Friday, 25 December 09
I read the Christmas story in the Bible (Luke chapter 2) and am reminded of a sermon delivered by Tommy Nelson nine years ago. In a nutshell, Tommy said if Christmas is true:There is a GodGod is personalJesus is divinethe Bible is trueGod can be knownIsrael is a chosen nationthere is a way to heaven, one waythe issues of philosophy and religion are settled
Regarding point number 7 above, I am not surprised that there is only one way to heaven (faith in Jesus Christ). What surprises me is that there is a way at all. I see no reason why God should offer me heaven, when I fully deserve hell. But God demonstrated His great love for me, in that while I was a sinner, Jesus died for me. He died for you too! Truly, this is the most wonderful time of the year.
Thursday, 24 December 09
Dreams do come true; it is a white Christmas here in north Texas. Yesterday's high was 75 degrees, but today the temperature is 25 degrees! Unfortunately, the winter storm forced the cancellation of Christmas services at many area churches. We were looking forward to hearing Aaron participate in the Denton Bible Church orchestra.
Monday, 21 December 09
Last Friday's has been officially reviewed as clean. My CBC report is literally perfect, and the peg test shows 18 seconds for the left hand and 20 seconds for the right hand. This would have been more than enough! But two musical developments today tied a bow on the clean MRI report.
I typically listen exclusively to Christmas songs this time of year. I left for work this morning, however, with a CD I had all but forgotten about, stashed away somewhere in the back of a cabinet; it was the debut project from the group East to West inexplicably
resting on the dining room table. I drove to work and the music played, and it was nice. Then I reached song number five, Fearless Heart, which spoke encouragement into my
soul. Three tunes later, As Long As I Know reminded me that I can face anything because God is with me. Then the Lord out-did even Himself. As I began the trek home after
work, track 10, Kyrie Elieson (Lord Have Mercy), began and my ears did a double take. I had been searching for this song for more than two years, but did not know the name
of the artist, or many of the words. I had tried to contact a radio station several times when the song played since 2006, but I didn't have the phone number handy, or the station did not
answer my call or the recently played list on the radio station’s website did not list the song, or I could not associate the display of Kyrie Elieson on the website with the few
lyrics I knew. I gave up on this song, without even realizing it. Now today, the tune found me and played in my car - the Lord handed the song to me on a silver platter in his
time.
So I arrived at home, and as I walked from my vintage Ford Taurus to the front door, I looked up into the dark winter sky
framed by our Christmas lights and asked, "what will You do next?" Into the study I went to check email and there it was: the CD I had ordered many days ago through amazon.com.
Phil Keaggy's first two LPs on one CD. I played these disks and it was just as I remembered; every drum beat to Take Me Closer, the hope of What a Day and the
classic, Your Love Broke Through. I had been searching for these songs for years - not available on iTunes, not seen in stores, not even on Keaggy's website. The timing of all these things is not a coincidence. What will the Lord do next?
Sunday, 20 December 09
Kathy, Aric and I enjoyed A Concert of Carols at Denton Bible Church this evening. Our son, Aaron, is a member of the DBC orchestra and the Woodwind Quintet. The last song, a jazz version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, was the highlight of the event. Trumpet and Trombone solos adapted to this classis Christmas - just way cool!
Friday, 18 December 09
My routine bi-monthly MRI was performed today and looks clean to me; the official report will be received on Monday. Thanks to everyone for sustained prayers and for those delightful pages.
Thursday, 17 December 09
It is anniversary week, a time accentuated with cards, flowers, one large balloon, a nice dinner, jewelry, candy and a concert at Bass Hall by the Gatlin Brothers with the Ft. Worth Symphony Orchestra. This is the 26th such observance; I have been married half of my life and thank to Lord for my bride, Kathy.
Thursday, 09 December 09
Christmas concerts are a tradition for the Kline family. Tonight's concert was the Argyle middle school band, with Aric on the trumpet. Aaron's concert, as part of the TCU band, took place Tuesday.
Monday, 07 December 09
A date that will live in infamy, for 68 years ago the United States was brought into World War II by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Many veterans of this war are stepping into eternity each day now, but their legacy lives on.
Sunday, 06 December 09
Kathy and I enjoyed a Christmas afternoon concert by the Argyle Symphonic Band and the Wind Ensemble. Austin and Aimee are members of the Wind Ensemble. I never grow weary of Christmas music, my favorite genre. I have been known to listen to Christmas music in July. There are 100 Christmas songs in my iTunes library. It is surprising how many famous muscians have recorded Christmas songs over the years - people such as Linda Ronstadt, Karen Carpenter, The Moody Blues, Céline Dion. Andy Williams, Barry Manilow, Destiny's Child, Nora Jones, The Rippingtons, Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, Kenny G, Jimmy Buffett, Jon Secada, Luther Vandross, Vanessa Williams, Nat King Cole, Dave Koz and of course the Vince Guaraldi Trio (Charlie Brown), Larnelle Harris, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Gloria Estefan, Steve Kamp, 4Him, First Call, Stacie Orrico, Michael English, Bob Segar, Spyro Gyra, Richard Elliot, Peter White, Larry Carlton, Chicago, José Feliciano, Carly Simon, Queen - all of these artists are represented in my Christmas music collection. There's just something special about this time of the year. It is the advent of Emmanuel. God walking amongst us.
Friday, 04 December 09
I am now 70 months post op. My next MRI will be in two weeks. Thanks for your continued support, seen and unseen!
Wednesday, 02 December 09
I am still reviewing and changing the manuscript of my pending book. Drafting that first manuscript was a snap; making the book readable takes time.
