BEING READY

 

One theme that was prominent in the '70's and early '80's in Christian music was the soon return of Christ. One case in point is looking at four albums that came out probably in an 18 month window: "Get Ready" by the Darrell Mansfield Band, "Are You Ready?" by David Meece (pictured above), "Get Yourself Ready" by Nancy Grandquist, and "Make Me Ready" by Farrell & Farrell.

 

All four of these have a title track; Mansfield and the Farrells start off with it, Meece's is the first song on the 2nd side, and Nancy's is the next to last song. (Yes, this is in the day of LPs and Cassettes, when CD's only existed at banks.)

Forty years after listening to these albums I used to have (we got rid of our record player and records before vinyl came back in style), something hit me about these four title tracks - they each have a different emphasis.

 

Mansfield's song issues a wake up call; the rocking lead guitar on the intro helps establish the fact. The singer points out that we need to be aware of the times we live in and ... Ooo-ooo-ooo, GET READY!

Meece takes a different approach with his pop song. While Mansfield's tune has the gentleness of a hell-fire and brimstone street preacher, Meece sounds more like a friend, taking you aside and asking you, "ARE YOU READY?"

But how does one get ready? Or how do you know how you'd answer the question "Are you ready?" This is where the 1981 pair of songs focus.

Nancy Grandquist has been one of my favorite singers since I discovered her "Somebody Special" project in '79. It was years later that I learned she's Apostolic. There are several distinctives in that group, but one that is relevant: they hold that you can lose your salvation. Thus, they'll state as a Christian you need to endure, be vigilant, be sure your heart's right, and GET YOURSELF READY.

 

My memory could be wrong, but I remember Bob Farrell stating he was Baptist; maybe on their live album "Let The Whole World Know?" Or perhaps an interview I heard on the radio? In any event, Farrell & Farrell don't focus as much on our responsibility in our Christian life as on God's working in our life and transforming us. Or to put it in different words, it is Christ dwelling in me and conforming me to His image Who will keep me steady and MAKE ME READY.

As I mentioned, those albums came out two score years ago. Is it my imagination, or is there less focus on the imminent return of Jesus Christ for His church in Christian teaching in general and in Christian music in particular? 

Sunday, October 9th, Dr. Jeremy Couture at Northside Baptist Church preached on Daniel 5 (Belshazzar's feast, the writing on the wall), and warned against the sin of presumption. We presume that when things take a downward turn, there will be a future upward correction. Politically, when the bad guys gain power, we look forward to the next election to set things right. But are we guaranteed smooth sailing? Is there a point of no return? Will there be a point where the doors protecting the American Church from persecution will collapse?

ARE YOU READY? If not, I suggest you GET READY! GET YOURSELF READY by repenting of sins (including passivity, presumption, and laziness), and seek God's help to MAKE YOU READY.

NOTE: I originally had the photos arranged in a nice 2x2 square on the top, but the pictures disappeared. So I reposted them, but couldn't get them back into the cube. Oh well.

SUNDAY HYMNS, PART 10 OF 22: O FOR A HEART TO PRAISE MY GOD

Kookaburas, Louisville Zoo

O for a heart to praise my God, 

A heart from sin set free,

A heart that always feels Thy blood 

So freely shed for me!

 

A heart resigned, submissive, meek, 

My great Redeemer's throne,

Where only Christ is heard to speak, 

Where Jesus reigns alone;

 

A lowly, humble, contrite heart, 

Believing, true, and clean,

Which neither life nor death can part 

From Christ who dwells within.

 

A heart in every thought renewed, 

And full of love divine;

Perfect, and right, and pure, and good, 

A copy, Lord, of Thine!

 

Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart; Come quickly from above,

Write Thy new name upon my heart, Thy new, best name of Love.

 

NOTES ON HYMN

• This is the second hymn by Charles Wesley included in this series. It won't be the last. Wesley is only one of two hymn writers I'll be including more than one song by, the other being Isaac Watts.
• Does this song at all make you think of another of Wesley's classics, "O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing?" Both of them are written Common Meter (8,6,8,6). In the Worship and Service Hymnal I grew up with, both songs are set to the tune Azmon, though for this song it also suggests a couple of other tunes, including Arlington, which is usually associate with "Am I A Soldier Of The Cross."
• In the above mentioned hymnal, it only included four verses for this song, omitting the third verse I included. The Cyberhymnal lists nine verses for "O For A Thousand Tongues" and eight for this one, so I selected one of the other verses to include when Becky and I sing it.
  

BOOK REVIEW - THE FORGER OF A NATION: OF KINGS AND KINGDOMS, BY DONNA FLETCHER CROW

Can Kennneth mac Alpin, King of the Scots, forge an alliance among other kings against the Vikings from the West and the Picts from the East? An alliance with other kings who don't trust Kenneth, for legitimate reasons? And what can three young people in the mid 1990's learn from the tension of a 9th century monarch with vicious invaders, skeptical allies, and uncooperative family members?

This is the second of Donna Fletcher Crow's ten part The Celtic Cross series. Originally, she had written a historical novel about Scotland and Ireland; now, she has divided it up into ten novels, the first four focusing on Scotland and the remainder on the Emerald Isle. She also has added the story of three young people in 1993 and how the history applies to their lives.

Donna is a superb story teller, and keeps you interested in her tale. She also is excellent at interweaving history into her novels.

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series. 

PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH, PART 3 OF 3 - PASTORS I'VE NEVER MET

 

 

My bookshelf (it's been rearranged once or two dozen times since).

In this three part series, I've looked at pastors who have been behind the pulpit with me sitting under their ministry. I've also looked at pastors who were primarily sitting at one side of a McDonald's table with a cup of hot coffee and me on the other side with a cup of iced coffee. 

However, God had used people in the role of pastor I have never met. Sometimes, it's because their influence was more via television or radio or books they've written, with me observing from a place they can't see me. In other cases, they are individuals who finished their race before I started mine. I'll be mentioning "pastors" I appreciate who were, in a sense, behind the veil. And these I'll list alphabetically - more challenging for me, but it might make this list more interesting!

1. Kay Arthur, founder of Precept Ministries.
   
2. Athanasius, church father and influence on the Nicene Creed.
   
3. Margaret Becker, Christian singer/songwriter.
   
4. Rosaria Butterfield, author of The Gospel Comes With A House Key, dealing with hospitality and community.
   
5. Steve Camp, Christian singer/songwriter, pastor. 
6. Michael Card, Christian singer/songwriter, author.
   
7. Rod Dreher, author of The Benedict Option, focusing on community.
   
8. Les Feldick, host of "Through The Bible with Les Feldick, focusing on the importance of Paul.
   
9. Ronnie Lee Floyd, former SBC President.
   
10. Todd Friel, host of Wretched Radio.
    
11. J. D. Greear, former SBC president.
12. Keith Green, Christian singer/songwriter.
    
13. Gary Habermas, apologist.
    
14. Dave Hunt, author/apologist.
    
15. Eric Liddle, Olympic runner, missionary.
    
16. John MacArthur, pastor, author, radio minister. 
17. Daniel McCabe, singer/songwriter for the Daniel Band. 
18. Dr. J. Vernon McGee, pastor, host of Thru The Bible Radio.  
19. Philip Melanchthon, reformer, co-laborer with Martin Luther. 
20. Russell Moore, seminary professor, former ERLC President.
21. J. P. Moreland, apologist, author of Love Your God With All Your Mind.  
22. Rich Mullins, Christian singer/songwriter.
23. Kerry Nietz, author of the Peril In Plain Space trilogy, which emphasizes community (don't be scared off by the book titles or book covers). 
24. Ed O'Neil, founding member of Dixie Melody Boys.
    
25. Janet Parshall, hostess of "In The Market" on Moody Radio.
    
26. David Platt, author, pastor, former International Mission Board president.
    
27. Frank Reich, formal football player, Colts coach, seminary professor.
    
28. Carroll Roberson, Southern Gospel singer. 
29. Francis Schaeffer, author. 
30. Charles Simeon, pastor who dealt with adversity.
    
31. Charles Simmons, pastor and radio minister. 
32. Charles Stanley, pastor, radio/TV minister.
    
33. Tertullian, church father. 
34. Cal Thomas, journalist.
    
35. Gary Thomas, author of Sacred Pathways.
    
36. Isaac Watts, pastor, hymn writer, author of logic textbooks and cathecisms.
37. Charles Wesley, co-founder of the Methodist church, evangelist/pastor, hymn writer. 
38. George Whitfield, co-founder of the Methodist church, missionary/evangelist.
39. Malcolm Wild, Christian musician.
    
40. Richard Wurmbrand, pastor, author of Tortured for Christ, founder of Jesus To The Communist World (now known as Voice Of The Martyrs).

Have any authors/historical figures/musicians/TV and radio ministers been an influence on your life?

PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH, PART 2 OF 3 - PEOPLE GOD USED TO HELP SHEPHERD ME

Courtesy of TheGospleMark

Continuing with looking at Pastor Appreciation Month, I'd like to mention other ministers who had an impact on me that I believe are worthy to be included as pastors, even though they did not have that title. Some had the role of teacher, others were more friends. These would include:

• Rita Reynolds - my Grandmother, who taught me to memorize the books of the Bible.
• Rev. Marv Cowan, a Missionary to Utah, who I had opportunity to talk to one week at camp when he did an elective on cults. I saw him at Verde Baptist soon afterwards, since Verde Baptist supported him.
  
• Mike Cook. Was he supposed to be a youth pastor, or did he just serve a role?
  
• Bible college professors David Nicolas, Steven Sonmor, Rick Railsback, and Dennis Wretlind. I had opportunity to speak to them outside of class while I was at school.
  
• Bill Smith, who taught a men's Precept class in Tennessee.
• Dan Harting, founder of Families Against Cults.
  
• David Witt, CEO of Spirit of Martyrdom 
  
• Bishop Robert Lyons, who was head of the chaplains department Becky worked at. I had some opportunities to interact with him as well.
• Church Planter/Artist Kerry Jackson and Steve Sering, who worked with Circle City Canvas Church.
• Josh Jacobs, who was an influence to me while he was pastor at Hunter Road Bible Church.
• Mark Mirza of Common Thread Ministries.
• Missionary Monte Baker. I've talked to him on phone and Skype.
• My men's study group at Northside Baptist Church: Curt Waters, Nick Laurino, Jim Myers, and Tim Schlotterbeck. I also will include the teachers of the Living Stones class, which include Myers, Schlotterbeck, Glenn Christie, and Chris Pole.
• Finally, a list of friends I've had throughout my life that have had an influence on me spiritually in alphabetic order: Lonnie Atkenson, Mel Brown, Tony Finch, James Lawson, Dan Schafer, and Mario Smith.
  

 Do you have any teachers and friends who weren't technically pastors but who filled that role in your life?

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 9 OF 22: MORE HOLINESS GIVE ME

Southeastway Park, Indianapolis

More holiness give me, More strivings within,

More patience in suff'ring, More sorrow for sin,

More faith in my Savior, More sense of His care,

More joy in his service, More purpose in prayer.

More gratitude give me, More trust in the Lord, 

More zeal in His glory, More hope in His word,

More tears for His sorrows, More pain at His grief,

More meekness in trail, More praise for relief.

More purity give me, More strength to o'ercome,

More freedom from earth stains, More longings for home;

More fit for the kingdom, More useful I'd be,

More blessed and holy, More, Savior, like Thee.

NOTES ON HYMN:

• This hymn was written by Phillip Bliss, whose contributions include lyrics ("I Will Sing Of My Redeemer"), music ("It Is Well With My Soul") or both (this song, "Wonderful Words Of Life). Bliss worked with Moody and Daniel Whittle in the late 1800's. He died in a train wreck in 1876; actually, he was thrown from the train and survived but ran into the fire to rescue his wife. Shortly before that, he had written a letter to his friend James McGranahan encouraging him to minister to the Lord in music rather than having a career in opera; McGranahan wrote the music for "I Will Sing Of My Redeemer" and several songs with evangelist Daniel Whittle (including "Showers of Blessing" and "I Know Whom I Have Believed."
• Becky introduced me to this song from a Church of Christ hymnal, Christian Hymns Vol. 2. Even though Bliss' songs are in the other songbooks we regularly use, this song isn't in most of the others we use.😭

• An exception to the above - We have a hymnal titled Gospel Hymns Nos. 1-6 Complete, published in 1894, and featuring songs from Moody era musicians like Phillip Bliss, Ira Sankey, and James McGranahan. In the Church of Christ hymnal above, it's titled by the first line "More Holiness Give Me;" in the 1894 hymnal, it was titled "My Prayer." 
  
• For those interested, the meter is 6,5,6,5,Doubled. I will mention more about that meter later in the series.