"No Cross, No Crown"

Maybe I'm a man, maybe you're the only woman Who could ever help me

2012-01-27T06:34:00.000-08:00

"Maybe I'm amazed at the way you're with me all the time
Maybe I'm afraid of the way I leave you
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you help me sing my song
You right me when I'm wrong
Maybe I’m amazed at the way I really need you"

I had this LP way back when. Actually I had all the Beatles albums, and some of McCartney's.

This particular LP was completely him, on every instrument. He did all the writing and all the playing. What a gifted man he was, and still is.

I was able to see him in concert last summer, and he was quite good.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."Ps 23

2012-01-25T03:28:00.000-08:00

What a Promise from a God of holiness; from our Lord who loves us; those who come to the Cross, and bow our hearts. Wow. What a Promise to encourage a weak heart. Thank You Father.

"Walked out this morning,Don't believe what I saw,A hundred billion bottles, Washed up on the shore, Seems I'm not alone at being alone."-Sting

2012-01-23T09:11:00.000-08:00

I was thinking that for 3 musicians, these three guys have a big sound. Very talented artists, and Band. I like how Sting puts his heart out there for us to see in his songs. I enjoy the music as well.

And this song in particular has me praying for Sting. He surely has no needs for his physical well being, but how about his soul? Does he in fact understand who Christ is, and who he, himself, is. Does he understand he needs to believe in the Cross of Jesus for forgiveness of all his sin.
And that there is no other way to happiness after we die, and even true happiness in this life is fleeting, if we know not our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Man, who is also God incarnate.

Thank You Lord for saving me. For I was lost in the darkness of this world, full of sin and self-love. I loved pleasure beyond all else, and You came to me and quickened me from my dead heart, and Your mercy brought me to Yourself.
Praise You and Thank You Father, for giving Your Son to redeem me. Amen.

It is: --Sanctity of Life Sunday! ---Lord helps us to make this "Legal Kill"-- Illegal--- once again. For Your honor and glory. Amen.

2012-01-21T15:55:00.000-08:00

"I know your side so very well
It makes no sense that I can tell
The smell of hell is what I smell

And you hand it out with handshakes everyday....

I cant believe its no big deal
Its a legal kill"

"He walks on, doesn't look back "

2012-01-18T07:11:00.000-08:00

I saw Phil in concert way back. He is a very gifted musician and artist. I like this song where he speaks to the way things are with many poor in the world. It's a good song to help us think about how often do we help the poor in this world. I think.

Phil doesn't have it all nailed down in this song, but he seems to try and say something, doesn't he.

Jesus said, "The poor you will always have with you. But you will not always have Me."
These words of our Lord are what is most needful for mankind, and in fact, all of our Lord's Word is what is needful, first and foremost. And sure we need to be concerned about social problems.

Those are my thoughts for this day.

May our Lord bless all who visit here, and all who know not the truth of Christ's death and resurrection, I pray you will consider the Gospel, or good news for your eternal soul this day.

"I got a Home in Glory Land that Out-shines the Sun. Do Lord, Do Lord, Remember me!"

2012-01-14T16:37:00.000-08:00

Pastor Glenn Kaiser is quite a Geetar player, especially R&B. But he has done all kinds of music and songs. He leads worship, and had a Rock & Roll Band as well: The Rez Band.

Resurrection Band, also known as Rez Band or REZ, was a Christian rock band formed in 1972. They were part of the Jesus People USA Christian community in Chicago and most of its members have continued in that community to this day. Known for their blend of blues-rock and hard rock, Resurrection Band is credited as one of the forerunners of the Christian metal genre. Christianity Today called them "the most influential band in Christian music history."

"You have to have a Friend in Jesus."

2012-01-13T05:08:00.000-08:00

I always loved this song. It's not theologically dynamite, but it's just a good song: Good beat, good tempo, etc.

I know one thing, that when I die, I'm gonna go to the place that's the best! because Jesus is not only my Friend, which He is, but because he is my Savior and my Lord!

Thank You Lord for dying for me. Your death took my sins, and Satisfied Your Father's wrath, that was upon me: a child of sinful wrath.
Praise You Lord! And thank You Father for giving Your Son to be the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world on the Cross, where Jesus said, "IT is Finished!"

"But fornication ....let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints; -nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not suitable" Eph. 5:3-4

2012-01-09T10:26:00.000-08:00

"The book is the umpteenth incarnation of Driscoll's infamous homilies on sex and the Song of Solomon. It is by no means the first book in which he has dealt with supposedly taboo sexual topics in graphic ways that are calculated to shock."-Phil Johnson, pastor at John MacArthur's church: ( http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/bio.htm

Mark Driscoll most likely has some deep issues with sex. Sad. He needs to get out of the pulpit for a season at least. And he needs to get his mind right with the Holy Writ of our Lord, and stop the ungodly books and teachings.

PS: And another thought occurred to me. Mark is making millions of dollars on these books. Money has a way of being sneaky, doesn't it. I know because it has sown some evil thorns about my roots in the past. God has helped me, and He removed this thorny root of all evil from my heart. Yet, I need to be on guard.

200 year old Farm with Boxers:-dogs that is!

2012-01-05T12:04:00.000-08:00

I worked on a farm today with my brother-in-law Tommy, helping him with some roof and gutter work. And the owner raises boxers, and sells them. He had boxers from Europe that be bought. One from Greece, and one from Belgium. These dogs wouldn't leave me alone while I was working. They were friendly, but they were barking, jumping, licking, and nipping me. They were feisty k-nines to say the least.

This house is 200 years old. Well, the right side with the siding is; the left side, where the stone is, is only 150 years old:-it's an addition.

There are "white devils and black devils", as Luther warns us. And so we need to really be down to earth serious about the dark powers in this age.

2012-01-04T20:15:00.000-08:00

I'm no match for the devils, especially Satan, in this life. Yet, he has nothing on me, as long as I seek Christ, and pray in the Spirit, as I am clothed in the full Armour of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We do need to pray, resist, and even flee the devil at times. So let us remember to lean on Jesus and His Word, most of all, but also be united with His Church, where there is comfort and solace, and joy, which will be a major portion of our strength in the days ahead.

"The Joy of the Lord is your Strength!"

Here's an oldie but goodie from Steve Camp. A fine brother in Christ.

"It is God Who gave us life. As He is free, so are those He created in His image. Our rights to life and liberty are inalienable."-Ron Paul

2012-01-03T06:54:00.000-08:00

"It's just like this pretense that he's a conservative. Here's a Massachusetts moderate who has tax-paid abortions in 'Romneycare,' puts Planned Parenthood in 'Romneycare,' raises hundreds of millions of dollars of taxes on businesses, appoints liberal judges to appease Democrats, and wants the rest of us to believe somehow he's magically a conservative."-Newt Gingrich

I don't trust Newt as far as I could kick him. And Romney is the same, isn't he.

Who out there is honest; and has integrity?

Ron Paul does. I hope he makes it to the White-house. The nation will return to it's foundation a little better if we have a man like Paul as President.

"Savior of my soul, To Your strength I yield control, Purge me from my stain, Sin will lose its mortal reign, Make me free, By You I'm purified"

2012-01-01T10:45:00.000-08:00

This 1st day of 2012, I have dedicated my life over to my Lord, whom I have neglected, and I have walked a life of half-truth in some of my ways. I pray my Savior will help me walk in the truth once again, and bring honor to Him, and also love others with a greater love, and so my light shall shine bright, and not just flicker a little here and little there.
Thank You Lord for being forsaken on the Cross as my sin, and the sin of the world, was placed upon You, and You bore indescribable pain as Your Father turned his eyes away, and poured out His wrath upon You, so that i could be set free, and made righteous in Christ's blood. Amen

"Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." Isa. 49:16

2011-12-29T18:36:00.000-08:00

".....through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose."-Paul the Apostle; his epistle to the Galatians chapter 2 verses 19-21

What a terrific song. And it really does reach down into a heart and lets you feel a little good, and ponder a bit. Good songs do that.

2011-12-27T18:56:00.000-08:00

"Looks like nothing's ever going to change,
Everything still remains the same,
I can't do what ten people want me to,
So I guess I'll remain the same.

"Sittin' here restig' my bones,
This loneliness won't leave me alone."-Otis Redding

"The King said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a garment?’ He was quiet. The King said, ‘Bind him hand and feet and throw him out."

2011-12-27T10:20:00.000-08:00

God is so loving He sent His Son to die for sinners like us, and so cleanse us, and gives us His goodness to ware as a garment, so we are clothed before a holy God and Creator when we die. This clothing is for all who believe in Christ the Lord, who came 2,000 years ago. If we stand naked before God in our sin, then we are going to have to deal with His justice and wrath. And that for all of us is more scary than any other possibility. Way more frightful than any fear this world has to offer. And that is the truth. A truth the devil likes to hide.

"Beware of false teachers", Jesus tells us:-- time and time and time again He warns us fervently.
Look to the truth of His Word, not humans, nor human wisdom, as some espouse. And, also, remember, if you hear from a genuine minister of Christ, then he will tell you the same; to look to His Word. Seek Christ in the Word, for He is the Word. Amen and amen and amen.

"Heavenly Hosts sing Hallelujah! Christ the Savior is born!

2011-12-25T15:14:00.000-08:00

"Having memories, and making memories."-Don Sandman, Dudley, Lacey Sands

2011-12-20T03:19:00.000-08:00

Here's the Bakery I went to as a young lad in Woodlawn, MD. And now I take my grandsons there. And they still give the boys free cookies as they did when I was a wee lad. This is Matt, my numero two grandson.

We always have such a nice time on Saturday Morn, when we stop and get some buns and a coffee, and a cookie, and then go down the raod to have a nice time feeding the ducks at the pond.

"There is no peace on earth," I said, "For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men."

2011-12-18T15:16:00.000-08:00

(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), 1867)

"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!"

This was one of my favorite bands, way back when. Joe Lala on the Congas; Chris Hillman on the Manolin; Fuzzy Samuels on bass, and of course, Stills.

2011-12-16T19:48:00.000-08:00

The quality of this video is poor, and yet I still enjoyed it. I hope you can too.

"..the young men [left] their music. The joy of our hearts has ceased; our dancing has been turned to mourning" Lam. 5:14

2011-12-14T13:50:00.000-08:00

"Now they lay his body down
Sad old men who run this town
I still recall the way
He led the charge and saved the day
Blue blood and rain
I can hear the bugle playin'

CHORUS:
We seen the last of Good King Richard
Ring out the past his name lives on
Roll out the bones and raise up your pitcher
Raise up your glass to Good King John

While he plundered far and wide
All his starving children cried
And though we sung his fame
We all went hungry just the same
He meant to shine
To the end of the line"-Donald Fagan

Music is a gift from God to bring joy. And music at the same time can cause dishonor to the Lord, but it doesn't have to, even if the songs are not directly written as hymns and spiritual songs. I must say that the hymns of the Church are the best music. And yet, I like all kinds of music. Music is a blessing from our Lord. And we need to be free to enjoy our Savior's blessings, don't we.

So we have here a very interesting song fropm the pen and keyboard of Donald Fagan evidently about King Richard the Lion-hearted, and King John.
The music and blend of notes is excellent, and almost jazzy/rock. I have always enjoyed Steely Dan's music, and even though Fagan would write a bit too deep, it's still fun to listen and think about what he could mean.

I thank our Lord for good music. I pray for these band members, the ones still living, that they would come to Christ, if they never have. And perhaps even use their giftedness for some CCM; not that they have to of course.

"We are justified by faith alone, and yet this faith is never alone."-John Calvin

2011-12-11T12:17:00.000-08:00

We had such a powerful sermon today in church. David Crum, my pastor, preached a edifying message from John 6:22-29, and he focused in on how we "work the works of God".

" Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom he has sent."

These words from Jesus are beyond our comprehension, and yet, when we are able to simply accept them into our hearts and minds, then we will be living a full life on this earth, and we will be producing much fruit for God's glory and kingdom.

"How can a man be a father to the Son Of God. For all my life I've been a simple carpenter. How can I raise a King."

2011-12-08T14:23:00.000-08:00

Michael Card was a superb artist, and was one of my favorite as a young Christian. I have lost track of his music for a while now. He wrote from his heart, and from the depth of his heart, I would think.

There is so much shallow music in the Christian Music scene today. Sad, Very sad.

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me, to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted"

2011-12-07T07:41:00.000-08:00

"Anyone who is involved in a broken family relationship needs the ministry and care of the Church.
...A church that closes its doors and its hearts to those who are in broken situations cannot be considered a church at all. The Church exists, principally, to minister to those who are broken. It was said of our Lord Himself that He would not break the bruised reed (Isa. 42:3). Victims of broken homes are bruised people; the bruises will not go away without help. This is a wound that time does not have the capacity to heal.It requires the healing of God Himself, which He often ministers through His Church. This is our concern as Christians, and one we dare not neglect. How we handle these situations will have an eternal impact, not only for the individuals involved, but for cultures and nations whose structure is marred and broken."- RC Sproul

"Immanuel, our God is with us now.!" Christ the Messiah!

2011-12-05T08:16:00.000-08:00

This song is from Michael W. Smith's brilliant CD: 'Christmas Album'. He put this out back in the 90's I think. And it has always been one of my favorite LP's of this season. It's a mixture of all kinds of worshipful truth and music and singing. Wonderfully done.

Nice song. Nice lyrics. Made me think about Patti, my girl, and my wife, who i do not deserve. Thank You Lord for my wife; my girl. Amen.

2011-12-04T12:48:00.000-08:00

"They've got stars they don't have wishes for"

2011-12-01T19:28:00.000-08:00

One of The Doobie's best. Tremendous talent here.
And simple lyrics to dig a bit deep into our soul. Make us think, and help us out of shallowness. But it's mainly the music here, not the lyrics so much. With "Skunk" Baxter, and the horns, and Michael Mac. Good music.

"Oh, why do they come and ask for more?
They've got stars they don't have wishes for
They're just givin' up their blame to me
How do the fools survive?

It's not like it was before
When they call I won't come running
It was so long ago
I left them on their own
Oh, how do the fools survive? "-Michael McDonald

Roy Orbison had a sweet sound, didn't he. I enjoy listenig to his voice, and the words of this simple song, in a less complicated season and culture.

2011-12-01T18:56:00.000-08:00

"His own Self for Heavenly food." Jesus said: "the bread that I will give is My flesh" My mortal flesh, must feed my spirit on His eternal flesh.

2011-11-30T05:15:00.000-08:00

Fernando is one of very talented ministers of our Lord in his giftedness as a psalmnist. A fine song writer as well.

"So come on back, and see, Just what you mean to me. I need you"-George Harrison (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) 10 years ago George died.

2011-11-29T13:44:00.000-08:00

One of George's best songs I think. He was quite talented as a song writer, even though Paul and John wrote so many more songs as Beatles.

George died at the age of 58, the same age I am now. Lung cancer did him in. Yet, the saddest thing is that George rejected the Truth; he never believed he needed Christ. He needed things, and people, and even Hinduism, but He dismissed Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Perhaps near the end he cried out to Christ for mercy. I hope so.

Nevertheless, he was a very kind man, and did many good deeds for others. He was worth hundreds of millions of dollars. And yet he seemed to try and live a simple life.

I hope I would do the same if I had as much. I hope also I would never leave Christ, my first love, for riches of this earth, nor for a religion like Hinduism, or any other religion for that matter; nor any other thing or person, or idea.

Jesus changed my life; in fact he gave me life, when I was dead in the dark world I cherished, as I rejected Christ, and all things of heaven.

2011-11-29T13:38:00.000-08:00

"In the image of God we are created."

2011-11-28T03:50:00.001-08:00

"Think not that I am come to bring peace on earth: I come not to bring peace, but a sword." -Jesus our Messiah and God

2011-11-26T07:35:00.000-08:00

Bishop John Charles Ryle says (10 May 1816 - 10 June 1900):

"We are not to think it strange, if the Gospel rends asunder
families, and causes estrangement between the nearest relations. It is sure
to do so in many cases, because of the deep corruption of man's heart. So
long as one man believes, and another remains unbelieving--so long as one is
resolved to keep his sins, and another desirous to give them up, the result
of the preaching of the Gospel must needs be division. For this the Gospel
is not to blame, but the heart of man........No doubt unity and peace are
mighty blessings. We ought to seek them, pray for them, and give up
everything in order to obtain them, excepting truth and a good conscience.
But it is an idle dream to suppose that the churches of Christ will enjoy
much unity and peace before the millennium comes."

Ah! Christmas Season has officially started, and it's foundation is Christ, the New Born King! But we can surely enjoy the atmosphere this brings.

2011-11-25T15:20:00.000-08:00

Thank You Lord Jesus for giving Yourself fully, as Your Father asked You. All glory for this holy sacrifice to You and Your Father!!

2011-11-24T06:27:00.000-08:00

My Mom passed away from this world, into God's arms last year on December 11th. Wow, how I miss her. But this vid helps. I shall see Mom with Jesus.

2011-11-23T11:06:00.000-08:00

Cool Hand Luke; one of my favorite films! And I really appreciate how this video was done, with a song from an artist I really don't know. Enjoy.

2011-11-22T20:18:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

What a voice this man had! And what a wonderful song of Christ and truth.

2011-11-22T16:39:00.000-08:00

I liked/like "Steely Dan"s blend of music, to have a rocky-jazzy sound; "fushion" I think they call it. Great sound of so many different instruments.

2011-11-22T13:01:00.000-08:00

Here's a song from an album by Donald Fagan, who was the main artist in the band, Steely Dan. here's one of my favorite songs he composed. Enjoy, if you like this sound, and this style of music.

I always liked the 2nd LP of Chicago the best. Very much a masterpiece indeed. Enjoy this touching sonnet, poem, and song, It's truly a fine piece

2011-11-18T16:31:00.000-08:00

A warm summer night
The moon above us
The stars for a wish come true
Are memories of love

A motionless pond
A beautiful swan

The smell of flowers growing near
Make me shed a tear

Memories of love gone by
Make me stop and cry

Now I kneel and pray
For the Lord took her today

And all that's left to think of
Are memories of her love

"It's so hot inside my soul I swear there must be blisters on my heart."

2011-11-17T13:03:00.000-08:00

I miss Rich, and his heart and talent as a poet musician. He was a rare brother in Christ. There are a lot of so-so artists, and they are more just trying to fit in and make a few bucks. But Rich was genuine: mainly because he said he wasn't.

"We talk of the Second Coming; half of the world has never heard of the First." --Oswald Jeffrey Smith (1889-1986)

2011-11-16T05:08:00.000-08:00

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me."-Paul, a great man of God.

"Some are running on Ego, never satisfied,... Is Jesus your Master, and you His servant, and He your King, and you His subject? That is the question.

2011-11-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

I remember seeing D&K way back when, and they did this song live, and it sounded just like this. I actually met Dana and spent some time with him after a concert when we had a bite to eat. A wonderful honest and fun brother to have met. I can not wait to see him again. It was so tragic that our Lord took him home last year.

This verse of truth is at the heart of what Dana Key stood for, as he preached the Gospel of grace alone through faith alone, for the glory of the Ultimate Ruler alone. Amen. Amen.

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
(James 1:22-25 ESV)

Did Jesus really think of me above all? A wonderful song, and yet it can be very wrong, or superbly right. Which is it?

2011-11-12T10:53:00.000-08:00

♫ Above all ♫ Worship - Lenny LeBlanc - Paul Baloche from joe-topc on Vimeo.

Who did Jesus die for, first and foremost?

His Father, of course. There can be no doubt Christ was giving His Life for His Father had called Him to do just that.

What was the reason,-the main reason,--He died?

Jesus died for the glory of His Father.

Now, how about us sinners, how do we fit in?

Jesus did die for all His sheep, and He loved us before the foundation of the world. I can say without a doubt that Jesus thought of me as He was giving His every drop of precious blood. He though of Abraham, David, Peter, Paul, and all His saints, who without His atoning death would be lost to hell and eternal separation.

So, our Lord thought of His Father "above all". No other thought can enter here. BUT, Jesus thought of us as well.

Now I can enjoy this great hymn, knowing the truth of the Gospel, and knowing that Christ died with His first and foremost thoughts, and the whole of His holy heart set upon His Father's love and glory.

And I can also rejoice in that Jesus died for me, personally. My Savior did not just die as an act of kindness, but He died FOR his children, and those whom He loved, and loves.

"Try to excel in gifts that build up an encourage the Church."-Paul, the Apostle

2011-11-09T18:54:00.000-08:00

"If God can empower me to rise above my circumstances, what more can He do in the lives of people who have use of their arms and legs?! Perhaps my artwork will encourage them [you] to trust in Christ, reach for His grace, and rise above their [your] circumstances, too! .....

Friend, every natural and supernatural gift you posses is intended by God to strengthen others. So thank you for using your gifts as together we give the joy and hope of Jesus to those who need Him most."-Joni [http://www.joniandfriends.org/blog/joni-christmas-cards-message/]

Jesus is sovereign over every molecule of this universe. And he is Lord of all the realm we do not see, where there are trillions of beings! Wow!!!

2011-11-08T04:42:00.000-08:00

2011-11-03T08:11:00.000-07:00

It's absolutely impossible to love my enemy, isn't it? And yet, I must. And I can, if I live by faith in Christ, and ask for His grace and Spirit to give me the love and power to do this for His glory. I shall fail many, many times in this life, and perhaps obey my Lord a few times. But even when I obey Him I can never take the credit for a work well done, for it is His grace that is at work in me, and not myself. What a terrific Savior! How I love Jesus! His forgiveness is better than life!

"Happy Reformation Day to all you protestants out there in the world full of devils, and yet under the sovereign rule of "Lord Sabaoth".

2011-10-31T08:55:00.000-07:00

"Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen."
Martin Luther, Luther's Response to the Inquisition at the Diet of Worms (1483 - 1546)

I always liked the Rascals. They hade a deep sound, and yet unique. Not many bands could follow them. Here's one of their top tunes. Enjoy.

2011-10-26T07:31:00.000-07:00

"Let love be without dissimulation."-Paul, from his Epistle to the Romans chp. 12 ver. 9

2011-10-23T06:10:00.000-07:00

[Luther as an Augustinian monk]

"This is a very necessary and significant addition; for as nothing should be so altogether free from hypocrisy as love, so nothing is actually more defiled by it than is love. .....There is a twofold hypocritical love. One shows itself and glitters outwardly, while there is hatred in the heart. The other does not hide the fact that it is evil (hypocritical), nor does it show that really it is hatred. Between these (two kinds) there is the hypocrisy of those who speak and do neither what is good nor what is evil."-Martin Luther

I have to deal with my hypocrisy daily. Even when I was in the flesh without Christ, I had a nudge of guilt from my two-faces. But now, with His Spirit in me, I simply feel the weigh of conviction, and by His wonderful grace I am able to break free of by two desires, and my love for Jesus, and my love for others is able to shine through. This love is genuine, and yet it is 100% a grace gift from our Savior, who reigns from on high. And it is a fruit produced through me, by the watering of the Word, and tender care of our Lord through His beloved saints.

And to God be all the glory. Amen.

I like the Secular tune, but the Christian tune makes me ill.

2011-10-19T11:56:00.000-07:00

I really like Phil Collins, and this song is well done. Just a nice tune, where the words fit in a relationship sort of way.

I can stand this tune though. Even though the Church seems to love it. It makes Jesus a boyfriend, doesn't it?

"Let the idols tumble down! That's when I call it Independence Day!"

2011-10-18T14:59:00.000-07:00

Here's another band I liked, and still like, who sang basically CCM (Christian Contemporary Music). I took my daughter to see them a few times in the mid 90's. Always a good time, and edifying.

"The preeminence of Christ our Redeemer and the truth of the gospel with the glorious promise of the resurrection must be...... clearly articulated."

2011-10-12T15:37:00.000-07:00

Sir Peter Paul Rubens (28 June 1577 – 30 May 1640)

"When we assert that the TGC is passionate about the gospel, we are saying something more than that we are passionate to evangelize (though I hope all of us mean at least that): we are passionate about the gospel as it is presented in Scripture. The gospel is not the little bit of the Bible that tips us into the kingdom so that we can get on with our discipleship and doctrine courses, but the big category, the heart of the Bible's storyline, that joyously announces what God has done through his Son for his own glory and for the good of his blood-bought people, the church of the living God. That is why we worry about questions like this: "What is the least that a person must believe so as to be saved?"---implying, perhaps, that that is the gospel. God help us! That sort of approach will guarantee thin gruel. We should be asking, rather, "How can we preach the whole counsel of God, demonstrating in countless ways the matchless richness of the gospel of God, to the end that men and women might be saved and that all should honor the Son even as the Father?"-DA Carson & Tim Keller http://thegospelcoalition.org/

*the opening quote is from Dr. Harry Reeder III, pastor Briarwood PCA church in Alabama.

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by who the world is crucified to me, and I unto the world." Gal. 6:14

2011-10-10T09:58:00.000-07:00

"A sign you’re growing in grace is praying for our government rather than simply being cynical about our government.

A sign you are growing in grace is that you are more disgusted with your critical spirit than offended by others’ sins."-Scotty Smith

These excellent words from Pastor Scotty Smith hit hard between the soul and spirit, don't they. But to not look to the Cross of our beautiful Savior would be devastating to our growth. It's only, and only, the grace of Christ, through His death on the Cross that we can have the power of His Spirit to become more like Him, and less like the sinner we are. So, this magnificent quote from the Apostle Paul needs to be first in our hearts, then comes the grueling task of walking in the light and being salt to a world that is dark and has an awful stench of corruption.

"What is she trying to say in this song? We have an open door, so we can walk through it?

2011-10-06T17:20:00.000-07:00

What do you think of this song, if you stop by and listen that is? I just don't get much out of the CCM culture in this day. Seems kind of empty and super-shallow. Not that every song needs to be miles deep. But, something is missing. Leaves me flat. yet, songs like this one are very popular, and are selling like crazy. It's probably my heart just being too critical.

Here's another CCM song from a few years back, that is simple, and yet has some depth to it:

"And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor,..."-Mark 10:21-22

2011-10-05T05:28:00.000-07:00

I like to post some of my favorite artists from time to time. Phil Collins is one. He really is quite talented. A superb percussionist, and song writer, and singer. I don't believe he trusts in Christ, and so I pray he would come to Jesus Christ. Yet, in this song he hits a home run as far as teaching us a lesson about caring for those who are in dire straits.

Actually, Phil's take is a humanistic one, and misses what our Lord says about helping the poor. My next post will be one that deals more with the poor, and especially those who hold the Card-board signs and are seeking monetary blessings from the passersby.

And I shall expound upon this verse of Scripture, and what our Savior says to the Rich Young Ruler as well.

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound doctrine; having itching ears they will accumulate teachers to suit their desires." 2 Tim 4

2011-10-01T11:51:00.000-07:00

Jesus said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God." Now Jesus loved [ fiðlov] Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus." John 11:4-5

2011-09-27T17:24:00.000-07:00

Carl Heinrich Bloch [1834-1890]

"The chapter we have now begun is one of the most remarkable in the New Testament. For grandeur and simplicity, for pathos and solemnity, nothing was ever written like it. It describes a miracle which is not recorded in the other Gospels,--the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Nowhere shall we find such convincing proofs of our Lord's Divine power. As God, He makes the grave itself yield up its tenants. --Nowhere shall we find such striking illustrations of our Lord's ability to sympathize with His people. As man, He can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities.--Such a miracle well became the end of such a ministry. It was meet and right that the victory of Bethany should closely precede the crucifixion at Calvary."- Bishop John Charles Ryle

"When I survey the Wondrous Cross, on which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride."Issac Watts

2011-09-23T08:02:00.000-07:00

"He must increase, but I must decrease."-John the Baptist

2011-09-18T17:43:00.000-07:00

"....he solemnly affirms, that Christ must and will become greater and greater, and that he himself must become less and less important, until, like a star eclipses by the rising sun, he has completely disappeared.
A frame of mind like this, is the highest degree of grace to which mortal man can attain. The greatest saint in the sight of God, is the man who is most thoroughly "clothed with humility." (1 Peter v. 5.) Would we know the prime secret of being men of the stamp of Abraham, and Moses, and Job, and David, and Daniel, and St. Paul, and John the Baptist? They were all eminently humble men. Living at different ages, and enjoying very different degrees of light, in this matter at least they were all agreed. In themselves they saw nothing but sin and weakness. To God they gave all the praise to what they were. Let us walk in their steps. Let us covet earnestly the best gifts; but above all, let us covet humility. The way to true honour is to be humble. No man ever was so praised by Christ, as the very man who says here, "I must decrease," the humble John the Baptist."-JC Ryle

{Caravaggio (1573–1610)}
This painting is of John the Baptist's execution of being beheaded. He was only in his early 30's when he was finished with God's calling in his life. He truly is a great example for us all of genuine humility.

"Can you see the real me"-Peter Townsend

2011-09-16T06:01:00.000-07:00

Here are two versions of 'The Real Me'. A live performacne in 2007, I think. And from the opening credits of the film: "Quadrophenia".

Peter really is one of my favorite artists. He wrote the Rock Concert Tommy, and then he came out a few years later with Quadrophenia as another masterpiece of musical art. The Who also made a film about the whole story in Peter's music. As well, they made a movie about Tommy. The best LP the Who put together by far is 'Who's Next': A true classic.

I pray for Peter to come to Christ, and see his sin, and the forgiveness of Jesus. Amen.

Here's a fine artist sharing his heart about the truth of the G.O.S.P.E.L.

2011-09-14T14:48:00.000-07:00

G.O.S.P.E.L. from Humble Beast Records on Vimeo.

It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profitieth nothing: the words that I speak to you, are spirit, and are life." -Jesus, the King of kings

2011-09-12T18:04:00.000-07:00

"...Christ's words especially are spirit-stirring and life-giving.
The principle contained in this verse, however faintly we may grasp its full meaning, deserves peculiar attention in these times. There is a tendency in many minds to attach an excessive importance to the outward and visible or "doing" part of religion. They seem to think that the sum and substance of Christianity consists in Baptism and the Supper of the Lord, in public ceremonies and forms, in appeals to the eye and ear and bodily excitement. Surely they forget that it is "the Spirit that quickeneth," and that the "flesh profiteth nothing." It is not so much by noisy public demonstrations as by the still quiet work of the Holy Ghost on hearts that God's cause prospers. It is Christ's words entering into the consciences, which "are spirit and life."- John Charles Ryle

A song from The Beatles' Yellow Submarine Album: 'Hey Bulldog'

2011-09-07T10:57:00.000-07:00

"Some kind of solitude,
is measured out in you,

You think you know me,
But you
haven't got a clue."-John

I'm sort of guessing these words were composed by John Lennon. They certainly reflect his heart, I think. They aren't bad words, are they. John was a deep thinker, that's for sure. And he was, and still is, one of my favorite artist of all time.

Over the years I've learned a bit about John. I have always been a Beatles fan. From the very beginning, when I first saw them on The Ed Sullivan Show. And as they developed in their art, I continued to follow them and buy their record albums, and go see their films. I still enjoy listening to their music. They have a unique style, and they were very talented.
Yet, John was a lost soul. He was a rebel. And some of his 'kicking against the goads' was a good thing to be honest. But he never did really come to see the truth of Christ. And that to me is the saddest thing,-- for any one really. I still like John Lennon, and admire him in many ways. But he never saw sin as evil. And he never saw Christ as the Savior of the world. John had his own truth, and he didn't let anyone tell him anything. It's good to not listen to some people, but we do need to listen to others, don't we. This is where balance must come into our lives, and even our hearts.
We need to think with our minds God has given us, and yet we do need to be able to trust in others. Not everyone, that's for certain. But we can trust in Jesus, without reservation, can't we. To trust in Christ, is to trust in His Word. And there are those whom are genuine shepherds of Christ in this world, and we can trust them as well. Not as we trust in the truth of His Word, or in Christ Himself, but a trust nonetheless.

I wish John Lennon would have done this. But he rejected this truth. And some other wicked man shot 7 bullet holes through John's body and murdered him in New York City. That was a sad today, and still is.

I shall continue to listen to John's music, and think of him. He was quite the artist.

Here's another song by John from 'Rubber Soul' (Quite different, and telling of his earlier life, perhaps):

""If you abide in My Word, then are you My disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."-Jesus

2011-09-05T06:17:00.000-07:00

As I read the Bible this morning, and pondered the words of John the Apostle- (the inspired words)-, I was lifted up in my faith, and was encouraged in my heart. It's so essential to take time and pray, and read the Holy Word of our Lord, so that we can have the strength we need to walk each day in a devil filled dark and accursed world. I thank our Lord for giving us His truth in the form of a book:-The Bible, the Holy Scriptures.

JC Ryle comments on John chapter 8: "There were many, it seems, at this particular period, who professed to believe on our Lord, and expressed a desire to become His disciples. There is nothing to show that they had true faith. They appear to have acted under influence of temporary excitement, without considering what they were doing. And to them our Lord addresses this instructive warning.--"If you abide in My word, then are you My disciples indeed."

This sentence contains a mine of wisdom. To make a beginning in religious life is comparatively easy. Not a few mixed motives assist us. The love of novelty, the praise of well-meaning but indiscreet professors, the secret self-satisfaction of feeling "how good I am," the universal excitement attending a new position,--all these things combine to aid the young beginner. Aided by them he begins to run the race that leads to heaven, lays aside many bad habits, takes up many good ones, has many comfortable frames and feelings, and gets on swimmingly for a time. But when the newness of his position is past and gone, when the freshness of his feelings is rubbed off and lost, when the world and the devil begin to pull hard at him, when the weakness of his own heart begins to appear,--then it is that he finds out the real difficulties of vital Christianity. Then it is that he discovers the deep wisdom of our Lord's saying now before us. It is not beginning, but "abiding in" a religious profession, that is the test of true grace.

.....Patient continuance in well-doing is the only sure evidence of grace. Not he that runs fast and furiously at first, but he that keeps up his speed, is he that "runs so as to obtain." ....Where there is spiritual life there will be abiding and steady perseverance. It is the man who goes on as well as begins, that is "the disciple indeed." (From John Charles Ryle's 'Expository Thoughts on the Gospels')

I caught a big black snake the other day, just after Hurricane Irene left us. He stayed with me for a few hours, but now has gone back to the woods.

2011-08-31T15:39:00.000-07:00

Dr. Luke's Epistle chps. 11& 12 is absolutely beyond comprehension, and impossible to take in, and yet our Lord's words are to be read and taken in.

2011-08-27T08:23:00.000-07:00

Jesus said later on this chapter, "I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." A sword means division. His truth divides. His love divides, because His love is a holy love, not a humanistic love. Even the most gentle of souls may reject Christ's truth of holy love. For instance Gandhi turned aside from the truth of the Holy Scriptures to go on his own, and so develop his own truth, as he rejected the Cross of Christ and the resurrection of our Lord, and the truth that Christ is the Lamb of God; the Son of God, who took away the sin of the world.

Gandhi: ""We should, by living the life according to our lights share the best with one another, thus adding to the sum total of human effort to reach God."

"The purer I try to become the nearer I feel to be to God."

Gandhi was a false teacher of Christ. He learned of the Bible, and rejected it out of hand. He then went and lived as nice a person as he could, which is fine. But he will answer for his teachings about Jesus. And he will answer for his sin. Sad.

Jesus came for all and said to all mankind, "I am the light of the world." He is the light, and this light comes to us, and if we receive it then our mind and heart will have this light, or truth, in us. If we outright reject it, then we remain in darkness. If we say we receive the light, and in reality we don't, then our light is then darkness, and this is a very deep and dangerous place to be.

Jesus said: "When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness." Luke 11:35

Bottom line is Satan comes as an 'angel of light'. The Apostle Paul knew this to be true, and even in the Old Testament they had those who lived for peace, and preached "Peace, peace".

Paul says this: "I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. ....These are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing that his ministers transform themselves into ministers of righteousness."

And we need to remember Satan has false righteous ministers in the Church, and even outside of the Church. And a lot of times the false ministers in the Church will embrace the false ministers outside. And others in the Church will be self-righteous, and condemn all others, except for themselves.

But, Paul says, "the simplicity of Christ". Wow. The Gospel is pure and simple, isn't it. It is Christ crucified for our filthy sins and transgressions, and He rose from the dead three days later, and now lives with His Father in heaven calling all sinners. Jesus says: "Come unto Me."

So go to the Cross. Ask Jesus for forgiveness, and all your sins will be blotted out, and your guilt will be gone forever. What a Savior! What a God! What a Friend!

God's hand is not shortened by the size of the prayer meeting- John Piper

2011-08-25T17:46:00.000-07:00

"If you continue in My Word, ...you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:30-32)

2011-08-22T06:47:00.000-07:00

"All who embrace grace become "free indeed."
Free from what? Free from oneself. Free from guilt and shame. Free from the damnable impulses I couldn't stop when I was in bondage to sin. Free from the tyranny of others' opinions, expectations, demands. And free to what? Free to obey. Free to love. Free to forgive others. Free to allow others to be who they are--different from me! Free to live beyond the limitations of human effort. Free to serve and glorify Christ."-Charles R. Swindoll, The Grace Awakening Devotionall.

What a gift freedom is from Jesus! Not a freedom of our flesh so much, as a liberty of my heart and mind; and to realize that I had shackles and fetters of condemnation upon my soul, until I was set free by the Judge Himself.
Jesus came to make me free, and set me free, so that I can live for Him in His mercy and forgiveness of His death and blood, and so on the Day when God calls every soul before Him to be judged, I won't hear, "Depart from Me!"

Elvis Aaron Presley a (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977)

2011-08-20T09:31:00.000-07:00

In honor of Elvis, whom I liked, (and even admired), quite a bit.
Elvis was an incredibly talented-uniqueness of a man, wasn't he (if that's even a word). And he has a story that is full of good and bad; happy and deep sorrow and depression. I was able to see him in concert in 1974 here in Maryland, at Cole Field House @ College Park, University of Maryland campus.
I'm hoping Elvis is with our Lord. I'm thinking he is, and that he was a believer in Christ in truth; and yet this world and all it had to offer him, pulled him and may him walk a crooked road to glory. He reminds me of Solomon; and any of us really could lose our way in this world full of devils, if we're honest. But, by the grace of God, hopefully I will be able to walk in the light more and more as I seek my Lord and His Spirit to fill me, and help me trust and obey my Father's will, which is the truest of all foods in the universe.

"...from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place."-Peter Acts 1:25

2011-08-18T05:01:00.000-07:00

"If you would ever be a healthy scriptural Christian, I entreat you to give hell a place in your theology. Establish it in your mind as a fixed principle, that God is a God of judgement, as well as of mercy, and that the same everlasting counsels, which laid the foundations of the bliss of heaven, have also laid the foundation of the misery of hell. Keep in full view of your mind that all who die unpardoned and unrenewed are utterly unfit for the presence of God and must be lost for ever. They are not capable of enjoying heaven; they could not be happy there. They must go to their own place: and that place is hell. Oh, it is a great thing in these days of unbelief to believe the whole Bible!

If you would ever be a healthy and scriptural Christian, I entreat you to beware of any ministry which does not plainly teach the reality and eternity of hell. Such a ministry may be soothing and pleasant, but it is far more likely to lull you to sleep than lead you to Christ, or build you up in the faith. It is impossible to leave out any portion of God's truth without spoiling the whole. That preaching is sadly defective which dwells exclusively on the mercies of God and the joys of heaven, and never sets forth the terrors of the Lord and the miseries of hell. It may be popular, but it is not scriptural; it may amuse and gratify, but it will not save. Give me the preaching which keeps back nothing that God has revealed. ....the grand object of the gospel is to persuade men to 'flee from the wrath to come', and that it is vain to expect men to flee unless they are afraid. Well would it be for many professing Christians if they were more afraid about their souls than they are now!"
Sobering words of truth, put before us in a magnificent way from the great Bishop of Liverpool, John Charles Ryle (1816-1900)

I'm not one much for 'heavy metal', but this song and video kind of made me sit and think a bit.

"If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believes Me...out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters!"- Jesus, (John 7:37)

2011-08-16T04:02:00.000-07:00

How I long for these rivers of living waters to flow from my soul. Not so that I can have goosebumps and feel good about myself. But for the honor and glory of my Savior and Lord, and so that others can see Him, and His truth and love. And so they to can come to Christ, and rivers will flow from them as well. There truly is nothing in the universe that can compare to loving and honoring Jesus Christ in one's daily walk in this dark and forsaken age.

If the words to this hymn don't move your soul, and moisten your tears ducts, then you're not alive. What a hymn! Thank You Lord for You!

2011-08-15T06:31:00.001-07:00

"Beold the Man upon the Cross,
My sin upon His shoulders,
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice cry out amoung the scoffers!"

"Jesus Christ... crucified, & God raised Him from death..there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”-Peter Acts 4

2011-08-13T10:23:00.000-07:00

[St Peter Healing the Sick with his Shadow
1426-27
Cappella Brancacci, Santa Maria del Carmine, Florence]

"[Let] me speak first to those readers who have not yet given themselves to the Lord, who have not yet come out from the world, chosen the good part and followed Christ. ......

I feel deeply for you in these latter days of the world, if I ever did. I feel deeply for those whose treasure is all on earth, and whose hopes are all on this side of the grave. Yes! When I see old kingdoms and dynasties shaking to the very foundation; when I see, as we all saw a few years ago, kings and princes and rich men and great men fleeing for their lives, and scarce knowing where to hide their heads; when I see property dependent on public confidence melting like snow in spring, and public stocks and funds losing their value--when I see these things, I feel deeply for those who have no better portion than this world can give them, and no place in that kingdom which cannot be removed.

Take advice of a minister of Christ this very day. Seek durable riches, a treasure that cannot be taken from you, a city which hath lasting foundations. Do as the Apostle Paul did. Give yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ, and seek that incorruptible crown He is ready to bestow. Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him. Come away from a world which will never really satisfy you, and from sin which will bite like a serpent, if you cleave to it, at last. Come to the Lord Jesus as lowly sinners, and He will receive you, pardon you, give you His renewing Spirit, fill you with His peace. This shall give you more real comfort than the world has ever done. There is a gulf in your heart which nothing but the peace of Christ can fill."-JC Ryle (10 May 1816 - 10 June 1900)

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,...but his delight is in the law of the Lord; always thinking of the Word.

2011-08-11T05:03:00.000-07:00

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever" (Ps. 73:26).

2011-08-08T18:56:00.000-07:00

"The Word of God appears to me to teach distinctly that a believer may arrive at an assured confidence with regard to his own salvation. .....Assurance will enable a man to sleep with full prospect of death on the morrow, like Peter in Herod's dungeon. It will teach him to say, 'I will both lay me down in peace and sleep, for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety' (Ps. 4:8). ....The river of death is a cold stream, and we have to cross it alone. No earthly friend can help us. The last enemy, the king of terrors, is a strong foe. When our souls are departing, there is no cordial like the strong wine of assurance."-John Charles Ryle, from his classic book: Holiness.

'Fight the good fight of faith' -Paul to Timothy 1st epistle chapter 6 verse 12

2011-08-04T19:28:00.000-07:00

[Rembrandt's Apostle Paul]

Fighting isn't really my bag, to be honest. I've had a few fights in my life, and lost most of them. I also played High School football & lacrosse, which can be like a war out there on the playing field. There can be hard knocks and intense struggles in this life, or you could say, "I have a fight for life on my hands."
These kinds of fights have their own heaviness, and can leave bruises for sure. But the fight Paul is telling Timothy about, is much more intense. This fight is a spiritual fight. It's a fight my soul has to fight against a world full of devils and spiritual evil. And make no mistake, it can be hard, even excruciatingly intense. BUT, I have the Lord. And every Christian for that matter has his, or her, Lord fighting their battle with them.

Here are a few words from JC Ryle that may encourage us:

"Let us settle it in our minds that the Christian fight is a good fight--really good, truly good, emphatically good. We see only part of it yet. We see the struggle, but not the end; we see the campaign, but not the reward; we see the cross, but not the crown. We see a few humble, broken-spirited, penitent, praying people, enduring hardships and despised by the world; but we see not the hand of God over them, the face of God smiling on them, the kingdom of glory prepared for them. These things are yet to be revealed. Let us not judge by appearances. There are more good things about the Christian warfare than we see."

"What saith the Scripture?...'Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'...to be without the Spirit is to be without Christ."

2011-07-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

[Here's an excerpt from this incredible book: 'Holiness', from the pen of JC Ryle]

"How painfully self-righteous are many! They can talk complacently about having 'done their duty', and being 'kind to everybody', and having always 'kept to their church', and having 'never been so very bad' as some, and therefore they seem to think they must go to heaven! And as to a deep sense of sin and simple faith in Christ's blood and sacrifice, it seems to have no place in their religion. Their talk is all doing and never of believing. And will such self-righteousness as this land anyone in heaven? Never! Without faith, without Christ!
How painfully ungodly are many! They live in the habitual neglect of God's sabbath, God's Bible, God's ordinances and God's sacraments. They think nothing of doing things which God has flatly forbidden. They are constantly living in ways which are directly contrary to God's commandments. And can such ungodliness end in salvation? Impossible! Without the Holy Ghost, without Christ!
I know well that at first sight these statements seem hard and sharp and rough and severe. But after all, are they not God's truth as revealed to us in Scripture? If truth, ought they not be made known? If necessary to be known, ought they not be plainly laid down? If I know anything of my own heart, I desire above all things to magnify the riches of God's love to sinners. I long to tell all mankind what a wealth of mercy and loving-kindness there is laid up in God's heart for all who will seek it.

But I can not find anywhere that ignorant and unbelieving and unconverted people have any part in Christ! If I am wrong, I shall be thankful to anyone who will show me a more excellent way. But till I am shown it, I must stand fast on the positions I have already laid down. I dare not forsake them, lest I be found guilty of handling God's Word deceitfully. I dare not be silent about them, less the blood of souls be required at my hands. The man without knowledge, without faith, and without the Holy Ghost, is a man without Christ!"-John Charles Ryle, Bishop.

Here's another Dan Peek song he wrote as a new being in Christ. He died a couple days ago at 60 years old, and is now with our Savior. I envy Dan.

2011-07-30T17:00:00.000-07:00

Keith Green died 29 years ago today.

2011-07-28T19:59:00.000-07:00

"All thru' Your life, I me mine. I-I-me-me mine, I-I-me-me mine, I-I-me-me mine, I-I-me-me mine."

2011-07-27T17:55:00.000-07:00

George had an Eastern Philosophy of life, and he expresses it here in this song. Sad that George didn't trust in Christ and His truth. yet, he understood how selfish humans can become.

Here's a word from James I. Packer on this matter:
"The basic trouble in the West is that we have exchanged a God-centered view of life for a man-centered, self-centered, and relativistic view of life, of truth, of wisdom. Christianity immediately gets distorted and pulled out of shape, because we treat ourselves as the central focus of interest in our personal universe, and we think of God simply as there on the edge of our lives, so to speak, to help when we need Him, to supply what we feel we lack. But we don't think in terms of God Himself and God's glory as the goal of everything, and the life of worship as being the true fulfillment of our human nature. All of that has vanished, and instead we talk about satisfaction and peace and joy, understanding all these words in terms of feeling good. And the feel-good version of Christianity falsifies the real thing at just about every point."

Dan Peek, the artist from the group 'America' back in the 1970's, and who also cut a couple LP's with more of a CCM flavor, went to be his Lord today

2011-07-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

"Under the shadow of our steeple, with all the lost and lonely people., Searchin' for the hope that's tucked away in you and me"

2011-07-26T18:48:00.000-07:00

"Once again I thank You, ...........Thank You for the Cross, Thank You for the Cross my Friend!"

2011-07-23T12:22:00.000-07:00

"Once again I thank You, ...........Thank You for the Cross, Thank You for the Cross my Friend!"

2011-07-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

"If my God is with me, whom then should I fear. Oh no, You never let, Lord you never let go of me!"

2011-07-22T15:13:00.000-07:00

"My Soul is troubled. What shall I say? Father save Me from this hour; but for this cause I came to this hour. Father glorify Your Name!"-Jesus

2011-07-19T11:13:00.000-07:00

"These sentences tell of a struggle within our Savior's breast, a struggle arising from the natural feelings of one who was perfect man, and as man could suffer all that man is capable of suffering. Yet He in whom this struggle took place was the Holy Son of God. "In Him is no sin." (1 John iii. 5.) There is a fountain of comfort here for all true servants of Christ, which ought never to be overlooked. Let them learn from their Lord's example that inward conflict of soul is not necessarily in itself a sinful thing. Too many, we believe, from not understanding this point, go heavily all their days on their way to heaven. They fancy they have no grace , because they find a fight in their own hearts. They refuse to take comfort in the Gospel, because they feel a battle between the flesh and the Spirit. Let them mark the experience of their Lord and Master, and lay aside their desponding fears. Let them study the experience of His saints in every age, from St. Paul downwards, and understand that as Christ had inward conflicts, so must Christians expect to have them also. To give way to doubts and unbelief, no doubt is wrong, and robs us of our peace. There is a faithless despondency, unquestionably, which is blameworthy, and must be resisted, repented of, and brought to the fountain for all sin, that it may be pardoned. But the mere presence of fight and strife and conflict in our hearts is in itself no sin. The believer may be known by his inward warfare as well as by his inward peace."- Bishop John Charles Ryle

[The piece of art is one of Rembrandt's, from 1643-49]

"What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. " James 4:14

2011-07-17T18:32:00.000-07:00

Tim Weisburg plays the flute in this wonderful song. It's quite soothing for me to listen to such great artists playing their instruments with their expertise. Enjoy and relax.

You know, this life we are living is but a vapor, isn't it, when compared to eternity. I am 58 years old now, and it seems like I was just 28 years old talking to a friend, who encouraged me to live a full life, for time will go by unbelievably quickly. He was right.

" the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other" Gal 5:17

2011-07-15T05:04:00.000-07:00

"This battle of the flesh against the Spirit, all the saints have had and felt. He who searches his own conscience, if he is not a hypocrite, shall well perceive that to be true in himself. All the faithful confess that their flesh and the Spirit are so contrary the one to the other that they are not able to perform that which they would do. Therefore, the flesh hinders us so that we cannot keep the commandments of God, nor love our neighbors as ourselves, much less can we love God with all our heart. Therefore, it is impossible for us to become righteous by the works of the law. Indeed, there is a good will in us, and so must there be (for it is the Spirit himself who resists the flesh), which would gladly do good, fulfill the law, love God and his neighbor, and such like, but the flesh obeys not this good will, but resists it; and yet God imputes not to us this sin, for He is merciful to those that believe, for Christ's sake."-Martin Luther

"And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed."-Jesus, our Savior & Lord (Jn. 17:5)

2011-07-13T09:45:00.000-07:00

ROBERT TRAILL (1642-1716)

"The secret moth and poison in many people's religion is, that it is not Christianity at all. God out of Christ is a consuming fire ; God not worshipped in Christ is an idol; all hopes of acceptance out of Christ are vain dreams ; a heaven out of Christ is little better than a Turk's paradise."

"He is no fool, if he would choose to give the thing he can not keep, to buy what he can never lose."

2011-07-11T16:16:00.001-07:00

Jim Elliot October 8, 1927 – January 8, 1956

"His beauty we didn't recognize." Who is more beautiful than Jesus? He is beyond all beauty. He is perfect love, and absolute truth in all He is!

2011-07-10T18:01:00.000-07:00

Damned if we do, and damned if we don't..

2011-07-09T18:21:00.000-07:00

"But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”-Jesus our Lord

"Resist the devil and he will flee."-(Peter's fisrt epistle) Peter knew about being sifted by Satan, didn't he. We need to understand as well.

2011-07-08T15:34:00.000-07:00

2011-07-08T15:16:00.001-07:00

http://www.amazon.com/World-Tilting-Gospel-Embracing-Biblical-Worldview/dp/0825439086/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1305295243&sr=8-2

"Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow!"

2011-07-07T05:14:00.000-07:00

Christ could not be, and it would be impossible for Him to be, unfaithful. Thank You Jesus for being faithful to Your Father, and walking the painful road of my redemption. Thank You Father for giving Your holy Son to us to kill and torture; and for us as the Lamb of God who took away my sin.

"It was "the joy set before Him" which made Him [Jesus] endure the Cross, and despise the shame..."-JC Ryle

2011-07-04T08:11:00.000-07:00

"Let us carefully remember that our blessed Lord suffered and died of His own free will. He did not die because He could not help it; He did not suffer because He could not escape. All the soldiers of Pilate's army could not have taken Him, if He had not been willing to be taken. They could not have hurt a hair of His head, if He had not given permission. But here, as in all His earthly ministry, Jesus was a willing sufferer. He had set His heart on accomplishing our redemption. He loved us, and gave Himself for us, cheerfully, willingly, gladly, in order to make atonement for our sins."-John Charles Ryle (10 May 1816 - 10 June 1900), Bishop of the Church of England for 38 years.

I thank my Savior daily for laying down His life, (first and foremost for His Father), whom He loved with a holy perfect love: Yet also, Christ died for me.
He gave His life up for such a wretch like me:-- Amazing grace and love, that will never be understood throughout eternity. How can this be? That's always a good question for the Christian, isn't it. Our hearts should be perplexed why Jesus, the Son of God would bother with me. But, I know it's true, and so I give to Jesus my life and soul in faith. And there are moments when my faith is but a small seed, but even this Jesus will accept and bless.

Thank You Lord for taking my sin away, and giving me Your Spirit so I can actually walk in this devil filled world with a heart that actually seeks truth and goodness. Not that I don't sin, and still serve my own fleshly desires, because I do, very often. yet, I am also able to resist sin now, and live a life of faith in Christ, and so bear fruit for His glory and honor. Wow! Thank You Jesus. You are my truest Friend, and yet my Lord and Guide as well. Amen.

How about a nice simple song, that's really quite amazingly played, though the words are simple.

2011-06-28T15:53:00.000-07:00

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee,..." -Jesus (Matt. 23:37)

2011-06-28T06:24:00.000-07:00

What would be our Lord's Word to His people today, the Church?

Jesus went on to say to the people of Israel, "...how often would have I gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"

The circumstances may be different in our day with the people of the Lord, but isn't our Lord still sending His true pastors and evangelists to the Church to call us to Himself, and to His Word? Of course the Lord is also sending His Gospel forth to unbelievers, the pagans in this world, who need to hear the good news of Christ's love and forgiveness for sin.

Seems the Word of God in our day has become not so important. Perhaps even just another book to some.

I pray that there would be a revival in our day, where thousands times thousands of people in the visible Church would starve for the Word of God. Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God!"

"....you are... His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."-Peter

2011-06-26T05:51:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been, what seems to be, under some heavy spiritual darkness: may be that the devils in this world have been sifting me.
It is very perplexing at times, but I know this one truth that helps me keep on:---Jesus has prayed for me (John 17), and He and my heavenly Father, have me in their grip of sovereign love and strength. No matter how weird and off I feel, I can be certain of my Savior's love and promise to never leave me, nor forsake me.

If you come and read this, please ask our Lord to help me through this season. I'd appreciate it very much.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, ...so he opened not his mouth." Isa. 53

2011-06-22T11:51:00.000-07:00

There are times I realize I am the man, -(no different than the religious leaders in our Lord's day)-, who hates Christ, and so my desire is for Him to be done away with; killed. And this was my heart, all the time, until Christ came and sought me, and gave me mercy and a new heart, and a renewed mind. Now, I have to fight my flesh at times, but I have a heart that does love Jesus.

Why did Jesus do this for me; come and save me, and give me a new heart of flesh, instead of granite? It's because "He first loved me", as John tells us in his 1st Epistle. Jesus loved a hateful human full of disrespect and blasphemy, not to mention all my other sins.

Ah, but why did He love such an evil wretch as me?
That question I do not know. And most likely it will be a mystery ten thousand times ten thousand years from now.
Yet, I can rejoice that my Savior saved me with all my heart and mind, and I can know this for sure, because it says so in His Word, which is truth: And He has all the glory and honor in such a salvation.

"To Jesus Christ be all glory!" Amen.