Talking Heads, "Heaven"

One of the most successful New Wave bands from the seventies was Talking Heads. On their third album, "Fear of Music," appeared this song. Have a listen here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAa7J10D8Qw

People sure do have some weird notions about heaven. Many of those ideas of eternity are based on popular opinion and not on what little the Bible says.

We know that God lives in Heaven but what does he do there? He hears the prayers of all the righteous. When Solomon dedicated the temple, he prayed in 1 Kings 8:43 (Bible in Basic English), "Give ear in heaven your living-place, and give him his desire, whatever it may be; so that all the peoples of the earth may have knowledge of your name, worshipping you as do your people Israel, and that they may see that this house which I have put up is truly named by your name."

Heaven is also where all the nations are ruled, though Satan has been given power over the wicked. We read in 2 Chronicles 20:5 and 6 (BBE), "And Jehoshaphat took his place in the meeting of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord in front of the new open space, And said, 'O Lord, the God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? are you not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? and in your hands are power and strength so that no one is able to keep his place against you?'" The answer is obvious.

Prophecy also shows that God knows all things. As we read in Daniel 2:27 and 28 (BBE), "Then Daniel said in answer to the king, 'No wise men, or users of secret arts, or wonder-workers, or readers of signs, are able to make clear to the king the secret he is searching for; But there is a God in heaven, the unveiler of secrets, and he has given to King Nebuchadnezzar knowledge of what will take place in the last days. Your dreams and the visions of your head on your bed are these:'" Then he told him what they were.

As we know, that statue of various metals was a prediction of future kingdoms which all happened. And as heaven will be our home, we look forward to being with Almighty God where we'll be free from the nagging undertow of sin.

If Christ doesn't come for us by Monday, I hope to post about racism.

Men At Work, "Who Could It Be Now"

 I sure relate to this song. Some folks I've known never seem to understand that people sometimes need privacy and don't often want to chatter late into the night. I've had to be rude to them just to get it through their thick skulls that I wanted privacy.

check out this great song here:

A common proverb people use is "familiarity breeds contempt." In fact, I've even been guilty of doing what Proverbs 25:17 (Bible in Basic English) warns against. "Let not your foot be frequently in your neighbour's house, or he may get tired of you, and his feeling be turned to hate."

Another kind of speech which is no good, and I've been guilty of it as well, is mentioned in Proverbs 14:23 (BBE). "In all hard work there is profit, but talk only makes a man poor."

Likewise, I've had my moments of foolish talk. Unlike some people I know, I did learn from my folly. Ecclesiastes 10:12-14 (BBE) admonishes, "The words of a wise man's mouth are sweet to all, but the lips of a foolish man are his destruction. The first words of his mouth are foolish, and the end of his talk is evil crime. The foolish are full of words; man has no knowledge of what will be; and who is able to say what will be after him?"

Furthermore, I struggle with the error of speaking first before I've heard both sides of an argument. Talkative people tend to do this often as well. As James 1:19 and 20 (BBE) reminds us, "You have knowledge of this, dear brothers. But let every man be quick in hearing, slow in words, slow to get angry; For the righteousness of God does not come about by the wrath of man."

And while we should speak out against injustice, a time comes when we must butt out of arguments which don't concern us. As Paul wrote to the congregation in 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12  (BBE), "And, truly, you are lovers of all the brothers in Macedonia; but it is our desire that your love may be increased still more; And that you may take pride in being quiet and doing your business, working with your hands as we gave you orders; That you may be respected by those who are outside, and may have need of nothing."

We also need to have a solitary time each day when we talk with God. As Jesus taught in Matthew 6:5 and 6 (BBE), "And when you make your prayers, be not like the false-hearted men, who take pleasure in getting up and saying their prayers in the Synagogues and at the street turnings so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward. But when you make your prayer, go into your private room, and, shutting the door, say a prayer to your Father in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will give you your reward."

If the Lord doesn't return by Monday, I hope to post about heaven and the weird ideas people have about it.

Hawkwind, "System Check"

This isn't a song but a mock system check for a musical space ship. I chose it because this psychedelic space-rock band has many songs dealing with science fiction, one of my favourite genres. Check out this song here:

We Christians are also required to run a system check on our own faithfulness to the Lord. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 13:5 (Bible in Basic English), "Make a test of yourselves, if you are in the faith; make certain of yourselves. Or are you not conscious in yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you, if you are truly Christ's?"

Being consistently seeking to know more about Christ shows the world that you're truly changed. As Paul wrote in Colossians 1:9 and 10 BBE), "For this reason, we, from the day when we had word of it, keep on in prayer for you, that you may be full of the knowledge of his purpose, with all wisdom and experience of the Spirit, Living uprightly in the approval of the Lord, giving fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;"

Another check you can make is if you've suffered taunting and rejection, ore even physical violence, because of your faith. After the people of Lystra stoned Paul, he continued working for Christ. Acts 14:21 and 22, (BBE) tells what he did next. "And having made a number of disciples through the preaching of the good news in that town, they went back to Lystra and Iconium and Antioch, Making strong the souls of the disciples, saying to them that they were to keep the faith, and that we have to go through troubles of all sorts to come into the kingdom of God."

If we don't make a practice of sinning, we know that we've been saved. As 1 John 1:7 (BBE) reminds us, "But if we are walking in the light, as he is in the light, we are all united with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son makes us clean from all sin." All three of John's epistles deal with love and how it's natural to a believer to demonstrate it.

If our adored Lord doesn't come to us by Thursday, I hope to post about people who overstay their welcome.

Gladys Knight and The Pips, "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me"

What a wonderful love song this is. And I'm sure that many people felt that their new-found lover was like that. During January of 1974, this hit was playing on many rock and top 40 stations. Listen to the song here:

Do you remember how it felt to be a new Christian? Like me, you wanted to tell the whole world about it. 

According to Jesus, the feeling is mutual. Matthew 18:12-14 (Bible in Basic English) explains, "What would you say now? if a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone wandering away, will he not let the ninety-nine be, and go to the mountains in search of the wandering one? And if he comes across it, truly I say to you, he has more joy over it than over the ninety-nine which have not gone out of the way. Even so it is not the pleasure of your Father in heaven for one of these little ones to come to destruction.

Not only Jesus rejoiced over your salvation but all the host of heaven. Luke 15:7 (BBE) explains, "I say to you that even so there will be more joy in heaven when one sinner is turned away from his wrongdoing, than for ninety-nine good men, who have no need of a change of heart."

Remember too how changed the Philippian jailer became when he trusted in Christ? Acts 16:33 (BBE) showed how the preaching of Paul saved the guard's whole family. "And that same hour of the night, he took them, and when he had given attention to their wounds, he and all his family had baptism straight away."

Even so, the joy of salvation does evaporate in those in whom the Holy Spirit hasn't taken residence. Jesus taught in Mark 4:16-19 (BBE) how this happens. Using an analogy of sowing seeds, he said, "And in the same way, these are they who are planted on the stones, who, when the word has come to their ears, straight away take it with joy; And they have no root in themselves, but go on for a time; then, when trouble comes or pain, because of the word, they quickly become full of doubts. And others are those planted among the thorns; these are they who have given ear to the word, And the cares of this life, and the deceits of wealth, and the desire for other things coming in, put a stop to the growth of the word, and it gives no fruit."

If our Master doesn't return by Monday, I hope to post about how we must always examine ourselves spiritually.

x

Argent, "Hold Your Head Up"

What a great song this was from the summer of 1970. Ron Argent had a hit with his band but never had another. Take a listen to this encouraging song performed live here:

We Christians need to hold our heads up too, but not because of pride. We read in 1 Peter 2:9 (Bible in Basic English) how we have been set apart from those who rejected Christ. "But you are a special people, a holy nation, priests and kings, a people given up completely to God, so that you may make clear the virtues of him who took you out of the dark into the light of heaven."

Not only that but we were chosen from before time began. Paul wrote of our special selection by God in 2 Timothy 1:9 (BBE) when he wrote of the Lord, "Who gave us salvation, marking us out for his purpose, not on account of our works, but in the measure of his purpose and his grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,"

Better still, we can rely upon what Christ said to his Father regarding his disciples in John 17:12 (BBE). "While I was with them I kept them safe in your name which you have given to me: I took care of them and not one of them has come to destruction, but only the son of destruction, so that the Writings might come true."

Being the Good Shepherd, Christ promised us who follow him in John 10:27 and 28 (BBE(, "My sheep give ear to my voice, and I have knowledge of them, and they come after me: And I give them eternal life; they will never come to destruction, and no one will ever take them out of my hand."

Finally, our confidence isn't in our works and outward appearance but in our heavenly Father. As 1 Corinthians 1:30 and 31 (BBE) proclaims, "But God has given you a place in Christ Jesus, through whom God has given us wisdom and righteousness and salvation, and made us holy: So that, as it is said in the holy Writings, Whoever has a desire for glory, let his glory be in the Lord."

And if our Lord hasn't returned by Saturday, I hope to post about a lovely ballad which we can all apply to Christ.

Three Dog Night, "Yellow Beach Umbrella"

January was when many folks took a vacation. During the coldest month in the northern hemisphere, it was wonderful to get away from the bitterness and darkness of winter to somewhere warm and green. Now only the privileged folks can leave while we are in lockdown.

This Three Dog Night song mirrors the feelings of loners like me. In fact even people-oriented folks need a break from others for a while.

Check out this melancholy song here:

Many folks in the Bible needed to be alone at times. One famous example was Elijah. He was on the run from Queen Jezebel when God showed him his mighty power in a wind storm, earthquake, and fire. 

We read in 1 Kings 9:13 (Bible in Basic English) what happened next. "And Elijah, hearing it, went out, covering his face with his robe, and took his place in the opening of the hole. And there a voice came to him saying, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?' And he said, 'I have been burning for the honour of the Lord, the God of armies; for the children of Israel have not kept your agreement; they have had your altars broken down, and have put your prophets to death with the sword: till I, even I, am the only one living; and now they are attempting to take away my life.'"

Another greatly-oppressed man was Job. His friends made all sorts of terrible allegations against him, daring to think they had the wisdom of God. Job 7:16 (BBE) reads, "I have no desire for life, I would not be living for ever! Keep away from me, for my days are as a breath."

Sometimes God calls people to worship him alone. This happened to Moses in Exodus 24:1 and 2 (BBE). "And he said to Moses, 'Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, and Nadab and Abihu and seventy of the chiefs of Israel; and give me worship from a distance. And Moses only may come near to the Lord; but the others are not to come near, and the people may not come up with them.'"

We also read when Jesus needed to be apart from the crowd and his disciples. Mark 1:12 and 13 (BBE) speaks of his temptation by the Devil. "And straight away the Spirit sent him out into the waste land. And he was in the waste land for forty days, being tested by Satan; and he was with the beasts; and the angels took care of him."

Jesus also enjoyed his solitude. Matthew 14:23 (BBE) reads, "And after he had sent the people away, he went up into the mountain by himself for prayer: and when evening was come, he was there by himself."

Provided that Christ doesn't return by Thursday, I hope to post about an encouraging song by a British band and how it applies to us.

Eddie Grant, "Gimmy Hope, Jo Anna"

One thing is for sure, this world needs hope. With all the tragedies happening each minute, hope is in short supply. And though South African Apartheid is history, black militants are now killing white farmers. Those murderers don't realize that violence begets violence. So is there hope for peace in this broken world?

Eddie Grant, former member of The Equals,  sang many songs about the conditions in this broken world. This song is about South Africa and how the people of that country suffered  because of racism. Listen to the song here.

Often times, God turns hopeless situations around. We read of this in Ruth 1:11-13 (Bible in Basic English) where a widower and her widowed daughters felt hopeless. "But Naomi said, 'Go back, my daughters; why will you come with me? Have I more sons in my body, to become your husbands? Go back, my daughters, and go on your way; I am so old now that I may not have another husband. If I said, I have hopes, if I had a husband tonight, and might have sons, Would you keep yourselves till they were old enough? would you keep from having husbands for them? No, my daughters; but I am very sad for you that the hand of the Lord is against me.'"

We know, what Naomi didn't, that she would be the great great grandmother of King David. Through David's lineage, Christ came.

We also read of a man who lost his children and livestock all in one terrible day. Even his wife told him to curse God and die. We read his lament in Job 7:7 (BBE). "O, keep in mind that my life is wind: my eye will never again see good."

Unlike Job, we know that God gave him double the livestock and the same number of children again once the testing of his faith was over. And as James 5:11 (BBE) admonishes us, "We say that those men who have gone through pain are happy: you have the story of Job and the troubles through which he went and have seen that the Lord was full of pity and mercy in the end."

Then there's a psalm of David regarding Christ's crucifixion which ends in hope and victory. Psalms 22:9 (BBE) is the turning point of this sombre dirge. "But it was you who took care of me from the day of my birth: you gave me faith even from my mother's breasts."

As our Lord did when he went to the cross, so should we also do. Hebrews 12:2 (BBE) reminds us that we must always be, "Having our eyes fixed on Jesus, the guide and end of our faith, who went through the pains of the cross, not caring for the shame, because of the joy which was before him, and who has now taken his place at the right hand of God's seat of power."

And if he hasn't returned by Monday, I hope to post about the need to get away by one's self at times.

Diana Ross and The Supreme's, "Love Child'"

During the late nineteen-sixties, artists and bands began singing about social issues. Births out of wedlock were one of those taboos decent folks didn't dare mention. 

Diana Ross and The Supreme's had a hit with this song, showing that babies can't help it if their parents fooled around.  Listen to the song here:

The Bible mentions many victims of sexual sin. In 2 Samuel 11:4, we read of King David's dalliance with Bath-sheba. The Bible in Basic English puts it this way. "And David sent and took her; and she came to him, and he took her to his bed: (for she had been made clean;) then she went back to her house." Though the child died when he was born, he wasn't to blame or being punished for his father's sin.

Incest is another horrific sin which the Bible dares to mention. The daughters of Lot became pregnant when they both laid with him. as Genesis 19:37 and 38 (BBE) says, "And the older daughter had a son, and she gave him the name Moab: he is the father of the Moabites to this day. And the younger had a son and gave him the name Ben-ammi: from him come the children of Ammon to this day." Incidentally, both tribes were punished by God but not for their mothers' sin.

We can take heart that those children born due to sinful parents aren't responsible for the wickedness of their parents. As Deuteronomy 24:16 (BBE)tells us, "Fathers are not to be put to death for their children or children for their fathers: every man is to be put to death for the sin which he himself has done."

Believe it or not, Jesus was back-handedly called illegitimate by the Pharisees who refused to believe his birth by a virgin. John 8:41 (King James Version) puts it bluntly. "'Ye do the deeds of your father.' Then said they to him, 'We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.'"

I'm glad that the Old Testament of not allowing illegitimate children into the congregation was for ancient Israel only. Now all are welcome to surrender themselves to Christ and let him lead them into life eternal.

If Christ hasn't come back by Saturday, I hope to post about a hopeful song Regarding Africa.

Devo, "Beautiful World

For some folks, the world is a beautiful place. These people have plenty of friends and good families. They go where they want to and do whatever they please. Neither are they short of money or have to count their pennies.

It isn't that way for everybody. As this song by the New Wave band, Devo, says, not everybody agrees that it's a beautiful world. Listen to the song here:

Solomon, declared in the Bible to be the wisest man, also saw the reality of this broken world. People think wealth will satisfy them but Ecclesiastes 4:8 (Bible in Basic English) says of those who crave wealth, "It is one who is by himself, without a second, and without son or brother; but there is no end to all his work, and he has never enough of wealth. For whom, then, am I working and keeping myself from pleasure? This again is to no purpose, and a bitter work."

We also live on a planet troubled by famine. The Middle East had many during the time the books of the Bible were written. Warned by God, Joseph interpreted pharaoh's two dreams. In Genesis 41:29-31 (BBE) he told him just how severe it would be. "Seven years are coming in which there will be great wealth of grain in Egypt; And after that will come seven years when there will not be enough food; and the memory of the good years will go from men's minds; and the land will be made waste by the bad years; And men will have no memory of the good time because of the need which will come after, for it will be very bitter."

When we have plenty to eat and drink, and plenty of comforts, we tend not to depend on God as much as we ought. Solomon prayed about this in 1 Kings 8:37-39 (BBE) when he dedicated the temple. "If there is no food in the land, or if there is disease, or if the fruits of the earth are damaged through heat or water, locust or worm; if their towns are shut in by their attackers; whatever trouble, whatever disease there may be: Whatever prayer or request for your grace is made by any man, or by all your people Israel, whatever his trouble may be, whose hands are stretched out to this house: Give ear in heaven your living-place, acting in mercy; and give to every man whose secret heart is open to you, the reward of all his ways; for you, and you only, have knowledge of the hearts of all the children of men:"

We live in hope that a time will come when the new earth will replace this broken world. Revelation 21:3 and 4 (BBE) encourages us with this great announcement. "And there came to my ears a great voice out of the high seat, saying, 'See, the Tent of God is with men, and he will make his living-place with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them, and be their God. And he will put an end to all their weeping; and there will be no more death, or sorrow, or crying, or pain; for the first things have come to an end.'"

But if that awesome day hasn't arrived by Thursday, I hope to post about those unfortunate children who were born out of wedlock.

Devo, "Freedom of Choice"

 We sure are blessed, at the moment, to live in lands where the government doesn't make every decision for us. In some places, people need passports just to go to another city. The government monitors their every move and anybody disobeying government edicts receives severe punishment.

The new wave band, Devo, recorded this song in 1980. They even reference an ancient Roman poem which I remember hearing its English translation at my school. Listen to it here:

Right from the start, God gave his angels the ability to choose to follow him or the Devil. We read of this division in Jude 1:6 (Bible in Basic English) which reads, "And the angels who did not keep to their kingdom but went out from the place which was theirs, he has put in eternal chains and in dark night till the great day of the judging."

Likewise, God has given us the ability to choose. Deuteronomy 30:19 (BBE)says,  "Let heaven and earth be my witnesses against you this day that I have put before you life and death, a blessing and a curse: so take life for yourselves and for your seed:"

This division of believers and non believers happens whenever the gospel is presented. Paul spoke to Jews in Rome when he awaited trial by Caesar's court. Acts 28:24-26 (BBE) says, "And some were in agreement with what he said, but some had doubts. And they went away, for there was a division among them after Paul had said this one thing: 'Well did the Holy Spirit say by the prophet Isaiah to your fathers, "Go to this people and say, Though you give ear, you will not get knowledge; and seeing, you will see, but the sense will not be clear to you:"'"

If our Lord doesn't come by Saturday, I hope to post about how some folks don't have it so well in this broken world of ours.

Chad and Jeremy, "You Need Feet"

During the dull days of winter, we could all use something to laugh at. Check out this song which British pop singers, Chad and Jeremy, sang. Listen to it here:

Scripture is filled with metaphors and similes about feet. For example, they made conquest possible. Like God promised  in Joshua 1:3 (Bible in Basic English), "Every place on which you put your foot I have given to you, as I said to Moses."

In ancient times, falling down at a person's feet meant surrendering to that one's authority. We see an example of that done in 1 Samuel 25:23 and 24 (BBE) when Nabal refused to reward David's men for protecting his sheep. "And when Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her ass, falling down on her face before him. And falling at his feet she said, 'May the wrong be on me, my lord, on me: let your servant say a word to you, and give ear to the words of your servant.'"

Furthermore, God used feet to dry up the Jordan river in Joshua 3:15 and 16 (BBE). "And when those who took up the ark came to Jordan, and the feet of the priests who took up the ark were touching the edge of the water (for the waters of Jordan are overflowing all through the time of the grain-cutting), Then the waters flowing down from higher up were stopped and came together in a mass a long way back at Adam, a town near Zarethan; and the waters flowing down to the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were cut off: and the people went across opposite Jericho."

Washing people's feet was also a way to show hospitality in the Middle East. Jesus used it to show how we ought to serve others instead of boasting and thinking we deserve to be served. John 13:12-14 (BBE) reads, "Then, after washing their feet and putting on his robe again, he took his seat and said to them, 'Do you see what I have done to you? You give me the name of Master and Lord: and you are right; that is what I am. If then I, the Lord and the Master, have made your feet clean, it is right for you to make one another's feet clean."

Some churches figure that foot-washing is an ordinance but the context shows that Jesus used it to shame the disciples for their arrogance. May we all do acts of service to one another in the love of Christ.

If our Master doesn't return by Saturday, I hope to post about how this world isn't so beautiful to certain folks.

Bachman-Turner Overdrive, "Roll On Down The Highway"

 Now that Christmas and New Year's Day are history, we need to get our minds back on mundane tasks. 

This song by Bachman-Turner Overdrive celebrates the trucking industry and identifies some of the problems truckers face. Click this link to hear the song.

For some, work is a four-letter word. That's because God cursed the ground as a punishment for Adam's sin. God said in Genesis 3:17 (Bible in Basic English), "And to Adam he said, 'Because you gave ear to the voice of your wife and took of the fruit of the tree which I said you were not to take, the earth is cursed on your account; in pain you will get your food from it all your life.'"

And though we have laws against child labour, kids can be a help and comfort to their parents. As Lamech said about his son in Genesis 5:29 (BBE), "And he gave him the name of Noah, saying, 'Truly, he will give us rest from our trouble and the hard work of our hands, because of the earth which was cursed by God.'"

Joseph felt the same way about his son in Genesis 41:51 (BBE). "And to the first he gave the name Manasseh, for he said, 'God has taken away from me all memory of my hard life and of my father's house.'"

During the time the Bible was written, people generally went into business for themselves. We read of one enterprising woman in Acts 16:14 and 15 (BBE). This tells how her business helped Paul and Luke find a place to stay. "And a certain woman named Lydia, a trader in purple cloth of the town of Thyatira, and a God-fearing woman, gave ear to us: whose heart the Lord made open to give attention to the things which Paul was saying. And when she and her family had had baptism, she made a request to us, saying, 'If it seems to you that I am true to the Lord, come into my house and be my guests.' And she made us come."

Even so, Christ reminded people in Matthew 6:7 and 8 (BBE) not to be fixated with saving up money. "And in your prayer do not make use of the same words again and again, as the Gentiles do: for they have the idea that God will give attention to them because of the number of their words. So be not like them; because your Father has knowledge of your needs even before you make your requests to him."

While it's prudent to save for future expenses, being worried about the future is showing distrust in the Father's care.

If Christ hasn't returned on Thursday, I hope to post about our freedom of Choice which the Lord has provided us.

The Guess Who, "Hand-Me-Down World"

 One of Canada's most notable bands, The Guess Who, released this excellent song back in January of 1971. Though it wasn't their first international hit, the song did chart in America.

Listen to it here.

Everything we have in this world is secondhand. First of all, God made every single particle in the universe. Whatever we have is from his creative hand.

Psalms 95:3-5 (Bible in Basic English) expresses this truth well. "For the Lord is a great God, and a great King over all gods. The deep places of the earth are in his hand; and the tops of the mountains are his. The sea is his, and he made it; and the dry land was formed by his hands."

And in the world of ideas, nothing is new. Ecclesiastes 1:9 and 10 (BBE) reveals, "That which has been, is that which is to be, and that which has been done, is that which will be done, and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there anything of which men say, 'See, this is new?" It has been in the old time which was before us."

Some folks might claim that redemption is a new thing. But we read in Genesis 3:14 and 15 (BBE) how God promised a redeemer to Adam and Eve when Satan led them to sin. "And the Lord God said to the snake, 'Because you have done this you are cursed more than all cattle and every beast of the field; you will go flat on the earth, and dust will be your food all the days of your life: And there will be war between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed: by him will your head be crushed and by you his foot will be wounded.'"

We also see that sin occurs the same way from the beginning. As James 1:13 and 14 (BBE) describes, human propensity to sin has never changed. "Let no man say when he is tested, I am tested by God; for it is not possible for God to be tested by evil, and he himself puts no man to such a test: But every man is tested when he is turned out of the right way by the attraction of his desire."

That's how the first two humans fell and how we are tripped up today by our thrice-unholy tendencies.

If our Saviour hasn't returned by Monday, I hope to post about a great song by a former Guess Who.