BROKEN AND SPILLED OUT

          "And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, "Why was the ointment wasted like that?  For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor." And they scolded her. But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her." (Mark 14: 3 - 9)  We know from John 12:3 that the woman was Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus.   The perfume Mary spilled out was worth a year's wages. This was the family's wealth, security - but she spills it out.  We can only imagine how strange it must have seemed to the disciples when Mary covered her Lord in perfume - perfume that the disciples, particularly Judas for wrong reasons, thought could have been sold for money.  But surely Mary knew that her act was an expression of extravagant love, a sacrifice of almost unexplainable proportions. Nothing stopped her from pressing past the others and their concerns to show her love to Jesus. Sacrificing all she had for Jesus was worth it.   This week's song choice was originally recorded by Christian artist Steve Green. This choral setting by Bill and Gloria Gaither has a particularly meaningful and deep text. Drawn from the narrative of Mary's sacrifice it focuses on Christ's sacrifice on the cross for mankind.  There God showed His love to us by giving His precious treasure, His loved and perfect Son, to be broken and spilled out for us. And though Christ was perfect and holy, He gave up himself willingly.  He spared no expense for our pardon and He was spilled out and used up for us.  Oh what love!  And the song concludes with the prayer of sacrifice, "Let me be spilled out and used up for Thee."   Is that your prayer and desire?

1.     One day a plain village woman

Driven by love for her Lord

Recklessly poured out a valuable essence

Disregarding the scorn

And once it was broken and spilled out

A fragrance filled all the room

Like a pris'ner released from his shackles

Like a spirit set free from the tomb

Broken and spilled out

Just for love of you Jesus

My most precious treasure

Lavished on Thee

Broken and spilled out

And poured at Your feet

In sweet abandon

Let me be spilled out

And used up for Thee

2.     Lord You were God's precious treasure

His loved and His own perfect Son

Sent here to show me

The love of the Father

Just for love it was done

And though You were perfect and holy

You gave up Yourself willingly

You spared no expense for my pardon

You were used up and wasted for me

Broken and spilled out

Just for love of me Jesus

God's most precious treasure

Lavished on me

You were broken and spilled out

And poured at my feet

In sweet abandon Lord

You were spilled out and used up for Me

In sweet abandon, let me be spilled out

And used up for Thee

Listen to it here.     BROKEN

TEACH ME THY WAY

          In today's society it has become increasingly necessary that folks become life long learners.  The expansion of technology, especially computers and the internet, have rapidly changed the way we live and do business.  Many workers need to continually upgrade their knowledge and skills to maintain and keep their jobs.  Much of what was taught in schools years ago is becoming obsolete.  But while we have the need to grow intellectually, there is a much greater need for us to grow spiritually.  And yet that need is so often neglected by believers.   Since whatever absorbs our thinking will ultimately control our actions, it is so important for a Christian to let the way of the Lord become the controlling force in his life. The means by which we can learn the way of the Lord is by knowing what He has revealed in the scripture. Thus, our prayer to Him should always be, "Teach Me Thy Way."  This prayer is the title and theme of this week's hymn choice.  The text was written and the tune (Camacha) were both composed by Benjamin Mansell Ramsey (1849-1923) in 1916. For many years he was a well-known teacher and musician in the Bournemouth, England, area. He was a prolific composer of part-songs (usually SATB), piano pieces, and carols. In addition, he produced works on music theory and a number of hymns.  After 1920, this hymn began to have wide popular usage among student groups in England.  It gradually spread to sincere believers in other places who genuinely desired to have a greater knowledge of their Lord. It makes this request in several specific areas by which the Lord can help us walk in His way.  Stanza one asks that He help us walk more by faith and less by sight.  Stanza two asks that He help us in times of loneliness, distress, and failure. Stanza three asks that He help us by making our pathway plain.  Stanza four asks that He help us by being with us as long as we run the race.  The hymn is actually a practical daily prayer for believers.  We should want to learn more about His ways daily, even when we are sad or lonely, in times of success and failure, through times of sorrow, grief and pain, "wherever our lot may be cast". Learning the ways of the Lord should be a daily goal.  "Until the race is run, until the journey's done, until the crown is won, teach me Your way!"  Lord, that is our prayer.  "Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight; lead me with heavenly light, teach me Your way!"  Is that your desire?

1      Teach me Your way, O Lord, teach me Your way!

Your guiding grace afford, teach me Your way!

Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight;

lead me with heavenly light, teach me Your way!

2      When I am sad at heart, teach me Your way!

When earthly joys depart, teach me Your way!

In hours of loneliness, in times of dire distress,

in failure or success, teach me Your way!

3      When doubts and fears arise, teach me Your way!

When storm clouds fill the skies, teach me Your way!

Shine through the wind and rain, through sorrow, grief and pain;

make now my pathway plain, teach me Your way!

4      Long as my life shall last, teach me Your way!

Where'er my lot be cast, teach me Your way!

Until the race is run, until the journey's done,

until the crown is won, teach me Your way!

Listen to men sing the first verse   MEN

Listen to a beautiful rendition by children   CHILDREN

Listen to it here.   THY WAY

JESUS HOLD MY HAND

          "I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear, I will help you."  Isaiah 41:13.   Each of us have probably faced many situations where we needed a hand to help us.  Maybe it was stepping over an obstacle or walking on a slippery surface or climbing up something or keeping our balance on unfamiliar terrain.  As a child we may have needed a hand to guide us safely across a busy street or to protect us in a crowd.  As we age we often find that we need a helpful hand more often. That helpful hand can be a comfort or a guide or a source of safety. But it isn't always physical situations where we need help.  Often we need a hand in facing the problems of life which come our way. Albert Brumley (1905 -1977) probably faced similar experiences. and he must have experienced the joy and safety of holding on to the Lord's hand during challenging times in his life.  He spent much of his early life chopping and picking cotton on his family's farm. His life had weathered various hardships from the years of World War I and through the Great Depression. Predictably, he had little or no money, particularly when he set off from his Oklahoma home for schools in Arkansas and Missouri,  In 1926, he enrolled in the Hartford Musical Institute of Hartford, Arkansas, and studied there through 1931.  He also sang with the Hartford Quartet.  Brumley married Goldie Edith Schell in 1931. They lived on the banks of Big Sugar Creek in Powell, Missouri, where they raised six children.  It's said that she was largely responsible for keeping her disorganized, eccentric spouse on track as he routinely scribbled musical suggestions to himself on scraps of paper or whatever else was handy. Eventually Brumley was able to purchase the Hartford Music Company in 1948. During his years there he wrote over 800 songs, including "I'll Fly Away," "Turn Your Radio On," "If We Never Meet Again (This Side of Heaven)," "I'll Meet You In The Morning," "Rank Strangers," and "He Set Me Free". But this week's hymn choice, written in 1933, was his request for continued divine presence throughout his troubled life. Brumley experienced the 'sinking sand' and 'the foe' of which he wrote.  He had asked the Lord to hear his 'feeble plea', and 'protect him'. He gave Jesus the credit by presenting him as the friend and helper who daily walked with him.  Can you testify with the writer that as you travel through this pilgrim land that there is  Friend who goes with you and leads you safely through the sinking sand of this life?  For there's no other Friend on whom we can depend, Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.  And He will as He tells us "do not fear, I will help you."  Facing trials today?  Then hold on to His hand.

1.      As I travel through this pilgrim land 

there is a Friend who goes with me.

Leads me safely thro' the sinking sand, 

it is the Christ of Calvary.

This would be my prayer, 

dear Lord, each day to help me do the best I can,

For I need Thy light to guide me day and night, 

Blessed Jesus, hold my hand

Jesus, hold my hand, I need Thee every hour,

(Blessed Jesus, hold my hand) (

Yes, I need Thee every hour)

Thru this pilgrim land Protect my by Thy power.

(Thru this land, this pilgrim land  - By Thy saving power.)

Hear my feeble plea, O Lord, look down on me.

(Hear my plea, my feeble plea, 

Lord, dear Lord, Look down on me)

When I kneel in prayer I hope to meet you there,

(When I kneel in prayer)

Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.

2.     Let me travel in the light divine

 that I may see the blessed way;

Keep me that I may be wholly Thine

 and sing redemption's song some day.

I will be a soldier brave and true 

and ever firmly take a stand,

As I onward go and daily meet the foe, 

Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.

Jesus, hold my hand, I need Thee every hour,

(Blessed Jesus, hold my hand) (

Yes, I need Thee every hour)

Thru this pilgrim land Protect my by Thy power.

(Thru this land, this pilgrim land  - By Thy saving power.)

Hear my feeble plea, O Lord, look down on me.

(Hear my plea, my feeble plea, 

Lord, dear Lord, Look down on me)

When I kneel in prayer I hope to meet you there,

(When I kneel in prayer)

Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.

3.      When I wander thru the valley dim 

toward the setting of the sun,

Lead me safely to a land of rest

 if I a crown of life have won;

I have put my faith in Thee, dear Lord, 

that I may reach the golden strand,

There's no other Friend on whom I can depend, 

Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.

Jesus, hold my hand, I need Thee every hour,

(Blessed Jesus, hold my hand) (

Yes, I need Thee every hour)

Thru this pilgrim land Protect my by Thy power.

(Thru this land, this pilgrim land  - By Thy saving power.)

Hear my feeble plea, O Lord, look down on me.

(Hear my plea, my feeble plea, 

Lord, dear Lord, Look down on me)

When I kneel in prayer I hope to meet you there,

(When I kneel in prayer)

Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.

Listen to it here.     HAND

SAVED, SAVED, SAVED!

        Some of my best memories of growing up are from the many years that I spent, decades ago, attending our annual camp meeting at Mizpah Grove in Allentown.  The evening service in the open tabernacle was always a highlight of the week as a guest evangelist would speak and many talented vocalists would sing.  And there was always a camp choir which would present stirring numbers each evening.  And one of those numbers which I still remember is "Saved, Saved, Saved!".  It is really a happy hymn about the joy of salvation.  In July of 1910, the Baptist evangelist, Mordecai Ham, held an evangelistic campaign in Gonzales, Texas. The evangelist was preaching on the subject, 'Christ Our Refuge'. In the audience there was a man who had killed four men and had despaired of ever being saved. He listened to Mr. Ham explain that Christ is a refuge for sinners of any and every stripe and that the 'Cities of Refuge', described in the Old Testament, are a type of Christ, who is a haven of hope and eternal forgiveness for all who will flee to Him. Midway during the sermon this man jumped up from his seat and shouted,  'Saved! Saved! Saved!'.  Jack P. Scholfield (1882-1972) was so inspired by that outburst that the next afternoon he sat outside the hotel where the Ham party was residing and composed both the words and the music for the hymn that is this week's choice.  Schofield wrote that "the melody just came to me almost as a gift.  Then I simply tried to make the words fit the tune. That night the tabernacle audience heard the song for the first time."  And for years it was s popular favorite of evangelistic campaigns.   The events that caused him to write this song were a good illustration of Psalm 116:6,  "When I was in great need, He saved me."  Titus 3:5 reminds us  "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."    And Acts 4:12 tells us of the only source of salvation, " Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."  Have you experienced the joy of salvation in your life?  If you have, then you can join in the triumphant chorus, "Saved by His power divine, Saved to new life sublime! Life now is sweet and my joy is complete, For I'm saved, saved, saved!".

1.     I've found a friend, who is all to me,

His love is ever true;

I love to tell how He lifted me

And what His grace can do for you.

Saved by His power divine,

Saved to new life sublime!

Life now is sweet and my joy is complete,

For I'm saved, saved, saved!

2.     He saves me from every sin and harm,

Secures my soul each day;

I'm leaning strong on His mighty arm;

I know He'll guide me all the way.

Saved by His power divine,

Saved to new life sublime!

Life now is sweet and my joy is complete,

For I'm saved, saved, saved!

3.     When poor and needy and all alone,

In love He said to me,

Come unto Me and I'll lead you home,

To live with Me eternally.

Saved by His power divine,

Saved to new life sublime!

Life now is sweet and my joy is complete,

For I'm saved, saved, saved!

Listen to it here.    SAVED

HE GIVETH MORE GRACE (TH)

TIMELESS HYMN - A special monthly 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 our encouragement and challenge.  This hymn was first shared here on January 17, 2010.

          It seems that sometimes problems come in waves and they seem to overwhelm us. And recently it seems like there have been many waves of problems for many of our friends. Some have been family related, some health related, some job related and some others just unusual situations. But in this life, problems are to be expected. Yet sometimes out of problems come times of great encouragement. Annie Johnson Flint  (1866 - 1932) lost both of her parents before she was six years old. She was adopted by a childless couple and then as a teen became afflicted with arthritis. Later she became unable to walk. She had wanted to be a composer and concert pianist, but her illness deprived her of the ability to play the piano. So she began to write poetry. Later in life, being unable to open her hands, she wrote many of her poems on the typewriter, using her knuckles. And out of these trials and problems came this great hymn which has helped so many folks over the years. It might have been based on 2 Corinthians 12:9, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me". I imagine that the words also were Flint's testimony of God's provision of peace as she faced so many difficult challenges throughout her life.  Have you experienced the same?  Remember, "His love has no limits, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men. For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.". When our family used to minister in various churches this hymn was one of our favorite hymns to sing as a family. The first two verses are very familiar to me, but I must admit that I've never heard the third verse. Maybe this reminder of God's grace and provision in hard times is something that you need today. Meditate and sing the following words as you trust the Lord for what He will provide for you.

(1)    He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;

To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

Chorus: His love has no limits,

His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

(2)    When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources

Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Chorus: His love has no limits,

His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

(3)    Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,

Our God ever yearns His resources to share;

Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;

The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

Chorus: His love has no limits,

His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Listen to it here.
HE GIVETH 1

Here is an interesting A Capella version

HE GIVETH 2