Upon His Holy Mountain

TV Lawyer Perry Mason For the past hundred years or so, most American Protestant pastors have dressed more less like this guy when they stand in the pulpit every Sunday morning and when they minister during the week . A starched, iron shirt, a suit, a nice tie (nothing wacky). This is is the Evangelical Clerical Garb- unfortunately. The problem with this Pastoral uniform is its lack of anything Pastoral. It is the uniform of lawyers, real estate agents, salesmen and CEOs and other business related positions. If you did not know the man in the picture is TV lawyer Perry Mason (actually it's Raymond Burr, but anyway...), and I put a picture of similarly clad pastor beside him and said  "One of these is a pastor", you would be unable to guess accurately. On the other hand, what if I placed Mr. Mason beside this picture? Bing Crosby as "Father O'Malley"  "Okay," I say. "One of these two guys is a lawyer and one is a Clergyman. Can yo...

"Unfortunately, the Celtic church during the Roman occupation followed the rest of Christendom into Catholic ritualism and superstition."  The statement above is from a High School British Literature textbook from a well known Baptist publisher (which shall remain nameless). In context, it is discussing the historical background for early English literature and particularly religion in the British Isles. Like many Christians today, and Baptistic Christians especially, the compilers of this book obviously have something against what they label "ritualism". Their appraisal of the British Church in other parts of history is not much better (except for the Reformation). What exactly is "ritualism" and why are certain sectors of Christendom so opposed to it? Ritualism By the phrase "ritualism" I believe the authors are referring to what is properly called, liturgy. Every church has liturgy whether they admit it or not. Does your church have a se...

" And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, both with songs and with harps, and with viols, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets." (I Chronicles 13:8 GNV) It was a time of great celebration and rejoicing for Israel and King David. The Ark of the Covenant, lost to the heathen Philistines had been returned to them. As the Ark entered Jerusalem, the people sang and the priest accompanied them with an assortment of instruments. Harps, viols, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets- boy howdy that must have been loud! And, as any conservative Christian will note, "Where's the piano?" There were none, of course. But among the instruments used are some that will surprise most. Let's investigate. Just what are these "viols" and "timbrels"? Are those cymbals simply "cymbolic" (couldn't resist a pun there) or are they the real deal? More modern translations, such as the NKJV  say they played on ...

Tell The Nations! Text: Priscilla J. Owens, modified by Matt Gibson Music: I Sing the Mighty Power of God (Ellecombe) Go, tell the nations Christ is king, His hands the world upholds He guides each planet’s shining ring, And spreads the cloud’s dark fold; Go, cast the false gods in the dust, The idols trample down, And place in Him your only trust, For Jesus wears the crown. Go, tell the nations of the blood On Calv’ry freely spilt, The healing streams, the precious flood, To wash away their guilt. Tell them to trust no human rites, That earthly gold is dross; And yet to pardon God delights, Since Jesus bore the cross. Go, tell the nations of the hope, The joy by Jesus giv’n, And bid the darkened eyes look up, Beyond the stars, to Heav’n. Oh, let your hearts with love o’erflow, Cross o’er the heaving tide, Till all the lands of earth shall know The Crowned, once Crucified.            ...

The Kingdom is at Hand Text: Johann Rist 165; Trans- Catherine Winkerworth, (modified version by MG) Music: Auld Lang Syne Arise, the kingdom is at hand The King is drawing nigh Arise with joy, you faithful band, To meet the Lord Host High To meet the Lord Most High To meet the Lord Most High Arise with joy, you faithful band, To meet the Lord most high! Look up, you souls, weighed down with care The Sovereign is not far; Look up, faint hearts, from your despair, Behold the Morning Star! Behold the Morning Star! Behold the Morning Star! Look up, faint hearts, from your despair, Behold the Morning Star! Hope on, you broken hearts, at last The King comes in His might; He loved us in the ages past When we lay wrapped in night. When we lay wrapped in night When we lay wrapped in night He loved us in the ages past When we lay wrapped in night. The Lord is with us now, who shall The sinking spirit feed With strength and comfort a...

Fear Not Text: Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden; mod Music: Veni Emmanuel Fear not, O little flock, the foe Who madly seeks your overthrow; Dread not his rage and power; What though your courage sometimes faints, His seeming triumph o’er God’s saints Lasts but a little hour.                              Be of good cheer; your cause belongs To Him who can avenge your wrongs; Leave it to Him our Lord. Though hidden yet from all our eyes, He sees the Gideon who shall rise; To save us, and His word. As true as God’s own word is true, Not earth nor hell with all their crew Against us shall prevail. A jest and by-word are they grown; God is with us, we are His own, Our victory cannot fail. Amen, Lord Jesus, grant our prayer! Great Captain, now Your arm make bare; Fight for us once again. So shall Your saints an...

I Believe In: Text: Based on Apostle’s Creed, arranged by Mattaniah Gibson Music: Slane I believe in God, Father almighty Maker of Heaven, earth, landmass and sea And I believe in Jesus His son Conceived by the Spirit, born of a virgin That He was beaten and then crucified By Pontius Pilate and that He then died Went down into hell, but there did not stay And that in triumph He arose the third day That He then ascended to God in Heaven There He is seated at His right hand That one day He will come in glory again To judge all the living and judge all the dead I believe in God, the Holy Ghost The catholic church and communion of saints The resurrection and forgiveness of sins The life everlasting. Amen! Amen!