Soli Deo gloria.
It’s Latin for “glory to God alone.” You’ll find it at the bottom of every page here.
Johann Sebastian Bach often wrote those three letters at the end of his manuscripts, and Handel did the same. Bach often began with two more, “J.J.,” for Jesu juva: “Jesus, help.” Neither man was signing off. They were saying who the music was for, and who had made it possible. Whatever was good in it belonged to God, and the glory went back to Him.
Why I sign mine
I sign my work the same way, because everything good I’ve been able to make started as a gift.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.”
James 1:17
The skills, the people I’ve worked with, and the chance to do this work at all came from Him. So the work goes back to Him. It’s a reminder to do it well, do it honestly, and remember who it’s really for.
The greatest gift
The best gift I’ve ever received isn’t a talent. It’s Jesus. None of us can earn our way to God. But Jesus lived the life we couldn’t, died for our sins, and rose again, and He offers forgiveness and new life to anyone who trusts Him.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”
Ephesians 2:8
If you’ve never put your trust in Jesus Christ, I’d love for you to. And if you have questions about faith, about Him, or about any of this, I’d be glad to talk. Reach out anytime.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV.
