Queen Anne's Lace and Lilacs

The Gift of Christmas: An Act of Mercy

1 Timothy 1:15-17

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

He's Alive!

The gates and doors were barred and all the windows fastened down;
I spent the night in sleeplessness and rose at every sound
Half in hopeless sorrow and half in fear the day
Would find the soldiers breakin' thru to drag us all away

And just before the sunrise I heard something at the wall
The gate began to rattle and a voice began to call;
I hurried to the window and looked down into the street
Expecting swords and torches and the sounds of soldier's feet

There was no one there but Mary so I went down to let her in;
John stood there beside me as she'd told us where she'd been.
She said "They moved Him in the night and none of us knows where;
The stone's been rolled away and now His body isn't there!"

We both ran t'ward the garden, then John ran on ahead;
We found the stone and empty tomb just the way that Mary said.
But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in was just an empty shell;
And how or where they'd taken Him was more than I could tell.

Well, something strange had happened there,
but just what I didn't know;
John believed a miracle but I just turned to go.
Circumstance and speculation couldn't lift me very high
'Cause I'd seen them crucify Him, then I saw Him die.

Back inside the house again the guilt and anguish came;
Everything I'd promised Him just added to my shame.
When at last it came to choices, I denied I knew His name;
And even if He was alive, it wouldn't be the same

But suddenly the air was filled with a strange and sweet perfume;
Light that came from everywhere drove shadows from the room.
Jesus stood before me with His arms held open wide;
And I fell down on my knees, and just clung to Him and cried.

He raised me to my feet and as I looked into His eyes,
Love was shining out from Him like sunlight from the skies
Guilt and my confusion disappeared in sweet release
And every fear I'd ever had just melted into peace

CHORUS
He's alive! He's alive! He's alive and I'm forgiven!
Heaven's gates are open wide:
He's alive, He's alive, He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive, He's alive, hallelujah He's alive

#10 Amazing Grace - UPDATED

UPDATE:  The embedding has been disabled, so I've removed the video portion of the original post.  You can, however, still see the video here.

AMAZING GRACE

Amazing grace!  How sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found;
was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed."

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

When we've been there ten thousand years
bright shining as the sun,
we've no less days to sing God's praise
than when we first begun."

My friend, Marge, sent me this video of "Il Divo" singing "Amazing Grace (one of the greatest songs ever written, by John Newton)."

I've loved this song my whole life.  Well, certainly since I was a teenager.  We'd go to Singspirations - now, this was just a couple of years ago - and we'd sing the "Amazing Grace" words to the tune of "House of the Rising Sun."  I believe I was the only one in the building, at those times, who didn't know the actual "House of the Rising Sun" lyrics.  My parents didn't allow me to listen to rock music until I was 35.

Simon Cowell ("American Idol") formed this group, amazingly.  (I don't know why amazingly - I was just surprised to see that Mr. Cowell had anything to do with them at all.)  The singers are from the United States, Spain, Switzerland, and France.  The first three are opera singers, the French guy is a pop singer.  This performance is at the Roman coliseum in Pula, Croatia.  What a beautiful place for a concert.  Such a wonderful performance of "Amazing Grace," in that setting - and with bagpipes! 

Oh, and thanks, Marge!

#9 Wonderful Grace of Jesus

Wonderful Grace of Jesus

Wonderful grace of Jesus, greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it, where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden, setting my spirit free,
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me!

Wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching to all the lost,
By it I have been pardoned, saved to the uttermost;
Chains have been torn asunder, giving me liberty,
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me!

Wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching the most defiled,
By its transforming power, making him God’s dear child.
Purchasing peace and heaven for all eternity;
And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me!

REFRAIN: Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Higher than the mountain, sparkling like a fountain,
All-sufficient grace for even me;
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame;
O magnify the precious name of Jesus, praise His name!

It's been so long since I've posted a favorite hymn, I'd kind of forgotten that I was doing that.  But, the other day, this one, "Wonderful Grace of Jesus," just popped into my head.  I wish I could remember what was going on; I think I was just watching TV.  I hadn't thought about this song in a long time, but I've been humming it for a couple of days, now. 

"Wonderful Grace of Jesus" is a hymn about the fantasticness of God's grace.  A celebration of it, I think.  Certainly, this grace is a cause for rejoicing and wonder and thanksgiving! 

Haldor Lillenas wrote "Wonderful Grace of Jesus" in 1918 (or at least it was introduced then, according to faithalone.org's posting on Mr. Lillenas - a brief history of Lillenas and his songs).

Let's see, my memories of the singing of this in church...well, the chorus was my favorite part and is quite fun.  The tricky part is getting the men to do their part correctly.  :) 

The version I've used here is Ray Walker's (of the gospel quartet, the Jordanaires), Wonderful Grace of Jesus, No. 3 Capitol Rotunda, congregational-led singing.  It's a bit more pompous than I like (and it irritates me that he comes in on each phrase a second before everybody else - but, you know those quartet dudes!), but I had a feeling I wasn't going to find some hip, new take on this old hymn.  Anyway, it makes me feel like I'm singing in the choir, so that's good!  

"Wonderful Grace of Jesus," by Ray Walker, is available at iTunes and a number of other places where mp3s are available (not Zune, though, as far as I can tell).

Some (Not-so-Light) Reading for You

Well, at least not the first item.  I've been reading a few things this morning that I hope you will take time to read.

1.  My friend, Kristin, posted a link to this. 

2.  I found this over at Little Green Footballs. 

3.  And, then, there's this, courtesy of Pajamas Media.

Have You Seen This?

This election is making me crazy.  Besides the fact that the campaigning started when my firstborn was still in diapers (1984-1988, FYI), the people running for office are folks I would never have selected in the first place (except Sarah).  Every day, I read and hear tons of asininity and ridiculousness, things that make me shudder and/or feel nauseated.  In case you haven't heard about this, here's one of those things:

Usually, when this all starts weighing heavily on my mind, I think of songs like, "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (words and music by Helen H. Lemmel)."  This version is sung by Janet Paschal, from her Sounds Like Sunday CD.

         

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

This version of "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" is available at iTunes.

Preaching the Way it Ought to Be

When I was growing up, if Billy Graham was on TV, we were watching.  (I didn't always enjoy listening to sermons several nights a week, but it didn't kill me, I suppose.  Of course, now, I do enjoy listening to sermons several times a week.  I guess that's a sign of aging?)  When I was 7 or 8, Billy had a crusade in Kansas City in which our church participated.  I went to a couple of the services, as I recall.

The Billy Graham I remember is from the '70s and later.  The other day, however, I happened upon a much younger Billy preaching a sermon back in 1958 - LONG before I was born:)  As I watched and listened, I was wishing this was still the style of preaching happening in our churches.  It's a half-hour long, so I hope you are able to watch it.

#8 Saved, Saved!

I mentioned in an earlier post that my friend, Joyce, and I used to go up to the church and play the piano - even the organ, after one became available (we were less successful on the organ, if memory serves).  One of our favorite songs to play, and to request during hymn request time, was "Saved, Saved!"

I think I also mentioned earlier that hymns about friends and friendship were the ones that spoke the most to me when I was a teenager (which was when Joyce and I were friends).  I often found myself in some kind of friendship drama, whether real or imagined - you know...teenagers...and I took strength from these hymns.

Now, I know that this song isn't about "teenage issues."  The message of this song is clear and true.  If you don't know what it means to be saved and to have Jesus as your friend, either leave a comment or click on the "email me" link over there in the upper right-hand column.  Whether answering questions or getting you information, I'm happy to help.  Salvation, and the joy that comes from the Lord,  is for anyone who will accept it. 

Jack P. Scholfield (1882 - 1972) wrote the words and music to "Saved, Saved!" in 1911.  I'm a bit stunned to learn that he was alive in 1972.  Joyce and I may have been mutila-, er, playing, his song while he was still alive.  I guess I think of the hymn writers as having lived long before me. 

I haven't really found anyone's recording of this that I especially love.  There isn't much of a selection out there, frankly, although, I did find the piano part from the 25 Hymns of Jesus, My Savior album, by Worship Service Resources.  So, that's what I've used here.  It's kind of cool.  I like to pretend that this is how it sounded with Joyce playing the right hand, and me, the left (I swear, that's how we did it, Marge - I wouldn't make this up).  It's up to you, this time, to provide the vocals.  Sing pretty!

Saved, Saved 

I’ve found a Friend, Who is all to me,
His love is ever true;
I love to tell how He lifted me
And what His grace can do for you.

Saved by His power divine,
Saved to new life sublime!
Life now is sweet and my joy is complete,
For I’m saved, saved, saved!

He saves me from every sin and harm,
Secures my soul each day;
I’m leaning strong on His mighty arm;
I know He’ll guide me all the way.

Saved by His power divine,
Saved to new life sublime!
Life now is sweet and my joy is complete,
For I’m saved, saved, saved!

When poor and needy and all alone,
In love He said to me,
“Come unto Me and I’ll lead you home,
To live with Me eternally.”

Saved by His power divine,
Saved to new life sublime!
Life now is sweet and my joy is complete,
For I’m saved, saved, saved!

This performance of "Saved, Saved!" on the 25 Hymns of Jesus, My Savior album, is available for purchase and download at both iTunes and Zune.

#7 His Eye is on the Sparrow

"What is the price of two sparrows?  One copper coin?  But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.  And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.  So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows."

Matthew 10:29-31

When I was about three or four, my dad graduated from seminary.  His first church after graduating was First Baptist Church of Greenwood in Shawnee, KS.  I loved that church.  We met in my school, Greenwood Elementary.  The school was out in the country at a four-way stop.  Across the street on one side was the Grange.  I loved the Grange, too.  I only went inside it one week a year - Vacation Bible School week.  I love remembering the way that place smelled, all musty and dusty, with a hint of Kool-aid in the air.  Oops, I digress.

Anyway, as any good ol' Baptist church at the time, people were awarded for their Sunday School attendance (I hope they still do this somewhere, but I'm afraid it's one of those customs that has fallen to the wayside).  Unless I ever happened to be sick on a Sunday, I had perfect attendance each year.  We were given the little bar to add to the pin and previous bars.  Sometimes Bibles were awarded.  One year, my dad asked what I wanted.  It was either 1967 or 1968.  We had just been through a Billy Graham crusade in Kansas City.  My wonderful Aunt Babe loved hearing Ethel Waters sing, and one of Ms. Waters' popular songs was "His Eye is on the Sparrow."  We had just heard her sing this at the crusade.  I told my dad I wanted an Ethel Waters record.

Now, Aunt Babe cried at the singing of anything (Aunt Babe is pictured here with Uncle Don - as always, click on the photo for a larger view).  And the better she knew the singer, the  more she cried.  The more she knew the song, the more she cried.  The more important the song was, the more she cried.  I think you get my point.  The Sunday I was to get my award, I knew Aunt Babe would cry.  And, she did. 

Over the years, I watched many a Billy Graham Crusade (it was required at our house).  I've seen Ethel Waters sing "His Eye is on the Sparrow" countless times.  Each and every time, I had Aunt Babe on my mind.  We've sung this hymn at church frequently, as well, and I've always thought of Aunt Babe.

I've been debating which version to show here.  There are two different versions at You Tube.  One is a 1975 crusade performance.  The other is from the 1952 movie, "The Member of the Wedding," starring Ethel Waters and Julie Harris.  I believe the movie version is what I will use here.  Here is the link to the Billy Graham Crusade performance.  In both, the song doesn't begin until several minutes into the video.

His Eye is on the Sparrow

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion?  My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

These lyrics were written by Civilla D. Martin in 1905.  She wrote to explain how the writing of "His Eye is on the Sparrow" came about:

"Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle, true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle's reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn, "His Eye Is on the Sparrow," was the outcome of that experience."

The next day, she sent the words to Charles H. Gabriel, who composed the music.

I've spent some time this week listening to versions done since Ethel Waters' performances.  Crystal Lewis does a jazzy version on her Holy, Holy, Holy album.  Not normally my style, but I do enjoy listening to Ms. Lewis' take on this: 

This one, done by the Gaithers on their Peace in the Valley CD, is a bit more traditional.  I've been happily listening to it, as well:

As with a number of my favorite hymns, the reason that I first fell in love with this song had more to do with my relationship with someone important to me.  And, just as with other favorite hymns, the more familiar I became with these songs and realized the truth of the message in the words, they became special to me for reminding me of the Lord, what He has done and why, and what He continues to do in my life, the lives of all of His children, and in this world.  I have gotten through many a difficult time thinking of and singing "His Eye is on the Sparrow."

The Crystal Lewis download is available at iTunes.  The Gaithers' download is available at iTunes and Zune.

One Minute Each Night

Tim received this in an email tonight.  I don't know if it's true or not, the part about Churchill or the part about a group starting this here in the U.S.  I do know that it should be happening.  I've seen that a number of blogs have posted this, so even if there's not one group in charge, there seem to be a bunch of small groups getting this going: 

ONE MINUTE EACH NIGHT....  could this help?

This is the scariest election we as Christians have ever faced, and from the looks of the polls, the Christians aren't voting Christian values.  We all need to be on our knees.

Do you believe we can take God at His word?  Call upon His name, then stand back and watch.  This scripture gives us, as Christians, the ability to call upon God to heal this land.  I challenge you to do so.  We have never been more desperate than now for God to heal our land.

"If my people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
                                        -- 2 Chronicles 7:14

During WWII, there was an adviser to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people, and peace. This had an amazing effect as bombing stopped.

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America.  The United States of America and our citizens need prayer more than ever!  If you would like to participate, each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8 PM Central, 7 PM Mountain, 6 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, for peace in the world, the upcoming election, that the Bible will remain the basis for the laws governing our land, and that Christianity will grow in the U.S.

Someone said if people really understood the full extent of the power available through prayer, we might be speechless;  it's our most powerful asset.

Thank you.  Pass this on to anyone who you think will join in.