Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Sunday Beacon - August 24, 2008
Behold, I come Quickly
The expression "Behold, I come quickly" is repeated four times in Revelation (3:11;22:7, 11, 20). It refers, first of all, to His coming in God's perspective. It must be interpreted by God's clock, not ours. See II Peter 3:8. Elsewhere in the New Testament Christ's coming is described as soon (Lk. 18:8; Rom. 16:20). To God a thousand years is as a day or even less than a day. In Isaiah 54:8 He told Israel, "In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for A MOMENT; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD they Redeemer." Though He has forsaken Israel for at least 2,000 years, to God that is but a moment because He measures things by eternity. The quick coming of the Lord also refers to the imminency of His coming, meaning that it is not preceded by specific signs and could happen at any time (Matt. 24:42, 44; 25:13; Phil. 4:5; I Thes. 1:9-10; Tit. 2:12-13; Jam. 5:8-9). It will begin with the Rapture of church-age saints (I Thess. 4:3-18), and from then until they return of Christ to establish His kingdom as described in Revelation 19-20 only seven brief years elapse. If a father leaves his teenage son in charge of his younger siblings and the household affairs and tells him, "I have to go away on some business, but I will come quickly," what will the teenage son do if he is wise? He will be ready at every moment for the return of his father! The church-age believer is not looking for the Antichrist but for Christ. The events described in Revelation 6-18 are "the day of the Lord, " and it will come "as a thief in the night" as as "sudden destruction" (I Thess. 5:2-3). The New Testament believer is "not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief" (I Thess. 5:4). God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ (I Tess. 5:5).
The expression "Behold, I come quickly" is repeated four times in Revelation (3:11;22:7, 11, 20). It refers, first of all, to His coming in God's perspective. It must be interpreted by God's clock, not ours. See II Peter 3:8. Elsewhere in the New Testament Christ's coming is described as soon (Lk. 18:8; Rom. 16:20). To God a thousand years is as a day or even less than a day. In Isaiah 54:8 He told Israel, "In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for A MOMENT; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD they Redeemer." Though He has forsaken Israel for at least 2,000 years, to God that is but a moment because He measures things by eternity. The quick coming of the Lord also refers to the imminency of His coming, meaning that it is not preceded by specific signs and could happen at any time (Matt. 24:42, 44; 25:13; Phil. 4:5; I Thes. 1:9-10; Tit. 2:12-13; Jam. 5:8-9). It will begin with the Rapture of church-age saints (I Thess. 4:3-18), and from then until they return of Christ to establish His kingdom as described in Revelation 19-20 only seven brief years elapse. If a father leaves his teenage son in charge of his younger siblings and the household affairs and tells him, "I have to go away on some business, but I will come quickly," what will the teenage son do if he is wise? He will be ready at every moment for the return of his father! The church-age believer is not looking for the Antichrist but for Christ. The events described in Revelation 6-18 are "the day of the Lord, " and it will come "as a thief in the night" as as "sudden destruction" (I Thess. 5:2-3). The New Testament believer is "not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief" (I Thess. 5:4). God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ (I Tess. 5:5).
___________________________________________
Not Willing to Take Contempt
But non of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.--Acts 20:24
We are 20th century Christians. Some of us are Christians only because it is convenient and pleasant and because it is not costing us anything. But here is the truth, whether we like it or not: the average evangelical Christian who claims to be born again and have eternal life is not doing as much to propagate his or her faith as the busy adherents of the cults handing out their papers on the street corners and visiting from house to house.
We are not willing to take the spit and the contempt and the abuses those cultists take as they knock on doors and try to persuade everyone to follow them in their mistaken beliefs. The cultists can teach us much about zeal and effort and sacrifice, but most of us do not want to get that serious about our faith--or our Savior.
___________________________________________
We can stand affliction better than we can prosperity, for in prosperity we forget God.
___________________________________________
In 1912 William Borden, graduate of Yale University, left one of America's greatest family fortunes to be a missionary to China. He got as far as Egypt and died of cerebral meningitis. He died---and was only in his 20's--but there was "no reserve, no retreat, no regrets" in his consecration to God.
___________________________________________
John G. Paton, a missionary to the South Sea Islands, often lived in danger as he worked among the hostile aborigines who had never heard the gospel. At one time three witch doctors, claiming to have the power to cause death, publicly declared their intentions to kill Paton with their sorcery before the next Sunday. To carry out their threat, they said they needed some food he had partially eaten. Paton asked for three plums. He took a bite out of each and then gave them to the men who were plotting his death.
On Sunday, the missionary entered the village with a smile on his face and a spring in his step. The people looked at each other in amazement, thinking it couldn't possibly be Paton. their "sacred men" admitted that they had tried by all their incantations to kill him. When asked why they had failed, they replied that the missionary was a sacred man like themselves, but that his God was stronger than theirs. From then on Paton's influence grew, and soon he had the joy of leading some of the villagers to the Lord.
___________________________________________
The Law tells me how crooked I am. Grace comes along and straightens me out.
___________________________________________
Alila stood on the beach holding her tiny infant son close to her heart. Tears welled in her eyes as she began slowly walking toward the river's edge. She stepped into the water, silently making her way out until she as waist deep, the water gently lapping at the sleeping baby's feet. She stood there for a long time holding the child tightly as she stared out across the river. Then all of a sudden in one quick movement she threw the six month old baby to his watery death.
Native missionary M.V. Varghese often witnesses among the crowds who gather at the Ganges. It was he who came upon Alila hat day kneeling in the sand crying uncontrollably and beating her breast. With compassion he knelt down next to her and asked her what was wrong.
Through her sobs she told him, "The problems in my home are too many and my sins are heavy on my heart, so I offered the best I have to the goddess Ganges, my first born son." Brother Varghese's heart ached for the desperate woman. As she wept he gently began to tell her about the love of Jesus and that through Him her sins could be forgiven. She looked at him strangely. "I have never heard that before," she replied through her tears. "Why couldn't you have come thirty minutes earlier? If you did, my child would not have had to die."
Each year millions of people come to the hold Indian city of Hardwar to bathe in the River Ganges. These multitudes come believing this Hindu ritual will wash their sins away. For many people like Alila, missionaries are arriving too late, simply because here aren't enough of these faithful brothers and sisters on the mission field.
___________________________________________
When Hudson Taylor was director of the China Inland Mission, he often interviewed candidates for the mission field. On one occasion, he met with a group of applicants to determine their motivations for service. "And why do you wish to go as a foreign missionary?" he asked one. "I want to go because Christ has commanded us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," was the reply. Another said, "I want to go because millions are perishing without Christ." Others gave different answers. Then Hudson Taylor said, "All of these motives, however hood, will fail you in times of testings, trials, tribulations, and possible death. There is but one motive that will sustain you in trial and testing; namely, the love of Christ".
A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ, that a man would have to seek Him first to find her.
___________________________________________Not Willing to Take Contempt
But non of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.--Acts 20:24
We are 20th century Christians. Some of us are Christians only because it is convenient and pleasant and because it is not costing us anything. But here is the truth, whether we like it or not: the average evangelical Christian who claims to be born again and have eternal life is not doing as much to propagate his or her faith as the busy adherents of the cults handing out their papers on the street corners and visiting from house to house.
We are not willing to take the spit and the contempt and the abuses those cultists take as they knock on doors and try to persuade everyone to follow them in their mistaken beliefs. The cultists can teach us much about zeal and effort and sacrifice, but most of us do not want to get that serious about our faith--or our Savior.
___________________________________________
We can stand affliction better than we can prosperity, for in prosperity we forget God.
___________________________________________
In 1912 William Borden, graduate of Yale University, left one of America's greatest family fortunes to be a missionary to China. He got as far as Egypt and died of cerebral meningitis. He died---and was only in his 20's--but there was "no reserve, no retreat, no regrets" in his consecration to God.
___________________________________________
John G. Paton, a missionary to the South Sea Islands, often lived in danger as he worked among the hostile aborigines who had never heard the gospel. At one time three witch doctors, claiming to have the power to cause death, publicly declared their intentions to kill Paton with their sorcery before the next Sunday. To carry out their threat, they said they needed some food he had partially eaten. Paton asked for three plums. He took a bite out of each and then gave them to the men who were plotting his death.
On Sunday, the missionary entered the village with a smile on his face and a spring in his step. The people looked at each other in amazement, thinking it couldn't possibly be Paton. their "sacred men" admitted that they had tried by all their incantations to kill him. When asked why they had failed, they replied that the missionary was a sacred man like themselves, but that his God was stronger than theirs. From then on Paton's influence grew, and soon he had the joy of leading some of the villagers to the Lord.
___________________________________________
The Law tells me how crooked I am. Grace comes along and straightens me out.
___________________________________________
Alila stood on the beach holding her tiny infant son close to her heart. Tears welled in her eyes as she began slowly walking toward the river's edge. She stepped into the water, silently making her way out until she as waist deep, the water gently lapping at the sleeping baby's feet. She stood there for a long time holding the child tightly as she stared out across the river. Then all of a sudden in one quick movement she threw the six month old baby to his watery death.
Native missionary M.V. Varghese often witnesses among the crowds who gather at the Ganges. It was he who came upon Alila hat day kneeling in the sand crying uncontrollably and beating her breast. With compassion he knelt down next to her and asked her what was wrong.
Through her sobs she told him, "The problems in my home are too many and my sins are heavy on my heart, so I offered the best I have to the goddess Ganges, my first born son." Brother Varghese's heart ached for the desperate woman. As she wept he gently began to tell her about the love of Jesus and that through Him her sins could be forgiven. She looked at him strangely. "I have never heard that before," she replied through her tears. "Why couldn't you have come thirty minutes earlier? If you did, my child would not have had to die."
Each year millions of people come to the hold Indian city of Hardwar to bathe in the River Ganges. These multitudes come believing this Hindu ritual will wash their sins away. For many people like Alila, missionaries are arriving too late, simply because here aren't enough of these faithful brothers and sisters on the mission field.
___________________________________________
When Hudson Taylor was director of the China Inland Mission, he often interviewed candidates for the mission field. On one occasion, he met with a group of applicants to determine their motivations for service. "And why do you wish to go as a foreign missionary?" he asked one. "I want to go because Christ has commanded us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," was the reply. Another said, "I want to go because millions are perishing without Christ." Others gave different answers. Then Hudson Taylor said, "All of these motives, however hood, will fail you in times of testings, trials, tribulations, and possible death. There is but one motive that will sustain you in trial and testing; namely, the love of Christ".
• 0 Comments
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
Worth ~
Webster's Def: N - merit, value; AJ - having value, specified, meriting
Matt. 10:29-31 - "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."
Every time I come across this passage of Scripture I'm awed by it; to think that God loves me so much to know exactly how many hairs are on my head. I have to shake my head. I love my daughters, but I couldn't tell you how many hairs are on their head. God can do it and not only that but He knows the number on everyone's head ~ WOW! His love is far greater than mine.
How much time do we spend trying to get others to like (value) us? Nothing matters to God - We are of great value no matter what. Shouldn't we spend more time doing right in His eyes?
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Wednesday's Word ~ Worth
Worth ~
Webster's Def: N - merit, value; AJ - having value, specified, meriting
Matt. 10:29-31 - "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."
Every time I come across this passage of Scripture I'm awed by it; to think that God loves me so much to know exactly how many hairs are on my head. I have to shake my head. I love my daughters, but I couldn't tell you how many hairs are on their head. God can do it and not only that but He knows the number on everyone's head ~ WOW! His love is far greater than mine.
How much time do we spend trying to get others to like (value) us? Nothing matters to God - We are of great value no matter what. Shouldn't we spend more time doing right in His eyes?
• 0 Comments
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Dare to be a Daniel
DARE TO BE A DANIEL
Standing by a purpose true,
Heeding God’s command,
Honor them, the faithful few!
All hail to Daniel’s band!
Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.
Many mighty men are lost
Daring not to stand,
Who for God had been a host
By joining Daniel’s band.
Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.
Many giants, great and tall,
Stalking through the land,
Headlong to the earth would fall,
If met by Daniel’s band.
Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.
Hold the Gospel banner high!
On to vict’ry grand!
Satan and his hosts defy,
And shout for Daniel’s band.
Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.
Standing by a purpose true,
Heeding God’s command,
Honor them, the faithful few!
All hail to Daniel’s band!
Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.
Many mighty men are lost
Daring not to stand,
Who for God had been a host
By joining Daniel’s band.
Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.
Many giants, great and tall,
Stalking through the land,
Headlong to the earth would fall,
If met by Daniel’s band.
Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.
Hold the Gospel banner high!
On to vict’ry grand!
Satan and his hosts defy,
And shout for Daniel’s band.
Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.
• 0 Comments
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wednesday's Word ~ Purpose
Purpose ~
Webster's Def: N - intention, design aim; V - intended
Ecc. 3:1 - "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"
II Tim. 2:9 - "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,"
Have you ever heard someone ask: Why am I here? OR What's my purpose in life anyway?
What an open door for a Christian to go through. You have just been given your ticket to your God given purpose in life - to glorify God.
There is a purpose for everything and everything that happens in life is for our good.
Rom. 8:28 - "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
The Bible has the answers for everything. Just open it and you'll find all the help you need in life. The answers to every question that my come your way. Why am I here? God's Word tells us why. Live so that others sees God not you. We are to show others the way to Him. What better purpose to have in life! If others open the door why not walk through it with God's purpose. Take every opportunity to tell others of God especially when they open the door and pose the question.
Webster's Def: N - intention, design aim; V - intended
Ecc. 3:1 - "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"
II Tim. 2:9 - "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,"
Have you ever heard someone ask: Why am I here? OR What's my purpose in life anyway?
What an open door for a Christian to go through. You have just been given your ticket to your God given purpose in life - to glorify God.
There is a purpose for everything and everything that happens in life is for our good.
Rom. 8:28 - "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
The Bible has the answers for everything. Just open it and you'll find all the help you need in life. The answers to every question that my come your way. Why am I here? God's Word tells us why. Live so that others sees God not you. We are to show others the way to Him. What better purpose to have in life! If others open the door why not walk through it with God's purpose. Take every opportunity to tell others of God especially when they open the door and pose the question.
• 0 Comments
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Thank You for Giving to the Lord
Thank You For Giving to The Lord
I dreamed I went to heaven
and You were there with me
We walked upon the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea.
We heard the angels singing
Then someone called your name.
You turned and saw this young man
And he was smiling as he came.
And he said, "Friend you may not know me now"
And then he said, "But wait"
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight.
And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer
I asked Jesus in my heart."
(Chorus)
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave.
Then another man stood before you
And said, "Remember the time
A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry.
You didn't have much money
But you gave it anyway.
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that's why I am here today."
(Chorus)
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave.
One by one they came
Far as the eye could see
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity.
Little things that you had done
Sacrifices made.
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven now proclaimed.
And I know up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry.
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes.
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord.
He said, "My child look around you.
Great is your reward."
(Chorus twice)
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave.
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave.
Words and Music by Ray Boltz © Copyright 1988 Gather Music/ASCAP
• 0 Comments
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
HYMN HISTORY:
The idea for this song came from Anthony Showalter, principal of the Southern Normal Music Institute in Dalton, Georgia. Showalter, a Presbyterian elder, was a well-known advocate of gospel music. He published over 130 music books with combined sales of two million copies, and he became known through the South for his singing schools in local churches.
Showalter took a personal interest in his students and enjoyed keeping up with them as the years passed. One evening in 1887, he was leading a singing school in a local church in Hartselle, Alabama. After dismissing the class for the evening, he gathered his materials and returned to his boardinghouse.
Two letters had arrived, both from former pupils. Each of the young men was heartbroken, having just lost his wife. Professor Showalter went to the Bible, looking for a verse to comfort them. He selected Deuteronomy 33:27 -
"The eternal God is thy refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms..."
As he pondered that verse, these words came to mind:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, Leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
He scribbled replies to his bereaved friends, then, reaching for another piece of paper, he wrote his friend, hymnist Elisha Hoffman. "Here is the chorus for a good hymn from Deuteronomy 33:27," his letter said, "but I can't come up with any verses." Hoffman wrote 3 stanzas and sent them back. Showalter set it all to music, and ever since, these words have sheered us in adversity.
What have I to dread, what have I fear,/leaning on the everlasting arms./
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,/ leaning on the everlasting arms
Leaning on the everlasting arms
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
The idea for this song came from Anthony Showalter, principal of the Southern Normal Music Institute in Dalton, Georgia. Showalter, a Presbyterian elder, was a well-known advocate of gospel music. He published over 130 music books with combined sales of two million copies, and he became known through the South for his singing schools in local churches.
Showalter took a personal interest in his students and enjoyed keeping up with them as the years passed. One evening in 1887, he was leading a singing school in a local church in Hartselle, Alabama. After dismissing the class for the evening, he gathered his materials and returned to his boardinghouse.
Two letters had arrived, both from former pupils. Each of the young men was heartbroken, having just lost his wife. Professor Showalter went to the Bible, looking for a verse to comfort them. He selected Deuteronomy 33:27 -
"The eternal God is thy refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms..."
As he pondered that verse, these words came to mind:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, Leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
He scribbled replies to his bereaved friends, then, reaching for another piece of paper, he wrote his friend, hymnist Elisha Hoffman. "Here is the chorus for a good hymn from Deuteronomy 33:27," his letter said, "but I can't come up with any verses." Hoffman wrote 3 stanzas and sent them back. Showalter set it all to music, and ever since, these words have sheered us in adversity.
What have I to dread, what have I fear,/leaning on the everlasting arms./
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,/ leaning on the everlasting arms
Leaning on the everlasting arms
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Elisha Albright Hoffman - Lyrics
1839-1929
Born: May 7, 1839, Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania.
Died: November 25, 1929, Chicago, Illinois.
Buried: Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois.
Anthony J. Showalter - Composer
1858-1924
Born: May 1, 1858, Cherry Grove, Virginia.
Died: November 16, 1924, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Buried: West Hill Cemetery, Dalton, Georgia
1839-1929
Born: May 7, 1839, Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania.
Died: November 25, 1929, Chicago, Illinois.
Buried: Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois.
Anthony J. Showalter - Composer
1858-1924
Born: May 1, 1858, Cherry Grove, Virginia.
Died: November 16, 1924, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Buried: West Hill Cemetery, Dalton, Georgia
• 0 Comments
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Ten Thousand Angels
HYMN HISTORY:
Rarely has a hymn-writer been led to Christ by his own song, but such was the case with Ray Overholt. God literally picked him up out of the darkness and confusion of the nightclubs and brought him into His loving care, using Ray’s own song in an unusual manner.
Ray Overholt was born in Middlevale, Ohio, in 1924. He seemed destined to a career in music from age eleven when his dad gave him his first guitar. He rose to a measure of success, hosting his own television show.
In 1958, at the height of his show-business career, Ray Overholt wrote his now-famous song, Ten Thousand Angels.
The following is his story as he related it—
“I had left my television show ‘Ray’s roundup’ and entered the nightclub scene. I was drinking pretty heavily. I began thinking there must be a better life than the nightclub, show-business whirlwind. I was so intent on changing my lifestyle that I went home and told my wife that I was quitting all of the smoking, drinking and cursing. I wanted to cleanup my own life.”
“One day I thought to myself: I’ve written secular songs, I’d like to write a song about Christ. I opened the
Bible, which I knew very little about, and began to read the portion of Scripture that describes Jesus in the
Garden of Gethsemane telling Peter to put away his sword. I read where Jesus told Peter that He could ask His Father and He would send twelve legions of angels. I didn’t know at the time that would have been more than 72,000 angels.”
“I thought a good title for a song would be He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels. I didn’t know
what happened during the life of Christ, so I began doing a little research. The more I read about Jesus,
the more I admired him for what He had done. I then remembered that He did this all for me."
"I was playing in a nightclub in Battle Creek, Michigan, when the Lord impressed me to write the song.
I wrote the first verse and put it in my guitar case. I then gave the club my notice that I was quitting.
As I opened my guitar case to put my instrument away, one of the other musicians saw the music written
out and he asked, ‘What are you doing there?’ I told him I was writing a song about Jesus. He asked the
title and I told him. He said, 'It will never go.’ I asked why? He said, ‘I don’t even like the title.’ But I finished the song and sent it to a publishing house, which reluctantly agreed to publish it."
"Sometime later I found myself singing at a small church. I sang ‘He Could Have Called Ten Thousand
Angels.’ Following my singing, the preacher spoke a message that gripped my heart. I knew I needed
Christ, so I knelt there and accepted, as my Savior, the One whom I had been singing and writing about."
Ray Overholt became a traveling singer and preacher. He has written a number of other songs, but none so moving as ‘Ten Thousand Angels.’
Ten Thousand Angels
They bound the hands of Jesus in the garden where He prayed;
They led Him thro' the streets in shame.
They spat upon the Savior so pure and free from sin;
They said, "Crucify Him; He's to blame."
He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels,
But He died alone, for you and me.
Upon His precious head they placed a crown of thorns;
They laughed and said, "Behold the King!"
They struck Him and they cursed Him and mocked His holy name
All alone He suffered everything.
He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels,
But He died alone, for you and me.
When they nailed Him to the cross, His mother stood nearby,
He said, "Woman, behold thy son!"
He cried, "I thirst for water," but they gave Him none to drink.
Then the sinful work of man was done.
He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels,
But He died alone, for you and me.
To the howling mob He yielded; He did not for mercy cry.
The cross of shame He took alone.
And when He cried, "It's finished," He gave Himself to die;
Salvation's wondrous plan was done.
He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels,
But He died alone, for you and me.
Rarely has a hymn-writer been led to Christ by his own song, but such was the case with Ray Overholt. God literally picked him up out of the darkness and confusion of the nightclubs and brought him into His loving care, using Ray’s own song in an unusual manner.
Ray Overholt was born in Middlevale, Ohio, in 1924. He seemed destined to a career in music from age eleven when his dad gave him his first guitar. He rose to a measure of success, hosting his own television show.
In 1958, at the height of his show-business career, Ray Overholt wrote his now-famous song, Ten Thousand Angels.
The following is his story as he related it—
“I had left my television show ‘Ray’s roundup’ and entered the nightclub scene. I was drinking pretty heavily. I began thinking there must be a better life than the nightclub, show-business whirlwind. I was so intent on changing my lifestyle that I went home and told my wife that I was quitting all of the smoking, drinking and cursing. I wanted to cleanup my own life.”
“One day I thought to myself: I’ve written secular songs, I’d like to write a song about Christ. I opened the
Bible, which I knew very little about, and began to read the portion of Scripture that describes Jesus in the
Garden of Gethsemane telling Peter to put away his sword. I read where Jesus told Peter that He could ask His Father and He would send twelve legions of angels. I didn’t know at the time that would have been more than 72,000 angels.”
“I thought a good title for a song would be He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels. I didn’t know
what happened during the life of Christ, so I began doing a little research. The more I read about Jesus,
the more I admired him for what He had done. I then remembered that He did this all for me."
"I was playing in a nightclub in Battle Creek, Michigan, when the Lord impressed me to write the song.
I wrote the first verse and put it in my guitar case. I then gave the club my notice that I was quitting.
As I opened my guitar case to put my instrument away, one of the other musicians saw the music written
out and he asked, ‘What are you doing there?’ I told him I was writing a song about Jesus. He asked the
title and I told him. He said, 'It will never go.’ I asked why? He said, ‘I don’t even like the title.’ But I finished the song and sent it to a publishing house, which reluctantly agreed to publish it."
"Sometime later I found myself singing at a small church. I sang ‘He Could Have Called Ten Thousand
Angels.’ Following my singing, the preacher spoke a message that gripped my heart. I knew I needed
Christ, so I knelt there and accepted, as my Savior, the One whom I had been singing and writing about."
Ray Overholt became a traveling singer and preacher. He has written a number of other songs, but none so moving as ‘Ten Thousand Angels.’
Ten Thousand Angels
They bound the hands of Jesus in the garden where He prayed;
They led Him thro' the streets in shame.
They spat upon the Savior so pure and free from sin;
They said, "Crucify Him; He's to blame."
He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels,
But He died alone, for you and me.
Upon His precious head they placed a crown of thorns;
They laughed and said, "Behold the King!"
They struck Him and they cursed Him and mocked His holy name
All alone He suffered everything.
He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels,
But He died alone, for you and me.
When they nailed Him to the cross, His mother stood nearby,
He said, "Woman, behold thy son!"
He cried, "I thirst for water," but they gave Him none to drink.
Then the sinful work of man was done.
He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels,
But He died alone, for you and me.
To the howling mob He yielded; He did not for mercy cry.
The cross of shame He took alone.
And when He cried, "It's finished," He gave Himself to die;
Salvation's wondrous plan was done.
He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels,
But He died alone, for you and me.
• 1 Comments
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
Friday, August 8, 2008
Sunday Beacon - Aug. 3, 2008
The Parable of the Woman and the Meal
"Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened"(Matthew 13:33)
The leaven that Jesus described in this parable is not peace: it refers to the apostasy that will increase throughout the church age and leaven the whole "visible church." Compare 2 Timothy 3:13. Leaven in the Bible is always a symbol of sin or error. The woman of the parable "hid" the leaven in the meal, indicating deception. The first time we see leaven mentioned in Scripture is in Exodus 12:15. Beginning on the day of the Passover, which signified salvation through faith in the blood of Christ, there was to be no leaven in the Jewish homes for a full week. This signified the putting away of sin after salvation. The only offerings that had leaven were the two loaves of the feast of 50 days or Pentecost. (Lev. 23:17), and this is because those loaves signified the Jews and Gentiles united in one body in the church and the fact that they are not sinlessly perfect in this present world. On the other hand, the other offerings signified the sinless Christ and were thus made without leaven (Ex. 29:2; Lev. 6:17). Jesus warned the disciple to "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees," referring to their hypocrisy and heresies (Mat. 16:11-12; Luke 12:1). Paul warned the churches that "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump," referring to the leaven of sin (I Cor. 5:6-8) and the leaven of doctrinal error (Gal. 5:9).
______________________________________________________
Children are natural mimics - they act lie us in spite of all our attempts to teach them good manners.
______________________________________________________
If a man gets drunk and goes out and breaks his leg so that it must be amputated, God will forgive him if he asks it, but he will have to hop around on one leg all his life. ~ D.L. Moody
______________________________________________________
Noah's Sunday School
Noah had a Sunday School, bit it was very small,
Nothing like the SUPER ones, he just had eight in all.
Yet he kept right on preaching, warning men of sin,
"Except ye be converted, you cannot enter in!"
"There's a flood coming boys, this I know right well.
And unless you all repent, it'll wash you down to hell.
God told me to build this ark and all who come inside
Will be dept safe from harm as upon the waves we ride."
But all the people who came his way,
Laughed each time they heard old Noah, as he built his boat, and preached to them God's Word.
"To think that God would punish us, He must not know how we rate.
Why, we have the largest Sunday School in this entire state!"
Each year the churches held seminars on "HOW" and "WHO'S WHO".
On the ways to be the biggest and how to fill up each pew.
We've got to come up with something that's sensational and new,
To keep the people coming, for the "old way" will never do!
We've all tried it once before, the "old way"doesn't work!
"Old Noah is living proof of that!" Someone said with a smirk.
"By the way, how's he doing? Has someone heard from him of late?"
"It's still the same as last year, he only has his eight!"
"Well, let's forget about old Noah now, we've got much work to do.
We've got to come up with a plan to fill up every pew.
Let's get right down to business, your suggestions now we'll hear.
Does anyone have something new, since we met last year?"
Suggestions came pouring in from the front, back to the rear.
For each and every new thing the applause was loud and clear.
"A little rock and a little roll we gave the gospel sound.
Why we've had 'em pouring in from many miles around!"
"Vegas stars and night club acts is what caused us to grow.
Next year we have to have someone from the Champagne show."
"We have Circus Sunday with Bozo the Clown.
We have the largest Sunday School now in our home town!"
"We hid some gold dust 'neath one saddle in our camel fleet.
The whole caravan was filled, as they tried to find the lucky seat!"
"We've got the nicest building, and the most modern swimming pool.
I think that's what helped us most to become the largest Sunday school."
"Bubble gum and politicians and marshmallows on a stick,
Eating chicken on the roof, now that's a fancy trick!
To ride a donkey round the church, or an elephant down the aisle,
To Shaking of the monkey's hand which caused the kids to smile."
Yet Noah kept right on working, preaching as he went,
"There's sure a flood that's coming, you'd better all repent!
All your modern methods will be of no avail,
As its waters of judgment rise and sweep you down to hell!"
Then finally all the leaders met. They said, "We've had enough!
Now he's preaching against the movies, the way we dress and dipping snuff!"
"How many has he got in Sunday School?" Someone asked with hate.
"Why he's not gained one member. He still has only eight!"
But the ark was not completed and the animals gathered in.
The time had come for God to judge the people for their sin.
Counting Noah and his family, there were only eight,
as God called them into the ark , and then He closed the door!
A messenger came running through the land to spread the good news.
The church leaders all leaped for joy, and began to jump the pews.
"We didn't have to do a thing, God knew just what to do.
Old Noah will be so ashamed when his prophecy fails to rise.
After all, what Noah had said was but a pack of lies!
But the rain fell in torrents like from a bucket when it's poured.
The band played much louder to calm the wicked horde.
Under the doors the water came as it rose by leaps and bounds.
To keep the people from panic, they called in Bozo the Clown.
And though they tried to pacify, it was to no avail.
"TOO LATE! TOO LATE! TOO LATE!" came the bitter wail!
Fifteen cubits upward the flood waters did prevail,
Sweeping everyone of them down to a sinner's hell!
But safe and secure inside the ark were Noah and his own,
While all the rest were washed away to reap what they had sown.
He would never hear the taunting of their bitter hate.
His church was now the only one, though he just had eight!
Well, the waters slowly abated, and the ark finally sat
Upon a great hight mountain called Mt. Ararat.
As everyone came marching out, they had good news to herald,
NOAH HAS THE LARGEST SUNDAY SCHOOL, NOW IN ALL THE WORLD!
______________________________________________________
Some people think God does not like to be trouble with our constant coming and asking. The way to trouble God is not to come at all. ~ D.L. Moody
______________________________________________________
We can stand affliction better than we can prosperity, for in prosperity we forget God. ~ D.L.Moody
"Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened"(Matthew 13:33)
The leaven that Jesus described in this parable is not peace: it refers to the apostasy that will increase throughout the church age and leaven the whole "visible church." Compare 2 Timothy 3:13. Leaven in the Bible is always a symbol of sin or error. The woman of the parable "hid" the leaven in the meal, indicating deception. The first time we see leaven mentioned in Scripture is in Exodus 12:15. Beginning on the day of the Passover, which signified salvation through faith in the blood of Christ, there was to be no leaven in the Jewish homes for a full week. This signified the putting away of sin after salvation. The only offerings that had leaven were the two loaves of the feast of 50 days or Pentecost. (Lev. 23:17), and this is because those loaves signified the Jews and Gentiles united in one body in the church and the fact that they are not sinlessly perfect in this present world. On the other hand, the other offerings signified the sinless Christ and were thus made without leaven (Ex. 29:2; Lev. 6:17). Jesus warned the disciple to "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees," referring to their hypocrisy and heresies (Mat. 16:11-12; Luke 12:1). Paul warned the churches that "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump," referring to the leaven of sin (I Cor. 5:6-8) and the leaven of doctrinal error (Gal. 5:9).
______________________________________________________
Children are natural mimics - they act lie us in spite of all our attempts to teach them good manners.
______________________________________________________
If a man gets drunk and goes out and breaks his leg so that it must be amputated, God will forgive him if he asks it, but he will have to hop around on one leg all his life. ~ D.L. Moody
______________________________________________________
Noah's Sunday School
Noah had a Sunday School, bit it was very small,
Nothing like the SUPER ones, he just had eight in all.
Yet he kept right on preaching, warning men of sin,
"Except ye be converted, you cannot enter in!"
"There's a flood coming boys, this I know right well.
And unless you all repent, it'll wash you down to hell.
God told me to build this ark and all who come inside
Will be dept safe from harm as upon the waves we ride."
But all the people who came his way,
Laughed each time they heard old Noah, as he built his boat, and preached to them God's Word.
"To think that God would punish us, He must not know how we rate.
Why, we have the largest Sunday School in this entire state!"
Each year the churches held seminars on "HOW" and "WHO'S WHO".
On the ways to be the biggest and how to fill up each pew.
We've got to come up with something that's sensational and new,
To keep the people coming, for the "old way" will never do!
We've all tried it once before, the "old way"doesn't work!
"Old Noah is living proof of that!" Someone said with a smirk.
"By the way, how's he doing? Has someone heard from him of late?"
"It's still the same as last year, he only has his eight!"
"Well, let's forget about old Noah now, we've got much work to do.
We've got to come up with a plan to fill up every pew.
Let's get right down to business, your suggestions now we'll hear.
Does anyone have something new, since we met last year?"
Suggestions came pouring in from the front, back to the rear.
For each and every new thing the applause was loud and clear.
"A little rock and a little roll we gave the gospel sound.
Why we've had 'em pouring in from many miles around!"
"Vegas stars and night club acts is what caused us to grow.
Next year we have to have someone from the Champagne show."
"We have Circus Sunday with Bozo the Clown.
We have the largest Sunday School now in our home town!"
"We hid some gold dust 'neath one saddle in our camel fleet.
The whole caravan was filled, as they tried to find the lucky seat!"
"We've got the nicest building, and the most modern swimming pool.
I think that's what helped us most to become the largest Sunday school."
"Bubble gum and politicians and marshmallows on a stick,
Eating chicken on the roof, now that's a fancy trick!
To ride a donkey round the church, or an elephant down the aisle,
To Shaking of the monkey's hand which caused the kids to smile."
Yet Noah kept right on working, preaching as he went,
"There's sure a flood that's coming, you'd better all repent!
All your modern methods will be of no avail,
As its waters of judgment rise and sweep you down to hell!"
Then finally all the leaders met. They said, "We've had enough!
Now he's preaching against the movies, the way we dress and dipping snuff!"
"How many has he got in Sunday School?" Someone asked with hate.
"Why he's not gained one member. He still has only eight!"
But the ark was not completed and the animals gathered in.
The time had come for God to judge the people for their sin.
Counting Noah and his family, there were only eight,
as God called them into the ark , and then He closed the door!
A messenger came running through the land to spread the good news.
The church leaders all leaped for joy, and began to jump the pews.
"We didn't have to do a thing, God knew just what to do.
Old Noah will be so ashamed when his prophecy fails to rise.
After all, what Noah had said was but a pack of lies!
But the rain fell in torrents like from a bucket when it's poured.
The band played much louder to calm the wicked horde.
Under the doors the water came as it rose by leaps and bounds.
To keep the people from panic, they called in Bozo the Clown.
And though they tried to pacify, it was to no avail.
"TOO LATE! TOO LATE! TOO LATE!" came the bitter wail!
Fifteen cubits upward the flood waters did prevail,
Sweeping everyone of them down to a sinner's hell!
But safe and secure inside the ark were Noah and his own,
While all the rest were washed away to reap what they had sown.
He would never hear the taunting of their bitter hate.
His church was now the only one, though he just had eight!
Well, the waters slowly abated, and the ark finally sat
Upon a great hight mountain called Mt. Ararat.
As everyone came marching out, they had good news to herald,
NOAH HAS THE LARGEST SUNDAY SCHOOL, NOW IN ALL THE WORLD!
______________________________________________________
Some people think God does not like to be trouble with our constant coming and asking. The way to trouble God is not to come at all. ~ D.L. Moody
______________________________________________________
We can stand affliction better than we can prosperity, for in prosperity we forget God. ~ D.L.Moody
• 0 Comments
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
Monday, August 4, 2008
Are you Missing out on God's Blessings?
Are you Missing out on God's Blessings?
As I set here at my desk and ponder the happenings of yesterday I have to wonder just how many of God's blessings do we miss out on? Or how many times do we hinder others from sharing God's blessings.
Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
The Lord has blessed our church this summer with some students that were in town taking some classes that our University offers over the summer. A few of the ones that have attended are missionaries. Anyway, two Sundays past one gentleman mentioned to my husband a need of special funds they had to raise to get to the field of Mongolia. The Lord laid it on hubby's heart to talk with the men of the church through the week and see if all would agree to help in one time love offering to help out with this man's need since they had been in our church this summer. It was agreed upon to give a fairly good size amount because we had it available and wanted to be a blessing. What should happen the next Sunday, their last one they were to be in town, they didn't show up to receive their blessing. We may be a small church but this man didn't get a blessing and neither did we because of it. We as a church can not go to Mongolia but we could have had a part if this man would have came to our church his last Sunday in town. Little is much when God is in it. We may be a little church but we have a big heart for the things of God (missions especially).
This made me stop and think just how many times do we truly miss out on God's Blessings in our lives because we don't do the things He has commanded us as Christians to do.
Don't miss out on God's Blessings be available and He will do the rest. Be committed; don't put other things in place of good Christian fellowship and being in church with other believers. Be faithful to your church. Be in church when the doors are open.
Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
The Lord has blessed our church this summer with some students that were in town taking some classes that our University offers over the summer. A few of the ones that have attended are missionaries. Anyway, two Sundays past one gentleman mentioned to my husband a need of special funds they had to raise to get to the field of Mongolia. The Lord laid it on hubby's heart to talk with the men of the church through the week and see if all would agree to help in one time love offering to help out with this man's need since they had been in our church this summer. It was agreed upon to give a fairly good size amount because we had it available and wanted to be a blessing. What should happen the next Sunday, their last one they were to be in town, they didn't show up to receive their blessing. We may be a small church but this man didn't get a blessing and neither did we because of it. We as a church can not go to Mongolia but we could have had a part if this man would have came to our church his last Sunday in town. Little is much when God is in it. We may be a little church but we have a big heart for the things of God (missions especially).
This made me stop and think just how many times do we truly miss out on God's Blessings in our lives because we don't do the things He has commanded us as Christians to do.
Don't miss out on God's Blessings be available and He will do the rest. Be committed; don't put other things in place of good Christian fellowship and being in church with other believers. Be faithful to your church. Be in church when the doors are open.
• 1 Comments
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
Sorry I missed last week. I was at church camp. If you want to see what I got at camp go on over to my lighter side blog and take a look at the pictures. You'll love it I'm sure. This week I'm just sharing words to one song that I love. I read an article entitled Our Huge God this week and since then this song has been in my head. I just love this song. Think on the words as you read them.
How Big is God!
Though men may strife to go beyond the reef of space
To crawl beyond the distant glimm'ring stars
This world's a room so small within my Master's house
The open sky's but a portion of his yard
How big is God how big and wide is his vast domain
To try to tell these lips can only start
He's big enough to rule His mighty universe
Yet small enough to live within my heart
As winter's chill may cause the tiny seed to fall
To lie asleep till waked by summer's rain
The heart grown cold will warm and throb with life anew
The Master's touch will bring the glow again
How big is God how big and wide is his vast domain
To try to tell these lips can only start
He's big enough to rule His mighty universe
Yet small enough to live within my heart
Saturday, August 2, 2008
How Big is God
Sorry I missed last week. I was at church camp. If you want to see what I got at camp go on over to my lighter side blog and take a look at the pictures. You'll love it I'm sure. This week I'm just sharing words to one song that I love. I read an article entitled Our Huge God this week and since then this song has been in my head. I just love this song. Think on the words as you read them.
How Big is God!
Though men may strife to go beyond the reef of space
To crawl beyond the distant glimm'ring stars
This world's a room so small within my Master's house
The open sky's but a portion of his yard
How big is God how big and wide is his vast domain
To try to tell these lips can only start
He's big enough to rule His mighty universe
Yet small enough to live within my heart
As winter's chill may cause the tiny seed to fall
To lie asleep till waked by summer's rain
The heart grown cold will warm and throb with life anew
The Master's touch will bring the glow again
How big is God how big and wide is his vast domain
To try to tell these lips can only start
He's big enough to rule His mighty universe
Yet small enough to live within my heart
• 0 Comments
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
Charlene at Apples of Gold Ministries posted an article about Women's clothes in the past 100 years. I thought I'd share it with you. Go on over to her site and check out other of her articles also.
Apples of Gold Ministries stie
A Godly woman dresses modestly out of respect of God, herself and her husband. When a woman wears revealing and provocative clothes, she only disrespects herself. She becomes an object, not a praiseworthy woman. It causes problems because men have a hard time not to look because they are visual creatures. We can be lovely in the sight of God and others.
Though the world may have their fads and trends, we are not living in the world. God has a special role for women and we have a place in God's heart. Let us embrace our roles and glorify God!
I grew up thinking that I should dress in a way that grabs the attention of every man to be beautiful. I thought wearing revealing clothes made me worthy as a lady. I was wrong. I am still learning more and more everyday how a woman should dress. I admire some of the girls I see at my church and how they dress so beautiful and yet they are very modest. They shine and glow with femininity more than the girls I see in the world. They inspire me to dress better and when I do, I feel different inside. I gain more respect from men and they even open doors for me. That never happened when I wore jeans and a low cut shirt. It's worth it to try! I only hope this encourages you to stand out as a lovely lady of God!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Women in the past 100 years
Charlene at Apples of Gold Ministries posted an article about Women's clothes in the past 100 years. I thought I'd share it with you. Go on over to her site and check out other of her articles also.
Apples of Gold Ministries stie Women in the Past 100 Years
Here is a look at how women have changed in their appearances over the last 100 years.
1900-1920's: Women celebrated their full figured bodies. Their dresses flaunted their low busts and curvy hips. Skirts were long, full and often contained a small train like we see in wedding gowns today. As this era moved along, the dresses became shorter and started showing off their ankles. Back then, the showing of the ankles were provocative. Their dresses became more narrow. Models would wear their designer gowns to horse races.
1920-1940's: During this decade, women began to move away from modest clothings and started wearing pants and short skirts.Their dresses were designed to fit closely to their body to emphasize their curves. Their popular trends included cloche hats and bobbed hair. This was also known as the Flapper era. The Flapper era lasted throughout the 20's and some of the 30s until the Great Depression came. The Great Depression required a lot of labor in the household. The women could no longer depend on their servants and did most of the housework themselves. They wore functional and practical clothing for their chores. A few could afford to wear silk gowns in the evenings when they went out to town.
1940-1960's: During the war, men and women oftentime wore uniforms. The 1940's were drab and their fashion revealed the drabness of that time. Due to limited materials, the fashion industry made shorter skirts than ever before. Nylon stockings were very scarce and women were forced to go bare-legged. In the early 1950's the world was ready for a change. Their new look emphasized rounded shoulders, full skirts and narrow waists. Ornate accessories were popular to add to clothing. Women dressed more feminine, extravagant and used expensive fabric.
1960-1980's: In the sixties, the western world began to rebel against the traditional clothing styles and started their own trends. A huge variety became popular, including bell bottoms, increasingly short miniskirts, hot pants, and blue jeans. It was no longer shocking for women to wear jeans. Actually, the styles became more androgynous. The seventies became slightly more conservative but the rule was that "anything goes."
1980's-Present: Power and success was dominate in the 1980's and women wore designer clothing and business suits. The eighties were also filled with the "punk" style with ripped jeans, colored hair, multiple earrings, and neon clothing. By the 1990s, women rejected designer clothings and opted for a more casual clothing. Flannel shirts and ripped jeans became more popular during the Grunge era. Hip hop brought in the popularity of baggy pants into fashion. Women became very casual in their clothing.
And this is a very popular look right now. We can see this look everywhere we go in town.
Isn't it amazing how much we have changed in a hundred years? I dread to think about what the next hundred years will be like and how women will change. Women are becoming more masculine and men are becoming more feminine. The Bible teaches us to embrace the roles God has given us. I embrace being a woman and I want to dress more modest and feminine. Women now a days consider it a compliment when men call them "hot" or "sexy." I would only want a man to think of me as "beautiful" or "lovely."
"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array." 1 Timothy 2:9
"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands" 1Peter 3:3-5
A Godly woman dresses modestly out of respect of God, herself and her husband. When a woman wears revealing and provocative clothes, she only disrespects herself. She becomes an object, not a praiseworthy woman. It causes problems because men have a hard time not to look because they are visual creatures. We can be lovely in the sight of God and others.
Though the world may have their fads and trends, we are not living in the world. God has a special role for women and we have a place in God's heart. Let us embrace our roles and glorify God!
I grew up thinking that I should dress in a way that grabs the attention of every man to be beautiful. I thought wearing revealing clothes made me worthy as a lady. I was wrong. I am still learning more and more everyday how a woman should dress. I admire some of the girls I see at my church and how they dress so beautiful and yet they are very modest. They shine and glow with femininity more than the girls I see in the world. They inspire me to dress better and when I do, I feel different inside. I gain more respect from men and they even open doors for me. That never happened when I wore jeans and a low cut shirt. It's worth it to try! I only hope this encourages you to stand out as a lovely lady of God!
• 0 Comments
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Higher Ground
Higher Ground
Johnson Oatman, Jr. - Lyrics
1856-1922
Born: April 21, 1856, near Medford, New Jersey.
Died: September 25, 1922, Norman, Oklahoma.
Buried: Mt. Holly, New Jersey
Johnson Oatman. Jr. was born near Medford, New Jersey, on April 21, 1856. He became a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, when was nineteen years of age. Soon he was licensed to preach and was ordained by his denomination, although he never actually pastored a church. In his early life, he was actively involved in the family’s mercantile business, insurance business, and, upon his father’s death, entered the insurance business. In 1892, he started writing gospel songs, and, from then till his death, in 1922, he wrote approximately 3,000 gospel hymn texts. It is reported that Oatman generally averaged four to five new texts each week, throughout this period of his life, receiving no more than $1.00 for each of his songs. His texts were always in great demand by the leading gospel musicians of his day, such as Kirkpatrick, Excell and Charles Gabriel. Johnson Oatman is also the author of such popular hymn texts as “Count Your Blessings,” and “No Not One!”
Charles Hutchinson Gabriel - Composer
1856-1932
Born: August 18, 1856, Witon, Iowa.
Died: September 15, 1932, Los Angeles, California.
Buried: Gabriel’s ashes were interred at the Chapel of the Pines, Los Angeles, California
The composer of the music, Charles Hutchinson Gabriel, was born on August 18, 1856, in Wilton, Iowa. Gabriel is generally considered to be the most popular and influential, gospel song writer during the evangelistic crusade decade, 1910-20. In his association with the Rodeheaver Publishing Company as music editor, Gabriel continued his prolific musical output, until his death on September 15,1932, in Los Angeles, California. It is estimated that Charles Gabriel was involved in the writing of more than 8,000 gospel songs as well as in the editing of numerous compilations and hymnals. In many of his songs he authored both the text and the music. Often Gabriel attributed his texts to his pseudonym, “Charles G. Homer.”
Charles Gabriel also supplied the music for the gospel hymn “O That Will Be Glory.” Other well-known gospel favorites written or composed by Charles Gabriel include: “More Like the Master,” “Send the Light,” “My Savior’s Love,” “He I So Precious to Me,” “He lifted Me,” and “O It Is wonderful.”
“Higher Ground” was first published, in 1898, in the collection, Songs of Love and Praise, No. 5, compiled by John R. Sweney, Frank M. Davis, and J. Howard Entwisle. In his autobiography, Sixty Years of Gospel Song, Gabriel recalls that he composed this tune after his return to Chicago in September, 1892, and sold it for the grand sum of five dollars.
“There is not a heart but has it moments of longing, yearning for something better, nobler, holier than it knows now.” Henry Ward Beecher.
Higher Ground
I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till Heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
Johnson Oatman, Jr. - Lyrics
1856-1922
Born: April 21, 1856, near Medford, New Jersey.
Died: September 25, 1922, Norman, Oklahoma.
Buried: Mt. Holly, New Jersey
Johnson Oatman. Jr. was born near Medford, New Jersey, on April 21, 1856. He became a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, when was nineteen years of age. Soon he was licensed to preach and was ordained by his denomination, although he never actually pastored a church. In his early life, he was actively involved in the family’s mercantile business, insurance business, and, upon his father’s death, entered the insurance business. In 1892, he started writing gospel songs, and, from then till his death, in 1922, he wrote approximately 3,000 gospel hymn texts. It is reported that Oatman generally averaged four to five new texts each week, throughout this period of his life, receiving no more than $1.00 for each of his songs. His texts were always in great demand by the leading gospel musicians of his day, such as Kirkpatrick, Excell and Charles Gabriel. Johnson Oatman is also the author of such popular hymn texts as “Count Your Blessings,” and “No Not One!”
Charles Hutchinson Gabriel - Composer
1856-1932
Born: August 18, 1856, Witon, Iowa.
Died: September 15, 1932, Los Angeles, California.
Buried: Gabriel’s ashes were interred at the Chapel of the Pines, Los Angeles, California
The composer of the music, Charles Hutchinson Gabriel, was born on August 18, 1856, in Wilton, Iowa. Gabriel is generally considered to be the most popular and influential, gospel song writer during the evangelistic crusade decade, 1910-20. In his association with the Rodeheaver Publishing Company as music editor, Gabriel continued his prolific musical output, until his death on September 15,1932, in Los Angeles, California. It is estimated that Charles Gabriel was involved in the writing of more than 8,000 gospel songs as well as in the editing of numerous compilations and hymnals. In many of his songs he authored both the text and the music. Often Gabriel attributed his texts to his pseudonym, “Charles G. Homer.”
Charles Gabriel also supplied the music for the gospel hymn “O That Will Be Glory.” Other well-known gospel favorites written or composed by Charles Gabriel include: “More Like the Master,” “Send the Light,” “My Savior’s Love,” “He I So Precious to Me,” “He lifted Me,” and “O It Is wonderful.”
“Higher Ground” was first published, in 1898, in the collection, Songs of Love and Praise, No. 5, compiled by John R. Sweney, Frank M. Davis, and J. Howard Entwisle. In his autobiography, Sixty Years of Gospel Song, Gabriel recalls that he composed this tune after his return to Chicago in September, 1892, and sold it for the grand sum of five dollars.
“There is not a heart but has it moments of longing, yearning for something better, nobler, holier than it knows now.” Henry Ward Beecher.
Higher Ground
I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till Heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
• 0 Comments
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Sunday Beacon - July 13, 2008
Never Satisfied
The people of Israel cried out because of their long bondage in the hands of the merciless Egyptians, and God delivered them. As God physically led them to a place He would give them to live, they still were not content with seeing the presence of the Almighty and His mighty deeds. They began to murmur and complain again. God was angered and sent a fire that consumed many (Numbers 11:1-2) because of their sin. Many died until the man of God pleaded for Him to stop His judgment.
Did they learn their lesson? Two verses later, they let the sin of discontentment again get control. They talked of all the good things they had in Egypt. They licked their lips over the thoughts of the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic they had in Egypt. They just were not happy with what God had given them. It is not mentioned that they remembered the bad things in the land It is not mentioned that they recalled their slavery, lack of religious freedom, lack of freedom to do what they wished, pain, misery, and suffering. All they could do was remember the "good times."
Sound familiar? Man get their lives changed when they get born-again. God cleaned up many a dirty, ruined life. Drunks and wife-beaters get changed to wonderful, respectable, sober, non-violent husbands. Liars and cheats have their lives completely changed, and their lives become lives of honesty, Their character becomes forthright and outstanding. Criminal lives become lives of outstanding citizenship. All lives become changed when they get saved. They may not be perfect, but they are not the same lives they had before they were saved. They have so much to be content with, but then discontentment rears its ugly head. Complaining and dissatisfaction creep into their conversation. Soon, they are no different than the child of Israel were they begin to lust for the "good ole days."
Let the truth be know! There were no good ole days. There were days that sowed sin, that you may be reaping to this day. They were days of committing sin that scarred your life and hurt others around you. It is amazing how a mind can change the memory of a perilous past into something that seems far better than it was. We do exactly what the people of Israel did. To avoid non-productive murmuring and discouraging complaining here are some biblical truths that can help you avoid the downward spiral of those sins:
• Remember that we are naturally never satisfied. we always want more! We have to get control of what the flesh desires and let the spirit of God do the guiding. "Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied." Proverbs 27:20
• Let your thought-life and conversation never be about things you do not have or should not have. Thinking and talking about them, leads to the desire for the real things. "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5
• Realize that the world and God owe you nothing. Nothing this world has to offer is permanent anyway! Even that big house you have is only a pup tent, because pilgrim, you are only passing through this live. "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. " I Timothy 6:6-7
• Be happy with what you have or what you are going through. No matter where you find yourself; be content. "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." Philippians 4:11-12
Any one can complain. It takes no intelligence or character to do so, but there never is any gain in doing so. Grumbling also will never make one happy or change any situation. I will always make situations, worse!. However, being content and finding peace in any situation will help you find yourself happy with what you have and will guarantee a more happy, contented person.
__________________________
Whence Come Wars?
"From whence came wars and fighting among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?" (James 4:1)
One of the perennial questions raised by skeptics is: "Why does God allow war in His world, if He is really a God of love and power?" Most of our personal lives have been profoundly affected by war, directly or indirectly. Those in the older generation all remember keenly, for example, just where they were on December 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor Day), and how it changed their lives. Even now, over 60 years later, the events of September 11, 2001, are repeatedly being compared to that date, as another "day of infamy," as President Roosevelt called it.
But God gives a deeper insight on the cause of wars than just blaming Hitler or Osama or some other powerful human leader. He says we are all to blame. The "lusts that war" in our own minds and bodies lead to personal conflicts, and these to group conflicts and ultimately to deadly combat between nations. Thus wars are going to continue in the world as long as there is sin in the world.
Every person, therefore, whether American or Russian, Jew or Arab, is by nature a warmonger, not a peacemaker. Yet Jesus "made peace through the blood of his cross...to reconcile all things unto himself." (Colossians 1:20). Before there can be true peace between man and man, there must be real peace between man and God.
Thus the only real way we can be peacemakers individually is to do what we can to bring men to Christ. He has given us "the ministry of reconciliation" as "ambassadors for Christ," and we must beseech all men "in Christ's stead, be you reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:18, 20). Until Christ Himself returns as Prince of Peace, there is no other effective way.
__________________________
The more progress you make in your spiritual life, the greater your conflict with the forces of evil.
~George Whitefield
__________________________
A wise man learns from the mistakes of others. No one lives long enough to make them all for himself.
The people of Israel cried out because of their long bondage in the hands of the merciless Egyptians, and God delivered them. As God physically led them to a place He would give them to live, they still were not content with seeing the presence of the Almighty and His mighty deeds. They began to murmur and complain again. God was angered and sent a fire that consumed many (Numbers 11:1-2) because of their sin. Many died until the man of God pleaded for Him to stop His judgment.
Did they learn their lesson? Two verses later, they let the sin of discontentment again get control. They talked of all the good things they had in Egypt. They licked their lips over the thoughts of the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic they had in Egypt. They just were not happy with what God had given them. It is not mentioned that they remembered the bad things in the land It is not mentioned that they recalled their slavery, lack of religious freedom, lack of freedom to do what they wished, pain, misery, and suffering. All they could do was remember the "good times."
Sound familiar? Man get their lives changed when they get born-again. God cleaned up many a dirty, ruined life. Drunks and wife-beaters get changed to wonderful, respectable, sober, non-violent husbands. Liars and cheats have their lives completely changed, and their lives become lives of honesty, Their character becomes forthright and outstanding. Criminal lives become lives of outstanding citizenship. All lives become changed when they get saved. They may not be perfect, but they are not the same lives they had before they were saved. They have so much to be content with, but then discontentment rears its ugly head. Complaining and dissatisfaction creep into their conversation. Soon, they are no different than the child of Israel were they begin to lust for the "good ole days."
Let the truth be know! There were no good ole days. There were days that sowed sin, that you may be reaping to this day. They were days of committing sin that scarred your life and hurt others around you. It is amazing how a mind can change the memory of a perilous past into something that seems far better than it was. We do exactly what the people of Israel did. To avoid non-productive murmuring and discouraging complaining here are some biblical truths that can help you avoid the downward spiral of those sins:
• Remember that we are naturally never satisfied. we always want more! We have to get control of what the flesh desires and let the spirit of God do the guiding. "Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied." Proverbs 27:20
• Let your thought-life and conversation never be about things you do not have or should not have. Thinking and talking about them, leads to the desire for the real things. "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5
• Realize that the world and God owe you nothing. Nothing this world has to offer is permanent anyway! Even that big house you have is only a pup tent, because pilgrim, you are only passing through this live. "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. " I Timothy 6:6-7
• Be happy with what you have or what you are going through. No matter where you find yourself; be content. "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." Philippians 4:11-12
Any one can complain. It takes no intelligence or character to do so, but there never is any gain in doing so. Grumbling also will never make one happy or change any situation. I will always make situations, worse!. However, being content and finding peace in any situation will help you find yourself happy with what you have and will guarantee a more happy, contented person.
__________________________
The greatness of a church is not determined by its size, but by its reach.
__________________________An untested Christian is an unprepared Christian.
__________________________Whence Come Wars?
"From whence came wars and fighting among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?" (James 4:1)
One of the perennial questions raised by skeptics is: "Why does God allow war in His world, if He is really a God of love and power?" Most of our personal lives have been profoundly affected by war, directly or indirectly. Those in the older generation all remember keenly, for example, just where they were on December 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor Day), and how it changed their lives. Even now, over 60 years later, the events of September 11, 2001, are repeatedly being compared to that date, as another "day of infamy," as President Roosevelt called it.
But God gives a deeper insight on the cause of wars than just blaming Hitler or Osama or some other powerful human leader. He says we are all to blame. The "lusts that war" in our own minds and bodies lead to personal conflicts, and these to group conflicts and ultimately to deadly combat between nations. Thus wars are going to continue in the world as long as there is sin in the world.
Every person, therefore, whether American or Russian, Jew or Arab, is by nature a warmonger, not a peacemaker. Yet Jesus "made peace through the blood of his cross...to reconcile all things unto himself." (Colossians 1:20). Before there can be true peace between man and man, there must be real peace between man and God.
Thus the only real way we can be peacemakers individually is to do what we can to bring men to Christ. He has given us "the ministry of reconciliation" as "ambassadors for Christ," and we must beseech all men "in Christ's stead, be you reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:18, 20). Until Christ Himself returns as Prince of Peace, there is no other effective way.
__________________________
You only believe that which compels you to action.
__________________________The more progress you make in your spiritual life, the greater your conflict with the forces of evil.
~George Whitefield
__________________________
A wise man learns from the mistakes of others. No one lives long enough to make them all for himself.
• 0 Comments
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
This Hymn speaks of the wonderful creation of God, but somehow despite the fingerprint of God on the most intricate part of creation some would still deny God exist.
Carl Gustaf Boberg 1859-1940 - Lyrics
Born: August 16, 1859, Mönsterås, Sweden.
Died: January 7, 1940, Kalmar, Sweden.
Buried: Mönsterås, Sweden
A carpenter’s son, Boberg started out as a sailor. He came to Christ at age 19 and attended a Bible school in Kristinehamm. He served as a lay preacher for two years, edited the weekly Sanningsvittnet (Witness of the Truth) (1890-1916), and served in the Swedish parliament (1912-1931). His works include several volumes of poetry, and many hymns; he also helped compile the first two hymnals of the Swedish Covenant church.
HYMN HISTORY:
In Psalm 19, verse 1, David tells us 'The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handiwork.' This great truth is elaborated in the words of the now famous hymn "How Great Thou Art".
It has become one of the most popular spiritual songs of our time, and could rightly be described as a Christian classic.
Although it has only become popular in the last thirty years, the origins of this hymn go back to the last century; to the majestic hills and valleys of Sweden. It was there, around 1885, that the Reverend Carl Boberg, a well known Lutheran minister wrote the original, stirring words.
Interestingly enough Reverend Boberg's talents stretched not only to preaching and poetry. He also had political abilities for he served as a senator in the Swedish parliament for fifteen years.
In writing "How Great Thou Art", he was 'inspired', some would say, by the natural beauty of his homeland - especially after a summer thunderstorm. Arriving home he penned three verses on the same theme and entitled this new song "O Great God".
Over the years translations were made into German and Russian, and English; but the hymn never enjoyed the immense popularity which it does today.
However, In 1927, the Russian translation came into the hands of an English missionary couple, Mr. and Mrs. Stuart K. Hine, who were serving in the western Ukraine.
Mr. Hine sang it in Russian for a number of years and then translated three verses into English.
Surely he has vividly captured the original mood of the author with those words.
O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the works Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed,
Then sings my soul my Saviour God to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art.
When the Second World War broke out, the Hines' returned to England bringing "How Great Thou Art" with them.
A fourth verse was added in 1948, and the next year the entire hymn appeared in a gospel magazine which Mr. Hine published. It was immediately popular and soon reprints were being requested by missionaries all over the world.
The final thrust which was to give "How Great Thou Art", the worldwide popularity it deserved came a few years later, in 1954 to be exact.
Through the good offices of Scottish publisher, Mr. Andrew Gray, a copy of Mr. Hines' leaflet made its way into the hands of the famous gospel singer George Beverly Shea.
It would appear that Bev. Shea fell in love with the piece immediately for he introduced it to the people of Toronto, Canada, at a crusade the next year; and then began to sing it regularly. In the New York Crusade 1957, for example, it was sung a staggering 99 times.
No doubt the music also played a large part in making this hymn so popular with old and young. It really is something special and the simple two line melody of the beautiful tune is the perfect vehicle for those lovely words. One verse, more than all others, sums up the gospel message superbly:
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in.
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul my Saviour God to thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art.
How Great Thou Art
Oh Lord, My God, when I in awesome wonder,
consider all the worlds Thy hands have made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to thee,
"How great Thou art, how great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to thee,
"How great Thou art, how great Thou art!"
When through the woods, and forest glades I wonder,
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur,
and hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to thee,
"How great Thou art, how great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to thee,
"How great Thou art, how great Thou art!"
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing,
sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in.
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died, to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to thee,
"How great Thou art, how great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to thee,
"How great Thou art, how great Thou art!"
When Christ shall come, with shouts of acclamation,
and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
and there proclaim, "My God, How great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to thee,
"How great Thou art, how great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to thee,
"How great Thou art, how great Thou art!"
Saturday, July 12, 2008
How Great Thou Art
This Hymn speaks of the wonderful creation of God, but somehow despite the fingerprint of God on the most intricate part of creation some would still deny God exist.
Carl Gustaf Boberg 1859-1940 - Lyrics
Born: August 16, 1859, Mönsterås, Sweden.
Died: January 7, 1940, Kalmar, Sweden.
Buried: Mönsterås, Sweden
A carpenter’s son, Boberg started out as a sailor. He came to Christ at age 19 and attended a Bible school in Kristinehamm. He served as a lay preacher for two years, edited the weekly Sanningsvittnet (Witness of the Truth) (1890-1916), and served in the Swedish parliament (1912-1931). His works include several volumes of poetry, and many hymns; he also helped compile the first two hymnals of the Swedish Covenant church.
HYMN HISTORY:
In Psalm 19, verse 1, David tells us 'The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handiwork.' This great truth is elaborated in the words of the now famous hymn "How Great Thou Art".
It has become one of the most popular spiritual songs of our time, and could rightly be described as a Christian classic.
Although it has only become popular in the last thirty years, the origins of this hymn go back to the last century; to the majestic hills and valleys of Sweden. It was there, around 1885, that the Reverend Carl Boberg, a well known Lutheran minister wrote the original, stirring words.
Interestingly enough Reverend Boberg's talents stretched not only to preaching and poetry. He also had political abilities for he served as a senator in the Swedish parliament for fifteen years.
In writing "How Great Thou Art", he was 'inspired', some would say, by the natural beauty of his homeland - especially after a summer thunderstorm. Arriving home he penned three verses on the same theme and entitled this new song "O Great God".
Over the years translations were made into German and Russian, and English; but the hymn never enjoyed the immense popularity which it does today.
However, In 1927, the Russian translation came into the hands of an English missionary couple, Mr. and Mrs. Stuart K. Hine, who were serving in the western Ukraine.
Mr. Hine sang it in Russian for a number of years and then translated three verses into English.
Surely he has vividly captured the original mood of the author with those words.
O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the works Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed,
Then sings my soul my Saviour God to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art.
When the Second World War broke out, the Hines' returned to England bringing "How Great Thou Art" with them.
A fourth verse was added in 1948, and the next year the entire hymn appeared in a gospel magazine which Mr. Hine published. It was immediately popular and soon reprints were being requested by missionaries all over the world.
The final thrust which was to give "How Great Thou Art", the worldwide popularity it deserved came a few years later, in 1954 to be exact.
Through the good offices of Scottish publisher, Mr. Andrew Gray, a copy of Mr. Hines' leaflet made its way into the hands of the famous gospel singer George Beverly Shea.
It would appear that Bev. Shea fell in love with the piece immediately for he introduced it to the people of Toronto, Canada, at a crusade the next year; and then began to sing it regularly. In the New York Crusade 1957, for example, it was sung a staggering 99 times.
No doubt the music also played a large part in making this hymn so popular with old and young. It really is something special and the simple two line melody of the beautiful tune is the perfect vehicle for those lovely words. One verse, more than all others, sums up the gospel message superbly:
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in.
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul my Saviour God to thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art.
How Great Thou Art
Oh Lord, My God, when I in awesome wonder,
consider all the worlds Thy hands have made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to thee,
"How great Thou art, how great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to thee,
"How great Thou art, how great Thou art!"
When through the woods, and forest glades I wonder,
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur,
and hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to thee,
"How great Thou art, how great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to thee,
"How great Thou art, how great Thou art!"
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing,
sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in.
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died, to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to thee,
"How great Thou art, how great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to thee,
"How great Thou art, how great Thou art!"
When Christ shall come, with shouts of acclamation,
and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
and there proclaim, "My God, How great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to thee,
"How great Thou art, how great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to thee,
"How great Thou art, how great Thou art!"
• 0 Comments
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
God Bless America
(author unknown)
I prayed, "God, Bless America"
And God said, "I HAVE blessed America. You asked for Life, Liberty, and Happiness.
I blessed you with Life -
I filled the wombs of your young mothers with new life, but you have turned them into tombs for the unborn.
I gave you health and long life, but you have ignored your elderly by putting them out of your sight, and now you talk of "death with dignity".
I blessed you with Eternal life through my Son, but now you ignore Him and act as though you never heard of Him, or worse, you ridicule His
sacrifice and profane His Name with an exclamation point!
I blessed you with Liberty -
I filled your land with wealth so that you could wisely raise your children and freely travel the world proclaiming Life through My Son, but you have used it to build idols to yourselves and to pile riches
upon riches while ignoring the plight of the poor and the lost.
I gave you sound principles and good laws to live under the blessings of freedom, but you have contorted and twisted those first principles so that now you are enslaved by countless rules and regulations; the few principles I gave you to govern yourselves have become "rule upon rule", "line upon line", "do upon do"; the rich purchase "justice" and the poor are denied; and now you use your laws to shut Me out.
I blessed you with freedom to worship Me, in Spirit and in Truth, but most of you refuse to spend one day out of seven even thinking of Me; my
Church is not filled; and many of you have turned to other "gods" or to no god at all.
I gave you Happiness -
I filled your marriages with the gift of passion and intimacy between a husband and wife, but you have turned My gift into an ugly thing to be
thrown about and given away to anyone or anything on impulse; you have filled your eyes with lust and your hearts with adultery.
I gave you good things to eat and drink, and I gave gifts of music and artistry to some of you, but you have used my provision to become
gluttons and drunks and addicts, and you waste your gifts to praise the profane rather than to bless Me.
I blessed you with inquisitive minds to seek the Truth, and I gave you my Book that contains My Wisdom, but my Book is banned from your
schools and it sits unopened in your homes, and now your Science teaches your children that they are evolved from slime, rather than created in
My image.
How much more shall I bless America?"
And then I gasped, "Lord, how should I pray!?"
And He said, "Pray that America will humble herself and pray and seek My face and turn from her wicked ways. Then I will hear her plea from
Heaven and forgive her sin and heal her land."
And so I pray, "America, Bless God"!
_______________________________________________________________
The American’s Creed
I believe in
The United States of America as a
Government of the people, by the people, for the people
Whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed
A democracy in a republic
A sovereign Nation of many sovereign States
A perfect Union, one and inseparable
Established upon those principals of freedom, equality, and justice
And humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes
I therefore believe it is my duty to my country
To love it; To support its Constitution
To obey its laws; To respect its flag; and
To defend it against all enemies.
_______________________________________________________________
Liberty is always dangerous, but it is the safest thing we have.
~Harry Emerson Fosdick
_______________________________________________________________
It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you. ~Dick Cheney
_______________________________________________________________
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
America the Beautiful, or so you used to be. Land of the Pilgrims' pride; I'm glad they'll never see.
Babies piled in dumpsters, abortion on demand, Oh, sweet land of liberty, your house is on the sand.
Our children wander aimlessly poisoned by cocaine, Choosing to indulge their lusts, when God has said abstain.
From sea to shining sea, our Nation turns away From the teaching of God's love and a need to always pray.
So many worldly preachers tell lies about our Rock, Saying God is going broke so they can fleece the flock.
We've kept God in our temples, how callous we have grown. When earth is but His footstool, and Heaven is His throne.
We've voted in a government that's rotting at the core, Appointing Godless Judges who throw reason out the door,
Too soft to place a killer in a well deserved tomb, But brave enough to kill a baby before he leaves the womb.
You think that God's not angry, that our land's a moral slum? How much longer will He wait before His judgment comes?
How are we to face our God, from Whom we cannot hide? What then is left for us to do, but stem this evil tide?
If we who are His children, will humbly turn and pray; Seek His holy face and mend our evil way:
Then God will hear from Heaven and forgive us of our sins, He'll heal our sickly land and those who live within.
But, America the Beautiful, if you don't, then you will see, A sad but Holy God withdraw His hand from Thee.
(The above poem was written by Judge Roy Moore from Alabama, the one sued by the ACLU for displaying the Ten Commandments in his
judicial building.)
_____________________________________________________________
"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."
- William Penn
Monday, July 7, 2008
Sunday Beacon - July 6, 2008
God Bless America
(author unknown)
I prayed, "God, Bless America"
And God said, "I HAVE blessed America. You asked for Life, Liberty, and Happiness.
I blessed you with Life -
I filled the wombs of your young mothers with new life, but you have turned them into tombs for the unborn.
I gave you health and long life, but you have ignored your elderly by putting them out of your sight, and now you talk of "death with dignity".
I blessed you with Eternal life through my Son, but now you ignore Him and act as though you never heard of Him, or worse, you ridicule His
sacrifice and profane His Name with an exclamation point!
I blessed you with Liberty -
I filled your land with wealth so that you could wisely raise your children and freely travel the world proclaiming Life through My Son, but you have used it to build idols to yourselves and to pile riches
upon riches while ignoring the plight of the poor and the lost.
I gave you sound principles and good laws to live under the blessings of freedom, but you have contorted and twisted those first principles so that now you are enslaved by countless rules and regulations; the few principles I gave you to govern yourselves have become "rule upon rule", "line upon line", "do upon do"; the rich purchase "justice" and the poor are denied; and now you use your laws to shut Me out.
I blessed you with freedom to worship Me, in Spirit and in Truth, but most of you refuse to spend one day out of seven even thinking of Me; my
Church is not filled; and many of you have turned to other "gods" or to no god at all.
I gave you Happiness -
I filled your marriages with the gift of passion and intimacy between a husband and wife, but you have turned My gift into an ugly thing to be
thrown about and given away to anyone or anything on impulse; you have filled your eyes with lust and your hearts with adultery.
I gave you good things to eat and drink, and I gave gifts of music and artistry to some of you, but you have used my provision to become
gluttons and drunks and addicts, and you waste your gifts to praise the profane rather than to bless Me.
I blessed you with inquisitive minds to seek the Truth, and I gave you my Book that contains My Wisdom, but my Book is banned from your
schools and it sits unopened in your homes, and now your Science teaches your children that they are evolved from slime, rather than created in
My image.
How much more shall I bless America?"
And then I gasped, "Lord, how should I pray!?"
And He said, "Pray that America will humble herself and pray and seek My face and turn from her wicked ways. Then I will hear her plea from
Heaven and forgive her sin and heal her land."
And so I pray, "America, Bless God"!
_______________________________________________________________
The American’s Creed
I believe in
The United States of America as a
Government of the people, by the people, for the people
Whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed
A democracy in a republic
A sovereign Nation of many sovereign States
A perfect Union, one and inseparable
Established upon those principals of freedom, equality, and justice
And humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes
I therefore believe it is my duty to my country
To love it; To support its Constitution
To obey its laws; To respect its flag; and
To defend it against all enemies.
_______________________________________________________________
Liberty is always dangerous, but it is the safest thing we have.
~Harry Emerson Fosdick
_______________________________________________________________
It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you. ~Dick Cheney
_______________________________________________________________
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
America the Beautiful, or so you used to be. Land of the Pilgrims' pride; I'm glad they'll never see.
Babies piled in dumpsters, abortion on demand, Oh, sweet land of liberty, your house is on the sand.
Our children wander aimlessly poisoned by cocaine, Choosing to indulge their lusts, when God has said abstain.
From sea to shining sea, our Nation turns away From the teaching of God's love and a need to always pray.
So many worldly preachers tell lies about our Rock, Saying God is going broke so they can fleece the flock.
We've kept God in our temples, how callous we have grown. When earth is but His footstool, and Heaven is His throne.
We've voted in a government that's rotting at the core, Appointing Godless Judges who throw reason out the door,
Too soft to place a killer in a well deserved tomb, But brave enough to kill a baby before he leaves the womb.
You think that God's not angry, that our land's a moral slum? How much longer will He wait before His judgment comes?
How are we to face our God, from Whom we cannot hide? What then is left for us to do, but stem this evil tide?
If we who are His children, will humbly turn and pray; Seek His holy face and mend our evil way:
Then God will hear from Heaven and forgive us of our sins, He'll heal our sickly land and those who live within.
But, America the Beautiful, if you don't, then you will see, A sad but Holy God withdraw His hand from Thee.
(The above poem was written by Judge Roy Moore from Alabama, the one sued by the ACLU for displaying the Ten Commandments in his
judicial building.)
_____________________________________________________________
"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."
- William Penn
• 0 Comments
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassion'd stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness.
America! America!
God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.
O beautiful for heroes prov'd
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine.
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
America the Beautiful
America the Beautiful
(lyrics by Katherine Lee Bates;
O beautiful for spacious skies, |
 |
Whose stern impassion'd stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness.
America! America!
God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.
O beautiful for heroes prov'd
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine.
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.
A Little Bit of History....
The lyrics to this beautiful song were written by Katharine Lee Bates (1859-1929) an instructor at Wellesley College, Massachusetts, after an inspiring trip to the top of Pikes Peak, Colorado, in 1893. Her poem, America the Beautiful first appeared in print in The Congregationalist, a weekly journal, on July 4, 1895. Ms. Bates revised the lyrics in 1904 and again in 1913. In addition to those changes in the words, it is notable that the poem was not always sung to the tune presented on this website ("Materna," composed by Samuel A. Ward in 1882, nearly a decade before the poem was written). In fact, for two years after it was written it was sung to just about any popular or folk tune that would fit with the lyrics, with "Auld Lang Syne" being the most notable of those. The words were not published together with "Materna" until 1910, and even after that time, the tune to be used was challenged to some degree. For example, in 1926 the National Federation of Music Clubs held a contest to put the poem to new, reportedly "less somber," music, but no other entry was determined to be more acceptable. Before her death in 1929, Ms. Bates never indicated publicly which music she liked best, but it now appears likely that America the Beautiful will forever be associated with "Materna."• 0 Comments
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Something New
This week I've been thinking that I don't get into this site much and need to put just one day at least to posting here. So my goal is to try to do that more. Then I happened up on a site....
• 0 Comments
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
See My Great America the Beautiful Here.
Friday, July 4, 2008
My Great America
See My Great America the Beautiful Here.
• 0 Comments
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Sunday Beacon - June 20, 2008
They will copy what you are!
(J. C. Ryle, "The Duties of Parents")
Parents, train your children remembering continually the influence of your own example!
Instruction, and advice, and commands will profit little--
unless they are backed up by the pattern of your own life!
Your children will never believe you are in earnest, so long as your actions contradict your counsel.
Tillotson made a wise remark when he said, "To give children good instruction, and a bad example, is but beckoning to them with the head to show them the way to heaven, while we take them by the hand and lead them in the way to hell!"
We little know the force and power of example.
No one of us can live to himself in this world. We are
always influencing our children, in one way or another, either for good or for evil--either for God or for sin.
They see our ways.
They mark our conduct.
They observe our behavior.
And never does example show so powerfully as it does in the case of parents and children.
Fathers and mothers, do not forget that children learn more by the eye than they do by the ear. No school will make such deep marks on 'character' as home. The best of school-teachers will not imprint on their minds as much as they will pick up at your fireside. Imitation is a far stronger
principle with children than memory. What they see has a
much stronger effect on their minds than what they are told.
Take care, then, what you do in front of your child. It is a
true proverb, "He who sins before a child, sins double!"
Strive rather to be a living epistle of Christ, such as your
families can read, and that plainly too. Be an example of
reverence for the Word of God, and reverence in prayer.
Be an example . . .
in words,
in temper,
in diligence,
in temperance,
in faith,
in charity,
in kindness,
in humility.
Do not think your children will practice what they do not
see you do. You are their model picture--and they will
copy what you are! Your reasoning and your lecturing,
your wise commands and your good advice--all this they may not understand. But they can understand your life!
Children are very quick observers--very quick in seeing
through some kinds of hypocrisy, very quick in finding out what you really think and feel, very quick in adopting all your ways and opinions. You will often find as the father is, so is the son.
Your children will seldom learn habits which they see you
despise; or walk in paths in which you do not walk yourself.
The parent who tries to train without setting a good example
is building with one hand, and pulling down with the other!
_______________________________________________
Walk A Little Plainer Daddy
Walk a little plainer daddy
said a little boy so frail.
I'm following in your footsteps
And I don't want to fail.
Sometimes your steps are very plain
sometimes they are hard to see
So walk a little plainer daddy
For you are leading me.
I know that once you walked this way
Many years ago
And what you did along the way
I' d really like to know.
For sometimes when I am tempted
I don't know what to do
So walk a little plainer daddy
For I must follow you.
Someday when I'm gown up
You are like I want to be
Then I will have a little boy
Who will want to follow me.
And I would want to lead him right
And help him to be true.
So walk a little plainer daddy
For we must follow you.
_______________________________________________
To Be a Leader
by Dee Bernhardt
To be a leader is to be vulnerable--to meet the disapproving stares of others with the joy and certainty of God's infinite love;
To be a leader is to be imperfect--to enjoy the enriching process of a new challenge with the hope and confidence of the Master;
To be a leader is to be naive--to believe the very best of all
people in the love and acceptance of our Savior;
To be a leader is to be trusting--to disregard dire projections of gloom for the joy and creativity of our Creator;
To be a leader is to be honest--to own our sinfulness with the sincerity and authenticity of the Spirit;
To be a leader is to be unique--to accept the wonderful gift of self, in the knowledge and understanding of community;
To be a leader is to be free--to welcome recurring waves of change with the awe and wonder of a child;
To be a leader is to be empowering--to share the exhilarating power of information in the establishment of inter-connectedness;
To be a leader is to be humble--to give the inestimable gift of flexibility with the grace and forgiveness of God;
To be a leader is to be whole--to know the startling reality that I am central, yet peripheral, in God's plan for the world;
To be a leader is to be weak--to understand that I can rest in the hollow of God's hand only in the total yielding and complete trusting of my child's heart.
_______________________________________________
If you want your child to walk the righteous path, do not merely point the way - lead the way.
_______________________________________________
REMEMBER
Always remember to forget
The things that make you sad,
But never forget to remember
The things that make you glad.
Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue,
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.
Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.
(J. C. Ryle, "The Duties of Parents")
Parents, train your children remembering continually the influence of your own example!
Instruction, and advice, and commands will profit little--
unless they are backed up by the pattern of your own life!
Your children will never believe you are in earnest, so long as your actions contradict your counsel.
Tillotson made a wise remark when he said, "To give children good instruction, and a bad example, is but beckoning to them with the head to show them the way to heaven, while we take them by the hand and lead them in the way to hell!"
We little know the force and power of example.
No one of us can live to himself in this world. We are
always influencing our children, in one way or another, either for good or for evil--either for God or for sin.
They see our ways.
They mark our conduct.
They observe our behavior.
And never does example show so powerfully as it does in the case of parents and children.
Fathers and mothers, do not forget that children learn more by the eye than they do by the ear. No school will make such deep marks on 'character' as home. The best of school-teachers will not imprint on their minds as much as they will pick up at your fireside. Imitation is a far stronger
principle with children than memory. What they see has a
much stronger effect on their minds than what they are told.
Take care, then, what you do in front of your child. It is a
true proverb, "He who sins before a child, sins double!"
Strive rather to be a living epistle of Christ, such as your
families can read, and that plainly too. Be an example of
reverence for the Word of God, and reverence in prayer.
Be an example . . .
in words,
in temper,
in diligence,
in temperance,
in faith,
in charity,
in kindness,
in humility.
Do not think your children will practice what they do not
see you do. You are their model picture--and they will
copy what you are! Your reasoning and your lecturing,
your wise commands and your good advice--all this they may not understand. But they can understand your life!
Children are very quick observers--very quick in seeing
through some kinds of hypocrisy, very quick in finding out what you really think and feel, very quick in adopting all your ways and opinions. You will often find as the father is, so is the son.
Your children will seldom learn habits which they see you
despise; or walk in paths in which you do not walk yourself.
The parent who tries to train without setting a good example
is building with one hand, and pulling down with the other!
_______________________________________________
Walk A Little Plainer Daddy
Walk a little plainer daddy
said a little boy so frail.
I'm following in your footsteps
And I don't want to fail.
Sometimes your steps are very plain
sometimes they are hard to see
So walk a little plainer daddy
For you are leading me.
I know that once you walked this way
Many years ago
And what you did along the way
I' d really like to know.
For sometimes when I am tempted
I don't know what to do
So walk a little plainer daddy
For I must follow you.
Someday when I'm gown up
You are like I want to be
Then I will have a little boy
Who will want to follow me.
And I would want to lead him right
And help him to be true.
So walk a little plainer daddy
For we must follow you.
_______________________________________________
To Be a Leader
by Dee Bernhardt
To be a leader is to be vulnerable--to meet the disapproving stares of others with the joy and certainty of God's infinite love;
To be a leader is to be imperfect--to enjoy the enriching process of a new challenge with the hope and confidence of the Master;
To be a leader is to be naive--to believe the very best of all
people in the love and acceptance of our Savior;
To be a leader is to be trusting--to disregard dire projections of gloom for the joy and creativity of our Creator;
To be a leader is to be honest--to own our sinfulness with the sincerity and authenticity of the Spirit;
To be a leader is to be unique--to accept the wonderful gift of self, in the knowledge and understanding of community;
To be a leader is to be free--to welcome recurring waves of change with the awe and wonder of a child;
To be a leader is to be empowering--to share the exhilarating power of information in the establishment of inter-connectedness;
To be a leader is to be humble--to give the inestimable gift of flexibility with the grace and forgiveness of God;
To be a leader is to be whole--to know the startling reality that I am central, yet peripheral, in God's plan for the world;
To be a leader is to be weak--to understand that I can rest in the hollow of God's hand only in the total yielding and complete trusting of my child's heart.
_______________________________________________
If you want your child to walk the righteous path, do not merely point the way - lead the way.
_______________________________________________
REMEMBER
Always remember to forget
The things that make you sad,
But never forget to remember
The things that make you glad.
Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue,
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.
Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.
• 1 Comments
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
Robert Robinson (1735-1790), the author of “Come, Thou Fount,” knew what it was to be “prone to wander.” As a teenager, Robinson went to a George Whitefield meeting with the purpose of ridiculing him. Instead, Robinson was converted and later entered the ministry. The text of this great hymn was written when he was only twenty-three years of age while he ministered at the Calvinistic Methodist Church in Norfolk, England. Please read again or for the first time these grace-filled words.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Hymnal History: Come Thou Fount
Robert Robinson (1735-1790), the author of “Come, Thou Fount,” knew what it was to be “prone to wander.” As a teenager, Robinson went to a George Whitefield meeting with the purpose of ridiculing him. Instead, Robinson was converted and later entered the ministry. The text of this great hymn was written when he was only twenty-three years of age while he ministered at the Calvinistic Methodist Church in Norfolk, England. Please read again or for the first time these grace-filled words.
Years later, Robinson began to “wander.” He was out of the ministry. While in this condition, he once sat by a lady in a stagecoach who was humming the hymn, “Come, Thou Fount.” When asked by her what he thought of it, he said, “Madam, I am the unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds to enjoy the feelings I had then.” May this remind us that as the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians in 1 Cor. 10:12, “Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” Let us always be ready to raise our “Ebenezer” in recognition that it’s only by God’s help that we’ve come this far. And let us long for “that day when freed from sinning,” we shall see His lovely face and sing of His sovereign grace!Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.Here I raise my *Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.
*In 1 Samuel 7:12 "Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us."