When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Sunlight – Sunlight

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Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

About 40 years ago I received an invitation to bring my guitar along to play some songs at a little nursing home in Danbury Connecticut, called Park Terrace. Our Linda Southard had started going there to visit and she believed a little music would brighten things up a bit. Linda would bring the message and our four year old son Ben who liked hanging out me comprised our team. I don’t remember much of what our small group did but I do recall that whenever Linda asked the people for their favorite hymns, Ben would put up his little hand and ask; “Can we sing Sunlight Sunlight?” That cheerful hymn from the 18th century had somehow become his favorite. Its melody often comes to my mind and reminds me that no matter what I face: Jesus is still the light. I pray that today’s short message and hymns including – Sunlight Sunlight; This Little Light and a medley of Wondrous Cross and I Surrender All will lift your spirits today. May God bless you and give you a sense of His presence. He ever remains the light of the world!

Let’s Have Communion!

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What I miss most during this social distancing era has been the inability to either serve or receive communion. So if we who are able to get out feel frustrated and wish we could be with our church again; imagine how those in Long Term Care must feel.

So after two week’s of prayer God spoke in my heart that the good news is that through the Holy Spirit we can all still celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Sharing in communion is more than just eating bread and drinking grape juice (or wine). Jesus Himself, is the bread of life and His blood which was sprinkled on the throne of grace in heaven, is still the New Covenant between God and man.  What we are unable to share because of distance God is still able to do through His Holy Spirit. I invite you to share this video with anyone you know who is in a long term care situation or to participate yourself. We may be separated by many miles; but by the blood of Calvary, we are one in Jesus Christ.

Our hymns for this week’s session include: Are You Washed? The Old Rugged Cross; In the Garden; Wondrous Cross and Nothing But the Blood.

 

The Price Tag

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I am poured out like water and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax it is melted in the midst of my bowels. Psalm 22:14 KJV

As a teenager I always loved the Christmas presents I got from my stepmother Amy. She bought me beautiful expensive clothes, but she always left the price tag on! It wasn’t that she minded spending the money, but she wanted to be sure that I treated her gifts with special care! In some ways God is a lot like Amy. God loves lavishing us with His grace but He wants us to know the cost. When we are singing “It is well with my soul” we should humbly remember the price of that verse.

In the garden Jesus said that His soul was sorrowful unto death. He agonized in prayer in order to accept the suffering of the cross. He asked if there were any other way and then sweat ran down His face like great drops of blood. Just hours after He had finished praying, Jesus was nailed to the cross. The Bible tells us that He was poured out like water. Last, the spear pierced His side and the last drop of the lifeblood of Jesus flowed down to the ground. What a price He paid for us!  Today when you bow your head to thank God for His blessings take a look at the price tag still attached. We will treasure more greatly the gift when we remember the price that He paid.