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

CHRIST THE SURE AND STEADY ANCHOR

         While in this blog I have usually featured "old" hymns, there are some powerful new congregational worship songs being written today.  Among the modern authors of these are Matt Boswell and Matt Papa who teamed together to write this week's choice, "Christ The Sure and Steady Anchor". Boswell is a singer, songwriter, pastor and worship leader who has served at various Texas-based churches since the late 1990's.  Papa is also a contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, hymn writer and worship leader.  Papa has worked extensively with Keith and Kristyn Getty who are also noted for their new worship songs.

          Using the metaphor of the sea, storms and wind, this song is crafted around the idea of holding onto Christ (The Anchor) when trials are high in our lives. The first verse opens with the singer in the midst (the fury) of their storm finding them sinking. But the verse ends with the powerful testimony, "When my sinking hopes are few, I will hold fast to the anchor, I will never be removed."

          The next few verses remind us that as the strength of the tempest grows, so does the ability of Christ as the anchor to root in deeper while we cling to Him.  Despite temptation, weakness and unbelief we are assured of Christ's steadfastness.  He will never let us go.

          Finally the authors remind us how we will know the "calm" and even know it better because we have endured the high seas of life and were protected by Jesus, our eternal anchor.  This anchor is eternally firm and secure.  Great is His faithfulness!

          Now maybe you are in the midst of a heavy storm today and you feel pounded by the waves.  Or maybe there is such a storm on your horizon.  We don't need to look far in our world today to see the unsteadiness that surrounds us.  Storms happen to all of us.  We live in very difficult times and we need an anchor to ground us and steady us.  The only anchor that can do that is the anchor of hope that we have in Jesus Christ.  It is firm and secure!

          His Word has promised, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal" (Isaiah 26:3,4)

Christ the sure and steady anchor

In the fury of the storm

When the winds of doubt blow through me

When my sails have all been torn

In the suffering, in the sorrow

When my sinking hopes are few

I will hold fast to the anchor

It will never be removed

Christ the sure and steady anchor

While the tempest rages on

When temptation claims the battle

And it seems the night has won

Deeper still then goes the anchor

Though I justly stand accused

I will hold fast to the anchor

It shall never be removed

Christ the sure and steady anchor

Through the floods of unbelief

Hopeless somehow, o my soul

Now, lift your eyes to Calvary

This my ballast of assurance

See His love forever proved

I will hold fast to the anchor

It will never be removed

Christ the sure and steady anchor

As we face the wave of death

When these trials give way to glory

As we draw our final breath

We will cross that great horizon

Clouds behind and life secure

And the calm will be the better

For the storms that we endure

Christ the shore of our salvation

Ever faithful ever true

We will hold fast to the anchor,

It shall never be removed.

© 2014 Doxology & Theology, Love Your Enemies Publishing. CCLI Song No. 7045331

Listen to it here   ANCHOR

HE KNOWS JUST WHAT I NEED

             At times life can be very hard.  Sometimes the burdens seem almost too heavy to bear.  You may feel like you are sinking and need someone to lift you up, but nobody does.  Sometimes you can become so lonely and need help, but no one seems to understand or care.  Friends seem to forget you and even you may not know what you need.

          But there is One who cares, One who knows just what you need, often even better than you yourself know what you need.  And He is there to supply your every need and throw His arms around you and whisper "You're not alone".  He alone knows just what you need.

          And that is the truth shared in this week's song choice.  It appears that the song was written by Mosie Lister although some credit it to Elvis, probably because it was one of the songs that Elvis often sang and recorded.

          But once again I couldn't find why this song was written.  But it must have come from experiences where the Lord provided the deep needs of  one of His children.  He does that.  It must be a testimony of this provision.

          Indeed we need to know Jesus, the One who knows our needs.  We first need Him for salvation, our most basic need.  Throughout life we need His guidance and wisdom,  We also need His comfort and hope when hard times come, and they do.  We also need strength to avoid temptations that will destroy us and we need His help to live as we should. He's our shelter in the time of trouble.   He's our rock and our deliverer. He's our strength, our God, and our King.  What more could we want?

           So if you are presently lonely and carrying a heavy burden, then cling to Him for He loves you and He cares.  He knows your needs even better than you do.  He will not fail you, even when your dearest friend on earth fails or forgets you.  Yes He does know just what you need.

         

1.     My Jesus knows when I am Lonely

He knows each pain, He sees each tear

He understands each lonely heartache

He understands because He cares

My Jesus knows just what I need

Oh yes! He knows just what I need

He satisfies and every need supplies

Yes, He knows just what I need

2.     My Jesus knows when I am burdened

He knows how much my heart can bear

He lifts me up when I am sinking

And brings me joy beyond compare

My Jesus knows just what I need

Oh yes! He knows just what I need

He satisfies and every need supplies

Yes, He knows just what I need

3.     When other friends seem to forget me

When skies are dark, when hope is gone

By faith I feel His arms around me

And hear Him say, "You're not alone"

My Jesus knows just what I need

Oh yes! He knows just what I need

He satisfies and every need supplies

Yes, He knows just what I need

He satisfies and every need supplies

Yes, He knows just what I need

Listen to it here.     NEED

I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY (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 September 18, 2011.

          Katherine Hankey was born in 1834, the daughter of a wealthy English banker. Early in life Katherine caught the evangelical concern from her father and she began organizing Sunday School classes for rich and poor throughout London. All of the royalties received from these publications were always directed to a foreign mission project.
          When Katherine was only thirty years of age, she experienced a serious illness. During a long period of recovery she wrote a lengthy poem on the life of Christ. The poem consisted of two main sections, each containing fifty verses. The first section of the poem was entitled "The Story Wanted." and it was from this part of her poem that she later adapted the words for another of her familiar hymn texts, "Tell Me the Old, Old Story."
         Later that same year, while still recovering from her illness, she completed the second part of her poem on the life of Christ. This sequel to the first section was entitled "The Story Told." From these verses came the text for "I Love to Tell the Story," Being musically inclined, Kate also composed her own tunes for these two texts.
         Her hymns received little notice, however, when used with this music. The following year, 1867, a large international YMCA convention was held in Montreal, Canada. One of the speakers at the convention, Major General Russell from England, closed his emotionally charged message to the delegates by quoting the verses from Miss Hankey's two hymn texts. In the audience that day was a noted American gospel musician, William H. Doane, composer of more than 2,000 gospel songs. Mr. Doane was greatly moved by these lines an promptly composed musical settings for both texts.
         Later a new musical setting, which replaced Doane's music for "I Love to Tell the Story," was composed by William G. Fisher, a Philadelphia musician and piano dealer. Fischer also added the refrain for the hymn, "I Love to tell the story! 'Twill be my theme in glory-to tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love."
          In 1875 the hymn appeared in its present form in Bliss and Sankey's collection, Gospel Hymns and Sacred Songs, which brought "I Love to Tell the Story" to the attention of evangelical congregations everywhere.

          Do we love to tell the story of Jesus and His love?  Does it seem more wonderful everytime we share it?  It's an old old story but it should thrill us anew every time we hear it and share it.  May we never tire of sharing about Jesus and His wonderful, amazing love.

1.    I love to tell the story of unseen things above,

Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love;

I love to tell the story, because I know 'tis true,

It satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.

  Refrain:

I love to tell the story,

'Twill be my theme in glory,

To tell the old, old story

Of Jesus and His love.

2.    I love to tell the story, more wonderful it seems

Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams;

I love to tell the story, it did so much for me,

And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.

I love to tell the story,

'Twill be my theme in glory,

To tell the old, old story

Of Jesus and His love.

3.    I love to tell the story, 'tis pleasant to repeat,

What seems each time I tell it more wonderfully sweet;

I love to tell the story, for some have never heard

The message of salvation from God's own holy Word.

I love to tell the story,

'Twill be my theme in glory,

To tell the old, old story

Of Jesus and His love.

4.    I love to tell the story, for those who know it best

Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest;

And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,

'Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

I love to tell the story,

'Twill be my theme in glory,

To tell the old, old story

Of Jesus and His love.

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

IT MAY BE TODAY (THE CHRIST I LOVE)

         I love it when my wife sits at our piano and from memory plays hymns and choruses that we grew up singing.  Recently I listened as she played the song "It May Be Today", also known as "The Christ I Love".  As the words suddenly came back to my mind I was encouraged with the truth that Christ, the One I love, could soon call us home at any time - morning, night or noon.  I was encouraged and my heart silently cried out, "Lord, come soon!".

          As I began to search on the internet I found that this song was written by Bea Bush Bixler (1916-2013), one of the twentieth century's most prolific song writers, pianists, and vocalists.  She made her entry into Christian music with the success of "Life Is A Symphony"  which was often included at Youth for Christ rallies around the United States.  Her songs such as "It Maybe Today", "Life is a Symphony", "I Am Not Worthy", "It May Be Today" and "The Breaking of the Bread", were featured in the song  books by Singspiration, Favorites. These songs were particularly popular in the 1940s through 1970s in church meetings and revivals.

         Bea was a weak and ill child and one day as her mother was hanging the laundry in their back yard, a neighbor inquired as to Bea's health. Her mother reported that it was poor, and the neighbor said she would ask the people of her local church to join her in prayer for the healing and health of this little one. Not long after, Bea made a recovery and became well and strong. After her healing her family began faithful attendance at that very church.  

         Bea began learning to play and to love the piano. She learned and improved so rapidly, that soon she was playing both by ear and by memorization,  She was improvising, playing in the "evangelistic style" of the early twentieth century, and soon she was playing in the evening services in that local church whose members had prayed for her healing.   

          Recognizing that she had God-given gifts in the area of music, Bea left for the Missionary Training Institute [now Nyack College] in Nyack, New York to major in piano and voice. There she progressed so far that it was acknowledged that the faculty there could take her no further and so she transferred to Houghton College in Western New York. There she excelled in piano, voice, and composition. Her grasp of musical theory was highly advanced.  During this time she was actively playing for Gospel quartets, choirs, local churches, and for college touring groups.  She is said to have written more than 450 pieces, but  unfortunately the majority have never been either recorded or reduced to the written page.

          The message of this particular song is especially appropriate today when many hearts are broken and tears are being shed.  But Christ has left the message that He will call us home and so our hearts need not be troubled.  Someday soon we will be raptured.  So be encouraged, the One we love is coming - soon - it might even be today - at morning, night or noon!   Maranatha!

1.     There is a message written in the word of God for me. 

My Saviour put it there, to ease my load of care. 

I read let not your heart be troubled I will come again 

That with me you may be through out eternity.

The Christ I love, is coming soon 

It maybe morning night or noon. 

My lamps are lit I'll watch and pray 

It maybe today It maybe today.  

2.     So many hearts are broken here, so many tears are shed 

But Jesus gives sweet peace, His message brings relief 

He'll come again for those he love the clouds will part someday 

And Jesus will break through, I'm going up are you.

The Christ I love, is coming soon 

It maybe morning night or noon. 

My lamps are lit I'll watch and pray 

It maybe today It maybe today.   

3.     This is the Christian's hope and like a beacon in the sky 

It still send forth it's light to make the pathway bright 

The dead in Christ and we remaining shall be upward caught 

Oh what a day t'will be blest day of victory.

The Christ I love, is coming soon 

It maybe morning night or noon. 

My lamps are lit I'll watch and pray 

It maybe today It maybe today. 

Listen to it here.  TODAY