music. singing

A Little Sunshine at Watermark

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIV

Watermark Assisted Living is a beautiful five-star place, and of all the facilities I have visited in three different states, it is by far the nicest. But in spite of the fancy sitting room, the delightful ice cream parlor and snack bar, it is still a lonely neighborhood. Some families do visit their loved ones, but the many rarely have a guest. Sometimes, I puzzle over the abandonment of our older family members, neighbors and friends we worshipped with at church. Maybe it all comes down to the feeling, that a long term care facility is a dark place. The loneliness is suffocating, even for visitors. No children play outside, no mail carrier, whistles through the hallways dropping letters and packages. There is no corner barbershop nearby or a place to grab a slice of pizza and sit for a quick lunch with a friend. Everything here seems stiff, artificial and professionally friendly, and yet, God has not forgotten. God has not abandoned. God is walking through their neighborhood and He asks us to walk with Him. In today’s verse, Jesus commands (not suggests) that we let our light shine before others. Now, we know that the source of that light is Him, yet we who are followers of Jesus, have both the honor and the duty of carrying His light to places that are dark. We don’t need to feel sufficient, strong or radiantly cheerful to let His light shine. We only need to trust Him and do what He asks. The amazing and unexpected miracle is that when we do this, not only will we shine a light for others to see, but it will light our own pathway as well! I hope you enjoy this hymn, which was a favorite of our youngest, when he was coming with me to nursing homes, forty years ago. Every time I sing it, I hear his little voice and see his big smile as he would clap his hands and sing about how Jesus with the sunlight of His love makes all our darkness flee!

Like a River Glorious

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46 KJV

When Francis Havergal wrote these lines, they were not a hymn, but a poem, which she composed most likely during her time of severe illness. The melody we sing was composed two years later by James Mountain. Her lines, “Every joy or trial, falleth from above.” were an expression of her entire confidence, that whatever the outcome of her illness would be, that her life was fully in the hands of God. God Himself, is that merchant in today’s verse. He searched for and found us, then He went and sold all that he had to purchase us with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Now, Jesus gives this peace with God as the Pearl of Great Price to “Those who trust Him wholly and find Him wholly true.” I pray that you will be blessed as you consider the words, no matter your circumstances. May you each have a blessed Thanksgiving tomorrow and rest in God’s peace that was purchased for us with such a great price.



Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace
Over all victorious in its bright increase
Perfect yet it floweth fuller every day
Perfect yet it growth deeper all the way

Stayed upon Jehovah
Hearts are fully blest
Finding as He promised
Perfect peace and rest

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand
Never foe can follow - Never traitor stand
Not a surge of worry - Not a shade of care
Not a blast of hurry touch the Spirit there

Every joy or trial falleth from above
Traced upon our dial by the sun of love
We who trust Him fully all for us to do
They who trust Him fully find Him fully true

Francis Havergal lyrics - 1874
 - James Mountain music


Sweet Spirit at Life Care

/ pastorpete51 / 6 Comments

In 1962, when four guys named, John, Paul, Ringo and George were releasing their first hit song, Doris Mae was helping with choir practice. One particulat night, Doris felt the presence of God in such a powerful way that she hesitated to dismiss everyone. As they lingered a bit, she told someone. “There is such a sweet spirit in this place.” Doris was so enraptured by that experience, that she went home and wrote the words, “There’s a sweet sweet Spirit in this place. And I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord.”

Today, almost no one remembers Doris Mae Acker, but millions still sing that song which God gave her. And ironically that big hit song, “Love Me Do.” by The Beatles, is rarely played. That story makes me recall some other lyrics written a bit earlier, “I’d rather have Jesus than world wide fame. I’d rather be true to His Holy name.

It was my privilege to sing Dotis’ sweet song with my friends at Life Care today. I ho0e you can hear their voices as we sang together for Jesus and that you will join in. Have a blessed dsy everyone!