LET'S SEE - IF I SPONSERED AN AWARD PROGRAM, WHAT SHOULD I CALL IT? OF COURSE, IT MIGHT HELP IF YOU READ THIS FIRST...

 

Let's see; instead of Oscar, should the trophies of my Awards show resemble Gian Lorenzo Bernini's statue of David? Okay, maybe, maybe not. I'm open to suggestions.

Of course, you may know that they just released the nominees for two of the most important rewards show this week: The Oscars and the Razzies. 

And then, also on Tuesday, I saw a memory on my Facebook Wall about the INSPYS for fiction. I was about to get excited to find about the nomination process for this year's, but then realized it went on hiatus with the rest of the world in 2021 due to COVID, and unlike much of the world, they have yet to return.

At that point, a light bulb turned on. Why don't I start my own awards program? 

Now, some practical minded people might be picking up your darts. Please, put them down. I can pop that balloon easily enough on my own. Allow me a little space to enjoy this dream before returning to reality.

This blog's title mentions coming up with a name for it, and I've got a picture of an idea for the trophy. But first, what would I like my awards show to feature and honor?

That answer is simple. I want to focus on Christian artists. It will include music, the traditional arts of painting and sculpture, and both fiction and non-fiction writing.

Naturally, the next question would be how to select the nominees. After all, I don't have time to be able to choose a sampling in any one of the above-mentioned fields, let alone all of them. And once the nominees are selected, I could single handedly choose the winner from the nominees, but what would that mean? What makes me the authority? Though, since it's my awards, I can do that if I want! Is that okay with you?

There are three options for getting the nominees. They are:

1. Have the artists submit items to consider. Of course, I'd limit it to one per category. 
2. Have my internet followers recommend nominees.
3. Have an appointed committee of people to provide the nominees That would include artists, and my dream would be to have pastors be a large part of that board.

After getting the nominees, the same would be true for choosing the winners. It could be done by popular vote, or it can be done by a committee.

Bubble bursting time. Let me give two things that bother me about awards shows.

First, let me share why I shake my head at a lot of vote-in awards. The primary reason is it becomes a popularity contest, based on who can get their fans mobilized to vote them the award.  Also, I once saw a vote-in awards show on-line where the organizer of the awards also was a competitor for a couple of categories; guess who won those categories?

The second is more philosophical. At the heart, I want to encourage artists. But I also realize that while some people would be thankful for being nominated, others would be discouraged in not winning the award.

This is one reason that when I list my favorite books (and now music) of the past year, I list them in alphabetic order instead of enumerating who is at the top of my list and who's at the bottom. Plus, I list all that I think deserve mentioning, so I don't stick with a set number like the top ten.

So what do you think? Should I realize I just need to get some extra sleep? Do you want to have fun with a little fantasy? Any other thoughts?

SUNDAY PSALMS PART 4 OF 48 - PSALM 12

 

Downtown, Indianapolis.

1    Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases!
    For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.
2   They speak idly everyone with his neighbor;
    With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
3   May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
    And the tongue that speaks proud things,
4   Who have said, "With our tongue we will prevail;
    Our lips are our own;
    Who is lord over us?"

5   "For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy,
    Now I will arise," says the Lord;
    "I will set him in the safety for which he yearns."
6   The words of the Lord are pure words,
    Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
    Purified seven times.
7   You shall keep them, O Lord,
    You shall preserve them from this generation forever.
8   The wicked prowl on every side,
    When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

Psalm 12:1-8, NKJV

Another Psalm that seems relevant today, doesn't it? Doesn't it seem like the righteous and faithful have vanished? Don't we regularly hear a lot of idle talk, flattery (e.g. "You are enough"), and pride? 

Verse 4 makes me think of the Libertarian principle "You own yourself." Now, don't misunderstand me. I know exactly what the Libertarian means: it's talking about the human level, where we're not slaves, where we have personal liberty, where we're not obligated to vote for the major parties just because they're the major parties. However, the reality is that principle is a lie, because God owns us. If we're believers, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 makes it crystal clear that our Lord owns us. If we're not, we fall under the first verse of Psalm 24: "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof, the earth and they that dwell within" (meaning everyone). 

Then, we get to verse 5. The Lord is watching, and will give the poor safety. Stop a second. If you put how verse 5 starts in place with the previous four verses, you realize that the poor are not in safety with the SFL (Society of Flattering Lips). In other words, those who think they have no accountability are at best selfish and arrogant and couldn't care less about the needs of others, and at worse are downright oppressive.

When I first noticed this Psalm, verses 6 and 7 got my attention, and I wrote a chorus for that Psalm. Verse 6 clearly talks about the purity of God's Word. But is verse 7 still talking about the Bible when it says "You will keep them.... you shall preserve them forever?" Some King James Only people make that claim, and hold that God's Word is preserved by their preferred translation. But does "them" in verse 7 go back to verse 5, where it talks about the oppressed poor and needy?

The final verse of this Psalm goes from the future hope that God will put an end to oppression to the present reality. Is vileness exalted among men? How many movies and Jerry Springer episodes do you need to watch to realize it is? 

Pardon me, but I'm not going to make things more comfortable before I close today's blog. How often does the church fall into the same category, exalting vileness? Do we cover our TV/movie/listening with prayer? Do we, as Paul encourages in Philippians 4:8, think on what is pure and lovely and true and noble and just and of good report? Or are we allowing our minds to be defiled by the world? And yes, I face the same temptations.

 

BOOK REVIEW - A PRIMER ON BIBLICAL LITERACY BY CORY M. MARSH

 

 What does it mean to be Biblically Literate? Should it be considered a rarity when there are "bumper sticker" Scriptures taken out of context or those who identify as Christians can't name most of the Ten Commandments or the four Gospels?

A Primer on Biblical Literacy by Cory Marsh is an excellent little book dealing with the subject of Biblical literacy (as you probably suspected by the title). I called it a little book - it composes of three chapters, and doesn't reach the triple digits in page length when the appendices start.

The first chapter focuses on the need for Biblical Literacy by reminding us of Jim Jones, David Koresh, and Marshall Applewhite, showing extreme examples on what happens when people don't know the Bible and challenge those who teach something contrary to Scripture. The second chapter defines Biblical  Literacy as developing an awareness of God through Scripture and a proficiency in understanding the meaning of the Biblical text. The final and longest chapter is an introduction to hermeneutics (Biblical interpretation). 

The appendices includes the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy. One of my classes my first semester at Bible College was "Doctrine of Scripture and God," and the professor (Dr. David Nicholas) was off for a week to take part in signing this document. This is the first time I had the privilege of reading it.

I highly recommend this book. I found it an encouragement to get to know the Word of God - and thus, the God of the Word - better.

INTERVIEW WITH PASTOR/CARTOONIST JOE MCKEEVER

 

JR: Welcome to my blog, Joe. I'd like to start with the most important question - how did you come to know Christ?

JM: I was 11 years old and it was a revival meeting. Same church (and same building) where my parents had met in 1930 when she was 14 and he was 18 and was smitten once he heard her singing with her sister. I went forward during the invitation time and (rural, Free Will Baptist church) people stepped out into the aisle to go forward and pray with me. No talking to the preacher, we talked to God. lol I was crying and saying repeatedly, "O God, O God." That's all. But when I got up, I knew I was saved.

JR: I was going to ask how you got called to the ministry, but let me be more specific - How did God call you to the pastorate, and how did He call you to the ministry of cartoonist?

JM: I was 21 and a senior in college. Had joined an outstanding Southern Baptist church in Birmingham AL near the campus of my college (Birmingham-Southern, a Methodist school). Got active, loved the people, met my wife to be, was baptized (saved at 11, but never baptized because no one asked), and I flourished. Tuesday night of a two-week long revival, I'm in the choir and we're singing "Jesus Paid It All," and suddenly it seemed a curtain was drawn open and God spoke to my heart. "I want you in the ministry." That's all. Not "called to preach," as such, but called as a minister. That's significant because I have done all kinds of ministry, and it was not limited to preaching.

Never actually felt "called" to a ministry of cartooning. I'd done this all my life since childhood and as I matured into my 20s and beyond, kept getting more and more opportunities to use the cartooning as a catalyst in ministry. 

JR: Who have been your Mentors/Encouragers/Influencers/Heroes both in the ministry and in cartooning?

JM: In ministry, several pastors and a couple of seminary professors were my mentors, and I am infinitely in their debt.

In cartooning, I enjoyed meeting several professional cartoonists and being encouraged by them when I was thirtyish. In my mid-30s, I had written a note to the newspaper syndicate handling the "Gasoline Alley" comic strip to say how much I loved the artwork by Dick Moores. To my surprise, I got a note from him thanking me. And one Saturday, I returned home from an early morning meeting to have my wife inform me that Dick Moores had called me and wanted me to call him. wow. It turned out he lived in North Carolina and was going to "marry off" a couple in the comic strip and needed to know a) which side do they stand
on? and b) does the minister still have them say "Til death do us part"? Couple of years later, my wife and I went to see him at his studio below Asheville NC. He was in his 70s and such a kind soul. When he was young, he had drawn comic books for Walt Disney, then spent years with Chester Gould drawing Dick Tracy, and had taken over the Gasoline Alley strip after its originator had died. Dick was most definitely the greatest influence on my cartooning. He died in '86 just before I moved to North Carolina. Shucks! Such poor timing!! 

JR: What doors has God used your cartooning to open in your ministry, both in reaching the lost and edifying/encouraging/exhorting the Church?

JM: That's so hard to answer, Jeff, particularly the first about "reaching the lost." I honestly don't know that He has used the cartooning for that. But the second part, exhorting the church, I received an email just today from a lady in Minneapolis thanking me for the cartoons and for speaking to the church so well. I'm 82 years old and love that. Just yesterday, my wife and I drove 6 hours (round trip) to do a senior event for a church in Alabama. I sketched everyone there, spoke about the Psalms (encouraging them to "fall in love with the Psalms all over again"), and ate their lunch, then returned home. Such a blessing. I'll do several of these each month. But I would need someone else to tell you how God uses my stuff. I tell pastors (in fact, told Pastor Chris Kynard just yesterday at the luncheon) that "you do not know how God is using your stuff." A pastor will go home and tell his wife the sermon bombed. Then the phone will ring and someone will thank him and say "How did you know? That was exactly what
I needed to hear." So, we do this work the same way we do everything else: by faith.

JR: The pastor at my church (Jeremy Couture, Northside Baptist, Indianapolis) gave us three areas to pray for him: Personal walk, Priorities, and Protection. In what ways does God use your cartooning and pastoring to strengthen your walk? How do you manage the priorities of pastoring and cartooning? And what ways does God protect your ministry?

JM: Being retired I no longer have to find a balance between pastoring/ministry and cartooning. but it is such a blessing being 82 years old (and having come through a number of health challenges) to still be getting the invitations to speak and minister. Right now--post-covid!--I'm getting on average two invitations per week. - When I was pastoring, say, around age 40, I had to convince some people that cartooning is ministry and not just goofing off. My wife of 52 years, now in Heaven, was one who did not have a great appreciation for cartoons. She was supportive, however, of the time I flew to Singapore for 2 weeks and drew an evangelistic comic book for the missionaries (it was her idea). My wife Bertha (we celebrated 6 years of marriage on Jan 11) is a strong encourager of my cartooning. - I pray about the cartooning and the ideas and the effect. But I have no idea how to answer your question about "how God uses these things to strengthen my walk." I just do them, the same way someone else plays the piano and another the guitar. It's what I do. People stand around and watch me draw, and they ooh and ahh and seem impressed, but since I've literally done this since childhood, I take it in stride and thank them. 

JR: Thank you for your time. How can we keep up with your ministries? Do you have any books and/or websites you'd like to tell us about?
JM: Several ways.

1. My blog is www.joemckeever.com, where I write for church leaders (pastoral and otherwise). This website is 20 years old now and contains thousands of articles from these two decades. Scroll down the page for a list of categories. Scroll further down for the "archives," where they are listed month by month since 2003. If you're interested in reading my journal about Hurricane Katrina and the rebuilding of New Orleans, start by scrolling down to September 2005, then to September 1 and pull up a chair. The next two years is devoted to that subject.
2. My cartoons are posted daily by Baptist Press. Go to www.bpnews.net and at the top of the page click on 'comics.' In times past, they posted the work of six cartoonists, but they cut back to one. Even though if says "comics," plural, I'm the only cartoonist whose stuff is posted there. There are thousands of cartoons.
3. Google "Joe McKeever cartoons."
4. I have a page in each issue of Deacon Magazine, a quarterly published by Lifeway. My page is devoted to "my favorite deacon."

My personal website is www.joemckeever.com There are no cartoons here, but articles I have written for pastors and other church leaders. Started the website in 2003, so it's in its 20th years. There are literally thousands of articles there. Scroll down the page for a list
of categories.

I've published probably a dozen books of cartoons over the years. Amazon or alibris.com would have a lot of them. Some non-cartoon books I've written that are available from me (203 Garden Cove, Ridgeland MS 3917. Everything is $15 each) are--

• "HELP! I'M A DEACON."
• "GRIEF RECOVERY 101" written with my wife Bertha about the deaths of our spouses and what we learned about dealing with grief.
• "SIXTY AND BETTER;  MAKING THE MOST OF OUR GOLDEN YEARS" also written with Bertha.
• "PRAY ANYWAY."
• "HEALTHY CHURCH."

 

SUNDAY PSALMS PART 3 OF 48 - PSALM 11

Not positive what kind of bird this is. It's in the South American section of Cincinnati Zoo's Wings of the World exhibit. Looking it up, my closest guess is a Guam Rail, but that guess might land in fowl territory.

1   In the Lord I put my trust;
    How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain"?
2   For look! The wicked bend their bow,
    They make ready their arrow on the string,
    That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart.
3   If the foundations are destroyed,
    What can the righteous do?

4   The Lord is in His holy temple,
    The Lord's throne is in heaven;
    His eyes behold,
    His eyelids test the sons of men.
5   The Lord tests the righteous,
    But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
6   Upon the wicked He will rain coals;
    Fire and brimstone and a burning wind
    Shall be the portion of their cup.

7   For the Lord is righteous,
    He loves righteousness;
    His countenance beholds the upright.

Psalm 11:1-7, NKJV

Doesn't the first three verses of this Psalm sound like the society we live in? Actually, it fits in the world we live in. In many countries Christians are kicked out of their jobs, houses, families, and villages. In our country, we're supposed to be tolerant of 1) those who disagree with us including what is right and wrong and 2) the refusal of those who disagree with us to show us the same tolerance. Maybe not many are picking up bows and arrows to shoot at us, but they're picking up pen and Facebook post and discrimination lawsuits and the like.

I remember a cartoon Ken Ham shows. It shows two castles: The one on the left is labeled Humanism and is on the foundation of Evolution, with balloons floating with names like "abortion," and "homosexuality." The other castle is labeled Christianity and is on the foundation of Creationism. The Humanists have their cannon aimed at the foundation of Creationism and are shooting at it. The Christians are shooting their cannon at Humanism's balloons (as well as each other). Which strategy sounds better? And can you see why Psalm 11:3 makes me think of this picture?

However, if the first three verses of this Psalm reflect the current times, much more so the final four verses. God is in control. He tests (or allows to be tested) all men, including the righteous, But did you notice what the last line of verse 5 says about the wicked and those who love violence? Does it say that God hates them? Doesn't that contradict what we hear in John 3:16 and 2 Peter 3:9? One thing I learned in Old Testament survey: 

1. God loves and blesses the righteous and those who love Him.
2. God hates and punishes the wicked and those who despise Him.
3. God loves to forgive and be merciful to all who turn from sin to Him.

That first point is in agreement with the last verse of this Psalm.

 

 

VIDEO REVIEW - 2000 MULES BY DINESH D'SOUZA

 

Personal note. I had started two other blogs for this date, and felt a check on posting them. And after I started this one, I wasn't sure if I wanted to post it. 😢 After thought and prayer, I felt I should go ahead and publish it. No, I don't consider this a must read. 

It was a Saturday night, 7pm EST, early November 2022, after the mid-term elections. Becky and I, as usual, had watched the latest Gospel Music Showcase with Guy Penrod, and saw Daystar's list of what the next three programs were. Normally, they had a movie at that time, and the scheduled one for the evening was "2000 Mules." I had no knowledge or interest in it, and I went to the computer to work on the blog. But Becky watched as I listened with an occasional glance at the TV.

For those unfamiliar with this book, it deals with the 2020 elections. Was the election, as you probably heard from at least one journalist was "The most secure election. Ever." really secure? Or for that matter, was it secure for those who wanted a certain outcome?

This documentary did a good job of raising questions. No home runs and no smoking guns. However, there were a lot of things that made me unsure if everything was kosher. 

Voter fraud is not a new thing. I've read bios of James Garfield and Chester Arthur, both pointing out that there may have been some underhandedness. The video featured someone who looks out for voter fraud and caught a Republican. 

I am not convinced the election of '20 was stolen, either before or since seeing the video. As mentioned, though, there are things that make me skeptical. Such as the video showing journalist after journalist saying, quote, "This was the most secure election. Ever." The number saying the exact same thing makes me cringe, and resorting to hyperbole by adding "Ever" doesn't help me trust the media.

However, comparing the '22 election results, where the expected red wave dissipated after seeing inflation in general and gas prices rise, I'm not sure how true the elections are, or if they're manipulated to put and keep one party in power.

INTERVIEW WITH MUSICIAN BETH HALL

 

 JR: Welcome to my blog. How did you come to Christ, and what sparked your interest in music? 

BH:  I was always involved in church activities from a young age and as I got older strayed away but came back to God when I realized He had a mission for me to spread the Gospel through the God given talents He blessed me with. 

JR: You are both a soloist and the singer of the band Fuel 4 Soul. What are the differences between the sounds of the two ministries? 

BH: I am not the lead singer but the female singer that equally involves another male vocalist as well plus one more male band mate. I have had the opportunity to work more on my solo project during the last part of 2022 so that is what has been my main focus most recently as I am soon to release another solo single in the next few weeks.
 I guess you could say that the difference would be that my solo career focuses on my voice and creativity within what God has inspired for me to perform as a solo artist. The band has a three part involvement in creativity and sound. 

JR: Could you tell us about the songs "Send Down the Fire," "Keep the Faith," and the Christmas song "Holy Light?"

BH: My Single "Send Down The Fire" was inspired from a conversation my husband and I had about how it must have been amazing to witness when God sent Fire down to Elijah when God proclaimed Himself as the one true God. The song tells how God does that in many ways and still today His name still remains.

My Christmas single "Holy Light" was a God given blessing as my Husband Michael and I wrote that and feel that God wrote it Himself. We were in amazement as it tells the story of the nativity so very well and we thank God he gave us the blessing to write such a song.

The song, "Keep the Faith" was written by all of F4S band members as it  is a F4S single. The song has been well received as it inspires others to keep the faith. 

JR: Have you had many opportunities to perform? If so, were there any performances that stood out? If not, how do you develop a following?

BH: I released my solo single "Send Down The Fire" in October and it has been well received in both radio and fan based, after releasing "Send Down The Fire" I have definitely grew closer to my fan base and had several big opportunities come my way  to spread God's word and bring others to God by telling others about Him as well as sharing my music. 

JR: This is a time of CO-VID, political division, human trafficking, various forms of prejudice, and persecution of believers in many parts of the world. How is God using your music to encourage the struggling Christians and challenge those who have become complacent (defined in Zephaniah 1:12 as not believing God will do anything bad and anything good)?

BH: I always let God take the lead as I share His word. I let the Holy Spirit guide me on how to share what I need to so that others will get the opportunity to believe in Christ Jesus. 

JR: Thank you for your time. Do you have any EPs/LPs or concerts coming out? Is there a web-page we can keep up with your ministry?

BH: I am to release a 2nd "Beth Hall '' single in the next few weeks and will update everyone in the upcoming weeks on when to expect it to become available. My music is available on most music platforms such as Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify etc. as well as my social media's are Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, & Twitter Thank you so much.

SUNDAY PSALMS PART 2 OF 48 - PSALM 4

 

Dogwood Park, Cookeville, TN

1   Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
    You have relieved me in my distress;
    Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
2  How long, O you sons of men, Will you turn my glory to shame?
    How long will you love worthlessness And seek falsehood?

Selah

3  But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly;
    The Lord will hear when I call to Him.
4  Be angry, and do not sin.
    Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.

Selah

5  Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
    And put your trust in the Lord.
6  There are many who say, "Who will show us any good?"
    Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
7  You have put gladness in my heart,
    More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
8  I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
    For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:1-8, NKJV

Allow me to start with verse 2. Doesn't that sound like today? Don't people today love worthlessness and seek falsehood? I'll be honest - I'd rather listen to the news that's biased for my point of view than the news that's biased against it, admitting I may not always like hearing the truth. 

Verse 3 is an encouragement... that is, if I'm endeavoring to live a godly life. It brings joy to me to know that God has a purpose for me. It humbles me that God would choose me. (Especially for a person who, when they're choosing players for their sports team, can figure out which team I'm going to be on by figuring who gets the last pick. And the reality, God has no reason to be more impressed with me than my peers were with my athletic abilities (or lack thereof).

You're probably familiar with verse 4, "Be angry and do not sin," which is quoted by Paul in Ephesians 4:26. You note it doesn't say anger is a sin? There are times we will be angry - we're wired that way. But what do we do about that anger? We do need to remember James 1:20 - that the wrath of man will not accomplish the purposes of God.  

There are times I relate to verse 6: "There are many who say, 'Who will show us any good?'" There are times I get discouraged, and at points it's where I am not sure things will ever get better. But I need to realize that God is in control of all things.

BOOK REVIEW - CAPTURED AT CHRISTMAS BY JODIE BAILEY

 What's wrong with Captain Marshall Slater inviting his unit to his home for Christmas dinner? Besides the fact that Captain Rachel Blake suspects one of his soldiers is stealing national secrets and is threatening him and his five year old daughter?

Jodie Bailey's Captured at Christmas is a thrilling romantic suspense with three dimensional characters you care about and a story full of plot twists and other surprises. 

I highly recommend reading this book at approximately Christmas time - "approximately" meaning from six months prior to Christmas to six months following.

 

BOOK REVIEW - LIVE YOUR TRUTH AND OTHER LIES: EXPOSING POPULAR DECEPTIONS THAT MAKE US ANXIOUS, EXHAUSTED, AND SELF-OBSESSED BY ALISA CHILDERS

 

Have you tried "living your truth", putting yourself first, believing you're enough, rejecting any form of judgment and still find yourself empty, unfulfilled, and directionless? Is it because you aren't trying enough? Or is it that those concepts guarantee that emptiness and scatteredness?

Alisa Childers - former Zoe Girl, daughter of Jesus Music pioneer Chuck Girard, and author of the excellent book Another Gospel? looks at several cliches like the ones I've mentioned in her book Live Your Truth And Other Lies: Exposing Popular Deceptions That Make Us Anxious, Exhausted, and Self-Obsessed.

In reading this, there is a common thread between the cliches she deals with: they all focus on ourselves. But what we're designed to be more fulfilled when we focus on God and those around us rather than ourselves?

I enjoyed Childers accounting of the movie "Armageddon", and asked how the movie - and our reaction to it - would differ if instead of sacrificing himself to save the world, the character put himself first? It's interesting that we naturally respect those who put others first, but we want to hear that we should look out for number 1.

Two blessings in this book: One was where she mentioned her Zoe Girl bandmates confronted her on self-destructive behavior, and she states that she is thankful for their "judging her" and getting her on the right track. The other was when she mentioned a couple of dreams she gave up. I can relate, because I had dreams of becoming a musician (probably not a singer with my voice, but definitely as a song-writer), a novelist, and a Pastor. Thus far (I'm now 63), those dreams are all unfulfilled. But that doesn't mean I have any reason to be unfulfilled as a result.

As in Another Gospel?, Childers uses humor effectively to make reading a book on serious matters enjoyable. I highly recommend this book.

SUNDAY PSALMS PART 1 OF 48 - PSALM 1

Cool Creek Park, Westfield, IN.

1   Blessed is the man
    Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
    Nor stands in the path of sinners,
    Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2  But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    And in His law he meditates day and night.
3  He shall be like a tree
    Planted by the rivers of water,
    That brings forth its fruit in its season,
    Whose leaf also shall not wither;
    And whatever he does shall prosper.

4  The ungodly are not so,
    But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
    Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6  For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
    But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 1:1-6, NKJV

Let me start with the obvious. I ended, for now, my Sunday Hymns. I'm starting this year with a 48 part series on Sunday Psalms. Each week I'll look at somewhere between one verse and the whole chapter (as today) from the Psalms. For the most part, they will be in numeric order, except for those that I think will be fitting for Easter, Pentecost, Reformation/All Saints Days, and Christmas and New Year's Eves. And if you're counting and say it's 52 weeks, not 48, you're right. But I will give a short interruption for the four weeks of Advent; I've got something different in mind for that month.

So let's look at the first Psalm. I always found it interesting that the first verse starts with the least intimate and moves to the most. My thought would start with the most and then go the opposite direction. But it may be that the Spirit is pointing out that it starts with something that doesn't seem that bad, but then progresses, which is typical. Relationships develop in that order.

Verse two gives the contrast. The blessed (also translated "Happy") man not only does not associate with the ungodly, but instead he's meditating on the Bible. Keep in mind - Jewish meditation focuses on filling your mind with a thought, contrary to Eastern meditation where the goal is to clear your mind of all thoughts. Memory work is one way to do this. So is praying the Scripture.

The third and fourth verses give pictures of the difference between the righteous and the not righteous. The former is like a tree, right on the river to get plenty of water, and fruitful (kind of like the seed that's on good soil). The latter is like chaff, blown away, no root, no fruit. 

It's interesting contrasting verse one with verse five. This Psalm begins of dealing with the voluntary separation of the godly from the wicked. In verse five, it states that God separates the two in the judgment. This is also clear in the last verse of this Psalm. 

BOOK REVIEW - LETTER TO THE AMERICAN CHURCH BY ERIC METAXAS

 

 If we were in Germany in the early 1930's, would we have stood up to Hitler better than the churches of that time? Are we showing the same determination as men like Dietrich Bonhoeffer and William Wilberforce? Or are we focusing on parts of our Biblical call and having good excuses for ignoring the riskier parts?

Letter to the American Church is a call for pastors, churches, and Christians in the USA to stand up for truth and against evil. Most of the book looks back at the German Church and how they failed to stop Hitler's rise to power by either trying to appease the evil system or just keeping silent, as well as examining the American Church of today on how the same arguments for the German church's inaction against that evil are alive and well in dealing with the evils we face. 

Metaxas lists four ways our misunderstandings have put us in the present predicament:
1. A Misunderstanding on what faith is (leading to what Bonhoeffer calls "cheap grace."
2. What Metaxas refers to as the "idol of evangelism."
3. The "commandment" we're supposed to keep even though God and the Bible never gave it: "Be Ye Not Political".
4. Basing "being a good Christian" by the evils we personally avoid, not by the goods we could and should but often don't do. 

Being in a church where the pastor reminds us of the need to evangelize, the phrase "Idol of Evangelism" caught my interest. Reading it, I realize my church is not in that error. On one hand the "Idol of Evangelism" has us focusing so much on winning the lost that when they're won we don't get them where they can grow in Christ. But the greater danger is avoiding offending the sinner, so we don't call sin sin and allow those opposed to our faith changing definitions of words without challenging their deception. 

There are books that I'm so excited about, I'm encouraging everybody to read it. There are other books I want to get my friends to read so we can discuss it, noting the strong and not-so-strong arguments presented by the author, and evaluate how the book should impact our lives. Do you want to guess which one this book is? 

I glanced at some of the negative reviews. One is that we shouldn't be trying to force non-Christians to live like Christians. Maybe they missed the part in the book where Metaxas  mentions that some of this evil is opposed not just by Christians but other religions and sometimes even the non-religious. In addition, there is pressure from anti-religious activists for Christians to accept and even be celebrating of evil behavior. Plus, would these people want us Christians to be as silent on things like racism and human trafficking as they desire us to be on abortion and sexuality? 

The other negative comment is what makes the American Church so important? Good point. I think often the American Church makes an idol of patriotism and sees us (consciously or, more likely, unconsciously) as better than Christians in the rest of the world, who lack the resources we have (including literacy) and who are enduring persecution from religious and anti-religious governments/individuals. But whose responsibility is it to stand up for the truth in the USA, to preserve our freedoms that allow us to strengthen Christians not just here but overseas? How many think it's the American Church's job to be God's representatives in America? 

Yes, this book can stir up some controversy. Is that the reason I highly recommend this book? Or is it because it is a book that's trying to wake us up before it's too late? (Actually, if it is the latter, it will also be controversial.)

I would love to get a book club together, and read this, Rod Dreher's The Benedict Option, John MacArthur's Christ's Call To Reform the Church, and Anthony Forsythe's Caesar and the Church, and form a battle plan for Christians through that. Of course, my first choice is for it to be a local church book club as opposed to a Zoom meeting of friends all over the country/world. But the latter would be great as well.

I do find it interesting comparing this with Dreher's Live Not By Lies. Metaxas compares our current situation with the rise of Hitler, and Dreher likens it to the Communist takeover of various European countries. Either way, we're in trouble.

I really recommend this book, and I'd love to hear comments on this blog. Thanks.

One last comment. You notice that most non-fiction books have the title, a colon, and a subtitle? Did you notice there was no subtitle to this one?

 

BOOK REVIEW - CHRIST'S CALL TO REFORM THE CHURCH: TIMELESS DEMANDS FROM THE LORD TO HIS PEOPLE BY JOHN MACARTHUR

 Does the church need a Reformation? If Jesus was speaking to the church, what would He say? Would it be similar to what He had the Apostle John write to the seven churches of Asia Minor (Revelation 2-3)?

John MacArthur has been a solid voice encouraging believers to return to the sound teaching of Scripture and speaking out against modern trends that do not have Biblical grounding. This book is written to encourage today's church to do what Jesus commanded of the seven churches of Asia Minor: Repent!

This book starts off with how unpopular reforming the church is for the status quo. Chapters 2-9 are basically a commentary on Revelation 1-3, reading like a print version of a sermon series. 

The final chapter is titled "The Need for a New Reformation," and looks at the five solas of the Reformation: Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone), Sola Fide (Faith Alone), Sola Gratia (Grace Alone), Sola Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone), and Sola Christus (Christ Alone). MacArthur points out most lists end with Sola Deo Gloria, but he chose to end his book with what he focused on: Christ and the Church.

To be honest, I was hoping MacArthur to talk about how today's church mirrors the issues of the seven churches and specific steps the church can take to reform. Maybe I should write a book about that. But this book is Biblically sound and challenges us to be the Chruch God called us to be. I recommend this book. This is a much needed reminder (and for some a rebuke) to a church that needs to regain their first love and to repent.

I will admit that I was hoping for something different.

SUNDAY HYMNS, PART 22 OF 22 - I AM RESOLVED

Cattle Call, a mix between a bison and a Scottish Highland Cattle, Chattanooga Zoo.

 

I am resolved no longer to linger, 

Charmed by the world's delights;

Things that are higher, things that are nobler,

These have allured my sight.

I am resolved to go to the Savior, 

Leaving my sin and strife;

He is the True One, He is the Just One, 

He hath the words of life.

I am resolved to follow the Savior, 

Faithful and true each day;

Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth, 

He is the living way.

I am resolved to enter the Kingdom,   

Leaving the paths of sin;

Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me, 

Still will I enter in.

I am resolved and who will go with me? 

Come, friend, without delay:

Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit, 

We'll walk the heavenly way.

I will hasten to Him, Hasten so glad and free;

Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.

 

NOTES ON HYMN:

• As usual with hymns with a chorus, the last paragraph is the chorus.
• I thought this would be an excellent hymn for New Year's Day, and this song probably gives better ideas for New Year's resolutions that we would on our own.
• This is my favorite hymn. No, I didn't save it for last for this reason - it's that, as I said above, this is the most fitting for New Year's Day.
• I know I won't have a voice about it, but if anyone asked me, I'd like this song sung at my funeral.
• The meter of this song is 10, 6, 10, 6. Yes, the chorus doesn't keep the meter.
• In the hymnal I'm used to, it only included the first four verses. I later saw one with the fifth. A lot of times, the missing verse is the weakest verse, but to me, this completes the thought. I love the move of emphasis from personal to corporate walk.
  
• Hope this series has been a blessing for you. Starting next week, I'll be doing a new series.