The Playhouse
It began as a hum and then as I continued getting ready for church, the words began forming in my mind: "I am so happy in Christ today, That I go singing along my way. Yes, I'm so happy to know and say, 'Jesus included me too.'"
I smiled to myself as I found it hard to believe that the old hymn made its appearance again after learning it decades ago. It dated back to my childhood years at Philadelphia Baptist Church on the second pew on the left side. Seating toward the front of churches is rarely a sought-after section, but I knew that special place was our family's spot. Thank you, Daddy and Mother for taking me to that place every Sunday where I learned the joy of being included.
One of my favorite hymns as a child was: "I Am Resolved." The verses flowed freely, but Mr. Buck, our church song leader, would make a slow song move faster and a fast song wear roller skates. I loved that!
The chorus was even better than the verse because the bass singers chimed in deep unison, "hasten so glad and free-e." I would realize later to Whom I would hasten, but I still learned the words and in later years appreciated the true meaning. Thank you, Mr. Buck, for causing my foot to pat in rhythm to a song that pointed me to the worthiest of resolves.
Christmas carols were a large part of December for me. I always thought most of them were written for voices with opera ranges, but I still sang them with gusto. "Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity" wasn't a clear picture of what the birth of the Christ-child meant, but my young mind still logged it away for the time I would understand and be amazed. Thank you, carol writers, for adding Christmas music to our hymnals.
One teenage summer I wrestled with a long illness and spent a lot of time confined to the couch or bed. I will always remember the early morning when I woke with the song, "There Is A Balm In Gilead," playing in my mind. "There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole" brought supernatural strength to my physical and mental condition. Thank you, Daddy, for seeing that I learned hymns that held medicinal value for mind and body.
There were so many nights after leaving Mother in the nursing home that I cried out to God for a remedy for her situation. Some nights I couldn't pray, but I could sing, "Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him; how I've proved Him o'er and o'er." Thank you, Mother and Daddy, for bringing me up in an environment that schooled me in doctrine put to music.
"To God be the glory, great things He hath done!" " I once was lost but now am found!"
Friday, November 15, 2013
Sunday, November 3, 2013
The Playhouse
There are things to be learned on a vacation. I've learned some of those this week while on vacation with friends, Phil and Susan. We arrived in Sedona, Arizona with expectations of sightseeing drives taking us to the Grand Canyon and hiking some of the breathtaking trails around the red rocks of Sedona. The weather met us on our arrival with 70 plus temps and 20% humidity. What a reception!
I unpacked my hiking shoes and dressed for our first hike. We hit the trail headed to a picturesque stream surrounded by river rocks and enclosed by a towering mountain range. The trail made a quick descent and the uneven rocky path kept me watchful of unsure footing. The cottonwood trees with their shimmering golden leaves were a sign that we were nearing water. Suddenly I heard a strange sound at my feet and looked down to kick away what I thought felt like a stick or rock hung in my sole. I was shocked to see the bottom layer of my hiking shoes flapping loosely from my shoe. Othel turned around and said, "What's that?"
"My shoe," I answered as I tried to keep pace. He stopped and bent down to examine my "talking" shoe. I assured him a little glue would fix it good as new after I finished the hike. We both were puzzled that this brand of shoe would have that problem.
Undaunted, I continued the hike but with a flip-flop noise with each step. Before we reached the stream, I had another blow-out! My other shoe let go of its bottom layer of sole. Now they were singing a duet. Othel stopped again and examined my other shoe. "These things look rotten under this sole," he said. "Glue won't help this problem. I'll pull the soles off and you can finish the hike, but we'll get you new shoes before another hike."
I agreed as I looked closer. He gave the soles a yank, and they tore loose easily. I felt like I was wearing lace-up moccasins. I navigated the hike to the stream, made some pictures and headed back to our vehicle.
I learned that checkups are important for vacation attire. Just because my shoes still looked great from the outside, a closer look would have exposed the problem.
Mid-week we headed for the Grand Canyon. The trip was scenic in all directions but carried us to high elevations and narrow, winding roads. Susan and I told the men that the height of the drive and the possibility of going over the edge and never being found among the rocks and dense trees was a possibility that was unnerving. They assured us that the drive was safe and that we shouldn't look over the edges until we got off the mountain.
With sweaty palms and extra braking from the back seat, we arrived at our destination. On the way back after a day of hiking the canyon's rim and being awed by its beauty, I made a discovery. Even though we traveled the same "treacherous" route back to our hotel, Susan and I never made a comment about the danger of the winding roads. Why? It was dark and the headlights of our car always shown straight ahead, and we weren't able to see the deep precipices on the sides. What we didn't see couldn't alarm us.
There were even deeper lessons for me spiritually: (1) The outside of my shoes may have looked great but the inside was rotten. Our hearts are much more important to God than our outward appearance, and He's able to see everything others might never see. I need regular heart exams.
(2) There are a vast number of fearful things in our world, and they can turn me into a frightened, crippled disciple if I focus on those things. However, if I keep my focus on the light that God's Word shines onto my path and follow that light, He will lead me to my destination in a way that will bring glory to the Lord.
I may be growing old in years, but God continues to teach me - even on vacations.
There are things to be learned on a vacation. I've learned some of those this week while on vacation with friends, Phil and Susan. We arrived in Sedona, Arizona with expectations of sightseeing drives taking us to the Grand Canyon and hiking some of the breathtaking trails around the red rocks of Sedona. The weather met us on our arrival with 70 plus temps and 20% humidity. What a reception!
I unpacked my hiking shoes and dressed for our first hike. We hit the trail headed to a picturesque stream surrounded by river rocks and enclosed by a towering mountain range. The trail made a quick descent and the uneven rocky path kept me watchful of unsure footing. The cottonwood trees with their shimmering golden leaves were a sign that we were nearing water. Suddenly I heard a strange sound at my feet and looked down to kick away what I thought felt like a stick or rock hung in my sole. I was shocked to see the bottom layer of my hiking shoes flapping loosely from my shoe. Othel turned around and said, "What's that?"
"My shoe," I answered as I tried to keep pace. He stopped and bent down to examine my "talking" shoe. I assured him a little glue would fix it good as new after I finished the hike. We both were puzzled that this brand of shoe would have that problem.
Undaunted, I continued the hike but with a flip-flop noise with each step. Before we reached the stream, I had another blow-out! My other shoe let go of its bottom layer of sole. Now they were singing a duet. Othel stopped again and examined my other shoe. "These things look rotten under this sole," he said. "Glue won't help this problem. I'll pull the soles off and you can finish the hike, but we'll get you new shoes before another hike."
I agreed as I looked closer. He gave the soles a yank, and they tore loose easily. I felt like I was wearing lace-up moccasins. I navigated the hike to the stream, made some pictures and headed back to our vehicle.
I learned that checkups are important for vacation attire. Just because my shoes still looked great from the outside, a closer look would have exposed the problem.
Mid-week we headed for the Grand Canyon. The trip was scenic in all directions but carried us to high elevations and narrow, winding roads. Susan and I told the men that the height of the drive and the possibility of going over the edge and never being found among the rocks and dense trees was a possibility that was unnerving. They assured us that the drive was safe and that we shouldn't look over the edges until we got off the mountain.
With sweaty palms and extra braking from the back seat, we arrived at our destination. On the way back after a day of hiking the canyon's rim and being awed by its beauty, I made a discovery. Even though we traveled the same "treacherous" route back to our hotel, Susan and I never made a comment about the danger of the winding roads. Why? It was dark and the headlights of our car always shown straight ahead, and we weren't able to see the deep precipices on the sides. What we didn't see couldn't alarm us.
There were even deeper lessons for me spiritually: (1) The outside of my shoes may have looked great but the inside was rotten. Our hearts are much more important to God than our outward appearance, and He's able to see everything others might never see. I need regular heart exams.
(2) There are a vast number of fearful things in our world, and they can turn me into a frightened, crippled disciple if I focus on those things. However, if I keep my focus on the light that God's Word shines onto my path and follow that light, He will lead me to my destination in a way that will bring glory to the Lord.
I may be growing old in years, but God continues to teach me - even on vacations.
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