HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW

         Looking out our kitchen window I enjoy watching dozens of birds who daily come to feast at our bird feeders.  And I am often reminded how the Lord cares for these small members of his creation. "Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26).  "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" (Matthew 10:29–31).  The birds are a daily reminder to me of my Father's care for me.  Often I need that reminder when facing the toils, discouragements and cares of daily living.  These scriptures were the inspiration for this week's song which has encouraged listeners for over a century.  According to Civilla Martin, writer of the lyrics, "Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle - true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle's reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" was the outcome of that experience." The next day she mailed the poem to Charles Gabriel, who supplied the music. Singer Ethel Waters helped make this song popular and she so loved this song that she used its name as the title for her autobiography.  Of course I don't know what is going on in your life right now, but I am sure that you, too, often face times of frustration, challenge and discouragement.  In those times be reminded that if you are a child of God, He will take care of you.  Your heart need not be troubled.  He is your constant friend and will put a song in your heart as you experience His care, comfort and leading.  If He can see and care for the sparrow, certainly He will see and care for you.  "For His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me!"

(1)     Why should I feel discouraged, 

why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

(2)     "Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

(3)     Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Listen to it being sung here.    LISTEN

O THAT WILL BE, GLORY FOR ME

Dad on his
90th birthday

          Today, on Father's Day I have decided to honor my father by repeating, in his memory, a blog that I wrote just after his death in 2009.  My father was a godly man who had a profound influence on my life and I still miss him greatly.  He had great wisdom and a deep faith in the Lord that I observed throughout his life.  In addition to Father's Day, today would have been his 98th birthday.  But instead of celebrating it with us, he is celebrating with mother and his Lord Jesus Christ in a much better place.  This hymn was one of his very favorites and it speaks of an experience which my father has now had.  His labors and trials are over and he is safe on that beautiful shore, near the Lord that he adored and served throughout his life.  What a thrill it is to know that this is his experience and someday it will also be mine.

March 3, 2009 blog:

When my father recently passed away some of the grandchildren told us that Grandpa wanted to have this song sung at his funeral.  So we honored his request by having the family sing it at his Memorial Service.  We had never sung together before in public as a family and it went well considering that we didn't have time to practice as a group and many of the grandchildren and great grandchildren had never heard the song before.  The words certainly reflect dad's desire and hope and most likely his present experience.   The song itself has an interesting history.   When it first appeared in 1900, a musical expert predicted, "It will never go; it has too many quarter notes."  In other words, 'the rhythm is too monotonous." But in a few years, it was the most popular hymn Homer Rodeheaver led in the Billy Sunday campaigns.  It was affectionately called the "Glory Song." It was inspired, not by an experience, but by a personality!  The author, C. H. Gabriel, was perhaps the best known and most prolific gospel song writer of the early twentieth century.  One of his good friends was Ed Card, superintendent of the Sunshine Rescue Mission of St. Louis, Missouri.  Ed was a radiant believer who always seemed to be "bubbling over" with Christian joy. During a sermon or a prayer he would often explode with "Glory" just like some people say "Amen!" or "Hallelujah!"  His beaming smile earned him the nickname "old glory face."  It was his custom to close his fervent prayers with a reference to heaven, usually ending with the phrase "and that will be glory for me"   What a fitting song for the believer who has the assurance that he will someday be reunited with loved ones, and with the Lord, in heaven.

When all my labors and trials are over,

And I am safe on that beautiful shore,

Just to be near the dear Lord I adore,

Will through the ages be glory for me.

O that will be glory for me,

Glory for me, glory for me,

When by His grace I shall look on His face,

That will be glory, be glory for me.

When, by the gift of His infinite grace,

I am accorded in heaven a place,

Just to be there and to look on His face,

Will through the ages be glory for me.

O that will be glory for me,

Glory for me, glory for me,

When by His grace I shall look on His face,

That will be glory, be glory for me.

Friends will be there I have loved long ago;

Joy like a river around me will flow;

Yet just a smile from my Savior, I know,

Will through the ages be glory for me.

O that will be glory for me,

Glory for me, glory for me,

When by His grace I shall look on His face,

That will be glory, be glory for me.

You can listen to it here.   LISTEN 

TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY

         It is obvious that we live in an age when advances in technology have changed almost everything we do.  Various appliances and machines now relieve us of much of our labor.  Smart phones keep us in constant contact with everything in the world.  We can text and call others at any time.  GPS's get us to our destinations quickly.  And computers and the internet make tedious jobs much simpler and faster.  And we can even save the time it used to take shopping by ordering online and having it delivered directly to us.  And with all of these advances we should have so much extra time available to spend with family and in leisure.  But we don't!  We are busier than ever.  Our calendars are packed full and we live life at a hectic pace.  And what often suffers the most are relationships.  And healthy ones do take time. That is true for husband and wife, for parents and children, and for friends. We need "quality time" with others - time to get to know them, time to share, time to help, time to listen. Relationships need nurturing and the time we give them suggests what priority, or lack of priority, we place on such things. But a more penetrating question is how is our relationship with Jesus Christ? Do we have time left for Him or does He get anything left over?  Does the urgency of other things keep us from "quality time" with Him?  It is in our fellowship with Him that our desires and ambitions are turned toward heavenly things. In turn, it is from these fundamental attitudes that our daily choices and decisions come.  When Peter and John were hauled into court for preaching the gospel, their conduct and their speech revealed they had long been in the company of Christ. The Bible says the members of the Sanhedrin "realized that they had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13). Is that true of us? The Apostle Paul says believers "beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory" (II Cor. 3:18). In the words of William Longstaff (1822-1894), "By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be; Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see." When others observe our behavior, or hear our conversation, will they realize that we have been with Him? Longstaff was a Christian layman in England, and a great supporter of the work of Dwight L. Moody. He was also for a time an associate of William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army. Born into a wealthy family, he used his resources in various causes, helping others in many ways. On one occasion, Mr. Longstaff heard a sermon on First Peter 1:16, where the Lord says, "Be holy, for I am holy." It impressed him deeply. After that, he set himself the goal of living a truly godly life. He wrote this week's hymn, in 1882, based on insights God was giving him. It reminds us to "Take Time to Be Holy."   May that be our challenge, desire and priority, not only this week, but everyday of our lives.

(1)     Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;

Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.

Make friends of God's children, help those who are weak,

Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

(2)      Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;

Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.

By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;

Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

(3)     Take time to be holy, let Him be thy guide;

And run not before Him, whatever betide.

In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,

And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

(4)       Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,

Each thought and each motive beneath His control.

Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,

Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

Listen ti it here.   LISTEN

WHAT IF IT WERE TODAY?

        As children we often could not wait for special events to come ... a birthday ... Christmas ... summer ... a family vacation.  We would often wake up wishing that this would now be the day that we were so eagerly anticipating.  And I guess even as adults we've often felt the same kind of excitement and anticipation about coming special events.  But do we wake up each day with the anticipation that this could be the day that Jesus comes to take us home?  What a difference this might make in our daily lives if we really believed this.  But it is a fact that Jesus promised that He would return for us although He hasn't revealed when that actual day might be.  It could be today and it is a possibility worth considering. The Apostle Paul commended the Thessalonian Christians for living expectantly. He says, "You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven" (I Thess. 1:9-10). He himself lived in hope of that event in his own lifetime, assuring his readers, "We who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them [the dead in Christ] ...to meet the Lord in the air" (I Thess. 4:17).  For centuries many believers have lived with that hope but did not experience it.  And there have always been skeptics.  Peter writes of skeptics who say, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation" (II Pet. 3:4).  But Jesus promised to return for us and it could be today that He takes His bride home. Lelia Naylor Morris (1862-1929) believed this and shared this hope and anticipation in this week's hymn. A homemaker, Mrs. Morris operated a ladies' hat shop for a number of years. The Lord also used her to write poetry and compose gospel music. Her accomplishments are all the more remarkable considering that for most of her adult life Lelia Morris was blind.  It is said that she authored more than 1,000 Gospel songs.  When her eyes began to fail, in 1913, her son built a 28-foot blackboard with oversized staff lines so that she could continue composing.  In this hymn she asks the penetrating question,"What if it, the rapture, were today?". The rapture of saints could come any day, when He claims His chosen bride.  But, in addition to the rapture, she also talks about a future second coming when Jesus will return to set up His kingdom here on earth - a time when He returns to earth to reign in power. Both events are intermingled in her writings and this can be confusing and maybe even a little misleading. Hopefully He will soon call us home - the rapture.  Then later He will return to reign as King and bind Satan - the second coming. Both are events to anticipate and long for. But her question about the timing of the rapture is a penetrating question because the possibility of the rapture today should make us question our priorities, activities and even our plans for today.  Are we really ready should this be the day?  But it is also an encouraging question, reminding us that at any time we believers could be taken out of this sinful world with its challenges and disappointments to be forever with Jesus.   Are we ready?

(1)     Jesus is coming to earth again; what if it were today?

Coming in power and love to reign; what if it were today?

Coming to claim His chosen bride, all the redeemed and purified,

Over this whole earth scattered wide; what if it were today?

Glory, glory! Joy to my heart 'twill bring.

Glory, glory! When we shall crown Him king.

Glory, glory! Haste to prepare the way;

Glory, glory! Jesus will come some day.

(2)     Satan's dominion will then be o'er, O that it were today!

Sorrow and sighing shall be no more, O that it were today!

Then shall the dead in Christ arise, caught up to meet Him in the skies,

When shall these glories meet our eyes? What if it were today?

Glory, glory! Joy to my heart 'twill bring.

Glory, glory! When we shall crown Him king.

Glory, glory! Haste to prepare the way;

Glory, glory! Jesus will come some day.

(3)    Faithful and true would He find us here if He should come today?

Watching in gladness and not in fear, if He should come today?

Signs of His coming multiply; morning light breaks in eastern sky.

Watch, for the time is drawing nigh; what if it were today?

Glory, glory! Joy to my heart 'twill bring.

Glory, glory! When we shall crown Him king.

Glory, glory! Haste to prepare the way;

Glory, glory! Jesus will come some day.

Listen to it here.     LISTEN

SHALL WE GATHER AT THE RIVER?

          When I was growing up it was quite common for folks to start choruses during prayer meetings.  I remember so well that one of them that was sung almost every week was "I've a longing in my heart for Jesus,  I've a longing in my heart to see His face. I am weary, O so weary, of traveling here below, I've a longing in my heart for Him."  Now as a youngster I can't say that I had a longing each day to go to heaven.  There was too much that I wanted to do first here on earth.  But as I've grown older and I can begin to relate to the earnestness with which these believers sang this chorus each week.  As I experience the toils of life personally, as I see the sad state of this world, and as I see my family and friends move to heaven, this longing for heaven and seeing Jesus grows within me.  Is this your experience as well?  And I have come to appreciate the songs, like this week's  hymn choice, that share that longing and hope of heaven and seeing Jesus face to face.  Now I don't know much about the river in heaven except that John saw it and wrote of it in Revelation 22:1-2. "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb."  It must be a beautiful sight.  But, more importantly, it will be a place where we are not only reunited with loved ones and friends, but also with our savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  And here we will eternally worship and praise the triune God.  The author of this hymn was Robert Lowry.  And here is what he said about it. "One afternoon in July, 1864, when I was pastor at Hanson Place Baptist Church, Brooklyn, the weather was oppressively hot, and I was lying on a lounge in a state of physical exhaustion … My imagination began to take itself wings. Visions of the future passed before me with startling vividness. The imagery of the apocalypse took the form of a tableau. Brightest of all were the throne, the heavenly river, and the gathering of the saints … I began to wonder why the hymn writers had said so much about the "river of death" and so little about the "pure water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb." As I mused, the words began to construct themselves. They came first as a question of Christian inquiry, "Shall we gather?" Then they broke in chorus, "Yes, we'll gather." On this question and answer the hymn developed itself. The music came with the hymn."  Shall We Gather at the River, also known as The River, has become a favorite song of camp meetings, water baptismal services and funerals. It was sung at the funeral of American Supreme Court Justice William Douglas, and in two Academy Award Winning Hollywood movies: Trip to Bountiful (1986), and Three Godfathers (1916). Do you have a longing in your heart for heaven?  A longing to see Jesus?  Remember, this earth is not our home.  We are but pilgrims here moving to a promised land.  May we not get so attached to the things of this world that we lose the hope of heaven.  Oh that the Lord might return today!  He could, so let us live each day with that hope and expectation.  Will I see you at that river that flows by the throne of God?

(1)     Shall we gather at the river,

Where bright angel feet have trod,

With its crystal tide forever

Flowing by the throne of God?

Yes, we'll gather at the river,

The beautiful, the beautiful river;

Gather with the saints at the river

That flows by the throne of God.

(2)     On the margin of the river,

Washing up its silver spray,

We will talk and worship ever,

All the happy golden day.

Yes, we'll gather at the river,

The beautiful, the beautiful river;

Gather with the saints at the river

That flows by the throne of God.

(3)    Ere we reach the shining river,

Lay we every burden down;

Grace our spirits will deliver,

And provide a robe and crown.

Yes, we'll gather at the river,

The beautiful, the beautiful river;

Gather with the saints at the river

That flows by the throne of God.

(4)     At the smiling of the river,

Mirror of the Savior's face,

Saints, whom death will never sever,

Lift their songs of saving grace.

Yes, we'll gather at the river,

The beautiful, the beautiful river;

Gather with the saints at the river

That flows by the throne of God.

(5)    Soon we'll reach the silver river,

Soon our pilgrimage will cease;

Soon our happy hearts will quiver

With the melody of peace.

Yes, we'll gather at the river,

The beautiful, the beautiful river;

Gather with the saints at the river

That flows by the throne of God.

You can listen to it here.   LISTEN

HEAVEN CAME DOWN AND GLORY FILLED MY SOUL

         The vast majority of the songs that this blog has featured over the years have been written a century or two ago.  It is unusual to feature a song that has been written in this blogger's lifetime.  In was in the early 60's that my future wife and I began to sing duets and one of the very first that we sang was a newly published song, "Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul".  Little did we realize then that this new song was inspired by a testimony given at Montrose Bible Conference, in Montrose, Pennsylvania, which is just a few hours from where we lived at that time.  It was during the summer of 1961 that John W. Peterson was a guest there.  According to Peterson, "During one of the sessions an opportunity for a time of personal testimonies was given the audience, and Old Jim rose to his feet and told of his conversion experience. In describing that night when he met Christ, he used the phrase 'It seemed like Heaven came down and glory filled my soul.'   Right away I sensed that it would be a fine title for a song, so I wrote it down and later in the week completed the song. It became a favorite almost immediately."  Personally, I am always amazed at how quickly various gospel songs have been written.  But Peterson (1921 - 2006) did this often.  He was a songwriter who had a major influence on evangelical Christian music in the 1950s through the 1970s, writing over 1000 songs, and 35 cantatas that have sold more than three million copies.  And the song that was born that day in 1961 has blessed the hearts of people all over America as well as on mission fields worldwide. The song reminds us of that amazing conversion experience when Jesus met the need of our heart and lives, making the darkness in our lives depart.  Because of that experience our sins were taken away, as far as the east is from the west, and our night was turned to day.  The song also speaks of our justification, our standing, and our amazing future, all made possible because of what happened to us and in us that wonderful day.  If this has been your experience and your testimony then you too should be singing this song each day.  Truly, for each believer, because of what happened that day as a result of the Cross, heaven did come down and glory did fill our soul!  May we never forget to celebrate the result of God's mercy and grace to us.

             

(1) O what a wonderful, wonderful day-

Day I will never forget;

After I'd wandered in darkness away,

Jesus my Savior I met.

O what a tender, compassionate friend-

He met the need of my heart;

Shadows dispelling, With joy I am telling,

He made all the darkness depart!

Heaven came down

and glory filled my soul,

When at the cross

the Savior made me whole;

My sins were washed away

And my night was turned to day-

Heaven came down

and glory filled my soul!

      

(2) Born of the Spirit with life from above

Into God's family divine,

Justified fully through Calvary's love,

O what a standing is mine!

And the transaction so quickly was made

When as a sinner I came,

Took of the offer Of grace He did proffer-

He saved me, O praise His dear name!

Heaven came down

and glory filled my soul,

When at the cross

the Savior made me whole;

My sins were washed away

And my night was turned to day-

Heaven came down

and glory filled my soul!

      

(3) Now I've a hope that will surely endure

After the passing of time;

I have a future in heaven for sure.

There in those mansions sublime.

And its because of that wonderful day

What at the cross I believed;

Riches eternal And blessings supernal

From His precious hand I received.

Heaven came down

and glory filled my soul,

When at the cross

the Savior made me whole;

My sins were washed away

And my night was turned to day-

Heaven came down

and glory filled my soul!

You can listen to it being sung by a group of men right here.   LISTEN

O HAPPY DAY

         When Monica Doddridge gave birth to her son Philip (1702 -1751) in England, she had been through the pain of labor 20 times and 18 of her children had died in infancy. Phillip was delivered as though he was stillborn and so the midwife set him aside to attend to his mother until the baby unexpectedly cried out.  At that moment Monica realized that Philip's life had been saved for a purpose and she spent the next few years doing her best to teach her frail son the Scriptures.  But at a young age Philip was orphaned. However, an excerpt from his diary tells that his faith in God remained strong. "God is an immortal Father. My soul rejoices in Him. He hath hitherto helped me and provided for me; may it be my study to approve myself a more affectionate, dutiful and grateful child."  With no family and no money , friends encouraged him to give up his dream of entering the ministry. But he took the matter to prayer and God miraculously provided funds.  He actually began preaching at age 21 and he became known as a brilliant scholar and recognized as a Doctor of Divinity from Aberdeen University in 1736.  His best-known accomplishments were his approximately 400 hymns, none of which were published during his lifetime. It was four years after his death that a close friend, Job Orton, published "Doddridge's Hymns, Founded on Various Texts in the Holy Scripture".  One of those was "O Happy Day," expressing the profound joy of one whose faith resides in Jesus Christ. It is the poet's best known hymn today. It was originally entitled "Rejoicing in Our Covenant Engagement to God" based upon 2 Chronicles 15:15. "And all Judah rejoiced over the oath; for they had sworn with all their heart, and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest around about" (RSV).  In the United States, a refrain was added in The Wesleyan Sacred Harp (1854). The melody was a popular camp meeting tune that was combined with a popular refrain by Edward F. Rimbault (1816-1876) entitled "Happy land! Happy land!"  It was commonly used for baptismal or confirmation ceremonies in the UK and USA. The 20th century saw its adaptation from 3/4 to 4/4 time and this new arrangement contains only the repeated Rimbault refrain, with original verses being omitted. A further Americanization of the hymn took place as the Edwin Hawkins Singers rose to fame in 1969 when their recording was released and became one of the biggest gospel hits of its time. The song has been recorded by several famous artists, including Joan Baez and the Hawkins Singers. It has been a part of many movies, including The Nutty Professor II, and Sister Act II.  Today, generally only one or two verses are sung by most performers.  Doddridge himself developed tuberculosis at age 48. Funds were collected by friends to send him to Lisbon, Portugal, with the hope of prolonging his life, but he died in Lisbon in 1851 and is buried in the English cemetery there.  Looking at Doddridge's life one can't be amazed that he didn't grow up with a bitter spirit.  Great tragedies like he experienced often plant seeds of bitterness in the people experiencing them and often their children as well.  So how are we handling our disappointments?  Do we become bitter and discouraged?  Is our song  often "O Miserable Day"?   Or are we rejoicing in what God has done for us.  Do we give thanks in everything?  Does our experience of salvation make us rejoice each day?  After all, there is no better experience than having our sins washed away!  O happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away!

     

(1)   O happy day that fixed my choice

On Thee, my Savior and my God!

Well may this flowing heart rejoice

And tell its raptures all abroad.

Happy day, happy day,

When Jesus washed my sins away!

He taught me how to watch and pray

And live rejoicing every day;

Happy day, happy day,

When Jesus washed my sins away!

      

(2) O happy bond that seals my vows

To Him who merits all my love!

Let cheerful anthems fill His house,

While to that sacred shrine I move.

 Happy day, happy day,

When Jesus washed my sins away!

He taught me how to watch and pray

And live rejoicing every day;

Happy day, happy day,

When Jesus washed my sins away!

    

(3) It's done, the great transaction's done-

I am my Lord's and He is mine;

He drew me, and I followed on,

Thrilled to confess the voice divine.

Happy day, happy day,

When Jesus washed my sins away!

He taught me how to watch and pray

And live rejoicing every day;

Happy day, happy day,

When Jesus washed my sins away!

      

(4) At peace, my long-divided heart,

Can in this calm assurance rest;

There is no power can make me part

From Love by which I've been possessed.

 Happy day, happy day,

When Jesus washed my sins away!

He taught me how to watch and pray

And live rejoicing every day;

Happy day, happy day,

When Jesus washed my sins away!

It has been very hard to find an appropriate video of this song because it is so old and has so many different arrangements.  But here are a few possibilities.  First a bluegrass version.    LISTEN 1

Here is another with the Gaithers.   LISTEN 2

And, finally an upbeat version.   LISTEN 3