Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
"Veiled in flesh the God-head see. Hail the incarnate Deity."
Carol: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” – Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Tune: MENDELSSOHN
I told you we’d be back to this one again, and here we are with a little more Wesleyan theology!
The God-head – the Trinity – Father, Son, Holy Spirit – Parent, Child, Presence. However you express it, the God-head is all there is of God… the entirety of his essence. And here, Wesley calls on us to look upon the flesh-encased depiction of all that God is! Skin, draped over the totality of the Divine. Now, that should give us pause!
The incarnate Deity is in our midst, and we should offer him his due: the highest, most-sincere praise. “Hail, King Jesus!”
During these last days of Advent, don’t miss seeing/realizing that incarnation!
Susan Boyle with Choir
Tune: MENDELSSOHN
 |
| Sculpture by Kevin Frances Gray |
I told you we’d be back to this one again, and here we are with a little more Wesleyan theology!
The God-head – the Trinity – Father, Son, Holy Spirit – Parent, Child, Presence. However you express it, the God-head is all there is of God… the entirety of his essence. And here, Wesley calls on us to look upon the flesh-encased depiction of all that God is! Skin, draped over the totality of the Divine. Now, that should give us pause!
The incarnate Deity is in our midst, and we should offer him his due: the highest, most-sincere praise. “Hail, King Jesus!”
During these last days of Advent, don’t miss seeing/realizing that incarnation!
Susan Boyle with Choir
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
"Pleased as a man with us to dwell."
Carol: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” – Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Tune: MENDELSSOHN
This is my favorite Christmas carol, so I'm using it today and tomorrow!
Charles Wesley had a way of putting his theology into poetry that still makes sense, long after his pen left the paper. His hymns almost always get at the heart of the gospel, and this one is no exception.
Charles Wesley had a way of putting his theology into poetry that still makes sense, long after his pen left the paper. His hymns almost always get at the heart of the gospel, and this one is no exception.
Today's hymnline tells us that Christ was “pleased as a man with
us to dwell.” It was his pleasure to step from heaven to earth, to take on
flesh, to live among humankind. I don’t think he and the Father had to come to
some kind of deal or that he left heaven kicking and screaming.
As the Philippian Hymn says: “Christ, being
in very nature God, did not consider equality with
God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness. And being
found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient…”
Taking on human likeness, appearing as a man, humbling himself, obeying,
becoming a servant. Emmanuel. God WITH us.
And loving every minute of it – taking
great delight in living among those whom his Father had created and placed on
the earth.
I, for one, am glad he did.
Amy
Grant Sings This Carol
Monday, December 21, 2015
"And all flesh shall see the token that God's word is never broken."
Carol: “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People” – Johannes G. Olearius (1611-1684)
Tune: GENEVAN 42
Catherine Winkworth’s translation of this ancient hymn text
grabs me, reminding me that throughout time, God has presented us with signs of
his promises: the rainbow in Noah’s day, the pillar of fire for Moses’ troops, the
covenant with Abraham, and ultimately revealing himself in THE Sign: the Lord
Christ. It is that revelation that we come to celebrate.
The sending of his Son was the ultimate token of his
everlasting promise to the people of Israel. At Bethlehem’s manger, God is
saying, “See. I keep my word. I always do.” On a nearby hillside the angels
echo the sentiment, “Unto you a Savior is (finally) born” – that Savior you’ve
been anticipating since the beginnings of the covenant relationship God had
with the Jewish nation.
This carol is a great versification of Isaiah 40, opening
with the same statement we find there spoken to the prophet by the Lord: “Comfort, comfort ye my people.” In 40:5, we find the text on which my favorite Christmas chorus from MESSIAH is
based: "And the glory of the LORD shall be
revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. For the mouth of
the LORD has spoken it.” It is from THIS passage that today’s hymnline
is lifted; I think you can see the parallels without my going on and on about
them!
These two centuries later, we need to
be reminded of God’s faithfulness; what God says, he will do – eventually,
finally. And even though “Standing on the Promises” is not a song for this
season, that’s exactly what we need to continue to do.
Hear
the Choir of Conrad Grebel College
Friday, December 18, 2015
"Look now! For glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing."
Carol: “It Came upon the Midnight Clear” – Edmund H. Sears (1810-1876)
Tune: CAROL
All ye, beneath life's crushing load
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing path
With painful steps and slow.
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.
“Heads up!” Don’t put it off. “Look now!” This seems to be a
call to immediate response to the sound of angels’ wings… and the words they
sing/say.
This stanza of the carol is addressed to all who find
themselves beneath the crushing load of life, whose bodies and spirits are
drooping under the weight of the struggles. Perhaps these encumbrances are the
result of a birth defect or a disease, of their own bad decisions/sins, of the ‘cards
they were dealt’ early on in life. Maybe they are overloaded with the problems
of others – family members, friends, coworkers. Whatever has brought them to
their knees, they feel like they are always on an up-hill trek, that every step
is painful, and the progress is slow. I think we get the picture. In fact, it
may be a picture of ourselves.
With heads hanging low, we are given hope that the better
(glad and golden) hours are ahead because for unto us a Child has been born.
Look up… now… and realize it. Be lifted from your bloodied knees to stand again
complete. The Great Physician now is near; the newborn King comes to lift up the
fallen, heal the sick and restore the weak.
This reassurance came upon the midnight clear two centuries
ago, and it rings just as true today. Perhaps it’s just the word of hope we
need to hear.
I had trouble finding a
recording that included this pivotal stanza!
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
"So prepare to be the home where such a mighty Guest may come."
Common Tunes: PUER NOBIS, WINCHESTER NEW
I grew up in the Baptist denomination, and none of our hymns had the word “Baptist” in the title! Other denominations, however, often include this hymn about John the Baptist’s announcing the coming of Messiah; as the forerunning cousin of Jesus, that was his calling.
Note: It is important to include the apostrophe after Baptist; otherwise, it sounds like a whole denomination of immersers is wailing on a river’s edge!
The stanza in which this hymnline sits says this in total:
Let ev’ry heart be cleansed from sin,
Make straight for God within,
And so prepare to be the home
Where such a mighty Guest may come.
Straightening up the house is something we do when we’re expecting guests -- any guests… even regular visitors and family members! That may include hiding some things in the closet, under a bed, or behind the sofa. We want give the best possible appearance, tidied up as well as -we can make the visitor feel welcome – even ‘at home.”
Other carols say, “Let every heart prepare him room,” and “O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room…” But THIS line calls Jesus a ‘mighty Guest.’ I guess that means the same thing as ‘important’ or ‘extra special.’ The mighty Son of the mighty God is looking for somewhere to take up residence.
Unlike our usual visitors – however glamorous or significant – we don’t need to start hiding things! That all-knowing-ness of Christ sees right through any pretenses we may try to create.
So I suppose this is a season of peace, joy, love, hope… and transparency!
Get your house in order! You may be about to have a Zacchaeus kind of day!
Winchester New Tune at the Organ
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
"Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord."
"Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord."
Carol: “The First Noel” – Traditional English Carol
Carol: “The First Noel” – Traditional English Carol
Tune: THE FIRST NOWELL
I love this hymnline that opens the final stanza of a
most-beloved Christmas carol because it reminds me that we need to all get
together and agree to sing praises! The people of God are rarely in ‘one accord’
on much of anything, but at least we can be when we sing!
At no other time during the year are you going to hear the
name of Jesus being piped into the shopping malls. Even when the place of business is trying to be
politically correct and playing only the instrumental versions, every shopper
knows enough of the carol texts to sing them to themselves. “Christ the Savior
is born!” “Our Lord, Emmanuel.” “Glory to the newborn King.” And even the carol
at hand which goes on to explain WHY the Christ has come:
“Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
Who hath made heaven and earth of naught,
And with his blood our lives hath bought!
Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!
Born is the King of Israel.”
So for the next few days, enjoy hearing your Savior’s name
sung (or played) as you shop. Begin humming along…or even singing out loud. Who
knows? A flash-mob could break out right there in ladies’ ready-to-wear!
We may not agree on much – we Christian people; but we seem
to agree that the Christmas season is a good time to sing! So have at it!
Now, if we could just be in one accord the rest of the year
on some other things!
Hear This Carol
Monday, December 14, 2015
"Holy Child... teach us to resemble thee in thy sweet humility."
Carol: “See Amid the Winter’s Snow” – Edward Caswall (1814-1878)
Tune: HUMILITY
This hymnline prayer comes from a carol we don’t all know
well… if at all. Here is the first stanza:
See amid the winter’s snow,
Born for us on earth below,
See, the gentle Lamb appears,
Promised from eternal years.
Born for us on earth below,
See, the gentle Lamb appears,
Promised from eternal years.
Teach, O teach us, holy Child,
By Thy face so meek and mild,
Teach us to resemble Thee,
In Thy sweet humility.
By Thy face so meek and mild,
Teach us to resemble Thee,
In Thy sweet humility.
The request to learn to resemble Christ catches my
attention. We bat around so many other terms like reflect, mirror, imitate,
etc., but this is what I want personally: to resemble Christ. When
someone looks at my life, I would love to bear a resemblance to the One I call
Lord.
Most of us resemble one (or both) of our parents; we say
that we “take after them” either physically or in our actions. The way we laugh
may be the exact replica of our mother, or we may have the same voice
inflection of our father. In my part of the country, they would say that I’m
the “spitting image” of my daddy… but that I’m my mama all over again. I’m
happy with that designation and recognition. I remember one time when a perfect
stranger came up to me and said, “You’ve got to be Raymond Huff’s son” – just by
looking at me.
Wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing if someone walked up to you
during this Advent season and said, “You’ve got to be a child of the King.” –
not because you look like Elvis, but because you act like Jesus… you are
Christlike in the way you approach every detail of your dealings with others.
Admittedly, we don’t act-out our Christian faith to BE
noticed, but we must admit it comes as a blessing when someone DOES notice and
says so.
Are you teachable? Is humility something you want to learn?
If so, this is a good time of the year to study the life and teachings of the
One who is displayed in stable-beds all around us. Watch him… emulate him…
glorify him by being a resemblance of who he is!
Julie Andrews sings
this carol (but not this stanza!)
A Norwegian setting of
the full text
Friday, December 11, 2015
"He comes to make his blessings flow."
Carol: “Joy to the World” – Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Tune: ANTIOCH
We have innumerable blessings, you and I. It's an inexhaustible
list. Do you see
how those blessings pile up? That’s a blessing in itself!
This Isaac Watts carol is really a re-versification of Psalm
98; if you read that Psalm, you’ll see the parallels. Today’s hymnline follows
the phrase, “No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground.”
In place of the infestation of these negative aspects of life, “He comes to
make his blessings known (as) far as the curse (of sin) is found.”
There are many reasons Christ came; we could grab a
legal pad and start making another list! But one of them is to replace the curse of
sin with the blessings of himself – so that his blessings might flow into and
through our lives… for our own edification and for those around us who may
still be up to their necks, strangled by the thorns of sin and sorrow.
It is a shame when a blessing comes into our lives, stops
there, and goes no further. “Paying it forward” was a Biblical principle long
before it was a movie or a common catch phrase. As the blessing pile higher and
higher, we become hoarders… yea, even Scrooge-like!
Let me give us another challenge for the Advent season:
Because he comes to make his blessings flow, let’s pass along every blessing we
possibly can. Let’s take up the blessing industry and be about our Father’s
business!
Lord Christ, may every blessing that flows into me flow out
of me into someone else. Amen.
Hear Choir from George
Fox University
Hear Dolly Sing This
Carol (with Stella on the Front Row!)
Sorry she doesn’t sing
this stanza.
Thursday, December 10, 2015
"Bind all peoples in one heart and mind. Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease."
Carol: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” – Latin Hymn
Tune: VENI EMMANUEL
This plainsong Advent carol is one of those prayer hymns we’ve discussed already. In this one, we singers are not only asking Messiah to come; we are also making several requests of him upon his arrival and the establishment of his Kingdom:
1) Come and cheer our spirits.
2) Disperse the gloomy clouds of night.
3) Death’s dark shadows put to flight.
4) Bring order to all things.
5) Show us the path of knowledge and lead us in that path.
In the final stanza, we encounter today’s hymnline. We plead for true camaraderie of all peoples in compassion and in thought. “Bring us together,” we pray. “Give a sense of cooperation and agreement. Help us to accept one another’s differences and make those differences work for the good of the Kingdom.”
To do that, the envy, strife and quarrels need to cease. Our praying continues, “Emmanuel, now that you, O God, are with us, call a cease-fire between the warring factions worldwide.”
I know this carol has some definite Jewish overtones – the people of Israel are renewing their belief that Emmanuel shall come to them. As Christians who are confident that Messiah has already made his appearance on this terrestrial ball, we make all those same requests listed above, and we, too, seek commonality of passion and theology; we, too, have had it with the disagreements that arise within the church out of anger, envy and strife. Except for the instigators, nobody likes a good church fight!
As part of a denomination that has suffered its fair share of disagreement – especially in recent years – this prayer carol takes on a fuller significance. When I pray this carol, I mean it: I beg the Good Shepherd to come to enfold all his children who find themselves at war within the flock.
For all of us, conflict is on display worldwide. For some, the conflict may be within their community, their family, or even within themselves. Wherever they are found, may the struggles stop and reconciliation reign.
In the refrain, we are called to rejoice in the promise that Emmanuel continues to come to our rescue. Ultimately, we will enjoy a worldwide heavenly peace. Meanwhile, we keep on prayer-singing!
Great rendition by a cappella men’s group
(does not include this stanza!)
Big choral arrangement that uses this stanza
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
"O how much God gave to us that day."
Carol: “The Birthday of a King” – William Harold Neidlinger (1863-1924)
Tune: NEIDLINGER
“’Twas a humble birthplace, but O how much God gave to us
that day.” That’s how the second stanza of this carol begins. It gives us some
contrast between the humble birthplace and the glory of redemption. It almost
puts us back to list-making and/or blessing-counting; the implication is that
what God gave to us at Bethlehem is beyond calculation… and indeed, it was… is.
Most of us know the familiar refrain of this carol –
“Hallelujah!
O how the angels sang.
Hallelujah!
How it rang!
And the sky
was bright with a holy light,
‘Twas the birthday
of a King.”
- but like many hymns and carols, we sometimes miss out on
what the center of text gets at.
This hymnline ought to stick with us for this day in Advent
as a constant reminder that the blessings continue to roll down from that first-century
event… and we stand to benefit from all of them. Better than waiting to open
the mysterious packages underneath our Christmas trees, being open to and appreciating
all that God does for us makes the Christmas season more meaningful and
lightens our darkened days with a holy light, reminding us that “It’s the
birthday of my King."
Hear the Nashville
Singers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=66Y0hVjMbA8
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
"If you take good heed to the angel's word, you'll forget your flock, you'll forget your herd."
Carol: “Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow” – African American Spiritual
“Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: you shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
Most of us know this angelic message ‘by heart,’ having heard it read from the KJV for most of our lives… at church and at home. After the Lord’s Prayer, 23rd Psalm, and John 3:16, this may be the most quotable scripture!
To summarize what the angel told the shepherds:
- Don’t fear.
- This is good news.
- This news is for everybody.
- A Savior is born.
- Go find the Baby!
If we heed that message, we are likely to put everything behind us and move forward to seek out the King of kings and to enjoy a lifetime of following after him.
In the case of the shepherds, forgetting the flock and the herd would mean letting go of their livelihood – at least for a short time while they scurry into Bethlehem.
Some people are genuinely called to give up their career to follow an inner urging to give themselves completely to some ministry or mission opportunity; and that’s a wonderful thing. However, ALL of us may need to step away from our work-load for a brief time to center our attention on the manger Child. From another carol: “All ye beneath life’s crushing load whose forms are bending low…” Our occupation may occupy so much of our attention that we are bent low by the stress; we may cater so much to the income-producing portion of our lives that we simply have no time to rise up and follow the path of peace… and find the restful hope promised even in this life to those who whole-heartedly seek Christ.
As much as is possible, let’s
forget some of the stuff that is weighing us down – maybe it’s our
vocation – maybe it’s something else. Let’s take heed to the angel’s
word, rise up and follow our spiritual siblings to find anew the
new-born King.
The King’s Singers
Monday, December 7, 2015
What sweeter music can we bring than a carol for the sing the birth of this, our heavenly King?"
Carol: "What Sweeter Music" - Robert Herrick
Various Tunes
Okay, here is one more carol to consider as we move out of the caroling season. Epiphany seems to call us to move on toward Lent; however, it won't hurt us to spend one more day closer to the manger than the cross.
I just love this hymnline... or caroline! Is there any sweeter music in all the year than the carols of this season? Is there a more appropriate way to herald the birth of the King of heaven and earth? I doubt it. Many, many traditions have changed over the past several hundred years, but music -- singing in particular -- has always been central to the festivities... and this is one tradition I am happy to promote!
Yes, I know you're saying, "Yes, but he's a musician. He's done music all his life." You're right, but I think I would still love Christmas music even if I understood nothing of what I was hearing.
I've told everyone that when I retired from the full-time music ministry, I had done 41 Christmases -- and that was enough. It was sort of a joke, but there is some truth to the fact that people who conduct music put a whole lot of energy and creativity into the months between September and January. But all 41 years (and three interims since) I have fallen into my chair exhausted... but supremely fulfilled because I've tried my very best to bring the sweetest possible music to the ears of the Baby Jesus... and hopefully to the ears and lives of people in my congregations.
Seriously, folks: "What sweeter music CAN we bring than a carol for to sing the birth of this, our heavenly King?" That's not a hypothetical question, by the way!
Friday, December 4, 2015
"The wrong shall fail, the right prevail."
Tune: WALTHAM
This carol based on a poem by a great American author is the favorite of many, and it’s easy to see why thoughtful singers would appreciate this text.
This hymnline follows the declaration “God is not dead, nor doth he sleep.” Though written in 1863 during the Civil War years, before the “God Is Dead” movement attributed to the writings of Nietzsche in 1882, Longfellow made this argument for the existence and activity of God, refuting what became known as theothanatology.
Earlier in the carol, Longfellow’s head-bowed despair had brought him to the conclusion that peace does not reign in society because hate is so strong that it derides the concept of “peace on earth goodwill to men.” Interestingly, the belfry’s pealing brought him renewed hope that the promise spoken to the shepherds is still a possibility.
Those of us who have a positive outlook and are possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure seem to constantly arrive at the conclusion that good will always prevail over evil – that in the final analysis, right trumps wrong.
May the ringing of bells during the next few days bolster our confidence in this abiding truth. May the song of the angels resound in our heads even during trying, stressful, even warring times. In this modern secular culture, the sense of the sacred may be waning; however, it is up to us believers to speak a word in favor of the survival of God once made manifest in a manger, now illustrated through our very lives.
Andy Williams Sings This Familiar Carol
Thursday, December 3, 2015
"O hush the noise, you folk of strife, and hear the angels sing."
Tune: CAROL
[In light of the continued mass shootings that occur around us nowadays, carols like this one become increasingly profound. This post is from two years ago, but it is worth re-sharing.]
People of strife – those who stir up trouble wherever they go: I think that’s to whom this hymnline is addressed. We know people like that, and we all hope we are not one of them! Sometimes these are overtly hostile, picking fights, bullying their way through life. Others are much more subtle – the passive/aggressive types who on the surface seem so positive, kind… even compassionate; however, they are constantly plotting ways to get their own way.
Noise-makers are only fitting for New Year’s Eve parties. Human noise-makers are out of place just about anywhere they show up.
We know of times when warring nations have called a total truce during this holiday season. The most famous of these is the one when all was truly quiet on the Western Front on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 1914 during World War I. They say enemy troops were crossing the battle lines to greet one another with hugs and handshakes… even tears. Some actually exchanged trinkets.
This hymnline calls the conflict-makers to cut it out, at least for these holy days. Instead, let the troubled souls hear the angels call for “peace on earth” and “goodwill to all.” Wouldn’t it be great if these were heard, heeded and applied… and that even the most localized strife (spousal abuse, child abuse, imposed mental anguish, etc.) would be quieted and peace might reign where strife has run rampant?
With the disciples at the upper room table, we must ask, “Is it I, Lord?” If the answer is “yes,” we need to hush the noise and hear the words of the Christmas angels.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
"To show God's love aright, she bore to us a Savior."
Carol: "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" - 15th
Century German
Tune: ES IST EIN ROS’
We are in the season of Advent. In most of our churches, we will
light candles each week as we make our way from darkness to light… make that to
THE Light! Choirs will process, lessons supporting each week’s theme will be
read from the Old and New Testaments -- and someone needs to stand and say “Let
the anticipation begin!” (Okay, yes: I saw THE
HUNGER GAMES film series and read the books!)
If no one at your church makes that proclamation in the
service, say it to yourself… on this and every day from now until Christmas
Eve. Anticipation is a great motivator… and not just with ketchup bottles!
In this wonderful, beautiful fifteenth century hymn set to a
sixteenth century tune, we find today’s hymnline. She (Mary) brought forth her
Son in order to show God’s love appropriately – showing fallen humankind how
God’s love acts! Like the rest of us, she couldn’t make that kind of exposure
on her own. You and I are called to show God’s love aright, also. No archangel
showed up at the foot of our bed, but a messenger of God – his Spirit – came and
set us onto the path toward kindness, compassion, mercy… and, of course, love.
Though we don’t bring Christ into the world physically as
Mary did, we DO display him through our lives to people who walk in darkness –
when half-spent is their night.
This Advent season, let’s set as one of our major goals
showing God’s love aright – properly, authentically.
Let the anticipation begin.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
"Hopes deceive and fears annoy."
Hymn: “In the Cross of Christ I Glory” – John Bowring
(1792-1872)
Typical Tune: RATHBUN
Let me put this hymnline in context of the stanza:
When the
woes of life o’ertake me, hopes deceive and fears annoy,
Never shall
the cross forsake me: Lo! it glows with peace and joy.
Our one hope in Jesus Christ will never deceive us; however,
our many hopes for this life’s personal fulfillment may. This is our tendency
to “wish” for things to happen, not our confidence in Christ. These wishful-thinkings
can deceive us… even drive us mad if we’re not careful. The film NEBRASKA is about a
man who believes he has actually won the $1,000,000 as told by a flyer that
came into everyone’s mailbox – and travels across country to claim it. That’s a
great example of hopes that deceive, wishes that betray us or lead us astray. I
think you get the picture without my giving you a list from my own embarrassing
experiences.
We’ve already talked about my tendency to live in fear; and
if you are in that pothole with me, you understand how “fears annoy.” Sure,
they claw at you all the time causing worry and distress, but worst of all,
they hold you back from doing what you KNOW you should do – even what you
believe yourself called to do.
A recent sermon on David and Goliath made me more-totally-than-usual aware of my inability to face my fears and slay my
giants. Perhaps that sermon and this hymnline will spur me on to good works –
works that happen because I am slowly being freed of that proclivity.
Of course, the point of this hymn’s second stanza is that
when the woes, deceits and annoyance of this life overwhelm us, we can rest
assured that the Man of the cross will not abandon us, and that image of
up-stretched timber serves as a constant reminder.
Today, you are likely to encounter many crosses: displayed
on walls, hung around necks, atop church steeples, etc. Let each one remind you
that even if you are convinced that you are drowning in the cares of this life,
you are “no, never alone” – your REAL hope is still here.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
"This is my Father's world, I rest me in the thought."
Hymn: “This Is My Father’s World” – Maltbie D. Babcock (1858-1901)
Tune: TERRA PATRIS
I can relax because my Heavenly Father is in control.
In the midst of turmoil and unrest – worldwide and within –
I can truly be un-worried because unlike Leonardo DiCaprio, God IS the King of
the World!
I am not one of those who believes that God created the
world, then walked away to let it develop on its own. He did not invent the
universe and unconcerned, step away from the control panel. As long as I am
convinced that he is Omnipotent, I can rest me in that thought… and that on his
timetable things will realign, and all will be well.
I’ve admitted already that I am a worrier, so this hymnline
reminds me that I need not be. That doesn’t mean that I have conquered my
worrying spirit, but in the overall big picture, I am at peace.
We’re always told to “just turn it over to God”; sometimes I
think we need to turn it over to God’s timing. If the world… the
universe… is his, and – as we’re told later in the hymn - “God is the Ruler yet,”
we can face most any dilemma if we’re willing to wait.
Fernando Ortega Sings
This Hymn
Friday, November 13, 2015
"Weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen."
"Weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen."
Hymn: “Rescue the Perishing” – Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)
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| "Good Samaritan" - Francois-Leon Sicard |
Tune: RESCUE
This simple hymnline lifted from an old familiar gospel song
is a pretty good description of what it means to be compassionate.
I grew up in a church where we sang this one briskly like a John Philip Sousa march. Until I used David
Schwoebel’s setting of it near the end of my full-time music ministry, I had never
paid much attention to the text. That is one of our ‘sins against the hymnal’:
we just don’t take note of the words.
Fanny Crosby definitely had a way with words, and hidden
deep within many of her gospel-songs we find these kernels of truth that help
us understand certain of aspects of our faith put into words that we can
understand more clearly if we take the time to zero-in on the separate phrases –
like this one.
Weeping over those whose lives have gone wrong, who have
stumbled and fallen, whose blumbers have sent them down a negative pathway –
that’s how the Spirit of Christ within us reacts; we feel compassion on those
struggling ones.
But for compassion to be effective, we must move beyond the
feelings to action. We have to stop what we’re doing and give them a hand; we
have to lift up those over whom we weep.
If you need a story to help you understand this concept,
read Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. Lots of people saw the
down-and-out ditched man, saying to themselves, “Bless his heart.” But the man
from Samaria had compassion on him and did something about it.
May this hymnline prompt us to practice compassion – not as
a feeling, but as a natural active response.
Hear familiar hymn sung
by men’s group
Download David
Schwoebel’s Setting
Thursday, November 12, 2015
"Love so mighty and so true merits our soul's best songs."
Tune: SAFETY
I was never a Boy Scout. There are reasons for that – most of
which come back to my mother not wanting me to go to the Methodist church one
night a week! :)
By the time she got over that phobia, I had graduated from college and was no
longer eligible for scouting!
But I DO know about merit badges: they are given to those
who deserve them for their hard work and ability… even talent. Some are given in
spite of lack of ability in a discipline because they overcome that deficiency
to achieve what may have seemed like impossible goals.
This hymnline tells us that the mighty, certain love of God –
Agape – deserves our best song. Our never-deficient Savior warrants all our
songs… but especially our best ones.
As a worship-planner/preparer for many years, song-selection
was a mammoth task for me because I grew up singing this hymnline… and others
akin to it: “Give of your best to the Master” comes to mind. I learned early on
that it is not our best use of time in worship to put into the mouths of our singers
songs that are mediocre; I was (and am) convinced that God’s merit (his
intrinsic value) merits only the best texts and melodies aimed in his direction
in corporate expressions of praise, faith and testimony.
How many Christian songs do you think exist out there
through history up until now? WAY more than any of us can comprehend. Even if
we consider only the ones which have been published, we are overwhelmed with
number. And even more complex, how does any human determine what is the best of
that approaching-infinity total? At least we can discard a bunch that don’t
seem to stand the tests of music and text… those which have not stood up well
over time. It’s probably more complicated to select the best from the NEW crop
of songs, hymns and anthems!
Before this turns into a philosophy of church music essay,
let me just say that this much I know: God deserves our best songs…
though determining those may be up for grabs.
If our Lord were a Boy Scout, he’d have one of those green
shoulder-to-belt sashes on which to place his merit badges. That would have to
be one-heck of a big sash to contain the whole of his merit badges… and it
would have to be constantly growing to make room for more.
Every time we sing one of our best songs on his behalf, it is
as if we add another badge, saying “You, O Lord, deserve this song.” “You are
worthy to receive this song.”
This love so mighty and so true has lifted me; now it’s my
turn to return the favor by lifting him up in song… the best songs I can find
or recall.
Kim Hopper Sings “Love
Lifted Me”
Friday, October 30, 2015
"He sees not labels but a face, a person and a name."
Hymn: “When Christ Was Lifted from the Earth” – Brian Wren
(1936- )
Various Tunes – Most common ST. BOTOLPH
One of the most insightful hymn writers of the 20th
Century into this century is Brian Wren. As one who applies himself to the penning
of an occasional hymn or anthem text, I marvel at Wren’s ability to word his
faith so bluntly and creatively.
In this hymnline, Wren speaks a loud and clear word of
acceptance, saying that Christ overlooks the human-attached labels and sees
instead the individual – the face, the person, the name. I believe that is
exactly how Christ observes all people… and I am convinced that his example of
acceptance should be imitated by those of us who say that we are followers of
the King. [By the way, he concludes the hymn with an admonition to accept as
Christ has accepted us.]
Probably no group on earth is more involved in the needless
act of labeling than the Christian community… especially the more fundamental,
narrow fringes. Why do we do that? What gives us the right to overlook the “judge
not” passages? (Matthew 7:1, Luke 6:37, etc.) Even those of us who would never
voice our label-attachments may mentally do so. Shame on us!
It’s something we need to stop doing… and we need to speak
out against those who do. Tagging is not Christlike behavior – accepting by
grace is. If the perfect One can look beyond our faults, shouldn’t we do that
to our fellow strugglers?
I also like the way Wren says that Christ sees a face, a
person, and a name. That tells me that if I get to know some of the people
whom I might be inclined to brand – if I got to know their name, their
circumstance, their plight – I might be less inclined.
This is a powerful, needed message for those of us who are
serious about acting out our faith. Even though it is tucked away in the middle
of a hymn you may not know, it should leap off the page and into our hearts to
change us if need be.
I’ve heard that we should always err on the side of grace.
This hymnline echoes that adage.
Originally Posted 11/03/2013
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
“My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in him.”
Common Tunes: KINGSFOLD, VOX DILECTI
Most of us have never been at the point of absolute thirst… that situation at which we truly might expire were our thirst not slaked. We’ve all desperately needed a drink, but not to the point of being near death.
Spiritually speaking, however, many of us thirst for living water. With the woman at the well, we want to walk away with that un-ending supply that will allow us to never thirst again.
The second phrase of this hymnline might best be pictured as someone whose heart has stopped and is lying lifeless on the ground until another comes by and pounds on their chest, applying the proper treatment that revives them and sends them on their way – restoring their life. There are times when our very soul needs a kick-start or a jump-start.
Bonar describes his own experience of revitalization when he responded to the voice of Jesus calling him to receive the water of life:
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give the living water.
Thirsty one, stoop down and drink, and live.”
When you and I have shared that experience, we can honestly sing this stanza with a sense of gratitude. We have been like the damaged man on the road to Jericho whose life depended on the arrival and ministry of the one we have dubbed the Good Samaritan. We have been “taken care of” – our spiritual needs have been met – by the One whose voice continues to say, “Come unto me.”
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
“The wonder of wonders that thrills my soul is the wonder that God loves me.”
Tune: WONDER OF IT ALL
Most of us you who follow this blog will know the life and ministry of Bev Shea, the long-time baritone soloist with Billy Graham’s crusades. Although probably best as a solo, this song of his has made it into a few hymnals for congregational singing.
After enumerating wonders of nature, Shea comes to the conclusion that is today’s hymnline: none of that compares to the wonder that we are loved by Almighty God… loved to the point of redemption.
It is a simple, understandable message – one to which most of us attest.
The second stanza (I think there are only two?), ends with an important reminder that this is a wonder “that’s only begun.” There is more yet to be of this wonder-filled life as God’s love, mercy, presence, faithfulness, etc. continue to bubble up within our lives.
We often loose the child-like wonder of our early years. This hymnline calls us back to being once again awe-struck by God at work in us. Let’s give it try, why don’t we?
Jump in a rain puddle, dance with abandon, play hopscotch, make up a song, finger paint, be overcome with wonder.
Hear This Song Sung by George Beverly Shea
Friday, October 23, 2015
“Ah! mine iniquity crimson hath been, infinite, infinite, sin upon sin.”
Tune: KEDRON
[I’m sticking with the hymn I used yesterday. This is the last time, I promise.]
I began my church-going life with too much talk about sin, and it looks like I will end it with not enough talk about sin.
In our church-growth-fueled fervor, it would be dubious to hear sin talked about much from the local pulpit for fear that someone might be offended and put-off…or might not return with intention to join our ranks and contribute to our cause.
Believe me, I don’t want to return to the guilt-trip-inducing tactics of previous generations. I think “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” is a great piece of literature, but I don’t want to be frightened into good behavior through the words of Jonathan Edwards. I also don’t want to be lulled into peaceful ignorance on the wings of Jonathan Livingston Seagull. There must be a place somewhere between “I’m Okay, You’re Okay,” and “Nobody’s Okay, We’re All Going to Hell.”
Somebody has to remind us that we are sinners – that by nature, we all tend to wander off course. Otherwise there is no need to be redeemed… and no appreciation for the redemption that is ours.
Horatius Bonar does this carefully, caringly in today’s hymn. He sees an infinitely high stacking of transgressions, one upon the other, reaching further than the eye can see or the mind fathom. In reality, he has a pretty good grasp on the human condition. There is no listing of the petty stuff or the immoralities of ill-spent youth. Rather he lists only two categories: 1) sin of not loving thee and 2) sin of not trusting thee. I’m not a great theologian, but most of my other sins stem from these two. How about yours?
This is not to be a downer post, although it may seem so. This hymnline is to remind us that we are sinners who have been redeemed from a stack-pile of lapses in our commitments. It reminds us to get back on the path and renew our thanksgiving to the One who saves.
When we get to that point, we can re-utter the first word of this hymnline; but now the “ah” can become an expression of relief.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
"Leaning on Thee, my God, guided along the road, nothing between."
Hymn: “No, Not Despairingly” – Horatius Bonar (1808-1889)
Tune: KEDRON
You know already from past posts that this is one of my favorite hymn texts, replete with pithy hymnlines. I go to this hymn when I’m at the apex of my contemplative arc! If you’re not familiar with this one, grab your hymnal now and GET familiar with it.
The line I’m using today is the final one; this is the thought that lingers after the last chord is sounded and silence sets in, echoing through our mind and heart: “Nothing between. Nothing between. Nothing between.”
If we were to lean so heavily upon the Savior that nothing could be inserted between us, THAT would be a close affiliation – and wouldn’t that be a marvelous way of making our way in the world today. (Cheers!)
This merging of our life into his – or better yet his merging his life into ours – is a situation into which we would will ourselves down deep in the cravings of our soul. We want there to be a melding. Our desire is to be absorbed into the very being of God as revealed in Christ Jesus. For most of us who share piety*, this is a common goal.
All this talk of an overlapping relationship gives me much to “chew on” for the next several hours, and it causes me to take my prayer from another, probably more familiar gospel song: “Just a closer walk with thee… Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.” Amen.
* - “Piety” or “being pious” is not a negative stance. It simply indicates a deep devotion to God and to kingdom living. Piety is not spiritual snobbery.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
"Strength for today, bright hope for tomorrow."
Tune: FAITHFULNESS
This is MY favorite hymn, and many of my long-time friends thought I would have posted this one as my first hymnline two years ago when I started this process. Finally, I’m going to use it; this line is so special to me, it won’t be that easy an endeavor.
From my perspective as one who started going to church nine months before I was born, this hymnline based from Lamentations 3:22-23 sums up what Christ offers those who follow him. There are obviously many other blessings lined up for the taking, but if I have strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, I can pretty much make it through any day – the ones filled with joy, the ones filled with struggles and sadness, and the ones which just dribble by on an even keel.
Occasionally I hear someone jokingly say, “Lord, give me strength,” when they’re dealing with problem people… even their children. While it has become a one-off kind of expression, it IS my daily honest desire – my constant prayer. The undergirding of the supportive hand of God is what I seek and what I enjoy. It truly is the gracious gift of strength which has “brought me safe thus far.”
Ensconced in my belief system is hope – not just for an eternal resting place or home beyond my dying day. This is a bright hope for the next day… and the next. Sometimes I want to join Annie and sing “The sun’ll come out tomorrow, you can bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there’ll be sun,” because I DO believe that a brightness awaits beyond the darkness – after I have laid me down to sleep.
I could pontificate on these two phrases for a long time; however, I will just say that now that I am a child of the King, I would be fine if these two blessings were all I had to go on every day. Fortunately, I am not limited in the number of times and methods these are meted out because his faithfulness is great and his mercies are new every morning. Just call me grateful.
My Friend Babbie Mason Sings This Song
P.S. – On JEOPARDY! yesterday, they included a hymns category. When it first came up, I said to Carlita, “I better know all these!” Sure enough I did. Art, classical music and Bible-based columns are usually my strength; she is strongest in anything pertaining to literature (including the Word of God). I hope the hymns category will go into their regular rotation for the benefit of us hymn-lovers who are also JEOPARDY! devotees!
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
To those who have sought thee, thou never said, "No!"
Hymn: “Whiter than Snow” – James Nicholson (1828-1876)
Tune: FISCHER
Most of us have an inbred fear of rejection. I have a drawer full of rejection letters for things I’ve sent to publishers over the years – many of which would have undoubtedly been best-sellers.
We have failed to take risks and accept challenges for fear of receiving a negative reaction… a rejection… a “no!”
Admittedly, I am rarely in a service where this old gospel song is sung; but when I am, THIS is the line that grabs me and brings that wry smile to my lips as I realize how very true this hymnline is. The tenor aria “If with all your hearts you truly seek me, you shall ever surely find me” from ELIJAH rushes into my mind, and a blessed assurance overtakes me.
Today, remember that we serve the God of the Yes – the positive presence – the One who does not bar the door, but stands with gates wide open for all who want to enter.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Just from Jesus simply taking life and rest and joy and peace.
Hymn: "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" - Louisa M. R. Stead (1850-1917)
Tune: TRUST IN JESUS
"Welcome to McTrust-in-Jesus. Place your order when you're ready."
It's not exactly like a drive-through, but available to us is a bundle of blessings - innumerable blessings waiting to be handed out the window into our lives from the heart of Jesus. They are there for the simple taking. Among that long list on the menu, this hymnline offers life, rest, joy and peace… and these are ours for the simple taking.
These four donations from the wounded-yet-strong hand of Jesus – the Great Donor – are attitudes and situations to which we all aspire. The gift of life is a given, so to speak. If you are still breathing in air and taking nourishment, you are already enjoying this one. (To keep it simple, I won’t dive into the eternal life implications of this text; but you can ponder that one on your own.)
Who doesn’t want rest? Joy and peace are so sought after in our world and in our culture. Along with love, these are probably the mindsets that are most often voiced when posed the question, “What do you want most out of life?” For sure these terms come up most often from Miss America contestants in the interview competition.
If Jesus indeed offers life, rest, joy and peace to his followers, shouldn’t we offer those to everyone around us – introducing them that Great Donor – demonstrating to them how we have these at our disposal for the simple taking? It’s what is called a “soft witness,” but it is valid and effective in a society that values these so much.
Approach the drive-through window and drive away with these and the many other available godsends. Go on your way rejoicing. Would you like to super-size your order?
Friday, September 18, 2015
"We turn from the world... to cast in our lot with the people of God."
Hymn: “The Master Hath Come” – Sarah Doudney (1841-1926)
This hymn is all about Christ’s calling us to follow. It encourages us to follow under any and all circumstances: over mountains, through valleys, over dreary roads, through dangers and sorrows, doubts and temptations. In the end, we are reassured that it will be worth it when we rest in the light beside the still waters in the kingdom above.
Tune: ASH GROVE (Welsh Melody)
This hymn is all about Christ’s calling us to follow. It encourages us to follow under any and all circumstances: over mountains, through valleys, over dreary roads, through dangers and sorrows, doubts and temptations. In the end, we are reassured that it will be worth it when we rest in the light beside the still waters in the kingdom above.
This hymnline, however, is tucked away in the third (and
usually final) stanza of Doudney’s hymn: “We
turn from the world with its smiles and its scorning to cast in our lot with
the people of God.”
This casting of one’s lot is a definitive decision. Although
we may think of it as a roll of the dice, it is much less an act of leaving
things to chance; in the case of such a spiritual commitment, it is quite the
opposite.
To turn from the various faces of the world (smiles, snarls,
etc.) to join “his own little band” of believers – this is what we promise as
we sing this hymn. To relate this to sailing, we set our course in the opposite
direction. We pull in all our resources and transfer them over in commitment to
the church… the people of God – gathered and/or scattered.
I hate to use a poker analogy here, but we drag in all of
the chips with which we have previously been taking chances, and invest those
in the kingdom. Instead of casting our lot with those things which are temporary
and not of the Spirit, we line ourselves up with the eternal life of the
Spirit.
What happens in Vegas doesn’t really stay in Vegas; it’s a
great slogan, but we all know better. However, what happens for the Kingdom
stays with the Kingdom. It’s a much better place to cast your lot, don’t you
think?
Hear This Hymn Played
at the Organ
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