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Hymns That Glorify Our Savior
Hymns That Glorify Our Savior
December 1, 2024T. A. McMahon
A few years ago, I was in a major supermarket and I was shocked by what I heard coming from the store's sound system. “Shocked” doesn't describe my reaction unless you can find abundant joy in the term. What I was hearing were words like these: "I need Thee; O, I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee! O bless me now, my Saviour, I come to Thee."
To my utter delight, that hymn was followed by other ones also glorifying Jesus. Wow! I wouldn't have been surprised to see the fruit and vegetables section "celebrating" His birth. After all, He's their Creator! I spent a good part of the morning that day listening to the hymns that I'm sure I heard dozens of times. But this time I couldn't help but focus on what the spiritual lyrics were teaching.
As you know, hymns, unless they are directly from the Scriptures, are not inspired (God-breathed). Nevertheless, they do teach biblical truth and comfort when they are indeed true to His Word. What the Lord put on my heart for this newsletter is to share with you some of my favorite hymns and I'm sure you'll be blessed by how they glorify our Savior.
“O How I Love Jesus” (1 John:4:19We love him, because he first loved us.
See All...)
There is a Name I love to hear,
I love to sing its worth;
It sounds like music in my ear,
The sweetest Name on earth.
Refrain: Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!
It tells me of a Savior’s love,
Who died to set me free;
It tells me of His precious blood,
The sinner’s perfect plea.
It tells me of a Father’s smile
Beaming upon His child;
It cheers me through this little while,
Through desert, waste, and wild.
It tells me what my Father hath
In store for every day,
And though I tread a darksome path,
Yields sunshine all the way.
It tells of One whose loving heart
Can feel my deepest woe;
Who in each sorrow bears a part
That none can bear below.
It bids my trembling heart rejoice;
It dries each rising tear;
It tells me, in a “still small voice,”
To trust and never fear.
Jesus, the Name I love so well,
The Name I love to hear:
No saint on earth its worth can tell,
No heart conceive how dear.
This Name shall shed its fragrance still
Along this thorny road,
Shall sweetly smooth the rugged hill
That leads me up to God.
And there with all the blood-bought throng,
From sin and sorrow free,
I’ll sing the new eternal song
Of Jesus’ love for me.
“The Solid Rock” (Matthew:7:24-27 [24] Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
[25] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
[26] And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
[27] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
See All...)
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gate,
My anchor holds within the vale.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.
“Nothing but the Blood” (1 John:1:7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
See All...)
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
O precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know;
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my pardon this I see:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my cleansing this my plea:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
O precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know;
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Nothing can for sin atone:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Naught of good that I have done:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
O precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know;
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
This is all my hope and peace:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
This is all my righteousness:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
O precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know;
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
“Blessed Assurance” (Isaiah:43:11I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.
See All...)
Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine!
O, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect communion, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight.
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I and my Savior am happy and blessed;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” (John:15:13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
See All...)
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He'll take and shield thee;
Thou wilt find a solace there.
“Were You There?” (John:19:6When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
See All...)
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when he rose up from the dead?
Were you there when he rose up from the dead?
Sometimes I feel like shouting 'Glory, glory, glory!'
Were you there when he rose up from the dead?
“Rock of Ages” (Acts:4:12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
See All...)
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law's demands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.
“He Died for Me” (Acts:4:12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
See All...)
He died for me, the Son of God,
He left His home in glory
To bear the sin of all the world—
Oh, sweet and tender story!
He died for me! He died for me!
He lives in light and glory!
Oh, let me tell to all the world
The glad and blessèd story.
They crowned Him with a crown of thorns,
For me He meekly wore it;
They laid on Him the heavy cross,
For me, for me, He bore it.
He died for me! He died for me!
He lives in light and glory!
Oh, let me tell to all the world
The glad and blessèd story.
His love for me can never die,
In Heaven He standeth pleading;
He shows His side and wounded hands,
Forever interceding.
He died for me! He died for me!
He lives in light and glory!
Oh, let me tell to all the world
The glad and blessèd story.
Thou blessèd Jesus, Savior mine,
My life, my all I owe Thee;
I long to love Thee more and more,
I would that all might know Thee.
He died for me! He died for me!
He lives in light and glory!
Oh, let me tell to all the world
The glad and blessèd story.
“Joy to the World” (Psalm 16)
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n, and heav’n, and nature sing.
Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
TBC
Question: Can I use prayer beads? ›Question: Can I use prayer beads?
Question: Can I use prayer beads?
December 1, 2024TBC Staff
Question: I struggle as a Christian to pray. I was looking at the idea of prayer beads. I know how Catholicism uses them and the other pagan religions—meditation, mantras, repetitive prayer, and mysticism. That's not my aim. I simply think they could be an aid to me. Am I way off here, or is it possible to use them this way?
Response: It is very difficult to see prayer beads as an aid when it clearly is one more thing between us and God. And in your letter, you point out that it is common to many pagan religions. That's not surprising, for the adversary wants to keep us as distant from God as possible.
It is encouraging to remember that when the Lord died on the cross, the "veil of the temple" was ripped from top to bottom (Matt:27:51And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
See All...) as the Lord opened the way to "enter freely."
With this in mind, Hebrews:4:14-16 [14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
[15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
[16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
See All... shows just how open the way to the very throne of God is: “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Some may "feel" they have liberty to use prayer beads, but they will find their “aid” to be one more barrier between them and the Lord.
For Catholics or other users, their rosary is actually maintaining the "social distance" from the Lord. It is part of a false gospel.
‹ Hymns That Glorify Our Savior up Question: Should I "pray on" the armor of God? ›Question: Should I "pray on" the armor of God?
Question: Should I "pray on" the armor of God?
December 1, 2024TBC Staff
Question: In Ephesians:6:11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
See All..., Paul says to “put on” the armor of God. A few nights ago [someone] said she "prays on" the armor of God. This reminded me of when I was a teenager and our church youth group taught us to put on the armor of God by "praying on" the armor of God (for example, you put on the helmet of salvation by praying on the helmet of salvation, and so forth). I know in verse 18 Paul talks about praying in the spirit but is verse 18 telling us to “pray on” the armor of God? Is that even biblical? I did a little online research and could not find anything related to my question other than an overwhelming support for "praying on" the armor of God (with a few prayers even already spelled out). Something just seemed a bit off to me about this, but I want to be a Berean because the Word of God is so important to me.
Response: To begin, the Scriptures tell us to "put on the whole armor of God," not to "pray on" the whole armor. If the inspired Word of God tells us to "put on" the "whole armor," it must be there to "put on." In fact, each element is explained by Paul.
When Paul wrote his epistle to the Ephesians, he had the example of a fully equipped Roman soldier before him, which he clearly used in a metaphorical manner to illustrate the spiritual warfare we face every day.
As you pointed out, there are quite a few who teach believers to “pray on” the armor of God every day. While prayer must always be a priority, we need to be aware that “praying on” the armor of God may become a rote prayer or methodology. We have seen one positive confession advocate who has done so, and in a recent column admitted their inability to stop the negative thoughts clouding their thinking.
Ephesians:6:10-20 [10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
[14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
[15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
[16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
[17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
[18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
[19] And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
[20] For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
See All... is a battle call. Praying for our understanding and putting on the armor. We still need to put it on. Satan, our opposition, is real. He and his forces want to damage our faith, to bring confusion and discouragement. But our Lord has already won the victory.
Further, God calls us to pray at all times (Ephesians:6:18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
See All...). And prayer is the key to winning the spiritual battle. But this prayer is not reciting a methodology, but an active life of prayer. Ephesians:6:18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
See All... tells us to be “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”
Again, we are not simply to “pray on” the armor but to “put on the whole armor of God.” Then and only then do we walk out the door to enter the battle, which is simply life in a corrupt world. Ephesians:6:17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
See All... tells us to take up “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” That requires action on our part, and Paul certainly urged us to be faithfully in the Word.
Question: "Needing to be a Berean" is unscriptural.
Question: "Needing to be a Berean" is unscriptural.
December 1, 2024TBC Staff
Question: You keep expressing the idea that "people need to be Bereans." This is misleading and unscriptural. Nowhere in the Bible does it say, "You must be a Berean." In fact, the term "Bereans" is not even found in the King James or New King James versions or the Geneva Bible (which predates the KJV Bible). Berea only occurs 3 times in the King James and New King James versions and the Geneva Bible: Acts:17:10And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
See All..., 13 and Acts:20:4And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
See All.... While I agree it's true that born again Christians need to diligently search and study the Bible daily, asserting that people "need to be Bereans" goes against Paul's warning about preaching any other gospel as stated in Galatians:1:8-9 [8] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
[9] As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
See All....
Response: To begin, your statement that there is no place in the Bible where it says "You must be a Berean" is true. But on its own, the statement becomes a false premise without "rightly dividing the Word of truth." This opens the way for all sorts of unbiblical arguments. In an exchange with a JW, for example, does their similar ploy bring us to the point of saying, "Yes, the word Trinity is not in the Bible. Guess you win..."? I don't think so.
From the beginning of the ministry we have stated (written in 1993), "That is our heart cry and calling here at The Berean Call: that we would see people developing personal discernment and, like the Bereans in Acts:17:11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
See All..., searching the Scriptures daily 'to see if these things be so.' Ultimately, each must arrive at his own position, for each is accountable to God for what he believes, not for what someone else proclaimed or taught."
That's what we have written to folks who ask, "What does it mean to be a Berean?" That includes letters, emails, phone calls, or answering the question in newsletter Q&As. It is certainly not "misleading and unscriptural.”
Consequently, to "be a Berean" simply means that we are understanding and following the biblical example of those in Acts 17, whom Luke spoke of as he was moved by the Holy Spirit.
You say, "...asserting that people ‘need to be Bereans’ (i.e., following their example) goes against Paul's warning about preaching any other gospel as stated in Galatians:1:8-9 [8] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
[9] As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
See All...." We'd appreciate you giving an example of someone claiming to follow the example of the Bereans and yet "preaching another gospel….” If we find one, we better correct him!
Quite to the contrary, Paul in Romans:10:17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
See All... tells us, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." And in Acts:17:12Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
See All..., we read, "Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few."
The example of the Bereans going to the Scriptures confirmed the gospel which Paul had preached to them. It wasn't preaching another gospel.
‹ Question: Should I "pray on" the armor of God? up Letters ›Letters
Letters
December 1, 2024Various
*Our purpose in this section is to simply show what kind of feedback we receive. We may respond to some of them in private whether or not we agree with their views.
Dear TBC,
I love Dave Hunt as a good preacher of the faith who tells it like it is, and I am a pastor. God called me to the ministry at an old school Christian Center. I took over from when my grandpa was a minister, and now I’m a minister of the Word of God at the old school Christian Center service… [We] do street work meetings 24/7. God has called me to the ministry…to expose false prophets. We can’t cover up false teachers no more. Pastor ML (email)
Dear TBC,
My pastor of our church fellowship does expository preaching by going through the Books of the Bible, verse by verse. We are currently in the Book of Acts. I love the Word of God and certain passages really reach out to my soul. I loved how Paul in Athens engages with the people there and their reactions. Acts 17 is a great lesson for all times, especially today. DK (email)
Dear TBC,
Luke:1:28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
See All...: “And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.” The angel was greeting Mary and didn’t say that she was “full of grace” or that she was blessed above women. Verse 48 says, “For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden….” Mary herself said she was of low estate and a handmaiden. The Roman Catholic Church has elevated Mary above God Himself. It is blasphemous. As a born again Bible believer, I honor Mary, I love Mary, but I don’t pray to her, no statues of her, no rosaries or scapulars. She is not appearing all over the world. We know that Satan himself appears as an angel of light. I pray that the Catholic people would turn to the Holy Scriptures for the truth. Amen. LF (email)
Dear TBC,
I don’t let Hollywood, Sports, Political, or Spiritual stars determine what I believe. I go to what the Bible says in Scripture—not what these “leaders” are trying to convince us of. Jesus (when referring to Himself) said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me” (John:14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
See All...). We do not get there (eternal salvation) through a Catholic priest, a Protestant pastor, or a Muslim imam. Please, people; listen to what is being exposed in this YouTube video [At Home in Rome, see—www.bit.ly/HomeInRome]. There is no such Biblical truth as “Unity Through Community” as these false teachers like Rick Warren, Dallas Jenkins, or Jonathan Roumie are trying to tell you in their false teaching. Anon. (email)
Dear TBC,
Amen and Amen for your honesty about Rome! The reprint of Dave Hunt’s “GOD’s Nonnegotiable Gospel” in the June newsletter is of course timeless in its truth (see—www.bit.ly/40ZVtE2). Personally, as one dear soul saved out of Rome in the early 1980s, the statement that hearing the true gospel away from Catholicism is SO true. When I heard/read Ephesians:2:8-9 [8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
See All... for the first time in a Bible church, my only thought was “where has this been in my then 30-plus years of living?” I certainly never heard it at Mass nor in 11 years of Catholic school. The answer of course is that these verses had always been available and Praise the LORD for His salvation! Thank you again for being Bereans and for sharing the truth about Rome. KS (email)
TBC Notes
TBC Notes
December 1, 2024T. A. McMahon
HAS THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION CHANGED YOUR HOPE?
In last month's newsletter I asked the question to all who voted, "Did the election results change their hope?" My purpose was to get the reader to think about what he or she was placing his hope in. Sadly, many have put their hope in results that have no eternal value. Neither presidential candidate could go beyond the temporal issues of life. If that's the case regarding our hope as believers, Paul said in 1 Corinthians:15:19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
See All..., "If in this [temporal] life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." No. We have God's promise, to those who put their trust in Him, that we are going to be with Him forever. Titus:1:2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
See All... tells us, "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” As believers in Jesus, we believe His Word—certainly His promise. Again, "Has the outcome of the election changed your hope?"
T. A. McMahon
President
‹ Letters up Quotable ›Quotable
Quotable
December 1, 2024Various
“Be Still, My Soul”
Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
in every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heav'nly Friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
to guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul; when dearest friends depart,
and all is darkened in the veil of tears,
then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
from His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul; the hour is hast'ning on
when we shall be forever with the Lord,
when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
—Catharina von Schlegel (1752); translated by Jane Borthwick (1855)
‹ TBC Notes up NewsWatch ›NewsWatch
NewsWatch
December 1, 2024Various
How to Freeze a Turtle
CreationMoments.com, 8/27/24, “How to Freeze a Turtle” [Excerpts]: After mid-June, painted turtles begin to lay their eggs. Each nest holds from seven to nine eggs. Some females will make two nests. The eggs are buried, safely out of sight of predators, and the mother turtle returns to her normal habitat. The young hatch in ten or eleven weeks. However, they remain buried in the ground, and therefore safe from predators, all winter. The problem is that turtles freeze solid at the temperatures found at nest depth in the winter. When living cells freeze, the long, sharp ice crystals that form in them puncture the cell membrane, killing the cell.
As the baby turtles freeze, even the heart and brain eventually freeze. There is no breathing and no heartbeat. Only a tiny bit of electrical activity in the frozen brain reveals that life remains in the body. Why don’t ice crystals rupture the cells? The young turtle’s liver makes special proteins that are circulated to every cell in the body. These proteins ensure the formation of very small ice crystals that cannot become large enough to puncture delicate cell walls.
Only God could have invented such a unique method of protecting tiny painted turtles. Even scientists marvel at this.
Columbia students ‘take out’ Jewish professor
TheCollegeFix.com, 8/27/24, “Imam tells Columbia students to ‘take out’ Jewish professor” [Excerpts]: An imam told Columbia University students to “take out” a Jewish professor during an event last week hosted by a pro-Palestinian group, according to a video on X.
A few days later, the Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine said Instagram “permanently” banned it from the platform. It is not clear if the two incidents are related.
Shai Davidai, a Jewish professor at the Columbia Business School, posted the video. He wrote on X that Students for Justice in Palestine is a “pro-terror organization” and should be permanently banned from campus.
Davidai said the comments targeting him occurred during a public webinar titled “Islamic Political Activism” on Aug. 20 with Imam Tom Facchine. He posted a screenshot of a poster advertising the event on the Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine’s Instagram page.
According to the professor’s post, Facchine mentioned Davidai by name during the event and told students to “create a situation” to get him “in trouble.” Davidai is Israeli and calls himself a Zionist on his X profile.
“How do we create a situation in which [his professorship is] in jeopardy?” Facchine said in the video.
The Endless Pursuit
InTruthSheDelights.com, 5/28/24, “The Endless Pursuit of God’s Presence in the Hyper-charismatic Movement” [Excerpts]: If you know anything about the hyper-charismatic movement, then you know one of the things it stands out for, is its fervent pursuit of God’s presence…. Yet, beneath the surface of this passionate quest lies a subtle danger. The danger of it becomes an all-consuming obsession that leads believers into a relentless cycle of seeking more and more spiritual highs and emotional experiences.
An experience-driven faith can indeed lead believers into a labyrinth of pitfalls. The first of which is the creation of a dependency on emotional highs for spiritual validation. Having a relationship with God becomes synonymous with the intensity of emotional fervor or the frequency of spiritual encounters.
However, when believers come to equate God’s presence solely with intense emotional or supernatural experiences, they inadvertently set themselves up for a shallow and unsustainable faith.
This experience is profoundly wearisome and stands in stark contrast to the rest that Christ promises. In Matthew:11:28-30 [28] Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
[29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
[30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
See All..., Jesus extends the following invitation, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Here, Jesus offers a different kind of relationship. A relationship characterized by rest rather than striving and exhaustion.
Nuggets from Cosmos, Creator, and Human Destiny
Nuggets from Cosmos, Creator, and Human Destiny
November 29, 2024Dave Hunt
Yes, other cultures made valuable contributions such as the Arabic-Hindu number system and some advances in mathematics and engineering such as those used in building pyramids not only in Egypt but in South America, the South Sea Islands, and elsewhere. But these non-Christians “. . . did not discover the laws of . . . gravity . . . thermodynamics . . . chemistry . . . heredity . . . biogenesis, etc. If you take any introductory undergraduate textbook in physics, chemistry, biology, genetics, physiology, paleontology, etc., it is not hard to point to the knowledge that is indebted to the work of these [European scientists who were staunch Christians]. But you would find very little that is indebted to Greek, Muslim, Hindu, or Buddhist philosophers. . . . Instead of measuring energy in joules, why don’t we measure it in platos or al-Asharis?”
Is Europe Silencing the Faithful?
Is Europe Silencing the Faithful?
November 28, 2024TBC Staff
Not only have we seen a dramatic increase in antisemitism in the US and Europe in the last couple of years but it is also reported that, "Over 2,400 anti-Christian hate crimes recorded across Europe in 2023" This is not really surprising since Western culture has largely jettisoned the Judeo-Christian worldview, morality, and ethics. The mere existence of Jews and Bible believing Christians are daily reminder of what Woke culture has rejected and is running away from:
Commenting on the findings, Anja Hoffmann, executive director of OIDAC Europe, said, "In particular, Christians who adhere to traditional religious beliefs face increasing discrimination and hostility, ranging from bullying at work to the loss of employment.
"It is very worrying that the peaceful expression of personal religious beliefs, for example on matters relating to marriage and family, has become the potential end of a political career or employment, or even the beginning of a court case."
Germany ranked third highest after France and the UK, rising from 135 incidents in 2022 to 277 last year - a 105% increase.
The report is based on data reported by European governments to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2023, as well as instances reported by civil society.
Hoffmann said it was likely that the real number of anti-Christian hate crimes was much higher as several countries, including France, did not submit statistics to the OSCE last year.
Though some are shocked by this, it should not be a surprise. Once biblical morality and ethics are excised from culture, there is no reason not to be intolerant toward, discriminate against, and perpetrate hate crimes against those who continue to hold on to these beliefs. It is the reason why atheists like Richard Dawkins and Tom Holland have begun calling themselves "cultural Christians." Dawkins is seeing the fruit of his battle against God and is fearful of where this will lead.
Nuggets from Cosmos, Creator, and Human Destiny
Nuggets from Cosmos, Creator, and Human Destiny
November 27, 2024Dave Hunt
In fact, as has been pointed out by historians, not only were the founders of modern science Christians themselves, but it is no coincidence that they were all part of a Christian culture. Modern science would not have arisen in any other of the world’s cultures. That is why these great men of science have almost no counterparts elsewhere in world history:
“Where is the Greek version of Newton? Where is the Muslim version of Kepler? Where is the Hindu version of Boyle? Where is the Buddhist version of Mendel? Such questions are all the more powerful when you pause to consider that science studies [universal] truths. . . . How is it that so many other cultures, some existing for thousands of years, failed to discover, or even anticipate, Newton’s first law of motion or Kepler’s laws of planetary motion? So it’s not just that the Christian religion is associated with the birth of modern science [but] that modern science was not birthed in cultures which lacked the Christian religion.”
Plants: The Next Oppressed Group?
Plants: The Next Oppressed Group?
November 27, 2024TBC Staff
As the culture becomes more and more paganized, the realization of humans being created in the Imago Dei, the image of God, continues to dispute. Worship of the planet as our mother grows. The earth as our mother, is one of the centerpieces at The Parliament of the World's Religions as they repent for climate change and provide drop off receptacales for "Letters to Mom." In "Plants are People Too?" Steven Hayward comments on climate change activist, Elizabeth Kolbert's work toward bringing about plant's rights :
Her newest obsession might be called “the secret life of plants.” Because guess what? Plants are intelligent, and communicate! But since we eat them and trample on them, sounds like the next favored oppressed group for the Democratic Party.
Think I am being facetious? Let’s take in some samples: “A body of recent scientific research suggests that plants can adapt to new information, predict the future, communicate with animals, and confer privately with each other. Should we think of them as sentient? . . . Plants communicate with one another. . . Plants are also able to confer privately, with just their kin, by emitting chemicals only relatives can interpret.”
It seems this is not really a new idea and has been litigated in the past. Hayward's is interesting: “Dust off your copy of the famous 1970 law review article “Should Trees Have Standing?“, and await the first class-action lawsuit on behalf of oppressed plants everywhere.”
I am reminded here of a stanza of a poem by the contemplative monk Thomas Merton:
Keep away, son, these lakes are salt.
These flowers Eat insects. Here private lunatics
Yell and skip in a very dry country.
Even though Thomas Merton is a Contemplative Dark Thread he may be right on this one.
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