Below is a conversation, an electronic dialogue between a father and his daughter who was away at college. The girl was attending a Christian college as was herbrother. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.
Daughter: “Morning dad, I just heard that Alex (the father’s son/the girl’s brother) is going to get a tattoo of a cross on his back…I don’t know if I should say anything to him or not… Father: “WHAT!!! YES, you should!” Daughter: “What should I say?” Father: “Tell him, ‘DON’T DO IT!!!!!’ Tell him he should call me, please! Daughter: “Hahahahahahaha APRIL FOOLS!” :D
A little levity and just some fun and games, but the truth is the heart might need to be shocked after that kind of news. For years stories have been told and tricks have been pulled on an unaware victim, only to hear the trickster say those two, annual words…’April Fools.’
We have all been subject to an April fool’s joke, especially if you have children or siblings. Of course if the truth be told, we all have undoubtedly played our share of jokes on someone we love. No harm in having a little fun, but when is too much, too much? Are we guilty of laughing at someone’s expense? Do we tease and cause harm for the sake of a laugh. If we aren’t careful with the way we treat one another, we may unwittingly hurt those we’d never want to hurt. What might be a harmless ruse can cause a loss of trust.
Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with teasing every now and again, and an annual April Fool’s joke might be just the thing to bring a smile to someone’s day. But we must be careful how much bantering we do to our friends and family. Perhaps the thing to keep in mind comes from the pen of Paul as he wrote to the church in Ephesus. Chapter 5; “…be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you…there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”
We can and do have fun with each other. Good-natured fun (as my grandmother used to call it) can be refreshing, but be careful it doesn’t get out of hand. In other words, don’t be foolish in the manner in which you treat others. And as a side note; kids, if you want to play an April Fools joke on your dad, don’t do it via text…once they pick themselves off the floor, they’ll start noticing more gray hairs.
As a child your parents undoubtedly told you when to go to bed, when to get up, what to wear and where to go. That’s the job of a mom and dad. And as a child, you did what your parents told you to do…or at least you should have.
But what happens when you grow past the point of being told…it’s time to brush your teeth and get ready for bed? What do I do when no one tells me to make my bed, will I? No one says, ‘pick up your clothes.’ Will I? For most young people today who are out on their own, they will eventually have to answer the questions. But to be honest, that’s only the beginning of the questions they’ll have to face. Outside of the hours they’re going to sleep or what they’re going to wear, they are faced with that first time realization of who am I going to be?
Who I am will be strongly determined by who my friends are. My choices in life will be closely linked with the influences and attitudes with which I associate. On Sunday, March 23rd, the sermon at Waterview church of Christ (Be Careful Who Your Friends Are) offered a strong understanding of this concept. (Click on the website to listen to it www.waterview.org.) From the earliest age of our children, we must help them decide what kind of friends they’ll have. Those early choices will eventually determine what kind of life they’ll live and what kind of ‘god’ they’ll serve. It is my strong opinion that the friends you choose will form the life you live. And the life you live will determine the God you serve. As our young people set their priorities, my prayer is that they will ask this one simple question; “What will I do?”
The question is not new, it’s been asked for generations. On an early morning over 2000 years ago this question was asked about our Savior, Jesus Christ. He was on trial before Pilate, and Pilate (being no friend of the Jewish leaders) was called upon to determine the fate of the “King of the Jews.” Since Pilate was a man of authority, he did what any legislator would do; he questioned, investigated, interviewed and then drew his conclusion. According to Luke chapter 23, verse 14 he said, “I have found no guilt in this man…” And, he knew what should be done with an innocent man; release him. But his decision was met with massive disapproval. Now consider this; have you ever made a thoughtful decision only to have your ‘friends’ disapprove? If the choice you make is godly, and your friends don’t like it…you might want to reconsider your friends. At the same time, if your decision is ungodly and yet your friends like it…still, you might want to reconsider your friends.
When the leaders of the Jewish people pushed back with their opinion concerning Jesus, Pilate broken down and asked the same question concerning the Messiah, “…what shall I do with Jesus?” (Matt. 27:22) Pilate’s decision is documented within the pages of the Bible, but the jury is still out with many of our young people today. Most have grown up in homes that give specific directions. They are taught and told what to do and when to do it. But as adults we all have to make the decision concerning life, friends and God!
Jesus is standing in Pilate’s hall – Friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all: Hearken! what meaneth the sudden call? What will you do with Jesus? Chorus: What will you do with Jesus my friend? Neutral you cannot be; Some day your heart will be asking, “What will He do with me?”
Jesus is standing on trial still, You can be false to Him if you will, You can be faithful through good or ill: What will you do with Jesus? Chorus:
Will you evade Him as Pilate tried? Or will you choose Him, whate’er betide? Vainly you struggle from Him to hide: What will you do with Jesus? Chorus:
Will you, like Peter, your Lord deny? Or will you scorn from His foes to fly, Daring for Jesus to live or die? What will you do with Jesus? Chorus:
“Jesus, I give Thee my heart today! Jesus, I’ll follow Thee all the way, Gladly obeying Thee!” will you say: “This will I do with Jesus!” Chorus: What will you do with Jesus my friend? Neutral you cannot be; Some day your heart will be asking, “What will He do with me?”
Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth was, at times, very pointed. This church struggled with factions (chapter 1, verse 11), immorality (chapter 5), immaturity (chapter 3) and abuse of the Lord’s Supper (chapter 11). To be honest, certainly these are things we struggle with today. But one statement he makes in the 15th chapter can attribute to all these alignments. “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (I Corinthians 15:33)
As a young boy, my daddy kept a live trap line that would snare opossum, raccoons, squirrels and other small ‘critters.’ Each morning before going to school he would check his traps, and on occasion he would find a skunk. When that skunk would ‘leave its mark,’ daddy would go to school without being able to remove the after effects of his morning’s work. (In the 1940’s you took a bath every Saturday night, not Tuesday morning before school.) Needless to say, when he arrived at the school house, everyone knew ‘who’ he had been with. In true fatherly form my daddy left me with this nugget of truth…”Know this, if you’re going to run with the skunks, you’re going to stink.”
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, March 23, 2014
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“Come, Thou Almighty King” – 19
A strong hymn of praise as we sing to our God. Asking Him to help us to sing and praise. Asking Him to come hear our prayer, and come and bless His people. These first two verses we’re asking for intersession and His marvels working in our lives. But the third verse is a focus of praise on His ‘sovereign majesty.’ Would that we daily…love and adore Him…
“O Come Let Us Adore Him” – 264
Picking up where the previous song leaves off we sing…“O come let us adore Him…we’ll praise His name forever…For He alone is worthy!” Lift your voice and join us in songs of praise!
“Night with Ebon Pinion” – no book
Night had fallen as Christ and His disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane. In this song, notice the poetry as we sing of the dark wings of night (night with ebon pinon) settling over the valley (brooded o’er the vale). Each verse exhibits a scene in the garden where Jesus prayed. Especially we read verse 3, “Abba, Father, Father, if indeed it may, let this cup of anguish pass from Me I pray. Yet if it must be suffered, by Me, Thine only Son, Abba Father, Father, let Thy will be done.” Now read the scripture… “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” Mark 14:36
“Ancient Words” – no book
“Holy words, ever true, changing me and changing you. We have come with open hearts, O let the ancient words impart.” How open are our hearts to God’s word? Do we just sing these words or do we truly understand and come ready to have God’s word imparted upon us?
“Bind Us Together” – 704
Sung since the mid-1970’s, this hymn has been asking God to keep us (His children) be more united. There is only one God, only one King (Jesus) and only one body (the church). Let’s focus on staying together and understand God is not divided…I Corinthians 1:10, “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
“We Will Glorify” – 578
As a ramp up to our lesson this morning we sing…“we will glorify the King of Kings, we will glorify the Lamb.” Written by Twila Paris in the 1980’s, this spiritual song has been the inspiration to many as we sing about God’s glory and majesty. He is the great I AM!
“Take Time to be Holy” – 731
Perhaps not your typical ‘invitation song’, we do sing this song of encouragement to each other. Encouraging each another to pray often (speak oft with thy Lord), read the Bible (feed on His word), fellowship with other Christians (make friends of God’s children) and help those who are less fortunate (help those who are weak). We’ll sing all three verses this morning as we strive to prepare ourselves for our heavenly home (to be ‘fitted for service above.’)
“Blest Be the Tie that Binds” – 711
This spiritual song was written in 1782 by John Fawcett, a preacher who was leaving his church home. This closing song echoes of the love we have for each other. Would that we truly feel pain when we part ways, but it seems more likely we’ll just say, “see you next week.” As God’s family, His children, we share a bond that is deeper than anything on this earth. But if you’re not careful, your friendship with the world will cause your ties with Christian brothers to weaken and eventually break. It’s kind of like running with the skunks, people will know you by ‘how you smell.’ So you see it is true, you really should…Be Careful Who Your Friends Are!
Have you ever stopped to consider how words, though spelled alike, have a different meaning? It’s easy to see how words like post can mean something you write or something you dig a hole for. Or how stalk, can be a part of a plant or it could mean to follow someone. How about the word yard, or jam, or left, or right, or match, or crane…you see the list goes on and on. These words are commonly referred to as homonyms; words that are both spelled and pronounced the same, but have different means.
Obviously, we find homonyms in some of the songs we sing as well. You might remember singing the word ‘beguile’ in a song or two. This is a word we must know what it means if we’re going to sing it. Notice the second verse of the song, Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen:
“When somebody has been so unkind to you, some word spoken that pierces you through and through. Think how He was beguiled, spat upon and reviled, let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you.” The word beguiled means to trick, deceive or cheat. Could it be said that when Jesus was on trial he was cheated? Certainly; taken by night, accused by false witnesses, lied about. We can see how ‘he was beguiled’ but what about another song with the same word, could we possibly be using the same meaning?
“Sing on, ye joyful pilgrims, while here on earth we stay; let songs of home and Jesus beguile each fleeting day…” The word beguile means to trick or deceive or cheat. Would that mean songs about home and Jesus are nothing more than a deception? You know that using that definition would be a misrepresentation of Jesus’ love. Instead, this is where the ‘other’ definition comes in. Beguile can also mean, ‘to pass time pleasantly.’ We sing about our home in heaven and remember our Savior; and those thoughts alone can help us pass the time pleasantly in our life.
But let’s consider another song with a more obscure homonym, The Lily of the Valley…(verse 2) “Oh, He all my griefs have taken and all my sorrows borne; in temptation He’s my strong and might tower. I have all for Him forsaken and all my idols torn from my heart and now He keeps me by His power. Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore, thru Jesus I shall safely reach the goal…” Though you might have noticed more than one homonym, let’s see what Satan is doing to us directly. We sang, “…though Satan tempt me sore…” What kind of sore could that mean? Is it referencing what most would consider ‘causing sorrow or misery?’ Though Satan does cause me sorrow and pain in temptations, perhaps there is another meaning to this ‘sore.’
Written in 1881, Charles W. Fry was in his mid-forties and only months away from death. As he would have been familiar with a more rustic and rural life style, Fry may have also seen a different meaning to the word sore. Truly he would have known this to be a word depicting pain, but perhaps he also knew this word had another connotation. He may very well have known that sore(d) meant to, ‘mutilate the legs or feet of (a horse) in order to induce a particular gait in the animal.’ With this added definition let’s consider the message of the song; “…though all the world forsake me and Satan tempt me (so as to make me walk the way he wants me to), thru Jesus I shall safely reach the goal…” Satan does ‘tempt me sore’ that’s true. But we should never let him change from our walk with Christ!
And it’s true, we do hurt when we face trials and temptations, but know that Satan wants to do more damage to you other than just ‘making you hurt.’ He is trying to change your gait (a person’s particular manner of walking). His evil desire is to ‘mutilate’ your legs (your heart) so badly that you will eventually change your way of walking. But that’s when we remember the next line of this hymn, “….thru (with) Jesus I shall safely reach the goal.” There are more to our psalms, hymns and spiritual songs than we sometimes realize. Spend time reading, learning and understanding the words you sing as you praise God and edify one another.
If asked to name some ‘preachers’ from the Bible, who would you come up with? Some from the New Testament would be Peter & Paul for sure (not to mention John the Baptizer, and of course Jesus, the Christ). Even within the pages of the Old Testament we read about “The Preacher” understanding that to be King Solomon. But you can’t forget the prophets of old or even Noah as having preached to the people. So Sunday morning, which “Two Preachers” might we be considering?
Paul was a mentor to Timothy and helped groom him to be a preacher of the Word. Throughout the book of Acts we read about their relationship as they journeyed through life. But look again at Paul’s words to his friend in 2 Timothy 4; “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” Come and learn a lesson from these two preachers.
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, March 9, 2014
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah!” – 3
Taken from the 148th Psalm, this ‘psalm’ is a clear praise to God. But who is called to praise God? From the text we’ll sing, “Praise Him, all His angels…Praise Him, sun and moon…Praise Him, sea monsters…fire and hail…beast and cattle…kings of earth…young men and maidens…Old men and children.” According to the scriptures, all living things praise God. Maybe you should ask yourself, “Am I praising God?” Our chorus is found in the 13th verse; “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted.”
“Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen in Me” – 722
When people see you, what do they see? My grandmother often told me to be careful how I acted, because, “you may be the only Bible some people will ever read.” At the same time I’ve heard it said, by the way you live your life, you may be the only sermon some people will ever hear.
“God Has Smiled on Me” – 118
A short, simple contemporary song that gives assurance to the singer and the listener both. “God has smiled on me, He has set me free…He’s been good to me.” God blesses us (smiles on us), but do you smile knowing God smiles on you? ‘Amazing grace, how sweet the sound’ can be sung to this too as well…very fitting I think.
“Why Did My Savior Come to Earth” – 382
We sing this spiritual song and in the first verse we ask the haunting question, “WHY”. Why did Jesus come to save mankind? Why come as a poor baby to a dark, heartless world? Why leave His royalty and power to die a paupers death? Why? You know the answer because you’ve sung it since you were a child…“Jesus loves me this I know…” As we sing this song, think about the chorus and WHY would Jesus do that me?
“There is a Balm in Gilead” – 961
An old spiritual song that finds it’s basis in Jeremiah chapter 8. As the Israelites struggle in captivity they cry out, “Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there?” The song writing gives us reassurance as we sing, “There is a balm in Gilead, to make the wounded whole.” For clarification consider Matthew 9:12 when Jesus said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.”
“Soldiers of Christ, Arise” – 647
Before our lesson, as soldier’s of Christ, let’s stand up! (Both physically, but more importantly spiritual.) Notice the verses of this familiar song and how we are singing about the armor of God. But let me encourage you to take care as you sing the third verse; how much of the armor we should be putting on is stated at the conclusion of this verse…‘the panoply’ is the answer.
“Let Him Have His Way with Thee” – no book
Our invitation song asked the question, who is in control of your life? As you live each day…will you live it for Jesus? Will you be pure and good? Will you ‘follow at His call?’ How about the ‘providential test’, how will you do on that one? Maybe you’d better ask yourself what the providential test really is. The chorus is critical as we conclude this song. You know that; 1) “His power can make you what you ought to be, 2) His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free, 3) His love can fill your soul and you will see…” but will you let Him have His way with you?
“Footsteps of Jesus” – 416
Closing this morning we’ll encourage each other to follow in the steps of Jesus. Just like Paul did for Timothy, so we must continually admonish each other to preach (live) a life that honors God. Follow in the steps of Jesus as you learn a lesson from these two preachers!
College days in the small west-Texas town of Lubbock seem like a life time ago. But the memories created with that group of men and women on that small campus will be etched in my mind forever. The Acappella Chorus under the direction of Dr. Wayne Hinds was my main stay for four years. Studying in the Education Department with Dr. Joyce Hardin, and the Bible Department with Dr. Leon Crouch seem like a memory of days long ago at ‘good ole LCC.’ But there was another group that captured a good share of my time on this campus. A group of men who shared a unique fellowship together; a social club by the name of KOINONIA. We were proud of our club and the legacy we shared. On our jerseys and on our pledge badges we worn the Greek name for fellowship. We understood the definition to be simply, ‘Christian fellowship (sharing mutual interest) or communion with God.’ And that was our objective, our goal… communion with God and with one another.
But now those old shirts have faded, and the miles have come between many of us. And unfortunately, the fellowship for many of us has failed too. Some, have left the faith they once cherished while others, after re-examining their belief, lost the ‘shared mutual interest’ of other Christians. Yet for those of us who still hold fast to a true communion with God and His people, will forever trust Him and follow the pattern set forth in His Word. We have maintained a walk with Christ that doesn’t turn to the right or to the left (Deuteronomy 28:14); a narrow walk with Him (Matthew 7:14).
Unfortunately, some assume since this walk is narrow and there’s not much give (turning from side to side) that they’re alone and walking without support. A feeling even Elijah felt in I Kings 19, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of host; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left…” With desperation staring him in the face, Elijah was certain his ‘fellowship’ was gone. But we must never forget that we have an enormous cloud of witnesses who have passed ahead of us. There is a fellowship of believers who walk daily in the truth of God’s word. But even if there were no other hand to hold, no other strong arm to lean on…we have fellowship with Christ. I John 1:3 provides the basis of our assurance; “…what we have seen andheard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.”
“What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms; What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms; Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms; I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus, safe and secure from all alarms… Leaning on the everlasting arms.”
Where is your fellowship? Who will you lean on during the dark days of dread? This world may offer you some fond memories and deep treasures, but never lose the ‘mutual interest’ of the One who can make your life worth living. Find KOINONIA with the Father and with Christ’s church. Look to Him, and never be alone.
The formal wedding ceremony is one we are all familiar with. But this morning we’ll look at a very different ‘wedding’ found within the pages of God’s word. Consider this thought; would you marry someone you’ve never met? It’s one thing to have an arranged marriage, but what if the first look you have at your wife is her coming to you behind a veil? (Maybe this is where we get the idea of the wedding veil.)
In Genesis 24, following the death of his wife Sarah, Abraham gives directions to his ‘oldest’ servant to go back to his homeland (Ur of the Chaldeans) and look for a wife for his son, Issac. The instructions are clear and God’s providential work is amazing to read. But the faith of these men is something to consider. To make a long story short; a girl is found, Rebecca, and she goes along with a stranger, Abraham’s servant, to meet a stranger, Issac, whom she will marry on sight, no pun intended. Reading the whole account in Genesis 24:1-67 gives new meaning to…’marrying a stranger.’
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, February 16, 2014
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“All Things Praise Thee” – 43
“All things praise Thee, Lord most high, heaven and earth and sea and sky…All things praise Thee night to night…and day by day…All things praise Thee, heaven’s high shrine (seraph & archangels)…” This song identifies those who praise God from within His creation. Each verse, therefore, concludes with the saints singing, “…All things praise Thee – Lord, my we!”
“O Worship the King” – 144
As a continuation of this medley we go from singing, “…This their (heaven’s high shrine’s) highest bliss (greatest joy is) to be, ever praising – Lord may we!” to “O worship the King…”! Humbling yourself to worship God allows you to see how ‘feeble’ you (we) really are. We are children of dust, but we know Who we trust!
“When My Love to Christ Grows Weak” – 350
All five verses of this song build in progression as we remember the Lord’s Supper. 1) When I start to lose my love for Christ, I need to look no further than His last few hours in the Garden of Gethsemane. 2) Then, in thought, I walk through that garden, to see Him weeping and praying alone. 3) This scene helps me stop and think about those times when my love for my fellowman is weak (which is more often than I’d like to admit). How can I love my brother better? Looking to the cross on Golgotha (Calvary) I find strength for my faith. 4) Reflectively, in this fourth verse, I stand at the cross and see “…His agony…His anguish…His faith.” 5) And finally we turn from death, to life with a new lesson learned. We are stronger after we suffer, and there is a power sacrifice. Thanks be to God for His self-sacrifice! May we learn from Him.
“Behold a Stranger” – 919
An invitation song we may recognize, but this morning we’ll sing it after the Lord’s Supper. Our reason is found in the second verse. But notice how verse one builds upon verse two; “Behold a Stranger at the door! He gently knocks, has knocked before, has waited long, is waiting still; you treat no other friend so ill (unkindly). But will He prove a Friend indeed? He will! The very Friend you need! The Man of Nazareth, it is He, with garments dyed (stained) at Calvary.”
“In His Presence” – 99
A beautiful contemporary song that is simple in word as well as musical structure. “In His presence there is comfort, in His presence there is peace. When we seek the Father’s heart we find such blessed assurance…”
“O Thou Fount of Every Blessing” – 226
Perhaps one of my favorite hymns (we’re singing to Him) as we consider the Old English wording. Notice especially verse two; “Here I raise my Ebenezer…” my stone of help, my reminder because, ‘thus far the Lord has helped me.’ Or as the KJV reads, ‘Hither by Thy help I’ve come.’ A clear reference from I Samuel 7:12. Yet verse three also is one to note; “O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be! Let Thy goodness like a fetter bind my wandering heart to Thee…” Translated, “Every day I’m in debt to God for the grace He has given me. Lord, let Your goodness chain my wandering heart to You.” But here’s why, “(I am) Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. (I am) Prone to leave the God I love.” We have wandering hearts and wandering eyes. Would that God chain us up with His goodness.
“There’s a Stranger at the Door” – 908
With our lesson being about ‘marrying a stranger’, I thought we’d sing again about the Stranger at the door. But this time we will be offering an invitation to those who might ‘let the Savior in.’ Again, a reference from the scriptures as we read the words of Christ in Revelation 3:19, 20; ‘Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.’ Will you, have you, let Him into your heart?
Wait for a few seconds before this song begins…
“Faithful Love” – no book
Marriage is all about love. As Christ loves His bride, so we ought to love our spouse. The scripture states plainly, Issac loved Rebecca (Genesis 24:67). He married a stranger, but he loved and cherished her. Our Savior is faithful and His love is unequaled. In faithful love He came to earth to show the Father’s love to us. And in so doing, thanks be to God, the groom and the bride will never be strangers.
Terry Harmon, my good friend and brother in Christ, has begun a new work with his family in Denver, Colorado. He has served more than 20 years in the mission fields of Russia and Ukraine, but in the last few years has been drawn back to the states where he worked as a pulpit minister. Just this year, however, Terry has returned to preach to the Russian speaking people, only this time on American soil. He and his family are involved in a work that specifically reaches out to the Russians living in Denver.
This article from Terry features a glimpse at the work that God is doing through him and his wife as they strive to serve the Lord and spread His word. Thanks to my brother and friend for his example of service and devotion as he shares THE story of salvation.
In the Russian language, like some others, there is no use of the articles ‘a,’ ‘an’ and ‘the.’ When you and I speak we find it necessary to specify an item as being general (a song we sang last week) or to be specific (the song we sang before the lesson).When the Russian speaks, they think about their sentences being specific or general, but their language doesn’t express it. As foreigners learn to speak English or enroll in an English class they take the time to discuss and explain the phraseology of the English sentences using these articles.Understanding the difference between ‘a’ or ‘an’ being non-specific while ‘the’ has a specific meaning is important to properly communicate with each other. Another example we might give is, “This is a dog” compared to “This is the dog.”
In all reality, this is what the ultimate goal is in teaching the difference about God’s Church to the Russian speaking people. It may be a bit of a surprise to Americans, but many Russians are very ‘religious,’ with some of them knowing the Bible quite well. They may be wondering why there is a need for another church. Our intent (the inner-city Russian ministry in Denver, Colorado) is to help people not to be part of a religious group, or to be associated with an organization that is following the Word of God in part, but to read the Scriptures and be completely convinced that we must be THE Church that we read about in the Bible. We must teach and preach how one becomes a Christian accurately, then how one is able to remain faithful, and finally how we must worship the Lord the way He intended.
It is critically important that all people (Russian & English speaking alike) understand that we do not get to decide how we want to worship Him.Rather, we have an obligation to respect and obey the ways God wants to be worshiped. No more and no less. While we can never be perfect, God’s Word is!And if we will simply read it and obey it, all people will respond as Peter did in John 6: 68, 69 “Lord, to whom shall we go?You have the words of eternal life.We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” (NAS)We long to share with the Russian people that they can be part of His church, the Church that Jesus died for and established (Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23). And just as Aquila and Priscilla took Apollos aside and taught him the way of the Lord more accurately (Acts 18:24-26), so we want to do the same, so that as many might be saved and have eternal life.
Thanks Terry, for the reminder of how important a single, ‘three-letter’ word can be.
“Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind. Should old acquaintance be forgot, and days of auld lang syne. For auld lang syne, my dear…for auld lang syne. We’ll drink a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne.” A haunting melody that is often heard during the early hours of the new year. But what does it mean, is there an explanation to the mystery and intrigue that wafts on the poetic words of yesteryear?
Written more than 300 years ago, this Scottish folk song was, as it’s beginning, a love poems that reflected upon the ‘good old times’ we had. Taken to represent the feeling of melancholy at the parting of ways, we hear it on the stroke of mid-night each year. But Auld Lang Syne has also been sung at funerals, graduations and other occasions of farewell. Even the international Boy Scouts youth movement has used it to bring closure to jamborees and other functions.
By translation, “Auld Lang Syne” is saying, ‘for times gone by’, or better yet, ‘for old times sake.’ Perhaps you’ve used the phrase; “Let’s get together one more time…for old time’s sake.” When friendships come to a close, and fond memories are just that, memories. That severed sting can leave us with a tinge of nostalgia . Perhaps that is why we reminisce when we hear Auld Lang Syne.
It’s true that people will come and go in our lives. The influence of a number of individuals will ebb and flow as we walk this earth’s crust. Some will be but a passing glance while others will change us and impact our perspective on life forever. But when it comes to Christ and His church, I hope you will never hear yourself saying, “…thanks for the memories, I’m moving on.” We are challenged every day with a bombardment from the world that question and test our faith in God. Each of us at some point in our lives, maybe even now, have had our faith tested. The world daily pushes you to forget God, and that He be ‘…never brought to mind.’ Times change and our priorities shift, but in all of the modifications of life ‘should old acquaintance be forgot,’ we must never forget the one who loved us and gave His life for us. The Hebrew writer encourages us, “For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.” (Hebrews 3:14) By faith, on Sunday morning we meet with our brothers and sisters in Christ to keep His memory fresh. And as we remember our Savior’s sacrifice, as we keep Him in our memory, we will ‘drink a cup’ of His kindness yet, for auld lang syne.
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne (old times sake)?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne (old time’s sake).
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup
and surely I’ll buy mine!
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne (old time’s sake).
CHORUS
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne (old time’s sake).
CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne (old time’s sake).
CHORUS
And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give me a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne (old time’s sake).
Concerning a particular situation or a specific set of circumstances some might said, ‘What a coincidence!’ But how do we know if something is coincidental (lucky) or if it’s more likely providential? Often we look at life and see it as lucky or unlucky, black or white and yet all the while we might be missing the point. Perhaps we come up short of giving God the credit He deserves for working in our lives. Perhaps we need to be better about recognizing and seeing that God’s hands are working in ways we can not see. (Remember the song “God Will Make a Way.”) After all, don’t we pray for Him to be with us?
Consider two Christian song writers from this century; Chisholm and Sanderson. T.O. Chisholm was a well renowned American song writer during the early 1900’s. Many of his 1,200 works of Christian poetry have found their way into some of our hymnals. In 1960, at the age of 94, Chisholm passed from this life. His works are well documented but we’ll consider one that was born on a lonely, dark night.
Another well noted writer and composer from the same era was L.O. Sanderson. Sanderson was a preacher of the gospel as well a noted musician. He is recognized as one who wrote the words and music to many of our gospel songs. He was born in 1901 and passed away in 1992, at the age of 91. Like Chisholm, Sanderson penned the music to one particular song in the dark hours of the night. Perhaps it’s not surprising that these two men combined their talents to produce some ‘greats songs of the church.’
It was recorded that one night around midnight, Sanderson was working alone in his office. He had been preparing his sermon for the coming Sunday morning, but a new, specific tune kept running through his mind. To satisfy his musical creativity, he stopped his study and jotted down the musical notes. In a few short weeks he sent the music to his friend, T.O. Chisholm, and inquired of him if had any poetry to fit the scales. As Chisholm reviewed the work of his friend, he found the musical bars (the meter, 11.10.11.10) were a perfect fit for the poetry he penned, “Be with me, Lord – I can not live without Thee, I dare not try to take one step alone, I cannot bear the loads of life, unaided, I need Thy strength to lean myself upon…”
As the two friends compared notes and asked each other questions about this specific work, they found that they both had similar circumstances surrounding their endeavors. Both were working late one night (after midnight to be precise), and both were preoccupied with some specific words, a specific tune, floating within their mind. They were struggling to accomplish one task while trying to embrace this new song. And yet both were unable to be resolution to their struggle until they put their music, poetry, to paper. The extraordinary piece of this puzzle was that both men were creating this song of praise and affirmation some 1000’s of miles apart. Could it have been a coincidence or just plain lucky? Was this just a great accident of hymnology or was our God, the Great Composer, at work in creating a hymn for His people to sing for the ages?
Two men of God, in two separate towns divided by hundreds of miles sitting in their respective offices churning out their own contribution to this hymn of prayer. Perhaps Chisholm’s inspiration in the third verse explains this more clearly; “…a constant sense of Thy abiding presence, where ‘er I am, to feel that Thou art near.”
brother. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.
