JUST A LITTLE WHILE

          Without a doubt, life here can be very difficult and at times very discouraging  All around we see floods, fires, storms, earthquakes and threats to property and life.  Then we also see diseases, covid, cancer and accidents that threaten our health and our lives.  But now we also live with fear of terrorism, wars, political unrest, protests and changes in morality.  Life is hard.

          But in times like these we have hope.  Jesus has promised to come and take His children to a new and perfect home which is being prepared for us. He told us that He is preparing this home for us and that He would come again.  And that is the hope that enables believers to face each day and each new challenge.

          For centuries believers have anticipated the rapture and the return of Christ.  And as we look at events today we have to believe that this life will be over - soon - maybe even today.  Then we will take our heavenly journey and be home with the Lord and friends once again.

          And while we wait we can rest upon His promises for our future.  We can spend time in reading the Word and prayer.  And we can sing of this great day using the many hymns which encourage us and remind us of what is ahead.

         Eugene Monroe Bartlett (1885-1941) looked forward to his new life when he penned this week's hymn choice.  Bartlett first worked for the Central Music Company, a shape note music publisher in Hartford, Arkansas. In 1918, with David Moore and John A. McClung, he co-founded the Hartford Music Company in Hartford.[  He was the founder of the Hartford Music Institute in 1921 and he wrote many hymns.  In 1939 he suffered a stroke and afterwards wrote "Victory in Jesus."  Then in 1941 he realized the truth of this week's hymn when he experienced the "blessed morning" of which he wrote.

          Life here can be very difficult at times but know that a better day will soon be here for all believers.  Be encouraged as you sing this song this week.

1      Soon this life will all be over

And our pilgrimage will end,

Soon we'll take our heav'nly journey,

Be at home again with friends;

Heaven's gates are standing open,

Waiting for our entrance there,

Some sweet day we're going over,

All the beauties there to share.

Refrain:

Just a little while to stay here,

Just a little while to wait,

Just a little while to labor

In the path that's always straight,

Just a little more of troubles,

In this low and sinful state,

Then we'll enter Heaven's portals,

Sweeping through the pearly gates.

2      Soon we'll see the light of morning

Then the new day will begin,

Soon we'll hear the Father calling,

"Come my children enter in;"

Then we'll hear a choir of angels,

Singing out the vict'ry song,

All our troubles will be ended

And we'll live with heaven's throng. 

Just a little while to stay here,

Just a little while to wait,

Just a little while to labor

In the path that's always straight,

Just a little more of troubles,

In this low and sinful state,

Then we'll enter Heaven's portals,

Sweeping through the pearly gates.

3      Soon we'll meet again our loved ones

And we'll take them by the hand,

Soon we'll press them to our bosom

Over in the promised land;

Then we'll be at home forever,

Throughout all eternity,

What a blessed, blessed morning

That eternal morn will be! 

Just a little while to stay here,

Just a little while to wait,

Just a little while to labor

In the path that's always straight,

Just a little more of troubles,

In this low and sinful state,

Then we'll enter Heaven's portals,

Sweeping through the pearly gates.

Listen to it here.      SOON

HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL

           Over many years choruses have been an integral part of Christian worship.  While today churches tend to favor new praise and worship choruses, many classic ones have been a blessing to believers for many decades.  This week's choice is such an example of one that many generations have sung.

           The words of this chorus were penned by Audrey Mieir (1916 - 1956),  one of the prolific writers of the last century. Her musical gift showed at an early age when she began singing and leading choral performances. In the 1950's she established the Harmony Chorus, and worked with musician-evangelist Phil Kerr. These efforts were followed by concerts throughout America in the 1960's. Mieir is also remembered as music director for Rex Humbard's television show Cathedral of Tomorrow, and for helping found orphanages in Korea.

            I would never have chosen this one as one related to Christmas but its origins were with Christmas and the birth of Jesus.  In fact, it was "a gift from heaven" said Mieir. It has become a treasured gift to millions of Christians worldwide. It was born in 1955 at Christmas while Mieir was at Bethel Union Church in Duarte, California, where her husband's brother, Dr. Luther Mieir was the pastor.

          The congregation was focused on the reenactment of the Nativity scene. The powerful prophecy of Isaiah 9:6 went down deep into Mieir's soul as she cherished those words: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given ... and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."  When that familiar scripture was concluded, the pastor lifted his hands, closed his eyes and said, "His name is wonderful."

          According to Mrs. Mieir's, "I felt as if I heard the rustle of angel wings and a musical chorus came to my mind," she exclaimed. On the flyleaf of her Bible she quickly wrote the words that her brother in-law had just proclaimed, "His name is wonderful." After she wrote it three times, she added the sacred name of her Lord.

"HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL, 

HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL,

HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL,

Jesus, my Lord.

In a few days she completed all of the music and a fuller description of who Jesus is:

He is the mighty King, 

Master of everything,

HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL,

Jesus, my Lord.

He's the Great Shepherd,

The Rock of all Ages,

Almighty God is He.

The last line is a personal reflection on the One whose name is wonderful. We want to bow down, love and adore this wonderful Jesus.       

Bow down before Him, 

Love and adore Him,

HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL, 

Jesus, my Lord.

          Before Audrey Mieir died in 1996 at 80 years of age, some of her last words were: "His Name is Wonderful will outlive the chubby human hands chosen to write a few black notes on five lines and four spaces. But it will never outlive the Father who glories in His Son's name and who glories in our praise." 

         

His Name is Wonderful

His Name is Wonderful

His Name is Wonderful

Jesus My Lord 

He is the Mighty King

Master of everything

His Name is Wonderful

Jesus My Lord 

He's the Great shepherd

The Rock of All Ages

Almighty God is He 

Bow down before Him

Love and adore Him

His Name is Wonderful

Jesus My Lord

You can listen to it here.   WONDERFUL

His Name is Wonderful" Copyright 1959. Renewed 1987 by Manna Music, INC., 35255 Brooten Rd. Pacific City, Or. 97135

THE PEARLY WHITE CITY

          Jesus promised that He would prepare a new and perfect home for His children and He always keeps His promises. For ages believers have realized that this world is not our home  and we have longed to be with our Lord in this new home.

          What will this new home be like? Well the Lord revealed some of the answers to that question to John while he was exiled to the Isle of Patmos.  "…I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God…" (Rev. 21:2).  Then John shared with us what he had seen in the book of Revelation.

          Many years later in 1902, Arthur Forrest Ingler (1873-1935) used John's writings and penned the words of the song "The Pearly White  City".  The hymn paints a wonderful picture of heaven from the book of Revelation – a "holy and beautiful" place for which God's people long.

          According to some sources, this song was first introduced at the Metropolitan Church Association in Chicago, Illinois. The Metropolitan Church Association was a Holiness reaction within the Methodist Church against the move toward the Social Gospel.  The hymn looks to heaven, the holy city that John saw - the city of God, rather than the cities of the earth.  The rich and satisfied may find their delights in the cities of this earth, but the poor and afflicted saints of God find their joy in "watching, waiting, and longing, for the white city that's soon coming down."

           In the first verse the writer describes the beauty of the city whose builder and maker is God.  Then he goes on to share what is absent rom this city - sin, pain, sickness and sorrow.  In the third verse he describes the inhabitants - saints living in sweet harmony. In the fourth our friends who are safe in Jesus. 

          The chorus emphasizes that each child of God has a home there as well as many blessings. We should be "watching, waiting, and longing, for the white city".   And we should be reminded that Jesus and that pearly white city will soon be coming.  Rejoice in that truth.

          

1.     There's a holy and beautiful city

Whose builder and ruler is God;

John saw it descending from heaven,

When Patmos, in exile, he trod;

Its high, massive wall is of jasper,

The city itself is pure gold;

And when my frail tent here is folded,

Mine eyes shall its glory behold.

Chorus:

In that bright city, pearly white city,

I have a mansion, an harp, and a crown;

Now I am watching, waiting, and longing,

For the white city that's soon coming down.

2.     No sin is allowed in that city

And nothing defiling nor mean;

No pain and no sickness can enter,

No crepe on the doorknob is seen;

Earth's sorrows and cares are forgotten,

No tempter is there to annoy;

No parting words ever are spoken,

There's nothing to hurt or destroy.

Chorus:

In that bright city, pearly white city,

I have a mansion, an harp, and a crown;

Now I am watching, waiting, and longing,

For the white city that's soon coming down.

3.     No heartaches are known in that city,

No tears ever moisten the eye;

There's no disappointment in heaven,

No envy and strife in the sky;

The saints are all sanctified wholly,

They live in sweet harmony there;

My heart is now set on that city,

And some day its blessings I'll share.

Chorus:

In that bright city, pearly white city,

I have a mansion, an harp, and a crown;

Now I am watching, waiting, and longing,

For the white city that's soon coming down.

4.     My loved ones are gathering yonder,

My friends too are passing away,

And soon I shall join their bright number,

And dwell in eternity's day;

They're safe now in glory with Jesus,

Their trials and battles are past.

They overcame sin and the devil,[ii]

They've reached that fair city at last.

Chorus:

In that bright city, pearly white city,

I have a mansion, an harp, and a crown;

Now I am watching, waiting, and longing,

For the white city that's soon coming down.

Listen to it here.   CITY

MAJESTY

             Over many years choruses have been an integral part of Christian worship.  While today churches tend to favor new praise and worship choruses, many classic ones have been a blessing to believers for many decades.  This week's choice is such an example of one that many generations have sung.       Many Americans have a fascination with the royalty in England.  We follow their majestic weddings, their coronations, their funerals, their families, their hosting of dignitaries, and of course all the royal gossip.  But the majesty of all of this pales when we consider the majesty of God, our Father.

          "The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved."  Psalm 93:1

          Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. "   Psalm 104:1"

          The chorus "Majesty" was penned by Jack Hayford while he and his wife were on vacation in Great Britain  According to Hayford, "In 1977 my wife Anna and I spent our vacation in Great Britain, traveling throughout the land from the south country and Wales to the northern parts of Scotland. It was the same year as the 25th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's coronation, and symbols of royalty were abundantly in evidence."

          "For years I have been convinced that the provisions of Christ for the believer not only include our forgiveness for sin; but provide restoration to a royal relationship with God as sons and daughters born into the family through His Majesty, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Within that relationship, as people of The Kingdom, I felt the Bible disclosed a new dimension of dominion over "all the works of the devil" bequeathed to us as heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ."

          "One day, as Anna and I drove along together, the opening lyrics and melody of "Majesty" simply came to my heart. I continued driving, asking Anna to jot the words and melody line in the notebook she had beside her.  The song was completed and edited in 1978 when they returned home and copyrighted in 1981 by Rocksmith Music

          Rev. Hayford is said to have composed over 400 songs, hymns and musical works.  "Majesty" is rated as one of the top 100 contemporary hymns and performed and sung in churches worldwide.

          "To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."   Jude 1:25.

          It is so amazing that we can worship our King in His majesty.  Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all kings!

Majesty, worship his majesty;

Unto Jesus be all glory, 

honor, and praise.

Majesty, kingdom authority,

Flow from his throne unto his own, 

his anthem raise.

So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus.

Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus, the King.

Majesty, worship his majesty,

Jesus who died, now glorified, 

King of all kings.

Majesty, worship his majesty;

Unto Jesus be all glory, 

honor, and praise.

Majesty, kingdom authority,

Flow from his throne unto his own, 

his anthem raise.

So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus.

Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus, the King.

Majesty, worship his majesty,

Jesus who died, now glorified, 

King of all kings.

© 1981, 1992, 2011 Jack W. Hayford, Jack Hayford Ministries

Listen to it here.   MAJESTY

ALL THAT I NEED IS IN JESUS

          Recently we have been going through a time of shortages and for us that has been unusual.  Some food and home supplies have often been out of stock.  Automobiles, furniture and appliances are backordered.   And employers are finding it hard to hire employees who are willing to work, so many services have been limited.

          But we should never complain because there are millions around the world who are in much worse shape than we are.  That is one of the reasons that thousands are trying to gain access through our borders.  But we too have homeless and poor who need help.

          In fact instead of complaining, we should have hearts full of thanks for all the many blessings that the Lord does provide for us each day.  He provides all that we need including our physical and spiritual needs.  Our problem is that we often fail to thank Him for that provision.  Often we just want more.

          And He also provides us with all the guidance, wisdom, strength, presence, and peace that we need for daily living.  What more could we want?

           Harry Dixon Lowes (1895-1965) studied at Moody Bible Institute, and after extensive training in music he served a number of churches with a ministry of music. From 1939 until his retirement he was a member of the music faculty of Moody Bible Institute. During his life he wrote the lyrics for 1,500 gospel songs, and composed 3,000 tunes.

          One day, while listening to a sermon on the subject of Christ's atonement entitled "Blessed Redeemer,"  Lowes was inspired to compose this tune. He then sent the melody with the suggested title to Avis Christiansen (1895-1985), a friend for many years, asking her to write the text. She did it and the hymn first appeared in Songs of Redemption, compiled by Marin and Jelks, in 1920, and published by the Baptist Home Mission Board.

         It appears that the text was written from the personal experiences of Lowes and Christiansen who both new the truth of finding all that they needed in Jesus.  They knew that "Jesus is all this poor world needs today".

          Is it your testimony today that "He satisfies, joy He supplies. Life would be worthless without Him.  All things in Jesus I find"?  If not, trust Jesus and find that indeed He is all that you want and need.

1 Friends all around us are trying to find

What the heart yearns for, by sin undermined;

I have the secret, I know where 'tis found:

Only in Jesus true pleasures abound.

Refrain:

All that I want is in Jesus;

He satisfies, joy He supplies;

Life would be worthless without Him,

All things in Jesus I find.

2 Some carry burdens whose weight has for years

Crushed them with sorrow and blinded with tears;

Yet One stands ready to help them just now,

If they with faith and in penitence bow. (Refrain)

3 No other name thrills the joy-chords within,

And thro' none else is remission of sin;

He knows the pain of the heart sorely tried,

All of its needs will in Him be supplied. (Refrain)

4 Jesus is all this poor world needs today;

Blindly men strive, for sin darkens the way.

O to draw back the grim curtains of night--

One glimpse of Jesus, and all will be bright! (Refrain)

Listen to it here.    ALL

THANKS TO GOD FOR MY REDEEMER (TH)

 TIMELESS HYMNS - A special feature in which I choose a previous blog, rewrite it and share it once again.  This hymn was featured here on November 20, 2017

         "It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High (Ps. 92:1).  "Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever" (Ps. 106:1).  

          This week, here in the United States, we will celebrate Thanksgiving Day.  It is a special day when we are encouraged to pause and give thanks for the many blessings we have.  But everyday should be a day of thanksgiving for each believer.  "In everything give thanks" (I Thess. 5:18).  And that certainly is the theme of this week's hymn choice which is of Swedish heritage.  

           The words were penned by August Ludvig Storm (1862-1914).  He was converted to Christ in a Salvation Army meeting. He joined the Salvation Army Corps and became one of its leading officers. He wrote this hymn's text for the Army publication, Stridsropet (The War Cry), on December 5, 1891. 

          The original Swedish version had four stanzas, with each verse beginning with the word 'tack' (thanks)". The gratitude expressed to God ranges from the "dark and dreary fall" to the "pleasant, balmy springtime," and "pain" as well as "pleasure." 

           Storm suffered a back ailment at the age of 37 that left him crippled for life. But he continued to administer his Salvation Army duties until his death. Despite this handicap, Storm shared numerous things that he was thankful for. 

          A year before his death, he wrote another poem in which he thanked God for the years of calm as well as pain. This hymn was written in Swedish and was translated into English in 1931, by Carl Ernest Backstrom (1901-1984). In Storm's Swedish version, he lists some thirty-two things to be thankful for.  

           His hymn could serve as a good outline of things that we should thank the Lord for.  Let me challenge you to use this hymn during your season of thanksgiving this week.  We certainly have so much to be thankful for, even in a pandemic.  Thank you Lord for your bountiful provision.  God is so good.

1.     Thanks to God for my Redeemer,

Thanks for all Thou dost provide!

Thanks for times now but a memory,

Thanks for Jesus by my side!

Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,

Thanks for dark and stormy fall!

Thanks for tears by now forgotten,

Thanks for peace within my soul!

2.     Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,

Thanks for what Thou dost deny!

Thanks for storms that I have weathered,

Thanks for all Thou dost supply!

Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,

Thanks for comfort in despair!

Thanks for grace that none can measure,

Thanks for love beyond compare!

3.     Thanks for roses by the wayside,

Thanks for thorns their stems contain!

Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,

Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!

Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,

Thanks for heav'nly peace with Thee!

Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,

Thanks through all eternity!

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

TRANSFORMED

The process of transformation
of Penn Manor HS

         For many months I have been watching the process of transforming the school where I worked for 39 years into a one hundred million very modern high school.  I have watched them tear down much of the old building, including my first classroom and office, begin to add new structures and remodel some of the old structure.   It is interesting to watch this transformation as well as other old buildings transformed into modern ones.

          But even more amazing are the transformations which the Lord makes in the lives of men and women who are lost in sin.  2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  Now that is a real transformation - sins forgiven, a new purpose, a new motivation, a new future.  I pray that you have experienced that transformation.

          But I also think that true believers need to be transformed as at times we may tend to wander and begin to live like the world.  Romans 12:2 reminds us,  "Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. "  The follower of Christ continues to receive God's transformation in his life. In other words, beyond the initial step of faith, renewal includes ongoing encounters with the living God.   We need His transforming grace throughout our lives.

          In 1920 F. G. Burroughs (1856-1949) shared this thought in her hymn "Transformed".  Years ago this was frequently sung in churches and I forgot all about it until a friend that I haven't seen in decades wrote to me and asked me if I remembered it.  He said it was sung at his father's funeral.  I did remember it and began a very difficult search to find anything about its background.  I found very little information except for some basics about the author...

          The author was the daughter of a Methodist Episcopal minister.  She married Thomas E. Burroughs in 1884 but he died in 1904. She then married Arthur Prince Adams in 1905. He was a minister.  Her poem, "Unanswered yet" which was written in 1879, was published in the The Christian Standard in 1880 with the name F. G. Browning. She also wrote under the names of Aphelia G. Adams and Mrs. T. E. Burroughs. 

           But I could not locate any information about the circumstances behind the writing of this hymn. I imagine the words probably came from her personal experiences. I think the words  speak to that.  The author is asking the Lord to take her tangled strands which have been in vain, the discordant  keys of her life, the broken vows and the failures and  mistakes and transform them all by His grace.  Do we need to ask for the same to be done in our lives?  May Christ get all the glory for the changes and may we resign our way to His most holy will.  Be transformed by grace divine.  May that be our prayer.

1.     Dear Lord, take up our tangled strands,

Where we have wrought in vain,

That by the skill of Thy dear hands

Some beauty may remain.

Refrain:

Transformed by grace divine,

The glory shall be Thine;

To Thy most holy will, O Lord,

We now our all resign.

2.     Touch Thou the sad, discordant keys

Of every troubled breast,

And change to peaceful harmonies

The sighings of unrest.

Refrain:

Transformed by grace divine,

The glory shall be Thine;

To Thy most holy will, O Lord,

We now our all resign

3.     Where broken vows in fragments lie—

The toil of wasted years—

Do Thou make whole again, we cry,

And give a song for tears.

Refrain:

Transformed by grace divine,

The glory shall be Thine;

To Thy most holy will, O Lord,

We now our all resign

4.     Take all the failures, each mistake

Of our poor human ways,

Then, Savior, for Thine own dear sake,

Make them show forth Thy praise.

Refrain:

Transformed by grace divine,

The glory shall be Thine;

To Thy most holy will, O Lord,

We now our all resign

I also had a very difficult time finding a video of this song.  But I finally found one to share with you.  You can listen to it here.  TRANSFORMED

WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE (TH)

TIMELESS HYMNS - A special feature in which I choose a previous blog, rewrite it and share it once again.  This hymn was featured here on February 5, 2012

          The pandemic has made us realize how fragile life can be here on this earth.   We know that this world is not our home but we are often surprised when loved ones and friends are suddenly gone.  While death is not always easy for us to accept, it is much easier when we know the departed one is with the Lord.

          What a comfort to know that because of our relationship with the Lord, we have the assurance that absent from this world means present with the Lord.   And not only will we be eternally with the One who died for us, but we will be reunited with our love ones who have gone ahead of us.  What a day, glorious day that will be!    

           And that fact is what brought me to this week's choice which was written by Jim Hill. He related that his mother-in-law became very sick. He was a very new Christian at the time and one day when he was coming home from work, he was asking God why this was happening to his mother-in-law. Then he said, words just starting filling his mind, but he did not have anything to write the words down. So when he got home he got out of the car, looked down and there was a old piece of cardboard. So he picked it up and wrote down the words to "What A Day That Will Be."

           The first person that Hill sang the song to was his sick mother-in-law. Since then the song has been an anthem of encouragement many times for many people. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21:4.

          I trust that you have the assurance of a future with the Lord in the home which He is preparing for you.  I hope to see you there.

(1)     There is coming a day

When no heartache shall come

No more clouds in the sky

No more tears to dim the eye

All is peace forever more

On that happy golden shore

What a day, glorious day that will be.

Chorus:

What a day that will be

When my Jesus I shall see

And I look upon His face

The One who saved my by His grace

When He takes me by the hand

And leads me through the Promised Land

What a day, glorious day that will be

2)    There'll be no sorrow there

No more burdens to bear

No more sickness, no pain

No more parting over there

And forever I will be

With the One who died for me

What a day, glorious day that will be.

Chorus:

What a day that will be

When my Jesus I shall see

And I look upon His face

The One who saved my by His grace

When He takes me by the hand

And leads me through the Promised Land

What a day, glorious day that will be

Listen to it here.    HEAVEN

HOW CAN I FEAR?

          Sometimes music written for children can contain profound and challenging messages which adults need to hear.  That is often the case in some of the music written by Ron Hamiton, also known as "Patch the Pirate".

          Born in Indiana in 1950, his mother encouraged him to study music as a child, and he reluctantly learned to play the trombone, piano, and the guitar. As a small boy, his family would sing often together, and the children were encouraged to make up their own parts to harmonize.  

          In 1978 a doctor discovered cancer in Hamiton's left eye requiring his eye to be removed.  As he traveled around speaking at evangelistic services in churches children began affectionately calling Hamilton "Patch the Pirate." Around this time he began writing music for children to be sung in church.  He has published hundreds of songs and hymns and written numerous cantatas, plays, and children's stories.

           One of his songs is the one I have chosen this week. It deals with the topic of fear, something often experienced by most children.  Many of the things which used to scare us as children may no longer scare us today.  But life still has a way of producing anxiety and fear in every person.  There is much in our current events that may tend to produce fear in even the stoutest heart. First with COVID-19 and now rioting and protests, who could fault a person for being a little fearful for the future?

           Psalm 23:4 reminds us that God never promises to remove all the difficult or scary circumstances from our lives. We are never promised a life of ease or comfort. What  we are promised is that God will be with us throughout the trial. Hebrews 13:5 states the same promise this way: "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."   He will be right there by our side through every trial, and His presence brings peace to a troubled heart.

          And so Hamiton wrote, "How can I fear?  Jesus is near".  "Jesus is King, He controls everything."   Such a truth that a child can understand and control.   Then why can't we as adults do the same?   Think about that as you read the words of this simple, but very profound, truth.

When shadows fall and the night covers all 

There are things that my eyes cannot see. 

I'll never fear, for the savior is near 

My Lord abides with me. 

How can I fear? 

Jesus is near. 

He ever watches over me. 

Worries all cease. 

He gives me peace. 

How can I fear with Jesus? 

When I'm alone and I face the unknown 

And I fear what the future may be. 

I can depend on the strength of my friend. 

He walks along with me. 

How can I fear? 

Jesus is near. 

He ever watches over me. 

Worries all cease. 

He gives me peace. 

I'll never fear with Him.

Jesus is king  He controls everything

He is with me each night and each day

I trust my soul to the Saviors's control

He drives all fear away

You can listen to it here and maybe the tune and the words will continue to be with you and encourage you this week.   FEAR