Paradise By The Passion Of Christ (song)

    How excited we get for so many things in life! A birthday party, Christmas, vacation, a visit from an old friend, the big game, the big dance, a date, first kiss, marriage, a new baby- all such wonderful blessings from God! Sometimes though, the extraordinary simply becomes extra ordinary and our enthusiasm goes down to the vegan's for Meatloaf Monday in the school cafeteria.
    Isn't that how it goes in the life of a Christian? Where does the joy of The Lord go when the amazing salvation we have from sin, death and hell for free through Christ's death and Resurrection simply becomes old hat? Our testimonies should never be mundane! For those in Jesus Christ, we have crossed from death to life! That's something worth celebrating every day! Praise The Lord all my soul and forget not all His benefits! :-) Just like the thief on the cross, we can rejoice that our names are written in The Lamb's Book of Life in Heaven, our sins and forgiven and we're free- and we receive Paradise by the Passion of Christ!

"Paradise By The Passion Of Christ"
(Parody of "Paradise By The Dashboard Light" by Meatloaf; copyright Nathan Ludwick 3/17/2020)
(Luke 23 (particularly verse 43), Hebrews 9:27-28, Revelation 20:11-15, Romans 5:1-11 (especially v. 8), Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9-13, Romans 8:12-17, 1 John 3:16-24, Hebrews 13:5, Psalms 107:1-3, Psalms 108:1-6, Psalms 150, Psalms 149, Jeremiah 20:9, Psalms 32, Psalms 33:1-3, Psalms 16, Psalms 47:1, Psalms 51, Isaiah 1:18, Isaiah 53:6, John 14:6, 1 Peter 3:15, Acts 1:1-8, Colossians 3:1-4, Philippians 1:20-21, Romans 14:8, Philippians 3:20-21, 1 Peter 1:12-25, Hebrews 2:1-4, Romans 3:21-26, Ephesians 2:1-10, Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Kings 7:9, Luke 6:20-23, Luke 10:17-20, Luke 12:13-21, Matthew 24:36, Psalms 84:10, Psalms 42:1-2, Psalms 63, Psalms 73:23-28, Psalms 138, Psalms 137:4-6, 2 Corinthians 12:1-6, 2 Corinthians 6:2, Revelation 2:7, Revelation 21-22 (especially 22:20-21))

Well, I remember every little thing
As if it happened only yesterday
Harken to the day when I just got down to the end of life
And remember that the trial
Booked me for the theft I'd been doing
And all the guilt- it's true
It was weighing down on me- that's right
And now two robbers are on a cross with Christ
The other yelled so rude, instead I felt contrite
(And) said, "We're going down to Sheol on account of our crimes
Not coincidental- that verbiage is true for Christ
No wrongs for Lord Christ!
Thy kingdom come- Hold me, Christ!"
Though I stole and only chose belief when about to die
I received Paradise by the Passion of Christ

Ain't no doubt about it- I was eternally blessed
Go read it there- Luke 23:43- share the text
Ain't no doubt about it!
Baby- got to go and shout it!
Ain't no doubt about it!
I am eternally blessed!
'Cause it was there Christ guaranteed to me eternal rest!

Baby, don't you hear my heart?
I got to shout it out 'cause He saved my soul!
I'd been weighed down so long but then the Son of God lifted me with Love
Well, I gotta let you know
No, you're never gonna reach Heaven
By hoping that your life has got less wicked than right
You need Jesus Christ!
Only One Who ain't ever done wrong!
And, no- Nobody comes even close to right
3rd. chapter- check Romans- we're sinners- all but Christ!
And we're going to hell eternal on account of our crimes
Romans 5:8 met all consequence(s) of our crimes
Come on! Go to Christ!
For Heaven- go through Christ!
Though your soul's corroded- sins may be scarlet
They can be snow white- Isaiah 1:18 said
Victorious one gets to eat from the tree of life
(Rev. 2:7) Paradise of God- that's all right!
God's got to do what you can't
Trust The Father- He's your true Life vest
In faith, leap out- won't drown then
You'll be eternally blessed
'Cause it's there- Isaiah 43- Go read verse 3- sweetness!

You wanna know all the places in (The) Bible
That's gonna go and actually say the word "Paradise"?
You're gonna go all the way- that's right
To 2nd. Corinthians- in 12th. chapter's lines
There's (a) guy I know, Paul relays (in) 3rd. line
He got to go all the way into Paradise
He got to go to third heaven's sights
We're gonna go- all who's saved- to Paradise through Christ

Okay, here we go, we got a real testimony going here
True dat! Somebody from nowhere, nomads for Lord Christ
Thus he winds up in Trinidad
A child brought up on mission- locked in sin though
This boy is only five
He's grounded firm theologically learning about God
See, God's setting up his heart
He's got a sister setting example- The Bible's lived by brother
And here comes the call- The Spirit calls
He comes with Isaiah verse
53:6- Wow!
That weight's laid down at the cross' base
This pig really makes things sharpen and get clear
Better stop up and explain- Where's the pig? In a story
And what a love he's got- it's kinda absurd
Man and pet- ship on a cruise- overboard
Gonna drown- pig's in space where saving him's pretty crazy to dare
Man's not caring and he dives to pick him up
A picture lands home there- Christ's love there in devotions
Bowing down- family prays time- he knew defiance and fights are wrong
Deserves hell- Jesus saves- sins all paid on cross- He arose- He's The Saviour God
Boy prays now- He asked Jesus to save him!

God worked there!
He's gotta show right now
The Lord to his little brother
'Cause he loves him
Jesus Loves us forever!
Do you hear me?
He will never leave us!
He will take us to Heaven for the rest of all time!
Will you take Him as Saviour- will you give Him your life?
Dude was sharing!
And then God saved his brother!
Thank You, Jesus!
We both now believe You!
Will You make me the man You formed me to be in my life?
Well, You saved me today and You're always in my life
I had to renew my vows
In order to go any further
I still trust You
And I love You forever!
..................................................

But we sleep on it
How He saved me! Let me speak on it!
Oh, how sweet it is!
Need to give all The Answer who are hurting
But we sleep in Light
(Ask Keith Green, yeah) We won't speak of it
Let lost drown in sin
And we believe Christ's The Answer but we hoard Him
And we soak in it
Hey, don't you see? When we keep it in
Then we're deep in sin
Let's give world The Answer- they are drowning!

They gotta know right now
Jesus loves us!
Jesus loves us forever!
We all need Him!
He will never leave us!
He will take us to Heaven if we give Him our lives
Will you take Him as Saviour and The Lord of your life?
You gotta know- time is now
2 (Two) Corinthians 6:2
To get saved please!
The door's not open forever

What's it gonna be, world?
Come on- only Way is Christ
What's it gonna be, boy?
Yes or No?
What's it gonna be, girl?
Yes or No?

Wanna sleep on it?
Baby, baby- you can't sleep on it
While you sleep on it
May not get to see another night or morning
What if ya go right now?
How will He judge you? (It is permanent!)
Hellbound judged or to Heaven?
(27 in Hebrews 9- check!)
Did you read it?
Hell and Heaven are real, babe!
Well, the judgment is happening (Yeah, Hebrews 9 says)
At the end of our lives
(We're given one death- it's been appointed)
While The Saviour awaits
(We're given a chance here ere His coming)
You oughta know Christ now
Before you go past returning
Dude, He loves you!
Will you trust Him for Heaven?
You can't sleep on it
He still loves you forever
Let Christ Jesus in!
Will you trust Him forever?

I couldn't shake You any longer- Lord, I was saved!
And when doubt feelings come upon me like a tidal wave
My heart's reassured then by God the Holy Ghost's soft way
And I just trust Him with my entire life
I know that He will hold me past the end of time
So now I'm praying while awaiting His time
Please hurry up and arrive
'Cause world is gonna end and Father, my life's in You!
Feels on brink but Christ's coming's in Your time
You never forget Your promise or break Your vow
And God already knows too often I flake out
In praying, "Forgive sin that binds"
Let all I do praise You (oh oh oh)
Saved me, now You sanctify- then I will spend all time with You

Is it long to go? Is it not far away?
'Cause Jesus (is) so much better than afforded today
......................................
Only God can know, well, just how far away (Well, Heaven feels so good 'cause Heaven's Jesus Christ!)
And Jesus' (is) so much better than all sins' dread sway
(His glory's glowing makes all else dull and dim- so turn your eyes) (x4)
...............................................,
Jesus died and rose and sins all were just paid (Get saved from Hell for good to Heaven- trust in Christ)
What Jesus promised robber is then ours to claim (And we are going by the Passion of Christ to Paradise!)
.........................................

Raise a Praise to the God Who Saves! (Thank You and Love You, Lord Jesus)

My God is warmer than the warmest sunshine- Softer than a sigh- My God is deeper than the deepest ocean- Wider than the sky- My God is brighter than the brightest star that shines every night above And there is nothing in this world that can ever change my God or His love. :-) (thanks to Petula Clark for help with the words. ;-)) I hear You tell me every page of Your Word, Lord Jesus- I have loved you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3- and I hear it echoed in every other verse too.) Your love never fails and Your mercy endures forever. (Psalms 136). Thank You for saving me and knowing me, Jesus. I know You have always loved me- I love You too because You first loved me. (1 John 4:19) And You proved it by taking my place and dying for me and rising again- You are the risen King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Nothing happens except that You allow it to happen. Thank You for being in control, Lord God Jesus. Thank You for Your friendship and for never leaving me and always holding on to me no matter what. Thank You for family and friends and for all those whose lives radiate with Your Spirit! It's so beautiful to see (Psalms 133). Thank You for the ways You have shined Your light through my life- keep using it and all I have and am for Your glory. Thank You for Your presence, guidance, justice, and jugment and wrath- and thank You that in Your wrath and judgment, You remember Your love, mercy and grace. You don't treat me as my sins deserve, but You shower me with love instead, just like the prodigal son's Dad. :-) (Psalms 103, Luke 15:20) Bless The Lord, O my soul- let all that is within me praise His holy Name- and forget not all His benefits. Thank You for all Your blessings, Lord Jesus and Your Holy Spirit Who guides and counsels me. Father God, use me to be a blessing to others. Our Father, Who art in Heaven. Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come- Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever- Amen. :-)
I'll tell the world that I'm a Christian- I'm not ashamed to bear Christ's Name- He's not ashamed to call me His brother. (Hebrews 2:11, Romans 1:16) It's the power of God to save for all who will call upon His Name. "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9) Thank You for loving us all, Lord Jesus. :-)

I Shall Again Praise Him (More Songs to the God of My Life)

(Note: This post is intended as a direct follow-up to the last blog entry.)

Praise The Lord Jesus Christ always! He's always worthy no matter what I'm feeling! (Psalms 42, 43, 137, 103, 149 and 150, Revelation 4:11)
It's always an appropriate response to praise The Lord- in all the bad and all the good. And as Don Francisco reminds us, Jesus is Lord of the way I feel.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NldZCO2ECaw

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cvytewIxll0
("The Silence of God" by Andrew Peterson)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8GiPb6gwuPQ
("After The Last Tear Falls" by Andrew Peterson)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wyWi_dEJEUs
("No More Faith" by Andrew Peterson)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fn8cbI9jFGc
("The Rain Keeps Falling" by Andrew Peterson)

https://youtu.be/3w6BoCvWLtE
("The Far Country" by Andrew Peterson)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5aQq5wOrKk4
("Canaan Bound" by Andrew Peterson)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8fXFIqHS9Ho
("God's Own Fool" by Michael Card)

https://youtu.be/h_cMqqiXZ5Q
("That's What Faith Must Be" by Michael Card)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9fIP_bKxjLs
("Joy in the Journey" by Michael Card)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I-A1u-Zfal8
("Not Home Yet" by Steven Curtis Chapman)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LpXMnY_t03M
("Place in This World" by Michael W. Smith)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm5kx3xqmg0
("Better Than A Hallelujah" by Amy Grant)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OfGvXfe9LK8
("Don't Try So Hard" by Amy Grant, featuring James Taylor)


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iPsea6m1klo
("Reaching" by Carolyn Arends)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw1s1JbM0Bk
("Big Enough" by Chris Rice)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mFla0ssth0I
("Naive" by Chris Rice)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xNUmoSHavLc
("Smell the Color 9" by Chris Rice)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo5BAGWoD7g
("Questions for Heaven" by Chris Rice)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nOftdxtQgmA
("Live By Faith" by Chris Rice)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u_zVGsUN2KI
("Hallelujahs" by Chris Rice)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FPwYyj6uR1U
("And Your Praise Goes On" by Chris Rice)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=p5V30p-sPww
("One of Those Days" by Chris Rice)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IVzsUCXysCo
("My Tree" by Chris Rice)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iR7MXFupz6E
("Prone to Wander" by Chris Rice)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hTRNW6tkv-I
("Missin' You" by Chris Rice) (plus "Cartoons" by Chris Rice :-))

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UFNB2oVcNgg
("Hard to Get" by Rich Mullins)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mEY_UYMvQZ0
("A Place to Stand" by Rich Mullins)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A2arAO8T2j8
("Growing Young" by Rich Mullins)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t4naLg-j4TU
("Elijah" by Rich Mullins)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oEiXrRmtDIk
("Land of My Sojourn" by Rich Mullins)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d9T3tL5U67w
("Hold Me Jesus" by Rich Mullins)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jj0ZTzgmGM
("If I Stand" by Rich Mullins)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fAMRacZ0zHE
("Sometimes by Step" by Rich Mullins)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nBnzAepXOE8
("Awesome God" by Rich Mullins)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HbIYPYBiejM
("Sing Your Praise To The Lord" by Rich Mullins)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UuuZMg6NVeA
("Every Praise" by Hezekiah Walker)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V7eZD3TKn_M
("Shackles (Praise You)" by Mary Mary)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sQTyjatRw5Q
("A Flowery Song" by Five Iron Frenzy)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_tOD5nYF8lw
("Smells Like Thirtysomething Spirit" by ApologetiX)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xrSwEa29xMY
("Save Your Voice (Quiet Down Boy)" by ApologetiX)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OfTQg9whI-s
("Praise The Lord" by The Imperials)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=X6WUIBr7Ncs
("Jury Duty" by The O.C. Supertones)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ca9LnzJnpjQ
("Days of Elijah" by Robin Mark)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UhLejeq2nh0
("A Million Years" by This Train)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OIahc83Kvp4
("Is He Worthy?" by Andrew Peterson)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ttS7FH8X4n4
("He Is" by Aaron Jeoffrey)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tqEa1Uo9UZc
("Oh Lord, You're Beautiful" by Keith Green)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rhGOosxTLrY
("The Color Green" by Rich Mullins)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KTiPg7p2FxU
("Creed" by Rich Mullins)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DXtwPY1Qqug
(Hymn Medley and Doxology performed by Rich Mullins)