From DeLancey

Thursday was opening night for a play Leland was in at Lee University and that I did costumes for. Mom and Dad had planned to go that night to see it before Dad was admitted to the hospital. I came by late Thursday night to tell them all about it. Dad was very tired and out of it but he listened as I told him how well it went, what an amazing job Leland did, and how fabulous my costumes looked. He of course gave me a thumbs up (his universal sign for pleasure or approval) when I left. Friday afternoon I went to the hospital to relieve Mom for a few hours. Dad and I watched the golf channel, I asked his opinion about a crossword I was doing, and we just sat together. That was one of my favorite things to do recently. Since the list of things Dad and I could share rapidly declined, I made time just to hang out. I called it co-existing. It didn’t matter if we did anything special – just as long as we did it together. He and I had a TV series (Foyle’s War) that we were watching together (a Netflix membership was Leland and my Father’s Day present to him last year). I’d go over there when Mom had to be out of town since Dad couldn’t be left alone. He would watch me sew costumes and I always apologized for the loud sewing machine. I asked him last Friday if I should audition for a play at ACT (the last play I had done was Christmas Carol with him a year ago – plays were always a thing we loved to share). He responded with an enthusiastic thumbs up. When I left the hospital on Friday, I remembered to tell him and Mom that I had gotten a role in the play. He seemed so pleased. The image of him that I will always have in my head was as I walked out of the room. I said goodbye and Dad struggled to lift his head to look at me and lifted his fingers a few inches off the armrest to wave goodbye. I got the call less than 3 hours later.

At the funeral yesterday, I was floored by the amount of people that had turned out to show their support and love for all that Dad did in his lifetime. I always thought Dad was amazing but I admit that I am slightly biased. The service was just what Dad would have wanted – a homecoming celebration. We will miss him terribly here but we are rejoicing greatly because we know that he is no longer suffering. All glory be to our most Sovereign God who Dad sought to glorify in every action every day of his life.

Thank you all immensely for your loving support and prayers. Many of you shared with us yesterday your favorite memories of Dad and I invite you to post those on here that we all might share in the wonderful memories.

- Forever Danny’s daughter, DeLancey

From Watts

This is Danny’s son Watts…

Today my dad finally heard the trumpet.  I try to think of the good times that my dad and I spent together for my 17 years he was with me. Last night I was with my dad; we were watching a basketball game on ESPN.  As he usually does, he asked me if I had practiced basketball or lifted weights that day. I told him I lifted some weights. He was pretty excited about that.

I try to rejoice in the fact that my dad is finally home. I’ve spent 3 years knowing that he was going to die. Although he is dead, he is now truly living.  After the game was over I turned to the Golf network. I asked my dad who he thought would win the Masters; he got his board and wrote, “Tiger.” We both laughed. I left and told my dad I would see him tomorrow and I loved him. He gave me a thumbs up. I think my dad is 0n the golf course right now in heaven. I’m very thankful for all the wonderful times I got to spend with my dad: playing basketball, lifting weights, and watching football. I can’t describe how much I will miss my dad. I want to thank everyone who has put in so much time, prayer, and love. 

                                               -Watts Dantzler

February 20, 2009

This is Danny’s daughter DeLancey. Dad is currently in the hospital so he won’t be posting for a few days. Wednesday night his sodium dropped too low so he is on an IV to bring this number up – which it is doing slowly. He and Mom have requested no visitors because Dad isn’t quite up to seeing anyone, but we covet all of your prayers. Thank you all for your support.

February 19, 2009

LIVING IN CANAAN NOW!
Hinsons

Egypt was once my home, I was a slave

Helpless, in sin did roam  -  lovelight did crave

But when I looked up to Heaven’s dome, Christ came to save

I’m living in Canaan now!

(Chorus)

Living on Canaan’s side  -  Egypt behind

Crossed over Jordan wide  -  Gladness to find

My soul is satisfied  -  no longer blind am I

Living with Jesus up in Canaan right now!

Satan may have you bound with fetters strong

Gonna look up to higher ground – it will not be long

Till Christ the Savior your soul has found and you’ll sing this song

I’m living in Canaan now!

(Repeat Chorus Twice)

Click on the link – Happy Goodman Family.

I goofed.  I took too much medication.  I’ve been groggy all day.

Forgive me.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

February 18, 2009

CANAAN LAND IS JUST IN SIGHT

                        I
         
MOSES LED GOD’S CHILDREN FORTY YEARS HE LED THEM
THROUGH THE STORM AND THROUGH THE NIGHT.
THO THEY SAID, “LET’S TURN BACK” MOSES SAID KEEP GOING
CANAAN LAND IS JUST IN SIGHT.
         
                      CHORUS
         
THERE WILL BE NO SORROW THERE IN THAT TOMORROW
WE WILL BE THERE BY AND BY.
MILK AND HONEY FLOWING THAT IS WHERE I’M GOING
CANAAN LAND IS JUST IN SIGHT.
CANAAN LAND IS JUST IN SIGHT.
         
                        II
         
THO WE WALK THROUGH VALLEYS THO WE CLIMB HIGH MOUNTAINS
WE CANNOT GIVE UP THE FIGHT.
WE MUST BE LIKE MOSES WE MUST KEEP ON GOING.
CANAAN LAND IS JUST IN SIGHT.

Click on the link – Cathedrals Reunion.

Joshua 1:2 ”Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land(Canaan) which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.

^{Joshua 1:7} “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.

Now is not the time to get squeamish.   The battle is at hand.  Satan is at his best with tough times.  The devil knows which buttons to push on each of us.  He knows no mercy.  Satan tries to take us down.  Give up.  Quit. 

Watts house sits while Jean is at Bible Study.  This process of ALS is especially difficult on the kiddos.

WE MUST BE LIKE MOSES WE MUST KEEP ON GOING.
CANAAN LAND IS JUST IN SIGHT.

Keep fighting.  Never give up.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

February 17, 2009

Four Days Late

Verse 1
The news came to Jesus, Please come fast
Lazarus is sick and without your help he will not last
Mary and Martha watched thier brother die
They waited for Jesus, He did not come
And they wondered why.

Verse 2
The death watch was over, Buried four days
Somebody said He'll soon be here, the Lord's on His way
Martha ran to Him and then she cried
Lord if you had been here You could have healed him
He'd still be alive

Chorus
But You're four days late And all hope is gone
Lord we don't understand why you've waited so long
But His way is God's way Not yours or mind
When He's four days late He's still on time

Verse 3
Jesus said Martha show me the grave, But she said Lord
You don't understand He's been there four days
The grave stone was rolled back, Then Jesus cried
Lazarus come forth then somebody said
He's alive, He's alive

Verse 4
You may be fighting a battle of fear
You've cried to the Lord I need You now
But he has not appeared.  Friend don't be discouraged
Cause He's still the same
He'll soon be here He'll roll back the stone
And He'll call out your name

Repeat Chorus

Click on the link – Karen Peck and New River.

John 11(NLT)

The Raising of Lazarus

 ¹ A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. ² This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. ³ So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.”

 ⁴ But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” ⁵ So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, ⁶ he stayed where he was for the next two days. ⁷ Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.”

 ⁸ But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?”

 ⁹ Jesus replied, “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. ¹⁰ But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light.” ¹¹ Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.”

 ¹² The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!” ¹³ They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.

 ¹⁴ So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. ¹⁵ And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.”

 ¹⁶ Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.”

 ¹⁷ When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. ¹⁸ Bethany was only a few milesdown the road from Jerusalem, ¹⁹ and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. ²⁰ When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. ²¹ Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²² But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”

 ²³ Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”

 ²⁴ “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.”

 ²⁵ Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. ²⁶ Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

 ²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.” ²⁸ Then she returned to Mary. She called Mary aside from the mourners and told her, “The Teacher is here and wants to see you.” ²⁹ So Mary immediately went to him.

 ³⁰ Jesus had stayed outside the village, at the place where Martha met him. ³¹ When the people who were at the house consoling Mary saw her leave so hastily, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’s grave to weep. So they followed her there. ³² When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

 ³³ When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. ³⁴ “Where have you put him?” he asked them.

   They told him, “Lord, come and see.” ³⁵ Then Jesus wept. ³⁶ The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” ³⁷ But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”

 ³⁸ Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. ³⁹ “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.

   But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.”

 ⁴⁰ Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” ⁴¹ So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. ⁴² You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” ⁴³ Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴ And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”

The story of Lazarus is a treasure.  It contains the shortest verse in the Bible(v. 35).  Fortunately, verse 43 has a name in it.  If Jesus would have said, “Come out!”, every person in the cemetery would have been raised from the dead.

Karen Peck is a little country but she nails this Aaron Wilburn song.  I especially like the last stanza.

 You may be fighting a battle of fear
You’ve cried to the Lord I need You now
But he has not appeared.  Friend don’t be discouraged
Cause He’s still the same
He’ll soon be here He’ll roll back the stone
And He’ll call out your name

Call out my name. 

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

   

 

February 16, 2009

LOVE LIFTED ME

I was sinking deep in sin, Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within. Sinking to rise no more.
But, the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry ..
From the waters lifted me.
Now Safe am I.

Love lifted me!  Love lifted me!
when nothing else could help
love lifted me!
Love lifted even me!
Love lifted even me!
when nothing else could help
love lifted me!

All my heart to Him I give; ever to Him I’ll cling.
in his blessed presence live, ever his praises sing.
Love so mighty and so true merits my soul’s best songs;
Faithful, loving service, too.
To Him belongs.

Souls in danger. look above; Jesus completely saves,
He will lift you by his love out of the angry waves.
He’s the master of the sea; billows his will obey.
He your savior wants to be
be saved today

Jim Hamill was cantankerous in his old age.  Yet his bark was worse than his bite.  I attended a concert in which they sang this song.  I needed a hankie.  Click on the link to hear the Kingmen Quartet.

Matthew 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.  ²⁶ When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” ²⁸ Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” ²⁹ And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² When they got into the boat, the wind stopped.

Peter – Love lifted him out of the Sea of Galilee.

Danny – Love lifted me

Read the verses slowly.  Love lifted YOU.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

February 15, 2009

MOVIN’ UP TO GLORYLAND.

I love to think about a paradise (I love to think about a paradise)
Somewhere beyond the blue (Somewhere beyond the blue)
A mansion waiting in the distant skies (A mansion waiting in the distant skies)
Maybe next door to you (Maybe next door to you)

We’ll go parading through the distant stars (We’ll go parading through the distant stars)
Right down the Milky Way (Right down the Milky Way)
The planets Jupiter, Neptune, and Mars (The planets Jupiter and Neptune and Mars)
Won’t even be halfway (Won’t even be halfway)

Chorus:
Oh yes I’m moving, moving, moving, moving
Moving up to gloryland
Oh yes I’m moving, moving, moving, moving
Holding to His nail-scarred hands
Don’t know when I’m leaving but I’m ready to go
When I get to heaven I’ll be welcome I know
Oh yes I’m moving, moving, moving, moving
Moving up to gloryland

I made my reservation long ago (I made my reservation long ago)
The day I gave up sin (The day I gave up sin)
And when my mansions ready this I know (And when my mansions ready this I know)
I’m gonna move right in (I’m gonna move right in)

I have a vision of a happy place (I have a vision of a happy place)
Where friends and loved ones meet (Where friends and loved ones meet)
Right on the corner of God’s avenue (Right on the corner of God’s avenue)
And hallelujah street (And hallelujah street)

Repeat Chorus (x2)Click on the link – Cathedrals Quartet.

 

 

Click on this link to hear a different group sing this song - Brian Free and Gold City.

This is another “sugar stick” song.  Fluff. Cotton candy.  It is entertairing.  Having attended many southern gospel concerts, variety is the spice of life.  A slow song then a fast one would follow.  A testimony or two would be worked in to the program.

Even though this song is a “sugar stick” it has true and faithful lyrics.

John 14:1-3 (King James Version) 1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  2In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.   3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

King Jimmy version mis-translates the Greek word as mansions.  It should be dwelling places or rooms.  In fact there’s a song about “mansions”.  You can go to You Tube and watch any number of videos named Mansion Over The Hilltop.

Don’t know when I’m leaving but I’m ready to go

I’m ready to go.  Feet don’t fail me now.

When I get to heaven I’ll be welcome I know

God wants all His children to come home.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

February 14, 2009

GLORY ROAD

1)Is this road you’re trav’ling dark; deserted or dim,
Is there hope for tomorrow?  Put your trust in Him.
On this glory road I’m trav’ling, many times I strumble on my way;
but praise the Lord I’ll soon be leaving
To that land of perfect peace and endless day.                                                    

Chorus)
I can see             the lights of home              
      (I can see)     the           lights of home

I can see               Him on His throne.        

I  can see        Him         on His throne.

I’m too near                 to turn back now
        I’m too near         to           turn back now

Oh praise the Lord              I’m heaven bound 
              praise  the Lord  I’m        heaven bound

2)                                   
When my jouney here shall end,
I’ll say goodbye to a world of sin.
In that fair land (in that fair land)
I’ll take my stand (I’ll take my stand),
It’s good to be on this road for glory land.

Click on the link – Trio:Kirk Talley, Ivan Parker, Anthony Burger.  If you want to hear the Kingsmen with Johnny Parrack hitting the high notes then click on – GLORY ROAD.

I’m traveling on the road to heaven.  I’ve got a head start on some of my friends and family.  The road is dark, deserted and dim.  Is there hope for tomorrow?  Yes, indeed.   I’ve put my trust in Him.  My stumbling is almost over.  I’ll soon be leaving to that land of perfect peace and endless day.

The second stanza describes leaving this world of sin.  It’ll be great.  No more temptations.  No more TV with its “skanky programs and commercials”.   The ads for upcoming TV shows and movies are “R” rated.  I’ve never watched Desperate Housewives but I get the gist.  Satan and his minions – no admittance.

Rev. 22:3, 4 There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their forehead.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

p.s. This is the 100th blog/post.  300 comments.  19,900 hits/views

February 13, 2009

He was on the Cross
            1
I’m not all and ego trip,
I’m nothing on my own,
I’ve made mistakes and often slip
just common flesh and bone,
but I’ll prove someday just what I say,
I’m of a special kind,
while He was on the cross,
I was on His mind.
            2
A look of love was on His face,
Thorns upon His head
Blood was on that scarlet robe
It was stained in crimson red
Though His eyes were on cross that day
He looked ahead in time
When He was on the cross
I was on His mind
   
    chorus
He knew me, yet He loved me,
He whose glory made the heavens shine
I’m so unworthy, of such mercies
When he was on the cross
I was on His mind

Click on the link – Jake Hess.  The Florida Boys made this song famous.  Click on the link – When He was on the Cross, I was on His mind.

He knew me, yet He loved me

GRACE.  He knew me.  All my faults.  My impure thoughts.   My selfishness.  Despite my sin Jesus loves me. 

Psalm 51 (Contemporary English Version)

 (For the music leader. A psalm by David when the prophet Nathan came to him after David had been with Bathsheba.)

A Prayer for Forgiveness

 ¹You are kind, God! Please have pity on me. You are always merciful!  Please wipe away my sins.  ²Wash me clean from all of my sin and guilt. ³I know about my sins, and I cannot forget my terrible guilt. ⁴You are really the one I have sinned against; our eyes from my sin and cover my guilt. ¹⁰Create pure thoughts in me and make me faithful again. ¹¹Don’t chase me away from you or take your Holy Spirit away from me. ¹²Make me as happy as you did when you saved me; make me want to obey! ¹³I will teach sinners your Law, and they will return to you. ¹⁴Keep me from any deadly sin, you want. ¹⁷The way to please you is to feel sorrow deep in our hearts. This is the kind of sacrifice you won’t refuse.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D 

November 9,2008

MIDNIGHT CRY 

VERSE 1
I hear the sound
Of a rushing mighty wind
And it’s closer
Than it’s ever been
I can almost hear the trumpet
As Gabriel sounds the call
And at the midnight cry
We’ll be goin’ home

CHORUS 1
When Jesus steps out
On a cloud to call His children
The dead in Christ shall rise
To meet Him in the air
Then those that will remain
Oh, oh they’ll be quickly changed
And at the midnight cry
When Jesus comes again

VERSE 2
I look around me
I see prophecies fulfilling
And those Signs of the time
They’re appearing everywhere
I can almost hear the Father
Say,  “ Son go get Your children”
And at the midnight cry
The Bride of Christ will rise

 

CHORUS

 

TAG

I can almost hear the Father
As He says “Go get Your children”
And at the midnight cry
The Bride of Christ will rise

And at the midnight cry
The Bride of Christ will rise

 

Ivan Parker of Gold City made this song famous.  I like the 1987 version on You Tube(4:23).  What I really like is the message.

I Thess. 4:16-18  For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Comfort one another with these words.  I told Andy Napier of WMBW, Jean and I were devastated when first we heard the ALS.  But, we believed in the Providence of God and it will be o.k.   The Moody network played the 7 minute clip during Prime Time America and a lady in Texas heard the interview.  Recently this lady did physical therapy on my mother and mentioned her last name.  My mom said, ”That’s my son.”

It’s going to be o.k.  Comfort one another with these words.

I can almost hear the trumpet.  (I stole this line from Midnight Cry)

Danny D

 

November 10, 2008

 

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
by Ira Stanphill

I don’t know about tomorrow;
I just live from day to day.
I don’t borrow from it’s sunshine
For it’s skies may turn to grey.
I don’t worry o’er the future,
For I know what Jesus said.
And today I’ll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

Every step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden’s getting lighter,
Every cloud is silver-lined.
There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eye;
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.

I don’t know about tomorrow;
It may bring me poverty.
But the one who feeds the sparrow,
Is the one who stands by me.
And the path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me
And I’m covered with His blood.

George Younce and Larry Ford sing this song on a Gaither video.  You can watch it on You Tube.  I concluded the “Why Me” sermon with this song.   When I spoke at Tunnel Hill First Baptist, long time friend Randy Beckler came up and put an arm around me during this song.  I lost it.  Good thing I had a hankie.

Ira Stanphill wrote wise words in this song.  No one knows what great things are around the corner.  No one knows what catastrophies are around the corner.  

But, we know that we serve a good God.  Anything that comes to you is filtered through His loving hands.  And by His grace you can handle it.  

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

November 11, 2008

There is a River

There came a sound from Heaven   It was like a mighty rushing wind    It filled their hearts with singing   And gave them peace within   The Prophet gave this promise   He said the Holy Spirit will descend   Then from your inner being      A river with no end

There is a river, that flows from deep within
There is a fountain, that frees the soul from sin
Come to this water; there is a vast supply
There is a river, that never shall run dry.

There came a thirsty woman,
Who was drawing from a well
You see her life was ruined and wasted
And her soul was bound for hell
Oh but then she met the Master
And He told about her great sin
And he said “if you drink this water,
You’ll never thirst again.’

There is a river, and it flows from deep within
There is a fountain, that frees the soul from sin
Come to this water; there is a vast supply
There is a river, that never shall run dry.

You have to watch Greater Vision THERE IS A RIVER (6:31).  I heard them do it live.  It’s slow and powerful like a deep river. 

John 4:14 Jesus said, …”but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst.”

I get all my meals through a feeding tube now.  First, we have to flush the tube with water then comes the cans of Ensure Plus – 350 calories. Then more water to flush out the food.  I never shall thirst again.  I’m sloshing.  My kidneys are working fine, thank you. 

But, I’ve got a faith that’s deep.  God is proving in the past, present and future that is His Grace is Sufficient.  Glory to God.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D  

November 12, 2008

Heaven’s Joy Awaits by Vepp Ellis
When We Leave This Low Land
We Will Cross The Jordan
Pass This Chilling Torrent
Heaven’s Joy Awaits

Heaven Is Just Beyond The Blue Horizon
Just Above The Starry Sky, Starry Blue Sky
Far Above This Land Of Sorrow
Way Above Each Tear And Sigh, Every Sigh

Just A Few More Miles Before Us
Just A Little While To Wait, Patiently Wait
Soon We’ll Sing Redemptions Chorus
Heaven’s Joy Awaits, Heaven Awaits

Heaven’s Breeze Is Blowing
Gently To Recalling
I Will Soon Be Going
Through The Pearly Gates

Heaven Is Just Beyond The Blue Horizon
Just Above The Starry Sky, Starry Blue Sky
Far Above This Land Of Sorrow
Way Above Each Tear And Sigh, Every Sigh

Just A Few More Miles Before Us
Just A Little While To Wait, Patiently Wait
Soon We’ll Sing Redemptions Chorus
Heaven’s Joy Awaits, Heaven Awaits

An old convention song(1943).  Choirs would practice in the old days for weeks to get the parts just right.  Four part tight harmony on the verses and when you would get to the chorus each person in the quartet would sing a different melody.  What fun!  The altos had the best part.  Watch Heaven’s Joy Awaits with Gaither Vocal Band(Comedy Intro)(9:20).

I have been listening to songs about crossing that river.  That’s how I was raised.   It is not morbid but comforting to my soul.   I always liked the analogy of crossing that river.  There’s dozens of songs about it.  Standing by the River by the Mom and Dad Speer, I Won’t Have To Cross Jordan Alone and Trying To Get a Glimpse are just three. The Hebrew nation crossed the Jordan into to the Promised Land.   I’ll soon be home.  Heaven’s Joy Awaits.

John 14:1-3  “Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

This is the 9th Post, almost 1700 hits and 50 comments.  Yesterday’s hits = 297.

November 13, 2008

He Giveth More Grace sung by Larry Ford

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

God’s Grace.  You can hear Larry sing this song on You Tube(3:32).  This song is in my top ten.  The chorus is right on.  My first day in heaven I’m looking up Annie Johnson Flint who wrote this song.  

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure and His power has no boundary.  Annie J. Flint died in 1932.  How did she know God so well?   In her 66 years, how did she develop a relationship with Jesus knowing that He had infinite riches?  It only comes one way.

We only learn the hard way.  Burdens grow greater, our labors increase, added afflictions and multplied trials teach us like no other schoolmaster.   God personally taught her.  And He had to deliver her from her problems because there is not the least vapor of doubt in the song.

Notice the second verse.   I love it more than the first verse.  When you run out of endurance, strength and hoarded(great word) resources then you have to rely on Someone else.   And the Father’s full giving is only begun.  She experienced the Truth. 

Now that this disease is progressing we have to use a wheelchair and I have a walker to help me at home.   ALS does not effect the brain and for now, I can still use my hands to type.  My feet are developing numbness and lack of mobility.   My legs are so weak I have to have help to stand up.  I’m experiencing the Truth. 

Less than two weeks doing a blog and over 1900 views.  He giveth, and giveth and giveth again!

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D 

November 14, 2008

          His Eye is on the Sparrow

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Dozens of people sing this on You Tube.  Jean and I listened to over a dozen versions.  This song is also in my top ten.  I concluded the “Why Me?” sermons by trying to sing this song without accompaniment. 

Andy Napier send the CD to Chicago and they added music to the song.  I don’t sing on key, I sing in the cracks between the keys.  They had to slow down the CD to fit on a key.  It now sounds o.k.

Luke 6:6,7  Are not five sparrows sold for two cents?  And yet not one of them is forgotten before God.  Indeed the very hairs of your numbered(mine less and less).  Do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows.

 When Jesus is my portion – I like that line.  We all walk around the two natures – the old(evil) and the new(good).  Which one comes out? The one that I feed.  If all of us would feed the new, dwell on the things above, we wouldn’t make a mess of our lives. 

 I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D 

November 15, 2008

         How Great Thou Art

        Verse 1

O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder

Consider all the works Thy hands have made.

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Refrain:

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee;

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee:

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

• Verse 2:

When through the woods and forest glades I wander

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

(Repeat Refrain.)

• Verse 3:

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin:

(Repeat Refrain.)

• Verse 4:

When Christ shall come with shouts of acclamation

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow in humble adoration,

And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

(Repeat Refrain.)

You have your choice of which artists you want to listen to because everybody sings this song from Elvis to Alan Jackson.  Jean and I like the Sandi Patty version.  She can scream on key(Sandi’s very words).   

Since I was an Eagle Scout, I like the usually skipped second verse. Carl Gustav Boberg wrote the hymn during a two mile walk in a thunderstorm after a church meeting in 1885.   Nature alone declares how great my God is.  But, it is not limited to nature(v.1&2).

The third verse centers on God’s work at Calvary.  Atonement is short for “at one moment”, God reached down and atoned or pardoned our sin.  All the sin in the history of the world was credited to Jesus.  God’s Son, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross and despised the shame(Hebrews 12:2).  

We who believe in Christ’s redemptive work have been declared not guilty.  Forgiven by God and we can’t add one thing to it.  It is the grace of God.  God’s gift.  Cherish and never forget.  He promises to bury our sin in the Sea of His Forgetfulness.  He has a celebration planned.  There’s gonna be a great homecoming somewhere across that river.  This life is just a training exercise for our next life.  I can’t wait!

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

November 16, 2008

The Fourth Man

Refrain:
They wouldn’t bend
They held on to the will of God so we are told
They wouldn’t bow
They would not bow their knees to Idols made of gold
They wouldn’t burn
They were protected by the Fourth Man in the fire
They wouldn’t bend
They wouldn’t bow, they wouldn’t burn.

Now the prophet Daniel tells about
Three men who walked with God
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
Before the wicked king they stood
And the king commanded them bound and thrown
Into the fiery furnace that day
But the fire was so hot that the men were slain
That forced them on their way.

Refrain:

Now when the three were cast in and the king rose up
To witness this awful fate
He began to tremble at what he saw
In astonished tones he spake
Did we not cast three men bound
Into the midst of the fire
Well, Lo, I see four men unhurt
Unbound and walkin’ down there;

There’s Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
And the fiery coals they trod
But the form of the Fourth Man that I see
Is like the Son of God

 

DeLancey, one of my daughters, loves this fun song.  Johnny Cash, The Statler’s Brothers and the original Statesman Quartet sing this on You Tube.  Gaither has a comedy routine featuring Tim Lovelace and Jake Hess that I recommend after you watch one of the first three.

At a southern gospel group concert the group will do a song that is three chords and a cloud of dust.  Then they will slow it down.   Variety is the spice of life.  Next, they will do a fun song and the corny jokes abound. 

 

Life’s like that.  God is masterful in creating a collage, a rainbow of experiences.  He sends us seasons of refreshing and seasons of dry bones. 

 

Ecclesiastes 3:2-8   A time to give birth, and a time to die…a time for war and a time for peace.

This life has ups and downs.   God is more interested how you handle the highs and lows.  God wants balance.  You understand that we live in a fallen world and Satan has limited control on earth.  When bad things happen, you don’t go into depression.  You know your God loves you and has you cradled in His arms.

When great things happen, you stay balanced.  God poured out His blessings for a season.  You remember that tough times make house calls, too.

 As a pretty good golfer(my handicap was once +1), you had to stay even keeled.   Do not let one bad swing ruin 4 hours of golf.   You are smarter than that.  Learn from your mistakes.  Do not repeat them. 

Celebrate in season.  Weep with those that weep.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D 

November 17, 2008

Victory in Jesus by E. M. Bartlett

I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood’s atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.

Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing pow’r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, “Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit,”
And somehow Jesus came and bro’t
to me the victory.

Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing,
And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I’ll sing up there
The song of victory.

Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

On You Tube Gaither has David Ring give his testimony and sing this song.  I heard David do it live.  There was not a dry eye in the place.  I sung the last verse at my sister’s(Sharon) funeral.  This song is in my top ten.

I Cor. 15:57  but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

My life’s verse is II Cor. 2:14  But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.

We are guaranteed victory.  We, who claim Jesus as Lord, win.  One day I will be instantly healed of Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

 I can almost hear the trumpet. 

Danny D

P.S.  I wanted to take Jean back to the hillside villages in Europe.  Tuscany is not wheelchair friendly.  So, we are returning to our honeymoon site – Disney World.  Thanks to credit card points, we leave today and return Thursday night.  Next Blog: Friday by lunch.  Ta, Ta. 

November 21, 2008

 

 

When You Wish Upon A Star Music by Leigh Harline / Lyrics by Ned Washington Performed by Jiminy Cricket (Cliff Edwards)   When you wish upon a star Makes no difference who you are Anything your heart desires Will come to you If your heart is in your dream No request is too extreme When you wish upon a star As dreamers do Fate is kind She brings to those who love The sweet fulfillment of Their secret longing Like a bolt out of the blue Fate steps in and sees you through When you wish upon a star Your dreams come true

 

Walt Disney was a flat out genius.  We thought the third week in November, there would be no lines at WDW.  WRONG.  All the parks were moderately crowded.  I have been on holidays when you could not walk down Main Street.  I have been when it was raining and you had 50 people in a room holding thousands. 

  Thank you for FAST PASS.   The whole world needs a system where you spend less time waiting.  You go to the bank on Friday, pick up a FAST PASS that has your time for later in the day.  You return to the FAST PASS lane at your designated time and zip up to the window.  Sure, people can choose to wait 45 minutes.  But, not me.

 

Why is Walt Disney a genius?  In every story there’s a battle between good and evil.  There’s a villain and there’s a hero.  The Christian community ought to thank Disney for making the story so simple.  

I Peter 5:8 …Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.   

But, we have a Savior and hero - Jesus Christ who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords! At Disney’s Hollywood Movies park, they end each day with Fantasmic.  The story is about how a mouse defeats this huge evil dragon.  Mickey Mouse saves the day and the last scene is a boat load of Disney characters who are safe because of a mouse.   

We are safe because of propitiation.  Someone took our sin and waged war over our souls.  Jesus stood in the gap for me and you.  And God declares us not guilty, but free. 

Romans 10:13  FOR WHOEVER WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED! 

The highlight of my trip to Disney, other than being there with my best friend(wife), was the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom.  It is called “Wishes”.  Jiminy Cricket does the narrating and the music to the above song plays throughout.   It made me tear up and go a snottin’.

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

All my wishes have come true.  December 16 will be 36 years of wedded bliss.  Jean and I have four great kids – Perry, DeLancey, Leland and Watts.  I am filled to overflowing.  That’s why I leak around the eyes and nose.  I’m living a fairy tale.  Can’t wait for the finale.

I can almost hear the trumpet,

Danny D

November 22, 2008

  

 

He’s Still In The Fire

by Walt Mills

My mama read a story
about the bible long ago
About Shadrack, Meshack and old Abendigo
How the wicked king commanded
they be thrown into the flame
Because they wouldn’t bow
and then deny their father’s name

My mama said the king stood high
upon a balconey so tall
When he looked in
he was shocked by all the things he saw
He thought that he would find them
lying dead upon the ground
but instead of three he counted four
up walking all around

Well he’s still in the fire
and he’s walking in the flame
and he’ll be there to help you
when you call in Jesus’ name
And he can still deliver
by his almighty power
While here below
it’s good to know
He’s still in the fire

Then I said Mama,
wait a minute there’s one thing that I must know
if three went in and three came out
then where’d the fourth man go

And I never will forget
as Mama danced across the floor
These are the words I heard her say
as she shouted thru the door

Son, he’s still in the fire
and he’s walking in the flame
and he’ll be there to help you
when you call in Jesus’ name
And he can still deliver
by his almighty power
While here below
it’s good to know
He’s still in the fire

Now my friend you may be destined
to face life’s hottest flame
But I’m glad that I can tell you
Thru the power of His name
Not one flame of fire will touch you
you’ll come thru it and you’ll tell
Yesterday, today, forever
God is still alive and well

Oh he’s still in the fire
and he’s walking in the flame
and he’ll be there to help you
when you call in Jesus’ name
And he can still deliver
by his almighty power
While here below
it’s good to know
He’s still in the fire

Well he’s still in the fire
and he’s walking in the flame
and he’ll be there to help you
when you call in Jesus’ name
And he can still deliver
by his almighty power
While here below
it’s good to know
He’s still in the fire

While here below
it’s good to know
He’s still in the fire

 

Watch SPEERS – HE’S STILL IN THE FIRE on You Tube.  It is a little dated – a guy with big hair – but the message is good.  I’ve heard the author Walt Mills do this song.  The Speers made it famous on the southern gospel trail.

He’s still in the fire to do battle when we are tested.  Life is tough.  Take comfort. 

Hebrews 4:15-16  For we do not have a high priest who can not sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.

“In time of need” we can’t deliver our selves.  When we are hurting emotionally, physically or spiritually we can’t heal ourselves.  It takes a Savior.  Jesus wants to help us in the midst of the fire.  Take it from one in the fire, our God is able to deliver. 

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

November 23, 2008

           He Came To Me

              By Squire Parsons

The gulf that separated me from Christ, my Lord,
It was so vast the crossing I could never ford;
From where I was to His domain, it seemed so far;
I cried, “Dear Lord, I cannot come to where you are.”

He came to me, O, He came to me.When I could not come to where He was, He came to me.
That’s why He died on Calvary;
When I could not come to where He was, He came to me.

He came to me when I was bound in chains of sin,
He came to me when I possessed no hope within;
He picked me up and He drew me gently to His side,
Where, today, in His sweet love I now abide.

He came to me, O, He came to me.
When I could not come to where He was, He came to me.
That’s why He died on Calvary;
When I could not come to where He was, He came to me.

Watch He Came To Me – John Starnes or hear the author sing it on allthelyrics.com.  

If salvation depends on my efforts, I am lost.  The chasm between God and man is huge.  We can not build a bridge that will span the chasm.   We have to be perfect to fellowship with a perfect God.   I don’t know about you, but I know me.  I have zero chance to make it to heaven by my own merits.  I have commited sins in my mind that only God knows about – greed, envy, lust, etc. 

My wife can give testimony that I have commited sins not only in my mind, but actually.  Don’t ask my children.  They want to be included in the inheritance. 

Christ in His providential will ”elected” me.  I’m not getting into a debate – people are still fighting over this.  I believe there is a sign over the gate of heaven.  On the outside it reads “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord will be saved”.  Once you walk through the gate and glance over your shoulder it reads “chosen before the foundation of the earth”.

“He came to me” describes the work my Savior did on my behalf.  Glory to God.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

P.S. This is the 17th post.  3,600 views(hits).  79 comments.  Praise God. 

November 24, 2008

                    The Old Rugged Cross

           by George Bennard(1913)

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

 So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

On You Tube you can listen to Elvis, Jim (Gomer Pyle) Nabors and others sing this song.

The Old Rugged Cross, with its haunting melody, has long been one of my favorites.   I love the words of this song.  Pick a verse, any verse.  This hymn stands alone, no commentary is necessary.  As is usual for a hymn, the last verse is written about heaven.

Heaven has been on my mind a lot lately.  Singing hymns helps me.  I usually use the earphones on my computer.  Jean will walk by and see me “leaking” and know I’m on You Tube.  She gets me a hankie when I need it.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D    

 

 

November 25, 2008

            Via Dolorosa

Down the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem that day
The soldiers tried to clear the narrow street
But the crowd pressed in to see
The Man condemned to die on Calvary

He was bleeding from a beating, there were stripes upon His back
And He wore a crown of thorns upon His head
And He bore with every step
The scorn of those who cried out for His death

Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering
Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King,
But He chose to walk that road out of
His love for you and me.

Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary.

Por la Via Dolorosa, triste dia en Jerusalem
Los saldados le abrian paso a Jesus

Mas la gente se acercaba
Para ver al que llevaba aquella cruz

Por la Via Dolorosa, que es la via del dolor
Como oveja vino Cristo, Rey, Senor
Y fue El quien quiso ir por su amor por ti y por mi
Por la Via Dolorosa al Calvario y a morir

The blood that would cleanse the souls of all men
Made its way through the heart of Jerusalem.

Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering
Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King
But He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me
Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary.

The traditional route starts just inside the Lion’s Gate (St. Stephen’s Gate), at a school near the location of the former Antonia Fortress, and makes its way westward through the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This route is based on a devotional walk organized by the Franciscans in the 14th century AD.  There are 14 stations(places) on the Via Dolorosa.  The last 5 are in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Station #1 – Jesus is condemned by Pontius Pilate.  Station #2 – Where Jesus took up His cross.  Station #3 – Where Jesus fell for the first time under the weight of the cross.  Station #4 – Mother Mary watches her Son.  Station #5 -  Simon of Cyrene was forced by Roman soldiers to help Jesus carry this cross.  Station #6 – where, according to a tradition dating from the 14th century, St. Veronica wiped Jesus’ face with her handkerchief, leaving an image of his face imprinted on the cloth.  Station #7 – Jesus fell for the second time.  Station #8 -Where Jesus consoled the lamenting women of Jerusalem (Lk 23:27-31).  Station #9 – Jesus falls a third time.

I’ve walked the Via Dolorosa.  I don’t know about the 14 stations.  All I do know is that my Savior walked the Way of Suffering to Golgotha Hill(Calvary).  The Roman soldiers crucified Jesus.  He died on the cross bearing my sin – an innocent man for one not innocent.

Yet the story does not end there.  It’s Friday – but Sunday is coming.   

You have to watch Sandi Patty sing Via Dolorosa/The Old Rugged Cross(6:22) on You Tube.  Hankie required.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D 

November 26, 2008

Blessed Assurance

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

 
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.

2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
(Refrain)

3. Perfect submission, all is at rest;
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love.
(Refrain)

On You Tube you can listen to a bunch of artists do this song – Aretha Franklin, Michael English, Sandi Patty or the Issacs(bluegrass).

Blessed Assurance.  We know.  I John 5:13 These things have I written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may KNOW that you have eternal life.

Many times Satan whispers “give up” or “give in”.  The fact of the matter is God KNOWS.  And we, who claim the name of Christ, KNOW.  You are not in the dark.  Fight the GOOD fight. 

I have always been a competitor.   Son, Leland, shocked me one day when I agreed to be the first coach for Christian Heritage’s football team.  He said, “I’ll play, too”.  Watts, a 7th grader in pads looked like a junior in high school, had already volunteered.  Leland was a junior and played football for the first time.  We kept him out of the recreation program in football – he would have gotten injured. 

Leland enjoyed football.  And when basketball season rolled around he played that, too.  I “helped”, not much, Coach Irwin at CHS.  The Lions won the Tennessee Christian School State title that year.  I have a ring.  The next year Coach Irwin’s team lost in the finals.  Leland was on that team, too.

My children are competitors.  They know their Heavenly Father blessed them with talent.  Perry, Ms. Dantzler, is teaching English in college while working on her Masters/Doctorate.  DeLancey is sewing costumes and selling them on Ebay.   Leland loves his Music major at Lee University.  And, Watts is all about sports and being a chick magnet(like his dad, ha, ha).

My wife is a competitor, too.  You should have seen her pushing my wheelchair at Disney World.  I told her I was the reason for her good looking legs.

Being a competitor is fine and dandy when you know what you are fighting for.  Contend for the Faith.  Never surrender.   Christ willingly chose the cross.  Are YOU striving?  I know what my striving is all about.  Blessed Assurance.  Jesus is mine.

I can almost hear the tumpet.

Danny D

November 27, 2008

Now Thank We All Our God

1. Now thank we all our God, 
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom this world rejoices;
who from our mothers’ arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

2. O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us;
and keep us still in grace,
and guide us when perplexed;
and free us from all ills,
in this world and the next.

3. All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given;
the Son, and him who reigns
with them in highest heaven;
the one eternal God,
whom earth and heaven adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.

A song from the “high” church.  Watch on You Tube “Now Thank We All Our God -Gods Country QVT Productions”(3:51).  It is a film clip of West Yorkshire, England(Ilkley Moor).  A man introduces the clip and brags on his village.  I love the small villages of Europe. 

They remind me of a simpler time.   Jean and I are winning the rat race.  You ever watch a gerbil on spinning tread mill?  We are peddling this life bicycle as fast as we can.  With two children in college and one in high school life is in the fast forward position.  Jean and Carol’s mom is 94.  My mom just got out of the hospital.   She is still in rehab.  

Whew!  Take a breath.  Psalms 46:10  Cease striving(relax, be still) and know that I am God. 

Slow down.  This disability has me right where I need to be.  I would have never blogged if I hadn’t got this disease.  Each morning I look forward to getting my Bible and hymnal out and writing. 

Col. 1:3 We give thanks to God… 

Eph. 5:20 Always giving thanks for all things…

Check your attitude.  Play the hand that you are dealt.  At Thanksgiving tell someone you are thankful for them.  We usually go around the table and everybody has to say something they are thankful for.  And thank God, too.  He’s orchestrating all the details.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

November 28, 2008

As originally published 1862 in The Atlantic Monthly

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:

He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;

He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:

His truth is marching on.

(Chorus)

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps,

They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;

I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps:

His day is marching on.

(Chorus)

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

His day is marching on.

I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:

“As ye deal with my condemners, so with you my grace shall deal;

Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel,

Since God is marching on.”

(Chorus)

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Since God is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;

He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat:

Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!

Our God is marching on.

(Chorus)

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,

With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:

As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,

While God is marching on.

(Chorus)

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

While God is marching on.

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,

He is Wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave,

So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of Time His slave,

Our God is marching on.

(Chorus)

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Our God is marching on.

Watch on You Tube “Georgia Bulldogs Pre-Game Battle Hymn”(1:54).  It’s the tune of the chorus.  A trumpet plays in the upper deck before every Bulldog home game. 

Tomorrow the insects from that trade school on 10th Avenue invade Sanford Stadium.  Coach Johnson has got the triple option honed to a science.  It’s going to be a nightmare. 

When I signed with Georgia back in 1969, freshmen were not allowed to play on the varsity.  Thanksgiving day there was the annual Bullpups vs. Yellow Jackets Freshman game at Grant Field.  We visited the children at Scottish Rite on Wednesday afternoon.  It was an awesome event.  I started at left offensive tackle – 6’1″ 204 lbs.  They put in a special tackle trap because I was so quick.  Coach Kasay, my freshman offensive line coach, called me the “Parson”.

In 1970 I was redshirted along with every lineman from my freshman class.  Tech’s varsity won the game that year.  I don’t consider it a loss, I didn’t play.  ’69, ’71, ’72 and ’73 we were undefeated against our arch rivals. 

It is a bitter rivalry.  Tech is due.  But, I would like for the Bulldogs to never lose to the Yellow Jackets.  Son, Watts, has been on 2 unofficial visits to Grant Field.  He gets a letter from Tech every week.  He’s pushing me over the edge.

Friend and former defensive guard at UGA, Ronnie Rogers, has a son who played for Tech.  I’ll turnover in my grave. 

NEWS – Andy Eskew and his wife Stacy just had a new addition delivered - a boy,  William Alexander Eskew.  Baby and mom are just dandy.

I can almost hear the trumpet.  Both of them.

Danny D

November 29, 2008

IT WON’T RAIN ALWAYS
(Gloria Gaither / Bill Gaither / Aaron Wilburn)

Bill & Gloria Gaither

Someone said that in each life some rain is bound to fall
And each one sheds his share of tears
And trouble troubles us all

But the hurt can’t hurt forever
And the tears are sure to dry

And it won’t rain always
The clouds will soon be gone
The sun that they’ve been hiding has been there all along

And it won’t rain always
God’s promises are true
The sun’s gonna shine in His own good time
And He will see you through

One of my favorite moments in the Gaither videos is when Cynthia Clawson sings this song.  Watch on YOU Tube “It wont rain always by Cynthia Clawson(Full)(5:37)”.  You can tell on the video Cynthia’s singing impresses the other singers.  And this song is so true and powerful.  Sue Dodge’s testimony gives weight to the lyrics.Outward circumstances make us think the present situation is permanent.  It is a lie from hell and it smells like smoke.  Like the sun behind a storm cloud, God is overseeing your stormy situation.  Life is full of  valleys and trouble troubles us all.  

One of the most admirable persons on this earth is my wife’s sister, Carol.   In 1978 she lost her first husband, Sammy Eskew.  He was my roommate in college and played tight end for the Bulldogs.  He gave up his senior year to go into the Airforce.  Captain Eskew was killed in a C130 plane crash.  There is a plaque honoring him outside of the practice fields in Athens.

Carol moved to Dalton in 1980 with Andy, 4, and Ellis, 1 1/2.  Her vivacious personality swooned Dick Causby.  They were married in May 1989.  Dick was a good father to Andy, Ellis and Christian(born in 1990).  Dick died in 2006 of renal cancer.  I was by his bed the night he died.  He breathed his last breath and Carol asked me to read John 14.

Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many dwelling places, if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Carol, having lost a pilot and a cowboy, comes from good stock.  The Kennedy clan from Decatur are top notch.  The first time I met Jean and Carol’s dad, he was watching TV – a Billy Graham crusade.  Their mother, Lib, sees a sermon in everything that happens.

Tragedy is part of life.  God is more concerned with how you handle it, instead of making it disappear.  Your Heavenly Father knows what you are going through.  You’re going to make it.  It’ll be o.k.  Promise.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 30, 2008

 

Gloom, despair, and agony on me
Deep, dark depression, excessive misery {Aaaaw)
If it weren’t for bad luck I’d have no luck at all {Ooooh)
Gloom, despair, and agony on me

You can watch on You Tube “Hee Haw” – them sanging - not to be confused with singing. 

Yesterday afternoon son, Watts, opened up his high school sophomore season in basketball in Jonesboro.  They lost by 14 and it rained all the way down and back.  I listened to the Georgia game in the gym.  The Bulldogs lost, too.  A fine afternoon.

Reminds me of a bad day on the golf course.  One thing I learned from summer senior league baseball – you have got to have a short memory.  I pitched and played first base.  After a bad outing on the mound, you expect the next one to be better.  A bad day is just a blip on the radar screen.

Start singing “Somewhere over the Rainbow” or “Tomorrow”.  

I’ve got a headache – don’t blow the trumpet.

Danny D

P.S.  Buzzzzz, Buzzzzz!!! 

 

December 1, 2008

IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

Waltz time

VERSE 1: It’s the most wonderful time of the year With the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you “Be of good cheer” It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

VERSE 2: It’s the hap – happiest season of all With those holiday greetings and gay, happy meetings When friends come to call, it’s the hap – happiest season of all.

BRIDGE: There’ll be parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and caroling out in the snow. There’ll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago.

VERSE 3: It’s the most wonderful time of the year. There’ll be mistle-toeing, and hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

Andy Williams made this song popular back in the sixties.  I like all the music at Christmas, from the silly Porky Pig’s Blue Christmas to Bing Crosby’s I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.  I like the hymns of the season, too.  In the month of December I will use a secular song and a hymn to illustrate a truth.

        Joy To The World

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.  From toddlers to nursing homes patients the season makes everybody smile.  Everybody likes to receive a gift.  I heard this quote “it is better to give than to receive”.  Try making your children believe it. 

How ‘s this fact?  God has this plan.  Since eternity past God knew the need for a redeemer.  The Ten Commandments were impossible to keep.  People look on the outside for behavior but God looks at the heart for motive.  This Christmas remember God’s greatest gift to you.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world(insert your name) that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him would not perish but have everlasting life.

Joy to the world – the Lord is come.  He is the most treasured, most prized gift of all time.  Accept the Savior today and get ready to be blessed by the WONDERS OF HIS LOVE.

Celebrate the JOY!  SMILE.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D 

December 2, 2008

Monday morning as snow is falling, I think about the number one song of the season.

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas 
Just like the ones I used to know 
Where the treetops glisten, 
and children listen 
To hear sleigh bells in the snow 

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas 
With every Christmas card I write 
May your days be merry and bright 
And may all your Christmases be white 

The song White Christmas is undoubtedly the most famous and popular of all the Christmas songs. The music and lyrics for White Christmas were written by Irving Berlin in 1942 and originally featured in the movie Holiday Inn starring Bing Crosby.  Watching Holiday Inn is a family tradition at the Dantzler home during the Christmas season.  The lyrics of White Christmas struck a chord with the soldiers fighting in the Second World War and their families who were waiting for them back home. The song and recording of White Christmas by Bing Crosby with John Scott Trotter’s orchestra and the Ken Darby Singers was so popular that it was later reprised in the movie called after its name – White Christmas. The film White Christmas once again starred Bing Crosby together with Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen.  Worth watching but it is not as good as Holiday Inn.

I always wanted a white Christmas.  But, living in Georgia there is not much of a chance.  I would venture that the carol I chose had it about right. 

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From heavens all gracious King!”
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come,
With peaceful wings unfurled;
And still their heavenly music floats
O’er all the weary world:
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o’er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.

O ye beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow;
Look now, for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
Oh rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophets seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold,
When the new heaven and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace, their King,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.

The third verse is my favorite.  Life is tough. This hymn was written by Edmund Hamilton Sears, a minister in Massachusetts, in 1849.  Mid nineteenth century was no picnic and the Civil War was on the horizon.  “Life’s crushing load…” is as current as receiving junk mail.  It happens daily. 

But, listen.  The Angels are singing.  Elders have the job of saying the closing prayer at my church and I wanted to do it one more time but lost my voice.  I would have proclaimed  -

“Fear not!  For behold I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Shout it from rooftops.  We have a Savior!

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

December 3, 2008

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH 

Every body stops
and stares at me
These two teeth are
gone as you can see
I don’t know just who
to blame for this catastrophe!
But my one wish on Christmas Eve
is as plain as it can be!

All I want for Christmas
is my two front teeth,
my two front teeth,
see my two front teeth!

Gee, if I could only
have my two front teeth,
then I could wish you
“Merry Christmas.”
It seems so long since I could say,
“Sister Susie sitting on a thistle!”
Gosh oh gee, how happy I’d be,
if I could only whistle (thhhh, thhhh)

All I want for Christmas
is my two front teeth,
my two front teeth,
see my two front teeth.

Gee, if I could only
have my two front teeth,
then I could wish you
“Merry Christmas!”

Christmas is for kids.  In the old days we filmed elementary students who had lost their front teeth.  We showed the film on local cable and played this song.  Cute.

Jesus said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  And He called a child to Himself and stood him in their midst, and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

        AWAY IN A MANGER 

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
And stay by my side until morning is nigh.

Be near me Lord Jesus,
I ask thee to stay.
Close by me forever,
And love my I pray.

Bless all the dear children,
In thy tender care.
And take them to heaven,
To be with thee there.

Christmas brings out the kid in me.  Don’t say it – “that’s all that’s in there”.  But, I love the festive(my wife’s word) season.  Setting up the olive wood Nativity set we got in Bethlehem, decorating the tree – white lights only(my wife’s rule), white wrapped packages with white ribbon, Christmas eve at my mom’s – dinner, reading the nativity story and the kids singing carols, Christmas morning the photo on the steps before anyone looked at their presents, my wife’s once a year cooked breakfast, in order(age) opening of the presents, plus the celebration with Jean’s family in Decatur.  My wife just walked by and asked, “Why are you smiling?”  It’s the kid coming out.  

The last verse of Away In A Manger says Bless all the dear children.  He has.  I’m richer than Bill Gates.  Not in dollars and cents but in essence.  It is why I exist – to praise the God who has blessed me, so my cup runneth over.  My face reflects the smile that is in my soul.

Joyful and Triumphant!!!  The Grinch said that about Whoville when they learned that Christmas was more than commercialism.  Amen.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Daany D

December 4, 2008

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on, 
our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.

Through the years 
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.

I like Dorothy(Judy Garland) singing it on You Tube.  Countless others perform this song.  I don’t want Christmas to be little.  Merry, yes.  Little, no.  I want to make this Christmas ”more festive” than last Christmas.  My wife is just the opposite.  She thinks simpler thoughts.  We did not put up all the lights on the tree we had last Christmas.  What did she do?  She threw the extra lights away!  Bah, Humbug.

If we get a larger tree this Christmas we will need extra lights.  I liked the 12 feet tall tree we had one year.  It covered up our whole Paladium window – 7 feet wide at the base.  I bought all the tiny white bulbs that KMart had.  Last year we had a five feet tall tree that we set on a five gallon bucket turned upside down.  People driving past our house thought we had an eight foot tall tree.  Bah, Humbug.

That’s why we ought to celebrate the only thing that is little about Christmas.  Bethlehem.

O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight

For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may his His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.

Micah 5:2  But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.  His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.

Bethlehem has 27,000 people today.  Imagine how small it was when Jesus was born.  The hillsides of Bethlehem still have shepherds tending sheep.  Jesus was probably born in a cave, a first century stable, because there was no room in the Inn. 

Just like God to have Jesus born in Bethlehem.  He breaks all the rules.  The King of Kings was suppose to be born in a palace.  His mother was suppose to be royalty. 

He still chooses to use the weak instead of the strong.  The strong and brave will say “I did it my way”.  The weak and meek will say “God did it”.  A Christian person knows that when he chooses to permit the Lord to work through him, something grand happens.  

In Jane Austen’s EMMA the main character, Emma, tries her hand at matchmaking.  She uses worldly wisdom and makes a mess of several lives. 

Trust God to lead you.  It will be a grand adventure not a little one.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

December 5, 2008

(All right you Chipmunks)
(Ready to sing your song)
(I’ll say we are)
(Yeah)
(Let’s sing it now)
(Okay, Simon)
(Okay)
(Okay, Theodore)
(Okay)
(Okay, Alvin, Alvin, ALVIN)
(OKAY)

Christmas, Christmas time is near
Time for toys and time for cheer
We’ve been good, but we can’t last

Want a plane that loops the loop
Me, I want a hula hoop
We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don’t be late

(Okay fellas get ready)
(That was very good, Simon)
(Naturally)
(Very good Theodore)
(Ahhh)
(Ah, Alvin, you were a little flat, watch it)
(Ah, Alvin, Alvin, ALVIN)
(OKAY)

Want a plane that loops the loop
I still want a hula hoop
We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don’t be late
We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don’t be late

(Very good, boys)
(Let’s sing it again)
(Yeah, lets sing it again)
(No, That’s enough, lets not overdo it)
(What do you mean overdo it)
(We want to sing it again)
(Now wait a minute, boys)
(Why can’t we sing it again)
[chipmunk chatter]
(Alvin, cut that out..Theodore, just a minute)
(Simon will you cut that out? Boys…) 

Kids love this song.  Grandparents enjoy fingernails on the blackboard better.  Only the brave will go to You Tube and crank up Alvin and the Chipmunks.  I did.  I loved it.

Tradition.  Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof sings about traditions.   Alvin, Theodore and Simon recorded  this song in 1958.  And it’s still a big part of a fun Christmas tradition. 

Christmas has another tradition – carols.  Worship songs that celebrate the birth of Jesus.  So, come and worship.

Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story,
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth:
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!

                                                                                                                                                                        

Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant Light;
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!

                                                                         

Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great desire of nations,
Ye have seen His natal star;
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!

                                                                                                                                                               

Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear:
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!

 

Angels know how to worship.  It’s in their nature.

Hebrews 1:6  “…and let all the angels of God worship Him…”

People get the object of worship confused. 

Romans 1:25  “…we worshiped and served the creature(mankind) rather than the creator…”

I would say most people know about what happens in Hollywood instead of Bethlehem.  They read People magazine from cover to cover but not the Holy Scriptures. 

Start a new tradition this Christmas.  Read the Christmas story as a family.  Attend a Christmas Cantata or play at a local church.   Buy Handel’s Messiah.  Reflect on the Giver.  Worship Christ, the newborn King!

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 6, 2008

BLUE CHRISTMAS

I’ll have a blue Christmas without you
I’ll be so blue just thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won’t be the same dear, if you’re not here with me

And when the blue snowflakes start falling
That’s when those blue memories start calling
You’ll be doing alright with your Christmas of white
But I’ll have a blue Christmas

You’ll be doing alright with your Christmas of white
But I’ll have a blue, blue Christmas

Elvis and others make this song real sad.    It’s true spending your first Christmas without a loved one is no picnic.  But, you have to keep moving.  Sure, there is loss but you can’t mourn – it’s Christmas!

One of the toughest times is when married children for the first time skip all the usual festivities.  Get over it.  You wouldn’t want a child that has never grown up living at home when they are fifty.  You get to enjoy a new tradition.

If you have a loved one that has passed on, rejoice.  You will always have the memories.  Cherish  them.    But, if you completely shut down, the devil has won. 

John 10:10   The thief comes only to steal, and kill and destroy.  I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly.

Life is suppose to be Joyful and Triumphant.  I’m not into “sad” at Christmas.  The Grinch said to Cindy Lou, “…no sad faces at Christmas”.  The only version of the above song I choose to listen to is the one by Porky Pig.  Try feeling “sad” at a stuttering pig.

I stuttered big time when I was little.  Insecure.  Sports was my outlet.  You could let your playing speak for you.  Then one holy night on a youth retreat I prayed with Jim Henry asking Jesus to be my Lord and Savior.  No more stuttering. 

In the early 70s I was asked to attend a sports banquet in Atlanta.  There were several pro athletes in attendance.  I grabbed a schedule to see who would be the keynote speaker.  My jaw dropped when I read that the speaker for the banquet would be University of Georgia’s ” Danny Dantzler”.  O Holy Night!

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O’er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Chains He shall break.  I never let them know that no one told me I was suppose to be the keynote speaker.  His power and glory I proclaimed.  Without stuttering.

He’ll make your Christmas not blue but beautiful.  

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D 

December 7, 2008

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS

Here comes Santa Claus,
Here comes Santa Claus,
Right down Santa Claus Lane,
Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer
Pullin’ on the reins.
Bells are ringin’, children singin’,
All is merry and bright.
So hang your stockings and say your prayers,
‘Cause Santa Claus comes tonight.

Here comes Santa Claus,
Here comes Santa Claus,
Right down Santa Claus Lane,
He’s got a bag that’s filled with toys
For boys and girls again.
Hear those sleigh bells jingle jangle,
Oh what a beautiful sight,
So jump in bed, and cover your head,
‘Cause Santa Claus comes tonight.

[musical interlude]

Here comes Santa Claus,
Here comes Santa Claus,
Right down Santa Claus Lane,
He’ll come around when chimes ring out,
It’s Christmas time again.
Peace on earth will come to all,
If we just follow the light,
So let’s give thanks to the Lord above
‘Cause Santa Claus comes tonight.

Here comes Santa Claus,
Here comes Santa Claus,
Right down Santa Claus Lane,
Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer
Pullin’ on the reins.
Bells are ringin’, children singin’,
All is merry and bright,
So jump in bed, and cover your head,
‘Cause Santa Claus comes tonight.

[musical interlude]

Peace on earth will come to all,
If we just follow the light,
So let’s give thanks to the Lord above
‘Cause Santa Claus comes tonight,
So let’s give thanks to the Lord above
‘Cause Santa Claus comes tonight.

 Gene Autry, the old cowboy, wrote this song in 1947.  You have to show your children the clip on You Tube.   They have never seen a record player complete with static and 78RPM.  There is a clip showing whole house lights synchronized to this song.  The King, Elvis, rocks singing this song.

Did you ever watch a Christmas parade with small children?  They were antsy watching the bands and the scout floats.  But, they were all focused on the last float.  “Here comes Santa Claus”, the message quickly spreads down the sidewalk.  Excitement and anticipation!

Imagine,  you were in pitch black dark tending sheep outside of Bethlehem.  When an angel of the Lord appears and the glory  shone all around.  The King Jimmy version says that they were sore afraid.  I do nay speakest thus – but their eyeballs popped out of their sockets and people in the next valley could have heard them scream.  

After calming down the angel told of a Child who would be a Savior, the Messiah.  Excitement and anticipation!   

While shepherds watched
Their flocks by night
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around
And glory shone around

“Fear not,” he said,
For mighty dread
Had seized their troubled minds
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind,
To you and all mankind.”

“To you in David’s
Town this day
Is born of David’s line
The Savior who is Christ the Lord
And this shall be the sign
And this shall be the sign.”

“The heavenly Babe
You there shall find
To human view displayed
And meanly wrapped
In swathing bands
And in a manger laid
And in a manger laid.”

Thus spake the seraph,
And forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song
Addressed their joyful song

“All glory be to
God on high
And to the earth be peace;
Goodwill henceforth
From heaven to men
Begin and never cease
Begin and never cease!”

Luke 2:8-20 descibes the excitement and anticipation of the shepherds after they were visited by angels.  According to verse 16 “…they came in haste…” to Bethlehem to the manger scene.  The shepherds told those at the nativity scene what the angel of God had said concerning the Child. 

Luke 2:20    And the shepherds went back(to their fields), glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as had been told them(by the angel).

The shepherds were like your little children at Christmas time.  Each child believes.  The shepherds believed. 

Do you believe?  Really believe?  Your future depends on it.  Your present depends on it, too.  How do you propose to handle life without your faith?  “Peace on earth will come to all, if we just follow the light” wrote Autry. 

“Here comes …the Light”.  Excitement and anticipation!

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny  D

December 8, 2008

 

I have been to the mountain top!

Yesterday Lee University in Cleveland, TN presented “A Classic Christmas”.  The first portion was Handel’s Messiah.  I have never heard it live with a full orchestra and harpsichord.  The soloists were upper classmen music majors.  For over an hour we listened to 120 voices sing Handel’s masterpiece.  They closed the first half with Hallelujah.    Heaven’s choir will do it no better. 

After intermission for over another hour we were entertained by a variety of groups.  Lee U Symphonic band opened up the second half.  Then there was the Chorale( 40+ voices) joining the Choral Union(120 voices) singing O Come, O Come Emmanuel.   Next the whole auditorium sang O Come All You Faithful.

Then Chorale sang Ave Maria and Ding Dong! Merrily on High.  Next a saxophone quartet performed three numbers including Rudolph.  Then the Symphonic Band played a medley of popular Christmas tunes.  Next the Chamber Strings played four numbers including Blue Christmas.

The combined choirs sang Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.  Dr. William R. Green who conducts both choirs led the auditorium in  Silent Night.

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

The Austrian priest Father Josef Mohr composed the words in 1816.  During WWI and WWII the hymn was known by both sides of the trenches.  

We ended the concert singing silent night while the students in the choruses circled the auditorium with candles.  Beautiful afternoon.  Next Christmas you need to find a ticket to “A Classic Christmas”. 

The tall(6′ 6″) good looking(like his dad) is standing in the middle back row.  Number one son is right where he needs to be.  He loves the music theory class.  (I feel sick)  He is a sponge, soaking up every professors’ words.  I’m sure God has a plan for his life but He hasn’t told me.

He has a plan for each of us.  It’s just you and God.  You can fool us.  God knows your heart.  You can’t fool God.  Be honest.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D 

December 9, 2008

The story line for Rudolph is pure genius.  There’s an eight minute cartoon on You Tube produced in 1948 explaining the story.  One foggy night Santa needed help.  Rudolph, the gifted, had a social problem.  His shiny red nose was the object of scorn by his friends.  They teased Rudolph just like bullies on the playground.  He became useful on that fateful night. 

Rudolph was written by Robert L. May in 1939.  Johnny Marks wrote the catchy song in 1948.  It was made famous by Gene Autry.

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer 
had a very shiny nose. 
And if you ever saw him, 
you would even say it glows. 

All of the other reindeer 
used to laugh and call him names. 
They never let poor Rudolph 
join in any reindeer games. 

Then one foggy Christmas Eve 
Santa came to say: 
“Rudolph with your nose so bright, 
won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?” 

Then all the reindeer loved him 
as they shouted out with glee, 
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, 
you’ll go down in history! 

In the nativity story there is similiar story line.  Wise men, May-ji, arrived from the East.  They had been following a star.  

Matthew 2:2   Where is He who has born King of the Jews?  For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.

Matthew 2:9,10   And having heard the king, they went their way; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was.  And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

No where in the gospel record is the number of Magi.  We link the number of gifts – gold, frankincense and myrrh – to the number of Magi.  

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to rein

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Pray’r and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav’n replies

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light 

A shiny nose guided the sleigh.  A star guided the Magi to Bethlehem.  

What are you following?  I must rephrase the question – WHO are you following?  If you are like the Magi – seeking the King - you will find what your soul has been craving.  If you are not seeking the King, you soul will only find despair and emptiness. 

In the third Indiana Jones, one of the closing scenes has them inside of the treasury at Petra.  By the way, there is no temple inside, but thanks to Hollywood they created one.  Having passed the three tests Indy confronts the Grail Knight and his hundred chalices – the cup of Christ.  The evil Donovan and Elsa follow.  The Grail Knight says, “You must choose”.  

Donovan does not know the correct cup so Elsa chooses for him.  It’s a gaudy, solid gold cup with emeralds.  Donovan says, “This certainly is the cup of the King of Kings”.  Wrong choice.

After Donovan explodes, the Grail Knight says, “He chose poorly”.   Indy, our hero, chooses wisely and saves the day.

CHOOSE THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE.

FOLLOW THAT STAR!

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D 

December 10, 2008

THE CHRISTMAS SONG

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, 
Jack Frost nipping on your nose, 
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir, 
And folks dressed up like Eskimos. 

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe, 
Help to make the season bright. 
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow, 
Will find it hard to sleep tonight. 

They know that Santa’s on his way; 
He’s loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh. 
And every mother’s child is going to spy, 
To see if reindeer really know how to fly. 

And so I’m offering this simple phrase, 
To kids from one to ninety-two, 
Although its been said many times, many ways, 
A very Merry Christmas to you

Nat King Cole is the most familiar voice singing this song.  My sister, Susan, would go around the house at Christmas time singing(shouting) “Chest-nuts roasting ….”.  It was her way of letting us know that she was in the Christmas spirit. 

My mother and Susan still bake “white trash” by the zip lock bags full.  They don’t want any of their friends showing up at the door with a gift and they have nothing to reciprocate.  Mother would bake extra chocolate pies just to have on hand in the freezer.

Last night Jean prayed for us.  I no longer pray – I just growl.  She said, “Keep us in the Christmas Spirit…”.  Wise words.

In 1745 John Byron wrote the below poem for his daughter Dorothy.  On Christmas morning she found the manuscript among her presents.  I am unfamiliar with this carol but it is right on in keeping the Christmas Spirit.

Christians, awake, salute the happy morn
Whereon the Saviour of the world was born
Rise to adore the mystery of love
Which hosts of angels chanted from above
With them the joyful tidings first begun
Of God incarnate and the Virgin’s Son

Then to the watchful shepherds it was told
Who heard the angelic herald’s voice: “Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Saviour’s birth
To you and all the nations upon earth
This day hath God fulfilled His promised word;
This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord.”

He spake, and straightaway the celestial choir
In hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire
The praises of redeeming love they sang
And heaven’s whole orb with alleluias rang
God’s highest glory was their anthem still
Peace upon earth and unto men goodwill

To Bethlehem straight the shepherds ran
To see the wonder God had wrought for man
And found, with Joseph and the blessed Maid
Her Son, the Saviour, in a manger laid
Amazed, the wondrous story they proclaim
The earliest heralds of the Saviour’s name

Let us, like these good shepherds, them employ
Our grateful voices to proclaim the joy
Trace we the Babe, who hath retrieved our loss
From His poor manger to His bitter cross
Treading His steps, assisted by His grace
Till man’s first heavenly state again takes place

Then may we hope, the angelic thrones among
To sing, redeemed, a glad triumphal song
He that was born upon this joyful day
Around us all His glory shall display
Saved by His love, incessant we shall sing
Of angels and of angel-men the King

The lyrics to this carol are profound.  We don’t speak this way any more.  Watts, my 17 year old, speaks in single syllables – “sweet, chill, boss, raw, uh,  I need cash”.  Each line of the above carol is a gold mine. 

Try playing the tune on carols.org.uk.  The next to last verse is my favorite.  …”From His poor manger to His bitter cross...”.  Never forget that the cute manger scene ends on a hill called the skull.  Christ’s birth we celebrate, with all our soul.  On Easter we celebrate the finished work of our Savior.

And He left us here so “Around us all His glory shall display“.  You can’t let your Savior down.  Shine for Jesus every day of the year.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

p.s. this is the 34th blog, over 6,500 hits, 135 comments     GLORY !  

    

December 11, 2008

Frosty the Snowman
Was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal
Frosty the Snowman
Is a fairytale they say
He was made of snow
But the children know
How he came to life one day
Over the hills of snow

There must have been some magic
In that old silk hat they found
For when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around
Frosty the Snowman
Was alive as he could be
And the children say 
He could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me

Frosty the Snowman
Knew the sun was hot that day
So he said let’s run
And we’ll have some fun
Now before I melt away
Down to the village
With a broomstick in his hand
Running here and there all around the square
Saying catch me if you can

He led them down the streets of town
Right to the traffic cop
And he only paused a moment when
He heard him holler stop
Frosty the Snowman
Had to hurry on his way
But he waved goodbye
Saying don’t you cry 
I’ll be back again some day

Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Look at Frosty go
Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump

From Ella Fitzgerald to Dean Martin to the Ronettes to the Jackson 5 sing this song on You Tube.   It was my goal to roll the wet snow into three gigantic balls.  Luckily, in the southeast, we don’t have powdery snow.  Our snow makes great snow balls(or ice balls).  

I had trouble with the second ball of snow.  When the children helped we were able to get it on the base ball.  The two feet diameter head was no problem.  One time Frosty lasted 3 weeks – that’s saying something.  Usually our snow is gone by the afternoon sunshine.  Frosty ended up just a pile of dirty ice with leaves and rye grass.

We had friends who were job transfered to Minnesota.  They said, “We wanted a white Christmas – not a white Thanksgiving”. 

I searched diligently for a Christmas carol mentioning snow.  I finally found one.  Edward Caswall wrote “Hymn for Christmas Day” in the nineteenth century.

 See amid the winter’s snow,
Born for us on earth below,
See the tender Lamb appears,
Promised from eternal years.

Chorus
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption’s happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies;
He who throned in height sublime
Sits amid the cherubim. Chorus

Say, ye holy shepherds, say
What your joyful news today;
Wherefore have ye left your sheep
On the lonely mountain steep? Chorus

“As we watched at dead of night,
Lo, we saw a wondrous light;
Angels singing peace on earth
Told us of the Saviour’s birth”. Chorus

Sacred infant, all divine,
What a tender love was thine,
Thus to come from highest bliss
Down to such a world as this. Chorus

Teach, O teach us , Holy Child,
By Thy Face so meek and mild,
Teach us to resemble Thee,
In Thy Sweet humility! Chorus

You gotta give a high mark to the excellent poetry.  True we don’t sing this carol but I am stretching us just a bit.   I like the last two stanzas. 

Thus to come from highest bliss down to such a world as this

Teach us to resemble Thee in Thy sweet humility

Humility.  I am reminded of the pastor who was given a medal for humility but the congregation took it back because he wore it.  Which reminds me of the old Mac Davis’ song “Oh lord, it’s hard to be humble”.   Watch Mac sing it with the Muppets on You Tube.

I can’t identify with the country song.  I’m not perfect in every way.  No way – I’m getting better looking each day.  Just the opposite.  My wife spent 3 hours at the beauty shop yesterday – and that was just for the estimate.  Jean is really getting better looking each day.  LOL, wife.    

“Teach us” means it is not normal.  You have to learn to have the humility of Christ.  I don’t think any of us will obtain “sweet” humility.  Jesus alone exhibited perfect humility.  Strive to learn to be more like Christ.   Amen.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D 

December 12, 2008

SLEIGH RIDE

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling
Ring ting tingling too.
Come on, it’s lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you.
Outside the snow is falling
And friends are calling “Yoo hoo.”
Come on, it’s lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you.

Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up,
Let’s go, Let’s look at the show,
We’re riding in a wonderland of snow.
Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up,
It’s grand, Just holding your hand,
We’re gliding along with a song
Of a wintry fairy land.

Our cheeks are nice and rosy
And comfy cozy are we
We’re snuggled up together
Like two birds of a feather would be
Let’s take that road before us
And sing a chorus or two
Come on, it’s lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you.

There’s a birthday party
At the home of Farmer Gray
It’ll be the perfect ending a perfect day
We’ll be singing the songs
We love to sing without a single stop,
At the fireplace while we watch
The chestnuts pop.

Pop! pop! pop!

There’s a happy feeling
Nothing in the world can buy,
When they pass around the chocolate
And the pumpkin pie
It’ll nearly be like a picture print
By Currier and Ives
These wonderful things are the things
We remember all through our lives!

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling,
Ring ting tingling too
Come on, it’s lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you,
Outside the snow is falling
And friends are calling “Yoo hoo,”

Come on, it’s lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you.
Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up,
Let’s go, Let’s look at the show,
We’re riding in a wonderland of snow.

Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up,
It’s grand, Just holding your hand,
We’re gliding along with a song
Of a wintry fairy land.

Our cheeks are nice and rosy
And comfy cozy are we
We’re snuggled up together
Like two birds of a feather would be
Let’s take that road before us
And sing a chorus or two
Come on, it’s lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you.

This song is obviously a northern or a Rocky Mountain song.  I have had roasted chestnuts just one time in my life as we shared a bag in Leicester(pronounced Lester) Square in London.  They were hot off the grill and tasty. 

I don’t recall taking a sleigh ride anywhere.  We have gone skiing out west three times but no sleigh ride.  Does riding in a convertible with the top down in winter qualify?  How about a motorcycle ride in January?  My cheeks were rosy and numb.

I like the line “… These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives!”   Memories.   Lou Gehrig’s Disease does not effect the brain.  So, I’ve got all the memories of a great life.  As the muscles atrophy, it’s good to gaze at old pictures and remember all the things that made life abundant.  

A Christmas carol you don’t hear very often is one of my favorites.  I once heard Bing Crosby sing it.  On You Tube all I found was Jim Reeves.

C.H.R.I.S.T.M.A.S.   

When I was but a youngster,
Christmas meant one thing,
That I’d be getting lots of toys that day.
I learned a whole lot different,
When my Mother sat me down,
And taught me to spell Christmas this way:

“C” is for the Christ child, born upon this day,
“H” for herald angels in the night,
“R” means our Redeemer,
“I” means Israel,
“S” is for the star that shone so bright,
“T” is for three wise men, they who traveled far,
“M” is for the manger where he lay,
“A”’s for all He stands for,
“S” means shepherds came,

And that’s why there’s a Christmas day,
And that’s why there’s a Christmas day.

It’s the parents job to teach the children about the true meaning of Christmas.  Kiddos are selfish, because they are born with a sin nature.  They have to be taught to share.  Project Angel Tree or Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Box are examples of ministries that would involve the whole family.  Volunteer to ring the bell for the Salvation Army.

I had my little children on hand when we rung the bell one Christmas.  A man in a shabby jacket came up to me and said, “The Salvation Army helped me when I was down and out.”  He put a hundred dollar bill in the kettle. 

Luke 6:38    Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap.  For whatever measure you deal out to others, it will be dealt to you in return. 

Christmas is a time for giving, not getting.  Teach it by your example.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

December 13, 2008

12 Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Five gold rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

(skip to day 12)

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!

Watch John Denver and the Muppets(3:50) sing this song on You Tube.  It’s hilarious.  

It was such fun to sing this song in large group settings.  I usually picked someone who had a less than perfect voice for the solo “Five Gold Rings”.  Pick 12 people and have then stand in a row and when the song gets to their part, have them step forward and belt out their line.  We did this at our church’s Elder Christmas party.  It was a hit. 

 What Child is This?

What child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come peasant king to own Him,
The King of kings, salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise the song on high,
The Virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

I’ve always like this simple carol.  Answer the question – “What Child is This?”  Can you write a page?  Or two?  A book?  A song?  Countless authors throughout history have been inspired to scibble words on parchment or on laptops.  

How about you?  Do you keep a journal?  A diary?  I took great notes when I was in school.  When the professor said this is going to be on the test, I wrote it down.   Once in Zoology class at Georgia I didn’t understand a definition so after class I asked the teacher.  I wrote down his very words and inserted them on the test.  I still didn’t understand but got the question correct on the test.  I, also, took great notes for every sermon I have listened to.  

My Bible is all marked up, too.  It is helpful when you have a small brain like mine to read what C. S. Lewis or Major Ian Thomas had to say about the verses.

Speaking of small brains – Watts has been nicknamed “Big Dummy”, my wife calls me “Medium Dummy” and I call her “Skinny Dummy”.  At times my brain is the size of a marble.   The nicknames are done all in jest.   Ha, ha.

Back to the blog.  Are you leaving a legacy for others?  You are whether you do it intentually or not.  You are whether you write it down or not.  Your life is a reflection of what is in your heart.  Those closest to you know you.

What Child is This?    Your life is answering the question.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

December 14, 2008

LITTLE DRUMMER BOY

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum 
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum 
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum 
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum, 
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, 

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum, 
When we come. 

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum 
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum 
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum 
That’s fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum, 
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, 

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum, 
On my drum? 

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum 
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum 
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum 
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum, 
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, 

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum 
Me and my drum.

When I hear this song on the radio, I want to change the channel.  It is by far my least favorite song of the season.  Imagine a drum at the manger scene.  I got a drum one Christmas.  My mother had to hide from me the next day.  

A boy with a drum…Mary nodded…The ox and lamb kept time…Then He smiled at me…I can’t stand it.  I feel better.

A true Christmas Carol is what I want to sing.   Janie Bailey, the daughter of George and Mary of It’s a Wonderful Life, at the end of the movie sits down at the piano plays the following song. 

HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING 

Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
“Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ by highest heav’n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin’s womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

I love this carol.  The “Good News” is preached in all 3 stanzas.

“God and sinners reconciled”

II Cor. 5:18-20    Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,  namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 

The Apostle Paul used the word reconcile five times in these 3 verses.  He thought it was important.  God thinks so, too.  In accounting, reconciliation occurs when the debits and credits within the ledger are in a agreement.  You reconcile your checkbook each month(or you are suppose to). 

Us = not God, debit             Himself = God, credit     Through Christ we are in agreement.   How good is that?!?!

If we are reconciled to God then the line in the third stanza is true – “born that man no more may die”.   Absent from the body, at home in heaven.  I’ll just change my address.  I then will be more alive than any day on earth.  Just as Christ was resurrected, He was the first fruit, we who have been reconciled to God will follow in like manner.  I feel about to shout!   “GLORY!”  

“To the newborn King“        Amen

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

December 15, 2008

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN

Oh! You better watch out,
You better not cry,
You better not pout,
I’m telling you why:

Santa Claus is coming to town!

He’s making a list,
He’s checking it twice,
He’s gonna find out
who’s naughty or nice.

Santa Claus is coming to town!

He sees you when you’re sleeping,
He knows when you’re awake.
He knows when you’ve been bad or good,
So be good for goodness sake!

So…You better watch out,
You better not cry
You better not pout,
I’m telling you why.

Santa Claus is coming to town.

Little tin horns,
Little toy drums.
Rudy-toot-toot
and rummy tum tums.

Santa Claus is coming to town.

Little toy dolls
that cuddle and coo,
Elephants, boats
and Kiddie cars too.

Santa Claus is coming to town.

The kids in Girl and Boy Land
will have a jubilee.
They’re gonna build a toyland town
all around the Christmas tree.

Oh….You better watch out,
You better not cry.
You better not pout,
I’m telling you why.

Santa Claus is comin’
Santa Claus is comin’
Santa Claus is comin’
To town.

Listen on You Tube to the Boss sing this song.  Find: Christmas Music: “Santa Claus Is Coming”, Bruce Springsteen(4:17).  For a milder version listen to: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town~ Perry Como – Christmas(2:42).

My mother, bless her soul, would use this song at Christmas to make me walk the straight and narrow path.   “You better watch out”  or

He sees you when you’re sleeping,
He knows when you’re awake.
He knows when you’ve been bad or good,
So be good for goodness sake!

I needed this song.  When I was selfish and just out for number one, my mother played this trump card.  Bless her heart! 

In this song there’s a hint of the Gospel.  There’s a Great Day coming. 

Rev. 19:7   “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride(the church) has made herself ready.”

 God is making a list of names, too.

Rev. 20:15    And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

You better watch out  -  God, Almighty, is coming to town.

Now the carol that has the most melodic refrain.

Angels we have heard on high,
Singing sweetly through the night,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their brave delight.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why these songs of happy cheer?
What great brightness did you see?
What glad tiding did you hear?  Refrain

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the new-born King.  Refrain

See him in a manger laid
Whom the angels praise above;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While we raise our hearts in love.  Refrain

Angels and shepherds why these songs of happy cheer?  They couldn’t contain their excitement.  That was my problem at Christmas time.  I was bouncing off the walls from Thanksgiving through Christmas break. 

We should celebrate by speaking Latin.

Gloria in Excelsis Deo! (Latin for “Glory to God in the highest”) 

What excites you?  What are you celebrating?  Can’t  you hear “The mountains echo their brave delight”.   Don’t let the rocks cry out, instead of you.  The last line “…we raise our hearts in love” ought to manifest itself.  

Do you love the Babe in the manger?  Does your heart leap at Christmas time?  Last night I watched on You Tube the Candlelight Procession at EPCOT.  Gary Sinise, of CSI NY, read the sciptures when we saw it live.  The whole program consists of scripture reading followed by a carol.  They finish with Handel’s Hallelujah.  My heart lept just watching the video.

You better not cry, You better not pout.   Celebrate!

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

December 16, 2008

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU

I don’t want a lot for Christmas
There’s just one thing I need
I don’t care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is…
You 

I don’t want a lot for Christmas
There’s just one thing I need
I don’t care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don’t need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won’t make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You baby

I won’t ask for much this Christmas
I don’t even wish for snow
I’m just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won’t make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won’t even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeers click
‘Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
Ooh baby

All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children’s
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won’t you bring me the one I really need
Won’t you please bring my baby to me…

Oh I don’t want a lot for Christmas
This is all I’m asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is…
You

Mariah Carey sings this song on You Tube. 

All I want for Christmas is Jean.  Today marks 36 years with the same woman.  It hasn’t been easy.  For either of us.  We’re opposites.  We still fight over the temperature of the house.  I’ll sneak to the thermostat and turn it down.  She’ll scream “I’m cold!” and turn it up.  Right now we have accepted a compromise.  She has a little heater she carries around with her and I have a little fan that I turn on when she cranks up the heat.  It is no fun sweating inside the house.

I have a story to tell.  I thought that I would teach a couple’s class once again and tell it there.  But, it didn’t happen while I could talk.  On my wedding anniversary what better time to tell it.

One summer I was working on a commercial roof for the Causbys.  It is near a traffic light which does not allow all the cars to pass through at one time .  I was working and something caught my eye.  A young man and a  young woman were having an argument  in an old car which had been caught way back in the line of traffic..  He was waving his arms trying to make a point that I first noticed.  They didn’t see me on the roof observing.  She waved her arms making her point.

Then it happened.  He pushed her shoulder.  She was waiting for this.  Without hesitation she busted him in the nose with her right fist.  He went ballistic.  He reached and opened her door and literally kicked her out of the car.  He closed the door and tended to his bloody nose.  

The light turned green and he pulled up about 10 spots and had to stop again.  The girl picked herself up out of the gutter and ran up to the old car.  She opened the door and flopped down in the passenger seat again.  I can hear him screaming “GET OUT, GET OUT”.  She said nothing and simply crossed her arms.  The light turned green and they drove off into wedded bliss.

Jean hasn’t bloodied my nose.  She would be justified though.  Lord knows I give her cause.  I wouldn’t kick her out of the car.  She would break my leg.  She is a strong woman of character.  36 years with me, she’d have to be.  

On this date best wishes to Billy and Sabra, 35 years.  Thinking about you.

I like Perry Como singing Home For The Holidays.

Oh, there’s no place like
home for the holidays,
‘Cause no matter how far away you roam
When you pine for the sunshine
Of a friendly face
For the holidays, you can’t beat
Home, sweet home

I met a man who lives in Tennessee
And he was headin’ for Pennsylvania
And some home made pumpkin pie
From Pennsylvania folks a travelin’ down
To Dixie’s sunny shore
From Atlantic to Pacific, gee
The traffic is terrific

Oh there’s no place like home
For the holidays, ‘cause no matter
How far away you roam
If you want
To be happy in a million ways
For the holidays, you can’t beat
Home, sweet home

Home, sweet home has been my theme and shall be til the day I die.  Jean has made and continues to make our home a beautiful place.  All the kiddos reflect Jean’s home schooling.  I am the luckiest man on earth.  God ordained us to be together.  Glory to God.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

December 17, 2008

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
James Pierpont. publ.1857

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev’rywhere you go;
Take a look in the five-and-ten, glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
Toys in ev’ry store,
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
On your own front door.

A pair of hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots
Is the wish of Barney and Ben;
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk
Is the hope of Janice and Jen;
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev’rywhere you go;
There’s a tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well,
The sturdy kind that doesn’t mind the snow.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas;
Soon the bells will start,
And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart.

A tree is up 306 Lynn Street.  It’s a real 8 footer.  Number one son, Leland, did it all.  His comment after completing the task for the first time in his life – “I liked it when Dad did all the work!”.  Leland is going through “growing pains”.  He desperately wants to be a kid but at age 20 is confronting adulthood.  I never wanted to be an adult.   Don’t worry, Jean tells me daily, I have to grow up.

Number two daughter, DeLancey, made a  wreath for the front door.  “Wife” put greenery on the mantel and on the buffet.  We are looking “festive”.  Whew!  It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

God rest ye merry, gentlemen Let nothing you dismay Remember Christ our Savior Was born on Christmas Day To save us all from Satan’s power When we were gone astray O tidings of comfort and joy Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy From God our heavenly Father A blessed angel came And unto certain shepherds Brought tiding of the same How that in Bethlehem was born The Son of God by name “Fear not, then,” said the angel “Let nothing you affright This day is born a Savior Of a pure virgin bright To free all those who trust in him From Satan’s power and might.” Now to the Lord sing praises All you within this place And with true love and brotherhood Each other now embrace this holy tide of Christmas Doth bring redeeming grace

Rest!  On a Gaither video Jake Hess sings “Wore Out!”.  It is a song about the struggles of life and the relationship they have on the body.  Now that it is an effort to just stand up, I have no reserve energy.  I can’t reach for a little extra.  “Wife” is bouncing off the walls.  She had Leland painting last night.  She wears me out.  We are in the 37th year – about 5 ”good ones”(taking a day here and there).  Ha, Ha! 

“Let nothing you dismay”.  I forget.  God is in control.  Don’t panic. 

“To save us all from Satan’s power”.  I remember.  Christ’s victory over sin.

“To free all those who trust in Him”.  I’ll do better.

Hebrews 4:9, 10   So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.  For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.

Rest.  Peace.  Grace.  It’s Christmas.  Don’t stress out.  Enter His rest.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D 

December 18, 2008

 

Winter Wonderland
Dick Smith, Felix Bernard 1934

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,
in the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight,
we’re happy tonight,
walking in a winter wonderland.

Gone away is the bluebird,
here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song,
as we go along,
walking in a winter wonderland.

In the meadow we can build a snowman,
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He’ll say: Are you married?
we’ll say: No man,
But you can do the job
when you’re in town.

Later on, we’ll conspire,
as we dream by the fire
To face unafraid,
the plans that we’ve made,
walking in a winter wonderland.

In the meadow we can build a snowman,
and pretend that he’s a circus clown
We’ll have lots of fun with mister snowman,
until the other kiddies knock him down.

When it snows, ain’t it thrilling,
Though your nose gets a chilling
We’ll frolic and play, the Eskimo way,
walking in a winter wonderland.

Walking in a winter wonderland,
walking in a winter wonderland.

It’s another Canadian Christmas Carol.  In the meadow we can build a snowman requires at least a foot of snow.  One time we had 16 inches on the car.  We survived the blizzard of ’93 by duct taping plastic up around the living room.  We built a tent.  It was 3 days until we got water and power came two days after that.  Watts was 15 months old.  I burned all the lumber and cabinet grade plywood that was in the shop.  I was eyeing the antiques.

It was so cold in the bathroom, snow wouldn’t melt in the toilet tank. I used a torch to heat water.  The refrigerator door could be left open.  All the children thought it was neat pretending to be the Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie.  We had read The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  The north Georgia blizzard does not resemble South Dakota in the 1880-1881 winter. 

Perry was eleven, DeLancey was eight and Leland was five.  We survived on bowls of snow cream – vanilla flavoring, sugar and whole milk.  Su-weeeeeeet! 

The lyrics of Winter Wonderland have undoubtedly contributed to the magical vision of snow at Christmas together with the tradition of building snowmen and therefore turning fantasy into reality by creating a real Winter Wonderland.

Number one daughter, Perry, has been turning fantasy into reality with her stories.  She would write and read the chapters to her cousins.  She has rewritten her novel Broken – Sometimes the thing you fear can save you.  Her writing group has been on her case to submit the manuscript to a publisher.  It’s time, daughter. 

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Said the night wind to the little lamb,
“Do you see what I see?
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
Do you see what I see?
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite,
With a tail as big as a kite.”

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
“Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
Do you hear what I hear?
A song, a song high above the trees
With a voice as big as the the sea,
With a voice as big as the the sea.”

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
“Do you know what I know?
In your palace warm, mighty king,
Do you know what I know?
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold–
Let us bring him silver and gold,
Let us bring him silver and gold.”

Said the king to the people everywhere,
“Listen to what I say!
Pray for peace, people, everywhere,
Listen to what I say!
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light,
He will bring us goodness and light.”

This song was written in 1962.  Bing Crosby was the first to record it.  And it hasn’t slowed down, selling tens of millions for over one hundred artists.  It was originally written as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  The writers were a part of the original “tree huggers club”.

Pray for peace, people, everywhere…  The “Peace” doesn’t come from a government.  Peace only really comes with a personal guarantee.

2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance.

Now.  You can have peace, now.  In every circumstance.  Whether it is Lou Gehrig’s disease, cancer, kiddos in trouble or parents with Alzheimer’s you can have the Peace that passeth understanding (Phil. 4:7).  Jesus wants to bear your burden.  And leave…peace.  

He will bring you goodness and light.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D   

December 19, 2008

Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer

Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas eve.
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa,
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.
She’d been drinkin’ too much egg nog,
And we’d begged her not to go.
But she’d left her medication,
So she stumbled out the door into the snow.
When they found her Christmas mornin’,
At the scene of the attack.
There were hoof prints on her forehead,
And incriminatin’ Claus marks on her back.

Grandma got run over by a reindeer,
Walkin’ home from our house Christmas eve.
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa,
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.

Now were all so proud of Grandpa,
He’s been takin’ this so well.
See him in there watchin’ football,
Drinkin’ beer and playin’ cards with cousin Belle.
It’s not Christmas without Grandma.
All the family’s dressed in black.

And we just can’t help but wonder:
Should we open up her gifts or send them back?

Grandma got run over by a reindeer,
Walkin’ home from our house Christmas eve.
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa,
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.

Now the goose is on the table
And the pudding made of fig.
And a blue and silver candle,
That would just have matched the hair in Grandma’swig.
I’ve warned all my friends and neighbours.
Better watch out for yourselves.”
They should never give a license,
To a man who drives a sleigh and plays with elves.

Grandma got run over by a reindeer,
Walkin’ home from our house, Christmas eve.
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa,
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.

Watch on You Tube Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer by Dr. Elmo(3:23).  It’s hilarious.

Christmas dinner at Grandma’s was always a special treat.  For our family, the meal took place on Christmas Eve.  Drusilla, my mom, would bake a ham and have chicken and dumplings, too.  She would make a congealed salad and tossed salad with all the extras.  Canned green beans with fat back,  mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and a sweet potato cassarole with pecans filled the center of the table.  For dessert, Dru’s Diner, would have a fresh coconut cake, a chocolate pie and a fresh pound cake.  “Wife” would add homemade rolls.  Sister Susan would make the holiday punch.  Yum, yum!

There is no joy in Mudville.  Ham and coconut cake will not go down my feeding tube.  At least I don’t have to worry about cavities.  And the vanilla milk shake flavoris not so disagreeable.   Life is not all bad.

I have heard the Gaither Vocal Band with Mark Lowry, the writer, sing the below song.  It was usually the finale before intermission. 

 Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you’ve delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the Lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you’re holding is the great I am.

Watch on You Tube “Mary, Did You Know?” By Mark Lowry (with David Phelps & Guy Penrod)(4:12).

I like the bridge. 

The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.  The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the Lamb.

When I get to heaven, I’ll have my muscles back.  I won’t need a wheelchair or a feeding tube.  My wife won’t have to help me walk.  I will not need a breathing machine.  I will speak again – not growl.  And shout, “the praises of the Lamb”.  Glory!!!

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

I like

December 20, 2008

SANTA BABY

 Santa baby, slip a sable under the tree, for me
I’ve been an awful good girl
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight 

Santa baby, an out-of-space convertible too, light blue
I’ll wait up for you dear
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Think of all the fun I’ve missed
Think of all the fellas that I haven’t kissed
Next year I could be oh so good
If you’d check off my Christmas list
Boo doo bee doo

Santa honey, I wanna yacht and really that’s
Not a lot
I’ve been an angel all year
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa cutie, there’s one thing I really do need, the deed
To a platinum mine
Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa baby, I’m filling my stocking with a duplex, and checks
Sign your ‘X’ on the line
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Come and trim my Christmas tree
With some decorations bought at Tiffany’s
I really do believe in you
Let’s see if you believe in me
Boo doo bee doo

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, a ring
I don’t mean a phone
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry down the chimney tonight

Eartha Kitt made this song famous in 1953.  I can’t recommend watching it on You Tube.  Several artists take this song to the extreme – naughty, naughty.

I must point out that this is the most selfish song concerning Christmas.  ” …Been an awful good girl“  just doesn’t resonate with the rest of the song.  She starts out asking “…for me” - a selfish, spoiled brat.  Ms. Kitt asks Santa for everything but the kitchen sink.  My favorite is “checks“.  Sign your “X” and leave me to fill out the rest.  Make me happy! 

People try to treat God the same way.  “Hey God, baby“  I’ve been good now bless me – with wealth and health.  “…Next year I’ll be o’ so good” is the promise of a “wanna be” not a has been.  Trying to twist God’s arm has never been a good idea.  God is not a deal maker.  He is wise.  He knows what is best.  And He doesn’t care about public opinion.  

So, don’t make a Christmas list for God.  You sound like a spoiled little kid.

I had to work a southern gospel song into the list of carols.  Watch on You Tube “Glory to God In The Highest” by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound(3:04).  It is sung on the Gaither Video by The Old Friends Quartet and on You Tube by the Booth Brothers.

Glory To God In The Highest

“Look up, Fear not,” the angel said.

“Behold Messiah’s come.

The one of whom you read.

And as he spoke to men that day

The heavenly host around the throne

Joined in say:

Chorus

“Glory to God in the highest

Peace on earth and goodwill to men

Heavenly angels announce His arrival

In a little town of Bethlehem

Hallelujah to the Lord, sing holy

He was born to save the world from sin

Glory to God in the highest glory

Hallelujah to the Lord, amen” 

Repeat chorus four times

It’s three chords and a cloud of dust.

“Look up,  fear not”  -  covers it all.  Look outside yourself.  You alone are basically ill prepared to handle the pressures of life.  “Look up“.   Messiah has come “to save the world from sin”.  “Fear not” – don’t you hang onto the status quo.   You have to trust Him.  There is nothing to dread.  God is good. 

Matthew 7:9-11  9“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 

God is not Santa, baby.  He is so much more.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

 

  

December 21, 2008

CHRISTMAS IS COMING 

Christmas is coming,
The geese are getting fat,
Please put a penny
In the old man’s hat.

If you haven’t got a penny,
A ha’penny will do, 
If you haven’t got a ha’penny,
Then God bless you.

Wes Phinney and Ward Satterfield worked this song in to their version of “A Christmas Carol”.  After the opening street scene(Christmas in London – Sing a Christmas Carol), the second scene took place at Ebenezer Scrooge ‘s counting house.  I played the part of Dickens(Sexton).  Dickens was in Mr. Scrooge’s office sweating the fact that his mortgage was due tomorrow and he was going to ask Mr. Scrooge for an extension(2 weeks).  The scene opens with Bob Cratchit working in the cold office by candle light.  I’m seated across the desk from Mr. Scrooge. 

Suddenly outside of the door a small boy sings this song over and over.  Bob says, “Mr. Scrooge…Mr. Scrooge…?”  Mr. Scrooge is busy counting out his money and making Dickens sweat.  Bob says, “There’s a boy outside our door singing.  It would be good to give him something.”  Bob and Dickens hope Mr. Scrooge is in the Christmas spirit on Christmas Eve.  The mean light turns on in Mr. Scrooge’s brain as he picks up his walking stick and approaches the door. 

Mr. Scrooge opens the door revealing a boy singing this song holding a hat asking for a offering.  Mr. Scrooge says, “You’re in fine voice today, boy…TAKE IT ELSEWHERE(raising his walking stick)…BEFORE I REMOVE IT FROM YOUR THROAT!”

Poor ole Mr. Scrooge.  The local musical traces the steps of Mr. Scrooge’s reconciliation(Dickens uses the word reclamation).   Seven years ago this very night Jacob Marley, his partner, died.  Marley appears as a Ghost warning of three spirits that will visit Scrooge.  Ebenezer suffers through tough lessons.  He realizes he had made huge mistakes.  Mike Riddle, who plays Ebenezer, has a fine voice and sings at the end of the play, “I’ve got a second chance…”.   The last lines from the book seem appropriate.

He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him.

He had no further intercourse with Spirits, but lived upon the Total Abstinence Principle, ever afterwards; and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed,

God bless Us, Every One!

Ebenezer Scrooge became a changed man.

Good Christian men rejoice
With heart and soul and voice!
Give ye heed to what we say
News! News!
Jesus Christ is born today!
Ox and ass before Him bow
And He is in the manger now
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!

Good Christian men, rejoice
With heart and soul and voice
Now ye hear of endless bliss
Joy! Joy!
Jesus Christ was born for this
He hath ope’d the heav’nly door
And man is blessed evermore
Christ was born for this
Christ was born for this

Good Christian men, rejoice
With heart and soul and voice
Now ye need not fear the grave:
Peace! Peace!
Jesus Christ was born to save
Calls you one and calls you all
To gain His everlasting hall
Christ was born to save
Christ was born to save

News! News!     Christ is born today.

 Joy! Joy!     Christ was born for this.

 Peace! Peace!     Christ was born to save.

Now ye need not fear the grave.  Amen.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

December 22, 2008

BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE

I really can’t stay – Baby it’s cold outside
I’ve got to go away – Baby it’s cold outside
This evening has been – Been hoping that you’d drop in
So very nice – I’ll hold your hands, they’re just like ice
My mother will start to worry – Beautiful, what’s your hurry
My father will be pacing the floor – Listen to the fireplace roar
So really I’d better scurry – Beautiful, please don’t hurry
well Maybe just a half a drink more – Put some music on while I pour

The neighbors might think – Baby, it’s bad out there
Say, what’s in this drink – No cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how – Your eyes are like starlight now
To break this spell – I’ll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say no, no, no, sir – Mind if I move a little closer
At least I’m gonna say that I tried – What’s the sense in hurting my pride
I really can’t stay – Baby don’t hold out
Ahh, but it’s cold outside

C’mon baby

I simply must go – Baby, it’s cold outside
The answer is no – Ooh baby, it’s cold outside
This welcome has been – I’m lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm — Look out the window at that storm
My sister will be suspicious – Man, your lips look so delicious
My brother will be there at the door – Waves upon a tropical shore
My maiden aunt’s mind is vicious – Gosh your lips look delicious
Well maybe just a half a drink more – Never such a blizzard before

I’ve got to go home – Oh, baby, you’ll freeze out there
Say, lend me your comb – It’s up to your knees out there
You’ve really been grand – Your eyes are like starlight now
But don’t you see – How can you do this thing to me
There’s bound to be talk tomorrow – Making my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied – If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can’t stay – Get over that old out
Ahh, but it’s cold outside

Baby it’s cold outside

Brr its cold….
It’s cold out there
Cant you stay awhile longer baby
Well…..I really shouldn’t…alright

Make it worth your while baby
Ahh, do that again….

 Daughter, DeLancey, really likes this skankie song.  On You Tube I recommend the fuzzy video of a dark haired girl and suited guy.  The title is just “Baby It’s Cold Outside”(2:51).  Countless others have recorded this song including Bing, James Taylor and Miss Piggy. 

 

No comment about the motive of the song.

Let’s focus on the Christmas Carol for today.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

 O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times did’st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

 

 The favourite O Come, O Come Emmanuel carol was originally written in Latin text in the 12th Century. The author of the words and composer to the music of O Come, O Come Emmanuel is unknown. It is, however, believed that the melody was of French origin and added to the text a hundred years later. The Latin was translated into English by John Mason Neale in 1851. 

Emmanuel means “God (is) with us”.   At Christmas time no truer words can be written.  I attended church this morning – it is a huge effort – and Pastor Suddath talked about “Treasured Memories“.   He told about how he had been listening to his Aunt Ruth tell him stories of her life.    

Matthew and Luke must have interviewed Mary.  Mary shared how she treasured in her heart all the things related to the Messiah’s birth.  

Our Emmanuel works on our behalf:

stanza one = ransoms the captive

stanza two = frees us from Satan and gives victory over the grave

stanza three = disperses the clouds of night(nightmares) and death’s dark shadow puts to flight(death is a celebration)

stanza four = opens wide our heavenly home, makes safe the way that leads on high and closes the path to misery

stanza five = gives the Law(the written word); Emmanuel shall come to thee(the Living word)

Glory to God for  E(I)mmanuel.

Isaiah 7:14  Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 23, 2008

JINGLE BELL ROCK 

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun.

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air.

What a bright time, it’s the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jingling feet
That’s the jingle bell,
That’s the jingle bell,
That’s the jingle bell rock.

I like the version by Bobby Helms recorded in 1957.  It is another Canadian Christmas song – …snowing and blowing… - we do not have a one-horse sleigh.  Countless others have recorded this song.

I guess that a snow deep enough for a one-horse sleigh, never will happen in Georgia.  I don’t know anybody with a snowmobile.  I don’t know anybody with a snow sleigh.  It was 70 degrees last Thursday – a week before Christmas. 

Another high church Christmas Carol.  Number one daughter, Perry, remembers when we sang this carol at the Presbyterian church. 

ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITY

Once in royal Davids city,
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her Baby,
In a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ, her little Child.

He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall:
With the poor, and mean, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Saviour holy.

For He is our childhood’s pattern;
Day by day, like us, He grew;
He was little, weak, and helpless,
Tears and smiles, like us He knew;
And He cares when we are sad,
And he shares when we are glad.

And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love;
For that Child so dear and gentle,
Is our Lord in heaven above:
And He leads His children on,
To the place where He is gone.

Watch on You Tube Once in Royal David’s City at St. Pauls’ Cathedral in London(3:10).  Or King’s College Cambridge or Paisley Abbey Choir or St. George’s Chapel at Windsor. 

Once you have visited the great Cathedrals of the world, you gain a new reverence for the majesty of God.  St. Paul’s took 32 years.  The largest cathedral, St. Peter’s in Rome, took 150 years to complete.  Michelangelo took 4 years to paint the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling at St. Peter’s.  Once we toured the Sistine Chapel first thing in the morning.  Our guide took us in a back way and we had the whole room to ourselves for about 15 minutes.  It was glorious.

The stone masons worked a lifetime building the huge cathedrals in Europe.  They dedicated their skill to God and built a “tabernacle” for us to see.  

Michael Youssef, the Rector of the Church of the Apostles, built to the glory of God when they constructed a new sanctuary along the interstate(75) at West Paces Ferry.  The church added 100,000 square feet for 17 million dollars.  I copied the below 3 paragraphs off their website that descibe the undertaking.  

This was the challenge to the leadership of this church when contemplating building a new facility.

This was no small challenge but without exception this group of leaders came into agreement over the mission they had before them. From that point in time we moved forward, as a church family, with plans to build a sanctuary that would say to all who pass by or enter “To God Be the Glory, great things HE has done.” By moving forward our leadership acknowledged what we all have come to realize…only God could orchestrate such a project.

This neo-Gothic building is complemented with the finest in furnishings, technical support, and appointments all for the purpose of fulfilling our mission statement: Reaching the lost and equipping the saints for the work of ministry.

What monument are you leaving behind?   Your legacy will last forever.  What do your children think about you?  What can you expect your great grandchildren to remember you as?  If Jesus tarries,  and doesn’t return for a hundred years, what will history say about you?

Let us say, “We celebrate CHRISTmas every day!”  

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

 

December 24, 2008

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

Daughter, Perry, recited the above poem on TV at age 3.  I would turn the pages of the book and she had memorized what I had read to her.  It was so cute.

We read to the children all the time.  When they were young and impressionable, we didn’t have a TV.  Each night we would let the children choose a book.  They would hop in my lap and I would read the book.  I would change my voice as they listened to the various characters.  The three oldest have a love for the theatre.  Watts, the fourth child, is the most social child and most like a clown.  Fun, fun.

On this Christmas Eve let us adore Him, Christ theLord.

O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

O Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

O Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God’s holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

 The text to the Carol O Come All Ye Faithful was originally written in Latin (Adeste Fideles) and was intended to be a hymn, it is attributed to John Wade, an Englishman. The music to O Come All Ye Faithful was composed by fellow Englishman John Reading in the early 1700s. The tune was first published in a collection known as “Cantus Diversi” in 1751. In 1841 Rev. Frederick Oakley is reputed to have worked on the familiar translation of O Come All Ye Faithful which replaced the older Latin lyrics “Adeste Fideles”.

Joyful and triumphant.  On this day before Christmas day reflect on what tomorrow celebrates.  When we wake up tomorrow we ought to shout “Christ is born today!”.  We should have the same excitement the kiddos have opening presents.

Sing in exultation.    Exultation means lively or triumphant joy, as over success or victory.

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.  John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

O  come, let us adore Him.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

P.S.  Thanks for the “caroling” visit, friends.   While you were singing,  a couple of times I almost lost it.  But I was so determined not to cry and go a’ snottin.  Harry Bailey toasts his big brother George at the end of “It’s a Wonderful Life” saying, “The richest man in town”.  Clarence, the angel, had written in George’s copy of Tom Sawyer  - no man is a failure who has friends.  I am the richest guy in Dalton. 

December 25, 2008

Matthew 1

 18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.

 19And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.

 20But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

 21“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

 22Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

 23“BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.”

 24And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife,

Luke 2

 1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.

 2This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

 3And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

 4Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

 5in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

 6While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

 8In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

 9And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

 11for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

 12“This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

 14“Glory to God in the highest,  And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

 15When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”

 16So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.

 17When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.

 18And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

 19But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

 20The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Matthew 2

7Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.

 8And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.”

 9After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.

 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

 11After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

 12And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

Now that you’ve read the scriptures, you should share it with someone.  The “Good News” is not suppose to be private. 

GO, TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light

             : Go, tell it on the mountain
               Over the hills and everywhere
               Go, tell it on the mountain
               That Jesus Christ is born.

The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo! above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savour’s birth;

Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born;
And God sent us salvation
that blessed Christmas morn

When I was a seeker
I sought both night and day
I sought the Lord to help me
And He showed me the way.

He made me a watchman
Upon the city wall
And If I am a Christian
I am the least of all.

 

 The Lord had a plan.  He left people in charge of the Gospel.  The Christian people were suppose to tell others about the living Truth.  After Jesus died, was resurrected and ascended to heaven, if the people didn’t share the “Good News”, the plan would fail.  There was no backup plan. 

Matthew 28

 19“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

After Christmas you have a job to do.  It’s a life long endeavor.  Have your attitude like the song I picked December 1:  Joy to the world, the Lord is come.  You are just a beggar telling other beggars where to find bread.

I didn’t include any fun songs.  There were too many of them.  Barking dogs  Jingle Bells, Jingle Cats White Christmas, Brenda Lee  Rockin Around the Christmas Tree, Beach Boys  Little Saint Nick,  Up on the Rooftop, Holly Jolly Christmas, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, I’m Getting Nuttin’ for Christmas, Deck the Halls, Carol of the Bells, Santa looked a lot like Daddy and Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, etc.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

December 26, 2008

He Saw It All by Booth Brothers

 I was working in town one afternoon
Attending some business affairs
I heard a commotion a couple streets over
And wondered whats happening there
A young man was running from in that direction
and stopped just to catch his breath

I asked him to please tell me what was the hurry
He smiled up at me and he said
I was trying to catch the crippled man,
Did he run past this way
He was rushing home to tell everyone
What Jesus did today
And the mute man was telling myself
And the deaf girl He’s leaving to
Answer God’s call

It’s hard to believe but if you don’t trust me
Ask the blind man, he saw it all
Ask the blind man, he saw it all

My friend if the troubles and burdens you carry
Are heavy and dragging you down
And you’ve tried everything
You can possibly think of
But there’s no relief to be found

That very same Jesus that altered the future
Of the blind man, the deaf and the lame
He’s still reaching out
In your hour of trouble
One touch and you’re never be the same

You’ll be trying to catch the cripped man
Did he run past this way
He was rushing home to tell everyone
What Jesus did today
And the mute man was telling myself
And the deaf girl He’s leaving to
Answer God’s call
It’s hard to believe but if you don’t trust me
Ask the blind man he saw it all
Ask the blind man he saw it all

Ask the blind man he saw it all

Watch on You Tube “He Saw It All” By The Booth Brothers(3:08).  I listened to the music and watched the words above.  It is a pleasant song.  There seems to be no relief from burdens and troubles.  You’ve forgotten about yesterday.  You’re smarter than that. 

He’s still reaching out in your hour of trouble.  Mankind likes to complain about their circumstances.   They remind of a story in John 5.

   2Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes.

 3In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters;

 4for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.]

 5A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.

 6When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?”

 7The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”

 8Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.”

 9Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk.

Mankind looks around and sees a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame and withered.  A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.  Jesus asked him, “Do you wish to get well?”

Jesus asked the most profound question.   Are you content to stay in your present condition?  In verse 7 he gives an excuse.  He probably had it memorized.  No excuses will do.  “Do you want to change your life?”,  Jesus asks.  He is ready and able to relieve your burdens and troubles.  He will heal you spiritually, emotionally and finally physically.  

Thanks to Christmas.  We have a Savior.  

 Ask the blind man he saw it all.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D 

P.S.  This is 50th blog.  Over 9,600 hits

December 27, 2008

A MIGHTY FORTRESS

A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing;
Our shelter He, amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and pow’r are great, And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth is His name, From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And tho’ this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us;
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim — We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow’rs — No thanks to them — abideth:
The Spirit and the gifts are ours Thro’ Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

Watch on You Tube Glad – A Mighty Fortress or A Mighty Fortress by Steve Green.  Martin Luther wrote both the lyrics and music in 1529.  Luther was inspired from Psalm 46.

Stanza 1 – God is a fortress.  Satan, our eternal foe is crafty.   

Stanza 2 – Our striving against Satan is futile.  Jesus must win the battle.

Stanza 3 – Never fear, God wills His Truth to triumph through us.

Stanza 4 – God is on our side.  God’s Truth abides.

HIS KINGDOM IS FOREVER.

You ever visited a true castle?  My favorite is Windsor near Stratford-Upon-Avon, England.  Madame Tussaud’s has several rooms with wax figures in the living quarters.  The day we visited the Red Knight appeared.  The Red Knight was a guy on a horse in full armor.  But, my favorite fortress is Carrickfergus Castle in Belfast, Northern Ireland.  Thick stone walls rising above the Irish Sea made this castle permanent.  It was constructed in 1177 and it is still standing.

I like the murder holes at Carrickfergus.  

Murder Holes – A section between the main gate and a inner gate where arrows, rocks, and hot oil can be dropped from the roof though holes. Provides good cover for defenders and leaves the attacker open. Only used when outer gate has been breached.

Our adversary, the devil, wants to destroy us.  God wants to build fortress walls around you.  We often pray a hedge of protection around our children.  As one who has played “between the hedges”, I’ll take stone walls up to 20 feet thick. 

Luther wrote this song while the religious community were burning martyrs at the stake.  The body they may kill.  Let goods and kindreds go.  During the Reformation martyrs were the fuel which made the Protestant movement go.

The Spirit and the gifts are ours.  Protestant fighting words.   Luther believed that normal, everyday Christians had the Holy Spirit and gifts.  Read Fox’s Book of Martyrs.  It’ll change your life.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

December 28, 2008

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

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 will be.

Refrain

Great is Thy faithfulness!
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!

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

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Refrain

Lamentations 3

22  It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.   23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Watch on You Tube any artist singing this hymn.  They all do a fantastic job with this song.

We had to drive and jump-off a dead battery in the old van.  The children had tried and said,”It just clicked.  I think we need a new starter.”  I went this time and made sure the proper size cables were used and the connections were tight.  Watts got in the van and cranked it the first time he tried.

Connection.  That’s the key to a DC current.  That’s also the key in our relation with God.  Connection.

God’s nature doesn’t change.   As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.  God is good.  God has always been compassionate and faithful.  It’s up to us to be connected with Him. 

Nature itself is a witness.  What if gravity worked like a cheap pair of jumper cables?  What if the bees failed to cross-pollinate?  What if the earth spun at varying speeds?  God has everything orchestrated.  I recommend the Lee Strobel books.   The Case For A Creator - is a book that explains how complex and interdependent nature is.

The 3rd stanza is my favorite.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

This verse makes me smile.  Pardon.  Peace.  Presence.  Cheer.  Guide.  Strength.  Hope.  Blessings.  Words that define great faithfulness.

That leads to the ”Crème de la crème = best of the best”.   In the refrain the last two words are “unto me!”  God is in love with you.  It’s not the romantic kind of love.  The first line of the song explains that God is our Father.  God is in love with His children.  Great is His faithfulness.

Connection.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

December 29, 2008

John 19:41  Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.

IN THE GARDEN

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

Refrain

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

Refrain

I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

Refrain

Words & Music: C. Aus­tin Miles, March 1912, he wrote:

I read…the sto­ry of the great­est morn in his­to­ry: “The first day of the week com­eth Mary, Salome and Ma­ry Mag­da­lene early, while it was yet ve­ry dark, unto the se­pul­cher.” In­stant­ly, com­plet­ely, there un­fold­ed in my mind the scenes of the gar­den of Jo­seph of Arimathea….Out of the mists of the gar­den comes three forms, halt­ing, he­si­tat­ing, tear­ful, seek­ing, turn­ing from side to side in be­wil­der­ing amaze­ment. Fal­ter­ing­ly, bear­ing grief in ev­e­ry ac­cent, with tear-dimmed eyes, they whis­per, “If thou hast borne him hence”… “He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their sing­ing.” Je­sus said to her, “Mary!” Just one word from his lips, and she for­got the heart­aches, the long drea­ry hours….all the past blot­ted out in the pre­sence of the Liv­ing Pre­sent and the Eter­nal Fu­ture.

Watch on You Tube “In The Garden” By The Mullins or Alan Jackson or Elvis or Anne Murray.  I have always loved this song.  It was years ago, I remember my neighbor Sikes’ daughter, Lori Beth, sang this hymn.  Both my daughters love this song.  My wife is whistling the tune in the kitchen.

He walks with me.   I think Psalm 23 is needed here.

    1The LORD is my shepherd,
         I shall not want.
    2He makes me lie down in green pastures;
         He leads me beside quiet waters.
    3He restores my soul;
         He guides me in the paths of righteousness
         For His name’s sake.
    4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
         I fear no evil, for You are with me;
         Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
    5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
         You have anointed my head with oil;
         My cup overflows.
    6Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
         And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

He talks to me.  I did a word search on “God(He) spoke…”and eight pages of verses came up.  God still talks to each of us through His word – the Bible.  I have read the Bible through cover to cover several times.  And it amazes me how I will read a certain passage and it is as if I never have read it.  The words jump off the page and shout “NOTICE ME”.

Hebrews 4:12    For the word of God is living and active.

 

 II Tim. 3:16   All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

He tells me I am His own.  Song of Solomon 6:3  I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.  Just like a bride and groom, Jesus claims us(the Church) as His bride.   And the result: JOY.   Tarry in the garden with Jesus.

John 10:14  I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

 

December 30, 2008

CRIMINAL ON THE CROSS

Well, it was many years ago in the time of the Bible that they took Him up to Calvary.
They could have let Him go, but instead they chose Barabbus just to set another criminal free.
When they crucified the ever loving, caring Master with compassion flowing from His eyes
Well, He said to a thief who was begging Him for mercy that ‘today you’ll live in Paradise.’
And I’m saved like the criminal on the cross.
Praise God, I’m saved, no more to suffer loss.
Well, He said I’d live in Paradise and he’s taken care of the cost.
Hallelujah! I’m saved like the criminal on the cross.

Well, on the Judgment day when all the people gather ’round
Him and they want to hear what He will declare.
There will never ever be more intense anticipation that has ever happened anywhere.
When they call my name to defend my reputation there is only one thing I can say:
‘I’m a wretch, I’m a worm, I’m a no good sinner.’ But He said, ‘I’ll save you anyway.’

Well I’, saved, I’m saved, through Jesus I am saved.
Well I’, saved, I’m saved, His mercy showed the way.
Well I’, saved, I’m saved, no more for me to say.
Well I’, saved, I’m saved, in Paradise today.

Watch Acappella – Criminal On The Cross(3:01) on You Tube.   The Gaither video(1994) is called Landmark = remembering where God has met us.Mark 15:  6Now at the feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested.   7The man named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the insurrection.   8The crowd went up and began asking him to do as he had been accustomed to do for them.   9Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?”   10For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.   11But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead.   12Answering again, Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”   13They shouted back, “Crucify Him!”   14But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!”   15Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

Luke 23:  39One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!”   40But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?   41“And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”   42And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”   43And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

The stories about Barabbas and Jesus being crucified with criminals are recorded in all four gospels.  The chief priests incited the mob to shout for the crucifixtion of Jesus and set Barabbas, a known murderer, free.  Jesus, on the cross, received(saved) a criminal on the cross beside Him.  He knew his heart.

The second verse describes me to a tee.   ‘I’m a wretch, I’m a worm, I’m a no good sinner.’ But He said, ‘I’ll save you anyway.’   

Hallelujah! I’m saved like the criminal on the cross. 

AMAZING GRACE!

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

December 31, 2008

I’D RATHER HAVE JESUS

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand:

refrain:
Than to be the king of a vast domain or be held in sin’s dread sway!
I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame;
I’d rather be true to His holy name:

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs -
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead:

 

 

At the age of 23 George Beverly Shea (1909 – ) had a hard decision to make. He could accept a job offer in a secular singing position in New York City with a great salary and wide respect;  or he could continue singing in churches and for Christian radio programs.  While sitting at the family piano, he started to prepare a special hymn for the Sunday service.  On the piano he found a poem by Mrs. Rhea F. Miller.  He immediately began to compose the music for the poem and used the song that same morning in his father’s church service.  He also used those words to direct his life and has shared his song, “I’d Rather Have Jesus”  with audiences around the world.

On this the last day of 2008, take a brief inventory of your life.  How did you do in 2008?  Did you start well?  Did you finish the drill?  What are your plans for 2009?  Do you make New Year’s resolutions? 

This song has your priorities in the correct order. 

Do you just talk a good game?  It’s Jesus  vs.  Silver, Gold, Riches, Houses, Land, Applause, Fame.  Be honest.

When you have months to live, it helps you to stay focused.  Don’t wait on the doctor to give you the bad news to get your life in order.  Billy and Bev Shea and Cliff gave their lives for the cause.  100% percent commitment.

I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 1, 2009

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS (Instead of Sheep)

 (Irving Berlin)
from the 1954 movie “White Christmas”.

When I’m worried and I can’t sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds
If you’re worried and you can’t sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings

Jean and I watched “White Christmas” during the holidays.  Bing croons this song to Rosemary Clooney.  Watch on You Tube(1:31).  

As we begin 2009, I want to count my blessings.

God blessed me with loving parents.  Mom and dad sacrificed for Sharon, Susan and me.  I was loved by my two sisters.   Sharon I will meet you in heaven, soon.  Sister Susan and her husband, Greg, love their two children - Byron and Ti-lea.   My extended family was one of strong faith. 

My grandparents on my mother’s side help raise me.  They were “country” but I didn’t mind.  I can remember a day when my grandmother wrung a chicken’s neck so hard, she was left holding the head in her hand.  The body of the chicken flapping on the ground threw up blood on her dress.  I can remember my grandmother laughing all through the ordeal.   

God blessed me with athletic ability.  I played baseball, basketball, football and track.   I was fortunate to take golf lessons from Lowell Fritz and all the success I have achieved is because of him.

God blessed me with the spiritual gift of teaching.  I liked teaching Sunday School and home Bible studies.  This blog I pray is helpful to some.  

God blessed me with marriage.  Jean and her family are top notch.  Her parents are so generous that they would spend their inheritance on the children and spouses.  We have taken dozens of vacations around the world.  One time we left going east and circled the globe.  My job was to plan the trips.  I remember the first trip.  We landed in a foreign country and exchanged money for foreign currency.  I didn’t have a clue.  I opened my hands and held out one hundred dollars worth for a dollar item.  I trusted the merchant to pick out what he needed.  I have come a long way, baby.  Memories!

God has blessed me with a great family.  Perry, DeLancey, Leland and Watts were and are great kiddos.  I could not be prouder of them.

God has blessed me with great friends.  You know who you are.  God bless you.  Thank you. 

How about you?  I recommend you count your blessings.  You will be thankful like I am.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

  

January 2, 2009

TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS

Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in chorus,
Sang as they welcomed His birth.
“Glory to God in the highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth.”

Refrain

Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.

Fasting alone in the desert,
Tell of the days that are past.
How for our sins He was tempted,
Yet was triumphant at last.
Tell of the years of His labor,
Tell of the sorrow He bore.
He was despised and afflicted,
Homeless, rejected and poor.

Refrain

Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,
Writhing in anguish and pain.
Tell of the grave where they laid Him,
Tell how He liveth again.
Love in that story so tender,
Clearer than ever I see.
Stay, let me weep while you whisper,
Love paid the ransom for me.

Refrain

 

The famous blind hymnist, Fanny Crosby, wrote the words to “Tell Me the Story of Jesus.”  Blind from the age of six weeks, Fanny Crosby, never allowed self-pity to guide her heart.  Instead, she was taught by her devout grandmother to allow Jesus to lead her.  And so she did.  She became one of the most prolific Christian writers in the late 1800’s in America, writing over 8,000 hymns—so many, that many hymn publishers used as many as 200 pseudonyms so that their hymnals would not be called “Fanny Crosby” hymnals.  This particular hymn, “Tell Me the Story of Jesus” was published in a hymnal called The Quiver of Sacred Song in 1880.   The hymnal was edited by William Kirkpatrick who was good friends with the composer of the melody of this tune, John Sweeney.

Watch on You Tube.   You have lots of choices.

“Tell Me the Story of Jesus” goes from the manger to the resurrection.  “Write on my heart every word” = Fanny Crosby wrote from the heart.  Her hymns are down to earth.  Simple.  I like that. 

Love in that story so tender,
Clearer than ever I see.
Stay, let me weep while you whisper,
Love paid the ransom for me.

Remember Fanny was blind.    Clearer than ever I see.   She saw with her heart.

Stay, let me weep while you whisper, love paid the ransom for me.  Fanny was emotional about Grace.   Love paid the ransom for you, too.  Have you ever wept over your salvation?

I have.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

January 3, 2009

EXCUSES, EXCUSES

Excuses, excuses, you’ll hear them every day.
And the Devil he’ll supply them, if the church you stay away.
When people come to know the Lord, the Devil always loses
So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses.

In the summer it’s too hot. And, in the winter, it’s too cold.
In the spring time when the weather’s just right, you find some place else to go.
Well, it’s up to the mountains or down to the beach or to visit some old friend.
Or, to just stay home and kinda relax and hope that some of the kin folks will start dropping in.

Well, the church benches are too hard. And, that choir sings way too loud.
Boy, you know how nervous you get when you’re sitting in a great big crowd.
The doctor told you, “Now, you better watch them crowds. They’ll set you back.”
But, you go to that old ball game because you say “it helps you to relax.”

Well, a headache Sunday morning and a backache Sunday night.
But by worktime Monday morning, you’re feeling quite alright.
While one of the children has a cold, “Pneumonia, do you suppose?”
Why the whole family had to stay home, just to blow that poor kid’s nose.

Excuses, excuses, you’ll hear them every day.
And the Devil he’ll supply them if the church you stay away.
When people come to know the Lord, the Devil always loses
So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses.

Well, the preacher he’s too young. And, maybe he’s too old.
The sermons they’re not hard enough. And, maybe they’re too bold.
His voice is much too quiet-like. Sometimes he gets too loud.
He needs to have more dignity. Or, else he’s way too proud.

Well, the sermons they’re too long. And, maybe they’re too short.
He ought to preach the word with dignity instead of “stomp and snort.”
Well, that preacher we’ve got must be “the world’s most stuck up man.”
Well, one of the lady’s told me the other day, “Well, he didn’t even shake my hand.”

Excuses, excuses, you’ll hear them every day.
And the Devil he’ll supply them if the church you stay away.
When people come to know the Lord, the Devil always loses
So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses.
So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses.

Encore:

Well, the sermons they’re too long. And, maybe they’re too short.
He ought to preach the word with dignity instead of “stomp and snort.”
Well, that preacher we’ve got must be “the world’s most stuck up man.”
Well, one of the lady’s told me the other day, “Well, he didn’t even shake my hand.”

Excuses, excuses, you’ll hear them every day. 
And the Devil he’ll supply them if the church you stay away.
When people come to know the Lord, the Devil always loses
So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses.
So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses.

Watch on You Tube “Excuses” Glad Tidings Church of God choir(3:00), click on the cartoon guy with a top hat.

I used to sing this song to the children.  My favorite parts were While one of the children has a cold, “Pneumonia, do you suppose?” Why the whole family had to stay home, just to blow that poor kid’s nose and Well, that preacher we’ve got must be “the world’s most stuck up man.” Well, one of the lady’s told me the other day, “Well, he didn’t even shake my hand.”   I would change my voice on the punch lines.

EXCUSES, EXCUSES.  We are crafty, rehearsing our excuse to why we don’t measure up.  Excuses for:  not reading the Bible, not attending church, not saying the right thing, not visiting, not praying, not leading, not following, not volunteering, not tithing, not holding your tongue, not doing our “to do” list, not eating healthy, not exercising, always showing up late, forgetting, indulging in that secret sin, etc.

A wise coach once told me “#*!&#*!, I don’t want to hear your excuses.  Excuses is for losers”!

The grammar wasn’t the best, nor was the profanity.  It stuck with me.  I listen to my words and label those that are excuses as losers.  I don’t want to “excuse” my behavior.  It is sin.

I John 1:9  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Now we have a choice.  1. Live with excuses.  2. Confess your excuse.

I know that you want to live lives of integrity.  It comes when we are honest.  Don’t make an excuse.  Simply state what actually happened.  If you sinned confess it.  NO EXCUSES.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

  

January 4, 2009

BECAUSE HE LIVES

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

Chorus

And then one day, I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to vict’ry,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives!

Chorus

Watch on You Tube “Because He Lives” By The Gaither Vocal Band/Mark Lowry(3:35).  It’s hard to pick one artist performing this song.

The Jewish priests and the Roman soldiers could have killed Christianity if they produced the body of Jesus.  They could not.    An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

The second stanza gives me the confidence, my family will face uncertain days after I’m gone.  They will be O.K.

And then one day, I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to vict’ry,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives!

This is my most favorite verse of any song.  One night I was visiting with a dying cousin.  I spoke loudly as I asked her this question – “You getting ready to cross that river?”  She opened her eyes and nodded.  I said, “Look for my dad.  It won’t be long til I’ll be joining you”.  Luckily, Lou Gehrig’s disease is not a painful way to go.  You develop pneumonia because the chest cavity muscles weaken.  In the last month I have used my cough assist machine several times a day compared to two months ago several times a week.

And then, as death gives way to vict’ry - the ultimate battle.  Christ took care of it on the cross.

Because He lives = I can face tomorrow;  all fear is gone;  He holds the future;  life is worth the living.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

January 5, 2009

 

Click on You Tube “Trying To Get A Glimpse” By The Cathedrals(FULL)(4:00).   If you want to see the words try You Tube  “Trying To Get A Glimpse” By Ernie Haase And Signature Sound(4:22).  Apparently copyright laws forbid listing the lyrics.

The Cathedrals are my favorite group because the first time you hear a song by them you can hear every word.   Not all Christian performers do that.  Sister-in-law, Carol, compares the riff-raff groups to the Cathedrals.  She calls the Cathedrals, opera.  The riff-raff groups, noise.    

At the National Quartet Convention in Louisville you planned your bathroom breaks during the riff-raff groups.  The good groups were Gold City, McKameys(Peg would kick off her high heels during the first song), Kingsmen, Greater Vision, Gaither Vocal Band, Hoppers, Chuck Wagon Gang, Martins, Dove Bothers, Booth Brothers, Easters, Speers, Goodmans and Inspirations.  During the week the good groups would perform 3 times – usually Monday, Thursday and Saturday.  Each night there were up to 16 groups(for 6 nights).

I checked the schedule for this year.  National Quartet Convention(NQC) is September 13-19, 2009 in Louisville, KY at Freedom Hall.  The Exhibit Hall and food court next door is massive.   My mom would sit through every group.  Drusilla didn’t want to miss anything.     

Sunday morning, I listen on You Tube to the Cathedrals for an hour and a half.  This song brings tears to my eyes.  Jean, my wife,  walks by and I’m listening on the headphones – “a snottin’ “.  Standing on the banks of the river trying to get a glimpse    …as I near the end of my life – I’m looking for my Savior.  And I’ll be a crossing the river soon.    I’m craning my neck trying to peek into heaven.  It’s not that I’m afraid.  Nothing could be further from the truth. I long for that city. 

  Hebrews 11:16  Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

I’m look-ing for a city.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

P.S. this is the 60th blog.      Over 11,000 hits.    PTL

January 6, 2009

THE OLD SHIP OF ZION

I was standing on the banks of the river
Looking out over life’s troubled sea
When I saw that ole ship that was sailing
Is that the ole ship of Zion I see.

Its hull was bent and battered
From the storms of life I could see
Waves were rough but that ole ship kept sailing
Is that the ole ship of Zion I see.

At the stern of the ship stood the captain
I could hear as he called out my name
Get on board it’s the ole ship of Zion
It will never pass this way again

As I step on board I’ll be leaving
All my sorrows and heartaches behind
I’ll be safe with Jesus the captain
Sailing out on the ole ship of Zion.

Click on the link -  Gold City and Kingsmen: Old Ship Of Zion.   That’s how I will be crossing that river.  As I listen to the two quartets sing this song, my jaw starts twitching like I was out in the snow in nothing but my drawers(underwear).    Uncontrollable crying is one of the side effects to Lou Gehrig’s disease.  Mostly I do it in the privacy of the living room with ear phones.

Yesterday, my friend Jim McCormick came by and we watched a Gaither video.  Luckily, I had a hankie.  My lazy boy recliner – a gift fom my mother – makes our living room a sanctuary.  My wife would not allow a recliner in her house before I got sick.  Now, she says it was her idea. Go figure.

Back to the song.  

For years, this type of song has been sung as a Negro Spiritual.  I looked on the internet and there are myriads of tunes and words describing how to cross the river of life.  Each one was named The Old Ship Of Zion.

Each song emphasizes “Get on board”.  There’s only one way to punch your ticket for the boat ride.   Ephesians 2:8,9  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

My favorite line is I could hear as he called out my name.  I made the passenger list because my name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  Make your reservation.

 It will never pass this way again.  You only have one chance to get on board.  You will not be reincarnated.  This lifetime is it.  Make your choice today.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (NASB)

for He says,
         ”AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU,
         AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.”
         Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”

I got my ship legs ready.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

 

January 7, 2009

       LOOKING FOR A CITY

      Verse One:      Here among the shadows…[living] in a lonely land…
      [With strangers] we’re a band of pilgrims on the move….
      Through dangers…burdened down with sorrows…
      [And we're] shunned on every hand….
      [But we are] looking for a city built above….

      The Chorus:

      Looking for a city……[yonder]…where we’ll never die….
      There the sainted millions….[we will] never say good by….
      There we’ll meet our Savior…..and our loved ones too….
      Come…O Holy Spirit…all our hopes renew…..

      Verse Two:

      Here in disappointments…[often]..we so sadly roam..
      [And earthly] friends no longer speak one word of love….
      But truly…we have found contentment…
      [Jesus] promised us a home….
      [So we are] looking for a city built above….

      Verse Three:

      In this land of dangers..[we are] going here and there…
      [We're simply] trusting in the blessed Savior’s love…
      And mercy, though we may be strangers…….
      [Living] in this world of care….
      [We're always] looking for a city built above….

       Tag

      Come O Holy Spirit….
      All our hopes renew…..

Click on the link:  “Looking For A City” – Vestal Goodman vs. Johnny Cook(1974).  DeLancey, this blog is for you.

Hebrews 11:10
for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Vestal, with her two foot beehive hairdo, challenges Johnny Cook to a Billie Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs(woman vs. man) sing off.  In 1973 Riggs stated that he was superior to a woman because he was a male.  King beat him in three straight sets. 

One of the fun happenings of a southern gospel concert is when two tenor singers battle one another with this song.  The two groups would sing only the first verse and each tenor would raise the chorus a half step.  Jay Parrack of Gold City was the champion.  Vestal is more like an alto.  Johnny Cook was a tenor; he now is a baritone.

Back to the discussion about heaven.  Ray Stedman’s book, “Authenic Christianity” devotes chapter 9 to the discussion of Time and Eternity.  A diect quote from the chapter -   time is time and eternity is eternity and never the twain shall meet.  I highly recommend you get a copy of the book.  Stedman sets you up to believe him by the richness of the first eight chapters. 

I heard a tape of a pastor’s conference where Stedman was discussing time vs. eternity and a pastor was quoted as saying that was a new concept for him.  God stepped out of eternity to send Jesus into time.  When we die we enter eternity – a new dimension.  Time is lost.  It is the NOW of God, always present tense.  

We like to imagine heaven as extension of time.  There is a song describing heaven as a huge front porch and the punch line is – “I’m gonna shake Jesus’ hand and sit down in a rocking chair and rest a little while”. 

Trite!  Heaven is more sophisticated than that.  The God who crafted this planet with amazing detail is preparing you a place in heaven.  For eternity.  Trust Him to exceed your expectations.   It will.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D  

January 8, 2009

SINNER SAVED BY GRACE

If you could see
What I once was
If u could go with me
Back to where I started from
Then, I know you would see
A miracle of Love that put me
in it’s sweet embrace
and made me what I am today
just an old sinner
Saved by grace

I’m just a sinner
Saved by grace
when I stood
condemned to death
He took my place
Now I live and breathe in freedom
with each breath of life I take
loved and forgivin
back with the living
I’m just a sinner
Saved by grace

How could I boast on anything
I’ve ever seen or done
how could I dare to claim as mine
the victories GOD has won
where would I be
had GOD not brought me
gently to this place
I’m here to say I’m nothing but
a sinner
Saved by grace

I’m just a sinner
Saved by grace
when I stood condemned to death
He took my place
Now I grow and breathe in freedom
with each breath of life I take
I’m loved and forgivin
back with the living
I’m just a sinner
Saved by grace

Now I grow and breathe in freedom
with each breath of life I take
I’m loved and forgivin
back with the living
I’m just a sinner
Saved by grace
Saved by grace

Click on the link: Sinner Saved by Grace. 

Hearing George and Glenn sing this song makes me go to “a snottin’.”   I’m just a worthless scumbag.  A pitiful excuse for a man.  During the song the camera pans to Donnie Sumner(J. D.’s nephew).  He’s the one not singing.  You can tell by his complexion, the song is his testimony.  Mine, too.

If you will be honest, it’s your testimony , too.

During Glen Payne’s second  verse of this song:

How could I boast on anything
I’ve ever seen or done
how could I dare to claim as mine
the victories GOD has won
where would I be
had GOD not brought me
gently to this place
I’m here to say I’m nothing but
a sinner
Saved by grace

II Corinthians 3:5   Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.

The  Apostle Paul wrote this song.  He didn’t.  But, he could have.  He knew he was the instigator, the persecutor of the Way.

Galatians 1:13    For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.

He was confronted by God on the road to Damascus.

Acts 9:1-5   Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And Paul said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.

Paul decribed himself as the chief of sinners.  I believe the Bible is without error except for the following verse.

I Timothy 1:15  It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. (Paul’s letter to Timothy)

Paul wasn’t the chief of sinners.  I am.  I’m just a sinner saved by Grace.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

P.S. I can not speak. I growl.  Yesterday I had 315 hits to this blog.  I do not know 315 people.  My mother and my five friends quit revisiting the blog a dozen times a day.

January 9, 2009

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS(1857)

What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!

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?
Jesus knows over every weakness, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavyladen, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy firends 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.

When Joseph Scriven was asked who wrote the words to the poem he had on his wall he said, “The Lord and I did it between us.” The poem was “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Joseph Scriven (1819-1886) learned early in life to give his griefs to the Lord. On the eve of his wedding day, his bride was found drowned. This crushed him. He left his homeland of Ireland and moved to Port Hope, Canada. He found Jesus to be his best friend and decided to give his life to be a friend and a help to others. He became known as the “Good Samaritan of Port Hope.” He wrote the poem “What A Friend We Have in Jesus” as an encouragement for his sick mother. We, like Scriven’s mother, are reminded again that we have a friend who wants to know our cares, griefs, burdens, temptations, trials, sins, pain, and sorrows. Jesus is that friend. Have you spoken to Him today?

The above paragraph was taken from the book 101 Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck.   Click on the link: Odetta and Tennessee Ernie Ford.   If you have time (9:29) click on Chonda Pierce.

Proverbs 18:24b  …there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Deuteronomy 31:6,8  6“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you He will not fail you or forsake you.”   8“The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you, He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Glory!  These three verses comforts my soul.  I never feel discouraged because the Lord is with me and He goes before me.  I never had a brother but I had teammates.  They had my back.  On Danny’s Day at the golf tournment teammates drove hours to encourage me.  The support from the community was overwhelming.  A Breakfast, a Ladies Luncheon, Golf Tournament and evening Banquet were the brainchild of Chuck Harris – a teammate.  Chuck is still A.D.D. but he has a good heart.  My wife and I were thankful for the outpouring of love but we celebrated the day after.  Peace.  We didn’t like to be the center of attention.

But, I like the attention of my Lord and Savior. 

Matthew 28:20 (Jesus said)   …I am with you always…

Joseph Scriven was a praying man.  Twice in each of the three verses he mentioned Prayer.  Communication between friends is important. I talk to people through a computer program.  I like the British accent program best.  I talk to Jesus through my blog.  I read the scripture(intake) and speak the truth in love.  How long has it been since you had a meaningful conversation? With your spouse?  Children?  Friends?  Jesus?

Jesus wants to be your best friend.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D  

January 10, 2009

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
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.

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!

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.

by Horatio Spafford

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” -Psalm 46:1

      This beloved gospel hymn text’s author, Horatio Gates Spafford, had known peaceful and happy days as a successful young attorney in Chicago, Illinois. He was the father of four lovely daughters, a deeply spiritual and devoted student of the Scriptures, and a loyal supporter and friend of D. L. Moody and many of the other evangelical leaders of his day. Then he experienced a series of calamities, beginning with the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which wiped out much of the family’s real estate investments.

      Two years later, when Moody and Ira Sankey left for Great Britain to conduct an evangelistic crusade, Spafford decided to lift the spirits of his family by taking them on a vacation to Europe. He also planned to assist with the Moody-Sankey meetings. Interestingly, it is reported that shortly before leaving, the family attended a service in Chicago where Moody was preaching. At that meeting all four Spafford girls made personal professions of Christ as Savior.

      In November of 1873, at the time of the family’s scheduled departure, Horatio was detained unexpectedly by some urgent business matters, but he sent his wife and four daughters as planned on the S.S. Ville du Havre, promising to join them shortly in Europe. Halfway across the Atlantic Ocean, the ship was struck by an English vessel and sank in twelve minutes. All four of the Spafford daughters–Tanetta, Maggie, Annie, and Bessie–were among the 226 passengers who drowned. Mrs. Spafford was one of the few who were miraculously rescued. As Horatio was busily packing, there was a knock at the door, and he was handed a cable which read simply: “Saved alone. Your wife.”

      Horatio Spafford spent hour after hour on the deck of the ship carrying him to rejoin his sorrowing wife in Cardiff, Wales. It is said that when the ship passed the approximate area where his precious daughters had drowned, Spafford received sustaining comfort from God that enabled him to respond, “When sorrows like sea billows roll–whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well with my soul.”

Click on the link - “It is well with my Soul”(2 Verses).   Or click  to listen to Larry Ford sing 3 verses.

Wintley Phipps said, “It is in the quiet crucible of your personal private sufferings that your noblest dreams are born, and God’s greatest gifts are given – in compensation for what you’ve been through.

I could not find all the verses sung(in quality).  This song has rich, powerful lyrics.  No matter what the circumstances, God will sustain you through it.

I can almost hear the trumpet(last verse).

Danny D

January 11, 2009

GOD WALKS THE DARK HILLS

God walks the dark hills
The ways, the by ways
He walks through the billows
Of life’s troubled sea
He walks through the cold dark night
The shadows of midnight
God walks the dark hills
Just to guide you and me

Chorus:
God walks the dark hills
To guide my footsteps
He walks everywhere
By night and by day
He walks in the silence
On down the highway
God walks the dark hills
To show me the way.

God walks in the storm
The rain and the sunshine
He walks on the billows
Or through glimmering light
Helps us walk up the mountain so high
Cross our rivers through valleys
God walks the dark hills
‘Cause he loves you and me

This song was one Vestal Goodman sang better than anybody else. Click the link – “God Walks the Dark Hills”.

We all go through dark hills, mountains and valleys. 

Click on the link – “Footprints”.

I looked up the definition of billows.  It means:

1. A large wave or swell of water.
2. A great swell, surge, or undulating mass, as of smoke or sound.

God is aware of our situation.  And, He promises not to run off and hide.  Meditate on the following chapter.

PSALMS 139 (New Living Translation)

1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
      and know everything about me.
 2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
      You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
 3 You see me when I travel
      and when I rest at home.
      You know everything I do.
 4 You know what I am going to say
      even before I say it, Lord.
 5 You go before me and follow me.
      You place your hand of blessing on my head.
 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
      too great for me to understand!

 7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
      I can never get away from your presence!
 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
      if I go down to the grave,you are there.
 9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
      if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
 10 even there your hand will guide me,
      and your strength will support me.
 11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
      and the light around me to become night—
 12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
      To you the night shines as bright as day.
      Darkness and light are the same to you.

 13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
      and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
      Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
      as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
 16 You saw me before I was born.
      Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
   Every moment was laid out
      before a single day had passed.

 17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
      They cannot be numbered!
 18 I can’t even count them;
      they outnumber the grains of sand!
   And when I wake up,
      you are still with me!

 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
      test me and know my anxious thoughts.
 24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
      and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Read Psalms 139 everyday for a month and the devil will have to flee.  And, the pity party.

God walks the dark hills to show me the way.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D  

  

January 12, 2009

I’M NOT GIVING UP

I’ve been walkin’ through the valley, thru this vale of tears;
At times I’ve even questioned even if my Lord was near.
Many times that ol’ tempter says, “Why not turn around?
You can’t get any farther, you’re just losin’ ground.”

But, I’m not givin’ up, no, I’m not turnin’ ’round,
By the grace of God, I’ll win a shinin’ crown someday.
Well, I’ll keep holdin’ on to that nail scarred hand;
I’m not givin’ up, No, I’ll keep goin’ on.

Would you mind to tell me, there’s been something bothering me?
Why is it that old devil just won’t let God’s children be?
You see he has purposed and determined to get right in the way;
And turn us from the way of life and lead our souls astray.

Click on the link – Gold City Quartet.

 II Timothy 4:7,8

 7  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;  8  in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

You want to wear a crown of righteousness one day?  Never give up.

Tim Allen plays the commander in the movie  “Galaxy Quest” – a spoof of Star Trek.  I checked the script and found these lines.  A subordinate suggests “surrender” as the only option. 

                            COMMANDER(Allen)
                            “No, never give up… NEVER surrender!”

My father, Byron, was a fighter.  He contracted colon cancer at age 52 and lived until 57.  Through 7 operations and countless tests and procedures, he maintained a positive attitude and a will to live.  I remember the colostomy(bag) never interfering with his golf swing.   

I was in the room when he took his last breath.   During the previous night my mom and dad had been singing “When They Ring Those Golden Bells”.  Larry Flanagan, the Minister of Music at First Baptist sang it at dad’s funeral.  When you want me to go “a snottin’ “, just tickle the ivories with this tune.  Click on the link to hear – HH Gospel Quartet.

Satan is in the battle for the long haul.  You better be, too.  The devil knows which buttons to push to make us doubt, deny and disobey.  Blow the dust off of your Bible and use it. 

John 8:31    So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;  32   and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

I’m not giving up!

The Cathedrals sing a song that goes with this theme.   I know it’s three songs in one day but I don’t mind.  Hope you will forgive me.  Click on the link – “Keep on the Firing Line”.

If you’re in the battle for the Lord and right,
Keep on the firing line;
If you win, my brother, surely you must fight,
Keep on the firing line;
There are many dangers that we all must face,
If we die still fighting it is no disgrace;
Cowards in the service will not find a place,
So keep on the firing line.

Refrain:
Oh, you must fight, be brave against all evil,
Never run, nor even lag behind;
If you would win for God and the right,
Just keep on the firing line.

God will only use the soldier He can trust,
Keep on the firing line;
If you’ll wear a crown then bear the cross you must,
Keep on the firing line.
Life is but to labor for the Master dear,
Help to banish evil and to spread good cheer;
Great you’ll be rewarded for your service here,
So keep on the firing line.

I wanna be a soldier in the Army of the Lord.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

January 13, 2009

Rodney Griffin (Songs of Greater Vision [BMI])

One day, four men brought a crippled man to Jesus
Still and lifeless, he lay upon his bed
He had not moved since he was just a baby
Still he longed to become a normal man

Now we don’t know much about the men that carried
The corners of his tattered bed that day
But if we may create an illustration
We’ll see what these men might have had to say

Suppose that first man said, “I hate to doubt it
For Jesus touched my eyes when I was blind
He made me see and there’s no doubt about it
But this man’s needs are more serious than mine”

Suppose that second man said, “No need to bother
This man’s condition will remain the same
Though Jesus touched my hand when it was withered
I don’t believe He can heal a man so lame”

Suppose that third man said, “I hate to question
But no one here is more skeptical than me
Though Jesus cleansed me when I was a leper
This helpless man will never walk, you see”

Then every eye was turned to the fourth man
To see how he might criticize and doubt
But all three men were startled with amazement
When that fourth man stopped and said his name out loud

He said, “My name is Lazarus, could I testify?
My name is Lazarus, it feels good to be alive
When I in chains of death was bound
This man named Jesus called me out
If you think your little problem is too big for Him to solve
Take it from the one who’s heard the mighty voice of God
A living testimony of His death-defying touch, my name is Lazarus”

Click on the link – Greater Vision Trio.

If you think your little problem is too big for Him to solve you’re not thinking correctly. 

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

God is aware of your situation.  He wants to help.  Why are you anxious?  The Lord has a plan for your life and it is a good one.

Jeremiah 29:11
‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

All of us have a  role to play in this opera called LIFE.  I  remember when I was in the local theatre, your line was important to set up the next line.  We spent a lot of the rehearsal time “Blocking” = the action of the characters on the stage.  You could get the line delivered with the right motivation, if you delivered the line in the proper place.  There was always a director working with us.  He had the final say to the play.

I remember one play Bill Sims shot me at close range with a pistol.  First time we ran through the scene with the guns loaded with blanks, he aimed beside me at one of my hands.  The gunpowder burned my hand.  He aimed away from my body and the audience never knew.   I died every night. 

God is the final authority and director of LIFE.  He has choreographed some for the lead parts and some to play “bit” parts.  You might have speaking parts and be on stage a lot.  You might be on stage til the end of the play or you might leave and check out early.  When we were performing “A Christmas Carol”, Deb Sneary was the backstage director.  She was never on stage but she was a necessity for the play to be performed right.  You might be a “Deb” or you could be a lead character like “Scrooge”.

God has picked out a role for you.  Don’t act like the first three characters in the song above.

Then every eye was turned to the fourth man
To see how he might criticize and doubt

Be positive and helpful.  Believe the following verse:

Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

The Lord’s has got you playing an important role in LIFE.  Step up and deliver your lines.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D
 

January 14, 2009

GET AWAY JORDAN

(Leader) Get Away
Get Away Jordan
(Leader) Get Away
Get Away Old Chilly Jordan
(Leader) Oh! Get Away
Get Away Jordan
I wanna cross over to see my Lord
(((((((Repeat))))))

(Leader) You know I promised the Lord if he would set me free
I wanna cross over to see my Lord
(Leader) I’ll go on and find out what the end might be
I wanna cross over to see my Lord
(Leader)One day, one day as I was walking along
I wanna cross over to see my Lord
(Leader)Yea, you know I heard a voice but I saw no one
I wanna cross over to see my Lord
(Leader)You know the voice I heard sounded so sweet
I wanna cross over to see my Lord
(Leader) Came down from my head to the sole of my feet
I wanna cross over to see my Lord

(Leader) Get Away
Get Away Jordan
(Leader) Get Away
Get Away Old Chilly Jordan
(Leader) Oh! Get Back
Get back Jordan
I wanna cross over to see my Lord

(Leader)You know one of these mornings it won’t be long
I wanna cross over to see my Lord
(Leader) You gonna look for me child and I’ll be gone
I wanna cross over to see my Lord
(Leader) But a few more risings and settings of the sun
I wanna cross over to see my Lord
(Leader)This old battle be fought and the victory won
I wanna cross over to see my Lord
(Leader) You know the friends that I used to love so dear
I wanna cross over to see my Lord
(Leader) They’ve gone on to Glory and left me here
I wanna cross over to see my Lord

(Leader) When my feet gets cold, my eyes are shut, my body’s been chilled by the hand of death.
Tongue glued to the roof of my mouth, my hands lay folded across my breast, You don’t have to worry about the way I felt, God Almighty done told me he’ll be right there. Pick me up o’er his wings of love, and carry my soul to the Heaven up above. They tell that Jordan is deep and wide, but I promise Mother I’ll see her on the other side.

(Leader) Get Away
Get Away Jordan
(Leader) Get Away
Get Away Old Chilly Jordan
(Leader) Oh! Get Back
Get back Jordan
I wanna cross over to see my Lord

You have to watch the original Statesmen sing this song.  Click on the link – “Get Away Jordan”.  You have to watch the words of this song as they sing it.  When Hovie takes over the lyrics are so fast.   It’s a rap song from the fifties.  Watch the updated version by the Dove Brothers.  They get Hovie and Jake Hess  from the original quartet to join the reprise.

This song is a negro spiritual.  Click on the link – Take 6. 

Jean, my wife, says she can’t understand a word of this song.  This song is describing crossing over Jordan to see my Lord.

God Almighty done told me – it won’t pass in English class but in a Southern Gospel song it works perfectly.  The groups called this type of song “sugar sticks” – a lot of fluff, like cotton candy.  It appealed to all age groups.  The hearing aid crowd likes songs they can tap their foot on.   Sure, they don’t hear the words but they get all excited when the stage starts rocking.  The audience stands during a fast song like this.

I like this song.  It’s a celebration when we die.  

 Get Away Old Chilly Jordan
(Leader) Oh! Get Back
Get back Jordan
I wanna cross over to see my Lord

No sermon today.  Just fluff.   I want a celebration instead of a funeral.  Let it be written, let it be done. 

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D 

 

   

January 15, 2009

How can I say thanks
For all the things you have done for me
Things so undeserved
Yet You gave to prove your love for me
And the voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude
All that I am and ever hope to be
I owe it all to Thee

To God be the glory, to God be the glory
To God be the glory,
For the things He has done
With His blood He has saved me
And with His power He has raised me
To God be the glory,
For the things He has done

Just let me live my life
And let it be pleasing Lord to Thee
And should I gain any praise
Let it go to Calvary

With His blood He has saved me
With His power He has raised me
To God be the glory
For the things He has done

To God be the glory, to God be the glory
To God be the glory,
For the things He has done
With His blood He has saved me
And with His power He has raised me
To God be the glory,
For the things He has done.

Click on the link -”My Tribute”.

You have the option to listen to the author sing his own song.  Click on the link - Andrae Crouch .

My wife, Jean, loves this song.  How can I say thanks = Just say it.  Every parent wants to hear “please” and “thank you”.  Your Heavenly Father likes to hear it, too.  Thank Him for what He’s done.  Open the line of communication.

All that I am and ever hope to be
I owe it all to Thee

1 Chronicles 16:34  Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 

 1 Chronicles 29:13 (NIV) Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

With His blood He has saved me
And with His power He has raised me

1 John 1:7
but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 Corinthians 6:14
Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power.

 AMEN!To God be the glory,
For the things He has done

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

P.S.  This is the 70th blog.  Over 14,200 views/hits.  One day record of 623 view/hits.

January 16, 2009

 

Wonderful Grace of Jesus

by Haldor Lillenas (1885-1959) 

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it,
Where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden,
Setting my spirit free;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Refrain

Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Wonderful grace, all sufficient for me, for even me.
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame,
O magnify the precious Name of Jesus.
Praise His Name!

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching to all the lost,
By it I have been pardoned,
Saved to the uttermost,
Chains have been torn asunder,
Giving me liberty;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Refrain

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching the most defiled,
By its transforming power,
Making him God’s dear child,
Purchasing peace and heaven,
For all eternity;
And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Refrain

Click on the link – Cathedral Quartet.

I loved it when the Cathedrals would gather around one microphone and sing this song acapella. 

My high school Sunday School class at First Baptist would sing this song.  My friend, Rocki Proffitt, and I would sing the bass line.

From a Hymn Stories book -  “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” combines doctrinal truth with a buoyant melody and serves as a good vehicle for teaching the doctrine of grace. It touches on the availability, sufficiency, and efficacy of the salvation offered by grace through faith in Christ, and so carries an appropriate message for believer and unbeliever alike.  Wonderful Grace Of Jesus was first published, in 1922, in the Tabernacle Choir Book, for which Mr. Lillenas was paid the grand sum of $5.00.   

First stanza -  Wonderful grace of Jesus, Greater than all my sin.  Not some of my sin, but all my sin.  

Second stanza -   Saved to the uttermost, Chains have been torn asunder, Giving me liberty. 

Hebrews 7:25(KJV)
Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Third stanza -  Purchasing peace and heaven, For all eternity; And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.  Grace purchased Peace and Heaven for all eternity.

That’s a good deal.  If you haven’t accepted the free gift of God’s Grace through Jesus Christ now is that day. 

The Refrain - 

 Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Wonderful grace, all sufficient for me, for even me.
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame,
O magnify the precious Name of Jesus.
Praise His Name!

This zippy chorus, sung with its various parts, highlights the matchless Grace of Jesus. Magnify His Holy Name!

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

 

 

 

 

January 17, 2009

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone will I glory
Though I could pride myself in battles won
For I’ve been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength alone I’ll overcome
Oh, I could stop and count successes like diamonds in my hands
But those trophies could not equal to the grace by which I stand

In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

In Christ alone do I glory
For only by His grace I am redeemed
For only His tender mercy
Could reach beyond my weakness to my need
And now I seek no greater honor in just to know Him more
And to count my gains but losses to the glory of my Lord

In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

Click on the link – Michael English. 

There are two songs with the same title: “In Christ Alone”.  The one above is written(1993) by Brian Littrell of the Backstreet Boys.

The following song with the same title has the lyrics on the screen.  This song was written(2001) by Stuart Townsend, music by Keith Getty.   Click on the link – In Christ Alone.

Each song has great lyrics.  Let us examine Littrell’s version chorus:

In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

My trust, my strength, my hope is Christ alone.  In every victory let it be said of me…Christ Alone.

Townsend’s and Getty’s version:

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev’ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow’r of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.

My hope, my light, my strength, my hope, my comforter, my all in all, my destiny…In Christ Alone.

No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.

AMEN!

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

January 18, 2009

THE OLD LANDMARK

Let us all (all go back) to the old (old landmark)
Let us all (all go back) to the old (old landmark)
Let us all (all go back) to the old (old landmark)
And we’ll stay in the service of the Lord

Let us kneel (kneel and pray) in the old (old time way)
Let us kneel (kneel and pray) in the old (old time way)
Let us kneel (kneel and pray) in the old (old time way)
He will (hear us) and be (near us)
We’ll be (given) bread from (heaven)
He will feed us until we want no more

Let us preach (preach the word) in the old (old time way)
Let us preach (preach the word) in the old (old time way)
Let us preach (preach the word) in the old (old time way)
Tell the (story) of His (glory),
it will (warn me) it will (turn me)
and will save this world from sin and shame

Let’s go down (down to the old river) in the old (old time way)
Let’s go down (down to the old river) in the old (old time way)
Let’s go down (down to the old river) in the old (old time way)
Sons and (daughters) there in the (water)
Everyone (shouting) nobody (doubting)
Everyone happy in the service of the Lord

Let us all (all go back) to the old (old landmark)
Let us all (all go back) to the old (old landmark)
Let us all (all go back) to the old (old landmark)
He will (hear us) and be (near us)
We’ll be (given) bread from (heaven)
Tell the (story) of His (glory),
it will (warn me) it will (turn me)
Sons and (daughters) there in the (water)
Everyone (shouting) nobody (doubting)
Stay in the service of the Lord

Click on the link – Statesmen Quartet.

I couldn’t find the original lyrics so I had to copy the lyrics of James Brown in the Blues Brothers.  Watch Jake, Denver and Hovie on the video above.  My wife calls this song “zippy”.  This song is another “sugar stick” – fluff, cotton candy.

On the Gaither video “landmark” they go back to the original old church – a lap board sided church out in the sticks.  My grandfather said, “Never forget where you come from”.  I grew up in North Dalton and lived in a small duplex on Matilda Street.  We walked to school – 4 blocks.  We walked to the Recreation Center.  My mom and dad worked.  We moved to Dug Gap Road when I was in the second grade at North Dalton.  One day my dad forgot to pick me up from school and I walked the five miles – through the snow and hurricane.

The Dantzler clan has a reunion in August.  There’s a cousin that takes the “in-laws business” very serious.  She has spent most of her life researching.  She talked about a settlement near Dantzler Circle in north Whitfield county.  It was called Dantzler town by the locals.  There’s nothing there now except a cemetery on Beaverdale Road.

There is a Dantzler Avenue off Underwood Street.  My great grandfather was named Roan Dantzler.  My cousin pronounced it as Ro – An.  Roan Street School is named after my great grandfather.

Landmarks are significant parts of our lives.  We need to identify positive, constructive memories.  I got chewed out one day at 8th Grade basketball practice.   The coach told me I would never amount to anything.  He said, “I was lazy, spoiled and not a good athlete.”    I thank that coach every day.  He was a landmark in my athletic life.  I was bound and determined to prove him wrong.

How have you used landmarks in the past to steer your thinking today?  We are a product of the past.  You gotta relate positive, constructive landmarks/memories to your children.  Watts has been asking me to type out significant memories of my teen years. 

Watch Ernie Haase and Signature Sound sing this song with a modern twist. 

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D 

      

January 19, 2009

              GOD LEADS US ALONG

1. In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
   God leads His dear children along;
   Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet,
   God leads His dear children along.
   • Refrain:
     Some through the waters, some through the flood,
     Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
     Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
     In the night season and all the day long.
2. Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
   God leads His dear children along;
   Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
   God leads His dear children along.
3. Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose,
   God leads His dear children along;
   Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
   God leads His dear children along.
4. Away from the mire, and away from the clay,
   God leads His dear children along;
   Away up in glory, eternity’s day,
   God leads His dear children along.

Click on the link – God Lead Us Along.

Michael English inserts two stanzas from Precious Lord, Take My Hand:

When my way grows drear precious LORD linger near
When my life is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand the lest I fall
Take my hand precious LORD, lead me home

Precious LORD take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious LORD, lead me home

I love this arrangement.   I like the third stanza:

Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose,
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,

Romans 8:37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

“We overwhelmingly conquer” – Victory in Jesus.  The world’s best guarantee!  100%!  You can’t lose. 

Michael English inserted the two stanzas for me.  When my way grows drear – my life is the pits.  I get weaker every day.  Precious LORD linger near – He has.  Without His presence, without hope, I would have considered suicide.  When my life is almost gone – only months to live.  Hear my cry, hear my call – Psalm 106:44    He looked upon their distress when He heard their cry.   Psalm 34:17  The righteous cry, and the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.  Hold my hand the lest I fall - my legs, once described as tree trunks, are pitiful.  I have fallen three times.  Take my hand precious LORD, lead me home – He has a firm grip on me, thankfully.

Precious LORD take my hand Lead me on, let me stand - 1 Corinthians 15:1  Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand.  I am tired, I am weak, I am worn – Lou Gehrig’s disease(ALS) is  a disease of the nervous system.  For some reason the neurons die.  The muscles do not get the message to receive nourishment.  Over time the voluntary muscles shrink.  Through the storm, through the night – Through the disease…Lead me on to the light   Take my hand precious LORD, lead me home. Ephesians 5:8  for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light.

Jesus has me just where He wants me - totally dependent on Him.

 Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long. The third line of the refrain was the brainchild of this blog.   Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song -  I wanted to include a song with each blog.  Songs, to me, express the majesty and wonder of my Heavenly Father.  I admit I am stuck on one style - that really speaks to my heart.  My children like contemporary Christian music.  There’s hope for them.  Not me.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

January 20, 2009

“Rock of Ages”

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure. From a hymn story book:

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

 Augustus M. Toplady, 1740–1778

According to a famous but largely unsubstantiated story, Rev. Toplady drew his inspiration from an incident in the famous gorge of Burrington Combe, a Mendip gorge close to Cheddar Gorge in England. Toplady, a preacher in the nearby village of Blagdon, was travelling along the gorge when he was caught in a storm. Finding shelter in a gap in the gorge, he was struck by the title and scribbled down the initial lyrics on a playing card.

The fissure that is believed to have sheltered Toplady is now marked as the ‘Rock of Ages’, both on the rock itself and on some maps, and is also reflected in the name of a nearby tea shop.

Others have viewed the hymn as a criticism of the theology of John Wesley and the early Methodists, citing the line, ‘Thou must save, and Thou alone’. This line was believed to refer to the Wesleyan notion that human beings may exercise free will and thus play a role in salvation, an idea which Toplady and his Calvinist colleagues rejected.

The hymn was a favourite of Prince Albert, who asked it to be played to him on his deathbed, as did Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart. It was also played at the funeral of William Ewart Gladstone.

In his book Hymns That Have Helped, W. T. Stead reported “when the London went down in the Bay of Biscay, 11 January 1866, the last thing which the last man who left the ship heard as the boat pushed off from the doomed vessel was the voices of the passengers singing “Rock of Ages”.

Click on the link – Cynthia Clawson.

I love this song.  I’ve loved all the songs I have selected.  If you aren’t satisfied – that’s tuff stuff.  Start your own blog with your favorites.

Isaiah 26:4 Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.

 Jim Hamill, of the Kingsmen Quartet, sung the below song.  He would play with the song, going falsetto.   He died in 2007.  Click on the link – Jim Hamill.

 

The Gaither Vocal Band sings this song, too.  To hear GVB – click on the link – Hide Thou Me.

Elvis sings a short version – ELVIS.

ROCK OF AGES HIDE THOU ME

sometimes I feel discouraged
and I think my works in vain
I’m tempted oft(en) to murmur
to grumble and complain
ohh…but then I think of Jesus
and all he’s done for me

then I cry

ohh…rock of ages
hide thou me
ohh…rock of ages
hide thou me

there is no other refuge
can save, Lord,  but thee
and through this dark world
I’ve wandered far, far from thee

then I cry
ohh…rock of ages
hide (dear Lord) thou me
(hide thou me)

 Rock of Ages, cleft for me.  Cleft: A space or opening made by splitting; a crack; a crevice; as, the cleft of a rock.  Jesus, the Rock Of Ages provided a cleft, an opening for me and you.

 

Isaiah 2:21  In order to go into the caverns of the rocks and the clefts of the cliffs before the terror of the LORD and the splendor of His majesty, when He arises to make the earth tremble.

God is HOLY.  We can not enter His presence for all have sinned.  The splendor of His majesty prohibits fellowship of mere mortals.  We would create a stinch(stink) in Heaven.  But, we have an Advocate.

 1 John 2:1  [ Christ Is Our Advocate ] …And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;

Thank Him for His great gift to us.  Jesus’, the Righteous, death on the cross, an innocent sacrifice, made the only way to have fellowship with a Holy God.  His shed blood payed our sin debt.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne

Our key to heaven is faith in Jesus.  I hate the gators but I admire Tim Tebow.  Against oklahoma he wore John 3:16 on his eye patches. 

John 3:16 (NASB)   For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

 

 

 

 

 

January 21, 2009

WHO AM I?  by Rusty Goodman

When I think of how He came so far from glory
Came to dwell among the lowly such as I
To suffer shame and such disgrace
On Mount Calvary take my place
Then I ask myself this question
Who am I?

Who am I that The King would bleed and die for
Who am I that He would pray not my will, Thine Lord
The answer I may never know
Why He ever loved me so
But to that old rugged cross He’d go
For who am I?

When I’m reminded of His words
I’ll leave Him never
If you’ll be true I’ll give to you life forever
Oh I wonder what I could have done
To deserve God’s only Son
To fight my battles until they’re won
For who am I?

Who am I that The King would bleed and die for
Who am I that He would pray not my will, Thine  Lord
The answer I may never know
Why He ever loved me so
But to that old rugged cross He’d go
For who am I?
But to an old rugged cross He’d go for, who am I?

Click on the link – Tanya Goodman Sykes, Rusty’s daughter.

Who am I?

There are at least 4 songs with the same title – some Christian, some not.  I like the Happy Goodman Family’s version of this song.

Who am I?

The King of Kings left heaven to dwell with mankind.

Who am I?

To suffer shame and such disgrace – a mockery of a trial, the chants of the mob and the public beating.

Who am I?

On Mount Calvary take my place – He was innocent.  I was/am guilty.

Who am I?

He would pray not my will, Thine Lord – Jesus was submissive to the Father.   I wanna be.

Who am I?

Why He ever loved me so – if you alone was occupying this planet, Jesus would have gone to the cross for you.

Who am I?

To fight my battles until they’re won – victory in Jesus.

Who am I?

This song expresses my feelings on GRACE.  I’m reminded of the joke – a lady goes in to a beauty shop and asked, “Do you think that you could do me justice?”  The hairdresser replies, “You don’t need justice – you need mercy and grace!”

Who am I?

If the Lord worked on the basis of justice, all would be lost.

Who am I?

Romans  3:10   as it is written,
         ”THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
    11THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
         THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
    12ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
         THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
         THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”

Who am I?

I am sinner saved by GRACE.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

January 22, 2009

A LITTLE TALK WITH JESUS

by Cleavant Derricks

I once was lost in sin but Jesus took me in
And then a little light from heaven filled my soul
It bathed my heart in love and wrote my name above
And just a little talk with Jesus made me whole

Refrain:
Now let us - have a little talk with Jesus
Let us - tell Him all about our troubles
He will – hear our faintest cry
And He will - answer by and by
Now when you –  feel a little prayer wheel turning
And you know - a little fire is burning
You will find  – a little talk with Jesus makes it right

Sometimes my path seems dreary without a ray of cheer
And then the cloud about me hides the light of day
The mists in me rise and hide the stormy skies
But just a little talk with Jesus clears the way

Refrain

I may have doubts and fears, my eyes be filled with tears
But Jesus is a friend who watches day and and night
I go to Him in prayer, He knows my every care
And just a little talk with Jesus makes it right

Refrain

Click on the link – A  LITTLE  TALK  WITH  JESUS.   You can watch Brenda Lee and Elvis sing this song  on You Tube.  Reverend Cleavant Derricks has many outstanding credits–pastor, church builder, choir director, poet, musician, and composer of note, having written more than 300 songs and several song books. Among his more famous songs are the much-recorded and performed “Just A Little Talk with Jesus”, “When God Dipped His Love In My Heart”, “We’ll Soon Be Done With Troubles and Trials”, and “When He Blessed My Soul”. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001.

The lyrics of this song lift me up.  We sang this song in my grandfather’s church all the time.

First stanza -  I once was lost in sin but Jesus took me in – He looked beyond by faults and saw my need: that’s from a Dottie Rambo song – And then a little light from heaven filled my soul - God is light -  It bathed my heart in love and wrote my name above - the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Second stanza – Sometimes my path seems dreary without a ray of cheer - the road of Lou Gehrig’s disease is not a happy trail – And then the cloud about me hides the light of day – the outlook is bleak - The mists in me rise and hide the stormy skies – after the little talk with Jesus, it doesn’t look so bleak.

Third stanza - I may have doubts and fears, my eyes be filled with tears - I don’t doubt, I’m dealing with fear and my crying is uncontrollable(side effect of my disease) - But Jesus is a friend who watches day and and night - the truth of that statement is lived out daily around here; I was up from 3:30a to 7:00a last night – I go to Him in prayer, He knows my every care - after I prayed I went back to bed at 7 and slept til 10:30; the Lord giveth and taketh away.

And just a little talk with Jesus makes it right – AMEN

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

January 23, 2009

THE ANCHOR HOLDS

I have journeyed
through the long dark night
out on the open sea
by faith alone
sight unknown
and yet his eyes were watching me

CHORUS
the anchor holds
though the ship is battered
the anchor holds
though the sails are torn
I have fallen on my knees
as I faced the raging seas
the anchor holds
in spite of the storm

I’ve had visions
I’ve had dreams
I’ve even held them in my hand
but I never knew
they would slip right through
like they were only grains of sand

CHORUS

I have been young
but I am older now
and there has been beauty these eyes have seen
but it was in the night
through the storms of my life
ohh thats where God proved his love to me

CHORUS

Click on the link – The Anchor Holds by Donnie Sumner.

Click on the link – Donnie Sumner Testimony.

Thankfully, I know nothing about the “drug” scenario.  When Mr. Sumner tells about his experience on the “dark side”,  I can’t relate.  I don’t even drink wine and I’ve never taken drugs.  So, I don’t have a “great” testimony.  But, I do have a mundane testimony.

Hebrews 6:18-20 (NASB) 18 so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.  19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, 20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

At Boat Church on Lake Rabun we use to have an anchor for the twenty-five minute service.  We no longer have an anchor, but use paddles to stay near the Clayton Methodist barge.  In the old days an anchor would position our boat in one place.  Sure, the wind would blow you one way.  But that’s what the paddles are for.

We have an anchor.  We don’t need to drift.

Ephesians 4:14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.

Grow up.  Jean and I are watching TLC’s  ”What Not To Wear”.  It’s a 33 woman, office supervisor, who wants to be a teen biker.  She had short black skirts and since she was overweight, she looked like (Clinton words) “trailer trash”.  Clinton and Stacy, the hosts, confronted her.  They told her she was not a teenager any more.

“we are no longer to be children” – we are to be mature.

I have been young
but I am older now

Read these verses about maturity.

1 Corinthians 2:6
[ Wisdom From the Spirit ] We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
1 Corinthians 2:5-7 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 2 (Whole Chapter)

Ephesians 4:13
until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 4:12-14 (in Context) Ephesians 4 (Whole Chapter)

Philippians 3:15
All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
Philippians 3:14-16 (in Context) Philippians 3 (Whole Chapter)

Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
Colossians 4:11-13 (in Context) Colossians 4 (Whole Chapter)

Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Hebrews 5:13-14 (in Context) Hebrews 5 (Whole Chapter)

James 1:4
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:3-5 (in Context) James 1 (Whole Chapter)

Grow up and be mature.  Your anchor holds.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

January 24, 2009

 

 SHAPE NOTES

 

 

Notice every note has a different shape.   There is just seven different notes in an octave.  You have to click on the two links below to hear what they sound like.

O HAPPY DAY!

O happy day, that fixed my choice
On Thee, my Savior and my God!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
And tell its raptures all abroad.

Refrain:
He taught me how to watch and pray,
And live rejoicing every day:
O Happy day, O happy day,
When Jesus washed my sins away!

1.  Click on the link – O happy day.

2.  Click on the link – Cathedrals.

Shape-note singing is a tradition of sacred music originating in the American South in the early 19th century. It is for the singers’ enjoyment, not for performance; many shape-note enthusiasts have said they would cross the country to sing it, but would not cross the street to listen to it.

Singers arrange themselves in four sections facing each other in a square and sing parts from a book called The Sacred Harp. The book features a unique notation in which each note head has one of seven shapes, hence the name. Each shape corresponds to a solfeg syllable: do, re, mi, fa, so, la, or ti. The method was originally intended as a tool for teaching music, but it is not necessary to learn the method if you can read music a little or follow the singers next to you.

There are groups still meeting to sing shape notes - mostly rural.   The seven-shape (Aiken) system is commonly used by the Mennonites and Amish. Numerous songbooks are printed in shaped notes for this market. They include the Christian Hymnal, the Christian Hymnary, Zion’s Praises, Pilgrim’s Praises, the Church Hymnal, and Silver Gems in Song.

My ancestors use to gather at the court house steps and shape note sing.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

January 25, 2009

WE SHALL BEHOLD HIM

The sky shall unfold
Preparing His entrance
The stars shall applaud Him
With thunders of praise

The sweet light in His eyes, shall enhance those awaiting
And we shall behold Him, then face to face

O we shall behold Him, we shall behold Him
Face to face in all of His glory
O we shall behold Him, yes we shall behold hiom
Face to face, our Savior and Lord

The angel will sound, the shout of His coming
And the sleeping shall rise, from their slumbering place
And those remaining, shall be changed in a moment
And we shall behold him, then face to face

We shall behold Him, o yes we shall behold Him
Face to face in all of His glory
We shall behold Him, face to face
Our Savior and Lord
We shall behold Him, our Savior and Lord
Savior and Lord!

Click on the link – 1983 Sandi Patty.   If you want to watch the interaction between Sandi and the writer, Dottie Rambo, click on the link - We Shall Behold Him.

I was watching an interview of Sandi Patty years ago.  Sandi said, “God gave me the ability to scream on key”.  The last note is up thar.  If I tried to hit that note, I would get a hernia in my diaphragm.

 1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

1 Corinthians 15:50-57
The Mystery of Resurrection

 50 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.  51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,   52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.   53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.  54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.   55 “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?”   56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;   57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

This song reminds me of the blog on November 2, 2008 “We Shall See Jesus”.  I had to play Glen.   I had been a snottin’ over Sandi’s song and I started up again.  

The angel will sound, the shout of His coming
And the sleeping shall rise, from their slumbering place
And those remaining, shall be changed in a moment
And we shall behold him, then face to face

This is my favorite stanza of the song.  It will happen quick; don’t blink or you’ll miss it.  From verse 51  “…we will be changed”.   And from verse 53 “…this perishable must put on the imperishable”.  I had to go to the basketball game last night in a wheelchair.  My leg muscles are almost gone.  I use my walker around the house and just standing up is difficult.  I can’t wait to get my new body.  Forget the age, wrinkles, gray hair, etc.- I can’t stand the weak muscles from ALS.  Big “Pete” Wilson calls me a former athlete.  My wife and I would walk around the neighborhood.  Out of college I ran in a 3.1(5000 K) in 22 minutes.   One day I walked 72 holes of golf carrying my bag.  Luckily, my fingers are able to peck on the keyboard.  Repeat: I can’t wait to get my new body.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

January 26, 2009

God Will Make A Way
By Janet Paschal

Must have felt strange to end up stranded between an army and the sea
They must have felt forsaken wondering why God wasn’t all He said He’d be
When your back’s against the wall
It’s the hardest place of all
But somewhere between provisions and impossibility

Chorus

God will make a way
When there seems to be no way
Forever He is faithful
He will make a road
When you bear a heavy load
I know, God will make a way

Bridge

When a wall of circumstances leaves you crying in the night
And you struggle til your strength is almost gone
God will gently hold you in the shelter of His heart
And carve a road for you to carry on.
So carry on, so travel on

Click on the link – God Will Make A Way.

Exodus 14    Crossing the Red Sea

21 Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. 22 So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!

 23 Then the Egyptians—all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers—chased them into the middle of the sea. 24 But just before dawn the Lord looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion. 25 He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. “Let’s get out of here—away from these Israelites!” the Egyptians shouted. “The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!”

 26 When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the Lord said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers.” 27 So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the Lord swept them into the sea. 28 Then the waters returned and covered all the chariots and charioteers—the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived.

 29 But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides. 30 That is how the Lord rescued Israel from the hand of the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the seashore. 31 When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

Isaiah 43:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you; when you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.

When you face difficult circumstances, God is faithful to provide a way of escape. 

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

When I first heard the words “You’ve got Lou Gehrig’s Disease”, I thought …God has a plan for me – a different, difficult path.  He has prepared me – by blessing my family and me, personally.  I’ve studied the scriptures and know God’s truths.  God is good -all the time.  If I have ALS, it’s the best for me.  I won’t live as long as some want.  Many others have lived shorter lives.  

God is just concerned with the final destination.  From the little baby to a person who lives to be a hundred, eternity will be forever.  Your life is a syringe of water.  Some syringes are full and some syringes are not so full.  Compared to this life’s span, heaven will be like an ocean.  Stop complaining about your syringe.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

January 27, 2009

PEACE IN THE VALLEY

Well, I’m tired and so weary
But I must go along
Till the lord will come and call, call me away, oh yeah
Well the morning’s so bright
And the Lamb is the light
And the night, night is as black as the sea, oh yes
(alt lyric: ‘and the night, night is as fair as the day, oh yes’)

(There will be peace in the valley for me, some day)
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
(There’ll be no sadness, no sorrow, my Lord,
no trouble, trouble I see)
There will be peace in the valley for me

Well the bear will be gentle
And the wolf will be tame
And the lion shall lay down, down by the lamb, oh yes
And the beasts from the wild
Shall be led by a child
And I’ll be changed, changed from this creature that I am, oh yes

(There will be peace in the valley for me, some day)
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
(There’ll be no sadness, no sorrow, oh my Lordy, no trouble, trouble I see)
There will be peace in the valley for me, [for me]

Click on the link to watch Elvis sing.

“Peace in the Valley” is a 1939 song written by Thomas A. Dorsey, originally for Mahalia Jackson. The song became a hit in 1951 for Red Foley and the Sunshine Boys. It was the first Gospel recording to sell one million copies.

Isaiah 11:6-9  The wolf will romp with the lamb, the leopard sleep with the kid.  Calf and lion will eat from the same trough, and a little child will tend them. Cow and bear will graze the same pasture, their calves and cubs grow up together, and the lion eat straw like the ox.  The nursing child will crawl over rattlesnake dens, the toddler stick his hand down the hole of a serpent.  Neither animal nor human will hurt or kill on my holy mountain.  The whole earth will be brimming with knowing God-Alive, a living knowledge of God ocean-deep, ocean-wide.

The list of other artists who have performed the song is lengthy, with other popular renditions by Elvis Presley (with backing by The Jordanaires), Johnny Cash from his(click on this link to watch) At San Quentin live album, Loretta Lynn, Screaming Trees, as a b-side to their “Dollar Bill” single, and most recently Faith Hill for a concert special.

This world is black as the night and I’m tired and weary.  We must go along.  One day He’ll call me home where the Lamb is the light and the night is as fair as the day.  No sadness.  No sorrow.

Revelation 21

The New Heaven and Earth

 1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.  2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.  3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,  4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”  5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.

I always loved this song.  I can’t wait for “Peace” in the valley.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

January 28, 2009

I’M AMAZED

No one knew how alone I was feeling
And the emptiness I tried so hard to hide
Though I laughed and said my life was fine without you
I was covering up the secret tears I cried
Then one day someone told me of your mercy
And the love you showed on a hill called Calvary
There you died to purchase my redemption
When you broke sins power and set my spirit free

chorus:
I’m amazed that you love me
I’m amazed how you care
Through your precious blood
I’ve found pardon
And my sins are washed
They’re all washed away
All my sins are washed away

Yes its true there’ve been days when I failed you
Lord you know the many times I’ve gone astray
But I learned Your love is stronger than my weakness

And Your ear is open every time I pray

No one else has ever cared for me like you Lord
Other  friends have been as close to me
I’m not afraid to face the problems of tomorrow
Knowing You are everything I’ll ever need

Click on the link -  Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.  Jason Crabb of the Crabb Family does the verses.

They know how to worship in Brooklyn.  Carol Cymbala directs the choir and husband Jim Cymbala is the senior pastor.  The choir has won six Grammys though neither Carol or Jim had any formal training.  10,000 people attend their services in any given week.   In 1971, Jim’s first year at the church, the attendance was 30 people.

I’m Amazed!

…that You love me

I’m Amazed!

…how You care

I’m Amazed!

…through Your precious blood I’ve found pardon

I’m Amazed!

…my sins are washed away

Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Micah 7:19  He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot;  Yes, You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

The second verse of the song presents life as a test.  You adults thought you were out of school.  You are in a classroom every day of your life. 

I’m Amazed!

…Your love is stronger than any of my weaknesses.

I’m Amazed!

…You are everything I’ll ever need.

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D 

January 29, 2009

 

 I DON’T REGRET A MILE by Howard Goodman

                     CHORUS

         
I DON’T REGRET A MILE I’VE TRAVELED FOR THE LORD.
I DON’T REGRET THE TIME I’VE TRUSTED IN HIS WORD.
I’VE SEEN THE YEARS GO BY MANY DAYS WITHOUT A SONG.
I DON’T REGRET A MILE I’VE TRAVELED FOR THE LORD.

         
                     1ST REC.         
I’VE DREAMED A MANY DREAMS THAT NEVER CAME TRUE
AND I’VE SEEN MANY OF THEM VANISH AT DAWN.
OH BUT ENOUGH OF MY DREAMS HAVE COME TRUE
TO MAKE ME KEEP DREAMING ON.
I’VE PRAYED MANY A PRAYER SEEMED NO ANSWER WOULD COME
THO I WAITED PATIENTLY AND LONG
BUT THERE’S BEEN ANSWERS COME TO ENOUGH OF THOSE PRAYERS
TO MAKE ME KEEP PRAYING ON
I’VE SOWED A MANY SEED THAT’S FELL BY THE WAYSIDE
FOR THE BIRDS TO FEED UPON
BUT I’VE HELD ENOUGH GOLDEN SHEAVES IN MY HAND
TO MAKE ME KEEP SOWING ON
AND I’VE TRUSTED MANY A FRIEND THAT’S FAILED ME
AND LEFT ME TO WEEP ALONE
OH BUT I’VE FOUND ENOUGH OF MY FRIENDS TO BE TRUE BLUE.
TO MAKE ME KEEP TRUSTING ON
SOMETIMES IT SEEMS I’VE DRAWN THE CUP OF DISAPPOINTMENT AND PAIN
AND GONE MANY A DAY WITHOUT A SONG

BUT I’VE SIPPED ENOUGH NECTAR FROM THE ROSES OF LIFE

TO MAKE  ME WANT TO LIVE ON

                  CHORUS

Click on the link – VESTAL AND HOWARD. 

There are three clips on You Tube with Howard, Vestal and Johnny Cook singing this song.  I picked one of the three to link – you might think another one is best.

I love this song.

I DON’T REGRET A MILE I’VE TRAVELED FOR THE LORD.  No regrets

I DON’T REGRET THE TIME I’VE TRUSTED IN HIS WORD.  His WORD is super important.  I did a word search in the King Jimmy Bible for “thy word”.  164 times.  Base your life on His word.  There’s a big word in this line, too.  TRUST.  FAITH.  BELIEVE.  

Hebrews 11:1
[ The Triumphs of Faith ] Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

I’VE SEEN THE YEARS GO BY MANY DAYS WITHOUT A SONG.  It’s a sad day that doesn’t have a southern gospel song in it.  Depressing.

I DON’T REGRET A MILE I’VE TRAVELED FOR THE LORD.

I’VE DREAMED A MANY DREAMS THAT NEVER CAME TRUE
AND I’VE SEEN MANY OF THEM VANISH AT DAWN.
OH BUT ENOUGH OF MY DREAMS HAVE COME TRUE
TO MAKE ME KEEP DREAMING ON.  Dreams.  Psalm 37:4  Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

I’VE PRAYED MANY A PRAYER SEEMED NO ANSWER WOULD COME
THO I WAITED PATIENTLY AND LONG
BUT THERE’S BEEN ANSWERS COME TO ENOUGH OF THOSE PRAYERS
TO MAKE ME KEEP PRAYING ON.  I did a word search on prayer.  508 verses.  There are no atheists in foxholes during war.  There are no atheists rearing teenagers.  We pray every night for our children.

I’VE SOWED A MANY SEED THAT’S FELL BY THE WAYSIDE
FOR THE BIRDS TO FEED UPON
BUT I’VE HELD ENOUGH GOLDEN SHEAVES IN MY HAND
TO MAKE ME KEEP SOWING ON.   Matthew 13, Mark 4 and Luke 8 records the story of the seeds and the sower.

AND I’VE TRUSTED MANY A FRIEND THAT’S FAILED ME
AND LEFT ME TO WEEP ALONE
OH BUT I’VE FOUND ENOUGH OF MY FRIENDS TO BE TRUE BLUE.
TO MAKE ME KEEP TRUSTING ON.   Proverbs 17:17a  A friend loves at all times. I’m married to my best friend.  I have several great friends that are true blue.  Over 200 “friends” log on to this blog every day.

SOMETIMES IT SEEMS I’VE DRAWN THE CUP OF DISAPPOINTMENT AND PAIN
AND GONE MANY A DAY WITHOUT A SONG

 BUT I’VE SIPPED ENOUGH NECTAR FROM THE ROSES OF LIFE

TO MAKE  ME WANT TO LIVE ON.

True, there’s problems in this life, but there’s a lot of good happenings.  Pain and disappointment are out there but there is Victory in Jesus.  God is good.  He’s poured out blessings on us all.  This song is a “count your blessings” type of song.

I don’t regret a mile…

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

January 30, 2009

LIFE’S MOUNTAIN RAILWAY

Life is like a mountain railway,
With an engineer that’s brave.
We must make the run successful,
From the cradle to the grave.
Watch the curves, the fill, the tunnels,
Never falter, never quail.
Keep your hand upon the throttle,
And your eyes upon the rail.

refrain:
Blessed Saviour,
Thou wilt guide us,
Till we reach,
That Blissful shore,
Where the angels,
wait to join us,
In Thy praise
For ever more.

You will roll up grades of trial,
You will cross the bridge of strife.
See that Christ is your Conductor,
Of this lightning train of life.
Always mindful of obstuctions,
Do your duty, never fail.
Keep your hand upon the throttle,
And your eyes upon the rail.

refrain

You will often find obstructions,
Look for storms of wind and rain,
On a fill, or curve, or trestle,
They will almost ditch your train.
Put your trust alone in Jesus,
Never falter, never fail.
Keep your hand upon the throttle,
And your eyes upon the rail.

refrain

As you roll across the trestle,
Spanning Jordan’s swelling tide,
You behold the Union Depot,
Into which your train will drive.
There you’ll meet the Superintendent,
God the Father, God the Son,
With the hearty, joyus plaudit,
“Weary pilgrims, welcome home.”

refrain

Click on the link - Russ Taff – Life’s Mountain Railway.

Russ sings verses 1, 2 and 4.  Johnny Cash sings the first verse and some other verse.  Patsy Cline sings only the first verse.  The Oak Ridge Boys sing verses 1 and 4.  The Statler Brothers sing 1 and 4.   Jerry Lee Lewis sings 1.  I finally found a guy singing(make that sangin’) all four verses but you’ll have the neighbors’ dogs howling.  It’s a pity cause all four verses are good.

First stanza – never falter, never quail = to lose heart or courage in difficulty or danger; shrink with fear.  The verb form of quail means to act like a quail.  The covey of quail hide and you have a dog to flush them out and then they scatter.  You have to look for every single bird.   Don’t lose heart.

2 Samuel 22:46
“Foreigners lose heart, And come trembling out of their fortresses.
2 Samuel 22:45-47 (in Context) 2 Samuel 22 (Whole Chapter)

Luke 18:1
[ Parables on Prayer ] Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,
Luke 18:1-3 (in Context) Luke 18 (Whole Chapter)

2 Corinthians 4:1
[ Paul's Apostolic Ministry ] Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart,
2 Corinthians 4:1-3 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 4 (Whole Chapter)

2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.2 Corinthians 4:15-17 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 4 (Whole Chapter)

Galatians 6:9
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
Galatians 6:8-10 (in Context) Galatians 6 (Whole Chapter)

Ephesians 3:13
Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.
Ephesians 3:12-14 (in Context) Ephesians 3 (Whole Chapter)

Colossians 3:21
Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.
Colossians 3:20-22 (in Context) Colossians 3 (Whole Chapter)

Hebrews 12:3
For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:2-4 (in Context) Hebrews 12 (Whole Chapter)

Read stanzas 2, 3 and 4.  Life is a test and it takes courage.

I’ve visited the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France three times.  Norman Cota was one of the highest ranking officers on the beach that day. He is famous for personally directing the attack, motivating the shell-shocked, pinned-down survivors into action, and opening one of the first vehicle exits off the beach. Two famous quotes are attributed to him during this time.

• In a meeting with Max Schneider, commander of the 5th Ranger Battalion, Cota asked “What outfit is this?” Someone yelled “5th Rangers!”.  To this, Cota replied “Well, gxxdxxx it then, Rangers, lead the way!”.  “Rangers lead the way” became the motto of the Rangers.

• He is also quoted as saying to his troops, “Gentlemen, we are being killed on the beaches. Let us go inland and be killed.”  Interestingly, in the movie The Longest Day, Cota renders the similar encouragement that was, as the evidence best suggests, actually delivered by Colonel George A. Taylor: “There are only two kinds of people who are staying on this beach: those who are already dead and those that are gonna’ die.  Now grab your weapons you’re the fightin’ 29th!”

There is an open colonnade at the memorial beside the reflecting pool.  9,387 American military dead are buried in the 172 acres.  Carved on the inner face of the colonnade’s lintel is the inscription:

THIS EMBATTLED SHORE, PORTAL OF FREEDOM, IS FOREVER HALLOWED BY THE IDEALS, THE VALOR AND THE SACRIFICES OF OUR FELLOW COUNTRYMEN

There is a  Mémorial pour la Paix in Caen, Normandy, France.  The Memorial for Peace has a multimedia show describing what happened on D-Day.  I can not visit the beaches at Normandy without going “a snottin’ “.  I memorized the inscription above and it still brings tears to my eyes.

Courage.  Don’t lose heart.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

January 31, 2009

SINCE JESUS CAME INTO MY HEART

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart!
I have light in my soul for which long I had sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

Refrain

Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Floods of joy o’er my soul
Like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.

I have ceased from my wandering and going astray,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And my sins, which were many, are all washed away,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

Refrain

I’m possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

Refrain

There’s a light in the valley of death now for me,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And the gates of the City beyond I can see,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

Refrain

I shall go there to dwell in that City, I know,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And I’m happy, so happy, as onward I go,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

Refrain

Words: Ru­fus H. Mc­Dan­i­el, 1914. Mc­Dan­i­el wrote these words af­ter the death of his son.

Music: Charles H. Gabriel, 1914

Click on the link – Since Jesus Came Into My Heart.  You can listen to a plethora of artists sing this song.

The tune is catchy.  Fun.  We had a song leader at one church we visited that would hold the first “Since” in the refrain for about five seconds.

Each verse talks about life.  Read the words in each stanza.  They go from “truths” in scripture to “glory” in heaven.  Floods of joy o’er my soul – If the Lord gets any closer to me, I’ll be like Enoch – Genesis 5:24  Enoch walked with God; and he was not (dead), for God took him.  The New Living Translation has  5:24 (Enoch)walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him.  One day in the future do not look for me – for I’ll be gone.  GOD TOOK HIM.

I had too many words in yesterday’s post/blog.  Brevity will triumph today.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

February 1, 2009

Tempted and tried, we’re oft made to wonder
Why it should be thus all the day long;
While there are others living about us,
Never molested, though in the wrong.

Refrain:
Farther along we’ll know more about it,
Farther along we’ll understand why;
Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by.

Sometimes I wonder why I must suffer,
Go in the rain, the cold, and the snow,
When there are many living in comfort,
Giving no heed to all I can do.

Tempted and tried, how often we question
Why we must suffer year after year,
Being accused by those of our loved ones,
E’en though we’ve walked in God’s holy fear.

Often when death has taken our loved ones,
Leaving our home so lone and so drear,
Then do we wonder why others prosper,
Living so wicked year after year.

“Faithful till death,” saith our loving Master;
Short is our time to labor and wait;
Then will our toiling seem to be nothing,
When we shall pass the heavenly gate.

Soon we will see our dear, loving Savior,
Hear the last trumpet sound through the sky;
Then we will meet those gone on before us,
Then we shall know and understand why.

When we see Jesus coming in Glory

When He comes from His home in the sky

We will all join Him in that bright city(mansion)

We’ll understand it all by and by.

I have loved this country gospel hymn forever.  Click on the link – Testimony/Farther Along By Joni Eareckson Tada & Vestal.  Elvis , Russ Taff, Glenn Campbell, Johnny Cash, Michael English and Jimmy Swaggart(9:57) sing this song on You Tube.  You could waste an afternoon listening/watching.

Farther along…

…know more about it.  Why this?  Why that?  Why her? Why him? Why me?  Questions like that are for sceptics. A sceptic means one who instinctively or habitually doubts, questions, or disagrees with assertions or generally accepted conclusions.  I’ve watched an artist paint a picture.  I’ll keep my mouth shut and not question every stroke.  I’ve watched a glass blower make a fine vase and he didn’t ask me for advice.

Farther along…

God knows what He is doing.  Isaiah 29:16  You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing”?  Romans 9:21  Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?

Farther along…

The evil people get away with everything, so it seems.  Psalm 73:3  For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.   4 They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong.  5 They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.

Farther along…

When you look at Judgment Day…Psalm 73: Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.   18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.  19 In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.  20 When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.

Farther along…

“Faithful through death and/or till death”.  Death is part of life.  Deal with it.  Don’t hide your head in the sand or hide your emotions.  The Bible tells us “to weep with those weep”.  Grief is acceptable at times, but don’t let grief control your joy.  A Christian going to heaven is a good thing.  Loved ones left behind must understand that they will be joining those in heaven in the near future. 

Farther along…

Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

February 2, 2009

I’LL HAVE  A NEW LIFE

On the resurrection morning, when all the dead in Christ shall rise
I’ll have a new body
Praise the Lord, I’ll have a new life (eternal)
Sewed in weakness, raised in power, ready to live in Paradise
I’ll have a new body
Praise the Lord, I’ll have a new life, oh yes

Chorus:
I’ll have a new home (glory, glory) of glory eternal
Where the redeemed (ever stand) of God shall stand
There’ll be no more sorrow
No more pain, there’ll be no more strife (no strife)
Yes, raised in the likeness (in His likeness) of my Savior
Ready to live (I’ll be glad) in Glory Land
I’ll have a new body
Praise the Lord, I’ll have a new life (oh yes)

What a hallelujah morning when the last trump of God shall sound
I’ll have a new body
Praise the Lord, I’ll have a new life (eternal)
Graves all bursting saints all shouting, heavenly beauty all around
I’ll have a new body
Praise the Lord, I’ll have a new life

Repeat Chorus (x2)

Click on the link – Girls’ trio with dad pickin’ the get-tar.  Or you can hear the Cathedrals- I’ll Have A New Life.  Or click on this link and you’ll hear a good choir sing this song.  This song is written by Luther G. Presley.

I like the message of this song – I’ll have a new body.  Last night I got up at 4 a.m. to do the cough assist machine.  Trying to stand up, I fell, biting my tongue.  A drop of blood is on my t-shirt.  My wife heard the crash and tried to help me up but she couldn’t.  Jean and I crawled to the steps and I turned around backwards.  Thankfully, I have enough arm strength left to push up the steps.  I had to push up three steps to where Jean could help me stand.  New experiences every day!

A new body?  I Cor. 15:35  But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?”   36You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies;  37  and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of something else.  38 But God gives it a body just as He wished, and to each of the seeds a body of its own.

Old Pete Wilson is praying for a body like Tony Romo.  According to verse 38, God gives it a body just as He wished, not according to Pete’s wishes.

Graves all bursting saints all shouting, heavenly beauty all around -  relax Pete, it’s shouting time in heaven.  You’re sure to be shouting about your new body and you’ll be good looking(a beaut), too.  That lip-wedge(sarcasm) won’t be in heaven – you’ll be raised in the likeness of our Savior.

I’ll have a new body
Praise the Lord, I’ll have a new life

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

February 3, 2009

I THEN SHALL LIVE

I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven
I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid
I know my name is clear before my Father
I am His child and I am not afraid
So greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother
The law of love I gladly will obey

I then shall live as one who’s learned compassion
I’ve been so loved I’ll risk loving, too
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges
I’ll dare to see another’s point of view
And when relationships demand commitment
Then I’ll be there to care and follow through

Your kingdom come around and through and in me
Your power and glory let them shine through me
Your Hallowed name, oh may I bear with honor
And may Your living Kingdom come in me
The Bread of Life, O’ may I share with honor
And may You feed a hungry world through me

Amen, Amen, Amen

Click on the link – GVB and Signature Sound.   Words by Gloria Gaither.  Music by Jean Sibelius.

I love the pace on this song.  It’s not zippy.  Gloria has written some good poetry and this is one of her best.

First stanza -  one who’s been “forgiven”, my “debts are paid”, my name is “clear” before my Father
I am His child and I am not afraid 
So greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother
The law of love I gladly will obey

Second stanza - as one who’s learned compassion
I’ve been so loved I’ll risk loving, too
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges
I’ll dare to see another’s point of view
And when relationships demand commitment
Then I’ll be there to care and follow through

Third stanza – Your kingdom come around and through and in me
Your power and glory let them shine through me
Your Hallowed name, oh may I bear with honor
And may Your living Kingdom come in me
The Bread of Life, O’ may I share with honor
And may You feed a hungry world through me

These three stanzas tell us how we are suppose to live.  Stanza one is what Christ did for us.  Stanzas two and three is what we do for Christ.    John 13:35 ” By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  Ephesians 2:10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

God has this plan.  It is not for you get to heaven.  If that was the goal, He’d beam us up as soon as we prayed/meditated the conversion/commitment prayer.  God has a better plan.  We are to be His actions and words on earth until the day we die.  Influence.  We are to be “little Christs”.   Acts  11:25,26 And Barnabus left for Tarsus to look for Saul(Paul);  and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians(little Christs) in Antioch.

2 Timothy 4:5… be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

February 4, 2009

Jesus Is Coming Soon

By R. E. Winsett
Made Popular by The Oak Ridge Boys

Verse One
Troublesome times are here
Filling men’s heart with fear
Freedom we all hold dear
Now is at stake.
Humbling your heart to God
Saves from the chastening rod
Seek the way pilgrims trod
Christians Awake!

Chorus
Jesus is coming soon
Morning night or noon
Many will meet their doom
Trumpets will sound
All of the dead shall rise
Righteous meet in the sky
Going where no one dies
Heavenward bound!

Verse two
Troubles will soon be o’er
Happy forever more
When we meet on that shore
Free from all care
Rising up in the sky
Telling this world goodbye
Homeward we then will fly
Glory to ShareChorus

I actually saw the Inspirations perform in the white suits.  Click on the link - The Inspirations.  You need to compare the Oak Ridge Boys to the Inspirations.

Nancy Lindler and I love this song.  The old Wilderness Quartet sang this song at Fellowship Bible Church.  You can watch a myriad of artists perform this song on You Tube.

Hebrews 10:37  FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.

Hebrews 13:14  For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.

Revelation 1:8  “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, ” who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 22:7  “And behold, I am coming quickly Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”

JESUS IS COMING SOON!  Many of us are running toward the promised land.  Jesus is ready to welcome us home.  He is planning His return.  I don’t know if He will return in my lifetime.  But, the Lord has promised to come back to earth.  Any day that trumpet will sound and all the world will see Him.  If He doesn’t return in about six months, I’ll do the traveling.  If He returns soon, He’ll do the traveling.

Football games are home and away.  This year we travel and the next season we are home.  I don’t mind traveling up.  But, I do wish I could see Him coming down.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

February 5, 2009

 

Oh, What a Time

Words and Music by Lucy Matthews

Oh, my Lord, what a time, mm mm.

Oh, my Lord, what a time.

From this old world we’ll flee

To live eternally.Oh, my Lord, what a time

Oh, my Lord, what a time, mm mm.

Oh, my Lord, what a time.

From this old world we’ll flee

To live eternally.

Oh, my Lord, what a time.

In that fair land there will be no more night.

No sun or moon, for the Lamb of God is light.

It’s good to know that He’s prepared the way

To a bright and endless day

.

From this old world we’ll live

We’re gonna live eternally

With Christ, our blessed Lord

In a home on high!

We’ll shout and sing,

We’ll walk and talk.

We’ll shout and sing,

We’ll walk and talk.

We’ll shout and praise His name everyday!

Every day will be the same.

Oh, my Lord, my burden bearer,

My help in trouble,

My joy in sorrow, my light in darkness,

My sword and shield;

Oh, my Lord, what a time!

Click on the link – GVB and Signature Sound.

What a concert to attend!  When they do a “tag”(encore) not once but 4 times and people are on their feet, it’s electric.  I looked some other groups that sing this song.  It’s three chords and a cloud of dust.  Yesterday we studied a slow song.  This is a “fluff” song.

But it has good lyrics.

Oh, my Lord, what a time, mm mm

Oh, my Lord, what a time.

From this old world we’ll flee

To live eternally.Oh, my Lord, what a time

What a time!  Leaving this old sinful world, will make us go “mm, mm “.  To live eternally “mm, mm”.  In heaven “mm, mm”.  With our Lord and Savior “mm, mm”.

In that fair land there will be no more night.

No sun or moon, for the Lamb of God is light.

It’s good to know that He’s prepared the way

To a bright and endless day

No more night “mm, mm”.  The Lamb of God is light “mm, mm”.  He’s prepared the “mm, mm”.  To a bright and endless day “mm, mm”.

Oh, my Lord, what a time!

From this old world we’ll live

We’re gonna live eternally

With Christ, our blessed Lord

In a home on high!

We’ll shout and sing,

We’ll walk and talk.

We’ll shout and sing,

We’ll walk and talk.

We’ll shout and praise His name everyday!

Every day will be the same.

Oh, my Lord, my burden bearer,

My help in trouble,

My joy in sorrow, my light in darkness,

My sword and shield;

Oh, my Lord, what a time!

In a home on high “mm, mm”.  My burden bearer “mm, mm”.  My help in trouble “mm, mm”.  My joy in sorrow “mm, mm”. My light in darkness “mm, mm”.  My sword “mm, mm”.  My shield “mm, mm”.

 I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

February 6, 2009

 

He Looked Beyond My Fault

Lyrics by Dottie Rambo

(to the tune of “Londerry Aire”)

 

Galatians 5:1
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,
and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

Amazing Grace, shall always be my song of praise.
For it was grace that brought me liberty,
I do not know, just why He came to love me so.
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.

I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary,
To view the cross, where Jesus died for me
How marvelous, His grace that caught my falling soul
He Looked beyond my fault and saw my need. 

 

 

Click on the link- David Phelps.

 

 

He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.

Romans 5:8(NASB) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.   10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Hebrews 7:26(CEV) Jesus is the high priest we need. He is holy and innocent and faultless, and not at all like us sinners. Jesus is honored above all beings in heaven.

Amazing Grace, shall always be my song of praise.

Amazing Grace is the sweetest song I know.  That’s another southern gospel song.  Perry, daughter, there’s thousands of them.

God’s Grace. 

G=God’s

R=Riches

A=At

C=Christ’s

E=Expense

 

Grace is based on nothing we have done.  You can’t work your way into heaven.  You can’t be good enough.  Sure, your good deeds out number the bad ones.  It only takes one bad deed to break the perfect law.  From Hebrews 7:26 He is holy and innocent and faultless, and not at all like us sinners.  How is it possible for a Holy God to accept sinners?  No way.  A way was made.  Jesus is the way.

I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary,
To view the cross, where Jesus died for me

God’s Grace. 

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

February 7, 2009

 What A Day That Will Be

Words and Music by Jim Hill

Mark 14:62

“And Jesus said, I AM:
and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power,
and coming in the clouds of heaven.”

There is coming a day when no heartaches shall come
No more clouds in the sky, no more tears to dim the eye.
All is peace forevermore on that happy golden shore,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

Chorus
What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

There’ll be no sorrow there, no more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no pain, no more parting over there;
And forever I will be with the One who died for me,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

Chorus

Like all southern gospel songs, this one is simple.

Click on the link – Golden Angels Korea (sda) to hear a choir or click on the link – Jim Hill to hear the composer sing the song.

I have sung this song solo at graveside on two occasions.  It’s a perfect song to sing there, especially the second verse.

There’ll be no sorrow there

What a day!

no more burdens to bear

What a day!

 No more sickness

What a day!

no pain

 What a day!

no more parting over there

What a day!

And forever I will be

What a day!

with the One who died for me

What a day, glorious day that will be.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

February 8, 2009

 

Over the Moon
By Vep Ellis
Lillenas Publishing
(SESAC)

Moon beams shining
Keeps reminding
Of a trip that I’ll be taking soon
Nothing binding
Keeps reminding
Of a journey that will take me over the moon

CHORUS

I’m sailing soon above the moon
I’m flying thru the Heaven’s blue
And soon I’m hoping you
Decide to choose
And sail the Milky Way with me and ride
At Jesus side
Naught can betide, I’m satisfied
And now I’m longing and I’m hoping
I have no time for moping
For I will soon be floating
Away above the moon

Click on the link -Mark Lowry and the GVB.

The Southern Quartets would use humor to break the seriousness of performing.  One guy in each group was the comedian.  George in the Cathedrals, Ernie in Signature Sound and Mark Lowry of the Gaither Vocal Band.

There are three verses to this song.  I could only find one performance on the Gaither videos on You Tube.   But, there is another on an older video that has this same song.  A much younger Mark steals the show on an ancient video cassette.

stanza two

I am praying, for the day

When I’ll be sailing

Up above with Jesus

With my Savior, keeping favor

So that He will welcome me

With arms of love

stanza three

Soon I’m leaving, I’m not grieving

Heaven waits for me

If I’ll be true and faithful

Tired of sighing, soon be flying

In that journey that will take me

Over the moon.

It’s a song dated 1945.  Mr. Ellis was visioning going up to heaven “Over the Moon”.  I like the older version better but if you have never heard this song, this “Hawaiian” rendition is fine.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

February 9, 2009

LEAD ME TO THE ROCK
(Choir / Stephen Hill) Mountain homecoming

Chorus:
Why don’t you lead me to the rock
That is higher than I
Oh lead me to the rock
Yes lead me to the rock
Why don’t you lead me to the rock
That is higher than I
Thou has been a shelter for me

Repeat Chorus:

Well if you go down in yonder fold
And search among his sheep
(My brother thou has been a shelter for me)
You’ll find him there with so I am told
With those he loves to keep
(My brother thou has been a shelter for me)

Chorus:

And if you go into the wilderness
Where dyin ones are lost
(My brother thou has been a shelter for me)
And you’ll find him there to heal and bless
No matter what the cost.
(My brother thou has been a shelter for me)
Why don’t you!!! Lead me to the rock (to the rock) that is higher than I
Oh lead me Lord (to the rock) Yes lead me (that is higher than I)
Why don’t you lead me (to the rock) that is higher than I Thou has been a shelter for me

Chorus: come on and lead me

Thou has been a shelter for me — for — me, Lead me Lord

Psalm 61:2
From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Click on the link – Stephen Hill.

When my heart is faint – it is right now – lead me to the Rock.

Isaiah 28:16
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD,” Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone,A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed.He who believes in it will not be disturbed.

Disturbed.  Last week I visited three doctors – one for breathing, one for tracheostomy and my ALS Doctor at Emory.   I am wrestling with the possibility of the trach.  The ALS Doctor argues a trach will extend my life – which is a good thing at first.  But, the disease effects every muscle in the body and eventually you’re paralyzed.  The breathing machine will be all that’s working.  I don’t want to be a burden on my family and we can’t afford a full time nurse.

The people at Emory said all the ALS patients finally “hit the wall” – trapped by a paralyzed body.  That’s not the way to live.  My family will have to pull the plug on the breathing machine.  It will be a hard decision.  Somebody come by for a visit and trip on the extension cord.  Tell no one.  Don’t postpone my journey to heaven.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

February 10, 2009

Every person ought to have the ability to chuckle at what he holds dear.  Lighten up and click on the link – Squirrel.   I have been in country churches where they run and jump pews.  When Jean and I were dating, we attended a gospel sanging.  A guy in overalls “got happy” and went up on the stage.  He faced the congregation and said nothing – just grinned.  Eventually, he returned to his seat.

We witnessed a guy running.  He jumped up and sprinted down the aisle and out the back door.  In those days country churches had the windows raised – no air conditioning.  The guy circled the church.  He came in and sat down like he was normal.

I’ve never seen a church service with snakes.  And, don’t want to.  In Bangkok, we watched a snake show that would have been illegal in a civilized culture.  The front row of the circular seating had their feet on the dirt of the snake pit.  They brought a king cobra.  One of the trainers caught a poisonous snake with his teeth.  The last snake they brought in was a twenty-foot python.  They showed us the teeth by pulling back the gums with fine nylon rope.  One of the handlers wrapped the tail around his waist.  Then they made that python mad by hitting on the nose with a balloon.  The snake would strike the balloon and the person holding the tail would measure out the length so that the jaws would flash open at the first row of spectators.  People were screaming and climbing up the concrete seats.  When they finished the show nobody had their feet on the dirt.

Peg of the McKameys while they were singing, use to wave her arm holding a white hankie like a third base coach sending a runner home.  Jean said she was winding up and could throw the shoulder out of joint.

Click on the link – Sittin’ Up Wth The Dead.

In the late 1950′s my Great Grandpa died and they brought the body to his house.  It was the custom back then.  My mom made me look at his corpse.  I obeyed but, I didn’t want to.  I went outside and played til we left.  Luckily, we didn’t stay up all night long.

People in high churches missed out on all these experiences.  I wonder if there’ll be pew jumping in heaven.  I know there will be shouting in heaven.  You high church people are in for a shock.

Revelation 19:1(NLT)
[ Songs of Victory in Heaven ] After this, I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting,“Praise the Lord! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.

I can almost hear the trumpet

Danny D

February 11, 2009

Jean and I were watching Scrooge(1970) with Albert Finney playing Ebenezer. He makes this statement at the end of his reclamation:

“I will start anew, I will make amends
And I will make quite certain that the story ends
On a note of hope. On a strong amen.
And I’ll thank the world, and remember when
I was able to begin again!”—Ebenezer Scrooge

CLEANSE  ME

Search me, O God,
And know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior,
Know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be
Some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin
And set me free.

I praise Thee, Lord,
For cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy Word,
And make me pure within.
Fill me with fire
Where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire
To magnify Thy Name.

Lord, take my life,
And make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart
With Thy great love divine.
Take all my will,
My passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord
In me abide.

O Holy Ghost,
Revival comes from Thee;
Send a revival,
Start the work in me.
Thy Word declares
Thou wilt supply our need;
For blessings now,
O Lord, I humbly plead

 J. Ed­win Orr, 1936. Orr wrote these words at a re­viv­al meet­ing in Ngarua­wa­hia, New Zea­land, tak­ing less than five min­utes to put them down on pa­per. He was a professor in the School of World Mission at Fuller Theological Seminary where he taught courses in the history of missions to career missionaries.

Click on this link to hear Glen and George sing verse one.

Psalms 139:23  Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 24  And see if there be any hurtful way in me,  And lead me in the everlasting way.

This song is a revival song.  Read each line slowly.  My prayer is that God would speak to your spirit.  It’s a rich journey.  My favorite:

Lord, take my life,
And make it wholly Thine.

The goal of my life(and your life) is for God to have all of me(you).    James 1:3-4 (NASB)  3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D

February 12, 2009

WHISPERING  HOPE

Soft as the voice of an angel,
Breathing a lesson unheard,
Hope with a gentle persuasion
Whispers her comforting word:
Wait till the darkness is over,
Wait till the tempest is done,
Hope for the sunshine tomorrow,
After the shower is gone.

Refrain

Whispering hope, oh how welcome thy voice,
Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.

If, in the dusk of the twilight,
Dim be the region afar,
Will not the deepening darkness
Brighten the glimmering star?
Then when the night is upon us,
Why should the heart sink away?
When the dark midnight is over,
Watch for the breaking of day.

Refrain

Hope, as an anchor so steadfast,
Rends the dark veil for the soul,
Whither the Master has entered,
Robbing the grave of its goal.
Come then, O come, glad fruition,
Come to my sad weary heart;
Come, O Thou blest hope of glory,
Never, O never depart.

Refrain

Click on the link – Gloria Gaither.

HOPE

Whispers her comforting word

HOPE

Hope for the sunshine tomorrow,
After the shower is gone.

HOPE

Will not the deepening darkness
Brighten the glimmering star?

HOPE

Why should the heart sink away?

HOPE

Hope, as an anchor so steadfast,
Rends the dark veil for the soul,

HOPE

Whispering hope, oh how welcome thy voice,
Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.

HOPE

Jeremiah 29:11  ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 5: 1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.  3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;  4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;  5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:13  [ Those Who Died in Christ ] But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.

WE HAVE HOPE.  And it’s not just a whisper.

I can almost hear the trumpet.

Danny D