Mark 14 - The Last Supper, The Garden and Golgotha

Though I posted this some weeks ago, it is so powerful and meaningful and fits today's reading perfectly, I thought I would share it again. It is worth a watch; I think I have watched it 10 times or more:

David and Goliath - 1 Samuel 17

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.

When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.

Off topic, but an amazing boys' choir - Libera, Songs of Praise

and their version of Orinoco Flow

Maybe get your day off to a good start....



Orinoco Flow

let me sail, let me sail, let the orinoco flow,
let me reach, let me beach on the shores of Tripoli.
let me sail, let me sail, let me crash upon your shore,
let me reach, let me beach far beyond the Yellow Sea.
da da, da da, da da, da da, da da

sail away, sail away, sail away
sail away, sail away, sail away
sail away, sail away, sail away
sail away, sail away, sail away

from Bissau to Palau - in the shade of Avalon,
from Fiji to Tiree and the Isles of Ebony,
from Peru to Cebu hear the power of Babylon,
from Bali to Cali - far beneath the Coral Sea.

da da, da da, da da, da da, da da

turn it up, turn it up, turn it up, up, up adieu
turn it up, turn it up, turn it up, up, up adieu
turn it up, turn it up, turn it up, up, up adieu

sail away...

from the North to the South, Ebudæ into Khartoum,
from the deep sea of Clouds to the island of the moon,
carry me on the waves to the lands I've never been,
carry me on the waves to the lands I've never seen.

President Obama Reads Psalm 46 at 9/11 Memorial

The annointing of Saul - 1 Samuel: 10

How to speak Presbyterian!

It has been estimated that 58 percent of the members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) did not grow up in the denomination. For readers in that category, here is a short rundown of the lingo you are likely to hear in a Presbyterian church that you may not have heard in another church.

Communion table or Lord’s Table
This is the table at the front of the sanctuary that holds the bread and the wine for Communion. Sometimes other items are placed on this table, such as the Bible, a cross or candles.

The reason this is called a Lord’s Table rather than an altar is that on the night in which he was betrayed, when Jesus was eating the Passover meal with his disciples, they were sitting at a table (Luke 22:14).

An altar is a place for making sacrifices. In the Reformed tradition we believe that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was sufficient once for all. This sacrifice does not have to be repeated with a Mass or other Communion on an altar.

Lord’s Supper
This is the meal we share from the Lord’s Table. Some churches call this meal Communion or the Eucharist.

Eucharist is from the Greek word for “thanksgiving,” which is what Jesus did before he gave the bread and wine to his disciples.

Manse
This is a house owned by a congregation that they let the minister live in. In some denominations this is called the “parsonage.” The word manse comes from the Latin word mansio which means “dwelling.”

Session
This is the group of people, elected by the congregation, who make the decisions for the running of the local church. In some churches this group is called the “church council.”

Elders
The session is composed of elders. This doesn’t have to do with age so much as those who are considered competent and wise enough to make good decisions. There are two kinds of elders, “ruling elders” and “teaching elders.” The ruling elders come from the congregation and are elected to serve in three-year cycles. The teaching elder is the pastor. This person is called a teaching elder because a pastor has to go to a lot of school to get the education to preach and teach proper doctrine.

The pastor is often also called the minister or a “minister of the Word and Sacrament.”

Presbytery
The presbytery is made up of a group of churches usually in a certain geographical area.

The presbytery meeting includes “presbyters,” both ruling and teaching elders, who gather to make decisions affecting the presbytery. By having their representatives gather together as a group congregations both support each other and are held accountable to each other.

Moderator
This is the person who runs a meeting of elders or deacons or a presbytery or committee meeting. In a club or other gathering he or she would be called the “chairperson” or perhaps “president.”

While the moderator of a board of deacons is usually a deacon, the moderator of a session is a teaching elder. The moderator of a presbytery may be either a teaching elder or a ruling elder.

Book of Order
This is the rule book for the Presbyterian Church. It contains the guidelines for church life, including structure, worship and collective action. It not only tells us how to do things but also explains why. It was developed and can be modified by the General Assembly, with the ratification of a majority of the presbyteries.

General Assembly
Every two years all the presbyteries in the country elect commissioners or representatives to a meeting of the General Assembly. The General Assembly makes decisions for the church as a whole. This is where Presbyterians become a national rather than a local church.

Commissioners
These are the folks, a proportionate number of ministers and elders, elected by the presbyteries to go to General Assembly.

Rather than being instructed in how to vote at the Assembly by their presbytery, the commissioners as a body seek to discern the will of the Holy Spirit.

Election
No, this doesn't refer to how commissioners are selected to go to the General Assembly. It is a theological term that means God makes the first move in acting to redeem sinners. People within the covenant of faith are called “the elect.” Reformed (or Presbyterian) theology teaches that we are incapable of saving ourselves from our sins, and that God “elects” or “chooses” to save us.

Predestination
This word, similar to election, often raises questions for people of other denominations. Basically predestination means that our election by God occurred not only before we were born, but so far back in time that it happened “before the creation of the world” (see Ephesians 1:4).

Debts and debtors
When we pray the Lord’s Prayer we use the words debts (“forgive us our debts”) and debtors. Some Christians say “trespasses” or “sins.” This is because the Lord’s Prayer is found in both Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospels, and in the original Greek they used two different words that mean “to sin.” In Matthew’s version the word used means “to owe a debt,”" but a debt of sin, not money.

Calvin and Knox
In the Presbyterian Church you will hear “Calvin Church,” “Calvin this-and-that,” as well as “Knox Church,” etc. John Calvin was a French Reformer who followed in the footsteps of Martin Luther in the 1500s. He gave us the theological foundations for our church, so we have named a lot of things after him. John Knox was a Scottish preacher who brought the teachings of John Calvin to Scotland and got the Presbyterian Church going in that country, so we have named a lot of things after him too.

This is just a start to understanding Presbyterian lingo. If you hear a word that is new to you and want to know what it means, ask your teaching elder (pastor or minister) to explain it to you. And don’t let him or her off the hook until you have an answer!

Written by P. J. Southam, formerly pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Wolf Point, Mont, after an interim pastorate at Hysham, Mont., in early 2002 moved to Spencer Memorial Presbyterian Church in Lemmon, South Dakota.                  

Mavis Staples - Wholy Holy (from The Cosby Show)

"Wholy Holy" is a 1971 song written by Al Cleveland, Renaldo Benson and Marvin Gaye and issued by Marvin as the eighth track on his landmark album, What's Going On. Staying with the subject of love and bringing Jesus into the theme, the song lyrically followed the same path of the Benson/Cleveland/Gaye compositions "What's Going On" and "Save the Children" while musically was a much more solemn production than the previous tune and featured Gaye on lead and background vocals. The song would be later covered by soul-gospel greats Aretha Franklin, who recorded a live version of the song on her Amazing Grace live album and Mavis Staples, who famously covered it during an episode of The Cosby Show - shown below.

Again, Jesus cursing the fig tree - Mark 11

This has to be one of my least favorite biblical passages. Jesus’ cursing of the unfruitful fig tree presents Christians with a dilemma unique in the Gospels. A cursory reading of the text portrays Jesus as acting quite out of character, using his divine power in selfish anger to curse a mere tree because it did not act contrary to nature by providing him fruit out of season to satisfy his hunger.

As Mark sets up the story, he points out several facts. It was the day after the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Jesus and his disciples were walking from Bethany, where they had spent the night, toward Jerusalem. Jesus was hungry. He saw a fig tree in leaf in the distance. He went to it to see if it might have any fruit, but found only leaves. Then Mark adds the confounding clause, "for it was not the season for figs". This is the troubling element for many, including me, who find this passage difficult. If Jesus’ purpose in approaching the fig tree were simply because he was hungry, as Mark intimates, and it was not even the season for figs, which Jesus must have known before he even approached the tree, then how can he be justified in saying to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again?" Before we consider the answer to that question, we need to take note of additional facts provided by Mark.

When Jesus made the statement to the tree, Mark notes that "his disciples heard it". Picking up the story in verse 20, after the cleansing of the temple, we find that the fig tree had not only withered away, but had withered away to its roots. We are also told that Peter "remembered," and that he called Jesus’ attention to the withered tree, saying Jesus had "cursed" it. Then, without apparent transition, Mark says Jesus "answered" them (though no question is posed) by giving instruction about faith that can remove mountains — another enigmatic passage for many Christians.

Now consider how the facts provided by Mark serve to clarify the meaning of what would otherwise be a troubling passage. First, we need to note that "his disciples heard it". The presence of this statement indicates that Jesus’ pronouncement on the tree was a teaching situation. Jesus’ words were intended to instruct his disciples, and the incident, therefore, was intended to provide the opportunity to teach them and the reader. Mark often provides a reaction to Jesus’ actions and instruction.

The fact that it was not the season for figs, then, should not make Jesus appear unreasonable, as some have assumed; rather, it underscores the point of the passage: the nation has not borne fruit — its spiritual leaders are incapable of recognizing the Messiah, the temple is a den of robbers and not a house of prayer for the nations — and the Judge has arrived to pass sentence.

The fig tree incident is recorded as a teaching situation, the lesson of which is given in the events and sayings of Jesus in the following verses, the reasons for Mark’s letting the reader know that Jesus was hungry, that he knew the distant fig tree was in leaf, and that it was not the season for figs, begin to come into focus. The fact that Jesus was hungry provides not only the immediate reason to approach the tree (a fact essential to the narrative — approaching a fruitless tree only to be disappointed would be meaningless unless someone was hungry). It is also vital to the prophetic declaration Jesus was to make.

Many scholars agree that Jesus would have had in mind such passages as Jeremiah 8:13: "When I wanted to gather them, says the LORD, there are no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree; even the leaves are withered, and what I gave them has passed away from them." The fact that Jesus was hungry and approached the fig tree looking for fruit illustrates his identity and authority as the Judge of Israel who finds that the nation, despite its "leafy" appearance, has not produced the fruit God desired.

Nonetheless, this is another "stretch" for Mark and I have a hard time defending this parable. The Old Testament is HARD.

Peter Paul and Mary: Paul Stookey, The Wedding Song

Peter Paul and Mary: Paul Stookey, The Wedding Song

He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts
Rest assured this troubador is acting on His part.
The union of your spirits, here, has caused Him to remain
For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name
There is Love. There is Love.

Well a man shall leave his mother and a woman leave her home
And they shall travel on to where the two shall be as one.
As it was in the beginning is now and until the end
Woman draws her life from man and gives it back again.
And there is Love. There is Love.

Well then what's to be the reason for becoming man and wife?
Is it Love that brings you here or Love that brings you life?
Or if loving is the answer, then who's the giving for?
Do you believe in something that you've never seen before?
Oh there's Love, there is Love.

Oh the marriage of your spirits here has caused Him to remain
For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name
There is Love. Oh there's Love.

Mark Chapter 10 on marriage and divorce, children and God, riches, heals a blind man and predicts his death for our redemption.

Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them. Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

“What did Moses command you?” he replied. They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”

“It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”




Max McLean is an American actor and narrator for audio books. He is the President of Fellowship for the Performing Arts, narrator for the Listener's Bible audio line, and speaker on the daily radio program Listen to the Bible which airs on over 670 radio affiliates worldwide.

Had to share this one-minute sermon.

Father And Son By Cat Stevens

Again, this is not really related to TYOTB, but it is a song that resonates with me. Cat Stevens converted to Islam in 1977 after nearly drowning in an accident. During his recovery from the accident, his brother had given him a copy of the Qu'ran, which Stevens credited with helping him to find peace and recover from the incident. As is customary when one converts to Islam, Stevens changed his name to Yusuf Islam, after the prophet Joseph - interpreter of dreams.

I lost my Dad several years ago and there is not a day that I don't think about him and both remember and regret. I remember the wonderful things we shared, and I so regret those years when I was so self-assured and cocky that we drifted apart. In the end, we became very best friends. He lived his last few years in my home and passed there in the presence of his family. Maybe this will resonate with you, too.



I miss you Dad

Father And Son By Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam)


Father

It's not time to make a change,
Just relax, take it easy.
You're still young, that's your fault,
There's so much you have to know.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy.

I was once like you are now, and I know that it's not easy,
To be calm when you've found something going on.
But take your time, think a lot,
Why, think of everything you've got.
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.

Son

How can I try to explain, when I do he turns away again.
It's always been the same, same old story.
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen.
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.

Father

It's not time to make a change,
Just sit down, take it slowly.
You're still young, that's your fault,
There's so much you have to go through.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy.
(Son-- Away Away Away, I know I have to
Make this decision alone - no)

Son

All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside,
It's hard, but it's harder to ignore it.
If they were right, I'd agree, but it's them They know not me.
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.

(Father-- Stay Stay Stay, Why must you go and
Make this decision alone?)

Mark Chapter 9 Narrated By Max McLean

Max McLean is an American actor and narrator for audio books. He is the President of Fellowship for the Performing Arts, narrator for the Listener's Bible audio line, and speaker on the daily radio program Listen to the Bible which airs on over 670 radio affiliates worldwide.

Doer of the Word by Dan Peek an amazing Christian Man

Dan Peek - Doer of the Word

When the storms of life are rising, and the rain it pours
The winds of North and South are colliding right outside your door
Well you can turn to the ways of the world and build your house on sand
Or you can turn to the ways of the Word and build your house upon a rock
Assured that it will stand

Be a doer, be a doer of the Word
Be a doer, be a doer of the Word
Be a doer, be a doer of the Word of the Lord

And in a world with a heart full of questions, everyone's confused
Sailing off in a hundred directions, further from the truth
You can ride on the wave going with it, let it be your guide
Or you can ride on the wave of the Spirit
And when the world is going downstream, turn against the tide

Be a doer, be a doer of the Word
Be a doer, be a doer of the Word
Be a doer, be a doer of the Word of the Lord

Be a doer, be a doer of the Word
Be a doer, be a doer of the Word
Be a doer, be a doer of the Word of the Lord

Doer of the Word of the Lord


R.I.P. DAN- (November 1, 1950 -- July 24, 2011)

"As lead singer of the pop group America, Dan Peek recorded eight albums (all went gold; four went platinum), made numerous television appearances including Bob Hope specials, and penned the international hits "Don't Cross the River" and "Lonely People." His America days also included over 32 stateside tours and three world tours. In the midst of this success, Dan Peek left America. He rededicated his heart, soul, and music to Jesus Christ and vowed to use his abilities to tell others about Him.

The decision to leave America was Dan's first step in honoring a covenant with God that he had made at the age of 19. "I remember praying to the Lord: 'If You will make me a success, I'll use that platform to spread the word about You.'" Within a year, America had gone from rehearsing in a car to having the number one hit "A Horse With No Name." The years after that first hit brought Dan money and fame along with the destructive scene of drugs and other aspects of rock'n'roll living.

"I was completely overwhelmed," Dan remembers. "I began to wonder how I was going to live up to my part of the covenant. After seven years, I was miserable because I had wandered from the Lord, but I still had this tremendous kind of desire."

That tremendous desire combined with conviction about his life style led Dan Peek to leave America and launch a solo career. At this point, Dan began to play out his role in his covenant with God. "I knew I could go back and put my life in order again. I was raised in a Christian home -- and that foundation never leaves you. God had a claim on my life. I knew that no matter what I'd done, I could repent and God would accept me."

In 1979, Dan released the Grammy-nominated solo LP All Things Are Possible, and the title cut charted at number one on the Christian charts and crossed over to the Billboard adult contemporary chart for a record-breaking 34 weeks. His second solo album, Doer of the Word, took its title cut to a number two hit on the MusicLine 40. With this success in the Christian music market, Dan began to tour, drawing listeners from both markets.

"Because I was a Christian before and during America," Dan explains, "the songs that I wrote ultimately had to do with the Lord. I think a song like 'Lonely People' will always be there, and it built a gigantic platform for me to share." A remake of the tune is featured on his latest release, Electro Voice, on the Greentree label. The lyrics have been altered to reflect hope "for all the lonely people / Thinkin' that life has passed them by. / Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup / And give your heart to Jesus Christ."

Dan's current concert program showcases America hits as well as tunes from Doer of the Word and Electro Voice. The Electro Voice LP features Dan's writing ability and is reminiscent of the sound he made popular with America. He has launched a college tour with dates centered in the Midwest and Northeast regions of the United States. The debut college concert was before a packed-out hall of students and vintage America fans. Dan is touring with two back-up musicians, David Peek, his younger brother, on vocals and guitar and Russ Kirkland on vocal and keyboards. A national tour is already in the works for Fall 1986.

When Dan Peek is not touring, he lives on an orchard in Missouri near his parents who established his firm Christian foundation. He writes music that "is a result of me putting down the things that God has shared with me and I with him"; records material in the studio he has built in his home; and continues to work to honor his covenant with God.

"As a Christian, I am a tool to reach others. I'm like most other people; the things I've experienced can have meaning to someone else. Maybe I can speak where others wouldn't be listened to. I want to write songs praising God for all He's done in my life. I've had the wealth the world has to give -- but it doesn't last. It doesn't satisfy. Now I'm looking for something more enduring, the reward in heaven."

- Page Larson (from the June 1986 issue of Contemporary Christian Magazine. )

Another inspirational song

Once again today the readings from Judges and Mark do not lend themselves to much commentary or amplification. Judges is still more violence, and while Mark 7 contains a couple of interesting encounters it didn't leave me with much inspiration.

 Then on the way in to work this morning I heard an old song from the group "America" entitled Lonely People and remembered that Dan Peek - an original member of the band had died just last year. Dan was a devout Christian and had recorded a slightly different version of the song which I will offer here. This is the original version of the song Dan wrote. Their record label and the guys from "America" didn't think a strong Christian song was appropriate for their debut album. Later, Dan recorded many Christian albums. Here is how he intended it to be sung.  Lyrics below.

Lonely People by Dan Peek

This is for all the lonely people 

Thinking that life has passed them by

Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup

And give your heart to Jesus Christ 

This is for all the single people 

Thinking that love has left them dry

Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup

And give your heart to Jesus Christ 

Well, He's on his way 

He's coming back some day

He's coming back to take us home (hit it!) 

This is for all the lonely people

Thinking that life has passed them by

Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup

He'll never take you down or He'll never give you up

But you'll never know until you try

Come Awake Again in Christ

Because the readings today from Judges 19 and 20 were so depressing - all that slaughter, pillage and such - I decided to post an inspirational piece that I hope will remind of of the love of God and that it is our choice to accept it or turn away.

We all carry various burdens and struggles that sometimes prevent us from living the life God intended. Christ’s sacrifice, though, reminds us that he defeated every last thing that might encumber His people. Thus, the charge to us all is to come awake and be one with Christ again. Music by Matt Maher.

The Death Of John The Baptist. Mark 6: 14-29

These clips were taken from the 2000 TV miniseries "Jesus". Here we see John The Baptist confront Herod Antipas over his illegitimate relationship with Herodias. Antipas has John imprisoned and after being pleased with a birthday dance by Herodias' daughter Salome, offers to give her whatever she wants. Salome confers with her mother and then asks for the head of John on a platter. Herod was very distressed by this request because he admired John as a prophet, but would not break his promise to Salome. John was then beheaded in prison by guards and John's head was delivered on a platter. You can read about this story in the book of Mark, chapter 6, verses 14 through 29.

The Loaves and Fishes: Mark 6: 30-38

I've never seen this story in this perspective. Whenever I listened to this story, the focus was on Jesus and His miracle. This song, however, turns the focus on the tiniest human being ever.. and it's wonderful how 'no gift is too small".

Two Guys Play and Sing Hallelujah - It Will Give You Chills

Absolutely awesome....their voices go together beautifully and their piano playing is nearly flawless. Hallelujah for talent like this, a must hear. Their names are Michael Henry & Justin Robinett. Not really part of TYOTB, but too good not to share:

Samson and Delilah, 1949, by Cecil B. De Mille

Grateful Dead - Samson and Delilah

Well Delilah was a woman, she was fine and fair,
She had good looks, God knows, and coal black hair,
Delilah she gained old Samson's mind.
When first he saw this woman, you know he couldn't believe his mind.

Delilah she climbed up on Samson's knee,
Said tell me where your strength lies if you please.
She spoke so kind and she talked so fair,
Well Samson said, Delilah cut off my hair.

You can shave my head, clean as my hand
And my strength will become as natural as any old man.

If I had my way, if I had my way, if I had my way,
I would tear this old building down.

You read about Samson, all from his works,
He was the strongest man that ever had lived on earth.
One day when Samson was walking along,
Looked down on the ground, he saw an old jawbone.

He stretched out his arm, God knows, chains broke like thread,
When he got to moving, ten thousand was dead.

If I had my way, if I had my way, if I had my way,
I would tear this old building down.

Now Samson and the lion, they got in a tack,
Samson he crawled up on the lion's back.
You read about this lion, he killed a man with his paws,
But Samson got his hands around that lion's jaws.

He ripped the beast till he killed him dead.
The bees made honey in the lion's head.

If I had my way, if I had my way, if I had my way,
I would tear this old building down.

Jesus Calms the Storm - Mark 4: 35-41

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Mark 4: The Parable of the Sower (video)

Mark 4: 1-8

Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said:

“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”



Mark 4: 13-19

Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man - Mark 2

The people are amazed when Jesus heals a paralytic. He then calls on Levi and eats with the tax collectors and "sinners." The Pharisees question Jesus, but he refutes them - "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Performed by Max McLean and produced by the Fellowship for the Performing Arts.

Psalms 40 - interpreted by Bono and U2

"40", also known as "40 (How Long)", is the tenth and final track from U2's 1983 album, War. The lyrics are an interpretation of the Bible's Psalm 40.

The song is noted for its live performances, often involving the audience singing along for minutes after the band has left the stage. The song did not get a commercial release. Since its live debut on February 26, 1983, in Dundee, "40" has been a staple of U2's live concerts, having been performed almost 400 times.

The first verse of the song is based on Psalm 40:1-2, and the second verse of the song is based on Psalm 40:2-3. The chorus is loosely based on the first two verses of Psalm 40:3, which reads "He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God..."

Lyrics below the video.



40 by U2

I waited patiently for the Lord.
He inclined and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the pit
Out of the miry clay.

I will sing, sing a new song.
I will sing, sing a new song.
How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long, how long, how long
How long to sing this song?

You set my feet upon a rock
And made my footsteps firm.
Many will see, many will see and hear.

I will sing, sing a new song.
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song.
I will sing, sing a new song
How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song? .

Deborah, the "Mother of Israel"

Deborah - Hebrew for "Bee" - was a prophetess of God, the fourth Judge of pre-monarchic Israel, counselor, warrior, and the wife of Lapidoth according to the Book of Judges chapters 4 and 5.

The only female judge mentioned in the Bible, Deborah led a successful counterattack against the forces of Jabin king of Canaan and his military commander Sisera, the narrative is recounted in chapter 4.

Judges chapter 5 gives the same story in poetic form. This passage, often called The Song of Deborah, may date to as early as the 12th century BC and is perhaps the earliest sample of Hebrew poetry. It is also significant because it is one of the oldest passages that portrays fighting women, the account being that of Jael, the wife of Heber, a Kenite tent maker. Jael killed Sisera by driving a tent peg through his temple as he slept. Both Deborah and Jael are portrayed as strong independent women. The poem may have been included in the Book of the Wars of the Lord mentioned in Numbers 21:14.

The Song of Deborah is found in Judges 5:2-31 and is a victory hymn, sung by Deborah and Barak, about the defeat of Canaanite adversaries by some of the tribes of Israel. It is recognized as one of the oldest parts of the Bible, dating somewhere in the 12th century BC based on its grammar and context. The song itself contains a number of challenging differences from the events described in Judges 4. The song mentions six participating tribes (Ephraim, Benjamin, Machir, Zebulun, Issachar, and Naphtali) as opposed to the two tribes in Judges 4:6 (Naphtali and Zebulun) and does not mention the role of Jabin. It describes Sisera's death in a different manner. Judges 4:17-21 describes Jael killing Sisera by luring him into her tent, letting him lay down to rest, and then while he was asleep hammering a tent peg into his head killing him.

Though it is not uncommon to read a victory hymn in the Hebrew Bible, The Song of Deborah stands out as unique in that it is a hymn that celebrates a military victory helped by two women: Deborah and Jael.

Here is an amazing reading of The Song of Deborah by Sir Laurence Olivier, also lavishly illustrated:

Paul, the first evangelist.

Romans 15:19-20 -

So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Rather, as it is written:

“Those who were not told about him will see,
and those who have not heard will understand."

Paul took it upon himself to spread the story of Jesus and the love and forgiveness of God to places that no one had heard of such. Do you, do I, take every opportunity to share our faith? I know I do not, but I will try to do better. You?

He is risen!

Would you follow Jesus?

Easter - Come as you are.

How much time do we spend maintaining our outward appearance instead of working on our inward character? In the spirit of the “Mac vs. PC” commercials, this fun parody shows a well-meaning-but-misguided Christian getting schooled by “the world” in how God sees us.

TYOTB has gone international

While most of our readers are right here in Tallahassee we have attracted readers from around the world! The map below was taken from Google Analytics, which I run against the site daily to monitor traffic. Pretty amazing!

Good Friday: A dramatic reenactment you should not miss

This post does not relate to today's YOTB readings, but I found it so powerful that it should be shared here. It is a dramatic retelling of Jesus’ last day. Hear from six individuals who were close to Jesus before his death on the cross, Good Friday. The video sets the stage for Christ's resurrection and shows God's forgiveness and love for mankind. It recreates the Garden scene, the Last Supper scene, and the Golgotha scene in a most dramatic fashion:

Symphony of Psalms 38 & 40 by Igor Stravinsky

The Symphony of Psalms is a three-movement choral symphony and was composed by Igor Stravinsky in 1930 during his neoclassical period. The work was commissioned by Serge Koussevitzky to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The symphony derives its name from the use of Psalm texts in the choral parts.

According to Stravinsky, the commission for the work came about from "a routine suggestion" from Koussevitzky, who was also Stravinsky's publisher, that he write something "popular" for orchestra without chorus. Stravinsky, however, insisted on the psalm-symphony idea, which he had had in mind for some time. The symphony was written in 1930 in Nice and Echarvines, which was Stravinsky's summer home in those years. The three movements are performed without a break, and the texts sung by the chorus are drawn from the Vulgate versions in Latin. Unlike many pieces composed for chorus and orchestra, Stravinsky said that “it is not a symphony in which I have included Psalms to be sung. On the contrary, it is the singing of the Psalms that I am symphonizing".

Below is the first movement representing Psalm 38, verses 13 and 14. Here are the texts in both Latin and English:

Latin

Exaudi orationem meam, Domine, et deprecationem meam. Auribus percipe lacrimas meas. Ne sileas.

Quoniam advena ego sum apud te et peregrinus, sicut omnes patres mei.

Remitte mihi, ut refrigerer prius quam abeam et amplius non ero.


English Translation

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with Thine ears consider my calling: hold not Thy peace at my tears.

For I am a stranger with Thee: and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

O spare me a little that I may recover my strength: before I go hence and be no more.

---

And the performance which leads with the 1st movement for Psalms 38:13-14, and the 2nd movement interpreting chapter 40:2-4.

James Middleton, brother of Kate, Reads Romans 12 at the Royal Wedding

I confess that I did not wake up early to watch the royal wedding. Nevertheless, I was curious to learn what Bible passages were quoted in the course of the ceremony.

The wedding featured a lengthy Scripture reading by the bride’s brother. (Watch the video above)

The passage James Middleton read is actually two sections from the same chapter in Romans: Romans 12:1-2,9-18, using the Revised Standard Version of the Bible. It’s a commonly cited passage for obvious reasons: it’s a powerful and moving exhortation to live lives characterized by love.

Here’s the full passage read at the wedding:

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

God will not give up on us: Romans 9-11

What have we learned from Romans 9-11? The main point Paul returns to in his sometimes tortuous discussion is this: when it comes to accomplishing salvation, everything is in God's hands – not in the hands of the church, nor in those of 'Israel. God will not give up on us. His promise of life is centered in the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the Deliverer from sin, death, and the power of the devil for Jew and Gentile alike. Perhaps no where in the Bible is it made more clear that a merciful God is orchestrating human history than it is here, at this specific point, in the book of Romans.

Below is Yale Divinity School Dean Harold W. Attridge and Professor Emeritus David L. Bartlett discussing The Letter of Paul to the Romans Chapters 9-11.

Elvis Presley - "Joshua Fought The Battle Of Jericho"

Unquestionably the best version of this classic. Many of us forget that Gospel music was very important to Elvis. There is no way your feet won't be tapping!

From Wikipedia:

The song is believed to have been composed by slaves in the first half of the nineteenth century. Early published versions include some parts in dialect, such as "fit" for "fought".

The lyrics allude to the biblical story of the Battle of Jericho, in which Joshua led the Israelites against Canaan (Joshua 6:15-21). However, like those of many other spirituals, the words had a hidden meaning alluding to eventual escape from slavery - in the case of this song, "And the walls came tumblin' down." The lively melody and rhythm also provided energy and inspiration. Critic Robert Cummings wrote: "The jaunty, spirited theme hardly sounds like the product of the pre-Civil War era, and would not sound out of place in a ragtime or even jazz musical from the early twentieth century. The closing portion of the tune, sung to the words quoted above, is its most memorable portion: the notes plunge emphatically and impart a glorious sense of collapse, of triumph."

Joshua Fit the Battle

Joshua fit the battle around Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle around Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down

God knows that
Joshua fit the battle around Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle around Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down

Good morning sister Mary
Good morning brother John
Well I wanna stop and talk with you
And tell you how I come along

I know you've heard about Joshua
He was the son of Nun
He never stopped his work until
Until the work was done

God knows that
Joshua fit the battle around Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle around Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down

You may talk about your men of Gideon
You may brag about your men of Saul
There's none like good old Joshua
At the battle of Jericho

Up to the walls of Jericho
He marched with spear in hand
Go blow them ram horns, Joshua cried
'Cause the battle is in my hands

God knows that
Joshua fit the battle around Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle around Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down

You may talk about your men of Gideon
You may brag about the King of Saul
There none like Joshua
At the battle of Jericho

They tell me, great God that Joshua's spear
Was well nigh twelve feet long
And upon his hip was a double edged sword
And his mouth was a gospel horn

Yet bold and brave he stood
Salvation in his hand
Go blow them ram horns Joshua cried
'Cause the devil can't do you no harm

God knows that
Joshua fit the battle around Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down

Up to the walls of Jericho
He marched with spear in hand
Go blow them ram horns, Joshua cried
'Cause the battle is in my hands

Then the lamb ram sheep horns began to blow
The trumpets began to sound
Old Joshua shouted glory
And the walls come tumblin' down

God knows that
Joshua fit the battle around Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle around Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down

Down, down, down, down, down
Tumblin' down