TENNESSEE DAY OF PRAYER, HUMILITY AND FASTING

 

 

Yesterday (Wed., Sept. 28, 2022), Becky noticed an e-mail from her alma mater, Lipscomb University, mentioned Tennessee Governor Bill Lee proclaiming the 30th (today) as a day of Prayer, Humility, and Fasting.

Tennessee, 49 other states plus the District of Columbia, and every other nation needs such a day directed to the Sovereign, Ominpotent Creator of the Universe.

Do I need to say more?

I didn't think so.

I would like to encourage each of you to pray for:

1. This country, your state, and your city.
2. Your church, and especially for your pastor.
3. For each of us individually to return to the Lord.

I'm sure, Gov. Lee, that you won't see this blog from a former Tennessean and current Hoosier, but I'd like to thank you for your boldness in the faith and the stand you've taken toward righteousness. May the Lord Jesus Christ richly bless you and your ministry as governor. 

 

BOOK REVIEW - HOW TO KEEP YOUR HEAD ON STRAIGHT IN A WORLD GONE CRAZY; DEVELOPING DISCERNMENT FOR THESE LAST DAYS BY RICK RENNER

 

Do you think this world has gone berserk, especially watching the entertainment media or listening to politicians? Is there a way to escape that lunacy?

I agree with the answer Rick Renner gives in "How To Keep Your Head On Straight In A World Gone Crazy:" We need to return to Scripture and practice spiritual discernment.

This isn't the first book I've read on the subject, but it is unique in perspective. Renner puts himself in the Pentecostal/Charismatic camp, and most discernment ministries I'm familiar with are very wary of that segment of the church. Renner states he believes speaking in tongues is evidence of the Holy Spirit, which I strongly disagree with. In fact, some of the authors recommending this book are part of movements that most Discernment ministries identify as proof we need discernment: namely the Laughing Revival and the Word of Faith movement.

Even with the disagreements, I believe he's on the money on the need to get back to Biblical thinking.

BOOK REVIEW - WHEN GOD CALLS A WRITER: MOVING PAST INSECURITY TO WRITE WITH CONFIDENCE BY DEANNE WELSH

 Are you questioning whether God might be calling you to write? Are you needing some encouragement and guidance? If so, check out this book.

This is a nice short book. It is less than a hundred pages, consisting of four chapters divided into segments of 2-3 pages. If that's not enough, it's written where there's no first line indent, with a double space between paragraphs, and said paragraphs have the max of three sentences (often being one sentence and one line).

The above format makes the thoughts seem a little choppy, which is a good thing. The result is you have a short thought easy to focus on.

You'll want a pen - Welsh gives you questions. You might want to have a separate notebook to write those answers.

If you're a Christian considering writing (either fiction or non-fiction), you'll want this book.

Final comment - I've about given up on writing. After reading this, am I still there? Good question. I'm still trying to discern if writing is a good ministry keeping me from a better ministry or if I'm abandoning something I'm called to.

SUNDAY HYMNS, PART 8 OF 22: MORE ABOUT JESUS

Sacred Heart Model School, Louisville, KY

 More about Jesus would I know,

More of His grace to others show,

More of His saving fullness see,

More of His love who died for me.

More about Jesus let me learn, 

More of His holy will discern:

Spirit of God, my teacher be,

Showing the things of Christ to me.

More about Jesus in His Word,

Holding communion with my Lord,

Hearing His voice in every line,

Making each faithful saying mine.

More about Jesus on His throne,

Riches in heaven, all His own;

More of His kingdom's sure increase,

More of His coming, Prince of Peace.

More, more about Jesus,

More, more about Jesus.

More of His saving fullness see,

More of His love who died for me.

NOTES ON HYMN

• The verses to this song are Long Meter, or 8,8,8,8. Other songs with the Long Meter include "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," "All Creatures of our God and King," "He Leadeth Me," "Higher Ground", and the Doxology.
• Only other comment -why don't we sing this song more often?
  

SUNDAY HYMNS, PART 7 OF 22: JESUS CALLS US

"Shining Light, Meghan Williams (Dyed4YouArt)

Jesus calls us; o'er the tumult 

Of our life's wild, restless sea,

Day by day His sweet voice soundeth, 

Saying, "Christian, follow Me."

Jesus calls us from the worship 

Of the vain world's golden store,

From each idol that would keep us, 

Saying, "Christian, love Me more."

In our joys and in our sorrows, 

Days of toil and hours of Ease, 

Still He calls, in cares and pleasures, 

"Christian, love Me more than these."

Jesus calls us; by Thy mercies, 

Saviour, may we hear Thy call,

Give our hearts to Thine obedience, 

    Serve and love Thee best of all.

NOTES ON THIS HYMN:

 

• I remember singing this some, but I always thought of it as an evangelistic invitation, like "Just As I Am." It wasn't until relatively recently I realized it was not a song to the unsaved to call them to salvation but to the saved to call them to discipleship. And thus, it has become one of my favorite songs.
• This song has a meter of 8, 7, 8, 7. I saw another hymnal when they set it to a different tune, and had two verses with the meter of 8, 7, 8, 7 double. I also heard a recording that set the lyrics to the tune Holy Manna (used on "Brethren We Have Met To Worship), which also doubles the 8,7,8,7 meter. Sometimes, Becky and I sing it to the tunes of Hyfrydol (used for many songs including "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus") or Nettleton ("Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing.") Or, if you like Beethoven, you can sing it to "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee."