COME AND DINE

        Many years ago when we first moved to our present home, we were surrounded by fields of corn grown by a neighboring farmer.  Quite early in the morning his wife would walk through the rows to check on the condition of the corn and as she walked she would sing hymns.  And because of the quietness of the morning hours we could often hear her.  And the hymn we heard the most often was "Come and Dine". Today the fields and the farmer and his wife are gone, replaced by a housing development.  And we do miss her and her frequent morning concerts.  But we often think about what appeared to be one of her favorite hymns.  Pastor Charles B. Widmeyer (1894-1974) wrote the words and music for this gospel song in 1906. He studied vocal music from age 12 and, at age 15 began teaching classes of his own. His first song was actually written at age 15.  He wrote more than 350 songs and edited or contributed to many songbooks. "Come and Dine" was written following the reading of John 21 and his meditation on the similarity between the tired, hungry disciples and people of his day who were both spiritually and physically hungry.  It is based on an incident described in John 21:1-14 in which Peter and half a dozen of the other disciples had fished all night and had nothing to show for it.  This was discouraging and they had probably worked up a big appetite. But Jesus was on the shore and had apparently not only caught fish, but prepared them, along with some breakfast toast. He called for them to make one more cast of their net "on the right side of the boat". The amazing result was a catch so great that they had trouble hauling the net into the boat. They found that they had caught 153 "large fish".  When they came ashore, the Lord invited them to "come and eat breakfast", or, in the KJV that Widmeyer was using, "Come and dine."  This was an example of the loving care and provision of the Lord.  He provided for them in a very practical way as He does for us today.  He had anticipated their need and was prepared in advance to meet it.  What a joy to be able to trust in God's provision, knowing that He already knows what we'll face tomorrow and stands by ready to help us. "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus"  (Phil. 4:19).  And so, even today, the Lord knows our needs, often before we even know them, and He says "Come and dine" with me, at any time,  and trust me to provide and meet those needs.  Listen to His call today and rest at the table He has spread for you.  He will supply your every need.

1.     Jesus has a table spread

Where the saints of God are fed,

He invites His chosen people, "Come and dine";

With His manna He doth feed

And supplies our every need:

Oh, 'tis sweet to sup with Jesus all the time!

"Come and dine," the Master calleth, "Come and dine";

You may feast at Jesus' table all the time;

He Who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine,

To the hungry calleth now, "Come and dine."

2.    The disciples came to land,

Thus obeying Christ's command,

For the Master called unto them, "Come and dine";

There they found their heart's desire,

Bread and fish upon the fire;

Thus He satisfies the hungry every time

"Come and dine," the Master calleth, "Come and dine";

You may feast at Jesus' table all the time;

He Who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine,

To the hungry calleth now, "Come and dine."

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3.     Soon the Lamb will take His bride

To be ever at His side,

All the host of heaven will assembled be;

Oh, 'twill be a glorious sight,

All the saints in spotless white;

And with Jesus they will feast eternally.

"Come and dine," the Master calleth, "Come and dine";

You may feast at Jesus' table all the time;

He Who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine,

To the hungry calleth now, "Come and dine."

Listen to it here.

LISTEN1

LISTEN2

THE ROCK THAT IS HIGHER THAN I

          Psalm 61: 1-5  "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.  From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.   I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.   For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name." 
            Erastus Johnson (1826 - 1909) was born in a logging camp in Maine.  He entered the Academy at Calais, Maine at the age of fifteen, spent two years there, taught school for the next six, and then entered Bangor Theological Seminary. His health failed, and, threatened with the loss of his sight, was compelled to give up preparation for the ministry.  On the advice of his physician he took a sea voyage, embargoing on the ship Gold Hunter en route from New York to California. The crew of the ship mutinied just before rounding Cape Horn and as Johnson was the only person on board who knew anything about navigation, other than the captive officers, he was pressed into service to take the ship on to its destination, San Francisco. And he did it. Later he worked as a rancher in California, a farmer in Washington state, in the oil business in Pennsylvania for some twenty years, and again as a farmer in Maine.  He was always interested in religious work especially in the Y.M.C.A. and that interest is what led him to pen this week's hymn choice.  Here is what he had to say about that. 
          "There was a convention of the Y.M.C.A. at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, which I attended as a delegate, and John Wanamaker was president of the convention. About the second day there came a telegram from Philadelphia that the banking house of Jay Cook & Co. had failed, in which Mr. Wanamaker had $70,000 which to him at that time in life was a great amount to lose. Soon followed reports of other firms throughout the country, indicating a general panic. As a matter of course, it threw a pall of gloom over the convention, for nearly all its members were men of business. As an expression of the common feeling I wrote "The Rock That Is Higher Than I". Mr. Wm. Fisher of Philadelphia, the composer of many tunes for gospel hymns, was at the convention, and in conjunction with Brother William, led the singing. I gave the words to him and he set them to music, sang them, and they with the music immediately became popular in the convention, especially with Mr. Wanamaker, who several times called for it. And soon it found its way into many publications."
          While Johnson is said to have been a lifelong student of the Bible, a fluent speaker, and a musician of moderate attainment, he apparently published just one book of poems, most of which were apparently only of interest to members of his immediate family.  But the words that he penned that day at the convention have been a help and encouragement to many over the years.  We all face days that are filled with sorrows and our path is so rough and the day seems so long.  But as believers we can fly to the secure Rock, the Lord Jesus, for protection, guidance, strength, wisdom and peace.  He is always there.  He has promised never to leave us or forsake us and He never will.  No matter what you may be facing today, fly to the Rock that is higher than you.

         

1.      O sometimes the shadows are deep,

And rough seems the path to the goal,

And sorrows, sometimes how they sweep

Like tempests down over the soul!

Chorus:

O then to the Rock let me fly,

To the Rock that is higher than I;

O then to the Rock let me fly

To the Rock that is higher than I!

2.      O sometimes how long seems the day,

And sometimes how weary my feet;

But toiling in life's dusty way,

The Rock's blessed shadow, how sweet!

O then to the Rock let me fly,

To the Rock that is higher than I;

O then to the Rock let me fly

To the Rock that is higher than I!

3.     O near to the Rock let me keep,

If blessings or sorrow prevail;

Or climbing the mountain way steep,

Or walking the shadowy vale. 

O then to the Rock let me fly,

To the Rock that is higher than I;

O then to the Rock let me fly

To the Rock that is higher than I!

Listen to it here.    LISTEN

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

          Probably the most known story of the events behind the writing of a hymn is the story of Horatio Spafford and "It Is Well With My Soul".  He penned the words and it was composed by Philip Bliss in 1876.  Spafford was a successful lawyer and businessman in Chicago with a lovely family of five children. However, they were not strangers to tears and tragedy. Their young son died with pneumonia in 1871, and in that same year much of their business was lost in the great Chicago fire. Yet God in His mercy and kindness allowed the business to flourish once more.  On Nov. 21, 1873, the French ocean liner, Ville du Havre, was crossing the Atlantic from the U.S. to Europe with 313 passengers on board. These included Mrs. Spafford and their four daughters. Although Mr. Spafford had planned to go with his family, he found it necessary to stay in Chicago to help solve an unexpected business problem. He told his wife he would join her and their children in Europe a few days later. About four days into the crossing the Atlantic the liner collided with a Scottish ship and suddenly all of those on board were in grave danger. Anna hurriedly brought her children to the deck and prayed that God would spare them if that could be His will or make them willing to endure whatever awaited them. Within approximately 12 minutes, the liner slipped beneath the dark waters of the Atlantic, carrying with it 226 of the passengers including the four Spafford children. A sailor, rowing a small boat over the spot where the ship went down, spotted a woman floating on a piece of the wreckage. It was Anna, still alive. He pulled her into the boat and they were picked up by another large vessel. Nine days later she wired her husband a message which began, "Saved alone, what shall I do?"  Spafford booked passage on the next available ship and left to join his grieving wife. With the ship about four days out, the captain called Spafford to his cabin and told him they were over the place where his children went down.  According to Bertha Spafford Vester, a daughter born after the tragedy, Spafford wrote "It Is Well With My Soul" while on this journey.  In the centuries since then this hymn has been a great source of comfort and encouragement to millions who have faced sorrows, like sea billows, and have experienced the peace that only our great God can provide.  On a personal note, many years ago the mother of my future daughter-in-law testified in church that she had just learned that she needed a second heart valve replacement.   She had accepted the bad news with the words "But it is well with my soul!".  Shortly after that testimony the Lord suddenly took her home with a heart attack.  Those of us who heard her testimony have had a difficult time singing this hymn since then without  tears of remembrance.  But we thank the Lord that she had this peace and confidence.  What about you?  Do you know it is well with your soul?  Can you face the future with that confidence?  "And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, shall keep your hearts, your minds through Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:7.   Not all hymn books have included all the verses of this great hymn and some have modified some of the words. Verses four and five are seldom included.  But I've chosen to list all the verses of this great hymn as originally written, for your encouragement.

1.     When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, (it is well),

With my soul, (with my soul)

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

2.    Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, (it is well),

With my soul, (with my soul)

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

3.    My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, (it is well),

With my soul, (with my soul)

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

4.    For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:

If Jordan above me shall roll,

No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,

Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, (it is well),

With my soul, (with my soul)

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

5.     But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,

The sky, not the grave, is our goal;

Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!

Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, (it is well),

With my soul, (with my soul)

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

6.     And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

A song in the night, oh my soul! 

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, (it is well),

With my soul, (with my soul)

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Listen to a unique and beautiful a cappella rendition here.   LISTEN1

Here is a second choice done by Selah  LISTEN2

I WALK WITH THE KING

          The Appalachian Trail is about 2,200 miles long, stretching from Georgia to Maine.  Most of it is mountains, some gentle slopes but much very rugged terrain.  It includes many beautiful vistas but also is very dangerous not only with steep mountains and cliffs, but also wild animals.  Those who hike the entire trail take an average of 165 rigorous days of hiking to complete it.  I have a friend who recently completed that fete, but he did it in three parts over a few years.  And he did it alone.  I personally would not even try it, but if I did I would want to have a friend accompany me.  A friend could not only keep me company, but could help guide me and protect me from the many challenges and dangers of the trail.  In many ways hiking the Appalachian Trail is similar to our trail of life. There are many very good days along the way, but there are also many steep paths and challenges that we will encounter.  Sometimes life can be very difficult.  But at the end of our trail there is a beautiful eternal home for the believer.  However, the real beauty of our journey is that believers have a companion who is right beside us, all the way.  We have the presence of the King!  We have His guidance.  We have His provision.  We have His protection.  We have His comfort. And we have His companionship!  What more could we want or need?  This old hymn, written in 1913 by James Rowe, is seldom heard or sung today.  A friend recently reminded me of it when she shared how, while growing up, her family used to often sing it.  I also remember the "old-timers" singing it in weekly prayer meetings.  I could find little about the origin of the hymn except that Rowe was born in England in 1865.  He came to America in 1890 where he worked for ten years for the New York Central and Hudson R. R. Co., then served for twelve years as superintendent of the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society. He began writing songs and hymns about 1896 and was a prolific writer of gospel verse with more than 9,000 published hymns, poems, recitations, and other works.  And this hymn of his encourages us as we are reminded that we walk with the King along the rugged trail of life here on earth. And He promised to never leave us or forsake us.   "I walk with the King, hallelujah!  I walk with the King, praise His Name!  No longer I roam, my soul faces home, I walk and I talk with the King."    

1.   In sorrow I wandered, my spirit oppressed,

But now I am happy, securely I rest;

From morning till evening glad carols I sing,

And this is the reason,I walk with the King. 

I walk with the King, hallelujah!

I walk with the King, praise His Name!

No longer I roam, my soul faces home,

I walk and I talk with the King. 

2.    For years in the fetters of sin I was bound,

The world could not help me, no comfort I found;

But now like the birds and the sunbeams of spring,

I'm free and rejoicing, I walk with the King. 

I walk with the King, hallelujah!

I walk with the King, praise His Name!

No longer I roam, my soul faces home,

I walk and I talk with the King. 

3.    O soul near despair in the lowlands of strife,

Look up and let Jesus come into your life;

The joy of salvation to you He would bring

Come into the sunlight and walk with the King. 

I walk with the King, hallelujah!

I walk with the King, praise His Name!

No longer I roam, my soul faces home,

I walk and I talk with the King. 

Listen to it here:    LISTEN1

LISTEN2

CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY (TH#17)

TIMELESS HYMN #17 - A special feature where I highlight some of my favorite hymns that have been featured previously in this blog.  These entries are revised and expanded and shared again for your encouragement and challenge.  This hymn was first shared on April 20, 2014.

          Today is the most important day in the Christian calendar - Resurrection Day.  He is risen, He is risen indeed.  Today Christians celebrate the day that Christ was victor over death and the grave. When they came to visit His tomb that morning they found it empty. They shouldn't have been surprised because He himself proclaimed that He was the resurrection and the life.  And because He overcame these dreaded foes, we too can have eternal life, victory over sin and death and hope for tomorrow.  That is the truth and message that makes Christianity different than any other religion.  If Christ hadn't died and risen from the dead, He would be nothing more than another interesting man who roamed the earth for a few years trying to teach good moral ideas.  But He was the Word, He was with God, and He was God.  And He left all the riches and glory of heaven to come to earth and give His life as a sacrifice for our sins.  And He is risen.  The great hymn writer Charles Wesley experienced this new life which only Christ can give and a year after his conversion, in 1739, he penned these powerful words.  They were actually written for the inaugural service at the Foundry Meeting House, London's first Wesleyan chapel. Charles Wesley has often been called the "Bard of Methodism." His prominence in hymn writing may be judged from the fact that in the "Wesleyan Hymn Book" 623 of the 770 hymns included were written by him. He also published more than thirty poetical works, written either by himself alone, or in conjunction with his brother. The number of his separate hymns is believed to be at least five thousand.  Wesley's hymn, Christ the Lord is Risen Today, apparently originally had eight verses and three more were added in the 14th century by an unknown author.  However, over the years some of the words have been rearranged and today most hymnbooks contain the four familiar verses shown here.  As you celebrate this special day today, sing and meditate upon the powerful words and truth of Wesley's great hymn.

(1)    Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

(2)    Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Dying once He all doth save, Alleluia!

Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

(3)    Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!

Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

(4)   Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!

Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Listen to this great hymn here.   LISTEN