Archive for the ‘Glory of God’ Category

WERE AS ONE

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

It amazes me what happens when God’s people come together. I know that we collectively gather for services or events. I also know we have a common goal as Christians. Yet, all this is not the ‘coming together’ that amazes me.

It is another ‘coming together’ that amazes me. It is a time when I see unity, oneness, and the Spirit of Christ. It is a time of refreshing, renewal and hope. And a time we wish would never stop. It is a taste of eternity. The psalmist states it much better than my words; “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like a precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, down upon the collar of his robes.”

The ‘coming together’ is when we give up our comfort and self-interests to be as one. It is a time when we sacrifice to labor together to do everything in excellence. We work hard to get everything right. And, when we set aside all else for Christ it brings his anointing. When “the trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the Lord…the temple of the Lord was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.”

There is a great lesson in all this and God is telling us this is the way – “Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a part of it.” Imagine if we determined to live this way, setting ourselves apart for the kingdom.

This Sunday I saw the ‘coming together.’ I saw God’s people sing with one voice and the anointing fill the temple. So, when I am asked how my Easter was, I say a great Lord, great church, great brethren and a great day.

Scriptures: Psalm 133; 2 Chronicles 5:13; 1 Corinthians 12:27

PHOEBE PALMER KNAPP

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Phoebe Palmer Knapp

O.K., who is Phoebe Palmer Knapp? Today marks her birthday. She was born in 1839 and she published more than 500 hymns in the 69 years she lived.

Phoebe Knapp was a Methodist hymn writer and composer of music. Born in New York city, her parents were Walter C. Palmer and Phoebe Worrall Palmer. She married Joseph Fairfield Knapp, one of the founders and the second president of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

She and her husband were members of the John Street Methodist Episcopal Church in New York City. The hymn writer Fanny Crosby was also a member of that church and a friend of Palmer’s.

She wrote over 500 hymn tunes, the most familiar being “Blessed Assurance” for Fanny Crosby’s hymn.  Another hymn by Fanny Crosby for which Knapp wrote the music is “Nearer the Cross.” Other hymn tunes by Knapp include the tune for “Jesus Christ is Passing By” by J. Denham Smith, which is called “Albertson” and the one for “My Spirit Soul and Body” by Mary D. James, which is called “Consecration.” She also wrote sacred choral and solo works, perhaps the best known of which is the Palm Sunday aria “Open the Gates of the Temple.”

Phoebe Knapp is another great example of a Christian using their God-given talents. Her works will be a testimony to her faithfulness and labors throughout our history on this earth, and I dare say her music may be a hit in the eternal realms. It is good for us to run the race and work hard for the Kingdom of God. You will build eternal treasures.