Parents and Children…Aug. 24th

The responsibilities of parenthood can be, at times, overwhelming. When our children are babies we worry about their health, strive to keep them clean and always well fed. As they grow we focus on keeping them ‘well balanced’ in life. Opportunities for sports, the arts and growing and maturing. But still we worry about their health, keeping them clean and well fed. As our children grow into young adults we determine to give them the best direction, guidance and support. All along concerned about their health, are they ‘keeping themselves clean’ and are they well fed.

Parents want what’s best for their children. Whether we’re talking about their health or their social well-being, we feel responsibility for our children. But with that responsibility we must ask ourselves; how are we doing when it comes to monitoring our children spiritually? Do we ignore the signs (Do we know the signs) of spiritual sickness in our children? Are we keeping them clean (from the world) or do we let them experience life? How cautious are we about the spiritual food our children are being fed? Do we care if they are getting filled up on spiritual ‘junk food?’ God’s commandments are to be taught to our children early and often. Deuteronomy 6:7 tells us how often; “…when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” The Parent and Child relationship is all about teaching them the commands of God.

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

Sunday morning, August 24, 2014

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

“O Worship the King” – 303

Singing the first verse of this classic hymn we set the stage for our praise to God. You’ve sung it for years but notice how this verse concludes; “…Our Shield and Defender the Ancient of Days, Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.” Obviously this is a description of God as our Shield, our Defender, One who has been with us for a long time ‘Ancient of Days.’ But what do those last words mean? A pavilion is something that offers cover or protection, and to gird something is to encircle it or wrap around it. Is this song saying God is my cover and protector? Without a doubt He is! But here we sing, ‘Our Shield and Defender is surrounded and covered over with heavenly praise!’

“We Praise Thee, O God” – 4

And so we continue our worship together offering our praise to God. “Hallelujah! Thine the glory, Hallelujah! Amen!” Would that we praise our God just as the heavenly host praise Him. “All glory and praise to the God of all grace, Who has bought us and sought us and guided our ways…”

“I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord” – no book

This older hymn is a strong example of ‘singing to Him.’ Perhaps the signature piece of this hymn comes in the second staff as only the ladies sing, “…I love Thy church, O God! Her walls before Thee stand…” How much do we love the commandments of our God? How much do we love the church Christ died for? Enough to tell our children about it? Enough to make it our top priority when we sit down, walk around, lie down or rise up? Honestly…how much?

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” – 315

All five verses will be sung this morning, though we’ll sing the first 4 before the Lord’s Supper and the last verse after. Notice what we ‘survey’ in the third and fourth verses; “See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down…”, and “His dying crimson, like a robe, spreads over His body on the tree…” When we truly survey the cross of Christ we see His amazing love. Now are you prepared to sing the last seven words of The Shema this song? As you do, remember His love, “…demands my soul, my life, my all.”

“Hear, O Israel” – 446

Before our lesson we’ll sing the ‘Jewish confession of faith,’ the Shema. In Hebrew it is defined as ‘Hear.’ And though it is recorded here in Deuteronomy, Jesus repeats it in the gospels. “Hear, O Israel. The Lord thy God, is one God. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all of thy heart…with all thy soul…with all thy mind (added by Jesus in Mark 12:30)…and with all thy strength.” We sing it and the Jews proclaimed it, but are we teaching it to our children? Maybe we should ask what it means to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. EVERYTHING in our life should be focused on loving, serving, and pleasing our God.

“On Bended Knee” – 791

A humble, penitent heart comes before God on bended knee. Perhaps the second verse helps me understand why I come before my God on ‘bended knee.’ With a broken heart I come… Asking for a change in life, and to be made fresh and new is only part of it. Being a holy sacrifice and teaching that sacrifice to our children is where we must start.

“Let Me Live Close to Thee” – 831

Living close to God in life is paramount. Serving Him with ‘sickles brave and true’ is essential, but are we working or shirking our responsibilities in teaching our children. The parent can best care for their child when they walk and talk each day with God.

1, April 24, 20141, April 24, 2014

Who’s In Control?…April 27th

What does it mean to be ‘in control?’ Do you have to have authority and power to maintain control over someone or something? Many will assume you have to be stronger, more talented, or meaner, or smarter to be in control. And though those traits might prove beneficial, is that all it takes?

Perhaps it’s best summed up to say, ‘if someone is in the place of authority, they should be in control.’ A parent should be ‘in control’ of their child; a teacher should be ‘in control’ of her student and a general should be ‘in control’ of his troops. We can assign positions of ‘control’ based on what we assume and what we see. But when it comes to you, personally…who’s in control?

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

Sunday morning, April 27, 2014

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

“We Praise Thee, O God!” – 2

In the deep recesses of my mind I remember this old hymn being sung when I was just a child. The chorus is a resounding proclamation, “Hallelujah! Thine the glory…” A great way to start off our Sunday morning worship together. We’ll sing…“revive us again.” Are you personally ready for revival?

“Take My Life and Let It Be” – 664

This song before the contribution is a hymn (a prayer) asking God to take my life, take my moments, take my hands and take my feet. We’ll ask our Creator to take our voice and our lips, but we’ll also ask Him (as we prepare to give) to take our silver and our gold. Notice our next statement…‘not a mite would I (we) withhold.’ A mite, by definition, is a small amount. It could be money or time. We’re singing, ‘not a small amount would I withhold.’ So…who is in control of your silver and gold? Really, who is in control of you?

“His Grace Reaches Me” – 113

This is an interesting spiritual song in that the alto, tenor and bass all sing an ‘AH’ during the verses before singing with the soprano in the chorus. But as always, don’t miss the forest for the trees…notice your words as you sing. The Savior’s grace is deeper than the ocean and higher than the mountains. Could you honestly say it ‘thrills’ your soul just knowing that His sacrifice, His blood, is your salvation? His grace does indeed reach us all, if we will only follow Him and be ‘under His control.’

“Master, the Tempest is Raging” – 189

Such a splendid account of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee. But we miss the message of this psalm if we don’t hear the chorus. “The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will, ‘Peace be still!’ Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea, or demons, or men, or whatever it be, No water can swallow the ship where lies the Master of ocean and earth and skies…” Understand the message! If the Master of the ocean, earth and skies is living in you, then you have nothing to fear. The ‘wrath’ of the storms of life, the haunting demons and the devises of men are nothing to fear. Why? Because nothing can ‘swallow’ your ship…if the Master is in you.

“Hosanna!” – 167

A song of praise that mirrors the words of the people as they welcomed Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem.
Mark 11:9, “And those who went before, and those who went after, were crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord…Hosanna in the highest!” Together we sing, “Lord we lift up Your name with hearts full of praise!”

“Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed” – 324

We’ll sing this song before and after the Lord’s Supper. Years ago we sang the first verse with the original words from Isaac Watts, “…would He devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?” Biblical when you consider King David’s words in Psalm 22:6, “But I am a worm, and not a man, a reproach of men, and despised by the people.”

“Standing on the Promises” – 452

Where are you standing in this life? Are you confident of God’s promises or do you fear the howling storms of doubt? Before our invitation song we’ll sing to admonish each other with assurance of where we stand. On the promises of Christ my King and Christ my Lord!

“Lord, Take Control” – 790

Perhaps a fitting invitation song as we consider “Who’s in Control!” You have a decision to make when it comes to places you’ll go and things you’ll see. You will answer for the choices you make. Are you prepared for that kind of control? “My heart, my mind, my body, my soul I give to Thee (God), take control.”

“Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” – 679

If God is given the controls of my life, does that mean I’m just a puppet? Of course not! We still have control over what we do and where we go. What we say and even what we think. That’s my responsibility and my opportunity for self-control. But if God doesn’t guide my decisions and my path, my tongue and my mind, then I’ve lost control. Notice verse three from this old song, “Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus, just from sin and self to cease, just from Jesus simply taking life and rest and joy and peace…” Maybe self-control is…Christ control.

1, January 4, 20141, January 4, 2014

How Can We Redeem a Moment of Time?…Jan. 5th

With the beginning of a new year you might find yourself asking the question, “Where did the time go?” Each day we spend on this earth is a gift. Each minute we live out is a reflection of our heart at that moment in time. But what if we say something or do something but we ‘didn’t mean it.’ We know that our behavior/words at that moment don’t reflect who we really are or what we want to be. How do I get that ‘minute’ back?

New Year’s resolutions are a common practice during the next few weeks. We ‘resolve’ to do better, make some changes and demonstrate a new practice for this new year. And each day we’ll make decisions (just like last year) to eat better and work-out more. But when the day is over and our resolve has ‘dissolved,’ how do you get it back? Can you get it back? Is there any hope we might be able to ‘redeem a moment of time?’ Join us Sunday morning as we welcome in a new year and consider how we spend our time…

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

Sunday morning, January 5, 2014

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

“We Praise Thee, O God” – 2

This song is filled to the brim with thankfulness and praise coming from our hearts as we sing to our Father. The first four verses echo with our gratefulness and thankfulness to Him and in verse five, the writer, William MacKay helps us to turn our attitude in a way of humbly asking God for His favor. In verse five we sing, asking our Father to “revive us again” and to let each of our souls be,“rekindled with fire from above.” How powerful the words that we sing. It only begins to help us to recognize how small and powerless we are compared to the, “God of all grace”. Let us allow Him to ‘rekindle our spirits’ this morning as we begin our time of praise and adoration.

“In Christ Alone” -no book

This song is not in most hymn books, but what a powerful message it has we sing. With each verse of this song we hear, “In Christ Alone”, and it helps us to realize that we can only do our best things through Christ alone. He is our “cornerstone” and our “solid ground” and as we prepare our minds for the Lord’s supper let us reflect on how we should rely on him more.

“Fairest Lord Jesus” – 288

After the Lords supper we will sing of our beautiful Savior. We will sing a verse that is not in the book but is still as powerful reminder of our Savior’s love. “Beautiful Savior, Lord of all nations! Son of God and Son of Man. Glory and honor, praise, adoration, Now and forever more be thine!” What a beautiful verse as we praise Him in saying, “Fairest Lord Jesus!”

“Remind Me, Dear Lord” – 606 We recognize in singing this song that the earthly things that we have are “just borrowed, they’re aren’t mine at all.” In the chorus of this song we ask our Father to open our minds, help us search our memories and to remember where we have come from. What a touching scene this would be, if humbly we come to him and ask for His patience with us. We, as His children plead with him and I can imagine myself in a small and quiet voice saying, “Roll back the curtain of memory now and then. Show me where You brought me from and where I could have been….”

“Take Time to Be Holy” – 731

As your new year is underway, consider how often you will take time to stop and strive to be holy? Honestly, I’m afraid we make time for Him and therefore fail to get the nourishment that we need to grow as Christians. This song is merely encouraging us to as the “world rushes on” to seek Him in His guidance and council. And as we do let us consider each of our thoughts, deeds and motives and be sure they are, “beneath His control”.

“A New Creature” – 619

This song is a song that is meant to be sung to one another as encouragement. In the third verse T. O. Chisholm pinned some very inspiring words, “Sin hath no more its cruel dominion, walking ‘in newness of life’ I am free, glorious life of Christ, my Redeemer, which He so richly shareth with me.” As we walk in our “newness of life” with Christ let us be reminded of what He sacrificed so we could share heaven with Him.

“Why Do You Wait?” – no book Serving as our invitation song this morning, we sing/ask the simple question of; “Why do you wait, dear brother?” Very simple and yet very to the point. Many times in life we may reach the time when we’re asked this question. “Why are you delaying? What do you hope to gain by stalling?” The questions that we are asking are so simplistic, and yet many times the answer escapes us. I don’t have a good reason for putting off what needs to be done. When it comes to accepting Christ as your Savior just remember…“There is no one to save you but Jesus, there is no other way but His way.”

“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 forsaken” we find comfort in the consistency of God’s strong hands. Serving as a constant theme throughout the song, we encourage each other to hold to Gods Unchanging Hand. It’s hard to redeem time once it’s passed, but holding tight to the Father’s hand will be a decision you’ll never regret.

1, June 21, 20131, June 20, 2013

Show & Tell Time…June 23rd

Ask any grade school child and they can tell you all about ‘Show & Tell.’ This is the time to share with your friends something you cherish and hold as very dear. It’s an exciting time because it’s about something you know very well. Something that is close to you and personally dear.

‘Show and Tell,’ however is not just a child’s activity. The child of God is also called to participate in this activity. What will you show and how much are you willing to tell about your Savior? Is your life as a Christian something you cherish and hold dear? If we’re truly excited about our walk with Christ we will ‘love to tell story’, and we’ll show Him to the world.

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

Sunday morning, June 23, 2013

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

“Blessed Be the Lord God Almighty” – 72

A beautiful hymn that is clearly directed to our God. We begin with the phrase, “Father in Heaven, how we love You…” Almost as if we’re saying a prayer this song begins our worship as we SING a prayer. Consider how we sing scripture in the last part of this song, “…the Lord God almighty, who was and is and is to come…” the words of our Lord and Savior from Revelation chapter 1, verse 8.

“We Praise Thee, O God” – 2

“Hallelujah” is derived from the Hebrew as two words; “halla”, praise and “Yah”, God. We know that but it’s good to revisit what we’re singing. Translated the chorus would read like this…”Praise God! The glory belongs to Him, Praise God! Amen…”

“There is a Sea” – 556

If you’ve never followed the message of this song read on. There is poetry within these three short verses and with a rather difficult harmony, we often skip over this old, spiritual song. In the first verse we sing about a sea that is surrounded with an abundance of natural resources and coastal nourishment; the Sea of Galilee. From it flows the Jordan river down toward the Dead Sea where the second verse of our song continues. Unlike the Galilean sea, the Dead Sea is filled with salt and, ‘lies heavy as molten lead.’ Singing the third verse we can see the application and the question is asked, “What will it be for you and me…?” Will we be like the Sea of Galilee and give out the good we have been given, or will we remain stagnate in our life and refuse to share the God-given gifts we have in life?

“Holy Bible, Book Divine” – no book

This is an old spiritual songs with the tune (meter) of another, more familiar song. We’ll replace the music William B. Bradbury gave this song in 1858 to a musical arrangement provided by J. H. Fillmore in 1877. You’ll recognize “Savior, Grant Me Rest and Peace”, but you’ll be singing, “Holy Bible, Book Divine.” This is a great opportunity to learn a new song with an old melody!

“I Love to Tell the Story” – 659

We talk about all the things we love in life, but before our lesson we’ll sing about ‘loving to tell’ the story of Jesus Christ. Do you enjoy (love) to tell about Jesus? Each of these verses are filled with the reason we should not only sing about our Savior, but look forward to telling others about Him too. Why sing about the story, because “I know ’tis (it is) true”, and because “…it means so much to me.” How can we sing this song without putting a smile on our faces?

“Lord Speak to Me” – 771

Not a typical invitation song, but when we consider showing and telling this world about Jesus Christ I couldn’t help but think of this last verse; “O fill me with Thy fulness, Lord. Until my very heart o’re (over) flow; In kindling tho’t (as an ember begins to burn and glow in our thoughts) and glowing word, Thy love to TELL, Thy praise to SHOW.” People need a Savior, let’s take Jesus for OUR show and tell!

“Thomas’ Song” – 269

An adaptation of Thomas and how he might have reacted in John 20. Notice especially verse 3 of this song. Perhaps in the upper room, when Thomas see’s Jesus for the first time since His resurrection, the poet Ken Young, writes; “Holy presence, holy face; a vision filling time and space. Your nearness makes my spirit race, could this be part of the plan?” When we are moved and emotional invested in something we have the sensation that our heart is racing. Maybe, just maybe, Thomas’ spirit was racing when he saw Jesus. Does Jesus cause your heart (spirit) to race? Though this song is man’s idea of what John might have said, felt or even thought, the text is clear as we read his final admonition, “You are my Lord and my God.” John 20:28

“Lead Me To Calvary” – 332

Between the Bread and the Fruit of the Vine we’ll sing verse 2 of this solemn reminder of Christ crucifixion. “Show me the tomb where Thou wast (was) laid…” , where angels robed in light guarded Christ ‘while He slept.’ In our minds eye we should use this time to reflect on Calvary…lest we forget.

“Ring Out the Message” – 622

“Tell the world of saving grace, make it known in every place…” The local ‘town crier’ was responsible to getting the message out to the community. They had the job to ‘ring the message out.’ Today, all Christians have the task to take the message to a lost community. We believe there is a message that’s true and makes the weary glad, but more importantly…it’s a message for the sinful and for the sad. We don’t have to stand on a street corner and cry out the message, but we need to be ready when it’s time for “Show & Tell”.