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Joyful Noise |
A monthly column with all the noise that is news about Music & Worship |
July 2000 |
Let Freedom RING!
No, this isn't a column about the 4th of July. Even though this year marks the 224th year of Independence for America, it's not really the same as being FREE. If you think it is, look at what you pay in taxes each year! FREEDOM is never FREE!
Throughout the summer season, we have a chance to worship weekly and celebrate our TRUE FREEDOM, one that happened not 224 years ago, but 2000 years ago, "and that's the truth" as a famous comedienne used to say.
What is the TRUTH?
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Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.John 14:6 (NIV)
What good does it do us to realize that?
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To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."John 8:31-32 (NIV)
And what was the PRICE paid for our freedom?
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"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.17
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.John 3:16-17 (NIV)
That FREEDOM is a reason to REJOICE! Wave banners! Launch fireworks! Sing songs! We are FREE FROM SIN! That's TRUE FREEDOM. Let's CELEBRATE every Sunday!
One popular hymn, often associated with "freedom" celebrations is "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" (LBW 332). The composer, Julia Ward Howe, wrote these lyrics in the heart of the civil War. She sent the words to the Atlantic Monthly magazine and received an honorarium of five dollars. The money wasn't her concern; her purpose was to provide some wholesome lyrics for the tune of "John Brown's Body Lies A-Moldering in the Grave." (I'm sure there were people who thought it improper to set Christian words to such an irreverent song). She accomplished that and more. When President Lincoln first heard the hymn, he asked to have it sung again.
The text is filled with biblical allusions. The expression in verse one "He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored" refers to Revelation 14:19. The sounding trumpet in verse three is probably from Revelation 8. For the Christian, the message of this song is that God's truth is eternal. Although circumstances may appear overwhelmingly difficult, God will still accomplish His purposes, and His truth will endure.
It can be dangerous to identify political causes or national patriotism with God's truth. Nations may rise and fall, but God's truth remains forever. "His truth is marching on."
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me;
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make man FREE,
While God is marching on!
(Hymn notes taken from the book The one year book of hymns published by Tyndale House, 1995)
Joyful Joke:
I found a web-site with dozens of Christian Jokes - thought I'd share some in the coming months...this month, some advice for our pastoral "Call Committee":The Perfect Pastor
The results of a computerized survey indicate the perfect pastor preaches exactly 15 minutes. S/He condemns sin but never upsets anyone. S/He works from 8 am until midnight and is also a janitor. S/He makes $50 a week, wears good clothes, buys good books, drives a good car, and gives about $50 weekly to the poor. S/He is 28 years old and has been preaching 30 years. S/He has a burning desire to work with teen-agers and spends all of his/her time with senior citizens. The perfect pastor smiles all the time with a straight face because s/he has a sense of humor that keeps him/her seriously dedicated to his/her work. S/He makes 15 calls daily on parish families, shut-ins, and the hospitalized. S/He spends all of his/her time evangelizing the unchurched and is always in his/her office when needed.
Until Next Month:
Remember "...now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. " Romans 6:22 (NIV)Soli Deo Gloria (To God alone be the Glory)
Donald L. Bauer
, Choral & Contemporary Music Director