Complex and Simple

Complex and Simple

I enjoy watching movies.  It does not particularly matter whether it is a western, comedy, drama, mystery, documentary, etc.  However, my favorite type tends to be musicals.  There are many movies I have seen multiple times on the spectrum of complex to simple.  Frequently in my conversation I will adopt a quote from these movies.  The movies (though having nothing to do with my own life) become part of my life.  Scripture is that way as well.  I enjoy many aspects of scripture.  The history, science, mystery, adventure, all touch me in a different manner.  A critical difference is that scripture is true and from the mind of God, while movies certainly are not from the mind of God and often contain things which are not true.  Setting the differences aside, one similarity between the two gives me astonishment, puzzlement, and joy.  Both provide me with instances of “aha!” and “What?” no matter how many times I have been exposed to them.obvious and simple

The human mind is amazingly complex.  We filter so many stimuli at once with the brain filing away what it feels is important and tossing what is not.  Of course, then it throws in weird stuff like remembering a paint chip in a wall from your childhood.  Anyway, while the brain tries to do its best in grabbing on to everything it encounters, out of nowhere it will grab something new from something you have seen, heard, or read regularly.  I watched the movie postman (with Clearplay) for years.  In the movie, there is a reference to President Richard Starkey.  I never thought anything of it.  Until I did.  The name was a bit of humor in the movie.  It was a reference to Ringo Star (drummer for the Beatles).  Boom!  Mind blown!  Yes, over something very simple, right in front of my eyes for years.  A similar brain rocking moment for me occurred after decades when I realized that the word “reproof” (KJV) in 2 timothy 3:16-17 was actually not the same as “reprove” (KJV) used elsewhere in scripture (See https://churchofchristarticles.com/reproof-or-reprove/ for more on this).  Where was my brain before that?  Well, it was filtering through other teachings, observations, thoughts, moods, perceptions, and more.  Then out of the blue, BAM!  Recognition!

What is the importance of these occurrences?  The value in these times comes from understanding the need to open your eyes to discovery.  Mankind isn’t meant to read the Bible once and have a full and complete understanding of everything there.  I have read the Bible for over four decades.  I still find myself feeling as if I have just begun.  The more I study, the more my vision improves.  I find I can see things which would never have been possible to see years before.  I find the body in the room that I continuously stepped over before because I was interested in looking at the letter opener on the desk every time before.  AHA!  “Something different” my mind echoes, yet it was always there.  I make notes of words I need to do searches on “tribulation, generation, age, grass, time”.  The greater the volume of information I seem to store away, the more miniscule it looks compared to what now lays before me.

Spiritual discovery is important in our lives.  It is directly related to coming to know our Creator.  It involves understanding His plan for our lives, those before us, around us, and after us.  The discovery enables us to build a relationship with our eternal Father and continuously make it stronger.  If you stop trying to discover who your spouse is one year into your marriage, you are doing yourself and your spouse a great disservice.  The exact scenario is true with God and His Word which He has given.  His Word is to be before us always.  When it is, the discovery and fascination will be never ending.  We need only open our hearts and minds to care enough about what is always there, but we have never seen before.  With the ever-watchful eye, when we search through the complex and simple, treasure and meaningfulness will be uncovered.

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Glorify Jesus!

Glorify Jesus!

The word “glorify” means to praise, honor, or lift up.  The Hebrew word for glorify is “chabad,” which means to be weighty, or heavy.  The idea of “honor” was associated with the word due to the gravity of honorable events. In the New Testament, the word “glorify” is a translation of the Greek word “doxazo,” which meant to hold an opinion, or think of something or someone. The word evolved to mean: to hold a high opinion of another, and thus to elevate or lift up another to a position of honor. The word “glorify” has many specialized meanings involving the status of God, Jesus, or the saints and ultimate honor given to them. For God, this honor is intrinsic to Who He is, and thus He is to be glorified, or praised (Leviticus 10:3, Luke 13:13).  Jesus earned honor by living a sinless life (John 17:1-5). Christians will be changed and glorified by the grace of God through Jesus (Romans 8:30).glorified

Jesus is three-times glorified. First, He is glorified for the fact of His being divine. He is God in the flesh, Immanuel, the incarnate Word, our Creator, Sustainer, and Provider.  For that very reason alone, He is to be glorified. Second, He is glorified for His sinless life and vicarious sacrifice. Peter said in Acts 3:13, “The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.” Third, He has also been glorified in His humanity. Paul wrote in Romans 8:17, “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”

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Bad Singing

Bad Singing

Squawk!  Squawk!  Squawk!  This is how many of us view our singing voices.  It is not that we do not enjoy singing.  We can sing to the point of no voice left when alone in the car or shower.  Yes, it is true sometimes our thought that we may not have melodious singing voice is true.  Yet, somewhere out there are folks whose singing we would happily listen to all day long.  Their voices seem to be just perfect.  This being what it may, judgment of singing voices has made its way into the Church and this is not to its favor.

I have mentioned the following in other writings, but it bears mentioning here.  For years I attended an event where young people would gather in both random and planned gatherings to sing.  The young men would take turns leading the songs and it was truly a joy to witness.  Young hearts and voices blended in song directed at their God and one another in truly uplifting moments.  Of course, the innocence of those moments has since been robbed.  The youth are now led by a “song director”, because evidently those young men, glad to be lending their voices to God, were not good enough. Beyond this setting, in more progressive congregations, individual voices are being amplified with microphones above others or praise teams are leading the way because congregation’s voice being judged by men is not good enough to present to God as it is. bad singing

Most recently I attended a congregation where only two men led the singing every Sunday.  The congregation had many able-bodied men to lead, but the two had taken control of the song service and did not want anyone else involved.  When approached with the prospect of involving others, the men had multiple meetings arguing against such an occurrence.  Their reasoning was that no one else could sing properly.  According to these men, they felt the song leader must sing at the right pace, in the right key, gesturing with their hands in the correct manner, able to blend songs and switch octaves, and make the song service “fun”.  Traditional songs were being phased out and more conventional were being phased in.  The judgment was not on the content of the song, but upon the image being presented.  Their direction was ultimately to introduce clapping, beatboxing, and a festive, emotional atmosphere into the worship of God.  They didn’t have a care in the world as to whether the songs were patriotic, biblical, or irreverent.  It was all about the show, attention, and the power.

What does God want?   

Peter 1:14-16 – “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

God wants to be treated in a holy manner.  Not in a secular profane show of vanity.

John 4:24 – “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

God wants hearts focusing on worship in the correct pattern demonstrated in scripture.

Colossians 3:16 – “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.”

Ephesians 5:19  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

God wants (according to the apostle Paul) teaching, admonishing, and utterance, through the vehicle of singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, offered from our hearts to Him. No other mode of conveying this sacrifice is given other than through singing.  Neither clapping, beatboxing, or playing is authorized to convey what God has commanded.

It is especially important when examining what God desires to note that he never demanded any particular type of voice.  He never mandated gesturing a perfect beat.  In fact, he never ever required musical notes of any kind be followed or learned.  He did establish the congregation needed to sing, do so with reference to Him, and do so from their hearts.  If His followers do this and do this only, they will be pleasing in His sight.  Do not let men-pleasers steer your worship in the wrong direction.  Follow God’s commands only and you will never sing a sour note.

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Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

Thank you to everyone who supports us throughout the year. We hope that you, your family, and your loved ones have a very safe holiday season whether at home or traveling about. A special thank you to all of the writers on this website past and present. Your efforts are appreciated and they have helped my spiritual growth throughout the years.  Stay warm, have fun, and all praise to God who continually blesses us.  Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

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Baby It’s Cold Outside

Baby It’s Cold Outside

In writing this article, it can be noted that the temperature outside is -2 F (-18 C).  Brrr!  Inside I have my big hairy monster slippers on and a coffee mug here at my desk ready with warmth to tickle my innards.  However, I trek outside a couple of times a day to throw some wood in my outdoor wood burner.  The cold bites out there.  I protect myself with a big trapper hat, heavy coat, and gloves.  Still, I do not linger out in the cold for long.  The wind chill supposedly makes the air feel like -24 f (-31 C) and I believe every bit of that!  Baby, it’s cold outside!cold outside

This weather makes me pause a moment and think about cold.  In the KJV, “coldeth” (just kidding), cold is mentioned 18 times.  There are some notable positives written about.

  • Genesis 8:22 – Cold is an indication that the earth is still here, moving right along as it always does and as God promised.
  • Proverbs 25:13 – Cold of snow following the harvest is refreshing. No more sweltering heat of summer.
  • Proverbs 25:20 – Cold means warm sweater weather, comfortable bundle up clothes, and friendly fuzzy slippers.
  • Proverbs 25:25, Matthew 10:42 – Cold water to one who is thirsty. I don’t always drink water, but when I do, it is cold!
  • Nahum 3:17 – The cold chases bugs off to the side and away from being a nuisance.
  • John 18:18, Acts 28:2 – With cold, comes the building of fires. I could sit around a fire all day long.  Enjoy the warmth of the flames and of good company.

Of course, there is the other side of cold that should not be overlooked.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:27 – Cold can cause suffering. It can weaken and destroy.  Therefore, not only must the individual be prepared, but he must be watchful of others who might suffer the effects of cold.
  • Matthew 24:12– When sin abounds, hearts grow cold.  There is frigid place where love, compassion, kindness, and goodness should be instead.  Individuals, congregations, societies, are a better place when they remove the icy shackles of sin from around them.

It is my hope that this insight into the Bible’s presentation of cold set a gentle flame in your mind.  As the cold days of winter visit you, enjoy the positives of some chill.  Break out some hot cocoa and don’t forget the marshmallows.  If there are those in need of warmth, protection, and care in these times of cold, reach out, and share the fire of your heart, hospitality, and love.  It’s cold outside, but don’t let it put the freeze on you.  May the good works and good news of Christ abound in your life and conversation and stoke the coals of hope and joy over these frosty days.

 

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