The New Year’s Resolutions ‘Short List’…Jan. 4th

Have you taken the time to write down your New Year’s Resolutions? How many do you have on your list? Perhaps it’s short and to the point, a list of only three or four things you really want to do this year. Or maybe you are one of those ‘high achievers’ who has 10 or more items that you resolve to accomplish in the new year. Whether your list is short or long, we all have high expectations as to how we’ll do this year in keeping our New Year’s Resolutions.

But when you consider your list, what is the ‘one’ thing you most need/want to keep? One ‘resolution’ that takes precedence over the others on your list, a ‘short list’ to focus on. King David wrote in the 27th Psalm, “One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek (keeping a resolution): That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life…” A basic resolution we might do well to keep. Come worship with us on Sunday morning as we consider ‘the New Year’s Resolutions… ‘Short List.’

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, January 4, 2015

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Step by Step” – 15

Begin each morning singing praises to God. “O God, You are my God and I will ever praise You!” Even if you think you can’t ‘sing out,’ I encourage you to put a song in your heart each and every day. Then again maybe we should check and see if singing praises to God is even on our list…

“Why Did My Savior Come to Earth” – 382

As we sing before the Lord’s supper we ask each other a simple question; “Why did my Savior come to earth…?” Do you know the answer? Was it out of compulsion, or just one of those things on His ‘to do list?’ Was it out of pity because mankind is such a miserable lot? Or maybe He came because He didn’t have anything better to do? As we sing the chorus (or read the Bible) we find the answer. Why did Jesus drink the bitter cup…why on the cross be lifted up? Because He loved me so!

“Gentle Shepherd” – 845

This is a contemporary hymn we sing to our Savior, our Shepherd. Notice we are seeking guidance as we sing this hymn, this prayer; “Come and lead us, for we need You to help us find our way. Come and feed us, for we need Your strength from day to day.” Considering your New Year’s Resolutions…are either of these listed there?

“Til My Faith Becomes Sight” – 836

Bread of Life, Living Water, Lover of my soul…these are three descriptive characteristics we give Christ as we sing this song written less than 25 years ago. “…I will keep my eyes on You till my faith becomes sight.” We’ll sing it, but will keeping our eyes on Jesus be found on your short list of resolutions this year?

“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” – 589

A song that dates back to the late 1880’s is one that reminds us all that we should live this life close enough to God that we can lean on Him. But do we think that way? Do we have fellowship in Christ, do we walk with Him, do we find peace with Him…are we leaning on Him? As we are “leaning on the everlasting arms,” we have nothing to fear or dread. And, if the truth be known, if we lean on Him we’re keeping part of that ‘short list.’

“Bring Christ Your Broken Like” – 911

Without fail the majority of us are bound to break our New Year’s resolutions before the spring thaw. Just like those broken New Year’s Resolutions, we slip up in life (we sin), and our life is ‘broken.’ We have a tendency to get ourselves wrapped up in work or play and find it easy to quietly walk away from ‘the house of the Lord.’ Not that we despise our God or His family, but we lose focus on our priorities. We’re too tired, too busy, too distracted to keep our resolutions. Maybe we should focus on the short list. One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek…that I may dwell in the house of the Lord forever!

“I Want to Be Ready to Meet Him” – 604 & “The Glory-Land Way” – 535

We’ll sing this closing song/medley to help remind ourselves of His return. Notice the third verse and the transition in the medley; “There is one thing I can boast of, salvation from the fall (Hebrews 3:6). I’m an heir to wealth and glory, my Father owns it all. That is why I’m shouting happy and go at His command, for I want to be ready to meet Him in the glory land…I’m in the way, the bright and shining way, I’m in the glory-land way.” When we live our life so that we’re ready to meet Him, then we’ll be so much closer to keeping ‘The New Year’s Resolutions…Short List!’

1, December 12, 20141, December 12, 2014

Questions About Prayer…Dec. 14th

How important is prayer in your life? Do you consider it something to ‘get you through,’ or is it a daily part of your life? Maybe your prayer consist of ‘thank You!’ or ‘please help me…’ But should there be more to my prayers? As we read God’s word, we find time and time again the emphasis that is put on prayer. “…He hears the prayer of the righteous.” Proverbs 15:29 or as Christ said, “ask in prayer, believing…” Matthew 21:22. And certainly you’ll remember the words of Paul as he wrote to the Thessalonian church, “…pray without ceasing.” (I Thess. 5:17)

Prayer is the conduit of communication with our Creator, Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God.” And you might remember the old hymn (2nd verse), “The Father speaketh in His Word, He talks no other way! And to converse with Him, our Lord, we must take time to pray!” But what is prayer? How do I do it? Is there a certain manner in which I should pray? Some have many questions and can’t seem to know ‘how to do it,’ so they simply don’t pray. That should never be an option. Sunday morning we’ll consider praying and how we pray as we look at some “Questions about Prayer.”

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, December 14, 2014

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“We Praise Thee, O God” – 2

A favorite among many as we begin our worship together. Perhaps it’s the resounding chorus as we sing “Hallelujah! Thine the glory!” or maybe it’s the way the music builds up within each verse. Whatever you find that encourages you, either with this song or another, be sure you give God the glory and open your hearts to give Him praise!

“Lead Me to Calvary” – 332

As we think about the Lord’s Supper we remember Calvary and Christ’s death on the cross. Verses that recall the ‘thorn-crowned brow,’ and the tomb guarded by the angels while Christ slept, rather than soldiers thinking He was dead. Even the reference to Mary coming to the ’empty tomb’ is found in this song. But notice how the chorus begins with a plea for each of us to remember the gospel, that is Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. “Lest I forget Gethsemane; Lest I forget Thine agony; lest I forget Thy love for me…” Why do we partake of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of every week? For many…lest I forget!

“On Bended Knee” – 791

How do you come before God? Are you humbled and repentant, or boastful and proud? If you have any question as to your pretense or pose, maybe you should consider singing this with us… “On bended knee I come, with a humble heart I come, bowing down before Your holy throne…”

“Father, Hear the Prayer We Offer” – 777

Written more than 150 years ago, this timeless, classical hymn is a prayer asking for God to hear our prayer. But what exactly are we saying while we sing? “Father, hear the prayer we offer: Nor for ease that prayer shall be, (I’m not looking for an easy life) but for strength that we may ever live our lives courageously. (Do we really believe that?) vs. 2 Not forever by still waters would we idly, quiet stay; but would smite the living fountains (a reference from Exodus 17:6 when God commanded Moses to strike the rock and bring forth water) from the rocks along our way.” Now notice our ‘prayer’ in the last verse … are you prepared to sing this one? “Let our path be dark or dreary, storm or sunshine be our share; may our souls in hope unweary make Thy work our ceaseless prayer. AMEN!”

“Did You Think to Pray?” – 848

Before you did anything else this morning, did you pray? Is it important enough to you that you start each day with prayer? We have questions about prayer and perhaps that’s why we don’t pray as often as we should. But if we would just remember the words of this spiritual song it might help us in our prayer life; “O how praying rest the weary! Prayer will change the night to day. So when life seems dark and dreary…don’t forget to pray.”

“God is the Fountain Whence” – 117

Before the lesson we’re reminded of the power in prayer. God is the fountain from where (whence) we receive our blessings. Ten-thousand blessings (a poetic gesture) flow from our God. As you sing this song you’ll be reminded that your life, your health, your friends and everything good that you have is in direct correlation to God. Since He has given us what we have…do we pray?

“Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” – 391

Our invitation song is one that calls us to seek Jesus’ favor and to do His will. We sing of our blessed Jesus and how we are to be ready to turn to Him, but will we let Him lead us like a shepherd? Will we allow Him to be the Guardian of our way? “Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, hear, O hear us when we pray.”

“I Will Pray” – 840

A wonderful progression is found in this old hymn; “Father, in the morning unto Thee I pray…At the busy noon-tide, pressed with work and care…When the evening shadows chase away the light (throughout my day)…I will pray!” We might have questions about prayer, how it works, what to say, is God listening; but, let each of us resolve that from life’s glad morning till the shadowy evening, I will pray!

1, June 6, 20141, June 11, 2014

Why Have Graduations?…June 8th

Many students will ‘walk the stage’ sometime in the next few days and weeks. Whether they are moving from preschool to elementary, high school to college, or college to ‘the real world,’ we see graduations all around.

We understand the importance of milestones in life, and the excitement we feel upon reaching them. Even the ‘celebration’ of graduating from one stage in life to another can be monumental. But do we ‘have’ to have a graduation? Could there be more than just recognizing the individual accomplishment? And who is to say one is more important than another? Actually, how many ‘graduations’ do we have? Join us Sunday morning as we ask the question; “Why Have Graduations?”

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, June 8, 2014

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Blessed Be the Lord God Almighty” – 72

We sing this ‘hymn’ as we sing to our God; “Father in heaven, how we love you. We lift Your name in all the earth. May your kingdom be established in our praises as Your people declare Your mighty works. Blessed be the Lord, God almighty! Who was, and is, and is to come.” Reading Revelation 4:8, we hear the praise being offered around the throne of God; ‘Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”

“The Lord’s My Shepherd” – 134

One of the greatest ‘psalms’ that we can sing (almost verbatim) is found in the 23rd Psalm. You’ll notice the first verse of this hymn recites the 1st & 2nd verses of the Psalm David penned centuries ago. Open your Old Testament to the book of Psalms, turn to chapter 23 and then sing a ‘psalm’ of praise. “The Lord’s my Shepherd I’ll not want…”

“I Stand Amazed” – 147

This spiritual song is one that we could use to prepare our minds for the Lord’s Supper. With both the second and third verses referencing Christ’s crucifixion we are reminded of His ‘sweat drops of blood’ and the burden He bore to Calvary. So it shouldn’t be a surprise for the redeemed to sing the refrain; “How marvelous! How wonderful…is my Savior’s love for me!”

“Jesus, Let Us Come to Know You” – 768

A basic tune and a simple message…but how much do you WANT to know Him? The progression in the first verse tells us there is an order to coming to know Him. We have to let Him first; “Touch us…” then “hold us…” followed by ‘using us…” and finally “molding us…” into the vessel He wants us to be. Could that be part of the ‘graduation’ process?

“When I’ve Gone the Last Mile of the Way” – no book

Completing the task is reward in and of itself. But how much more is the reward when the task has been a difficult one? Perhaps the runner of a marathon understands that better than most. The last mile of the race can be the most straining, and yet the most rewarding at the same time. Perhaps it’s a bit like graduation…‘for I know there are joys that await me!’

“I’ll Live for Him” – 553

After the Lord’s Supper we’ll softly sing the refrain of this old hymn; “I’ll live for Him who died for me: How happy then my life shall be!…” Perhaps it’s because of the musical tempo of this song, but many seem to miss the message; if I’m living for Christ each milestone (graduation) in my life should be happy, but is it?

“Living By Faith” – 560

“I care not today what the morrow (tomorrow) may bring, if shadow or sunshine or rain. (why?) The Lord I know rules over everything and all of my worry is vain. (therefore…) I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.” Do you have a heart of patience and contentment that you can say, I don’t care what happens good or bad in my life? We’ll contemplate this as we prepare for the lesson this morning. What a great song of encouragement as we proclaim that we are living by faith!

“Each Step I Take” – 415

Our invitation song is not a typical song sung calling for a response. But as we sing we confirm that we want Christ to lead us. And that we will walk with Him and turn to our Savior throughout this life. “Until some day the last step will be taken (graduation?); each step I take just leads me closer home.”

“Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand” – 613

A song of encouragement that is meant to be sung as reassurance. Even though our lives are ‘filled with swift transition…’ (lots of changes) and even, ‘if by earthly friends we’re forsaken,’ we find comfort in the consistency of God’s strong hands. Serving as a theme throughout the song, we encourage each other to Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand. It seems that we ‘graduate’ from one event to another almost daily, but never lose hold of the Master’s hands.

1, December 16, 20131, December 16, 2013

Angels We Have Heard on High

In 1855 the French carol, Les Anges dan Nos Campagnes, was first published. The tune, which tells of the angelic announcement of Christ’s birth, was later translated and published into English. This refrain of the classic song takes the text from Luke 2:14 and provides the message the shepherds heard more than 2000 years ago; “Glory to God in the highest…” Singing in Latin, we hear the angel’s song translated, “Gloria, in excelsis Deo!”

Each of the four verses build upon the shepherds experience and what they might have said following the angelic appearance. “We have heard angels on high sweetly singing across the plain…” Perhaps as they ‘went back glorifying and praising God…’ they were asked “Shepherds, why are you so excited (jubilant)? What good news (glad tidings) do you have?” Perhaps they would have responded (and we sing), ‘Come to Bethlehem and see…’

But perhaps the most interesting part of this carol is to WHOM the angels first appeared. Not the priest in Jerusalem, nor the scribes and scholars. They didn’t even appear before the high ranking Jew’s leaders, the ones who were studied and anticipating the Messiah. Instead, the angels appeared to the lowly shepherds. Some have even concluded that perhaps these men tending their flocks were the same men who annually supplied lambs for the Passover sacrifices. Just think, they left the lambs for God to meet the Lamb of God.

If we can better understand some of these songs of the season I believe we’ll be better equipped to not only sing them, but appreciate them. Our “Christmas Song of the Day”…
.Angels We Have Heard on High.

Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o’er the plains

And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains

CHORUS:

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?

What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song?

Come to Bethlehem and see Him Whose birth the angels sing;

Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

See Him in a manger laid Jesus Lord of heaven and earth;

Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, While our hearts in love we raise.

1, December 14, 20131, December 16, 2013

O Holy Night

Each of us enjoy hobbies that help to pass the time. Some sew, some read and some would rather ‘play.’ Some like to walk and talk while others like to sing. But for some, writing is their favorite. Self publishers and bloggers are evidence of the fact. But this isn’t a new found favorite. In 1847, the mayor of Roquemaure, France enjoyed writing poetry, and from his pen he wrote a gentle song inspired by the gospel of John in the 3rd chapter. His poem, O Holy Night has come to be recognized as a song of inspiration and love during the Christmas season. Why…
“for God so loved the world that He gave His only Son!”

The song captures the essence of ‘the night’ as we read Luke 2:8, ‘In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.’ Reading the message that was sung by the angels we envision Placide Clappeau, our author, calling the listener to “Fall on your knees, and to (O) hear the angel voices!” The scripture never alludes to the shepherds taking this humble position (bowing their knees), but knowing they “…came in a hurry…’ to see the new baby and ‘went back glorifying and praising God…” would make it safe to conclude they might have surely fallen to their knees.

December is almost half gone, but we continue to look at the rich meaning surrounding these favorite songs of the season. This “Christmas Song of the Day”…O Holy Night.

Oh holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine Oh night divine Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger (NOTE: Matthew 2, “…coming into the house they saw the Child…”)
In all our trials born to be our friend (and.. Luke 19, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”)

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name

1, April 22, 20131, April 15, 2013

Ancient Songs from the Old Testament

For the next few months articles will be shared from the research of my uncle, Richard Dent. He and his wife live in Kansas where he has served in the educational system for more than 40 years. Yet more than educating young people, he serves as a part-time preacher for the Tyrone church of Christ in Tyrone, Oklahoma. This article is one he recently shared with me as we talked about hymn history.

In his book, Then Sings My Soul (book #3), Robert J. Morgan takes his readers back to the very beginnings of music from God’s people…the Israelite nation.

The first reference of music in the Bible is found in Genesis 4:21, when a man named Jubal is described as the ‘father’ of all who play the harp and flute. The first recorded ‘hymn’ in the scriptures can be found in Exodus 15, after God’s people escape the Egyptian army through the parted waters of the Red Sea. Moses and his people drew up the story in the form of a song that could be easily learned and spread among the people. It began with the words, “I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted. The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea.” Exodus 15:21 describes the exuberance of the moment saying, “Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing.” And Miriam answered them, “Sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed in gloriously; the horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea.”

Unfortunately, the next time we see the Israelite nation in song, it’s in a sensuous idolatry around a golden calf. While Moses was on Mt. Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, Aaron was compelled by the people to craft an idol of gold. The idol was similar to that of the Egyptian worship and far from the expectation of Jehovah God. In their idolatry, the desert erupted with the sound of singing and revelry. Moses heard the strains of music from a distance and realized the sin of the people. The Israelite nation had broken the first commandment, “Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.”

By the time we get to the book of Deuteronomy, the old Law Giver (Moses) is again teaching God’s people the songs of Jehovah. We read in Deuteronomy 31:30 through 32:3, “And Moses recited the words of this song from beginning to end in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel: ‘Listen, Oh heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teachings fall like rain, and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. I will proclaim the name of the Lord. O praise the greatness of our God!’.”

Ending his song, Moses advised God’s people to take the words to heart. “They are not just idle words for you”, he said. “They are your life…” (Deut. 32:46-47) He was describing not only the nature of God’s Word, but the character of his hymn represented God’s Word as it was crafted for singing.

In the rest of the historical books of the Old Testament, we find a many poems, hymns and ballads sprinkled throughout the text. Examples include Deborah’s song in Judges 5, the worship in song at the restoration of the temple under King Hezekiah’s reign (2 Chronicles 29), as well as David and his illustrious, musical, life-story. David’s early life as a shepherd is where he likely wrote many of the Psalms. David was a valiant shepherd, a talented poet, a great musician and a noble king. He launched and formalized the ministry of music in or around the year 1000 B.C. He employed thousands of musicians and then personally wrote many of the hymns for them to sing and play. Scores of these are preserved in the book of Psalm – the Hebrew hymnal.

Thanks to Richard Dent for his summary of this interesting Old Testament Hymnology.

1, April 16, 20131, April 15, 2013

Following the Shepherd…

Finding wisdom in a young heart is a cherished thing. Often we anticipate , even expect, wise thoughts to come from our elders (elderly), but when a young person shares some solid, Biblical insights I personally find it refreshing. Such an opportunity came to me several weeks ago. Read the words and thoughts of a young lady who worships at Southwest church of Christ in Austin, Texas.

The Psalm, “The Lord’s my Shepherd” by Jessie Seymour Irvine (#292 in Hymns for Worship) is based off of the verse found in John 10:14-15, “I am the good shepherd, I lay down my life for the sheep.”, but it quotes the entirety of the 23^rd Psalm.

This psalm is often titled “the Crook.” The psalm is a section dedicated to Christ Jesus’ identity, specifically, a psalm contributing to Jesus’ identity as a shepherd. But it also identifies us as the sheep. Let us consider three key points that are taught in this psalm. Perhaps we’ll be able to draw a deeper, fuller understanding of this psalm (song) when we sing it in praise to our God.

First, let us notice that through His death he leads us. In Genesis 3:15 we see the first prophecy of the coming Messiah; His death and His conquering of the world of sin. Jesus came into the world with many purposes: teaching a new law, bringing equality between the nations, and giving us an example. But his overlying purpose in coming to earth was to die. He came to bring salvation through His death and set Himself up as the head of the church, and as the head of His church, to lead us. He was the perfect, spotless and innocent lamb that went to the slaughter on account of the sins of the world.

Secondly, we know that He is our shepherd because he bought us. A shepherd doesn’t just watch sheep for free. He is either paid to watch other people’s sheep as in a job, or he buys his own sheep and watches them himself. Jesus has bought us with His blood so He is the shepherd. As the shepherd He is our guide, the supplier of our needs, our protector from troubles and one of the most constant figures in our lives.

And finally, we are the sheep who need a shepherd. As sheep our lives are dependent on the shepherd. As noted previously, he provides for all our needs. And yet, it is our choice as to whether or not we will have him as a constant figure in our lives. We can be the sheep that stays with the flock, the one that enjoys the comfort of lord through all the struggles. Staying with the Shepherd, we’re restored when we are sick. When we slip on the road, our Lord brings us back to righteousness of God. Or we can be the sheep that wanders off by himself. The sheep that may be happy for a time, but eventually realizes that being alone in life is filled with dangers and trials. Leaving the fold, we face those trials without our shepherd’s guidance.

We have, in essence, two choices…1) we can be a active, though submissive, participant of the system that has been set up by our Lord, reap the benefits of that system and ultimately receive the reward. Or…2) we can choose not to live within the boundaries of the system He offers and chance life on our own, knowing as we do that we’ll take the punches of the world as they come. Ultimately it’s our choice.

This song lets us see the results and benefits of the first option, and tells us that even if we have chosen option two, we can still come back to the fold. Jesus came and died on the cross for you and me. He bought us with his blood and now serves as the rightful leader of the flock of His sheep. Praise be to God that he has redeemed His church.

Shelby Gray

The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want;
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.

My soul He doth restore again,
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E’en for His own name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill:
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.

My table Thou hast furnished In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint And my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life Shall surely follow me;
And in God’s house for evermore My dwelling-place shall be.

1, February 9, 20131, February 18, 2013

Face Time…Feb 10th

Sunday, February 10th at Waterview church of Christ, our sermon title is “Face Time”.

In today’s terminology, when you hear the term ‘face time’, you most likely think about talking on the phone or computer and seeing the face of the one you’ve called. But Sunday morning at Waterview, as we listen to Robert’s sermon, the meaning will be a bit different. Join us as we consider “Face Time”. The following ‘order of worship’ will serve as our song service for Sunday morning, February 10th. As always, let me encourage you to think about the songs you sing in praise to God.

Remember I Corinthians…”I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”

Sunday morning, February 10, 2013

You’ll notice the following songs come from the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“O Worship the King” and “All Things Praise Thee” – 144 & 43

As we sing this medley let’s consider the message. We sing to bring glory to God as we worship the King. Notice the last line in our first song in conjunction with the first line of the next song; “…pavilion in splendor and girded with praise.” “All things praise Thee, Lord most high…” Though we see the connection with the words (and the key), what does it mean ‘pavilion in splendor’; how can something be ‘girded with praise’? The fact is, our God is our shield and defender. He is the ancient of days and He is our pavilion in splendor (which mean’s He is ‘covered with splendor’) and He is girded (surrounded) with praise!

“We’ll Work Till Jesus Comes” – 634

An old spiritual song that admonishes the singer to keep working. Have you ever sighed for something? We sing, “O land of rest…for thee I sigh, when will the moment come when I shall lay my armor by and dwell in peace at home?” You know, I think I can understand what Elizabeth Mills must have been thinking we she wrote this song; our life is full of work (at least it should be) and after a long day’s work our thoughts go to resting…”when will the moment come?”

“Come, Share the Lord” – 364

A contemporary song by Bryan Leech encourages us to come together as we remember the Lord’s Supper. Perhaps we should keep in mind the third verse as we draw this song to a close and sing, “…now we anticipate the feast for which we wait. Come take the bread, come drink the wine (drink from the cup) come share the Lord.”

“Gentle Shepherd” – 845

“Gentle Shepherd, come and lead us, for we need you to help us find our way…” As sheep we are often lost and in need of direction, protection and guidance from our Shepherd. The good news, our Shepherd not only guides us and leads us, He is also gentle. This beautiful hymn (because it is sung to HIM) reminds us that we are a blessed people…

“Face to Face” – no book

A song that speaks toward the end of life as we anticipate coming face to face with our God. As we pass the collection plate on Sunday morning we’ll sing this song. Let’s think about our life when we see Him “…by and by.” HINT: This is a good lead in for our lesson…

“I Am Resolved” – 948

This familiar hymn serves as our song before the lesson. Listen to what you say in the chorus, “I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free. Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.” How about singing it this way… “I will hurry to Him…” Are we eager to see Jesus, eager enough to hurry?

“Only a Step” – 940

As we sing this song of encouragement on Sunday, take a look at the message found in the second verse, “Casting your heavy burden down, come to the cross, the world may frown: Yet you shall wear a glorious crown, when He makes up His own.” How often do we hold on to the things that hinder us and keep us back? We could better our health, but poor eating habits hold us back. We could grow in our education, but laziness has a tendency to hold us back. We struggle with our spiritual walk, but our sins hold us back. Today’s a good day to cast your heavy burden down and come to the cross. It’s only a step…

“Faithful Love” – no book

Faithful Love came to earth to show the Father’s love. And I never be the same…do you know why? Because I have seen Faithful Love (Jesus) all around me. Can you see the majesty, the love of Jesus in this world? Have you read the Word of God? Jesus came to this earth, lived as a man, died on the cross and reconciles us to God. When we are looking for Faithful Love, we need to look no further than our Bibles…then we’ll see Him face to face!

1, January 21, 20131, February 27, 2013

That’s All I Want…Jan 20th

A friend of mine shared a GREAT idea about posting the order of worship for members of the congregation and prospective worship leaders. This simple use of the world wide web will allow those interested to get a glimpse of what’s coming up for Sunday morning. Nice idea, and one I think will benefit those who what to learn about the songs we’ll be singing on Sunday. This post will reflect this past Sunday morning (January 20th). Be looking for the next few weeks as we’ll be posting the order of worship by Friday or Saturday before Sunday…

Sunday morning, January 20, 2013

Robert Oglesby has been the pulpit preacher at Waterview church of Christ since February, 1963. Yes, in a few short days he and his family will be celebrating 50 years as the preacher for this solid congregation in the Kingdom of God. Our sermon topic on Sunday was titled, “That’s All I Want”. Our scripture basis was the 23rd Psalm, so our hymn selection was almost a given. The following is an account of our order of worship and all song numbers are from the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“We Will Glorify” – 578

A great song that praises our God and King; beautiful way to set our minds on worship.

“The Lord’s My Shepherd” – 134

The music for this popular arrangement dates back to 1854. All six verse of the 23rd Psalm can be sung in this song. This is a perfect example of Ephesians 5:19 “…speaking to one another in PSALMS and hymns and spiritual songs”

“Hear Me When I Call” – no book

This has become perhaps my favorite of all Tillit S. Teddlie songs. Certainly one that asks for our God to hear our call and ‘attend unto my prayer.’ What better way to describe my weakness than to request that our Lord, ‘…hold my trembling hand, lest helpless I should fall.”

“We Have an Anchor” – 467

The question is asked by those who sing, “Will your anchor hold in the storms of life?” In other words, how are you doing in your relationship with God? We echo in response…”We HAVE AN ANCHOR!”

“I Need Thee Every Hour” – 837

This song of prayer serves as our invitation on Sunday morning. Would that we all come to understand and truly say, “I need Thee, O I need Thee…”

“I’d Rather Have Jesus” – 581

Singing the first verse this song you are stating that you prefer (would rather have) Jesus over the riches of this world. More than houses or lands…do you really? Would your wallet agree? Take a look at your bank statement if you want to see if you really believe this song.

“I Love the Lord” – 359

Penned in my life time (1970), this song by Tommy Wheeler makes the statement that proclaims our love for God. We sing “I love the Lord”, but why? You know and you sing, “…on Calvary His dear life He freely gave…that I might live some day with Him on high.”

“The Lord My Shepherd Is” -126

Like song #134, the music for this arrangement was in the mid 1800’s, but when Isaac Watt’s penned this psalm, he followed the poetry in the message from the shepherd/king David. An affirmation of who my Shepherd is…the Lord. And knowing that…what else could I want?

At Waterview church of Christ we use a screen to project all our songs. This allows faces to be up (out of the book) and voices to be projected forward. All songs on the screen are accompanied with the sheet music for those who will sing 4-part harmony. In a world that seems to be getting faster and faster, and schedules that we tend to pack to over flow, let me admonish you to be careful and not push Jesus out of your life. You and I both know that with Him in our life and when Christ is first, we can honestly say…That’s all I need!

1, July 26, 20121, July 23, 2012

Doing Chores…Part Two

What kind of chores do you have? You know that we all have work to do, and in an earlier article we discussed a two-fold idea of ‘doing chores’.

The idea of working on the farm (doing chores) and how we, through God’s Word, are referred to as sheep. Understand this clearly, we are sheep, and at the same time we have an obligation to tend sheep. How can we be expected to do both? Can we be sheep and at the same time be ‘shepherd’ sheep?

Perhaps the following song, written in the 1960s by Robert Arnold and Clyde Williams, gives the details of our task, our chore, when it comes to working with sheep. Though not often sung in our congregations today, this song speaks to us about doing our chores. The basis for this song is found in John 21:15-17; “So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord: You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My lambs.’ He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Shepherd My sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’ ” Referencing Christ’s discussion with Peter by the Sea of Galilee, you’ll notice this song of encouragement is really Christ telling Peter (and us) to bring those who are lost back to Him. If we love Him, we will be doing our chores and tending His sheep. Perhaps we need to examine ourselves and see who we really love.

“In the good Book we’re told how to the saints of old, Jesus said, ‘Go feed My sheep;’
As He commanded then, we’ll be commanded when Jesus says children feed My sheep.

Chorus:
Lovest thou Me, My child, more than these? (repeat)
These are the words Peter of old, by our Lord then was told,
And today, Jesus says, these are My sheep.
Lovest thou Me, My child, more than these? (repeat)
As of old, so today, Hear the Lord, He will say,
Lovest thou Me, more than these?
Feed My sheep!

“Jesus commanded those, who would obey His call, ‘Go the lost and bring them in.’
Bring ye the wanderers home, wherever they may roam, Help them eternal life to win.

There are chores to be done no doubt. And like those years of my youth on a small, rural farm in the 70’s, you too have a chore. But unlike those early years, you have a choice. You don’t have to do your chores. You can skip out on ‘tending the sheep’ and just play around in the garden. If that’s the road you take you need to remember this; one day you’ll be ask how you did with your chores? Did you love your Father and obey His directive? Did you (do you) really love Him? We can answer like Peter did, “Yes, Lord! I love You…” But the results of your labor will be the real answer to the question, “Lovest Thou Me?” When we love our God, we’ll be doing our chores!