Memory Loss

     We do not watch TV [outside programing such as cable, satellite, antenna etc.] at our house. Yes, I'm starting out with a disclaimer. We do have a TV for select movies primarily for times of relaxation and/or for sedation. Yes, It comes on at bedtime, and for ten or fifteen minutes we watch the same events unfold night after night before succumbing to sleep. We're not much for variety ... that's not the intent. Right now it's Emma, night after night, doing the same thing, making the same silly remarks, caught up in the intrigues of her plotting, entanglements galore, Frank Churchhill entering the room again and again, character flaws abounding, hidden engagements, secrets exposed, character after character impregnating their contributions into the unfolding unadulterated, story line, all under our purview. In fact, the deeds are done. It does little good to stick the DVD in again and again.  The same remarks are made, the reactions still the same, the hurts, the joys, the anger, the rebukes have all been said and done and all the viewing or re-viewing in the world will not change that and it makes me wonder about my own life.

     In my last post I marveled at the fact, in and of itself, the act of Jesus on the cross was indeed, a part of His reality in a way that is always with Him, unchanging, revealing, amazing and humbling. Now, I look at my life, at all the things I would rather forget and know that God, when He looks at my life, sees my story much the same way; well, possibly somewhat the same way I do when I'm watching Emma, only it's real and it's always now to Him. I, on the other hand, am very capable of rationalizing and making accommodations for the purpose of making these memories less egregious and defensible or at least conveniently forgettable. As I grow older, and somewhat in my eyes at least, have matured in my walk with the Lord, I can see that this won't do. There has to be a point in my own story line where the story changes. Things I did yesterday are no longer an option. When God looks at my story ... all of my story ... there has to be a turning point, change, a destination, a viable plot and an ending that pleases my Lord. There has to be a response to what Jesus did on the cross and it's not all easy. It's not a cheap entitlement. It's hard work. It's a "working out of our salvation with fear and trembling." Oh, and for everyone that's saying "oh my gosh it's another works theology," I'll add, "for it is God that does this work in you." But in saying that you'll notice that the work is still there and every day I pray for that strength to do that work. It's called relationship! The fact that we can have relationship in and of itself is amazing to me and I don't completely understand it all, or the whys and the ifs of it. As for my story, God has seen it all, He created time. I'm the one stuck in it. Tomorrow for me though, is a blank page yet to be written and a chance to hold my Fathers hand, to follow and to endeavor unto obedience. I do know I lay completely and utterly exposed to a God that through His mercy and forgiveness through the sacrifice of His own Son has promised, at the end of my story, a self imposed memory loss of His own regarding the sins I've laid before Him.

     It's not to be confused with a sequel for all has been made new and now we can only wonder about what will be, but we know that "we shall be like Him." An end to a story, I suppose ... a new beginning, a surety. What was lost shall be found, newness of life, real living and unashamed relationship restored ... and as for sin ... powerless ... removed ... a memory lost.


For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.
                                                                                                                      Psalm 103:11-12

Reality

Once again, yes once again, another Easter has rolled around the bend. To some, it is most precious. To some a struggle, an obligation to bring to remembrance [after all it's a command from our Lord] a point in time, for us anyway, in which the world was forever altered. Still, not a lot has changed. The mockers are still at the foot of the cross, the religious leaders indignant in their displaced theology, the flock in shock ... befuddled spectators, disarmed without purpose or direction. A lot has remained the same. We will go to church to hear of His sacrifice, that “He died for you” will once more will be echoed throughout our little place in time and we'll try, some of us will really try, to grasp what it really means, now and for us today.  

That's a lot of “you's” out there and I can't help but think that there are quite a few of you that I can't stand and tolerate. You are blatant enemies of my Saviour, my country, values, invasive with your perversions, murderers of the unborn, contrary in all regards to the absolute truths I hold so dear ... and yet even you are part of the “you's” He died for. He commands us to pray for you, of which the sincerity if any, of my prayers might well be regarded as sinful just by my attitude and regard. Still, we will say, and rightly so that He was made to be sin for us for the redeeming of our souls and the hope of our resurrection through Him. He made a way, gave us a choice and a hope that doesn't disappoint. "While we were yet enemies" speaks for us all, and in my heart I know He didn't choose to save us. This has nothing to do with choice. For Him it was not just a point in time, He created time. For Him it wasn't just an event that altered history, He is His story. For Him it's not just a remembrance, something to revisit every year, that's for us. For Him it's who He is. It doesn't leave Him, it can't be anything but constant, even the pain and torment. Sacrifice is a real part of who He is. This is undefiled Truth, the Word revealed and Life freely offered. This is Reality, ultimate Reality, this is the Who behind all the ”you's” damned and lost, the ones I so derisively spoke of, the ones of whom I am inclusive. This is Jesus.

It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him:
                                   If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him:
                                   If we deny Him, He will also deny us:
                                   If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful:
                                          He cannot deny Himself.
                                             2 Timothy 2:11-13

CLOSER - Lyrics

This is the last song for the FUNDAMENTAL project. I posted all these lyrics primarily for convenience. I didn't want to include them in the liner of the cd. I'm too old to read any thing that small anyway.

This song is fun. Well, at least it is if you're reborn. It's a good reminder that the old man is someday, if at all, just going to be a memory. Sometimes, even now, I forget that my life is short. When that happens I may inadvertently break into a rendition of "my wife is short." Yes she is .... and tremendously cute too! Amazing considering she died first. Actually, after seeing how beautiful she became, I was glad I went after someone that had already died. My fondest wish for everyone though is to die now and be reborn, rather than to die later with out that chance to really be alive. May God draw you into a life freely given and may you thumb your nose at the devil instead of Him.

               CLOSER  

Verse 1:

Life is short or so it would seem

Yes, people tell me all of the time

The days slip away and the seasons will pass

And the years parade across my mind

Yeah time doesn’t stand still for anyone I know

We’re still wondering where it did go

And life with a slap says as a matter of fact

You’re just getting old 

Chorus:

I’m not getting older

I’m just getting closer

I’m not getting older

I’m just getting closer 

Verse 2:

Now I’m not saying that my time should stand still

Or I can stop a tick of the clock

But life can be anew with a simple change of view

Not of me, not of you, but the One who made it true

Just had to die to be made alive

Reborn and taking on a new form

Of the One who conquered death and rose from the grave

Of the One who’s come to take me away 

Repeat Chorus: 

Bridge:

My life is short

                        No no no no no

Your life is short

                        Ya yeah yeah yeah yeah

My life is short

                        No no no no no

My life is too too too short 

Chorus:

Shot Down --- Lyrics

Another addition to my FUNDAMENTAL project, this song is actually a song of hope. Sometimes
I tend to view too much of the apostasy [An abandonment of what one has professed; a total desertion, or departure from one's faith or religion.] around me .... so songs like this bring me back to a healthy balance.

Shot Down

       VERSE 1

Shoot now, my aim is sure

One more shot that’s sure to be heard

Can’t run and I can’t hide

Soldiers are falling; let’s turn the tide

Chorus

The sheep were scattered and running scared

But now they’re praying a prayer to be heard

The spirit is a-stirring, the saints persevering

The Shepherd is speaking and the Word is reaping

       VERSE 2

Shoot now, my hands are high

I’ve surrendered to my Lord this time

Can’t run and I can’t hide

Shadows are fading; let Love’s light shine

Chorus

The sheep were scattered and running scared

But now they’re praying a prayer to be heard

The spirit is a-stirring, the saints persevering

The Shepherd is speaking and the Word is reaping

       JAZZY RIDE 1

Dee-de-ly Dee-de-loo

High time, my time is Your time to use

Dee-de-ly Dee-de-loo

To You be true and choose to lose your blues 

       VERSE 3

Shot down, the old man dies

Buried deep with all of his pride

Turned around, just walked away

In Jesus Christ I’m sure to stay

Chorus

The sheep were scattered and running scared

But then they prayed a prayer to be heard

The spirit was stirring, the saints persevering

The Shepherd was speaking and the Word was reaping 

       JAZZY RIDE 2

Dee-de-ly Dee-de-loo

Walk the talk and testify for You

Dee-de-ly Dee-de-loo badumba – so far – so good

So sweet – complete – from me – to You 

 
       NEW CHORUS

How do you do?  Are you real? Are you true?

How do you feel?  Are you freed?  Are you clean?

How do you do?  Are you real? Are you true?

How do you feel?  Are you freed?  Are you clean?

How would you choose?  From the sorrow?  From the pain?

How could you lose?  To be broken?  To be saved? 

       VERSE 4

OOOOO I cherish my shame now

But you say it shouldn’t be

Well I say I’ll trade it someday for glory

Keeps me walking the same way 

       NEW CHORUS

How do you do?  Are you real? Are you true?

How do you feel?  Are you freed?  Are you clean?

How would you choose?  From the sorrow?  From the pain?

How could you lose?  To be broken?  To be saved?

       VERSE 5

Hmmmmm…well, that’s my story

Nothing can take it away

Hmmmm…It’s the same old story

Hmmmm….Still it’s new every day

The Last Song

Let me seek not my glory

Nor favor from any mortal man

Let me flee from all so unholy

Turn a blind eye to all that is sin

Let me be a vessel so broken

Tried and true till the end

Let me mirror the Gospel

To a world condemned from within 

Chorus:

Like a rose with a thorn

A beauty I have to defend

Stands alone in a field that’s dying

A sight I behold, defying the wind

Floodwaters are rising

Levees of time still buying, still buying

The land cracks wide, so dry, so dry

Inviting waters come rushing in

The stench of sin to reek to, to reek

The heart still meek to weep, to weep

Still the wrath comes pouring down

Still the waves come crashing

Chorus :

Help me stand against the tide

Binding wounds on every side

Help me in Your truth confide

Let the I inside me die

Hear me, Lord, Lord hear my cry

Help me stamp out this pride inside

Lord bring me to my knees

Just bring me to my knees

Listen up, listen up if you’re wishing

Wishing what, what to do when your time is due

If you’re freakin’ look, look there’s a beacon

It’s a lifeline sent just for you

Well, are you ready, steady eddy ready eddy

For a break, No mistake, it’s time to ride

All aboard, cut the cord; all aboard just one more time

See, I’m feeling mighty fine

Written by Gordon Bieber December 12, 2011

Copyright 2011 Cherrysweet Song and Word

And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted his hand to heaven,

And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer.  Revelation 10:5-6

Mercy and Truth ...... another song

I heard a voice rising from the shadows           Proverbs 3:3 - Let not mercy and
Can't you hear, can't you see my pain               truth forsake thee: bind them about
The voice of fear with pleading malady            thy neck; write them on the table
A cry for mercy echoed thru the tears               of  thine heart.
Truth responds with mercy sure to follow       
His voice seeks all blinded by despair              Psalm 25:10 - All the paths of the
                                                                     Lord are mercy and truth unto such
But wait, your truth is hard to swallow             as keep His covenant and His
Considerations not dealt with properly             testimonies.
Changing tides causing me to follow
Accommodating, accordingly,                             Psalm 57:3 - He shall send from heaven
my reason tells me why                                    and save me from the reproach of Him
                                                                      that would swallow me up. Selah.
We see the truth with all it's implications          God shall send forth His mercy and truth.
Black and white, we see right thru your fall
With proper calling we kindly meddle
Possessing truth, we qualify after all               Psalm 61:7 He shall abide before God
                                                                    forever: O prepare mercy and truth
Mercy speaks; I suffer to recall                       which may preserve him.
Invitation proclaiming come one, come all
The door swings open to hear God's love call   Colossians 2:8 See to it that one takes you
And vain philosophies courting pride endless lust     captive through hollow and deceptive
Deceptive and hollow, taking captives; breaking trust    philosophy, which depends on
Broken lives, broken hearts turned to stone                    human tradition and the basic
Principles of this world will never take you home         principles of this world rather
                                                                                   than on Christ.
Teach me to pray, Truth and Mercy
No other way, Truth and Mercy
Teach me to pray, Truth and Mercy              Psalm 85:10 Mercy and truth are met
Humility would say                                       together; righteousness and peace
                                                                    have kissed each other.
Today is the day to put down that stone
Mercy's washing over finds a truth to be known
And love covers sin; opens a door to come home      Application: John 8:1-11
And we're closer,closer to home          
                                                                      Psalm 86:15 - But thou, O Lord, art a
And we're closer; Mercy take me home           God full of compassion, and gracious
Love, you took me home                              longsuffering, and plenteous in
Grace, you brought me home                       mercy and truth
Truth you took me home
                                                                Psalm:89:14 - Justice and judgement are
And we'll walk hand in hand                        the habitation of Thy throne:
And we'll walk hand in hand                        mercy and truth shall go before Thy face.
Let's walk hand in hand
Come walk hand in hand                           Psalm: 98:3 - He hath remembered His
                                                              mercy and truth toward the house
                                                              of Israel: all the ends of the earth
                                                              have seen the salvation of God.

Written with the Lord's help by Gordon Bieber
Cherrysweet Song and Word - June 2008

Scripture best defines the importance of "correctly dividing the Word of God" 2 Timothy 2: 15. In this song, the first two verse's are intended to show the Word out of balance. Separation of truth from mercy or mercy from truth are failed applications of scripture. As with all good things, undue elevation of virtue quickly spoils it's effectiveness rendering it nothing less than a pestilence from hell. There was a time when I would have found this extraordinarily harsh. I've lived too long now to take such a timid view regarding the misuse of scripture. I believe Neil [Eternity Matters] calls it "Dalmatian Theology", if anyone cares to check out what he has to say. But back to the song, God has mercy and truth in perfect balance, and that matters the most. Teach me to pray; Truth and Mercy.

P.S. I'm not just stuck on these two [mercy and truth]. I have trouble keeping my balance on others as well. My walk with the Lord, has at times, resembled that of a drunken sailor.

Fundamental .... another song

Having re-read "The Seduction of Christianity" and being totally perplexed by Casting Crowns statement in their concert video "You can be passionate about what you believe but don't strap yourself to the Gospel" I felt compelled to write this piece. The downslide of the church in this country, not to mention the adoption of numerous heresies packaged in Christian wrapping, and the astounding embracing of pagan philosophy demands a rebuttal. The fundamentals of Christianity are being attacked as never before. Adhering to the fundamentals, because of the continual barrage of propagandic slop fed to us from an amoral media indoctrinating machine, paints a portrait of us as extremely dangerous, psychotic fanatics. What I find fascinating is the church's enthusiasm in distancing themselves from that which at one time bonded the same together. There's little comfort for me in the fact that the Bible says this will happen. My heart cries out still for those blinded by the delusion.

To put this in perspective, try to picture the response of your average sports fanatic after the removal of the fundamentals of their favorite game. The game ceases to exist in any recognizable semblance. It's not extremely difficult to see then the point of the attacks against Christian fundamentals as seen in this light.

Verse 1:

Mr. preacher looked at me regarding not my plea, you’re rather narrow

Expanding this, your creed, I need to intercede just to spare you

You spin and you weave with your power to mislead

 But my feet are on the Rock and I won’t be caught

I’m fundamental

 Chorus:

Yes I’m strapped to the Gospel not a walking contradiction

I know what I believe and it’s strictly non-fiction

I’m fundamental

Verse 2:

You can huff and you can puff, but you can’t bring down this house

With you’re deceiving

Open theists, open doors, many paths if you just ask

Why would you need it?

If you play you can win just forget about the sin

Salvation guaranteed, a foolish man’s dream

I’m  fundamental 

Chorus:

Bridge:

Narrow minded, accused a cynic, a raging fanatic

But the name that fits me best and the one that I Love best is fundamental

Verse 3:

Crucified, yes, He died, He was buried now He’s alive and I’m forgiven

Divine justice satisfied from the one and only Christ if you trust Him

I am the Way and the Truth and the Life He says

No one comes to the Father but by Me –

He’s fundamental 

Chorus: 

Bridge:

Narrow minded, accused a cynic, a raging fanatic

Non-emergent, no buddha, no hindu, no making me a god

No replacement, preserved the word, the King James Version

No perverting, no faith in faith, just faith in god 

I’m fundamental