What Comes First? by Phil

It's been a while since we had a music lesson, so here goes! (I promise to keep it simple and worth the read.)

Music is basically made up of notes and intervals; most importantly, the third. In the key of C that would be the C and E played together. A major third has two notes that are 4 half-steps (think piano keys) apart and sounds "happy." If you lower the top note by 1 half step you get a minor third which sounds "sad." Almost all chords are made by stacking thirds on top of each other. Are you still with me? Just remember, major=happy and minor=sad.

To make a major chord, start with a major third and add a minor third. To make a minor chord, just swap the order and put the minor third first. Which ever comes first determines the sound of the whole chord. Now here's where it gets interesting. Both "happy" and "sad" chords are made of the exact same intervals, the only difference is which is brought to the front of the chord. The "sad" chord still has a "happy" third in it, and the "happy" chord still has a "sad" third, but our ears hear what interval comes first. Since we hear the notes of a chord all at the same time, it would be more accurate to say the overall sound is determined by which interval is on the bottom, which interval the chord is built upon.

Isn't that just like life? Everyone has happy and sad experiences, yet some people are upbeat and happy, sometimes even when they are going through a tough time. Other folks are just plain grumpy, barely breaking a smile even on the best days. What's the difference? We don't get to choose the joys and troubles that come our way in this life, but we can choose which we focus on first, the experiences that make up our core and we build our lives upon. The Bible puts it this way in Matthew 5:45, "He (God) causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." You can either be nourished and refreshed by the sunshine and rain, or you can be sunburned and soggy. The choice is yours!

As followers of Christ, the fact that God knows our name, loved us enough to die for us, and promises to be with us though every step of this life and into the next, should far outweigh any trial we face on our journey. Is that truth our focus, the foundation we build the rest of our lives upon? We must put our relationship with God as our first priority and let Him sustain us through the struggles, comfort us through the calamities, and love us through the losses.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. - Proverbs 4:23

Which life course will you choose? Will you let life's junk steal your joy, or will you focus on the Father, confident that Christ is bigger than whatever challenge comes your way? (Hint: Choose Jesus!) Where to start?

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. - Philippians 4:8​
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That sounds like a "Major" improvement!
Phil and Pam

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