For many years there has been one game show that I have enjoyed watching. Since it fit into my involuntary down time, which I justify by calling it my re-creation time, (that being when my productivity zeros out after 6 pm in the evening,) I have been able to be a fairly frequent viewer of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. For years, night after night I have racked up thousands of dollars as I gleefully answered the first five questions in the quest of becoming a Millionaire. I was especially excited when they changed the amount gained for the first five questions from $1000 to $5000. My imaginary wealth was stockpiling even faster than it had in the not as good old days before the change. For some reason there is always emptiness to my riches while watching Millionaire just like there was when I saw the money, hotels, railroads and utilities pile up on my side of the board as I was winning at the game of Monopoly. For some reason the merchants of the real world have never been willing to exchange their products for my imaginary wealth. (By the way, I am especially adept at answering questions at all levels during the reruns.)
I have noticed that as the questions become less trivial and more significant that my ability to answer with confidence decreases as the value placed on the correct answer increases. I suspect this reverse correlation of my knowledge and the significance of the information is a telling evaluation of what I have been filling my mind with over the years. I am constantly failing to move to a higher level of questions because of not knowing those things which I had plenty of opportunity to learn or which have been lost to damaged neurons in my mind. What a testimony to the doctrine of forever learning but never coming to…
I find that when I am multi-tasking I am usually involved in multi-trivial activities rather than adding to my storehouse of that which is of true value. Since I have become somewhat of an expert in the trivial I can say with some certainty that it is very possible to be involved in several insignificant activities at more or less the same time without putting too much taxation on one’s capabilities, while success in the weightier questions of life demand total concentration and absolute singular involvement.
My pondering moves to another evaluation which is coming nearer with each passing day. The moment I have to account for the days of my life to that Judge who already knows all things. Somehow the frightening vision comes into my mind of two piles being placed before me. The first, a giant pile of what looks like Monopoly money, but in reality are paper bills bearing stirring semblances of the trivial things I had spent so much of my life being involved in because I counted them as of value. The second, a significantly smaller stack of pieces of pure gold which bore bright portraits of people I felt I had spent too little time being involved with which the Lord counted as having real value. At that moment I had the feeling that the emptiness which comes at the end of the game show Millionaire or a successful game of Monopoly, will wilt in comparison with the profoundly depleted feeling I will be left with as I view the tremendous pile of trivialness I have spent my limited allotted time on during the brief mortal passage.
As I sifted through the giant pile of the semblances of the trivial activities of my mortal span it reminded me that much too much of my life had been spent moving my ‘boot’ to the command of the dice around the man-made Monopoly board of mortality. It seemed like I had spent a lifetime being obsessed with the accumulation of stuff and going to places and greeting people which would have but momentary importance. What a shock when the next roll of the dice destroyed all that I had gained up to that point and put me on a path of survival rather than accumulation. In the face of a new found knowledge of the realities of Eternity, I at once found myself substantially saddened by the sight of what I once had thought to have been of such great worth, but now had become a terrible testimony of how I had only imagined their value.
The tender mercy of the Lord with a simple gesture of his hand drew my attention away from that mountain of insignificant minutia over to the small pile of pure gold pieces. He first pointed to an engraved picture of a beautiful young bride dressed in white standing in a portrait at my right side. Very close was another piece which was etched with the likeness of five sons and a daughter. They were surrounded with other pieces bearing the likeness of grandchildren, parents, friends and companions I had walked with in both the First as well as the Second estates of my life. I found pieces which reminded me of mentors and others who called themselves students. I found pieces with bright portraits of loved ones which were cast in Idaho, Utah, Nevada, California, Mexico, Colombia and smaller pieces which brought bright recollection of times spent growing my abundant store of dear friends.
It didn’t take many seconds before I completely understood that the pile of paper bills bore the fleeting semblances of the trivial stuff I had once thought to be of such importance in my mortal sojourn, while the pieces of pure gold were permanently engraved with the images of the people with which I had been privileged to associate, lasting images of brothers and sisters whom I had been able to spend sufficient time to develop meaningful relationships.
Then the Lord did an interesting thing, He placed the pile of insignificant bills on one side of a scale and the gold pieces on the other. My eyes filled with tears as I gratefully realized that the relationships of my life far outweighed what had seemed to be an overwhelming stack of stuff and silliness. I was grateful indeed that from His view upon His tower of tender Mercy He was able to see that in all my going and getting I had taken time to gather stores of real wealth measured by those I had been privileged to be involved with, while I from my myopic view had mistakenly thought the other temporary things were what it was all about.
As I shake myself from that introspective moment of pondering in things yet to come, I wake with the appreciation that I have been given one more day to be a little more attentive to those relationships which will be engraven on eternal pieces of pure gold and added to my pile of Real Wealth.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
GAINING THE ETERNAL CHARACTERISTIC OF FORGIVENESS
For more than one thousand mornings Joseph had opened his eyes and greeted the dim light of day which barely penetrated his prison chamber. Once again on this day, just as he had done many times before, he grievingly recounted in his mind the events of the thirteen years which had passed since his brothers had torn him from the comfort of his father’s arms and set his feet upon this strange path which led him to his present plight.
This day, however, was not to end as those previous days he had spent in this dismal dungeon. This day he would be summoned to the feet of Pharaoh and asked to use his gift as an interpreter of dreams. This time it would not be the dreams of fellow ungrateful prisoners. Now it was the Pharaoh of all the lands watered by the mighty Nile who had petitioned Joseph to explain the meaning of his dreams.
One wonders if the thought might have been whispered into his mind that perhaps this would be the key to the fulfilling of his own youthful vision which had brought such jealousy into the hearts of his brothers. Would he yet live to see the many sheaves bowing to his sheave? How quickly do we move in life from one classroom into the next? In one dramatic moment Joseph went from being the keeper of the jailor’s keys to advisor for the king. Before he had to face one more dim morning sunrise he was moved from prison to palace to provide the place where his next proving ground would be found.
During the next seven yeas of plenty Joseph rose steadily to great power in Egypt. His stature in Egypt eventually surpassed all others to the point where he was answerable to Pharaoh alone. All things along the river became subject to this Joseph who had become the favored of the king. Nothing was withheld from being subject to Joseph, even life and death.
As drought blighted the lands neighboring the once fertile valleys of the Nile, the full granaries under the command of Joseph multiplied his power and fame beyond Egypt’s borders. The spreading fingers of famine finally drew to Egypt’s bread basket the sons of Israel, and there in the palace court, Joseph saw that long ago dream brought to life as his brothers prostrated themselves at his feet. The humbled ten fell on their knees before the power of Egypt, personified in their unrecognized brother. Joseph’s piercing glance looked down upon Simeon who long ago had cast his lot to put this chosen son of Jacob to death. There also were Dan, Naphtali, Gad and Asher whose last words as they sold their younger brother into slavery were full of jealousy and hatred. All bowed before Joseph except for his full brother Benjamin who had remained at home to give comfort to his father.
During this riveting reunion there was more than the trial of guilty brothers taking place. Joseph was about to pass through a trial which would reach into the eternities where he would be weighed on the scales of eternal justice. The trial in the royal courts of Egypt, as Joseph sat in judgment over his erring brothers, was but a type of the real trial being held that day. The greater trial was going to test the progress of eternal character which was fomenting in the soul of the son who had been the recipient of the coat of many colors. Eternally, Joseph, not his brothers, stood in judgment that day. With the power of his voice he could be vengeful or benevolent, cruel or merciful. He stood alone at the alter of stewardship accountability.
With wonderment and then joy we read as the wisdom and mercy of Joseph unfolds in the story as he chooses to follow the admonitions of his God. We weep as one by one Joseph falls upon the necks of his family with tearful embraces. We stand in awe as Joseph by applying the characteristic of forgiveness changes from being favored of Pharaoh to being favored of the Lord. Although the last scene of this wonderful story seems to be the tearful reunion of the founders of the House of Israel, the whisperings of the Spirit remind us that in reality it was but one more step in the passage of a yet unfinished history.
Our future, like the dungeon chamber of Joseph, is today seen in dimness but will continue to be illuminated in the gathering light of each test we are able to successfully abide. Although we cannot presently comprehend the total nor even perhaps the next classroom we will be asked to enter, it seems imperative that we come to learn well the lab work we are given in the classroom of forgiveness. The Father’s counsel is clear and unmistakable that we must continually be expanding our ability to forgive, working diligently at the task until through the grace of God it becomes an eternal part of our natures.
Spencer W. Kimball brought perspective and light to this truth when he said; “Across the barren deserts of hate and greed and grudge is the beautiful valley of paradise. We read in the papers and hear on the TV constantly that the world ‘is in an awful mess.’ Not true! The world is still most beautiful. It is man who is off center. The sun still illumines the day and gives light and life to all things. The moon still brightens the night. Oceans still feed the world and provide transportation. Rivers still drain the land and provide irrigation water to nourish the crops. Even the ravages of time have not sloughed off the majesty of the mountains. Flowers still bloom and birds still sing and children still laugh and play. What is wrong with the world is man made.”
Somehow I must gain the ability to forgive every folly, overlook all shortsightedness, forget every offense, remember no longer any rudeness and come to the understanding that my brother like me is just passing through the present classroom until he is ready to be advanced to the location of his next soul stretching scenario. Like me he is yet far from being ready for graduation and has much to learn before his journey is through. Like me he will yet make sufficient mistakes before his Father can say ‘Well Done.’
I know progress is possible through patient practice of the principles given to us by He who is in control of the curriculum. We must remember that we have been able to conquer much and that we have already passed through many classrooms and the possibility is bright that we will be able to conquer our desires for revenge and retribution. I strongly believe that we can overcome our need to ‘get even’ and come to the point where we are able to forgive all who have trespassed against us. I also believe that the acquisition of the eternal characteristic of forgiveness takes extreme diligence and effort. I am slowly learning that as the Lord has promised, each step I take toward becoming a more forgiving person brings greater peace and more abundant joy into my life.
This day, however, was not to end as those previous days he had spent in this dismal dungeon. This day he would be summoned to the feet of Pharaoh and asked to use his gift as an interpreter of dreams. This time it would not be the dreams of fellow ungrateful prisoners. Now it was the Pharaoh of all the lands watered by the mighty Nile who had petitioned Joseph to explain the meaning of his dreams.
One wonders if the thought might have been whispered into his mind that perhaps this would be the key to the fulfilling of his own youthful vision which had brought such jealousy into the hearts of his brothers. Would he yet live to see the many sheaves bowing to his sheave? How quickly do we move in life from one classroom into the next? In one dramatic moment Joseph went from being the keeper of the jailor’s keys to advisor for the king. Before he had to face one more dim morning sunrise he was moved from prison to palace to provide the place where his next proving ground would be found.
During the next seven yeas of plenty Joseph rose steadily to great power in Egypt. His stature in Egypt eventually surpassed all others to the point where he was answerable to Pharaoh alone. All things along the river became subject to this Joseph who had become the favored of the king. Nothing was withheld from being subject to Joseph, even life and death.
As drought blighted the lands neighboring the once fertile valleys of the Nile, the full granaries under the command of Joseph multiplied his power and fame beyond Egypt’s borders. The spreading fingers of famine finally drew to Egypt’s bread basket the sons of Israel, and there in the palace court, Joseph saw that long ago dream brought to life as his brothers prostrated themselves at his feet. The humbled ten fell on their knees before the power of Egypt, personified in their unrecognized brother. Joseph’s piercing glance looked down upon Simeon who long ago had cast his lot to put this chosen son of Jacob to death. There also were Dan, Naphtali, Gad and Asher whose last words as they sold their younger brother into slavery were full of jealousy and hatred. All bowed before Joseph except for his full brother Benjamin who had remained at home to give comfort to his father.
During this riveting reunion there was more than the trial of guilty brothers taking place. Joseph was about to pass through a trial which would reach into the eternities where he would be weighed on the scales of eternal justice. The trial in the royal courts of Egypt, as Joseph sat in judgment over his erring brothers, was but a type of the real trial being held that day. The greater trial was going to test the progress of eternal character which was fomenting in the soul of the son who had been the recipient of the coat of many colors. Eternally, Joseph, not his brothers, stood in judgment that day. With the power of his voice he could be vengeful or benevolent, cruel or merciful. He stood alone at the alter of stewardship accountability.
With wonderment and then joy we read as the wisdom and mercy of Joseph unfolds in the story as he chooses to follow the admonitions of his God. We weep as one by one Joseph falls upon the necks of his family with tearful embraces. We stand in awe as Joseph by applying the characteristic of forgiveness changes from being favored of Pharaoh to being favored of the Lord. Although the last scene of this wonderful story seems to be the tearful reunion of the founders of the House of Israel, the whisperings of the Spirit remind us that in reality it was but one more step in the passage of a yet unfinished history.
Our future, like the dungeon chamber of Joseph, is today seen in dimness but will continue to be illuminated in the gathering light of each test we are able to successfully abide. Although we cannot presently comprehend the total nor even perhaps the next classroom we will be asked to enter, it seems imperative that we come to learn well the lab work we are given in the classroom of forgiveness. The Father’s counsel is clear and unmistakable that we must continually be expanding our ability to forgive, working diligently at the task until through the grace of God it becomes an eternal part of our natures.
Spencer W. Kimball brought perspective and light to this truth when he said; “Across the barren deserts of hate and greed and grudge is the beautiful valley of paradise. We read in the papers and hear on the TV constantly that the world ‘is in an awful mess.’ Not true! The world is still most beautiful. It is man who is off center. The sun still illumines the day and gives light and life to all things. The moon still brightens the night. Oceans still feed the world and provide transportation. Rivers still drain the land and provide irrigation water to nourish the crops. Even the ravages of time have not sloughed off the majesty of the mountains. Flowers still bloom and birds still sing and children still laugh and play. What is wrong with the world is man made.”
Somehow I must gain the ability to forgive every folly, overlook all shortsightedness, forget every offense, remember no longer any rudeness and come to the understanding that my brother like me is just passing through the present classroom until he is ready to be advanced to the location of his next soul stretching scenario. Like me he is yet far from being ready for graduation and has much to learn before his journey is through. Like me he will yet make sufficient mistakes before his Father can say ‘Well Done.’
I know progress is possible through patient practice of the principles given to us by He who is in control of the curriculum. We must remember that we have been able to conquer much and that we have already passed through many classrooms and the possibility is bright that we will be able to conquer our desires for revenge and retribution. I strongly believe that we can overcome our need to ‘get even’ and come to the point where we are able to forgive all who have trespassed against us. I also believe that the acquisition of the eternal characteristic of forgiveness takes extreme diligence and effort. I am slowly learning that as the Lord has promised, each step I take toward becoming a more forgiving person brings greater peace and more abundant joy into my life.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
PATHWAY OF A DISCIPLE OF JESUS THE CHRIST
With a tiny apology to those members of the Adult Religion Program Class that I direct on Tuesdays, I want to share with those who don’t have to put up with my weekly classroom babblings some thoughts stimulated by the talk by Neil A. Maxwell which we are currently discussing.
Neil A. Maxwell entitled his talk ‘Called to Serve,’ but as I was preparing the discussion points for the class seven areas of progression to becoming a complete disciple of Jesus the Christ formulated upon my senses. I will attempt to share with you a process which I, as one who is still but a neophyte in the journey to become converted and committed to the concept of adhering to the discipline taught by the Savior, am just beginning to comprehend and which may help us more fully understand that there is yet a great way to go before our journey is complete.
I feel that like all progression which is illustrated by charting and graphing, this process will look like one is suppose to complete area one before going to area two, etc. However, as we all know, our mortal progression isn’t presented to us in such a lock-step manner. I am sure we have all come to realize that we are continuously moving in various areas of our probation whether it be forward or backward. I find myself having to repeat some passages numerous times and there are some principles that I at present still find beyond my understanding and therefore difficult to inculcate into my life. With this acknowledgment of my own frailty, I will give my thoughts on the Seven Areas on the Pathway to Becoming a Disciple of Jesus the Christ.
As I have chosen to write these thoughts in the first person, I hasten to acknowledge that the use of this writing devise is in no way an indication that my personal progress has in any way approached the levels of discipleship that I am attempting to explain. I am fully aware that these thoughts are an exercise well in the limits of ‘as I say’ and not necessarily ‘as I do.’
Area One: As I am introduced to a tenet of discipleship and begin to gain understanding, something happens to my soul which constitutes a call to put this principle into my life with a corresponding beginning testimony that adherence will lead to a new and more abundant life. A whispering of the Spirit which leads me to believe that adherence will help me enjoy a greater amount of joy and peace during the trials and opportunities of the journey.
Area Two: I begin to make stumbling attempts to put into practice a particular principle at my current level of understanding and capabilities. It soon becomes apparent that this area will present me with constant new challenges and experiences within the realm of the same principle as my understanding increases and my capacities to do grow. I continually find that the covenants I once thought I had made as a disciple and what I had committed to do, expand, grow and even take on meanings I once never even imagined. Correspondingly I feel the strength of He who I am attempting to follow flowing upon me more abundantly and aiding me in my feebleness. I realize my testimony is likewise growing and that which I once thought was ‘all there is’ was but a small understanding in a very large and yet little envisioned library of Omniscience.
Area Three: The nature of my striving to progress within the first two areas of learning and trying to understand principles of discipleship and then attempting to make them a permanent part of my character becomes a self-spurring stimulus which drives me to a greater determination of dedication to discipleship. I find a thirst and hunger to know ‘what He would have me do’ a greater desire to gain the skills necessary to more closely do ‘what Jesus would do.’ My testimony continues to be strengthened as I get small here and there glimpses of how to do ‘as he would have me do.’
Area Four: As I struggle to increase my discipleship by attempting to adhere to the processes in areas one through three, I begin to understand that there are parts of me which can only be made holy as I sacrifice them to an increasingly consuming desire to dedicated discipleship. I begin to understand what the Master meant when He admonished me to put off my naturalness. I catch a glimpse of how I must loose myself. I realize the condemnation which comes as a result of striving to satisfy the endless requests of ‘I’ and ‘Me.’ I begin that more difficult part of the journey which involves a life founded upon putting off ‘selfishness’ and putting on ‘selflessness.’ A strange miracle begins to take place in my being as I witness an internal change as love given flows back to me in never repayable quantities. I find that as I begin to have a less self-centered life and center my life in Christ and his ‘pathway of discipleship,’ love begins to flow into and out from my ‘living testimony’ in magnified ways I never knew to be possible.
Area Five: I am consumed with the desire to become everything that one who has committed to discipleship should become. I determine to be an example of the believer, one who is a latter-day-saint in more than just name. I begin to be overwhelmed and at the same time comforted with what it means to take upon me His name and remember Him always. My testimony begins to reach unbelievable heights as I find myself doing His works and adding to His Glory.
Area Six: I find myself increasingly open to the lasting changes He is desirous of pouring out upon me through His mercy. I now understand that becoming Christlike is indeed impossible for me, but nothing is impossible for Him. I comprehend that eternal changes can only be ‘wrought’ upon one through the grace of Christ ‘after all we have done.’ I no longer believe that my seeking and striving to become a total disciple will be sufficient but I must wait patiently for His gift ‘the mighty change.’ I begin to have a testimony in areas which include my repentance and His expiation but extend and broaden my understanding of how He is my Savior and Redeemer.
Area Seven: I become open and readied for that final moment when consecration becomes an active part of the pathway of my daily walk. I gladly and completely allow my will to be swallowed up in the will of the Father. I discover my testimony to be in a strange way no longer as much mine as His.
As I contemplate the immenseness of the challenge that entering upon the pathway of a disciple of Christ brings into one’s life, I am grateful that we were given the First Estate (our premortal existence) and are given in different measures this Second Estate (mortality) and will be given whatever is needed in the Next Estate (spirit world) to have God’s work and glory worked upon us as he continues to bring about our immortality and Eternal Lives. I am likewise grateful for the desire he has wrought upon me to complete as much of this Everlasting journey today as time and circumstances allow me. This day, as most, I indeed stand all amazed. My prayer is that my amazement will increasingly foster my desire to increase my discipline as I struggle to walk upon the Pathway of a Disciple of Jesus the Christ.
Neil A. Maxwell entitled his talk ‘Called to Serve,’ but as I was preparing the discussion points for the class seven areas of progression to becoming a complete disciple of Jesus the Christ formulated upon my senses. I will attempt to share with you a process which I, as one who is still but a neophyte in the journey to become converted and committed to the concept of adhering to the discipline taught by the Savior, am just beginning to comprehend and which may help us more fully understand that there is yet a great way to go before our journey is complete.
I feel that like all progression which is illustrated by charting and graphing, this process will look like one is suppose to complete area one before going to area two, etc. However, as we all know, our mortal progression isn’t presented to us in such a lock-step manner. I am sure we have all come to realize that we are continuously moving in various areas of our probation whether it be forward or backward. I find myself having to repeat some passages numerous times and there are some principles that I at present still find beyond my understanding and therefore difficult to inculcate into my life. With this acknowledgment of my own frailty, I will give my thoughts on the Seven Areas on the Pathway to Becoming a Disciple of Jesus the Christ.
As I have chosen to write these thoughts in the first person, I hasten to acknowledge that the use of this writing devise is in no way an indication that my personal progress has in any way approached the levels of discipleship that I am attempting to explain. I am fully aware that these thoughts are an exercise well in the limits of ‘as I say’ and not necessarily ‘as I do.’
Area One: As I am introduced to a tenet of discipleship and begin to gain understanding, something happens to my soul which constitutes a call to put this principle into my life with a corresponding beginning testimony that adherence will lead to a new and more abundant life. A whispering of the Spirit which leads me to believe that adherence will help me enjoy a greater amount of joy and peace during the trials and opportunities of the journey.
Area Two: I begin to make stumbling attempts to put into practice a particular principle at my current level of understanding and capabilities. It soon becomes apparent that this area will present me with constant new challenges and experiences within the realm of the same principle as my understanding increases and my capacities to do grow. I continually find that the covenants I once thought I had made as a disciple and what I had committed to do, expand, grow and even take on meanings I once never even imagined. Correspondingly I feel the strength of He who I am attempting to follow flowing upon me more abundantly and aiding me in my feebleness. I realize my testimony is likewise growing and that which I once thought was ‘all there is’ was but a small understanding in a very large and yet little envisioned library of Omniscience.
Area Three: The nature of my striving to progress within the first two areas of learning and trying to understand principles of discipleship and then attempting to make them a permanent part of my character becomes a self-spurring stimulus which drives me to a greater determination of dedication to discipleship. I find a thirst and hunger to know ‘what He would have me do’ a greater desire to gain the skills necessary to more closely do ‘what Jesus would do.’ My testimony continues to be strengthened as I get small here and there glimpses of how to do ‘as he would have me do.’
Area Four: As I struggle to increase my discipleship by attempting to adhere to the processes in areas one through three, I begin to understand that there are parts of me which can only be made holy as I sacrifice them to an increasingly consuming desire to dedicated discipleship. I begin to understand what the Master meant when He admonished me to put off my naturalness. I catch a glimpse of how I must loose myself. I realize the condemnation which comes as a result of striving to satisfy the endless requests of ‘I’ and ‘Me.’ I begin that more difficult part of the journey which involves a life founded upon putting off ‘selfishness’ and putting on ‘selflessness.’ A strange miracle begins to take place in my being as I witness an internal change as love given flows back to me in never repayable quantities. I find that as I begin to have a less self-centered life and center my life in Christ and his ‘pathway of discipleship,’ love begins to flow into and out from my ‘living testimony’ in magnified ways I never knew to be possible.
Area Five: I am consumed with the desire to become everything that one who has committed to discipleship should become. I determine to be an example of the believer, one who is a latter-day-saint in more than just name. I begin to be overwhelmed and at the same time comforted with what it means to take upon me His name and remember Him always. My testimony begins to reach unbelievable heights as I find myself doing His works and adding to His Glory.
Area Six: I find myself increasingly open to the lasting changes He is desirous of pouring out upon me through His mercy. I now understand that becoming Christlike is indeed impossible for me, but nothing is impossible for Him. I comprehend that eternal changes can only be ‘wrought’ upon one through the grace of Christ ‘after all we have done.’ I no longer believe that my seeking and striving to become a total disciple will be sufficient but I must wait patiently for His gift ‘the mighty change.’ I begin to have a testimony in areas which include my repentance and His expiation but extend and broaden my understanding of how He is my Savior and Redeemer.
Area Seven: I become open and readied for that final moment when consecration becomes an active part of the pathway of my daily walk. I gladly and completely allow my will to be swallowed up in the will of the Father. I discover my testimony to be in a strange way no longer as much mine as His.
As I contemplate the immenseness of the challenge that entering upon the pathway of a disciple of Christ brings into one’s life, I am grateful that we were given the First Estate (our premortal existence) and are given in different measures this Second Estate (mortality) and will be given whatever is needed in the Next Estate (spirit world) to have God’s work and glory worked upon us as he continues to bring about our immortality and Eternal Lives. I am likewise grateful for the desire he has wrought upon me to complete as much of this Everlasting journey today as time and circumstances allow me. This day, as most, I indeed stand all amazed. My prayer is that my amazement will increasingly foster my desire to increase my discipline as I struggle to walk upon the Pathway of a Disciple of Jesus the Christ.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
THE MUSICAL EASTER STORY
ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING – LIFT UP YOUR VOICE AND WITH US SING – COME WITH HIGH AND HOLY HYMNING – OH PRAISE HIM – ALL GLORY, LAUD AND HONOR– A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD
AS MARY’S SON HE CAME TO EARTH – HE HEALED THE SICK – THE DEAD HE RAISED – HE MARKED THE PATH – FEET HE PLANTS ON GOSPEL SOD – A BEACON TO A BETTER LIFE – HE SAID TO MEN COME FOLLOW ME –HE IS THE SOURCE OF TRUTH AND LIGHT
BY HEAVEN’S PLAN APPOINTED – CRAVEN FRIENDS BETRAY THEE – SOLDIERS MOCK AND FLAIL THEE – A CROWN OF PIERCING THORNS – HE SHED A THOUSAND DROPS OF PRECIOUS BLOOD – IN OUR PLACE THOU DIDST SUFFER – IN OUR PLACE THOU DIDST DIE – A SOLEMN DARKNESS VEILED THE SKY – BEHOLD THE GREAT REDEEMER DIES – HE DIES IN HOLY INNOCENCE – HE DIES A SACRIFICE FOR SIN – A BROKEN LAW TO RECOMPENSE – HIS HIGH COMMISSION TO FULFILL
GOD LOVED US SO HE SENT HIS SON – TRIUMPHANT SAVIOR SON OF GOD – HE SAVETH FROM THE FALL – HE OVERCOMETH ALL – HE’S DONE THE WORK – HE MAGNIFIED HIS FATHER’S WILL– VICTORIOUS OVER DEATH AND PAIN – HE HATH OPENED HEAVEN’S GATE – HIS DEATH UNLOCKED THE PASSAGE WAY INTO ETERNITY
BUT LO – WHAT SUDDEN JOYS WERE HEARD – THAT EASTER MORN THE GRAVE BURST – IN VAIN THE TOMB FORBADE HIM RISE – TELL IT OUT WITH JOYFUL VOICE – SHOUT WELCOME TO THE SKIES–CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY – HE IS RISEN – HE IS RISEN – LOVE’S REDEEMING WORK IS DONE – HE LIVES – I KNOW MY GREAT REDEEMER LIVES
O JESUS THE ANOINTED – TO THEE OUR LOVE WE BRING – ONCE HE DIED OUR SOULS TO SAVE – NOW A BRIGHTER EASTER BEAM – YONDER GLORIOUS MORNING RAY– OH GIVE ME THY SWEET SPIRIT STILL – FAITH TO WALK THE LONELY ROAD – COMFORT ME WHEN FAINT – HEAR MY SOUL’S COMPLAINT – SILENCE ALL MY FEARS –WIPE AWAY MY TEARS – GRANT ME DAILY BREATH – BLESS ME WITH THY LOVE – THROUGH RESURRECTION’S MIRACLE – BRING ME SAFELY THERE
MY SOUL SINGS MY GOD TO THEE – HOW GREAT THOU ART – ACCEPT THE LOVE I BRING – LET ME REMEMBER YOU DIED THAT JUSTICE MIGHT BE SATISFIED – BE SURE MY HEART AND HANDS ARE CLEAN AND PURE – LET MY THOUGHTS BE TURNED TO THEE – CONTEMPLATE THY LASTING GRACE – HAVE COURAGE TO ACCEPT THY WILL – KEEP MY PLEDGE TO DO THY WORK – WALK THY CHOSEN WAY – FIND A PLACE WITHIN THY HEART
LET ME REMEMBER AND BE SURE – WHEN THRU WOODS AND FOREST GLADES I WANDER – WHEN I HEAR THE BIRDS SING SWEETLY IN THE TREES – WHEN I LOOK DOWN FROM LOFTY MOUNTAIN GRANDEUR – WHEN I HEAR THE BROOK – WHEN I FEEL THE GENTLE BREEZE – HOW GREAT THOU ART – HOW GREAT THOU ART
I STAND ALL AMAZED AT THE LOVE JESUS OFFERS ME – SUCH MERCY – SUCH LOVE – SUCH DEVOTION – CAN I FORGET? – I BOW IN HUMBLE ADORATION – WITH ALL MY HEART TO HIM I’LL SING – OH SWEET THE JOY THIS SENTENCE BRINGS – I BELIEVE IN CHRIST – HE LIVES MY ONE SURE ROCK OF FAITH – HE LIVES AND LOVES ME TO THE END – HE LIVES – I KNOW MY REDEEMER LIVES – HE IS MY KING – ALL GLORY TO HIS NAME
AS MARY’S SON HE CAME TO EARTH – HE HEALED THE SICK – THE DEAD HE RAISED – HE MARKED THE PATH – FEET HE PLANTS ON GOSPEL SOD – A BEACON TO A BETTER LIFE – HE SAID TO MEN COME FOLLOW ME –HE IS THE SOURCE OF TRUTH AND LIGHT
BY HEAVEN’S PLAN APPOINTED – CRAVEN FRIENDS BETRAY THEE – SOLDIERS MOCK AND FLAIL THEE – A CROWN OF PIERCING THORNS – HE SHED A THOUSAND DROPS OF PRECIOUS BLOOD – IN OUR PLACE THOU DIDST SUFFER – IN OUR PLACE THOU DIDST DIE – A SOLEMN DARKNESS VEILED THE SKY – BEHOLD THE GREAT REDEEMER DIES – HE DIES IN HOLY INNOCENCE – HE DIES A SACRIFICE FOR SIN – A BROKEN LAW TO RECOMPENSE – HIS HIGH COMMISSION TO FULFILL
GOD LOVED US SO HE SENT HIS SON – TRIUMPHANT SAVIOR SON OF GOD – HE SAVETH FROM THE FALL – HE OVERCOMETH ALL – HE’S DONE THE WORK – HE MAGNIFIED HIS FATHER’S WILL– VICTORIOUS OVER DEATH AND PAIN – HE HATH OPENED HEAVEN’S GATE – HIS DEATH UNLOCKED THE PASSAGE WAY INTO ETERNITY
BUT LO – WHAT SUDDEN JOYS WERE HEARD – THAT EASTER MORN THE GRAVE BURST – IN VAIN THE TOMB FORBADE HIM RISE – TELL IT OUT WITH JOYFUL VOICE – SHOUT WELCOME TO THE SKIES–CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY – HE IS RISEN – HE IS RISEN – LOVE’S REDEEMING WORK IS DONE – HE LIVES – I KNOW MY GREAT REDEEMER LIVES
O JESUS THE ANOINTED – TO THEE OUR LOVE WE BRING – ONCE HE DIED OUR SOULS TO SAVE – NOW A BRIGHTER EASTER BEAM – YONDER GLORIOUS MORNING RAY– OH GIVE ME THY SWEET SPIRIT STILL – FAITH TO WALK THE LONELY ROAD – COMFORT ME WHEN FAINT – HEAR MY SOUL’S COMPLAINT – SILENCE ALL MY FEARS –WIPE AWAY MY TEARS – GRANT ME DAILY BREATH – BLESS ME WITH THY LOVE – THROUGH RESURRECTION’S MIRACLE – BRING ME SAFELY THERE
MY SOUL SINGS MY GOD TO THEE – HOW GREAT THOU ART – ACCEPT THE LOVE I BRING – LET ME REMEMBER YOU DIED THAT JUSTICE MIGHT BE SATISFIED – BE SURE MY HEART AND HANDS ARE CLEAN AND PURE – LET MY THOUGHTS BE TURNED TO THEE – CONTEMPLATE THY LASTING GRACE – HAVE COURAGE TO ACCEPT THY WILL – KEEP MY PLEDGE TO DO THY WORK – WALK THY CHOSEN WAY – FIND A PLACE WITHIN THY HEART
LET ME REMEMBER AND BE SURE – WHEN THRU WOODS AND FOREST GLADES I WANDER – WHEN I HEAR THE BIRDS SING SWEETLY IN THE TREES – WHEN I LOOK DOWN FROM LOFTY MOUNTAIN GRANDEUR – WHEN I HEAR THE BROOK – WHEN I FEEL THE GENTLE BREEZE – HOW GREAT THOU ART – HOW GREAT THOU ART
I STAND ALL AMAZED AT THE LOVE JESUS OFFERS ME – SUCH MERCY – SUCH LOVE – SUCH DEVOTION – CAN I FORGET? – I BOW IN HUMBLE ADORATION – WITH ALL MY HEART TO HIM I’LL SING – OH SWEET THE JOY THIS SENTENCE BRINGS – I BELIEVE IN CHRIST – HE LIVES MY ONE SURE ROCK OF FAITH – HE LIVES AND LOVES ME TO THE END – HE LIVES – I KNOW MY REDEEMER LIVES – HE IS MY KING – ALL GLORY TO HIS NAME
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