What is your favorite way to listen to tunes? From vinyl albums to 8-track cartridges to cassettes to compact discs (CDs) to MP3s, we've enjoyed our music in ever-changing ways over the years. These days, however, more and more young adults are reaching back to buy vinyl records again with 12,000,000 units sold in 2015 alone. THese fans are all about a music experience that lets them view and hold on to an album, not simply download songs into a device. Though vinyl might seem ancient and passe to some music lovers, for others it's classic and timeless.

     Long ago, a trio of exiled Jews were definitely not enjoying a music experience. With 'the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and other musical instruments,' they were commanded to bow down to a golden statue of a Babylonian kin (Daniel 3:4-5). Staying true to the one true God, SHadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to hit the dirt. Their actions ignited King Nebuchadnezzar's fury as well as the flames of a massive furnace that the three were into for not bowing low before the gold.

     The young men should have been turned to ashes, but they were spared by God's miraculous power. Having chosen to worship the 'Ancient One' instead of some king who had recently burst on the scene, the tro not only survived, but they brought praise and honour to GOd by none other than Nebuchadnezzar himself. "Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego!... There is no other god who can rescue like this." (3:28-29)

     When we're tempted to fall for the gods of this age (money, power, pleasures and more), may we instead remain in the  timeless groove of our all-powerful, everlasting God. - Tom Felten

     What is your favorite way to listen to tunes? From vinyl albums to 8-track cartridges to cassettes to compact discs (CDs) to MP3s, we've enjoyed our music in ever-changing ways over the years. These days, however, more and more young adults are reaching back to buy vinyl records again with 12,000,000 units sold in 2015 alone. THese fans are all about a music experience that lets them view and hold on to an album, not simply download songs into a device. Though vinyl might seem ancient and passe to some music lovers, for others it's classic and timeless.

     Long ago, a trio of exiled Jews were definitely not enjoying a music experience. With 'the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and other musical instruments,' they were commanded to bow down to a golden statue of a Babylonian kin (Daniel 3:4-5). Staying true to the one true God, SHadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to hit the dirt. Their actions ignited King Nebuchadnezzar's fury as well as the flames of a massive furnace that the three were into for not bowing low before the gold.

     The young men should have been turned to ashes, but they were spared by God's miraculous power. Having chosen to worship the 'Ancient One' instead of some king who had recently burst on the scene, the tro not only survived, but they brought praise and honour to GOd by none other than Nebuchadnezzar himself. "Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego!... There is no other god who can rescue like this." (3:28-29)

     When we're tempted to fall for the gods of this age (money, power, pleasures and more), may we instead remain in the  timeless groove of our all-powerful, everlasting God. - Tom Felten

     One time I spoke with a couple whose son became severely ill when he was just five years old. With raw emotions, the husband and wife described how their child collapsed - and their subsequent mad dash to the hospital.

     Test results ultimately revealed he has type 1 diabetes, a destructive disease that takes a hard toll on a person's body, requiring him to use insulin for the rest of his life (barring the discovery of a cure!).

     As my friends have lovingly cared for their child and ensured he never misses glucose tests and insulin shots, they've gained insight into the truth of Psalm 103:13, which says, "As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him."

     This trial has shown them the depth of love for their child and brought them closer to their heavenly Father, who "is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love." (v.8) God demonstrates His compassion for us in that He "gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly." (v.6); "will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever," (v.9) "does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve." (v.10); and "has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." (v.12)

     Despite the pain and challenges, my friends and their son are quick to testify to God's compassion, unfailing love and His salvation (v.17). And just as they would never forget their son and his needs, they know that God remembers and cares for them (Isaiah 49:15-16).

     On the days when we're weary and the trials mount, may we also find our hope and joy in the unwavering love of our faithful heavenly Father. - Roxanne Robbins

     In Greek mythology, the island of Sirens was where beautiful temptresses ensnared passing sailors with their sweet songs. The music led the men to the shore where they were shipwrecked and destroyed. Odysseus ordered his men to plug their ears with beeswax, but being curious and to avoid being tempted, he instructed them to bind him to the mast. Upon hearing the song of the Sirens, Odysseus commanded his crew to release him, but they refused and bound him tighter. Jason of the Argonauts, on the other hand, hired a skilled musician to play a tune as his ship sailed within earshot of Sirens. His boat floated by with the crew unaffected by the alluring tunes.

     They enjoyed a better song.

     Although millions around the world have made resolutions to 'change their tune' in the New Year, it won't take long for old habits to return. Perhaps, like Odysseus, you've tried to escape "anything that stimulates youthful lusts" (Timothy 2:22). True freedom from bad habits, however, can never be won by binding willpower and through determination alone. The Apostle Paul reminds us that freedom from one pleasure can only come as we pursue greater pleasures: "righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace." (Galatians 5:22).

     Paul reminds us to "let the Holy Spirit guide [our] lives. Then [we] won't be doing what [our] sinful nature craves."(v.16)  The bad habits that held us back in the past, will continue to slow us down unless we follow the 'better song' of the Holy Spirit (vv. 22-23). As followers of Jesus, we've 'nailed the passions and desires of our sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Sine we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives,' (vv. 24-25) By the Spirit's power, we can make beautiful music for Christ.   - Ruth O'Reilly-Smith

     In 2013 a jet crashed in San Francisco, resulting in three tragic deaths. One young woman died not from the injuries caused by the crash, but from being run over by a rescue vehicle that rushed to the scene. City authorities conducted an investigation and determined that the death was accidental and that the driver would not face criminal charges. But the board of the airline involved took a very different approach to this tragedy: they called a public press conference and bowed low in apology. Even through they may not have been individually responsible for the girl's death, they felt they shared responsibility as the leaders of the company.

     This sense of collective responsibility is also found in the book of Hosea. The prophet was called to marry an unfaithful wife as a metaphor for the nation of Israel's repeated unfaithfulness to God. (Hosea 1:2). God is surely grieved by our individual sins, but His heart breaks for the sins that we commit as a larget group of people, as a church or even as a nation. This is a common theme found throughout Scripture (Genesis 6:6; Psalm 78:40-41; Isaiah 63:10; Exekiel6:9).

     The more isolated and individualistic the world becomes, the less we might feel responsibilityfor the action of others. We can think, "That wasn't me! I didn't do that! I'm not to blame! And while true, we need to remember that we're not simply responsible for ourselves as Cain wrongly thought (Genesis 4:9). 

      As part of the body of Christ, may we live in a way that honours Him and blesses our brothers and sisters.And when necessary, may we lovingly confront - by God's wisdom, strength and guidance - sin and anything that negatively affects our community. - Peter Chin.

     In 2011 a Brazilian fisherman came across a struggling penguin. The tiny creature's feathers were soaked with oil and it desperately needed food. So the man took the sickly bird home and cared for it. Once it was healthy, he released it and the bird swam happily away.

     Two months later, however, the penguin paddled back! And since then, the bird, nicknamed Dindim, has swum thousands of miles each year to visit the retiree - spending eight months with him before returning to the coasts of Argentina and Chile. The man, who says that Dindim grows more affectionate with each visit, declares, "I love the penguin like it's my own child and I believe the penguin loves me."

     The author of Hebrews wrote that loving relationships between us and other believers in Jesus is is a way for us to show our love for God. "You have shown your love to him by caring for other believers." (6:10)

     Like the Brazilian fisherman, our compassionate care reveals a genuineness of faith in and love for Jesus as we "keep on loving others as long as life lasts" (v11; 1 John 3:16-20). This translates from the original language to literally mean 'showing the same eager commitment.' And committed faith and endurance mark true believers who tenderly care for others - all out of love for God (Hebrews 6:12).

     It can get sticky at times and tbe downright difficult as people struggle with the slippery, gritty, pervasive ways of sin, along with spiritual starvation due to poor choices. But just as Jesus has so richly pourred out love and compassion on us, may we continue reaching out by the 'power that comes from God' (Ephesians 3:18-19)

     We love God by loving His children as if they're our own. - Tom Felten