And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of the angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
1Timothy 3:16
This is an excerpt from Matthew Henry's commentary on the above passage:
Christianity is a mystery, a mystery that could not have been found out by reason or the light of nature, and which cannot be comprehended by reason, because it is above reason, though not contrary thereto. It is a mystery, not of philosophy or speculation; but of godliness, designed to promote godliness; and herein it exceeds all the mysteries of the Gentiles. It is also a revealed mystery, not shut up and sealed; and it does not cease to be a mystery because now in part revealed.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Death, Where is Your Victory? Grave Where is Your Sting?
The soldiers must have thought it was the world's biggest waste of time the guard a tomb. They had seen the lack of valor in the disciples. Who was kidding who? Jesus' followers where cowering in a locked room. Yet their orders where to keep zelots out of the tomb. Little did they know that it was the one inside the tomb that would pose a problem.
Behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door,and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
Matthew 20:2-4
It was before the crack of dawn and they where on the way to perform the last offices of love for a departed friend, but they where in for the biggest surprise in all of history...
"Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, He is risen, just as he said come, see the place were the Lord lay."
John 28:5-7
You know, I bet that Satan thought he had really scored a point by *ahem* "messing up" God's plan. But God is ironic, don't you think? The crucifixion was God's plan, yet the Parisees (and think it's biblical to say Satan himself) thought it was their plan. He not only beat the Devil at what he thought was his own game by bringing Jesus back to life, he used the evil shouts of "Crucify Him!" as the way to do it. He thus won not only the battle Satan waged against Christ in the form of man, he won the war with death, hell and the grave started in the garden. This is truly the ultimate example of God working all things for the good of those who love God who are the called according to his purpose.
How amazing our God is! This is a powerful statement on the person of Christ which you really should listen to.
You won't be sorry you did.
http://www.4-14.org.uk/index.php/archives/54-thats-my-king-s-m-lockeridge
P.S. If you read this earlier today and it was slightly different, that's because I was trying to get the post up before I had to leave for church this morning, so I went ahead and posted it not quite done, and have now finished it.
Behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door,and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
Matthew 20:2-4
It was before the crack of dawn and they where on the way to perform the last offices of love for a departed friend, but they where in for the biggest surprise in all of history...
"Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, He is risen, just as he said come, see the place were the Lord lay."
John 28:5-7
You know, I bet that Satan thought he had really scored a point by *ahem* "messing up" God's plan. But God is ironic, don't you think? The crucifixion was God's plan, yet the Parisees (and think it's biblical to say Satan himself) thought it was their plan. He not only beat the Devil at what he thought was his own game by bringing Jesus back to life, he used the evil shouts of "Crucify Him!" as the way to do it. He thus won not only the battle Satan waged against Christ in the form of man, he won the war with death, hell and the grave started in the garden. This is truly the ultimate example of God working all things for the good of those who love God who are the called according to his purpose.
How amazing our God is! This is a powerful statement on the person of Christ which you really should listen to.
You won't be sorry you did.
http://www.4-14.org.uk/index.php/archives/54-thats-my-king-s-m-lockeridge
P.S. If you read this earlier today and it was slightly different, that's because I was trying to get the post up before I had to leave for church this morning, so I went ahead and posted it not quite done, and have now finished it.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Friday, April 14, 2006
Good Friday
This, the first Friday after Passover, is the day that the western church has traditional designated as the day on which Christ was Crucified. There has been some recently been some debate as to whether Good Friday should be observed on Friday or on Thursday, but for the sake of keeping tradition (and because I lost track of time) I'll observe on Friday this year.
We Protestants tend to gloss over the reality and tragedy of Good Friday. We even call it good because we know the ending. We know that Jesus does not stay in the grave, we know that death looses and that Christ is is victorious. Imagine what it must have been like for those who lived through it. They did not know that this was the plan, that this was the way of salvation. All they knew was that their only hope was hanging on a cross. As for as human eyes could see, this was the end.
Not the way humans would have arranged things, but "as for God, his way is perfect"
This scripture always seems apt on Good Friday:
Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted an extolled, and be very high
As many as where astonished at thee: his vestige was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men; so shall the sprinkled many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that whish had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
Who has believed our message, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? for he shall grow up before him as a thnder plant, and as a root out of dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness ; and when we shall see him, there is not beauty that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected of men' a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it where our faces from him, he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried out sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth. He is brought as a lamg to slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: and the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with rich men in his death; because he had done not violence, neither was any deceit found in his mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; and he hath put him to grief: when thou shall make him an offering for sin, she shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he has poured out his soul unto death, and the was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
We Protestants tend to gloss over the reality and tragedy of Good Friday. We even call it good because we know the ending. We know that Jesus does not stay in the grave, we know that death looses and that Christ is is victorious. Imagine what it must have been like for those who lived through it. They did not know that this was the plan, that this was the way of salvation. All they knew was that their only hope was hanging on a cross. As for as human eyes could see, this was the end.
Not the way humans would have arranged things, but "as for God, his way is perfect"
This scripture always seems apt on Good Friday:
Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted an extolled, and be very high
As many as where astonished at thee: his vestige was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men; so shall the sprinkled many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that whish had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
Who has believed our message, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? for he shall grow up before him as a thnder plant, and as a root out of dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness ; and when we shall see him, there is not beauty that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected of men' a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it where our faces from him, he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried out sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth. He is brought as a lamg to slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: and the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with rich men in his death; because he had done not violence, neither was any deceit found in his mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; and he hath put him to grief: when thou shall make him an offering for sin, she shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he has poured out his soul unto death, and the was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Thursday, March 30, 2006
The Wisdom of the Unknown Confederate Soldier
I first read this years ago, and I find it so potent. This is the essence of the Christian life, I think. I have heard a country song with the refrain "I Thank God for Unanswered Prayers" which is along the same lines.
I don't really have time to write anything more profound right now, so without anymore ado, here it is:
I asked for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I had asked for,but everything that I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered;
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.
- Unknown Confederate Soldier
I don't really have time to write anything more profound right now, so without anymore ado, here it is:
I asked for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I had asked for,but everything that I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered;
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.
- Unknown Confederate Soldier
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Well, I have not had much time of inspiration for writing these past few weeks. People stopped having birthdays, eliminating my most recent subject matter.
Life has held some unexpected deviations from where I thought it was going, giving God another opportunity to work on my faith.
Many seasons of my life can be in many ways summed up in a short phrase or a question in some way or another shaped my way of thinking, but they soon outlive their season. Scripture, however never becomes a mere catch phrase that was once helpful.
There has been one passage of scripture in particular that seems like it is always relevant. Proverbs 3:5 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths."
Amazing, isn't it, how much mileage one can get out of one little verse?
As an avid history buff, I do lots of reading about people in general, and one thing that I see is how terrible, horrible, not good and very bad life can be. Thousands upon thousands of people whose lives where anywhere from just plain hard to downright hellish. And yet God, in His infinite power and glory and majesty, sees the sparrow that falls, and calls us "infinitely more valuable than they." He calls us His children, and promises never to forsake us. That He, as our Father, cares about even out smallest joys and sorrows. That He has a sovereign plan, and that we are part of it. That is truly amazing.
Life has held some unexpected deviations from where I thought it was going, giving God another opportunity to work on my faith.
Many seasons of my life can be in many ways summed up in a short phrase or a question in some way or another shaped my way of thinking, but they soon outlive their season. Scripture, however never becomes a mere catch phrase that was once helpful.
There has been one passage of scripture in particular that seems like it is always relevant. Proverbs 3:5 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths."
Amazing, isn't it, how much mileage one can get out of one little verse?
As an avid history buff, I do lots of reading about people in general, and one thing that I see is how terrible, horrible, not good and very bad life can be. Thousands upon thousands of people whose lives where anywhere from just plain hard to downright hellish. And yet God, in His infinite power and glory and majesty, sees the sparrow that falls, and calls us "infinitely more valuable than they." He calls us His children, and promises never to forsake us. That He, as our Father, cares about even out smallest joys and sorrows. That He has a sovereign plan, and that we are part of it. That is truly amazing.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Another Belated Birthday Post
Friday was the twentieth birthday of my dear friend Tiffany.
It seems strange that in four months someone could become so dear to almost seem like a sister, but that is what she has become to me.
When we arrived in Houston in October, I was surprised by the enthusiasm shown by Tiffany who seemed to be the less demonstrative of the McDonald girls. Since that time, as both where working in the kitchen, we have been together almost 24/7. We have laughed and cried, worked and played together. We been serious and silly, thoughtful and just verging on absurd.
"Though I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am but a resounding gong, of a clanging cymbals.
Though I can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Though I give all I posses to the poor, and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I am nothing.
Love is patent, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
Where there are prophesies, they will cease, where there are tongues they will be stilled, where there is knowledge, it will pass away. Now we see in part, and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
When I was a child, I thought like a child, I talked like a child, and I reasoned like a child, but when I became a man, I put childish thing behind me.
Now we see but a poor reflection, as in a mirror, but then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, but that I shall know fully, just as I am fully known.
And now, these three things remain, faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13
Tiffany, I love you. Happy Birthday.
Merisha <><
It seems strange that in four months someone could become so dear to almost seem like a sister, but that is what she has become to me.
When we arrived in Houston in October, I was surprised by the enthusiasm shown by Tiffany who seemed to be the less demonstrative of the McDonald girls. Since that time, as both where working in the kitchen, we have been together almost 24/7. We have laughed and cried, worked and played together. We been serious and silly, thoughtful and just verging on absurd.
Her keen wit has kept me more than entertained, as has her overall, well... Tiffanyness. (for those of you to whom that means nothing, it is similar to Robinness) Together we three have found humor in the most commonplace things, from newly-minted words to kitchen fiascos to the abominable scone-man.
Tiffany is a beautiful example of patience and love, and many's the time I have marveled at the beautiful work of art that out Father is creating in her. I would like to post this beautiful portion of scripture in honor of her."Though I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am but a resounding gong, of a clanging cymbals.
Though I can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Though I give all I posses to the poor, and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I am nothing.
Love is patent, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
Where there are prophesies, they will cease, where there are tongues they will be stilled, where there is knowledge, it will pass away. Now we see in part, and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
When I was a child, I thought like a child, I talked like a child, and I reasoned like a child, but when I became a man, I put childish thing behind me.
Now we see but a poor reflection, as in a mirror, but then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, but that I shall know fully, just as I am fully known.
And now, these three things remain, faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13
Tiffany, I love you. Happy Birthday.
Merisha <><
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
My 7x7
*sigh*
I've been tagged. Here it goes
7 Movies I like
1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
2. Pride and Prejudice
3. The Patriot
4. Hart's War (beware of the language, however)
5. Horatio Hornblower: Honor (or Duty, I can't remember which)
6. Lord of the Rings
7. Henry V (with Kenneth Branach. See it Leah, you'll like it)
7 Books and Authors I like (not counting the Bible. It kinda goes beyond the level of "books I like")
1. Robert Lewis Stevenson
2. Easy Chairs and Hard words
3. The Robe
4. C. S. Lewis (the favorites being Mere Christianity and Narnia)
5. The Phantom of the Opera
6. Pride and Prejudice
7. J.R.R. Tolken
7 thing I say all the time:
1.Where is... (the thermometer, the lid, Jessica, ect,. Jessica? She's on the computer)
2. Let me meditate on that
3. You guys are strange
4. I never claimed to be normal
5. Caio! (Italian for hello and goodbye)
6. I ate it. (whenever anyone can't find something, what ever it happens to be)
7. What a bummer
7 things I want to do before I die.
1. Learn Latin
2. Get married (duh)
3. See my great-great grandchildren
4. Be a better musician
5. Do a little drama
6. Learn to keep my temper
7. Read Augustine
7 things that I would like in a husband:
1. Someone who's greatest passion is Christ
2.A strong (and wise) leader
3.A certain degree of strangeness (normal people don't want 15 kids)
4. Trustworthines
5.Vision and direction
6.Willingness to follow God's will, no matter what the cost
7. It wouldn't hurt if he liked history
7 things I don't do well:
1. Be nice to Jessica (she's just way too easy to tease)
2. Wait tables (I tried, and I spilled one bowl of soup on three different people)
3. Play horn (just ask Robin)
4. Talk for too long without sticking my foot way in my mouth
5. Crack a joke that people actually laugh at
6. Spell (thank heaven for spell check)
7. Put up my hair with less that 15 pins
And for the final 7, I don't know 7 people who blog who haven't already been tagged
I've been tagged. Here it goes
7 Movies I like
1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
2. Pride and Prejudice
3. The Patriot
4. Hart's War (beware of the language, however)
5. Horatio Hornblower: Honor (or Duty, I can't remember which)
6. Lord of the Rings
7. Henry V (with Kenneth Branach. See it Leah, you'll like it)
7 Books and Authors I like (not counting the Bible. It kinda goes beyond the level of "books I like")
1. Robert Lewis Stevenson
2. Easy Chairs and Hard words
3. The Robe
4. C. S. Lewis (the favorites being Mere Christianity and Narnia)
5. The Phantom of the Opera
6. Pride and Prejudice
7. J.R.R. Tolken
7 thing I say all the time:
1.Where is... (the thermometer, the lid, Jessica, ect,. Jessica? She's on the computer)
2. Let me meditate on that
3. You guys are strange
4. I never claimed to be normal
5. Caio! (Italian for hello and goodbye)
6. I ate it. (whenever anyone can't find something, what ever it happens to be)
7. What a bummer
7 things I want to do before I die.
1. Learn Latin
2. Get married (duh)
3. See my great-great grandchildren
4. Be a better musician
5. Do a little drama
6. Learn to keep my temper
7. Read Augustine
7 things that I would like in a husband:
1. Someone who's greatest passion is Christ
2.A strong (and wise) leader
3.A certain degree of strangeness (normal people don't want 15 kids)
4. Trustworthines
5.Vision and direction
6.Willingness to follow God's will, no matter what the cost
7. It wouldn't hurt if he liked history
7 things I don't do well:
1. Be nice to Jessica (she's just way too easy to tease)
2. Wait tables (I tried, and I spilled one bowl of soup on three different people)
3. Play horn (just ask Robin)
4. Talk for too long without sticking my foot way in my mouth
5. Crack a joke that people actually laugh at
6. Spell (thank heaven for spell check)
7. Put up my hair with less that 15 pins
And for the final 7, I don't know 7 people who blog who haven't already been tagged
Friday, January 20, 2006
From the Sick Bay
Oh, the joys of the flu. It has kept my poor mother in bed all day, and some weird strain of it, consisting of a fever and a sore back and knees has kept me out of commission. Robin, Tiffany and James just made a quick run through here on their way to the Mall. And here I sit, with a low-grade fever and no companion but a computer.
So, I shall make the best of it, and post on my long neglected blog.
Hum, what to say? That is the question. As I sit here wracking my brain for something clever to say nothing is forthcoming.
As I rule, I have a store of deep and thought provoking things that I am musing on at any given time. Historically I moralize every book and movie that comes my way. But alas! My thoughts have taken the very commonplace turn of trying to schedule time to practice my instruments, figure out a better way to rearrange our kitchen and keep find a better way to keep quiche hot. Even The Village failed to leave pondering for too long, though I suppose there is still something to think over more extensively if I ever have to inclination.
So, in the mist of this I get sick, with nothing to do but think, read and consider, what do I do? Waste 2 hours on watching a movie from the 70's on Catherine of Arragon. Sheesh. Fortunately, Robin and Tiffany came in, at which point I realized that I did not to be seen wasting another 2 hours on Anne Boylen. (amazing what the mere prospect of a little peer pressure can do)
So, enough about what I am not doing. I find that I am becoming quite apt at making huge batches of whatever I make, and we now have the grocery shopping list down to a science. I will have to post pictures of our scone-making ventures. It is quite a sight. We have outgrown the largest of our mixing bowls, and have resorted to two five-gallon buckets. To mix the dry ingredients takes two of us little girls, or, when we can get it, one of the guys.
To change gears completely, I intended to post this at the beginning of the year, but did not get around to it, so I shall do it now. I suppose it is something that I am learning right now
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to breakdown and a time to build up.;
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and I time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time to peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Well, I shall leave you with that, dear readers, and spend what is left of the evening drawing.
Merisha
So, I shall make the best of it, and post on my long neglected blog.
Hum, what to say? That is the question. As I sit here wracking my brain for something clever to say nothing is forthcoming.
As I rule, I have a store of deep and thought provoking things that I am musing on at any given time. Historically I moralize every book and movie that comes my way. But alas! My thoughts have taken the very commonplace turn of trying to schedule time to practice my instruments, figure out a better way to rearrange our kitchen and keep find a better way to keep quiche hot. Even The Village failed to leave pondering for too long, though I suppose there is still something to think over more extensively if I ever have to inclination.
So, in the mist of this I get sick, with nothing to do but think, read and consider, what do I do? Waste 2 hours on watching a movie from the 70's on Catherine of Arragon. Sheesh. Fortunately, Robin and Tiffany came in, at which point I realized that I did not to be seen wasting another 2 hours on Anne Boylen. (amazing what the mere prospect of a little peer pressure can do)
So, enough about what I am not doing. I find that I am becoming quite apt at making huge batches of whatever I make, and we now have the grocery shopping list down to a science. I will have to post pictures of our scone-making ventures. It is quite a sight. We have outgrown the largest of our mixing bowls, and have resorted to two five-gallon buckets. To mix the dry ingredients takes two of us little girls, or, when we can get it, one of the guys.
To change gears completely, I intended to post this at the beginning of the year, but did not get around to it, so I shall do it now. I suppose it is something that I am learning right now
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to breakdown and a time to build up.;
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and I time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time to peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Well, I shall leave you with that, dear readers, and spend what is left of the evening drawing.
Merisha
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Christmastime Entertainment
Last Sunday night we took a church fieldtrip to Handel's Messiah. The Allison Family goes every year, and this year we and some of the McDonald's joined them. We made quite the processional going in. There where almost 20 of us, and Mr. Allison marched us all right down to the front row.
It was captivating. Even two year old Peter was captivated. The soprano was beautiful. She sang like she meant it, and she simply glowed.
You know, the Messiah is different live. I have heard it numerous times on CD, but it grates on one after a while. A conglomeration of operatic voices, none of which you can understand. Not altogether charming. But live...
Ahh, what can one say? Music is always better live, and this way you could actually understand what they said, and the lyrics are so profound. I have included some of my favorites:
O thou, that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain; O thou, that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Isaiah 40:9
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee. He is the righteous Saviour and He shall speak peace unto the heathen. Zechariah 9:9-10
He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11
Come unto Him, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him; for He is meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. Job 19:25-26
For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep. 1 Corinthians 15:20
ChorusSince by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:21-22
RecitativeBehold, I tell you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Corinthians 15:52-53
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing, and honour, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen. Revelation 5:12-14
The Halleluah chores and the last few songs where moving enough to give me chills up and down my spine.
It is an experience that I hope to repeat, and that is highly recommended.
My other entertainment this week was going to see the new Pride and prejudice in theaters. I have to admit, I went with a very prejudiced outlook. (no pun intended) I was impressed. It was short, so a lot necessarily had to be left out, but overall they did a good job. It was ever suggested that this Mr. Darcy was better than Colan Firth. I don't know if I would say that, but he did do a wonderful job.
The feel was much more informal that the old one, and the costumes where a bit earlier. The only thing I absolutely disliked was their Mr. Bingly. He was a complete idiot.
I think the next outing will be Narnia, which will probably be it for the outings for a while.
Well, everyone have a happy Sunday!
Merisha
It was captivating. Even two year old Peter was captivated. The soprano was beautiful. She sang like she meant it, and she simply glowed.
You know, the Messiah is different live. I have heard it numerous times on CD, but it grates on one after a while. A conglomeration of operatic voices, none of which you can understand. Not altogether charming. But live...
Ahh, what can one say? Music is always better live, and this way you could actually understand what they said, and the lyrics are so profound. I have included some of my favorites:
O thou, that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain; O thou, that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Isaiah 40:9
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee. He is the righteous Saviour and He shall speak peace unto the heathen. Zechariah 9:9-10
He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11
Come unto Him, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him; for He is meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. Job 19:25-26
For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep. 1 Corinthians 15:20
ChorusSince by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:21-22
RecitativeBehold, I tell you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Corinthians 15:52-53
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing, and honour, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen. Revelation 5:12-14
The Halleluah chores and the last few songs where moving enough to give me chills up and down my spine.
It is an experience that I hope to repeat, and that is highly recommended.
My other entertainment this week was going to see the new Pride and prejudice in theaters. I have to admit, I went with a very prejudiced outlook. (no pun intended) I was impressed. It was short, so a lot necessarily had to be left out, but overall they did a good job. It was ever suggested that this Mr. Darcy was better than Colan Firth. I don't know if I would say that, but he did do a wonderful job.
The feel was much more informal that the old one, and the costumes where a bit earlier. The only thing I absolutely disliked was their Mr. Bingly. He was a complete idiot.
I think the next outing will be Narnia, which will probably be it for the outings for a while.
Well, everyone have a happy Sunday!
Merisha
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Joining the Club...
Well, Christian, you will have to break it to Matthew that if I did not relinquish my place in the Home Churchers Who Don't Blog Club by moving, I will have to be booted out for caving to peer pressure and getting a blog. Sorry Matthew.
Today is my 19th birthday, and I decided to celebrate by doing something new. What sparked this getting a wonderful birthday present and thinking "if I had a blog, I'd write about this."
So now I do, and I shall.
On Monday, we took a trip to the friendly neighborhood harp store to drop my poor little harps off for repair. The weekend before had been a very bad one for my harps. One got wet on Saturday, and on Sunday I realized that one had a fracture in one of the seams.
Upon arriving at Melody's, after pointing out to my mom the size harp that I eventually wanted to move up to, I proceeded to shop for music. After a few moments Mom asked which of the two 38 string harps I liked better.
"I don't know, they are both nice" I responded rather indifferently (I was very busy shopping for music)
As you have probably gathered, I came home with a harp. When my grandparents sold our house recently they gave my mom some money from the sale (unbeknownst to me), and my dear mother and sister decided to spend it on a harp. I didn't argue.
Here is a picture of my harp on the harp site (since the digital camera is not our friend today) http://www.salviharps.it/pages/index.pl
So, this has been a lovely day.
Merisha
Today is my 19th birthday, and I decided to celebrate by doing something new. What sparked this getting a wonderful birthday present and thinking "if I had a blog, I'd write about this."
So now I do, and I shall.
On Monday, we took a trip to the friendly neighborhood harp store to drop my poor little harps off for repair. The weekend before had been a very bad one for my harps. One got wet on Saturday, and on Sunday I realized that one had a fracture in one of the seams.
Upon arriving at Melody's, after pointing out to my mom the size harp that I eventually wanted to move up to, I proceeded to shop for music. After a few moments Mom asked which of the two 38 string harps I liked better.
"I don't know, they are both nice" I responded rather indifferently (I was very busy shopping for music)
As you have probably gathered, I came home with a harp. When my grandparents sold our house recently they gave my mom some money from the sale (unbeknownst to me), and my dear mother and sister decided to spend it on a harp. I didn't argue.
Here is a picture of my harp on the harp site (since the digital camera is not our friend today) http://www.salviharps.it/pages/index.pl
So, this has been a lovely day.
Merisha
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