Franz Mohr: "Piano Tuner who loves Jesus"

We are delighted to have Franz Mohr as our special guest speaker this Sunday (July 15).

As mentioned in our last post, brother Mohr is retired as chief concert technician for Steinway and Sons piano company, a position that has given him the opportunity to travel with the greatest pianists of our generation, including the legendary Vladimir Horowitz.

Here are some links to "Mohr" information:

(1) Video of a Charles Kuralt segment on CBS about Mohr. This clip does not refer to his Christian testimony, but it gives some idea of brother Mohr's professional career.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA2KzMOXPBU


(2) An article about Mohr. Note especially the interview at the bottom about his faith in Christ.

http://www.crescendo.org/index.php?id=187


(3) Audio of a brief testimony by brother Mohr ... tells about the time he had the opportunity to witness to Vladimir Horowitz. Powerful stuff! (Give it a moment to load.)

Franz Mohr Audio Clip

Franz Mohr to Speak on Sunday, July 15!

Franz Mohr is the former chief concert technician for Steinway and Sons piano company. He traveled for years with legendary pianists such as Vladimir Horowitz, Arthur Rubinstein, and Van Cliburn.



Billing himself modestly as a "piano tuner who loves Jesus," brother Mohr has maintained a consistent and dynamic testimony for Jesus Christ. In his travels through glamorous concert halls, White House receptions, and the elite social circles of Europe's capital cities, Mohr has clung to a simple devotion to Christ, and has not hesitated to take a stand as a Bible-believing Christian.

In the providence of God and through the kindness of our friends at Forbes Piano, we are delighted to have our brother Franz Mohr speak to us this Sunday. More information to come!

Sunday Ministry Recap (July 8)

Scripture Focus:

Genesis 39 - Joeseph In Potiphar's House

Key Thoughts Shared by Various Brothers:

"And the Lord made it to prosper" (v. 23). How often might the prosperity of an employer, a business, a church, or a nation be due to a single godly employee or church member, or in the case of a nation, to its godly citizens? Like Joseph, we should devote ourselves to being a blessing.

"How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (v. 9). Joseph's primary concern was his accountability to God. Since there is no indication that Joseph had the kind of direct communication with God that his fathers did, this sense of moral responsibility and the recognition of adultery as wickedness must have been communicated to him by his father. We are likewise responsible for clearly communicating to our children Biblical standards of right and wrong.

"He left his garment in her hand, and fled" (v. 12). The Bible tells us to "flee youthful lusts" ... not to stand and fight ... not to click on the lurid photo on the Internet just "to see how bad things are" ... not to assume we are strong enough to be alone in an intimate setting with the opposite gender ... not to trifle with these things that are destroying lives and families all around us. Flee!

Joseph was a living example of 1 Peter 2:19-20 ... "For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God."

In addition to the thoughts on Genesis 39, we also studied briefly about the Christian's relationship to civil government from Romans 12 and 13.

Next week: Special Speaker ... Franz Mohr.

Sunday Ministry Recap (July 1)

Scripture Focus:

Genesis 37 - Joeseph Sold Into Slavery


Key Thoughts Shared by Various Brothers:

Approximately one-fourth of the book of Genesis is devoted to the story of Joseph. Joseph stands as a type (picture) of the Lord Jesus Christ in many ways. (1) Both were special objects of a father's love. (2) Both were hated by their brethren. (3) The claims of both were rejected by their brethren. (4) The brethren of both conspired to slay them. (4) Both were raised up by God, became a blessing among the Gentiles, and gained a Gentile bride. (5) As Joseph reconciled his brethren to himself and afterward exalted them, so will it be with Christ and His Jewish brethren.

The sending of Joseph by his father to find his brothers reminds of the Father sending His beloved Son for our redemption. Christ came from "Hebron" ("fellowship") to "Shechem" (lit., "shoulder" ... the place of burden bearing). What an awful burden he put his shoulder to on the cross!

Joseph responded to the cruelty and mistreatmentg of his brothers, not with hatred and resentment, but by acknowledging the sovereignty of God. (Cf. Gen. 50:20 - "God meant it for good.") When we ask "why" ... God has a good purpose. Out of every tragedy comes a hallelujah.

Some family applications from the passage: As fathers we must make clear that our children understand we love them equally. Children should emulate Joseph's example of obedience ... "Here am I" instead of "Why me?" or "I don't know how." In other words, an attitude of being ready and willing for service and obedience, even if the task is unpleasant or requires initiative to figure out how to go about it. This passage also shows the value of brothers (cf. Prov. 17:17 ... "a brother is born for adversity")

Interesting parallels between life of Joseph and the life of Jacob his father: (1) their father lied to, (2) enmity among brothers, (3) younger son sent away to foreign land, (4) reconciliation with brothers.

Next week: Genesis 39.

New Items in Family Resource Library

James MacDonald, Homeschooling: The Catalyst for Family Reformation (CD)

James MacDonald, Cathedral Building: Developing a Multi-Generational Vision (CD)

James MacDonald, The Shadow of His Wings: How to Support Your Homeschooling Wife (CD)

James MacDonald, Guarding the Gates: A Father's Role in Modesty (CD)

James MacDonald, The Heart of the Matter: Guiding Our Children Into Pure Marriages (CD)

Stacy MacDonald, Growing a Homeschool Heritage: A Future for Your Daughters (CD)

Stacy MacDonald, The Sacred Mission of Motherhood (CD)

Stacy MacDonald, Passionate Housewives, Desperate for God (CD)

Stacy MacDonald, Virtuous Maidenhood (CD)

Steven and Teri Maxwell, Keeping Our Children's Hearts (Book)

Rick and Marilyn Boyer, Home Educating with Confidence: How Ordinary Parents Can Produce Extraordinary Children (Book)

Marilyn Boyer, Parenting from the Heart: Practical Parenting from a Mom of 14 Children (Book)

Rick Boyer, The Hands-On Dad: The Father's Role in Christian Home Education (Book)

Rick and Marilyn Boyer: Home Education Seminar (CD Set)

Rick and Marilyn Boyer: Home Education Seminar II (CD Set)