Donna Summer: "I Feel Love"

Believe it or not, today's electronic dance music owes its form to a black American woman and a white Italian man. This song they recorded soared up the charts in August of 1977, boosting Donna Summer's career into the stratosphere. Hear it here:

What a feeling being in love is! We've all felt that way from time to time. I certainly fell in love with this song when it first came on the radio. It sounded like Kraftwerk with a femail vocalist.

Of course that state of euphoria doesn't last, more's the pity. Jesus spoke of folks who gladly receive the gospel but don't stay faithful for long. Mark 4:16 and 17 (Bible in Basic English) explains one of the four types of human hearts. "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."

How then can we maintain that condition of joy in our hearts? We read how in Jude 1:24 and 25 (BBE). "Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to give you a place in his glory, free from all evil, with great joy, To the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, let us give glory and honour and authority and power, before all time and now and for ever. So be it."

Studying the scriptures also brings us joy. We read this in 1 John 1:4 (BBE). "And we are writing these things to you so that our joy may be made complete."

But can we feel joy even when we suffer for our faith? The apostles certainly esteemed it an honour. After being whipped, Acts 5:41 and 42 (BBE) tells us what they did next. "So they went away from the Sanhedrin, happy to undergo shame for the Name. And every day, in the Temple and privately, they went on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ."

We who suffer for righteousness have much joy to look forward to, as 1 Peter 4:13 (BBE) explains. "But be glad that you are given a part in the pains of Christ; so that at the revelation of his glory you may have great joy."

If that longed-for event hasn't happened by Thursday, I expect to post about a song expressing the perspective of a fetus.

Saturday Song: Daniel Amos, "My Room"

What a shame it is that we North American Christians are so intimidated about sharing the gospel. In many countries, being a follower of Christ means persecution or death. The worst thing that happens here is losing one's job or friendships.

A Christian rock band named Daniel Amos recognized this cowardice in all of us, including myself, and wrote a song about it.

Listen to the song here.

This seems counterintuitive but we ought to rejoice when we're verbally or physically abused for our faithfulness. The followers of Christ felt it was an honour to suffer for his sake. Acts 5:41 KJV) records what happened to these faithful saints. "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."

We also read this in James 1:2 and 3 (BBE). "Let it be all joy to you, my brothers, when you undergo tests of every sort; Because you have the knowledge that the testing of your faith gives you the power of going on in hope;"

God isn't mean to let us suffer for Christ. Look at what Scripture says in James 1:4 (KJV). "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

We also have the records of all the faithful to remind us of how they persevered in the face of horrific persecution. The author of Hebrews outlined how the faithful sought a heavenly city and the Messiah. Hebrews 12:1 (KJV) reminds us, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,"

Furthermore, our present persecution will turn to great joy later. Look at what 1 Peter 4:13 (KJV) points out. "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."

How wonderful it is that whatever we suffer now will be infinitely compensated when Christ returns. Let's all cling to this wonderful hope.

On Monday, I'll post about what John meant by fathers, young men, and children. Some people might be confused by those verses in his letter to the faithful.