Thursday, May 27, 2010

A Thought for the Day

The Bible has great stories; one of my favorite stories is in 2 Samuel 9. David has ascended to the throne of Israel and as he does so, he asks a question in verse 3 of this chapter: "Is there anyone remaining of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?"

The interesting this about this is that Saul was so spiteful and mean and hateful to David. But that did not matter to David; he knew that God has been kind to him and he wanted to show to someone else the same kindness he had received.

We've all been hurt, disappointed, treated badly by others and wounded in relationships. Yet today will be a different day if each of us attempts to show the same kindness to others - even to those who have done us wrong - that God has shown to us.

Try it and let us know what happens.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

A Song for the Day

Good morning,
I woke up this morning singing this song and so thought I'd share it with you. The tune is not one with which I became familiar with the hymn, but I love the words nonetheless.

Drop below the lyrics included here and read some of the interesting history of the song as well.

Click here: Jesus, Lover of My Soul by Charles Wesley

Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.
All my trust on thee is stayed, all my help from thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of thy wing.

Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is thy name, I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am; thou art full of truth and grace.

Plenteous grace with thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound, make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of thee;
Spring thou up within my heart; rise to all eternity.

The sacred hymn "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" never loses its appeal for it speaks to the basic need of every human heart, a personal dependence upon the infinite God. This Christian song, written by Charles Wesley, is found in nearly every published hymnal and has been translated into almost every known language.

Greatness of "Jesus, Lover of My Soul"
Of the 6500 hymns written by Charles Wesley, "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" is generally considered to be his finest. A prominent American preacher, Henry Ward Beecher, acclaimed the hymn's greatness when he wrote: "I would rather have written that hymn of Wesley's than to have the fame of all the kings that ever sat on earth; it is more glorious, it has more power in it."

It is interesting to note that when Charles Wesley first presented it to his brother, John, founder of the Methodist Church, rejected it on account that it was too sentimental. The hymn came into general use only after the author's death. It was first published in 1740 in a collection of 139 hymns known as Hymns and Sacred Poems.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Scripture Thought for the Day

"I pray to you, O God, because you answer me; so turn to me and listen to my words. Reveal your wonderful love and save me; at your side I am safe from my enemies." Psalm 17:6-7, Today's English Version

Friday, May 7, 2010

A Song for the Day

Click here: Saved, Saved - MIDI and Lyrics - Sacred Hymns - Bible Study Charts.com - Free MIDI Hymns

I attended the revival last night at Walls Memorial in Buffalo where Pastor Scot Moore preached. At the close of his sermon, he sang this song and it lifted the worship to another level (with a big assist from our musician, Michael Rogers on the organ). It inspired me so that I wanted to share it with each of you today, for "life now is sweet and my joy is complete for I'm SAVED, SAVED, SAVED!"

Thursday, May 6, 2010

A Thought for the Day

"It takes God a long time to get us out of the way of thinking that unless everyone sees as we do, they must be wrong. Don't get impatient, remember how God dealt with you - with patience and with gentleness. Jesus said, 'Go and make disciples,' not 'make converts to your opinions.'" Oswald Chambers

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

A Thought for the Day (reflections from the cruise)

Good morning, all.

We all had a wonderful time on the cruise. Thanks is especially due to Sis. Alma Campbell for her diligence in putting this wonderful event together! I had time to rest, think and reflect. I did what I enjoy most - read. I was given space and quiet for the most part, which I value highly. I was "off duty" last week. One of my students described it well, she described me as "selectively social." I am grateful to the members of Memorial for the understanding of that which most of you showed.

Well, one day on the cruise, I got up early and went to the deck of the ship. I looked out over the expanse of water that was before me - an awesome sight. It was not intimidating to me at all, in fact it was quite soothing and reassuring. That was because I thought of this song that I learned when I was a child, which described more than adequately what I felt and sensed at that moment. The thought comforts me even now.

Reflect on this song, sing along if you like, and be blessed today in this knowledge.

Click here: Oremus Hymnal: There's a wideness in God's mercy

There's a wideness in God's mercy like the wideness of the sea;
There's a kindness in his justice, which is more than liberty.
There is welcome for the sinner, and more graces for the good;
There is mercy with the Savior; there is healing in his blood.

There is no place where earth's sorrows are more felt than in heaven;
There is no place where earth's failings have such kind judgment given.
There is plentiful redemption in the blood that has been shed;
There is joy for all the members in the sorrows of the Head.

For the love of God is broader than the measure of man's mind;
And the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more faithful, we should take him at his word;
And our life would be thanksgiving for the goodness of the Lord.