SUNDAY PSALMS PART 48 OF 48 - PSALM 23

 

The Good Shepherd Church sign, Indianapolis.

1   The Lord is my shepherd;
    I shall not want.
2   He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
    He leads me beside the still waters.
3   He restores my soul;
    He leads me in the paths of righteousness
    For His name's sake.
4   Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil;
    For You are with me;
    Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me
5   You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
    You anoint my head with oil;
    My cup runs over.
6   Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    All the days of my life;
    And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:1-6 NKJV

You may remember back in February I may have surprised you by jumping from Psalm 20 to 27, skipping the best known Psalm. To be honest, I debated on skipping it because 1) many of you can say this Psalm from memory and 2) what can I add to what has already been said to this wonderful Psalm?

But then, an idea hit me. Why not close out with this Psalm on New Year's Eve? Here are some thoughts to think on:

• How has God led you to green pastures and made you lie down by still waters this past year?
• What paths of righteousness did God lead you down in '23, for His name's sake?
• Did God walk beside you and comfort you in the valley of the shadow of death these past twelve months?
• Was there a table prepared for you in the presence of your enemies this year?
  

2024 IN PREVIEW?

Turkey Run State Park, Marshall, IN

 You ready for 2024? 

No?

1. I don't blame you, and 
2. Tough. It will be here Monday.

Allow me to give several thoughts on this next year.

• We're facing a Presidential election. Some are talking about a rematch. When was the last one? Not in my lifetime. I'm guessing the most recent was McKinley defeating William Jennings Bryan in both 1896 and 1900. (The time before that was when Cleveland ran against Benjamin Harrison in 1888 and 1892, with the incumbent being on the losing end both times.) Me? I'm not going to predict. I will say the candidate I'm rooting for on the GOP side is Haley. Should it be Biden vs. Trump? I'd prefer one to the other, but if that happens, we should pray the country prove the theory a third party (e.g. Libertarian Party) cannot win the electoral college wrong. But odds are that most 
• Americans will be voting against one of the candidates, as we've had the past several years.
• Any areas coming up in my life? Well, I'll be hitting 65, meaning I'll get all sorts of calls for Medicare plans. Retirement? Good question. Please pray.
• Activities I plan on taking part of? Of course, NCFCA. The season has already started with a debate only on-line contest just over two weeks ago. I'm thinking of doing a pair more on-line contests and maybe the regional in early April in Louisville (not as close as last year's in Indy). I also will be wanting to do volunteer work at the Always 1 Ministries festivals (Kingdom Come and The Pit) and at the Southern Baptist Convention. By the way, this is the third national SBC even in Indy since I moved here: '04, '08, and '24. Yep, all Presidential election years!
• Movies I want to see? Well, actually I do all my movie viewing on the small screen at home. Definitely on my list is "Singing In The Rain." There was a time I wanted to see every James Bond movie; I've slipped since then, with GoldenEye being the last one I saw. (Octopussy is the only one before that I haven't seen.) I'm debating on catching up as far as Brosnan's; I'm not interested in the Craig ones. I also debate if I want to catch up with the final two of the Jurassic World trilogy. Plus, there are some older Marvel movies I might want to see (Captain America 1 & 2, Guardians of the Galaxy 1 & 2, and maybe the Black Panther movies).
• Reading? I'm going to do what I did last year and aim for 12 each of fiction and non-fiction. I might think about doubling the fiction should I re-enter my old habits.
• Music? Yes, there are groups I want to hear that I haven't yet: TheoTerran, Theody, Samuel Day, and Undefeated being on the top of my list (unless Daniel Band or Idle Cure decides to make the rounds). 
• Art? I would love to do more drawings. However, I'd love to get back on the keyboard and maybe guitar (I'll have to wait till I retire to learn the instruments that interest me: mandolin, oboe, French horn, and Timpani). I'm also feeling the novel writing bug coming back to life. Pray that I focus on what God wants me to do.
• This blog? Last year, I hardly wrote any interviews. I want to change that, so if anybody wants to be an interviewee (or someone they want me to interview), let me know. I have a few series in mind, but I'm not sure if I'll have a long Sunday series as I did the last two years.

Any questions? Any comments? Please?

JEFF'S FAVORITE NON-FICTION LIST, 2023

School of Athens by Rafael

Maybe I'm wrong. Is my list that everybody's waiting for, and thus the one to save for last, my fiction list? Or is it my relatively recent added song list? For me, the capstone of the year is my non-fiction reading. 

I'm trying to remember if I ever put this list in order of my favorite to the least favorite. I avoid it on the other lists, but I can think of two reasons why this would differ:

1. Because on the others, I interact with several of the authors and singers, and I don't want to make someone jealous or worse, for the authors at the bottom to feel discouraged because they're not higher on the list, and 
2. More importantly, the message of the books are more the reason for higher numbers than artistic skill.

As I started, I was ready to put them in alphabetic order. I just changed my mind. I AM going to put them in order from the one that blessed me the most to the one that blessed me tenth. However, I'm not going to go into descriptions, though I will include a link to my book review to give more details.  The titles of the books may be enough to let you know what moved me, and maybe interest you as well.

Ready?

1. Changed Into His Likeness: A Biblical Theology of Personal Transformation (New Studies in Biblical Theology) by J. Gary Millar. Book Review Link.
2. Pray & Go: Your Invitation To Become A Great Commission Christian (Church Answers Resources) by Thom S. Rainer. Book review will be posted Jan. 9, 2024.
3. Reflections On The Existence Of God: A Series of Essays by Richard E. Simmons III. Book Review Link.
4. A Primer On Biblical Literacy by Cory M. Marsh. Book Review Link.
5. I Would Die For Him: One Student's Story of Passion, Service, and Faith by Brent and Deanna Higgins (a biography of their son B.J. Higgins). Book Review Link.
6. The Sermons To The Seven Churches of Revelation: A Commentary and Guide by Jeffrey A. D. Weima. Book Review Link.
7. Dispensationalism: Essential Beliefs and Common Myths, second edition, by Michael J. Vlach. Book Review Link.
8. Letters From Jesus: Studies from the Seven Churches of Revelation (Greek for the Week) by Chris Palmer. Book Review Link.
9. Forged From The Reformation: How Dispensational Thought Advances The Reformed Legacy, edited by James I. Fazio and Christopher Cone. This compilation includes contributions from two authors mentioned above on this list: a pair of chapters by Cory M. Marsh (item 4) and a foreword by Michael J. Vlach (item 7). Book Review Link.
10. Awaken Your Call: Daily Readings For Prophets And Intercessors by John Eckhardt. A collection of 30 readings. I don't agree with a lot of what this author says, but he definitely has a heart to encourage the church to be what it should be. Book Review will be posted January 25, 2024.

 

JEFF'S FAVORITE NOVEL LIST FOR 2023

Episode 1830 by Adele Kindt

Raise your hands if you've been anticipating my annual fiction (and non-fiction) book lists! 

This year, I haven't read as many novels as I have recent years. Thus, it's easier to make this a top ten list, in comparison to the top twenty songs I shared yesterday. 

Part with less novels read - I only read more than one book from the same author this year, that being Donna Fletcher Crow. I used to do that deliberately when I read less novels. This time it was not planned. Thus, I had several novelists move up one slot each on my all time reading list, but it didn't have a lot of effect. Jessica Patch moved into a tie with Steven King for 10th place with 8 each. John Otte and Janet Sketchley moved into a tie with Jill Williamson for 12th place at 7 each. Donna Fletcher Crow gained a little breathing room for second place (21), and putting her only two from the seemingly unpassable Dame Agatha Christy. 

As usual, I will give them in alphabetic order. Will this tradition change? Well, if you read yesterday's blog, you'll notice a slight variation: I did identify my favorite song for the year. Let me know if you like that change. But I'll go back to the typical approach of making it straight alphabetic order by author for this year. So here's my top ten:

1. Deadly Burden (Green Dory Inn Mystery Book 4) by Janet Sketchley. Each story gets better! This one has a Christmas theme. Book Review Link
2. Explosive Revenge (Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit, Book 7) by Maggie K. Black. For those unfamiliar, Love Inspired Suspense (Harlequin) has an annual 8 part K-9 series, each novel written by a different author. Book Review Link
3. George Bronson Private Eye by Hal Ames. A fun mystery story by a good friend. The review will be posted January 11.
4. Lost Bits by Kerry Nietz. An excellent dystopian sci fi story by one of my favorite authors. Book Review Link
5. The Refiner Of The Realm: Of Queens and Clerics (The Celtic Cross Book 3) by Donna Fletcher Crow. Book Review Link(includes a bonus review of Crow's An All Consuming Fire - The Monastery Murders Book 5)
6. Shielding the Baby (Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit Book 1) by Laura Scott. This is the fourth K-9 Series first book I've read, and it definitely is the best. There are 7 more books in the series, so while you find some loose ends resolved, there are others that aren't. But this was an exciting book with plenty of turns. The review will be posted January 18.
7. Theme Park Abduction by Patsy Conway. This is a Love Inspired Suspense novel, though not part of a K-9 series. Book Review Link
8. A Tincture Of Murder (Lord Danvers Investigates, Book 4) by Donna Fletcher Crow. This series, based in the 19th century, tells a mystery while including a real crime from that era. Book Review Link
9. 12 Days... by Heidi Glick. This is a Christmas time suspense novella. Book Review Link
10. Undercover Assignment (Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit Book 4) by Dana Mentink. Even though it's set in New Mexico and my old stomping grounds is Arizona, this story makes me homesick. Book Review Link

 

JEFF'S FAVORITE SONG LIST FOR 2023

The Concert by Gerard van Honthorst

I'm going to start my favorites with the longest list - my favorite songs of '23. I use that term loosely - some of the songs might be technically '22 or maybe even '21, but I'm including songs from the most recent project of groups that I didn't know about till this year. I'll also include links to reviews of the album featuring the song. I'll also include a link to a Spotify Playlist that includes these and favorites of the last two years. So you ready? 

Here is my list of my 20 favorite songs from '23, and yes, as usual, I'll be putting them in alphabetic order. 

1. "Behold Our God" by Sovereign Grace Music. Excellent worship song - one that we sing at Northside Baptist, and when we do, it takes a while to get that one out of my head.
2. "Eden" by Amy Shreve. Her newest song, and it's among my favorites by her. I've had the honor of hearing her and her husband Gary Wixtrom several times in the past.
3. "Falling Stars" by I Am The Pendragon. It's been a pleasure getting to know guitarist/lead vocalist Jerrod Cunningham this year, and enjoyed hearing them at Kingdom Come Festival. Album Review Link
4. "Forever" by Divine Martyr. A cover of the Kari Jobe song, and I like this version better. I had the privilege of hearing them this year at Kingdom Come Festival, though I don't think they did this during their set.
5. "From The Silence" (Acoustic Version) by Battled. Artist Interview Link (I'm including the  interview link because I didn't do an album review, but also they're one of the few musicians I've interviewed this year).
6. "Heartbreak Embrace" by Eyes Aflame. Excellent rock song. They opened their set at Kingdom Come Festival, and Sarah Shue's singing on this song completely blew me away. Album Review Link
7. "I Know The One Who Knows" by The Chigger Hill Boys and Terri. Yes, a Southern Gospel song (or more technically Christian Bluegrass) made it into the list! 
8. "I Stand" by Crimson Overtone. This is probably older than their Assimilate EP; definitely a song I listen to when I need encouragement. I hear a little of them at The Pit Fest. 
9. "Not The End" by Eyes Aflame. Another song that takes a day or two to get out of my mind. See album review on entry 7.
10. "Orchestrate" by TheoTerran. I don't believe this is a single from their self-titled album, but it's my favorite from that project. They performed at Kingdom Come Festival, but I didn't get to hear them because I left early. :'( Hope to hear them next year. See album review on entry 1.
11. "Red" by Raviner. Great song! I don't think they did this during their Kingdom Come Festival set (I could be wrong), but it's an excellent song. Album Review Link
12. "Relief" by Taken Under. I first heard it live last year at the Get To The Point Festival, when the band was calling themselves "Tempus Unum."
13. "Rise And Reclaim" by I Am The Pendragon. Probably the hardest song on this year's list. Link to their album review on entry 4: Isn't "The Castle Of Lost Hope" a great title and concept? See album review 
14. "Say Goodbye" by Reclaim The Day. It was on the '22 EP "Psalms," but was released as a single this year. Great song, and a cool video as well. Album Review Link
15. "Show Me How To Live" by Rusty Shipp. Great song and excellent lyrics. I heard them at Kingdom Come Festival this year, though I don't think they did this or my other favorite song. This song isn't on their most recent release. 
16. "The Sword" by True Revival. On my lists, I avoid telling my rankings, but on this list, I'll mention that this was my favorite song this year. Of course, since it's about the Word of God... Album Review Link
17. "True Revival" by True Revival. Hmm... both the song name and the band sound familiar. Could it be because they're also the above song? I had the honor of hearing them twice this year, including the Pit Fest. By the way, if you want to see their album review link...
18. "Us And Them" by Rusty Shipp. Yes, I mentioned them a couple of entries before. This song is from their most recent album. Album Review Link
19. "WarCry" by TheoTerran. First song I heard by them, and it's one that often sticks in my head. Album Review Link 
20. "Your Love" by BRVVE. I got to hear her do this live at Kingdom Come Festival.

If you want to listen to them, they are on this playlist, starting at #33: Favorites '21-'25 

And speaking of playlists, next week I'll have a blog on what Spotify decided were my top 100 songs for 2023! 

2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

Me with Doug and Jim of True Revival

 Well, we're at the end of 2023. As usual, I've done my list of favorite songs, fiction, and non-fiction books which will be shared the next three days, plus a look-ahead to on Saturday to next year. I just reviewed my look-ahead blog from last year, and smiled at how I've made several goals.

What were highlights of '23?

I planned a surprise birthday party for Becky, and managed to pull it off without her having any  suspicions! She hosts a monthly prayer time at our apartment for CEF, and I let the regular attendees in on the event, as well as inviting others who joined me in coming into the apartment after the prayer time ended. Becky told me she usually doesn't like surprises, but this one was a blessing to her.

In the "Looking Ahead" blog, I mentioned that this year was also Becky's and my 40th Anniversary, as well as that the NCFCA regional was in Indy which I got to judge in person (in addition to some on-line contests, including one that took place mid-December). Also, I got to go to both the Kingdom Come Festival (more below) and the Pitt Fest - not to mention seeing Fishers of Men, Anna Owens, and True Revival later on -  and I had the honor of meeting the Republicans running for Lawrence Township offices including Dave Hofmann, Bob Jones, and Brent Addington. We also got to go to three of our favorite zoos (Cincy, Fort Wayne, and Chattanooga).

I mentioned a dream festival line-up I'd like to see of seven artists. If "see" means getting to hear them perform, I only got to hear two - Divine Martyr and True Revival. But if I by see I mean "see with my eyes", then you can add Undefeated and Reclaim the Day to the list. Plus, I saw the video of most of a concert by another entry, my long-time favorite Daniel Band. I also had the honor of meeting several artists including Doug and Jim of True Revival and  Jerrod Cunningham (I Am The Pendragon/XIII Minutes), Always 1 Ministries leaders Chris Bousum and Angie Leyda, and photographer Jeanette Yoder. I did spend a day in a building with photographer Chad Fenner, and though I didn't officially introduce myself, I interact with him on Facebook. I also started following the Podcast Lithoscry, hosted by Glenn Remsen. 

How about books? Interesting year. I set my goal of both fiction and non-fiction at 12 each. I broke the goal for both - 16 non-fiction, 20 fiction. On the latter, it hasn't been typical. Sure, 20's a lot, but the past few years it has been over 24 (average of two a month). Plus, the number of different authors this year I've read is 19! That weird enough? I've read books by several of my favorite authors, but several of them failed to hit my top 10! Let me rephrase this - I've read the first novel for years from my 3rd favorite author, and that didn't make my top ten!  

I do not currently have a favorite movie list, and the list of movies to see is relatively short (and not the most modern). However, I saw five movies I've always wanted to see: "Avengers: Endgame;" "Avengers: Infinity War;" "Citizen Kane," "Dr. Strangelove;" and "Labarynth." I'm glad I saw four of those movies. (Any guesses which one I didn't enjoy at all?)

I did a blog asking if I should join Glenn Remsen in the Podcast world. As of now, the answer is negatory. However, I do have three Facebook groups and this blog. I've got my "Holding Up In Prayer The Arms of Christian Artists stronger. My other two groups are not doing any better, and I'm considering merging one with someone else's group. And this blog? Still going. One change is that I can count the interviews this year on one hand, though I've had more album reviews.

So now, I'll open the floor to questions. And should I get any, I'll try to answer them this Saturday as I talk about next year.

Photos on left margin - Becky's party, courtesy of Donna Leinbach;  Me with Mayor Candidate Dave Hofmann and Council Candidates Bob Jones and Brent Addington, and with Divine Martyr, Undefeated, Jerrod Cunningham, and Chris Bousum.

A NEW ADVENT APPROACH? PART 4 OF 4 - AN ADVENT OF EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS

A partially live nativity scene at Cincinnati Zoo - the rabbit is live.

You may have seen Advent calendars focus on hope, peace, joy, and love. The first one I paid attention to looked at the Prophets, the angels, the shepherds, and the wise men. Those who have been reading the last four weeks will see a new set of four themes for Advent:

1. An Advent of Gratitude and Encouragement,
2. An Advent of Mercy and Grace,
3. An Advent of Truth and Discernment, and this week,
4. An Advent of Evangelism and Missions.

As an old Malcolm & Alwyn song from '73 points out, "The World Needs Jesus," and if anything, it's a 1,000 times truer today as it was 50 years ago when that song came out. But, as Paul says, "How shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?" (Romans 10:14-15a)

Evangelism and Missions go hand in hand. Evangelism is sharing the Gospel with those you encounter in your day to day life (e.g. Peter and John and the lame man at the temple), while missions is going to those who don't have believers they encounter day to day (e.g. Paul and friends going to Cyprus, Galatia, and Macedonia). 

Now you may say, "I'm grateful for those who are called to serve this way." Ah, but who did Christ call to serve this way? His disciples. Which ones? All of them. Now does that mean we're all to go overseas? No, but we all can evangelize.

This emphasis is fitting for these four weeks of Advent. We started off with gratitude and encouragement. Isn't our gratitude for our salvation best shown by joyfully sharing with others what God has done for us? And isn't the most important thing to do to encourage others is telling them how God can save them from their sins? Not that easy? Again, encouragement comes in play here - we can encourage others to share the Gospel, here and abroad.

Second week was mercy and grace. Isn't that what the Gospel is about? And not only is the message about mercy and grace, but we need to practice it. Jesus said we're being sent as sheep among wolves; Glenn Penner in his excellent book In The Shadow of the Cross: A Biblical Theology of Persecution and Discipleship, points out that we're being sent to the wolves.

Week three, we dealt with truth and discernment. The Gospel is called the truth of God through the New Testament. And with discernment, we need to be discerning in our ministry of evangelism and missions, as we will be dealing with false teaching, false teachers, and false perceptions.

How many think this is a good view of Advent?

By the way, with today being Christmas Eve, have a Merry Christmas (or a Joseph Christmas).