MY FAITH HAS FOUND A RESTING PLACE

Salvation is a word that is used in many religions, but it is in the definition of that word that separates Christianity from all other so-called attempts to know God.   Today many feel "Whatever you think is right must be okay, because everybody has a right to his own opinion. You find God your way, and I'll find Him my way. Don't impose your thinking on anyone else."  We live in an age of political correctness. You cannot say, do or even think anything for fear of offending someone! For many faith and spiritual life are nothing more than one's personal philosophy of life.  But the scripture tells us otherwise. "Neither is there salvation in any other for there is no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved."  This week's choice makes it very clear that our faith can't be in any device or creed but in the death of Jesus Christ who paid the price for our salvation.  For years today's song has been popular as a testimonial hymn although little has been known of the listed author, Lidie H. Edmunds. What has been known is that the tune is an old Norwegian folk melody and was published in 1891.  In recent years research has found that Lidie Edmunds was the pen name for Eliza Hewitt. Eliza was a public school teacher. One of her students struck her with a heavy slate and she suffered a severe spinal injury which forced her to retire from teaching and made her an invalid the rest of her life in Philadelphia. However, she was able to continue to be involved with children in Sunday School and as superintendent at the Northern Home for Friendless Children. She also was used to write a number of hymns.  We don't know the specific story behind the writing of this hymn but we can assume that it grew out of her experience.  If you have placed your faith in the finished work of the Cross, then you can sing along with this song.  For you need no other argument or plea. It is enough that Jesus died and that He died for you.

(1)    My faith has found a resting place,

Not in device or creed;

I trust the ever living One,

His wounds for me shall plead.

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that He died for me.

(2)   Enough for me that Jesus saves,

This ends my fear and doubt;

A sinful soul I come to Him,

He'll never cast me out.

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that He died for me.

(3)   My heart is leaning on the Word,

The living Word of God,

Salvation by my Savior's Name,

Salvation through His blood.

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that He died for me.

(4)   My great Physician heals the sick,

The lost He came to save;

For me His precious blood He shed,

For me His life He gave.

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that He died for me.

You can listen to it here.   LISTEN

JESUS SAVIOR PILOT ME

Edward Hopper was a Presbyterian minister who spent most of his life in his home town of New York City helping sailors from around the world in a small church in New York harbor known as the "Church of Sea and Land."   As part of his ministry to the sailors he published a  poem which first appeared as an "anonymous" poem in the Sailor's Magazine of New York in 1871.  Shortly afterwards, John E. Gould, while in ill health, took the poem and put it to music. Later that year it was published in The Baptist Praise Book.  In 1880 the secretary of the Seamen's Friend Society, asked Dr. Hopper for an anniversary hymn and he sent him the first two and last verses of the poem.  These were printed, and sung by the congregation at the Broadway Tabernacle on May 10,1880. Now while the words were written specifically for sailors who regularly experienced the roughness of the sea, thousands of others have been helped since then as they have experienced the difficult waves and stormy seas of life.  Life too is filled with hidden rocks and treacherous shoals.  And we only get through those seas and times with a pilot, the Lord Jesus, who guides us with His chart and compass.  Our cry needs to be, Jesus Savior, Pilot Me.  Maybe today you are being rocked by the seas and waves of life.  Trust Jesus.  He knows the way and He will pilot you to shore. Hopper actually penned six verses and they are all included below.  However, most hymnals only carry three - the ones shown in bold below.  Edward Hopper's prayer expressed in the final stanza of his immortal hymn had its complete fulfillment when he died in 1888. He was found sitting in his study chair, pencil in hand, writing a new poem on the subject of heaven.

(1)    Jesus, Savior, pilot me

Over life's tempestuous sea;

Unknown waves before me roll,

Hiding rock and treacherous shoal.

Chart and compass come from Thee;

Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

(2)   While th'Apostles' fragile bark

Struggled with the billows dark,

On the stormy Galilee,

Thou didst walk upon the sea;

And when they beheld Thy form,

Safe they glided through the storm.

(3)   Though the sea be smooth and bright,

Sparkling with the stars of night,

And my ship's path be ablaze

With the light of halcyon days,

Still I know my need of Thee;

Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

(4)   When the darkling heavens frown,

And the wrathful winds come down,

And the fierce waves, tossed on high,

Lash themselves against the sky,

Jesus, Savior, pilot me,

Over life's tempestuous sea.

(5)   As a mother stills her child,

Thou canst hush the ocean wild;

Boisterous waves obey Thy will,

When Thou sayest to them, "Be still!"

Wondrous Sovereign of the sea,

Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

(6)   When at last I near the shore,

And the fearful breakers roar

'Twixt me and the peaceful rest,

Then, while leaning on Thy breast,

May I hear Thee say to me,

"Fear not, I will pilot thee."

Listen to it being sung here.   LISTEN

O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED

John Ernest Bode (1816-1874) was an Anglican clergyman serving a small parish near Cambridge, England, when his three children, a daughter and two sons, were ready for confirmation.  Bode not only presided over their confirmation, but also wrote this hymn especially for the occasion.  He told his children that "I have written a hymn concerning all the important truths I want you to remember."  I imagine that his children never forgot that service and their father's concern for them and their spiritual lives. However, we have all experienced broken promises - some that our friends have broken and maybe some that we ourselves have broken.  Many folks make promises to God, especially when they are in deep need, and then fail to keep them when times are better.  If you heal me or if you help me escape this danger or if you help me get this new job ...  I'll ... you can fill in the blanks.  I have often watched folks joining our church promise things like faithfully attending services, giving regularly, or serving in some ministry. Then after they join, these promises are forgotten.  It is so sad when believers do not live lives of integrity.  But it is even worse to be judged by God for making a vow or promise to him and then not keeping it. Vows to God are serious business and need to be kept. This hymn serves as a hymn of commitment for every Christian.  It reminds us of  promises that we have probably made to Jesus.  It also asks Jesus to protect us from the dangers and temptations posed by the world.  And it reminds us that Jesus has made promises too, such as the promise never to leave us and that we will live with him in glory.  And, unlike we humans, He is faithful and keeps all of His promises to us.  And we can count on that.

(1)   O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;

Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend;

I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side,

Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my Guide.

(2)   O let me feel Thee near me! The world is ever near;

I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;

My foes are ever near me, around me and within;

But Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.

(3)   O let me hear Thee speaking in accents clear and still,

Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self will.

O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;

O speak, and make me listen, Thou Guardian of my soul.

(4)   O Jesus, Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee

That where Thou art in glory there shall Thy servant be.

And Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;

O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend.

(5)   O let me see Thy footprints, and in them plant mine own;

My hope to follow duly is in Thy strength alone.

O guide me, call me, draw me, uphold me to the end;

And then in Heaven receive me, my Savior and my Friend.

This has been sung to many different tunes, but the one that might be the most familiar can be heard here.     LISTEN

TEN THOUSAND YEARS

This week our country celebrated birthday number 237.  That seems like a long time, especially when you compare it to our average lifetime of about 80 years.  But when compared to eternity, it is just a small dot on that timeline.  Some hymn writers have used the term ten thousand years to try to help us understand the beginning of eternity. One of my favorite verses of any hymn is "When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise then when we've first begun."  The writer of this week's song, Elmer Cole, uses the same idea.  "Ten thousand years, we'll just be started."  What a thrilling thought.  The night before my aunt died I asked her to tell my parents that I loved them and missed them.  She said that she would, but that she expected to spend the first ten thousand years in heaven just praising the Lord.  Now I don't know anything about the writer of this song except that he sang lead for the Statesmen from 1973-1974 and that he also performed with Willie Wynn and The Tennesseans.  But I have always enjoyed this song and when we had out family ministry this was one of our favorite songs to sing as a family.  It is tremendous to have the hope that as we near the end of our journey here on earth that we will soon meet Jesus, the One who gave His life for us.  I remember well the thrill and anticipation that I had in 1984 when I was going to meet and talk with President Reagan.  But that experience pales in the knowledge that soon we will meet the Creator of the Universe, our Lord and Savior.  And the first ten thousand years will just be the beginning of our eternity with Him.  Do you have that assurance and hope?  Do you know without a doubt that you will spend eternity with Him?  You can have that assurance today.  He told us that He was going to prepare a place for His children and that one day He would come again and take us to our eternal home.  And He will do just what He has promised.

(1)   Soon I'll come to the end of my journey

And I'll meet the One who gave His life for me

And I will thank him for the love that He gave me

And ten thousand years or more I'll reign with Him

Ten thousand years, we'll just be started

Ten thousand years, we've just begun

The battle will be over, and the victory is won

Ten thousand years, and we've just begun

(2)   We will just begin to sing loves sweet story

And it's a song that the angels they just could not sing

And I've been redeemed by the blood of my Savior

And ten thousand years or more I'll praise His name

Ten thousand years, we'll just be started

Ten thousand years, we've just begun

The battle will be over, and the victory is won

Ten thousand years, and we've just begun

For the battle is over, the victory's been won, ten thousand years 

and we've just begun.

Ten thousand years, and we've just begun

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

PRAISE THE SAVIOR

I think that today we live in a society that has become increasingly more harsh, negative and critical.  It seems to me that more people constantly complain about everything than ever before.  If you don't think so just look at the letters to the editor in your local newspaper.  On the other hand, maybe you should skip doing that.  You might end up feeling more negative yourself.  I wonder how much of this complaining nature carries over to our spiritual lives.  Do we complain about our situation, our church, the pastor or the people at church? How much time do we really spend thanking and praising God throughout each day?  What about our prayer life?  Are our prayers filled with "give me's" or do we spend time in adoration and praise of the One into whose presence we have come?  Maybe this week's simple hymn will remind us our need to constantly praise and thank our faithful God.  This short hymn was penned by Thomas Kelly in 1806.  Again, I have not been able to find anything about the circumstances behind its writing.  However, it is one of about 765 of Kelly's hymns that were composed and published over a period of 51 years.  Kelly's father was a Judge of the Irish Court of Common Pleas, and he, too, was headed for the Bar, and trained with that intention.  But he underwent a marked spiritual change and became to be known for his earnest evangelical preaching.  This particular work of his reminds us of how much we owe our Savior and how we should give Him all that we are and have.  He arms us for spiritual conflicts and protects us.  He is faithful and never changing and He will never let us go.  It closes with the prayer that we might cleave to Him until we receive what He has promised to His children.  Only then will we be where we belong and what we have been destined to be, unlike our pilgrimage here on earth.  May these words fill your heart and mind this week as you praise our great Savior!

1.    Praise the Savior, ye who know Him!

Who can tell how much we owe Him?

Gladly let us render to Him

All we are and have.

2.    Jesus is the name that charms us,

He for conflict fits and arms us;

Nothing moves and nothing harms us

While we trust in Him.

3.   Trust in Him, ye saints, forever,

He is faithful, changing never;

Neither force nor guile can sever

Those He loves from Him.

4.    Keep us, Lord, O keep us cleaving

To Thyself, and still believing,

Till the hour of our receiving

Promised joys with Thee.

5.    Then we shall be where we would be,

Then we shall be what we should be;

Things that are not now, nor could be,

Soon shall be our own.

Unfortunately I was not able to find a good video of the entire song but here is one that at least includes a few verses.  Listen to it here.   LISTEN

IT'S JUST LIKE HIS GREAT LOVE

Did you ever have an old song suddenly appear in your mind and then you keep singing it over and over and over again?  That happened to me a few days ago while I was cutting grass.  I was thinking about the great times I had many years ago at our camp meeting, Mizpah Grove, in Allentown, PA.  I remembered the days of singing in the big camp choir and one of our favorite numbers was "It's Just Like Jesus".  I recalled the stirring chorus "It's just like Jesus to roll the clouds away ... It's just like His great love."  When I was done cutting grass I went to my computer and found the words, but, as is often the case, I could find very little about the author or the circumstances behind its writing.  Edna Worrell was the author of the song, and Clarence Strouse wrote the music.  Very little is known about either of them other than the fact that they were probably both from Philadelphia and that this hymn was probably written in 1903.  However, the author must have also experienced the same challenges of life that we all face because she talks about the clouds of trouble, the clouds of sorrow, the despair and the grief which is common to man.  And she must have experienced His great love which not only rolls the clouds away but keeps us day by day, all along our way.  Such great love.  But I especially appreciate the way she begins the song by sharing how He rolls our sin clouds away when we come to Him.  And that is the greatest example of God's wondrous love.  Hopefully, you, too, have experienced the joy of sins forgiven.  Then you can also testify and sing of His great love to you - day by day, all along the way.  Rejoice in His love and presence this week.

(1)   A friend I have called Jesus, 

whose love is strong and true,

And never fails howe'er 'tis tried, 

no matter what I do;

I've sinned against this love of His, 

but when I knelt to pray,

Confessing all my guilt to Him, 

the sin clouds rolled away.

It's just like Jesus to roll the clouds away,

it's just like Jesus to keep me day by day,

it's just like Jesus all along the way,

It's just like His great love.

(2)   Sometimes the clouds of trouble 

bedim the sky above,

I cannot see my Savior's face, 

I doubt His wondrous love;

But He, from heaven's mercy seat, 

beholding my despair,

In pity bursts the clouds between, 

and shows me He is there.

It's just like Jesus to roll the clouds away,

it's just like Jesus to keep me day by day,

it's just like Jesus all along the way,

It's just like His great love.

(3)   When sorrow's clouds o'ertake me, 

and break upon my head,

When life seems worse than useless, 

and I were better dead;

I take my grief to Jesus then, 

nor do I go in vain,

For heavenly hope He gives that cheers 

like sunshine after rain.

It's just like Jesus to roll the clouds away,

it's just like Jesus to keep me day by day,

it's just like Jesus all along the way,

It's just like His great love.

(4)    O, I could sing forever 

of Jesus' love divine,

Of all His care and tenderness 

for this poor life of mine;

His love is in and over all, 

and wind and waves obey,

When Jesus whispers "Peace, be still!" 

and rolls the clouds away.

It's just like Jesus to roll the clouds away,

it's just like Jesus to keep me day by day,

it's just like Jesus all along the way,

It's just like His great love.

Now I wish that I could have found something like the choir that I used to sing in.  But there aren't many good videos available for this song.  But here is one that you can try.     LISTEN

JESUS IS THE SWEETEST NAME I KNOW

Often it is hard to find any information about the writing of a song.  Other times it is hard to verify that a story is correct.  So I pass on this interesting story even though I haven't been able to verify its truth.  in 1924, Peter W. Philpott was serving as pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago, Illinois. One night he was awakened by a call to come help a young woman staying at a hotel in the city. He arrived to find her in the company of two family members. The woman, Lela Long, was gravely ill, and in great distress. Philpott prayed for her physical needs, and had the privilege of leading her to faith in Christ. Late the next day, he phoned the hotel to see how she was doing, only to learn the three had checked out. He wondered what had become of them, but had no way of getting in touch.  Five or six years later, Philpott was pastor of a large church in Los Angeles, California. At the close of one service, who should come up to him but the three people he had met in Chicago. They had seen his picture in a church advertisement and came to meet him. An emergency had required their rapid departure from Chicago, and they apologized for not getting in touch. Lela Long thanked him for pointing her to the Savior, saying her life was wonderfully changed, and that she was now using her musical talent to serve the Lord. She handed Philpott a copy of Jesus Is the Sweetest Name I Know, written shortly after her conversion: "I have written this especially for you, in remembrance of the day that you introduced me to the most wonderful Person I have ever known."  Her song has been a favorite of many since that day.  For most folks their name is very special and they love to hear it.  But when we consider who Jesus is and what He has done for us, His name should be the one we love to hear.  But, tragically, to many today the only time that they hear it is when it is used as a swear word.  But to believers it is a name to be honored.  And I love the reminder of the last verse that some day we will see Him face to face and thank and praise Him for His wondrous grace.  What an exciting day that will be.  Yes, Jesus is the sweetest name I know!

(1)    There have been names that I have loved to hear,

But never has there been a name so dear

To this heart of mine, as the Name divine,

The precious, precious Name of Jesus.

Jesus is the sweetest name I know,

And He's just the same as His lovely Name,

And that's the reason why I love Him so;

Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know.

(2)   There is no name in earth or Heav'n above,

That we should give such honor and such love

As the blessèd Name, let us all acclaim,

That wondrous, glorious Name of Jesus.

Jesus is the sweetest name I know,

And He's just the same as His lovely Name,

And that's the reason why I love Him so;

Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know.

(3)   And some day I shall see Him face to face

To thank and praise Him for His wondrous grace,

Which He gave to me, when He made me free,

The blessèd Son of God called Jesus.

Jesus is the sweetest name I know,

And He's just the same as His lovely Name,

And that's the reason why I love Him so;

Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know.

You can listen to it being sung here.   LISTEN

PEOPLE NEED THE LORD

In my regular blog (barrysbasicblog.blogspot.com) of June 5 I discussed a number of things that I have been viewing through the rear view mirror of my car while I am waiting for traffic lights to change.  I find it fascinating to watch what people are doing - talking on cell phones, texting, fixing their hair, singing, eating, drinking, talking and much more.  But recently I have been looking at their faces - sometimes smiling, sometimes blank, sometimes sad.  I related a recent experience where a female driver had been following me for several miles.  Every time we stopped I wondered if she was sad, or worried or grumpy or whether that was her normal expression.  She really looked terrible.  Then I saw her turn into the Lancaster General Hospital Health Campus and I began to wonder was she just on her way to work after a bad night.  Or was she going there as a patient facing medical tests, procedures, surgery or maybe even to get the results of some tests.  Maybe her facial expression was actually showing her worry or her fear.  Two thoughts then came to my mind.  First, maybe I should offer a quick prayer for this unknown driver - unknown to me, but known to the Lord.  I did that.  The second thought was the song that Steve Green wrote a number of years ago - People Need The Lord.  I think we all need to be reminded daily of that truth.  Day by day we pass by people who are worried, hurting and without hope.  But we are often too busy with our own business and cares that we don't even see them, or even worse, don't care  Here we are with the remedy for their need and we pass them by - day after day after day.  Thankfully somebody took the time to share the Gospel with us.  As we think about this song this week may we be challenged with the needs all around us.  Let's ask the Lord to use us to share the only true remedy - Jesus Christ. 

(1)   Everyday they pass me by,
I can see it in their eyes.
Empty people filled with care,
Headed who knows where?
On they go through private pain,
Living fear to fear.
Laughter hides their silent cries,
Only Jesus hears.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize, people need the Lord?

(2)   We are called to take His light

To a world where wrong seems right.

What could be too great a cost

For sharing Life with one who's lost?

Through His love our hearts can feel

All the grief they bear.

They must hear the Words of Life

Only we can share.

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.

People need the Lord, people need the Lord.

When will we realize that we must give our lives,

For people need the Lord.

People need the Lord.

You can listen and be challenged by this song here.    LISTEN