Well, God knows I need saving; and I’ve got a lot of company, too. Intervene for us, O Lord!
We Have Heard the Joyful Sound (Jesus Saves): As sung at Synod 2012, United Reformed Church… and that’s the Hudson River at Nyack, New York.
Category: religion
‘Be Thou My Vision’
I was sick in bed for most of the day yesterday, but I’m much better now.
Be Thou My Vision–sung here by the Lebanon County Youth Choir–is one of the oldest hymns we have. It goes back to the 7th Century. But it’s still well loved and popular.
Prayer Request: Phoebe
I make an urgent prayer request for our friend and sister, Phoebe, who has suddenly come down with–well, I don’t know what and neither, at this point, does she. I have to be careful not to violate her privacy; but she has asked for prayers, and as far as it lies with me, she’s got them.
So please, everybody–pray!
O Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord and champion, please be swift to help and heal our sister, Phoebe, your faithful servant. She needs you now, O Lord! In Jesus’ name, protect her. Amen.
‘Bringing in the Sheaves’
This was the first hymn that came into my head today, and I thought I’d better post it: Bringing in the Sheaves, sung by Tennessee Ernie Ford.
I’m feeling very sick this morning; but it’s a beautiful day, and maybe I’ll feel better if I sit outside a while. Worth a try, I guess.
Trying to Understand ‘Ecclesiastes’
King Solomon (what’s he thinking?)
I’m re-reading this book. Maybe I have too many things going on in my life, just now, to follow King Solomon’s musings. Maybe my theology isn’t up to the task.
“Vanity and vexation of spirit.” I’m not going to go back and count the times he uses those words; it’s pretty much everywhere in the book.
What is he teaching us? To me it often looks and sounds like he’s throwing in the towel. Well, we’ve all be there, haven’t we? But that would hardly go hand in glove with the rest of the teaching in the Bible. Can you imagine Paul telling new Christian converts, “It’s all just vanity and vexation of spirit”? Obviously I’m not seeing into the heart of the matter.
Some of you out there must be much farther along the Way than I am. What’s your take on Ecclesiastes? Why is it in the Bible? What’s it there to do?
It’s something to think about. While I get ready for another visit to another doctor’s office.
‘He Hideth My Soul’
(Overslept! Schedule all fakaka, more doctoring this afternoon… Please keep my in your prayers.)
First hymn to pop into my head today: He Hideth My Soul, by Fanny Crosby. Sung by the Antrim Mennonite Choir. Background sets by God the Father.
By Request, ‘Your Grace and Mercy Have Brought Me Through’
Requested by Phoebe: Your Grace and Mercy Have Brought Me Through, sung by the Mississippi Mass Choir. Frank Williams is the soloist.
Tomorrow the festival of doctoring begins. Please pray for me; I’ll need all the prayers I can get.
By Request, ‘I Can’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore’
Requested by Erlene, a real classic: I Can’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore. Jim Reeves sang this version back in 1962. A few years later, The Incredible String Band had a pop version. But really, it’s a spiritual.
‘His Eye Is On the Sparrow’
It’s been ages and ages since I’ve heard this hymn. Here it is, as song by Tennessee Ernie Ford: His Eye Is on the Sparrow. I don’t think I could’ve been more than 12 years old when I heard this last.
By Request, ‘In His Time’
Here’s a hymn requested by Erlene–In His Time. I don’t know who’s singing it, but I couldn’t resist the flowers and the butterflies.
(Three deer in our parking lot today, a doe and two fawns. To me, a sign that God is nigh.)