May My Desires Become His
“Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
I’ve been thinking today how many of my desires God has granted me. I’ve often made the statement that God not only meets my needs but also grants so many of my desires. I don’t know why he loves me so much but I feel so special when He gives me something just because He knows it will bless me.
“Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:9-11) I rest in that assurance. My Father has proven time and again that, although He may not always give me what I ask Him, He doesn’t withhold any good thing from me. (Psalm 84:11) He knows what’s best for me and I know that is exactly what I will receive.
In light of that, I hope I’m never found complaining about my “lot” in life. God is not obligated to give me what I want but, as my will becomes His will, I know that is exactly what I will receive. Isn’t God good!
CD Review: Just Stand (Legacy Five)
This review is overdue but I like to listen to a project a while before posting a review. Sometimes my response to a CD changes with listening to it, favorite songs change, etc. but it’ll be no surprise to Legacy Five fans that they have once again put out a top notch recording.
It’s hard to pick a favorite on this CD but several that could be a favorite depending on the day are “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” “Just Stand,” “Faithful to the Cross,” “My Soul is Firmly Anchored,” and “‘Til We Meet Again.”
“Above All Circumstances” features Scott Howard, who continues to be among my top two favorite baritone singers.
Tim Parton sings “One Thing God Can’t Do” which is “stop loving you.” I hadn’t heard him sing before but he has a sweet, gentle voice. That’s probably not what men prefer to be told but I can’t think of a better way to describe it. It matches his personality I’d say.
“Just Stand” is an uptempo number which features Glenn Dustin. This past weekend, I found myself singing this song and it was a tremendous encouragement.
Other songs include “When They Found Nothing,” “Thankful for the Change” and “Statement of Faith” which, along with Legacy Five, features The Booth Brothers, The Hoppers, and Greater Vision.
One thing that struck me in listening to this project is I’m convinced Scott Fowler is at his best. I’ve listened to Scott since he joined the Cathedrals but I don’t think he’s ever sung as well as he is now. All in all, a top notch recording with great songs, great harmony, and great arrangements.
Keep Me On the Wheel
“Lord, I’m Your child, and You are my Father. I am the clay and You are the Potter so keep me on the wheel” (from Gold City’s Are You Ready? recording).
I hate to admit it but lately, my attitude has been more along the lines of “Keep me OFF the wheel!” If I think about it, though, that’s not really my desire. Humanly, yes, but Scripture tells us that it’s in going through the fire that we come forth as gold. My understanding is that gold is the purest metal and I want to appear pure and righteous in God’s sight. If it’s testing that produces that depth of purity, I want to embrace it, to surrender to the potter, knowing that He knows how much pressure I can take and He will lighten up on the molding when it begins to be too much. I may not like the process but I trust that I will love the result!
To my fellow clay vessels, when life begins to get too hot, stay moldable. Stay close to the Potter. The worse thing you could do is harden before the molding is completed. The Potter knows what He’s doing and, when He’s finished, we will be a beautiful vessel, better able to be used for His purposes. What could be more fulfilling than that? Lord, keep me on the wheel and give me the grace to stay there until You are finished with me.
Going Through Trials
I’ve been on the road a couple weeks and my internet’s been intermittent but I’ve also been at a loss as to know what to write. The purpose of this blog is to bring encouragement and hope to others but, when I’m going through a trial, it can make it harder to do that. However, God’s Word is still true, His love is still sure, and His peace can still reign in the midst of the storm.
Everything that happens to a child of God is for a purpose. We can choose to allow it to make us bitter or we can choose to draw closer to a God who loves us and who desires to walk with us through the valley if we will but let Him. I’m not feeling very strong right now but I know from experience that I will become stronger in my faith and in my walk with the Lord if I allow the fire to produce the gold it desires.
I’ve heard it said that you should be more nervous if everything’s going your way. It’s when things are going wrong that you know the enemy is working overtime which means you are probably impacting the Kingdom more than you realize. Therefore, I press on, desiring this trial to end but trusting God that He has a plan and that, when I come through this, things will be better than before. May He be glorified and praised through my life each day. May I never bring shame to Him in any way. That is my prayer, and I pray that for you as well.
Thriving or Merely Surviving?
The other day, I talked with a man who disagreed with my opinion that discouragement should not be a word in the Christian language. I suspect he didn’t catch my meaning as his focus was on the fact that life is not a bed of roses even for Christians. I, however, disagree with that statement too. Roses are pure beauty in the midst of thorns. That sounds like a great analogy of the Christian life to me. We have trials and disappointments but, with Jesus, we can shine brilliantly and wear a smile even in the midst of the storm.
I know hard times come. I know it’s hard to smile 24/7 but I don’t believe we should live in a state of depression or discouragement. With God, we should always be able to turn to Him and know that His hand is at work even when we can’t see it. We should be able to encourage each other. I don’t know about you but if I know someone is standing with me or praying for me, it lifts my spirit like nothing else. I guess that is my point.
If the Church were being what they were called to be, there would not be near the discouragement and sadness I see on people’s faces all the time. Let’s be the Body. Let’s be available for our Brothers and Sisters. Let’s be a light to the world. They are in desperate need of a Light from Heaven. Let’s make sure we’re not merely surviving but let’s make sure the world knows we are thriving!
New Website to Honor Priscilla McGruder
A couple weeks ago, I was contacted by a lady named Anita Miles who asked if I would write a tribute to Priscilla McGruder for a new website she was working on to specifically honor Priscilla. I checked out the website and I have to say Anita is doing a great job. I wanted to give her a little time to get up some more posts but she’s been adding posts regularly so, for those who loved Sister McGruder, you will want to check out this website. Be sure to leave her some comments and let her know what a great job she’s doing.
More Thoughts on Staying Close to God and Leaving a Legacy
When I correspond with people, I probably write very much as I do for my blog. Whatever’s on my mind will more than likely come out and I love to hear what God is teaching other people. I think that’s part of how we grow. We can learn so much from each other and I am not too arrogant to think I know everything. I hope I never stop learning and growing because to do that seems to be dying while one yet lives.
I was recently corresponding with Rick Busby (the former tenor singer for the Florida Boys and Heaven Bound) about my desire to leave a mark on the world after I die and he summarized what I’ve been trying to communicate but I’m not sure I’ve said it as well. He said: “When we love Christ, I mean truly love Him as we should, we will leave a lasting impression upon all who meet, hear or see us.” THAT is exactly what we should be striving for. If we are as close to Christ as we need to be and if we are seeking His Kingdom first, we can’t help but touch everyone around us. It really should be no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me. How this world needs desperately to see that lived out in our lives!
It’s frustrating to me how many excuses people can come up with for not living for Christ. No one is perfect but we can do a lot better than we do. The Bible is full of instructions in righteousness and there is no excuse for disobeying the Word of God.
Staying close to Jesus and leaving a legacy: these are the things God’s been speaking to me lately. Life is too short to live for one’s own pleasure. My desire is to run after God with all my heart–no turning back!
Is Jesus First?
If you read my writings for any length of time, you will probably notice recurring themes. It seems like God often takes me through journeys and reminds me of things and I then take it upon myself to remind you. 
Lately, I have been again challenged to make sure there is nothing in my life that is taking the place of Jesus. One thing that is so easy to fall into is the place where we spend time telling people about our “prayer requests” instead of actually praying for them. This does not fulfill the same purpose. Granted, there are times when we need others to intercede for us if we’re not breaking through but, for a lot of people, it seems like asking for prayer is a way to complain or to gossip or to get others to feel sorry for us. That is not the purpose of the Body of Christ.
Going to God directly should be our first response. Then, if we have prayer warriors who can pray with us, we can call them. That’s one area I would start in examining if Jesus is first in your life. He is the only One who never fails us. Let’s make sure we’re giving Him the time and attention He deserves.
Feeling Homesick
Every once in a while, I begin to feel Homesick. I don’t think there’s ever a time when I don’t think about Home but sometimes the desire to go is great. I long to see my Father. I can’t imagine the beautiful Home He’s prepared. I know that His eye is ever on me but sometimes it’s easy to lose focus of Him. The world is so real and Heaven seems so far off but I know that He has a plan for me here and I pray to be faithful until the day He calls me. He won’t have to call twice. I will eagerly run into His arms and scan His eyes for approval. I’m sure I’ll want to ask, “Father, are you pleased with me?” but I don’t think I’ll have to ask. His smile will say it all. I know there are days He must shake His head and wonder what He’s going to do with His insecure, bumbling daughter but, even now, He continually reminds me I am loved and if I will but trust Him and follow Him and be willing to be His servant, He will use me and one day I will go Home!
The first Southern Gospel song I ever heard was a song by the Happy Goodman Family called “Only the Sound of His Trumpet.” This week a friend found it on YouTube and emailed me the link. I could have cried. First of all, it brought back memories but it also said what I so often feel. It is “only the sound of His trumpet that keeps me from going Home. If it had been left up to me, I’d been gone such a long time ago.” However, while I’m on this earth, I will strive to work until the work is done and, honestly, I feel blessed that God has entrusted me with so many years and, if He allows me to serve Him a few more decades, I will feel incredibly blessed. I may long for Home at times but I’m not blind to the blessings He’s given me here as well. May He be glorified in my life now and through eternity.
Rick Fair Singing Bass for Southern Sound Quartet
I was pleased this week to hear about Rick Fair joining Southern Sound Quartet. My first introduction to him was when he was with the Palmetto State Quartet. I had not paid attention to them since the Harold Gilley/Brion Carter days but, when I heard Rick, I began to take notice. There was one song they sang at the time that, at times, I couldn’t tell if it were Rick or Aaron McCune (the bass singer at the time) so it doesn’t surprise me that Southern Sound hired him as a bass. I’ve no doubt he will be a fine one.