13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. NIV
Matt 21:21-22
21 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." NIV
Let’s be real! Are our prayers being answered or not? Recently I read a portion of a book that dealt with the subject of forgiveness and healing. The minister admitted that at one time, only about 10% of the people he prayed for were actually healed. The main point of his book is that God will not heal people if they have unforgiveness in their hearts. The minister normally leads people into repentance first, then prays for their physical needs. The significanceof forgiveness is a very valid point that can even be backed up by medical science that indicates some illness can be traced to bitterness resulting from a lack of forgiveness.
Government studies have shown that anger, hostility, blame and fear contribute to a number of conditions and diseases that adversely affect our health and physical well being actually shortening the human life span. On the other hand some studies seem to show forgiveness and the accompanying positive attitudes such as hope, compassion and empathy contribute of good physical health. Certain enzymes or chemicals are released into the blood that can either cause serious illness or contribute to good health. Many diseases including circulatorydisorders, endocrine unbalances, arthritic problems and cancer are associated with the emotions that go along with unforgiveness. Some contend that true, heartfelt forgiveness causes a marked improvement of a number of sicknesses. I just read an article by the Mayo Clinic giving advice on forgiveness listing the positive health benefits to someone who is willing to forgive others.
Listen to what the Bible says about forgiveness and prayer. Matt 6:12 and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. 14 Your heavenly Father will forgive you if you forgive those who sin against you; but if you refuse to forgive them, he will not forgive you. TLB Ps 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: 19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. KJV Isaiah 1:15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; 16 wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, NIV Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. KJV
God Help us to Forgive!
Luke 17:3 So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." 5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" NIV
Forgiveness is not an emotion! It is an important conscious step of faith in God. Until we forgive someone we are in charge. We are holding them responsible and acting as judge and jury. When we have sufficient faith we step back and turn the situation over to God. Often we must repent of our anger, bitterness and lack of faith to trust God. We then make a conscious decision to release the person and problem to God. This would be the right time to begin to praise God and to pray for the one who has caused so much pain and grief in our lives. No one is worth ruining our relationship with God! Turn them over to Jesus! Pray for them and ask God to bless them. It can be done by an act of faith!
I have always enjoyed music.Whether listening, singing or playing an instrument, music has been one of my pleasures for my whole life.I took my first piano lesson when I was about 8 years old.I can still remember practicing my first piece, “Camp Town Races” on the piano in my mother’s dining room.I must say however that I was a very poor piano student.Despite having 6-7 years of lessons, I can’t play a lick of piano today.I had a bit more success learning the trumpet however.I first started playing about age 10 in my grade school band, and I continued to play all through my school years even sitting first chair French horn and playing second trumpet in a jazz band.It was tremendous enjoyment, and I still recall fondly those years.
I still play the trumpet when I find the time.Being a bit older and perhaps more seasoned these days, the routine practice time which I dreaded in my youth, is actually one of my more favorite activities.Standing alone (I always practice standing) in my little music area playing first drills and development techniques and then playing some favorite jazz licks and maybe a few improvisational solos, provides a steady routine and anchor to what can be a chaotic day of modern life.
One thing that I’ve really noticed as I concentrate more on my techniques and results of my practice is that progressing forward or backward in my abilities is distinctly measureable.This is a much different approach than I used to have about my playing and performing. The conventional way to learn an instrument is for a young student to learn a particular piece of music, and then practice it until it is mastered.Then move on to the next piece of music.It’s kind of a “lather, rinse, repeat” kind of motion.The thinking, I guess, is that if the music that is learned is different enough, the foundational skills required for the musician will be developed automatically.While this can be an extremely effective way to get a student started, it often glosses over the need to develop and progress daily in the fundamental skills.
Over the past few years as I have gotten a bit more serious about developing my abilities, I’ve read a lot of material from some of the best known trumpet players such as Dizzy Gillespie, Doc Severinsen, Maynard Ferguson, and many others that are not household names.One of the things that becomes painfully obvious is that many of the very best players had an “ah hah” moment somewhere in their career that flipped them from the “later, rinse, repeat” of learning a piece of music, to the more structured study and development of basic skills.
Practice must be done with a constant goal in mind just as in the construction of a tall building.The start is made by building a strong foundation upon which a skyscraper may be erected.This is an orderly process…So it is with the brass instrument.Altogether too many students try to put a roof on before they have even built a foundation, and the trouble starts immediately.[1]
The most interesting thing happens once you begin to think basic skills versus learning music.I used to approach a new piece of music with dread, thinking, “How am I ever going to learn that?”Now I have a fresh approach, “What basic skills to I need to master to play that?”This minor yet primary shift in thinking opens up a world of difference when it comes to playing. Instead of frustration, there is always a path forward.
The best news for someone like me is that some of the very best, world renowned trumpet and cornet teachers and performers documented this approach, so it is quite simple with proper discipline to discover the path to skill development.
To become an expert in the cornet, one should familiarize himself with as much material for his instrument as possible.In this way a substantial musical background is assimilated and much information and knowledge is gained.
There are few celebrated cornet soloists, although thousands play the instrument.Most players practice incorrectly and by neglecting elementary work, lose many of the benefits to be gained.[2]
Applying a foundational approach, there is always a direction to follow without the frustration of insurmountable hurdles.All it takes is proper discipline and patience to develop the skill desired.After the skill is developed, learning and playing a particular piece of music can be undertaken with confidence and without fear.
Of course, “what’s the catch?”The catch is that basic skills tend to get better when you use them and get worse when you don’t.Meaning for daily routine you have to practice everything you’ve mastered and then push forward a little bit with skills you’re developing.I read once (I can’t remember where), “You can only go forward or backward, there is no standing still.”
It strikes me that there are some strong parallels with living a Christian Life.In one letter from Paul to the church of Philippi, he urges us to always press forward.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3, KJV)
There are a few things that strike me about this passage of the letter.First, Paul is clearly saying, hey I’m just as imperfect as you are.Secondly, none of that really matters, because it’s the future that’s important.And lastly, my goal is clear, and I encourage you to stand with me as I march continuously forward towards achieving it.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. (Philippians 3, KJV)
There are many examples of warnings straying too far from the path.One on my favorites is:
23 But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you. 24 Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward. (Jeremiah 7, NAS)
Of course, the path was never promised to be easy.
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7, KJV)
Perhaps the most poignant example of the hard road is that of Jesus himself.Knowing what lay before him in just a few short days, he stops in the garden to ask, unsuccessfully, for a change in plans.
36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto his disciples, Sit ye here, while I go yonder and pray. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [James and John], and began to be sorrowful and sore troubled. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: abide ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matthew 26, ASV)
It is interesting that Jesus took only three with him to pray, and why these three and not some other?In the end however I do not think that even these three could see the imminent danger approaching.I don’t think I would have been able to sleep if I knew someone so close to me was about to be betrayed and killed; however, sleep they did.
37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? 38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. 39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. 40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. 41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. (Mark 14, KJV)
There are several things about this event that should be troubling to all of us. Twice Jesus asked them to pray and twice he returned to find them sleeping.On the third return from prayer, Jesus says to them go ahead and sleep.Only then do they spring into action.On all three occasions they do the exact opposite of that which was asked.How many of us have made the same type mistake?We all have acted in a way 180 degrees away from that which is required.
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3, NAS)
It is clear in reading the letters of Paul, Timothy and others that maintaining the spirits of the newly formed churches throughout the region was an ongoing challenge.For example in Paul’s letter to the Church at Corinth he writes:
13 Remain alert. Keep standing firm in your faith. Keep on being courageous and strong. (1 Corinthians 16, ISV)
Perhaps the most encouraging message is represented in the Second Epistle of Peter where as encouragement, the following is offered:
12as you look forward to and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved and the elements will melt with fire.13But in keeping with his promise, we are looking forward to new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. (2 Peter 3, ISV)
Look not behind, but always ahead, always forward to that which is promised to be.
Timothy Hill
(Used with permission)
[1] Systematic Approach to Daily Practice for Trumpet, Claude Gordon, 1965, p4
[2] Clarke Studies, Herbert L. Clarke, 1909-1915, p63
Beautiful words! Wonderful thought! We are not alone in this world. We have hope! Death is not the end, but the beginning for those who trust in their Risen Savior. Sown in weakness and raised in power.
How many times in life we feel weak and hopeless. Circumstances and trials come against us like the merciless waves beating the rocks on the shore. But we can look up. We can look beyond that that which we are facing. We can look beyond the mountains in our path. We have a Risen Savior who overcame the world. He paved a path for us to walk on. Then Jesus promised us that He would walk the path with us.
Before we were formed in the womb, He knew us and saw us. One version of Psalms 139 states that every day of our life is written in a book. God knows what our future holds. As we walk our path of life there are not any surprises on it for God. He knows what is coming around the corner. He knows what tomorrow will bring and He is with us! We are promised that in what ever we experience and go through that we are not alone.
Hallelujah! I can face tomorrow because He lives!
God bless you as you worship our Risen Savior and soon coming King!
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16, KJV)
I’ve been thinking about this particular passage frequently lately.As with many things the words that have passed down through the centuries carry a multitude of meanings.One of the more conventional thoughts is that Jesus was designating Peter himself as the cornerstone of the church.While by no means an expert in Catholicism that is the basis for naming Peter as the first pope.This is given credence as the name “Peter” is derived from the Greek word “Petros” meaning stone.Others point to the notion that Jesus was referencing himself as the foundation, the nexus from which all beliefs spring true.The latter is probably much closer to truth of the words, but I think a deeper, more meaningful, explanation can be examined.
One must turn first to the core of the exchange.Peter says to Jesus, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”Jesus responds after explaining to the others present why Peter has said, what he said, “thou art Peter.”It is this very short, very personal dialog in which one individual distinguishes the truth and identity of the other that is at the heart of the significance.Peter recognizes Jesus Christ.Jesus recognizes Peter - Servant to Savior, and Savior to Servant.It is this simple acknowledgment that I believe is the “rock” to which Jesus has mentioned.It is personal comprehension, first revealed to Peter of who Jesus is that becomes the foundation.
Over the years I’ve had the privilege to attend church services with many congregations of several denominations.Starting with my youth, I was raised in a fairly small Pentecostal church in rural Ohio. Since then I’ve listened to homilies at Catholic mass, witnessed baptisms at Baptist Churches, and attended with small congregations of 10-12 as well as some of the mega-Churches with congregations numbered in the thousands.All of these successful congregations had one thing in common.There was at least one person upon whom the congregation found its strength and stability.Sometimes this is the pastor, sometimes a church elder, sometimes someone unlikely (a youth minister for example). Churches always need a cornerstone upon which to lean in troubled times.
Back in that small church in Ohio, my dad was one of those rocks.In title, he was Deacon for this congregation.He rarely ever missed a service, and frequently sat in the same pew.His criticisms were handled in private.His encouragement and praise was frequent and without strings, and his forgiveness was deep.
15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.” (Mathew 18, NAS)
21 Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Mathew 18, NAS)
My dad was certainly not without fault, but his example still rings in my ears more than a decade after he has gone.It takes rocks like him to build a congregation.
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. (Matthew 7, KJV)
When he died, the pastor of that small church knowing that a large part of his foundation had gone away approached me to fill my father’s shoes.My mother, my wife, many of the congregation supported that assertion.For reasons known only to God at the time, the Spirit said to me, “No, do not do this.”In the passage of time, I have come to know the wisdom of this guidance.At the time I was a very passionate young man (some would say still), full of the fervors and obsessions that associate with early life.I would not have been a rock for that congregation, but sand instead.
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. (Mathew 7, KJV)
This is one of the instances in my life when I have questioned from time to time if I acted properly.For a few years since this time, my father’s church having lost its rock since dissolved and its congregation passed to the wind.I take some solace in the teachings of Jesus about the future and the changes that would be endured by the Apostles and in fact Jesus himself.
33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away (Luke 21, AKJV)
The real question for all of us that must be answered is, “which rock?”All of us, having learned the lesson of Mathew 7, have built our spiritual houses upon rock.But again, “which rock?”I mentioned that I have attended services at a few of the modern mega-churches.Once near Easter, my wife and I visited one of those with very contemporary services.After the service as we were walking to the car, she turned to me and said, “That was nice, but I feel like I need to go to church.”As we talked about it on the drive home, we agreed that while the service was certainly entertaining, there was something lacking in the clarity of the message.There is certainly nothing wrong with this type of congregation and service and I surely do not think that church services should be dour and boring.That is just as ineffective at feeding the soul, but as with so many things there can be a tradeoff.
Years ago as I was finishing up one of my engineering degrees, one of the University requirements was an interdisciplinary capstone course.As I was trying to fulfill this requirement during a summer term and the available courses were limited.I ended up in a course called, “Theatre and Architecture”.Basically, it dealt with the interplay between the play and the performance space.Starting with the humble Greek tragedy, through Roman plays, medieval passion plays, Shakespearian plays and many others up through modern type such as theatre in the round, the course examined the performance the space and also those observing.
One of the things that becomes obvious when you compare theatre throughout the ages is that, sitting and actually “watching” the performance is a very modern thing to do.Really only in the past 200 years or so do we actually go to sit in a dark room and quietly watch a performance.Prior to that, the principle activity in going out the theatre was to “see and be seen”.Going to an ancient Greek play would have more in common with a modern day baseball game than going to, let’s say, Phantom of the Opera.In ancient times, you’d have a seat based on your affluence, probably arrive late, chat with friends and colleges, have some food, try to expand your sphere of influence, talk some politics, then go out for a late evening. You should notice that “watching the play” in not a primary activity.This is true also of Shakespearian plays.If you were to investigate Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre for instance you will find that the most expensive seats are also the farthest from the stage, which can only mean that the performance was secondary.In Hamlet, at one point Hamlet says, “The play’s the thing wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the King.”In reality nothing could be further from the truth.Shakespeare had a very fine and ironic wit.
It is also ironic where we find our modern versions of theatre for one hypothesis is that human beings crave this kind of activity. On that Easter Sunday a few years ago in the mega-church, the experience I had that day had more to do with theatre than worship. I observed a Sunday morning where to see and be seen, and to conspicuously display your wealth was the norm.In my opinion, too many good people had drifted away from the rock of personal understanding of Jesus Christ to another earthly rock of the Sunday morning experience.In Paul’s letter to the Church in Corinth he makes a similar point to the congregation there.
1 We then, working together with God, make our request to you not to take the grace of God to no purpose. (2 Corinthians 6, Bible in Basic English)
Which brings us back to the fundamental question, “which rock?” You recognize Jesus Christ.Jesus recognizes you.Servant to Savior, and Savior to Servant.It’s really just that simple.
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Mathew 7, KJV)
Once your feet are firmly planted there, all things become possible.
