Gloria in Excelsis Deo (song)

 The wonder and mystery of the Incarnation is always so startling and overwhelming when I truly contemplate it. Romans 5:8 is a Bible verses that always blows me away when I consider its truth. "But God demonstrated His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." It's crazy to think that God Almighty Himself loves us all so much that He would deign to lower Himself in such great humility and strap on human skin and bones for 33 years! One of my favourite Christmas carols captures it well. "Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown when Thou camest to Earth for me. But in Bethlehem's home was there found no room for Thy holy nativity! O come to my heart, Lord Jesus! There is room in my heart for Thee." ("Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne" by E.S. Elliot) It's amazing to think that God would leave His throne and set aside His glory in Heaven and come to Earth for me! Thank You, Lord Jesus for coming to save me from my sins so that I could be born again! Thank You that are risen and returning as well! That kind of amazing love and grace drives me to sing with the angels, "Gloria!" All glory to Lord Jesus! Grazie, Signore! 

"Gloria in Excelsis Deo" (parody of "Gloria" as performed by Laura Branigan; written by Umberto Tozzi, Giancarlo Bigazzi and Trevor Veitch) (copyright by Nathan Ludwick 12/16/2020)
(Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2, Genesis 3:15, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-56, Luke 2:1-21)

Story of what took place with God's Son now
Coming after prophecy
Isaiah 7:14 (now)
1 Matthew's got this quote now
The Lord Himself foretold it
Virgin gets pregnant- forthcomes Babe out
So the angel said to Joseph
He nearly broke it off with her
But he stuck with Mary instead
And her Boy's God Incarnate
Called Emmanuel! God with us!
Going to save us from sin!
And Mary's God's servant- cool!
Got visit by angel Gabriel in
Luke in the first chapter
Read where she then magnified
Oh-oh-oh, Holy Lord our God!
Magnificat! (Background Vocals: Magnificat!)
Decree says go be numbered
(BGV: Go read up!) 5:2 Micah- birthplace (of) Jesus
(BGV: Word of God!) But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah
(BGV: You're little!) But you shall bring forth Israel's ruler
Joseph's from line of David
Got no choice 'cause inn's full- then- swaddling cloths, manger
Ah-ah-ah! Ah-ah-ah!
Glory of Lord our God- it shone 'round
Shepherds keeping watch that same night
Oh, still Bethlehem's 'bout to be loud!
Time's due- Mary births God's Son- read
Take a look there in Luke chapter 2
"Fear not!" angel said (to) shepherds who quake
"For all people, I'm bringing Good News!
Unto you this day is born a Saviour
Well, He's born in city of David
Christ The Lord- sign you'll get- swaddling cloths, manger"
Gloria (BGV: Gloria) Angel is joined by numbers
(BGV: Gloria) They speak to God these praises thus
(BGV: Gloria) Luke 2 verse 14- (thanks, Linus)
(BGV: Gloria) "To God glory in the highest
Peace on earth, good will to men
On whom God's favour rests"- calling Gloria!
(BGV: Gloria) (x3) 
...............................................................................

I'm Too Nerdy (song)

 It's been said that sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. This saying is really not true because words do hurt. The teasing and unkind words from others can really penetrate our thoughts and shake us from a place of security. 

If you want a saying that is right said, Fred, try this one- "The evil men do lives after them." We can be crushed by the evil deeds other do to us- if we let them. When we ground ourselves in faith in Jesus though, we don't have to be shaken by the mean things others and say do to us. When we know our eternal worth in Christ and know His love for us, it doesn't matter. If God be for us, who can be against us? No one! 

And even though I have been identified with the nerds and geeks quite often, I'm not bothered by it because I know who I am and Whose I am in Christ. And I am commanded to love my enemies and pray for them and that is what I strive to do. As 1 Corinthians chapter 1 tells us, God loves to use the nerdy and geeky people in the world to shame the popular and cool kids. I am thankful that even if the world thinks I'm too nerdy, God thinks I'm infinitely valuable and loves me just as I am.

"I'm Too Nerdy"

(parody of "I'm Too Sexy" by Right Said Fred; copyright by Nathan Ludwick 7/27/2020)

(2 Corinthians 12:9-11, Philippians 2:1-18, John 15:18-19, Matthew 5:10-12, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Romans 12:9-21, Psalms 139, Matthew 5:38-48, 1 Peter 4:12-19, 1 Peter 3:17)

I'm Poindexter- seem unloved

Who's President (of) Bug Club

Bugs never leave me

I'm too nerdy for these jerks

Assess me and my worth

So nerdy it hurts!

And I'm so nerdy- mow my lawn

Szalinski automaton

"You dork!" they deadpan 

I'm too nerdy for their party

Poindexter throws own party

Yes, way I'm disco dancing

I'm Steve Urkel and though they're all mean

And they glued this little nerd to the toilet!

Yeah- want a prank war!

But I can't walk out

"Salute your shorts, you nerd, on the flagpole!"

I'm so nerdy that Picard, Spock, Kirk, LaForge, Riker

(Are) insects on ant farm!

And I'm obsessing on Screech's hat

For chess scene- need that hat

One from Violet Bickerstaff

I'm very model (of) modern major geek

I'm a Simon Seville nerd good with school work

Dilton the bookworm

Do jocks' homework, yeah

All A's in Calculus, Science, et. all

That nerdy, weird guy

Science geek Bill Nye

Tom Edison- smart guy

I'm Arvid Engen- you know IHP

And I do other cheek turn when they slap one

Yeah- in St. Matthew

5:39 (yeah)

Yeah, I'm saved by Lord Jesus- and I walk talk

Enemies in my prayers

For them I love and care

Jesus, He 

Purposed me here

1 Corinthians in 1

God picks weak (to) shame the strong

Love's going to lead me

'Cause I'm eternally loved by God!

NarcissUS- bow to JESUS.

(Note: This was written in 2009 for use in a Sunday School lesson but the lesson here is still the same. America is still a very narcissistic place- and so is the rest of the world. Too often we exalt humanity and look to ourselves for answers instead of acknowledging our need for God. Only He can ultimately solve all the problems that still plague us.)

https://web.archive.org/web/20090622043828/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30312181//

Wow! Read this article- it's really eye-opening. And it's so true! America has become incredibly narcissist! The very fact I'm posting this on a social networking site attests to that! (At least this isn't MYSpace- that even has it in the name) But this is evident in reality shows, in Youtube, in people stupidly buying houses and other things they really can't afford and then finding themselves in piles of debt and so many other examples. Everything is such a me-driven society. Man- people called the '70s the "Me Decade"- and some say the '80s carried it even further. No question- the 2000s onward has 'em both beat. This is also why I hate the status thing and I especially hate Twitter- because Twitter expounds on and exacerbates the main feature of Facebook that I hate- the whole status thing- it just seems like there's still this concept of having to share with everyone all that I'm doing every moment of the day because I need attention and hey, I deserve it. I'm not saying this is true for everyone, but it is a danger one can fall into. This is also why I pretty much never have any kind of real life update on my status unless it's really something pretty important that I want to share with everyone.

Just look at what God says about this. Pride is the original sin! In Proverbs 6:16-19, where The Lord tells us 7 things that are detestable to Him- haughty eyes are the very first one! "But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' " (James 4:6) Or just read the book of Obadiah. "Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down," declares The Lord. (Obadiah 1:4) 

Here's what Jesus commands us to do instead- "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4) And then keep reading from there about how Jesus, though He was God, didn't consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself of all but love and bled for Adam's helpless race (okay- that last part's from one of my favorite hymns "And Can It Be?" by Charles Wesley :-)).

But look at what Philippians 2:21 tells us- "For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ." - WOW. Isn't that true of all of us? This should not be. The interests of Jesus Christ should be our foremost interests- make Him our highest joy and He'll take care of the rest. "Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in The Lord.' " (1 Corinthians 1:31)

I Trust Myself (song)

It's been said that if we're always looking down on others, we can't see what's above us. This is the original sin that continues to plague humanity- proud eyes that won't look up for help. Even before the disobedience of man in Eden, Lucifer's pride got him kicked out of Heaven. It's only when we can recognize that we're not self-sufficient that we can in humility reach out to God as He's already reaching out to us in Christ. The final solution for sin was given after years of scapegoats that covered sin; instead God sent a Lamb to take away sin through His death and Resurrection. And like the Pharisee and tax collector learned in Luke 18, it's the one humble before God who went away justified. May we all be willing to fall on our faces before Him, beating our breasts begging for His mercy because we are sinners. He is always gracious to us to grant forgiveness when we humbly ask for it. We all need His help.

"I Trust Myself"
(parody of "I Touch Myself" by Divinyls; copyright by Nathan Ludwick 3/13/2019)
(Romans 10:9-13, Luke 6:46, Matthew 7, Proverbs 16:18, Luke 18:9-14, Proverbs 14:12, Romans 3, Proverbs 6:16-19, 1 Corinthians 10:12, Deuteronomy 30:15-20)

Well, God Himself- He wants us to love Him
If I'm real now- I know He's above me
I search for help- I want Him to find me
But forget all that- Don't want you to remind me

Chorus 1:
I don't want anybody's help
All I think, say or do- I trust myself
Ooh, I don't need anybody else
Oh no, oh no, oh no

I'm the one who's made my own fortune
Favourite son- the nation's pride
Ascended how? By my bootstraps, then
I'm always self-reliant ('k)
I close my eyes- won't see Truth before me
Rather would die than choose Life that's before me
"A fool believes there's no God" - I ignore You
I'd get down on my knees if You'd send The Way to see You

(Repeat Chorus 1)

I love myself- I want folks to love me
When I look down, I can't see above me
In church with bells, all income I'm tithing
I fast as well- I thank God I'm not like thieves

Adulterers, unGodly evil
Well, I think I've got virtue- I trust myself!
Ooh- I'll tell God I'm righteous by myself
Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!

18 Luke
IRS agent by myself
Would not link eyes with You- I judge myself
To - ooh be- ee ah ah sin-ner ah!

I so want Holy God's help
When I think of bad I do- I beat my breasts!
Ooh, You're rich in mercy, God- please help!
Confessed humbly to You- I'm justified

-Exalt myself (Background vocals: I don't need)
Adjust that shelf (BGV: Anybody else)
Humbled instead (BGV: 1st. Cor. chapter 10:12)
So watch your step

Humble myself (BGV: I so want)
Adjust that shelf (BGV: Holy God's help)
Exalted instead (BGV: I'm nothing without You)
-It's honestly true!

-Exalt myself (Background vocals: I don't need)
Adjust that shelf (BGV: Anybody's help)
Humbled instead (BGV: 1st. Cor. chapter 10:12)
-It's honestly true!

Humble myself
Adjust that shelf
Exalted instead

We are the Reason for the Season

        In the hustle and bustle of this busy holiday season, it's easy to get overwhelmed. There are so many activities and traditions to keep up with at Christmas. It's easy to forget what it's all about and why we do the celebrations we do. But, of course, in the course of it all, we should always remember the reason for the season- us. If not for us, there would be no Christmas- there'd be no need. It might seem weird to say Christmas is all about me and you but in a sense it certainly is just that. In the same way that police and fire fighters and superheroes are out of work without villains to stop and people to save, the birth of Christ would not be necessary except for us. We, the pinnacle of God's creation, went astray like sheep. We have all sinned and are all villains. But instead of sending us to the Phantom Zone, God found a way to save us from our Kryptonite that had killed us. The real life Superman came to earth, rocketed out of Heaven and arriving via the miracle of the Incarnation. He was raised by a carpenter and his wife in a small town, not too unlike Jonathan and Martha raising Clark Kent in Smallville. Joseph and Mary raised Jesus Christ in Nazareth later on after His spectacular birth in Bethlehem, which was reserved for only a few shepherds to first know about and view the manger.
       And like the meek and mild-mannered reporter, Jesus humbled Himself and disguised His superpowered self in the form of a bondservant for the planet daily for 33 years. And ultimately, He showed us that He is the one true real Superhero because He did what only He could do for the sake of the people- He gave His life to save all of humanity. He paid the price for all of our wrong deeds once for all time. And then He proved He is God over all ultimately by defeating the great enemy no one else could defeat- He beat death, sin, Hell, the devil and his demons all in one blow! He rose again from the grave!
      And He did it all to save us! If we put our faith in Him to save us, He gathers us in His arms and no scheme of Lex Luthor can ever shake us loose. We are saved forever from the sin that had entangled us and we are freed to live for Jesus and have an assurance of eternity with Him in Heaven.
And that's the meaning of and reason for Christmas. Yes, Jesus is still always the reason for the season but as David Meece reminds us, we are the Reason for Jesus coming! He loves us and wants to save us! That's why we can celebrate Christmas and that's ultimately what we celebrate- the advent of our salvation culminating and fulfilled in Easter!
      And as we celebrate the joy to the world The Lord's first coming brings, we also look forward to the joy to the world (for those in Christ) that The Lord's second coming brings. :-)
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superman- fully God and fully man! The Saviour has come and The Saviour's coming again! Hallelujah!
Merry Christmas and Happy (First and Second) Advent! :-)

"We are the reason that He gave His life. We are the reason that He suffered and died. To a world that was lost He gave all He could give to show us the reason to live." ...."He is my reason to live!" :-)
- "We Are The Reason" by David Meece

(Philippians 2, Galatians 4:4, Psalms 98, Mark 4:41, Colossians 1:15-23, Romans 5:6-8, John 1:1-18, John 1:29, John 1:43-51, John 3:13-21, 1 John 4:7-21, Hosea 11:8-9, Hosea 2:16-23, 2 Peter 3:8-9, Revelation 22:16-21) (Action Comics by DC Comics publishing and David Meece's 1980 "Are You Ready?" album from Myrrh Records for all the rest ;-))

Blog in Your Eye

I wish I could get as passionately outraged and morally indignant at my own sins first as it's so easy to become at others'- and then learn to show more mercy and grace and let God handle the judging.
(Psalms 139:23-24, Matthew 7:1-6, Matthew 5:7, Romans 7, James 4:11-12, 1 Peter 4:8, James 2:12-13, Philippians 3:18-4:1, 1 Timothy 1:15-17)
(Note: Yes, there is a place for rebuke within the church and we should do that with love and humility. Titus 1:13-16, Ephesians 4:15, 1 Corinthians 5, Philemon- particularly verses 1:8-9) As two of my favourite songs say- "I'm starting with the man in the mirror. I'm asking him to make a change. And no message could have been any clearer- if you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change." ("Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson- his best song, in my opinion)
But we must do this by The Holy Spirit and His power in us, not by our own strength. (Galatians 5:16-26)
And before we look to judge other Christians and help them with that speck, let's remember the log in our own eyes.
"It's me, it's me, it's me, oh Lord- standing in the need of prayer! ....It's not my father, not my mother, my sister, not my brother- but it's me, oh Lord- standing in the need of prayer." (Classic Sunday School song)
Thankfully, Jesus is there to help us. His death and Resurrection paid for all sins for one time and He has forgiven me because I've put my faith in Him and His righteousness because I know I've got none of my own. And He's still working on me and sanctifying me more each day (Philippians 2:12-13, Ephesians 2:8-10) and in the end, He'll lead me Home to Heaven with Him. :-) (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
Thank You, Lord. Help me to love more, judge less and when I do make a judgment- to make a righteous one, never forgetting that we are all equally in need of Your grace.