ALL GLORY, LAUD AND HONOR

          Palm Sunday - the beginning of the most important week in the history of mankind.   It was during this week that Jesus was taken prisoner, crucified at Calvary, and then rose from the grave.  That week He bore the sins of all mankind and provided the way for forgiveness and reconciliation for all who accept His free gift.  Many hymns have been written about the life changing events of the end of that week, but few have been written about the events of that first day when people temporarily accepted Him as their king.  But in the 9th century,  Theodulph of Orleans (ca. 750-821) wrote a Latin text about the events of Palm Sunday and his writing survives today.  There are many interesting stories or legends about his writing of this hymn. one of which was shared by by a scholar named Clichtovius.  According to him,  Charlemagne was so impressed with Theodulph that he appointed him Bishop of Orleans in north central France where he ministered as a caring and reforming bishop. But after Charlemagne's death there was a power struggle within the royal household. His son and successor, Louis the Pious, suspected Theodulph of siding with his Italian rivals and had him imprisoned in the cloisters of Angers monastery in 818 AD. It was during this time of Pauline-like captivity that he wrote his great hymn 'Gloria,  Laus et Honor', 'All glory, laud and honour' .  One Palm Sunday Emperor Louis was present as a procession moved through the city and halted beneath the tower where the saint was imprisoned. Suddenly, to his astonishment, the emperor heard from above the Gloria Laus, chanted loudly and melodiously. Being charmed, he asked the name of the singer and was told that it was his own prisoner, Theodulph. Moved with compassion for him, the emperor pardoned the saint, returned him to his position and ordered that henceforth the hymn which Theodulph had composed be sung on Palm Sunday. In 1851, John Neale translated the hymn from Latin into English to be published in his Medieval Hymns and Sequences. Neale revised his translation in 1854 and revised it further in 1861 when it was published in Hymns Ancient and Modern.  The hymn originally consisted of thirty-nine verses.   Wouldn't you enjoy singing all of those verses during your Palm Sunday service?  Probably not.  Over the years verses have been eliminated and revised.  Strangely the hymn does not make mention of the other events of that week but it does remind us of that first day and the praises made to Jesus, the King and Blessed one.  The author does remind us that God is a God for all people (who in all good delightest), and not only for the chosen people who praised him during his entry into Jerusalem.  And Jesus does deserve all of our praise, glory, laud and honor.  May we honor Him that way, not only today, but every day of our lives.

1     All glory, laud, and honor 

to you, Redeemer, King, 

To whom the lips of children 

made sweet hosannas ring. 

Thou art the King of Israel 

and David's royal Son, 

who in the Lord's name comest, 

the King and Blessed One. 

2     The company of angels 

are praising Thee on high; 

And mortal men and all things

created make reply. 

The people of the Hebrews 

with palms before Thee went; 

Our praise and prayer and anthems 

before Thee we present. 

3     To Thee before Thy passion 

they sang their hymns of praise; 

to Thee, now high exalted, 

our melody we raise. 

Thou didst accept their praises, 

accept the praise we bring, 

Who in all good delightest, 

Thou good and gracious King! 

Here are several presentations of this hymn in different styles and with a few different verses and words.

LISTEN !

LISTEN 2

LISTEN 3

LEARNING TO LEAN

          We all know that the phrase "lean on" means to rest for support on something.  We've all done it physically and even emotionally.  For those of us who are getting older, we may reach a point that we need to lean upon a cane or even a walker.  Of course, it is important that the object you lean upon is stable and can support you.  Otherwise leaning on that might be dangerous.  And we seniors also reach a point where we often need to lean upon others to help us complete necessary tasks that at one time we could so  ourselves.  Then it is important that we have a reliable and trustworthy helper to lean upon.  But we don't need to be a senior to need someone to lean upon.  The challenges of life can be difficult at any age and we need the help of someone who is reliable, trustworthy and able to bear our needs. Unfortunately, too many turn to the wrong things or the wrong persons to lean upon.  Hopefully you've learned that the only One capable and willing to bear your load is Jesus.  And, hopefully, you are learning daily to lean upon Him and are experiencing the wisdom, love, guidance, peace and power which He alone can provide for those who trust Him.  This must have been the experience of John Stallings as he penned these words in 1980.  Stallings sang at age 6 at Soldier's Field in Chicago at a Gypsy Smith revival and he started preaching at the age of 16. He is a veteran Pastor/ Evangelist who has been called by many one of the greatest living Southern Gospel composers.  This particular song of his won Nashville's prestigious Dove award in 1977.   Incidentally he still writes a regular blog today (http://johnstallings.blogspot.com/).  What a comfort to know that there is One who we can lean upon and He wants to help us with all the details of our lives.  Why then do we fret or worry when He is always there for us?  Let's trust Him this week to do what He has promised.  "I'm learning to lean on Jesus."

1.     The joy I cant explain filled my soul

The day I made Jesus my king.

His Blessed Holy Spirit is leading my way,

He's teaching and I'm learning to lean.

Learning to lean, 

Learning to lean,

I'm learning to lean on Jesus.

Finding more power than I've ever dreamed,

I'm learning to lean on Jesus.

2.     Sad broken hearted, at an alter I knelt.

I found peace that was so serene.

And all that He asks is a child like trust,

And a heart that is learning to lean

Learning to lean, 

Learning to lean,

I'm learning to lean on Jesus.

Finding more power than I've ever dreamed,

I'm learning to lean on Jesus.

3.     There's a glorious victory, each day now for me.

I've found peace so serene.

He helps me with each task, If I'll only ask.

Everyday now I'm learning to lean.

Learning to lean, 

Learning to lean,

I'm learning to lean on Jesus.

Finding more power than I've ever dreamed,

I'm learning to lean on Jesus.

Listen to it here.   LISTEN 1

Here is another one with some historical information about this song.  LISTEN 2

DARE TO BE A DANIEL

        In recent years there has been a sad change in the attitude of our culture towards those who stand for Biblical principles. Much of our society has become outspoken and critical of those who accept the literal Word of God and its teachings.  Christians are called intolerant and persecution has increased.  At times standing for Biblical principles will now cost a Christian their job, or maybe a fine, or their reputation, or maybe even their freedom to stand for what they know is Biblical truth.  Many years ago Daniel and his friends faced a ruler and a society where there were harsh penalties for worshipping the true God.  The convictions of three of Daniel's young friends brought them into conflict with King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3. The king set up a monstrous idol, and commanded all to bow before it in worship (3:1, 4-5). Daniel does not enter the picture at this time, he may have been off somewhere in the empire doing business for the king. But the three Hebrews are definitely part of "Daniel's band" spiritually. They refuse to do as the king commands (vs. 16-18), and are throw into a roaring furnace (vs. 21). There they would be preserved by a mighty miracle of God (vs. 25, 28).  In the sixth chapter of Daniel we see the prophet, now an adult, put in jeopardy by his personal convictions. He had risen to a place of authority. And jealous leaders in the empire attempted to discredit him. Significantly, they had great trouble finding any fault in godly Daniel (vs. 5).  But they pressed the king (Darius, in this case) to pass a law forbidding anyone from making a request of any god, for thirty days, addressing their petitions only to the king during that time (vs. 7).  In spite of the edict, Daniel boldly continued his practice of praying three times a day, and made no attempt to hide it.   He was cast into a den of ravenous lions as a result but was protected by the Lord (vs. 16, 21-22).  A song which exhorts us to be faithful unto Jesus all of our lives in the same way that Daniel purposed not to defile himself is "Dare to Be a Daniel." The text was written and the tune (Daniel) was composed by Philip Paul Bliss (1838-1876). The song was produced for Bliss's Sunday school class at the First Congregational Church of Chicago, IL. and was copyrighted in 1873.  And while many consider it a song for children, it is a powerful reminder to all believers in the age in which we live. "Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone! Dare to have a purpose firm! Dare to make it known."  The first verse tells us what to do.  The second tells us why we need to be brave.   The third tells us what we can accomplish.   And the fourth tells us how to go about our task.  Do we have a purpose firm? Are we willing to stand for it no matter what it may cost us?  We need to be prepared to do so in today's culture.  May the Lord grant us the wisdom and courage to stand for Him as the opposition increases.  Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone.  How we need men and women of such conviction today!  Let it start with us.

1.     Standing by a purpose true,

Heeding God's command,

Honor them, the faithful few!

All hail to Daniel's band!

Dare to be a Daniel,

Dare to stand alone!

Dare to have a purpose firm!

Dare to make it known.

2.     Many mighty men are lost

Daring not to stand,

Who for God had been a host

By joining Daniel's band.

Dare to be a Daniel,

Dare to stand alone!

Dare to have a purpose firm!

Dare to make it known.

3,     Many giants, great and tall,

Stalking through the land,

 Headlong to the earth would fall,

If met by Daniel's band.

Dare to be a Daniel,

Dare to stand alone!

Dare to have a purpose firm!

Dare to make it known.

4.     Hold the Gospel banner high!

On to vict'ry grand!

Satan and his hosts defy,

And shout for Daniel's band.

Dare to be a Daniel,

Dare to stand alone!

Dare to have a purpose firm!

Dare to make it known.

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

JUST AS I AM (#TH16)

TIMELESS HYMN #16 - Another revised and repeated blog of one of the great hymns of the faith - originally shared here on July 1, 20012

          This month it was relatively easy to choose a "timeless hymn" for my blog.  As I remember the ministry of Billy Graham I have many memories of this hymn being sung by George Beverly Shea or the crusade choirs as Billy gave an invitation to the crowds to accept Christ.  And I vividly remember watching hundreds respond to the call and have their lives changed by God's power and grace. Billy Graham was saved in 1934 in a revival meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, led by evangelist Mordecai Ham, after hearing the invitation song "Just As I Am". This song later became the invitation song in the Billy Graham crusades.  The words were written by Charlotte Elliott (1789-1871), after a time of spiritual conflict during which she questioned the reality of her whole spiritual life. She had convinced herself that at midlife her physical disabilities left her nothing to offer God.  Elliott was struck by the words of a minister who asked whether she had truly given her heart to Christ. The question at first bothered Elliot and after some days she told the minister that she wanted to serve God but didn't know how. He replied, "Just come to him as you are."   After a night of restlessness she took a pen and paper and set down in writing, for her own comfort, "the formulae of her faith."  So in verse she restated to herself the Gospel of pardon, peace and heaven.  So out of her spiritual conflict and resolution came the words that have meant so much individually to thousands since that time.  The poem was originally used to raise money for a local hospital. It was first published in 1841 and then wedded with its familiar tune in 1849 by William Bradbury. It soon soared in popularity in 19th century evangelical revivals in the U.S. and Great Britain. However, while we normally associate this hymn with coming to Christ to secure salvation, I have come to see it in another light.  I recently heard of a pastor who asked that during his final hours of life that this hymn be played over and over for him.  Until then I never thought of this being a hymn that should be our testimony as we face eternity.  For in those moments we will have nothing else for our plea but what the Lamb of God has done for us.  And in our final days and hours we will come to Him with nothing else, nothing that we have done or even could have done to gain His merit.  Our only plea as we enter His presence will be His blood that was shed for us. 

(1)   Just as I am, without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

(2)   Just as I am, and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot,

To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

(3)   Just as I am, though tossed about

With many a conflict, many a doubt,

Fightings and fears within, without,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

(4)   Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;

Sight, riches, healing of the mind,

Yea, all I need in Thee to find,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

(5)   Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,

Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

Because Thy promise I believe,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

(6)   Just as I am, Thy love unknown

Hath broken every barrier down;

Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Listen to it here.   LISTEN