Tag Archives: Christian

Rubber Ducks

rubber duck

Do you know that there is a new trend called Jeep ducking? It started during the pandemic and entails owners of Jeep Wranglers placing rubber ducks on the hoods of other Jeep Wranglers. Jeep Wrangler owners then place these rubber ducks on the dashboards of their vehicles. I have seen one Jeep on my street with about ten ducks in the window. The woman who started the trend, Allison Parliament of Ontario, Canada, said, “It was an act of kindness, a healing of sorts, as well as recognition of and greeting to a fellow Jeep owner.”

The phenomenon makes me think of how we can greet and recognize and support fellow Christians. Did you see someone carrying out an act of kindness today? Maybe think about giving them a smile or a wave. We need all the encouragement we can get in our Christian walk, and one way we can do that is to acknowledge one another when we see them and support them in their efforts in some sort of fun, uplifting way. Perhaps you can always have some John 3:16 coins from Creative Communications on hand to hand out to fellow Christians. Or maybe it is a thumbs up or a “Good going!” to any brothers and sisters in Christ you may encounter on your journey of faith. Jeep’s current motto is “Go Anywhere. Do Anything.” It is a reminder to us that Jesus told us to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15). And it reminds us that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). So get out there and go and do in Christ’s name.

Embouchure

embouchure

As those in band know, embouchure is the use of the lips, facial muscles, tongue, and teeth in playing a wind instrument. The word comes from the French root “bouche,” meaning “mouth.” Good embouchure allows for a better sound, a wider range of notes and less strain on the muscles.

How wind instrumentalists move their mouths directly affects the quality of music that comes out. I find this fascinating. Wind instrumentalists I have talked to about this say that after awhile correct embouchure becomes almost second nature. They come to know exactly what is needed to create a certain note without thinking too much about it.

Whether we know it or not, we are capable of a kind of Christian embouchure, a way of moving our mouths to elicit the beautiful sounds of the Gospel to a listening audience. We may not know exactly how we do it, but the Holy Spirit gives us the words to say in the proper way and at the right time to bring about the best result in the hearts of minds of others to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

We don’t need to be experts in Christian embouchure by any means, but we simply need to allow our mouths to utter the joyful noises of the Good News of our Savior, who came to earth to teach, preach, heal and even sacrifice himself for us. His mouth moved in such a way from the cross to utter, “It is finished!” At his ascension, his mouth opened to declare, “Peace be with you” and “I am with you always” to his disciples.

With trumpet sounds, Jesus will return to take us home to be with him in heaven, where we will open our mouths and sing with all the saints the glory of his name. Sing a song of praise in preparation for that day today. Play your praise on an instrument, if you know how.