The town of Salzburg is, according to some tourism stuff we have here, the third most beautiful place in the world. It probably is, our two days there were rain days so we figure the beauty was diminished by fifty percent. Today the rain is gone and this is the view I have right now here in Innsbruck Austria while sitting on the third floor patio in our hotel room.
Our week of tourism is nearing it’s end and I’m starting to gear up to preach this weekend back in Zurich. We have loved Salzburg. We toured the salt mines here and that was a blast wearing white suits – wait for the pics on the kids blogs coming soon. We did the Sound of Music tour and saw all the places the movie was filmed.
Salzburg is also Mozart’s hometown and all his music was composed here. Also, Silent Night was written and played for the first time in a little church (no longer there) just outside of town. Tom has a picture of himself on his blog next to the guitar that Franz Gruber and Joseph Mohr used to play the song the first time. Here’s a little pic of the first measure of the original handwritten autograph of Gruber and Mohr’s famous Christmas carol. The story of how it has spread world wide into over 300 languages, has been song by both sides in the trenches on the front lines of world wars on Christmas Eve, etc – amazing.
In terms of cities possessing “redemptive gifts” – music must be Salzburg’s redemptive gift, Mozart, Silent Night, Sound of Music… the hills are alive with the sound of music. (This was an easy city to find a gift for Kathy (CATG worship leader)). Even the beauty here seems like creation’s song of praise. I spent some time reflecting on sound in the created order and the glory of the Lord – longing for ears to hear and eyes to see what is really there in terms of visible sound waves emitting from this place. Some of you know what I’m talking about. The whole earth is filled with his glory – his glory (if we had eyes to see it) is visible and its audible (if we had ears to hear it).
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June 25, 2009 at 6:41 am
Dennis
Antisipate your blogs each day. The history and now a part of your stories must not be lost. Thank you for sharing them with us! Have enjoyed the pics. Can only imagine how much God is stretching you all. Know that He is doing the same to us-with you not here. Things seem to be going along well. I,ve really enjoyed the Services via way of the ARC. Uplifting, thought provoking, and challenging.
FYI Two of my favorite pen collections come for the places your’re touring (Peliken & Mont Blanc). Mont Blanc is also makers of fine time pieces. Mont Blanc is the name of one of the highest mountains in Western Europe and the Alps.
God bless and protect!!
Dennis
June 26, 2009 at 4:53 am
Madeline Porter
I enjoyed reading your blogs daily. It’s an education. Thanks for sharing. Having great time in Singapore with mom, family members and friends. Attended two large churches. 34,000 (City Harvest) and 17,000 (New Creation) congregation. Great church services. Worship is dynamic. Need to be early and to line up for church services. No one mind standing in line for an hour to get into the auditorium. It’s fun standing and watching. Visited several friends-saved and unsaved. It’s a mission field here. Lots of unsaved family members and friends still. Praying for open doors and opportunities to share the gospel. Have 16 days left before returning to the States.
Have a great summer.
Madeline