A Brand New Day
It’s true that nothing ever stays the same. If you think things can’t get any worse, they inevitably will. When you’re so low, it seems you have to look up to see the ground, you will soon find yourself on top of a mountain. Life is like that. I think God allows us to get that low in part so that we don’t forget how fortunate we are to have Him. I know for myself, when it seems like everything is coming against me, I make myself start counting my blessings. It may take a while for the feelings to come but the mere act of reminding myself things could be a lot worse eventually begins to lift my spirits until I am singing once again.
I wonder if that’s what Jeremiah felt like when he said, “Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
God is so merciful. He must get tired of seeing us panic when things begin to go wrong but He gently stands patiently by ready to prove Himself once again knowing that in time we’ll get the big picture. The more I see God at work, the more I understand these things. I know He’s never failed me and He never will. I know He’s still working on me and He who began a good work in me will continue to do so until I’m in His presence continually. (Philippians 1:6)
I’m thankful for each new day God brings my way. I know He has a reason for me to live each day and I pray I’m faithful to perform each task He has for me to do. Life can be hard but God is good. Thank You, Lord, for a brand new day!
The Harvest is Ready
“Therefore said He to them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His harvest.” (Luke 10:2)
I’ve been thinking about the Spiritual harvest lately. Sometimes I look around and wonder if anyone is hungry for God and His Word but, if you take the time to listen to people, I think you’ll find there are hungry people; they just don’t know where to find the Bread that satisfies. Sadly, they often aren’t finding Him in the churches. They don’t see Him in the lives of people who profess to know Him. And so they go about their life empty and hopeless, preparing to face life as best they can when we should have so much more to offer.
As I look at my life, I can’t say I’ve impacted many lives but I praise God that my life is not over. He has a purpose for leaving me on this earth and I long to fulfill that purpose. I long to shine for Him in this dark world so that I have a harvest to take with me. My prayer, along with Ronny Hinson is, “Lord, don’t let me leave an unharvested field.” Show me where I can be the most effective and empower me to make a difference.
Peace
“LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased. I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:6b-8)
I find it interesting that this was written by a man who spent years of his life fleeing from a pursuer who wanted to kill him. How was he able to find such peace and contentment? Instead of letting circumstances ruin his life, he obviously knew who was in control and, instead of being fearful, he chose to rest in that knowledge.
Peace is an attribute missing in too many lives these days. People seem to be used to their chaotic pace and turmoiled existence that I don’t know if they’d know what to do if peace suddenly came upon them and yet it’s not far away if they would but pause to take a breath.
Life can get out of control but, if we have God walking with us, He is the One who controls our life. He is the One who can speak peace to every situation. He can calm every storm we go through. Is your ship out of control, or is the ultimate Pilot controlling your ship today?
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
CD Review: By His Grace Still Standing (Conquerors Quartet)
As soon as this CD by The Conquerors Quartet begins, there is anticipation. I hear the fancy traditional southern gospel style piano doing a perfect intro to “Oh Come Along.” Then they slow it down to sing “Welcome Home” which group member David Goldman wrote. After that comes Teddy Huffam’s song, “I’m Rich.”
“Walk With Me” is sung with feeling. They also included Bill & Gloria Gaither’s song “Heaven” which I haven’t heard a group record for a while.
Another traditional southern gospel song and arrangement is “I Have a New Song to Sing.” “Sunshine of Today” is a mid-tempo song which was recorded years ago by Legacy Five. Great piano is heard again on “When We Make it to the Other Side.”
Other songs included are: “Oh What a Savior,” “I’m On My Way” and “It’s Just Another Red Sea.”
Look to God Continually
In Jeremiah 45, God spoke through Jeremiah a word of encouragement for Baruch: “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch: You have said, ‘I am overwhelmed with trouble! Haven’t I had enough pain already? And now the Lord has added more! I am worn out from sighing and can find no rest.’ Baruch, this is what the Lord says: ‘I will destroy this nation that I built. I will uproot what I planted. Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it! I will bring great disaster upon all these people; but I will give you your life as a reward wherever you go. I, the Lord, have spoken!’” (verses 2-5).
What did Baruch do to earn God’s favor? If you read the beginning of the chapter, it sounds to me like he was obedient and at the end of himself. God saw him, had compassion on him, and God wanted Baruch to know that He wasn’t ignoring him. He’d heard his cries and now, even though God would punish the nation, Baruch would be spared. What relief that must have been.
I don’t think Scripture states how Baruch lived out the rest of his days but I hope he ended well. So often, it seems like, when we are in need, we cry out to God but when God answers, we go back to our own way of living. This is not how it should be. We need to look to God continually–in the good times and the bad times. When things are going well, we have so much to thank Him for and when things aren’t going well, we need His strength to get through.
For myself, I want Christ to find genuine faith on the earth and I want it to begin with me. God doesn’t want fair weather friends any more than we do. Let’s make sure we are living lives that He can bless on a continual basis.
God is Everywhere
Do you ever think about the fact that Jesus really is walking beside you every moment? I know most are aware of that fact on Sunday morning as we enter what we think of as God’s house but really God’s home can and should be wherever we are. The psalmist said:
“Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall fall on me,’
Even the night shall be light about me;
Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.” (Psalm 139:7-12)
That should make anyone conscientious. There is nowhere we can go, nothing we can do that God does not see, and we should be concerned any time we choose to go somewhere that He is not welcome. Remember the song you learned as a child, “Oh be careful little hands what you do …”? That’s a lesson we need never forget. “For the Father up above is looking down in love so be careful little hands what you do.”
CD Review: Old Friends Get Together (Crowe-Lawson-Williams)
J. D. Crowe, Paul Williams and Doyle Lawson have teamed up to put together a top-notch bluegrass recording.
“Stormy Waters” is an example of my favorite kind of bluegrass–a song with various parts. The music’s choppy but sounds kinda cool. It’s a moderate tempo song but a great song which talks about how Jesus is near even in the midst of stormy waters.
“Pray the Clouds Away” is another song I like. They also do a bluegrass version of “This World is Not My Home.”
This CD was done as a tribute to Jimmy Martin who co-wrote “Voice of My Savior” and “Give Me Your Hand” (written with Paul Williams), a song which talks about how, no matter what church you attend, if you’re a Christian, you’re a Brother or Sister so “give me your hand.”
Other songs include “Prayer Bells of Heaven,” “Goodbye,” “The Little White Church,” “When the Savior Reached Down for Me,” “Lord, I’m Coming Home,” “Shake Hands With Mother Again,” and “Who’ll Sing for Me.”
Ben Isaacs sings bass on this CD. Background vocals are performed by Cia Cherryholmes and Sonya Isaacs.
Longing for Home
This past week, I’ve been thinking of loved ones who have gone to Heaven ahead of me. Oh how I miss them but I know in reality they wouldn’t trade me places for the world. More than wishing them back, I look forward to the day that I will join them in that glorious land of no more pain, sorrow, or separation. I bet this is what Dottie Rambo was feeling when she wrote, “I’ve Never Been This Homesick Before.” Or what about the writer who wrote, “Lord, I’m Ready Now to Go”? Do you ever feel that way?
If you don’t feel ready, I implore you to get there because one day you will go to your eternal home–ready or not. You want to know that your Home will be one of peace and joy instead of eternal torment.
The flip side of missing those who have gone on is appreciating those who are still here. So many times we wait until a person’s gone to tell others what a blessing the person was to us. Tell those who are living today how much you love them and appreciate them. Don’t let them go through life wondering if you cared.
I can’t wait to see Jesus. I feel like a little girl who’s trying on different dresses, longing to look my best because I want to please my Daddy. My Daddy, however, looks on the heart so I ask Him to show me what I need to change to look my best when I enter His presence. I’m sure that my heart will be pounding as I wait in anticipation of hearing His words, “Well done, my good and faithful Daughter. Enter into the joy of the Lord.” I may find myself too awestruck to move but I’d love to throw my arms around Him and thank Him for everything He has done for me. He is my reason for living. He is the song that I sing. Without Him, I am nothing but, with Him, I’m the daughter of a King.
Lord, I’m ready to go any time You’re ready to receive me.
Concert Review: Gospel Singing Caravan
Last weekend, I had the blessing of attending a concert of the Gospel Singing Caravan which consists of The Blackwood Brothers, The LeFevre Quartet and the Chuck Wagon Gang. The concert was held in the beautiful Blue Gate Theater in Shipshewana, Indiana. This was my first time to attend a concert at this venue but it’s a fabulous place. Since I found out about the concert only a couple days before, I worried that I would have really bad seats. Upon arriving, I found there are no bad seats in the place. I was a few rows back, left to center of the stage and I could still see very well.
The concert started with the Blackwood Brothers singing a lot of songs the group has been known for since the 1950s and ’60s: “How About Your Heart,” “The Old Country Church,” “I’m Feeling Fine,” “Jesus is Coming Soon,” “God Made a Way” (one of my favorites),” and “The Lighthouse.”
They then brought up pianist Mike Hammontree to do a Johnny Cash impersonation. If I were blind, I would have thought it was a video of Mr. Cash. Mike sang lead on “Daddy Sang Bass” with the quartet joining in on the chorus. Jimmy then sang “His Hand in Mine” which he said was one of his favorite songs that his dad sang. They closed with “Everyday Will Be Sunday Bye and Bye.”
There was some trouble with the mics during this first set but it proved to me what professionals the Blackwood Brothers are. They just kept singing and it all worked out.
The Chuck Wagon Gang was next with “Heaven’s Jubilee,” “Church in the Wildwood,” “Heaven’s Gonna Shine,” “Bare Hands,” and “Turn Your Radio On.” Stan Hill then sang “There’s a Light at the River” with Jeremy Stephens playing banjo. Then Jeremy played a banjo solo of “In the Sweet Bye and Bye.”
My favorite song during this set was “Someone to Talk to.” If you’ve had those nights of wishing you could talk to someone but knowing it was either too late or everyone you knew was busy, it really makes you grateful that God is available EVERY time you need someone to talk to. He will never make you feel bad for contacting Him.
They also sang “When He Calls, I’ll Fly Away,” “When I Wake Up to Sleep No More,” “Gloryland,” and “Hard Trials Will Soon Be Over.”
The LeFevre Quartet opened their set with “I Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now.” Then they sang “Let Me Tell You About Jesus.” Mike Allen sang “Way Down Deep” and then the group sang “When I Get Carried Away.” Every time Mike LeFevre sings that, I want to cry. I remember the first time I heard that song in the mid-1980s and I still love to hear it. He invited people to sing along so of course I did. What a blessing!
Tenor Jeremy Easley sang “You’re Never Too Far Away,” after which they encored the chorus acapella. As Mike was introducing the old LeFevre’s song, “I Love Him So,” David Staton announced that they wanted Mike’s son, Jordan, to sing the second verse. Mike protested but that’s what they did. Jordan is a great baritone in his own right so it was wonderful seeing him sing that and the closing song, “Jesus Saves.” If you have not yet heard this song, you need to request it from your local southern gospel radio station. What a powerful song!
During intermission, the groups stood behind their product tables, talking to people. I know they had to be tired but they were pouring themselves out.
After intermission, all three groups shared the stage. As a group, the Caravan sang “This Great Caravan Keeps on Rolling Along,” “Too Near Home,” “Crown Him King,” “I Always Have a Song to Sing,” “A Sinner’s Plea,” “Daniel Prayed,” “Oh the Glory Did Roll,” “Wait Upon the Lord” and “How Great Thou Art.”
Intermittently, they played vintage videos of the Blackwood Brothers, the Chuck Wagon Gang, and the LeFevres.
The groups are only doing select dates together but watch their schedules and, if you have the opportunity to see them, make plans to do so. You will not be disappointed.
On a side note, Daywind has released a CD titled “The New Gospel Singing Caravan Keeps on Rolling Along” which features all the songs the Caravan sang at the concert. The CD is available from each of the groups. Just click on their websites above.
Shine Your Light
In my last post, I mentioned that I don’t put people on pedestals. There are people I look up to and respect, however, and I’ve been thinking how we should live worthy of the pedestals others may place us on. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5:14) It seems that, so often, we’re trying to hide our light. We don’t want to be different. We don’t want people to look up to us but, in reality, if we are following Jesus, we are called to make disciples who will follow us as we follow Christ. Our purpose in shining is not to draw people to ourselves but to point them to Jesus. As we follow Him and draw near to Him, others will learn to do the same thing. Many revivals have begun by just one or two people being faithful.
I often hear others use the phrase, “Nobody’s perfect” or “I sin all the time.” The fact is, as humans, we will sin but Christ is faithful to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) Nothing in Scripture says we have to sin. In fact, Christ tells us to “Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) If we are following Christ’s example, we have nothing to worry about. Encourage that one in your life who looks up to you. Take him or her by the hand and lead them to the Promised Land. It’s a rough road at times but, by God’s grace, I’ll meet you there.
