Song For Sunday (a day late): Oh That Will Be Glory for Me

I had been participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge and trying to revitalize this blog with a temporary theme of "Beginnings". Then a perfect storm of responsibilities, family needs and the like hit and this project took a back seat. But now I am trying to be back.

I heard this hymn for the first time yesterday at a funeral. It had been chosen by the deceased for use at her memorial service. It  touched me. It also fits where I am now, so it becomes today's Song for Sunday. May it inspire you!

A Faithful Soul

My church has suffered a loss. A woman has died who served us in many capacities.


She joined our faith community when she took on the directorship of a local home for retired women, but she had a varied and interesting career. She served as a nurse at a children's hospital, a missionary at a children's home, and as the Minister of Christian Education at a church in a nearby town before starting at the home here.

After here retirement, she became our volunteer minister of visitation. She has also offered pastoral care when our pastor was on vacation, written a devotional book, and helped organize various mission and service projects. She was a frequent visitor at our house as we faced losses.

She was a valued member of our church family. 

This is of course, a beginning for her. She is in Heaven -- has gone Home. She was ready to do so. We will remember her, mourn her, celebrate her life and then move on keeping a piece of her alive in our hearts. We will look forward to seeing her again.  For the moment we are sad.

We look to God and each other for comfort, and to the sure and certain hope of resurrection for those who know Jesus.

Who are you remembering?




I am participating on the October 2017 Ultimate Blog Challenge. A blog post every day in October. #blogboost

The End of the World

So it is supposed to end today. The world, that is. A rather drastic interruption to a month of  blog posts about beginnings.

Or it would be. But really, it's not happening.

Be ready. Always be ready. Because Jesus is coming.

But there is no particular indication that he is coming today. Could be today, could be tomorrow. Could be 40 years. Could be a thousand.

We don't know and Jesus said we wouldn't know. He also said not to be deceived. So I like this meme. Memes used to be for Monday's on this blog and maybe I'll get back to that. But this one is for today. Jesus does have feelings, being real and all. I suppose that false predictions of the end would bother him.

Are you ready for the end of the world? Whenever it might come?

Song for Sunday: Dancing in the Sky

I was at a wake yesterday. A young friend of mine -- who I actually hadn't seen in a few years -- had passed away. Over time, I have counted his father and aunt as my friends through our participation in the New England Baptist Youth Conference (now CYC) and we've kept in contact some by virtual means.

When "Pieces", as we new him at CYC, was dying he was on my prayer list, although at that point I didn't realize how serious things were. Years before, he had been in one of my classes at CYC and once I had driven him to a camp event and supervised him there. Apparently that made an impression on him. "He loved you," his father told me. I loved him, too, but we'd lost direct contact.

This song was played at his wake, during a brief service. I'd never heard it, but it expressed grief very well. I was taken by the lines: "What do you do in Heaven? Is there music? Is there art and invention?" for Pieces was an artist. His drawings were very lifelike and had great expression. I wish I'd known more about that when he was alive.

Pieces was also a caring and sensitive young man, and very bright. He was an organ donor and because of that six lives were saved and more people will be helped by his tissue. It was characteristic of him to think of others.

Pieces' soul is in God's hands.


I offer this Song for Sunday, written and sung by Canadian twins Dani and Lizzy, to all who are grieving. Here is the link.

What songs express grief for you?

Song for Sunday: If You're Reading This

No one likes war. I don't. 

It is right, though to honor those who serve in it, who put themselves in harm's way for their country, for us.

So for today, the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, a simple reminder that not everyone makes it home. Even today, there are those who grieve loved ones lost in war and while serving their country. God grant them blessings of peace, comfort and hope. 

If You're Reading This

If you're reading this, my momma's sitting there

Looks like I only got a one-way ticket over here
I sure wish I could give you one more kiss
And war was just a game we played when we were kids

Well I'm laying down my gun, I'm hanging up my boots
I'm up here with God and were both watching over you

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my momma always prayed that it would go
If you're reading this I'm already home

If you're reading this half way around the world
I won't be there to see the birth of our little girl
I hope she looks like you, I hope she fights like me
And stands up for the innocent and the weak

I'm laying down my gun, I'm hanging up my boots
Tell dad I don't regret that I followed in his shoes

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my momma always prayed that it would go
If youre reading this I'm already home

If you're reading this there's gonna come a day
When you move on and find someone else and that's okay
Just remember this I'm in a better place
Where soldiers live in peace and angels sing "Amazing Grace"

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my momma always prayed that it would go

If youre reading this, if you're reading this Im already home

Song for Sunday: On Eagle's Wings

My mother's birthday is coming up this week. She would have been 73. Both of my parents died far too young. When my father died of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) back in 1995, the church soloist sang this song at his funeral. My mother decided to have the last line of the chorus engraved on his/their tombstone. So, in memory of my parents, today's Song for Sunday:

On Eagle's Wing


You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
Who abide in His shadow for life,
Say to the Lord, "My Refuge,
My Rock in Whom I trust."

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
And famine will bring you no fear;
Under His Wings your refuge,
His faithfulness your shield.

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
You need not fear the terror of the night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day,
Though thousands fall about you,
Near you it shall not come.

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.


to His angels He's given a command,
To guard you in all of your ways,
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.



Do you have a song that you use to remember someone?

Two Beautiful Days

This week, I have been blessed by two wonderful days.

First, there was today. I attended the baptism of a friend's young daughter. We worshipped in a tent, went down to a cove for the baptism ceremonies and fellowshipped together at a barbecue. The weather was lovely, the spirit amazing. It was a truly fabulous way to celebrate new life in Christ. Such a happy occasion.

Then, there was last Thursday. I went out to Martha's Vineyard with CYC friends for a Memorial Service. The weather was gorgeous and John Wilbur --whom we were remembering -- had been the Conference's weatherman for decades. We worshipped at a lovely church, ate together, comforted the family and then went walking about before we got back on the ferry. A few of us even rode a carousel. We all talked about what a good day it had been.

And it had been a good day, for all that we were at funeral. John was close to 90 and was a man of faith who is surely with God. Our memories of him are good ones, his legacy a vital part of our lives. We were together. We laughed, remembered, shared, worshipped. In sunshine and warmth with just the right breeze. Yes, a good day.

What beautiful days have you been blessed with recently?






CYC is  a two-week conference for high school teens that combines worship, Christian education, friendship and fun to offer a life-changing experience on the beautiful southern coast of Maine.

This is my first entry in the July Ultimate Blog Challenge. I am going for 30 posts in 30 days!

New Year's Resolutions, etc

I made three New Year's resolutions, this year.

The first was to learn to use the breadmaker I bought three years ago so that it ceases to be worthless clutter and becomes a useful addition to my kitchen. Success!! There was no instruction booklet and all the recipes included with it called for exotic ingredients.  I called a friend for a simpler recipe though and my 12 year old son figured out how the buttons worked, so we made our first loaf on Friday and my second today!! I'm happy.

The second was to learn to make candy. This is something that has always intimidated me, so I decided to conquer it. I have picked out a recipe -- toffee-- and have my tools. Next time I shop, I will buy the ingredients and go for it.

So far so good, right?

My third resolution is a bit more complicated. I developed a game a few years ago. Friends have tested it and evaluated it. I have tweaked it and the rules have been finalized for a couple of years. My resolution is to get it published this year. I had that as a resolution last year, too, and failed at it. The sticking point is the artwork. I need to find someone who can draw dragons -- good dragons. This could be difficult, but I am determined.


Well, that's the current state of my New Year's resolutions and I think I am doing pretty well in that area. But, of course, these aren't earthshattering or important things.


Our church held it's New Year's Prayer Meeting today. In a song we prayed that this would be "another year of training for holier work above." I would like it to be so. I want God to work in me to improve my heart, mind and soul and teach me to serve Him better. That's the important stuff. May God grant this prayer.


Have a blessed day!

Dance in Peace

"Don't rest in peace, Charlie. Dance in peace... and joy"

In the midst of all the remembrances of my friend who died a few days ago, I found one with the sentence above. It seems fitting.

First of all, Charlie was never one to rest much. Even ill he kept going and going. He loved music and he loved to laugh. There are loads of pictures of him smiling. Dancing seems more like him then resting.

I also wonder if dancing is more what Heaven is about than resting. Certainly, when we believers reach Heaven, we enter into God's rest. Theologically, that means God will have completed us. We willl no longer be being worked on, created. We'll be "finished products." Does it mean that we will be in a perpetual state of rest? In some places there is mention of praising God in Heaven. The Bible talks about praising with singing, tambourines, lutes, lires and, yes, dancing! Sounds pretty active...but I think in Heaven we won't get tired.


It's just a random thought that popped into my head because of a sentence. What do you think? What will Heaven, the final version of Heaven, be like?




Oh .... and, Charlie, you will not be forgotten!!

Looking for Unity

Today is World Communion Sunday.  At my church, that meant we celebrated the Lord's Supper using bread typical of several different countries, prayed for believers around the globe and took up the World Mission Offering. Several denominations recognize this celebration.


The day recognizes -- or seeks -- Christian Unity. One of the hymns in our service this morning referred to the Bread and Cup as a "sacrament of unity." A beautiful ideal, a wondrous thing to work toward.


Yesterday, I attended a Catholic Mass. It was at a parish that does not recognize World Communion Sunday. Because I am a Baptist, I did not receive  the Eucharist. I was reading in the Missalette about who could participate. Basically, "all Catholics who are not conscious of grave sin."  Non- Catholic Christians are asked to refrain because our participation would profess a unity that does not exist. We were asked to pray for the day when that unity would be a reality.

It makes perfect sense. There is much that divides us. I believe that will be true until Heaven.


There is also much that unites us. I am perfectly comfortable with both the Nicene and Apostle's Creeds. They are each printed in the Missalette. The truths that they spell out are common to Christians. I hope that we can find more and more common ground as time goes on and work toward more unity. But it's OK for us to be different from each other too. We can all find a place in the body of Christ.

Our church service ended with this traditional hymn:

Blest be the tie that binds

Our hearts in Christian love 

The fellowship of kindred minds

Is like to that above.

 

 

My prayer is that someday that fellowship will be universal.

How does your congregation work with churches from other denominations? What could bring more unity?

Home and Heaven

I am staying away from home while the repair issues I have mentioned in other posts are taken care of. We ended up replacing all the windows in the main house and the basement. More on that later.

I am in a place where I am comfortable, where there is company, "siblings" for my son and pie. But I am anxious to get home, see the windows, get unpacked from the move. Part of me is enjoying myself, part of me just wants to be back there.

Isn't it like that with Heaven? We seek to enjoy this life which is a gift from God, but part of us longs to be with Him more fully.

Here's a classic poem. It's in the public domain. While the message applies to those away from their earthly homes, it is also the sentiment of Christians whose hearts long for their heavenly home.

Home, Sweet Home
Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home;
A charm from the sky seems to hallow us there,
Which, seek through the world, is ne'er met with elsewhere.
Home, home, sweet, sweet home!
There's no place like home, oh, there's no place like home!

An exile from home, splendor dazzles in vain;
Oh, give me my lowly thatched cottage again!
The birds singing gayly, that come at my call --
Give me them -- and the peace of mind, dearer than all!
Home, home, sweet, sweet home!
There's no place like home, oh, there's no place like home!

I gaze on the moon as I tread the drear wild,
And feel that my mother now thinks of her child,
As she looks on that moon from our own cottage door
Thro' the woodbine, whose fragrance shall cheer me no more.
Home, home, sweet, sweet home!
There's no place like home, oh, there's no place like home!

How sweet 'tis to sit 'neath a fond father's smile,
And the caress of a mother to soothe and beguile!
Let others delight mid new pleasures to roam,
But give me, oh, give me, the pleasures of home.
Home, home, sweet, sweet home!
There's no place like home, oh, there's no place like home!

To thee I'll return, overburdened with care;
The heart's dearest solace will smile on me there;
No more from that cottage again will I roam;
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home.
Home, home, sweet, sweet, home!
There's no place like home, oh, there's no place like home!

John Howard Payne


Last Sunday was Ascension Sunday, the day we celebrate Jesus return to Heaven. He, too, must have longed for Home. Someday He will return to take us there. We should love life and our time here as we wait, but "Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus."


Have a blessed day.