All To Bring You Glory, Sandi Patty

Darlene Rose is one of my favorite heroines of the faith...matter of fact, she is right up there with Perpetua and Blandina, Corrie Ten Boom and Ida Scudder.

Darlene and her husband Russell, a veteran missionary, set foot on the island of Celebes in the (then) Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to remote tribes.

On returning from one trip to the Kapauku people, Russell's health had taken a tremendous toll. His feet had been affected by jungle rot after 17 days of walking in wet boots, and he had lost 60 pounds. He and his men had forded rivers, climbed mountains, hacked through jungle vines, and trekked up to their hips in mud and bog.

The treatment was to pick off all the rotted tissue right down to the raw, healthy tissue and apply an anti-fungal ointment. While Russell told amazing stories of their experiences (including their canoe capsizing and every man being saved), Darlene worked on his feet, caring tenderly for her man!

Dr. Robert Jaffray, an older missionary with them, saw the blood and pus and retired to his room, feeling sick. He came out several hours later, having written an article for The Pioneer, a missions magazine, and laid it before them to read:

"This morning I looked at the bleeding feet of a missionary, his wife tending them, the blood and pus running, and I thought to myself, "What a nauseating sight that is!" But, as I walked from the room, the Lord kept saying to me, "Oh, but to Me they are beautiful feet!"

Then I remembered - "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of them that bringeth good tidings" - good tidings to those men and women in New Guinea who sit in darkness and the shadow of death... Some day the last one will turn to Jesus. Then the clouds will part asunder and our Savior will be there!"

Once Russell's feet healed, he hoped to take Darlene to meet the Kapauku people who believed he was a spirit because he didn't have his wife with him. Darlene was excited and eager to meet them, as well. As she saw the men, women, and children running to them with gifts, she burst into tears and cried out "I'm home! I'm home!" In time, many came to the Lord, and a local church was born. Then the Japanese (WWII-Pacific theatre) invaded the islands. Their lives were about to change!

The book Evidence Not Seen is absolutely my favorite book; I encourage you to get and read it! For more on Darlene Rose see posts on Jan. 8, 2011 and Jan 27, 2011. Another link: http://johndubler.com/Darlene_Deibler_Rose_Part_I.pdf

Sandi Patty, with her magnificent voice, sings All To Bring You Glory. She, too, has first-hand seen how a loving Savior can turn bondage and misery into freedom and joy! For more on Sandi's story go to http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/aug/01/na-singers-story-connects-her-to-audiences/

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8: 28

Lyrics: included in video.

Supporting Scriptures:

" And he [Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach good news to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister and sat down. and the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he begun to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." Luke 16-21

"Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." Deuteronomy 4: 23-24

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." Genesis 50: 20

"They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers." Revelation 17: 14

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, plans to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29: 11

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." Romans 8: 28-30

"And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise...We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." Hebrews 6: 11-15; 19-20

Revelation Song, Kari Jobe

So who do you say Jesus is?

"I'm an atheist but deep down I'm really beginning to wonder. Something violent but honest and true (is) stirring in me. I think about my life and everything I've accepted and said was true and realize that whatever it was that seemed so important has come and gone... I think about a name so much now. YAHWEH." --anonymous listener

"When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others,
Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven." Matthew 16: 13-17

So who do you say Jesus is? A philosopher, a mad man, or a prophet? A good teacher, a confused person? Who you believe Him to be will determine how you look at the world, how you live your life, the choices you make...and your eternity!

...You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!

Lyrics:

Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to him who sits on Heaven's mercy seat [2X]

Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord God Almighty Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing Praise to the King of Kings You are my everything And I will adore You

Clothed in rainbows, of living color Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be to You the only wise King

Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord God Almighty Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing Praise to the King of Kings You are my everything
And I will adore You

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder At the mention of your name
Jesus your name is power Breath, and living water

Such a marvelous mystery

Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord God Almighty Who was, and is, and is to come, With all creation I sing Praise to the King of Kings You are my everything And I will adore You [X3]

Supporting Scripture:

"And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." Isaiah 6: 3

"In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" Revelation 5: 12

"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Revelation 4: 11

"From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God." Revelation 4: 5

“God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap [their] hands." Isaiah 55:12

Glorious Day, Casting Crowns

Yesterday I woke to the beauty of an incredible sunrise. For some reason I have always thought that Christ will come again when the sun is shining! And while the Bible tell us that Jesus will reappear, it does not tell us when.

What it does tell us is found in Matthew 24 and 25 (also Mark 13 and Luke 21), known as the Olivet Discourse, a teaching given to the disciples when they asked about His return. These 4 chapters provide a comprehensive truth about the last days and a way to understand the end times.

Jesus tells about the first half of the tribulation in Matthew 24: 4-8 and the signs associated with Christ's return. They include 1) false messiahs (v.5); 2) reports of wars (v.6-7); and 3) natural catastrophes(v.7). These are only the "beginning of birth pangs"(v.8).

The Scientific American, the World Meteorological Organization, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency all agree that worldwide catastrophes are quickly increasing. The cause, they say, is global warming.


But the Bible tells us something different:

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." Matthew 24: 36-39

Lyrics:
One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Chorus:
Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing
My Savior, Jesus, is mine

Oh, glorious day

Supporting Scriptures:

"But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap." Malachi 3: 2

"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4: 8

"If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work."
1 Corinthians 3: 12-13

" And then the lawless one [Satan] will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming."

2 Thessalonians 2: 8

"And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day."

2 Timothy 1: 11-12

Find the core beliefs of true Christians here. "...and they shall know us by our love."~ based on John 13 :35

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow, Diane Bish on pipe organ

After leaving Ravensbruck [concentration camp] in Germany, Corrie Ten Boom learned she had been released from prison by a mistake, and that all the women of her age in the prison had been killed. She had so much to be thankful for and spent the rest of her life praising the Lord Jesus for it in such books as The Hiding Place and Tramp for the Lord.



I didn't intend to write about Corrie Ten Boom at this time, but the tie to her in this music is just great! This is written on the website devoted to sharing her remarkable life:

"Corrie was raised in the Dutch Reformed church and had a good education. It is said the Ten-Boom family attended big, beautiful St. Bavo Church which is at the edge of the town square and a block or so from their home. She has told stories of playing in the church as a child. The pipe organ in the church is immense and very famous. It was once played by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and also by George Frederic Handel."

This video was filmed in the St. Bavo Church in Haarlem, Holland, which Corrie Ten Boom wrote about in The Hiding Place. It is the same organ the flamboyant Diane Bish is playing. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart called the organ the "King of instruments" - now you will see why.

Lyrics:
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

Supporting Scriptures:
"Praise the LORD, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases..." Psalm 103:1-3

"[God] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began..."
2 Timothy 1:9

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—" Ephesians 2:8

"He said, “If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.” Exodus 15:26

Lost and Found, Robin Mark

What do you call a man who was a trader and 'user' of slaves, threw a baby off the side of a ship when it wouldn't stop crying, and was ruthless from the age of the age of 11 when he left school and went to sea? By his own testimony, he was "an infidel and a libertine", finally owning his own slave ship.
Photo, 1868, off E. Africa.........>

During a particularly stormy voyage, when it seemed all would be lost, he began reading Imitation of Christ, written by Thomas a Kempis, a Dutch monk. This experience at sea was used by the Holy Spirit to change this hardened, cruel man's heart, and he eventually accepted Christ as his Savior.

Here was a man Lost in a sea of anger and rebellion against all that was decent! But once he tasted the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus as Savior, he was Found. His life would never be the same again, and he began serving the Lord he had once laughed at and mocked.

In later years, John Newton became a minister of the gospel and served for many years in Olney, England; he was especially effective when he told the story of his life and conversion. He worked diligently to crusade against slavery with William Wilberforce, and the year he died, 1807, the British Parliament abolished slavery throughout its domain. He wrote Amazing Grace with the words he so loved. "I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see." He never ceased to be amazed at the mercy of God.

On one occasion late in his life, he loudly proclaimed, "My memory is almost gone, but I remember two things. 'That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.' "

Robin Mark, a Northern Irish singer, songwriter, and worship leader based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, performs this particularly sweet song which reflects John Newton's life perfectly! May it reflect our joy in Christ's mercy when we sing it and share it with other Lost and Founds!

Lyrics:
When the rain falls, and it some days will,
and the pavement under my feet,
sparkles silver and gold, in reflected light
that I otherwise wouldn't have seen.

And when the storm comes and the strong wind blows
I will bow my head to push through;
And every step that I take, I will watch and pray
and be sure my foothold is true.

Jesus, don't You keep me from that storm
I wanna walk that sacred ground;
For You are Master of it all
And I am but a lost and found.

And in the dry place, in the wilderness
when Your word seems so far away,
Oh I will think of my life, and I will bless Your name;
For Your promises never have failed.

And when the night falls, at the end of days,
I will lift my eyes to the heavens,
and we will shine like the stars, for eternal days;
In Your presence forever and e'er.

So, Jesus, don't You keep me from that storm
I wanna walk that sacred ground;
For You are Master of it all
And I am but a lost and found.

Lost and found, lost and found
I am but a lost and found
For can there be a sweeter sound,
than singing with the lost and found?

Jesus don't You keep me from that storm
I wanna walk that sacred ground;
For You are Master of it all And I am but a lost and found.

Supporting Scriptures:

"So he [Jesus] told them this parable: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." Luke 15: 3-7

"Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house...For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19: 9-10

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:17

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst." 1 Timothy 1: 15

"The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm." Luke 8: 24

"And his disciples came to [him], and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish." Matthew: 25 Luke 8: 24

"That's My King", S.M. Lockridge

Today I am not going to post a praise chorus or a hymn, but a rousing, absolutely fabulous list of attributes to exalt the Lord God!

If you're not already familiar with S.M.Lockridge's "That's My King!" - then you should be! He speaks for six minutes about Jesus, and it's impossible not to listen without being touched by the wonder of our Lord.
S. M. Lockridge (born Shadrach Meshach Lockridge, 1913-2000) was the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, a prominent African-American congregation located in San Diego, California, from 1953 to 1993.


Dr. Lockridge, a retired Baptist pastor was spotted in the audience at the beginning of a Baptist convention. The organizer of the convention asked him to come up to the stage, and open in prayer.


What followed was a stunning description of what God means to Dr. Lockridge...

Supporting Scriptures:

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

Psalm 19:1

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

"For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods." Psalm 97: 9

"For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods."
Psalm 96: 4

"Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?" Romans 2: 4

"For we do not have a high priest [Jesus]who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4: 15

"When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he [Jesus] drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

“He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.” Matthew 8: 16-17

"That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10: 9-13

Hallelujahs, Chris Rice

When did you last go out into the night to gaze at the stars? When was the last time you (using a blanket or lawn chair) looked into the night sky - your eyes taking in the ocean of twinkling stars too numerous to count ? It costs nothing and builds a bond with your children as you discuss the wonders displayed, seen over all the earth.

Like many children, I used to love to go outside at night and lie under the stars. I remember vividly, while on our farm, going out to watch the curtain-like aurora borealis in the north sky, green, red and orange or the band of Milky Way. The experience is unforgettable.

If I close my eyes, I can still see the constellations and stories scattered across the heavens. How many generations before us have also pondered this vast display? Did our Lord sleep beneath the sky He created with a Word? Did the shepherds in the field at the time of Jesus' birth watch the angels sing under these stars?

Psalms 19:1-4 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world."

This song is so visual. The creator of this video said, "The point was to use pictures in frames as a metaphor. Here Chris Rice is quantifying his praise to God in very large terms... he is framing his image of God in ways that won't fit a frame." That gives me goosebumps as I praise along with this!

Lyrics:

         F                G
A purple sky to close the day
F                    G
I wade the surf where dolphins play
F               Am
The taste of salt, the dance of waves
F          G        C
And my soul wells up with hallelujahs

F                        G
A lightning flash, my pounding heart
F                    G
A breaching whale, a shooting star
F                 Am
Give testimony that you are
F            G         C
And my soul wells up with hallelujahs

F                  G           C
Oh praise Him all His mighty works
F               C            F            G
There is no language where you can't be heard
Am        C          F
Your song goes out to all the Earth
C     Am     F      G       C
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

O cratered moon and sparrow's wings
O thunder's boom and Saturn's rings
Unveil our Father as you sing
And my soul wells up with hallelujahs

F               G           C
Oh praise Him all His mighty works
F                   C            F            G
There is no language where you can't be heard
Am        C          F
Your song goes out to all the Earth
C     Am     F      G       C
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!


The pulse of life within my wrist
A fallen snow, a rising mist
There is no higher praise than this
And my soul wells up
O my soul wells up
Yes my soul wells up with hallelujahs

F G C

Oh praise Him all His mighty works
F              C            F            G
There is no language where you can't be heard
Am        C          F

Your song goes out to all the Earth

     C     Am     F      G       C
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

Am F G C

Oh, Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

Supporting Scriptures:

"Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty." Psalm 104:1

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens...When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" Psalm 8: 1, 3-9

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1: 18-20

By Grace Alone, Scott Wesley Brown/Marantha

"Past grace is glorified by intense and joyful gratitude. Future grace is glorified by intense and joyful confidence. This faith is what frees us and empowers us for venturesome obedience n the cause of Christ." - John Piper

"Sometimes a sinner parlays with his Savior, wishing he could have a little of the honor of his salvation, wanting to keep some favorite sin and amend the humbling terms of grace. But Jesus will be all in all, and the sinner must be nothing at all." - Charles Spurgeon

"Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected." - Jonathan Edwards

This old Scott Wesley Brown favorite is from the Promise Keepers recordings; with themes of submission and mission, it is almost hymn-like in character.

Lyrics:

C      Am7    C      G
Every promise we can make
C      Am7        F       G
Every prayer and step of faith
C      G    F     C
Every difference we can make
G        F      G
Is only by His grace.
C     Am7     C        G
Every mountain we will climb
C     Am7     F       G
Every ray of hope we shine
C      G    F   C
Every blessing left behind
F    G      C
Is only by His grace
C     F                  C
Grace alone Which God supplies
C          F        G        C
Strength unknown He will provide
C         F        Em7    Am7
Christ in us, our cornerstone
C       Am7           C     G C
We will go  forth in grace alone.

C     Am7     C       G
Every soul we long to reach
C      Am7      F       G
Every heart we hope to teach
C      G   F   C
Everywhere we share His peace
G        F      G
Is only by His grace.
C      Am7    C       G
Every loving word we say
C      Am7     F     G
Every tear we wipe away
C      G   F   C
Every sorrow turned to praise
F    G      C
Is only by His grace.

Supporting Scriptures:

"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2: 4-9

"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3: 22-24

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." Ephesians 1: 7

"It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy." Romans 9:6

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17

Praise To The Lord, The Almighty, sung by the Purdue Varsity Glee Club

Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary definition:

PRAISE, v.t. [L. tollo, extollo; pretium.]

1. To commend; to applaud; to express approbation of personal worth or actions.

"We praise not Hector, though his name we know

Is great in arms; 'tis hard to praise a foe."

2. To extol in words or song; to magnify; to glorify on account of perfections or excellent works.

"Praise him, all his angels, praise ye him, all his hosts." Ps.148

3. To express gratitude for personal favors. Ps.138

4. To do honor to; to display the excellence of.

"All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord." Ps.145

As the Purdue Varsity Glee Club performs, I hope you enjoy the rousing blending of all male voices. I am particularly fond of hearing men sing alone. I went for years to piano lessons where the seminarians would gather for worship in song in the vaulted chapel adjoining us. It brings back sweet memories.

The original hymn was written by Joachim Neander in 1680, and it was translated from German to English by Catherine Winkworth in 1863. The video I have presented here has different words than I learned as a girl. Even though praiseworthy, I prefer the ones printed below.

Lyrics:
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
The King of creation
O my soul, praise Him
For He is thy health and salvation
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near
Praise Him in glad adoration

Praise to the Lord
Who o'er all things so wonderfully reigneth
Shelters thee under His wings
Yea, so gladly sustaineth
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e'er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth

Praise to the Lord
Who doth prosper they work and defend thee
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
If with His love He befriend thee

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him
All that hath life and breath
Come now with praises before Him
Let the 'amen' sound from His people again
Gladly for aye we adore Him

Supporting Scriptures:

"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ..." Ephesians 5:18-20

"Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.

Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,

praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,

praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord." Psalms 150:1-6

I Will Worship You, Matthew Ward

"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him."

John 4: 23

What follows is not original to me, but I agree. Words of Andy Wood:

"For centuries Christians have broken fellowship and broken God’s heart in the name of worship. We have argued over form, anguished over the opinions of others, and attacked those who looked or acted differently. Meanwhile in Heaven, the search goes on…

"When you can give yourself permission to do everything else imperfectly, so long as you love Him completely… that is worship...

"When you can come to Him boldly, even at the risk of the disapproval of others… that is worship...

"When you can pursue His presence, even when your heart is broken… that is worship.

"When you can love Jesus with ridiculous generosity, offering to Him the finest of your time, your talent, and your treasure… that is worship."

The quote above makes me think about the refrain in the old hymn Turn your Eyes Upon Jesus:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

Matthew Ward words and music, 2000.
Lyrics:

           Bb                  Eb
My God is faithful, My God is truthful,
 Bb/F               Fsus4   F  F/Eb
My God is boundless in all He is.
 Bb                  Eb
My God is wisdom, My God is righteous,
 Bb/F               Fsus4  F  F/Eb
My God is vision for all who seek.


 Bb/D   Eb          Bb/F      F
So I will worship You in the beauty of holiness,
 Bb/D   Eb          Bb/F      F
And I will worship You for the things You've done in me
 Bb/D         Eb             Bb/F            F    Eb/G
And when my life's complete I place my crown at Your feet
Bb/F            F             Bb
And I will worship You on bended knee!


 Bb                  Eb
My God is power, My God is glory,
 Bb/F               Fsus4   F  F/Eb
My God is ruler over all that is,
 Bb                  Eb
My God is timeless, My God is justice,
 Bb/F               Fsus4  F  F/Eb
My God is mercy to the Oppressed.


 Bb/D   Eb          Bb/F      F
So I will worship You in the beauty of holiness,
 Bb/D   Eb          Bb/F      F
And I will worship You for the things You've done in me
 Bb/D         Eb             Bb/F            F    Eb/G
And when my life's complete I place my crown at Your feet
Bb/F            F             Bb
And I will worship You on bended knee!


   F/A   F
His Name is Love
   Cm      Cm/Eb
His force is thunder
   Gm
His heart is tender
   F     F/Eb
His hand is strong.

Bb/D Eb Bb/F F

So I will worship You in the beauty of holiness,

     Bb/D   Eb          Bb/F      F
And I will worship You for the things You've done in me
 Bb/D         Eb             Bb/F            F    Eb/G
And when my life's complete I place my crown at Your feet

Bb/F F Bb

And I will worship You on bended knee!

Supporting Scriptures:
"Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds." Psalm 36:5

"Therefore God has highly exalted him [Jesus] and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth," Philippians 2: 9-10

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30

"O, Worship the Lord in the beauty of his holiness; fear before him, all the earth."

Psalm 96: 9

"Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created

and have their being.” Revelations 4:9-11

"Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him." 1 John 4: 8-9