Christmas to a Child: How Do You Explain It?

“When will we buy a beautiful Christmas tree and decorations?” “When do we start shopping for gifts?” A pinch deep inside was felt by a parent upon hearing the child’s questions.

Amid all the flashy decorations and lights everywhere seen during the holiday season, any child would marvel in awe yet wonder why they can’t have those fabulous displays at home. It’s Christmas season, isn’t it natural that a house should be full of happy lights and joyous ornaments? Can one merely shrug off and avoid answering the open question? How can you tell a child that you can’t afford even the most basic bare plastic tree?

The children start reciting their wishlist. Everyone in the class will be receiving theirs and will later be telling stories of the amounts of toys and gadgets they have received from their parents, uncles and aunts at Christmas. Somehow, this dreaded feeling looms over those parents who can’t afford those toys and gadgets seen in ads everywhere as Christmas draws near. The pockets are nearly empty and the credit cards all maxed out. What is to be done now?

While everyone around is busy organizing and attending parties, going to and fro in their shopping sprees half expecting that the gifts they will receive will somewhat commensurate with what they have spent; braving the traffic, the long lines, the cacophony of the blaring carols from every store. It’s time to go back to the basics.

This is the perfect time to tell the Christmas story. Each child recalls from the stories they’ve read and heard about the scene at Bethlehem the night that Jesus was born. Everybody was busy. There was no room at the inn.

Only a manger was available–no frills—bare as ever. No heating, but the warmth of the mother’s embrace. No flashy lighting effects— but look above, God provided a glorious star. No blaring music—but the angels sang. Ordinary mortals who could afford the inn were not aware at that time, they were just too busy. The news was announced. It was an announcement that changed the course of human history forever. There was no press conference of famous people to hear the latest news. It was announced to the lowliest of the social classes—the shepherds. Joseph and Mary did not mind if they were nobody to the upper social strata. They were rejected and so they remained under the radar. They were nobodies. But they didn’t mind because they had Jesus with them. Who could ask for more?

Christmas is a joyous season. All the sparkles, the frills, the commerciality of it all, should not affect you negatively if it’s beyond your capacity to spend. Why use the whole month’s food budget to buy a tree you can’t afford, or buy extravagant gifts to please people who don’t even mind your existence for the most part of the year (except during Christmas when it’s time for them to expect gifts from you)?

Go deeper beyond the surface of the spectacular sights and sounds. Celebrate from within. The nativity scene is a humble yet priceless example of a family’s closeness despite everything that is happening around.

In today’s time, a good tradition to start for your family before the gift-giving rounds is to gather together and recount the real story of Christmas and in the process thanking God for sending His son to earth for us. Making the children aware of what Christmas is all about; making the season real to them in deeper ways is a lifetime gift they will never forget. If we have Jesus, in us, then everyday is worth celebrating. Cheer up! It’s Christmas time.

© 2010 Athena Goodlight

A Collection of Inspiring Father's Day Videos

Here is an inspiring collection of videos on fathers and dads all over the world.


A beautiful "Thank You" message to all fathers for Father's Day from White Wing Entertainment.

A great inspirational song from the 80's: My Father's Eyes by Amy Grant.

Still My Daddy: Fathers Day Video

I'm Watching You Dad - A Must-Watch Video For All Parents

Keith Urban - Song for Dad with Lyrics

...The older I get
The more I can see
How much he loved my mother and my brother and me
And he did the best that he could
And I only hope when I have my own family
That everyday I see
A little more of my father in me...

The Gentle Hands of Easter - a Poem of Resurrection Day

image credit

The little hands reach out to the new world.

The gentle mother softly touches the tiny fingers.

A soft sound issues from the baby, And the mother replies: “I love you."

The hands grow as time quickly passes.

They learn to handle the wood and tools of a carpenter.

They are kind hands, helpful hands.

The years have sped by so quickly.

The hands reach out and gently touch the mother.

"I must begin my journey. That is my purpose."

She places her hands upon His strong arms.

“I understand," she whispers, 'may God go with you."

From the Jordan River, the hands lift heavenward.

The strong voice sounds clearly, "I love you, my Father."

Over the coming years, the hands reach out to humanity.

They touch the hurt, the diseased, the unloved.

They bring healing, strength, joy, encouragement.

They cause no pain, they are gentle and kind.

The hands are bound by the be­trayal of a friend.

They perform no miracle now, they are subdued.

Taken to the enemy's judgment hall,

They are lashed to a whipping post.

They strain against the thongs as love is repaid with anger.

The feet falter and stumble.

The hands grip the rugged beam.

The walk is long and the arms ache.

The hands seem powerless now.

The enemy seems to win.

The journey is completed.

Those gentle hands are roughly thrown against the beam.

The nail is placed, the hammer raised!

There is a soft gasp as the hands of love are pierced.

They are raised toward heaven, but not in praise.

The lifeless hands are released from the beam.

The body is lowered into the arms of the sobbing mother.

Gently wrapped, it is placed in a borrowed tomb.

The day is dark, love seems gone, hope is lost.

Hallelujah! Greet the brand new morn! Love has won, not lost!

"Come to me" is the cry of His heart,

As He stands today with out­stretched arms.

And the price of love is seen in His gentle hands!

—Rev. James E. Blubaugh—Easter 1988

Telling the Story of the Passover Feast and the Lord’s Supper to Children

It was time for the Feast of Passover. On this day each year the Jews were to eat a special Passover meal. The meal reminded them of the time God led the Israelites from Egypt.

The disciples came to the Lord Jesus and asked, "Where do You want us to get ready for the Passover?"

The Lord Jesus said, "Go into the city and find a certain man. Tell him that the Master says, 'My time is near. I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.' "

The disciples obeyed the Lord Jesus; then they prepared the meal for the Passover.

When night came, the Lord Jesus and His twelve disciples sat down in the house to eat. While they were eating, the Lord Jesus said, "One of you will betray Me." He knew that one of His disciples would help His enemies.

The disciples felt sorry. They hated to think that any of them would do such a wicked thing. "Lord, am I the one?" each of them asked fearfully.

The Lord Jesus said, "The one who dips his hand into the dish with Me is the one who will betray Me."

The disciples and the Lord Jesus did not use silverware to eat. Instead, they used their fingers to dip pieces of food into a dish of stew.

The Lord Jesus already knew what would happen to Him. He knew that He would die soon.

"Woe unto the man who betrays the Son of man," the Lord said. "It would have been better for that man if he had never been born." "Son of man" is another name for the Lord Jesus.

Judas, the disciple who would betray the Lord Jesus, then asked, "Master, am I the one?"

The Lord Jesus said to Judas, "You have said it."

While the disciples were eating, Jesus picked up some bread and blessed it. He then broke it into pieces that He gave to the disciples. "Take. Eat," He said. "This is My body."

He then picked up a cup and thanked God for what was in it. He gave each disciple a drink from the cup. "Drink all of it," He said. "This is My blood, which is shed for many people so that they can have their sins forgiven."

The Lord Jesus said, "I will not drink the fruit of the vine until I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."

The Lord was reminding the disciples that He had not come to rule like an earthly king. His kingdom is in heaven (cf. John 18:36).

The disciples and the Lord Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

 

Life application

The Lord Jesus knew that He was going to die soon. He knew that Judas was going to turn Him over to His enemies.

The Lord wanted the disciples to remember His last meal with them. He wanted them to remember the things He had taught them. Most of all, He wanted them to remember that the purpose of His death was to forgive sins.

The bread was not really Jesus' body, and the juice was not really His blood. The Lord told the disciples that the bread would remind them of His body. The juice, which was made from grapes, would remind them of how the Lord bled and died on the cross for them.

Christians still obey Him by remembering His last supper with His disciples. Churches have special services called communion services. When Christians eat the bread and drink the juice, they remember that the Lord's body hung on the cross. They also remember that the Lord Jesus shed His blood for them.

The Lord Jesus knew that He would rise from the dead. We know that someday He will come to earth again. Until the Lord Jesus comes, we are supposed to remember how He died for us.

When the Lord Jesus hung on the cross and shed His blood, He took the punishment that we deserve. The Bible says that all people deserve to die and to be separated from God forever because of their sins.

The Lord Jesus loves you so much that He died in your place. He wants to save you so that you can live forever in heaven with Him.

Biblical Reference: Matthew 26: 36-50

Palm Sunday Hymn: All Glory Laud and Honor

All Glory, Laud and Honor sheet music and audio HERE 

On Palm Sunday morning, an interesting bit of pageantry takes place in some liturgical churches. As the opening processional moves around the sanctuary, it will pause in one corner, and a soloist or a small group of the choir will sing the ancient Latin canticle Gloria, laus et honor or its English equivalent "All Glory, Laud and Honor." When the song is completed, the processional moves on and the service continues. This tradition may be based only upon a legend, but it has been perpetuated for more than a thousand years.

It is said that in the year 821 King Louis the Pious, son of Charlemagne, was participating in the Palm Sunday procession through the streets of Angers in the region of Orleans. As the parade stopped near a prison tower, suddenly a melodious voice was heard singing "Gloria, laus et honor." The emperor learned that the vocalist was Theodulph of Orleans, a great pastor, bishop and poet whom he had jailed on suspicion of treachery against the crown. Whereupon, so the story goes, "the gentle and merciful monarch was moved with compassion, and from that hour he delivered and pardoned him, and sent him back to his church, quit and absolved of the crime whereof he had been accused."

There are puzzling aspects to the story of Jesus' "triumphal" entry into Jerusalem, the event we remember on this Sunday of the church year. Four hundred fifty years earlier the prophet Zechariah had written: "Rejoice greatly, 0 daughter of Zion; shout, 0 daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass" (Zech. 9:9). Yet it is quite probable that those who waved the palms never knew that they were fulfilling prophecy.

Jesus was offering Himself to the Jews as their promised Messiah and King. But they desired and expected a mighty deliverer who would rescue them from the legions of Rome and restore to them the glory of their ancient kingdom. Many of them were attracted by the miracles which Jesus had performed, and therefore were willing to join the shouting crowds that day. But when they were asked about His identity they said only, "This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth, of Galilee." No Messiah, no king, no promised deliverer; just Jesus, a prophet of Nazareth.

Of course, our Lord's disciples — at least some of them — had recognized Him. Several weeks earlier, Simon Peter had said to Him, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16:16). It may be that it was the disciples (see Luke 19:37-38) who started the chant that day, "Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest" (Matt. 21:9). Many of the multitude joined in the cry, possibly without fully realizing what they were saying. Doubtless, some of the same people were part of another crowd which, only a few days later, shouted: "Crucify him! Crucify him!"

There will be many in our churches today, repeating these verses of praise, whose singing will be as meaningless as it was many years ago. If we are to praise Christ properly, He must be King in our hearts and Lord of our lives — sovereign over body, mind and spirit. Because the ancient Hebrews were not prepared to accept Him as "spiritual King," Jesus knew that it was not time to be their temporal ruler. But the day will come when He will return as a glorious Monarch. Revelation 19:11,16 pictures Him as seated on a white horse; and "he . .. was called Faithful and True... And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

Christ desires our praise and our adoration; He deserves it, and He knows that it is through worship that our lives are purified and made complete. When the Pharisees asked Jesus to restrain His disciples in their jubilant praise, He said, "I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." Yes, Jesus must be praised; nature will do it if man will not!

Today, let us join with the children of that first Palm Sunday, with all those who truly accepted Him as Lord, with the angels on high, and with the saints of all ages, singing "All glory, laud and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King."  -  Hymn story by Tedd Smith

The Stort Behind the Hymn HOW GREAT THOU ART

In 1885, a Swedish preacher, by the name of Carl Boberg, at age 26, wrote the words only of a poem entitled, “O Store Gud”. Boberg’s poem was published in 1886. The title, “O Store Gud”, translated into English is “O Great God”. A fairly literal translation from Swedish into English, of the first verse and refrain of “O Store Gud”, is as follows:

O, GREAT GOD!

When I the world consider

Which Thou has made by Thine almighty Word

And how the webb of life Thy wisdom guideth

And all creation feedeth at Thy board.

Refrain:

Then doth my soul burst forth in song of praise

Oh, great God

Oh, great God.

The translation from Swedish to English is obviously different from the words we are familiar with today, as found in Stuart K. Hine’s words of HOW GREAT THOU ART. Carl Boberg wrote this poem with no thought of it becoming a hymn. He did not write any music to the text. After publication, the poem was apparently forgotten, but several years later, Boberg attended a meeting and was surprised to hear his poem being sung to the tune of an old Swedish melody. This original melody was different from the arranged melody made by Stuart K. Hine and copyrighted in 1949 and 1953.

In the early 1920’s, English missionaries, Mr. Stuart K. Hine and his wife, ministered in Poland. It was there they learned the Russian version of Boberg’s poem, “O Store Gud”, coupled with the original Swedish melody. Later, under inspiration, Stuart K. Hine wrote original English words, and made his own arrangement of the Swedish melody, which became popular and is now known as the hymn, HOW GREAT THOU ART.

The first three verses were inspired, line upon line, amidst unforgettable experiences in the Carpathian Mountains. In a village to which he had climbed, Mr. Hine stood in the street singing a Gospel hymn and reading aloud “John, Chapter Three”. Among the sympathetic listeners was a local village schoolmaster. A storm was gathering, and when it was evident that no further travel could be made that night, the friendly schoolmaster offered his hospitality. Awe-inspiring was the mighty thunder echoing through the mountains, and it was this impression that was to bring about the birth of the first verse.

Read Full Story HERE

The Miracle of a Brother's Song

Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his s sister in Mommy's tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her.

The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the the Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee. In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, every three, every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Would a C-section be required?

Finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition. With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee.

The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatrician had to tell the parents there is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst. Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their house for t heir new baby they found themselves having to plan for a funeral. Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him se his sister. I want to sing to her, he kept saying. Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over. Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen decided to take Michael whether they liked it or not. If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive. She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket. The head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, " Get that kid out of here now. No children are allowed." The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. He is not leaving until he sings to his sister" she stated. Then Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began tossing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray." Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady. "Keep on singing, Michael," encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes. "You never know, dear, how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away. "As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten's purr. "Keep on singing, sweetheart."

"The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms". Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her. "Keep singing, Michael." Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't take my sunshine away..."

The next, day...the very next day...the little girl was well enough to go home. Woman's Day Magazine called it The Miracle of a Brother's Song. The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love.

NEVER GIVE UP ON THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE. LOVE IS SO INCREDIBLY POWERFUL. Please send this to all the people that have touched your life in some way. Life is good. Have Wonderful Day!

Karin Simmons Knapp, the grandmother of the baby girl has told TruthOrFiction.com that the story is true.
She said that the story circulating on the Internet appears to have been taken from a book of sermons published by the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church in East Tennessee.
St. Mary's Hospital in Knoxville told TruthOrFiction.com that children are prohibited from visiting the hospital, not because of resistant staff, but hospital policy. Even so, the source told us that a child would not be prohibited from visiting the bedside of a dying sibling.

The baby was named Marlee and as of August, 2008, she is a 16-year old high school student who describes herself as "just like any other teenage girl." She told TruthOrFiction.com that she sings in her church choir as well as school choir and is a student athletic trainer for her high school's athletic department.

Marlee says that her gift is singing and that she's glad that what happened when she was born didn't keep her from that dream.

Have Thine Own Way, Lord

listen to Have Thine Own Way

"But now, O Lord, Thou art our Father; we are the clay, and Thou our potter; and we all are the work of Thy hand." Isaiah 64:8

It really doesn't matter what you do with us, Lord-just have your way with our lives ...

This simple expression, prayed by an elderly woman at a prayer meeting one night, was the source of inspiration that prompted the writing of this popular consecration hymn, in 1902. From that time to the present, it has been an influential hymn in aiding individuals to examine and submit their lives to the Lordship of Christ.

The author of this hymn text, Adelaide A. Pollard, was herself experiencing a "distress of soul" during this time. It appears that it was a period in her life when she had been unsuccessful in raising funds to make a desired trip to Africa for missionary service. In this state of discouragement, she attended a little prayer meeting one night and was greatly impressed with the prayer of an elderly woman, who omitted the usual requests for blessings and things, and simply petitioned God for an understanding of His will in life. Upon returning home that evening, Miss Pollard meditated further on the story of the potter, found in Jeremiah 18:3, 4:

"Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it."

Before retiring that evening, Adelaide Pollard completed the writing of all four stanzas of this hymn as it is sung today.

Adelaide Addison Pollard was known as a remarkable, saintly woman but one who lived the life of a mystic. She was born on November 27, 1862, at Bloomfield, Iowa. She was named, Sarah, by her parents, but because of her later dislike for this name, she adopted the name, Adelaide. After an early training in elocution and physical culture, she moved to Chicago, Illinois, during the 1880's and taught in several girls' schools. During this time, she became rather well-known as an itinerant Bible teacher. Later, she became involved in the evangelistic ministry of Alexander Dowie, assisting him in his healing services. She, herself, claimed to have been healed of diabetes in this manner. Still later, she became involved in the ministry of another evangelist named Sanford, who was emphasizing the imminent return of Christ. Miss Pollard desired to travel and minister in Africa, but when these plans failed to materialize, she spent several years teaching at the Missionary Training School at Nyack-on-the-Hudson. She finally got to Africa for a short time, just prior to World War I and then spent most of the war years in Scotland. Following the war, she returned to America and continued to minister throughout New England, even though by now she was very frail and in poor health.

Miss Pollard wrote a number of other hymn texts throughout her life, although no one knows exactly how many, since she never wanted any recognition for her accomplishments. Most of her writings were signed simply AAP. "Have Thine Own Way, Lord!" is her only hymn still in use today.

The music for this text was supplied by George Coles Stebbins, one of the leading gospel musicians of this century. The hymn first appeared in 1907 in Stebbins' collection, Northfield Hymnal with Alexander's Supplement. That same year, it also appeared in two other popular hymnals, Ira Sankey's Hallowed Hymns New and Old and Sankey and Clement's Best Endeavor Hymns.

In 1876, George Stebbins was invited by D. L. Moody to join him in his evangelistic endeavors. For the next twenty-five years, Stebbins was associated with Moody and Sankey and such other leading evangelists as George F. Pentecost and Major D. W. Whittle as a noted song leader, choir director, composer, and compiler of many gospel song collections. He has supplied the music for such popular gospel hymns as: "Saved by Grace" (No. 76), "Ye Must Be Born Again" (No. 101), "There Is a Green Hill Far Away" (101 Hymn Stories, No. 96), "Jesus, I Come," "Take Time to be Holy," "Savior, Breathe an Evening Blessing," and many others. He has left an interesting autobiography of his life and times entitled Memoirs and Reminiscences, published in 1924. George C. Stebbins lived a fruitful life for God to the age of ninety-one, passing away on October 6, 1945, at Catskill, New York.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have Thine own way, Lord! have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter; I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have Thine own way, Lord! have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter then snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

Have Thine own way, Lord! have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power - all power- surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!

Have Thine own way, Lord! have Thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Writer --Adelaide A. Pollard, 1862-1934
Composer --George C. Stebbins, 1846-1945

source: sermonindex.net

It Is Well With My Soul

Listen to It Is Well With My Soul MIDI

This hymn is one of my personal favorites. When we tend to cause ourselves to worry about the uncertainties of the future, or even sometimes of our seemingly hopeless present situation, always remember God's words "be still and know that I am GOD." It's very comforting isn't it?

You've probably heard the famous story of Haratio Spafford writing "It Is Well with My Soul" following the death of his four daughters. The story goes that as he sailed across the area were their ship went down and they drowned, he wrote the popular hymn.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

[chorus] It is well, with my soul,

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet,

though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

[chorus]

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

[chorus]

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.

[chorus]

Here is a story by James N. Watkins
Some of the story may be true, but there's much more to the story before and after the song!
In the 1870s, Spafford was a very successful lawyer in Chicago and heavily invested in real estate. His son died shortly before the great Chicago fire in 1871 wiped out all his properties.
In 1873, he and his family planned a vacation trip to Europe. While in Great Britain, he planned to help his good friend Dwight L. Moody and Ira Sankey, whom he had financially supported, with their evangelistic tour. Spafford sent his wife and four girls—ages 11, 9, 7 and 2—ahead while he finished up last-minute business in Chicago. On November 22, the S.S. Ville Du Havre struck another ship and sank within twelve minutes. Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband "Saved alone."
Conflicting stories report that Spafford wrote "It Is Well with My Soul" while passing over the very spot of the ocean where his four daughters perished and that he wrote it two years later when Moody and Sankey were visiting his home.

But the tragedy surrounding the hymn didn't end there. Horatio and Anna returned to Chicago, and five years later the couple gave birth to Horatio II and two years after that, a girl. But before their son reached his fourth birthday, he died of scarlet fever. Their surviving daughter, Bertha, would write that her parents not only suffered the pain of losing their fortune and five children, but it was compounded by a crisis of faith. Were the children's deaths a punishment from God? Did He no longer love them? Horatio felt himself in danger of losing his faith.

One year later, Anna gave birth to a sixth daughter, appropriately named "Grace." Shortly after, the family of four moved to Jerusalem, with Horatio explaining, "Jerusalem is where my Lord lived, suffered, and conquered, and I wish to learn how to live, suffer, and especially to conquer."
The family would remain in Jerusalem and set up a children's home. And like his children, he too would die tragically. Some reports claim he began to suffer delusions that he was the second Messiah, while his family insists it was the malaria fever from which he died that caused the mental confusion.

But the tragedy surrounding the hymn didn't end there, either. The tune was written by Philip P. Bliss, which he entitled "Ville du Havre," the name of the ship that took the lives of Spafford's four daughters. The hymn was first sung by Bliss himself before a large gathering of ministers hosted by Moody on November 24, 1876.

Just one month later, on December 29, 1876, Bliss and wife were traveling to Chicago by train. As the train passed over a trestle near Ashtabula, Ohio, the bridge collapsed and the passenger coaches plunged 75 into the icy river. Philip was able to escape through a window, but his wife was pinned in the wreckage. As he went back to free his wife, a fire broke out through the wooden cars and both were burned beyond recognition.

Nine tragic deaths surround the hymn, and yet those affected by them, could say, "It is well with my soul." And to me, that is indeed "blest assurance." It is well with my soul . . . if nothing else!

What A Friend We Have in Jesus

Listen to What A Friend We Have In Jesus by Sharon B.C

Joseph Scriven, author of this hymn was a man who experienced the friendship of Christ during a life filled with trouble. As a young man in Ireland, about 1840, his intended bride was accidently drowned the evening before their wedding. Hehad begun training as a military cadet, but poor health forced him to abandon his dreams of a career in this field.

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged,

Take it to the Lord in prayer,

Can we find a friend so faithful,

Who will all our sorrows share?J

esus knows our every weakness,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Moving to Canada, he became a servant of the underprivileged, helping those who were physically handicapped and financially destitute. But tragedy continued to stall his steps. Once again, the plans for a wedding were cut short when his second fiancee died following a brief illness. It seemed that Joseph Scriven was destined to go through life alone, knowing only the friendship of Jesus Christ.

Through much of his life he experienced loneliness, meagerpay for menial work, and physical illness. This hymn is his testimony that prayer does not necessarily eliminate trouble from our lives. But, in the midst of tragedy, temptations and weakness, Christ will be our ever-present Friend who will give us peace "take and shield us" and carry our "load of care."

Are we weak and heavy-laden,

Cumbered with a load ofeare?

Precious Saviour, still our refuge,

Take it to the Lord inprayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in Prayer;

In His arms He'll take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find a solace there.

After his death, in recognition of his sacrificial service to others, a monument was erected in Port Hope, in Ontario, Canada, in tribute to Joseph Scriven, an Irish immigrant who was a friend to many and who found a friend in Jesus.

"A friend is a person who knows all about us, yet loves us just the same." This definition carries an idea that would probably disqualify a few. Because if we are to openly exhibit our inward selves --the thoughts which reveal our insecurities and prejudices --we would probably lose contact with many people we consider to be our "friends."

How many of our friendships are dependent upon social position or financial status? We entertain and are entertained by the folk who live in our social level. What if our financial situation should change-- either for better or for worse -- causing us to move to a different social and economic level? Would our friendships or relationships bridge the gap of that change? Possibly not always

For most of us, continuing friendship depends on a delicate balance of "give and take." If our friend should snub us, or ask too often for a favor, or fail to reciprocate adequately, the relationship would be jeopardized. But not so with Christ; it is not possible to "presume" on his friendship." He forgives. He is a friend who listens to our every request, and answers each time in just the way that is best for us.

ref: from "Crusader Hymn Stories"- Billy Graham

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

from "A Hymn Story by George Beverly Shea"- Billy Graham Crusaders Hymn Stories
listen to Great Is Thy Faithfulness Ezra Bufford arrangement

The opening stanza and refrain are taken directly from scriptural affirmations about God. "His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness" (Lam. 3:22,23). "Ever good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17). In other words, God is always like the bright sunlight characteristic of mid-day; there is never a shadow to cloud His complete and perfect faithfulness.

In many ways nature shows us that God is faithful. Every sunset is followed by a sunrise. Every winter is followed by a summer. Whenever we plant seed, we can count on a harvest. In the sky we see innumerable stars all moving in patterns which can be charted by astronomers thousands of years in advance.But even more clearly, through His dealing with mortal men, we have learned that God is faithful. He has promised in His Word to forgive our sins and to give us peace of mind and heart; when we accept Christ His Son as our Lord and Savior, He fulfills His pledge. Morning by morning, day after day, we feel His presence in our hearts. Surely we can look forward with hope to His presence, even at the end of life’s journey.I am often reassured by these words of an unknown believer: "Fear not tomorrow, for God is already there!"

It would be wrong to assume that every hymn has been written or has become well known as the result of some dramatic experience. Some authors have simply made it a habit to write poetry regularly, perhaps one every day. Out of the hundreds that flow from the pen, only a few will be worthy of publishing.Thomas Chisholm, a Methodist life insurance agent, gave us these inspiring words. He says that there were no special circumstances surrounding their writing. He simply penned the lines from his impressions about God’s faithfulness as told in the Bible and sent them, with several other poems, to his friend and collaborator William Runyan.

Great is Thy faithfulness,

O God my Father,

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not,Thy compassions they fail not;

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:: Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

2. Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness,mercy and love.

Refrain:

3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today andbright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all minewith ten thousand beside!

Refrain:

Thomas O Chrisholm (1866-1960)

The Story of Amazing Grace

Hymn Story of John Newton by Billy Graham [Crusader Hymns, No. 108]

listen to Amazing grace MIDI

One Sunday in 1966 during the Earls Court crusade in London, we were driving between speaking engagements in the university towns of Oxford and Cambridge. Suddenly I noticed that we were passing through the village of Olney and I remarked to my wife, "There's a famous church and graveyard here. Let's stop to visit them."
Riding through the Olney village square, we passed the former home of William Cowper. It is now a museum that houses the personal effects of that great English poet, to whom we are indebted for classic poetry as well as for some of our finest hymns. This village is also famous as the place where the Shrove Tuesday pancake races originated.
The Olney parish church of Saints Peter and Paul was built in the fourteenth century, but much of the original beauty and dignity remains. In the corner of the churchyard, almost overgrown with tall grass, we found what we were looking for--a large tombstone with these words inscribed:

John Newton, Clerk; once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.

Newton was the son of a sea captain who was engaged in the Mediterranean trade. His mother died when he was six, and after only two years of formal schooling he joined his father's ship at the age of eleven. His early life was one of immorality, debauchery and failure. He was rejected by his father, in trouble with all his employers, and finally jailed and degraded. In later years he served on slave ships, where he so incurred the hatred of his employer's negro wife that he became virtually a "slave of slaves."
This miserable seaman was brought to his senses by reading Thomas A Kempis's book, Imitation of Christ. His actual conversion was the result of a violent storm in which he almost lost his life. At the age of thirty-nine, John Newton became a minister and gave the rest of his life to serving God in the church. During the fifteen years he was the pastor at Olney, he wrote many hymns. Together with William Cowper, he published a hymnal which was widely used in Anglican churches.
It seems to me that "Amazing Grace" is really Newton's own testimony of his conversion and of his life as a Christian. He might have begun the hymn with the first stanza of another of his poems, "He Died for Me," but these words have somehow dropped out of use:

In evil long I took delight,

Unawed by shame or fear,

Till a new object struck my sight,

And stopped my wild career.

"God's grace" has been defined as "His undeserved favor." It was this grace that reached out to John Newton. When he learned that Christ loved him and had died for him, he was amazed. It was this grace which made him conscious that he was a sinner ("grace taught my heart to fear") and then assured him that his sins were forgiven ("grace my fears relieved"). So it is with all of us. We are all "great sinners" not only because of transgressions committed, but also because we fall short of God's standard for our lives. And this "amazing grace" is available to all of us.
As Christian believers we continue to experience God's undeserved love and favor throughout all of life. Every day He forgives our shortcomings, if we confess them. Every day He supplies all our needs.
John Newton never ceased to marvel at God's mercy and grace that had been granted to him. Over the mantelpiece in the Olney vicarage he had placed an inscription which still remains:

Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou has been honourable (Isa. 43:4). But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee (Deut. 15:15).

He never forgot the sea. Late in life, when he was pastor of St. Mary, Woolnoth in London, Newton entered the pulpit in the uniform of a sailor, with a Bible in one hand and a hymnbook in the other. His mind was failing then, and he sometimes had to be reminded what he was preaching about. When someone suggested that he should retire, he replied, "What, shall the old African blasphemer stop while he can speak?" On another occasion, he said, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour."
They tell us that the last stanza of this song was not written by John Newton. But I think he would agree that it is a fitting climax to his testimony. After he--and we--have been in heaven for ten thousand years worshipping our Lord, we will still have endless time to sing of His 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.

John Newton, 1-3 (1725-1807)

John P. Rees, 4 (ascribed) (1828-1900)