THROUGH IT ALL

I am in charge of the operation of our church e-mail prayer chain. On a typical month we handle about 60 chain requests. However, during this, the shortest month of the year, we have already processed 83. That's about three per day. I share this as evidence to back up my personal feeling that I have never seen so many Christian friends going through such difficult times personally. And these 83 e-mails don't even begin to include many of the needs that I am aware of. Friends are struggling with unemployment, financial problems, health concerns, concerns about parents or even more often, children. It appears that few Christian families aren't touched with problems right now. And so often we ask why? Why do good people suffer? Why do Christians need to face such difficult problems? And while we hate to see friends and family members suffer, we do rejoice when we see the faith of these folks strengthened as they trust the Lord through the dark days. And many of us can testify how God brought us through difficult challenges and gave us the strength, wisdom and peace that we needed. A few years ago Andrae Crouch penned the words of a song that has often spoken to me in times of difficulty. During times of tears and sorrows, times of great loneliness, times of difficult storms, we've learned to put our trust in the Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ. And through it all we've learned to trust completely in Him and His Word. And if you've experienced this, then you can sing this song with assurance and thankfulness.

(1) I've had many tears And sorrows,

I've had questions for tomorrow,

There's been times I didn't know right from wrong.

But in every situation,

God gave me blessed consulation,

That my trials come to only make me strong.

Through it all, Through it all,

I've learned to trust in Jesus,

I've learned to trust in God.

Through it all, Through it all,

I've learned to depend upon His Word.

(2) I've been to lots of places,

I've seen a lot of faces,

There's been times I felt so all alone.

But in my lonely hours,

Yes, those precious lonely hours,

Jesus lets me know that I was His own

Through it all, Through it all,

I've learned to trust in Jesus,

I've learned to trust in God.

Through it all, Through it all,

I've learned to depend upon His Word.

(3) I thank God for the mountains,

And I thank Him for the valleys,

i thank Him for the storms He brought me through.

For if I'd never had a problem,

I wouldn't know God could solve them,

I'd never know what faith in God could do.

Through it all, Through it all,

I've learned to trust in Jesus,

I've learned to trust in God.

Through it all, Through it all,

I've learned to depend upon His Word.

Listen to it here. LISTEN

MY JESUS I LOVE THEE

I am so thankful that at an early age the Lord provided meaningful ways for me to be involved in ministry. It started in elementary school when I was able to help my mother teach a Good News Club. Since we were charter members of our church, I had the chance to teach Sunday School and even lead the children's department when I was in junior high school. While in senior high I directed our first church choir. From my experiences I firmly believe that Christian young people need to be given areas of responsible ministry. But most of the time today this doesn't happen and their gifts aren't utilized. Maybe that is part of the reason so many leave the church as they grow older. I find this very sad. Young people who know and love the Lord can have an impact on others. Take for example, William Ralph Featherston (1846–1873). As a sixteen-year-old, while living in Montreal, he wrote this week's hymn shortly after his conversion in 1862. He died before his twenty-seventh birthday, and this is apparently the only hymn he wrote. Young Featherston sent the poem to his aunt in Los Angeles, who then sent it to England, where it appeared in The London Hymnbook of 1864. Back in Boston, a Baptist minister was preparing a hymnal for Baptist congregations when he saw "My Jesus, I Love Thee" in the British hymnal. He didn't like the music the words were set to, and he later wrote that "in a moment of inspiration, a beautiful new air sang itself to me." The simple tune he wrote perfectly complemented the simple words, and soon the hymn was being sung across America. That composer, A. J. Gordon, had a remarkable ministry in New England. But putting music to this hymn by a teenage boy may be the accomplishment in A. J. Gordon's life that has touched the most lives of all. I'm sure that many of you, like me, have often been touched by the words of this hymn, penned by a sixteen-year-old. And once again I call your attention to the final verse, which like most hymns, shares the glorious hope of heaven when we will see Jesus, the one we love, face to face.

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;

For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;

My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,

And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;

I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

I'll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,

And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;

And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,

I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;

I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

Listen to the words and music here. LISTEN

WHITER THAN SNOW

With the historic weather we are having in Lancaster County, almost everyone is talking about snow. Most are tired of shoveling and being snowed in. We shudder when we hear predictions of even more snow. But we also have to admit that it is beautiful, especially when it is pure white, newly fallen, and undisturbed by humans. I've often wondered if King David ever actually saw snow, but after he had committed adultery he prays for forgiveness and cleansing. And in verse 7 of Psalm 51 he says "Cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow." He knew that only the Lord could cleanse his sin and make him pure, whiter than snow. Numerous hymn writers have picked up on this theme. One of those was James L. Nicholson, a native of Ireland. He came to America around the age of 25 and lived in Philadelphia for almost two decades. Around 1871 he moved to Washington DC and worked there as a clerk in the Post Office Department. We really don't know much more about him, but in 1872 he penned the words to this week's hymn. We can only assume that Nicholson, like David and countless others, recognized the need to seek the Lord for forgiveness and cleansing, to be made whiter than snow. And he also knew that when one seeks this cleansing, the Lord will never say no. Maybe this old hymn shares a need that we all have. Meditate on these words.

1. Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;

I want Thee forever to live in my soul.

Break down every idol, cast out every foe

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow

2. Lord Jesus, look down from Your throne in the skies

And help me to make a complete sacrifice.

I give up myself and whatever I know

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow

3. Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat;

I wait, blessed Lord, at Thy crucified feet.

By faith, for my cleansing I see Your blood flow

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow

4. Lord Jesus, before You I patiently wait;

Come now and within me a new heart create.

To those who have sought You, You never said "No"

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow

You can listen to this selection here. LISTEN

THE HEART OF WORSHIP

If you have been a regular reader of this blog, you know that I love many of the old hymns. While I appreciate many of today's praise choruses, they have not been a major part of my Christian life. Unfortunately the introduction of praise choruses has caused many problems within many congregations. Some have even called this controversy the modern Holy Wars. People have left churches over these differences. Some churches have attempted to provide two different services – traditional and contemporary – to satisfy attenders. It is very sad, however, that a source of worship has created such division. And while I prefer the hymns, worship is a personal thing and I certainly can accept a style that appears to be very meaningful to a large portion of my brothers and sisters. After all, it is not about me. Michael Smith penned the words to one of the best known praise choruses and I have chosen that as this week's selection. The opening lines are so meaningful in the midst of this hymn/chorus controversy. When the music fades, all is stripped away … (doesn't matter what style) … I'll bring you more than a song, for a song in itself is not what You have required … And it's all about You! Powerful words that should humble us when we take sides, especially the words "Jesus I'm sorry for the thing I've made it". So if church music upsets you, let me suggest that you memorize this song and sing it in your heart every time the music upsets you. And if you aren't getting enough of the hymns and they help you worship, get an ipod or a tape player and play and read the hymns throughout the day or when you have your devotions. After all, worship isn't about you.

(1) When the music fades, All is stripped away, And I simply come

Longing just to bring, Something that's of worth, That will bless Your heart

I'll bring You more than a song, For a song in itself, Is not what You have required

You search much deeper within

Through the way things appear, You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship

And it's all about You, It's all about You,

Jesus I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it

When it's all about You, It's all about You, Jesus

(2) King of endless worth, No one could express, How much You deserve

Though I'm weak and poor, All I have is Yours, Every single breath

I'll bring You more than a song, For a song in itself, Is not what You have required

You search much deeper within,

Through the way things appear, You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship

And it's all about You, It's all about You,

Jesus I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it

When it's all about You, It's all about You, Jesus

Listen to the words here. LISTEN