No Obligation

Years ago, Martin Luther, 1483-1546, decided to correct the beliefs that people had about their salvation.  He said people believed that Jesus was simply half of the equation while the other half was “works.”  Later, he presented a “novel doctrine,” which was “salvation is by faith only,” and he lectured on it in languages such as Romans and Hebrews.

He preached, “the just shall live by faith,”(He.10: 38) for God provided all we need for our salvation and we can’t add anything to our simple trust.  “Just” may be translated as ‘righteous’ or ‘forgiven.’  At first, it seemed extreme that God paid it all.  Questions arose, “What about love, self control, kindness, humility and compassion?  Wouldn’t it mean everything is okay when you possess all those good qualities and you also believe Scripture doesn’t tell us we can do what we want and still believe in God?  Would that not be okay?”  You might say you’ve satisfied the criteria if you believe in God.  Don’t overlook the fact that the devil believes in God, but it hasn’t changed him one iota.

We won’t agree with all of Luther’s 95 theses, but there are some with which we will agree.  One is certainly faith, which he accented, as the need to believe in John 3:16, which is, “for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  We will also agree with the statement he pointed out from Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast.” Where the Scripture in Romans 1:17 says, “The just shall live by faith” it seems to say, that’s all that’s needed for one’s salvation

Many Christians have not grasped the truth, that half the formula for God’s forgiveness is not deeds.  The reason for this is that Jesus paid completely for our sins and by His personal sacrifice, our sins were forgiven.  If our works promised our salvation, we would have the tendency to boast, which is senseless, for we can never outdo God!
For ever so long, people believed there were rules by which one had to abide, besides believing that Jesus gave His life.  For them, they believed one had to be circumcised and also obey time-honored laws, which meant that they had to be Jewish.  Paul was explaining to those people that they were turning to a different Gospel, which wasn’t a variation of the Gospel, but that it was no Gospel at all.  The essentiality of what he was saying is, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? (Galatians 1:3)
 
Paul taught that Jesus is God’s only Son and that He humbled Himself, though He was God, to suffer in your place, and now you have to believe.  And, since God did all this, it is all you need to believe.  It is simply by believing all that you have heard that you are forgiven of your sins.  He added for comparison, if forgiveness is completely by the law, you must keep every last detail, because not one of us has kept the 10 commandments in its entirety.  Jesus became the curse (sin) for us so we can become free from the curse.  That means that Jesus took our sins upon Himself, and paid our penalty to God.  Nothing shall enter Heaven by which it would be defiled.  That is what Paul explained; that salvation has to be entirely by faith.  He was in effect, saying, ‘How can you be thinking you can add something to what God has done?  You are establishing your own criteria and tend to emphasize those criteria more that which God has done, and you are also saying, “You must do this and not that!”’

The reason God did not accept Cain’s offering, while he did accept that of his brother Able, is that Cain was practicing his own religion while his brother Able was giving of himself to God.  This is the real reason why God did not accept Cain’s offering.  It is not that his was the offering of a blood sacrifice, where the Scripture says, it is only by blood we are saved, but he offered what God expected and didn’t substitute something else.  We can only entrust ourselves to God and in that respect, salvation is only by faith.

Martin Luther said, “We are saved by faith alone,” but we realize that the faith that saves is never alone.  Actually, one who has faith in Christ’s sacrifice, carries that thought around constantly and is ever willing to do some act of kindness for others, simply from being thankful; not for personal gain.

Preparing for an Engagement

A piper friend, Pastor Michael McNiel in Washington, who is a member of our International Fellowship of Christian Pipers and Drummers, wrote asking for suggestions on what pieces of music he might choose for a memorial service. Because he wanted a hymn to glorify God, I suggested, "To God Be the Glory."  It is one of my favorites; one I learned when I began building a hymn repertoire.  I included it in the medley, "I Sing The Mighty Power of God," "To God Be The Glory," and "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise."  Having learned these hymns as a medley, each reminds me of the others.

I have many favorites and to name them, it would have to be according to the occasion, such as for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Weddings, Funerals, Banquets and for a certain topic in the worship service, such as going out into the world to preach the Gospel.  Then, I'd play, "I Love To Tell the Story of Jesus and His Love," or “Tell Me the Story of Jesus.”  “How Deep the Father’s Love for us” in 6/4 time is a special favorite. 

Even after I delineate my favorite hymns, there will still be a whole list of other hymns that I should have added.  But, besides those I've mentioned, I surely love the Easter hymns, such as, "Were You There?" and "Jesus Paid It All," along with, "My Jesus, I Love Thee," and of course, "The Old Rugged Cross."  After people hear those hymns, everything will be quiet.  "And Can It Be," and "One Day" are special to me, and if I were playing for a funeral service, I'd surely play, "I Stand Amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene," and "Face to Face With Jesus." For a High School girl who sadly lost her life because of a shooting in school, I chose “Safe in the Arms of Jesus.”  I could be inclined to play, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," and if it were a nice day in the cemetery, I'd want to play, "When They Ring Those Golden Bells for You and Me!"  One can imagine hearing the bells!  For sure, I love to play, "God Be With You 'Till We Meet Again," "God Will Take Care of You," and " Precious Lord, Take My Hand."  I was thrilled to hear a piper playing one of my arrangements at a funeral.  It was recorded on a video and I was asked to watch it on the net.  It was, “I’d Rather Have Jesus Than Anything.”  

I love the hymn, "The Stranger of Galilee," especially as it is played together with, "No one Ever Cared for Me like Jesus."  That reminds me of another favorite hymn that I first heard as I sat outside the banquet hall waiting for Ruby, my wife, who was the guest speaker at a Christian Women's Club.  The guest soloist sang, "The Woman at the Well."  As soon as I could find a hymnbook containing that hymn, I arranged it for the next time I would be playing in church.  

Even now, as I write, I am reminded of another beautiful hymn, one of my favorites of course, and it is, "In the Garden," and I've played it for several funeral services.  I would choose it for the funeral of a woman, because the soloist at Ruby's mother's funeral sang “In the Garden.”  Later, a soloist sang it at my own mother's memorial service.

As I tell you of my favorite hymns, I would not want to forget, "Trumpet Tune," by Henry Purcell, for which I was complimented at a wedding, when a trumpet player said, "If you continue to play hymns like that, you'll put us trumpet players out of business."  “All six parts of “The Highland Wedding March" are great for playing the bride into the church.  To my list, I could add, "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken,” by Franz Joseph Haydn.  It’s called Austrian Hymn, which goes by many other titles such as, “Hail the Glorious Golden City,” “Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens Adore Him,” and “In Thanksgiving Let Us Praise Him.”  It is Austria’s National Anthem.  Then, the tune is known as, “God, Preserve our Noble Emperor.”  It’s very stately.  

If I were to choose one hymn that's really majestic, it would be "Highland Cathedral."  It's not in the hymnbooks, but it is beautiful, especially in a big, acoustically perfect church such as our White Rock Baptist Church.  It just rises to the skies. You will find it in “Songs of Scotland,” Volume 12(a)of The Church Piper.  The hymn, “See What a Morning” by Keith Getty is likewise stimulating.  “The Flower of Scotland” is also a proud song when played according to its original setting.  It can be found in “More Songs of Scotland,” Volume 12(b) of The Church Piper.  Some have rearranged it but without giving it the necessary feel.  It requires the first three notes as the introduction and throughout, a grouping of three notes that cause one to hear those three introductory notes on the right foot with stresses on the left.  This is considered one of Scotland’s National Anthems and it commands national pride, the same as “Highland Cathedral.”   

You can see that I love the hymns, just as I'm sure you do.  One reminds me of another, and they are chosen according to the occasion.  I want to wish you wonderful satisfaction, when you play for a memorial service or for any other special occasion.  If you have to transpose and arrange a piece before you have thoroughly committed it to memory, don't be afraid to use a music stand or hang the music on a wall.  I did, on the day I played, "Londonderry Air" (Danny Boy) for the first time.  I had only been asked a day before if I would play that song and I had to arrange it.  I mentioned to the funeral director, that "Sometimes you fellows don't give a guy much notice."  He replied rather stiffly, saying, "We don't get much notice either." 

A last thought is to tell how a certain hymn came about to be a favorite.  It is, "I Am Trusting.”  Four men at the funeral service of a friend’s father sang it in harmony.  I hadn’t heard it before, but because it was so touching, I told my friend that I'd like to arrange it for the pipes.  He actually found a tattered and torn hymnbook for me from the archives of that country church and endeared himself even more by presenting it to me.  Being tattered, made it more precious.

Don't overlook two beautiful hymns, one of which you might select.  They are, "Abide With Me," and "In the Sweet Bye and Bye."

I will write other comments about my favorite compositions in a separate note.  With this one, you might get the inspiration you need for your next service.

Grandkids Can Be Fascinating

We have three grandsons and two granddaughters.  Two of the boys are brothers and they live near us in BC.  They are thirteen and eleven years old.  Their sister is nine.  One of the boys, who is seven, lives in CT along with his sister who is only five.  

The two brothers are avid fishermen and though they love school, they’d rather fish than do anything else, except for running races across-country.  One afternoon, when we were at their house, they were sorting their fishing tackle.  Before long, the two of them, along with their friend, had their rods, reels and tackle ready, along with their rubber boots, which they were already wearing, and soon were off on their bikes to Campbell River, a favorite fishing spot for them and others.

They love the thrill of having a fish on the line, but usually, the boys throw their catch back.  This afternoon, the older lad had one well hooked and it proved to be a big one, a salmon, and it required a lot of playing on the line, to tire it out.  Apparently, from the story they told us afterwards, the older boy called over his shoulder to his brother, that he needed help, and the younger fellow responded by wading deep into the water, where he caught the salmon in his arms and carried it to shore.  

Suddenly, the salmon, with all its reserve energy, gave a flip that unhooked it and sent it back into the river.  The lad realized he was soaked to the skin, and that he had entirely over-looked being dressed in his school clothes.  He and his brother decided right then, that they had to have hip waders.  Rubber boots were by no means adequate for deep river fishing.  They would be saving their grass-cutting money for the big investment needed to catch such combative game.

Their nine-year old sister, who I mentioned, is just as avid about picture puzzles as her brothers are about fishing.  Numerous times, she and I have assembled puzzles together on our dining room table.  She is an expert and doesn’t wait until the pieces have all been turned up or to start with the border.  If the colors, shapes and clues match, it is to her advantage to assemble those pieces immediately, regardless of where they belong in the whole picture.  

So, the other day, she arrived at our place with an armload consisting of two big puzzle boxes, and excitedly exclaimed, “Grandpa Keith, look what I have for us to work on!”  Her friend and she had made an exchange.  What a good idea!  The two of us set to work immediately.  We couldn’t finish the first puzzle in the short time we had available before dinner and the time afterwards when she had to be taken to Girl Guides, so I was admonished to lay a tablecloth over what we had done and wait until next Thursday or Friday to continue.  In the meantime, I was not to touch another piece!  All I can say is that I’m thankful the puzzle was covered, because without the cover, I would have been awfully tempted.  I can truthfully say, I was able to walk past the covered puzzle for days.  I would have loved to work on it, but I didn’t have that privilege.  Our grandaughter was anxious to continue, and when she arrived on Friday, a week later, to stay overnight, the puzzle was completed before supper, and we were ready to tackle the harder one, but after a game of Dominoes with freshly popped pop-corn.  

Meanwhile, in CT, our seven-year old grandson rides his bike in the area where bigger boys are doing loops with theirs.  He enjoys being where they’re practicing such daring maneuvers, and is always cautious not to ride as dangerously as they.  Let’s hope he continues to be careful.  In his quiet time, he industriously invents and constructs new car models with his Lego.  He printed a letter to the Lego Company to tell them of his new design and was thrilled to receive their reply saying they would one day be interested, as they are always looking to introduce a new model.  His grandmother and I enjoy so much, watching the occasional video of our dear grandson in CT playing a piano duet with his dad, who accompanies him on the piano’s bass notes.  We love the expression on his face when he completes a tune to his satisfaction.  

Our grandson’s five-year-old sister dresses and undresses her dolls, and has even adorned her most beautiful one with spectacles using a permanent-marking pen.  She loves that doll just the same.  What she likes best, is to look beautiful in her own very pretty dresses.  Being so nicely attired, is not her concern even though she and her brother will be going to the Bicycle Park.  She is sure the dress will wash, or believes it won’t get dirty; but it does.  Still, she’s happy to be doing what her brother loves to do, and she still looks pretty while she runs up and down over the rough and dirty bumps.  She prefers to run because her bicycle still has training wheels.

I find our grandchildren fascinating, and wish we could spend more time having fun with them.  Most likely, I’ll want to write more about the things that occupy their developing minds.        

Adjusting to the Situation

I was invited to participate in the Remembrance Day Service at Westminster House, a retirement home in White Rock, BC. As there wasn’t a trumpet player, I volunteered to play The Last Post as well as The Lament. The latter selection follows a one-minute’s silence. For The Last Post, I played “The Bugle Horn March,” accented, as a trumpeter would play it. The lament was a medley of two familiar selections, “The Minstrel Boy” and “Danny Boy,” because they would be familiar to this group of people. Afterwards, an Irish couple spoke to me saying how much it meant to them to hear those two beloved Irish songs. A year ago, I also played for the same group of people, and elected to play as the lament, “Dark Island,” which has the sadness and reverence suitable for remembering our veterans of many wars. I made the choice between it and “The Lament of the MacDonalds.” Whenever I play the latter selection, I imagine the bitter winter winds through which the Scottish clan escaped from those at Glencoe who wished to annihilate them in the middle of the night. Thank goodness they didn’t, because I’m a MacDonald. For years, in services in which I played at cenotaphs, war veterans expected to hear their piper play the prolonged strains of “The Flowers o’ the Forest,” while they remembered their comrades. I respectfully complied. Later on, however, at a businessmen’s banquet in Winnipeg, I substituted a beautiful hymn. The speaker was a veteran of the Dieppe landing. Many of his friends were killed and he was certain he would be too. As he waded into shore with bullets flying past him, he looked up and prayed, “God, if I should get out of this alive, I promise to honor You for the rest of my life.” God saved him, and people of the underground assisted by bringing him back safely to England. Since then, he gladly accepted invitations by groups such as the one to which he spoke that day, to tell of his experience and his thankfulness to God. Immediately after this dear veteran soldier completed his story, it was my responsibility to play the lament. I heard that still small voice inside me saying, “Play a tribute to God with, ‘When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.’” As I played this fine old hymn, in this intimate setting, slow-marching around the dining room, I distinctly heard individuals saying aloud, “Yes, Lord, yes, Lord.” Truly, they recognized the miracle that saved this soldier’s life when all around him his friends were cut down before they made it to shore. Once, in Winnipeg, I was invited to play for a Remembrance Day service in a retirement home. While planning the program, the social director still needed a pianist. I offered to play the piano too, if she couldn’t find one. The hymns would be familiar, such as, “O Valiant Hearts,” “O God Our Help in Ages Past,” “Faith of our Fathers” and “God of Our Fathers.” She was relieved, and we agreed that if God should send someone better qualified, we would both be thankful. It was our good fortune that a few days later, a new resident moved in, who was a musical director in one of the churches. Already, she had formed a choir and was preparing them to sing in the service. The Remembrance service in that Retirement Home was a definite tribute to our military people. The color party was led in and out by the pipes, and the choir performed beautifully. The people sang under skilled direction and the pastor delivered an honorable address. A well-practiced trumpet player played, “The Last Post" and "Reveille," and there was a minute’s silence before the pipes reverently broke in with “The Flowers o’ the Forest.” I often think how God did the exact thing for us by having that lady director move into the retirement home just when we needed her. Even though I could have played the piano, her contribution allowed me to concentrate on doing my best, playing the lament. In a month or so, I will have published the 15th volume of The Church Piper. The music book is “Patriotic Music and Familiar Folk Songs for the Church Piper.” In it are included 84 beautiful selections arranged for the pipes. Several arrangements have been written for “The Last Post” and “Reveille.” For the enthusiastic piper who would love to have the music for these selections, they will be there for practice. It is a lovely challenge to learn these pieces as well as to know other suitable laments for this sacred occasion. I hope other pipers will experience God’s presence too, as they help others to remember the great contribution our soldiers have made towards our freedom.

There is Power in a Hymn

A beautiful hymn has an indescribable quality that touches and stirs the hearts of its listeners even more acutely than the well-chosen words of an orator could accomplish.  Clearly stated by the poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1807-1882, music is the universal language of mankind.

Beyond the tune and the poet’s rhyming stanzas, is God’s Spirit who uses these components to produce an overwhelming power that affects the emotions and makes His presence very assuring.

Thanks to God for having inspired the writing of hymns, that we may, on the right occasion, sing or play them for others to enjoy and praise God.  Hymns are the means by which lost souls will be found and saved; the power by which our fellow men and women will be brought to know forgiveness, experience renewal and have hope for eternal life.

For call to worship, the piper could select a hymn that extols God’s power, and such a hymn is, "I Sing the Mighty Power of God."

1. I sing the mighty power of God

That made the mountains rise,

That spread the flowing seas abroad

And built the lofty skies.

I sing the wisdom that ordained

The sun to rule the day;

The moon shines full at His command,

And all the stars obey.

2. I sing the goodness of the Lord

That filled the earth with food;

He formed the creatures with His Word

And then pronounced them good.

Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed

Where’er I turn my eye:

If I survey the ground I tread

Or gaze upon the sky!

3. There’s not a plant or flower below

But makes Thy glories known;

And clouds arise and tempests blow

By order from Thy throne;

While all that borrows life from Thee

Is ever in Thy care,

And everywhere that man can be,

Thou, God art present there.

                                                                 - Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

                               

Top-Notch Piping

Playing an instrument or singing a solo for call to worship in church requires top-notch musicianship. It is not an occasion for testing one’s ability as a performer, but instead, it is a sacred time in which a congregation is led in praising our Lord and Creator. Only one’s best is good enough and the musician must rank amongst the most proficient of musicians and definitely not be a beginner.

For the piper asked to play for call to worship, a few suggestions can be made to help in attaining that degree of perfection.

The first of course, is to assure that his or her instrument is working perfectly and will be beautifully tuned. The pipe bag must be absolutely airtight, to require easy blowing, and no effort to maintain constant pressure, not allowing the slightest waver of the drones throughout the hymn. This assures a steady sound that will be pleasing. If a tenor drone does not stay perfectly in tune, shut it off, and tune the remaining one to perfection. When there’s an opportunity to do so, spend time to restore the drone’s function.

The hymn medley should be selected weeks ahead and be well practiced. Not too many hymns or even too few should be selected. Three or four are sufficient to play in and out and across the front several times. Be sure not to confuse a hymn with any band tune that is similar. Consequently, one should forgo practicing any selection that may conflict with his or her memory. For an example, there are two tunes, “Highland Cathedral,” and “See, What a Morning!” in which there is a similarity in the beginning and one must avoid making a pitfall in which to fall.

Another suggestion is to assure you will be marching in step with the beat and with the emphasis. This is not quite so difficult when playing solo, but in a band everyone must practice the beginning of a three-four-retreat march. It is unlike any other march. Unless one begins differently, then he or she can be assured of playing out of step. The drums should provide the customary roll, but begin instead, by playing it on the right foot. Pipers will begin their introduction of the three-four march on the right foot, with the left foot coming down on the first beat of the bar as it should. In a medley, any tune following the three-four hymns or retreats will then be played in step. The procedure simply needs to be practiced. The usual drummers’ introduction on the left foot just doesn’t work for retreats or for hymns in three-quarter time. This is the simplest way. It makes an appreciable difference to the expression given to the music when one’s feet fall correctly on the notes to be emphasized.

When there are four quarter notes in each bar, it is well to notice that there are two ways in which the music may be played. In 4/4 time, one counts four beats to a bar, while in common time, the count is only two. The signature for common time is a C with a line drawn through it. The beat comes only on the first and third quarter notes. “Loch Lomond” is a good example for this timing or rhythm. Played in 4/4 time, the music is restricted and ponderous, while in common time, the tune flows along smoothly.

While mentioning rhythm, and expression, it is indeed noteworthy to consider the beautiful hymn, “Amazing Grace,” and explain that there is a world of difference in how it might be played as compared with how it should sound. Commonly, one hears the triplet-like notes played as a downward run with emphasis on the last note. Instead, one should endeavor to put emphasis on the first of these three notes. In fact, the whole hymn should be played with a solid beat going on in the piper’s head. Beginning with power in the two introductory notes. With Ah-a, on the right foot, and conviction on the rest of the word, ’mazing,’ which involves the entire first bar. “Grace” comes on the right foot. Throughout, the time is firm and constant, with emphasis placed on the first note of the triplets and power supplied to the high notes that have two or three beats. It is actually a thrill to play this great hymn using power and solid timing to support it. With practice, the beauty in this hymn will be extolled and its sweetness will be a wonderful tribute to God. The pattern used to play “Amazing Grace” may be applied to any other hymn when the feeling they deserve is given.

Once, having been requested to play “Amazing Grace” from the platform in church, for a memorial service, I was anticipating playing it solo for three verses. I completed the first verse, and then, unannounced to me beforehand, the organist drove home the introduction to the second verse, and he was right in tune for me to continue. The Bison Men’s Choir of Winnipeg was in the choir loft and they received the signal from the organist that they were to sing the verse, “When I’ve been there ten-thousand years.” It was a wonderful experience. Now this is often considered to be the third and final verse to the hymn, although there are thirteen verses. I didn’t dare try for another verse, for I had no idea if all the singers would have the same choice for a third verse. So, I gave the signal to the organist that two verses would be sufficient. I would have loved to play all the verses written, but couldn’t take the chance.

Often one hears someone say that his or her music teacher taught that a dotted quarter note causes the note to be played one-and-a-half times as long. That’s true of course, but it isn’t always understood that a dotted quarter note is played with two beats. First, one should notice that the quarter note has a full beat. Then notice that the dot comes on the second beat. Instead of a dot, the quarter note may be tied to the next note, which will be an eighth note, and that eighth note will complete the second beat. This makes a very neat difference in a piece of music, with the quarter note A or F for examples, tied over, then with an immediate short burrel or an eighth note being played to complete the second beat, the note of the third beat is struck. There are several good examples for playing with this neat expression. They are, “The Sands of Kuwait,” “Highland Cathedral,” “The Minstrel Boy” and “Oh! Rowan Tree.”

To be able to play well in the church setting, there is much for the piper to gain from his or her experience in a pipe band in which the pipers and their teachers conscientiously try to produce the best expression. It is insufficient merely to play the pipes, while it is necessary to uphold with pride, Scotland’s traditional and beloved musical instrument, by which one may offer genuine praise to the Lord. I hope with all my heart that these few suggestions will assist pipers to play their very best in the church setting, that all those present my respond well to his or her all-out genuine effort.

The Loss of a Dear Friend

Al was a dear friend and I shall surely miss him. He took his life, and there was nothing I could have done to prevent it from happening. It was quick, in the privacy of his home, and in the middle of the night. The evening before, he and another friend had dinner together at their favorite restaurant. There was no indication to any of us that Al had formulated his plan. Nevertheless, the details had been made, even to leave his important documents on the table.

Al was loved in our community. He often helped several elderly widows in one way or another; getting their groceries, taking them to doctors’ and hair appointments, planting their shrubs and cleaning their eves. I loved to work with him, removing overgrown shrubs, digging out the rocks so new shrubs could be planted, chopping out roots, laying sods and putting up Christmas lights. Sometimes, from his garage workshop, he'd find me the bolt or a hook that I needed. There were shelves full of model cars that he built over the years, and hanging from the garage ceiling were either scale model planes or flying models with gas engines. Several tall ships adorned the shelves.

After we laid a neighbor's sod, I remember saying to Al that I knew he must have Jesus in his heart because we worked so well together. Besides, I told him, I knew because he loved to help the widows in our small community. I invited him a couple of times to attend a men’s fellowship dinner at the church, where there'd be a guest speaker. He enjoyed those events. When we invited a number of people from our community for dinner, a neighbor lady was talking so loudly that he politely asked her to “-be silent so Keith can ask the blessing.”

During his lifetime, he had attended church, but discontinued going because of a breakdown in his marriage. To help him overcome his discouragement, his two sons introduced him to the hobby of building model cars, planes and ships. He must have built them in earnest because there were so many. He lived alone and was obviously very lonely, except for the times when he was helping others. During those times, he was happy and would work until the sweat ran from the end of his nose. We'd take a break for lunch on the patio and Al would tell us about his sons whom he loved and for whom he was greatly concerned for their success and good health. Then, we'd go and finish our project in a neighbor’s garden.

I noted those things about Al because I know a person has to be right with God to be with Him after death. Al had a Christian’s faith. I'm sure he did, even though he didn't loudly proclaim it like some others do. Because Al accepted my comment, that he must have the spirit of Jesus in his heart, it assured me that he was right with God and would enjoy eternity in Heaven. By his love for helping others, his radiance when working on a project with others, and his ability not to use the Lord’s name in vain, I knew he loved God. I am reminded of the Scribe who asked Jesus, "What commandment is the foremost of all?" Jesus responded by saying, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and the second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself.” Al loved God and he certainly loved his neighbors. He'd do anything to help them. Although we'll miss him very much, it is our hope that he is with God in Heaven.

Today's Hymns On Pipes

The old hymns are wonderful for their Christian messages and melodic quality.  Many of them have been arranged for the pipes.  As one would suspect, in recent years new hymns have been written that are beautifully suited to the bagpipes after transposition and arrangement.  Specifically, hymns written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend are a delight and lend themselves perfectly to playing call to worship on a Sunday morning.  These two Irish musicians instill their creations with native culture, to give them a Celtic lilt familiar to Irish and Scottish music.

In my repertoire, I have been playing, “In Christ Alone,” by Keith Getty and “How Deep The Father’s Love For Us,” by Stuart Townend.  Now, having had Keith & Kristyn Getty’s “In Christ Alone Songbook” to enjoy, I’ve added three more of their hymns to my repertoire, namely, “See, What A Morning!” “Speak, O Lord,” and The Power Of The Cross.”  My notes will enable a person to select them for the occasion upon which each may be played.

“See, What A Morning!” is a song to be played at Easter or a morning worship service, because it is exciting and triumphant, proclaiming the truth of Christ having risen from the grave.  It is a marvelous hymn for a piper to lead a congregation in praise of our Saviour.

“Speak, O Lord,” is a prayer asking God to continue speaking to us through Scripture and by His Holy Spirit.  His Word is powerful, and by it, God spoke the world into creation and inspired writers to record His instructions for all generations.  It has transforming power to improve life’s quality when people listen humbly and respond.

“The Power Of The Cross,” was written for Easter and Communion and is an ideal choice for the piper.  It reflects upon Christ’s suffering and challenges people to renew their lives as they wonder about the significance and power of the cross.  One observes and acknowledges the awful price Christ paid to redeem us from our sins.  As terrible as His crucifixion was, it was nevertheless God’s plan, designed long before Christ sacrificed his life and suffered for us.

“In Christ Alone,” was the first hymn that Keith and Stuart wrote together; simple yet powerful.  We will sing, “No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me.”  Christ was God sacrificed on the cross.  Only Jesus could have such power to be returned to life because He was God in human flesh.  Even death could not have power over our Lord.  He is God and we believe in Him.  He affects us all and we know He desires to have a personal relationship with each one of us.

A church piper will do well to build his or her repertoire upon Keith Getty’s and Stuart Townend’s compositions, and be ready to respond to requests for leading a congregation in worship.

Keith MacDonald

It's No Joke

The other day, I received an e-mail to which I have given some thought.  There is more to think about than to consider it just another joke.  I don't find it particularly funny.  See what you think.

‘One day God was looking down at earth and saw the entire rascally behavior that was going on...
So He called His angels and sent one to earth for a time.  When the angel returned, she told God, 'Yes, it is bad on earth; 95% are misbehaving and only 5% are not.  God thought for a moment and said, “Maybe I had better send down a second angel to get another opinion.”

So God called another angel and sent her to earth for a time.  When the angel returned she went to God and said, “Yes, it's true. The earth is in decline; 95% are misbehaving, but 5% are being good.”  God was not pleased, so sHE decided to e-mail the 5% who were good, because sHe wanted to encourage them, and give them a little something to help them keep going.
Do you know what the e-mail said?

Okay, I was just wondering, because I didn't get one either.’  -By an anonymous person

This forwarded e-mail has such an important message.  The intention of the person who wrote it was to have us laugh, and yet I didn't find it funny.  Actually, I thought, because it was most likely designed to cause a laugh, that it was just the opposite.  Think about it and you will see that everyone, according to these figures, is destined to go to Hell.   Consequently, all are ineligible for the promise that God gave us, which is, as most of us have read in John 3:16; "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." 

If everyone is misbehaving, as the story says, and disregards God, then that's "curtains" for him or her.  I can't make a joke of something so wonderful as the gift of eternal life.  It was given to us simply because we believe in God having created all things and that He loves us so much that He sacrificed His Son to pay for our forgiveness for misbehaving.  Those who are misbehaving, (which is just another word for sinning), are turning their shoulders to God.  It is if they are saying, " I don't need you; I'm having too much fun just doing what I want to do.  Besides that, I plan to continue after I'm done with this world, by cavorting with my friends in Hell, the place about which we like to joke.  There, I'll have a great time with all my friends.  Yes, in Hell I'll have a great time!"

Well, think about it.  We can't expect to find any friends there.  Who could we trust?"  "Everyone knows it's the place where murderers and thieves end up, and besides, it's described as a smoldering ash pit where sinful people abide forever and ever.  Could you say they would be enjoying their days? 

I wonder if this article was meant to be a joke or to be considered as something to provoke our sensibilities into thinking that we should appreciate what God has given us, and to be reminded that God so loved the world?  Should we not remember that we must love God too?  Some will laugh about this "joke" and others, like me, will read it with sadness and think about those who will be missing out on being with their Lord and Saviour forever.

In the Bible, God is referred to as He.  We remember the prayer that Jesus taught us, beginning with, "Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name."  He never, ever, referred to His Father in Heaven as sHe, whatever gender that is?

You might thank the author of the "joke" for at least provoking me, to write my thoughts about it.  As the expression goes, "It ain't no joke!"  We see it as it is, and that Jesus gave us the order to protect our friends from this kind of thinking, by saying, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel."  We have a responsibility for our friends and to those who aren't our friends just yet, but who will thank us some day for warning them against such falseness as we saw in that Email.  A final thought is about what Jesus taught when He said, "Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends." Soon afterwards, He did just that, for He gave His life for His friends and even for His enemies.  That is, for all who would believe.

By the way, who is this person called, sHe?

Vision Impairment

With considerable interest, I read the story of the man who was born blind and was miraculously given his eyesight.  It was the first time in his life that he was able to see and it would have been an amazing day for him.  It was a day worth remembering and celebrating.  Besides celebrating the miracle of this man receiving his sight, it was an occasion for others to join with him in praise, to acknowledge the actuality of something considered impossible, but obviously, not for God.  To no one before had this happened, and it would be unlikely to happen again. 

Being an optometrist, I took a particular interest.  I’ve experienced joy with patients whose eyesight was considerably improved and I’ve joined with others, thankful to God that I was able to prevent them from becoming blind.  Never, have I witnessed anyone given perfectly good eyesight that had been blind from birth.  It would have been wonderful to behold.  Only God could perform such a miracle.

For this man, it was an exceptional day; one in which to be thankful, except, no one pondered the wonder of the miracle.  Instead, they questioned who did it and said that whoever it was that gave him his eyesight, did so on the Sabbath, which wasn’t good.  Can you imagine that?  They considered any individual who performed a miracle on the Sabbath to have committed a great sin.  Consequently, he could not be a prophet but instead, he must be from the devil.  That was their premise: if he took away the man’s blindness on the Sabbath, then he must be an evil person.

The priests had someone locate the man’s parents who assured them this was their own son who had been born blind.  Others assured them that they too, recognized the man who had been blind from birth.

Someone was sent to find the poor fellow so he could be questioned.  The priests learned that he had no idea who had given him his eyesight. This man who had been blind could offer little in the way of helping them to know who was his benefactor but to say, “Once I was blind and now I can see.”  We recognize his words from our hymn, “Amazing Grace.”  However, Jesus, who had been looking for him too, revealed Himself to him.  The man not only thanked Jesus profusely, but he chose to praise Him as a man of God.

One has to admire the man for his retort to the priests who questioned him incessantly.  He said he had told them but they wouldn’t listen and that they must want to praise the Person who performed the miracle, because of their repetitious questioning.  They excommunicated him from their church because he professed that his benefactor was a Prophet from God.  It didn’t worry him to admit his belief to the priests.  He knew it was better to praise the man of God who had given him his eyesight, than to belong to a church that put more emphasis on rules than it did on praising God.  He recognized that they were more interested in having people obey the rules set by the church, which included not helping anyone on the Sabbath, than they were intent upon worshipping God.  Ironically, they had the opportunity before their eyes, to worship God in reality. 

The man’s parents reacted differently, for they were non-committal.  They admitted that this was their son, and that he had been born blind, and now was able to see, but they were not ready to say that the one to be recognized was a Prophet from God.  They knew that if they were to say that this was what they believed, they’d be excommunicated too.  One feels badly for them, because it was plain for them to see that God had performed a miracle and they could praise the very One who did it but they would not.  Their faith could have been made whole if they were to praise God for performing the miracle. They were not unlike many others who are blind in spite of having eyes capable of seeing.

The actual story can be read in the book of John, in chapter nine.  You will enjoy the man’s response to the priests who he is in effect teaching, but who are so wrapped up in their own rules that they too, can neither listen or see.

The Best Coffee

Some coffees are especially good, and others are not ones you’d drink unless you were very thirsty. Even then, they could be revolting. Occasionally, a friend and I will sit and talk over a nice hot cup of coffee, enjoying the fragrance as well as the taste. Besides solving the world’s problems, our conversation has turned to the coffee itself, for we both have a particular liking for a good cup of steaming hot coffee. We’ve both tried many varieties, such as Tim Hortons, Starbucks, McDonald’s and A Second Cup. He mentioned the various additives people use to modify the taste of their coffee such as cream and sugar, or honey and I volunteered that some believe a dollop of whiskey will make it taste the way they like it. He explained that companies try to make their coffee more palatable by adding something to the actual coffee beans. A cup of coffee can be made to taste like dirty water or molasses, which is not how a good cup of coffee should taste.

In the process of comparing coffees that had been modified, my friend found that a truly great coffee was to be enjoyed when nothing was added to change its taste. I too, like my coffee straight from the carafe. He then compared this to our faith in Christ, saying. “He is complete in Himself, and you don't have to add anything to your faith in Him as Savior.” “Jesus,” he said, “told us that He was the way, the truth and the life and that no one is able to meet His Father in Heaven unless it would be by Him, and also, that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. Jesus didn’t tell people to add anything more to their faith, because He alone is sufficient. In that, He meant, you don't have to do a whole lot of good deeds to earn your way into Heaven.” My friend added, “How would you know when you had ever done enough? Fortunately, He paid the price in full. We don't even have to be good, but instead, we simply must believe that He, Jesus, was God in human form, and was entirely sufficient as the Sacrifice made for us, so we may be forgiven of every fault that would prevent our acceptance into Heaven.”

While my friend spoke, I was enjoying the warmth of the cup in both hands, listening intently to what he was saying, for I thought he had a very good point. Then, he added for good measure, that he always remembers this principle by the few words he memorized, which were, "Christ plus anything equals nothing. Christ plus nothing equals everything."

My friend may have expounded for some time on the various ways in which a cup of coffee can be spoiled by adding something to it, but he said something I’ll definitely remember by using that easy-to-remember formula. There are of course, those who believe they have their own formula, which is, “Christ alone is not enough.” They believe that to gain God’s favor, one needs to add something more. Without understanding, they undertake to design their own theology, like people do when they modify the taste of their coffee. Even so, there is only one way to Heaven and that is to believe that "Jesus paid it all.” It is the title of a hymn. Its chorus says, “Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow." “Jesus plus anything equals nothing. Jesus plus nothing equals everything.” It’s like a great cup of coffee. One needs to add nothing, for it is complete in itself.

4th of July Parade

My son Earl sent the following video to me. It features the Manchester Regional Police and Fire Pipe Band marching at the 4th of July Parade in Columbia, CT.   All pipers will recognize this tune as Oh! Rowantree Oh! Rowantree, which is typically coupled with Scotland the Brave.

That's my grandson at the end.  Apparently the local firemen spray the kids with hoses as they drive by, to keep them cool.  He brought a water sprayer to retaliate.

Beyond Chance

Our nine-year-old granddaughter anticipated Canada Day with her grandparents, when she would enjoy her long-awaited treasure hunt. She loved the one we designed two years ago, and talked about this one with excitement. She knew it would be even more challenging. She slept-over the night before. At breakfast, she asked the blessing. Besides being thankful for the meal, she asked that this would be a sensational Canada Day. We loved her choice of words. As the story unfolds, that is exactly the kind of Day we had.

The day before, my wife and I set out the clue cards along the treasure hunt route we planned at Crescent Beach, a popular park for families to walk, picnic or swim in the ocean. Already, there were many enjoying the park, even before the holiday, Canada Day. It would be exciting, to see the crowd tomorrow, and the multitude of cars.

Good hiding places were carefully selected for each clue card. Each one would give the vicinity of the next clue card. We were careful not to spend much time at any location, to cause anyone to be suspicious about what we were doing.

After we hid the last card and the ultimate treasure itself, which was covered with a few small branches and grass in a hollow, we considered the preparations well carried out. Suddenly, we were struck by the thought that we should have put a roll of LifeSavers in with one of the clue cards. So, instead of continuing to our car, we went back over our trail. Surprisingly, we noticed that there was a group of young people gathered around the location of one of our well-hidden clues. The clue card was seen in the hands of one of the fellows and we asked to have it, saying that it was part of a planned treasure hunt for our grandchild. Grandma reached out and took the card from one of the young men.

That’s when we realized that to have this clue, the group must have found at least the one before it and possibly others before that. We carried on backwards and found that three clues had been discovered and that if we had not returned, the group of boys and girls would surely have found their way to our final treasure which was a nice-sized Lego kit for girls, called “Friends.” We reflected that our return to put the LifeSavers in with one of the clue cards was beyond chance. How else could one explain it?

We now had to return home and rewrite the two lost clue cards. We returned to Crescent Beach in the morning of Canada Day and retraced the treasure hunt trail to the three that had been taken. We carefully replaced each of the clues while assuring that nobody was watching. We continued to the treasure and found it to be safe. We went home again and would be ready after lunch, for the exciting hunt with our granddaughter. Her mother would bring her to our place to have lunch.

Canada Day was beautifully warm and sunny. It was a great day to have a treasure hunt with our granddaughter. She was excited, and had no difficulty finding the first clue hidden in the cleft of a rock. The second one was between two signs at the Dog Park and the third was fastened with thumbtacks under the railing of a new fence. The fourth was a bit trickier, being tacked under the fourth step of a set of stairs leading downward off the pathway. She had to return to the path and locate the pumping station, and along the way to enjoy the ducks, herons, bird sounds and wild flowers. The fifth clue was easy enough to find where a wooden rail fits into a post. What a delight to see her expression on locating it. This one led her to a big gate in the middle of the road. Here, the sixth clue was difficult to find, but she reasoned that it had to be inside the metal pipe, tucked in from the bottom and held there by a wad of newspaper.

Two carrots were the clue to help her find the next location, for it was evident they were for the two Shetland ponies near the end of that roadway. The ponies were encouraged to come. They munched on the carrots, anticipating more. Clue card number six had led to the horses and it instructed her to look up in the tree near the corral, where she would find the seventh clue card.

The card said to continue onto the street until she would find a white boat being used as a small flower garden. She was to search around it to locate her eighth card. That took intense searching, but eventually she found an envelope containing ten dollars and more instructions. She took us to the popular ice-cream dispensary where we were treated. On such a hot and beautiful day, a short rest was appreciated. Many others were enjoying Canada Day in this manner. With her eighth clue, which was obtained from one of the shopkeepers, our granddaughter urged us on our way along the beach.

Our granddaughter was looking for a house number on a white fence. Opposite to it would be a huge log where the next clue card would be hidden somewhere in its vicinity. That wasn’t too difficult, but it required a bit of crawling and inspection into every nook and cranny between rocks under the log. Besides a small-sized “Friend’s” kit, the ninth card’s envelope gave the clue to find the 10th one under a piece of driftwood. Incidentally, this was the first clue the group of young people had found and it was one of the three clues that we had to replace on Canada Day morning. The eleventh clue was located where it we had replaced it, secured with Scotch tape under a park bench. The twelfth clue led to the spot where we had discovered the young people who had found three clue cards and were preparing to continue on the treasure hunt that we had designed.

If we had not returned to put the LifeSavers with one of the clues, the group would have found the final clue, which would have led them to the treasure. If nobody found the thirteenth clue which was hidden under a rock marked with an X and located near a peer and a set of steps leading down to the ocean, then we could look forward to that clue leading us to the treasure. With little effort, our granddaughter found the rock with an X and continued up the steps, to the big rock near the hollow and the shrubbery that hid the package. Actually, we were amazed how confidently she ventured into the shrubbery and drew out the package wrapped in a black plastic bag. Quickly, she identified it as a popular construction kit called, “Friends” designed for girls. At home, she spent the rest of the afternoon assembling it, only taking time out for dinner. Later, we drove to Marine Beach to watch the fireworks. Afterwards, our granddaughter fell asleep in the car. It had been a very big day and before continuing to dreamy dreamland, she thanked her grandmother and grandfather for a wonderful day; one she will never forget. She loved hearing about the near-interruption in our nicely designed treasure hunt and reflected that God had heard her prayer, asking that He might make this a sensational Canada Day.

A Complete Makeover

Together, the stories about what Jesus did and what He taught, are the church’s central messages. They are called The Gospel and without it, churches would have no meaning. No other message can change hearts and lives like the retelling of Jesus and His love.

The Bible doesn’t teach that you will be rewarded with eternal life in Heaven by being good. Rather, it teaches about God and how we may relate to Him. A religious person called Nicodemus visited Jesus one night. He had his own perception of Jesus even before he came. He believed Jesus performed miracles because God helped Him to perform them. Nevertheless, he wanted to know who Jesus was. Jesus said he would never understand Him until he knew Him personally. He could not relate to Him unless he had a spiritual birth, a complete change in his life, in which He would make God central. He called it being “born again.” In other words, for him to know Jesus personally, a change in his life was essential; a complete makeover.

Jesus told Nicodemus that although he was a teacher, he still did not understand the need to put his complete trust in God. He was an educated person, a member of the Sanhedrin, the supreme council and highest religious and legal authority of the ancient Jewish nation. Like others, he could sit in church each Sunday and not understand the need to believe in God’s reality and put his trust in Him.

We know that many don’t have faith in Jesus even though they’ve heard the Gospel taught every Sunday morning. They have their own answer to being godly; that all who go to church are basically good and do what is good. However, the Gospel does not expound upon being good or religious. The principles are there for one to make a personal decision to follow Jesus or not. We saw that Nicodemus had a spiritual change in His life after having met Jesus. He indicated it by bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes for Jesus’ burial.

Mystery surrounds the Gospel because the work of God’s Spirit is invisible and mysterious. Jesus called for a radical change in Nicodemous’ life; similarly in ours. A conversion experience is a mystery in itself. He compared the work of the Spirit with the wind, which we cannot see although we can experience its effects. We can’t explain how the Spirit works in a new believer’s heart, but He, the Spirit, affects people with His will, and acts in accordance with the Sovereign will of God. We are unable to develop a relationship with God without already having had the Holy Spirit change us. He calls us, then convicts and converts us. There is nothing in us that will predispose us to come to God. No one, nor anything but the Holy Spirit will draw us to Him. Spiritual re-birth is totally by God’s grace. The Spirit brings us into union with God.  One will realize it when the Spirit of God touches deep into his or her heart.

Applying the Gospel to our lives will help to give us a new life and relationship with God. Scripture tells us, “God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 17, 18) To Emphasize that message, that believing or not believing in God, is a choice to be made, the Scripture states, “Whoever does not believe is condemned already.” God gave His beloved Son “that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:15)

It is not logical that God would sacrifice His Son to die for anyone, especially for His enemies. One can’t explain it correctly until he or she truly believes, because the Gospel is foolishness to those who don’t believe. Scripture tells us, “the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Many Christians have difficulty explaining in more than one sentence, what being a Christian means to them. They could refer to the statement that tells how much God loves us, as stated in John 3:16. It is the very crux of the Gospel stating the supreme sacrificial act of God giving His Son.  John’s Gospel explains that Jesus is the living God.  He was “God in the flesh.”  God sent Jesus on a mission, which was to die. Why did He have to die?  He died for you and me, because God could not forgive us of our sins and forget about them without a Supreme Sacrifice.  There isn’t a sufficient sacrifice other than that of God’s Son.

If God did not love us sufficiently, He would not have bothered to provide His Son to redeem us from the penalty of sin, which is to be completely annihilated from God. Man is in a sinful state and God is Holy.  Because of this, God cannot look at sin.  Because God is just, His justice has to be satisfied. If it were satisfied, man would be dead without another consideration.  God, with His incredible love provided the solution, which is to rescue us from ourselves, if we request to be rescued.

A comparable situation would be if you were judged guilty for a misdemeanor, and the judge said, “You are guilty and your penalty is a thousand dollars. However, I acknowledge that you are unable to pay, so I will write the cheque to pay your fine myself.”  That is comparable to what God did. On the cross, Christ took our punishment, to pay for our sins and redeem us so we’d be guiltless before God.  We no longer need to have a broken relationship with God.

Whosoever believes will have eternal life. Even so, everyone will benefit from the Gospel; not just those who believe in Christ’s deity. That’s because there is so much that Jesus taught that could improve the quality of our lives.

We avoid the words perish, hell, punishment, Satan, etc., as if they were imaginary. They are not, but very real. Scripture tells us that Satan is like a roaring lion walking up and down the earth to entrap us. 1 Peter 5:8 reads, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” He makes evil attractive to entice the unwary to accept their appeal.  For the wise, who make the correct choice between evil and good, Scripture promises eternal life with God, a Spiritual life that begins by a relationship with Jesus.  God’s love is paramount.

How is it that God can condemn people to eternal separation from Him? Actually, He doesn’t! God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world. We are all condemned until we believe. There is no condemnation to those who believe in Jesus, “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1) Because Jesus was perfect, He was the Perfect Sacrifice for our sins. Jesus is the only way to pay for our sins. It is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us." (Titus 3:5)  It is by the precious blood of Jesus who was sacrificed for our sakes, that we are saved.  Jesus is a gift of love from God.

The piper who would like to have a hymn at his or her fingertips to support the Scriptural verse, John 3:16, could choose, “That Grand Old Word, Whosoever.” Scripture reserves the reward of eternal life to “whosoever believes,” which requires a complete makeover.

New Jazz

My son Earl is an accomplished jazz pianist and music professor in Connecticut.  How a bagpiper could father a jazz musician is perhaps one of the world's most puzzling unsolved mysteries.  Trust me, I tried to get him going on the pipes as a young lad, but alas, I suppose it wasn't his calling in life.  Instead, he often accompanied me on the electronic organ when I played the call to worship at church.  Those were some memorable times!

Through Kickstarter, Earl is now pre-selling advanced copies of his new jazz recording, "Mirror of the Mind".  All revenues from advanced sales will go towards paying for manufacturing and promoting costs associated with putting out a CD.  Please take a minute to watch the video below. While you listen to the music, kindly consider supporting his project.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/earlmacdonald/earl-macdonald-mirror-of-the-mind-cd

Earl's last CD was nominated for a JUNO award (for my American friends, a JUNO is the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy) for traditional jazz album of the year.  It wouldn't surprise me if this one gets a similar nomination.  If it does, I'll have a reason to return to Winnipeg, where this year's awards ceremony will take place.

He tells me there is even a song dedicated to his mother and me, called "Miles Apart".  Apparently he wrote it while thinking about how unfortunate it is that we now live on opposite coasts and can't get together more than once per year or so.  It certainly would be nice to have his family closer to us.

After having paid for Earl's piano and organ lessons for so many years, I will gladly accept my free copy of this disc with a smile.  BUT... I encourage all of my friends to buy one (or three!).

Advanced copies can only be ordered until July 1st, so please purchase your CD or digital download today!

This link will take you to his Kickstarter page:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/earlmacdonald/earl-macdonald-mirror-of-the-mind-cd

More Than Meets The Eye

Jesus’ first miracle was to change water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana. Shortly afterwards, in Jerusalem, He chased moneychangers from the temple, along with cattle, sheep and doves, which were there for the convenience of buyers intending to make sacrifices. One might ask whether these two familiar stories in the Bible were simply to describe what Jesus did because He believed what He was doing was right, or if there was a principle involved? Actually, the two stories are very much related.

There were many guests at the wedding feast, including Jesus, His mother and His disciples. During the feast, the wine was depleted and in that culture it would have been a disgrace for the host, to have invited guests to the wedding and then be unable to serve them wine. Jesus’ mother asked Him if He could do something to correct the situation. When He replied, “Woman, what has this to do with me?” she took His reply as a “Yes.” He provided the wine and also used the situation as an object lesson.

Close by were six very large, empty earthenware containers used for “cleansing ceremonies,” a part of many rules and rituals considered necessary. He asked His disciples to fill them to the brim with water. He had one of His disciples take a carafe of new wine from one of the containers to the host so he could taste it. The host’s reaction was that it was the finest of wines and that it was exceptional to reserve the very best wine to the last rather than to serve it at the beginning of the celebration. Usually, the best wine would be served first, until depleted, and then the poorest wine would be served because the drunken guests would not know the difference.

Most people, upon reading this story of Jesus’ first miracle, which He performed at the wedding of Cana, would think, ‘wasn’t it wonderful, that Jesus used His power to change water into wine.’ However, He used this as an opportunity to show everyone that the Old Covenant of abiding by a set of rules for spiritual cleansing was to be replaced by the New Covenant, which rests on the blood of our Saviour being the cleansing agent. The clean, empty vessels represented His body and the new wine, His blood. He would also save the host from disgrace. His ‘blood’ would cover the difficult situation.


A church piper playing at a communion service might remember this miracle and choose for his hymn, “Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus.”

With His first miracle, which He performed at the Wedding of Cana, Jesus not only changed water into wine for the sake of replenishing the supply of wine and to save His host from the embarrassment of not being able to serve his guests. He also presented a very significant lesson to those who were able to understand the symbolism.

He, His mother and His disciples had been invited to the wedding. It would have been a disgrace to their host to have invited them and others and not show them proper respect by allowing the wine to become depleted. When Mary realized the supply had been exhausted, she appealed to Jesus, asking Him if He could do anything to rectify the situation. His response beginning with, “What has this to do with Me?” was respectful and Mary accepted His reply as if He had said, “Yes,” then turned to the servants, asking them to do whatever Jesus requested.

John, our narrator, one of the disciples present, tells us the story first-hand, and did not neglect to include such details as the description of the six earthenware jars. He noted they were “ceremonial jars” and could hold an abundance of water. Their purpose was to purify the Jews as they commenced their religious ceremonies. Jesus asked the disciples to fill the jars to the brim and then deliver a container of that water made into wine to the governor of the feast. He tested it and declared it better than that which had already been served. He complimented the bridegroom on having saved the better wine until the last, which he said was a different method of serving wine. Usually, the poorer wine was served after all had enough to make them less able to judge the quality.

The significance of this first miracle is the dramatization of The New Covenant or Promise. John saw a notable sign by the use of ceremonial jars, in that Jesus was demonstrating a significant principle. He was ushering in a new day in which the ritual covenant of washing for purification was going to be replaced by a New Covenant, the cleansing from sin by His own blood.

The problem with the Old Covenant was that no one could ever keep all of its conditions, and would always be reminded of sins committed and the need to be cleansed from them before beginning a religious ceremony. The New Covenant being introduced would involve ‘washing in the blood of Jesus,’ and it signified that we are to bring nothing as a sacrifice for our sins because the blood of Jesus will cleanse us from them completely. There is also the significance that the best was reserved for the last. Being washed in the blood of Jesus, far surpassed the constant purification according to rules.

The other story, the one about Jesus clearing the temple was told as if it happened immediately after the miracle at Cana. It may not have occurred in that order, but its significance caused John to write about it as if it did. Jesus scattered the moneychangers and their money, including doves, sheep and cattle that were located in the courtyard of the temple. They were there by the authority of the high priest, Caiaphas, and were for the convenience of those who planned to make sacrifices. At the sight, Jesus reacted suddenly with indignation. Flailing a rope, He cried out, “Stop turning my Father’s house into a market.” People asked who gave Him authority to chase out those involved and His reply was that if they destroyed this temple, He would restore it in three days. He was referring to His own body as the temple although the people didn’t understand.

Once again, He was making an important statement. Only a short time before, He made a significant statement by turning water into wine to indicate that it would be His blood that would henceforth be the means by which sins would be forgiven. He was not as much concerned about what people thought about cleansing the temple, as He was about the statement He was making. They would no longer need to make sacrifices as payment for their sins, because He would become the Lamb of God, to be sacrificed. His life would be sufficient payment for all people, forever, and would eliminate the need for a sacrificial lamb, calf or a dove. These two stories when combined, tell the complete story. The blood of Jesus is a sacrifice all sufficient to wash away our sins, when personally accepted.

Nobody tried to constrain Jesus when He exclaimed, “How dare you turn My Father’s house into a market.” The synagogue was a magnificent building and God had decreed that His glory would be sustained there. All would have recognized the temple’s magnificence, and Jesus’ rightful indignation, though they would not have liked to see the doves go fluttering away and the animals being chased from the temple. Instead of constraining Him, they demanded a sign of His authority. If He couldn’t answer their question, they would declare Him an imposter. He would not conform to their question, but would set His own standard for them to understand that His authority was given to Him by God.

The statements Jesus made were a prophetic claim. He was dealing with the situation that religion had become rotten. People should have been able to come to the temple to worship in a spirit of holiness. Instead, their situation had become corrupt. He was everything the temple was supposed to be and people didn’t realize they actually had a Saviour, the One who could enable them to come before God with no restrictions.

His response was to say, if they were to destroy this “temple,” He would raise it up again in three days. Unwittingly, by crucifixion, they did destroy that “temple,” which was His body. In three days, He restored it. The similarly is to Jonah being freed from the belly of the whale in three days; a Biblical story prophetic of Jesus’ resurrection. The whole of Christianity stands on the claim that Jesus arose after three days from having been crucified. His body was restored and it was not a false claim. Only God has mastery over death. This places Jesus at the beginning of John’s book of the Bible, which states, “In the beginning, was the Word.” “The Word was God.” There are not enough books in the world to adequately embrace our trust in Jesus. Embracing these two stories and their significant statements is sufficient to cause us to think of God’s plan, a promise to cleanse us from all unrighteousness by the blood of Jesus, who gave His life as the sacrifice for our sins. John, who was one of Jesus’ disciples, was there for both of these actions about which he wrote, and he told it as he saw them. We have every reason to believe him and to praise Jesus for absolving us from sin, to be clean vessels ourselves, able to come before God in prayer with confidence that our praises will be heard.