Episode 010 – Make Music With What Remains

Key Passage(s): Colossians 2:15

I’m a really hopeful person, especially on the heels of celebrating the resurrection. But at times, I despair about the condition of our world and the struggles of life. Perhaps you do as well. That’s why I share a fascinating story that has helped me tremendously in addressing these moments and finding the courage to press on.

Discussion Questions

  • What’s your biggest takeaway from the teaching?
  • Where do you struggle the most to believe that all will be made right in our world?
  • Where do you feel you’re playing with just three strings?
  • How do you need to rediscover how to make music with what remains?
  • What’s one step you can take in living out the truths of this teaching this week?
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22 Comments

  1. Lori Briesemeister April 10, 2018 at 6:07 am - Reply

    Thank you Brad, God always, always brings Thoughts & Words into my listening whatever I need to hear! These past weeks have been especially hard since loosing my husband last May. You put words to what I have been struggling with – How do I make music with what remains? As a child of God I know He will help me figure that out!

    • Brad Gray April 16, 2018 at 1:05 pm - Reply

      I’m grateful God spoke to you through this teaching, Lori. And I’m so sorry for the loss of your husband and the pain it continues to bring. And yes, God will empower you!

  2. Wesley Campbell April 10, 2018 at 3:51 pm - Reply

    Awesome story; Great teaching! Thanks my Brother!

  3. Forrest Glass April 11, 2018 at 8:43 am - Reply

    Wow! Great message Brad. Long story very short: I heard from my bio mother this very morning and she was lamenting about having given me up many years ago. I told her she made the right decision and that I LOVE the life she gave me. I was listening to your message as we chatted and without hesitation, I sent her the quote from Itzhak. How timely your message was and the challenge Itzhak threw out there for us; Make music with what you have, or give up on life! THANK YOU so much for your message Brad. PLEASE keep the Good News coming!

    • Brad Gray April 16, 2018 at 1:06 pm - Reply

      How cool is that?!!! Thank you for sharing this, Forrest.

  4. Alan Lyle April 11, 2018 at 12:07 pm - Reply

    Hey Brad I’m in the hospital this week because of heart arthymia. I feel as though I have 3 strings right now but God is giving me a chance to minister to the medical staff by listening to life struggles, encouraging them in their faith or simply praying for them. Thanks for another great teaching lesson.
    Excited to see you at Discovery Church in Orlando soon to bring the word????

    • Brad Gray April 16, 2018 at 1:07 pm - Reply

      Hang in there, Alan! I hope you’re doing better right now. Thank you so much for sharing this, and how you’re making the most of the situation before you.

  5. Pam April 13, 2018 at 6:55 am - Reply

    Thank you for this message. Today we will find out if the last four months of chemo my husband has been receiving are in some way working. And then a couple of hours later we will find out if the 6th and final IVF for my daughter has given her and her husband the desire of the hearts to be parents. As I prayed this morning I was very aware of my sin of doubting God’s love for me because of focusing on the broken string and not being thankful for the strings that I had to allow me to keep praising my God with the music of a surrendered live. God has already answered my prayers with promises and the podcast was a great reminder. Thank you for helping me refocus.

    • Brad Gray April 16, 2018 at 1:08 pm - Reply

      I bless God you found this teaching helpful, especially in lieu of your circumstances. At the point, you’ve probably got all the news back. I’m praying God will give you what you need to walk the path that’s before you and your family members.

  6. Mary Heyboer April 14, 2018 at 3:05 pm - Reply

    Thank you Brad. Ed passed away and I feel like I have broken one of my strings. This teaching was exactly what I needed to hear. I know My God will be with me as I journey on towards the goal. With His help I plan to make music with what remains.

    • Brad Gray April 16, 2018 at 1:09 pm - Reply

      I’m so sorry for your loss, Mary. And like I mentioned to Lori above (a recent widow as well), I believe God will empower you to make that music. Thank you for sharing.

  7. Evelyn Griffin April 15, 2018 at 7:51 am - Reply

    Hi Brad,

    I have so enjoyed Walking The Text. Thank you very much for listening to God‘s voice. With this message I am reminded of my father. In his younger years he arguably was the cause of breaking one of his own strings. In his later years diminishing health broke at least one other maybe two. He survived several heart surgeries, esophageal cancer, a massive hernia and struggled with severe back pain caused by scoliosis. This past May he went to be with the Lord and I miss him every day. My father was so courageous- He accepted and portrayed Grace with such humility. He played music, beautiful music, with the strings that he had left. And now his strings are on a new violin, never to be broken again. He would have been greatly encouraged by your message, as I am.

    I also look forward to seeing you again at Discovery Church in Orlando, FL. God bless.

    • Brad Gray April 16, 2018 at 1:10 pm - Reply

      Such a power story, Evelyn. Thank you so much for taking the time to share it.

  8. K Blanksma April 25, 2018 at 4:33 pm - Reply

    The first time I was in Israel with a group from GTI
    We were praying for needs among the group and our leader Marty prayed about God granting us “feet for the path. “
    I appreciate another very moving story for a life lesson from Itsak. Thanks again so much for your teachings.
    Kristy. Turkey with Brad.

    • Brad Gray May 24, 2018 at 5:46 pm - Reply

      You are most welcome, Kristy! And I’ve got a “feet for the path” teaching in the hopper 🙂

  9. Martha Lins June 6, 2018 at 6:13 pm - Reply

    Martha Lins

    I have been catching up listening to The Teaching Series so far. Each teaching has been incredibly powerful in explaining the truth of The Word from a different perspective. I grew up in a CHristain home and have known the Lord for as long as I can remember. Your understanding of Hebrew and the Jewish culture has shed invaluable light on my understanding of the Gospel. Thank you so much for taking the time to share with your audience. May our Heavenly Father continue to richly bless you and your family as you continue seeking His will and His glory that the world may know. God bless you.

    • Brad Gray July 1, 2018 at 10:12 am - Reply

      Thank you so much for these kind comments, Martha. I bless God you’re finding the series to be so helpful.

  10. Michelle Knowlden November 28, 2018 at 7:22 pm - Reply

    I so loved the series on Ps 23 and am now going through each of your posts. You and the Holy Spirit are enriching my life!

    Making music with what remains has been going through my head all day. I decided I needed to use the quote in a letter to a hurting friend. When I tried to find it online, I found out that Snopes has discredited the story. Perlman never continued a concert with only three strings or made that statement. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/three-strings-and-youre-outre/

    Still I’m glad for all the people it helped!

    • Brad Gray December 4, 2018 at 11:22 am - Reply

      That’s really interesting, Michelle. Thank you for mentioning this. I actually read this story of Perlman in the writings of one of the most well-known Jewish Scholars in the world (Rabbi Jonathan Sacks), and if I’m not mistaken, he knows Perlman. So that’s surprising to me.

  11. Heather Johnson March 28, 2023 at 1:21 pm - Reply

    Hi Brad, I recently started to relisten to your messages after about a 3-year pause. I am encouraged by each lesson and I so enjoy listening to and being edified by your podcast on my daily walks with GOD. Please continue to share your inspiration.

    • Brad Nelson April 11, 2023 at 7:22 am - Reply

      I’m so glad you’re inspired by Brad’s work Heather. Hoping you continue to find inspiration and encouragement as your journey with God.

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