It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)

As I looked this morning I found this tune on 4 albums in my collection.

The bottom line is we all slip and fall and need God to make it right. Too many times we use Adam's method of dealing with our sins and try to run and hide from Him. When God is hunting for us so he can RESTORE our relationship with Him.

It is the Christian message at its most simple form: GOD is on your side!

Song: It Is No Secret
Artist: Andy Griffith
Album: Just As I Am - 30 Favorite Old Time Hymns

The chimes of time ring out the news
Another day is through
Someone slipped and fell
Was that someone you?

You may have longed for added strength
Your courage to renew
Do not be disheartened
For I have news for you!

It is no secret what God can do
What He's done for for others He will do for you
With arms wide open He'll pardon you
It is no secret what God can do

There is no night for in His light
You'll never walk alone
Always feel at home
Wherever you may roam

There is no power can conquer you
While God is on your side
Take Him at His promise
Done run away and hide

It is no secret what God can do
What He's done for for others He will do for you
With arms wide open He'll pardon you
It is no secret what God can do

It is no secret what God can do

A Little Good News

What a year we've had! Headlines told stories of infidelity, corruption, shootings, bombings, war, and economic disaster. Debbie is always saying she wishes the nightly news would give us some positive news. And we do get a piece every now and then.

This song dates itself with the reference to Bryant Gumbel. How many years has it been since he was on the TODAY SHOW? But the message is still relevant.

There is good news out there if you look for it. And we need to hear more of it.

Song: A Little Good News
Artist: Anne Murray
Album: The Best...So Far

I rolled out this morning - kids had the mornin' news show on
Bryant Gumbel was talkin' 'bout the fighting in Lebanon
Some senator was squawkin' 'bout the bad economy
It's gonna get worse you see, we need a change in policy
There's a local paper rolled up in a rubber band
One more sad story's one more than I can stand
Just once how I'd like to see the headline say
"Not much to print today, can't find nothin' bad to say", because

Nobody robbed a liquor store on the lower part of town
Nobody OD'ed, nobody burned a single buildin' down
Nobody fired a shot in anger, nobody had to die in vain
We sure could use a little good news today

I'll come home this evenin' I'll bet that the news will be the same
Somebody takes a hostage, somebody steals a plane
How I wanna hear the anchor man talk about a county fair
And how we cleaned up the air, how everybody learned to care

Whoa, tell me
Nobody was assassinated in the whole Third World today
And in the streets of Ireland, all the children had to do was play
And everybody loves everybody in the good old USA
We sure could use a little good news today

Nobody robbed a liquor store on the lower part of town
Nobody OD'ed, nobody burned a single buildin' down
Nobody fired a shot in anger, nobody had to die in vain
We sure could use a little good news today

I Believe In Santa's Cause

This will be my last blog about Christmas (for this season).

I grew up knowing Christmas was a celebration of the the birth of the Christ - born in a manger in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph. God with us.

Our family always celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve night (Santa had to deliver to some families early). If Christmas Eve fell on a Sunday we would go to evening services and worship God and his baby, Jesus. Then we would go home and celebrate opening presents and sing about Santa Clause. I never got mixed up and did not grow up warped from the experience. (Well, if I did grow up warped it was not from this experience!)

This song kind of sums up how I feel about Santa. And this also a "tip of my hat" to Mom and Dad who have kept a great balance in our family's Christmas experience all these years. Tomorrow evening we will gather with them again along with one of my sisters and her family celebrating Santa's cause and reason for the season, the Christ child.

Song: I Believe In Santa's Cause
Artist: The Statler Brothers
Album: 20th Century Masters - The Christmas Collection

Never heard a snowman talking
Never seen a reindeer fly
Nor seen a wooden soldier walking
Nor met a Santa eye to eye

Now there are those who don't believe
in miracles or Santa Claus
But I believe what I believe
And I believe in Santa's cause

Never heard an angel singing
Never known a scrooge to smile
But I have heard sleigh bells ring
And light a spark in some small child

For kids and trees light up at Christmas
As well as preachers and our lawns
And light a Santa way at Christmas
I believe in Santa's cause

There's a Santa world at Christmas
Turning to the world's applause
So hang a bell for ole Saint Nick
'Cause I believe in Santa's cause

Now there are those who don't believe
In miracles or Santa Claus
But I believe what I believe
And I believe in Santa's cause

I Know A Man Who Can

We're living in some tough economic times right now. People feel a bit helpless as they have seen their portfolio substantially reduced. Someone close to my lost their job just this past week.

Christmas time is supposed to be the "happiest time of the year." as the song says. But it is actually proven that it can be the roughest on relationships because of expectations.

Sickness plagues many of our friends as they battle, cancer, heart ailments, and other physical ailments. Death has taken some from us leaving us lonely.

It feels sometimes that things are spinning out of control and we can't get the spiraling to cease. It is as if we can't fix or control anything.

This song provides some hope because we know someone who can help us through the valley we might be in!

Song: I Know A Man Who Can
Artist: George Jones
Album: The Gospel Collection

I Can't Take A Heart That's Broken
Make It Over Again
But I Know A Man Who Can
I Can't Take A Soul of a sinner
Make It White As The Snow
But I Know A Man Who Can

Some Call Him Savior, The Redeemer Of All Men
I Call Him Jesus, For He's My Dearest Friend
If You Feel No One Can Help You
And Your Life Is Out Of Hand
I Know A Man Who Can

I Can't Walk Upon The Waters
Calm The Dark And Raging Sea
But I Know A Man Who Can
I Can't Cause Blind Eyes To Open
Or Make The Lame To Walk Again
But I Know A Man Who Can

Some Call Him Savior, The Redeemer Of All Men
I Call Him Jesus, For He's My Dearest Friend
If You Feel That No One Loves You
And Your Life Is Out Of Hand
I Know A Man Who Can

Yes, I Know A Man Who Can

I Need A Silent Night

This is the week in the Christmas season that things tend to get crazy at my house. Last minute shopping, wrapping of presents, sorting the presents into groups so we know which ones go to which gathering of family. We stress wondering if we got the right thing, too much spent, too little spent. Did we leave someone out that we shouldn't have?

This song reminds me we are not the only ones that do this. And it also reminds me I need to be still and remember the reason for the season.

Peace to you and yours this season.

Song: I Need A Silent Night
Artist: Amy Grant
Album: The Christmas Collection

I've made the same mistake before
Too many malls, too many stores
December traffic, Christmas rush
It breaks me till I push and shove
Children are crying while mothers are trying
To photograph Santa and sleigh
The shopping and buying and standing forever in line
What can I say?

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

December comes then disappears
Faster and faster every year
Did my own mother keep this pace
Or was the world a different place?
Where people stayed home wishing for snow
Watching three channels on their TV
Look at us now rushing around
Trying to buy Christmas peace

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

What was it like back there in Bethlehem
With peace on earth, good will toward men?

(reading by child)
There were shepherds out in the field
Keeping watch over their clock by night
And the glory of the Lord shone around them
And they were sore afraid
And the angels said fear not for behold
I bring you good news of a great joy that shall be for all people
For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night
To end this crazy day with a silent night

Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep

Only a week until Christmas!
I first remember hearing this song in the holiday film "White Christmas" with Bing Crosby, singing it. But the message is worth listening to today more than ever. And this artist does a great job on it too. A really good message.
I hope you sleep well this season...and all year! This song gives good advice.

Song: Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep
Artist: Amy Grant
Album: The Christmas Collection

When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings

When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds

If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep, you'll fall asleep
Counting your blessings

We're Here To Love

A few years ago Debbie and I were invited to a gathering where everyone was to bring their favorite album with their favorite song. We were to bring them in a brown sack so that no one knew who brought what song. We spent the evening listening to the songs and trying to guess whose favorite it was.

This one was Debbie's. She and I had just been married a few months but it gave me some insight into her heart.

These are supposed to be songs about me. In a way this one is. Debbie came into my life at a time when I was wondering if I would ever be able to love someone again. She has been a wonderful daughter, mother, wife and "granny". She has lived out this song in how she has cared for her family.

Song: We're Here To Love.
Artist: Ronnie Milsap
Album: Christmas With Ronnie Milsap

We all live on a little ball spinning somewhere in space
A tiny dot in the universe reserved for the human race
And as our planet obeys the laws of gravity, nature and time
We must look to the heart and find our part that we play in the grand design.

We're here to love, oh, we've all got the power, ah, it's our finest hour
Though the stars up in heaven keep shining down
From the ghetto to the Holy land somebody's needing somebody's hand
And it's time that we all understand we're here to love.

Some will lose their soul to the power of gold and all that it may possess
They count their blessings by the things that they own
Never learning that more is less
But from the moment we're born until the fading light
All the seasons that turn in between
It's the love that you give and the hours you give
That's the measure of the life that you lead.

We're here to love, oh, we've all got the power, ah, it's our finest hour
Though the stars up in heaven keep shining down
From the ghetto to the Holy land somebody's needing somebody's hand
And it's time that we all understand we're here to love...

Jesus and John Wayne

Thank God for grace.

Mom and Dad celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this weekend. They did such a great job in providing us a home to ground us in the Lord and grow us into mature adults. It worked really well for my sisters.

I have had to learn some things they hard way! LOL

This song is my shout out to Mom's and Dad's teamwork in teaching me right and God's ability to fix what I screw up!

Worth the download!

Song: Jesus and John Wayne
Artist: Gaither Vocal Band
Album: Lovin' Life

Daddy was a cowboy hard as a rock
Mama she was quiet as a prayer
Daddy’d always tell me, “Son, you gotta be tough
Mama would kiss my cheek and say, “play fair”
I did my best to make ‘em proud of me
But it’s never been an easy place to be

Somewhere between Jesus and John Wayne
A cowboy and a saint, the cross and the open range
I try to be more like you Lord,But most days I know I ain’t
I’m somewhere between Jesus and John Wayne.

Mama’s love was tender, Daddy’s love was strong
Both of them were there to help the weak
They taught me to stand up and fight for what is right
And showed me how to turn the other cheek
Now I see there’s both of them in me
And maybe that’s the best that I can ever hope to be

Somewhere between Jesus and John Wayne
A cowboy and a saint, the cross and the open range
I try to be more like you Lord,But most days I know I ain’t
I’m somewhere between Jesus and John Wayne.

My Kind of Woman, My Kind of Man

Debbie and I have several songs we like and think of as "ours." This is one of them. I have a pretty remarkable wife who really does not ask for much. A tv, satellite so she can get QVC and a phone with QVC on speed dial.

No, really, the words of this song hit home for both of us. A great duet by two of my favorite singers.

Song: My Kind of Woman, My Kind of Man
Artists: Patty Loveless and Vince Gill
Album: Classics (Patty Loveless)

(Vince) You don't need diamonds or big fancy cars
You say you're happy right where you are
(Patty) We're bound together by a little gold band
You're my kind of woman
(Patty) and You're my kind man

(Vince) Oh living without you is my only fear
You still drive me crazy when I hold you near
(Patty) My body trembles with the touch of your hand
(Vince)You're my kind of woman
(Patty) and You're my kind man

(Together) You're my kind of woman
You're my kind man
A match made in heaven
By God's gentle hands
I'll love you forever
Together we'll stand
(Vince) You're my kind of woman
(Patty) You're my kind man

(Together) You're my kind of woman
You're my kind man
A match made in heaven
By God's gentle hands
I'll love you forever
Together we'll stand
(Vince) You're my kind of woman
(Patty) You're my kind man
(Vince) You're my kind of woman
(Patty) And you're my kind man

I Want To Stroll Over Heaven With You

I heard on Paul Harvey's News and Comments this week that scientists have discovered everything in our universe is being pulled toward some force OUTSIDE the universe. Scientists are unable to explain it.

I ain't no scientist but I am a Christian and can explain it - it is the power of Heaven.

What I dislike most about this earth is the constraints of time. There are so many people I would love to spend more time with. There is so much to catch up on. I have some in my cell phone list of numbers. Others are in my Outlook Contacts lists. Some of those people I have recently connected again via Facebook. Others are not up to speed on that technology and yet neither of us take the time to call or write in other ways. Family and friends are too often only seen at funerals.

But some day...I am going to spend unlimited time with you, Lord willing.

Song: I Want To Stroll Over Heaven With You
Artist: Alan Jackson
Album: Precious Memories

If I survey all the good things that come to me from above
If I count all the blessings from the storehouse of love
I'd simply ask for the favor of him beyond mortal king
And I'm sure he would grant it again

I want to stroll over Heaven with you some glad day
When all our troubles and heartaches are vanished away
Then we'll enjoy the beauty where all things are new
I want to stroll over Heaven with you

So many places of beauty we long to see here below
But time and treasures have kept us from making plans as you know
But come the morning of rapture together we'll stand a new
While I stroll over Heaven with you

I want to stroll over Heaven with you some glad day
When all our troubles and heartaches are vanished away
Then we'll enjoy the beauty where all things are new
I want to stroll over Heaven with you

Something You Can't buy

It is good to remember at ALL Christmases but we might need a real reminder this year in light of the current financial challenges the nation is facing. The best Christmas present to your family is to just be there.

My parents have always made our Christmas gatherings a special time that as I look back I realize money could not buy. This song is a great reminder of it. I cannot listen to it without a moistened eye.

Song: Something You Can't Buy
Artist: The Statler Brothers
Album: 20th Century Masters - Christmas Collection - The Statler Brothers

The greatest Christmas present
Is something you can't buy

When World War 2 was over
We trimmed the tree alone,
But we saved the star for Daddy
Cause Daddy was coming home
We bought Momma a new dress
We bought Daddy a tie,
But he brought us each something
That money couldn't buy

The greatest christmas present
Is something you can't buy
I've talked to Pa this evening
For an hour on the phone
He said don't spend a lot on presents
(now son don't you spend a lot on presents)
We just want you to come on home
(you know all me and Momma want is you all to come on home)
But we'll buy Momma a new dress
And Daddy another tie
And we'll spend lots of time together
And that's something you can't buy

The greatest Christmas present
Is something you can't buy

Some day - and I know it's coming
When all of us won't be together there for Christmas
(I hate to face it but we won't always be together for Christmas)
You know Daddy's seventy-three
(it seems hard to believe but daddy will turn seventy-three)
And to pay back all he gave me
I can't but I will try
I'll pass along to my kids
Something they can't buy

The greatest Christmas present
Is something you can't buy

Get a Grip

Every human being has experienced loneliness. In my opinion no one writes or sings about it like Merle Haggard. And this song might be my favorite Country song.

In this song he captures the gnawing, loss of sleep, haunting ache of a love lost or separation from someone loved. In the middle of the misery he understands he has to go on living as hard as it is. He admits he ends up "where the lonely go."

That's kind of the launching pad of most Country songs, isn't it? Ha ha! I have to laugh a little bit. Think about it. Most songs are about things or activities in an attempt to fill the loneliness. I think some Sunday morning sermons could reach some hearts if the preacher understood this human emotion.

Where do the lonely go? Many times to the wrong thing. This should not make us discount the emotion - it is very real. We have all been there and handled it wrong or wrestled with it for a while in an attempt to get a grip on the emotion and get life back to normal - whatever that is. This song not only speaks to it but has some great music with a bit of a blues touch.

Song: Going Where the Lonely Go
Artist: Merle Haggard
Album: Going Where the Lonely Go

Rollin with the flow
Going where the lonely go
Anywhere the lights are low
Going where the lonely go

Making up things to do
Not running in all directions
Trying to find you
I'm rollin with the flow
Going where the lonely go

I've got to keep rollin
I can't lay down
Sleep won't hardly come
When theres loneliness all around
I've got to keep goin
Travling down this lonesome road
I'm rollin with the flow
Goin where the lonely go

Life Is Tough For Anyone

It is Sunday again and time for a Christian message.
It is not my purpose here to make it sound as though I have or have had it worse than any other. I know I am blessed. But I have faced some circumstances, whether brought on by my own bad choices or fate, that I have been frustrated with life.

I remember a line from a sermon from some 20 years ago, "Morning always comes." The preacher was referring to the crucifixion of Christ but the same can go for the trials we face. Life is tough for anyone. The best of advice as we go through those times: Just hold on!

Song: Through the Fire
Artist: Randy Travis (with the Crabb Family)
Album: Glory Train

So many times I’ve questioned certain circumstances
Or things I could not understand
Many times in trials, weakness blurs my vision
And my frustrations get so out of hand
It’s then I am reminded I’ve never been forsaken
I’ve never had to stand the test alone
As I look at all the victories, the Spirit rises up in me
It’s through the fire my weakness is made strong

And He never promised the cross would not get heavy and the hill would not be hard to climb
He never offered victory without fighting but He said help would always come in time
Just remember when you’re standing in the valley of decision and the adversary says give in
Just hold on, our Lord will show up and He will take you through the fire again

I know within myself that I would surely perish
But if I trust the hand of God, He’ll shield the flames again

And He never promised the cross would not get heavy and the hill would not be hard to climb
Just hold on, our Lord will show up and He will take you through the fire again
Just hold on, our Lord will show up and He will take you through the fire again

To Make It A Good Christmas

What is your Christmas story? What do you remember most about past Christmases? Today's song reminds me it is NOT about presents.

The thing I remember most about Christmases past is that there was always laughter, caroling, playing, family and pictures. My maternal grandparents hosted the celebration while we grandkids were all young but by the mid 1960's the tradition moved to my parents' house until they moved from there about 4 years ago. When we were young, my mother's sister and family would join us for a couple days or so. Charles, Romadene, Denalyn, Pam, and Eric all came. I only got to see those cousins a couple of times or so a year but I love them dearly to this day.

A CHRISTMAS STORY
You know why this 1983 movie is a classic? It is all our stories! I can't really remember any specific gift except that I am reminded of it by a photograph from the day. I think I did get a BB gun one Christmas...mom told me to be careful not to shoot my eye out. Mine was a Daisy brand, however. And I actually have had my tongue get stuck on cold metal before, although it was galvanized fence rail. And my friend, Royce Stalter, has a leg lamp in his living room!

To make it a good Christmas make it about people. Christmas is not about presents. It is about getting together with family and friends, stories, food, and celebration. There will be more time to talk about the reason for the season in a later blog.

Song: It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Artist: Andy Williams
Album: The Andy Williams Christmas Album

It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer"

It's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call It's the hap- happiest season of all

There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistltoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When love ones are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year

There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistltoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When love ones are near
It's the most wonderful time

It's the most wonderful time
It's the most wonderful time
It's the most wonderful time of the year

Thankgiving Song 2008

The United States of America. Just this week Debbie mentioned how lucky she felt to have been born to her parents, in this country, at the time in our history she was. When you see all the countries in which one could have been born we are extremely blessed.

I love songs about our country and on holidays will share them with you.

On this Thanksgiving celebrate AMERICA!

Song:The House I Live In (That's America to Me)
Artist: Frank Sinatra
Album: The Essential Frank Sinatra (the Columbia years)

What is America to me
A name, a map, or a flag I see
A certain word, democracy
What is America to me

The house I live in
A plot of earth, the street
The grocer and the butcher
Or the people that I meet
The children in the playground
The faces that I see
All races and religions
That's America to me

The place I work in
The worker by my side
The little town the city
Where my people lived and died
The howdy and the handshake
The air a feeling free
And the right to speak your mind out
That's America to me

The things I see about me
The big things and the small
That little corner newsstand
Or the house a mile tall
The wedding and the churchyard
The laughter and the tears
The dream that's been a growing
For more than two hundred years

The town I live in
The street, the house, the room
The pavement of the city
Or a garden all in bloom
The church the school the clubhouse
The millions lights I see
Especially the people
That's America to me

A Work in Process

You know what a squirt is? A Drip under pressure. However, coal under pressure becomes a diamond.

Pressure and stress can do a lot of things to a person. None of us will get through life without stress and testings in a lot of ways.
The question is how we handle it.

A favorite Bible story of mine is when Moses was about to free the people of Israel from their bondage in Egypt. God was attempting to get Pharoah's attention with all the miracles. He had done the same earlier with Moses. Each of them responded differently. One's heart was softened and accepted God's will in his life. The other hardened his heart against the will of God. Same God - two different responses.

I got a long way to go - a work in process. I just know I want to be more like Moses.

Song: I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal
Artist: John Anderson
Album: Ultimate Hits



Lyrics

Find A Place To Hold On

Just a quick note to say that on Sundays I will take the opportunity to post about hymns, songs of faith and christian songs.
====================================================

It is hard to get my pea-sized brain around the concept of time and eternity. The fact that God has always been causes the word, "TILT" to appear on my forehead. This, I guess, is where faith kicks in.

God not only has been and will be around forever, he has been working about a plan to have me with him. And no matter how much I mess up that relationship he is devising a plan to fix it.

God is seeking a way to protect me. The one who created time and has been around for every tick wants me with him. I should not question his plan. I have nothing to bring. I should just just find a place to grab a hold and cling. He'll take it from there.

This a a great version of this hymn
Song: Rock of Ages
Artist: Amy Grant (with Vince Gill)
Album: Rock of Ages...Hymns and Faith


Lyrics

That Reminds Me of a Song

So I don't have to repeat something I have already said, you can review a previous blog of mine here: Songs are Bookmarks In My Life.

I love a good tune. And I have always enjoyed a good song. I have had a radio for as long as I can remember on my bed's headboard which I would lay awake listening to at night (Billy Parker had an overnight show on KVOO). One of the first purchases I can remember making with my own money was a stereo (Bell & Howell AM/FM/cassette/8-track/turntable).

I often find myself whistling a tune without realizing it. Maverick (and his mother before him) finds this irritating. I was in a convienience store this week and was apparently whistling because the lady at the register starting singing the song I was whistling and then told me, "I love that song!" You know, I can't even remember what that song was, but I do remember it was an "oldie."

Words mean things. Sometimes you like a song for the melody and harmony. But for me it is about the words mostly. Johnny Cash could talk a pretty good song. The song can touch the soul but the words touch the heart. I suppose we need both.

I have some of Merle Haggard's music in every form. Some albums I have in vinyl, 8-track (finally thrown away), cassette, CD, and now in mp3, VHS and DVD. Debbie thinks that is S-A-D (but come on, this judgement comes from a disco queen of the 70's who listened to the Bee Gees). But it is more than the music it is the words and experiences which caused the song to be written. That is why he is called the Common Man's Poet.

I can mark events in my life with a song from that era. You probably can too. And this BLOG will end up telling you more about me then you might want to know. But it might end up causing you to think more about yours too, if you are not careful. So, each post will have the lyrics, album, artist of a particular song so that you can purchase it if you don't already have it. The songs are about me. But they might be about you.

Song: Songs About Me
Artist: Trace Adkins
Album: Greatest Hits Vol II


Lyrics