Sunday Thoughts: Getting closer to Christmas and 2009

Now that I am 50 years old. Its like starting over for me. What I did was that I kept going to remember my mistakes in my thoughts, learned from them and do my best not to them again in the future. Scriptures states that my own interests before God is sin, in God's point of view. I have to be careful of my own desires that are often contradicts with God's desires. We all can be "theologically knowing while at the same time spiritually ignorant". I can have GREAT knowledge but if I don't have spiritual wisdom, my knowledge is worthless. Reality basically means "the state of things as they actually exist" and often to many people, reality means perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes toward reality. We do have problems with our own weaknesses.

I have learned that I never stop the process of spiritual maturity. The process of spiritual growth is an ascension toward the goal of knowing God. The process of sanctification goes on all our life long and it will never be completed until the day we die. Progressing in our sanctification and our spiritual growth and it only happens as we live in the environment of the truth and respond to that truth.

Growing up in a Christian family, I have learned that I possessed an intellectual understanding and knowledge of the truth and yet not be saved. I was able to live "morally" right but still a sinner and was unable to acknowledge God. Until later once I understand with the help from God. I have learned through many denominations that confused me about salvation. I have learned that through them, they took credit for salvation which includes "membership" (born in church), infant baptism, and other means. Church's Tradition and doctrines often gets in the way of the doctrine of salvation. I cannot say a particular Church/denomination's theology is truth because the Bible is truth while doctrines are taught by man.

We all can claim to be a Christian, and we all believe that the root of the matter is in us and the seed of God is in our hearts. Doctrines are not God: they are only a kind of map. But that map is based on the experience of hundreds of people who really were in touch with God. To understand reality is not the same as to know about outward events. It is to perceive the essential nature of things. The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential.

Life is:

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. -- Proverbs 3:5-6

I am still learning to be careful how I read and need to look from doctrinal perspective rather than my own flesh-desire satisfaction. In the Christian life, thinking is crucial, emotions are crucial and doctrines are crucial. Our flesh search for pleasure, pride, passions and selfish motives. The heart is the source of our emotions, thoughts and motives.

One of the greatest and most essential attributes of God is His sovereignty; God rules over all things and controls all things. 'Providence" means God’s faithful, moment-by-moment control over everything He has made to ensure that everything He has created are going according to His will. He is active in every detail of it. He’s active at every moment. He doesn’t stand back and let things happen because He decides to intervene if something or someone is not going according to His will. He governs the world moment-by-moment through providence, so that everything that happens, every detail of our life occurs by God's divine providence or by God’s express permission. He is in control of everything. Even the bad things that happen to us are circumscribed by a loving providence and God promises to use them all for our ultimate good. There is a verse in the Bible that God promises that there won’t be anything so bad happen to us that we’re not able to bear it. God does everything--He governs everything.” God doesn’t just sit back and wait until He wants to act and then do it through a miracle.” God constantly intervenes in our lives through providence.

One day soon, I will find a NEW HOME CHURCH in or near Upper Arlington, Ohio.

Computer upgraded

My computer was TOOO SLOW. My computer is old and only had 256MB of Ram now I have 2 GB of RAM. Its FASTER and now I am more excited to be on the computer more often. I also included improved anti-virus and anti-spyware, adware software.

I hate slow computer and discourages me often.

Update about Jim and His family

We are all settled in and we love the house. Things are going very smooth and we are very thankful. While it is stressful to be a homeowner, its a great joy and pride of being a homeowner that we can have PETS. :)

My work is more busier and I am more of a programmer than I am an accountant. In reality, I am an accountant computer programmer (my job title is "Grants Administrator). I create financial reports for all of the fiscal staff in the state's new accounting system. So, I am busy doing my accounting work along with programming the reports.

My wife still works at the Columbus Dance Theatre Columbus Dance Theatre where my step-daughter dances. She only gets part-time pay since the company is non-profit and slowly growing (started in 1998). This dance company is the second largest behind Columbus' BalletMet.

My step-daughter, Sarah, who has cerebral palsy, she is the oldest (26) and works at Arc of Ohio that provides those with developmental disabilities have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities in the workforce.

My step-daughter, Shannon, now lives in California and working at various places. She is 21 years old.

My son, Dennis, is living in Maryland with his wife and daughter. Dennis is in the Navy and he is 21 years old.

My daughter, Krista, is living with her mother and graduated from high school. She came a long way after through through her own disabilities and will be attending Columbus State Community College this fall. She is 18 years old.

My step-daughter, Shelby, is living with us. She will be a senior at Upper Arlington High School and then after school, she is off to another school which is at Columbus Dance Theatre. She will learn as well as teach. She will be performing more this year. She will be a busy teenager.

We have a dog name "OSCAR" who is a dachshund which is a wiener dog. Oscar adopted me so I end up taking care of him. :)

We have a cat name BEA. Not sure what kind of cat she is but she is a cat. (over=weight like Garfield).

We just gotten a baby kitten and not sure of the name yet but very, very cute and very very playful.

I think that is about it for now. Thanks for coming back and check on me. I am glad that most of you are still here. See you around the BLOG. :)

Jim :)

New Home living in Upper Arlington, Ohio

I am looking for a new "home" church from where I live. I visited two churches already and so far, I am undecided. I like one church and thinking about keeping going there until God leads me to one or this one.

Its a ranch house and I am looking for the pictures. I can't see to find them.

3 Bedroom
1 1/2 baths
Living room
Dining room
Kitchen with new appliances
Eating area
1 Car garage
full basement

Jim

We just bought a house

I will be back once things are settled.

Jim :)

Made an offer and offer is accepted

We have been very very busy and of course stressful. Buying a house is a nervous reck for me. We made an offer and it was accepted. We are in the process of purchasing a 3 bedroom ranch house and full basement and remodeled kitchen. We will still be living in Upper Arlington which is outside Columbus not far from the Ohio State University. The closing date will be June 30. Our money saving plans and budget have paid it off. Instead of paying rent, we will be putting our money towards the house (mortgage).

Getting to work, I will be taking different bus routes which stop will be located 300 feet for Bus #60 (nearest), Bus #19 @ .4 mile and Bus #3 .8 mile from the new home. This alone has saved my family $300-$500 a month on gas, parking and wear & tear expenses.

My wife and I are planning to be more involved in the community now since we have this "sense of belonging" of a community in Upper Arlington.

We will be attending Upper Arlington Lutheran Church just before or after we move. We are getting ready to settle down.

Major Decisions

As you can tell, I have been very quiet about non-spiritual and superficial issues around the world. I had deeper matters at hand like buying a house. I have been thinking spiritual thoughts (I have been posting in my other blog) and sorting out making major decisions that my wife and I are about to make.

Well...... after meeting with 3 different mortgage companies and we got all 3 approvals that we decided to accept one of them. Today, we made an offer on a house that we were looking at. It looks like we are buying a house very soon. Buying a home is an investment because we have been renting a home for the past 4 1/2 years. I am nervous big time and I know I should not be. I have a great job and great pay. My wife has a nice job but do not pay that well since it is a small non-profit organization. My family is one of those America’s working middle-class families who are facing a wave of economic insecurity even though we do have secured jobs and we are able to pay all of our bills without problems. I take the bus to work daily which means I saved over $250 a month of wear/tear,fuel and parking costs just by paying for a simple bus pass. We have used all of our tax refunds and rebates towards our debts.

I am fretting over issues as I have in the past. The word "fret" comes to us from the Anglo-Saxon that fret often expose our true self and bring us out from behind our disguises. Often I do fret about issues and other matters. I am still fretting about my life because I am a sinful human being (still) and trying to remember the power of God's grace. No matter what I do, God is always guiding me through my circumstances. Nothing is impossible for Him. No matter what I do, God will direct me if I aware of it or not. I am learning that God will always lead me to His providential circumstances for my own good, in His will and for His glory.

We are able to afford to buy a house and we do have other resources that will help us our lives easier.

I will keep you posted. I can't wait to get back to "normal life" again. LOL

Jim

Grace (undeserve kindness)

I'm going to have to slow down on the blogging for a while as I try to focus on issues at hand. Nothing serious. I will be back whenever I can.

Before the end of May, I will be passing out Kindness awards that I received from Angela.

In the spirit of gratitude and being thankful....and kindness, of course, I created this award. I truly love giving out kindness awards more than anything else because people who are truly kindhearted never expect a return on their actions.

The definition: n.1.
1. The quality or state of being kind. 2. An instance of kind behavior: I will always remember your many kindnesses to me.

“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm... As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”
Audrey Hepburn

Angela's Blog

From the Bible, I am reminded in Colossians 3:12-13 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Looking at kindness from one perspective, 2 Peter 1:7 "make every effort to add to your faith......brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love."

I love this quote: The Christian faith is meant to be lived moment by moment. It isn't some broad, general outline--it's a long walk with a real Person. Details count: passing thoughts, small sacrifices, a few encouraging words, little acts of kindness, brief victories over nagging sins. Joni Eareckson Tada

To all Mothers....

Happy Mother's Day

Volunteer.........

After working for Envionmental Protection Agency (Ohio) for almost 27 years, I decided to volunteer to be a judge for the science fair. Today's was my second year since I started doing this last year when they were looking for more judges. Today, I attended the same scince fair that have been hosted by The Ohio State University each year on OSU Campus across from OSU Ohio Stadium. I am not the "actual" judge but rather a sponsor judge for "Governor's Award for Excellence in Environmental Protection Research". I work with other judges and make selections according to the students' environmental research projects in reducing pollution and protecting the environment as well as the public. My role is to judge the 7th and 8th graders that I am very impressed with them (as I was last year). I don't think I as in their level of knowledge when I was in science. (Heck, I was busy studying sports and girls, LOL).

I plan to do this again next year.

Grant provides $25,000 for hearing aids

Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation gave the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing grant of $25,000 to help provide hearing devices and other assistive technology for deaf and hearing-impaired individuals who cannot afford to pay for them on their own.

The same foundation that gave WGBH $1 Million to support the public broadcaster's work in making media accessible to people with disabilities. WGBH's studio complex in Brighton named The Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family National Center for Accessible Media at WGBH. If anyone remembers, in the 1970s, WGBH made history when it developed captioning for deaf and hard of hearing TV viewers which began in Boston, MA and began television broadcasted first-ever captioned: an episode of WGBH's cooking series, The French Chef with Julia Child. WGBH is a pioneer and leader in educational multimedia and in technologies and services that make media accessible to the 36 million Americans who rely on captioning or video descriptions.

The Columbus Dance Theatre and my daughter

One of my daughters is a member of The Columbus Dance Theatre where she is a faculty as well as a company apprentice dancer. Last night, the dancers danced the choreography that she had created and everyone thought she did a wonderful job. When some people found out that she is only a junior in high school. They were impressed and said that she have a great future in choreophraphy. I hope so, her dance made me cried last night and it was the first time I ever cried at a ballet dance performance. In fact, after the dance was over, I looked around and saw some people also cried. Some made comments like "wow".

I am proud of my her and she deserved the recognition.

If you live in Columbus area (Ohio), there are two performances which are at 3 PM and 7 PM. I encourage you to go and watch. Young dancers did a great job last night.

Jim

One of my daughters is a ballet dancer

My wife's daughter who is my 17 year old step-daughter who is a great girl and loves to dance. She even wore a shirt that says "If I have make a choice between dancing and my boyfriend, I say 'It was nice knowing you'". At her age, she wants to enjoy life and dancing is her life. She is one of the apprentices at the Columbus Dance Theatre and in today's Columbus Dispatch, it had an article about the performance this weekend (last night and tonight).

Dance Review: New Dance Project opens with 6 pieces

I am going to watch the perfomance tonight.

Jim :)

CHRONICLES OF A BIONIC WOMAN

I love Abbie's blog she posted today about AG Bell "A.G. Bell - Oral Only Organization". I have said my thoughts about AG Bell, but Abbie's outdid my thoughts and she did it so well. We all need to have a strong deaf and hard of hearing community with a common goal in mind. We can build closer relationships and learn more about each other, which we can help each other understand one another and create a sense of belonging.

I recommend you read Abbie's blog right now by clicking on the link "A.G. Bell - Oral Only Organization"

I just realized that I have been a subscriber for

The Columbus Dispatch for almost 27 years. I read it every morning on the bus to work during the week and when at home, I read it either in my bed or on my lazy boy type of chair.

Re-educating old man to go back to self-discipline

I do have self-discipline but I am not self-disciplined as I used to be when I was younger and athelitic. I have the will power but not the discipline to follow-through. I have some habits to overcome that caused me to procrastinate and more so than often which lead me to have lack of assertiveness. My life is full of trials and my lack of assertiveness have created more problems for me. Prosrastination is my biggest enemy. I know the key to self-discipline for me is ambition which means a motivation to improve my situation. I have to do this. I want my ambition to have enthusiasm with a purpose in my life. Like Bill Bradley said once, "Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.”

I have to remember the reality is that everyone dies as explained in Ecclesiastes 3:19-20. I do NOT want to waste my life and die without understanding life’s purpose. No matter what kinds of dreamss and desires I have, I have to remember that my accomplishments to get what I want will only give me momentary thrills and temporary satisfaction that will never last (Isaiah 55:1-3, John 6:35).

One of my favorite Christian theologian, A. W. Tozer said "The man who comes to a right belief about God is relieved of 10,000 temporal problems, for he sees at once that these have to do with matters which, at the most, cannot concern him for very long." I understood this quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer "In view of our supreme purpose, the present difficulties and disappointments seem trivial".

I have this book called "The Purpose-Driven Life", while I love the concept of the book however doctrinally, I was having trouble with the author's concept. As I read the book, I was getting more unconfortable what the author was saying because it does not sound right biblically. The book itself is not heretical in content however, how it was written bothers me because of poor theology stemming from an inadequate bibliology. The book was written as they were new ideas. The Bible has always been the same and the ideas always have been the same. We are to look for the objective truth of Scripture and to apply that to the situation we are placed in.

I have learned to be careful how I select my daily devotional books and need to look from doctrinal perspective rather than my own satisfaction. I do not want to read watered down gospel because it is false gospel and doctrinally wrong. If I read books like A.W. Tozer, I won't see authors like Tozer water down biblical doctrines to make me spiritually easy and pleased. I want to be challenged doctrinally so my life can be more fulfilled. The idea is that the purposes are God's purposes, not mine. In 1 Timothy 4 explains that Christians must choose their priorities carefully like an athlete as to have disciplined lives forgo some desires that may hinder doing God's will and please God as you are after God's own heart.

It is my responsibility as a Christian to discern and I don't want to be gullible. I can either be gullible or discerner. I choose to be a discerner. Paul said, "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection ..." (1Corinthians 9:27). Solomon wrote in Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. What should motivate me like an athlete who trains for the Olympics to win a gold medal such self-discipline and willing to face the endurance of my life.

Before I start swimming again in two weeks, I need to exercise my mind and get motivated. Stop prosrastinating and focus on ambition to do what is right for my body, my life and my real purpose.

Lights Out at 8 PM

Remember to turn those lights out tonight at 8pm for Earth Hour. Today, at 8 pm in Sydney went dark for Earth Hour Right now, at the time of this post, it is about 12:35 am in Sydney. Earth Hour is an international event that asks households and businesses to turn off their lights and non-essential electrical appliances for one hour on the evening of 29 March at 8 pm local time until 9 pm to promote electricity conservation and thus lower carbon emissions.

For more information about Earth Hour Earth Hour - North America website.

Two Families and their Journey of Faith

A truck driver was hauling a load of baking flour and had five tickets since 1999, as well as a warning letter from the Michigan secretary of state telling him of points piling up on his license. The accident happened when the semi truck came barreling across the median and hit the vans. Many of the emergency workers arrived at the scene said this was one of the worst scenes they had witnessed in years.

Of the two girls, one of them survived and the other died. Everyone thought Whiteny Cerak died until one day, five weeks later, a therapist asked the young woman her name and she wrote: "Whitney Cerak." A book came out this past Tuesday, written by two families called "Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope". You can read an excerpt that the accident survivor in the hospital identified as Laura Van Ryn is not in fact Laura. This fact was confirmed earlier this evening through her dental records

Soon, two families united and became close friends. See more about this at Mistaken Identity at NBC Today

In the book, Cerak was explaining that she could not understand why she survived when so many others died however, she did believe that God had a purpose for what happened. Four other students and one staff member were killed while three staff members were injured along with Cerak.

I am planning to get this book.

Spring and new goals...................

God have convicted me to turn my heart, my life, my health, my mind, my time, my money and my talents to God. God knows me so well that He will do His providential actions at the very moment of my need according to His will. Letting go is going to help me when something no longer serves my own growth. Over the years, I have been rebuilding my life a new foundation. I am looking at what need within me have been challenging. My frustrations aren't anyone's problem but mine. It all begins inside of me. By changing what I believe, deserve, letting go of my negative thoughts by embracing my thoughts in positive ways and changing my behaviors. Life can be hard, but it is considerably harder by criticizing myself and depriving myself of what I deserve: joy, love, abundance, happiness, and laughter.

Swimming is one of my agendas. I have more that I am looking into for spring and summer. Options are unlimited.

Will keep you posted after I get settled down.

Jim

Happy Easter Everyone

For Christians, the fear of death is cancelled in the hope of bodily resurrection. Since Christ's resurrection is central to the Christian faith, mention of His resurrection occurs in literally thousands of songs and hymns. "Messiah" is George Frideric Handel's best known work. "Messiah" was designed and selected from the New and Old Testaments of the Bible based on a libretto by Charles Jennens. Handel might never have written "Messiah" had Jennens not sent him a letter a compilation of scriptures which focused on the Christ of God. Handel felt deeply moved in his spirit and began to write. Within seven days he had completed part one of "Messiah," which concerned Jesus' birth that is often played during Christmas. He wrote the redemption part in another nine days and then, in less than one week, Handel completed the resurrection and future reign of Christ portion including the "Hallelujah Chorus" which is often played during Easter. Anyway, this is one of my favorites songs and after 250+ years, Messiah still holds its extraordinary grip on musician and audience member alike.

Christianity's concept of the Messiah ("the anointed one"). In Christianity, the Messiah is Jesus. The work is a presentation of Jesus' life and its significance according to Christian doctrine.

Handel's Messiah
George Frederic Handel (1695-1759)
PART ONE : The prophesy and realization of God's plan to redeem mankind by the coming of the Messiah

(1) Overture Sinfony

(2) Comfort Ye Recitative (Tenor or Soprano)
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
(Isaiah 40:1-3)

(3) Every Valley Air (Tenor or Soprano)
Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight, and the rough places plain.
(Isaiah 40:4)

(4) And the Glory of the Lord Chorus
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
(Isaiah 40:5)

(5) Thus saith the Lord Recitative (Bass)
Thus saith the Lord, the Lord of Hosts; Yet once a little while and I will shake the heav'ns and the earth, the sea and the dry land: And I will shake all nations; and the desire of all nations shall come.
(Haggai 2:6-7)
The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the Covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts.
(Malachi 3:1)

(6) But who may abide the Day of His Coming? Air (Alto or Bass)
But who may abide the day of His coming, and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire.
(Malachi 3:2)

(7) And He shall Purify Chorus
And He shall purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
(Malachi 3:3)

(8) Behold A Virgin Shall Conceive Recitative (Alto or Counter Tenor)
Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, GOD WITH US.
(Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23)

(9) O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion Air (Alto) & Chorus
O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain. O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, behold your God! O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, (Isaiah 40:9)
Arise, shine, for thy Light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
Isaiah 60:1)

(10) For behold, darkness shall cover the earth Recitative (Bass)
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
(Isaiah 60:2-3)

(11) The people that walked in darkness Air (Bass)
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
(Isaiah 9:2)

(12) For unto Us a Child is born Chorus
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6)

(13) Pastoral Symphony (Pifa)

(14) There were shepherds abiding in the field Recitative (Soprano)
There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.
(Luke 2:8)

(15) And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them Recitative (Soprano)
And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.
(Luke 2:9)

(16) And the Angel said unto them Recitative (Soprano)
And the angel said unto them: Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
(Luke 2:10-11)

(17) And suddenly there was with the Angel Recitative (Soprano)
And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying:
(Luke 2:13)

(18) Glory to God Chorus
Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will towards men.
(Luke 2:14)

(19) Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion Air (Soprano or Tenor)
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, thy King cometh unto thee; He is the righteous Saviour, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen.
(Zecharaiah 9:9-10)

(20) Then shall the eyes of the blind Recitative (Soprano or Alto)
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing.
(Isaiah 35:5-6)

(21) He shall feed his flock like a shepherd Aria (Soprano or Alto)
He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; and He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
(Isaiah 40:11)
Come unto Him, all ye that labour, come unto Him that are heavy laden, an He will give you rest. Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him, for He is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
(Matthew 11:28-29)

(22) His yoke is easy Chorus
His yoke is easy, and his burden is light.
(Matthew 11:30)


PART TWO : The accomplishment of redemption by the sacrifice of Jesus, mankind's rejection of God's offer, and mankind's utter defeat when trying to oppose the power of the Almighty

(23) Behold the lamb of God Chorus
Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world.
(John 1:29)

(24) He was despised Air (Alto or Counter Tenor)
He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
(Isaiah 53:3)
He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: He hid not His face from shame and spitting.
(Isaiah 50:6)

(25) Surely He hath borne our griefs Chorus
Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows! He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him.
(Isaiah 53:4-5)

(26) And with His stripes we are healed Chorus
And with His stripes we are healed.
(Isaiah 53:5)

(27) All we like sheep have gone astray Chorus
All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
(Isaiah 53:6)

(28) All they that see him laugh him to scorn Recitative (Tenor or Soprano)
All they that see Him laugh Him to scorn; they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads, saying:
(Psalms 22:7)

(29) He trusted in God Chorus
He trusted in God that He would deliver Him; let Him deliver Him, if He delight in Him.
(Psalms 22:8; Matthew 27:43)

(30) Thy rebuke hath broken His heart Recitative (Tenor or Soprano)
Thy rebuke hath broken His heart: He is full of heaviness. He looked for some to have pity on Him, but there was no man, neither found He any to comfort Him.
(Psalms 69:20)

(31) Behold, and see if there be any sorrow Arioso (Tenor or Soprano)
Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow.
(Lamentations 1:12)

(32) He was cut off out of the land of the living Recitative (Tenor or Soprano)
He was cut off out the land of the living: for the transgressions of Thy people was He stricken.
(Isaiah 53:8)

(33) But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell Air (Tenor or Soprano)
But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell; nor didst Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption.
(Psalms 16:10; Acts 2:27)

(34) Lift up your heads, O ye gates Chorus
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.
(Psalms 24:7-10)

(35) Unto which of the angels said He at any time Recitative (Tenor or Soprano)
Unto which of the angels said He at any time: Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee?
(Hebrews 1:5; Psalm 2:7)

(36) Let all the angels of God worship Him Chorus
Let all the angels of God worship Him.
(Hebrews 1:6)

(37) Thou art gone up on high Air (Alto or Bass)
Thou art gone up on high; Thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men; yea, even from Thine enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
(Psalms 68:18; Ephesians 4:8)

(38) The Lord gave the word Chorus
The Lord gave the word; great was the company of the preachers.
(Psalms 68:11)

(39) How beautiful are the feet Air (Soprano or Counter Tenor)
How beautiful are the feet of them: that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.
(Romans 10:15; Isaiah 52:7)

(40) Their sound is gone out Chorus
Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words unto the ends of the world.
(Romans 10:18; Psalms 19:4)

(41) Why do the nations so furiously rage together? Air (Bass)
Why do the nations so furiously rage together, and why do the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, and against His Anointed.
(Psalms 2:1-2; Acts 4:25-26)

(42) Let us break their bonds asunder Chorus
Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us.
(Psalms 2:3)

(43) He that dwelleth in heaven Recitative (Tenor)
He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn; the Lord shall have them in derision.
(Psalms 2:4)

(44) Thou shalt break them Air (Tenor)
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
(Psalms 2:9)

(45) Hallelujah Chorus
Hallelujah! for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
(Revelation 19:6)
The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.
(Revelation 11:15)
King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
(Revelation 19:16)
Hallelujah!


PART THREE : A Hymn of Thanksgiving for the final overthrow of Death

(46) I know that my redeemer liveth Air (Soprano)
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.
(Job 19:25-26)
For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep.
(I Corinthians 15:20)

(47) Since by man came death Chorus
Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
(I Corinthians 15:21-22)

(48) Behold I tell you a mystery Recitative (Bass)
Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
(I Corinthians 15:51-52)

(49) The trumpet shall sound Air (Bass)
The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality.
(I Corinthians 15:52-53)

(50) Then shall be brought to pass Recitative (Alto or Counter Tenor)
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory.
(I Corinthians 15:54; Isaiah 25:8)

(51) O death where is thy sting? Duet (Alto/Tenor/Counter Tenor)
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
(I Corinthians 15:55-56; Hosea 13:14)

(52) But thanks be to God Chorus
But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(I Corinthians 15:57)

(53) If God be for us Air (Soprano or Contralto)
If God be for us, who can be against us?
(Romans 8:31)
Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth, who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us.
(Romans 8:33-34)

(54) Worthy is the Lamb Chorus
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing and honour, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Revelation 5:12-13)