WHO IS ON THE LORD'S SIDE?

Over the centuries there have been many famous speeches given by national leaders and many of their words and messages are still remembered today. But centuries ago, Moses stood in the gate of the camp and asked the people of Israel, "Who is on the Lord's side?" (Exodus 32:26) He said "let him come unto me." And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. Moses asked that question after he descended from the mountain where he received the Ten Commandments. As he descended he saw that the people in his absence had made a golden calf, had worshiped the golden calf, and had committed sin all around it. In anger he broke the two tablets of stone containing the Ten Commandments, came down into the camp, ground up the golden calf and sprinkled it on the water, and then issued the challenge: "Who is on the Lord's side?" The timely question is just as valid today as it was when Moses asked it. Those who were on the Lord's side in Moses' day, and those who are on the Lord's side in our day, are separated only by time. Unfortunately, with all the pressures and pleasures of today's society, many who call themselves "Christian" really don't live much different than all of those around them. But today we really are either for or against Christ. Jesus said, "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." (Matthew 12:30) In 1877 Francis Havergal recognized the need to answer this question and she penned the words of this week's hymn. Study the words of this hymn and ask yourself, whose side am I really on.

(1) Who is on the Lord's side?

Who will serve the King?

Who will be his helpers,

other lives to bring?

Who will leave the world's side?

Who will face the foe?

Who is on the Lord's side?

Who for him will go?

By thy call of mercy,

by thy grace divine,

we are on the Lord's side,

Savior, we are thine!

(2) Not for weight of glory,

not for crown and palm,

enter we the army,

raise the warrior psalm;

but for love that claimeth

lives for whom he died:

he whom Jesus nameth

must be on his side.

By thy love constraining,

by thy grace divine,

we are on the Lord's side,

Savior, we are thine!

(3) Jesus, thou hast bought us,

not with gold or gem,

but with thine own life blood,

for thy diadem;

with thy blessing filling

each who comes to thee,

thou hast made us willing,

thou hast made us free.

By thy grand redemption,

by thy grace divine,

we are on the Lord's side,

Savior, we are thine!

(4) Fierce may be the conflict,

strong may be the foe,

but the King's own army

none can overthrow;

round his standard ranging,

victory is secure,

for his truth unchanging

makes the triumph sure.

Joyfully enlisting,

by thy grace divine,

we are on the Lord's side,

Savior, we are thine!

I wasn't able to find a good video of this hymn, but you can listen to the melody here. LISTEN

SINCE JESUS CAME INTO MY HEART

"…If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature" (2 Cor. 5.17). One of my favorite older hymns talks about the new creature we become when Christ becomes our Savior. I love the testimony of the words and enjoy the upbeat melody. The text was written by Rufus Henry McDaniel (1850 - 1940), who was born in Ohio. He started preaching at age nineteen and then became a minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1873. He had three children. One son, Clarence also became a minister. Another son, Herschel, died in 1913, and in 1914, following the untimely death of his son, Rufus penned these words to remind himself and others of the importance of faith, hope, and joy even in times of trial. The tune (McDaniel) was composed by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (1856-1932) and the song was introduced in pamphlet form at Billy Sunday campaigns at Philadelphia, in 1915. It was first published later that year in Songs for Service edited by Homer A. Rodeheaver. After serving various local churches in southern Ohio, McDaniel retired in Dayton, OH. During his life, he produced more than one hundred songs, many of which were found in the collections published by the Rodeheaver Co. While contemorary music has replaced upbeat songs like this one in churches, hopefully this hymn is still your testimony and you have experienced the transformation that comes when Jesus came into your heart.

1. What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought

Since Jesus came into my heart;

I have light in my soul for which long I have sought,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

Since Jesus came into my heart,

Since Jesus came into my heart;

Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

2. I have ceased from my wand'ring and going astray,

Since Jesus came into my heart;

And my sins which were many are all washed away,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

Since Jesus came into my heart,

Since Jesus came into my heart;

Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

3. I'm possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure,

Since Jesus came into my heart; And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

Since Jesus came into my heart,

Since Jesus came into my heart;

Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

4. There's a light in the valley of death now for me,

Since Jesus came into my heart;

And the gates of the City beyond I can see,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

Since Jesus came into my heart,

Since Jesus came into my heart;

Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

5. I shall go there to dwell in that City I know,

Since Jesus came into my heart;

And I'm happy, so happy as onward I go,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

Since Jesus came into my heart,

Since Jesus came into my heart;

Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,

Since Jesus came into my heart.

Listen to this week's song here. LISTEN

BREATHE ON ME BREATH OF GOD

Winter in Pennsylvania, especially in January or February, can be a very barren time. Shrubs and flowers are gone. Cold winds whip around us. Travel can be difficult. The days are short and night comes quickly. Then the return of spring provides a breath of hope as life seems to burst through once again. But isn't life often like that for us? We go through barren periods when God seems so far away. We get discouraged and try to do things on our own. But fortunately, God hasn't left us alone. He has sent His Comforter to indwell us, and guide us, and teach us. The barren feeling comes because we don't yield all our efforts to Him. Maybe it was a barren time in the life of Edwin Hatch when he cried out "breathe on me, breath of God". I am only guessing that this might have been the case since I can't find anything at all about the background of this old hymn. And all I can find out about the author was that he lived from 1835 to 1889 and apparently penned these words in 1878. He was an English theologian and is is best known as the author of the paper Influence of Greek Ideas and Usages Upon the Christian Church, which he presented during the 1888 Hibbert Lectures. This appears to be the only poem which he wrote that has survived the years. But we don't need to know much about the author or the background of the hymn to appreciate its powerful words. Maybe we should make them our daily prayer for 2011. Only when we yield to the Holy Spirit will out lives experience the life and joy and meaning that God has intended us to have. The winter of our lives will then will burst into spring. Take time to meditate upon this hymn this week.

1. Breathe on me, breath of God,

Fill me with life anew,

That I may love what Thou dost love,

And do what Thou wouldst do.

2. Breathe on me, breath of God,

Until my heart is pure,

Until with Thee I will one will,

To do and to endure.

3. Breathe on me, breath of God,

Till I am wholly Thine,

Until this earthly part of me

Glows with Thy fire divine.

4. Breathe on me, breath of God,

So shall I never die,

But live with Thee the perfect life

Of Thine eternity.

Listen to it here. LISTEN

THE LOVE OF GOD

There are some folks who think that this week's hymn is the greatest hymn ever written. I'm not sure how one would judge that, but it is exceptional with a powerful message. And while we think of love on this Valentine's weekend, there is no love that even comes close to God's love for us. This hymn is actually of Jewish origin. The third verse dates back to the 11th Century, and was actually written first: Credit for the hymn itself goes to Frederick M. Lehman, though there are prior authors who contributed to it. The arrangement of Lehman's music was done by his daughter, Claudia L. Mays. Though an author and composer of more than 100 published hymns, most of Lehman's songs are not that well-known. Lehman wrote a pamphlet, in 1948, entitled History of the Song, The Love of God which tells about the origin of this beloved hymn "While at camp-meeting in a midwestern state, some fifty years ago in our early ministry, an evangelist climaxed his message by quoting the last stanza of this song. The profound depths of the line moved us to preserve the words for future generations. Not until we had come to California did this urge find fulfillment, and that at a time when circumstances forced us to hard manual labor. One day, during short intervals of inattention to our work, we picked up a scrap of paper and, seated upon an empty lemon box pushed against the wall, with a stub pencil, added the (first) two stanzas and chorus of the song. Since the lines (3rd stanza from the Jewish poem) had been found penciled on the wall of a patient's room in an insane asylum, the general opinion was that this inmate had written the epic in moments of sanity. Actually, the key-stanza (third verse) under question as to its authorship was written nearly one thousand years ago by a Jewish songwriter."

1. The love of God is greater far

Than tongue or pen can ever tell.

It goes beyond the highest star

And reaches to the lowest hell.

The guilty pair, bowed down with care,

God gave His Son to win;

His erring child He reconciled

And pardoned from his sin.

O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure

The saints' and angels' song.

2. When years of time shall pass away,

And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,

When men, who here refuse to pray,

On rocks and hills and mountains call,

God's love so sure, shall still endure,

All measureless and strong;

Redeeming grace to Adam's race-

The saints' and angels' song.

O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure

The saints' and angels' song.

3. Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made;

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade;

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky.

O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure

The saints' and angels' song.

When I think of this hymn I think of hearing George Beverly Shea sing it. I have always loved his special voice and the way he ministers whenever he sings. You can listen to him sing it here. LISTEN

FACE TO FACE

Have you ever met somebody important face to face? If you have you will never forget that experience. In 1984 my wife and I met President Regan on the White House lawn after I had received a national award and we were able to talk to him face to face. I also was able to take a picture of him (see the two of us in the adjoining picture) which I still treasure today. Last January, my son, his wife, and their two children were able to meet President Bush, talk to him, and have their picture taken with him. Special memories. Carrie E. Breck (1855 - 1934), a mother of five, wrote poetry as she would rock her children. She wrote more than 2,000 poems during her lifetime. She was tone deaf, but several of her poems were set to music by various musicians. Once she sent one of her poems to Grant C. Tullar (1869-1950) and he found that it fit a tune which he had just written the night before. The poem talked about a time which will surpass even meetings with presidents - a time when we will see the Lord face to face. What a special experience that will be - a time of rejoicing and worship unlike anything else we will ever experience. I trust that you know Jesus as your Savior and are looking forward, with assurance and anticipation, to that special day. I choose this hymn this week because I am hoping that 2011 might be the year when the Lord returns and we do see him face to face. Jesus Christ, the One who died for each of us. Oh Lord, come quickly!

Face to face with Christ, my Savior,

Face to face--what will it be?

When with rapture I behold Him,

Jesus Christ who died for me.

Face to face I shall behold Him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all His glory,

I shall see Him by and by!

Only faintly now, I see Him,

With the darkling veil between,

But a blessed day is coming,

When His glory shall be seen.

Face to face I shall behold Him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all His glory,

I shall see Him by and by!

What rejoicing in His presence,

When are banished grief and pain;

When the crooked ways are straightened,

And the dark things shall be plain.

Face to face I shall behold Him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all His glory,

I shall see Him by and by!

Face to face! O blissful moment!

Face to face--to see and know;

Face to face with my Redeemer,

Jesus Christ who loves me so.

Face to face I shall behold Him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all His glory,

I shall see Him by and by!

Listen to it here. LISTEN

YOUR FAITHFULNESS

I have been looking for a hymn to start the new year. And as I looked, my mind kept coming back to a newer song that touches my heart everytime I hear it. This is one of those songs that is made even more touching when you hear the story behind it. Here is what the author, Brian Doerksen has said about its background. "This song began days before the birth of our sixth child, who was born in Kingston upon Thames, England while we were living and working there. Several years before this, we had found out about "Fragile X syndrome," a permanent condition that was affecting our son causing severe development delays and other big challenges. Knowing that the syndrome is passed genetically through the mother, and having four daughters and one son, we decided to take a 'step of faith' to try and have one more child. We were hoping and praying for a son who would not be affected with the syndrome. As the due date approached in June of '99, I found myself becoming more and more overwhelmed by the uncertainties of life, and I asked myself this simple question, "Is there anything I can count on in life?" As I began to pour out my heart at the piano, this song spilled out amid the tears with the assurance that there is only one thing we can really count on, even when we don't understand - The faithfulness of God. This song was initially used in Father's House, the Musical in London in 2000 with different words in verse three. When I began to prepare for this recording, I decided it was right to include so I changed the words of verse three from a lyrical focus on the vision of Father's House, to a verse on our appointment with death. Actually the day I wrote the new words for verse three was the day after my car was totaled in an accident, and the day before I was booked to sing at the Seven Oaks Alliance Church in Abbotsford. That weekend one of the elders from that church had been killed in an accident, and the words about our appointment with death rang particularly true that Sunday morning. Our sixth child was a son, and we gave him the name "Isaiah Robert," which means "God is generous - Shining Fame." We found out recently that Isaiah has Fragile X Syndrome as well. The day we found out, my natural response was to resign from ministry and to focus all my energies on raising special needs children. Before that day was done, both Joyce and I felt God's leading not to resign, but to continue to move forward and minister with a 'limp', trusting God's faithfulness to carry us through." As each of us face 2011, we face it not knowing what tomorrow may bring. It may be filled with pain and suffering. It may be disappointing. But there is one thing that is as certain as the rivers reach the sea and as certain as the sunrise in the east. And that is God's faithfulness. May each of us face the new year knowing that as God has been faithful in the past, He will continue to be faithful in the days ahead.

I don't know what this day will bring

Will it be disappointing, filled with longed for things?

I don't know what tomorrow holds

Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

I don't know if these clouds mean rain

If they do, will they pour down blessing or pain?

I don't know what the future holds

Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

Certain as the rivers reach the sea

Certain as the sunrise in the east

I can rest in your faithfulness

Surer than a mother's tender love

Surer than the stars still shine above

I can rest in your faithfulness

I don't know how or when I'll die

Will it be a thief, or will I have a chance to say goodbye?

No, I don't know how much time is left

But in the end, I will know your faithfulness

When darkness overwhelms my soul

When thoughts and storms of doubt

Still I trust You are always faithful, always faithful

Certain as the rivers reach the sea

Certain as the sunrise in the east

I can rest in your faithfulness

Surer than a mother's tender love

Surer than the stars still shine above

I can rest in your faithfulness

I don't know what this day will bring

Will it be disappointing, filled with longed for things?

I don't know what tomorrow holds

Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

You can listen to this sung here. LISTEN1

Or you can choose to hear Brian's testimony and hear him sing this song here. LISTEN2