10,000 REASONS (TH)

TIMELESS HYMNS - A regular feature in which I choose a previous hymn blog, revise it and post it again.  This one was first posted June 24, 2012. 

          Normally I have shared old hymns, many of which were written centuries ago but have survived through the ages.  You are probably aware that for many folks there is still a controversy over the fact that today most churches have generally abandoned these great hymns and now feature worship and praise choruses.  

          Unfortunately, many of these will never pass the test of time.  They are often written, sung, and then forgotten.  But even so, some of them are very good and they can lead us to worship.  With that in mind, I have deviated from my usual pattern of choices and have chosen one of my favorite praise choruses that was written just last year.   I think it could be a daily prayer for each of us during the days ahead. 

          This was written by Matt Redman, an English Christian worship leader, songwriter and author who, at the age of 39, has had a major impact on the church music of this generation. In 2008 Matt, his wife Beth, along with their three children, moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to plant a church with Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin called Passion City Church.

           In August 2010, Redman and his family returned to the UK. They have since joined a church plant in Brighton at St Peter's Church, Brighton.  In February of 2011, Redman joined Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, and Nathan and Christy Nockels at LIFT - A Worship Leader Collective. 

          His live album, 10,000 Reasons, was recorded during this event.  On July 28, 2012, the title track of Redman's album topped the Billboard Christian Songs chart. It was Redman's first number one hit on American Contemporary Christian radio. 

           In discussing this number, Redman has said the following.  "When I talk about the reasons for God's worth and say there are "ten thousand reasons for my heart to find", that's actually a huge poetic understatement.  The reasons for the praise of God are so wide and wonderful that we could sing from now until forever and never run out of ideas as to why He is quite so worthy."  

          "... my heart may sing to You and not be silent, O lord my God, I will give thanks forever." (Psalm 30:12).  The Psalmist knows of a multitude of reasons why we should worship God.  And he knows of not one reason why he should refrain from doing so.  He can't think of a single motive why he should remain silent.  The same must be true for our own lives.  The worship of Jesus should be vibrant, creative and colorful ss we unfold our hearts in praise.  There will be an eternity of reasons to adore and revere Him"  

          And I doubt that I could add anything to what Matt and the Psalmist have shared.  Truly we have many more than 10,000 reasons to bless the Lord.  May we be reminded of that as we sing these words this week as part of our worship of our Great God.

 

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

 

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes

 

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

 

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger

Your name is great, and Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

 

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

 

And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come

Still my soul will sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years and then forevermore

 

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

 

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name

Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

 

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name

I'll worship Your holy name

 

Listen to Matt Redman's song here.    BLESS

MY WEALTH IS NOT IN WHAT I OWN

          If you are a citizen of the United States, you may presently still be trying to complete your annual income tax.  This can be a very stressful time for most of us.
          Even if we have it done by a tax preparer, the process still requires us to review all of our financial investments and income – wages, IRA’s, bonuses, deposits, stocks, bonds, debts, etc.  Generally, we consider these things to be our personal wealth.  But as we’ve probably learned with recent inflation, this wealth can quickly come and go.

           In addition, one of the struggles we each face is the search for significance. Our 21st-century sense of identity is grounded in individualism, self-entitlement, and narcissism. From whom we marry to what career choice we make, to what church we attend, every choice is geared around what these things do for us.  This attitude of consumerism is one of the most prevalent idols in Western culture and has become an epidemic even in the church.
          This week’s choice is a song that speaks to the subject of worth by reminding us that true significance is found not in our financial wealth but in our identity in Christ.   It was written by Kristyn and Keith Getty and Graham Kendrick, in an attempt to share that we, as men and women created in the image and likeness of the Creator, are created with intrinsic worth. In Christ, no longer do we look to our own accomplishments and achievements to find significance. We look instead to his perfect work on our behalf, and there our souls find the true sense of identity we so crave. The chorus of their song reminds us Jesus is an inheritance and treasure far greater than anything this world has to offer.  
          According to William Temple, “My worth is what I am worth to God, and that is a marvelous great deal, for Christ died for me.”
          This hymn covers a diversity of themes—stewardship, accomplishment, youth and beauty, idolatry, worth, and the atoning work of Christ on our behalf.  It reaffirms that as redeemed men and women our identity is wrapped up in Christ, the sinless Son of God.
          So as you struggle completing your income tax, rejoice that your wealth is not in what you own, but in the costly wounds of love … at the Cross.

My worth is not in what I own

Not in the strength of flesh and bone

But in the costly wounds of love

At the cross

My worth is not in skill or name

In win or lose, in pride or shame

But in the blood of Christ that flowed

At the cross

I rejoice in my Redeemer

Greatest Treasure,

Wellspring of my soul

I will trust in Him, no other.

My soul is satisfied in Him alone.

As summer flowers we fade and die

Fame, youth and beauty hurry by

But life eternal calls to us

At the cross

I will not boast in wealth or might

Or human wisdom's fleeting light

But I will boast in knowing Christ

At the cross

Two wonders here that I confess

My worth and my unworthiness

My value fixed - my ransom paid

At the cross

 

Listen to it here.    WEALTH

 

 

THE WISEMAN

          Sometimes songs which we learn as children are classics because they teach us important truths and often stick with us throughout our lives. Such is this one written in 1948 by Ann Omley.

          I thought of this song in October and November as I watched the devastation in Florida caused by hurricanes.  Homes and buildings built on the sand just crumbled into the ocean as the waves wiped away the sand on which they were built.  Expensive structures gone in minutes because of their foundations.  So sad!

          Jesus told a story about two men: one who builds his house upon a rock and another who builds his house upon sand. I'm sure you know which house weathers the storm. Jesus calls this builder wise. But the house built on the sand collapses during the storm, and the builder is dubbed foolish.                            
          A good foundation is obvious, but its importance can't be overemphasized. The strength of a building lies in its foundation. The main purpose of the foundation is to hold the structure above it and keep it upright. 
          In this parable, Jesus gives us some wise words about the foundation of our lives: "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Matthew 7:24-27)
          Our life foundation is crucial. We will face some storms in this life.  Sometimes the pressure to heed the world's advice and turn away from God's words hits with hurricane force. Today's culture attacks believers like a storm.  At times, even our own feelings bombard us inwardly to do the opposite of God's will. 
          But despite these tensions, the wise person will follow God's words as a result of trust and thankfulness. God will bless the one whose life is built upon the Rock, Jesus Christ. As we grow in trust and obedience, He will anchor our "house" in Him so that we are able to weather the storms. It is God who grows our hope and faith.

1.    The wise man built his house upon the Rock,

The wise man built his house upon the Rock,

The wise man built his house upon the Rock,

And the rains came tumbling down.

The rains came down and the floods came up,

The rains came down and the floods came up,

The rains came down and the floods came up,

But the house on the Rock stood firm.

2.   The foolish man built his house upon the sand,

The foolish man built his house upon the sand,

The foolish man built his house upon the sand,

And the rains came tumbling down.

The rains came down and the floods came up,

The rains came down and the floods came up,

The rains came down and the floods came up,

And the house on the sand fell flat.

3.   So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ,

So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ,

So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ,

And the blessings will come down.

The blessings come down as your prayers go up,

The blessings come down as your prayers go up,

The blessings come down as your prayers go up,

So build your life on the Lord.

Listen to it here.  FOUNDATION

WERE YOU THERE?

          Numerous times over the years I've tried unsuccessfully to write a blog about this hymn.  Each time I quit because I didn't know how to handle the questions "Were you there when …?"  After all, nobody alive today could have literally been there centuries ago.
          Actually I would not have wanted to be there to view the crucifixion.  Our Savior went through terrible pain and suffering.  It would have been very painful for me to watch all that He endured.  On the other hand, observing the resurrection would have been the thrill of a lifetime.  I also would have liked to walk with him and talk with Him on the road to Emmaus.
          Then I read in Isaiah the familiar verses, "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." And there it was.  I was there.  He was carrying my sins and iniquities.  That was why He was there – for me … and for you.  And it does make me tremble when I feel the impact of what He went through for me. 
          This hymn is an African-American spiritual that was first printed in 1899. It was likely composed by enslaved African Americans in the 19th century. The song was first published in William Eleazar Barton's 1899 Old Plantation Hymns but was described in writings prior to this publication. In 1940, it was included in the Episcopal Church hymnal, making it the first spiritual to be included in any major American hymnal.
          Over the years many additional verses have been added but four basic ones are found in most publications.
          As annually we observe Easter seasons with family gatherings, special worship services and big meals, these can easily become just traditions with little meaning.  Let's use this hymn to remind us of the true meaning and impact of these events.  May they cause us to tremble, tremble, tremble!

 

1    Were you there when they

 crucified my Lord? 

Were you there when 

they crucified my Lord?

Oh, sometimes it causes me to

tremble, tremble, tremble. 

Were you there when

they crucified my Lord?

2    Were you there when they

 nailed him to the tree? 

Were you there when they 

nailed him to the tree? 

Oh, sometimes it causes me to 

tremble, tremble, tremble,

Were you there when 

they 

nailed him to the tree? 

 

3    Were you there when they

 

laid him in the tomb? 

Were you there when they 

laid him in the tomb? 

Oh, sometimes it causes me to 

tremble, tremble, tremble.

Were you there when they 

laid him in the tomb? 

 

4    Were you there when God  

raised him from the tomb? 

Were you there when God 

raised him from the tomb? 

Oh, sometimes it causes me to 

tremble, tremble, tremble. 

Were you there when God 

raised him from the tomb? 

Here are two other verses that can be found in some publications.

Were you there when they pierced him in the side? (Were you there?)
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
O sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble!
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?

Were you there when the sun refused to shine? (Were you there?)
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
O sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble!
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?

 

Listen to it here.  TREMBLE

 

THANK YOU!!

THANK YOU for your cards, notes and emails which I received for my birthday.  You'll never know how much they were appreciated.  After the events of the past few years it is nice to know that you still have some friends who haven't forgotten you.  I am also thankful for a faithful God who has provided all that I have needed on my 83 year journey. Have a blessed Easter!

YOUR FAITHFULNESS

For over 16 years I have written weekly hymn blogs, nearly 800 of them.  But while I have shared information about them, I have never shared which were my personal favorites.  So I am beginning in 2023 a new feature in which, once a month, I will share one of my favorites and why it has had an impact on my life.

          The pandemic made us realize how fragile life can be.  We really don't know what a day or even the next hour may hold.  Life can change rapidly. But one thing we know is that there is one who never changes, one who is always faithful.

          This is a lesson that Brian Doerksen learned and wrote about in this song which has become one of my favorites.  Here is what the author has to say about the writing of this song.

          "This song began days before the birth of our sixth child, who was born in Kingston upon Thames, England while we were living and working there. Several years before this, we had found out about "Fragile X syndrome," a permanent condition that was affecting our son, causing severe development delays and other big challenges. Knowing that the syndrome is passed genetically through the mother, and having four daughters and one son, we decided to take a 'step of faith' to try and have one more child. We were hoping and praying for a son who would not be affected with the syndrome. 

          As the due date approached in June of '99, I found myself becoming more and more overwhelmed by the uncertainties of life, and I asked myself this simple question, "Is there anything I can count on in life?" As I began to pour out my heart at the piano, this song spilled out amid the tears, with the assurance that there is only one thing we can really count on, even when we don't understand - The faithfulness of God. 

          This song was initially used in Father's House, the Musical in London in 2000 with different words in verse three. When I began to prepare for this recording, I decided it was right to include so I changed the words of verse three from a lyrical focus on the vision of Father's House, to a verse on our appointment with death. 

          Actually, the day I wrote the new words for verse three was the day after my car was totaled in an accident, and the day before I was booked to sing at the Seven Oaks Alliance Church in Abbotsford. That weekend one of the elders from that church had been killed in an accident, and the words about our appointment with death rang particularly true that Sunday morning. 

          Our sixth child was a son, and we gave him the name "Isaiah Robert," which means "God is generous - Shining Fame." We found out recently that Isaiah has Fragile X Syndrome as well. The day we found out, my natural response was to resign from ministry and to focus all my energies on raising special needs children. Before that day was done, both Joyce and I felt God's leading not to resign, but to continue to move forward and minister with a 'limp', trusting God's faithfulness to carry us through." 

          As each of us face a new day, we face it not knowing what tomorrow may bring. It may be filled with pain and suffering. It may be disappointing. But there is one thing that is as certain as the rivers reach the sea and as certain as the sunrise in the east. And that is God's faithfulness. 

          May each of us face each new day knowing that as God has been faithful in the past, He will continue to be faithful in the days ahead.

 

I don't know what this day will bring

Will it be disappointing, filled with longed for things?

I don't know what tomorrow holds

Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

 

I don't know if these clouds mean rain

If they do, will they pour down blessing or pain?

I don't know what the future holds

Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

 

Certain as the rivers reach the sea

Certain as the sunrise in the east

I can rest in your faithfulness

Surer than a mother's tender love

Surer than the stars still shine above

I can rest in your faithfulness

 

I don't know how or when I'll die

Will it be a thief, or will I have a chance to say goodbye?

No, I don't know how much time is left

But in the end, I will know your faithfulness

 

When darkness overwhelms my soul

When thoughts and storms of doubt

Still I trust You are always faithful, always faithful

 

Certain as the rivers reach the sea

Certain as the sunrise in the east

I can rest in your faithfulness

Surer than a mother's tender love

Surer than the stars still shine above

I can rest in your faithfulness

 

I don't know what this day will bring

Will it be disappointing, filled with longed for things?

I don't know what tomorrow holds

Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

 

You can listen to this sung here.  LISTEN