One of the best and most respected Christian recording artists is Rich Mullins. His music laid the foundation for much of the contemporary Christian music industry, but he was always uncomfortable with the trappings and business side of it. He made some amazing music and lived the message of the Gospels as best he could. Over the years he simplified his life more and more and eventually ended up teaching music to Native American children on a reservation in New Mexico. Sadly, he died in a car accident in 1997.

I’ve been reading a very good biography on Rich Mullins by James Bryan Smith. An Arrow Pointing to Heaven gives you great insight into the life and beliefs of Rich and I recommend it.

Tom Gilbert

Pope John Paul II is reportedly back in the hospital battling a relapse of the flue (see story). Many people look to the Pope as a spiritual leader. This is true, as well, of other prominent spiritual leaders such as the Reverend Billy Graham and the Dalai Lama.

While we all look to leaders who exhibit strong faith we must also prepare ourselves to accept responsibility for our own actions and not rely too much on other people. Christ is the best leader and He told us He would send the Comforter (Holy Spirit) to teach us of all truth.

So we pray for our leaders and ask God to guide them…and us.

The ongoing legal battle over whether or not Terri Schiavo stays on life support is reaching a head. She has been on life support since suffering heart failure in 1990 that left her severely brain damaged. I’ve written about previously about the Sanctity of Life and commented on the Terri Schiavo case in our Journal – see October 22, 2003.

The question seems to resolve around quality of life and sanctity of life. If a person has not expressed his/her wishes resolving a potential life support situation it typically falls to the family to decide. Here is where the debate centers with the Schiavo case. Her husband claims she would not want to live this way and wants the feeding tube disconnected. Her parents believe that she should continue living and that she has some limited awareness.

I’ll be watching this situation closely. Please pray that it is an opportunity for more respect for life in all forms.

Tom Gilbert

Life is wonderful when we get to do the things we want. Of course, we sometimes discover that some of those things aren’t necessarily good for us. If you really want leisure time and it turns into sloth; if you love a great meal and then start overeating on a regular basis; if you like making money to the point you become obsessive; if you like the buzz of alcohol and drugs to the point of abuse.

Sometimes the best thing is to do something we don’t like. Making amends to someone we’ve wronged who has also offended us. Going to work on a day when we’d rather not; doing chores when we’d rather watch TV.

A lot of it comes down to willingness. I easily find willingness to do the things I enjoy. It’s much harder to find it for the (perceived) unpleasant tasks. The answer is to simply pray for the willingness. You might have to keep at this prayer for a while, but eventually the willingness – if only a tiny bit – will come.

Once again, the lesson is that life is not all about you. You are about life!

Tom Gilbert

Constantly practice the habit of inwardly gazing upon God.
You know that something inside your heart sees God. Even when you are compelled to withdraw your conscious attention in order to engage in earthly affairs, there is within you a secret communion always going on.
— A. W. Tozer (1897-1963), The Pursuit of God [1948]

What Tozer says certainly hits home with me. I find that when my days get very busy I sometimes go from one thing to another, a bit stressed out that I can’t get it done quickly enough, and I forget to just pause and reflect on the big picture. This is why a daily discipline of spiritual nourishment is so important. Just don’t let the routine replace the purpose.

Tom Gilbert

Be still…and then move
Let go and hover in air

Be still…and then start
Your movement by being
By being aware

Tom Gilbert

Trees

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
Poetry of Joyce Kilmer

In 1976 a woman in Kenya, Africa introduced the idea of planting trees using ordinary people. This idea has grown into a broad-based, grassroots organization called the Green Belt Movement (GBM). To date over 30 million trees have been planted throughout Africa, many by poor women and children who’ve endured beatings and bloodshed at the hands of Nairobi police and General Service Unit personnel.

The woman behind the Green Belt Movement was the first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree. She has obtained both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Biology and a Ph.D. in Anatomy. She currently serves in Kenya’s parliament and won the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize. Wangari Maathai is internationally recognized for her persistent struggle for democracy, human rights and environmental conservation. Read more about her at this site.

Tom Gilbert

I received a mailer about the Cornerstone Festival for 2005. For years this has been one of the most prominent Christian music festivals and features the biggest acts, as well as up and coming artists from a wide array of musical genres. Additionally there are worship services, art, seminars for youth workers and a whole lot of fun. There are two main festivals for this year, Cornerstone in Bushnell, Illinois from June 30 – July 3 and Cornerstone Florida in Orlando from May 13-14.

I also have discovered a good web site for news, reviews and music information about Christian music artists. Christian Music Times is currently featured at our spotlight link.