“Our once great western Christian civilization is dying. If this matters to followers of Jesus Christ, then we must set aside our denominational differences and work together to strengthen the things that remain and reclaim what has been lost. Evangelicals and Catholics must stand together to re-establish that former Christian culture and moral consensus. We have the numbers and the organization but the question is this: Do we have the will to win this present spiritual battle for Jesus Christ against secularism? Will we prayerfully and cooperatively work toward a new Christian spiritual revival ― or will we choose to hunker down in our churches and denominationalisms and watch everything sink into the spiritual and moral abyss of a New Dark Age?” - Mark Davis Pickup

Thursday, April 3, 2014

SUPPORT LOCAL ARTS: BRING BEAUTY TO YOUR WORLD


In the small Canadian prairie town where I grew up there is an arts centre named after my mother. The Eleanor Pickup Arts Centre is dedicated to the performing arts.  At center-stage sits a grand piano like a tribute to her. My mother taught piano for 60 years. 

Even at the age of 93 years, as she lay dying of cancer in a hospital palliative care unit, she gave final instructions to a favourite young protégé. It's true, I was there to see it. 


Painting of my mother
(1962)
My mother loved performing arts -- whether music, theatre or dance. She loved visual arts such as painting and film. She passed that love on to me. My children and grandchildren are artistic. 

The arts bring such richness to life. Support them in your community. The arts encourage development in young people and enhance community life and give great enjoyment to you. Invest yourself in a local theatre group, music festivals, an arts centre, or perhaps a community writers' guild. 

Human beings are creative by nature. Encourage them. Bring beauty to your world. -- Mark

Click image below or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsOUcikyGRk for Valentina Lisitsa playing Ludwig van Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, Op. 27, No.2, Movements 1,2,3.
[It should be noted that Beethoven wrote his Moonlight Sonata in mounting despair of increasing deafness. At the time of this composition, he considered suicide. In a letter to his brother, Beethoven later wrote "Thanks...to my art I did not commit suicide." Thankfully for our sakes he did not. Beethoven went on to write some of his greatest masterpieces despite his deafness.]





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