Four Jacks and a Jill: "Master Jack"

I never understood this song when it was on the radio in June of 1968. The woman in the song sounded ungrateful to Master Jack for all he taught her. What I didn't understand back then is that students eventually must leave their teachers and visa versa.

Listen to the song here:

Elisha was one student who didn't want to leave his beloved teacher. We read in 2 Kings 2:11 and 12 (Bible in Basic English) when God had to separate the two men. "And while they went on their way, going on talking together, suddenly there were carriages and horses of fire separating them from one another and Elijah went up to heaven in a great wind. And when Elisha saw it he gave a cry, 'My father, my father, the carriages of Israel and its horsemen!' And he saw him no longer; and he was full of grief."

Christ's disciples were also grief-stricken when they learned of how he would leave them. John 14:25-27 (BBE) shows that he knew his disciples needed comfort. "I have said all this to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will be your teacher in all things and will put you in mind of everything I have said to you. May peace be with you; my peace I give to you: I give it not as the world gives. Let not your heart be troubled; let it be without fear."

The Christians at Troas also felt deep sorrow when they learned they'd see Paul's face no more. Acts 20:36-38 (BBE) describes his departure. "And having said these words, he went down on his knees in prayer with them all. And they were all weeping, falling on Paul's neck and kissing him, Being sad most of all because he had said that they would not see his face again. And so they went with him to the ship."

If Christ doesn't reunite us all by Thursday, I hope to post about the importance of the past in our faith.

Jerry Reid: "When You're Hot, You're Hot"

This hit from 1970 became one of those crossover songs from the country charts which also aired on rock stations. It's about a gambler and his friends who were arrested for their illegal dice game. Check out the song here:

 People sure hate it when their wickedness is exposed. As Jesus said in John 3:19 (Bible in Basic English), "And this is the test by which men are judged: the light has come into the world and men have more love for the dark than for the light, because their acts are evil."

We also find in Holy Scripture that even saints sin. Genesis 20:9 (BBE) tells of how Abraham lied about his wife being his sister. "Then Abimelech sent for Abraham, and said, 'What have you done to us? what wrong have I done you that you have put on me and on my kingdom so great a sin? You have done to me things which are not to be done.'" How sad that the king of Gerar almost took Sarah for his wife. God had to warn him to leave her be.

By God's grace, some sinners realize their wickedness deserves punishment. As a certain thief on the cross said to his blaspheming fellow criminal in Luke 23:40 and 41 (BBE), "But the other, protesting, said, 'Have you no fear of God? for you have a part in the same punishment, And with reason; for we have the right reward of our acts, but this man has done nothing wrong.'"

Though we slip, our Lord is gracious to forgive us. That's why Paul wrote in Colossians 3:9-11 (BBE), "Do not make false statements to one another; because you have put away the old man with all his doings, And have put on the new man, which has become new in knowledge after the image of his maker; Where there is no Greek or Jew, no one with circumcision or without circumcision, no division between nations, no servant or free man: but Christ is all and in all."

Wicked folks tend to stay wicked but we'll find protection from our Lord when they're punished. As we read about Lot in 2 Peter 2:8 (BBE), "Because the soul of that upright man living among them was pained from day to day by seeing and hearing their crimes):"

If Christ hasn't come for us by Monday, I hope to post about leaving our teachers who have given us so much.

Traffic: "Hole in My Shoe"

What a great little tune this is. The song is packed with psychedelic imagery. I also love the little boy's voice on the bridge of the song.

Enjoy this song from 1967 by clicking here:

The dreams we have are manifestations of our subconscious. For example, dreaming of being nude in public is a sign of our insecurity. Dreams about travel or moving to a new place indicate we're bored with our routines. Other dreams are caused by similar causes or traumas we've suffered.

But God rarely uses dreams to inform people of the future and his will. We read one of these exceptions in Genesis 37:5-7 (Bible in Basic English). "Now Joseph had a dream, and he gave his brothers an account of it, which made their hate greater than ever. And he said to them, 'Let me give you the story of my dream. We were in the field, getting the grain stems together, and my grain kept upright, and yours came round and went down on the earth before mine.'" But as we read later in Genesis, Joseph's brothers did eventually bow down to him.

God allowed Daniel to describe Nebuchadnezzar's dream without being told what he dreamt. Daniel 2:31-35 (BBE) reads, "You, O King, were looking, and a great image was there. This image, which was very great, and whose glory was very bright, was placed before you: its form sent fear into the heart. As for this image, its head was made of the best gold, its breast and its arms were of silver, its middle and its sides were of brass, Its legs of iron, its feet were in part of iron and in part of potter's earth. While you were looking at it, a stone was cut out, but not by hands, and it gave the image a blow on its feet, which were of iron and earth, and they were broken in bits. Then the iron and the earth, the brass and the silver and the gold, were smashed together, and became like the dust on the floors where grain is crushed in summer; and the wind took them away so that no sign of them was to be seen: and the stone which gave the image a blow became a great mountain, covering all the earth."

Most of that dream has come to pass. We await that stone, not cut by hands, to crush the world system and fill the world.

If this hasn't happened by Saturday, I hope to post about the folly of gambling.

XTC: "Melt the Guns"

This British band recorded a few anti-war songs during the early eighties. This is one of them. Check it out here:

I wish we lived in a world where we could melt the guns. I personally would love to make flutes out of gun barrels. And a world without war and murder would be so much more prosperous.

We must face reality. As long as there are wicked people, we'll have killings. Christ told his disciples, and us, why we have such horrible people making life miserable for every one. Matthew 13:37-39 (Bible in Basic English) reads, "And he made answer and said, He who puts the good seed in the earth is the Son of man; And the field is the world; and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom; and the evil seeds are the sons of the Evil One; And he who put them in the earth is Satan; and the getting in of the grain is the end of the world; and those who get it in are the angels."

Satan keeps doing evil but Christ has given the power of defeating temptations to us. As 1 John 2:14 (BBE) reminds us, "I have sent a letter to you, fathers, because you have knowledge of him who was from the first. I have sent a letter to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God is in you, and because you have overcome the Evil One."

One of our God-given de fences is named in Ephesians 6:16 (BBE). "And most of all, using faith as a cover to keep off all the flaming arrows of the Evil One."

All true believers in God look forward to the day when the Prince of Peace returns. That's why Micah 4:3 (BBE) means so much to us. "And he will be judge between great peoples, and strong nations far away will be ruled by his decisions; their swords will be hammered into plough-blades and their spears into vine-knives: nations will no longer be lifting up their swords against one another, and knowledge of war will have gone for ever."

If we're still here in this wicked world by Thursday, I hope to post about how God uses dreams to show the future.

Georg Katzer: "Aide Memoir"

This is a sound collage which the German government sponsored as a remembrance of the 50th anniversary of the rise of the Third Reich. Instead of making it a chronological telling of the events, Georg Katzer designed it like seven nightmares in which the sleeper is restless.

You don't need to understand German to feel how purely evil the Nazi era was. Listen to this piece, if you dare, here.

No matter how wicked rulers can be, God can make good come out of it. Christianity began spreading under severe persecution but the Lord used it for good purposes. Thanks to the persecution Paul experienced, the gospel infiltrated into the highest levels of the Roman government.

As we read in Philippians 1:12-14 (Bible in Basic English), "Now it is my purpose to make clear to you, brothers, that the cause of the good news has been helped by my experiences; So that it became clear through all the Praetorium, and to all the rest, that I was a prisoner on account of Christ; And most of the brothers in the Lord, taking heart because of my chains, are all the stronger to give the word of God without fear.

This is the reason Paul and other first century saints faced the brunt of Roman and Jewish persecution. We read in 2 Corinthians 4:17 and 18 (BBE), "For our present trouble, which is only for a short time, is working out for us a much greater weight of glory; While our minds are not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are for a time; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

If we are punished by governments for worshipping Christ, let's remember Colossians 3:2 and 3 (BBE). "Keep your mind on the higher things, not on the things of earth. For your life on earth is done, and you have a secret life with Christ in God."

If our beloved Master hasn't returned by Monday, I hope to publish about the impossibility of ending war in this age.

This song resonates with me. Thanks to Christ's compassionate providence, I now have my own home in the heart of the country. After twenty-one years of living here, I've never been happier.

Check out Paul's song here about his farm:

Many Bible heros had their time of recovery in the wilderness. We read in 1 Kings 17:1-3 (Bible in Basic English) how the Lord provided for one prophet. "And Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, 'By the living Lord, the God of Israel, whose servant I am, there will be no dew or rain in these years, but only at my word.' Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying,'Go from here in the direction of the east, and keep yourself in a secret place by the stream Cherith, east of Jordan." Ravens brought him food there and a widow took care of him later, all at God's providential working.

Though Jesus didn't leave civilization as I've done, he did need a break from time to time. Luke 5:15 and 16 (BBE) says, "But news of him went out all the more, in every direction, and great numbers of people came together to give hearing to his words and to be made well from their diseases. But he went away by himself to a waste place for prayer."

A man returning to his home country also received the gospel in the wilderness. Acts 8:26-28 (BBE)reads, "But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Get up, and go to the south, to the road which goes from Jerusalem to Gaza, through the waste land.' And he went and there was a man of Ethiopia, a servant of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, and controller of all her property, who had come up to Jerusalem for worship; He was going back, seated in his carriage, and was reading the book of the prophet Isaiah."

Wilderness times are often necessary for God's work. I've found that in my life and I hope you find it that way too.

If Christ hasn't gathered us up by Saturday, my hope is to feature a sound collage of Germany's Nazi madness.

Joe South: "Don't it Make You Want to Go Home"

This is one of many social comment songs of the 1960s. It's about how cities gobble up familiar landmarks from one's childhood. Listen to the song here:

Jesus certainly realized how things change when we return to our home towns. In his case, people couldn't understand how somebody they knew since boyhood could do such miracles.

When Christ came to his own country, the locals were saying in effect, "Who does he think he is?" Matthew 13:57 (Bible in Basic English) records, "And they were bitter against him. But Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is nowhere without honour but in his country and among his family.'"

We do get weary on this journey of life but we have a home we long for. As Hebrews 11:9 and 10 (BBE) reminds us of Abraham who, "By faith he was a wanderer in the land of the agreement, as in a strange land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who had a part with him in the same heritage: For he was looking for the strong town, whose builder and maker is God."

We can also say with surety that nothing in this world is certain but death, taxes, and computer problems. As Paul pointed out in 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (BBE) "Give orders to those who have money and goods in this life, not to be lifted up in their minds, or to put their hope in the uncertain chances of wealth, but in God who gives us in full measure all things for our use; And to do good, having wealth in good works, being quick to give, taking part with one another; Making ready for themselves a safe place for the time to come, so that the true life may be theirs."

I know we can all tell our stories of returning home. In my case, some things I loved are gone. We had a fantastic toboggan hill by the creak. Then somebody built a walk-up apartment there.

The Fort Hotel burned down in 2010. It was one landmark I cherished as it was the tallest structure my town had when I was a boy.

My parents' home was sold and the wall between the living room and kitchen was removed. Some men painted the kitchen white instead of pink with turquoise cupboard doors. I doubt I'll ever set foot in that place again.

If Christ hasn't come for us by Thursday, I hope to tell you about a personal milestone and a great song by Paul McCartney.

The Doors: "Riders on the Storm"

I've heard that this is the last track Jim Morrison sang on before his death in Paris. It certainly was a good finale to his career. Too bad he passed away as he was a genius poet and songwriter.

Listen to this song here:

I once heard an announcer question what the line, "His brain is squirmin' like a toad," meant. It's obvious from the song that psychopaths have agitated minds.

Wicked people tend to act out on their plans. As Proverbs 12:5 (Bible in Basic English) tells us, "The purposes of upright men are right, but the designs of evil-doers are deceit".

And as we're reminded in Micah 2:1 (BBE) evil people plan out their wicked actions. "A curse on the designers of evil, working on their beds! in the morning light they do it, because it is in their power."

Some people are mentally ill while others are abused by Satan for his perverse ends. But God made good come of one man's possession by evil spirits in Mark 5:15 (BBE). "And they came to Jesus, and saw the man in whom had been the evil spirits seated, clothed and with full use of his senses, and they were full of fear." By the way, this man became the Lord's first evangelist.

Others, such as false teachers, seem sane but are insanely against the truth. As Jesus said to the Pharisees in John 8:44 (BBE), "You are the children of your father the Evil One and it is your pleasure to do his desires. From the first he was a taker of life; and he did not go in the true way because there is no true thing in him. When he says what is false, it is natural to him, for he is false and the father of what is false."

What is obvious from Scripture is that the Lord isn't the one who drives people mad. Some folks have chemical imbalances but Satan uses those to destroy his victims.

If our beloved Master hasn't returned by Monday, I hope to post about how change is unavoidable.

Lenny Kravitz: "Black And White America"

The civil rights movement of the sixties was supposed to end discrimination and give black folks equal opportunities. In spite of Affirmative Action and legislation against racism during the past fifty years, America is more racially polarized than ever.

Lenny Kravitz wrote a powerful song addressing the struggle for equality and the end of racism. Check it out here:

This may come as a surprise to certain folks but racism exists in every culture. God rightfully forbad the descendents of Israel from intermarrying with gentiles or even to enter into their homes. Yet the Jews of Christ's time felt superior because God had chosen them to be his people.

As we read in Acts 10:44 and 45 (Bible in Basic English), "While Peter was saying these words, the Holy Spirit came on all those who were hearing the word. And the Jews of the faith, who had come with Peter, were full of wonder, because the Holy Spirit was given to the Gentiles."

And in spite of gentiles coming to have faith in Christ, the apostles at Jerusalem couldn't accept that fact at first. Peter had to go to Jerusalem and contend with those who felt he shouldn't have gone into an uncircumcised man's house.

As Peter explained in Acts 11:17 and 18 (BBE), "'If then God gave them, when they had faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the same as he gave to us, who was I to go against God?' And hearing these things they said nothing more, but gave glory to God, saying, 'Then to the Gentiles as to us has God given a change of heart, so that they may have life.'"

We can read in the next few verses that many who were preaching salvation only went to the Jews. But Paul was continuously having to explain to believing Jews that salvation was for all who would call upon him for salvation.

Provided that Christ hasn't returned by Saturday, I hope to feature the last song Jim Morrison sang on before his untimely death.

Johnny Nash: "There Are More Questions Than Answers"

This reggae artist was one of only a few who had hits in North America in the late sixties and early seventies. During those years, listeners were thirsty for new sounds and styles. As a consequence, it allowed this Caribbean artist to be heard along with folk rock, soul, and other highbred's of popular music.

Check out Johnny Nash's song here:


If people would just consult Holy Scripture, all their life questions would be answered. For example, people often question why they or their friends must suffer. They wonder why the Lord seems to have let them down.

Job certainly wondered aloud about why God appeared to be punishing and attacking him. Job 38:1-3 (Bible in Basic English) gives the answer to him and us. "And the Lord made answer to Job out of the storm-wind, and said,' Who is this who makes the purpose of God dark by words without knowledge? Get your strength together like a man of war; I will put questions to you, and you will give me the answers.'"

God then spoke for three chapters, showing Job how foolish and puny he was compared to him. The last chapter shows how Job and his "miserable comforters" erred. They didn't have the advantage of knowing God's purpose for Job's suffering as we do.

Persecution, in particular, is used by Christ to perform his will. We read Paul's understanding of it in Philippians 1:12-14 (BBE) where he wrote to that congregation from a filthy prison cell. "Now it is my purpose to make clear to you, brothers, that the cause of the good news has been helped by my experiences; So that it became clear through all the Praetorium, and to all the rest, that I was a prisoner on account of Christ; And most of the brothers in the Lord, taking heart because of my chains, are all the stronger to give the word of God without fear."

The Bible says much about wisdom. In fact, James 1:5(BBE) encourages us to pray for it. "But if any man among you is without wisdom, let him make his request to God, who gives freely to all without an unkind word, and it will be given to him." This applies to women too.

If our hope for Christ's return hasn't been fulfilled by Thursday, I hope to post about racial tensions in the U.S.A.

Dionne Warwick: "I Say a Little Prayer for You"

This is one of many hits in the sixties which mentioned God and prayer in a positive way. Back then, the Jesus Freak movement was going strong, causing secular musicians to take advantage of listeners' interest in Christ.

Listen to Dionne's song here:

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

I'm glad we can pray at any time of day or night. Neither do we need to face any particular direction or say rote prayers. We can talk to our Lord person to person.

What people call "The Lord's Prayer" or "The Our Father" is in fact meant for disciples to use as a guide for prayer. Matthew 6:7 and 8 (Bible in Basic English) is a warning against thinking God can be swayed by formulaic petitions. "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."

We also read in Daniel 6:10 (BBE) how he prayed to the Lord, even though it was illegal. "And Daniel, on hearing that the writing had been signed, went into his house; (now he had windows in his room on the roof opening in the direction of Jerusalem;) and three times a day he went down on his knees in prayer and praise before his God, as he had done before."

Jesus didn't pray in any particular posture or fashion. When he raised Lazarus in John 11:41 and 42 (BBE), this is all he did. "So they took away the stone. And Jesus, looking up to heaven, said, 'Father, I give praise to you for hearing me. I was certain that your ears are at all times open to me, but I said it because of these who are here, so that they may see that you sent me.'"

If Christ hasn't answered our prayers for his return by Monday, I hope to post about how the Bible has all the answers we need.

Derek and The dominoes: "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out"

This is so true among the people of the world. Folks tend to congregate around those whom they admire, particularly if they're wealthy. It's why famous people need to hire guards to safeguard their privacy.

This song by Derek and The Dominoes describes how down-and-out folks are treated by the world. Listen to it here:

We, whom Christ rescued from hell, mustn't despise poor people. As we read in James 2:1-4 (Bible in Basic English), "My brothers, if you have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory, do not take a man's position into account. For if a man comes into your Synagogue in fair clothing and with a gold ring, and a poor man comes in with dirty clothing, And you do honour to the man in fair clothing and say, Come here and take this good place; and you say to the poor man, 'Take up your position there,' or 'be seated at my feet;' Is there not a division in your minds? have you not become judges with evil thoughts?"

And as we understand from Deuteronomy 15:11 (BBE), "For there will never be a time when there are no poor in the land; and so I give orders to you, Let your hand be open to your countrymen, to those who are poor and in need in your land."

God takes abuse of impoverished people seriously. As Psalms 10:14 (BBE) states, "You have seen it; for your eyes are on sorrow and grief, to take it into your hand: the poor man puts his faith in you; you have been the helper of the child who has no father."

In fact, we'll be blessed when we help destitute souls. Psalms 41:1 (BBE) reminds us, "<To the chief music-maker. A Psalm. Of David.> Happy is the man who gives thought to the poor; the Lord will be his saviour in the time of trouble."

Those who oppress impoverished people will certainly be punished by God. As Psalms 109:15 and 16 (BBE) says of  the wicked, "Let them be ever before the eyes of the Lord, so that the memory of them may be cut off from the earth. Because he had no mercy, but was cruel to the low and the poor, designing the death of the broken-hearted."

A friend told me that when she was a street person, she attended a certain downtown church. The priest came up to her after the service and told her never to return and that she wasn't welcome. No wonder some folks condemn Christians for lacking compassion.

If our Master hasn't come for us by Saturday, I'll feature a popular song about praying.