The Collection: March

Good Morning!

        Welcome to the second edition of The Collection: a monthly gathering of some of the best things I have found on the internet from the past month.  From the month of March I have selected four things to share with you: a remarkable giant music-box, a very encouraging blog post by a friend, a stunning video of Iceland, and a piece of WWII history.  I hope you enjoy them!

        The Music Marble Machine - A music video showcasing an amazing piece of work: a wooden contraption that plays a tune using marbles to hit notes.

        The Golden Chisel of Sorrow - A sincere and encouraging reminder of the role that grief and suffering play in the life of a Christian written by a friend of mine.

        Odessey: Midnight Sun - A breathtaking video of the wondrous beauty of Iceland captured this past winter.

        This Month in Military History - A very good article explaining the beginning of the British Commando raids on Occupied Europe during the Second World War.

        See you next month,
        The Collector

Why I am a Christian

                ‘Always be ready to give a [reason] for the hope that is within you’, says the apostle Peter in his first epistle. This is a very wise admonition for the Christian, as I have found through experience that one of the least encouraging positions to be in as a Christian is the place where you know you are saved, but when someone asks you, ‘Why?’ you are at a loss for words. The answer is not just, “Because I am a Christian!” It is because of the great and marvelous work of Jesus as shown below.  

                As a Christian I am saved from judgement by a holy and righteous God. Thus, I am saved from the just punishment my sins deserve: death. Because of God’s love for those whom he would call to be his own, he saved me through his great mercy. It was not because of anything that I did which caused God to look upon me favourably. It was because of his great love which he had for me that he sent Christ to die upon the cross in my place, taking the wrath which my sins deserve, and now accepts me because of the Lord Jesus’ righteousness.

                But being a Christian is not just about being saved from eternal punishment, even though that is a large part of the process of salvation. I am saved from hell, but what am I saved for? I am saved for the ultimate glory and honour of God. I am saved to be his servant and to do his will.  I am saved to serve and bless others.  I am saved to bear witness about the life-giving work of Christ.  Therefore, I must live my whole life in submission to his commands, and strive by his grace to live in such a way that will bring honour to his name.

                I am a Christian so I can be saved from judgement and death.

                I am a Christian so I can live for Christ’s Glory.

Written and Posted by William A. Moore

The Collection: February

Good Morning!

        And welcome to the first ever edition of The Collection: a monthly gathering of some of the best things I have found on the internet from the past month.  From the month of February I have selected four things to share with you: a video on music, a short film, a piece of history, and a very good article encouraging us in our walk as Christians.

        How Music Elevates Story - A short video taking a look at the importance film scores have upon the movies they support using superb examples from the Lord of the Rings.

        This Month in Military History - One of the most destructive and horrific battles from the First World War took place 100 years ago in February 1916 - the Battle of Verdun.

        Skylight - A beautiful time-lapse video showcasing the wonders of light in the sky.

        How to Be Conformed to the World - An excellent post by my friend Tim Challies warning us about the dangers of being ensnared by the world, and encouraging us to stand fast in Christ.

        See you next month,
        The Collector