Sunday, August 29, 2010

Sunday Faith Blog.....It'll always be a battle

I listened to a LOT of versions of the Battle Hymn on YouTube and finally settled on this one by one of my very favorite singers. It might not be the best one for various reasons, but for passion and excitement and a crowd moved enough to stand up at the end I thought it was JUST right. Enjoy.......

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on. CHORUS:
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps,
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps:
His day is marching on. CHORUS
I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:
"As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel,
Since God is marching on." CHORUS
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat:
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on. CHORUS
In the beauty of the lillies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on. CHORUS
He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is Wisdom to the mighty, He is Succour to the brave,
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of Time His slave,
Our God is marching on. CHORUS
"Those who know your name will trust you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." Psalms 9:10

Have a blessed Sunday.........have trust.
z

35 comments:

Linda said...

Yep, a beautiful song, with words that are as true today as ever.

JINGOIST said...

I realize that we are conflating Christianity and Judaism here, but I don't care. These are just beautiful and inspirational words!

"As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on. CHORUS

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is Wisdom to the mighty, He is Succour to the brave,
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of Time His slave,
Our God is marching on. CHORUS

"Those who know your name will trust you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." Pslams

FairWitness said...

I'm tingling after watching that performance, my eyes are teary and I am in awe of the Lord's power and Judy Garland's amazing voice. Beautiful, Z.

The song is about resilence & perseverence through faith in Him. God bless you, Z.

I know this week has been very tough for you. This was the perfect song & faith blog to post at the end of such a painful time. A hopeful beginning of the new day and week.

LA Sunset said...

There is nothing like a song (or any other kind of story)that describes an ultimate triumph over adversity, grief, or evil. When we put our trust in God and exercise perseverance over our trials, it is (within itself) a form of redemption when we are victorious.

I have often told people who are experiencing very tough trials that a trial is not a trial unless it tests us in a taxing way. If it does not strain us to the limit, it is just an inconvenience and can be ignored. Trials can never be ignored, for they are a consuming event that sometimes will even test our very faith.

The lyrics of this song demonstrate the extent of such a trial, after the victory has been won.

Anonymous said...

Abolitionist Julia Ward Howe, the woman who wrote these words was inspired to put them to paper as the result of imagery that came to her in a dream. It must have been one heck of a dream because these words invoke tremendous images of moral righteousness as well as immoral hubris(slavery). America in 1861 was a nation of people who truly believed God was a very real and forceful presence in life and that any nation or people could only offend HIM and turn away from HIS sight and HIS will for so long until divine retribution would be visited upon that people or nation and it would be ''cast down''. For me the words "HE hath loosed the fateful lightning of HIS terrible swift sword'' speaks of that kind of divine almost apocalyptic(nuclear?) judgment . Think of that image , God drawing HIS sword, a sword so powerful, so large and swinging down from above and in a flash of ''fire and brimstone'' puny, offending wickedness is wiped from the Earth. Johnnymac.

Z said...

Linda, exactly...as true today as ever and even more important today, maybe.

Jingo, that conflation is what I wondered about yesterday at the rally, wondering what Jewish Conservatives thought of it.
These are terrific lyrics..As Jewish Dennis Prager says so often "Thank God for Christians in America, they built this country, gave us so much (z: i paraphrase but he does go on and on)" (Gee, sounds like Obama and islam, now that I think of it:-)

FairWitness, I have to admit this had more to do with the Beck Rally and what we're facing but it does apply to my situation, too, you're right!

LA Sunsett, you might like Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest" Today was so good and ties in here:

I loved this: "Faith must be tested, because it can be turned into a personal possession only through conflict. .....The test will prove that your faith is right, or it will kill it.
'Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in Me.' The final thing is confidence in Jesus. Believe steadfastly on Him and all you come up against will develop your faith. There is continual testing in the life of faith, and the last great test is death. May God keep us in fighting trim! Faith is unutterable trust in God, trust which never dreams that He will not stand by us."

I thought that was REALLY inspiring and tied in with Beck's rally......being unafraid to discuss the biggest faith in this country, to stand by Him as He stands with us. Good, huh?

JM, my guess is He's not drawing that final sword until He draws as many as possible...there's SO SO much negative news (health, finances, relationships) from friends I know that something positively weird's happening and he might be doing just what my quote from Oswald Chambers says "testing faith" until the final judgment day.

WomanHonorThyself said...

I will try to keep the faith Z..thank u!

Anonymous said...

Well Madame , I hope I'm not around when HE does. I think as you point out there's so much negativity swirling about it will be an AWFUL reckoning! "Thou hast been weighed in balance and found wanting....''.J'Mac.

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

My all time favorite hymn.

The old Christian metal band Stryper has a great version.

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

click me

JINGOIST said...

Z, I liked the rally all right, i guess that I was expecting more red meat patriotism and conservatism. All in all I'm glad that it happened.

Anonymous said...

There aren't many in Hollywood today who would display their love of country in this manner.

It isn't that they ... lack courage; it is rather that they don't love their country.

Faith said...

There is something thrilling about Judy Garland's singing that on her show.

As Jingoist mentioned, I too expected more patriotism and conservativism at Glenn Beck's rally yesterday. Instead we got more like The Old Time Gospel Hour -- from a heretic yet.

Yes, the more I think about it the bolder I get about this, the more I know that what Beck did yesterday was try to blur the distinctions between Christianity and Mormonism as much as anything else he was doing there, try to overcome the opprobrium in which Mormonism is rightly held by the majority of Christians by doing what Mormons usually try to do -- act as if they are just another Christian denomination. Since he has such a strong conservative audience he can count on some of the Christians just following along like unthinking sheep -- because his conservative patriotic message is so powerful. And it is, I agree, that's his attraction, he does a great job with it and I wish we COULD support him, but for a Christian it's a snare, it's poison. Spit it out, Christians.

And I also wondered what Jews could do with all the references to Jesus. Now, I WANT a rally around the name of Jesus myself, and that is probably why I got as into it all yesterday as I did too. But I want it from a true Christian base, not from a Mormon, and then Jews can stand with us if they can accept that, but they shouldn't be put in the position of thinking they're there for a patriotic rally only to find out they're in church.

LA Sunset said...

//Yes, the more I think about it the bolder I get about this, the more I know that what Beck did yesterday was try to blur the distinctions between Christianity and Mormonism as much as anything else he was doing there, try to overcome the opprobrium in which Mormonism is rightly held by the majority of Christians by doing what Mormons usually try to do -- act as if they are just another Christian denomination. Since he has such a strong conservative audience he can count on some of the Christians just following along like unthinking sheep -- because his conservative patriotic message is so powerful. //

Leave it to you to ruin a perfectly nice post about something so wonderful and great.

No matter how eloquently you try to word it, it is clear that you are utterly fixated on hating people who do not share your opinions on theology.

Beck did nothing of the sort. But once again, you are trying to make this about what you believe. No wonder you average 0 comments on each of your posts, on your own blog.

Z said...

Faith, Why do you keep bringing this up, to warn us? Most of us are mature in our faith and could clearly see that nothing Beck did smacked in the slightest way of Mormonism... If you hold these opinions so truly and strongly it might be better not to share them here as you seem upset with the responses sometimes....I don't know what you expect but you keep bringing it up!

He did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to show any Mormonism in that rally...I think you know that. If he did, let me know.

As you say, Faith, I felt VERY sensitive toward my Jewish Conservative friends during the rally....it's what held me back from commenting immediately yesterday, after it was over...I had to think about how I felt.

Jingo, it's also why I emailed for your opinion.........You're always very generous and gracious toward Christians and I appreciate that.

I felt uncomfortable being torn between being THRILLED that ANY American had the sheer guts to mention Jesus' name in a crowd that big, knowing the media would SKEWER HIM, and feeling bad for Jews who are every bit as Conservative and have every bit the good values and knowledge of our Constitution, etc., that we all have.

I will add here that a friend emailed me today that the LA Times and NY Times did pretty fair pieces on the rally, I haven't had time to look, nor will I have time today as I"m leaving soon....but that tells me this was MUCH bigger and they're MUCH MUCH more scared of this group than we thought....Amazing that they might be realizing finally how their insults are taken by the half of the population who are on Beck's side AND those who might NOT be but know ridiculous and stunning media bias when they see it (FINALLY!) Dare we hope?

Faith said...

I'm not going to post any more on this, Z, but I'm very disappointed that the point isn't getting across, which seems to me so obvious. He IS a Mormon and everybody knows it, and when he stages a rally the whole world knows it's a Mormon staging it, and the whole point is to make Mormons appear to be Christians, which is what Mormons DO ALL THE TIME. THAT'S THEIR STRATEGY. And if you can stand alongside a heretic APPEARING FOR ALL THE WORLD AS IF he's a Christian just because he isn't OVERTLY giving a Mormon message but sounding as Christian as all get out -- and again, THAT IS WHAT MORMONS DO, THAT IS THEIR STRATEGY -- sorry, but you've been seriously duped, and we are warned in the Bible not to treat heretics as fellow Christians.

I'm surprised and disappointed but I did my bit and apparently you don't mind the outrageous PERSONAL attacks on me for an argument that I've never made personal like that.

So goodbye.

Z said...

Faith, you didn't have to even address this point here, yet you persist, which always surprises me.
You are not our teacher, though you know I have usually respected what you're written and always admire your grasp and depth of knowledge of Scripture.
On this one? NO, Faith. The thing is people might have some subliminal knowledge he's Mormon, but WHO CARES? HE NEVER EVER EVER brings it up, EVER. Nobody thought that was a MORMON RALLY, and you know that.

I don't hate Mormons, but (other than the very good values their families generally hold) I don't admire their beliefs because they're non Scriptural as far as the Scripture I hold near and dear, that Scripture Christians should ONLY be informed by according to what we are told there....but I do NOT think Beck's love of America and its founding fathers and the Constitution and the faith of this country has anything to do with Mormonism.

and please, I really didn't think you'd go to the 'duped' line. I thought you might but considered that you know me better than that.

LA Sunset said...

//So goodbye.//

One cannot help but wonder if this is really goodbye or just the first of a series of goodbyes.

LA Sunset said...

//HE NEVER EVER EVER brings it up, EVER.//


I have heard him bring it up but only in the context of his own personal testimony. He never rams it down anyone else's throat uninvited, and he has never, ever, made any malicious references to people who openly condemn him for his beliefs. He has never labeled anyone a heretic or any other such thing, because we may not jive with his take on theology.

Who is to say that God does not have a plan for Glenn Beck, despite the fact that he doesn't see eye to eye with the narrow minded people who condemn him so easily? Certainly not me.

Glenn Beck's beliefs are none of my business. They are his and God's....and no one else has the right nor the moral authority to judge him.

I am not a Mormon and do not agree with much of their doctrines, but I am not worthy to condemn them either.

Anonymous said...

I love The Battle Hymn of the Republic. It stirs my soul. Judy Garland sang with such passion, so much feeling, this was a good choice, Z.

Our HS choir director used to look at me so resigned when I'd raise my hand and request we sing the Battle Hymn, which I guess I did too often. Ha,Ha.

It wasn't that he didn't like it, but I requested that a lot! I haven't tired of it in all these years. It's just so rousing and meaningful.



Hi Jingo, Beck, on his TV show, told us for weeks off and on, that this rally was to be about seeking out God, and restoring honor. Of course I watch his show everyday. You probably don't have that opportunity.


Faith, do you think you haven't insulted some of us, because to you, we don't measure up? I do get your point, as do others here. Do you think yours are not personal attacks? My God, that's what you do all the time.

Who are you to preach to us? We're adults. If we can accept others who we may feel have good hearts and are sincere, why is that your concern?

You are not the one who judges who is worthy, or faithful. Or have you forgotten that.

Pris

Z said...

LA, apparently Beck mentioned his being Mormon this morning on FOX to Chris Wallace, in an important context that applied to him having referred to Obama as a racist, from what I read; but even the leftwing report on it called his mention of his Mormonism "...an extremely rare occurence."

LA Sunset said...

//Faith, do you think you haven't insulted some of us, because to you, we don't measure up? //

Now now Pris.....she is bound by scripture to insult us in the name of the Lord. Apparently, somewhere in the Bible, he commands it. I am desperately seeking that passage, but as of yet I cannot find it in the KJV.

JINGOIST said...

Z I appreciate your thoughts on the matter, really. The fact that it turned into a Christian rally wasn't what bothered me. It certainly DIDN'T smack of Mormonism in the least.
I grew up in the midst of southern Baptists in south FL, so I've seen my share, they DON'T bother me either. Sometimes I actually appeciate their take on life. :-)

I just wanted more of what he does in his show. More politics, more exposing the Obamafascists etc..

FairWitness said...

What the heck is this "you're not a real Christian like I am" competition? Just wonderful sentiment in light of the amazing rally about the restoration of faith, hope and charity in our culture.

Faith, what a miserable, judgmental, unpleasant, disrespectful person you are. You disgust me and you're doing our Lord no service with your mean-spirited attacks on a man trying to do the Lord's work.

I'd like to remind you that Glenn Beck is also a son of God, loved by Him. How dare you attack such a man. What have you ever done other than sit on the sidelines and pass unfair judgment on fellow Christians?

Anonymous said...

Plus ca change, plus ca la meme chose.

Vive la liberté toujours!

Adieu

elmers brother said...

....for they are a consuming event that sometimes will even test our very faith.

James 1 says to count it all joy when we encounter trials because it matures us...spot on LASunsett.

Z said...

I've been away most of the afternoon/evening and thought about this Mormon thing quite a bit in the car,and our conversations about it.

I really do think that God is honing all of us and Scripture will speak to each of our hearts as He wills it to....
This is not a cop out, I know we should stand up for God (Beck's rally was about that!) but it is sometimes up to us to point things out and then it's up to the others to take that ball and run....
This DOES all mature us, even this awful thing today with hurt feelings.

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

I generally make fun of Mormons as a matter of principle. They're goofy.

Didn't and don't really care for Glenn Beck in the first place. I don't doubt his sincerity, but he's off by miles on a few things within political discussions. Mormonism is just another one of those few things than make him off by miles.

Discussions of Mormonism can get nasty in a historical context.

We can have a whole Kinderhook Plate dinner discussing the "nice Mormons" of the Mountain Meadows massacre.

It's not a religion of intellectuals.

“I will be to this generation a second Mohammed, whose motto in treating for peace was ‘the Alcoran [Koran] or the Sword.’ So shall it eventually be with us—‘Joseph Smith or the Sword!’ - Joseph Smith, speech in the public square at Far West, Missouri on October 14, 1838.

Sam Huntington said...

The point of Beck’s rally was restoring honor to America. I don’t see much honor belittling someone on religious grounds. As long as Beck doesn’t start to call me an infidel because I’m not a Mormon, I don’t care what his religious views are. At some point, God will ask Beck to account for his life; that has nothing whatsoever to do with me. Honestly, do we need any more reasons to remain disunited, or should we be looking for ways to restore honor to our country? Some of the language here appears exactly like the crap we heard from Al Sharpton over the weekend. Some of the language here is as intolerant as Islam. What gives with that?

Anonymous said...

Beamish, I'm no fan of Mormonism either, and the horrible murders of innocents at the Mountain Meadows Massacre, was so terrible and done out of hatred and mistrust for Christians.

However, it should be known that then, in early America, Mormons were considered fair game for killing and were, without any fear of the perpetrators being held accountable for this act, by the government.

God knows two wrongs don't make a right, and the hate between Christians and Mormons was so unGodlike, as to be such a puzzlement to me, it's hard to wrap my brain around it as it is to understand the Islamist religion which condones so much killing, in the name of Islam.

Thank God that the Christian, and Mormon religions, have undergone a reformation over time which no longer condones murder of those who they call unbelievers.

We cannot now, hold onto hate which existed so long ago, if we are to live with each other and exist in peace with each other.

If only Islam would now experience such a reformation, however until they do, we will have to be on our guard, and be wary of them as an enemy, for our own survival.

It's all so very sad, and unnecessary in the scheme of things. The human condition it seems, demands learning everything the hard way doesn't it.

Pris

Hayden said...

And then all the good religious people continued to bicker and hate on each other while the communist lefties of the country embraced Islam and initiated Shar'ia law upon the people.

Really, to argue over a Mormon conducting a Restoring Honor to the country event is plain silliness. He isn't running for Preacher of the year, he isn't demanding anyone to convert, he isn't strapping a bomb on his chest and blowing people up... He is sensitively and honorably asking the PEOPLE to unite and fight for the country in which they (should) love.

And might I ask, where were all the "Christian" leaders in this country? Are they holding events to restore honor to America? Are they giving up their time, their money, and placing themselves in danger in order to rescue this country from the true enemies thereof?

This is exactly the kind of fighting and extremism the left likes conservatives to have --espeically within the religious world. You see, they have the religious right pegged: They always, always, always, get tunnel vision and argue about minute points/qualities, rather than being able to focus on the big picture: What is right for America.

How sad that so many people fall into that trap.

cube said...

I didn't even know Beck was a Mormon, but I think that Christians and Jews need to look beyond the differences and look to the things which bring us together.

cube said...

I got so caught up in the religious debate that I forgot to comment on the Judy Garland video... beautiful voice, beautiful song, but over the years, I can't help thinking she looks like she's about to tip over when I see her perform.

Z said...

Pris, it feels like we were snuck up on by the leftwing into our schools and our churches, but I think we were sleeping and will have to learn the hard way... again.

Hayden, no, he surely isn't strapping bombs on himself..and, as CUBE says, she didn't even know he was a Mormon. I wouldn't have known until someone mentioned it about six months ago to me. That says a lot.

And CUBE..she was VERY frail in her older years...being that thin isn't healthy sometimes, and she was also on pills.
A friend owned RYDER SOUND and they did an animated movie called, I think "Gay Purree" or something?...anyway, whatever the film, Garland was a voice in it and they had to hire a comedian to come in every morning to make her laugh. I kind of hate relating that story but it does show how very sad she was...

Anonymous said...

"They always, always, always, get tunnel vision and argue about minute points/qualities, rather than being able to focus on the big picture: What is right for America."

Yes Hayden, it is the big picture which must maintain our focus. You are spot on.


Z, it does seem that the hard way is the rule of thumb, doesn't it? Warnings are ignored, and we've had many of them.

If any of us talk about the warnings, we're considered paranoid. The hard way seems to be the way of choice, unfortunately.

Pris