The contrite heart

The contrite heart.
Isa 47:15

The Lord will happiness divine
On contrite hearts bestow;
Then tell me, gracious God, is mine
A contrite heart or no?

I hear, but seem to hear in vain,
Insensible as steel;
If aught is felt, 'tis only pain,
To find I cannot feel.

I sometimes think myself inclined
To love Thee if I could;
But often feel another mind,
Averse to all that's good.

My best desires are faint and few,
I fain would strive for more;
But when I cry, "My strength renew!"
Seem weaker than before.

Thy saints are comforted, I know,
And love Thy house of prayer;
I therefore go where others go,
But find no comfort there.

Oh make this heart rejoice, or ache;
Decide this doubt for me;
And if it be not broken, break,
And heal it, if it be.

William Cowper (1731-1800)
Olney Hymns, 1779.

Singing in the Heights

Saturday, December 1, 2007 (d.v.) will be singing Sacred Harp at the Heights Church of Christ meeting house in the Heights area of north Houston, Texas (1548 Heights Blvd.). For a map and more information, click here. We will use both the Cooper (blue book) and Denson (red book) revisions.

Continuity

For families, friends, churches and communities, the East Texas Convention and the 'Sacred Harp' provide continuity to the past – a place almost outside of time, where friend holds fellowship with friend, where friends above join in concert with friends below and all the saints terrestrial sing with those to glory gone; a place where Grandpa and Granny and Uncle Joe are remembered fondly, and some favorite aunt is always the best treble; a place where songs are known and loved for those who led and loved them; a place where one can travel back to memorable days of yore; a place that is as old as the book itself and as new as the modern conveniences and methods used by a small group to pull together a large event. In 'Sacred Harp' one finds the eternal standard of “how it used to be” seemingly never recreated, dwelling harmoniously yet paradoxically alongside the confident declaration that “it hasn’t changed a bit”. In a highly mobile society with a progressive lifestyle, 'Sacred Harp' provides an anchor to something sure and good in our past. -- From Approaching 150: a Brief History of the East Texas Musical Convention ISBN 1-59872-040-6

The Seniors Breakfast Special

An elderly couple went to breakfast at a restaurant where the "Seniors' Special" was two eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast for $1.99. The husband ordered the special. "Sounds good," said his wife. "But I don't want the eggs."

"Then I'll have to charge you two dollars and forty-nine cents because you're ordering a la carte," the waitress warned her.

"You mean I'd have to pay for not taking the eggs?" the wife asked incredulously.

"YES!!" stated the waitress.

"I'll take the special then," the wife replied.

"How do you want your eggs?" the waitress asked.

"Raw and in the shell."

She took the two eggs home.

DON'T MESS WITH SENIORS!!! They've been around the block more than once.

-- From an e-mail sent to me by Marvin Curnutt

Word of the day

Though my writing is not the best, and my speech is even worse, I enjoy words. I enjoy learning new words, finding odd words, etc. Today I saw a really good one in an e-mail I received, which provided the motivation to institute this new "column". I'll give the word, its definition and the "place" where I ran across it. This won't be daily -- just random as I find something I deem interesting. For today's word, I'm going back to a crossword puzzle answer from yesterday. This is a word I know, but probably have never used (definitely not in speaking).

Vapid -- without liveliness or spirit; dull or tedious; lifeless; flavorless; spiritless [Answer to 5 across (clue, uninspired), Crossword Puzzle, Tyler Morning Telegraph, 13 Nov 2007]

Hoping for a revival

My harp untuned, and laid aside,
(To cheerful hours the harp belongs)
My cruel foes, insulting cried,
"Come, sing us one of Zion's songs."

Alas! when sinners, blindly bold,
At Zion scoff, and Zion's King;
When zeal declines, and love grows cold,
Is this a day for me to sing?

Time was, whene'er the saints I met,
With joy and praise my bosom glowed;
But now, like Eli, sad I sit,
And tremble for the ark of God.

While thus to grief my soul gave way,
To see the work of GOD decline;
Methought I heard my Savior say,
"Dismiss thy fears, the ark is mine.

Though for a time I hide my face,
Rely upon my love and pow'r;
Still wrestle at a throne of grace,
And wait for a reviving hour.

Take down thy long neglected harp,
I've seen thy tears, and heard thy prayer;
The winter season has been sharp,
But spring shall all its wastes repair."

LORD, I obey, my hopes revive,
Come join with me, ye saints, and sing;
Our foes in vain against us strive;
For God will help and healing bring.

John Newton (1725-1807)
Olney Hymns, 1779.

Words on relationships...

...what do you think?

"During the impressionable adolescent years, kids are organized into classes based on the strength of their intellects. That means the kids in honors classes are practically segregated from the hoi polloi. This may ensure that students get the most challenging education for their skill levels, but it also sends a strong social signal as teens primarily associate with their intellectual equals at the time they often begin dating."

"The relationships that count, the relationships that last, are the ones based on compassion, compromise, and communication." -- both quotes from "Giving Up Smart" by Rachel Pomerance on Belief.net

* "Hoi polloi -- the common people; the masses (often preceded by the)"

One baptism series

In his blog, the Fullness of Time, Nathan A. Finn has an interest in occasional posts quoting others view of "one baptism". The first one is found here.

Televangelist investigation

The United States Senate Finance Committee has recently begun an investigation of six prominent and extravagent televangelists. I have no sympathy for some of these thieving clowns who pass for Christian ministers, but the U.S. Senate investigating someone else's financial mismanagement seems like the pot calling the kettle black. Following is a Cc/carbon copy of a note I sent to Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee.

Dear Senator Grassley,

Through several forms of media, I have heard that you are "investigating six prominent televangelist ministries for possible financial misconduct." I have no sympathy for these ministries that to me appear fraudulent. I applaud your concern that they operate openly and above board. If they are operating illegally, they should be legally punished.

But I have two problems with what you are doing: (1) possible bad precedents you may be setting that could later affect more legitimate Christian ministries; and (2) the U.S. Congress has no "moral high ground" for investigating these ministries. These televangelists operate on funds that are donated freely (however unsuspecting they may be). On the other hand, our Federal Government, whom you represent, legally and illegally picks the pockets of the American taxpayers, often spending our money just as lavishly and wastefully as Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn and Kenneth Copeland.

I am a former Republican Precinct Chairman, a Christian and a Baptist. I agree with Rod Pitzer (Ministry Watch), who says these ministries that lack accountability "give a black eye to churches and Christians..." I do not waste my money supporting televangelists. I wish I did not spend my money supporting wasteful government spending. While looking at these televangelists, please consider cleaning up your own act.

Addition: Link to someone else cogitating on the subject: 7 lessons pastors can learn from the Senate Televangelist Investigation

Book reviews by Les Puryear

Leslie Puryear reviews the book Starting a House Church, by Larry Kreider and Floyd McClung.

While on the site, you may also want to read Les' review of Holy Discontent, by Bill Hybels.

What a comfort divine

My God, I am Thine, what a comfort divine,
What a blessing to know that my Jesus is mine!
In the heavenly Lamb thrice happy I am,
And my heart it doth dance at the sound of His Name.

True pleasures abound in the rapturous sound;
And whoever hath found it hath paradise found:
My Jesus to know, and feel His blood flow,
'Tis life everlasting, 'tis Heaven below.

Yet onward I haste to the heavenly feast:
That, that is the fulness; but this is the taste!
And this I shall prove, till with joy I remove
To the heaven of heavens in Jesus' love.

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749.
As posted on Song to the Lamb Fri, 24 Aug 2007

Singing in Dallas

The upcoming Dallas County (Texas) Sacred Harp Convention will meet Saturday, November 10th at the First Primitive Baptist Church at 1920 Gross Road in east Dallas. Singing will begin at 9:30 and end at 3:00, with dinner served at noon. (1991 Denson revision) More info: Bruce/Beverly Coates, (972) 978-5130 or Gary/Vivian Rogan, (817) 523-0230.

GASP

G.A.S.P. (Games Adolescents Shouldn't Play) is an association that is working to make the public aware of a deadly teenager activity -- the "Choking Game". An East Texas youth recently died while playing the game: Death in Lufkin, Texas.

God's presence is light in darkness

HYMN 54 C. M.

My God, the spring of all my joys,
The life of my delights,
The glory of my brightest days,
And comfort of my nights.

In darkest shades if he appear
My dawning is begun;
He is my soul's sweet morning star,
And he my rising sun.

The opening heav'ns around me shine
With beams of sacred bliss,
While Jesus shows his heart is mine,
And whispers, I am his.

My soul would leave this heavy clay
At that transporting word,
Run up with joy the shining way
T' embrace my dearest Lord.

Fearless of hell and ghastly death,
I'd break through every foe;
The wings of love and arms of faith
Should bear me conqueror through.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Book II, 1707.
As posted on Song to the Lamb, 18 Oct 2007

The power of prayer

In a small conservative mid-western town, a new bar started building a facility to open up their business. The local Baptist church started a campaign with petitions and prayers to block the bar from opening.

Work progressed right up till the week before opening, when a lightning strike hit the bar and it burned to the ground.

The church folks were rather smug in their outlook after that, until the bar owner sued the church on the grounds that the church was ultimately responsible for the demise of his building, either through direct or indirect actions or means.

The church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building's demise in its reply to the court.

As the case made its way into court, the judge looked over the paperwork at the hearing and commented, "It appears from the paperwork, we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer, and a church congregation that doesn't!"

[Note: this was sent to me via e-mail, but at this point I can't remember whom to credit for sending it. Maybe it was Bro. Marvin Curnutt. Sorry, I'm not sure.]

Cowper and Newton

Welcome cross.

'Tis my happiness below
Not to live without the cross;
But the Savior's pow'r to know,
Sanctifying every loss:
Trials must and will befall;
But with humble faith to see
Love inscribed upon them all,
This is happiness to me.

God, in Israel, sows the seeds
Of affliction, pain, and toil;
These spring up, and choke the weeds
Which would else o'erspread the soil:
Trials make the promise sweet,
Trials give hew life to prayer;
Trials bring me to his feet,
Lay me low, and keep me there.

Did I meet no trials here,
No chastisement by the way;
Might I not, with reason, fear
I should prove a cast-away:
Bastards may escape the rod,
Sunk in earthly, vain delight;
But the true-born child of GOD,
Must not, would not, if he might.

William Cowper (1731-1800)
Olney Hymns, 1779.

The joy of the Lord is your strength.
Neh 9:10

Joy is a fruit that will not grow
In nature's barren soil;
All we can boast, till CHRIST we know,
Is vanity and toil.

But where the LORD has planted grace;
And made His glories known;
There fruits of heavenly joy and peace
Are found, and there alone.

A bleeding Savior seen by faith,
A sense of pard'ning love;
A hope that triumphs over death,
Give joys like those above.

These are the joys which satisfy,
And sanctify the mind;
Which make the spirit mount on high,
And leave the world behind.

John Newton (1725-1807)
Olney Hymns, 1779.

Granny Russell singing, Huntington

The annual Granny Russell Memorial Sacred Harp Singing will be held Saturday November the 3rd, 2007 (d.v.) at Little Hope community and church. The Little Hope church building is located on FM 1669 about 4 or 5 miles northeast of Huntington, Texas. Singing starts around 10:00 a.m. and lunch will be served at noon.

Free grace in revealing Christ

HYMN 12 C. M.
Free grace in revealing Christ. Luke 10:21.

Jesus, the man of constant grief,
A mourner all his days;
His spirit once rejoiced aloud,
And tuned his joy to praise:

"Father, I thank thy wondrous love,
That hath revealed thy Son
To men unlearned, and to babes
Has made thy gospel known.

"The mysteries of redeeming grace
Are hidden from the wise,
While pride and carnal reasonings join
To swell and blind their eyes."

Thus doth the Lord of heav'n and earth
His great decrees fulfil,
And orders all his works of grace
By his own sovereign will.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1707.

Enumerated Powers Act

In an op-ed piece entitled Congressional Constitutional Contempt, Walter Williams mentions a bill entitled the Enumerated Powers Act.

The Enumerated Powers Act is an interesting bill that "would require Congress to specify the source of authority under the United States Constitution for the enactment of laws, and for other purposes." Representative John Shadegg [R-AZ] has offered this each year since 1995. The current bill was introduced March 6, 2007 and has 29 cosponsors as of October 20, 2007: Todd Akin, Roscoe Bartlett, Rob Bishop, John Boozman, Dan Burton, Michael Conaway, David Davis, John Duncan, Tom Feeney, Jeff Flake, Virginia Foxx, Trent Franks, Scott Garrett, John Gingrey, Louis Gohmert, Robert Goodlatte, Dean Heller, Walter Herger, Doug Lamborn, Kenny Marchant, Thaddeus McCotter, Jeff Miller, Sue Myrick, Ron Paul, Ted Poe, Clifford Stearns, Timothy Walberg, David Weldon, and Lynn Westmoreland.

Now we might think that Congress WOULD NOT make laws that have no constitutional authority, but we know better. This act would at least make the dishonest try to sham up some bogus constitutional ground for the unconstitutional laws they try to enact. Hopefully the American people would take note and realize the persons in Congress who have "contempt for the Constitution." Hopefully the American people care.

The full text may be found here.

Steve and the B.A.I. Team

After my father passed away, a number of people sent flowers to the funeral home. There is one sender we have not been able to identify, and therefore unable to send a thank you card. So I am making this post with the hope that a thank you will get to the correct person.

This was sent through the West Main Flower Shop in Henderson, Texas and labeled as being from "Steve and the B.A.I. Team". I'm sure we should recognize this, but none of us could make it click. If you see this -- (1) thank you for your thoughtful gesture in the flowers you sent, (2) contact us and let us know who you are.

Thanks.