HEARTACHES

During my college days I had the opportunity to sing with a gospel quartet called "The Gospel Four".  We sang each Sunday morning on the radio for 15 minutes, each Sunday night before the evening message, and once in awhile at other churches and programs.  Two of the members were a generation older than I was and the third was about ten years older.  It was a special experience with great memories.  However, four of us younger fellows formed a second group.  We loved to sing but didn't get the opportunity very often to sing in public.  We just enjoyed being together and blending our voices in harmony.  One of the songs that we loved to sing was "Heartaches".  I guess that during those years we all thought that we had various heartaches and we probably did.  But as young men we rarely thought about the heavy heartaches that we would all face later in life.  But as I've faced many during recent years, the Lord has often brought back the words of this song and I often find myself singing them to myself.  Now I am the only one of the four men still living but I if I think about it, I can still hear the others harmonizing as we sang these comforting words.   Maybe these words will help comfort you as you experience the heartaches that are part of life here on this earth.

(1)   When your heart is aching, turn to Jesus,

He's the dearest Friend that you can know;

You will find Him standing close beside you,

Waiting peace and comfort to bestow.

Chorus

Heartaches, take them all to Jesus,

Go to Him today,

Do it now without delay.

Heartaches, take them all to Jesus,

He will take your heartaches all away.

(2)   There is joy for every troubled sorrow,

Sweet relief for every bitter pain,

Jesus Christ is still the great Physician,

No one ever sought His help in vain.

Chorus

Heartaches, take them all to Jesus,

Go to Him today,

Do it now without delay.

Heartaches, take them all to Jesus,

He will take your heartaches all away.

(3)   Jesus understands, whate'er the trouble,

And He waits to heal your wounded soul.

Will you trust His love so strong and tender?

He alone can make your spirit whole.

[Chorus

Heartaches, take them all to Jesus,

Go to Him today,

Do it now without delay.

Heartaches, take them all to Jesus,

He will take your heartaches all away.

Listen to it here     LISTEN

WHEN WE SEE CHRIST

Recently one of my grandchildren said to me that kids should be paid for going to school.  I have heard that comment many times over 39 years of teaching and I gave the same answer I always have given. Your do get paid.  What you do now provides you with income the rest of your life and the better you prepare now, the greater will be your return throughout life.  Now most don't want to hear that since it is hard to labor for what appears to be nothing when the real reward may be many years away.   But isn't it the same in ministry?   So often God's children appear to work so hard, often without any thanks and without any apparent reward.  Ministry can at times be hard and lonely with long hours and many frustrations. Often there is criticism of what you do.   We often want to quit - and many do.  But a time is coming when faithful servants will be rewarded beyond comprehension.  So we need to faithfully move on with the final goal in sight.  Then it will be worth all the toil and effort.  An old hymn expresses this so well.  Meditate on the words and be challenged to renew your service for the Lord and "keep on going on".

(1)   Oft' times the day seems long,

Our trials hard to bear;

We're tempted to complain,

To murmur and despair;

But Christ will soon appear,

To catch His Bridge away,

All tears forever over

In God's eternal day.

It will be worth it all

When we see Jesus;

Life trials will seem so small

When we see Christ.

One glimpse of His dear face,

All sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race

'Til we see Christ.

(2)   Sometimes the sky looks dark

With not a ray of light

We're tossed and driven on

No human help in sight

But there is One in Heaven

Who knows our deepest care

Let Jesus solve your problem

Just go to Him in prayer

It will be worth it all

When we see Jesus;

Life trials will seem so small

When we see Christ.

One glimpse of His dear face,

All sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race

'Til we see Christ.

You can hear the words and music at this site.     LISTEN

UNDER HIS WINGS

The story is told of a fire that wept over the dry fields destroying everything in its path.  When the fire was finally extinguished, someone noticed the body of a chicken that was burnt to a crisp.  However, when they heard some noise they pushed aside the body and under its wings found several small chicks alive.  They had been protected from the fire by the wings of their mother.  David shared a similar thought in Psalm 91:4, "He will cover you with his feathers,  and under his wings you will find refuge;   his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." (NIV).  He mentions a similar thought in Psalm 63, verse 7, " Because you are my help,  I sing in the shadow of your wings."  Have you found this to be true in your life?  Has he protected you "under His wings" from the storms of life.  Has He given you a song in the midst of the strife.   How often in my life I have found His protection, when nothing else could help.   Safe and secure, sheltered and protected.  I imagine that Ira Sankey found this to be true in his life when he penned the beautiful words of this hymn of assurance.

(1)  Under His wings I am safely abiding;

Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,

Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me;

He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

Under His wings, under His wings,

Who from His love can sever?

Under His wings, my soul shall abide,

Safely abide forever.

(2)  Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!

How the heart yearningly turns to its rest!

Often when earth has no balm for my healing,

Under His wings, under His wings,

Who from His love can sever?

Under His wings, my soul shall abide,

Safely abide forever.

(3)   Under His wings, O what precious enjoyment!

There will I hide till life's trials are over;

Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me;

Resting in Jesus I'm safe evermore.

Under His wings, under His wings,

Who from His love can sever?

Under His wings, my soul shall abide,

Safely abide forever. 

You can listen to the melody here.    LISTEN

THERE IS ROOM AT THE CROSS FOR YOU

My father-in-law who was called home a few weeks ago at the age of 96 had requested that this hymn be played or sung at his funeral.  Written by Ira Stamphill, the message is one that my father-in-law shared with almost everyone he met.  He knew that the Lord had made him a new creation and the desire of his heart was to see others come to the Lord and experience the same transformation that he did.  He often said that the Lord had pulled him out of the mirey clay and set his feet on the rock to stay.  While we felt that he definitely had the gift of evangelism, he denied this.  He said that all Christians had the mandate to share the Gospel and that he was only doing what the Lord called him to do.  And in memory of him and his faithful life before the Lord, I felt that I needed to share this hymn and this message with others.  He would have wanted this.  So, if you've never experienced the joy of the new life in Christ, then today there is still room at the cross for you.  Accept Him today, don't put it off another minute.  What a great way that would be to start the new year!

(1)    The cross upon which Jesus died

Is a shelter in which we can hide

And its grace so free is sufficient for me

And deep is its fountain as wide as the sea.

Chorus:

There's room at the cross for you

There's room at the cross for you

Though millions have come, there's still room for one

Yes there's room at the cross for you.

(2)   Though millions have found him a friend

And have turned from the sins they have sinned

The Savior still waits to open the gates

And welcome a sinner before it's too late.

Chorus: 

(3)   The hand of my Savior is strong

And the love of my Savior is long

Through sunshine or rain, through loss or in gain,

The blood flows from Calvary to cleanse every stain.

Chorus:

You can listen to it here.     LISTEN

SPECIAL FOR A NEW YEAR!

As we begin a new year, my mind has gone back to an old, old song that my wife and I used to sing annually as a duet at this time of the year.  It was a song of hope - actually even a prayer.  The long anticipated event hasn't yet happened ...  but maybe this year ... or maybe even today ... or maybe even at this moment.  We pray, Lord come quickly, for that is our hope and desire.  Unfortunately, we don't have any source available for you to actually hear this song, but please meditate on the words as you read them and then enter this new year with this great hope and expectation.   It will change you in 2009!

What if this could be the year when Jesus comes

The year that we've been waiting for so long

We'd have so little time to get our lost world won

If this could be the year when Jesus comes

 

Years have come and years have gone

Since Jesus went away

Leaving us the promise that He'd come again someday

And…

 

What if this could be the day when Jesus comes

The day that we've been waiting for so long

We'd have so little time to get our lost world won

If this could be the day when Jesus comes

 

He will comes so quickly in the twinkling of an eye

In a moment we think not

He'll split the eastern sky

And…

 

What if this could be the moment when Jesus comes

The moment that we've been waiting for so long

We'd have no time, no time to get our lost world won

If this could be the moment when Jesus comes

 

Yes this could be the moment Jesus comes

JESUS IS ALL THE WORLD TO ME

What are the most important things in your life?  I guess one really thinks about this question when faced with death and the loss of loved ones.  You realize how unimportant material things really are when you need to need to clean up an estate after a death.  Things that once seemed important now are things to be discarded, distributed, taxed, or even fought over.  Then you realize even more that the important things in life are relationships, especially with your loved ones.  You now miss the chance to be with them, to share your joys and your sorrows, and to seek their advice.  We all need someone to be our friend ... someone who cares about us ... someone who cheers us ... someone who is always there ... someone who accepts us for who we are ... someone we can trust.  But even our loved ones can fail us.  There is really only one friend that is always faithful.  This old hymn reminds us of that one.

Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all;

He is my strength from day to day, without Him I would fall.

When I am sad, to Him I go, no other one can cheer me so;

When I am sad, He makes me glad, He's my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me, my Friend in trials sore;

I go to Him for blessings, and He gives them over and o'er.

He sends the sunshine and the rain, He sends the harvest's golden grain;

Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain, He's my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me, and true to Him I'll be;

O how could I this Friend deny, when He's so true to me?

Following Him I know I'm right, He watches o'er me day and night;

Following Him by day and night, He's my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me, I want no better Friend;

I trust Him now, I'll trust Him when life's fleeting days shall end.

Beautiful life with such a Friend, beautiful life that has no end;

Eternal life, eternal joy, He's my Friend.

Listen to it here.    LISTEN

THOU DIDST LEAVE THY THRONE

When we stop to really think about the Christmas story, it is quite incredible.  Jesus left His perfect throne in heaven to come to earth as a baby to ultimately save us from death and eternal separation from God.  He left His kingly throne for me and for you.  And then he wasn't even born in a palace or even a modest home.  He was born in a barn or a cave and in a manger, a trough!  Talk about humility.  God took on a human form, becoming a man.  He was made lower than the angels.  And later he obeyed God even to the point of death.  What amazing love shown to each of us.  In 1864, Elizabeth Steele Elliott tried to express this sacrifice and humility in one of over 140 hymns which she wrote.  "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne" expressed the Christmas story with a refrain after each verse that should be our response.  As we leave the Christmas season, meditate on this message and the responses, and may it challenge your life throughout the coming year.

(1)   Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,

When Thou camest to earth for me;

But in Bethlehem's home was there found no room

For Thy holy nativity.

Refrain

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

There is room in my heart for Thee.

(2)   Heaven's arches rang when the angels sang,

Proclaiming Thy royal degree;

But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,

And in great humility.

Refrain

(3)   The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest

In the shade of the forest tree;

But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,

In the deserts of Galilee.

Refrain

(4)   Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word,

That should set Thy people free;

But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn,

They bore Thee to Calvary.

Refrain

(5)   When the heav'ns shall ring, and her choirs shall sing,

At Thy coming to victory,

Let Thy voice call me home, saying "Yet there is room,

There is room at My side for thee."

My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,

When Thou comest and callest for me.

Listen to it here.      LISTEN

O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM

One of my most vivid childhood memories are the trips to Bethlehem, PA, on Christmas Eve. I was in elementary school when my grandfather pastored a large church there.  Christmas was always spent with all of their family in the parsonage.  We would travel there the night before and as kids we would always look to see who could first spot the lighted PP&L building in Allentown.  That was the sign that we were almost there.  When we would arrive we would always find Grandma Wolf preparing hot chocolate and barbecue for the young people of the church who were out caroling.  They would gather afterwards in the parsonage basement to play ping pong and enjoy Grandma's food.  And so I have special memories of Bethlehem at Christmas.  But the events at Bethlehem centuries before are more memorable to everyone.  After a trip to Bethlehem in 1868, Rector Phillips Brooks was inspired by the view of the town from the hills of Palestine and he penned the words of that famous carol, "O Little Town of Bethlehem".  The words remind us of that life changing event that happened that Christmas Eve.  And the miracle continues today ... "where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in."

O little town of Bethlehem

How still we see thee lie

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting Light

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight

For Christ is born of Mary

And gathered all above

While mortals sleep, the angels keep

Their watch of wondering love

O morning stars together

Proclaim the holy birth

And praises sing to God the King

And Peace to men on earth

How silently, how silently

The wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of His heaven.

No ear may his His coming,

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him still,

The dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem

Descend to us, we pray

Cast out our sin and enter in

Be born to us today

We hear the Christmas angels

The great glad tidings tell

O come to us, abide with us

Our Lord Emmanuel  

Listen to the music here.      LISTEN

CHERISH THAT NAME

Few things hurt me as much as hearing the name of the Lord taken in vain.  Unfortunately to more and more folks today the name of our Lord is nothing more than a curse word.  To most of us our name is one of our most precious possessions.  Our name often seems to define us and our reputation.  We are hurt when folks make fun of it or use it in a derogatory way - something many experience, especially as children.  And so it hurts when our Saviour's name is used in swearing or in a mocking way.  It is a beautiful name, full of deep, significant meaning.  It is a wonderful name that brings salvation.  It is a matchless name and none can compare.  That name is Jesus.  Years ago my sister, sister-in-law, and wife sang as a women's trio.  They were excellent and their voices blended so well. I miss their singing.  One of my favorite songs which they sang was "Cherish That Name".    Each Christmas season I think about that song and its powerful message.

An angel from long ago

Bent down to earth below,

And to Mary whispered low,

"Call His name Jesus."

Cherish that beautiful name.

Cherish that wonderful name.

Cherish that matchless name.

That name is Jesus.

"Fear not the words I say.

God has favored you today.

You shall bring forth a Son

And call His name Jesus."

Cherish that beautiful name.

Cherish that wonderful name.

Cherish that matchless name.

That name is Jesus.

King of kings and Lord of lords.

He shall reign forevermore.

Come before Him and adore

That lovely name of Jesus.

Cherish that beautiful name.

Cherish that wonderful name.

Cherish that matchless name.

That name is Jesus.

You can listen to it here.       LISTEN