To Be Thankful is to Be Peaceful

Back in the day, my husband, his sister, a friend, and myself made up the Masters IV Quartet. We were known for our renditions of Andrae Crouch’s beautiful songs. Andrae was a well-known gospel singer, songwriter, arranger, record producer and pastor. He penned these words that were our testimony and I’m sure you might call them yours, too:

“I've had many tears and sorrows / I've had questions for tomorrow / There's been times I didn't know right from wrong / But in every situation / God gave me blessed consolation / that my trials come to only make me strong.

Through it all / through it all / I've learned to trust in Jesus / I've learned to trust in God. / Through it all / through it all / I've learned to depend upon His Word.”

Andrae wrote that song based on the struggles and wins in his own life. John Newton wrote “Amazing Grace” based on his spiritual conversion after having been a slave trader. And, Horatio Spafford wrote “It is Well with My Soul” after the death of his son and subsequently the loss of his four daughters when their ship sank. Horrific struggles in life often produce some of the greatest masterpieces of our lives. As I think about my own life’s struggles – there is an unexplainable thread of peace woven throughout my story and I’m sure, if alive, those authors of some of the most renown songs ever written would tell us the same thing. A powerful peace was prevalent that centered them in the awareness of God’s presence.

The truly thankful person is a truly peaceful person – no matter what! Thankful people have created a habit of noticing, pausing and choosing. Noticing “something” to be thankful about no matter the circumstance. Pausing to acknowledge this “something” as a reminder of God’s presence. Choosing to focus on God’s presence until His powerful peace consumes us. I know this “season” has given us plenty of reasons to be in fear, concern, disappointment and angst about what the future holds. But, will we come through this time unscathed because we’ve been noticers? Pausers? Choosers? Were we people of thanksgiving no matter what the circumstances were?

The greatest examples of the power of thanksgiving are found in sacred scriptures. What was the prayer of Daniel right before being thrown into the lions’ den and witnessing God miraculously shutting the lion’s mouths? Thanksgiving. After three days in the belly of a fish, what was the cry of Jonah’s heart right before he was finally delivered onto dry land? Thanksgiving. What was St. Paul’s mode of operation in the prison cell and how did he instruct us to pray in Philippians 4:6? “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God."

And what was the outcome of each of these situations where thanksgiving was proclaimed? Peace -- powerful, unexplainable, uncontainable peace. Paul went on to write: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7).

I wonder what might happen if we decide in the midst of our circumstances to notice, pause and choose something to be thankful about today. Let’s pray about it!

Dear Lord, will You help me notice things that I can be thankful for in each circumstance I face today? To remember to pause and acknowledge it as evidence of Your presence? And please help me choose to focus on Your presence until Your powerful peace rushes into my heart and helps me see everything more clearly. Thank You for the reality that being thankful changes everything. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

What's the First Song You Think of With a Color in It?

This post today was prompted by someone’s FB post I saw yesterday. They said, “What’s the first song you think of with a color in it?“ I didn’t respond on the post but my mind started racing with songs with color in them. My first thought was to one of my favorite singers in the 60s, Bobby Vinton, and his song, “Blue on Blue – heartache on heartache”. Oh me. I didn’t like the negativity of that one and so I thought about another of his songs “Blue Velvet” but, in that one, he’s thinking about blue velvet through his tears, and then I thought about Bobby Darin’s (same era) “Red Roses for a Blue Lady” , but it talks about the silly quarrel he and his girl friend had. Then I thought about “Yellow Submarine” – a hit by the Beatles (same era) which was an imaginary song of living under the sea – a little more positive than singing the “blues”! LOL! I guess the older I get, the more I think about the "oldies", and the closer to God I get, the more I don't sing those songs anymore.

I grew up in an evangelical, traditional church and sang most songs from hymn books, which presented a stark contrast to those 60s "bluesy" songs. Being a Christian back then was all I knew because of my Bible-toting, church-attending, prayer-praying family. My faith experience included being around other faithful men and women of God who taught Sunday School, (my dad was the Sunday School Superintendent) and my mom served on many committees and led many prayer groups. I don’t ever remember not wanting to go to church I grew up loving God’s Word and His church.

Before long, a new style of Christian music was introduced to me. My boy friend (who eventually became my husband) and I fell in love with Andrae Crouch and the Disciples’ and Bill and Gloria Gaither’s music – catchy songs with choruses that inspired passion and emotion. Those songs depicted a faith in God that was alive and relevant to what we were going through at the time. Something stirred within me as I listened to that music. Something was happening in my heart, beyond the love I had for my cute boy friend. My faith was expanding from head-knowledge to life-changing, heart knowledge.

I still can picture us at a sold-out music hall before a live “Jesus” concert as people were swaying and waving their hands in the air for love of Jesus. It wasn’t the “traditional” way of singing. Quite frankly, it was undignified, but oh so liberating and I knew I wanted more of that all out abandonment love for Jesus and wanting to express it so much.

We were “extreme” Dallas Cowboy fans back then – when they first became a franchise – and we were completely undignified in our support of “our team”. We would whoot and holler and carry on as we watched the games like crazy, fanatical people. So praising God for Who He was in our lives -- from the tips of our toes to the tips of our fingers – made perfect sense in support of “our God”! We didn’t worry at all about what others thought.

Think about the story of King David dancing before the Lord. He sure didn’t worry what others thought. David had overseen the return of the ark of the Lord, and as it neared, he couldn’t contain his joy. He replaced his kingly attire with a simple outfit and danced with all his might. His wife, Michal, didn’t approve of David’s behavior. She was disgusted with him and told him so. David wasn’t fazed and responded with words that encourage me today: "It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel — I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this …” (2 Samuel 6:21-22).

That’s my hope and prayer for myself. I want my longing for more of God to help me completely release my fears and worship with uncontained joy. Someday, some folks may look at me and think that I’m too old to dance and whoot and holler, but I hope I’ll still be lifting my wrinkled hands in praise with my gray head bobbing and my body swaying in worship — still wanting more. And then one day, beyond that, all my longings will be fulfilled because I'll be completely and totally in His presence and worshiping Him face to face. Oh, what a day that will be!

John 4:23, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”

Nothing to Fear

I've had many tears and sorrows. I've had questions for tomorrow. There have been times I didn't know right from wrong. But in every situation, God gave me blessed consolation, that my trials come to only make me strong.

Those who have heard and sung the songs of Andrae Crouch (we sang many of them), will recognize that first paragraph from his song, “Through It All”. The chorus goes on to say, “Through it all. Through it all. I’ve learned to trust in Jesus. I’ve learned to trust in God. Through it all. Through it all. I’ve learned to depend upon His Word."

Actually, those words could be my song and my story, because through everything I’ve encountered in my life, from a young girl to today, I’ve learned, through it all, to trust God and His Word. That is my anchor, my mainstay, my pillar of strength, my shelter from the storms, my strong tower.

I like what George Mueller said to a man who had asked him the best way to have strong faith. 'The only way to learn strong faith is to endure great trials." Whew! Great trials?? That's not what we wanted to hear.

If ever we need to trust God and His Word, it is in these perilous times. There’s plenty going on to make us fearful. In times like these, when our entire world is in turmoil and when nothing seems safe or secure, our God says, "Fear not!"

Isaiah 41:10 says “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

To those, today, who are facing financial challenges, health issues, marriage problems, have children who are off-course, have fear for safety and peace, our Father’s message to us today is the same as the angel’s word to the shepherds “Fear not”, the same words that God spoke to Joshua, “Fear not”, the same words that Jesus said to His disciples in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and DO NOT BE AFRAID."

Knowing that I have a Father who comes to me and says, “Fear not, I am with you” gives me so much hope, encouragement, solace and assurance for all my todays and tomorrows. By the way, He's your Dad, too -- He says the same thing to you!

Through It All -- The Impact of Andrae Crouch on our Lives

Day 22 of Photo Inspirations.
Today is the funeral of Andrae Crouch.  It will be streamed live on BET.
This photo is of a treasured music/song book we have, loaded with songs written by Andrae -- one of our all-time favorite composers and artists, our mentor, friend, 7-time grammy award winner, and beloved music genius. In secular music, he was known for his collaborative work with Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Quincy Jones as well as conducting choirs that sang on the Michael Jackson hit "Man in the Mirror".  Andrae was a breath of fresh air when his talent incorporated contemporary secular music styles into the gospel music he grew up with. His efforts in this area were what helped in paving the way for early American contemporary Christian music during the 1960s and 1970 (our music ministry era).  His original music arrangements were heard in the films The Color Purple and Disney's The Lion King, as well as the NBC television series "Amen".

And, though I won't be in Los Angeles today to celebrate his life, I am reminiscing and celebrating the memories and the impact he had in our lives.Andrae inspired my husband and I and our Master's Four Quartette for years, His songs were our songs. His songs fueled the flames of our burning desire to spread God's love and word as musicians. His songs stirred our hearts like none other.

When I received word about his passing, my mind raced back to our favorites -- "My Tribute -- To God Be the Glory", "It Won't Be Long", "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power", and, in fact, many of his songs were so impactful that they became hymns -- "Soon and Very Soon" was one of them. but my all-time favorite was one that carried us through many tests and trials and challenges......"Through It All". On more than one occasion, we found new hope and faith for our own faith journey. In his honor and in my own opportunity to embrace the memories and encourage you today, I share this beautiful song and Andrae's beautiful testimony with you here. Thanks for the memories, Andrae!  RIP!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvIxwc90BEI

I've had many tears and sorrows,
I've had questions for tomorrow,
There's been times I didn't know right from wrong.
But in every situation,
God gave me blessed consulation,
that my trials come to only make me strong.
Chorus
Through it all, through it all,
I've learned to trust in Jesus,
I've learned to trust in God.
Through it all, through it all,
I've learned to depend upon His Word.
Verse 2
I've been to lots of places,
I've seen a lot of faces,
There's been times I felt so all alone.
But in my lonely hours,
yes, those precious lonely hours,
Jesus lets me know that I was His own
Verse 3
I thank God for the mountains,
and I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.
For if I'd never had a problem,
I wouldn't know God could solve them,
I'd never know what faith in God could do

To God Be The Glory, Honor and Praise

"How can I say thanks for all the things He's done for me? Things so undeserved yet He gave to prove His love for me -- the voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude -- all that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee! To God, be the glory -- for the things He has done!"

Those are words from Andrae Crouch's beautiful song, "My Tribute", and they are words that sincerely express my heart of thanksgiving. I can't begin to express my gratitude enough for God's faithfulness, His unconditional love, His peace and joy that I know -- not because of anything I've done or deserved. It is simply His amazing grace that has sustained me, protected me, and provided for me -- more than I could have ever imagined possible. I'm so grateful for my life -- the past, the present and the future. I know everything I am and everything I hope to be, is because of His great love. He deserves all the glory and honor and praise. Oh, how He loves YOU and ME!