paravanes:meditations

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." --Jesus Christ, in John 14:6 We are in the Lenten season. What are we celebrating? For me, it is a time to celebrate having the way back to God. Traditionally and historically, Christians have believed Jesus Christ is the only way to God. I share this belief. Some have said this perspective is arrogant and disrespectful of other cultural or historical traditions. Some have said we humans can never speak definitively of God's will or purposes. Some of said the words of the Holy Bible have been so compromised and manipulated over the centuries that we cannot fully rely on its teachings. Lent is a time for me to think about what the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ means for me and for others. Only God can bring us back to God. Jesus Christ, a unique person in history, was both human and divine, according to scripture. When you have been injured or offended, someone else c...

This is a song I have always associated with my maternal grandmother. It was "her type of song." Enjoy, and be blessed! Lyrics are below. Verse 1: Oh lord, I’m strivin’, tryin to make it through this barren land, but as I go from day to day, I can hear my Savior say, "trust me child, come on, I'll hold your hand". Chorus: I’m comin' up on the rough side of the mountain, I must hold to God, His powerful hand. I’m comin' up on the rough side of the mountain, I’m doing my best to make it in. Chorus Verse 2: I’m comin’ up Lord, although my burdens sometime may press me down, but if I can only keep this faith I’ll have strength just to run this race; I’m lookin’ for my starry crown. Chorus Verse 3: This old race will be soon be over, there'll be no more race to run. But I got to stand before God’s throne, all my heartaches will be gone, I’ll hear my Savior say, "welcome home!"

This song (a live performance) speaks for itself and is beautiful beyond words. It is a testament of faith in the midst of resignation to death. "See that my grave is kept clean" was originally performed by Blind Lemon Jefferson in 1928.

I couldn't get through this series without posting something by Sister Rosetta Tharpe . My mother listened to her when I was a little girl and whenever I hear Sister Tharpe's voice, I recall and remember those days. My mother listened to 33 1/3 vinyl records on her record player. I can still picture the album cover because the songs were such regular staples in our house. A few years ago, I bought the CD version. The cover looks like this: If you see this CD in the stores and love old-time gospel, buy it while you can. It may go out of print one day. It's also available on amazon.com .

This hymn, Be Still My Soul, is one of my favorites. It seems to be fading in popularity and it's not an easy tune to sing, but the message is powerful. This song was a great comfort to me when my parents died (roughly 18 months apart). A verse from What A Friend is tucked into this short medley. Nicol Sponberg (formerly of Selah) sings the solo. Below are the verses to Be Still My Soul, written by Katharina von Schelegel. Be Still, My Soul 1. Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide; In every change, He faithful will remain. Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. 2. Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake To guide the future, as He has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake; All now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below. 3. Be still, my s...

Some have said Mahalia Jackson was the greatest gospel singer. Period. Here is one of her greatest, "I Know It Was The Blood."

I love hymns. I grew up singing them in church every Sunday. Hymns are disappearing from some churches and I wonder why. My friends and I used to joke that singing hymns and reading the King James Bible while growing up raised our SAT verbal scores by at least a hundred points! Anytime I have a chance to listen to hymns, I listen. While browsing in the public library a few weeks ago, I came across a CD titled "Country Hymns & Songs of Faith." I'm not a country music fan, but I borrowed the CD and listened to it at home. I was overcome by Ronnie Freeman's version of "Come Thou Fount." My father (who, by his own admission, was NOT a singer),walked around our house when I was a little girl singing Come Thou Fount. One line from this hymn jumps out at me: "Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above." What an incredible thought: God will teach us the praises sung in heaven. As I thought more and more about this, I asked myself: W...

"This moment contains all moments." --C.S. Lewis This famous C.S. Lewis quote comes from his book, The Great Divorce . The book is not about divorce, but is about how and why we make the choices that determine our final destinies. In The Great Divorce , the story's narrator takes a bus trip during which he observes people who are forced to confront (for the last time) their decision to embrace God's ways and purposes or to exist on their own terms. A lot of us are in corners (financially or economically, relationally,etc.) and have to make decisions about what's next. Should we move or relocate our families? Should we call it quits on a marriage and accept the idea of starting over? Should we keep the job and risk a layoff or take the buyout offer? Should we loan that family member another $500? Should we let the house go, or use the last of our savings to make payments and hope things turn around before we run out of money? In my experience, I have been in corner...