Vision

Yesterday evening and this morning our church enjoyed the company of a number of SMBI students who are on their Western tour singing at various churches here on the West Coast. I had wonderful conversations with some of the students and particularly enjoyed meeting blogging friend, Hans Mast.

The music was absolutely beautiful, but more importantly, it really focused on the importance of each one of us going out and sharing Christ with others. I was challenged and deeply blessed.

I didn’t shoot any video, but this is a similar performance of the song Days of Elijah that the group shared with us.

For anyone happening to read this blog living in the Western US, I’ve included their remaining itinerary below:

I’ve never heard a harmonica played this way. Truly outstanding! First saw it over HERE.

 This song was a blessing to me. Yes, because of the blood of Jesus I can go in. Hallelujah!

(You can download the mp3 at http://www.abigailmiller.com/)

He stood beside the gate of Heaven, waiting to go in,
And he wondered how this Holy Place could take a man like him.
With shouts of great rejoicing and with music then they came,
Of the angels standing by him he asked what could be their name?

“These are the company of prophets.  The goodly fellowship of souls,”
“Who spake God’s Word with faith and boldness; who blessed the poor,
and made the wounded whole.”

“Oh,” he fell upon his knees, and cried, “I am not one of these.”

He waited ’til another band of shining ones drew nigh,
They entered into Heaven with a “Hallelujah” cry.
He asked again, “Who are these?  Can you tell me whence they came?”
He seemed to see the answer in a burning tongue of flame.

“These are the company of martyrs, the mighty fellowship of Saints.”
“Who knew our Lord and walked beside Him.”
“Who ran the holy race and did not faint.”

“Oh,” he fell upon his knees, and cried, “I am not one of these.”

Then suddenly, a multitude was heard from far away.
Their voices rang with songs of joy like children at their play.
He saw Rahab, he saw David, Mary Magdalene and Paul,
And the thief who died by Jesus was the one who led them all.

“Who are these?!” he almost shouted at the angels.
“These are the sinners saved by grace!”
“The host of them who called upon the Savior;”
“Washed in Blood and justified by faith!”

And, Oh…he leaped up from his knees!
“Oh, I can go in with these!!!!”

“And I can go in, for my heart is free from sin.”
“I’ve been washed in the Blood, everlasting life to win.”
“I can rejoice, I can lift up my voice…I can sing…and I can go in.”

Oh, he thought there could be no hallelujahs and no cries,
For this lowly band of people by the world despised,
But as the scenes of heaven opened up before his eyes,
He saw the martyrs and the prophets, and the host of heaven rise,
And they sang, “I can go in.  For my heart is free from sin.”
I’ve been washed in the blood, everlasting life to win,”
“I can rejoice, I can lift up my voice…I can sing…and I can go in.”
“I can go in.”
“I can rejoice, I can lift up my voice…I can sing…and I can go in.”
“I can go in.”

I just finished listening to an excellent music CD entitled Reflections on a Journey.  It is a beautifully done collection of classic hymns using piano, an orchestra and some soft background vocals.  The style of the music reflects on the main artist, Greg Howlett, a graduate of Pensacola Christian College, who developed the musical arrangements and played the piano pieces. 

The hymns chosen for this album are:

1. The Love of God
2. Count Your Blessings
3. My Jesus I Love Thee
4. His Eye is on the Sparrow
5. Have You any Room for Jesus?
6. Does Jesus Care?
7. Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
8. Breathe on Me
9. Jesus Is All the World to Me
10. Near to the Heart of God

Real talent in this style of music is often hard to find, so feel free to check it out for yourself by clicking on the link below.  His previous album, Timeless Reflections is also available on the same website.   

My sister recently purchased the album Find Us Faithful (AP860) from Altar of Praise. The recording mentioned contains some excellent work from a technical perspective… male vocals with piano, but beyond that, I found the title song speaking directly to me. Here are the words penned by Jon Mohr:

Find Us Faithful
by
Joh Mohr

We’re pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road,
And those who’ve gone before us line the way,
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary—
Their lives a stirring testament to God’s sustaining grace.

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
Let us run the race not only for the prize;
But, as those who’ve gone before us,
Let us leave behind us
The heritage of faithfulness,
Passed on through godly lives.

After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone,
And our children sift through all we’ve left behind,
May the clues that they discover,
And the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road
We each must find.

O, may all who come behind us find us faithful;
May the fire of our devotion light their way.
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe;
And the lives we live
Inspire them to obey.

O, may all who come behind us find us faithful.

The words “the road we each must find” has been an echo in my mind. Especially the last few years sifting through the ideals, morals, and perspectives that make up my childhood and youth and claiming the principles of true, living, breathing Christianity for myself versus simply obeying the things I was taught and with childhood simplicity believed were the fabric of reality. I am truly blessed with the knowledge that God has given me and the personal experience of relationship with God and His people. I feel overwhelmed when I think of the responsibility I have to live up to that knowledge and “run the race that is set before us”.