I HAVE TO DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS

        Most of us probably grew up singing this simple song, possibly at a summer camp or youth rally.  It actually was made popular by the Billy Graham crusades.  But it has become controversial and has been eliminated from numerous hymnbooks. Due to the lyrics' focus on the believer's own commitment, some cite it as a prime example of decision theology, emphasizing the human response rather than the action of God in giving faith.   For others, it is a song celebrating the simplicity of conversion, simple and sincere.  But when you know the story behind the song, you realize that it is not a statement about free will, nor about the ease of placing your faith in Christ. it actually stands as a monument to the international nature of the gospel, as well as a call to suffer and die with Jesus. It was written by Simon Marak, from Jorhat, Assam. The lyrics are based on the last words of Nokseng, a Garo man, a tribe from Meghalaya which then was in Assam. He, along with his family, decided to follow Jesus Christ in the middle of the 19th century through the efforts of an American Baptist missionary. Called to renounce his faith by the village chief, the convert declared, "I have decided to follow Jesus." His two children were killed. In response to threats to his wife, he continued, "Though no one join me, still I will follow." His wife was killed, and he was executed while singing, "The world behind me, the cross before me." This display of faith is reported to have led to the conversion of the chief and others in the village. Such fierce opposition was possible because various tribes in that area were formerly known for headhunting.  The writing of this hymn is credited to the Indian missionary Sadhu Sundar Singh. The melody is also Indian, and entitled "Assam" after the region where the text originated.   An American hymn editor, William Jensen Reynolds, composed the arrangement which we are familiar with today.   So as you sing this song in the future remember that it does not not capture the ease of making a decision, but rather it is about the staggering cost of picking up your cross and following after Christ.   Reflect on this throughout the coming week.  Could you or would you make the same public decision as Nokseng did?

1    I have decided to follow Jesus;

I have decided to follow Jesus;

I have decided to follow Jesus;

no turning back, no turning back.

2    Though none go with me, I still will follow;

though none go with me, I still will follow;

though none go with me, I still will follow;

no turning back, no turning back.

3    The world behind me, the cross before me;

the world behind me, the cross before me;

the world behind me, the cross before me;

no turning back, no turning back.

Listen to it here.   DECIDED

       or   STORY

AND CAN IT BE? (TH)

TIMELESS HYMN - A special feature where I highlight some of my favorite hymns that I have previously featured in this blog.  These entries are revised and expanded and shared again for your encouragement and challenge. This hymn was originally shared here on February 15, 2009.

          Valentine's Day is a time when thoughts turn to love.  Fortunate is the one who has a friend here on earth to love.  But the source of love is God himself who sent His only Son, Jesus, to this earth to die for us.  Such amazing love - how can it be!  There are so many great hymns written about love.  But how could there be one more powerful than this one written by Charles Wesley. Charles, founder of the movement known as Methodism, and his brother John, were ordained as priests in the Church of England in 1735. However, three years later, on the evening of May 21, 1738, reportedly after prolonged Bible reading, he wrote: "At midnight I gave myself to Christ, assured that I was safe, whether sleeping or waking. I had the continual experience of His power to overcome all temptation, and I confessed with joy and surprise that He was able to do exceedingly abundantly for me above what I can ask or think." Another writer stated that he recorded in his journal, "I now found myself at peace with God, and rejoiced in hope of loving Christ. I saw that by faith I stood." Two days later, his journal reported that he had begun writing a hymn. This hymn is thought to be "And Can It Be" because of the vivid testimony of stanza four. This hymn and "Where Shall My Wondering Soul Begin" were the first of the 6000 plus hymns that he wrote. It is also reported that his brother John sang a hymn on his own conversion to "vital religion" three days later. Although it was not stated what hymn it was, many think it might have also been "And Can It Be".  What powerful words that clearly express the Gospel and then ask "how can it be that thou my God should die for me! "  Worship with me this week as we meditate upon these words and sing and thank God for His amazing love expressed in this great hymn.

(1.)     And can it be that I should gain

An interest in the Savior's blood?

Died He for me who caused His pain!

For me who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be That

Thou, my God, should die for me?

Chorus: Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me!

Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me!

(2.)    He left His Father's throne above,

So free, so infinite His grace!

Emptied Himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam's helpless race.

'Tis mercy all, immense and free,

For O my God, it found out me!

Chorus: Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me!

Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me!

(3.)    Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

Fast bound in sin and nature's night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Chorus: Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me!

Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me!

(4.)    No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness divine,

Bold I approach the eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own

Chorus: Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me!

Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me!

Listen to a great presentation of this hymn.   AMAZING

HALLELUJAH SQUARE

          The older we become the more common it is to see our good friends and relatives deal with difficult physical challenges.  Many have knee and hip replacements.  Many are dealing with arthritis and using canes and walkers.  Some have heart problems, strokes and lung problems.   Many are dealing with diabetes.  Many die too early in life.  But then we become part of the same group with our own physical challenges.  Often they come on so unexpectedly and our lives change.  I often ask, how did I get this old this fast?  It just happens!  But for the believer there is coming a time when there will no longer be pain or aches or headaches or the need for canes or even doctors.  Someday those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ will meet in heaven, Hallelujah Square, where all will be healed and perfect with new bodies. And that is the theme of this week's song choice written by Roy Claxton Acuff (1903 - 1992).  Now while I've included this song in my blog because of its encouragement, I do have two concerns about it.  First the words are not correct. "I'll see all my friends in Hallelujah Square, what a wonderful time we'll all have up there."  ... "we'll all live forever in Hallelujah Square! ".  Not true!  All of our friends might not be there, just those who are born again and have their names written in the Lamb's Book of Life.  Will you be there?  My second problem is that I have found no evidence that the writer was a believer or that he even wrote other hymns.  The author was known as the "King of Country Music"  He gained fame as the singer and fiddler for his group, the Smoky Mountain Boys. He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1938,  Acuff and Fred Rose founded Acuff-Rose Music, the first major Nashville-based country music publishing company,   But, as I said, I could find no information about his spiritual life.  Did the words of this song have any real meaning to him?  I don't know.  But the message of the song probably spoke to the crowds who were facing their many physical challenges.  For believers the words provide comfort and hope.   For them there is coming a day of healing and rejoicing in "Hallelujah Square". "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am"  John 14:3   "'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."   Revelation 21:4.  I am looking forward to that time when I will be cancer and pain free and with other saints will be rejoicing around the Father's throne.  What about you?

1.     I saw a blind man tapping along, losing his way,
as he passed through the throng

Tears filled my eyes, I said, "

Friend you can't see," but, with a smile on his face,
he replied to me

I'll see all my friends in Hallelujah Square,
what a wonderful time we'll all have up there

We'll sing and praise Jesus,
His glory to share, and you'll not see
one blind man in Hallelujah Square

2.     Now, I saw a cripple dragging his feet,
he couldn't walk like we do down the street

I said, "My friend, I feel sorry for you,"
but he said, "Up in Heaven, I'm gonna walk just like you."

I'll see all my friends in Hallelujah Square,
what a wonderful time we'll all have up there

We'll sing and praise Jesus,
His glory to share, and you'll

not see one cripple in Hallelujah Square

3.     And I saw an old man, gasping for breath,
soon he'd be gone,

as his eyes closed in death

He looked at me and said, "

Friend don't look so blue, for I'm going up to Heaven,
now how about you?"

I'll see all my friends in Hallelujah Square,
what a wonderful time we'll all have up there

We'll sing and praise Jesus, His glory to share,
and we'll all live forever in Hallelujah Square!

Listen to it here.   HALLELUJAH

LEAD KINDLY LIGHT

        Have you ever been lost?  It is a frightening experience.  I remember when I was about 14 that a group of us hiked through the woods to climb a tower.  When we were done we decided to leave the path on which we had come and try to take a "short cut" through the woods.  It was fun until we realized that our sense of direction had failed and we weren't reaching our destination.  We were scared.  But finally we came to a highway and realized that we were about two miles from our destination.  And we were able to follow the road and return safely - but tired and thankful.  But we don't need to be in a woods to get lost in our lives.  It is easy to wander away from the truth and the Lord.  We decide to lean upon our own intelligence and our own wants and before we know it we are lost and without hope.  And then we suddenly realize that it is dark and we are far from home.  But when we call upon our Father, He will "lead me home in childlike faith, home to my God."  And that is the message of this hymn which was written in 1833 by John Henry Newman as a poem titled "the Pillar and the Cloud".  Newman was 33 years old when he found himself on a boat from the Sicilian city of Palermo to Marseille, France. Newman, who was recovering after being dangerously ill with a fever, was on the boat to return to start the trip back to his native England when he penned the lyrics to "Lead, Kindly Light."  The fact that he was recovering from a frightening illness in the middle of the sea gives some insight to the lyrics:

Lead, kindly Light, amid th'encircling gloom; Lead thou me on!

"The night is dark, and I am far from home; Lead thou me on!

Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see

The distant scene - one step enough for me."

His hymn kater became very popular and was sung in many interesting situations. Newman's hymn was sung by a soloist, Marion Wright, on the RMS Titanic during a hymn sing gathering shortly before the ocean liner struck an iceberg on April 14, 1912.  The hymn was also sung aboard one of the Titanic's lifeboats when the rescue ship Carpathia was sighted the following morning.  Lead, Kindly Light was sung by British troops to the accompaniment of nearby artillery fire on the Western Front during the First World War at services held before going into the trenches the following day.  While the hymn is no longer sung very often today, the truth and message have not changed. Maybe today you feel lost and discouraged in your daily life.  Maybe you are fearful or discouraged or maybe even depressed.  Maybe you feel far from home. Then call upon Jesus who will be your guide, strength and comfort amid the encircling gloom in your life.  Lead kindly light!

1      Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom,

lead thou me on;

the night is dark, and I am far from home;

lead thou me on.

Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see

the distant scene; one step enough for me.

2      I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou

shouldst lead me on;

I loved to choose and see my path; 

but now lead thou me on.

I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,

pride ruled my will: remember not past years.

3      So long thy power hath blest me, 

sure it still will lead me on,

o'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, 

till the night is gone,

and with the morn those angel faces smile,

which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.

4.     Meantime, along the narrow rugged path,

Thyself hast trod,

Lead, Saviour, lead me home in childlike faith,

Home to my God.

To rest forever after earthly strife

In the calm light of everlasting life.

Listen to it here.    LIGHT