Do you ever awaken with the lyrics of a song playing over and over in your mind, like it is caught in a loop?
This is what happened to me Monday morning May the 6th. "His shame and reproach gladly bear." Do you remember what song this verse is from? It is a song about the Crucifixion, written by George Bennard in 1913. I thought you would not mind if I shared the lyrics with you. The name of the song is:
The history of this song is interesting enough to share with you today. As a Methodist evangelist, Bennard wrote the first verse of "The Old Rugged Cross" in Albion, Michigan, in the fall of 1912, as a response to ridicule that he had received at a revival meeting. Bennard finished the song in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin in a two-week revival meeting and on the last night of the meeting Bennard and Evangelist Ed E. Mieras from Chicago sang the song as a duet for the first time. A plaque commemorating the first performance of the song stands in front of the Friend's Church in Sturgeon Bay.
As I set down to write our letter today, my mind was on a rewind and I begin to meditate on Acts 17:22. This verse finds Paul in Athesaasasns, Rome. The Bible records even what Paul is feeling. "HIS SPIRIT WAS STIRRED WITHIN HIM AS THE SAW THE CITY GIVEN WHOLLY TO IDOLATRY." Paul then begins to debate with the brilliant minds of Athens, and they concluded that he was a "babbler" with some new doctrine, and he was accused of bringing some strange things to their ears. Their curiosity was aroused, and they wanted to know more about what he was speaking. Let me take you there for just a minute are two. We are now standing right in the center of things by an inscription said to be to:
This is what happened to me Monday morning May the 6th. "His shame and reproach gladly bear." Do you remember what song this verse is from? It is a song about the Crucifixion, written by George Bennard in 1913. I thought you would not mind if I shared the lyrics with you. The name of the song is:
THE OLD RUGGED CROSS
Verse 1
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best;
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
Verse 2
Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
Verse 3
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
Verse 4
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
IT'S SHAME AND REPROACH GLADLY BEAR;
Then He'll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I'll share.
The history of this song is interesting enough to share with you today. As a Methodist evangelist, Bennard wrote the first verse of "The Old Rugged Cross" in Albion, Michigan, in the fall of 1912, as a response to ridicule that he had received at a revival meeting. Bennard finished the song in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin in a two-week revival meeting and on the last night of the meeting Bennard and Evangelist Ed E. Mieras from Chicago sang the song as a duet for the first time. A plaque commemorating the first performance of the song stands in front of the Friend's Church in Sturgeon Bay.
As I set down to write our letter today, my mind was on a rewind and I begin to meditate on Acts 17:22. This verse finds Paul in Athesaasasns, Rome. The Bible records even what Paul is feeling. "HIS SPIRIT WAS STIRRED WITHIN HIM AS THE SAW THE CITY GIVEN WHOLLY TO IDOLATRY." Paul then begins to debate with the brilliant minds of Athens, and they concluded that he was a "babbler" with some new doctrine, and he was accused of bringing some strange things to their ears. Their curiosity was aroused, and they wanted to know more about what he was speaking. Let me take you there for just a minute are two. We are now standing right in the center of things by an inscription said to be to:
THE UNKNOWN GOD
Here is what unfolds:
In closing, let me show you what I found. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REGLIGION AND SUPERSTITION. TRANSLATORS OF THE BIBLE SPEAK OF PAUL'S PERCEPTION OF THE RELIGIONS OF ATHENS LIKE THIS:
"22-23 So Paul took his stand in the open space at the Areopagus and laid it out for them. "It is plain to see that you Athenians take your religion seriously. When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, to the god nobody knows. I'm here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, know who you're dealing with.
24-29 "The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn't live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn't take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don't make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. We live and move in him, can't get away from him! One of your poets said it well: ‘We're the God-created.' Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn't make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it?
30-31 "God overlooks it as long as you don't know any better—but that time is past. The unknown is now known, and he's calling for a radical life-change. He has set a day when the entire human race will be judged and everything set right. And he has already appointed the judge, confirming him before everyone by raising him from the dead." 32-34 At the phrase "raising him from the dead," The listeners split: Some laughed at him and walked off making jokes; others said, "Let's do this again. We want to hear more. But that was it for the day, and Paul left. There were still others, it turned out, who were convinced then and there, and stuck with Paul—among them Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris."
THE MESSAGE BIBLE
In closing, let me show you what I found. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REGLIGION AND SUPERSTITION. TRANSLATORS OF THE BIBLE SPEAK OF PAUL'S PERCEPTION OF THE RELIGIONS OF ATHENS LIKE THIS:
SUPERSTITIOUS AND RELIGIOUS
What is the difference between superstition and religion?
Superstition can be understood as a narcissistic attempt at compensation by persons lacking self-confidence, who feel themselves to be under an existential threat. Religious belief can be defined as a commitment to an ultimate meaning in life.
VERY RELIGIOUS, EXTREMELY RELIGIOUS, MOST RELIGIOUS AND VERY REVERENT TO DEMONS, GIVEN UP TO DEMON WORSHIP, RELIGIOUS IN ALL THINGS, TOO RELIGIOUS, VERY FEARFUL OF GOD'S, VAIN WORSHIPPERS, OVER RELIGIOUS.
The Amplified Bible says it like this:
It was a do your own thing culture and Paul was calling for a radical life change based upon the sacrifice which Christ made for mankind.
This brings me back to my morning song:
Jesus is my Forever Friend, not just my temporary friend, My Eternal friend. It is important to remember that the Bible is a One Book, Book. There are lessons to be learned in the Old Testament which should be honored in the New Testament. Let me list a couple in closing my weekly letter.
It is one thing to bear His reproach and it is a horse of a different color to become a reproach to the gospel. The higher you climb the further you fall. God ask me in 1976, Cleddie, do you love Me, or do you love what you are doing for Me? It was them my life changed, and I realized that some fail because of this very thing; they love what they are doing more than the life source. Paul made it plain for all to see on Mars Hill in Athens, he made plain the Unknown God. You make your choice.
I believe in you,
Cleddie Keith
Superstition can be understood as a narcissistic attempt at compensation by persons lacking self-confidence, who feel themselves to be under an existential threat. Religious belief can be defined as a commitment to an ultimate meaning in life.
VERY RELIGIOUS, EXTREMELY RELIGIOUS, MOST RELIGIOUS AND VERY REVERENT TO DEMONS, GIVEN UP TO DEMON WORSHIP, RELIGIOUS IN ALL THINGS, TOO RELIGIOUS, VERY FEARFUL OF GOD'S, VAIN WORSHIPPERS, OVER RELIGIOUS.
The Amplified Bible says it like this:
As Paul is surveying the city he concludes, "with every turn I make throughout the city I perceive you are very religious."
It was a do your own thing culture and Paul was calling for a radical life change based upon the sacrifice which Christ made for mankind.
This brings me back to my morning song:
His Shame and Reproach gladly bear, till He calls me someday.
To my home far away where His Glory forever I'll share.
Jesus is my Forever Friend, not just my temporary friend, My Eternal friend. It is important to remember that the Bible is a One Book, Book. There are lessons to be learned in the Old Testament which should be honored in the New Testament. Let me list a couple in closing my weekly letter.
Proverbs 14:34
Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach (disgrace and shame) to any people.
1 Timothy 3:7
Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Hebrews 11:26
(lesson from Moses)
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.
1 Peter 4:14
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God rest upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
It is one thing to bear His reproach and it is a horse of a different color to become a reproach to the gospel. The higher you climb the further you fall. God ask me in 1976, Cleddie, do you love Me, or do you love what you are doing for Me? It was them my life changed, and I realized that some fail because of this very thing; they love what they are doing more than the life source. Paul made it plain for all to see on Mars Hill in Athens, he made plain the Unknown God. You make your choice.
I believe in you,
Cleddie Keith