Meandering

Just like this country road, I've been meandering through the fall landscape, sorry that the summer is over but enjoying the fall foliage. Each day is shorter than the preceding one. Christmas is just around the corner. What a thought! After that we're into a brand new year and new opportunities to see God at work.

So, friends, let's make sure we redeem the time and enjoy every moment the Lord has graciously given us.

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." - Ephesians 5:15-20 (NIV)

Seasons Change

Crispy fallen leaves blanket the forest floor
Sun beams catch the rising mist
making it suddenly visible
Cooler air filters through the wooded bush
Squirrels scurry to bury their new-found treasures
Summer is over and we can't call it back
Autumn has arrived.
If only we could freeze it before the
Real deep freeze arrives.
Fall beauty is unsurpassed
Seasons change
God doesn't
He is immutable
And I'm thankful
For that!

~ David

Silent Lake

Here's a photo from our camping trip to Silent Lake!

More later!

No Weeds In the Father's Eyes

This morning our guest speaker at Auburn Bible Chapel, Carlo Raponi, played an audio clip by a former band called Five Iron Frenzy. Basically what the lyrics were saying was that when we see dandelions, God sees flowers. We see weeds, God sees beauty.

Remember, you are NOT a weed in the Father's eyes!

Here are those lyrics:

In a field of yellow flowers,
underneath the sun:
bluest eyes that spark with lightning,
boy with shoes undone.
He is young, so full of hope;
reveling in tiny dreams;
filling up his arms with flowers,
right for giving any queen.
Running to her beaming bright
while cradling his prize;
A flickering of yellow light
within his mother's eyes;
She holds them to her heart,
keeping them where they'll be safe;
clasped within her very marrow,
dandelions in a vase.
She sees love, where anyone else would see weeds.
all hope is found. Here is everything he needs.
Gently lifting hands to heaven,
softened by the sweetest hush,
a Father sings over his children,
loving them so very much.
More than words could warrant,
deeper than the darkest blue,
more than sacrifice could merit,
Lord, I give my heart to you.

Going Home

Reflections as I close another day on life's pilgrimage:
The journey's long, the going tough
And oft' the pathway's very rough
But sovereign grace will be enough
'Til I get home.

The storms may rage, the billows roll
And fears assail my troubled soul
But I won't let them take their toll
While here I roam.

The Lord is strong and holds my hand
And while I sojourn in this land
A member of the pilgrim band
I'm nearing home.

Encouraged by my brother's prayers
That lift me o'er my daily cares
Every burden Christ now bears
'Til I get home.

When I arrive on heaven's shore
The cares of life concern no more
I'll praise my God and Master...for
I'm finally home.

~ David W. Fisher, September 14th, 2007

The Olney Hymns

While in England earlier this year I picked up a copy of the Olney Hymns, the classic collection of hymns and spiritual songs largely penned by John Newton and William Cowper. The following selection is entitled TEMPTATION and ministered to my spirit again today as I perused the lyrics. ~ David

TEMPTATION

The billows swell, the winds are high,
Clouds overcast my wintry sky;
Out of the depths to Thee I call, --
My fears are great, my strength is small.

O Lord, the pilot's part perform,
And guard and guide me through the storm;
Defend me from each threatening ill,
Control the waves, -- say, "Peace! be still."

Amidst the roaring of the sea
My soul still hangs her hope on Thee;
Thy constant love, thy faithful care,
Is all that saves me from despair.

Dangers of every shape and name
Attend the followers of the Lamb,
Who leave the world's deceitful shore,
And leave it to return no more.

Though tempest-toss'd and half a wreck,
My Saviour through the floods I seek;
Let neither winds nor stormy main
Force back my shatter'd bark again.

~ William Cowper

The Great Provider

This morning the following thoughts came to mind as I meditated on Matthew 6:25-34:

Worry...Forget It

I worried ‘bout the future
The path I could not see;
I doubted God’s provision
Would He supply my need?

Now after many seasons
His Word has stood the test;
Just seek the Father’s kingdom
And He will add the rest.

Clothing, food and lodging
The Father will provide;
I trust… because He promised
My needs He has supplied!

~ David W. Fisher
September 6th, 2007

A Foretaste of Heaven

This morning I drove out to Elim Lodge with a friend to enjoy the Lord's Supper and the morning service.

The pianist and organist this morning (and often during the summer) were Wayne and Colleen Robinson, a husband and wife team who play those instruments the way I believe they should be played. Being a piano player myself I can almost anticipate the chords and progressions they are going to use. I love listening to them!

They always play a number of hymns between the two services. I walked to the front of the chapel with a note for each of them requesting that they play William Cowper's There is a Fountain Filled With Blood. Before I was back to my seat they had started playing.

I must confess that I couldn't control my emotions and tears began streaming down my face. How I wish I could have been a contemporary of Cowper's. His excrutiating bouts with depression almost destroyed him and yet he was able to write such powerful poetry and hymns. His friendship with John Newton enabled him to rise above the rubble of his depressed and suicidal lifestyle. My own bouts with depression have given me a much deeper appreciation of Cowper (pronounced Cooper). What a man!

Here are those incredible lyrics from one of my favorite hymns:

There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;

And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.

Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains;

And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day;

And there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away.

Wash all my sins away, wash all my sins away;

And there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away.

E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply,

Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.

And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die;

Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.

During my trip to England in late February and early March I visited the Cowper/Newton Museum and saw the Summer House where Cowper penned much of his work. An unforgettable experience!

Yes, this morning was a little foretaste of heaven. Thanks Wayne and Colleen!

~ David

Grace Greater Than Our Sin

One of my all-time favorite hymns, Grace Greater Than Our Sin, was penned by Julia H. Johnston. The hymn is filled with phrases that clearly state the riches of God's grace. My sin was great but His grace was far greater.

The only word which I struggle with is "spilled" in the first verse. There could be, in my mind a least, a slight implication that Christ's blood was accidentally "spilled" at Calvary. I know that the hymnwriter was NOT conveying that at all so I try to look past this.

Being a pianist, I love to play this song and the melody and lyrics always refresh me and cause me to be grateful to God for His marvelous grace.

Here are the lyrics:

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Refrain

Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
Brighter than snow you may be today.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?

~ David