In This Issue: Music to connect heaven and earth
- KAZAKHSTAN: A House of Mercy
- MALI: Thousands Flee Violent Upsurge in North
- PAKISTAN: Giant Cross Erected
- EGYPT: “Garbage Kids” Dream Big
- ERITREA: Six Years in Prison
Dear Readers,
Northern New York has had the craziest weather this spring; one day I had a fire in my parlor stove and the next I had the air conditioner on. Yet one thing about June has been consistent for years. It is what I call the quiet season, simply because so little music is written to herald summer. I do have memories of the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” but not much more. Send me your summer playlist if you have one!
When new music is born, I think heaven celebrates. Perhaps when composing we hear heaven’s strains. And heaven must grieve when music is quenched on earth (see the Mali story below; read about the “savior of Afghan music,” a musicologist who lost his hearing to a Taliban bomb; and look up Psalm 137, the song about not singing).
Could music that glorifies God make the news in heaven? Think of angels saying, “Hey, they GOT it! A bit different than what I sent down, but it’s good!” Check out Global Worship for lots of great music and images.
Musicians without Borders says, “War divides, music connects.” Its greatest purpose may be to connect us not only with one another but also with God. He is not limited to using music in a church or music written or sung by evangelicals. If we are willing to make connections with people different than us, God may open the door to allow us to help them connect with him, building bridges between heaven and earth, God and man.
One more thing: the Global Consultation on Music and Missions, in Thailand is less than a month away. Pray for the attendees to make strategic connections. May heaven rejoice that new music is rising from all nations. As one of the stories below reminds us, “the resources are in the harvest.” That’s especially true when it comes to music.
Blessings,
Pat