He rules the world with truth and grace. Verse four of “Joy to the World” completes the biblical worldview contained in this Christmas hymn. This last verse is a dynamic testimony to the power of the gospel. The King who was anticipated in the first verse, celebrated for his rule in the second verse, and viewed as the Savior of this sin-cursed world in third, now is depicted as the One who will bring a just judgment to this broken world. Are you discouraged by the corruption in the world? You need not despair at the apparent inequities of life! What a wonderful peace flows from the reality that King Jesus rules with truth and grace. The awesome might of […]
Holidays
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Far as the Curse Is Found This is the third post on Isaac Watts’ famous hymn “Joy to the World,” which is based on Psalm 98. It is my belief that the lyrics of this hymn reflect a biblical worldview, a worldview that brings honor to God in all that we do. The first part of this worldview has to do with the joyful anticipation of Christ’s rule. The second part encourages us to delight in the ongoing reign of our Savior. This third element of the worldview acknowledges that there is much wrong with the world. Here is the third verse:
Your children know everything about you. They see when you are sleeping, they know when you have been good or bad, they know when you pout and when you shout. Your kids know all of this without your ever having to say a word. When you stumble and ask God for help — they learn. When you stumble and snap or make excuses — they learn from that, too. If you value your relationship with God above all else, your children will know that as well. What does this have to do with being Santa’s helper? Just this: in Psalm 72:18 we read that “God alone does marvelous things.” However, at Christmas time, for little children someone else is portrayed […]
Seventy years ago today God changed everything, everywhere. Though there were fears and concerns that global conflict was possible, on the 7th of December, 1941, those concerns were abruptly confirmed. Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor dramatically changed life on our planet. Over the course of World War II, over 400,000 Americans died in combat-related incidents. But even this number pales in comparison to the number who lost their lives world-wide –over 60 million people. Everything changed, everywhere. Suddenly, nothing was certain.
It was early morning on Black Friday. Though the sun was still below the horizon, millions of people had left the comfort of their homes to purchase gifts to give to friends and family in exactly in one month’s time. Given man’s fallen nature what is it causes us to even think about giving something to someone else?
Imagine a television commercial that featured Jesus Christ as the most important person in a romantic Valentine’s Day advertisement. That seems out of place, doesn’t it? Culturally, this day is about romance, not religion. But there is an important point to be made here. The Ten Commandments teach that God is to be first in all of life. The first two commandments establish that only God is to be at the center of your life. When Jesus proclaims the he is the Way, the Truth and the Life, he is claiming the same territory. All of Scripture develops this theme. No one else may be first but God.
Today is the third day of 2011, a new year. But what is new about this year, other than new calendars? Some are relieved that their tax rates will not go up. In many states new laws are taking effect. There is a newly elected congress in Washington. There will be a new Super Bowl champion. But these things are not really new. They are repeats of recurring events and traditions.
Today is New Year’s Eve. People the world over are anticipating the beginning of a new calendar year. As 2011 makes its debut, many people have revived hopes of a new beginning. Many others will welcome 2011 with intense celebrations that morph into blurry hangovers. Many resolutions will be made, but few will be kept. New calendars will be hung. For some, hope will abound, and for others depression will remain. Many will put their faith in a ball that falls in Times Square—they will cling to the hope that this year will really be different. This is what is old about New Year’s Eve. Perhaps this is why the celebrations are so extravagant; people hoping against hope that things […]
Your children know everything about you. They see when you are sleeping, they know when you have been good or bad, they know when you pout and when you shout. Your kids know all of this without your ever having to say a word. When you stumble and ask God for help — they learn. When you stumble and snap or make excuses — they learn from that, too. If you value your relationship with God above all else, your children will know that as well. What does this have to do with being Santa’s helper? Just this: in Psalm 72:18 we read that “God alone does marvelous things.” However, at Christmas time, for little children someone else is portrayed […]
Halloween is an enigma. It is a time of costumes and mystery, of parties and fun, of tricks and treats. This is the American cultural Halloween of retail sales and seasonal advertizing themes. There is also another side to Halloween. This is the Halloween of movies and novels, the occult and ritual; the world of the real dark Lord. This is the Halloween marked not by cute children asking for a treat, but by fear and terror. But even this dark side of Halloween has an appealing aspect for some—the adrenalin rush produced by shocking scenes that provoke fear.