hearts
• Rebellious children
• Dying loved ones

Could it be that such torments, which shake the foundation of our being, are unearthing a real desire or a burning need for that which alone can fulfill and satisfy us?


This satisfier is not a "that" but it is a "who." Allow me to point all willing eyes and hearts to the hope of glory, namely Christ. He rightly claims that He is "the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6) All three of the above words reveal a sense of continuity that is echoed or rather imitated by the apostle Peter in the first chapter of his second epistle. 


Peter points us to the WAY by giving us a foundational TRUTH which produces eternal LIFE as he urges us to grow in our faith. We receive faith once and for all when we come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. However, if there is no growth in godly living, even the faith we have will be choked to death. In order to have spiritual life, the only life that counts in the end, Peter suggests a series of virtues that God desires us to remember and practice. There are seven of them -- a picture of perfection -- and they lead us from an earthly nature to a heavenly nature. They are goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.  


But why do we need to grow, to crescendo this precious faith that was deposited into our hearts?


The purpose of growth is revealed as we read in 2 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV), 

"For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, 

they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive 

in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus-Christ. 

But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, 

forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins."

This call to growth invites us to enter a place of honest probing:

• On this day, are we contributing to the ever-growing pain present in the world through an unkind comment, a flippant attitude, an impatient response, or a withheld kindness?
• Do we view trials as petty annoyances that must be quickly removed, failing to seize the opportunities they offer for learning, maturity, perseverance, and patience?
• Are we allowing our hearts to be convicted and convinced by the Word of God to grow in exercising forbearance with one another in daily offenses that ought not to matter?

Today, O precious Lord, grant that we may instead play the part written for us in Your majestic crescendo of joy by praying for our neighbors, forgiving our offenders, extending kindnesses to others, and loving everyone wholeheartedly! May we "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen." (2 Peter 3:18, NIV)

Segue

“Weeping may remain for a night, 

but rejoicing comes in the morning.” 

Psalm 30:5, NIV

New Year’s Eve is a tricky day for me. It tends to bring with it bittersweet feelings and mixed emotions. Not only do I always have a tinge of regret over the things that I should have done during the previous year but also, with joy in my heart, I look forward to the endless new possibilities wrapped into the coming year. 

Come what may, those transitions occur annually and life goes on. As I go through them, I can be grateful that not only am I blessed to move from one year to another but also that God can provide fresh insight for me every day as I make plans to honor Him more with each new year.

This idea of transition is reminiscent of the musical term segue – one that was introduced to me many moons ago while attending Biola University. In a multi-movement musical work, it is customary to pause between movements. However, there are times when a composer would use the term segue between the movements as a means to express to performers the wish to do away with that pause. So, conscientious performers would proceed to the following movement without any discernible break or pause.

Each life is essentially like that – a musical score on which God has boldly imprinted the word segue. I found myself agreeing with that realization as I recently celebrated the 17-year anniversary of my coming to the United States. What a transition that was! I came with a burning desire to learn all I could in music and to make a difference in the world, a desire that I continue to cherish and pursue.

God fulfilled my desire by guiding me through several transitions. The transition from Haiti's 94 degrees Fahrenheit to Chicago's 3 degrees and 10 inches of snow was startling to say the least. Leaving Chicago to attend Biola in Los Angeles, CA was yet another drastic change. Four+ years later, I married my college sweetheart and transitioned from singleness into married life, from the bustling city life of Los Angeles to the quietness of agricultural State College, PA. It was there that my wife and I transitioned into the stage of parenthood. 

Almost five years after we moved to PA, our family moved to the snow belt of Rochester where great friendships and biblical instruction outshone the impeccable musical training I received at the Eastman School of Music. Another transition took us away from there to beautiful "OOooooook-lahoma where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...”

Transitions abound in life!

My life continues to surprise me with endless transitions. A typical musician, I tend to be quite sensitive and feel things strongly and intensely. I do not always remember that I have at my disposal the best resource for strength and stability. When challenging times bring me to a place where I have to face a move, whether major or minor, my tendency is to turn to fear and fretting. However, through it all, God shows me that I must trust Him as my Shepherd because He meets all my needs whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.  

He is a God who is interested in transforming me into His likeness. As I receive information (His Word), He guides me through a series of transitions (life experiences) which provide the formation (discipline/obedience to His Word) I need in order to become more like Him (transformation). 

Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU), my workplace, is aiming at this goal of transformation in the lives of all involved with the university. Such a goal is targeted through “the pursuit of excellence, faith integration in all areas of knowledge, cultural and diversity engagement, and a lifestyle that is worthy of the high calling of God in Christ.” (OBU’s mission statement) 

What a tall order!

Yet, reflecting on such a monumental goal, I can see how it mirrors the Great Commission beautifully. Both statements lead those who live by them through some transitions that are difficult to swallow. However, God is in the big transitions as well as the small ones, and every transition is solely for His glory and higher purposes. 

Soli Deo Gloria! 

Personally, I am quite often faced with circumstances in life that require me to move on without lingering on what happened to me in a previous season. My life is peppered with disappointments, losses, rejections, failures – I know those too well – all of which can cause emotional breakdown. Yet, by the power of God's glorious might, I was bought with the ultimate price of Christ’s blood which has  granted me access to His limitless strength, enabling me to move on without pause to subsequent seasons of joy, restoration, and excitement. Despite the pain that often accompanies those hard moments I can experience fullness and joy because Christ strengthens me.

I know I am not alone in expressing those feelings. Most of us tend to be sensitive and emotional when the heat is on. Let us remember that we have at our disposal the best resource as described in Isaiah 43:1-3, 

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; 

and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. 

When you walk through the fire  (like Meshach, Shadrach, and Abed-Nego), 

you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."

Segue is not a matter of “if;” it is a matter of “when.” In other words, change is inevitable. There will always be something new, something strange, something hard, something easy, something else for each person to face with each new day. It matters not how long and hard one fights to remain in the boat (where it is safe and familiar), the time will come to step out of it and trust that the Master is standing outside, willing and ready to lead, protect, and guide. That letting go requires a segue, a complete change of heart. 

Yet, this change of heart is hard and scary. At times, the very thought of changing my ways paralyzes me. Other times, I pretend that all is well and persist in my ways without taking the time to realize what is truly happening to me. 

God's Word reminds us that change is good because God has called us to join His program of complete transformation into Christ-likeness. In order for that to happen, we may have to face many storms that will move us out of our comfort zone. Those periods of transition are segue moments that are crucial to our spiritual development.  

Friends, I am not sure what your current transition is. It could be a break-up. It could be a new season of disappointment. It could be a discontinued position or the betrayal of a friend. It could be the heart-wrenching news of cancer or the horrific news of a suicide. However, know that at the end of your rope stands a God who is waiting to guide you, work in you, and transform you completely. Dare to segue under His watchful eye and "be transformed by the [daily] renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2)

Precious Jesus, I look forward to the changes that lie ahead of me and I am certain that, with You as my guide, many blessings will follow me wherever I go. Grant that I may keep my eyes fixed on You through all the transitions of my life. Amen!

Enharmonics

"With it [the tongue] we bless the Lord and Father,

and with it we curse men who were made in God's likeness!

Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing.

These things, my brethren, ought not to be so."

James 3:9-10, AMP

The above verse came to mind today seemingly out of nowhere. However, the little bit I know about the Holy Spirit is enough to cause me to pause and reflect on the truths He wants to impart to me and through me. As I thought and prayed, a particular memory invaded my heart and, with it, an important lesson took a hold of me.


This memory sent me back to November 1997. It was a time when I was feeling giddy because of all the wonderful things connected to the month of November -- things like the fast approaching end of the fall semester, autumn leaves, new holiday recipes, reconnecting with friends and family members, and my favorite holiday, namely, Thanksgiving.  

Thanksgiving brings with it memories of cooking with my sweet Grandma Cone who has gone to be with the Lord. If ever there was a grateful spirit, she embodied it. She touched everyone with her positive attitude, her thankfulness, her amazingly delicious pies, and her warm smile. She taught me many things about life. Yet, of all the lessons she taught me, the one that has stuck with me the most is the need for truthfulness in all my dealings.

So, it was on that beautiful but cold Tuesday afternoon that I remember taking some apples to her Covina home in order to help her with her baking in anticipation of the Thanksgiving feast to be held at her house two days later. That afternoon, she told me how hypocrisy is a filthy practice that has infiltrated the church and that, no matter how much it hurts, I must speak truth and reject all notions of deception. She told me, 

"Lou, it is true that things are not always what they seem, but that should not be how you function. What you are inside is what I want to see all the time and so must the rest of the world. If you need to change, as all of us must, you can only change if what is inside of you is exposed." 

I miss my grandma so very much!

As I think of hypocrisy, the musical term that comes to mind is enharmonic equivalent. Enharmonic equivalents are notes that are named or spelled differently in musical notation but produce the exact same pitch or sound. I am reminded of a musical moment that happened recently. A wonderful colleague of mine showed a passage of music to one of my students. It was an excerpt from a song I wrote called From Ashes to Beauty. The passage, though theoretically spelled in the right way, could be read more easily had I chosen to write it like the ordinary chord progression that it truly is. 

I wonder how many of us are like that? We are one thing on the inside and another on the outside. We are one way at work and another at home. We speak malicious words against people behind their backs but quickly sport a smile when they are in our presence. We are "holy" on Sunday mornings and diving head first into a sea of wickedness as soon as we leave the church building. Quite often we go there even while in the pew. 

Still, the sin of hypocrisy is not new to us. We are told that the level of deception was so high among the Thessalonians that the apostle Paul wrote, 

“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, 

for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs 

and the man of lawlessness is revealed, 

the man doomed to destruction." 

2 Thessalonians 2:3, NIV

I came across a speech given by Mark Twain to the Society of American Authors on November 15, 1900. In his speech, he addressed the two-faced life human beings tend to live. It goes like this: 

“I am constructed like everybody else and enjoy a compliment as well as any other fool, but I do like to have the other side presented. And there is another side. I have a wicked side. Estimable friends who know all about it would tell you and take a certain delight in telling you things I have done and things further that I have not repented. The real life that I live, and the real life that I suppose all of you live, is a life of interior sin. That is what makes life valuable and pleasant. To lead a life of undiscovered sin! That is true joy.”


How I wish I could agree with Mark Twain! However, the honest truth is this: Leading a life of undiscovered sin could not be more bereft of joy. We may be happily enjoying anonymity but deep inside we know that sin hurts, pricks, pokes, and picks away at our souls leaving us extremely miserable in the solitude of our hearts.


Solomon speaks of that condition in Proverbs 28:13, 

“He who conceals his sins does not prosper, 

but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

The Word of God further clarifies in 1 John 1:9, 

“If we confess our sins, 

He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins 

and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

That November afternoon, my grandma’s words bore into my soul and I confessed to her that I struggled to unveil my wicked heart to others. I told her that it felt too costly for me to let them see what, I was sure, no one wanted to see. I shared with her how I had never truly faced my own hypocrisy.


Gratefully, she helped me see that there was only once choice for me – the truth and nothing but the truth. In her words, she said:


“Lou, do you not realize that the only person whose opinion truly matters already knows the truth about you? So, is that not senseless to try to hide yourself from the One who sees your every move, knows your every thought, and hears your every word?”


Right then and there, I decided that I was going to be the person God made me to be and nothing less. It is true that there is someone who sees through me. Jesus, my wonderful Master, has eyes of flame. He knows and sees my true self. More importantly, He wants to transform me into a man who is free to live openly and truthfully. There is no need to hide anything because Christ has already made a public spectacle of Himself on the cross. It matters not what the sin is, Christ displayed it on His body when He was nailed on the tree. 


Perhaps, some may think they are not hypocrites. Yet, have they ever slowed down on the interstate as soon as they spot a police car? Have they ever conveniently forgotten to go back to the cashier who gave them too much change? Have they ever sought to give the impression that they are better than they actually are? Have they ever found themselves omitting or adding small details in order to have a better story? Have they ever cursed people in their hearts and smiled to their faces? All those little traits relate to hypocrisy.


Christ wants us to confess and renounce those sinful patterns so we can experience the joy of righteousness. So, let us open our eyes and hearts. Let us wake up from the slumber of deception. Let us leave the sea of hypocrisy and walk in the light of truth.


O Christ, may we come to You daily! May You remain our guiding light in our quest for truth! Amen.

Prepared Piano

People may say, "What an odd term to choose for this meditation!" To be honest, I was a bit apprehensive about it myself. However, my heart was stirred within me as God began showing me His cues through prayer and scripture reading. So, as I collect my thoughts and share what He has shown me, I pray that God will cause all who read this to see Him in a new light and that they will be empowered in their worship of Christ, the Dayspring, the Rod of Jesse, the Desire of nations, the Key of David, the newborn King!


First, what is meant by the term prepared piano? 


Coined by American composer John Cage in the 1940s for his Bacchanale, the term refers to any piano in which the pitches, timbres and dynamic responses of individual notes have been altered with screws, rubber erasers and other objects placed between the strings. This level of preparation takes a great deal of planning, forethought, and practice. The result can be stunning or horrid depending on tastes but one fact remains that a serious transformation always takes place in the sound of the piano in question and, therefore, in the impact it has on audience members.


Every year, I do a lot of thinking during the holiday season between Halloween and New Year's. I see how people, church people, are divided about what to celebrate and what not to celebrate. Some people are offended by such terms as "Season's greetings" and "Happy Holidays." Others are consumed by the never-ending trips to malls and other shopping centers. Yet others are looking forward to the perpetual events and traditions that constitute a cultural holiday season -- presents, turkey dinners, Santa Claus rides, cookie-decorating parties, Christmas pageants, etc . . .


Do I dare ask the questions that keep coming to my mind? 


How should Christ-followers celebrate such holidays? 
Are we to fuss over traditions for the sake of appeasing consciences and maintaining status quo? 
Are we to be primarily concerned and consumed by political correctness, etiquette, decorations and lights, food gatherings, social outings? 


There is nothing inherently wrong with any of the aforementioned words per se; however, they all focus on the outside.


Perhaps, just like a prepared piano, we should endeavor to focus on the inside. Being the Master preparer, Jesus travails and traverses between the strings of our hearts in order to transform us, His earthen and clay vessels, and thoroughly prepare us to worship and welcome Him. He pulls, twists, pricks, prods, digs, urges, stirs, prompts, molds, and shapes the strings of our hearts in such a way that we are rendered prepared masterpieces “created in Christ Jesus to do good works which He prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)


I think of the lyrics of a worship song I learned while a freshman at Biola University,

“Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary

Pure and holy, tried and true,

With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.” 

(Jaci Velasquez)

How can we be refined, prepared, tried, purified? By allowing God to reveal to us the areas that have kept us chained, confessing them to God and others, and turning from old sinful habits while embracing the call to obedience. 


When we feel harassed, insulted, infringed upon, we are simply being prepared to extend grace to others. When the exorbitant bills are due and there is still “more month at the end of the money,” it means that we are being prepared to hope and exercise faith/trust in God. When we are stretched too thin by deadlines and responsibilities, we are being prepared to receive the solace and comfort that the peace of Christ provides. When tears and heartaches become our daily food, we are being prepared to experience full joy in our Redeemer and Friend. When we are served with divorce papers, marital unfaithfulness, and betrayals, we are ultimately being prepared to turn to God’s unfailing love. 


He is preparing us, dear friends, in good and bad times.


So, let us follow in the footsteps of David who humbly said in Psalm 139:23-24, 

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; 

test me and know my anxious thoughts. 

See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Let us enter God's examination room during times of preparation, asking ourselves:

• Can I find a quiet space in the busy-ness of my life to commune with God?
• Is my heart truly prepared to meet Christ during this season?
• Have I been thinking more highly of myself or more highly of God?
• Do I think that I can justify myself by following the law or do I embrace the blood of Christ?
• Am I trusting God to save me and keep my feet from slipping?
• Do I belittle others because of their wrongdoing?
• Do I honestly and completely recognize that without God’s intervention I am capable of committing heinous crimes the like of murder and sexual perversion?
• Am I submitting/surrendering my sinful tendencies and desires to God so that He can do away with them on a continual basis? 

Answering those questions honestly will bring to us an awareness of our need to acknowledge the Lordship of Christ and to express our gratitude to God for His amazing grace and the gift of righteousness He has granted to us.


Holy Spirit, do in us all you want to do in order to prepare our hearts for Your service. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.

Whole Rest

"God Himself is at rest.

And at the end of the journey

we'll surely rest with God."

Hebrews 4:10, MSG

I have spent the majority of my life as an academic person and I must say that breaks are some of the most anticipated features of academe. Students, staff, and faculty alike look forward to having a most blessed respite from the daily grind. Simply put, the idea of a break is one that is always welcome. 


The unmistakable longing we have for rest is one that has been placed within us by our good Creator to help us remember who He is and who we are. Out of the dust He made us, but He made us in His likeness. Therefore, just as He rested after His work of creating, we, too, need to pause at regular intervals and become refreshed.


Yet, not all of us fully appreciate the idea of true rest, whether in life or in music. As soon as we get a free minute, we are busy filling it with mindless chatter or doodling. Though we take all kinds of breaks, we tend to overcrowd them with incessant activity. At times, even our vacations lose their intended purpose. They include so much running around that they often become more tiring than the actual load we carry in our jobs. 


Similarly, in music, I find that the younger or the more inexperienced the performers, the more uncomfortable they are with silence. Even more experienced musicians have to remind themselves from time to time that it is alright to observe the rests indicated in the music. It is as if there is this magnetic pull inside of us toward more and more sound. This tendency in us has but conditioned us and our audiences to grow uncomfortable with silence, which partly explains the decline in recital attendance. A loud rock band is more likely to attract huge crowds than the most accomplished classical guitarist because of the sheer volume of sound generated.


Theoretically speaking, rests are signs that indicate a time of silence or a brief interruption in the continuum of a musical execution. They exist to frame specific sections of music and to heighten our aural readiness for what is to come next. Whole rests are even more effective in that they require more attentiveness since their duration encompasses a whole measure. 


Still, that rationale does not convince every musician of the importance of musical rests as suggested by the following interaction. 


This seemingly innocent question was posed in a freshman level sight-singing class: 


"Why do we have to have these stupid rests in a score?"  
(And yes, for those who are theory teachers, the previous question came [unfortunately] from a singer). 


The wise professor calmly answered, 


". . . Because music would cease to exist without the blessing of silence . . . there would simply be this unending cacophony . . . and you, Miss Soprano, would be out of a job since you must breathe in order to sing." 


Ouch! Despite the redness that covered her face, I believe that young singer grasped the importance of the teacher’s statement.


Humorous or hurtful though it was, the previous exchange poignantly made me aware of the fact that without silence, there can be no music. Without music, there can be no heartbeat. And without a heartbeat, there can be no life. This connection between silence, music, heartbeat, and life points me directly to God's Word.  A passage that has served me well in silent meditation is Psalm 4:4 which says, 

". . . When you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent."

Silence affords us the opportunity to place our hearts before the mirror of Christ so the hidden desires of our hearts can be exposed and cleansed by the Master refiner. When that occurs, silence ushers us into a place where we can hear the beauteous voice of Christ, which is music to our ears. The Word of the Lord, according to Psalm 19, "revives the soul and gives joy to the heart," creating the kind of heartbeat that produces and sustains life – such a life that even the angels pale in comparison.


Christ offers us the only rest that we truly need but we seem to go in all kinds of directions looking for cheap, unfulfilling, depleting rest. We are a plugged-in culture and, as such, are accustomed to seek “rest” in fluff – continuous white noise. We have grown incredibly restless, contentious, and haggard in our pursuit for more relaxation. Whole industries are based on vacation, entertainment, leisure, and pleasure such as resorts, movie theaters, tours, etc . . . Despite all these major conveniences, we still find ourselves more tired. How often do we jokingly say to each other, "I need a vacation from my vacation?" After a long day of work or school, how often do we long to park ourselves in front of the TV or mindlessly surf site after site on the internet? 


I wonder how much delight we would bring to God’s heart if we would include rest, whole rest in our lives. When a break is coming our way, could our plans include a time of restoration with God? Could we possibly survive as we go from activity to activity with an occasional fast-food prayer? Often, these leisure plans require a great deal of money and time -- the two "lords" of our era. Are we allowing our time and money to dethrone Jesus with our vacation plans? 


It is staggering to think that Jesus is doing something entirely different with His "vacation." Ever since He ascended to heaven, the Holy Scriptures tell us that He is sitting (resting, vacationing) at the right hand of God. Doing what? He is preparing a place for you and me, watching over us, grieving when we disobey, rejoicing when we honor Him, providing for our needs, working tirelessly to bring His kingdom to completion, orchestrating the events leading to His union with His beloved church. In His vacation, He is hard at work preparing for eternal intimacy with His bride. 


What about us? 
What are we doing for our gloriously handsome groom? 
Are we resting in Him or are we running from Him like Jonah?


My prayer is that we will cherish His words found in Matthew 11:28-29, 

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls." 

Jesus, the Music of all ages, the Heartbeat of every believer, the Hound of heaven, beckons us to enter His rest, true rest. Will we not we heed His call?


Lord Jesus, we are so grateful for Your invitation. We are indeed weary from trying so hard to be in charge of our own lives. We are tired of giving our attention to ephemeral recreation instead of truly soaking ourselves into the peace You provide. Now, we come to You and surrender our hearts to You so we can rest in You for all eternity. In Christ’s holy name, Amen!