June 26, 2005
“More Than Ever”
“More Than Ever”
Dear Friends,
In the present-day world that we live in, there is much to boggle the mind, bruise the spirit, and attack the soul. Our fifth grandchild is due at the end of July, and I wonder what he and our other grandchildren—and all the children born into this postmodern age--are going to face in their time here on earth. In the face of the unknown I am thankful that I can anchor my heart in the timeless Truths and unshakeable promises that our Heavenly Father has given us. I rest my soul on those Truths and promises. I say with the Psalmist, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26).
My prayer is that I will bear the same faithful witness at the end of my life (whether a few more days or a few more years) that a dear sister at Salem Primitive Baptist Church in Madisonville, Kentucky (Sister Vessie Gibson) bore at the end of her 98 years. Her last words to her daughter Naomi were, “The Lord’s always taken care of us, and He always will.” Sister Gibson had turned to God often in her years on the earth, through many trials (including her husband’s death while she was expecting her youngest child) and her heavenly Father never failed her. I am inspired and excited by the energy and passion of youth, but I am most greatly encouraged by the firm and secure faith of older saints. They’ve been through much with the Lord as their strength, and a seasoned guide—as is a lighthouse on a rocky seacoast--is a great help on a journey.
When I came across the lyrics below (written, I think, by one of the Gaithers) on a “Praise and Worship” CD which included this song by the Gaither Vocal Band, it stated my feelings quite well. May we ever hold on our way throughout our earthly sojourn, may we ever stand steady and help point the Way, and may our Savior ever be more precious to us than anything else.
In Him,
Elaine
“More Than Ever”
When I started my journey in fresh child-like trust,
I believed that the Lord’s way was best.
I would read in His Word how he mothered the bird
And grieved when it fell from its nest.
How I felt His delight when I chose to do right,
And I prayed I would not make Him sad.
We would meet on the way in the cool of the day.
What a pure sweet communion we had.
Chorus:
Oh, But now more than ever I cherish the Cross.
More than ever I sit at His feet.
All the miles of my journey have proved my Lord true,
And He is so precious to me.
Oh, the road I have traveled has sometimes been steep
Through the wild, jagged places of life.
And sometimes I’ve stumbled and fallen so hard
That the stones cut my soul like a knife.
But the staff of my Shepherd would reach out for me
And lift me to cool pastures green.
With the oil of the Spirit anointing my wounds,
There I’d rest by the clear, healing stream.
Oh, But now more than ever I cherish the Cross.
More than ever I sit at His feet.
All the miles of my journey have proved my Lord true,
And He is so precious to me.
Is love’s old sweet story too good to be true?
Do you find all this hard to believe?
Has the cruel world we live in so battered your heart,
That the hurt child inside you can’t grieve?
I can’t say that I blame you, I’ve been where you are,
And all I can say is, ‘It’s true!’
You’re wanted, you’re precious, you’re the love of His heart,
And the old rugged Cross was for you.
Oh, But now more than ever I cherish the Cross.
More than ever I sit at His feet.
All the miles of my journey have proved my Lord true,
And He is so precious to me.
Yes! He is so precious to me!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Copyright © 2004 www.salvationbygracealone.com
“More Than Ever” - Elaine Housley
In the present-day world that we live in, there is much to boggle the mind, bruise the spirit, and attack the soul. Our fifth grandchild is due at the end of July, and I wonder what he and our other grandchildren—and all the children born into this postmodern age--are going to face in their time here on earth. In the face of the unknown I am thankful that I can anchor my heart in the timeless Truths and unshakeable promises that our Heavenly Father has given us. I rest my soul on those Truths and promises. I say with the Psalmist, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26).
My prayer is that I will bear the same faithful witness at the end of my life (whether a few more days or a few more years) that a dear sister at Salem Primitive Baptist Church in Madisonville, Kentucky (Sister Vessie Gibson) bore at the end of her 98 years. Her last words to her daughter Naomi were, “The Lord’s always taken care of us, and He always will.” Sister Gibson had turned to God often in her years on the earth, through many trials (including her husband’s death while she was expecting her youngest child) and her heavenly Father never failed her. I am inspired and excited by the energy and passion of youth, but I am most greatly encouraged by the firm and secure faith of older saints. They’ve been through much with the Lord as their strength, and a seasoned guide—as is a lighthouse on a rocky seacoast--is a great help on a journey.
When I came across the lyrics below (written, I think, by one of the Gaithers) on a “Praise and Worship” CD which included this song by the Gaither Vocal Band, it stated my feelings quite well. May we ever hold on our way throughout our earthly sojourn, may we ever stand steady and help point the Way, and may our Savior ever be more precious to us than anything else.
In Him,
Elaine
“More Than Ever”
When I started my journey in fresh child-like trust,
I believed that the Lord’s way was best.
I would read in His Word how he mothered the bird
And grieved when it fell from its nest.
How I felt His delight when I chose to do right,
And I prayed I would not make Him sad.
We would meet on the way in the cool of the day.
What a pure sweet communion we had.
Chorus:
Oh, But now more than ever I cherish the Cross.
More than ever I sit at His feet.
All the miles of my journey have proved my Lord true,
And He is so precious to me.
Oh, the road I have traveled has sometimes been steep
Through the wild, jagged places of life.
And sometimes I’ve stumbled and fallen so hard
That the stones cut my soul like a knife.
But the staff of my Shepherd would reach out for me
And lift me to cool pastures green.
With the oil of the Spirit anointing my wounds,
There I’d rest by the clear, healing stream.
Oh, But now more than ever I cherish the Cross.
More than ever I sit at His feet.
All the miles of my journey have proved my Lord true,
And He is so precious to me.
Is love’s old sweet story too good to be true?
Do you find all this hard to believe?
Has the cruel world we live in so battered your heart,
That the hurt child inside you can’t grieve?
I can’t say that I blame you, I’ve been where you are,
And all I can say is, ‘It’s true!’
You’re wanted, you’re precious, you’re the love of His heart,
And the old rugged Cross was for you.
Oh, But now more than ever I cherish the Cross.
More than ever I sit at His feet.
All the miles of my journey have proved my Lord true,
And He is so precious to me.
Yes! He is so precious to me!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| “More Than Ever” | SBGA | Elaine Housley |
Copyright © 2004 www.salvationbygracealone.com
“More Than Ever” - Elaine Housley