Round the Sphere Again

Update: Prayer Request
Pray for Mellissa Elliot and the whole Elliot family. Melissa’s husband David comments here as threegirldad.

Emblem Symbolism
25 Logos With Hidden Messages (HT: mental_floss Blog)

Borrowing Without Asking
4 Cases of Plagerism. Except one really wasn’t. (mental_floss Blog)

Truly Reformed Trinket
Because you can’t have a 500th anniversary celebration without one of these.

Debunking Humour
”Earl Bartman, 37, was once convinced that his mother bore him and loved him. But recent discoveries have caused him to dismiss his old beliefs as mere myths.” (TTBN)

Explaining
the gospel. (John Stott at Of First Importance)

Using the example of Solomon’s wisdom to show that a divine bluff isn’t immoral. (Parableman)

What is a sacrament?

A sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his church,[1] to signify, seal, and exhibit [2] unto those that are within the covenant of grace,[3] the benefits of his mediation;[4] to strengthen and increase their faith, and all other graces;[5] to oblige them to obedience;[6] to testify and cherish their love and communion one with another;[7] and to distinguish them from those that are without.[8]

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My Ten Favorite Hymns

Because Sherry wants to know.

1. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. Can you name a line from a hymn that’s more beautiful than “Sorrow and love flow mingled down”? I’m not alone in holding this hymn in such high esteem. Charles Wesley, I’ve read, said he would give up all his other hymns to have writ­ten this one. I like it best sung to Hamburg, which is the tune that Fernando Ortega sings in this video from YouTube.
   
   
2. Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting. This hymn points to the beauty of Christ and his work and reminds us that trust in him is resting in what he is done and is doing for us. I have several versions of this hymn on my iPod. I’d have to say my favorite is this one by Buddy Greene, which combines the old tune with one of the new ones.
3. It Is Well With My Soul. This is a hymn that will get you through tough times. During my husband’s illness, I once woke, on a Sunday morning, to a simple bluegrass version of this hymn on the radio. Nothing suits this song like a voice that sounds like it’s seen suffering. I’ve never found the version I heard that morning, but I’ve downloaded It Is Well With My Soul done by Bluegrass Worship Band from iTunes and I quite like it.
4. O Sacred Head Now Wounded. My favorite lines? “O make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.” Here’s a lovely orchestral rendition of this hymn.
5. Like a River Glorious. I think Frances Havergal might be the best hymnwriter of the 19th century. This is a hymn that must be sung strongly, so how about listening to a rather large men’s choir singing it?
6. All Hail the Power of Jesus Name. I enjoy listening to this piano and cello rendition of Coronation, the melody I prefer.
7. Holy, Holy, Holy. Is there anyone who doesn’t love this hymn, except, I suppose, non-trinitarians? This is another one that should be sung lustily. I like my recording by the St. Olaf Choir, but I don’t know where to tell you to find it.
8. God Moves in a Mysterious Way. I have to include one of Cowper’s hymns and this is the best of William Cowper. Cowper was a fine poet and it shows in this ode to God’s meticulous providence. This hymn reminds us that even trials work God’s good purposes—that “behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.”  Isn’t it ironic that a hymn teaching truth that brings me joy comes from a man who, in God’s providence, suffered from a debilitating mental illness that robbed him of joy for much of his life? It’s proof that God does indeed move in a mysterious way! Listen to Lori Sealy.
   
   
9. Jesus Paid It All, which reminds me all the blessing of salvation come from Christ. I recommend Fernando Ortega on iTunes for this one.
10. Children of the Heavenly Father. Because it’s the perfect lullaby for singing children to sleep. You can hear it sung in Swedish and English by the Augustana choir in this video from YouTube. (Update: If I’d known this hymn would be unfamiliar to some, I’d have linked to this video, which has all the words in English and is less embellished than the first, but is just as lovely.)