Preparing for a funeral on Wednesday, part of my reflections are the lyrics to the hymn Softly And Tenderly.
We’re not singing it, but its part of what was desired for inclusion, so I’ll weave it in somewhere.
Last week I came across the music of Wilder Adkins.
Here’s his rendition of the song from his 2019 album In This Pilgrim Way.
Sometimes advice is given that we don’t trust because the person given the advice can’t understand why we feel the way we do.
Rebecca Reynolds observes that Jesus is different.
He tells us, and he knows exactly how and why we feel as we do.
When the Bible speaks about fear – which is often – it speaks into all of this complexity. God knows your defaults. He knows your instincts. He knows your biology, your chemistry, your genetics, your experiences, and your intellectual capacity. Every connection that occurs in your nervous system, every fluid released by every gland, every physiological reaction – from the lump in your throat to the drop of your stomach – is seen by the God who made you.
This means that when Jesus comes to the believer saying, “Do not fear,” he’s not like humans who tell you not to worry. He understands what others cannot understand about us because he knows us back and forth, inside and out. He knows that for some of us, this is a command to walk on land, and for others it’s a command to walk on water.Rebecca K. Reynolds, Courage, Dear Heart, Navpress, 2018, pg 93.
How better to start Sunday Songs for 2020 that to feature a new song from CityAlight that features national treasure Colin Buchanan?
Jesus, Strong And Kind is a very simple, slow-paced song that features the faithful lyrics and (corporately) singable melody that is expected from these sources.
The lyrics:
1.
Jesus said
That if I thirst
I should come to him
No one else can satisfy
I should come to him
2.
Jesus said
If I am weak
I should come to him
No one else can be my strength
I should come to him
Refrain.
For the Lord is good and faithful
He will keep us day and night
We can always run to Jesus
Jesus, strong and kind
3.
Jesus said
That if I fear
I should come to him
No one else can be my shield
I should come to him
Refrain.
4.
Jesus said if I am lost
He will come to me
And he showed me on that cross
He will come to me
Refrain.
Words and Music: Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, Michael Farren & Colin Buchanan
© 2019 CityAlight Music
Westminster Shorter Catechism – Lord’s Day 2
Q & A 2
Q What rule has God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?
A The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments,1 is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.2
*1 Matthew 19:4-5; With Genesis 2:24; Luke 24:27, 44; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 14:37; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Peter 3:2, 15-16
*2 Deuteronomy 4:2; Psalm 19:7-11; Isaiah 8:20; John 15:11; John 20:30-31; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 3:15-17;1 John 1:4.
Q & A 3
Q What do the Scriptures principally teach?
A The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God,3 and what duty God requires of man.4
*3 Genesis 1:1; John 20:31; Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 3:15.
*4 Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:105; Micah 6:8; 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
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