Last night, I picked up my pre-ordered copy of “Furthermore” by Jars of Clay, their 2-disc studio/stage compilation. Faithfully ripped via iTunes, I’m now listening to the studio disc, mostly re-recordings (as opposed to remixes), with 3 new tunes.
One of my favorite tunes from their last album, “The Eleventh Hour,” is the title track, and the re-recording of that song is fabulous, all acoustic. A decidedly different take of “Liquid” is intensely introspective and worshipful, causing one to take pause even in the middle of work.
A solid addition to anyone’s JoC library. [alternate purchase link]
Tag: God
Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior, who died for the sins of the world.
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” —Luke 2:1-14
“It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its Mighty Founder was a child Himself.” —Charles Dickens
“May the Father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us in all our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.” —George Washington
“Why is it that, next to the birthday of the Savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerated festival returns on this [Independence] day? Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior?” —John Quincy Adams
“A young man whose father is a carpenter grows up working in his father’s shop. He has no formal education. He owns no property of any kind. One day he puts down his tools and walks out of his father’s shop. He starts preaching on street corners and in the nearby countryside. Walking from place to place, preaching all the while even though he is in no way an ordained minister, he never gets farther than an area perhaps 100 miles wide at the most. He does this for three years. Then he is arrested, tried and convicted. There is no court of appeal so he is executed at age 33 along with two common thieves. Those in charge of his execution roll dice to see who gets his clothing—the only possessions he has. His family cannot afford a burial place so he is interred in a borrowed tomb. End of story?
No, this uneducated, propertyless young man who preached on street corners for only three years who left no written word has for 2000 years had a greater effect on the entire world than all the rulers, kings and emperors, all the conquerors, the generals and admirals, all the scholars, scientists and philosophers who ever lived—all put together. How do we explain that? …Unless he really was what he said he was.” —Ronald Reagan
Merry Christmas, one and all!
The world’s shaking with the love of God
Great and glorious, let the whole earth sing
And all you ever do is change the old for new
People we believe that
God is bigger than the air I breathe
The world we’ll leave
God will save the day and all will say
My glorious!
Clouds are breaking, heaven’s come to earth
Hearts awakening let the church bells ring
And all you ever do is change the old for new
People we believe that
God is bigger than the air I breathe
The world we’ll leave
God will save the day and all will say
My glorious!
—Smith/Garrard © 2000 / Delirious?
Well, that’s what Grant has to say about his mom. Keep sending the prayers out.
Grant Hutchinson’s mom suffered a grade V intracerebral aneurysm on Monday. She appears to be improving slowly. Please pray for her and the rest of Grant’s family.
…A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!!
Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ
Date: Every day. Traditionally, December 25, but He’s always around, so the date is flexible….
Time: Whenever you’re ready. (Please don’t be late, though, or you’ll miss out on all the fun!)
Place: In your heart…. He’ll meet you there. (You’ll hear Him knock.)
Attire: Come as you are… grubbies are okay. He’ll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last.
Tickets: Admission is free. He’s already paid for everyone… (He says you wouldn’t have been able to afford it anyway…it cost Him everything He had. But you do need to accept the ticket!!
Refreshments: New wine, bread, and a far-out drink He calls “Living Water,” followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!
Gift Suggestions: Your life. He’s one of those people who already has everything else. (He’s very generous in return though. Just wait until you see what He has for you!)
Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth, Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness, Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power, Eternity in Paradise, Contentment, and much more! (All “G” rated, so bring your family and friends.)
R.S.V.P. Very Important! He must know ahead so He can reserve a spot for you at the table. Also, He’s keeping a list of His friends for future reference. He calls it the “Lamb’s Book of Life.”
Party being given by His Kids (that’s us!!)! Hope to see you there! For those of you whom I will see at the party, share this with someone today!
I love this:
“The LORD reigns; let the earth be glad; let the distance shores rejoice!
Clouds and thick darkness surround Him: righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
Fire goes before Him, and consumes His foes on every side.
His lightning lights up the world: the earth sees, and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD; before the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim His righteousness, and all peoples will see His glory!”
—Psalms 97:1-6
“Certainly we do not want men to allow their Christianity to flow over into their political life, for the establishment of anything like a really just society would be a major disaster.” —C.S. Lewis (translating the Devil’s words), The Screwtape Letters
He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He worked in a carpentry shop until he was thirty, and then for three years he was an itinerant preacher.
When the tide of popular opinion turned against him, his friends ran away. He was turned over to his enemies. He was tried and convicted. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. When he was dead, he was laid in a borrowed grave.
He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never owned a home. He never went to college. He never traveled more than two hundred miles from the place where he was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompanies greatness.
Yet all the armies that ever marched, and all the governments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, have not affected life upon this earth as powerfully as has that One Solitary Life.
—Author Unknown—
And He rose again on the third day, conquering Death, Hell, and the Grave, so that we all may live forever in His kingdom, if we only put our trust in Him. (Philippians 2:5-11)