“Sitting in a semicircle of Steinways, the brothers and sisters demonstrated their ability to draw orchestral colors out of the 440 piano keys.” Washington Post
The 5 Browns (siblings) perform an enchanting five-piano version of Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” wondrously arranged by Steinway Artist Greg Anderson, at the New York Steinway Factory.
What a mood-setting performance here!
What a wonderful Thanksgiving! We were invited to accompany our friends to the traditional Thanksgiving Fellowship Meal put on by members of our church. I thoroughly enjoyed eating food prepared by others and to be with friends on this occasion.
Today I’m still reflecting on how gracious our heavenly Father is. Surely Jesus himself longed to share the Father’s love with us and there is no better demonstration of forgiveness than that which He gave on His cross.
History has left us another marvelous example. That lady we know as Corrie Ten Boom (15 April 1892 – 15 April 1983). We’re blessed to have the audio of her speaking of her experience. I’m not sure if she said the following or wrote it, but it goes: “Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.”
I really like the way Ellen White gives us assurance in the following …
How Much Does God Love Us?
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John 17:23 KJV
It seems almost too good to believe that the Father can and does love any member of the human family as He loves His Son. But we have the assurance that He does, and this assurance should bring joy to every heart, awakening the highest reverence and calling forth unspeakable gratitude. God’s love is not uncertain and unreal, but a living reality.
The Creator of all worlds proposes to love those who believe in His only-begotten Son as their personal Savior, even as He loves His Son. Even here and now His gracious favor is bestowed upon us to this marvelous extent. . . . Much as He has promised us for the life to come, He also bestows princely gifts upon us in this life, and as subjects of His grace, He would have us enjoy everything that will ennoble, expand, and elevate our characters. It is His design to fit us for the heavenly courts above.
Those who live in close fellowship with Christ will be promoted by Him to positions of trust. The servant who does the best he can for his master is admitted to familiar intercourse with one whose commands he loves to obey. In the faithful discharge of duty we may become one with Christ, for those who are obeying God’s commands may speak to Him freely. The one who talks most familiarly with his divine Leader has the most exalted conception of His greatness and is the most obedient to His commands.
In the life of man things sacred and secular are to be done, some in business lines, some in the ministry of the Word, and some in various trades; but when a man gives himself to Christ and loves God with the whole heart, mind, soul, and strength, he serves with a devotion that takes his whole being…. He recognizes the ownership of his powers and the ownership of himself. This consecration invests his whole life with a sacredness which makes him gentle, kind, and courteous. His every act is a consecrated act…. He is under Christ, being trained for the higher grade above. Ellen White, In Heavenly Places, page 58
Our Higher Good 