So I love this old hymn. We sang it at the end of every worship service when we were at Wesley Chapel in Lydia and it was played at my Gandaddy’s funeral with Ganny’s alto voice ringing out as always. It’s not the greatest sounding recording, but it’s about like I remember in UMC’s with a bunch of different voices and a lot of joy in the harmony and singing out as loud as you can even if you’re not the best singer in the history of the world. The second video – different tune but also familiar and I think the images are cool with the words. Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=9OfSm2LfX48&feature=related.
What is the tie that binds us?
Love that great cloud of witnesses always before us (can’t help but mention the LOST finale) and that great community of Christ followers that is ever behind us, beside us, and before us. Love, love, love that in this crazy blog system that people’s posts look like patches in a quilt. God is sewing community together all around us and that is beautiful.
Blessings on the Journey 
Narcie, Just want to pass on a quote from Henry Miller “One’s destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things” You have a unque way to look at life and I praise God for your influence on Jaclyn this past year!See you at conference!
Sure.
Narcie, just found out from lauren abt your misadventure, and she put me onto your blog. Obviously my whole fam is adding our prayers to the truckloads God is getting about this. Thanks for your blog thoughts and info – there is more that ties us together than we realize, or admit sometimes. BTW, I thought everyone knew who the smoke monster was.
Oh the smoke monster….I think I know who he is but why the man in black turned into the smoke monster after going down the shiny golden hole – oh LOST – love it!
Narcie, please know that so many prayers are being lifted for you and your family. You are an amazing woman, and I pray that your doctors are amazing, too! I hope to get to give you a hug at Conference!
I should be there Wednesday and Thursday! Wohoo!
Narcie, I join the thousands that are praying for you through these blessed ties that bind us. Thanks for the blog and your fresh thoughts.
So, as I make my joyful noise in GUMC tomorrow (I am convinced that you were describing my congregation’s singing), I will whisper a little prayer about you to the empty spot in the pew in front of me where your Ganny always sat and harmonized with me. With Dixie Jo, Guy, and the Great Physician looking out for you, things will improve. Greeleyville is praying for you and your family. We love you. Hang in there. He not only heals; he cures – but you already knew that. It is just reassuring to say it out loud….
Hey Narce. We’ve put you on the prayer list at church so all of Branchville is praying for you. Not a lot of people, I know, but as your dad said (after he got in that fight down here a LONG time ago), we’re a tough group. I’m not sure if you’ve heard my news yet, but we’re expecting Dec. 4th. I’ll be tracking you and Tracy down for Mommy tips. We hope everything goes well this week. Love you hon! Audrey
Funny thing – I had this song running through my mind on Friday while getting a sermon together, and I went looking for it on the internet to get the lyrics. I have to say – this recording is better than what I heard on the cyberhymnal 🙂 Thank you for your reflections, and keeping us connected to you by sharing your journey. There are many of us on the road with you, and I’m glad to be one of them. Peace, MCY
After communion on Sunday I had my choir come down and everyone join hands and sing ‘bless be the tie that binds’…it gives us a certain closeness and focus. Reminding us that the hand holding ours in church that day could be the hand that gives us a lift up that week, a hand that prays for us that week or the hand that calls to check on us. I am reminded to never ever under estimate the power of prayer or the power of the God that created us. Love you Narcie. I’m battling all the forces that are coming against you in prayer and bathing you in the 91st Psalm this week.
The “tie that binds” us to other Christians is Christ Himself (Gal. 3:28). When we put our faith in Him, we become a part of His spiritual body, the church, and can enjoy fellowship with other believers, even when our denominational connections differ.
I always think of this hymn as “Emily’s Song” because of “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder. However, the reason I am posting is to ask permission to use your image “the tie that binds” in our church bulletin this next Sunday next to the hymn “Blest be the tie that binds.” Please post here or contact me by email at office@elimlutheran.org. Thanks in advance!