Insights Magazine: March 2013 by Insight for Living Canada

March 2013

In this issue

6 8 3

Celebrating the Songs of the Resurrection Charles R. Swindoll

6 Meeting God in the Harmonies Robyn Roste 8

"I have difficulty worshipping in my church because of the music. What do I do?"

11 Clarifying Easter Steve Johnson 14 Q & A Steve Johnson

Laughing Matters The Last Road Trip Phil Callaway

Copyright ÂŠ 2013 Insight for Living Canada. All rights reserved. No portion of this monthly publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. Insights is published by IFLC, the Bible-teaching ministry of Charles R. Swindoll. IFLC is an autonomous ministry and certified member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture passages are taken from the NASB. Unless otherwise noted, photography and illustration by IFLC staff. Printed in Canada.

Celebrating cross

ÂŠ shutterstock.com/Carlos andre Santos

the Songs of the

Resurrection by Charles R. Swindoll

It comes as a surprise to no one

that I love music.

horal music, instrumental music, popular music, as well as classical stuff . . . folk tunes, ballads, fun songs, and serious works . . . country western and bluegrass, as well as the patriotic and romantic. For me, music is a must. This has resulted in my becoming a student of the hymns . . . the great hymns, those that have endured the test of time. Those we sing on Sunday linger in my mind for most of the week that follows. I hum them on the way home. I find myself singing them in the shower the next day or two. Like you, I have a few favourites, but I’m always thrilled to let whatever we sing at our church invade my thoughts. Most of the hymns I’ve memorized bring to my mind meaningful thoughts and grand, vivid memories that have significant events connected to them. Invariably, those things pass in mental review as I become “lost in wonder, love, and praise” in my worship. I think it’s unfortunate that the stately, strong hymns are slowly being replaced by shallow pieces that lack literary fibre and theological depth. I have no axe to grind, you understand, just a nagging concern that the message of our faith not become so “updated” that we lose a firm connection with our roots. Some of the things being written today are good and solid, but, unfortunately, they are rare. My plea is that 4

we maintain a musical relevance as well as a historical respect in our hymnody. Recently while thinking of the glorious message of the resurrection, I found myself suddenly overwhelmed with the music that has accompanied the subject of the empty tomb for centuries. Various scenes crossed my mind. I saw myself as a lad holding my mother’s hand in a little Baptist church in the South Texas town where I was born. Years later I sat in a sunrise service on the island of Okinawa fighting back tears of loneliness. Another Easter hymn took me to Chafer Chapel on the campus of Dallas Seminary, where 350 of us preparing for ministry stood side by side and sang heartily of the Saviour we’d soon be proclaiming. I revisited other geographical spots in my nostalgic pilgrimage, and each time I gave God thanks that Job’s words were mine as well: “I know that my Redeemer lives.” (Job 19:25) Gloria and Bill Gaither’s now-dated but familiar lyrics still bring to life Job’s hope: Because He lives, I can face tomorrow; Because He lives, all fear is gone.1 What a grand heritage is ours! We dare not allow Easter to pass without sufficiently rejoicing in and declaring our hope. It is Jesus Christ—the miraculously resurrected Son of God—who remains the

Celebrating the Songs of the Resurrection continued from p. 3

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object of our worship and the subject of our praise. Samuel Stennett was correct, way back in 1787 when he wrote: To Him I owe my life and breath, And all the joys I have; He makes me triumph over death, And saves me from the grave.2 That hope has kept believers strong in the darkest places. Your situation may not be as grim as the son of a tinsmith in that Bedford jail, but perhaps his words are all you need today to revitalize your faith. As the pack of sin fell from Christian’s back, John Bunyan’s timeless character exclaimed: Thus far did I come laden with my sin; Nor could aught ease the grief that I was in, Till I came hither: What a place is this! Must here be the beginning of my bliss? Must here the Burden fall from off my back? Must here the strings that bound it to me crack? Blest cross! blest sepulchre! blest rather be The Man that there was put to shame for me!3

We dare not allow Easter to pass without sufficiently rejoicing in and declaring our hope. Easter is great–music time. Easter is revival–of–hope time. Easter is Christ– exalting time. That should come as a surprise to no one . . . but to some it will. To most folks, Easter is nothing more than buy-some-new-clothes time . . . or church-going time. Are they in for a surprise! So while you and I are singing and reflecting, let’s also be praying. On Easter Sunday, some will discover that Easter is pack-dropping time. ▪ 1. Gloria Gaither and William J. Gaither, “Because He Lives,” in The Celebration Hymnal: Songs and Hymns for Worship (Nashville: Word/Integrity, 1997), hymn no. 358. 2. Samuel Stennett, “Chief among Ten Thousand; or, the Excellencies of Christ,” in The Works of Samuel Stennet (London: Thomas Tegg, 1824), 539, www.books.google.com (accessed Feb. 1, 2013). 3. John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress (Westwood, N.J.: Barbour and Co., 1985), 36. Photograph of Chuck Swindoll © 2012 by Luke Edmonson

The Finishing Touch Re-release! Daily devotionals for 52 weeks help you discover authenticity, hope, courage, faith, and peace in the midst of stress. 5

by Robyn Roste

usic has always been a part of my family. In fact, my dad taught me to read music during Sunday morning church services while we sang through the hymnal. As I followed along I’d listen to my dad’s bass, my mom’s soprano, and my aunt’s tenor blend together to create a beautiful song. And when I was confident enough to sing hymns it seemed natural to choose the alto parts. 6

Looking back I can see the significance of these memories. And it’s not just fond nostalgia of how I learned to sing. Over the years I’ve figured out it’s when I sing alto I’m closest to God—I meet Him in the harmony. It’s rare I admit this because I know how it sounds. I mean, how can a blend of noise bring someone to a place of worship? I don’t know either. But I do know it’s not the words or the tempo or the

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instruments used or even the song that get to me. It’s the harmonies. In fact, a perfect one, three, five can bring tears to my eyes. And if I hear a vocal jazz quintet? I probably won’t sleep that night. A few months ago I was singing in the worship band at church and something happened I’m still mulling over—someone stole my harmonies. Really! The band had practiced and we had our parts lined up, but once the service started I found every time I started to sing someone was already singing my part. I wasn’t sure what to do. Keep singing the duplicate part? Find another harmony? Drop out completely? Another use of the word “harmony” is when our relationships are in agreement. Of course we’d all like that and yet it is so difficult to live at peace with one another. If we’re not getting in someone’s way we’re singing the wrong parts. We misunderstand each other and often put our own agenda above everything else. And on top of everything we nitpick. It’s easy to find little things we’d like to change about each other. So easy. And those little things soon get on our nerves, and then we find even more things we don’t like. And pretty soon it turns into a big deal, and we have to say something about it. Or do we? In Matthew 7:3 Jesus uses this familiar analogy: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (NIV) Often the things we dislike in others are the very things we’d like to change about ourselves. But it’s easier to concentrate on what others should change

than what we should. Jesus tells us to examine our own motives and conduct instead of judging others. A surefire way to live in harmony is to extend grace. I’ve discovered two questions that can help me stay on track. When I find myself paying too much attention to the speck in my neighbour’s eye I ask myself these two questions: “Does it matter?” And, “What is the motive behind my nitpicking?” Because I was so distracted by someone “stealing my part,” I missed out on what could have been a wonderful time of worship. But by asking “does this really matter?” and “what are my motives?” I’m convinced living in harmony and extending grace means overlooking these instances and instead focusing on meeting God in whatever way that looks like. And I’ve learned this doesn’t always mean literally singing alto. Sometimes it means stepping aside and allowing someone else to meet God there. ▪ Robyn Roste is the Living Bridge Media manager at Insight for Living Canada.

by Phil Callaway

Laughing Matters

ate on a Tuesday in August the text message came. “Mom had an aneurism. She’s in a coma. Not expected to live 24 hours.” We were on a remote island and even a float plane wouldn’t get us back in time. So we cried and prayed and called the kids then lay in bed, the memories swirling. In my first memory of my mother–in– law she’s an hour from home in her housecoat and slippers. I would come to know her as one of the best–dressed gals I’ve met, but not that night. It was 1976 and I’d started dating her gorgeous daughter Ramona. Our dates mostly consisted of riding bikes, then sharing a can of Coke. My Scottish ancestors would have wept for joy at my frugality. One week later I splurged, driving Ramona to a nearby city. We bowled, then dined at a posh A&W drive–in, where the maître d’ clipped a tray to my 1916 Ford Maverick window. On it sat a Papa Burger, fries, a large root beer, and a baby orange— something I didn’t know existed until Ramona ordered one. She later admitted to being too nervous to eat, though she managed to polish off half my meal, something she still does to this day. To walk off the fries, we strolled through a flowered park and when darkness landed discovered I had locked the keys inside the impenetrable doors of my ancient car. Ramona called her mother collect, and an hour later she arrived, somehow managing to look classy in a housecoat. “Here you are,” she snickered, jangling a backup

set of keys. “Uh, I’m thank you…I mean, sorry,” I managed. The snicker was still there as she drove away. We sat on the hood of my car looking at stars and finally I asked the question I’d pondered for weeks. “Where is your dad?” “He drowned when I was eight. The river flooded our farm and…I watched him—” her voice trailed away. “I…I’m so sorry.” “Oh, it’s OK. I’m fine.” But she wasn’t fine. Floods and memories make jeopardous allies.

After the tragedy her mother moved seven kids a thousand miles to be near her parents, then took a job in a cannery at five bucks an hour to support them. “God led. I followed,” was all she said about it. She had only a grade eight education and a mother who never really wanted her around, yet she was intelligent, courageous, and unflappable. Gathering on the horizon was a storm called Huntington’s and in time she would learn three of her beloved children carried the deadly gene. “I never heard her complain,” said Ramona. “God gave her enough light for the next step. I don’t think we’d have made it without our church.”

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Five years after the housecoat episode, I asked to marry her daughter. Mom didn’t say much. A nod of her head. More chuckling. When our children arrived, she babysat with efficiency and resourcefulness. After one weekend, she handed our daughter to us and said, “Here. She’s potty trained.” And she was. Still is. When the phone call came exactly 24 hours after the text message, I mourned her passing as I did my own mother’s. She had taken a road trip with her daughter Caroline, visiting old friends and family, swimming in Lake Okanagan, buying an outfit, eating ice cream. “I’ve got a headache,” was her last complete sentence. She never wanted to be a burden or overstay a welcome. God in his mercy took her quickly, surrounded by family singing “Amazing Grace.” Her seven children loved God and rewarded her with 20 grandkids and 30 great-grandbabies, a small combat unit we attempted to feed after the funeral. The thing about burying a Christian mother is

that, amid all the tears, you find yourself mimicking her grin. She buried a husband, a son, and plenty of dreams, but never the hope of heaven that propelled her forward. Hope gave birth to thanksgiving and thanksgiving to contagious joy. I think it important to disclose that my wife’s relationship with her mom fell far short of perfect. Yet things softened in recent months. Two weeks ago I was privy to their final conversation. “I love you,” were the last words Ramona said to her mother. We would all do well to say things while we can. Things like, “I’m proud of you. I’m sorry. I should have had three more just like you.” Regret for words left unsaid is almost inconsolable. And I would do well to pass this article by my wife for her verdict. She’s in the kitchen now and—wouldn’t you know it— she’s wearing slippers and a housecoat. ▪ Phil Callaway is a speaker and author. Visit him at laughagain.org.

on the air in APRIL

Biblical Parenting In today’s world, parents need all the help they can get! In his classic series Biblical Parenting Chuck Swindoll brings you his extensive biblical knowledge, as well as over 50 years experience as the father of four and grandfather of 10. 10

Upcoming Messages Include: Delightful Memories Your Children Won’t Forget When the Fun Stop for Parents Resolving Those Parent-Child Conflicts Some Suggestions for Parenting Grown-up Kids

by Steve Johnson

have a dilemma. I‘m at that age where either the print is too fuzzy or my arms are too short. Words are blurry and indistinct. Reading things that matter is sometimes impossible and I get frustrated. The solution? Reading glasses! By looking through corrective lenses I can see clearly. In a similar way God has given us corrective lenses through the resurrection of Christ. According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:12-28 the resurrection changes our vision and helps us clearly see three things:

Christ’s resurrection clarifies our view of faith. Everyone has faith in something: in self, in others, you name it. But is it worthwhile faith? Jesus said He was God's Son and the resurrection and the life. If so, He was and is the only One qualified to die for our sins. Then He died.

"Jesus' resurrection proves only faith in Christ is valid because only Jesus was ever resurrected." But three days later Jesus emerged from the tomb! He proved He was the Son of God! Paul said, "If Christ has not been raised then your faith is worthless, and you are still in your sins" (v. 17). Can you imagine the despair that would hit us if Christ was still dead? Belief in a dead man is meaningless. 12

His resurrection substantiated all His claims. Because Jesus did rise from the dead our sins are forgiven. Heaven is real. Faith in Him as the One who died for us isn’t worthless or pointless. Jesus' resurrection proves only faith in Christ is valid because only Jesus was ever resurrected.

Christ’s resurrection clarifies our view of life. In verse 19 Paul said, "If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied." The Apostle wrote this at a time when professing public faith in Christ could cost you your life. Many Christians lived with the threat of death or persecution because of their faith. In fact, throughout the 2,000 year history of the Church, including this very day, Christians have suffered torture, abuse, persecution, mockery, and death. Now, if this life is all there is, one would have to be nuts to endure such mistreatment. If there is no resurrection and no eternal life then it would be foolish to be even slightly inconvenienced for the sake of faith. As Paul wrote in verse 32, "If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.'" Jesus' resurrection proves that the afterlife is real, which leads us to change our view of earthly life. We begin to focus on things with eternal value instead of things without. Earthly things diminish in importance. Careers, financial security, pleasure—these are nothing in light of eternity. Without the resurrection we wouldn’t take the afterlife seriously. We aren't apt to make any radical changes. Seeing the

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reality of eternity clearly means right now counts forever. And when Christians take seriously the reality of Jesus' resurrection and all it implies then they make serious changes to their lives.

Finally, Christ’s resurrection clarifies our view of death. It’s human nature to have a deep, abiding fear of death. Paul referred to this fear when he wrote in verse 18 that, "If Christ has not been raised, then those who have died in Christ have perished." We can't keep thoughts about death from darting across our minds every once in a while, but they are usually so discomforting we put them out of our minds as quickly as possible. This fear of death plaguing our generation comes from the blurred belief that what awaits us at the end of our lives is destruction and nothingness. But Jesus' resurrection takes away this fear. He

came to "...free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death" (Heb. 2:15). And at Easter we recall those first words that Jesus uttered when He returned from death, "Fear not!" Jesus has clarified our view of death. As Paul said, He has taken the sting out of it by demonstrating that, for the Christian, death is not that which destroys what we call life. It is not the cement floor that awaits the falling light bulb. Because Jesus rose from the dead we put our faith in the risen Lord who promised, "he who believes in Me will live even though he dies" (Jn.11:25). Because He lives we see clearly that death is not the end, it is the beginning. Jesus’ resurrection is God’s corrective lens. Like reading glasses, it helps us clearly see the truth about things that matter most. ▪ Steve Johnson is the executive director at IFLC.

by Steve Johnson

Question: I have difficulty worshipping in my church because of the music. What do I do? Answer: The Bible prescribes certain elements for when the Church gathers for worship. These elements include: • Regular meeting (Heb. 10:25) • Preaching (2 Tim. 4:2) • Baptism and the Lord’s Table (Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 11:17-34) • Prayer (1 Tim. 2:1) • Reading Scripture (1 Tim. 4:13) • Financial giving (1 Cor. 16:2) • Singing and music (Col. 3:16) Scripture also gives principles that must govern our worship. These principles are: • Worship is directed to the Lord (Ps. 95:1) • It is for God and His glory (1 Cor. 10:31) not that of the worshipper. Our objective is to please Him, not make oneself feel happily inspired • Worship is to be sincere and truthful coming from a pure heart (Mk. 12:33) • Worship should edify others and build them in their faith (Rom. 15:5-6) 14

These principles indicate that worship is centred on God and others. So a good question to ask is whether your difficulty in worship is because your focus is on yourself instead of God or edifying others. Beyond these elements and principles the Bible doesn’t give us direction as to style or instrumentation for church and worship music. As long as we follow the biblical principles, we are free to choose different styles and instruments. Throughout history Christians have worshipped with instruments and music reflecting their time and culture. Here’s where the problem comes in: No two individuals are the same. Choice about music is a matter of taste, preference, and culture. Although we may say one style (usually the one we choose) is more Godhonouring than the one we don’t like, in reality a note is a note is a note. If the biblical principles are being followed it all boils down to a matter of personal preference

lamb

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and choice. The conflict comes over whose that churches are a melting pot of diversity. Styles and instrumentation should be tastes we are following. Does this mean anything goes? In chosen to reflect the makeup of the conaddition to the principles given above, 1 gregation. If smaller groups such as youth Corinthians 11-14 teaches that corporate or seniors gather themselves for worship, worship is to be intelligible, orderly, and they are free to use styles they prefer. As individuals we should strive for for the edification of the body. The music used is a servant to the message it is carry- balance in musical preferences. And we ing. While music itself isn’t sinful I believe should appeal for that in our churches “with all humility some styles of music and gentleness, with don’t fit a corporate “a good question to patience, showing tolworship context. ask is whether your erance for one another We like to think God difficulty in worship is in love, being diligent prefers the same kind because your focus is on to preserve the unity of of music we do. But is yourself instead of God the Spirit in the bond of that true? What kind peace” (Eph. 4:2-3). Like of music does God preor edifying others. ” food, some music is an fer? Actually, what God acquired taste. prefers has nothing to If none of this is possible then your do with the music—it has to do with the condition of our hearts. Worship is not only other choice is to worship where primarily for us, it is offered to God. As your preferences more closely match that well, worship is not supposed to be a per- of the church. And then hope your tastes formance by a few with the rest acting as don’t change. I hope this helps. spectators. God has the entire universe - Steve declaring His glory. What He wants from us is praise and adoration from loving, grateful, sincere, and humble hearts. When planning congregational worship, Steve Johnson is the executive church leaders need to take into account director at IFLC.

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