WEBVTT - Life in Harmony

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<v Speaker 1>Welcome to Abides Sleep Meditations. I'm Tyler Boss. Today's meditation

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<v Speaker 1>is brought to you by our partners at Life Audio.

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<v Speaker 3>and body as we hear tonight's sleep story.

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<v Speaker 2>Hello and welcome to this sleep story from Abide. I'm James.

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<v Speaker 2>Thanks for joining me for our story. Life and harmony.

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<v Speaker 2>Harmony is multifaceted, and whether it speaks to the way

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<v Speaker 2>a group interacts or the way a combination of musical

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<v Speaker 2>notes comes together, it can be a beautiful picture of

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<v Speaker 2>God's wonderfull design Psalm one hundred and thirty three, verse

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<v Speaker 2>one in the New Living Translation, sense how wonderful and

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<v Speaker 2>pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony. In

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<v Speaker 2>no place is harmony better displayed than in the midst

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<v Speaker 2>of a jazz ensemble, a musical styling that can easily

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<v Speaker 2>be chaotic if the musicians are not on cue, But

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<v Speaker 2>true harmony will be evident in a quartet that has

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<v Speaker 2>come together to uplift one another while they create beautiful

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<v Speaker 2>pieces of music together. This is the harmony you will

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<v Speaker 2>witness in this story as you experience a jazz quartet

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<v Speaker 2>that is as committed to uplifting one another as they

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<v Speaker 2>are making music that delights the listener. In the bustling

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<v Speaker 2>boroughs of New York City, you will see the beauty

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<v Speaker 2>and serenity of Central Park before attending a jazz concert

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<v Speaker 2>in a building located just off the corner of the park.

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<v Speaker 2>As you sit in the cozy room with a large

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<v Speaker 2>wall of windows looking out to the sunset against the

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<v Speaker 2>New York City skyline, you will be delighted by the

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<v Speaker 2>unique musical stylings of a famed jazz clarinetist and his

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<v Speaker 2>hand selected ensemble. Settle in for a time of RESTful peace,

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<v Speaker 2>and prepare to see fellowship and cooperation at its finest

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<v Speaker 2>as you experience truly how wonderful and pleasant it is

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<v Speaker 2>when brothers live together in harmony. Before we jump in,

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<v Speaker 2>take a few moments now to prepare your heart, mind,

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<v Speaker 2>and body for a time of rest. Begin by preparing

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<v Speaker 2>your heart. Take a slow, deep breath, breathing in through

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<v Speaker 2>your nose and allowing your lungs to fill. Pause for

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<v Speaker 2>a moment before exhaling slowly through your mouth. Continue this

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<v Speaker 2>pattern of rhythmic breathing as you hear the words of

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<v Speaker 2>Matthew eleven, verse twenty eight, which says, come to me

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<v Speaker 2>all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will

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<v Speaker 2>give you rest as you come to the Lord. Now

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<v Speaker 2>let your heart find rest and refreshment in his presence.

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<v Speaker 2>Allow him to carry any burdens that are weighing on

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<v Speaker 2>you by laying your concerns at his feet. As you

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<v Speaker 2>take another slow, deep breath, consciously exhale these worries with

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<v Speaker 2>your next breath, releasing them to the Lord. And now,

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<v Speaker 2>in turn, focus your attention on hope as you inhale

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<v Speaker 2>the promise of good rest. Next, prepare your mind. As

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<v Speaker 2>you've laid your concerns before the Lord, let the words

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<v Speaker 2>of Isaiah twenty six, verse three bring true rest to

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<v Speaker 2>your mind. You will keep in perfect peace those whose

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<v Speaker 2>minds are steadfast because they trust in you. Lastly, prepare

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<v Speaker 2>your body. Take another slow, deep breath, then slowly exhale

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<v Speaker 2>through your mouth. Repeat this simple exercise, breathing in through

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<v Speaker 2>your nose and out through your mouth. As you continue listening,

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<v Speaker 2>experience true rest by allowing the peacefulness of your heart

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<v Speaker 2>and mind to permeate your body, bringing harmony to your

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<v Speaker 2>entire being. Let me pray for you now, Heavenly Father,

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<v Speaker 2>you are the God of peace. We worship you for

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<v Speaker 2>the way you make it tangible in our lives. Thank

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<v Speaker 2>you for the gift of community and for the way

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<v Speaker 2>peace is seen tangibly as you enable us to dwell

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<v Speaker 2>in harmony. Lord, I ask you to bless this beloved

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<v Speaker 2>child of yours with a deep sense of harmony as

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<v Speaker 2>they rest, Allow the peace of your presence to wash

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<v Speaker 2>away any anxieties or concerns, helping them remember the words

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<v Speaker 2>of Firs. Peter five seven, that they would cast their

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<v Speaker 2>cares on you because you care for them. Lord, I

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<v Speaker 2>pray they would find deep rest and the promise of

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<v Speaker 2>your love, knowing there is nothing they can do that

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<v Speaker 2>would cause you to stop loving them. Thank you God

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<v Speaker 2>for this child whom you deeply love. Surround them with

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<v Speaker 2>peace that they may sleep soundly as they dwell on

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<v Speaker 2>the beautiful gift of harmony in Jesus' name. Amen, How

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<v Speaker 2>wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony.

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<v Speaker 2>Join me now for an experience of true harmony see

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<v Speaker 2>not just in a city and community, but seen artistically

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<v Speaker 2>in a famed jazz show. It's a cool fall day

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<v Speaker 2>in New York City and you find yourself walking along

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<v Speaker 2>the perimeter of Central Park on your way to watch

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<v Speaker 2>an evening jazz show featuring four renowned musicians playing for

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<v Speaker 2>the first time as a quartet. Looking inside Central Park,

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<v Speaker 2>you see an array of colors on the changing trees,

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<v Speaker 2>watching yellow, orange, and red leaves float effortlessly from the

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<v Speaker 2>tops of the trees to the ground. You see harmony

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<v Speaker 2>here as the earth changes with the shifting seasons, each

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<v Speaker 2>day inching a little bit closer to winter. Indeed, harmony

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<v Speaker 2>shines through in all places, at all times, through the

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<v Speaker 2>spirit of God. As you imagine the bustling park, hear

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<v Speaker 2>the words of the apostle poll and Ephesians four, verse

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<v Speaker 2>three in the New Living Translation, which reads, make every

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<v Speaker 2>effort to keep yourselves united in the spirit, binding yourselves

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<v Speaker 2>together with peace. You come around the corner of Central Park,

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<v Speaker 2>walking across the street and down the block before approaching

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<v Speaker 2>a large twelve story building with two story glass doors

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<v Speaker 2>at the entrance. Reaching for the brass handle, you push

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<v Speaker 2>forward to open the heavy swinging door. As you walk inside,

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<v Speaker 2>an older gentleman dressed in a formal maroon suit, evidently

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<v Speaker 2>the building's concierge, greets you where to He inquires, we're

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<v Speaker 2>here for the rhythm and blues jazz show. Ah, he

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<v Speaker 2>says with a smile, laugh lines appearing on the corner

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<v Speaker 2>of each eye. You're in for a tree tonight. Up

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<v Speaker 2>the escalator to the eighth floor. When you reach the top,

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<v Speaker 2>turn right, walk past the restaurants and you'll see it

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<v Speaker 2>there on the left. Glancing at his gold plated name tag,

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<v Speaker 2>you say thank you, Francis, and following his instructions, you

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<v Speaker 2>walk to the escalator. The restaurants on the eighth floor

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<v Speaker 2>are busy, waters buzz in and around tables, delivering hot

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<v Speaker 2>plates of food and clearing empty plates. As they walk

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<v Speaker 2>past a busy table, a bus boy in a dirty

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<v Speaker 2>white button down carries a plastic tub to a recently

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<v Speaker 2>emptied foretop and swiftly and efficiently removes every item. He

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<v Speaker 2>pulls a cleaning cloth from the pouch on his apron

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<v Speaker 2>and wipes the table down before disappearing through a swinging door.

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<v Speaker 2>As soon as the busboy walks away from the table,

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<v Speaker 2>a hostess appears to reset the table with charger plates,

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<v Speaker 2>silverware rolled in napkins, and clear drinking glasses. You can't

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<v Speaker 2>help but dwell on Psal One hundred thirty three, Verse one,

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<v Speaker 2>as you see the harmony of the restaurant's staff. How

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<v Speaker 2>wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony.

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<v Speaker 2>You continue walking down the eighth floor hallway, following as

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<v Speaker 2>it curves to the left. After the curve, you see

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<v Speaker 2>a blue Neon sign on the wall outside two large

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<v Speaker 2>glass doors. The sign reads Rhythm and Blues. Through the

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<v Speaker 2>glass door, you see a stylishly lit hallway with photos

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<v Speaker 2>lining the wall that leads to the end of the corridor.

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<v Speaker 2>You reach for the handle of the door, feeling the

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<v Speaker 2>cool metal in your hand, and walk inside. Walking down

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<v Speaker 2>the red carpeted hallway, you pause several times to admire

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<v Speaker 2>the photos and read the stories of musicians who have

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<v Speaker 2>made their home at the Rhythm and Blues Jazz Show

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<v Speaker 2>over the past four decades. At the end of the hallway,

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<v Speaker 2>you reach the hostess booth. After taking your name and

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<v Speaker 2>consulting her reservation list, she welcomes you and leads you

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<v Speaker 2>to the center of the room, where she seats you

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<v Speaker 2>at a small round table. The first element of harmony

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<v Speaker 2>that you notice inside is among the restaurant's staff, as

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<v Speaker 2>you watch them move effortlessly throughout the room, silently commune

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<v Speaker 2>getting to one another. They weave easily between tables, deliver

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<v Speaker 2>meals and drinks, and remain attentive to the needs of

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<v Speaker 2>their guests. Sitting comfortably in your seat, enjoying the ambiance

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<v Speaker 2>of the restaurant, you dwell on the eternity of some

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<v Speaker 2>one hundred thirty three how wonderful and pleasant it is

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<v Speaker 2>when brothers live together in harmony. For harmony is as

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<v Speaker 2>precious as the anointing oil that was poured over aaron's head,

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<v Speaker 2>that ran down his beard and onto the border of

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<v Speaker 2>his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from

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<v Speaker 2>Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion, and

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<v Speaker 2>there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.

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<v Speaker 2>You see this not just in the server's actions, but

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<v Speaker 2>also through the smiles on their faces and the genuine

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<v Speaker 2>joy that seemed to display so effortlessly as they move

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<v Speaker 2>around the room and acting with one another and guests alike.

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<v Speaker 2>Approaching your table with a smile, your server welcomes you

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<v Speaker 2>to the rhythm and Jazz show with a giddy excitement.

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<v Speaker 2>She shares that she has seen several of Tonight's performers

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<v Speaker 2>on their own, but never as an ensemble. They're some

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<v Speaker 2>of the best I know. You're at for treat. She

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<v Speaker 2>recommends her favorite dishes and takes your order, informing you

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<v Speaker 2>that the concert will begin shortly. As you wait, you

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<v Speaker 2>take in the wonder of this cozy, beautiful space. The

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<v Speaker 2>tall ceilings make the quaint room feel bigger than it is.

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<v Speaker 2>You're seated just ten feet from the large stage, behind

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<v Speaker 2>which an expansive floor to ceiling window stretches the length

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<v Speaker 2>of the room. Just beyond the window lies extravagant, stunning

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<v Speaker 2>view of the New York City skyline. The pale blue

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<v Speaker 2>evening sky, which is wide with white, puffy clouds scattered throughout.

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<v Speaker 2>The setting sun begins to twinge the sky with orange, red,

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<v Speaker 2>and purple hues. Hear the words of Psalm nineteen, verse one,

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<v Speaker 2>which says the heavens declare the glory of God. The

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<v Speaker 2>skies proclaimed the work of his hands. Enticed by the sunset,

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<v Speaker 2>you leave your seat and walk to the window, gazing

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<v Speaker 2>out at the panoramic view of Manhattan. At the far

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<v Speaker 2>left corner, you can see Central Park, where countless people

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<v Speaker 2>fill the wide sidewalks. A woman sits on a bench

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<v Speaker 2>reading a book, with the Golden retriever happily lying at

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<v Speaker 2>her feet. A couple walks past her, hand in hand,

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<v Speaker 2>coming from the opposite direction. A young woman in running

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<v Speaker 2>gear and a ball cap pushes the stroller as she

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<v Speaker 2>jogs through the park. Children play in the grass as

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<v Speaker 2>their parents watch from another bench. Runners train in various speeds,

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<v Speaker 2>and cyclists speedby, some on road bikes training for race,

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<v Speaker 2>and others on bright blue city bikes, leisurely tourists. Seeing

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<v Speaker 2>the city in a unique way, your gaze turns observing

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<v Speaker 2>the city streets below the skyscrapers, Men in suits and

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<v Speaker 2>women in heels rush in and out of buildings, hailing taxis,

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<v Speaker 2>and hustling up and down the city streets. As you

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<v Speaker 2>watch the movement below, hear the words of Colossians three

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<v Speaker 2>verses twelve through fourteen. In the New Living Translation, which says,

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<v Speaker 2>since God chose you to be the holy people He loves,

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<v Speaker 2>you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness,

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<v Speaker 2>and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults. And forgive

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<v Speaker 2>anyone who offends you. Remember the Lord forgave you, so

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<v Speaker 2>you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love,

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<v Speaker 2>which binds us all together in perfect harmony. The sun

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<v Speaker 2>has now fully set, and the sky brims with a deep, muted,

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<v Speaker 2>dark bloom. The dimmed lights inside the restaurant accentuate the

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<v Speaker 2>lights on the outside of the buildings seen in the skyline,

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<v Speaker 2>and they seem to sparkle against the dark sky. A

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<v Speaker 2>glance at your watch tells you that the show will

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<v Speaker 2>soon begin. You weave in between small tables, some seating

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<v Speaker 2>four and some only two or three. Back to your seat.

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<v Speaker 2>The small parties at each table help the room feel

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<v Speaker 2>quaint and intimate. Back at your seat, your server returns,

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<v Speaker 2>and you place your order. In anticipation of the harmonious

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<v Speaker 2>music you're about to hear, you consider the words of

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<v Speaker 2>First Peter three, verse eight. It reads, finally, all of

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<v Speaker 2>you have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart,

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<v Speaker 2>and a humble mind. It occurs to you that harmony

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<v Speaker 2>comes through the humble surrender of your way and the

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<v Speaker 2>willingness to unite your desires with those of another. A

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<v Speaker 2>few moments later, the lights in the restaurant dim and

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<v Speaker 2>a new set of lights come on, illuminating the stage.

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<v Speaker 2>The patrons begin to slowly clap, their anticipation brimming for

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<v Speaker 2>the show that will soon begin. As the clapping subsides,

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<v Speaker 2>four men walk into the room from a door off

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<v Speaker 2>the left side of the stage. They are all sharply

0:17:26.076 --> 0:17:31.236
<v Speaker 2>dressed in suits of various colors and textures. Waving to

0:17:31.276 --> 0:17:35.796
<v Speaker 2>the intimately sized crowd and giving small backs of gratitude,

0:17:36.156 --> 0:17:41.756
<v Speaker 2>they take their places behind their respective instruments on the stage.

0:17:41.916 --> 0:17:45.436
<v Speaker 2>The drummer, a tall black man with a shaved head

0:17:45.476 --> 0:17:49.196
<v Speaker 2>and a neatly trimmed goatee, wears the chocolate brown suit

0:17:49.556 --> 0:17:53.916
<v Speaker 2>with a pale blue shirt. His rich brown eyes dance

0:17:53.996 --> 0:17:56.316
<v Speaker 2>with joy as he walks to the drum set on

0:17:56.356 --> 0:18:00.276
<v Speaker 2>the far right side of the stage. He reaches for

0:18:00.356 --> 0:18:04.236
<v Speaker 2>his drumsticks and giving them a playful twirl around his fingers.

0:18:04.596 --> 0:18:09.156
<v Speaker 2>He smiles at the crowd. How wonderful and pleasant it

0:18:09.196 --> 0:18:14.756
<v Speaker 2>is when brothers live together at harmony? The upright bass

0:18:14.756 --> 0:18:18.356
<v Speaker 2>player walks out next. He's wearing a sharp black suit

0:18:18.396 --> 0:18:21.276
<v Speaker 2>without a tie, and the stark white of his buttoned

0:18:21.276 --> 0:18:25.716
<v Speaker 2>down shirt stands out against his black jacket. A neatly

0:18:25.836 --> 0:18:30.756
<v Speaker 2>trifled merrigold yellow pocket square covered in small white daisies

0:18:30.876 --> 0:18:33.876
<v Speaker 2>compliments the jacket and gives it a pop of color.

0:18:35.516 --> 0:18:39.356
<v Speaker 2>How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together

0:18:39.756 --> 0:18:45.836
<v Speaker 2>in harmony. As shorter Man follows the bassist, walking straight

0:18:45.876 --> 0:18:48.116
<v Speaker 2>to the left side of the stage, where an ornate

0:18:48.196 --> 0:18:51.796
<v Speaker 2>grand piano awaits, he takes a seat at the end

0:18:51.836 --> 0:18:55.276
<v Speaker 2>of the bench, sitting sideways to face both the crowd

0:18:55.316 --> 0:19:00.516
<v Speaker 2>and his comrades. Still walking to the stage, the distinctive

0:19:00.596 --> 0:19:04.716
<v Speaker 2>ridges of his forest green corduroy suit glint under the

0:19:04.756 --> 0:19:09.116
<v Speaker 2>stage of spotlight. The ringlet curls of his dark brown

0:19:09.196 --> 0:19:12.516
<v Speaker 2>hair hang almost to his shoulders and framed the caramel

0:19:12.596 --> 0:19:16.356
<v Speaker 2>brown of his face. With his back to the crowd,

0:19:16.396 --> 0:19:19.236
<v Speaker 2>as he sits on the piano's bench, he looks back

0:19:19.236 --> 0:19:22.836
<v Speaker 2>over his shoulder, his bright white teeth shining in his smile.

0:19:24.356 --> 0:19:28.116
<v Speaker 2>How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together

0:19:28.156 --> 0:19:33.756
<v Speaker 2>in harmony. Victor, the final member of the quartet and

0:19:33.876 --> 0:19:37.876
<v Speaker 2>the leader most several more decades of life than the others,

0:19:38.356 --> 0:19:41.676
<v Speaker 2>as evidenced by the white sprinkled in his short black hair.

0:19:42.876 --> 0:19:45.276
<v Speaker 2>A tall man, he walks to the center of the

0:19:45.316 --> 0:19:48.116
<v Speaker 2>stage with the clarinet on a strap around his neck.

0:19:48.876 --> 0:19:53.716
<v Speaker 2>His eyes shine with delight. This is an extra special

0:19:53.796 --> 0:19:56.516
<v Speaker 2>night for me, Victor says, as the corners of his

0:19:56.636 --> 0:20:00.356
<v Speaker 2>mouth turn up in a smile. In my career, I've

0:20:00.396 --> 0:20:03.836
<v Speaker 2>played with more ensembles than I can count, but never

0:20:03.916 --> 0:20:07.996
<v Speaker 2>one as sweet as this. One of the crowning honors

0:20:08.036 --> 0:20:11.396
<v Speaker 2>of my life was serving as the founding artistic director

0:20:11.436 --> 0:20:14.796
<v Speaker 2>of Julliard's Jazz department. And each of the young men

0:20:14.876 --> 0:20:17.276
<v Speaker 2>on the stage are not just at the top of

0:20:17.356 --> 0:20:22.596
<v Speaker 2>the craft musically, they are former students of mine. Victor

0:20:22.676 --> 0:20:26.236
<v Speaker 2>looks endearingly at each of the musicians, who smile back

0:20:26.316 --> 0:20:29.916
<v Speaker 2>with pride and honor. Thank you for playing with me tonight,

0:20:30.276 --> 0:20:34.036
<v Speaker 2>Victor says, and with that he plays the first notes

0:20:34.076 --> 0:20:40.036
<v Speaker 2>of their open song. The bassist, drummer, and pianist join

0:20:40.116 --> 0:20:45.356
<v Speaker 2>in on que, whereas the combination of these distinct instruments

0:20:45.436 --> 0:20:50.276
<v Speaker 2>might easily be chaotic, the spontaneity of these masterful musicians

0:20:50.356 --> 0:20:54.516
<v Speaker 2>comes together in the beautiful, harmonious way only jazz. Can

0:20:56.316 --> 0:20:59.516
<v Speaker 2>Lean back in your seat settle in to enjoy the

0:20:59.556 --> 0:21:04.316
<v Speaker 2>wonderful improvisation from an elite ensemble of musicians, knowing that

0:21:04.396 --> 0:21:07.516
<v Speaker 2>harmony of mind is essential for them to achieve the

0:21:07.556 --> 0:21:12.116
<v Speaker 2>harmony of music that so wonderfully fills the room. As

0:21:12.156 --> 0:21:15.516
<v Speaker 2>you enjoy, think again of the words of Some one

0:21:15.596 --> 0:21:20.636
<v Speaker 2>hundred and thirty three, which says, how wonderful and pleasant

0:21:20.676 --> 0:21:24.996
<v Speaker 2>it is when brothers live together in harmony. For harmony

0:21:25.196 --> 0:21:28.236
<v Speaker 2>is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured

0:21:28.276 --> 0:21:31.596
<v Speaker 2>over aaron's head, that ran down his beard and onto

0:21:31.596 --> 0:21:35.956
<v Speaker 2>the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as

0:21:35.996 --> 0:21:38.836
<v Speaker 2>the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains

0:21:38.876 --> 0:21:42.636
<v Speaker 2>of Zion. And there the Lord is pronounced his blessing,

0:21:43.076 --> 0:21:48.996
<v Speaker 2>even life, everlasting. Indeed, the blessing of the Lord stands

0:21:49.036 --> 0:21:52.596
<v Speaker 2>out when his people dwell together in harmony. And as

0:21:52.636 --> 0:21:56.556
<v Speaker 2>this jazz quartet continues to play, gift, thanks to the

0:21:56.596 --> 0:21:59.396
<v Speaker 2>Lord for the gift of harmony and for the many

0:21:59.436 --> 0:22:04.756
<v Speaker 2>ways and enriches the world around you. Let me pray

0:22:04.836 --> 0:22:10.356
<v Speaker 2>for you one last time as you sleep. Gracious Heavenly Father,

0:22:11.076 --> 0:22:14.596
<v Speaker 2>we look to you for harmony and peace, and we

0:22:14.716 --> 0:22:17.836
<v Speaker 2>give thanks for your grace that makes it possible for

0:22:17.916 --> 0:22:21.156
<v Speaker 2>us to experience harmony with one another and in the

0:22:21.196 --> 0:22:25.436
<v Speaker 2>world around us. I pray your blessing over this beloved

0:22:25.556 --> 0:22:29.716
<v Speaker 2>child of yours as they continue to rest. May they

0:22:29.756 --> 0:22:33.316
<v Speaker 2>sense the peace of your spirit as they sleep, and

0:22:33.356 --> 0:22:36.516
<v Speaker 2>may they wake with a deep desire to pursue harmony

0:22:36.516 --> 0:22:42.516
<v Speaker 2>in the world around them. Amen, God has invited you,

0:22:42.836 --> 0:22:45.996
<v Speaker 2>his beloved to dwell in harmony with those around you,

0:22:47.036 --> 0:22:51.756
<v Speaker 2>whether in your home, your workplace, your neighborhood, or community.

0:22:52.516 --> 0:22:55.676
<v Speaker 2>Imagine your life like an instrument in a jazz band,

0:22:56.076 --> 0:22:58.756
<v Speaker 2>and the lives of those around you as other instruments

0:22:58.756 --> 0:23:02.596
<v Speaker 2>on the stage. Through the spirit of God, we all

0:23:02.676 --> 0:23:07.316
<v Speaker 2>can come together to create a beautiful harmony. How wonderful

0:23:07.356 --> 0:23:11.636
<v Speaker 2>and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony.

0:23:13.156 --> 0:24:57.596
<v Speaker 2>Thanks for listening. Until next time, May you abide in Christ.