62. Rock Goes The Gospel - Guns 'N' Roses "Yesterday"

The lyrics and the video are based on a short story by Del James called Without You. The story is part of a collection called The Language Of Fear, which was brought back to market in 2008 after being out of print. The new version of the book contains an intro by Axl Rose, who wrote: "Del James has a personal knowledge of most of the situations he writes about, and has a love of the gutter from having been there." James contributed lyrics to two Guns N' Roses songs: "The Garden" and "Yesterdays," and has directed several music videos. Written by Axl Rose, the original version of this song was 25 minutes long, and was edited down to 8:59. It is the longest ever Top 10 hit and contains the longest guitar solo in a Top 10 single. Slash actually plays two guitar solos in the song. Rose put the song's lengthy gestation period down to opposition from Slash and Duff McKagan. 

The albums "Use Your Illusion I" and "Use Your Illusion II" were released simultaneously. Yesterdays is from "Use you Illusion I" This was a bold move, but the band was huge and the albums both sold very well. When they were released, Use Your Illusion II was the #1 album in the US, followed by Use Your Illusion I. The last time an artist had the top two albums at the same time was in 1974, when two Jim Croce albums held the top spots shortly after his death. The album was released in September 1991, but this came out as a single in February, 1992.

Yesterday there was so many things I was never told

Now that I'm startin' to learn I feel I'm growing old

'Cause yesterday's got nothin' for me
Old pictures that I'll always see
Time just fades the pages in my book of memories

Prayers in my pocket
And no hand in destiny
I'll keep on movin' along
With no time to plant my feet

'Cause yesterday's got nothin' for me
Old pictures that I'll always see
Some things could be better
If we'd all just let them be

Yesterday's got nothin' for me
Yesterday's got nothin' for me
Got nothin' for me

Yesterday there was so many things I was never shown
Suddenly this time I found I'm on the streets and I'm all alone

Yesterday's got nothin' for me
Old pictures that I'll always see
I ain't got time to reminisce old novelties

Yesterday's got nothin' for me
Yesterday's got nothin' for me
Yesterday's got nothin' for me
Yesterday

Yesterday

The song "Yesterdays" is about someone who is alone on the streets. An outcast, someone who is the least, the last, and the lost. Someone who is remembering his or her yesterdays and acknowledging that yesterdays have no hold over them,"Yesterday's got nothing for me" that even reminiscing is something they have no time for.

This is the last day of 2014 tomorrow is a new year. The yesterdays of 2014 cannot be relived in 2015. Yes we may not be able to forget some of the things that happened. The joys as well as the hurts. One thing is for sure is that the things that fuelled us in all our yesterdays cannot be the soul things that fuel is in 2015. In The Old Testament during the time of Moses there is a passage in Exodus 16 about the provision of God for the children of Israel. 

Exodus 16:4 "Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day."

The deal was that the children of Israel would be provided for by God enough for each day. They could not store any more. This was to be called "Manna" or "Bread" it would be enough to nourish the people of God one day at a time. 

We cannot rest on yesterday's bread we can only be fuelled by bread for today. In that sense "Yesterday's got nothing for me" I must have the provision of for my life day by day. His faithfulness days by day, his grace day by day, I need to live my life day by day. I cannot rely and build my life on past successes or achievements or be dragged down by past falls and failures. We all need to know that God who sustains us each day at a time.

In Hebrews we find a passage that proclaims to us the thought of God's sustaining power in Christ day at a time. 

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

In this last day of the year 3 things are good to know 1. - That Jesus never changes he will be to us in the coming days just as he was to us in the past. He will sustain us in 2015, he can be trusted in 2015, he will partner our work as we partner his in 2015. 2. - That if we are like the person in the lyrics of the Guns 'N' Roses song "Yesterdays" God has a continued plan for our lives as we follow Jesus. You may have been castout, you may have been branded a reject, a nobody. Today my friend in God's eyes you are a somebody. 3. I praise the good work of homeless shelters, the Salvation Army, churches, who have cared for the people on the streets this christmas and new year. Seeking to bring a light happiness to those who find them selves along and on the street. May Jesus who never changes, give you all the provision and guidance in the 2015. May you know him more, may you serve him, may you love whom he loves, care for the stranger as well as the saint. May God's blessing be upon you as you do these things.

61. Rock Goes the Gospel - Foreigner "Double Vision"

"Double Vision" is a single by Foreigner from their second album of the same name. The song reached #2 on the BillboardHot 100 chart for two weeks in 1978, behind "MacArthur Park" by Donna Summer. It was also a top 10 song in Canada. The song has been a staple of the band's setlist since it's release. Over recent years, Lou Gramm and Foreigner (now fronted by Kelly Hansen) have both used the song as their show opener. This song is featured in Guitar Hero Van Halen. It was covered by Kyle Justin in the Angry Video Game Nerd video of the same name (Double Vision) in a review of the second generation systems Intellivision and ColecoVision, the cover song being a pun on how both systems emphasise the word "vision". It was also used in a 90s Burger King ad. Background and writing. In an interview, vocalist Lou Gramm explained the origin behind the song: "'Double Vision' was a song that was written in about late 1977 just before the Double Vision album came out. ...A lot of people think it's about being intoxicated or being high. When we were recording that song before we had the title, the New York Rangers hockey team was playing the Philadelphia Flyers and one of the big Flyers guys bumped into the Rangers' all-star goalie [John Davidson] and knocked him down and they had to take him out of the game because he was experiencing double vision."

Double vision is a medical condition and  is the perception of two images of a single object seen adjacent to each other (horizontally, vertically, or obliquely) or overlapping. Double vision is medically termed diplopia. Polyplopia is the perception of three or more images of a single object overlapping each other.There are dozens of causes of double vision ranging from benign to life-threatening. Therefore, it is important for the doctor to carefully review the history and the examination to determine the cause and initiate appropriate treatment when necessary.

Feeling down 'n' dirty, feeling kinda mean
I've been from one to another extreme
This time I had a good time, ain't got time to wait
I wanna stick around till I can't see straight

Fill my eyes with that double vision
No disguise for that double vision
Ooh, when it gets through to me, it's always new to me
My double vision gets the best of me

Never do more than I, I really need
My mind is racing, but my body's in the lead
Tonight's the night, I'm gonna push it to the limit
I live all of my years in a single minute

Fill my eyes with that double vision
No disguise for that double vision
Ooh, when it gets through to me, it's always new to me
My double vision always seems to get the best of me, the best of me, yeah-ah

Ooh, double vision, I need my double vision
Ooh, It takes me out of my head, takin' me out of my head
Ooh, I get my double vision
Ooh, seeing double double, double vision
Ooh, oh my double vision
Ooh, double vision
Yeah-ah, I get double vision, ooh . . .

In Luke Chapter Two we find Luke speaking about the Birth, Circumcision and Presentation of Jesus in the temple. In this passage Luke explores a big theme, that of seeing. Luke is wanting to show his readership (Not double vision) but 20/20 vision. Luke is showing the breadth of vision in Simeon and Anna: Luke’s core thought is seeing in the darkness of the nation and in the world. In this section of the story we find Simeon and Anna; two elderly and wise people at the temple. Simeon and Anna both see something in the baby Jesus – The mystery of faith. They both saw redemption both of their own people and the effects of Jesus on the whole world.

Luke 2:22-40 "22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”, 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother marvelled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

On the presentation day (Public naming day of Jesus) an encounter with Simeon and Anna in the temple sets the scene for Jesus’ mission and ministry. Simeon prays that Jesus will be a light for the Gentiles. Anna says that he will redeem Jerusalem. This has all to do with the simple truth of a worldwide mission of Jesus, his work in the whole of the world. 

The eyes to see God’s redeeming work in the world around me.  The faith to proclaim God’s redeeming work in the world around me. The metaphor and contrast of "Light" and "Darkness" in relation to seeing is abundant in this passage. Revelation in the passage – Simeon and Anna – Types of people who can see the plan of God and the presence of Jesus in the world. Revelation is also here – Luke records Simon “My eyes” Simeon says “ Luke records Anna “Coming up to them and speaking about Jesus and linking him with redemption of Jerusalem.

In fairness the song by Foreigner is about the same thing. It's not really about double vision at all but about clarity. Simeon and Anna have this clarity despite their age. Simeon have a great clarity about who Jesus is and they see not only the babe but the possibilities. My pray would be that you have the same clarity today; Of who Jesus is and what response you need to make because you have seen the Lord's salvation.

60. Rock Goes The Gospel - U2 "Peace on Earth"

U2 songs are written like psalms by king David and others. They are edgy and provoke the listener to take seriously the content and to evaluate life in the light of the sung lyrics. Bono and the lads are masters of the genre.  "Peace on earth" is written in that vein and is from the album "All That You Can’t Leave Behind" that was released in 2000. 

Heaven on Earth
We need it now
I'm sick of all of this
Hanging around

Sick of sorrow
I'm sick of the pain
I'm sick of hearing
Again and again
That there's gonna be
Peace on Earth

Where I grew up
There weren't many trees
Where there was we'd tear them down
And use them on our enemies

They say that what you mock
Will surely overtake you
And you become a monster
So the monster will not break you

And it's already gone too far
You said that if you go in hard
You won't get hurt

Jesus can you take the time
To throw a drowning man a line
Peace on Earth

Tell the ones who hear no sound
Whose sons are living in the ground
Peace on Earth

No who's or why's
No one cries like a mother cries
For peace on Earth

She never got to say goodbye
To see the color in his eyes
Now he's in the dirt
Peace on Earth

They're reading names out
Over the radio
All the folks the rest of us
Won't get to know

Sean and Julia
Gareth, Anne, and Breeda
Their lives are bigger than
Any big idea

Jesus can you take the time
To throw a drowning man a line
Peace on Earth

To tell the ones who hear no sound
Whose sons are living in the ground
Peace on Earth

Jesus in the song you wrote
The words are sticking in my throat
Peace on Earth

Hear it every Christmas time
But hope and history won't rhyme
So what's it worth

This peace on Earth
Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth

"Peace on Earth" was written by Bono after the Omagh bombing in August 1998. "Peace On Earth" is a prayer of lament that takes its cue from the angels proclamation to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus in Luke 2.

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

"Peace on Earth" asks, where is this peace on earth? “Jesus can you take the time / To throw a drowning man a line / Peace on Earth.” This dissatisfaction over the gap between “hope and history” is a major theme of U2′s music and is expressed well in this song: “Hear it every Christmas time / But hope and history won’t rhyme / So what’s it worth / This peace on Earth.”

This is a real lament that is echoed in the hearts of millions across the world during this 2014 Christmas season. A lament that cry's out to God for fulfilment of the promises.  You cannot help getting cynical in face of the darkness that we endure personally, in our communities, cities, in nations and in the complex world in which we live. Where is this peace on earth?

Later in Luke 2 we hear of the presentation of Jesus in the temple. In the reading we encounter two of the faithful, Simeon and Anna who have not given up on the promises of God for redemption, salvation and peace. These two elderly saints in Jerusalem have stayed the course, they have believed against all the odds. They have not allowed themselves to grow cynical with old age. They have maintained the faith despite the darkness and the insurmountable pressures that the people of God were enduring. They may well have lamented but they would not allow themselves to abandon God or faith. They believed. I believe that this is where we are too. We can sings the songs of lament and at the same time not give up on faith in Jesus. In the song Bono is talking to Jesus and is basically asking the question "Where is this peace on earth?" It is a question that we all may ask as well. It is something to work for ....peace in families.....neighbourhoods .......communities.....cities......and in the whole world. I'm still believing for it. I hope you are too.

59. Rock Goes The Gospel - Rolling Stones - "Emotional Rescue"

The Rolling Stones are often described as the greatest Rock and Roll band in the world. Few would really dispute that title placed upon them. The dedication and persistence to there musical genius is an inspiration to all. This combined with the many years they have been going puts them in a class of their own.  More than any other band in any generation, whatever the fad or trend the rolling stones have weathered them all and not just weathered but shone like the sun. This is not to say that they did not experiment with different forms or sounds along the way. One exploration resulted in the song "Emotional Rescue" which became hot hit for them at the height of the disco craze in 1980.

Is there nothing I can say
Nothing I can do
To change your mind
I'm so in love with you
You're too deep in
You can't get out
You're just a poor girl in a rich man's house
Yeah, baby, I'm crying over you
Don't you know promises were never made to keep
Just like the night, dissolve in sleep

[Chorus]
I'll be your saviour, steadfast and true
I'll come to your emotional rescue
I'll come to your emotional rescue

[Verse 2]
Yeah, the other night, crying
Crying baby, yeah I'm crying
Yeah I'm like a child baby
I'm like a child baby
Child yeah, I'm like a child, like a child
Like a child
You think you're one of a special breed
You think that you're his pet Pekinese

[Chorus]

[Verse 3]
I was dreaming last night
Last night I was dreaming
How you'd be mine, but I was crying
Like a child, yeah, I was crying
Crying like a child
You will be mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, all mine
You could be mine, could be mine
Be mine, all mine
I come to you, so silent in the night
So stealthy, so animal quiet

[Chorus]

[Verse 4]
Yeah, you should be mine, mine, whew
Yes, you could be mine
Tonight and every night
I will be your knight in shining armor
Coming to your emotional rescue

[Outro]
You will be mine, you will be mine, all mine
You will be mine, you will be mine, all mine
I will be your knight in shining armor
Riding across the desert with a fine Arab charger

Do you need an emotional rescue? The truth is that most of us do from time to time. Most of us will face a crisis and will encounter Mr Churchill's black dog. During these times we all will need TLC, understanding and compassion and what is sung here "Emotional Rescue"

This does not mean that we need locking up or need "Prayer Ministry" or a visit to therapist or councillor. A caring insightful good listener family member, partner, spouse can be the entire emotional rescue that we need in most situations. We all may just need  someone just to listen to us in our darkest moments. Someone that can give us support, a comforting hug. Another way of handling a crisis is to get away from it all, to step away from the emotional turmoil of our lives and do something completely different, A holiday, a night out with friends, a retreat, travel, a trip to the movies, a night in with a good book, play some sport, go for a walk. These things can help us re-focus, re-charge and re-engage. The can become healing experiences, they can be a time to create the best in us, a time for us to re-discover what is really important in our lives.

There are many things that cause us to face a crisis. the loss of a job, a severe illness, a relationship breakup, the death of loved one, the re occuring dreams that bring back painful memories. The thing is do not go this alone, seek help sooner rather then later before the issue escalates and reaches catastrophic proportions. If it does get that far don't give up. Remember it is possible to overcome these kind of "mind pressures" if you have the right kind of rescue.

Jesus knew the pressures in his ministry that were unending and unceasing. People came to him day after day with illness and problems. I think he was often in the place of being just a few steps away from burnout. Jesus knew the blessings and benefits of getting away from those pressures for  a while.

Matthew 14: 23 "After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray."

Mark 6:46  "After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray."

Luke 6:12  "It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God."

Luke 9:28 "Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray "

Matthew 5:1 "When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain "

Luke 5:16 "But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray "

 For Jesus getting away from it all was part of his survival technique . Re-focus, Re-charge, Re-engage. It was not only useful but absolutely necessary . Can we really say that Jesus needed emotional rescue. Yes we can, the gospels suggest that in Jesus' humanity he shared the same needs and faced the same issues as we all do in life. His culture was different from our technological age but nevertheless he faced what we all face from time to time. Stress, Tiredness, Fatigue - He knew what to do about it. He did not ignore his body clock and to redemptive measures. We too need to learn from Jesus and take redemptive measures. Looking after our body, our minds, our physical, mental and spiritual heath is really important. Take some time out this Christmas to do the things that bring you life. May God Bless you.

58. Rock Goes The Gospel - Eric Clapton "Let it Grow"

Eric Clapton is one of the towering figures of contemporary music. His work with the Yardbirds, John Mayall, Cream and Blind Faith alone would have been enough to guarantee his place in rock 'n' roll history, but that was only the beginning. His first solo album came out in in 1970, and remains a staple on FM rock stations ever since. After beating a drug addiction that threatened his life and career, Clapton found his true solo voice on the 1974 collection 461 Ocean Boulevard. This first post-rehab project was a breezy album recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami. It revealed a loser, more confident Clapton dabbling in reggae ("I Shot the Sheriff"), or straight ahead rock and roll ("Mainline Florida") His spiritual side was represented as well in the most prayerful "Let it Grow" which begins with a direct reference to his signature song, the Robert Johnson blues classic "Crossroads"

Standing at the crossroads, trying to read the signs
To tell me which way I should go to find the answer,
And all the time I know,
Plant your love and let it grow.

[Chorus:]
Let it grow, let it grow,
Let it blossom, let it flow.
In the sun, the rain, the snow,
Love is lovely, let it grow.

Looking for a reason to check out of my mind,
Trying hard to get a friend that I can count on,
But there's nothing left to show,
Plant your love and let it grow.

[Chorus]

Time is getting shorter and there's much for you to do.
Only ask and you will get what you are needing,
The rest is up to you.
Plant your love and let it grow.

[Chorus 2x]

Have you ever been in a dilemma or a crisis, desperately seeking a solution when, in fact, a part of you already knows the answers, even though the rest of you cannot and will not see it. You know you should seek reconciliation with someone, but you are reluctant to do so. You have been telling your family and friends that you want to find a new job but after three months of talking you have not made a move. You want to deepen your relationship with someone close to you but somehow the words of commitment escape you. You want to spend more time with your children, but you are so busy that the time just seems to pass you by.

You are like Eric Clapton "Standing at the crossroads , trying to read the signs" when all the time the deepest and truest part of you already knows the answer. Indeed "Love is lovely" and in each of the situations mentioned, and in virtually any other you can imagine, the clue is to plant your love and "Let it Grow"

If this is so, If growth in our ability love ourselves and others will take ourselves from the crossroads and onto the right path, why is it so hard? Why do we have so much angst, so much indecision if we already know the basic answer? Perhaps it is because we are looking for an easier answer, a quicker more painless fix. Society constantly tells us that is it exists and that we deserve it. There is no need to listen to that small inward voice within that is calling us to dig deeper for a solution with all the hard work and sacrifice that it will entail. Go for the surface solution and keep right chugging along. No! Everytime you reach one of those crucial crossroads "Plant your love and let it grow" and you will be given what you need. This is what the Apostle Paul is reaching for in his letter to the church in Corinth.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8  4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

This is what planting your love looks like. This is what real love looks like, this is what it really looks like to love against all the odds. There is no easy answer. The only answer is love for God and for others.

57. Rock Goes The Gospel Wizzard - "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday"

Roy Wood founded Birmingham based band WIZZARD after leaving Electric Light Orchestra the band he co-founded with Jeff Lynne. Roy was former member also of the Move. Roy Wood was Wizzard. Just after ELO's first album Wood found himself at odds with co-founder Jeff Lynne. There were personal and musical differences and because of this it became clear the Wood and Lynne could not work together in the same group. the upshot was that Wood left taking fellow band members Bill Hunt, and Hugh McDowell as well as Trevor Smith who was ELO's sound engineer. They left and formed WIZZARD.

The band made their first live appearance at the London Rock and Roll show in Wembley Stadium on the 5th August 1972. this also was the very first concert to be held at Wembley. Wizard's second appearance was at the Reading Festival later in August. these appearances were made famous with Wood's distinctive warpaint make-up and colourful costumes.

In 1973 Wizzard release their christmas single and no-one could have predicted it's success. It has become the norm to hear it on the radio all over the world as one of the best christmas singles alongside Slade (Fellow Birmingham Band) "Merry Christmas Everybody". The Wizzard single was an outright success. It was reissued in 1981 and a 12" single recording was released in 1984.

When the snowman brings the snow
Well, you just might like to know
He's put a great big smile
On somebody's face 

If you jump into your bed
Quickly cover up your head
Well, don't you lock the doors
You know that sweet Santa Claus
Is on the way 

Well, I wish it could be Christmas every day
When the kids start singing and the band begins to play
Oh, I wish it could be Christmas every day
And let the bells ring out for Christmas 

When we're skating in the park
If the storm cloud paints it dark
Then your rosy cheek's
Gonna light my merry way 

Now the frosty paws appear
And it's frozen up to here
So we'll lie by the fire
Til' the sleep simply melts 'em all away 

Well, I wish it could be Christmas every day
When the kids start singing and the band begins to play
Oh, I wish it could be Christmas every day
(Christmas every day)
And let the bells ring out for Christmas 

When the snowman brings the snow
Well, he just might like to know
He's put a great big smile
On somebody's face 

So if Santa brings that sleigh
(Santa brings that sleigh)
All along the Milky Way
I'll sign my name on the rooftop in the snow
Then he may decide to stay 

Well, I wish it could be Christmas every day
(Ooh, don't you know that)
When the kids start singing and the band begins to play
Oh, I wish it could be Christmas every day
(Christmas every day)
And let the bells ring out for Christmas

On November the 3rd 2013 Roy Wood commented in the Birmingham Mail "I never thought, back in 1973, that people would still be listening to it after all this time. It wasn’t even the biggest-selling Christmas record of that year."

So why would anyone wish it could be christmas everyday? The answer to that question is complex but begins with what we mean by Christmas. Christmas Holidays. The Birth Of Christ. The Season of the Year. My definition for this devotion is "Christmas is a festival or season of the year in which the followers of Jesus choose to remember his birth"

There are a number of reasons why it is good to wish it could be Christmas every day. The following are some my own thoughts.

Reason 1-  Christmas should remind followers of Jesus that the season and that life in this world is really about Jesus. For myself and for countless others Christmas is the time when we choose to remember Jesus and to encourage ourselves to remember every day would seem to me a good and worthwhile occupation. To say "I wish it could be Christmas everyday" is to acknowledge this fact, that as the followers of Jesus it is Jesus who should occupy our hearts, our lives, our thinking on a daily basis.

Reason 2 - Christmas should remind followers of those things that are important - Family and close friendships. Perhaps you do not need reminding that Christmas is also about families. The bible talks about the Holy Family and the visits that are made to the stable by shepherds and perhaps others. In our busyness we often face the danger of neglecting our families as we commit ourselves to the things that occupy our lives. To say "I wish it could be Christmas Everyday" is to acknowledge that the family is important and should be our daily involvement both for the good of the family and for the good of ourselves.

Reason 3 - Christmas should remind followers of Jesus about giving. Christmas is a reminder of the generosity of God in Christ and a reminder of our own generosity too. The story of the birth of Jesus is a story of great generosity. The gracious generosity of God. We are told the story of our generous God in various passages of the the gospel narratives. In each narrative the gospel writer tells us the story but all have the generosity of God as a central theme. We too are encouraged to display generosity in our lives as a response to the gospels and a response to Jesus. To say "I wish it could be Christmas Everyday is to acknowledge that God is generous and that we should be also.

There are of course bigger issues to reflect upon about "Christmas" There are a number of reasons why it is not good to wish it could be Christmas every day. The following are some my own thoughts.

Reason 1. Consumerism is a reason why "I don't wish it could be Christmas everyday". More goods and more spending. It is recognised that in the UK Christmas spending will reach massive proportions. On Black Friday this year shoppers in the UK spent £2Million a minute all over the UK. the total spend was £1.2 Billion. It is also thought that on average the UK family will spend £868 on Christmas this year. In surveys some are saying that they will finance Christmas from saving while others are saying they will finance Christmas by loans or maxing out on credit cards. To say "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" Is to say that this kind of consumerism is Okay and we wish it could be happening on a daily basis.

Reason 2. Displacement or Identity Fraud is a reason why "I Don't Wish It Could be Christmas Everyday". Trees, Baubles, Santa, Reindeer, Christmas lights and good cheer are rife at Christmas. I don't want to be a kill joy but I think we are missing something and it's not more stuff. Sometimes the Church is  guilty of buying into sentimentality and myth telling at Christmas. We condone and contribute to avoiding the truth. We unpack the christmas trees and tinsel them up we celebrate the season and when the season is over are we not guilty of putting Jesus away with the christmas tree till next year. We displace Jesus or we play identity fraud games with him. It would be refreshing just to take a bigger look at who he is this Christmas season.

Christmas for me could be a time of retelling the story. Of revisiting the whole truth and nothing but the truth. that the story of Christmas is also the story of Good Friday and Easter Sunday and also the story that has occupied eternity.  For many of the saints in Church history including Athanasius of Alexandria who when speaking of Christmas spoke of Easter and when speaking of Easter spoke of Christmas. For Athanasius the Incarnation and the Atonement were inseperable.

I finish this devotion with the prologue of John the apostle. Who speaks in all his writings of the importance of placing true faith in Jesus.

John 1:1-14 "1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Let the bells ring out for the real meaning of Christmas. JESUS.

56. Rock Goes The Gospel - Tina Turner "What's Love Got To Do with It?"

This was Tina Turner's comeback song. She first hit the Pop charts with her husband Ike in 1960, and their biggest hit came in 1971 with a cover of "Proud Mary." After enduring years of spousal abuse, Tina split from Ike in the mid-'70s and her career was in limbo until this song thrust her back in the spotlight 13 years after "Proud Mary." More hit singles followed, cementing her status as a music icon. Tina hated this song, and did not want to record it. She had the good sense to defer to her manager, Roger Davies, who was engineering her comeback and was sure the song would be a hit for Tina. Davis got the song from his friends, the songwriters Terry Britten and Graham Lyle (who was in the duo Gallagher and Lyle), and it was Britten whTerry Britten and Graham Lyleo produced the track. This won Grammys in 1985 for Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Female Vocal Performance. Turner gave one of the awards to Davies, who she credited with reviving her career. At the second MTV Video Music Awards in 1985, this won for Best Female Video.

You must understand how the touch of your hand
Makes my pulse react
That it's only the thrill of boy meetin' girl
Opposites attract
It's physical
Only logical
You must try to ignore that it means more than that

Oh oh
What's love got to do, got to do with it?
What's love but a second hand emotion?
What's love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?

It may seem to you that I'm acting confused
When you're close to me
If I tend to look dazed I've read it someplace
I've got cause to be
There's a name for it
There's a phrase that fits
But whatever the reason you do it for me

Oh oh
What's love got to do, got to do with it?
What's love but a second hand emotion?
What's love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?
Huh

I've been takin' on a new direction
But I have to say
I've been thinkin' about my own protection
It scares me to feel this way

Ho oh
What's love got to do, got to do with it?
What's love but a second hand emotion?
What's love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?

(What's love?)
Got to do, got to do with it
What's love but a sweet old fashioned notion?
What's love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?

(What's love?)
Got to do
Huh, got to do with it
(What's love but a second hand emotion?)
What's love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?
What's love?
(Ooh, ooh)
Got to do it
Got to do it
What's love?
(But a second hand emotion?)

(What's love?)
Got to do
Huh, got to do with it
(What's love but a second hand emotion?)
What's love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken....

The lyrics fit with what was going on in Turner's earlier life. Even though the song was written byTerry Britten and Graham Lyle it fits with the emotions that Tina Turner was facing in her own life. The song suggested that to have no heart is better then having a broken one. The song is about a physical reaction in a relationship or potential one. Turner sings "Who needs a great when a heart can be broken" You can almost hear the pain behind those haunting words. Perhaps this was a wish for Turner that she did not wish to have a heart and feel the hurt and the pain, a lamenting prophesy if you like. It's not that easy.......everyone has a heart, everyone has a conscience ......you cannot just get rid of the heart.

The bible talks about the heart in a number of different ways and places but in this devotion I want to look at guarding the heart. Turner says "Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken" The truth is we all have hearts and they are broken outside of Jesus and they need above all else guarding against life.

The heart needs guarding because of its natural bent as a part of our fallenness. And this is true even of those who have been regenerated by the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ. While believers possess the new nature and the capacity to know God and discern spiritual things, and while they have received the enlightening and empowering ministry of the Holy Spirit, they still possess the old nature or the wretched capacity for evil and selfish pursuits by which they can independently strive to handle life on their own apart from God. 

To use biblical analogies or illustrations, we can be: 

1. People committed to building our own cisterns, but these always turn out to be broken cisterns that can hold no water (Jer. 2:13). 

2. People who are always prone to turn to the arm of the flesh rather than to the arm of God and His resources (Jer. 2:13; 17:5f). 

3. People who seek to walk by the light of our own man-made firebrands (Isa. 50:11). 

To use the words of Isaiah, we can become filled with influences from the east, i.e., substitutes for life and for God’s plan for life (Isa. 2:5-6). Obviously, then, as Proverbs 28:26 warns us, the heart of man is not a safe haven, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered.” (See also Prov. 20:9 and Jer. 17:9.)

Isaiah 55:8-11 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 11 So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

Jeremiah 10:23 "I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not in himself; Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps."

Here are seven reasons the heart needs guarding:

1. The heart needs guarding because we do not naturally think and look at life like God does. We are inherently ignorant of His mind and His ways. We desperately need the wisdom and direction of the Lord to know His ways and to know our own heart and its wicked ways. Proverbs 19:3 warns us that our foolishness subverts or perverts our way. “Perverts” is the Hebrew word, salaph, “to twist, pervert, overturn.”

2. The heart needs guarding because, like sheep, we are prone to wander from God in our hearts (Isa. 53:6a). We want to live independently to control and direct our own affairs. We want to be in charge of our own destinies. Oh yes, some of us want to trust God with getting us into heaven, but we would too often prefer to direct our own affairs down here on earth partly because we are so committed to our own desires. To completely follow His directions means we may be called on to give up something that we think we must have in order to be secure or happy. Thus it is much safer to be in charge ourselves, so we think. Man is inherently rebellious by nature as a result of the fall.

3. The heart needs guarding because the heart is not just deceitful, it is more deceitful than all else (Jer. 17:9a). We can’t trust it because of its natural selfishness, self-centeredness, and self-protective ways and devices (Ps. 81:12-14; Jer. 17:9; 2:13). But to experience God’s way we must first repudiate our self-trust or reliance upon those devices we use to protect ourselves. Then, in the place of self-trust, we need to learn to rely completely on the Lord regardless of how things appear. Rather than lean on our own understanding, we trust the Lord to direct our path (Prov. 3:5; Ps. 37:5). But our heart, because of our fears and selfish concerns, deceives us through its vain rationalizations and we want to turn to our own solutions.

4. The heart needs guarding because the heart is desperately sick, i.e., incurably wicked (Jer. 17:9b). The NIV translates this “beyond cure.” Remember that the word “heart” may be used for the mind, the emotions, the will, the whole inner man, or as here, of the sinful nature that is a part of the inner man. 

The sinful nature cannot be eradicated, it cannot be improved, or changed for the better. Human reformation doesn’t work on the heart of man. So again, he who trusts his own heart is a fool! The pull of this old nature is always there to deceive us.

5. The heart needs guarding because the heart cannot be understood by our own wisdom. Only God can reveal and lay bare our hearts to us (Jer. 17:10; 20:12, Pr. 17:3; Ps. 139:23). It is hard to know our own motives and reasons (1 Cor. 4:4). We are naturally skilled at deceiving ourselves.

6. The heart needs guarding because the heart is the wellspring of life; the fountain of attitudes, values, beliefs, aspirations, and pursuits (Pr. 4:23; Matt. 13:34; 15:18; 6:21). Because of this, we must guard it or we develop those of the world and this will always lead us astray.

7. The heart needs guarding because, as is the fountain, so must be the streams that flow from it—the eyes, the mouth, the feet, i.e., words and actions. The means for guarding the heart will come as we in time and in Rock Goes The Gospel study some of the other needs of the heart. But to balance out character, we need to do more than guard our hearts but for now to look at one aspect is right.

"Who needs a heart" Well we all do, whether we like it or not we a driven by our hearts. The are a vital component to life. after Christmas Rock goes the gospel will be bringing more on the heart and what the bible says about it.

May You be guided by the Holy Spirit today. May he help you guard your hearts from Evil and show you the way of truth.

55. Rock Goes The Gospel - Stevie Nicks "Rooms On Fire"

"I guess the single [Rooms on Fire] is about when you're in a crowded room and you see a kind of person and your heart goes, 'Wow!' The whole world seems to be ablaze at that particular moment." ~ Stevie Nicks, Record Mirror, May 20, 1989

The Stevie Nicks song "Rooms on Fire" was released in May 1989, it was the first single to be taken from Nicks' fourth solo album, The Other Side of the Mirror. "Rooms on Fire" was fairly successful on both sides of the Atlantic, reaching No16 in both the UK and the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and also topped the U.S. Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. This was to be Stevie Nicks highest charting solo work. The song, according to the liner notes of Timespace – The Best of Stevie Nicks, was inspired by Stevie's brief relationship with Rupert Hine.

"The night I met Rupert Hine was a dangerous one. He was different from anyone else I had ever known...He was older, and he was smarter, and we both knew it. I hired him to do the album before we even started talking about music. It seemed that we had made a spiritual agreement to do a magic album...in a fabulous Dutch castle, at the top of the mountain. We recorded it in the formal dining room...where, upon the walls hung all these very old and expensive pieces of art...looking at us...we were never alone.""It always seemed to me that whenever Rupert walked into one of these old, dark castle rooms, that the rooms were on fire. There was a connection between us that everyone around us instantly picked up on, and everyone was very careful to respect our space...our TIMESPACE, so we all lived at the castle for about four-and-a-half months. I went home with him to England to mix the album at his studio...he left in December. I joined him there in London in January. We left immediately for his studio, Farmyard Studios, somewhere outside London. It was like being in a cottage in Wales, it was a little spooky...the atmosphere was like nothing I had ever experienced. Then something happened to him that simply made it impossible for us to ever be together again. I left him there...the rooms were still burning, but the fire had been stolen from us. It wasn't over love, in fact...it had nothing to do with love. It was just a bad situation. I came back to Los Angeles, a very changed woman. And now, long nets of white...cloud my memory...Now I remember the rooms, the music, and how truly magic the whole thing was..."

"Alright," said Alice, "I'm going back...To the other side of the mirror." ~Stevie Nicks, Timespace – The Best of Stevie Nicks liner notes (1991)

Somewhere out in the back of your mind (Somewhere)
Comes your real life and the life that you know
It seems like it was the creation of some of those same old things
It seemed to be the only thing left out in the light
She had trusted many...
But been unfamiliar with...
Almost everyone but you

Well maybe I'm just thinking that the rooms are all on fire
Everytime that you walk in the room
Well there is magic all around you, if I do say so myself...
I have known this much longer than I've known you

She had trusted many...
And then there would be someone who would enter into her presence
That she could sense for miles...
She dreamed of her wanton luxury
And she laughed and she cried... and she tried to taunt him
And he hated to be separated...
From that picture... No...

Well maybe I'm just thinking that the rooms are all on fire
Everytime that you walk in the room
Ooh, well there is magic all around you, if I do say so myself...
Well I have known this much longer than I've known you

Long nets of white cloud my memory...
Long nets of white cloud my memory...
Ooh... there is magic... all around you...
Everytime you walk in the room...

Well maybe I'm just thinking that the rooms are all on fire
Everytime that you walk in the room
Well there is magic all around you, if I do say so myself...
Well I have known this much longer than I've known you...
[Repeat]

The song is about the presence of another that turns the place you are in on fire. It's about a personality that is so dynamic, so mush the centre of attention that you feel attracted to him or her. this is how Nicks felt about Richard Hine. That when he emerged into a room it was like the room was on fire and Nicks whole attention was arrested and centred on him. A magical experience that should never end. For Nicks it did and she went back to the US.

Jesus promises his disciples a "Rooms on Fire" experience. an experience that would arrest them and focus all their attention on him. Jesus promises the filling of the Holy Spirit. So what was it that Jesus promises the disciples?

Luke 24:36 - 48  36"While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence. 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations,beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

This is a "Rooms on Fire" promise. "Power from on high" and he said they would be clothed with that power. They could not fail to have their attention arrested, the could not fail to be changed, they could not fail to be different when the Holy Spirit comes. Jesus continues his teaching about this in the 1st Chapter of the book of Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 1: 1-9 1"In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water,but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

Jesus makes it very clear that this "Baptism" (Infilling, pouring into, plunging into) will happen in Jerusalem and they will carry the fire to the ends of the earth. Truly a "Rooms on Fire" experience. For the disciples this would be their defining moment. For Stevie Nicks in the song it was the moment that she had been waiting for all her life, she was arrested by the presence of another and this would be true for the disciples as well. The disciples return tot he upper room to pray......

Acts 1: 12 - 14 "12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk[c] from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the roomwhere they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the womenand Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers."

They return to the upper room where they have been before, many times. this was the same room as they had the last supper in. It was to be a significant room in the history of the early church. If we were to continue the reading it was a room that they held leadership elections to determine the replacement apostle in replace of Judas. then on the day of Pentecost the room was ablaze with fire. 

Acts 2:1-4 "1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

"Rooms on Fire" not with the presence of a man but with the presence of Almighty God, the presence of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Wind, Tongues of fire, a moment in their lives that they would never forget. A moment of empowering by the wild Spirit of God. this spirit Jesus says in John's Gospel had the purpose of glorifying him. Making his presence in the world seen and heard. A moment of 100% attention where the followers of Jesus receive compassion for the world and are ablaze with the power and presence of God.

Acts 16:13-16…13"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14"He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15"All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.…

What a moment in the history of the church when the presence of Jesus swept into that upper room and set the place ablaze with Holy Fire. A Fire that is still burning in the hearts and lives of God's people today.  "Rooms on Fire" was significant for Stevie Nicks. "Rooms on Fire" would come to be relevant and significant  to millions of followers of Jesus in a worldwide scale. We cannot live the christian life or be effective followers of Jesus without the powerful significant ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It would be my pray today that you experience a "Rooms on Fire" experience that transforms your life and sets you world ablaze with the presence of Jesus.  So much so that you cause "Rooms on Fire" where ever you go with God's holy presence in you.

Community Carols at HLBC - 21st December 2014 at 6.30pm

This is the order of service for the traditional "Community Carols" service at my church on Sunday night. In previous "Community Carols" we have had may languages spoken in the readings and may carols from other countries. this time we have an all female cast of readers, an orchestral ensemble, a recorder group, soloists and a "Christmas Reflection" by myself.  This will be also a good opportunity to pray for the world at large and to give thanks to God for getting us to another Christmas. 

54. Rock Goes The Gospel - Mr Mister "Kyrie Eleison"

"Kyrie" is a song by the rock band Mr. Mister, from their 1985 album "Welcome to the Real World". It was released in late 1985, and achieved the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in March 1986, where it was No1 for two weeks. It also hit the top spot on the Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart for one week. In the UK the song peaked at No11 in April 1986.

The words to "Kyrie" were written by John Lang who co-wrote the songs on all of Mr. Mister's albums. The music was composed by Richard Page and Steve George while on tour with Adam Ant. 

"Kýrie, eléison, down the road that I must travel, 

Kýrie, eléison, through the darkness of the night"  

Kýrie, eléison simply means "Lord, have mercy" in Greek, and is a part of many liturgical rites in Eastern and Western Christianity. Kýrie, eléison; Christé, eléison; Kýrie, eléison is a prayer that asks "Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy". According to Page the entire song is, essentially, a prayer and he wondered if having a prayer set to rock music would work but John Lang kept pushing it. 

Kýrie, eléison
Kýrie, eléison
Kýrie

The wind blows hard against this mountainside
Across the sea into my soul
It reaches into where I cannot hide
Setting my feet upon the road

My heart is old, it holds my memories
My body burns a gem-like flame
Somewhere between the soul and soft machine
Is where I find myself again

Kýrie, eléison
Down the road that I must travel
Kýrie, eléison
Through the darkness of the night

Kýrie, eléison
Where I'm going, will you follow?
Kýrie, eléison
On a highway in the light

When I was young, I thought of growing old
Of what my life would mean to me
Would I have followed down my chosen road
Or only wished what I could be

Kýrie, eléison
Down the road that I must travel
Kýrie, eléison
Through the darkness of the night

Kýrie, eléison
Where I'm going, will you follow?
Kýrie, eléison
On a highway in the light

Whoa, oh, oh
Whoa, oh, oh
Whoa, oh, oh
Whoa, oh, oh

Kýrie, eléison
Down the road that I must travel
Kýrie, eléison
Through the darkness of the night

Kýrie, eléison
Where I'm going, will you follow?
Kýrie, eléison
On a highway in the light

Kýrie, eléison
Down the road that I must travel (will you follow?)
Kýrie, eléison
Through the darkness of the night

Kýrie, eléison
Where I'm going, will you follow? (will you follow)
Kýrie, eléison
On a highway in the light

Kýrie, eléison
Down the road that I must travel (yeah)
Kýrie, eléison
Through the darkness of the night

Kýrie, eléison
Where I'm going, will you follow? (will you follow?)
Kýrie, eléison
On a highway in the light

Kýrie, eléison
Down the road that I must travel (will you follow?)
Kýrie, eléison
Through the darkness of the night

Kýrie, eléison
Where I'm going, will you follow? (will you follow)

The theme of "Kyrie Eleison" is brought out in the story of the Pharisee and the Publican. (Luke 18:9-14) "God, be merciful to me the sinner," prayed the Publican. His only plea was for mercy, Kyrie Eleison! Without this prayer Christianity would be a philosophy, a history, a code but not a religion that saves.

The excellent book "Orthodox Worship" describes the meaning of the word mercy as follows:

"The word mercy in English is the translation of the Greek word eleos. This word has the same ultimate root as the old Greek word for oil, or more precisely, olive oil; a substance which was used extensively as a soothing agent for bruises and minor wounds. The oil was poured onto the wound and gently massaged in, thus soothing, comforting and making whole the injured part. The Hebrew word which is also translated as eleos and mercy is hesed, and means steadfast love. The Greek words for 'Lord, have mercy,' are 'Kyrie, eleison' that is to say, 'Lord, soothe me, comfort me, take away my pain, show me your steadfast love.' Thus mercy does not refer so much to justice or acquittal a very Western interpretation but to the infinite loving-kindness of God, and his compassion for his suffering children! It is in this sense that we need to pray 'Lord, have mercy,' 

The same theme of God's mercy is expressed in the story on the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) One of the most beautiful examples of God's mercy is the prodigal son, who leaves home, wastes all his father's resources in sin, ends up living with pigs, remembers his father, repents, and returns home where he is embraced by the waiting father, who declares a feast to celebrate his return. That is God's mercy.

Think also of the people who approached Jesus with this simple prayer, "Kyrie eleison", "Lord, have mercy":

• The Canaanite woman whose daughter was tormented by a devil. She persisted in her plea for mercy until her daughter was healed.
• The man whose son was possessed by an evil spirit that threw him into the fire. He came to Jesus with the plea Kyrie eleison. The prayer was answered and his son was healed.
• The two blind men sitting by the road outside Jericho who cried out to Jesus, Kyrie eleison. That cry was heard by Jesus who healed both of them.
• A final example. Jesus is left alone with the adulteress. Misery is left alone face to face with mercy. And she hears from the mouth of Jesus the words, "Neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more." That is God's mercy!

In all these instances Kyrie eleison was not a prayer that people recited unthinkingly and mechanically, but a cry of sincere faith that came from their hearts, a cry of desperate need and dependence on Jesus. Such a prayer God will not despise.

A precious story pictures a mother pleading with Napoleon to spare her condemned son's life. The emperor said the crime was dreadful; justice demanded his life. "Sir," sobbed the mother, "Not justice, but mercy." "He does not deserve mercy," was the answer. "But, sir, if he deserved it, it would not be mercy," said the mother. "Ah yes, how true," said Napoleon. "I will have mercy."

We dare not stand before the throne of God and ask that we be given what we deserve. Our only cry is, "Lord, be merciful." And the miracle is that there is mercy. At the very heart of the universe beats the heart of God's love. "I tell you," said Jesus about the publican, "this man went down to his house justified rather than the other."

We cannot pray for mercy without being willing to extend mercy to others. That is the point of Jesus's parable about the two debtors (Matt. 18:23-35). Matthew uses a form of the same Greek word eleison in presenting Jesus' teaching, "Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?"

The mercy we ask for is the mercy we must give to others. Lord, have mercy and make us merciful.

Ephesians 2:4-6 "But God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) and raised us up with Him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

In our broken world of tragedies and violence we pray "Kyrie Eleison" - Lord Have Mercy. Where there is no answer to the moral, social, spiritual decay pray "Kyrie Eleison" - Lord Have Mercy. When violence is thick like fog pray "Kyrie Eleison" - Lord Have Mercy. When nations rise against nation pray "Kyrie Eleison" - Lord Have Mercy. When Innocent children are killed like what has happened this week in Pakistan pray "Kyrie Eleison" - Lord Have Mercy. When lone gunmen attack innocent people in a coffee bar in Sydney Australia pray "Kyrie Eleison" - Lord Have Mercy. When the Russian Ruble is set to collapse and peoples lives will be effected pray"Kyrie Eleison" - Lord Have Mercy. When our own lives are in a mess pray"Kyrie Eleison" - Lord Have Mercy.

It's a prayer that has often helped me in whatever situation I have found. May God's Mercy be upon you today.