THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

I have been looking for a special choice to start out the new year and I have finally decided to go a slightly different direction and feature a very familiar chorus instead of the usual hymn.  This chorus has been sung, usually with hand motions, by children for many years.  And while we usually associate it with children, I think it has a profound message for each of us, especially as we start 2014.   "This Little Light of Mine" was written by composer and teacher Harry Dixon Loes (1895–1965). Loes, studied at the Moody Bible Institute and the American Conservatory of Music and was a musical composer and teacher who wrote, and co-wrote, several other gospel songs. The song has entered the folk tradition, first being collected by John Lomax in 1939. Often thought of as a Negro spiritual, it does not, however, appear in any collection of jubilee or plantation songs from the nineteenth century.  The song may take its theme from Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heaven." Or, it may refer to the words of Jesus in Luke 11:33, where he said, "No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light." Or, it may be based on Matthew 5:14–15, where Jesus said, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house."  Light is a powerful force that can penetrate the darkness.  One of our neighbors, a block away from our house, often leaves a light at the rear of his property on all night.  Even from that distance, that small light shines through our front windows and lights up our front room and hallway.  In the darkest night this small light, a block away, provides enough light in our house that we can navigate around our house without turning on any of our lights.  One small light can penetrate the darkness.  And so in this chorus we are challenged, as the scripture tells us, to let our light shine and penetrate the darkness of this sinful world that we live in.  May our desire during the coming year be to let our light, as little as it may seem, shine for Jesus.  Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

(1)     This little light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

(2)     Hide it under a bushel, No!

I'm gonna let it shine

Hide it under a bushel, No!

I'm gonna let it shine

Hide it under a bushel, No!

I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

(3)     Don't let Satan blow it out

I'm gonna let it shine

Don't let Satan whoosh it out

I'm gonna let it shine

Don't let Satan whoosh it out

I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

(4)     Shine all over my hometown

I'm going to let it shine.

Shine all over my hometown

I'm going to let it shine,

Shine all over my hometown

I'm going to let it shine,

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

(5)     Let it shine till Jesus comes

I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine till Jesus comes

I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine till Jesus comes

I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Here's a chance to sing along with the music and if you aren't too embarrassed, do the motions as you sing.      LISTEN

HAVE YOU ANY ROOM FOR JESUS

Christmas is now over for another year.  Once again we have heard and marveled at the wonderful Christmas story.  We have sung the carols and worshipped our Savior.  we have rejoiced that the Creator of this world would willingly give up the glorious beauty of heaven to come to this earth to be born here, as a baby, in a lonely stable.  We have sung of the angels, the shepherds and the wise men and their part in this great event.  And we have probably scorned or maybe even felt sorry for the inn keeper who had nothing available the night of this greatest birth except for a manger in a stable.  How sad that he had no room for the most important baby ever born.  He missed it all.  And then we are drawn to today's society where millions have no room for the Savior and they too are missing out on the most important gift ever given.  But let's not be too hasty.  Maybe we, as believers, are also guilty of having little room or, even worse, no room, for Him.  What was your life like this past month?  Have you been so busy with buying gifts, hanging decorations, planning parties and dinners, visiting friends, and attending programs that you had little or no time to spend with the Lord?  It is so easy at times to crowd Him out of our daily lives.  There is so much going on to attract our attention and our time.  Our jobs, our home, our things, our vacations, and maybe at times, even our family, take away our time with the Lord.  And we, too, can become guilty of having no, or little time, for Him.  Maybe the question should be asked of us, do we have any room and time for Jesus.  The words of this week's hymn were written by that famous author "anonymous", but they were adapted by Major Daniel W. Whittle (1840-1901) in 1878 and the music was added by C. C. Williams.  Major Whittle was a veteran of the American Civil War, who later became an evangelist. Though intended as an invitation to salvation, this hymn asks a question of every child of God.  Not that our activities are necessarily wrong or sinful, but often it is a case of the good crowding out the best. Maybe this week we need to  evaluate our priorities.  Think about that this week.

(1)     Have you any room for Jesus,

He who bore your load of sin?

As He knocks and asks admission,

Sinners, will you let Him in?

Room for Jesus, King of Glory!

Hasten now His Word obey;

Swing the heart's door widely open,

Bid Him enter while you may.

(2)    Room for pleasure, room for business,

But for Christ the Crucified,

Not a place that He can enter,

In the heart for which He died?

Room for Jesus, King of Glory!

Hasten now His Word obey;

Swing the heart's door widely open,

Bid Him enter while you may.

(3)     Have you any room for Jesus,

As in grace He calls again?

O today is time accepted,

Tomorrow you may call in vain.

Room for Jesus, King of Glory!

Hasten now His Word obey;

Swing the heart's door widely open,

Bid Him enter while you may.

(4)     Room and time now give to Jesus,

Soon will pass God's day of grace;

Soon thy heart left cold and silent,

And thy Savior's pleading cease.

Room for Jesus, King of Glory!

Hasten now His Word obey;

Swing the heart's door widely open,

Bid Him enter while you may.

You can listen to it being sung here.   LISTEN

You can also listen to a piano version here.  PIANO

O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

I love the traditional Christmas carols and this one is probably my favorite.  It was used in Catholic churches long before it became known to Protestants.  Today it has been translated from its original Latin, "Adeste Fidelis," into more than 100 languages and it is sung around third world at the Christmas season. The original Latin text included four stanzas, as listed below.  However, today usually just three are found in hymnbooks.  The first stanza calls us to see the infant Jesus in Bethlehem's stable.  The second verse reminds us that the Child is really God himself. In the third we are reminded of the angelic choir which appeared to the shepherds when Jesus was born.  In the fourth we are called to give glory to the One who was with the Father from the beginning of time.  There has been some uncertainty about the authorship of the words.  Originally it was listed as being written by an anonymous Latin writer, but later manuscripts seem to indicate that it was written and set to music by an English layman named John Wade.  The hymn first appeared in his collection of music that was published in England in 1751.  One hundred years later, it was translated into its present English form by an Anglican minster, Frederick Oakely, who wished to use it in his congregation.  But no matter what the true authorship may be, it is a great carol that has survived the centuries, around the world.  And it repeats the true message of Christmas, "Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!"  May this be your desire and purpose this Christmas season.

(1)    O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;

Come and behold him

Born the King of Angels:

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

(2)    God of God, light of light,

Lo, he abhors not the Virgin's womb;

Very God, begotten, not created:

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

(3)    Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,

Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above!

Glory to God in the highest:

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

(4)    Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;

Jesus, to thee be glory given!

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Christ the Lord.

Listen to it and sing along here.   LISTEN

NO NEVER ALONE

The Christmas season is a very special time, especially for families.  It is a time when many travel great distances to be with loved ones, even if only for a day or two.  It is a time of sharing and giving and loving.  But for others it is a time of great loneliness.  That is especially true for those who have lost loved ones or are too far away to travel home.  For them it can be a time of great despair.  And even if it isn't the holiday season, many folks around us face loneliness every day, for a person who does not have a close friend can be lonely, even in a crowd.  And sometimes we all need the reminder found in Hebrews 13:5, "... for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."  There is one who is closer than even a brother.  I don't know if it was a period of loneliness that led Ludie D. Pickett in 1897 to pen the words of this week's choice. I could find no information about her writing this, her only hymn.  But her writing does deal with the presence and help of God in both temptation and in times of suffering.  Mrs. Pickett and her husband were active in the Methodist church, and in the founding of Asbury College, in Kentucky, where Ludie Pickett apparently taught for awhile. Their son went on to become bishop of the Methodist Church in India. During the days of Prohibition, Ludie Pickett also served as president of the Women's Christian Temperance Union in Kentucky. She was outspoken in her condemnation of the use of alcohol.   Possibly her experiences of seeing many who tried to cure their loneliness through the use of alcohol stirred her to pen these words.  But no matter what the inspiration may have been, the words are powerful and true.  He has promised never to leave His children alone.  He has claimed us as His own.  Meditate and rejoice in this powerful truth this week.  You are not alone.

(1)     I've seen the lightning flashing, 
I've heard the thunder roll.

I've felt sin's breakers dashing, 
which almost conquered my soul.

I've heard the voice of my Savior, 
bidding me still to fight on.

He promised never to leave me, 
never to leave me alone!

No, never alone, no never alone,

He promised never to leave me,

He'll claim me for His own;

No, never alone, no never alone.

He promised never to leave me,

Never to leave me alone.

(2)    The world's fierce winds are blowing, 
temptation sharp and keen.

I have a peace in knowing 
my Savior stands between—

He stands to shield me from danger 
when my friends are all gone.

He promised never to leave me, 
never to leave me alone!

No, never alone, no never alone,

He promised never to leave me,

He'll claim me for His own;

No, never alone, no never alone.

He promised never to leave me,

Never to leave me alone.

(3)     When in affliction's valley 
I tread the road of care,

My Savior helps me carry 
the cross so heavy to bear;

Though all around me is darkness, 
earthly joys all flown;

My Savior whispers His promise, 
never to leave me alone!

No, never alone, no never alone,

He promised never to leave me,

He'll claim me for His own;

No, never alone, no never alone.

He promised never to leave me,

Never to leave me alone.

(4)     He died on Calvary's mountain, 
for me they pierced His side.

For me He opened that fountain, 
the crimson, cleansing tide.

For me He waiteth in glory, 
seated upon His throne.

He promised never to leave me, 
never to leave me alone!

No, never alone, no never alone,

He promised never to leave me,

He'll claim me for His own;

No, never alone, no never alone.

He promised never to leave me,

Never to leave me alone.

Since this hymn is so old it has been very hard to find a good video of it.  But I did fine one and while it isn't too great, at least the words and the melody are sung,  You can listen to it here.   LISTEN

O MIGHTY GOD, HOW WONDERFUL ART THOU

Most of the hymns that have been featured over the years in this blog are more than a century old.  However, one of my personal favorites is this week's choice, a little known work that was written in 1959 by Esther Duvall Eden.  Eden was the sister of Ruth Crawford Porter, the wife of the late evangelist Percy Crawford, who, among many other things, founded Pinebrook in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Pinebrook is a special place where thousands have come to know the Lord and commit their lives to Him over the decades. The music for this song was actually written by Blanche Osborn who added the music to many of Eden's writings.  Because the hymn is not well known, it has been impossible to find anything out about the actual events behind its writing.  But since I have a special place in my heart for Pinebrook, having volunteered there for over 40 years, I'd like to imagine that maybe Eden was inspired by viewing the majestic skies from this place in the mountains.  In those days there would not have been many lights to detract from the clear nights when one could clearly see the stars and distant space.  What a spectacular view to gaze upon the vastness of the universe and to reflect upon the greatness of the Creator.  What a thrill to realize that the One who called all of this into being actually cared enough about us to send His Son to this earth to die for us.  And that is really so hard to comprehend.  But this realization should make our hearts cry out in wonder, "O mighty God, how wonderful art Thou."  I pray that as you reflect upon these words this week that your heart will respond in gratitude and worship to the One who did all of this for You.

(1)     I walk at night beneath majestic skies

And know behind them is a God all-wise,

Who fixed all stars, each in its lonely place,

And wrapped them in a darkened robe of space.

O mighty God, how wonderful art Thou

To love the world while heav'ns before Thee bow.

I fail to comprehend it all some how.

O mighty God, how wonderful art Thou.

(2)     I see the moon, the stars in distant space,

And think of how the God of matchless grace

Is coming in the clouds to claim His own -

Such wonders that on earth cannot be known.

O mighty God, how wonderful art Thou

To love the world while heav'ns before Thee bow.

I fail to comprehend it all some how.

O mighty God, how wonderful art Thou.

(3)     I scan the heav'ns with rapture in my soul

And wonder how the God Who made the whole

Could ever fix His thoughts on such as I

And give His Son upon the cross to die.

O mighty God, how wonderful art Thou

To love the world while heav'ns before Thee bow.

I fail to comprehend it all some how.

O mighty God, how wonderful art Thou.

Here is the only video of this song that I could find.  Take time to listen to it and worship with a heart full of praise and thanksgiving.   LISTEN

SOMEONE WHO CARES

One of my pet peeves are the many folks who pass me and say "how are you doing?".  Most of the time they don't even pause long enough for an answer.  And actually they probably don't really want an answer.  In fact, they don't even care how I am doing, it is just a passing greeting.  And unfortunately in today's society most people don't really care.  One is fortunate to have someone who cares and shares your troubles and concerns.  That might have been the reason behind the writing of this song.  There is one who does care, Jesus Christ.  And the scripture tells us to cast all of our burdens upon Him, for He cares for us.  It appears that the writer of this song was Jimmie Davis who also recorded it.   James Houston "Jimmie" Davis (1899 – 2000) was a singer of both sacred and popular songs who served for two nonconsecutive terms as the governor of his native Louisiana, USA.  Davis was a nationally popular country music and gospel singer from the 1930s into the 1960s, occasionally recording and performing as late as the early 1990s. Davis was born to a sharecropping couple,  in the now-ghost town of Beech Springs in north Louisiana. His family was so poor that young Jimmie did not even have a bed in which to sleep until he was nine years old. He later became a close friend of the North Dakota-born band leader Lawrence Welk who frequently reminded viewers of his television program of his association with Davis.  Now I don't know what you might be going through at this time in your life.  But if you are feeling discouraged and lonely, hopefully this song will remind you that you really aren't alone.  You have a friend who cares and will never leave you alone.  Claim that truth as you review the words of this week's choice.

When the world seems cold and your friends seem few, 

There is someone who cares for you; 

When you've tears in your eyes, your heart bleeds inside, 

There is someone who cares for you. 

Someone to care, someone to share, 

All your troubles like no other can do; 

He'll come down from the skies, brush the tears from your eyes, 

You're His child and He cares for you. 

When your disappointments come and you feel so blue, 

There is someone who cares for you; 

And when you need a friend, a friend till the end, 

There is someone who's a friend to you. 

Someone to care, someone to share, 

All your troubles like no other can do; 

He'll come down from the skies, brush the tears from your eyes, 

You're His child and He cares for you. 

He'll come down from the skies, brush the tears from your eyes, 

You're His child and He cares for you. 

It was difficult to find an appropriate video for this song, but here is one that was part of an altar call.  You only need to watch the first part to hear the complete song since the song is repeated over and over.    LISTEN

REJOICE YE PURE IN HEART

Thanksgiving should be a time of rejoicing and giving thanks as we consider all that God has done for us.  In Lamentations 3:22-23 we are reminded that His mercies to us are new every morning. So we have so much to be thankful about.  And so this week I've chosen a hymn that reminds us to rejoice and give thanks and sing.  The author, Edward Hayes Plumptre, was born in London in 1821 and was educated at King's College, London, and University College, Oxford.  He served for years as chaplain and professor at King's College, teaching biblical exegesis and theology. Plumptre wrote this week's hymn as a processional hymn for a choir festival at Peterborough Cathedral.  The festival gathered numerous choirs from churches throughout the diocese.  The choirs would process down the long center aisle of the cathedral, one after the other, with the cross and banner held aloft at the beginning of the processional.  When the first verse of the hymn says, "your glorious banner wave on high" and "the cross of Christ your king," it is that processional banner and cross that he had in mind. Such a processional could go on for as long as a half hour.  Plumptre wrote ten verses to this hymn for that reason, but most hymnals today include only four or five.  In the hymn he calls upon the pure in heart to rejoice.  Who are they?  Deitrich Bonhoeffer answered this in "The Cost of Discipleship" by saying, "Only those who have surrendered their hearts completely to Jesus that He may reign in them alone. Only those whose hearts are undefiled by their own evil, and by their own virtues too".  This is a joyous hymn from beginning to end, and so it lifts our spirits to sing it.  Our rejoicing brings just a bit of heaven into our lives here on earth.  If you are a child of God, sing along with the words of this hymn of praise and thanksgiving during this special season.

(1)     Rejoice ye pure in heart;

Rejoice, give thanks, and sing;

Your glorious banner wave on high,

The cross of Christ your King.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,

Give thanks and sing.

(2)     With all the angel choirs,

With all the saints of earth,

Pour out the strains of joy and bliss,

True rapture, noblest mirth.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,

Give thanks and sing.

(3)     Yes, on through life's long path,

Still chanting as ye go;

From youth to age, by night and day,

In gladness and in woe.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,

Give thanks and sing.

(4)     Still lift your standard high,

Still march in firm array,

As warriors through the darkness toil,

Till dawns the golden day.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,

Give thanks and sing.

(5)     Praise Him Who reigns on high,

The Lord Whom we adore,

The Father, Son and Holy Ghost,

One God forevermore.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,

Give thanks and sing.

Listen to it here.     LISTEN