THE FULL REWARD

Seven Mennonite revivalists, under pressure from their bishops to give up their style of evangelism, huddled at a farm house in Milford Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It was Friday, September 24, 1858, just two weeks before the next high council. Should they acquiesce to restrictions upon the freedom of expression they enjoyed in their revival and prayer meetings? No, they would not. And so they established the Evangelische Mennoniten Gemeinschaft (Evangelical Mennonite Society). In their new fellowship which would remain Mennonite in doctrine, they would continue enthusiastic evangelism. This was the birth of what would become the Mennonite Brethren In Christ Church. In 1959 the denomination would change its name to Bible Fellowship Church. I was born while I lived in the parsonage of its church in Sunbury and later I became a charter member of the church in Lancaster. My great-great-grandfather, two of my grandfathers, and my uncle all served as pastors in this church, and in fact, my great-great-great-grandfather donated for land for the first church structure. Music has always been an important part of the worship in this denomination, even though during the early years most was sung acappella or accompanied by guitars. During the early years one song was used so often in services that it became the unofficial anthem of the denomination. I have searched, unsuccessfully, for information about who wrote the words or the music or some history behind its writing. It does have a tremendous theme - the rewards that await God's children in heaven. But the final verse is especially stirring with the thought of sitting with Jesus at His coronation and then casting our crowns at His feet in adoration. We should live each day in anticipation of that event. It is also stirring with a refrain that is usually sung with the male voices singing the back time. I was reminded again of this hymn when I sang it with a quartet this summer at Pinebrook. Then, a month ago, a Pastor's Quartet sang it at my uncle's funeral - a tradition when our pastors are called home to heaven. While you may not know the music, meditate upon the words and be reminded of the full reward that awaits God's faithful children.

(1) There's a full reward awaiting us in glory;

'Tis for service given unto God's dear Son;

It will make the joys of heaven all the brighter;

We'll receive it when the victory is won.

Refrain:

Crown of life and Crown of glory,

Crown of righteousness, and joy.

Crown unfading, full of splendor,

And to see Him by and by.

(2) There's a crown of life for humble service rendered;

There's a crown unfading given for our zeal;

Crowns of joy and glory for the hosts unnumbered,

And thro' faith we all may have them if we will.

Refrain:

Crown of life and Crown of glory,

Crown of righteousness, and joy.

Crown unfading, full of splendor,

And to see Him by and by.

(3) There's a crown of righteousness awaits our wearing;

It shines brighter than all others in His Word,

'Tis for all who wait and look for His appearing,

And have crowned Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Refrain:

Crown of life and Crown of glory,

Crown of righteousness, and joy.

Crown unfading, full of splendor,

And to see Him by and by.

(4) But to sit with Jesus in His coronation,

Will be better than to wear the crowns above,

So we'll cast them at His feet in adoration;

'Twill be heaven just to realize His love.

Refrain:

Crown of life and Crown of glory,

Crown of righteousness, and joy.

Crown unfading, full of splendor,

And to see Him by and by.

FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH

This morning, in our early worship service, my wife played a beautiful piano arrangement, written by Lenny Seidel, of "For The Beauty of the Earth" and "Glorify Thy Name". Not only was it played well but it drew our attention to the many blessings that God has given us. I love living in an area where we experience all four seasons and they are all beautiful in their own way. But I guess I especially like the Fall with the beautiful leaves, the harvested fields, the cool nights, and the pumpkins and apples. It is a special reminder of the Creator and His provisions for us. And I love the way that this particular hymn points out so many of the blessings which we often take for granted and then sums these up with the words "Lord of all, to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise". And this should be our hymn of thanks not only at Thanksgiving time, but 365 days of each year. Not much is known about Folliott Sandford Pierpoint (1835 - 1917), the author of this hymn. He was born in the town of Bath, England. The inspiration for this hymn text is said to have come to the young author as he was strolling about his native town one day in the late spring, entranced by the beautiful countryside with the winding Avon River in the distance. Well spring is a beautiful time, too. So as you prepare your hearts for a great Thanksgiving week, meditate on these words and have a grateful heart to the one who has provided us with these special blessings.

For the beauty of the earth,

For the beauty of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies,

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the beauty of each hour

Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale, and tree and flower,

Sun and moon and stars of light,

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child,

Friends on earth, and friends above,

Pleasures pure and undefiled,

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our grateful hymn of praise.

For each perfect gift of thine,

To our race so freely given,

Graces human and divine,

Flowers of earth and buds of heaven,

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our grateful hymn of praise.

For thy Church which evermore

Lifteth holy hands above,

Offering up on every shore

Her pure sacrifice of love,

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the words and music, listen here. LISTEN
For beautiful pictures, look here. PICTURES
For a VeggieTale special, listen here. VEGGIE

O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES

Yesterday we left early in the morning to attend the Penn State football game at State College. As we traveled there, we had the radio turned on to a local Christian radio station and one of the programs included some old hymns. One of those was the one chosen this week which is one of over 6,000 written by Charles Wesley. I didn't think much more about it until the game began. The crowd was quiet as Penn State was playing poorly and fell behind. But then, late in the second quarter, things began to change. Penn State took control of the game and the crowd went wild. Then over 100,000 fans began the famous chant, "We are, Penn State" and the stadium shook. It was then that the words of this old hymn came back and I began to think of the effect of thousands using their tongue to sing the praises of a football team - yes, just a football team. It struck me how much more we have to stir us to sing, shout, and praise our great Creator. It is humbling to think how little we talk about Him and praise Him. In fact often, at best, we are too busy to do so. At worst, we are too embarrassed to do so. But He alone deserves our praise and adoration and we should use the one tongue that we have to do so - all the time. When Wesley originally wrote this in 1740, there were 18 verses. I am including just four of the more familiar ones for you to meditate upon today. He is said to have written this on the first anniversary of his conversion and it was his recommendation that everyone should sing it "on the anniversary of one's conversion."

O for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer's praise,

The glories of my God and King,

The triumphs of his grace!

My gracious Master and my God,

Assist me to proclaim,

To spread through all the earth abroad

The honors of thy name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,

That bids our sorrows cease;

'Tis music in the sinner's ears,

'Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin,

He sets the prisoner free;

His blood can make the foulest clean;

His blood availed for me.

Listen to it here. LISTEN

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

Joseph Medlicott Scriven was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1819. He fell for a lovely young woman, but on the eve of their wedding she accidentally drowned. Scriven never recovered from the shock. The Irishman began to wander, hoping to forget his sorrow. At age 25, he finally settled in Canada. His faith led him to do menial tasks for poor widows and the sick and He often worked for no wages. He later fell in love again and planned to marry a wonderful Canadian woman. But again, tragedy struck. His fiance died after contracting pneumonia. In 1855, a friend visited an ill Scriven and discovered a poem that he had written for his ailing mother in faraway Ireland. Scriven didn't have the money to visit her, but he sent her the poem as an encouragement. He called it "Pray Without Ceasing." Scriven never intended for the poem to be published, but it made its rounds, and was set to music in 1868 by musician Charles Converse, who titled it "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." Scriven died in 1886, ironically, in an accidental drowning. In his memory, the town of Port Hope Ontario erected a monument with this inscription from Scriven's famous song: "In His arms He'll take and shield thee. Thou wilt find a solace there". Since its publication, this music has been a real inspiration and comfort to many. Possibly today you are facing a trial and need a friend. Jesus is there to bear that burden for you. Just take it to Him in prayer.

(1) What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our

sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to

God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, O what

needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry everything to

God in prayer.

(2) Have we trials and temptations? Is

there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged; take it to

the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful who will

all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to

the Lord in prayer.

(3) Are we weak and heavy laden,

cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to

the Lord in prayer.

Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take

it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He'll take and shield you; you

will find a solace there.

Listen to it here. LISTEN

LITTLE IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT

Yesterday we attended the annual meeting of the Bible Fellowship Church Historical Society where a paper was presented on the "Influence of the Kauffman Family in the Bible Fellowship Church." The meeting was held at an old church in Zionsville where our denomination began. The land for the church was given by my great great great grandfather. It was interesting to learn that his son, one of the early pastors, was willing to be a traveling pastor and ministered in well over a dozen locations. That must have been a real sacrifice in a time when travel was very difficult and money was scarce. It has been challenging to me to learn how many of my ancestors gave up conveniences and material possessions to serve the Lord. Today we complain about our economic status, and many are suffering. But few of us show the desire to dedicate all that we have - our money, our possessions, our time, our conveniences - to trust and serve the Lord. And yet the scriptures say "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you." Do we believe that? Are we really trusting Jesus to provide all that we need. Is all that we have really belong to the Lord? This is the theme of this old hymn, written in 1924 by Katie L. Suffield. Meditate upon these words and ask yourself, "Is this my testimony?" Then examine your checkbook and calendar.

(1) In the harvest field now ripened

There's a work for all to do;

Hark! the voice of God is calling

To the harvest calling you.

Refrain

Little is much when God is in it!

Labor not for wealth or fame.

There's a crown — and you can win it,

If you go in Jesus' Name.

(2) In the mad rush of the broad way,

In the hurry and the strife,

Tell of Jesus' love and mercy,

Give to them the Word of Life.

Refrain - Little is much when God is in it!

Labor not for wealth or fame.

There's a crown — and you can win it,

If you go in Jesus' Name.

(3) Does the place you're called to labor

Seem too small and little known?

It is great if God is in it,

And He'll not forget His own.

Refrain - Little is much when God is in it!

Labor not for wealth or fame.

There's a crown — and you can win it,

If you go in Jesus' Name.

(4) Are you laid aside from service,

Body worn from toil and care?

You can still be in the battle,

In the sacred place of prayer.

Refrain - Little is much when God is in it!

Labor not for wealth or fame.

There's a crown — and you can win it,

If you go in Jesus' Name.

(5) When the conflict here is ended

And our race on earth is run,

He will say, if we are faithful,

"Welcome home, My child — well done!"

Refrain - Little is much when God is in it!

Labor not for wealth or fame.

There's a crown — and you can win it,

If you go in Jesus' Name.

Listen to it here. LISTEN

TRUST AND OBEY

Every Friday and Saturday night our local Christian radio station plays hymns throughout the night. I really enjoy this special time, especially when I am having trouble sleeping. Early this morning I heard them play this week's hymn and it immediately brought back to my mind many baptismal services which I've attended over the years. This used to be a traditional hymn sung as we watched new believer's publicly testify of their death to sin and their new life in Christ. And their key to living their new life was trusting and obeying their Lord. Those two words are so simple but often so hard to put into practice. So often we trust our own decisions and our own ways, especially when things are going well for us. And as humans we often resist obeying. We want our own ways. We want to decide how we use our time and money and possessions. And so we may miss the full joy that the Lord wants us to experience in our Christian walk. For there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. In 1886, Daniel Towner, was leading the music during one of Moody's preaching campaigns in Massachusetts. During the service a young man stood up to give a testimony. "I am not quite sure -- but I am going to trust, and I am going to obey." Towner jotted down the words and sent them to his friend, John Sammis, who was a Presbyterian pastor. Sammis using the words of this short testimony wrote the hymn we know as "Trust and Obey." As he wrote the hymn he considered the different areas of our life what we need to trust God about: Verse one - our daily walk in life; Verse two - during the difficult times in life; Verse three - our total submission; Verse four - following God's call for our life.

(1) When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will, He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

(2) Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,

But His smile quickly drives it away;

Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,

Can abide while we trust and obey.

Refrain

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

(3) Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,

But our toil He doth richly repay;

Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,

But is blessed if we trust and obey.

Refrain

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

(4) But we never can prove the delights of His love

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

Refrain

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

(5) Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.

Or we'll walk by His side in the way.

What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;

Never fear, only trust and obey.

Refrain

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Listen to this hymn here. LISTEN

WONDERFUL PEACE

I received an e-mail today which said that "Stress is more than a five letter word". There is some truth in that humorous thought. We live in a time when everyone seems to be living in stress. Some of it is from the economic times that we live in. Some might be from the media which reminds us every day how bad things are. Some might be our unexpected material expectations - we need everything and we need it now. And some of it relates to real physical problems that we encounter. Right now we have two friends who are in the last days of their lives, a friend's granddaughter who has swine flu, several friends who are in the hospital, several friends and relatives who've had to relocate because of physical problems, and several who probably should relocate to receive adequate care. All around us folks are facing real problems. And yet, while we can't avoid these stressful situations, we can have a friend who can give us a lasting, perfect peace in such times. As we cast our cares on Jesus, He is faithful to give us peace and walk with us through these fiery trials. I hope that you can testify to such times in your life. I assume that Warren Cornell must have experienced that when in 1889 he penned the words to this week's hymn. The music was also written that year by W. George Cooper. Maybe times were stressful then, as well.

(1) Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight

Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;

In celestial strains it unceasingly falls

O'er my soul like an infinite calm.

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,

Coming down from the Father above!

Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray

In fathomless billows of love!

(2) What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,

Buried deep in the heart of my soul,

So secure that no power can mine it away,

While the years of eternity roll!

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,

Coming down from the Father above!

Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray

In fathomless billows of love!

(3) I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,

Resting sweetly in Jesus' control;

For I'm kept from all danger by night and by day,

And His glory is flooding my soul!

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,

Coming down from the Father above!

Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray

In fathomless billows of love!

(4) And I think when I rise to that city of peace,

Where the Anchor of peace I shall see,

That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing

In that heavenly kingdom will be:

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,

Coming down from the Father above!

Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray

In fathomless billows of love!

(5) Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,

Marching down the rough pathway of time?

Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;

O accept of this peace so sublime!

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,

Coming down from the Father above!

Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray

In fathomless billows of love!

Listen to it here. LISTEN

I HAVE A HOME

Usually the hymns that I feature are hymns that are favorites of mine. This week is an exception, because I've never heard this one before. Why would I then choose it? If you read my blog (Barry's Blog) for Friday, you will know that my week has revolved around settlement of the sale of my parents' home. Since they lived there for almost 60 years, this process has been one of very mixed feelings. But, as I noted in my blog, it is only a house. It was a temporary location used on our journey to our new home in heaven. So homes and heaven have been on my mind and I spent time searching for hymns that shared about our new home in heaven. In doing this search I came upon this hymn which was written in 1897 by Barney E. Warren. The more I read it, the more I thought it really represented my feelings and anticipation this week. Sometimes we get so involved in taking care of our earthly abodes that we forget about the perfect homes that are being prepared for God's family in heaven. And then our prayer should really be, Lord come quickly.

1. I have a home prepared for me,

A mansion bright across the sea;

And when I pass to yon bright shore,

I'll dwell with Christ forevermore.

• Refrain:

I'll live for Him till life shall end,

Then on my pinions I'll ascend

To that bright home, where all is fair,

And take my starry crown to wear.

2. I have a home in heav'n above,

Where all is pure and perfect love;

A home where sin can never be,

Where all is perfect purity.

• Refrain:

I'll live for Him till life shall end,

Then on my pinions I'll ascend

To that bright home, where all is fair,

And take my starry crown to wear.

3. I have a home, forever free

From toil, and care, and misery,

Where stormy seas can never roll,

Where bliss eternal crowns the soul.

• Refrain:

I'll live for Him till life shall end,

Then on my pinions I'll ascend

To that bright home, where all is fair,

And take my starry crown to wear.

4. I have a home — how sweet to know

'Tis well secured from every foe—

Where peace and joy do reign supreme,

Where love shall be my only theme

• Refrain:

I'll live for Him till life shall end,

Then on my pinions I'll ascend

To that bright home, where all is fair,

And take my starry crown to wear.

Listen to it here. LISTEN

THE SANDS OF TIME ARE SINKING

I love hymns that have beautiful harmony and I love hymns that have beautiful words. Some have both and this is one of them. This much-loved poem was composed by Mrs. Anne Ross Cousin, wife of a minister of the Free Church of Scotland. The poem is as remarkable as it is beautiful in that Mrs. Cousin extracted from the letters of Samuel Rutherford many of his most memorable sayings and wove them into a hymn of 19 stanzas, maintaining throughout high poetic excellence and great faithfulness to the language and spirit of the letters. Several of these stanzas remain as part of this wonderful hymn. This is the most famous of 107 hymn poems which she wrote. I love the pictures that are painted to help us visualize Emmanuel's Land - the dawn, the ocean's fullness, and the bride gazing at the Bridegroom. But I think my favorite line is "I stand upon His merit - I know no other stand!" How true - our future dwelling in Emmanuel's land is only possible because of what Christ has done for us. That is mercy and grace.

1. The sands of time are sinking,

The dawn of heaven breaks;

The summer morn I've sighed for -

The fair, sweet morn awakes:

Dark, dark had been the midnight

But dayspring is at hand,

And glory, glory dwelleth

In Emmanuel's land.

2. O Christ, He is the fountain,

The deep, sweet well of love!

The streams on earth I've tasted

More deep I'll drink above:

There to an ocean fullness

His mercy doth expand,

And glory, glory dwelleth

In Emmanuel's land.

3. The bride eyes not her garment,

But her dear Bridegroom's face;

I will not gaze at glory

But on my King of grace.

Not at the crown He giveth

But on His pierced hand;

The Lamb is all the glory

Of Emmanuel's land.

4. O I am my Beloved's

And my Beloved is mine!

He brings a poor vile sinner

Into His house of wine

I stand upon His merit -

I know no other stand,

Not e'en where glory dwelleth

In Emmanuel's land.

Listen to it here. LISTEN