classic Hymns

Where Does Faith Begin?

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Sadly, due to the Delta Variant some of our facilities are closing down again regardless of the vaccine status of volunteers, friends or family members. It is frustrating but understandable as nothing is more important than the well being of the residents whom I visit. Those of you who follow my blog probably know of the visitation side of the ministry but may not be aware that I along with two other volunteers have been producing a weekly newsletter which goes directly to about 7 facilities in Florida and Western New York State. If anyone is interested to sign up to receive this free resource please let me know. Also please be praying for God to use our simple videos and newsletters. More than ever they are the only point of contact we have to share the hope and love of Jesus with our friends in long term care. Thank you for your partnership in this outreach. Let me know if you have any special prayer requests. God knows the answers to how this ends. So here is the video for this week in which I ask the question of where our faith begins. The hymn is one of my favorites, “Are You Washed in the Blood!”  Have a blessed week all!

Early in the Morning

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And Abraham got up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord: Genesis 19:27

Often when we think of early morning prayer times, a picture of a hot cup of coffee and a Bible in your hand comes to mind. But Abraham had a different idea. He went outside and found a place to stand and listen to God. I can identify with Abraham because I have loved waking up super-early since I was a kid. One of my earliest memories is hearing my mom say, “Go back to bed, it’s only six o’clock!” Maybe I was hungry or maybe I just felt that I might miss out on something exciting if I lay under the covers any longer. Either way mornings remain special to me and today that time includes going outdoors, weather permitting. While I am out walking around our neighborhood, the song that often comes to mind is “This Is My Father’s World.” According to the story, this was also the hymn writer’s inspiration when he would head outside, telling his wife, “I’m going out to see my Father’s world.”

Some versions have attempted to “Improve” the song by removing all Father and male references. Such silly theology misses the point that we have not just a God but a Father in Heaven. He watches over us all through every night and is waiting every morning to greet us and speak to us about our day. There is nothing more important that we could do than to stand before him and listen. One day we will all stand before the Lord, why not freely chose to do so today? No one could ever love us like a Father who sent His only Son for us that we could spend every morning with Him in Heaven and worship at His feet!

Since it is Father’s day week I thought I would share my Father’s day video this morning which includes This Is My Father’s World. Have a blessed day everyone!

This is My Song

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I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live, I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. Psalm 104:33 KJV

Our lives are passing with each tick of the clock. Despite everything that television commercials try to get us to buy, there is no product on earth that will make the hands of time spin backwards We are here for only a limited period of time and yet our limits do not limit our value to God. Just as the frame of a beautiful picture does not take away from its value, so the limits of our lives give us a chance to tell others what is important by what we paint inside of it. In today’s Bible verse, King David boldly declared that what mattered most to Him was to be able to praise the Lord. More than 3,000 years ago King David died and was buried. The throne that he sat on and the crown that he wore have long since turned to dust. Even the enormous sword of the giant Goliath has vanished from earth. But the songs David sang are a living picture frame of his life. In the book of Psalms, his praises, prayers, cries for mercy and even his complaints are still preserved for us today.

Every one of us also has a choice as to what will frame the story of our lives. When people read it what will they discover? Will they only remember our bank accounts and accomplishments good or bad? Will our lives form a picture frame to a song of praise> Will they be like the words to the hymn by Fanny Crosby? “This is my story. This is my song. Praising my Savior, all the day long!”