Recommended Reading:
Friday, June 05, 2009
Music videos - don't pattern after those things! We need spontaneous worship.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Prosperity Drug - Margaret Manning
The catchy beat was disarming. Driving down the highway with my hands tapping out the rhythm on my steering wheel, I thought this was just another clever pop tune with bubblegum lyrics. Then the words to the chorus caught my attention:
“I don’t know what’s right and what’s real anymore
I don’t know how I’m meant to feel anymore
When we think it will all become clearI’m being taken over by The Fear.”(1)
This song sung by the young British pop star, Lily Allen, was not just another slickly produced tune without substance. Allen sings of the destructive impact of materialism:
“I want to be rich and I want lots of money
I want loads of clothes and loads of diamonds
I heard people die while they are trying to find them
Life’s about film stars and less about mothers
It’s all about fast cars and passing each other
But it doesn’t matter because I’m packing plastic
and that’s what makes my life so fantastic
And I am a weapon of massive consumptionand
it’s not my fault it’s how I’m programmed to function
I don’t know what’s right and what’s real anymore
I don’t know how I’m meant to feel anymore
Cause I’m being taken over by fear.”
Among other things, the song laments the vacuity of mindless consumption and its pervasiveness in our society. Consumption, as Allen points out, can be like any other form of addiction, providing an initial high that hooks us, but never again delivers what it promises. Instead, it leads us down the path toward diminishing returns and never ultimately calms our fear.
Over 200 years before Ms. Allen stepped onto the pop music scene in the United Kingdom, John Wesley articulated the dangers of materialism. “I fear, wherever riches have increased,” he wrote, “the essence of religion has decreased in the same proportion. Therefore, I do not see how it is possible, in the nature of things, for any revival of religion to continue long....[A]s riches increase, so will pride, anger and love of the world in all its branches."(2) Even as thousands and thousands were joining his ranks, he spoke prophetically about the inevitable decline and dissolution of this revival as a result of the increase of wealth arising from Christian diligence and frugality.
Indeed, it is well known to students of human societies that an increase in prosperity often brings with it a precipitous decline in religious involvement. After all, why would anyone need God when there is Master Card and Visa? The declining numbers in churches in the Western World seem to affirm that Wesley’s fears were warranted. Christian leaders speculate that if current trends continue in England, for example, Methodists will cease to exist in that country in thirty years.(3) Of course, long before Wesley uttered his fears, Jesus warned his disciples: “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and riches” (Luke 16:13). Jesus warns of the idolatry that so easily entraps us, luring us away from faithful allegiance.
We might be tempted to avoid these difficult warnings in times of economic “slow down.” How can we be tempted to serve “the master” of money, after all, when we have so much less of it? Yet even in its absence, we can find our hearts soothed more by money than by God and behold the signs of a dangerous dependence. When our hearts find salvation and security in having more and more material gain--whether we actually hold it or not--we are reminded of “the deceitfulness of riches” and the narcotic effects of material success.
Thus clearly, the abolition of wealth or production is not the answer to materialism! Rather, the answer lies in the proper use of wealth in our world: as a blessing for others and not just for our own use. Jesus instructed disciples to “sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves purses which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven....For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:33-34).
John Wesley understood this, too, and in the spirit of Jesus reiterates the same idea: “We ought not to forbid people to be diligent and frugal: we must exhort all Christians, to gain all they can, and to save all they can... What way then (I ask again) can we take that our money may not sink us to the nethermost hell? There is one way, and there is no other under heaven. If those who gain all they can, and save all they can, will likewise give all they can, then the more they gain, the more they will grow in grace, and the more treasure they will lay up in heaven.”(4)
In difficult economic times, this is far from unnecessary counsel. It may be, in fact, the very idea that finally breaks the chains of addiction and reveals a far better treasure.
Margaret Manning is a member of the speaking and writing team at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Seattle, Washington. (1) Lily Allen, “The Fear” from It’s Not Me, It’s You, Regal Records, United Kingdom, January 26, 2009.(2) Cited in an article by Philip Yancey, "Traveling with Wesley" Christianity Today, November 2007, vol. 51, No. 11.(3)Ibid.(4) Cited from The Works of the Rev. John Wesley, vol. XV (London: Thomas Cordeux, 1786).
© 2008 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. All Rights Reserved.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day
Words:
bio("Julia W. Howe","h/o/w/howe_jw")
Julia W. Howe, 1861, alt.
This hymn was born during the American civil war, when Howe visited a Union Army camp on the Potomac River near Washington, D. C. She heard the soldiers singing the song “John Brown’s Body,” and was taken with the strong marching beat. She wrote the words the next day:
I awoke in the grey of the morning, and as I lay waiting for dawn, the long lines of the desired poem began to entwine themselves in my mind, and I said to myself, “I must get up and write these verses, lest I fall asleep and forget them!” So I sprang out of bed and in the dimness found an old stump of a pen, which I remembered using the day before. I scrawled the verses almost without looking at the paper.
The hymn appeared in the Atlantic Monthly in 1862. It was sung at the funerals of British statesman Winston Churchill, American senator Robert Kennedy, and American presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon.
Music: John Brown’s Body, possibly by John William Steffe
lmn("j/o/John%20Browns%20Body")
(MIDI, score). John Brown was an American abolitionist who led a short lived insurrection to free the slaves.
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His day is marching on.
I have read a fiery Gospel writ in burnished rows of steel;
“As ye deal with My contemners, so with you My grace shall deal”;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Since God is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet;
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free;[originally …let us die to make men free]
While God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! While God is marching on.
He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.
WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN
Words:
bio("Eliza E. Hewitt","h/e/w/hewitt_ees")
Eliza E. Hewitt, in Pentecostal Praises, by
bio("William Kirkpatrick","k/i/r/kirkpatrick_wj")
William Kirkpatrick and
bio("Henry Gilmour","g/i/gilmour_hl")
Henry Gilmour (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Hall-Mack Company, 1898).
Music:
bio("Emily D. Wilson","w/i/l/wilson_ed")
Emily D. Wilson
lmn("h/e/Heaven")
(MIDI, score).
fot("Emily Wilson")
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace.
In the mansions bright and blessèd
He’ll prepare for us a place.
Refrain
When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when traveling days are over,
Not a shadow, not a sigh.
Refrain
Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.
Refrain
Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open;
We shall tread the streets of gold.
Refrain
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Politically Correct Hymns
Mainline Protestant denominations are engaging in a publishing frenzy to see who can produce the most politically correct hymnal for today's church-goer. The traditional language of worship is being revised in order to be more gender-neutral, and to avoid the possibility of minorities and people with disabilities being offended by what has been deemed "antiquated" language. For example:
= The phrase "right hand of God" has been changed to "mighty" or "strong" hand of God, so that no left-handed people won't feel insulted.
= The words "darkness" or "blind" can no longer be used to symbolize spiritual ignorance.
= No longer appropriate are such terms as "Lord;" "Ruler," "King," and "Master," when referring to the Almighty. A truly democratic God is now addressed as the "All-inclusive One," "Great Spirit," "Architect Divine," or "Source of Being." On a more personal level, God is ferquently referred to as "Mother" and "Partner."
= Rarely are personal pronouns applied to Christ, and hymns such as "Crown Him With Many Crowns" now appears as "Crown With Your Richest Crowns."
= Jesus is referred to as "God's only Child" rather than "God's Only Son."
< Other changes made to old favorites include "Faith of Our Fathers," which is now "Faith of the Martyrs." "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind," now appears as "Dear God, embrace Humankind."
< In Isaac Watts' beautiful hymn "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," the phrase "On which the Prince of glory died" has been replaced by "On which the Christ of glory died."
< And in "Just As I Am," all reference to being "poor, wretched, and blind" has been eliminated.
The fastest-selling of these new hymnals is The New Century Hymnal, published by the United Church of Christ. The use of the hymnal is not mandatory among the 6,200 congregation of the UCC, but already more than 250,000 of this edition have been sold, some to other denominations. This hymnal is praised because it "balances the masculine and feminine images of God, and sometimes refers to God as "Her."
Thomas Smith, executive director of the Fort Worth, Texas-based Hymn Society of the United States and Canada (http://www.thehymnsociety.org/), has estimated that 90 percent of denominations have already adopted a new hymnal, or are now preparing one.
Of course, not all new hymnals will embrace such a dramatic shift in biblical theology. But the fact that such lunacy is considered acceptable by a significant number of Protestant congregations signifies just how far denominations have turned from the Word of God.
--Editors note: This article was taken from the August 1996 edition of Believers News - A publication of Believers International - obviously from a few years back, but definitely food for thought. Pass it on by clicking the envelope below.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The Purpose of Church Music
Biblically, the aim of our music is to:
- Praise the Lord (Psalm 69:30)
- Worship the Lord (Psalm 66:4)
- Remind believers of the goodness of God (Psalm 145:7)
- Reflect our personal thankfulness for what He has done (Psalm 28:7)
- Teach sound doctrine (Deuteronomy 31:19-22, Colossians 3:16)
- Be a convicting testimony to the lost (Psalm 40:1-3)
Please note some of the concepts that are conspicuously absent from the previous list. Church music is NOT about:
- Entertaining
- Drawing a crowd for a special occasion
- Appealing to a worldly audience
- Hosting concert tours
- Raising money
- Selling recordings
- Increasing weekly church attendance
- Keeping the interest of young people
- Impressing visitors
- Creating newsworthy events
- Manipulating the emotions of the congregation
- Creating interludes or "bumper music" between events
- Promoting "Christian" celebrities
- Giving favors or positions of prominence to certain church members
Monday, April 20, 2009
Bible guidelines for Christian Music:
Here's a summary of Bible guidelines for Christian Music:
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my SONG will I PRAISE him.Psalm 28:7
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts TO THE LORD. Colossians 3:16
I will sing a NEW SONG unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. Psalm 144:9
I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the UNDERSTANDING also. 1 Cor. 14:15
Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. Psalm 66:2
Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the CHURCH will I sing praise unto thee. Hebrew 2:12
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and SPIRITUAL songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; |
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter Morning - Up From The Grave He Arose

Music: Robert Lowry, 1826-1899
Tune: CHRIST AROSE, Meter: 65.64 with Refrain
1. Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior, Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
Refrain: Up from the grave he arose; With a mighty triumph o'er his foes; He arose a victor from the dark domain, And he lives forever, with his saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
2. Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior, Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord! (Refrain) 3. Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior; He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord! (Refrain)
Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
All creation joins to say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, O heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now your sting? Alleluia!
Dying once, He all doth save, Alleluia!
Where your victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Things That Are To Be
154 Satan, you are defeated. You are a defeated being. Jesus Christ conquered you at Calvary. You have no power. You're a bluff. We're calling your hand, tonight. In the Name of Jesus Christ, come out of this people here, you sickness and diseases. And may they go, free, in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
155 Hallelujah! Feel the glory of God! Feel your prayer answered. You believe God answered the person setting by you? How many believe it? Raise up your hands. [Congregation rejoices--Ed.] There you are. Oh, wonderful!
| I love Him, I... | ||||
| Because He first loved... | ||||
156 How many of you feel that God has forgiven your iniquities, the things that you've done? "And from this night on, O Lamb of God, I promise to walk upright. I'll walk in honor of the Name that I'm called, a Christian, Christ-like life. I'll raise my hands, God. I dedicate myself anew to You, tonight. I'll walking in the Light." Amen.
| We'll walk in the Light, beautiful Light, | ||||
| Come where the dewdrops of mercy are bright; | ||||
| Shine all around us, by day and by night, | ||||
| Jesus, the Light of the world. | ||||
| We'll walk in the Light, It's such a beautiful Light, | ||||
| It comes where the dewdrops... | ||||
| Shine all around us, by day and by night, | ||||
| Jesus, the Light of the world. | ||||
| Come, all ye saints of Light proclaim, | ||||
| Jesus, the Light of the world; | ||||
| Truth and mercy in His Name, | ||||
| Jesus, the Light of the world. | ||||
| We'll walk in the Light, such a beautiful Light, | ||||
| Comes where the dewdrops of mercy are bright; | ||||
| Shine all around us, by day and by night, | ||||
| Jesus, the Light of the world. | ||||
| We'll walk in the Light, such a beautiful Light, | ||||
| Comes where... (God bless you, brother.)... of mercy are bright; | ||||
| Shine all around us, by day and by night, | ||||
| Jesus, the Light of the world. | ||||
| Oh, it's such a beautiful Light, | ||||
| And It comes where the dewdrop of mercy are bright; | ||||
| Oh, shine all around us, by day and by night, | ||||
| Jesus, the Light of the world. | ||||
| My faith looks up to Thee, | ||||
| Thou Lamb of Calva-... | ||||
| Saviour Divine; | ||||
| Now hear me while I pray, | ||||
| Take all my sins away, | ||||
| O let me from this day | ||||
| Be wholly Thine! | ||||
| While life's dark maze I tread, | ||||
| And grief around me spread, | ||||
| Oh, be Thou my Guide; | ||||
| Bid darkness turn to day, | ||||
| Wipe sorrow's fears away, | ||||
| Nor let me ever stray | ||||
| From Thee aside. | ||||
| Pass me not, O gentle Saviour, | ||||
| Hear my humble cry. | ||||
158 One time they was trying to get her. She didn't--she didn't do like the Pentecostal Elvis Presley, sell her birthrights for a mess of Cadillacs. She... Come to her and wanted her to write--write worldly songs. She said, "I would not do it, for nothing."
Said, "Why, you're blind. When you get to Heaven, how you know?"
She turned around, inspiration, so she said:
| I shall know Him, I shall know Him, | ||||
| And redeemed by His side I shall stand; | ||||
| I shall know Him, I shall know (How?) | ||||
| By the prints of the nails in His... | ||||
| I shall know Him, I shall know Him, | ||||
| And redeemed by His side I shall stand; | ||||
| I shall know Him, I shall know Him | ||||
| By the print of the nails in His hand. | ||||
160 Little children in travail now, re-obey the commandments of God. And pastor, here, if none of you has been baptized, the water will be ready. And--and membership for the church, or whatever you want to do, or whatever, you do it. You haven't got the baptism, the Holy Ghost, this is the night to receive It. Don't you believe that? [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.]
161 "Oh," you say, "Brother Branham, it's late. You done preached too long."
Paul preached all night, one night, this same kind of Message. And a little... A young man fell off of the wall and killed himself. And Paul, so anointed with that same kind of Message, laid his body upon him, and the life come back into him again. He is still "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever."
Don't you love Him? [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.] Let's just, once more, with our hands up, "I love Him. I love Him."
Where's the pianist? There, if you will, sister, ever who it is. Give us the little chord, if you will.
How many love Him? Just raise your hand. Say, "I really love Him. I just love Him, with--with all my heart. I love Him."
162 Now let's just sing it, to the glory of God. Now, with our eyes closed, our hands up to Heaven, "I love Him. I love Him." We'll worship Him. When you preach, and cut, and tear, and pull like that, this is the balm that God pours in, just heals. "There's a Balm in Gilead, for the soul." Let's sing it now. Give us the chord.
| I love Him, I love Him | ||||
| Because He first loved me | ||||
| And purchased my salvation | ||||
| On Calvary's tree. | ||||
| I love Him. | ||||
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