Bruce's Music

Christmas is upon us! We love it but all musicians are busy this time of year. Our handbell choir is getting ready for their Christmas program at St.Rose/McCarthy. Next week we start all the classes singing. David has a full load of students and our weekends are filled with music at church. Have a blessed Advent!

Jesus Describes Himself I have been regularly involved in the study of Scripture for more than 40 years of my life, and in all that time I have found only one place where Jesus Christin His own wordsdescribes himself, His own "inner man." In doing so, He uses only two words. Unlike myself, those words are not phenomenal nor great, ha, ha. Jesus doesn't even mention that He was sought after as a speaker. Although it is true, He does not say: "I am wise and powerful," or "I a...m holy and eternal," or "I am all-knowing and absolute deity." Do you remember what He says? Hold on, wait for it..... Jesus says: "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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." (Matthew 11:2829) I am gentle. I am humble. These are servant terms. Gentle means "strength under control." It is used like that of a wild horse, a stallion that has been tamed. Humble in heart means "lowly"the word picture of a helper. Unselfish and thoughtful are in the description. It does not mean weak or insignificant! But,I find it extremely significant that when Jesus lifts the veil of silence and once and for all gives us a glimpse of Himself, the real stuff of His inner person, He uses gentle and humble. When we read that God the Father is committed to forming us to the image of His Son, qualities such as these are what He wants to see emerge in us. We are never more like Christ than when we fit into His description of Himself. And how do those things reveal themselves? In what way do we reveal them the best? My best answer is, in our obedience. Servanthood and obedience go together like Siamese twins. And the finest illustration of this is the Son Himself who openly confesses, "I do nothing on My own initiative . . . . I always do the things that are pleasing to Him" (John 8:28, 29). In other words, Jesus's self-description is verified by His obedience. Like no one else who has ever lived! We are never more like Christ than when we fit into His description of Himself: gentle and humble.

2. The Hope You Need We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, Hebrews 6:19 Somewhere along the many miles of southern California shoreline walked a young, 20-ish year-old woman with a disease in her body and a revolver in her hand....Continue reading

1. GOD IS ALWAYS WITH YOU God has promised in His Word that we will never be alone and I consider this blessed assurance as a foundational pillar that supports our faith in Him. I trust Him completely and shudder to imagine drifting like a ship on the open Sea without a sail, a compass, or an anchor. May we all be reminded that God is always with us, He knows our situation and always wants the best for us. When we think about why we are here on this planet and what God’s...Continue reading