Justin Hines: Say What You Will

Let me introduce Justin Hines, a composer, musician and Canadian.

Justin Hines



Two years ago, Justin performed in Calgary, to a packed auditorium at Centre Street Church. I was thrilled to be part of that awed and cheering crowd. It’s an experience I won’t soon forget.

Justin was a hit with people of all ages, including my family members, who are teenagers and middle-aged adults. They were still raving about him the next day.

That night, Justin performed his song Say What You Will, reminding us to say the words our loved ones need to hear -- before it’s too late.

Here's Justin's Say What You Will video.

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Justin has performed throughout the States, across Canada, and in numerous countries around the world, growing more fans everywhere.

Some of his youngest fans, a Grade 4 class in Indianapolis, created their own video of Say What You Will.

Here's the Grade 4 students' video.

 

They posted it online and sent Justin hand-written letters, inviting him to come and visit.

Justin thanked them for the letters and the video, but didn’t respond to the invitation -- at least not right away.

A few months later, Justin went to Indianapolis for another event. This is what happened the next morning. (Before you click, make sure you have Kleenex nearby.)

 

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I wanted you to meet Justin today, because I love the story of what Justin did for those children and their teacher. (I love it especially because I'm a teacher, but you don't have to be a teacher or a student to appreciate it.)

 

I also wanted to introduce Justin so I could tell you some great news:

 

Justin Hines is coming to Calgary this fall!

 

He's coming back to Centre Street Church on October 12, to perform in Courage: A Concert with Justin Hines and Tony Melendez.

 

I promise, you don’t want to miss it. Get your tickets here.

 

See you at the concert October 12!

String Around My Finger, Poppy Over My Heart

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

When I was a little girl, attending my school’s Remembrance Day services, I wore my annual poppy with great pride but little understanding. I was happy for the peace of my beautiful Canada, and I was glad all the soldier-killing wars were far away and long, long gone.

They certainly seemed long gone. Surely, they’d never be necessary again.

Yesterday, decades later, I attended my school’s Remembrance Day ceremony, along with my students. I’m thankful my school chose to emphasize the solemnity and significance of the occasion. I’m glad my students seem much more aware of this day’s meaning, than I was at their age.

I’m sorry, though, for the reasons this day is so relevant to them.

In our day, in our time, Canadian soldiers – both men and women now – are once again travelling to dangerous places around the world, deliberately sacrificing family life, home comforts, and, potentially, their very lives, because of their commitment to keep peace for other people.

The Bible says, “Greater love has no one than this, that one should lay down his life for his friends.”

Our peacekeepers define “friends” very broadly. They consciously, intentionally lay their lives on the line for people whose names they don’t know, whose mother tongues they don’t speak, and whose political histories they’ll never fully understand.

During the two World Wars, Canadian men often joined the armed forces after being drafted. Most went willingly, but usually only after they’d been told to go.

In this decade, the Canadian government no longer requires peacekeepers to join the armed forces. What’s remarkable is that, driven by their own commitment to make the world a better place for others, they go anyway.

Today, with my heart and eyes full, I pause.

I remember.

I say, “Thank you!”

And when tomorrow comes, I pray I will remember then, too.
·         Reenie