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Sharon Beautiful Evening's avatar

YES!! That should WE THE PEOPLE'S FOCUS and even then we get push back from the DEMONratic 'dug in' loyalists. OUR FIGHT IS JUST, Donna....stay in the Bible and PRAY without CEASING! WE ARE AT WAR!!!

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Sharon Beautiful Evening's avatar

Remember that old Christian hymn, 'ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS'???

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ILoveherbs's avatar

I loved that hymn as a child. Now my church has "The New Century Hymnal" & the words to many hymns have been changed 😒

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Sharon Beautiful Evening's avatar

HMMM...the 'changed' words...do they change the INTENT of the original hymn, ILove? If they DO...here again...the pervasive "secular humanism/global collective mindset" has won another "battle" in the WAR FOR OUR VERY SOULS!

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ViaVeritasVita's avatar

Just checked that title and see it's UCC. No surprise there. I have the organist's edition of the Pilgrim Hymnal (as I do for the Presbyterian Hymnal) for use at the piano. Love both of them.

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TiredCitizen's avatar

Many new(er) hymnals took it out because it was offensive. The Presbyterian's came out with a new hymnal and DESTROYED many of the great hymns of the Christian faith by changing the words. I hate that hymnal.

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Fla Mom's avatar

Which Presbyterians? Don't paint us all with the same brush - they don't call us "The Split P's" for nuthin'. I bet you're talking about PCUSA.

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ViaVeritasVita's avatar

Never had heard "the split P's:"--that's great!

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Fla Mom's avatar

It's so descriptive! It's what we do, because we've always been so serious about doctrine.

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ViaVeritasVita's avatar

Can you give me the actual name of that hymnal? Part of the reason husband and I did not return to our PCUSA after destructive re-modeling is the "new" hymnal--which our congregation was planning to start using. We were exposed to the hymnal (if you can call it that) at a funeral, and found it full of New Age crap. What you say, you believe--what you sing, even more so.

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Sharon Beautiful Evening's avatar

I am certain our Lord Jesus Christ is not pleased by these 'changes' in our long time Christian hymns of the faith. The "popular anthems" they sing in the churches that I have attended for most of my life (non-denominational/evangelical type) are somewhat encouraging - but the GOSPEL MESSAGE is sorely lacking. That is the intent of the 'old time' hymns...to instill the GOSPEL MESSAGE in the hearts and minds of the Church's adherents.

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ViaVeritasVita's avatar

My "thinkery" just this morning on waking: the Church (denominational, not non-denom.) has been bleeding members. I would bet that church leaders contacted a number of PR firms with "What do you suggest we do about this?" Answer--"You have to be more welcoming. Welcoming, welcoming. Much more greeting and shaking hands. Set up a coffee shop so people can have coffee before (and in) the service, not just coffee hour post-worship." Meanwhile, the essential message--the whole raison d'etre (sorry, no circonflex) is diluted. Mission statement of our congregation is (why would a congregation need a 'mission' statement? Your mission is to worship God and make disciples) is "First Pres. Church is a place where lives are changed by Christ and we live out our faith together." WHAAA? So why bother? Church-goers are buying something by attending: paying with their hour and a half (adding travel or chat time to the service hour)--and what are they purchasing with that time? If the Christian message of grace, sin, redemption is watered down to thin gruel, better to spend that time on the golf course getting Vitamin D, or taking Johnny/Susie to travel soccer games. Cost vs benefit. A transaction. So I think the church focussed on the "making disciples" part by more hand-shaking and coffee cups, forgetting why men would want to become disciples in the first place..

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Sharon Beautiful Evening's avatar

ABSOLUTELY, ViaVeritas!! You hit the "ugly" nail on its apostate head! We are truly in the "Laodicean" church period mentioned in Revelations and you know what Jesus told the Apostle John about His response to that "lukewarm" body of professing believers. The strongest Christian churches are those in CHINA and MUSLIM countries where they meet in SECRET in bunkers and abandoned buildings and where Bibles are very, very revered and scarce. We are FAT, APOSTATE AND PATHETIC in Western countries. We will undergo persecution by China, Muslims and perhaps Russia in the next 7 years. Most of my friends from my non-denominational background believe we will be "raptured" before the Great Tribulation begins - because they "misinterpret" portions of Scripture. I believe the term "rapture" was coined in the 19th century by an evangelical pastor/theologian--it is NOT mentioned in the Bible at all!!

Trim your 'lamps', friends!! The Brideroom is coming and we must be ready to "greet" Him!!

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ViaVeritasVita's avatar

Very nice parting shot, Sharon. Thanks for taking time to take my comment further. I have myself been thinking a lot about that very admonition.

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ViaVeritasVita's avatar

And scripture as well. And top of each page mentioned the scripture verse behind the hymn. Told my students every year: which is easier to learn? a speech or a poem. Responded they: a poem. Which is easier to learn, a poem or a song? A song. Because when you marry rhythm to melody, you make the memory much stronger. And easier.

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Sharon Beautiful Evening's avatar

EXACTLY - do you know of the Christian singer, STEVE GREEN, ViaVeritas? Steve developed an entire series of CD's back in the early 1990's called "Hide 'Em In Your Heart" - aimed at young people - and the songs were ALL Scripture!! I hope they're still in circulation!! I'll check and direct you to them, in case you still have an audience of young people!

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