Beautiful.  Lyrics, music.

Linford Detweiler would say it better, of course, but this poor uninspired soul has to express himself the only way he can, and so I say, beautiful.

I only discovered this talent called Over The Rhine very recently through pastemusic.com’s free MP3’s.  It was their song, “Mary’s Waltz” that got me.  I must confess I wasn’t listening to the words at first - the music was enough - but when the words started to sink in and I followed the lyrical scenes from start to finish, tears came to my eyes.  Beautiful.

The band - consisting of husband Linford Deweiler, wife Karin Bergquist and others at various times - has been around since 1989 and attracted a growing group of fans among “those who know”.  Finally, I am one who knows.

While looking these guys up on the net, I came across an interview whose opening paragraph ends with: “…when I listen to your [Over the Rhine's] music, things within me that I didn’t even know were broken are somehow repaired and made right.”  Normally I’d be somewhat skeptical of that sort of comment, but having listened to their music, I’d have to agree.  The music and lyrics tend to combine and gently wind their way into your soul.  To put it unoriginally, it’s like a light going on, a revelation of beauty to your heart.  I’m not sure how else to describe it.  It’s just…

Beautiful.

See Wikipedia on Over The Rhine and visit their webpage.

My friend Glenn, knowing my coffee problems, sent me this very accurate portrayal of what coffee does to a person.

Go here to see original.

Adrian Warnock’s short comments about tongues in this post sparked my thinking (for no particular reason) and have led me to my own version of “kiss and tell”.  So, for your reading pleasure…or otherwise:

Welcome to…

SPEAK IN TONGUES AND TELL!

(or should that be “tongues’n’speak”?)

I speak in tongues.  Yes, I do.  No, I have never spoken in tongues during a meeting and had someone interpret it, but I often do speak in tongues when I pray.

Yes, I have heard many arguments against tongues as a gift for today.  I know that, depending on who you listen to, anyone who claims to speak in tongues today is either speaking in

• a) “demonic tongues”
• b) a codified language but not a natural human language (D.A. Carson)
• c) a different spiritual utterance gift from the gift of tongues in the New Testament, but a valid gift for today that is totally unsubstantiated by Scripture (J.I. Packer)
• d) heavenly languages, or
• e) earthly languages.

Me?  Well, this is my experience…

Continue Reading »

David Powlison’s article emphasised the word active as positive and an accurate description of reality in which we are guilty sinners, and passive as negative and an inaccurate description of reality where we are instead pitied victims, not guilty sinners. 

While I do not agree that the description of an unmet need being a root of sin is incompatible with identifying root sins and calling for repentence, I think there is a danger of becoming passive in our struggle against sin if we try to use the truth of unmet needs as the only weapon in our arsenal.

We need to confess our sin and ourselves as sinners before we can understand the incredible, undeserved love God has for us. (1 John 1:9)

We need to fight to grasp hold of the truths of Jesus’ death and resurrection - the greatest expression of God’s love for sinful people (Rom 5:8) - and fight to keep holding on to them.  This is why doctrine is sooo important - it reveals to us the truths of Who God Is and what He requires of us. (1 Tim 6:12)

We need to act on what we understand Him to be saying to us, knowing that He has accepted us and loves us and so fear is not needed (though is so often present - that’s part of the fight). (Luke 11:28)

We need to hate sin as well as loving God, and be willing to take drastic action to get rid of other causes of sin. Once we love God, hating sin (not sinners) becomes a means of growing in love for God as well as a result of loving God! (Matt 5:29-30)

We need to discipline ourselves to pray. We know in our hearts God accepts us, but unless we act on that and take advantage of what He has provided and commune with God, we will lose the reality of that knowledge. (Eph 6:18)

We need to direct our hearts to rest in Jesus. In our sinfulness our hearts so easily latch on to other things - usually because it requires less of us.  It’s equivalent to consistently buying junk food because it’s easier than cooking a decent meal.  The benefits to our body and general health (and our happiness) make taking the time to cook a decent meal the sensible option, but if we are tired we have to take hold of ourselves and push ourselves to do it - or is that just me? (Col 3:1-4).

So, so the Christian life MUST be active.  But the “passive” realisation of God’s love is the basis of it all.