How Marvelous, How Wonderful!

I am old enough that I have spent more of my life singing from hymnals than from video screens. I have been in many more church services with organ music than I have with praise bands. Needless to say, there are many of the great old hymns of the church that are near and dear to my heart. One of the ones I find myself humming most often begins with the words, "I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene. And wonder how He could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean." In fact, as I sat down to my keyboard to start writing, I found myself humming it again. And I started to wonder- How often do we really grasp the amazing love that Jesus came to bring us? Do we really understand that it is only because of the grace given to us through the love of God whose name is Jesus that we do not remain "a sinner, condemned and unclean?" How often do we really stand in His presence it total awe of what He has done for us? For me, the answer is clearly "not often enough."

So today I ask you this question- when was a time that you stood "amazed in the presence?" Was there a time when you were overwhelmed with awe and wonder at the majesty of our loving God? Remember- and then share your experience in the comment section if you would like. Then join me and sing along today with the amazing chorus to this great hymn:

How marvelous! How wonderful!

And my song shall ever be

How marvelous! How Wonderful!

Is my Savior's love for me?

                                                          

Because of Jesus,

Peace on Earth: An Advent Prayer

Today is the third Sunday in Advent, and I can think of no words to share today that are more appropriate than the words of the great Christmas hymn I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day, written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  The past few days have found many of us praying and hoping for peace on this planet. Mr. Longfellow captures our feelings:

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

So as we prepare for the coming of the Prince of Peace, let us be steadfast in our commitment to love one another and to be bringers of peace in this often dark and violent word.  I remind you again that the only hope for us is Jesus.  I hope you have a blessed day.

Because of Jesus

Be the Change

I first read this story a very long time ago and used it in a sermon in 1992 at Springfield Friends Meeting.  I wanted to share it with you today as an encouragement to us all. Too often in today's world we like to complain about the way things are, but we seldom seem to do anything to make things better. This is often especially true in the church.  Jesus doesn't want us to sit around and complain.  He wants us to get out into the world and do something GREAT in His name.  I have no idea if this is true, But it is a great story...

A young boy complained to his father that most of the church hymns were boring to him. They were too far behind the times, with boring tunes and meaningless words.  His father put an end to the discussion when he said, "If you think you can write better hymns, then why don't you?"  The boy went to his room and wrote his first hymn.  The year was 1690; the boy's name was Issac Watts.  Among the almost 750 hymns he penned in his lifetime are When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, O God Our Help In Ages Past and Joy To the World.  Feeling bored?  Do something great to serve God.  Wouldn't it be amazing if we were still remembered for our faithfulness 320 years from now?

Do you love the church of Jesus Christ too much to leave it the way it is?

Because of Jesus,

"I Stand Amazed In the Presence..."

When you're done here, be sure and visit my guest post over at http://www.sundijo.com/  It will be up sometime today!

I am old enough that I have spent more of my life singing from hymnals than from video screens.  I have been in many more church services with organ music than I have with praise bands.  Needless to say, there are many of the great old hymns of the church that are near and dear to my heart.  One of the ones I find myself humming most often begins with the words, "I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene.  And wonder how He could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean."  In fact, as I sat down to my keyboard to start writing, I found myself humming it again.  And I started to wonder.  How often do we really grasp the amazing love that Jesus came to bring us?  Do we really understand that it is only because of the grace given to us through the love of God whose name is Jesus that we do not remain "a sinner, condemned and unclean?"  How often do we really stand in His presence it total awe of what He has done for us?  For me, the answer is clearly "not often enough."


So today I ask you this question- when was a time that you stood "amazed in the presence?"  Was there a time when you were overwhelmed with awe and wonder at the majesty of our loving God?  Remember- and then share your experience in the comment section if you would like.  Then join me and sing along with the amazing chorus to this great hymn:

How marvelous! How wonderful!

And my song shall ever be

How marvelous!  How Wonderful!

Is my Savior's love for me?

                                                          

Because of Jesus,