Tag: History

Joy To The World

(c)iStockphoto.com/AmandaLewis

Joy To The World has long been my favorite Christmas hymn, in no small part because of its Kingdom message, which praises King Jesus for coming to earth, reigning and turning back the effects of the curse.

Here are some highlights. Verse 1 “Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King.”

Verse 2: “Joy to the world! The Saviour reigns.”

Verse 3: “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…”

Verse 4: “He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love…”

Good Kingdom stuff. I get goose bumps every time I sing it.

Joy To The World was written by Isaac Watts, based on Psalm 98, and has been the most published hymn in North America. Continue reading “Joy To The World”

What I Learned Reading The Bible Chronologically

Back in January I began reading the Bible from beginning to end chronologically, meaning in the order the events occurred in history. Here is the link where I downloaded the plan I’m using.

I’m almost to the finish line, having just finished Ephesians, and I’ve discovered something very surprising.

I saw it because, instead of reading the Bible as a number of disconnected passages by different authors from different times, for the first time I’ve been able to more clearly see the Bible, and particularly the Old Testament, as a story. Continue reading “What I Learned Reading The Bible Chronologically”

The Real Saint Nicholas

St. Nicholas was born in 270 A.D. in the city of Patara in Lycia (modern day Turkey).  His parents died when he was a young man, leaving him a substantial inheritance, which he determined to devote to works of charity.

Not long thereafter, Nicholas learned of a man in Patara who, because of his poverty, could neither support his three daughters nor find husbands for them.  As a result, this man was considering giving his daughters over to prostitution.

When Nicholas heard of this, under cover of darkness, he went to the man’s house with a bag of gold, which he threw into an open window.  Nicholas then slipped away undetected.  Now having a dowry, the oldest daughter was soon married.  Thereafter, Nicholas repeated his charitable act for the other two daughters, who also married. Continue reading “The Real Saint Nicholas”

Why We Can’t See God

I don’t think most atheists have an intellectual problem with the existence of God but rather an issue with sin that biases them against the existence of God.  The Bible asserts the cause of atheism is not the lack of evidence for God but the suppression of it. When I’m speeding it’s more convenient to believe the state patrol is not out.

But for those atheists who do have genuine questions, I think it important Christians have answers.

One question I’ve heard from skeptics is, “If God exists why doesn’t he just appear to the human race and eliminate any doubt?”  The answer may be that, in our fallen corrupt state, He can’t. Continue reading “Why We Can’t See God”

A View To A Kill

“In the midst of the flame and the rack I have seen men not only not groan, that is little; not only not complain, that is little; not only not answer back, that is too little; but I have seen them smile, and smile with a good heart.”

Seneca, Stoic philosopher (1 B.C. – 65 A.D.), speaking in amazement of the faith and courage of Christians he witnessed being martyred.