God and Gump

O Holy Night (Part 2)

As you know from my post a few days ago, my favorite Christmas hymn is "O Holy Night". Not only is the music simply beautiful, but I think that because it focuses on the Kingship of Jesus is what draws me to meditating on the lyrics. The choruses in this hymn make me tremble and literally take my breath away as I'm reminded of His Kingship.

But sometimes I forget about His Kingship. We often think about Him as Redeemer, Teacher, Friend - and we are absolutely right to attribute those titles to Him. But He is also our King. Paul, in Philippians 2:9-11, says "God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Sometimes the very sound of His name should make us quake and tremble. Not so much in fear, but just in the realization of who He is - a Mighty King that gave His life for the subjects He loves.

Praise to our King, Jesus!

O Holy Night

I'm starting to get in the Christmas spirit. We already have our outside lights up. In fact, I put them up the Sunday after Thanksgiving. That is about 2 weeks sooner than most years. We are still decorating the inside of the house. The advent candles, the fireplace mantle and stair banister are done. Jean also put up her nutcrackers (and she has a bunch of them). We'll put up Jean's nutcracker tree (yes, Jean has a full tree dedicated to nothing but nutcracker ornaments) tonight. We'll cut the regular tree this weekend and put it up as well. I'll post pictures for those of you that get a kick out of seeing such things.

But nothing gets me in the Christmas mood like Christmas music. My favorite song is "O Holy Night". I heard a wonderful version of that song last night by a group called "Il Divo". It may be the best rendition of that song I have ever heard. You should check out their Christmas album.

How Great Thou Art

I've kind of been on an "old hymn" kick lately. At Crossroads Community Church we don't sing many hymns (but when we do it's powerful). Since we don't sing them every Sunday, I have learned to appreciate the theology behind them. During Tim's recent messages on "Cosmic Glory", I've was reminded of the words to "How Great Thou Art".

The hymn speaks of the glory of God revealed in the cosmos and in nature. The words in the first verse point out how big God is.

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Even though we are small, we are not insignificant. We know this because of Christ's atoning sacrifice at the cross.

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

That's why I thought it was so cool when Tim pointed out the image of a cross at the core of the Whirlpool galaxy in his message last Sunday.  (If you've not had a chance to watch that message or download the podcasts, go to www.crossroadswired.com. You'll be glad you did).

Of course the response to our experience is the "singing of our soul" in the  refrain:

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

Click below to see all the words to this well known hymn. As you read the words, I hope the well known lyrics bring you a whole new meaning.

Two At The Wall CD

In a previous post, I encouraged folks to check out the music of Two At The Wall. Well they finished their first CD. I gotta say, it's pretty darn good.

You can get a copy for $6.00 by sending Wes Black and the guys an email at twoatthewall@hotmail.com. It's a bargain. I mean you can't even go to the movies or put half a tank of gas in your pimped out Geo Metro for that. Enjoy it while you can, 'cause when these guys hit it big, you won't be able to touch one of their CDs for less than an Andrew Jackson (unless you can buy it at Wal Mart - it'll be $16.25 there).

In all seriousness, this is a great CD and these guys have a wonderful heart for God and an awesome ministry. Check out their website, spend some of your moldy money and buy their CD and enjoy the creativity that God gave them.

Peace!

Two At The Wall

My friend Wes, (Rocky's son for my regular readers) is in a Christian band called "Two At The Wall". Rocky sent me a link to listen to a couple of songs that are going to be on their upcoming CD. Rocky has told me that the band is really good, but what else is a proud dad to say? So I clicked on the link and listened to the songs. Wow! They are very good! And I'm not saying this to be on Rocky's good side.

If you like Christian music that has a more alternative, rock sound, click here and listen to Two At The Wall's songs. I am looking forward to buying their CD when it comes out and I won't be at all suprised to see Wes and the guys accepting a Dove Award at the Christian Music Awards.

You will also be able to see them live at the New Mustard Seed Cafe in West Jefferson, Ohio on May 27 at 7:30. Click on the link to get directions.

Peace!