The Black Keys and the Negro Spirituals

Did you know that the Negro spirituals can be played using only the black keys of the piano? In this video, Wintley Phipps explains the history behind that fact. He also explains why Amazing Grace, a song which gets its melody from West African slaves, can also be played using only the black keys of the piano. Then he sings it.

(I found this video on Thabiti Anyabwile's blog.)

The Coolest Hymn Ever

We spent a great Mother Day's weekend with my mother-in-law in Fairland, Oklahoma. During the worship service at First Christian Church, we sang the coolest hymn ever: Amazing Grace to the tune of Lynyrd Skynyrd's rock anthem Sweet Home Alabama. I would love to introduce it to the Contact Church, but I'm not sure we could pull it off without a band.

A Fear Graced With Love

Jesus said, "But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell" (Luke 12:5, NIV).

Later his apostle John wrote, "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love" (1 John 4:16-18, NIV).

When we first learn about the holiness of God, the wrath of God, and our sins, we fear God. Such a fear is entirely appropriate. We recognize the gravity of our situation. We can see that we deserve hell.

When we learn about the love and grace of God as it was shown on the cross of Christ, our fear begins to be mixed with an strong appreciation of the Lord. While we deserved death and hell, Christ died and faced the wrath of God in our place. Motivated by a mixture of fear and love, we become followers of Jesus Christ.

As we mature, we grow more secure in our relationship with our God. We fear punishment less and love him more.

However, while our fear of punishment subsides, our fear of the Lord does not vanish. It changes. Now we fear the possibility of bringing shame or embarrassment to our Savior. We love him so much that we want to honor him in every way possible.

In some ways, we are like children. In early years, a child will obey because he fears punishment. In later years, his fear will change. He will not want to embarrass his parents by behaving badly. He loves them too much. As Bible teacher Jim Roberts at the Contact Church has said, "By the time I was old enough to realize that I could resist my father, I couldn't."

As hymn writer John Newton put it, "'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!"

Another Amazing Grace Movie Review

Amazing Grace can be seen at discount (or dollar) movie theatres now. The film describes the efforts of William Wilberforce to end the slave trade in Great Britain. Soon, I'm sure, it will be available on DVD.

You may read an excellent review of the movie by Darryl Tippens at http://www.christianchronicle.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=683.

Amazing Grace

My family just watched Amazing Grace, the new movie about William Wilberforce's political fight against the British slave trade of 200 years ago. We enjoyed the movie on many levels. While watching it, four passages from the Scriptures came to my mind.

A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel (Proverbs 12:10, NASB).

I noticed William Wilberforce's kindness toward animals. Throughout the movie, he cared for both wild and domesticated animals. His future wife mentioned that Mr. Wilberforce founded the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous (Luke 14:12-14, NASB).

I also noticed Mr. Wilberforce's kindness toward the poor, especially in his habit of welcoming them to dinner at his mansion.

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary (Galatians 6:9, NASB).

William Wilberforce's perseverance in fighting the slave trade in the face of overwhelming resistance for decades eventually led to the triumph of goodness. So many hearts were changed by his efforts that the laws of the British empire eventually were changed.

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16, NASB).

William Wilberforce's kindness and persevering faith in God attracted and inspired his wife. She joined him in his cause, becoming his greatest ally and source of encouragement. His life made the Christian faith appealing to the people nearest to him. On his deathbed, Prime Minister William Pitt expressed the desire to have a faith in God similar to Mr. Wilberforce's faith. His faith was infectious, as Jesus intended it to be.

Amazing Grace was a movie worth seeing ( and even purchasing on DVD when it becomes available).

Ending Modern Slavery

If you are interested in ending slavery in modern times, you may want to sign the petition at http://theamazingchange.com. The movie Amazing Grace will be in theaters on February 23. It tells the story of how William Wilberforce worked to end the slave trade in Great Britain 200 years ago. Hopefully, it will inspire others to care about people who are enslaved as laborers and prostitutes today. You may also want to check out the link to the International Justice Mission at the bottom of my home page for more information about the struggle against slavery today.