A NEW ADVENT APPROACH? PART 1 OF 4: AN ADVENT OF GRATITUDE AND ENCOURAGEMENT

An African Nativity Scene, with a frame borrowed from Facebook.

I spent the first 30 years of my life with an absent Advent. In the hymnal I'm most familiar with, I noticed a handful of Advent hymns and designated separately from the Christmas songs, but I still didn't really get it. I was more familiar with Lent (by reputation, not by practice) than I was with Advent. 

Recently, some of the churches I've attended have the advent candles. Also, at Arlington Avenue Baptist Church, I've seen two different breakdowns of the four weeks of Advent: Prophets/Angels/Shepherds/Wise Men and Hope/Peace/Joy/Love. The last couple of years, I've been going through the latter (last year, combining the Advent theme with my Sunday Psalms series). 

This year, I've decided to take a more creative approach, and pick out four themes on my own for this Advent series. I'm picking four topics - okay, each theme has two related topics - that both we have through the First Coming of Christ and desperately need to live out.

Today, I'll start with an Advent of Gratitude (Thanksgiving) and Encouragement. I consider them related: Gratitude is being appreciative of what others do, and encouragement is motivating others to keep it up.

Do we have thankful hearts? Do we have minds trained to encourage? 

And do I need to elaborate more than just asking the two questions? I don't think so, but let me know if you disagree. 

MEMORIES OF NORTHSIDE BAPTIST'S 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND ALSO OF MY DAD.

 

 I've been a part of other anniversary celebrations for churches (though, amusingly, none before we moved to Indianapolis). I was there for the 40th, 50th, and 60th anniversary of Arlington Avenue Baptist Church. But each of those were a one day celebration. It took a whole month to celebrate Northside's 60th.

One thing they did was focus on the eras - '63-77 the first week, the '80's the next week, the 90's for week #3, and the 2000s today. Before each week, they mentioned the fads of that period in case you wanted to dress that style. I debated doing that by investing into 4 new shirts - a 2nd Chapter of Acts T-shirt, a Daniel Band T-shirt, a Beracah T-shirt, and - you guessed it - a Divine Martyr T-shirt. They did mention for the first week gloves and buttons. And me unable to find my Thurmon Munson catcher's mitt and my "Carter for President" button!

Picnic, Northside Baptist Church, Indy

Each week, the worship consisted of songs we'd sing from that era. Nobody mentioned it, but it did show a reflection of the hymn vs. chorus debate. The first week we sang hymns ("My Tribute" and "Sweet, Sweet Spirit" being the more contemporary ones for that time. The next week, we sang choruses, three of which we sang through twice. Interestingly, contemporary worship songs have more verses again, and often a bridge! Bottom line - each era has God honoring songs.

We also had greetings from several individuals, such as missionaries, that were shown on the video.

Pastor Jeremy Couture started a series on the book of James the first week, but the anniversary colored this week's sermon, based on the vision of dry bones in Ezekiel 37. He also presented his vision for us to reach 500 people the next 3 years through Evangelism, Worship, Family Ministry, and Leadership.

Yesterday, we had a church picnic. It included one person playing the #1 songs of each year up till '80 and then Christian songs after prayer. Hey, any day I get to hear both "Sugar Sugar" (the Archies) and "Beyond Belief" (Petra) is a good day! 

KVIO, Cottonwood, AZ; not my dad in picture.

During the first part, we got candy if we knew the song and artist. When he announced the year '76, I was already on the way, because I knew it was "Silly Love Songs" (Wings). It helped having a father who was a DJ during that era, and listening to the songs on KVIO, 1600am, Cottonwood, Arizona.

Picture of Dad and Becky.

I'll admit - I was starting to get emotional during that point. The day before (Sept. 22), I saw a memory post from 9 years ago, where a high school friend posted a picture of the radio station and mentioned my Dad working there. The following day, the memory posts included one I did mentioning my Dad's passing. I realized the station picture was originally posted 5 years and 1 day before Dad went to heaven. Then, hearing the songs Dad played on the radio...

A lot of fond memories from this past month.

 

CHURCH SIGNS: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY (YOU CAN PLAY THE THEME TO SET THE MOOD).

Southminster Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, IN

 Whenever Becky and I drive on the I-74 from Indy headed toward Cincinnati (or returning), we make sure that we're paying attention to the right side of the road after going under Thompson Road (again, just before the Thompson Rd. Overpass on the left when returning). Because just past the bridge is the above sign, reminding us that Jesus Never Fails.

Another Indianapolis church also blesses us when we drive by it. We've seen churches with the words "Jesus saves" posted. But the Bible Study Chapel has on their building "Jesus saves and keeps." The two extra words are inspiring (let alone important and Biblical). It takes looking for; it's best seen when turning from Emerson Ave. Northbound onto the I-70 Eastbound. (It's easier seeing the church than finding where it's at.

Christians United Church, also in Indy (on Mithoffer between 10th Street and Washington) has great signs as well. They have a marquee which they change, and sometimes they have different thoughts that play off each other. My favorite was when we saw it say in one direction, "Lord, forgive them: they don't know what they're doing," and in the other, "Lord, forgive me: I don't know what I'm doing."

 

Our former Church, Arlington Avenue Baptist Church (on the corner of Shelbyville Rd. and Arlington Ave., Indianapolis) also had a marquee. When we had more children, we would have on the sign "We're praying for you,..." and then mention one of the schools that our members are attending.

I keep telling my friend, Pastor Richard Walton, that we ought to post "We're praying for you, School of Hard Knox." He never took me up on it. 

I've mentioned some signs that excite us, and I'm putting pictures of others as well. However, there are some that make us cringe. 

We've seen signs with deep spiritual messages like "Less hate, more pancakes," or "Go Fish." True, sometimes it seems like half of the thought is on one side of the marquee and it's completed on the other. When it had the cliche "You can change the world" on one side, the other added, "For love's sake." That makes more sense, but with the church's location on a winding road, it isn't logical to think that some people will pass it going one direction will remember the first half and put it together with the second.

Church signs, bumper stickers, refrigerator magnets, memes, etc. can be used to point people to God. But do we sometimes try to get a laugh or present worldly wisdom instead of using this as an opportunity to glorify God and draw others to the truth of God's Word?

Note - the last two signs are from Eastwood Baptist Church and Faith Family Church, both in Cookeville, TN.

SUNDAY HYMNS, PART 15 OF 22: SPIRIT OF GOD, DESCEND UPON MY HEART

 

Dove statue, Peace Garden, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;    

Wean it from earth, through all its pulses move;

Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art, 

And make me love Thee as I ought to love.

I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies, 

No sudden rending of the veil of clay,

No angel visitant, no opening skies; 

But take the dimness of my soul away.

Hast Thou not bid us love Thee, God and King? 

All, all Thine own, soul, heart and strength and mind.

I see Thy cross - there teach my heart to cling; 

O let me seek Thee, and O let me find.

Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh; 

Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,

To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh; 

Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love, 

One holy passion filling all my frame;

The baptism of the heaven descended Dove, 

My heart an altar and Thy love the flame.

NOTES ON HYMN

• This song is in the Worship and Service hymnal that was a major part of my life (used by two churches I attended while growing up and at chapel at Bible College) and probably in others also which I was unaware of until we sang it once at Arlington Avenue Baptist Church no sooner than 2018. It has become a favorite.
• The end of the song is called "modal." Typically, a verse/song ends on the root note of the key. For example, this hymn is in the key of C, and thus the root note is C. However, this song ends on the G note; it still ends with the notes of a C major triad (C,E,G), but not the root note. This is called a modal ending, and you'll notice a different tone because of it.
• The meter of this song is 10,10,10,10. Becky and I sing this to the tune of "Abide With Me." You can also sing it to the tunes of "Search Me, O Lord" (aka "Cleanse Me) and, if you want to add trumpets or not, "God Of Our Fathers."
  

PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH, PART 1 OF 3 - MY PASTORS.

"All My Rowdy Friends Are Preachers!" L-R Dr. Leroy Thomas (Founder & Professor of Pastoral Studies, Southwestern College), Bob Irvine, Dr. Jeremy Couture, Josh Jacobs, Richard Walton, Dennis King, Bill Scott, Mark Mirza (Common Thread Ministries, Bishop Robert Lyons (hospital chaplain), Gary Stump, James Lawson (cartoonist).

How many of you are aware that October is Pastor Appreciation Month? It's fitting that Pastor Appreciation Month ends with Reformation Day. 

The next three days I will develop the theme. Yes, we need to appreciate the pastors in our lives, starting with the men who are preaching the Word of God from the pulpit. But I also want to honor others who fill that role though not the office. Some may be pastors from the past who are pastoring from heaven through their writings and inspiration. Some are current pastors who have no idea I exist but who inspire me through books or TV/Radio ministries. Some have helped pastor me as a teacher or as a friend.

Today, I'd like to start by thanking the pastors I've had in my life (including youth pastors), which I'll do in chronological order. Some I have comments about, and others I will just mention. All are worthy of honor.

1. Rev. Evans, Fullerton Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). I'm trusting my over 60 year old memory for the church's official name and the pastor who was there when I moved at age 9 from the hicktown of Fullerton, California, to the metropolis of Skull Valley, Arizona. I do remember he had a daughter around my age.
2. Merle Heatwole, Skull Valley Community Church. I may not have his name spelled correctly. 
3. Ken Gordon, Verde Baptist Church, Cottonwood, AZ.
4. Ken Kunneman, Manzanita Baptist Chruch, Kingsman, AZ. I'm not sure I got his name correct. While at that church, I was introduced to cults, and an Anabaptist history view. A year later after returning to Cottonwood, Ken taught an elective on future things at camp, which I attended with Ken Gordon's son Tim (who was two years ahead of me in high school).
5. Denny Leeds (Youth Pastor), Verde Baptist Church. 
6. Henry Atkenson, Verde Baptist Church
7. Jim Woods (Youth Pastor), Verde Baptist Church
8. Joe LoMuscio, Cactus Baptist Church, Phoenix, AZ
9. Jim McCormick, Cactus Baptist Church. When I started attending there, he was an associate pastor, and became senior pastor after Rev. LoMusio took the pastorate at Temple Baptist Church, Fullerton, CA. (NOTE- I walked past Temple Baptist on the way to school before moving to AZ.)
10. Joe Magliato, Sonlight Christian Center, Orange CA. One claim to fame - his wife had a brother named Carman. Yes, that Carman.
11. Mark Cola (College/Career Pastor), Sonlight Christian Center.
12. Roger Hosier, Antioch Baptist Church, Orange, CA. Roger had the honor of marrying Becky and I.
13. Bob Irvine, Bethel Baptist Church, Phoenix, AZ
14. Bill Hackett, Valley Christian Assembly, Phoenix, AZ. 
15. Rodger Buck and 
16. Bob Johnson, Bethel Baptist Church, Valley, NE. Rod, Bob, and I were co-pastors.
17. R. B. Adamson, Victory Baptist Church, Bowling Green, KY.
18. Don Finto, Belmont Church, Nashville, TN.
19. Jerry Badgley, Calvary Church of the Nazarene, Nashville, TN.
20. Dennis King, Stonebrook Baptist Church, Nolensville, TN. If you're familiar with Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby wrote it with Claude King. Claude is Dennis' brother.
21. Mike Wilson, Calvary Chapel, Bowling Green, KY
22. Jeff Adler, Simhat Yeshua Messianic Congregation.
23. Jeff Seward, Horizon Christian Center West, Indianapolis, IN. Becky and I attended Simhat and Horizon at the same time. (Also, while I was sitting under the teaching of Jeff and Jeff, I also had a supervisor at work named Jeff.)
24. Gary Stump, Arlington Avenue Baptist Church, Indianapolis, IN.
25. Bill Scott, Hunter Road Bible Church, Indianapolis, IN
26. Richard Walton, Arlington Avenue Baptist Church, Indianapolis. Richard has the honor (or not) of being my pastor for the longest time - 16 years, not counting serving as an associate under Rev. Stump for a year when I had previously been at Arlington.
27. Tommy Johnston, Castleton Community Church, Indianapolis, IN.
28. Dr. Jeremy Couture, Northside Baptist Church, Indianapolis, where Becky and I currently attend.

I would like to thank each of these men for their leadership and for being a blessing to me, and especially their faithfulness to serving the Lord Jesus Christ.

Does anybody else have a pastor they want to thank?

 

SUNDAY HYMNS, PART 1 OF 22: AM I A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS?

Statue of Major General Henry W. Lawton, Garfield Park Conservatory, Indianapolis. Photo by Jeff Reynolds.

 

Am I a soldier of the cross,

A follower of the Lamb?

And shall I fear to own His cause 

Or blush to speak His name? 

Must I be carried to the skies

    On flowery beds of ease

While others fought to win the prize

    And sealed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face?

    Must I not stem the flood?

Is this vile world a friend to grace

    To help me on to God?

Sure, I must fight if I would reign;

    Increase my courage, Lord:

I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,

    Supported by Thy word.

SOME THOUGHTS ON ABOVE HYMN

• Becky and I attended Arlington Avenue Baptist for years. I mentioned it would be appropriate for this to be the official church hymn, since it is set to the tune called ... you guessed it ... Arlington.
• The words of this hymn were written by Isaac Watts.
• The meter of this hymn is Common Meter (8,6,8,6), called this because of the number of songs that have this meter. An interest thought for me is to sing this to the tune of "Ghost Riders In The Sky."

 INTRODUCTION TO THIS SERIES:

• From now until January 1st, I will be sharing one of my favorite hymn lyrics each Sunday. 
• The first 16 weeks will be in alphabetic order.
• Advent and Christmas hymns will be featured from the Sunday following Thanksgiving (1st Sunday of Advent) to Christmas day, and I've got a hymn lined up for New Year's Day.
• I debated having the picture on the top of being a hymnal open to the hymn of the day, but I decided to have a photo I took that I consider appropriate for the song.
  

PEACEFUL BY TRISH WALTON

 PART 14 OF A 17 PART SERIES ON FAVORITE ART AND ARTISTS

 

"Peaceful" by Trish Walton

 I'm taking a turn in this series. I am moving from artists who lived before my time to those I know personally. Three of the last four I'm featuring Becky and I have met, and the fourth is one I correspond with on-line and interviewed for this blog..

Becky and I have had the honor of knowing Richard and Trish Walton for nearly a quarter of a century. We met them when Richard became an associate pastor at Arlington Avenue Baptist Church (AABC)in '97. Richard then served at another church while Becky and I became a part of another congregation. By '04, when we returned to AABC, Richard was the pastor and Trish was the music director.

I don't remember when it was that I discovered Trish was an artist. But I was impressed. On this post are three of her works: "Peaceful" (above), "Monday Blues" (right), and "Rise Above" (which, with that title, ironically is below). 

My favorite of hers is "Peaceful." Looking at it made me realize - I do like pictures with a small subject dwarfed by the background, whether a spectacular one like "Sodom and Gomorrah" by John Martin (see July 5 blog) and with more natural settings such as Asher Brown Durand's "Kindred Spirits" (see July 13) and Trish Walton's "Peaceful."

Why other reasons do I like about "Peaceful"? I love the blues and greens used here (and also in "Monday Blues"). I find the light, cool colors refreshing.

What do you think about these paintings? Do you find more pastel cool colors more relaxing than the bright or dark colors other artists have used?