31 days of Hymns - Day 2

Approach, My Soul, the Mercy-seat by John Newton (1779)

my favorite rendition by Jon Yerby
http://journeyonmusic.net/track/approach-my-soul-the-mercy-seat

piano melody
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOtqi9sfd3g

another melody with lyrics using the Glen Soderholm version
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We1GN229hDg

modified lyrics contemporary version
Approach My Soul The Mercy Seat - Sojourn Music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqMcVKHLg4E



1 Approach, my soul, the mercy-seat,
Where Jesus answers prayer;
There humbly fall before his feet,
For none can perish there.


2 Thy promise is my only plea,
With this I venture nigh;
Thou callest burdened souls to thee,
And such, O Lord, am I.


3 Bowed down beneath a load of sin,
By Satan sorely pressed,
By wars without, and fears within,
I come to thee for rest.

4 Be thou my shield and hiding place!
That, sheltered near thy side,
I may my fierce accuser face,
And tell him, "thou hast died."


5 O wondrous love! to bleed and die,
To bear the cross and shame;
That guilty sinners such as I,
Might plead thy gracious name.


6 "Poor tempest-tossed soul be still,
My promised grace receive;"
'Tis Jesus speaks, I must, I will,
I can, I do believe.


Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of Christians, 1803
http://www.hymnary.org/text/approach_my_soul_the_mercy_seat

31 days of Hymns - Day 1

Come Sinners To The Gospel Feast // Wesley, Jon Yerby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNJQyf-3bRU


1 Come sinners, to the gospel feast,
Let every soul be Jesus' guest;
Ye need not one be left behind,
For God hath bid all mankind.


2 "Have me excused" why will you say?
From health, and life, and liberty;
From all that is in Jesus given,
From pardon, holiness and heaven.


3 Come then you souls by sin oppressed,
Ye weary wanderers after rest;
Ye poor and maimed, halt and blind,
In Christ a hearty welcome find.

4 See him set forth before your eyes,
Behold the bleeding sacrifice;
His offered love let all embrace,
And freely now be saved by grace.


5 Ye who believe his record true,
Shall sup with him and he with you;
Come to the feast be saved from sin,
For Jesus waits to take you in.


6 This is the time, no more delay;
This is the glorious gospel day.
Come in this moment at his call,
And live to him who died for all.


Divine Hymns, or Spiritual Songs: for the use of religious assemblies and private Christians 1800

Find out more:

http://www.hymnary.org/text/come_sinners_to_the_gospel_feast_let_ev
Purchase the hymn here:

 http://journeyonmusic.net/track/come-sinners-to-the-gospel-feast

Best Books Read in 2012

“Give yourself unto reading." The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted. He who will not use the thoughts of other men’s brains, proves that he has no brains of his own.You need to read. We are quite persuaded that the very best way for you to be spending your leisure time, is to be either reading or praying.You may get much instruction from books which afterwards you may use as a true weapon in your Lord and Master’s service. Paul cries, “Bring the books” — join in the cry. from Spurgeon’s, "Paul — His Cloak and His Books”

 Best Books Read

Besides the Bible, these books deeply impacted me in 2012. Some showed me the darkest side of humanity and while others encouraged me so greatly I’m certain I’d never give up hope even if everything seemed hopeless. Others broadened my understanding of mankind, our different personalities and temperament, and how circumstances whether circumstantial or spiritual bring about different outcomes.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy – Apocalyptic fiction. Powerfully real.

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand – Biography. Incredible story.

The Good Earth by Pearl Buck – Well written story giving a glimpse of a culture without Christ. Thought provoking.

All Things for Good by Thomas Watson – Watson clearly understands and communicates our struggles with pain, suffering, and evil. With clarity and thorough Biblical support, Watson encourages believers in Christ that All Things are for Good.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain – Nonfiction and semi autobiographical. Very interesting and thought provoking.

Best Little Books 

Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung

Fear Not! Death and the Afterlife from a Christian Perspective by Ligon Duncan with J. Nicholas Reid

Thoughts on Halloween

It's now been a year since I posted my thoughts and concerns about Halloween. Since then, I'm pleased to see that more people are writing about this topic providing reasons why Christians should consider that Halloween might not mean innocent dress up time, games and candy. I share my own journey below.

“Trick?” or “Treat?” Unmasking Halloween http://realtruth.org/articles/111028-001.html

10 Reasons I Kissed Halloween Goodbye http://www.prophezine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=676%3A10-reasons-i-kissed-halloween-goodbye&catid=41%3Atop-headlines

Halloween History and the Bible http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/halloween/halloween-history

October, 2012:

One of favorite memories of Halloween was when I was in the 2nd grade living in upstate New York. Having grown up in Texas, moving to New York was almost magical since the landscape, weather and even the people were so different. This particular Halloween followed the most magnificent Fall foliage I'd ever seen, and living near the Mohawk River reinforced my understanding of what an Indian Summer is for the days were warm and sunny while the nights were cool and clear. Besides the vivid surroundings, my teacher lived down my long street that faced what seemed like endless farmland. When I knocked on her door, shouting trick or treat when the door opened and I saw her smiling, she handed me the very best treat - a coin worth twenty five cents. To me that was like receiving a whole lot of money - it was truly the most valuable treat I received that night.

Then the years when by, we moved back to Texas and Halloween got scary.  As I grew older, the holiday included a horror movie, ghost stories and even Ouiji boards - there was never a thought in my mind that this was harmful. Everyone I knew seemed to do this so I thought it must be ok. Later I got married and had children. When my sons were 14 months and 3 years old they were placed in daycare and since it was October, a Halloween celebration was scheduled. I was really excited and even got out my sewing machine to make clown costumes for my boys. I was so wrapped up in this event that I even dressed up my face to look like a clown, but was mortified when I was the only adult who dressed up for the event. After this embarrassing situation, future Halloweens consisted of just taking my sons trick or treating. Then just a few years later, Halloween became dangerous. Razor blades where found in kid's candy and treats and to remedy the problem, hospitals started offering free Xrays for candy bags.

Years later in 1993, I experienced a paradigm shift. My view about Halloween changed. It's hard to briefly explain what all contributed to this change but it's clear that it's because I changed. As a baby Christian, God was transforming me into His image. Nineteen years ago God arranged events in such a way that I've never liked Halloween since. It was then that God convicted me that I should have no part of this holiday and that conviction continues. It grieves me that people seem to enjoy it so much. I'm not surprised  that nonbelievers enjoy the holiday, but when believers enjoy it - it troubles me greatly. Last year I received some comfort when I found and watched this video with John Piper speaking on the topic.

 


Perhaps if you're like me and you wish Halloween would just not exist, then this video might help you and if you happen to love Halloween and you're a Christ-follower, then perhaps you'll consider what the ramifications might be when you support such a holiday. I don't mind the dressing up if there are no scary creatures, and I don't mind giving away and eating candy, and I love getting together with others to fellowship, but please keep out the things God hates. Avoid the things that frighten children, don't share ghost stories or attend haunted houses, and consider doing something more wholesome like having a Fall Harvest Party or better yet consider celebrating Reformation Day for it was on October 31, 1517 that Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the chapel door in Wittenberg which then added great fuel to the Protestant Reformation. What can be greater than celebrating what God has done for His people through history? And how fun to dress up in medieval clothing, play games, and learn Church history while celebrating this day. My hope and my prayer is that whatever we may do as believers, we will consider His commandments and do what is pleasing and glorifying to God.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
 

If you need further convincing about why I'm concerned about Halloween, read Dr. Albert Mohler's article  concerning the dark side of Halloween and you'll see that Halloween is not just for fun and dress up, it's a portal for the devil to enter and that's enough for me to have nothing to do with Halloween. http://www.albertmohler.com/2012/10/29/christianity-and-the-dark-side-what-about-halloween-4/

Resources:
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/ask-pastor-john/what-are-your-thoughts-on-halloween
http://churchhistoryabcs.com/index.html 
http://stayathomemyheart.wordpress.com/2007/10/19/reformation-day-party-ideas/
http://www.ligonier.org/blog/what-reformation-day-all-about/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=%2Breformation%20%2Bday&utm_content=!acq!v2!s-b-7790359824-2237709624&utm_campaign=Category++-+US+-+Seasonal&gclid=CKqK3Oq5n7MCFXGRPAodNC8ApQ

Happy Reformation Day!

 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6 

This verse as well as with many other verses concerning speech have come to my mind lately as I've prayerfully tried to communicate on a very controversial topic. A few days ago I wrote about my thoughts on Halloween and asked others to share theirs. It quickly became apparent that even though I share the same foundation of grace with friends, our thoughts on this topic are very different. While surprised at first, I later calmed down reminding myself that I shouldn't be surprised for God gives us all very unique circumstances that bring us to the convictions and passions we hold. I shouldn't be surprised when others view things differently than me, especially since there was a time when my views on Halloween were much different than now. It does seem that there's a lack of understanding among Christians about church history, especially the great significance of the protestant reformation. Perhaps knowing more about this epic event in history would spark a change in minds. It's a huge topic to understand and it took many years for me to fully understand the ramifications and even now my level of knowledge is minimal but it's great enough to wholeheartedly say "Happy Reformation  Day!" instead of "Happy Halloween". 

Resources for learning more about the reformation, the first is free (at least today):

http://www.ligonier.org/blog/reformation-day-free-download-rc-sprouls-luther-and-reformation/

http://www.ligonier.org/blog/what-reformation-day-all-about/

 The true treasure of the church is the Holy gospel of the glory and the grace of God. Martin Luther (62 of his 95 Theses nailed to the Wittenberg Chapel door 495 years ago)

 

 

 

 

A Life of Love

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;  it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

Events in life often intertwine, connecting different situations in most interesting ways. Recently, two different events brought me to 1 Corninthians 13, the first was writing verses 4-7 on small signs for my daughter's wedding, and the second was preparing for Bible Study which lead me to read a sermon on Heaven by Jonathan Edwards where he begins with verses 8-10. Although the former verses were very familiar to me, the later verses held something I'd never considered before. 

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 1 Corinthians 13:8-10

Edwards in his sermon "Heaven, a World of Love" richly sermonizes a life of love. Focusing on "when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away" he shows us the great difference there is with imperfect love on earth and how glorious and wonderful perfect love will be in Heaven. Here is how Edwards concludes his sermon:

 "See that you live a life of love — of love to God, and love to men. All of us hope to have part in the world of love hereafter, and therefore we should cherish the spirit of love, and live a life of holy love here on earth. This is the way to be like the inhabitants of heaven, who are now confirmed in love forever. Only in this way can you be like them in excellence and loveliness, and like them, too, in happiness, and rest, and joy. By living in love in this world you may be like them, too, in sweet and holy peace, and thus have, on earth, the foretastes of heavenly pleasures and delights. Thus, also, you may have a sense of the glory of heavenly things, as of God, and Christ, and holiness; and your heart be disposed and opened by holy love to God, and by the spirit of peace and love to men, to a sense of the excellence and sweetness of all that is to be found in heaven. Thus shall the windows of heaven be as it were opened, so that its glorious light shall shine in upon your soul. Thus you may have the evidence of your fitness for that blessed world, and that you are actually on the way to its possession. And being thus made meet, through grace, for the inheritance of the saints in light, when a few more days shall have passed away, you shall be with them in their blessedness forever. Happy, thrice happy those, who shall thus be found faithful to the end, and then shall be welcomed to the joy of their Lord! There “they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and lead them to living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”

The entire sermon is here: http://www.biblebb.com/files/edwards/charity16.htm 

May you be encouraged and blessed as you consider the significance of a life of Love.

Thoughts Concerning "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy

If a book makes you weep, that's a sure sign of the profound impact the writing has. Cormac McCarthy's unique style of writing powerfully brings the reader close to the real world. Never have I experienced such clarity and reality while reading. Though other books have caused emotion in me, the results have not lingered nearly as much as with Cormac McCarthy's book "The Road".

As I consider this book and what it means to life, I really wish some of my closest, dearest Christian brothers and sisters would read it for there is so much I’d like to talk with you about. But then I think, this book contains such horrible scenes, why would I want to subject anyone to that? And here's my answer: I want you to see reality in a way that perhaps you've not ever seen before. I want you to not just know what depravity is but I want you to see it, but there is something much better, more wonderful that I want you to see, and you'll see it more acutely against the darkness. What I want you to see is perseverance sustained by love and hope, and good shining brighter next to the darkest abode. Though the story is tainted by lostness, good still shines through. This is reality, for our world contains many horrible scenes but it's not left alone –  thankfully, we are not in hell. God is here, and it’s only because of Him that we are not enduring eternal hell. He carries us through even in the darkest times, and we can trust that no matter how bad things might get He will sustain those who know Him for He will never leave us.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2

 

Whether it be the writing style that may annoy some readers, it's the disturbing subject matter that will greatly trouble those reading this very, very powerful book. And with this in mind, this book is not for everyone. For those curious about the book but not wanting to read it, or those considering reading it but wanting to know more about the book, the following links by Christians will give an overview of the book, information about Cormac McCarthy and his writing, and how the Bible is woven into the writing. The book was also made into a movie that closely resembles the book, but it fails to show the most valuable, powerful part of the book which is love and hope. Only McCarthy with his unique style of prose is able to do this.

Tim Challies' review - scroll down to "The Road"

http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/pulitzer-prize-winners

Mike Cosper's article about McCarthy's books and why Christians can benefit from his books

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/02/09/cormac-mccarthy-judges-in-the-american-canon/

'The Life We Long For" by James Hamilton
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/03/29/the-life-we-long-for-on-cormac-mccarthys-the-road/

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18