Category: discipleship

Classic CCM Spotlight on Glad

 GLAD is one of the pioneers of Christian pop/rock and a cappella music, having formed as a progressive rock group in 1972 and discovered a large audience for their a cappella music in 1988.

 Today, with over 1.5 million albums sold, they continue to perform concerts and release occasional recordings. As Contemporary Christian Music (CCM Magazine) described it, “GLAD’s elegant vocals helped set them apart from other pioneers of Contemporary Christian music. That vocal sound has since evolved into a complex, self-sustaining life form of its own…”   The GLAD sound is known for its tight harmonies and intricate arrangements with classical and jazz overtones. Some of their hits over the years have included “Be Ye Glad,” “Maker of My Heart,” “God is My Rock,” “The Easter Song,” “You Put This Love in My Heart,” and “Color Outside the Lines.

From a Wikipedia source

“Be Ye Glad” Lyrics

BE YE GLAD

Words and Music by M.K.Blanchard
© Gotz Music/Benson
(860) 673-5100

In these days of confused situations.
In these nights of a restless remorse,
When the heart and the soul of the nation,
lay wounded and cold as a corpse.
From the grave of the innocent Adam,
comes a song bringing joy to the sad.
Oh your cry has been heard and the ransom,
has been paid up in full, Be Ye Glad.

(Chorus)

Oh, Be Ye Glad, Be Ye Glad,
Every debt that you ever had
Has been paid up in full by the grace of the Lord,
Be Ye Glad, Be Ye Glad, Be Ye Glad.

From the dungeon a rumor is stirring.
You have heard it again and again.
But this time the cell keys are turning,
and outside there are faces of friends.
And though your body lay weary from wasting,
and your eyes show the sorrow they’ve had.
Oh the love that your heart is now tasting
has opened the gate, Be Ye Glad.

(Chorus)

So be like lights on the rim of the water,
giving hope in a storm sea of night.
Be a refuge amidst the slaughter,
for these fugitives in their flight.
For you are timeless and part of a puzzle.
You are winsome and young as a lad.
And there is no disease or no struggle,
that can pull you from God, Be Ye Glad.

(Chorus)

Great Links–

http://www.singers.com/glad.html

http://www.glad-pro.com/

 

Perpetual Motion

Like anyone, the idea of “perpetual motion” (PM) mildly intrigues me (emphasis on “mildly.)  PM inventors are a strange lot. They are kind of like “flat-earthers.” They deeply and sincerely believe they have invented something that runs off its own productive energy, requiring nothing to keep it working.  However, there is undisputed scientific consensus that perpetual motion would violate the first law of thermodynamics.

There is a great deal of manipulating and posturing among those who believe in PM.  Their inventions somehow require secrecy, and than a real “step-of-faith” on investors and supporters.  I have seen blueprints and illustrations of PM machines, and I can see the attraction.  But it seems that there is also an ingrained arrogance among  the inventors.  They believe they have accomplished the ultimate.  They have invented something so awesome that everything pales in significance.

Among believers there can exist a belief in a “faith” that cannot contain a deep sense of what is true and real.  Yielding to PM and its variations delivers us into a mistaken and tricky reality.  What we think and feel cannot be verified or supported.  I guess that’s one of the reasons a lot of significance is put on illustrations, and blueprints.  A picture of a PM apparatus has a deeper “wow factor.”

Within a disciple’s life, there can be a profound quest for perpetual motion.  We come to the place where we start imagining a spiritual walk that is always going forward.  We feel we can fly on auto-pilot of the Spirit,   we switch it on and than we leave the cockpit to visit with the passengers.  There are no conflicts, sin, issues or hardships.  We are living the “victorious Christian life” after all.

But the stark realities say otherwise.  No matter how positive we try to become, we face situations that threaten to dismantle our faith.  There comes a realization over time, that there is no yellow brick road.  The song birds don’t serenade us, and everything doesn’t click into place and fit nicely.  Life does not come with a teflon coating.  It is a struggle, a wrestling match.  We would be wise to understand this. 

Related articles

Compatibility for Dummies

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Believers are to learn the skills of compatibility.  The classic definition is “to be able to exist harmoniously.”  The word is used in a dozen different fields, from agriculture to zoology.  But the particular area we are to look at is the “spiritual.”

The Holy Spirit is the prime teacher.  The same Spirit that holds me is holding you as well.  As a result we connect in a way that is profound.  This is all done supernaturally, and it is one of best arguments for the existence of God I know of.  The world is full of discord.  It is fractious and divided.  But believers can walk in harmony and love.

I was just 17 when I enlisted in the Army.  It truly was a learning experience. One of the basic principles is conforming by adaptation.  We all wore the same clothes.  Wore the same boots.  We ate together, and developed military skills together.  We also marched together in both large and small formations, keeping in step as a group.  We did lots and lots of marching, hours and hours a day.  It had a definite purpose.

Compatibility is learned; but it also is supernaturally given.  A piano player may play Mozart, because the gift lies within.  But that same musician must practice.  You could say what they have is both a talent and a skill.  In the very same way, the agreement I have with you is supernaturally easy—and physically hard.  However it is a skill to be learned.  Once we learn to do this, it will become easier and easier.

The essential foundation for this is the “Word of God.”  We can’t walk with a brother who is clearly at odds with the Bible’s teachings.  But we all know that sin is at epidemic levels, and we are all affected.  I suppose “humility” plays a huge part of staying in step with another saint.  The Lord is so gentle with the strugglers, can’t I do the same?

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”  1 Peter 3:8, ESV

Nevertheless (even with this in mind) we must be committed to the Word—first and foremost.  Everything must proceed from this common point.  Loving someone else will almost always involve servanthood.  Washing someone elses feet will almost always develop compatibility.

In Bible college I had a running feud with a fellow student.  He seemed to me to be incredibly arrogant.  Things came to an ugly head and the animosity was thick.  One day in prayer I heard the Holy Spirit speak.  “Go to your brother and wash his feet.”  I charged into his dorm room and became a servant.  I became connected to him in a profound way.

Being compatible does not mean we all do the same things.  We share the same Spirit but we don’t have the same gifts.  My theory is we are all designed with certain strengths, and proscribed weaknesses.  These make us vulnerable and open to another.  In Nehemiah 4, we read of men who built, and men who guarded.  Both were necessary.

The main issue for us is learning compatibility—and all the skills that enable us to practice unity.  We must understand, we are already connected in an amazing way.  But we must “practice” it.

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”   Phil. 2:3, ESV

 

Finally–A BB Milestone

50,000 Visits

 

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Since September 23, 2009–May 2, 2011 we have reached 50,000 distinct hits on Broken Believers.

 

We have come a very long way.  On BB first day we had 10 hits,  since than we have climbed very steadily.  Our best day was just a few days ago—the total hits was 712 for the day.  Right now our average is about 180 distinct views a day.  (Sometimes a little less, but often a bit more.)

This ministry to Christians with a mental illness is a rarity indeed.  I look and look and have never found a blog like this with such a ministry focus for these struggling believers.  And the appeal is broader than mental illnesses.  People with other issues benefit by this blog.

I beseech you to pray for the people who come to BB.  Pray for the blog itself, and for me as I battle my own issues.  I have no illusions or self-deception about my own heart condition and dealings I’m working through.  I am most certainly a “broken believer.”

I continue to put together a daily post.  I’ve been somewhat weary the last few weeks.  FYI, I receive no financial help from the BB ministry, rather I have paid the incidentials out of my own pocket.  I guess I just needed to make it clear.

I so hope you’ll continue to make BB a regular stop on your travels.  And if you should read something to merit sending me an email, I’d love it.

                                        flash99603@hotmail.com

 

ybic,

    Bryan