If you haven't seen the Right Angle section of cMusicWeb.com's Insight
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week, but the pages also include his views on great books and other
interesting points of view in Christian theology. Besides, I guess we're
not doing too much else here at cMusicWeb.com, so any action makes me happy.

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THE PEACE OF SNOW
by Jason Ewert

It is a wondrous and awefull sight to watch snow gracefully falling from the
sky, blanketing the world in a white, delicate peace. Trees that were
leafless and barren are suddenly transformed into vibrant patterns of wood
and snow lifting praise to the heavens. Flat and uninteresting fields become
unbroken blankets of white, proclaiming the perfection of the Snower. Dirty
creeks are purified and surrounded by the angelic whiteness, giving them a
feeling of unearthly cleanliness.

Recently, while contemplating on the beauty of a new snowfall, I saw how the
scene of a snowfall is a good picture of our earthly life. When we are born
we have a pretense of innocence, like that of a field of daisies blowing in
a midsummer wind. Passersby look at us with compassion, praising this
"innocence" but sympathizing with our inevitable downfall: after all, they
say, children are innocent, but, along the way, they mysteriously turn into
regular, fallen people. Fed on these and other nonsensical doctrines, we
grow up ignorant of our depravity. Ignorant, that is, until autumn comes,
and the grass and the flowers die, leaving a muddy, lifeless field. It is
readily apparent that our "innocence" was merely a disguise of our true,
despicable spirits.

We begin to search, and eventually we hear God's call and find the Answer.
It is then that we are snowed upon, receiving an encompassing love that
brings peace. But, like the snow, life still has its dangers and
discomforts. The chill of the snow can pain us greatly as it cleanses our
hearts, preparing for new snows to come and make the world white again. More
frightening, however, are the outside predators that melt and trample the
snow, baring our dirty insides. Frantically, we seek more snow to make us
whole again, and God graciously gives it to us.

But the dirt never really leaves us: the image of cleanliness lasts for a
while, protected by the false facade of white, but we soon become conscious
of how grimy we really are. The snow falls from the trees and melts from the
grass. It is replaced by new snowfalls only to disappear again. This is not
to say that we are not being sanctified: on the contrary, God is working in
us to cleanse our hearts and make us holy. The reason the snow is
continually melting away is that as we become more holy, we also become more
aware of the depths of our sin, though we can never fully comprehend it.

Yet, the snow serves as a temporary portrait of our future. In heaven, we
will never be plagued by our flesh. Instead, the snows will be unbroken,
unblemished, and everlastingly pure. The winter streams will continually
cleanse and refresh us. Trees will forever lift up themselves in praise.
Rest like no other will be offer by the fields. Before the portrait fades
examine and appreciate it, dwelling on the amazing story of grace and love
that it tells.

Omnia Gloria Deo.

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AVAILABLE TODAY (at cMusicWeb.com or at your local store)

A WALK TO REMEMBER SOUNDTRACK - VARIOUS
Opening with Switchfoot's "Dare You To Move," you can tell this isn't your
common movie soundtrack artists. But, it should be. Switchfoot's music
fits well alongside of pop and future movie star Mandy Moore. Look for a
couple new songs from Switchfoot, as well as tracks by Rachel Lampa and
other mainstream artists. This is the PICK OF THE WEEK.

THE BEST OF GARY CHAPMAN
Gary Chapman has been dropped by Reunion, and here is the fulfillment of the
contractual obligations. For those who have missed Gary's career, this is
your chance to get the short form. Look for his next release on the new
Crowne Records label next month.


THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES
. Dave Matthews Teams With Johnny Cash
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. Destiny's Child to Sing at Stellar Awards
. O Brother Where Art Thou? Reaches 4 Million Sold
. American Music Awards Winners
. More Bands Added to Cornerstone Fest Lineup
. And much more!

View all the latest stories on cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/


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