Fwd: FACE TO FACE (TH)

TIMELESS HYMN - A feature where I choose a hymn that I have written about before, rewrite and edit it, then post it a second time to encourage my readers.  This one was first shared on January 9, 2011.

          Have you ever met somebody very important face to face? If you have, you will never forget that experience. 

          In 1984 my wife and I met President Regan on the White House lawn after I had received a national award from him.  We were able to talk to him face to face. I also was able to take a picture of him which I still treasure today. 

          At almost the same time one of my best friends had a heart attack and was taken to heaven where he met our Savior face to face.  What an even greater thrill that must have been for Paul.

           Carrie E. Breck (1855-1934), a mother of five, wrote poetry as she would rock her small children.  She wrote more than 2,000 poems during her lifetime. It is said that she was tone deaf, but several of her poems were set to music by various musicians. 

          Once she sent one of her poems to Grant C. Tullar (1869-1950) and he found that it fit a tune which he had just written the night before. The poem talked about a time which will surpass even meetings with presidents - a time when we will see the Lord face to face. What a special experience that will be - a time of rejoicing and worship unlike anything else we will ever experience.  That meeting should be the hope of each believer.

          I trust that you know Jesus as your Savior and are looking forward, with assurance and anticipation, to that special day.  Maybe this year will be the time when we do finally meet him ... face to face in all His glory ,,, the One who died for us!  Are you ready?

Face to face with Christ, my Savior,

Face to face--what will it be?

When with rapture I behold Him,

Jesus Christ who died for me.

Face to face I shall behold Him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all His glory,

I shall see Him by and by!

Only faintly now, I see Him,

With the darkling veil between,

But a blessed day is coming,

When His glory shall be seen.

Face to face I shall behold Him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all His glory,

I shall see Him by and by!

What rejoicing in His presence,

When are banished grief and pain;

When the crooked ways are straightened,

And the dark things shall be plain.

Face to face I shall behold Him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all His glory,

I shall see Him by and by!

Face to face! O blissful moment!

Face to face--to see and know;

Face to face with my Redeemer,

Jesus Christ who loves me so.

Face to face I shall behold Him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all His glory,

I shall see Him by and by!

Listen to it here.     FACE

THE FAMILY OF GOD

          I thank the Lord that He allowed me to be born into an earthly family that loved and served the Lord.  For several generations my family members have modeled Christ to me.  There was plenty of love, respect, acceptance, guidance and Biblical teaching throughout my life.

          Sadly not everybody has the same testimony and legacy.  Many families must deal with differences, separation, divorce and even death.  Many children must grow up without any Biblical training.  Satan has been busy for centuries attacking families.  And he has been very successful in doing so.

          But fortunately, no matter what one's earthly home might be like, it is possible for all to belong to the an eternal family, the family of God.  By accepting his free gift of salvation you can be born into this family where there is love, respect, guidance, daily provision and an eternal hope.  It includes those of every race, tongue and nation.

          Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote a very simple but profound song about this family and that is the choice for this week.  Gloria shared how this song was written.  It involved Ron and Darlene Garner and their three children, a young family in Gaither's church in Indiana.  Here is what she has shared.

       "It was the Saturday after Good Friday that Ron went in for work at the garage where he was serving as a mechanic. He was making up time that he had taken off the previous Thursday to take his little daughter for some tests prior to some anticipated heart surgery.

       While Ron was working with combustible material, there was an explosion. He managed to crash his way through the large double doors before the building blew apart and went up in flames, but he was severely burned over most of his body.

       Ron was alive but was not expected to make it through the night. Within minutes a chain of telephone calls alerted the family of God, and the whole church began to pray for Ron.  Little groups, bigger groups, in homes, at the church, over the phone. The church building was kept open, and lights burned all through the night as a steady stream of folks who cared and loved came to talk to Jesus about this young father.

       Easter morning the sun rose on a sanctuary filled with a bleary-eyed congregation. The pastor came in with a report from the hospital.  Ron has outlived the deadline. The doctor says he has a chance.

       For the Body of Christ, that news was better than eight hours of sleep and a good breakfast. New life was infused into us all. Tears of praise and joy began to flow, and our hope and gratitude poured itself into the glorious songs of Easter. Jesus lives, and because He lives, we too shall live!

       With the words of victory we pledged ourselves to what would lie ahead: help with the children, many long trips to the hospital, blood for transfusions, money, meals - long months of support while the healing process went on.

       On our way home from church that morning Bill and I were so full of the beauty of it all that we could hardly speak. Finally, we said to each other what we had come to realize through all this: They'd do that for us, too!

       It was almost too good to realize, but it was true! We aren't very model church members. The function we fill in the Body of Christ takes us away from a lot of the activities of our congregation. We're never available on Fridays and Saturdays. We arrive early on Sunday mornings to get our children to their Sunday school and church, but we can't be counted to teach a class with a schedule like that.

       But they'd do the same thing for us if we were the part of the Body that was suffering! Not because we were worthy or had earned special treatment or were indispensable - but just because we were a part of the Family of God!

       As I started dinner, Bill sat down at the piano. It wasn't long before the magnetism of the chorus Bill was singing drew me from the kitchen to the piano, and we finished the song that was to feed us better than any other food."

      

(1) You will notice we say "brother

and sister" 'round here-

It's because we're a family

and these folks are so near;

When one has a heartache

we all share the tears,

And rejoice in each victory

In this family so dear.

Refrain

 I'm so glad I'm a part

of the family of God-

I've been washed in the fountain,

cleansed by His blood!

Joint heirs with Jesus

as we travel this sod,

For I'm part of the family,

the family of God.

      

(2) From the door of an orphanage

to the house of the King-

No longer an outcast,

a new song I sing;

From rags unto riches,

from the weak to the strong,

I'm not worthy to be here,

But, praise God, I belong!

Refrain

 I'm so glad I'm a part

of the family of God-

I've been washed in the fountain,

cleansed by His blood!

Joint heirs with Jesus

as we travel this sod,

For I'm part of the family,

the family of God.

Listen to it here.    FAMILY

MY LORD KNOWS THE WAY

          One of the many interesting stories in the Bible is the Old Testament account of the Israelites long journey through the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land.

          After four hundred and thirty years of Egyptian bondage, the children of Israel were set free.  They were on their way to Canaan, the land of promise.  The major trade route from Egypt to Canaan was by what was known as "the way of the Philistines."  This well-traveled highway would lead them directly east, then northeast. 

          God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, 'Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.'"  Exodus 13:17.  They had just departed from a land of the dead and they weren't ready to do battle with the mighty Philistines. 

          "So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea."  Instead of traveling east, they went south.  It's interesting that "the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt."  They followed the Leader.  When Pharaoh learned of their whereabouts, he said, "They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in."  He didn't realize that the Lord knows the way through the wilderness, and where there is no way He makes a way.

          "And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night."  What a comforting sight!  As long as they saw the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire they knew that God was with them, leading the way.  Day and night!  The psalmist wrote, "Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."  Psalm 121:4.  The Lord provided guidance twenty-four hours a day.  "He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people."  Exodus 13:21, 22.  His presence was a permanent presence.

          And for 40 years they wandered and often complained and rebelled.  But God provided all that they needed in their wilderness wandering - manna daily, water when needed and guidance and protection each day and night.

          It was probably this event that caused  Sidney E. Cox (1887-1975) to pen this chorus of personal application.  In 1908 he joined the Methodist church but soon moved to the Salvation Army, where he worked from the years 1909 until 1944, eventually becoming a Major. After he left the Salvation Army he devoted his focus to evangelical revival work. Over the course of his life, Cox authored or composed approximately 400 songs. 

          This chorus is one that I remember singing almost weekly in prayer meetings.  It was a source of strength and encouragement for God's children.  Hopefully it will be an encouragement for you this week.

          Sometimes our lives are a journey through the wilderness.  Pain and danger can be everywhere and we need direction and deliverance.  We also need daily guidance in our walk with the Lord.  There aren't any shortcuts in the Christian life.  We don't have a pillar of cloud to lead us in the day, or a pillar of fire at night.  But we do have the word of God.  "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  Psalm 119:105.  Let the word of God dwell in you richly.  It will never lead you astray.

          "… He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Psalm. 23:3.  My Lord does know the way through the wilderness.

My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,

All I have to do is follow.

My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,

All I have to do is follow.

Strength for today is mine all the way,

And all that I need for tomorrow.

My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,

All I have to do is follow.

Listen to it here.    WILDERNESS

Fwd: WATCH AND PRAY

           I guess I should not be surprised when I find a hymn written by Fanny Crosby (1820-1915) that I have never heard before.  The blind hymn writer is said to have written more than 8,000 hymns and gospel songs.

          Fanny became blind at the age of six weeks from maltreatment of her eyes during a spell of sickness. At the age of fifteen she entered the New York Institution for the Blind, where she received a good education. She became a teacher in the institution in 1847, and continued her work until 1858. She taught English grammar, rhetoric and American history.

          She began to write Sunday-school hymns for Wm. B. Bradbury in 1864. Since then she supported herself by writing hymns. Remarkably she could compose at any time and did not need to wait for any special inspiration.  Her best hymns came on the spur of the moment. It is said that she always composed with an open book in her hand, generally a copy of Golden Hymns, held closely over her eyes, bottom side up.  

          In 1877, Crosby met William J. Kirkpatrick (1938-1921), one of the most prolific composers of gospel song tunes and "the most prominent publisher in the Wesleyan/Holiness Movement". She called him "Kirkie" and she wrote many hymns, including this week's choice, with him

          Many of her hymns were inspired by scripture.  While I could not find anything about the actual writing of this hymn, it does appear that it must have been based on Matthew 26:41, " Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."  Or on Mark 13:33, " Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."  She wrote the words of this hymn in 1885.

          Though written over 150 years ago, the words are appropriate for the day that we live in.  Sin abounds everywhere.  Satan is on the move.  We need to watch that we aren't taken in.   We need to watch and pray and keep the heart with jealous care.

          And events around the world today may indicate that the rapture could be very near.  It could be at morning, noon or night.  We need to watch until we hear the Bridegroom's voice. Then we will rejoice evermore.

          Until that day, let our lights be burning clear and bright, and may we watch and pray!

1.   Watch and pray that when the Master cometh,

If at morning, noon, or night,

He may find a lamp in every window,

Trimmed, and burning clear and bright.

Refrain:

Watch and pray, the Lord commandeth;

Watch and pray, 'twill not be long.

Soon He'll gather home His loved ones,

To the happy vale of song.

2.   Watch and pray; the tempter may be near us;

Keep the heart with jealous care,

Lest the door, a moment left unguarded,

Evil thoughts may enter there.

Refrain:

Watch and pray, the Lord commandeth;

Watch and pray, 'twill not be long.

Soon He'll gather home His loved ones,

To the happy vale of song.

3.   Watch and pray, nor let us ever weary;

Jesus watched and prayed alone;

Prayed for us when only stars beheld Him,

While on Olive's brow they shone.

Refrain:

Watch and pray, the Lord commandeth;

Watch and pray, 'twill not be long.

Soon He'll gather home His loved ones,

To the happy vale of song.

4.   Watch and pray, nor leave our post of duty,

Till we hear the Bridegroom's voice;

Then with Him the marriage feast partaking,

We shall evermore rejoice.

Refrain:

Watch and pray, the Lord commandeth;

Watch and pray, 'twill not be long.

Soon He'll gather home His loved ones,

To the happy vale of song.

Listen to it here.   WATCH

BREATHE ON ME BREATH OF GOD (TH)

TIMELESS HYMNS -A spoecial feature where I select a hymn that I have blogged about previously, rewrie it and share it once again.  This one was shared on January 16, 2011.

          Winter here in Pennsylvania, especially in January or February, can be a very barren time. Shrubs and flowers are gone. Cold winds whip around us. Travel can be difficult. The days are short and night comes quickly. But then the return of spring provides a breath of hope as life seems to burst through once again. 

          But isn't life often like that for us? We go through barren periods when God seems so far away. We get discouraged and try to do things on our own. But fortunately, God hasn't left us alone. He has sent His Comforter to indwell us, and guide us, and teach us. This barren feeling comes because we don't yield all our efforts to Him and spend time in prayer and Bible reading.. 

          Maybe it was a barren time in the life of Edwin Hatch when he cried out "breathe on me, breath of God". I am only guessing that this might have been the case since I can't find anything at all about the background of this old hymn. And all I can find out about the author was that he lived from 1835 to 1889 and apparently penned these words in 1878. He was an English theologian and is is best known as the author of the paper Influence of Greek Ideas and Usages Upon the Christian Church, which he presented during the 1888 Hibbert Lectures. 

          This hymn appears to be the only poem which Hatch wrote or the only one of his that has survived the years. But we don't need to know much about the author or the background of the hymn to appreciate its powerful words. Maybe we should make them our daily prayer for the coming year. 

          Only when we yield to the Holy Spirit will out lives experience the life and joy and meaning that God has intended us to have. The winter of our lives will then will burst into spring.   We will experience life anew.  Our hearts will be pure and we will glow with the Spirit's fure.

          Take time to meditate upon the words of this hymn this week and make them your daily prayer.

1. Breathe on me, breath of God,

Fill me with life anew,

That I may love what Thou dost love,

And do what Thou wouldst do.

2. Breathe on me, breath of God,

Until my heart is pure,

Until with Thee I will one will,

To do and to endure.

3. Breathe on me, breath of God,

Till I am wholly Thine,

Until this earthly part of me

Glows with Thy fire divine.

4. Breathe on me, breath of God,

So shall I never die,

But live with Thee the perfect life

Of Thine eternity.

Listen to it here.     BREATH