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Hymn Sunday at SIWC

Every year, the week of Thanksgiving, we have Hymn Sunday at Southern Illinois Worship Center. It’s a day to reminisce of days gone by and thank the Lord for the heritage we have in the Gospel.
I have many memories of the Old Gospel Hymns. I learned a tremendous amount of biblical doctrine from them as well.
Often, certain songs bring back memories of particular people that I went to church with as a child. The trumpet player was Ruth Holcomb, and the music was “It will be Worth it All.” My Sunday School Teacher Betty Upham would sing “I’ve Never Been Sorry.” My grandmother would sing “Till the Storm Passes Over.” Walter Nicely’s (Junior) song was “I’ve Got a Mansion.” These songs were more than mere words; they exemplified the testimony of each of these individuals.
This year Hymn Sunday took a far different turn, as many have been out of the church building for nearly two years. Yet, the music took us all back to a beautiful time and made this day one of those touching stones of remembrance services.
May the Songs of Zion bring us to a place of remembrance of what the Lord has done in our lives.

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Three Nail Thursday 11/18/2021

A Song I listened to.

It is well with my soul – David Phelps (Click the title of the song to listen) 

This coming Sunday is Hymn Sunday at our church. This old hymn is one that our worship team will be singing. It’s long been a favorite of mine. Here is the back story to the song. 

Horatio Spafford knew something about life’s unexpected challenges. He was a successful attorney and real estate investor who lost a fortune in the great Chicago fire of 1871. Around the same time, his beloved four-year-old son died of scarlet fever.

Thinking a vacation would do his family some good, he sent his wife and four daughters on a ship to England, planning to join them after finishing some pressing business at home. However, while crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship was involved in a terrible collision and sunk. More than 200 people lost their lives, including all four of Horatio Spafford’s precious daughters. His wife, Anna, survived the tragedy. Upon arriving in England, she sent a telegram to her husband that began: “Saved alone. What shall I do?”

Horatio immediately set sail for England. At one point during his voyage, the captain of the ship, aware of the tragedy that had struck the Spafford family, summoned Horatio to tell him that they were now passing over the spot where the shipwreck had occurred.

As Horatio thought about his daughters, words of comfort and hope filled his heart and mind. So he wrote them down, and they have become this well-beloved hymn:

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll—
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know
It is well; it is well with my soul.

My prayer is that each time you pass by the places of your trouble, tumult, trial, or tribulations, you’ll remember the words of this song. It is well with my soul! 

A few Verses to remind you.

This week, I wanted to give you scripture that backs up the great truth: when trouble comes our way, we can say; It is Well. 

“When Peace Like A River…”

Isaiah 66:12 (NKJV): Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream.Then you shall feed; On her sides shall you be carried, And be dandled on her knees

“It is Well with My Soul”

1 Thessalonians 5:23–25 (NLT): 23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. 

“And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,”

2 Corinthians 5:6–8 (NKJV): So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

1 Corinthians 13:12 (NKJV): 2 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known

Mark 14:62 And Jesus said, “I am ; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

‘The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,”

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

“Even so, it is well with my soul.”

1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

 

A quote that challenged me.

It can be one day or day one; the choice is yours. (Unknown)

Hesitation and procrastination are the great enemies of accomplishment. We can say that we will do that one day, or we can make today the day we start taking the steps necessary to realize our dream. Then tomorrow, you can say, I may not be where I want to be, but I am not where I was yesterday.

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Three Nail Thursday 11/11/2021

A Song I am Listening to.

Worthy of It All- CeCe Winans (Click here to listen)

I’ve loved this song for quite a while. Then with CeCe Winans is singing it, makes it all the better.
Indeed, God is worthy of it all. The scripture tells us that from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, He is worthy of all glory and honor. Glory and Honor are forever due to His Name.

See Psalm 113 and Psalm 29

A Bible Story that made me think.

(Genesis 11:1-10)

Today’s date is 11/11/21. 
The number 11 traditionally speaks to disorder, chaos, and judgment. For example, in Genesis eleven, humanity began to have unrest against God and His commands; they then built the tower of Babel. When the Lord came down to see what man had built and the desire of man to “make themselves a name,” he confused them by removing the ability to speak the same language.
As man imagined and then determined that they could be “god,” confusion followed.
The determination of the people to build a tower called Babel, which means “Gateway to God,” became confusing. While it may not seem very technologically advanced to us, bricks and mortar were quite an advancement for Genesis eleven.
Man manufactures bricks; they baked them and then mortared them into place. Ultimately, bricks chip and crack easily. God builds with stone. The King James Version of Genesis 11:3 states they had slime for the mortar.
Would you mind looking at the world we are in currently compared to this story in Genesis Eleven?
Man tries to be “god” in many ways, life, health, and sexuality being significant areas. But, unfortunately, we are using technology to alter the practices of God. We are cooking things up technologically to build life the way we want it versus how God designed it. This led to confusion in Genesis, and it’s bringing chaos now. In Genesis, what held all the bricks together was slime. I think there’s a lot of junk (slime) putting and keeping all these manufactured ideas together; in the end, it brings chaos.Doesn’t it? 

 

A quote that challenged me.

“The Glory of God always comes at the sacrifice of self.” – Tozer
The story of David bringing the glory back to Israel depicts this, we humbled himself to bring the glory back.
Jesus’ entire life was about humbling Himself so that we might be partakers of His glory.
As we humble ourselves, He reveals Himself.

Less of me and more of Your Glory. Day and Night, Night and Day let praise arise, for you are worthy of it all. 

 

I pray for you to have a tremendous rest of your week. For those of you still battling in your health, may the Lord strengthen you and heal you. 

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Three Nail Thursday 9/9/21

Three Nail Thursday

Welcome to Three Nails Thursday! It’s a weekly bit of items that have helped me through my week. Thursday is my Friday, as my work schedule is Sunday through Thursday (Normally). Considering all that is happening, I need some inspiration to keep me focused on the task at hand. So I’m sharing with you three things that keep me grounded, focused, and inspired throughout my week. Here are the three nails! 

Here's Three Things that helped me this week!

A Song I'm listening to...

With a readiness to show appreciation and to return kindness, that’s gratitude!

Brandon Lake wrote a wonderful song called “Gratitude”! Our worship team has sung this song a couple of times. Each time the emotions that run, the depth of thought, and the appreciation this song creates inside of me are humbling.

It was cliche when I was younger when you couldn’t go to sleep, were stressed out, or fear would be coming in; people would say just “count your blessings”! They meant it as a way to calm yourself down, quiet the mind, ease the anxiety!

When I begin to “count the blessings” of the Lord, the last thing that happens is a mood of sleepiness. Instead, “counting my blessings” has the opposite effect. It causes me to be ready to show appreciation and somehow return the kindness that has graced my life by God.

Then, there is a realization that there is nothing that I can do for God that could be enough to return the kindness. That’s why this song speaks to me so much! Of course, it’s a line of a song but should be the ready position of the heart; “I throw up my hands and praise you again and again, ’cause all I have is a Hallelujah!

That’s all I have to return to God for the thankfulness for His kindness to me, are me and my heart of worship. The song says it best; “I’ve got one response, I’ve got one move, with my arms outstretched I will worship you.

Make gratitude the position of your heart. Then, be ready to make your one move as a return for the graciousness of God.

This week, I’ve included two ways for you to be able to listen to this song. First, here is the link to Brandon Lake’s recording (Gratitude”); this song is included on the Three Nails Thursday Spotify playlist.

Also, since I am biased and believe the worship team that leads me every week, led by Evan Milby, does it better. Therefore, I’ve included a video of the worship team of SIWC singing “Gratitude.”

Get ready to make your one move!

Playlist

1 Videos

A Verse that has spoke to me...

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NKJV

What is hope? Hope is the absolute expectation of coming good. Hope is the antidote for divisiveness and defensiveness. When we stand in hope, people want to hear how we stand in a position of expecting good. The world is expecting the worst, we the people of God, are expecting the good. Peter would tell us we should be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us (1 Peter 3:15).

People do not desire hopelessness, which is all that division will bring. Instead, they desire hope. Hope is most often referred to in conjunction with the coming of Jesus Christ. 

When we focus on Jesus Christ, His work, and His soon return, hope begins to build; unity becomes the norm, and disunity and defensiveness subside. When we focus on Christ, things that divide soon disappear, and unity is a place of commanded blessings (Psalm 133:1-3). When we have hope, hope creates unity, and unity commands a blessing. Suddenly all that divided us fades away, replaced with the Joy and peace that comes from the hope we have. 

“A tourist approached a farmer in Iowa and said, “Don’t you think all these fences ruin the beauty of the fields out here?”

“Yep,” said the farmer—”until the corn starts growing. When the corn starts growing you don’t even see the fences.” –Jon Courson.

A Quote that has challenged me...

“An empty vessel makes much noise.” English proverb

The Bible warns us against talking too much or being overly talkative. The Bible says that a fool can be recognized by his many words (Ecclesiastes 5:3). Ecclesiastes 10:14 adds that a fool “multiplies words.”

Further, the Bible speaks about using too many words when a few words will suffice. 

Proverbs 17:28 states: Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

Have you noticed that those screaming the loudest often have the least amount to say!

Lord, put a guard before my mouth and a stop before my fingers. (Psalm 141) Mckinnies Readers Digest Version. 
 

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three Nail Thursday 9/2/2021

Three Nail Thursday

Welcome to Three Nails Thursday! It’s a weekly bit of items that have helped me through my week. Thursday is my Friday, as my work schedule is Sunday through Thursday (Normally). Considering all that is happening, I need some inspiration to keep me focused on the task at hand. So I’m sharing with you three things that keep me grounded, focused, and inspired throughout my week. Here are the three nails! 

A Song that I'm listening to...

Melissa and I have pastored here in Southern Illinois going on thirteen years. On our first drive to the church, on January 1st, 2009, we pulled under the portico entrance, and both said, we can Pastor here; we know God is here. There was an overwhelming feeling that this was the place; it was our time and God’s will for our lives. It was the most significant risk we’d ever taken. Leaving our careers, family, friends, and all that we’d ever known. We were moving to a place that we hadn’t heard of before December 30th, 2008. The first Sunday that I preached, the presence of God was overwhelming; the people were so hungry for God and His Presence! God met them there on our first Sunday together. So many things have changed over the years; one thing has not. God still meets us there. Every day I wake up, I’m thankful for the truth that God is still here.

“God is Here” by Martha Munizzi expresses my heart towards God about life then and now.

Here are a few of the lyrics; I trust they will speak to you as they have me all these years.

There is a sweet anointing in this sanctuary
There is a stillness in the atmosphere;
Come and lay down the burdens you have carried
For in the sanctuary, God is here.
He is here.
He is here to break the yoke
And lift the heavy burden.

I’ve created a playlist that will include all the songs that I share with you. Click here to follow along and enjoy. 

A Verse that spoke to me...

 The New King James Version. (1982). (Ps 27:4). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

One thing I have desired of the Lord,

That will I seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord

All the days of my life,

To behold the beauty of the Lord,

And to inquire in His temple.

It is said that this Psalm was penned by David when he was roughly seventy years of age. However, the events that transpired before David taking pen in hand and writing this prolific Psalm have similarities to our lives right now. 

David had been fighting a valiant war against his arch-nemesis, the Philistines. A giant named Ishbi-Benob was on a mission to hunt down and kill David. He had David pinned down. David, weary from the battles, constant pressures of the day, along with the threat of death consistently over his life, is sent home. His men instructed him to leave the battlefield lest the light of Israel is snuffed out. Once he returned home, he penned the words of Psalm 27. 

He began, “the Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear.”

Then one verse later, “one thing I have desired, that will I seek after.”

After all those years, there was still a desire in David to fight the good fight. Not only did He desire it, but he went after his passion. Do I still have passion after all these years? Am I passionately pursuing the power and presence of God in our lives? Or has the pressure, pandemic, politics, or the prospect of the future, quenched my fire and taken the fight out of me?

 It was the pursuit of the giant that wore David out. It also took Abishai to come along and give assistance to David in the battle. I want to be both of these men. First, I want to be like David, and even though the fight is long and tiresome, I pray the urge to fight never leaves me. Secondly, I want to be Abishai, that when my fellow believers are getting ready to be overcome by the haunting giants of their life, God can use me to come to the rescue. 

A Quote that has inspired me...

This week’s quote is not a quote per se; it’s a proverb. It is taken directly from the English Standard Version of the bible.  
 
Proverbs 25:14 “Like clouds and wind without rain
    is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.”
 
This one made me ask a lot of questions about myself. How often have I said, “well, I could’ve helped”! I have the talent, ability, and wherewithal to make it happen, but I didn’t do it. All I did by boasting that I could, yet not doing it, was bring darkness, depression, and despair to those that desired the help. 
 

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