JONATHAN C DOW

The East Side of the Jordan

Not too long ago, while sitting in the choir loft during a sermon, I followed a thought along a rabbit trail that led me to Numbers chapter 33. (Sorry, Pastor).

Titled "Stages in Israel's Journey," this passage captures Israel's rest stops on their trek out of Egypt to the Promised Land. It basically reads, "The Israelites left this city . . .

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April 01, 2023

The Youngest One in the Room

In Job 32, we are introduced to a person named Elihu. To be honest, he just seems to appear out of nowhere. There is no mention of him for 31 chapters, yet when he begins to speak, it is clear that he had been present in the room to hear the lengthy dialogue between Job, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite.

. . .

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January 18, 2022

Drop It

A number of years ago, a worship team with whom I was rehearsing seemed to hit a mental roadblock. And while I thought I was being extremely clear in expressing what I wanted to happen in a particular section of a song, this group of skilled musicians just could not get it.

Each time we missed the mark on what I had musically intended, I . . .

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September 14, 2021

MASTERclass

Not too long ago, I came across a video clip of a vocal masterclass. If that term is new to you, a masterclass is an instructional experience for students led by an expert in their field of study. As a piano major in college, I was always fascinated by the unique group learning dynamic of an instructor publically working one-on-one with . . .

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August 01, 2021

A Divine Heads-Up

It may not be just for you.

When was the last time someone gave you a heads-up? It may have been an unsolicited comment from a disgruntled restaurant patron, or the double flash of high beams from an oncoming driver, or even a wide-eyed emoji at the end of a co-worker's foreboding text. This intentional advisement was offered as a courtesy to help you successfully . . .

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November 01, 2020

Satisfied

Hope for When God Moves the Finish Line

Recently, I’ve been listening to the Book of Mark as I get ready for work in the mornings. Although I had downloaded a fully dramatized version, complete with quills scratching on parchment, dogs barking, creaking doors, and busy street-market background sounds, I instead chose to enjoy a simple narration spoken by a gentleman named . . .

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April 17, 2020

When What You Do is No Longer Who You Are

You Are More Than Your Byline

Not too long ago I was reminded of one of my favorite Veggie Tales, “Madame Blueberry.” Having watched the video countless times over the years (yes, my children were present), I easily recalled Madame Blueberry’s lament, “I’m so blue, I don’t know what to do.” Believing that “happiness waits at . . .

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September 05, 2017

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