I got new glasses a couple of weeks ago, and am I sure glad I did. Seems my old prescription wasn’t so good, and hadn’t been from the very beginning. I thought that fuzzy focus and blurred lines were just part of the aging process and a side-effect of my diabetes, so I didn’t do anything about it. I just muddled through, never realizing it was the prescription that was off-kilter, not my eyes.
So, when I got these new glasses, using a prescription that was accurate, I was amazed at how clearly everything looked. I was even more amazed that I had suffered for five years, never speculating my spectacles were less than spectacular.
When I remarked to my husband that I could see so much better, he reminded me of the time I got my first pair of bifocals.
After his exam, the young eye doctor told me, I needed bifocals. BIFOCALS? Me? Bifocals are for old people, I told him. He said, “Well, when one reaches a certain age…” I had to restrain myself from doing him some kind of bodily harm that would keep him from reaching his own certain age.
I told Dr. Smart Aleck I had worn contacts for years and did not relish giving them up. That’s when he said he got the brilliant idea that I should wear a regular-strength contact in one eye and reading-strength contact in the other eye. He promised me it would work. After a week of driving with one eye closed and sitting at my desk with my head cranked at an odd sideways angle that gave me such a neck ache, I stumbled my way back to the eye doctor, explaining this was not going to work. Then he suggested I could go back to contacts and use a pair of reading glasses. He even suggested that I could attach my reading glasses to a chain and wear them around my neck. He pointed out to me that his grandmother did and she had never lost her reading glasses. I pointed out to him that although I was a grandmother, I didn’t want to advertise that.
So, it was out with the contacts and in with the glasses. My bifocals (and my new prescription) have improved my vision. The improved clarity is remarkable, and the bifocals keep me seeing things in two ways – both near and far. I need for my eyes to focus on the small print as well as the big picture.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748) must have had bifocal vision, seeing both what was in his (and our) present and what is in his (and our) future. Watts read Psalm 98, just 9 verses long, and was inspired. He read, “The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations;” and “Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;” and “Let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.”
Watts wrote a hymn based on Psalm 98. His hymn celebrates the coming of the Lord to judge the world in righteousness. The hymn calls all nations and everything in the Earth to sing for joy at His coming. Not His birth, but His return. We know the hymn as “Joy to the World.” It’s too bad we sing that hymn only at Christmas, for that hymn focuses not only on the Child who makes heaven and nature sing, but on the Risen King and the day of His returning.
“Joy to the World” is a hymn with bifocal vision. We need to look back and praise God for the gift of His Son, for His ruling of the world, for the glories of His righteousness. Yet, we need to look forward to the day of His returning – when men employ songs, when fields, floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, when the nations will prove the glories of his righteousness and the wonders of His love.
When we focus on Jesus’ coming AND Jesus’ coming again, that’s a bifocal vision of what He did, what He is, and what is to come. That kind of vision makes all things clear.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come; the Savior reigns; He rules the world with truth and grace. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Joy to the world!
Verna Davis may be reached at VrdSpeaks@
yahoo.com.
Religion
THE JOY LADY: Bifocal vision: Focusing on Jesus’ coming AND Jesus’ coming again
- Religion
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Church briefs: May 26, 2012
Church briefs
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Ministry seeks funds for fans
Covenant Cooperative Ministry is collecting financial contributions to purchase electric fans for the Summer Fan Program.
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It’s time we realize that it’s time to speak up
I first wrote the following words in November 2004. Unfortunately, things don’t appear to have changed all that much. So, here goes — prepare yourselves for a “rerun.”
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I admit it. I cry. A lot.
I admit it. I cry. A lot. I cry when I watch TV, for those Hallmark commercials get me every time. I have even cried while watching reruns of Law and Order, for goodness’ sake!
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Church briefs: May 19, 2012
Church briefs
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Don’t let a grudge rob you of living in peace with others
In 1870, Julia Ward Howe asked for “all women in all places to all rise up and oppose all wars.” She called it A Mother’s Day for Peace. The idea never caught on.
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Church Briefs: May 12, 2012
Church briefs
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THE JOY LADY: A few last words that should be taken to heart
My husband and I rarely argue. The more we live together, the more we agree with each other, and we have found that arguing just isn’t worth the effort.
- Church Briefs: April 28, 2012
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THE JOY LADY: April 28, 2012
Last Sunday, as we do most every Sunday, my husband and I went out for dinner after church with some friends.
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Christian recording artist endorses Valley author’s book
Bryan Duncan, Dove and Grammy award-winning contemporary Christian music pioneer singer and songwriter, recently endorsed Clay County author Marjorie E. Hopkins’ book.
“Dying to Meet Him: Wit and Wisdom from a Funeral Director’s Wife,” is a “must read,” Duncan said. -
Indiana female priest challenges Catholic church
A former Catholic nun went through an ordination ceremony in Indianapolis to become a priest in defiance of the church’s ban on women becoming priests.
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CHURCH BRIEFS: April 14, 2012
Terre Haute St. Stephen’s Episcopal
Services Sunday in the historic church at 217 N. Seventh St. include Eucharists at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday school and middle/high school youth group meet at 9 a.m. Afterward, join the camaraderie, coffee and conversation in the Great Hall. -
THE JOY LADY: Worship never has been and never will be about us
King David was a mighty warrior, a popular leader, a talented musician and a prolific hymn writer.
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Seminar on ‘Caring for the Barren Woman’
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church at 645 Poplar St. in Terre Haute, across from Vigo County Public Library, invites the greater Terre Haute community to a free seminar at 11:30 a.m. April 21.
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Easter services at St. Mary-of-the-Woods: A Miracle Retold
The miracle of a risen Christ doesn’t stop at an empty tomb, church leaders told the devout on a brilliant Sunday morning.
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Ministry to screen families for free food distribution
Covenant Cooperative Ministry will begin screening 400 families by taking applications
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THE JOY LADY: Perhaps we understand what we want and disregard the rest
March Madness is over, and I’m going to miss all those wonderful basketball games on TV. I don’t understand how people aren’t inspired by a game of basketball.
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Church to offer Financial Peace University series
New Providence Presbyterian Church announces an upcoming Financial Peace University class series for all area residents beginning at 2 p.m. CDT April 15 at the church at 1751 N. 2250th St. in Paris.
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Church briefs: April 7, 2012
Children’s Religious Education begins at 10:50 - There are two groups, youth ages 5 to 9 and Tweens, ages 10 and up. Child care for younger children is provided for the entire service.
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THE JOY LADY: In April or any month, you’re foolish if you deny God for lack of understanding
On April 1, 1957, BBC reporter Richard Dimbleby announced that because of an extremely mild winter, the dreaded spaghetti weevil was virtually eliminated.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: March 31, 2012
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Interactive ‘Passion in the Park’ beginning Thursday in Fairbanks Park
An interactive nondenominational community-performed drama of the Easter story, “Passion in the Park,” will be staged Thursday through April 8 at Fairbanks Park. Nightly shows will be at 6, 7 and 8 p.m.
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Sisters of Providence plan ‘Come and See Weekend’ April 13-15
The Sisters of Providence will host a “Come and See Weekend” April 13-15 at St. Mary-of-the-Woods. Catholic women ages 18-42 who are considering a call to apostolic religious life are invited to attend.
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THE JOY LADY: ADo you ever wonder if people frustrate God?
Throughout the years, our family has had its share of pets. We’ve loved and buried hamsters, tropical fish, little bitty turtles, dogs, cats and other assorted critters.
- RELIGION BRIEFS: March 24, 2012
- RELIGION BRIEFS: March 24, 2012
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Wise men and women are always learning
Reality has hit me like a medicine cabinet full of Metamucil. I am officially — oh, dare I say it — growing older.
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‘Make It, Bake It, Grow It’ dinner and auction set
Armstrong United Methodist Church, on U.S. 40, east of Marshall, Ill., will host its 11th annual “Make It, Bake It, Grow It” dinner and auction on March 24.
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Church Briefs, March 17, 2012
Church briefs
- More Religion Headlines
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Church briefs: May 26, 2012
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Raw Video: Cop Shoots Man Eating Another's Face
Obama Honors Fallen Troops at Arlington Cemetery
Man in Crane at Texas College Says He's Armed
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Raw Video: Deadly Explosion at Minn. Paper Mill
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Romney Promises World's Strongest Military
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
Romney Campaigns Ahead of Claiming Nomination
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
Raw Video: Earthquake Shakes Evacuees in Italy
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Obama Pays Tribute to Vietnam Veterans
Panetta: Asia the 'Project' for New Navy Grads
Beryl Knocks Out Power in Florida
Raw Video: Memorial Day Aboard Intrepid
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Los Angeles Bar Bans Bachelorettes
Hamster Plays Dead
Beyonce Shows Off 60 Pound Weight Loss at Concert
Drunk Women Breaking Into Houses: A New Trend?
LeAnn Rimes Rocks Short Shorts
Gordon Ramsay Carried Off Field
Man Dies Getting Lap Dance
Kim Kardashian Claims Items Stolen from Her Luggage
Bear cools off in Calif. family's pool
Ep. 3: Chopped Desserts
Air Force dad surprises family at baseball game
Justin Bieber Wanted for Questioning for L.A. Scuffle
J.Lo and Marc's Friendly Reunion
Jet makes emergency landing after debris falls off
Cynthia Nixon Ties the Knot
Woman, 80, Falls Out of Skydive Harness Mid-Jump
Keira Reveals Engagement Ring
