December 2010 Archives
Comfort for the Hurting
Earlier this evening, I was watching the Cathedral’s Reunion video. Talk about memories. I still miss George Younce, Glen Payne, and Roger Bennett. I only met them twice but they were role models who were ready to see Jesus.
I’ve also been thinking the past couple days about a dear friend who went Home to be with Jesus a couple years ago. It may sound odd but I think I miss him more now than I ever have.
This week, I heard from three friends who are battling cancer, all of which seems like the cancer will take them if God doesn’t perform a miracle.
I don’t know why some people see miracles upon miracles while others don’t but I do know that God is in control. Maybe sometimes we have to go through those things so that we can more effectively minister to others who are going through the same situation(s). I know God’s proven that in my life. When I haven’t been through something, it can make it hard to know how to encourage someone else but, when I’ve been there, I know better how to pray and I’m definitely more compassionate.
If you’ve recently experienced the loss of a loved one or if you currently have a friend or family member who’s suffering, draw near to God. He can give you the comfort you need and He can bring the right people to speak His words to you. You are not alone. He loves you more than you can fathom and He has promised to not leave you if you will turn to Him. His arms are open toward you. Run into them and receive His comfort today.
Thoughts of Christmas
I can’t believe I didn’t put up a post for Christmas but I hope you all had a wonderful day celebrating with your loved ones. Whether a large gathering or a small one, I hope that Jesus was the center. After all, without Him, there would be no Christmas. I realize December 25 is more than likely not the day that Jesus was born but I’m grateful to have a day in which to think about the sacrifice He made in leaving the splendor of Heaven to come to earth as a helpless baby. As He grew, He must have been teased as other children. I’m sure He was misunderstood as He refused to give in to peer pressure.
Then there was the time as a teenager when He began teaching teachers. Here was a young man from a poor family, not even a teenager yet but He knew so much more than those who had spent years studying and learning. What must they have thought?
I can’t understand love so strong that a person would choose to leave the luxury of Paradise and come to live with sinful human beings who wouldn’t appreciate Him but would mock Him, spit on Him, and even kill Him. That is love beyond comprehension but He did it for you and for me.
Thank You, Lord, for Your love. Teach me how to love You in return.
Christmas Eve Ramblings
As Christmas Eve approaches, I’m getting excited. I guess there’s enough of a child in me that I always look forward to Christmas, and the day before is when I wrap any gifts that I’ve purchased and this year, I’ll also work on organizing my bedroom. I’d hoped to do so before now but I want next week to be relaxing and enjoyable. I need to hear from God and it’s a lot easier to hear Him when my space is not so chaotic. There is other house cleaning that will need to be done too but I won’t think about that just yet.
I was thinking this evening about the verse which talks about learning how to be abased and learning how to abound. I’ve been in both positions and everywhere in between and I think sometimes it’s harder to learn how to abound. People who have money seem to think it’s a cure-all while people who don’t often realize what’s truly important. Regardless of if you have a lot or a little, you are very blessed. God knows what you need and He will continue to provide those things for you.
As you go through this day, take time to count your blessings. Every time God brings something else to your mind, thank Him again. He’s so worthy and we have so much to be thankful for! (Do I say that enough?)
Peace On Earth
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
I find it interesting that, at a time when we sing about “peace on earth,” it can be hard to find peace anywhere. People are beginning to be stressed by holiday preparation, last minute food and gift purchases, making sure the house is ready for guests, and a myriad of other things. Yet what a testimony it would be if we would take the time in the midst of our hectic schedules to look to our loving Father and ask Him for peace and for guidance. Stress seems to be a result of trying to do things ourselves instead of letting God help us.
If you’re beginning to feel overwhelmed and you find yourself feeling anything but peaceful, why don’t you stop, take a deep breath, and ask God to help you? The gifts and the meal won’t mean much to your family if you’ve been “biting their heads off.” The atmosphere of the home is what they will remember for years and that is the most important part. If this is truly a day we’ve given to Christ, His presence should be felt and His purposes accomplished. Let’s make sure to keep at the forefront of our minds the purpose of this time and choose to be a blessing in EVERYTHING we do.
CD Review: Christmas (The Rick Webb Family)
The recent Christmas CD from The Rick Webb Family starts with an a capella version of “Carol of the Bells.” Then they sing a medley of “Caroling Caroling/Sleigh Ride/Winter Wonderland.” The music on this song is what I call “Christmas” music. You know … sleigh bells and the kind of music that makes you think winter. I know that’s not a professional description but it’s the best way I know how to describe it.
“Glad Tidings of Great Joy” was a new song to me but a great announcement of the Savior’s birth.
My favorite song on the project is “Heaven’s Child.” I wish I knew which lady sings this song but she has a beautiful voice and does a great job delivering the message of this Christmas ballad.
Rick Webb sings “What Child is This” and “O Holy Night.”
I loved their arrangement of “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.” It has a beautiful musical introduction with Parker Webb singing lead and the others joining in beautiful harmony for portions of each verse.
Other songs included are “Away in a Manger,” “Mary Did You Know,” and “Love Came Gently.”
In reading back over this review, I may slightly overuse the word “beautiful” but that’s the best way I know how to describe this CD. This is a group even people who don’t prefer Southern Gospel music would enjoy.
So Many Reasons
So many reasons why I love the Lord
So many reasons I can’t count them
I don’t know about you but I can relate to what the writer of this song was feeling. When I take time to think of the many blessings God has poured out upon me, I wonder, “Why me?” He has been so good and faithful even when I haven’t been. I think of all the imperfect people in the Bible whom God used but He proved that “man looks on the outward appearance but the Lord looks on the heart.”
I can’t number the reasons why I love the Lord but I’ll tell you this: I do love Him. As much as I know how to love anyone, I’m striving to stay by His side and reciprocate the love I know He has for me. I can’t thank Him enough for that love but, again, I’m so glad He sees my heart. He knows my desire and I know He’ll keep showing me how to be a blessing to others in His name. After all, that’s one of the ways we prove our love for Him.
Phil Collingsworth Home from Hospital
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for the Collingsworth family. The latest Facebook update states that Phil is home. He is still recovering so we need to keep praying but God is answering and I praise Him for that!
I’m a firm believer that, when you ask someone to pray for something, you also need to share the praise report when God answers. I’m doing both with this post: asking for continued prayer but praising God for His marvelous work.
Thank You, God, for hearing our prayers and thank You for the work you are continuing to do in and through the Collingsworth Family. You are so faithful and we love You.
Update on Phil Collingsworth
Thank you to all who are praying for Mr. Collingsworth. The Collingsworth Family reported on their Facebook page that Phil is in ICU due to being very nauseated. Please continue to pray for him and his family who have got to be exhausted.
I say it a lot but I believe the greatest privilege we have as believers is to be able to approach the Throne of God on behalf of our Brothers and Sisters. I’ve been the recipient of those prayers and I’m so grateful when I in turn can be the one to wrap my arms around others through prayer. God is so faithful!
Prayer Requested for Phil Collingsworth
Southern Gospel Blog reported that Phil Collingsworth, Sr. is scheduled to have brain surgery tomorrow (December 14). Therefore, I’d like to ask you to join me in praying for Phil and the Collingsworth Family and please continue to pray throughout the day as God brings them to mind.
Father, thank You for the Collingsworth Family and the blessing they are to so many. Thank You for giving them a window where they can be off the road so that Phil can have this surgery. Keep Your hand on the surgeons. Guide them so that the surgery will be successful and the recovery quick. Give the whole Collingsworth family peace and help them to feel Your presence continually during this time. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Reflecting on God’s Blessings
I’m thinking again this morning how good God has been to me. I don’t deserve His favor, yet He gives it just the same. This doesn’t mean that things always go my way or that my life is one of ease but, as I look back over the years, I think of all the people God’s brought into my life who have been a true blessing to me or of the things God has given me “to brighten my life” (as Dottie Rambo said). Even the addition of this blog this year has been a wonderful blessing and I’m still amazed God allows me to write in this way, encouraging people and introducing people to the music I love and, ultimately, (I hope) to the God I love more than anything in the world.
As Ronny Hinson said, “I’m so glad He found me!” “I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now” for “I don’t regret a mile I’ve traveled for the Lord.” He has been so good to me and I know He will continue to be just that. When life is hard, I rest in His arms knowing that He has a plan. When I forget to do that, I can quickly fall into despair but I know that He has never failed me yet … and He never will!
