God, are you there? And if you are, well, do you care about all my fears keeping me here? Calling out your name, am I calling out in vain? I’m wondering why you don’t hear my cry. I can’t understand what your doing; but it’s not my place to question your ways. Lord, give me a glimpse of where your going. Let me follow you today
But I feel like I’m lost in December, too far from the world I used to know. Can you see me? I’m dying in this winter. Or is this just part of the narrow road?
I can’t understand: when I reach for your hand, your love can’t be found; seems you’re not around. Hearing of your perfect will, never knowing why I still can’t see your face, can’t feel your grace. Wishing that the questions weren’t so painful; but I’m longing to find your truth. Knowing that the answers aren’t so simple; Lord, I’m needing to see a glimpse of you.
But I feel like I’m lost in December, too far from the world I used to know. Can you see me? I’m dying in this winter. Or is this just part of the narrow road?
How soon I forget that the story’s not over yet. Because late one December night, God broke the silence with the sound of the child that would save us, filling the world with his light.
But I feel like I’m lost in December, (Oh my child, I hear you.) too far from the world I used to know. (You’re not alone.) Can you see me? I’m dying in this winter. (I will always be with you…) Or is this just part of the narrow road? (… wherever you go.)
To the cross I look And to the cross I cling Of its suffering I do drink Of its work I do sing On it my Savior Both bruised and crushed Showed that God is love And God is just
At the cross you beckon me You draw me gently to my knees And I am lost for words, so lost in love I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered
What a priceless gift Undeserved life Have I been given Through Christ crucified You called me out of death You called me into life And I was under your wrath Now through the cross I’m reconciled
At the cross you beckon me You draw me gently to my knees And I am lost for words, so lost in love I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered
In awe of the cross I must confess How wondrous your redeeming love And how great is your faithfulness
At the cross you beckon me You draw me gently to my knees And I am lost for words, so lost in love I am sweetly broken, wholly surrendered
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us ~ Phillips, Craig and Dean
How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
And make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which marr the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
We all need our thinking to be renewed and reversed before we can come to accept the majesty and power and saving grace of the Gospel of Christ and before we realize the folly and meaninglessness of the atheistic worldview.
Lord, Saviour, God and King … Jesus Christ. Do you know Him?
That is the question being asked in this monologue by Shadrach Meshach Lockridge (or S.M. Lockridge) – son of a preacher, do you think?
Born March 7, 1913 and died April 4, 2000, Lockridge’s short inspirational spiel is available (so I discovered) in various edited forms, one of which appears below. This is the first I have heard of him. But his passion for Jesus certainly shines through in this brief monologue.
Produced and Edited by Igniter Media
For a more complete version of the monologue, but without the fancy backing track, see this YouTube clip. With a quick search I was also able to locate various bloggers who have published the transcript of the monologue, but cannot verify the accuracy.
[HT: Thanks to my friend Bo-Young who sent me the original email about S.M. Lockridge.]
Your blood speaks a better word Than all the empty claims I’ve heard upon this earth It speaks righteousness for me And stands in my defense Jesus, it’s your blood
What can wash away our sins? What can make us whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus What can wash us pure as snow? Welcomed as the friends of God Nothing but your blood, King Jesus
Your cross testifies in grace Tells of the Father’s heart To make a way for us Now boldly we approach Not by earthly confidence It’s only by your blood
What can wash away our sins? What can make us whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus What can wash us pure as snow? Welcomed as the friends of God Nothing but your blood, King Jesus
(Todd Friel replayed an old episode this afternoon on Wretched Radio, from back when it was Way of the Master Radio, and a clip of this song was featured at some point. I forgot about this song and how much I like it.)
On July 2-4, 2010, there was an Islamic conference that took place in downtown Toronto called the Journey of Faith Conference. There were nearly ten thousand Muslims in attendance, plus a few non-Muslim visitors who they were doing “dawah” (propagation of the faith) to.
I (Fisher) and Bartimaeus decided to go in there to observe what is going on in the conference, hear what the Islamic side is saying, open up doors for interfaith dialogue and maybe pick up some literature on the way.
Some more information about the arrest last night of Nabeel Qureshi and David Wood of Acts 17 Apologetics ministry at the Arab Festival in Dearborn, Michigan.
Due to their experience last year at the Arab Festival, Nabeel and David (along with two of their friends, Negeen and Paul Rezkalla) were very careful and thoughtful about their behavior and activities this year—not speaking to anyone unless approached, not carrying any Christian pamphlets, walking away the moment anyone asked them to stop talking to them, refusing to comment about Islam, etc. And, of course, they filmed their entire experience on multiple cameras, in order to ensure that no lies would be able to survive scrutiny.
And “lies” is precisely the reason they were arrested, according to Nabeel, who said the police told them they were being arrested for “breaching the peace.” From what Nabeel was able to gather, one of the festival volunteers accused the Acts 17 Apologetics team of surrounding him, preventing him from walking away. “This is as blatantly false as an accusation can get,” Nabeel said, as the video footage will vindicate. But uniformed officers arrested the team, led them away in handcuffs to shouts of “Allahu Akbar!” and placed them in jail overnight, Nabeel said.
According to Dearborn Police Chief Ron Haddad, all four were arrested for disorderly conduct and later released on bail.
Last year, on 21 June 2009, Nabeel Qureshi and David Wood attended the Dearborn Arab Festival in Michigan—and they experienced “the religion of peace” first-hand. The video footage below is taken from that experience; the cameras were operated by David Wood and Mary Jo Sharp. Yeah, this was in the United States of America.
This year Nabeel and David returned to the Arab Festival and, for some reason I have not managed to find yet, they were arrested there. I have never issued a formal request like this before but this is so shocking—and in Michigan!—that many of us feel that it calls for a powerful intercessory response from the family of God. I am asking that all Christian staff and visitors of the Aristophrenium keep David Wood, Nabeel Qureshi, and their AnsweringMuslims.com ministry in your daily, earnest prayers.
When I uncover updates, I will post them here at the Aristophrenium.
Clever animation that aptly delivers the linkages of human freedom with worldly evil and of God’s paired characteristic of justice and love in response.
While I think the animation is perfect, theologically we could discuss a few of the film’s claims. Ryft knows what I’m talking about ;)
