BEAUTIFUL MUSIC

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Almost nothing moves me more than beautiful music.

The great old hymns of the church and even some of the contemporary music draws me closer to God and brings tears to my eyes.

Great piano, violin, full orchestra and vocal music moves me deeply.

If I am alone, moving music makes me very melancholy.

Memories flood my mind. Some good. Some bad. My emotions run deep.

When all of the cheap, loud, vulgar, meaningless ditties have all died and been forgotten, this great, moving music I am thinking about will live on.

Almost nothing moves me more than beautiful music. 

How about you? What kind of music moves you, if any?

PASSION REAFFIRMED

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

It is my strong belief that having passion for what you do is one of the most important elements to success.

I have experienced this in my own life and witnessed it in others enough to believe in it with all my heart.

My belief in passion was reaffirmed at worship this weekend.

Our church has searched for a new pastor of worship and creative arts for four years.

God led our elders and search team to Troy Peterson. He and his family come to us from a large church in Camp Hill, PA.

Troy led our worship service for the first time this past Sunday.

He led with passion!

Our praise to God, with him leading was absolutely wonderful.

His passion originates out of a love for God

Troy said, "I believe that music has a powerful and unique way of penetrating the heart where God can speak not only into the life of a believer, but also to one who is far from God. Corporate worship through music can set the tone and atmosphere for each person to receive the teaching of the Word. In this way, it is softening the ground of the heart to be a fruitful place to plant a seed of God's truth."

AMEN! 

(You may listen to Troy leading worship by clicking here 
03/15/09 "Praise the Father, Praise the Son"
Worship with Pastor Troy Peterson

THE MALIBU MIRACLE

Monday, June 28, 2010

William S. Banowsky, President Emeritus of Pepperdine University has written a new book, THE MALIBU MIRACLE--A Memoir. It is about a miracle in the Santa Monica Mountains--the building of Pepperdine University at Malibu.

My interest in Pepperdine began in 1957 when I graduated from Abilene Christian College and moved to the Los Angeles area to preach for a small church in El Monte. At the same time Dr. Norvel Young moved from Lubbock, Texas to become the President of Pepperdine College located in Los Angeles. Dr. Young had relatives who were members of the congregation in El Monte and they introduced us to him. We became friends and Dr. Young guest preached for us in El Monte and later in Stockton when we moved up north.

I also became friends with Dr. Banowsky who directed the Bible Lectureships at Pepperdine and who later became President of the school and led in the building of the beautiful campus at Malibu. I taught many Bible classes during the lectureships over the years and was privileged to deliver main lectures on two occasions. I also taught Bible courses in the school's extension department. I received my Master's Degree in Bible from Pepperdine and both of our children are graduates.

I tell you all of this to say that the Ditmores have a long and loving relationship with Pepperdine University. We consider it to be one of the most beautiful campuses in America. And we also believe God's hand was in the development of this great school. It is indeed a miracle.

Many of you will have no interest at all in this book. Our interest comes from our close relationship with this school. On the other hand, many of you who read my blog also know and love Pepperdine. I encourage you to read this book. You will be thrilled.

HOW BIG IS YOUR GOD?

Saturday, June 26, 2010

I strongly believe that the way we live is a consequence of the size of our God. The problem many of us have is that our God is too small. We are not convinced that we are absolutely safe in the hands of a fully competent, all-knowing, ever-present God.

When we wake up in the morning, what happens if we live with a small God?

 We live in a constant state of fear and anxiety because everything depend on us. Our mood will be governed by our circumstances. We will live in a universe that leaves us deeply vulnerable.

We cannot be generous because our financial security depends on us.

When we need to give someone strong words of confrontation or challenge, we will be inclined to pull our punches. That is because if we don't live in the security of a big God's acceptance, we become slaves to what others think of us.

If we face the temptation to speak deceitful words to avoid pain we will probably do it. We may try to get credit for something at work that does not belong to us because we don't trust in a Big God who sees in secret and will one day give reward.

If somebody gets mad at us or disapproves, we will get all twisted up in knots---we will not have the security of knowing that a giant God is watching out for us.

When human beings shrink God, they offer prayer without faith, work without passion, service without joy, suffering without hope. It results in fear, retreat, loss of vision and failure to persevere.

(The above words are not mine. I wish they were but they are not. They are the words of John Ortberg from his marvelous book, If You Want To Walk On Water, You've Got To Get Out Of The Boat.)

SAY WHAT YOU MEAN AND MEAN WHAT YOU SAY

Friday, June 25, 2010

WE ARE AT WAR WITH THE TALIBAN --OK, then kill them! Do it with a purpose. Don't warn them you are coming, just go in and kill them if they do not surrender to your will. And then go home and leave the people of that country free to do their own thing. But don't say you are at war with them and send our young men and women there to die if you don't intend to go in with full force and kill the enemy. Just don't do it. Shut up and stay at home.

IT'S AGAINST THE LAW TO COME INTO THIS COUNTRY WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE GOVERNMENT---OK, then those who break this law have to be punished in some way--not rewarded. If illegals are not going to be arrested then shut up and drop the law. It's that simple.
                               
DO THAT ONE MORE TIME AND YOU ARE GOING TO GET A SPANKING --OK, then give the kid a spanking or shut up.

Should we go to war, make it illegal to enter our country without permission, or tell a child he will be spanked if he/she disobeys? That's debatable! I have my opinion. You have yours. We can talk about it. What is not debatable in my mind is saying one thing and doing something else.

FIREFLIES

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Growing up in Oklahoma I loved to go outside at night and see all the fireflies or lightening bugs.

We lived in California for years and now in Arizona. I can't recall ever seeing a firefly in either state.

I have missed them!

My blogging friend Loren, who lives in Oklahoma, makes me long for them even more when she writes about being outside on a beautiful Oklahoma night and seeing so many of them.

I have questions:

1. Why didn't I see fireflies in California and now why don't I see them in Arizona? Do I need to have my glasses changed?

2. Have they just not migrated West? When the "Okies" piled their mattresses on their cars and fled Oklahoma, did the fireflies stay behind?

3. Do you have fireflies where you live?

Did I hear you say, "With the mess the world's in I don't have time for this dribble" ?

Ah, my friend it's a diversion---a diversion. Get your eyes off the mess for a few minutes and look for the fireflies.