A few weeks ago during our church service, we were singing “Glorious Day” by Casting Crowns, a popular worship song. It is a wonderful song, reminding believers that Jesus is indeed coming again, and that day will indeed be a glorious one.

But as we sang the chorus, I was reminded that there have already been three glorious days without which we would not be looking forward to this fourth and final day. Some of these days may not seem “glorious,” but in retrospect, they truly brought glory to God and salvation to us.

For those of you unfamiliar with the chorus, here it is (with my “glorious day” calculations):

Living, He loved me (the glorious day of his birth)
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away (the glorious day of his death and burial)
Rising, He justified freely forever (the glorious day of his resurrection)
One day He's coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day (the glorious day of his return)

Happy Easter!

Below is a link to the entire song.

There is no doubt that one individual can have a tremendous influence––John the Baptist, Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., Gandhi––or be a tremendous talent, such as Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan, Celine Dion, Wayne Gretzky. But there is something to be said about the power in numbers, and I was reminded of this once again when The Ten Tenors came to town.

A solo voice or instrumental is beautiful to listen to, and on its own, without distraction or embellishment, it has an ethereal quality. Similarly, a singular message is moving, while an unequaled talent is awesome to watch.

However, we were made for relationships, and we are stronger because of them. Harmony and accompaniment in music adds another level of dynamics and depth, while those mentioned above had a team or band behind them to support and assist, and they were stronger and better for it.

The Bible is very clear about the importance of relationships, of us supporting and depending on others in all areas of our life. Engaging and developing relationships provides the following benefits, just to showcase just a few:

Guidance:

Proverbs 11:14 — Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Accuracy and objectivity during times of discipline:

Matthew 18:19-20 — Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am also.

Encouragement:

Hebrews 10:24-25 –– And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Completion and Division of Duties:

Romans 12:4-5––For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Friendship:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10––Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.

Proverbs 27:17––As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

While American culture revers rugged individualism, the Bible advocates community, for it is in community that we can display love, mercy, and encouragement, and where we can find support and accountability. Let us develop and nurture relationships.

A couple of weeks ago, the “musical” group STOMP! came to town. You will notice the word “musical” in quotation marks because this is a very unique and unusual group. Their website describes them as an “inventive and invigorating stage show that's dance, music and theatrical performance blended together in one electrifying rhythm.” And that is exactly what they are.

They use “matchboxes, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, and more” to create their rhythms and music, and they are fantastic. Most of us would either overlook or reject these everyday items, but in the hands of a musical master even the most mundane and ordinary of objects can be a source of beautiful music.

We should both take note of and hope in that.

For God too uses whomever he chooses to convey His beautiful message of salvation. Yes, He uses the famous (as many of us witnessed in the post Super Bowl interviews), but more often he uses the lowliest.

Paul reminds us in I Corinthians 1:27-28 that “. . . God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.”

We should also keep in mind that if God used a prostitute and a Moabite to continue the line of David and then a sixteen year old to give His son birth, and if common fishermen and a despised tax collector were some of the men He used to change the world, then He could probably use us as well.

Yes, if ordinary people can make extraordinary music out everyday objects, then there is no question that the Creator of the universe can do something special with each one of us.

We should remember the words of Isaiah: “O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. (64:8)

So if we allow him to mold and shape us, then who knows what He has in store.
(Correction: Last week I said that Franklin Graham was the second child of Billy and Ruth Graham. He was actually the fourth. The correct order of children is as follows: Gigi, Anne, Ruth, Franklin, Ned. My apologies.)

Death touches all of us, most often on a personal level through the loss of a family member or close friend, but on occasion death’s reach is international. Sometimes it is tragic (as in the mass killings); sometimes shockingly unexpected (as in Princess Diana); sometimes sobering, causing reflection (as in Mother Teresa). But for me, the death of Billy Graham on February 21, 2018, at the age of 99, is indefinable.

On March 1st I listened to the pre-memorial service interviews, which included many international pastors, singers, and guests, all of whom had wonderful stories to tell about Reverend Graham. I witnessed the arrival of politicians and celebrities who were invited to the ceremony. But what made the greatest impression on me were the testimonies of his children––each one very different and very personal.

Gigi (the oldest) related the power of prayer and trust as she shared the poem that her mother (as a young teen) wrote as a prayer to God for her husband to be. It was both touching and revealing of the spirit and character of both her mother and father.

Franklin (#2) was called to preach the simple message of salvation just as his father had, but also spent time relating the deep love his mother and father had for each other.

Anne (middle child) shared a conversation with her father which she hoped would remind us all that our job is to love; the Holy Spirit’s, to convict; and God’s, to judge. She then went on to tell of what she believes is the prophetic nature of her father’s death on February 21, 2018, and what comes next.

Ruth’s (#4) words touched all who listened. After making mistakes her parents and family warned her about, she headed home, not knowing what to expect––judgement? condemnation? And instead was welcomed with unconditional love, her personal peek into the nature of God.

Ned (the baby), a pastor himself, said very simply, that his father was FAT (Faithful, Available, Teachable), and encouraged each one of us to be FAT as well.

The number of lives around the world that Billy Graham changed with his message is close to innumerable, but what really matters is if that message of hope and salvation has changed each of our lives—individually. I hope it has.

(Below I have included the links to access the above testimonies.)

A few weeks ago, I introduced some of you to the podcast Desert Island Discs. During that blog, I talked about how much I admired Kirsty Young as an interviewer, and how she was able to get her guests to open up to her.

But there is another reason I like the podcast, and it is a very simple but enlightening one. I want to hear what songs the guests selected and why, and what book and luxury item they would want to take with them.

The songs usually chronicle some important time or event in the guest’s life, and if the song itself isn’t important, the artist was. Sometimes I love the selections; sometimes I wonder why in the world someone would listen to that piece of “music.” But I always enjoy hearing the stories that surround the song choices.

Since each “castaway” is already given the Bible and The Complete Works of Shakespeare to take with them, their book selections are often extremely varied and interesting. Many I have never heard of; a few of them I have read; and some I would like to read.

As for their luxury item, on occasion I can guess what it will be, but on others, it is a complete surprise and often not extravagant at all but just personally important.

Selecting eight songs that might represent important points in your life, a book, and a luxury requires quite a bit of thought and self-reflection, and I think it is a worthwhile endeavor. So here is my challenge to you (and to me). What eight songs would you select that either mark those pivotal events in your life or have special meaning to you. What would they be and why? And what would be your one book and one luxury item that you think would bring enjoyment or meaning to you as you spend out your years alone on the island. What would they be and why?

And finally, perhaps ask someone else to do the same and share. It might surprise you what you will learn about yourself and someone else. Enjoy.

(Would love to hear one or two of your selections here if you are so inclined to share.)