Category: spiritual lessons

CCM Classic Spotlight on Ken Medema

“Mr. Simon,” Click the youtube link

Ken Medema (born December 7, 1943 as Kenneth Peter Medema in Grand Rapids, Michigan) is a composer–singer–songwriter who has been performing in the United States, Canada, and Europe for more than thirty years. Ken Medema was born almost blind; his eyes let him tell light from shadow and look at outlines of major objects. He began playing the piano when he was five years old, and three years later began taking lessons in classical music through braille music, playing by ear and improvising in different styles. In 1973, he began performing and recording his own songs. His lyrics generally provide social commentary on themes such as justice, hunger, poverty, homelessness, and Christian charity as it pertains to them. He has published a total of 26 albums, the first of which he recorded for Word and Shawnee Press, and then went on to found Brier Patch Music in 1985. Through Brier Patch Music he organizes and schedules his events, as well as publishes his music. Performances regularly include songs improvised both musically and lyrically by accepting audience recommendations, sermon topics, or guest speaker stories as their basis. He performs in national and worldwide (church) congregations, campuses, youth gatherings, and annual assemblies. He lives in San Francisco, California. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Medema This featured song, “Mr. Simon,” is based on the words of Jesus as found in Luke 18:10-14, ESV. 

“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Bryan’s note: I guess there is a touch of sarcasm in this song, but never delving into cynicism.  He communicates the very real world of hypocrisy and acceptance in the life of the believer.  This is not a classic worship song, but is a song that starkly reveals the iniquity of our hearts as we approach the presence of God.  Perhaps this touch of sarcasm is a definite weapon of choice in exposing the hypocrisy that confuses us. The CCM Music Index on Brokenbelievers can be found at:  https://brokenbelievers.com/classic-christian-music-index/

The Ultimate in Intercession

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.”

John 17:20, ESV

There is a considerable interest in the last words of a person.  Within them we believe we are hearing words of wisdom and understanding.  Jesus is on his last legs, and he is just waiting until they come and collect him for crucifixion.  He moves directly in this.  He is never caught off guard.  Jesus knows deep-down what is going to happen.

There is an urgency here.  And Jesus starts to pray.  He begins to intercede for his followers. They are like “babes in the woods.”  Because of them, he stands as an intercessor for their safety and all that each might step into.  He loves people, and shows it by his prayer life.

But Jesus reaches.  He not only prays for his disciples, but he extends further.  He starts praying for everyone who will follow him.  He intercedes for you and for me.  This is terribly important to him.  And for us it is a bit astounding.  Jesus prayed for me.  He knew we would come to this place of faith.

When we consider Jesus’ prayer life, we find it to be two things–The first is to be efficient and strong.  The second is to be reaching each believer, whatever generation and whatever culture.  First world, or third world.  He establishes by prayer his victory in the lives of everyone who follows him.

Jesus has the distinct and plain approach of “standing in the gap” for you and me.  It isn’t a long prayer, but it carries a momentum and power that reaches us.  The prayers of Jesus for us are short, but spiritually sweet.  Perhaps, that is the reason you are standing at all!

We live in such grace.  Wherever we look, we should be able to see it.  The new-agers speak of everyone having an aura.  Perhaps a small slice of this carries some truth.  Each of us, as believers, carries a definite presence of something supernatural.  We can’t explain it. But this is real, and authentic.

CCM Classic Spotlight–Rez Band

 The Rez Band was the ground breaking effort to enter into hard rock and make a definitive statement.  They pulled this off, quite exceptionally.  This particular song is called “Rainbow’s End,” and it’s done live in 1979.

Lyrics to “Rainbow’s End”

Weave the rainbow in your eyes, Quiet evening lullaby, Cross your heart to never die, Broken on the wood.

Hey.

Silenced by the deafening roar, Driven from the nether shore, Violent tremors, wars, and more, No, not one is good.

Forty days and forty nights Noah sailed a sea of tears, And the lesson of the flood shouts across the years.

Now he will destroy the dark, Jesus is the living ark, Oh, nothing in the world, nothing in the world, Nothing in the world compares with him, No one ever loved you more, He alone is Heaven’s door, He is the promise, he is the promise, He’s the rainbow’s end.

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. 

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