Joseph and Mary (Song)

 There have been lots of famous lovers throughout literature and history. Romeo and Juliet, Marc Antony and Cleopatra, Boaz and Ruth and for the '80s kids out there- Zack and Kelly, Steve and Laura, and Cory and Topanga. There's one famous couple that has the most unique love story of them all- Joseph and Mary. When we read Luke 1-2 and Matthew 1-2 each Christmas, we can see how God worked throughout the events of that first Christmas so that everything turned out as it should in the end. It's like we're sitting in the bleachers watching the game, but Mary and Joseph were in the game themselves as key players. It's quite a different matter to consider how both Mary and Joseph would have taken the news that had been given to them by angels, when they didn't know how things would turn out in the end. They just had to take it on faith and trust that God would do what He said He would do and they just needed to be faithful and obey. Mary was going to have a baby Boy while she was still a virgin by a miraculous work of The Holy Spirit. Joseph finds out she's pregnant and is left wondering what to do. He plans to just send her away quietly so as not to disgrace her, but then he has a dream where an angel tells him that this is part of God's plan and he should go ahead and take Mary as his wife. Both Mary and Joseph obey and trust God and through their faithfulness, we see the birth of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, born of the virgin Mary, who is the wife of Joseph. Joseph takes on the role of playing step-father to the Son of God Himself! And through their faithfulness, the little baby Jesus grows in stature and wisdom and when He's a man, He does just as the angel said in Matthew 1:21 and saves His people from their sins. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the salvation You have brought through Your death and Resurrection that pays for all our sins! And because Joseph told Mary, "Let's get married!" and did his part to ensure Jesus and His mother would be cared for, God's plan moved forward through them. And now The Bridegroom says to His church the bride- "Let's get married!" Merry Christmas! God is with us!

"Joseph and Mary"
(Parody of "Let's Get Married" by The Bleachers; parody copyright by Nathan Ludwick 7/27/2025)
(Isaiah 53, Isaiah 7:14-16, Jeremiah 19:4-5, Luke 1, Matthew 1)

The dude's been engaged to be her only
Can he take this babe after her story?
Joseph (and) Mary!

Sit down, breathe and just listen
God gave me baby
He's from God, trust in God- this is Son of God in me
And I know it's bad where you look out
But bad and evil don't enter God's thoughts- no!
Come on and look up in Luke 1- read
This angel from Heaven went to call on Ms. Mary- yeah!
And I know it's hard enough to trust me
But the throne of father Dave's house given
Son of virgin Mary!
You're gonna balk, I know
How can virgins conceive?
I know and I balked also
God's Spirit's on me
God's power works, you know
Elizabeth's conceived
So we won't have to walk alone
Her son's in late age

"Get out! Leave!
I think I know what I'm gonna do- folks won't know nothing
And you know in Matthew 1- look up
His plan's hatched- read on- don't give up your spouse- no!
I'm gonna do right by you, honey
An angel by my bed dropped in- when log sawing's on me- yeah
Says, "Hey Joseph- hearten up- take Mary"
Then I woke up full of faith now thinking
Honey, let's get married!
Don't have to walk alone
Joseph and Mary!
I won't go and walk, you know
You're Virgin Mary
(I) Won't change the status quo
You're pregnant, Mary
Holy Ghost's power worked with no
Intimacy- Hey!

The angels that called us
Outright both charged us
"Name The Son Jesus"
The Lord- He frees us
Child will soon save peeps at high cost
Lord Christ on our cross
Save peeps from Death's grip
Yeah, Rose up in Isaiah 53
Honey- 7 then read
Don't have to walk alone
He's God with us, see
He's Immanuel, you know
He forgives bad deeds
The Son prophets foretold
Joseph just married
Mary- both gonna walk this road
Lord's Son will save- yay!

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) 
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From Heaven in Prophetic Dreams (song)

 It's funny how we attach people with certain things in our minds. We do this with a lot of things too. There are some one-hit wonder bands out there that are always known for that one main song. They may actually have had other hits too but they will never be bigger than their one huge, worldwide hit. (For example, try to name a song by Rick Dees and his Cast of Idiots besides "Disco Duck".) The same happens with actors and actresses who get associated with a major role. No matter what else they do, everyone will always know them for that role. (For example of this- Christopher Reeve as Superman.) This happens sometimes with people we've heard about in The Bible too. We've all heard about Daniel in the lion's den in Sunday School. And we've probably heard about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego facing the fiery furnace too. And maybe we only know Daniel for his special diet and interpreting the writing on the wall and the king being made like a beast for a time before repenting. All those events only make up the first half of the book though! There are a lot of prophetic dreams and visions Daniel gets in the latter half of the book that we don't always hear as much about. Sometimes they can even be a bit hard and scary to read them. We need to read them and understand them though because all of God's Word is important and useful for teaching, instructing and rebuking- and we need to fill up on all of it, okay? This song does mention some of the more famous things Daniel's known for but it focuses in more on the messages he got from Heaven in prophetic dreams.

"From Heaven in Prophetic Dreams" (parody of "Together in Electric Dreams" by Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder; copyright by Nathan Ludwick 7/17/2020)
(the book of Daniel, Jeremiah 25, Matthew 24)

You only know Dan for a diet
Served Nebuchadnezzar's court
Telling his dreams- promoted
Friends won't bow- face flames (Christ preincarnate saves)
Palace to barnyard- king recognized
God rules as the Most High
Angelic tweet
Lions won't eat their prey
Yeshua- The Lord saves! (God always wins)
You ought to read next chapters
However hard it seems (From 7 to end)
Daniel and/or Belteshazzar
From Heaven gets prophetic dreams
Beasts- 4- first vision- that's explained
The Ancient of Days reigns
Shown next there's a ram and goat
Gabriel defines it's about end times
(Time to read Jeremiah)
Humble, confessing Daniel prays
Receives knowledge from Gabe
Then shown shiny guy
Daniel's terrified- he closed his eyes
(Loved one, now stand)
Angel says he's been held up
By Persia prince- Mike's on scene (God's angel's sent)
There's all these kings in days latter
A Southern and a Northern king
They'll align kingdoms together
However, falls- breaking
(Alliance ends)
Abomination desolate there
South and North- both kingdoms left fighting
Michael, rise- angel of Heaven
Now there's trouble, worst seen
(God's peeps delivered)
Well, all names in book written
Forever life or contempting
Daniel, you seal book for now
Knowledge runs far- increased
(How long 'til the end?)
Daniel's 70th. week
Shout out there- Matt. 24:15

Isaiah: Mini-Bible (song)

 As the first line in this song says, one book undertakes a gargantuan task in The Bible. Likewise, I undertook a gargantuan task in trying to sort of summarize this book in a short song. Hopefully, this at least gets across some of the highlights. Scholars have called this book a "mini Bible" because it holds a lot of parallels to The Bible, having 66 chapters, just like The Bible has 66 books. Isaiah is by far the most quoted Old Testament book in the New Testament, having been quoted 55 times! (You can read about numerous connections here- http://isaiahminibible.com/) Of course, if I was to try to give you a miniature version of The Bible, it would be the Gospel- The Bible is all about the Good News of Jesus. Our sins are like scarlet but He can make them white as snow when we put faith in the One who had all our iniquities laid on Him. It's no wonder Philip used Isaiah 53 to witness to the eunuch as he was already reading it. Even if he hadn't been, Philip probably would have pointed him there as it's one of the clearest pictures in the Old Testament of the sacrifice Christ made to save us- a prophecy made 700 years in advance! Read all about this and so much more in Isaiah- mini-Bible. 

"Isaiah: Mini-Bible"

(Parody of "I Can't Drive 55" by Sammy Hagar; copyright by Nathan Ludwick 6/12/2020)

(Book of Isaiah; particularly 1:17-18, 2:4, chapter 6, 7:14, 9:1-7, 40:1-9, chapter 53, 55:8-11; also Luke 3:1-6 and Luke 4:16-21)

One book undertakes a gargantuan task- hey!

Well, the news is tragic- judgment's passed, yo!

Eyes are blind- won't just perceive the truth

Isaiah prophesied coming judgment of Judah's sin!

Gonna write it up- 1 through 39

OT's same judgment- similar vibe

Grace next 27- NT's vibe

Isaiah- mini-Bible! Oh yeah!

Uh!

So Isaiah is made up of chapters- 66, hey!

Yeah, it's just like books in God's Word

It's gonna blow your mind- all the book's retweets

Look- chapter 40 lines up with Baptist (in) Luke 3

He said good- Good News!

Evangelize- Is. 40:9

Scroll to place Jesus read Isaiah's lines

Luke 4 writes this- there're more times

Isaiah's in The Bible!

Quoted

How many times? 55!

How many times? 55!

How many times with this guy-

Isaiah? 55!

Uh!

Well- some lines to know- you know each part's revered

In Isaiah first part- 18- sin's washed here

Swords beat to make plowshares- verse 2:4 says. Huh!

In chapter 6, read how prophet saw The Lord- hey!

God sends sign (of) Messiah- 7:14 line

Show's Christ's traits- promised Son born in 9

Pay for all sins- 53 find

Isaiah- mini Bible

Oh! Oh! Oh!

God's mind's higher

(Isaiah 55!)

Point will drive

(Isaiah 55!)

(Isaiah 55!)

(Isaiah- mini Bible)

Prophet Man (song)

   Every so often, someone comes along with yet another doomsday prediction. It's not a new phenomena; people have been predicting things since Biblical times. Of course, The Bible gives us guidelines about prophets to follow. If what they say doesn't come to pass, it doesn't follow that they're a real prophet; they're a false prophet and we should not listen to them. Of all the prophecies out there about the end times, one thing we know for sure- Jesus Christ will return! However, no one knows the date- only the Father in Heaven. It may seem like pundits and prophets are just pelting out predictions at you, but John by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote down the final Revelation of Jesus on Patmos. Instead of worrying about what will be, we should focus on what is now- and do what Jesus told us to do, which is to be His witnesses wherever we go until He comes. Even so, come Lord Jesus!


"Prophet Man"
(parody of "Rocket Man" by Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin;
parody lyrics copyright by Nathan Ludwick 11/10/2018)
(1 Timothy 1:3-7 and 4:6-10 and 6:20-21, Titus 3:9-11, Matthew 24, Acts 1:1-11, Proverbs 21:28, Deuteronomy 4:2 and 12:32 and 18:15-22, 2 Timothy 4:1-5, the book of Jude, Revelation 1:1 and 22:16-21)

They've cracked His plans so many times
Midnight hour comes again
And we're gonna see Christ coming back by then
They've missed their dates so much; they just revise
They're throwing out new dates
They trust this time it's right

And in Deuteronomy 18- last line
Don't trust ramblings if found to be a lie
He's not God's man (or) mouthpiece- like online trolls
Oh no no no- he's a Profit Man!
Profit Man- churning out fake news- with fear controls

And I know he cannot be (uh) wrong one time
In Proverbs 21:28 (two eight)- he dies!
He's not the man they think he is- he's snowed
All of them so- a false prophet man!
Prophet Man?- Turn it now to Jude- abhor stained clothes!

Bars faithless minds from Grace and where's it end?
In fact, they go to Hell
But there's Someone here to save them- let Him in!
In all the signs Christ told of the end
AntiChrists come- don't be deceived!
False prophets, man! False prophets, man!

And you need to go 24 Matthew's lines
From east lightning comes down to west to shine
The Son of Man's coming like that, I know
I know, know, know- Christ has prophesied
Robber man- turning up while snoozing, we don't know

And we need to go 36 verse 'bout time
The touch down's privy now to just one mind
The Son of Man's coming's like days of Noah
Only God knows (when)- just The Father, man!
Bond servant- furnishing their food like "Home Alone"

And I read in 47- in charge guy!
And the wicked's gonna be (uh) ostracized!
And the wicked drunken beater's cut to size!
With hypocrites gnashing teeth-eternal cry!
And Christ's coming gonna be like thief in night
And we need to get ready, put faith in Christ
And it's not for me and you to know the time
Acts 1:8- we've gotta be witness for Christ!

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In That Day (story)

[Note: This is a story I wrote a few years back as a sort of writing experiment, trying to do a progressive story with different time periods represented and certain comparisons made. I could summarize some of the main point with a classic Larry Norman song- "Nothing Really Changes". Ever since Genesis 3, we as humanity have been in the same spot- we are diseased with sin and the only cure is the salvation Jesus offers through faith in His death and Resurrection. One day, in Revelation 21-22, Jesus will bring all things to newness and full restoration. However, Ephesians 2:10 makes it clear that the process starts in us now. This story is an attempt to illustrate a lot of these points. In order to do that, there are a number of caricatures in the story. For the purposes of conservation, there are some characters that embody multiple vices. This is not meant in any way to imply that this is true of all such individuals in similar situations, of course, but it also doesn't preclude that it couldn't be true of any one individual. When it comes down to it, we are all sinners with none righteous (Romans 3:23) and breaking The Law at one point leaves us guilty of breaking all of it. (James 2:10) Thus, no sin is any worse than any other. And one day, God will judge all of us. And The Bible clearly warns that eternal torment in Hell awaits all those who reject God's offer of forgiveness and salvation through Jesus. Thankfully, Jesus' amazing grace paid for all of our sins and is greater than them all. Praise God for His love! Heaven awaits all who will put their faith in Him and follow Him.]

 

In That Day

[Copyright Nathan Ludwick 4/21/2015; originally written circa 2002-2003]


Part One: Twenty Minutes Into the Future

 “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator- who is forever praised. Amen.” (Romans 1:25)

                The boy awakens to the insistent ringing of a telephone. Catching the call on the fourth ring, the boy rubs his eyes with one hand in an attempt to make himself fully alert. He listens intently as a cavalcade of emotions are poured out on the other end. As the caller breaks into cries of sorrow, the boy assures the caller that everything will work out somehow. Amid constant tears, the caller finally hangs up after promises from the boy to meet her later, after work. The boy hurriedly prepares himself for his job and rushes off to his business place, ready to work eight hours that evening for minimum wage. As the boy speeds his car down the road, the words of his telephone call resound in his head. He wonders what exactly will be done for the future and how he can prepare himself for it. As he pulls into a parking space at work, he wonders how he will tell his parents the news that his girlfriend will soon end the life of his unborn child.
                In another part of the city, an elderly man prepares himself for bed. He sees about attending to dental hygiene and then goes from room to room, turning out all the lights in the house. He eases himself into a comfortable bed at an hour fairly early in the evening, as he has grown accustomed to doing over the passing years. He holds a pillow, emblazoned with a picture, close to him and thinks about what will happen to her in the future. He speaks not a word, as he gets lost in his own thoughts. He gives a little start at a sudden noise, and relaxes again when it turns out to be only the dog and cat settling down for the night. He lapses back into his train of thinking, and grieves because there is no hope left for his wife and soon she will be taken off of life support at the hospital.
                The college student hastily changes his clothing as he prepares himself for his night out on the town. The weekend has finally come and the student is ready to throw off the scholastic pressures of yesterday and step forward into the carefree future. As he leaves his apartment, he thinks about where he wants to go first. He goes to the nearest singles bar and heads out to the dance floor. After finding a companion for the night, they both order drinks from the bartender. After regaling each other with numerous stories, each story is followed up by a round of drinks. After a while, the two leave the bar and slip into a dark alley to light up a few joints. Finally, after a few hours, the two go off to enjoy the rest of the evening together, after picking up some cigarettes and cigars at a local gas station. At a house far away in another state, the student’s parents hold each other close as they sit on the couch and wonder how their son could abandon his longtime girlfriend because of his desire for an alternate lifestyle.
                A proud father and his expectant wife leave the doctor’s office and discuss their options for their child. Both wonder at the marvel of modern medicine and technology that moves along ever so quickly. They think about all the packages the doctor presented to them and the offers that were made. They consider all the possibilities for their child and dream of how wonderful it will all be in the future. They think of all the chances and opportunities their child will have that many others would not have. The parents look forward to giving their child the very best that their sizable income can buy. They imagine about what it will be like for their child to grow up with absolutely no diseases and blond hair and blue eyes, just like his dad, all thanks to the wonder of biological engineering. They ponder with wonder what it will be like living in this brave new world of advancements.

Part Two: Back to the Beginning

“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” (Judges 21:25)

 
                A man called Ammon makes a terrible wrong choice that he has to accept the consequences for. In order to “extend his borders” he “rips open the pregnant women of Gilead.” The wrath of God is not held back from him. (Amos 1:13)
                A king named Saul runs in the midst of a losing battle. He gets wounded by the arrows of the opponent and may not survive. He does not want to be captured by the enemy’s hand and so he asks his armor bearer to end his life for him. The armor bearer refuses and so the king takes his own life. A man retells this story to the new king and claims to be the one who killed Saul when asked by him to do so. The new king has him executed for “destroying The Lord’s anointed.” (1 Samuel 31:4, 2 Samuel 1)
                All the men of a city come out to greet three visitors. The three men who come to visit stay with a man by the name of Lot. The men desire to have sexual relations with the visitors. Lot refuses and the visitors blind the eyes of the men outside. The visitors reveal themselves to be angels who have come to get Lot and his family out of the city because God has determined to destroy it. Lot’s sons-in-law don’t believe and don’t come and Lot’s wife disobeys the angels and looks back at the city. Lot and his two daughters escape and then “The Lord rains down burning sulfur” on the city and its neighbor. (Genesis 19)
                A man and a woman walk through a peaceful garden and enjoy the beauty of creation around them. Birds and butterflies fly high in the sky, singing their pretty songs. Fish swim along in the river and deer run through the woods. A serpent entices the woman with forbidden fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden. The serpent promises the woman the chance to be like God, knowing good and evil. The woman eats of the fruit and gives some to her husband, who eats of it as well. “God banishes both of them from the Garden of Eden.” (Genesis 1-3)

Part Three: Back to the Future

“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:37)
“…Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…” (Hebrews 9:27)

                The boy, the girl, the grandchildren, the college student and his friend, and the expectant parents all continue in their lives. Their choices are made. Time marches on and moves forward. They eat, drink, and are merry. They have fun now and do not worry about the consequences of their actions. An appointment looms over them all and on one day, they will all have to keep it. The appointment with death is one that cannot be avoided. And “in that day” (Obadiah 1:8), God will surely judge everyone for all the sins they’ve done. However, there is still time to change things before that day comes. God offers salvation for the asking through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. “Anyone who calls on the name of The Lord will be saved.” (Joel 2:32) The people make their choices and live their lives. They don’t listen to the Word of God and ignore the “knocking at the door of their hearts.” (Revelation 3:20) And “how shall they escape if they ignore such a great salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3) God is both righteous and fair. He does deal out judgment and He loves everyone. He still offers salvation to those who will listen and turn to Him.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says…” (Revelation 2:29)

 

Paramount (story)

"Thus says the prophecy." :-) Here's a quick flash fiction story I wrote with the aim of teaching vocabulary words (so you may notice a certain theme in words.) The idea came to me seeing the words in mind and I thought it worked well for a futuristic sci-fi story set perhaps on a distant planet or even a dystopian Earth. And yeah- there's a bit of an allegory in there too. Enjoy. :-)
.......................

"Paramount" (by Nathan Ludwick; copyright 2/8/2015)

“Thus says the prophecy,” the elder proclaimed as he shut the book. As his hooded disciples solemnly nodded in silent agreement, a single young voice pierced the quiet in the darkness of the night. “Wait! How can this be?” new would-be member Turner asked. “Could you please paraphrase the message so I might better understand it? If I could hear it in your own words, Sir, then I could know its meaning better.” There was a murmur arising at this outcry, but the elder quickly quieted everyone.
“You are young yet, but there are still some who remember how our planet used to be in the days of old. There was peace at one time when our people lived in harmony with each other and The Design. But the time came when we sought to better ourselves and go beyond our limitations- and beyond The Design. We thought we would make ourselves and our world greater- but we became fools instead. And when we no longer followed The Design and lost that delicate balance of peace and harmony with each other, it was then that the invaders came. The alien parasites turned us into a parody of what we once were. We became but hollow shells- a mockery of our former selves with empty chests where our lifeblood once beat. Yet many stayed blinded to these changes and even thought them to be improvements. The invaders fooled many of us, even those who claimed to still follow the old ways."

The elder looked gravely around the gathering for a moment and then continued.
“We are the few left that still resist. We choose to fight against these forces in the hopes of seeing peace and harmony restored. While the paranoia of the others increases, we remain calm and hopeful because of the prophecy. When the invaders convinced the people of the planet to seek only their good and no one else’s, their fears continued to mount as they worried that everyone else was out to get them and their belongings.”

Turner excitedly implored the elder. “What does the prophecy say we can do to escape?”
The elder smiled knowingly as he gave the answer.
“Therein lies the paradox, my son. The prophecy says there is nothing we can do to escape.”
In despair, Turner replied, “Then how can we be saved from the invaders? How can we be saved from ourselves?” The elder lifted his head and hands to the sky reverently as he answered.
“It doesn’t seem to make sense but it’s the truest thing in the universe and in the end, it’s the only thing that does make sense. The prophecy says The Paragon will come. He will be the truest, most pure of all, uninfected by the invaders- the best of what we used to be. He will bear The Design in fullness once more.”

“And The Paragon will lead us back to peace and harmony by destroying the invaders?” Turner happily interjected.
“Yes,” the elder answered. “But all of the invaders will attack The Paragon first and will seem to defeat and destroy him- but it won’t be true. Only by sacrificing himself to the invaders can they be destroyed. And he will arise in power once more and free all of us who have followed him and believed the prophecy. Peace and harmony will be restored and we will be transformed to The Design once more. Thus says the prophecy.”

The disciples all cheered as the first few golden rays of sunlight started to emerge. As the group began to disperse, Turner called to the elder once more. “What do I do as I trust the prophecy and resist the invaders?”
With a glance to the skies, the elder smiled and said, “Wait and watch and work in hope.”

Message in The Bible (song)

Just like the Coast Guard rescues stranded castaways from a desert island after finding their message in a bottle and just like the police come in to save the day and stop the bad guys- The Lord has come to our rescue to bring us salvation. He gave us a message in The Bible through the years that prophesied of His plan of salvation- all the way back to the Garden. From the first moment that man fell into sin, God was there with His rescue plan- just see Genesis 3:15- the seed of the woman will come and crush the serpent's head. But even before that-even before sin ever came into the world- God already had The Lamb slain- before the foundation of the world! (Revelation 13:8)
      Ultimately, Easter is when the plan was fulfilled- when Jesus came and died on the cross and rose again to pay for all sins. And this is really what we celebrate at Christmas- the promise fulfilled when Jesus came to be born to a virgin, laid in a manger in a stable, worshipped by shepherds and angels and grow up as the perfect Son of God. The Prince of Peace salvation brings- let loving hearts enthrone Him. And He has brought us peace with God- and He will one day come again and bring peace on earth permanently when He reigns supreme and ultimately takes us to Heaven. Merry Christmas and Happy Easter. :-)


"Message in The Bible"
(parody of "Message in a Bottle" by The Police; copyright by Nathan Ludwick 12/13/2014)
(Luke 1-2, Matthew 1-2, Mark 1:1, John 1:1-18, John 1:29, John 3:16, Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, Romans 10:9, Galatians 4:4, Acts 4:12, Genesis 3:15, Revelation 13:8, John 20:30-31, 1 John 5:13)

Just a captive, hey- in a land (of) darkness deep, oh
So Father shone The Way- a glowing light so great, oh
So go read this- Isaiah 9:2, yeah
Rescue me, oh Lord- I call on You, Messiah!

I'll send an S.O.S. to The Lord
I sent my S.O.S. to The Lord
I know that Yahweh hears me
I hope He comes soon- Lord's Christ
God told (me) He comes ere I die
Simeon's what I'm called, yeah
Luke 2 in The Bible, yeah

In time's fullness sending forth God's Son
In 3:15 Genesis- right from the start
The virgin conceives Immanuel
Lamb will save our lives but
Lamb was slain before start
Christ slain before the start of the world
It's in 13:8 Rev. in The Word
God wrote down so many signs
Recorded by prophets through time
Foretold so we would believe

Message in The Bible, yeah
(The) Message in The Bible, yeah
20:31 [three one] John wrote, yeah

On Christmas morning (The) Word became flesh and blood
1:14 John's Gospel- watched glory of The Lord
Means we're not alone- Thou didst leave Thy throne
John 3:16- God just gave His kid for our souls
God sent His S-o-n to the world
God sent His S-o-n to the world
I know that no one else saves
I know salvation comes by
Our hope in God's Son for Life
Romans 10:9 Paul told (how)
All sins have been paid (in) full, yeah
Message in The Bible, yeah
Christmas- birth of our Hope, yeah

Sending out J-E-S-U-S
Sending down J-E-S-U-S
Sending out J-E-S-U-S
Sending down J-E-S-U-S
Sending out J-E-S-U-S
Sending down J-E-S-U-S
(repeat many times)

.......................................................

Jesus Arose Then (song)

This song kinda came about in the heat of the moment- I had heard this song on the radio and really liked it and wanted to a parody song with it. And yes, it’s an Asia song and it’s set near Asia- in the Middle East- about 2000 years ago or so. It’s recounting the events of that first Easter from the point of view of John the apostle. At first things seemed so crazy when Jesus died and was buried- but it’s okay because on that third day, Jesus arose then! :-) And because He lives, we can live too.


Jesus Arose Then
(parody of “Heat of the Moment” by Asia; copyright by Nathan Ludwick 12/12/2013)
(John 3:16-17, Romans 10:9, Acts 16:31, Acts 1:8, Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21 [particularly John 20:29-31], 1 Corinthians 6:14)

I never felt so weak and bad- confused
It’s like Christ said when we left (the) Upper Room
(On) Account of Him, we all would fall away
‘Cause God would strike shepherd; sheep run away
Do you remember when Pharisees asked?
The sign they’ll get is Jonah’s circumstance
Spent 3 days underwater in fish’s tum
So Jesus’ 3 days under- Here comes the sun (and Son!)

 
(Chorus 1) We didn’t believe at that moment
Stubbornly wouldn’t trust Him
But Pete, me and the women saw He’s alive!

And now we find ourselves the empty tomb
The devil’s hot spot holds no claim on You
You just fulfilled 15 in Genesis 3
He struck Your heel; You crushed the serpent’s head

And it was Pete and me running,
Beat him that morning-
Yet Pete went in before me-
(it’s) just cloths inside

24 Luke- saw God; thought You were a ghost
Shows hands and side, eats fish- it’s Christ; You rose!
Then ascending You called us to compel
The Great Commission- we must go and tell

 (Chorus 2) If you believe Christ’s atonement
Invite Him into your heart then
You’ll be saved that moment- give Him your life!

Well, we believed when we were shown Him
20:29 John says
He blessed the ones who
Trust without sight!

Believe on The Lord then-
(He) redeems everyone then
Redeems every moment
(‘Cause) Jesus arose then- we will soon join Him ……………………………………………………………………………………..