A New Song

A New Song – Psalm 96:1-13

Yesterday’s Upper Room devotional lifted up these verses from the Psalms  and the passage really struck me in this time and place in my life.  What particularly stood out was the beginning, “O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised.”  Each of us has times when we’re searching for a new song – whether that be around New Year’s, Lent, the beginning of a school year, or facing something just a little life-changing. 

People have talked to me about a “new” normal and I think those words fit just as good as any of the other surreal things I’ve heard, but I think I’d like to claim these verses as my new theme song.  Primarily because there’s a continuity and an unchanging sense in this passage that God has not and will not leave or forsake us no matter what.  There’s something unshakable about God’s faithfulness to us in the midst of all of life’s storms and that unfailing love that keeps shining through.

There’s a song that we sing in The Journey at St. John’s UMC  called “A Thousand Amens” by Tim Timmons.  The verses are the standard doxology  and the chorus is “Unfailing love comes with the morning/It’s Your faithfulness we sing at night/It’s Your kindness Lord that leads to our healing/All glory to our Maker and a thousand amens.”  I love this song.  Whether in good times or tough times, all glory is to the One who created us.  Here’s a link if you want to hear it:  http://www.ourstage.com/tracks/AMCYESKVIIVO-a-thousand-amens

A HUGE thanks to y’all for being a resounding chorus in singing this song with me.  I’ve appreciated all of your thoughts and prayers and well wishes during this still surreal crazy change in my life. 

Love and Grace to each of you!

Can’t get Leeland’s “New Creation” out of my head today.

That and the old hymn “I Love to Tell the Story”…

1.	I love to tell the story
	of unseen things above,
	of Jesus and his glory,
	of Jesus and his love.
	I love to tell the story,
	because I know 'tis true;
	it satisfies my longings
	as nothing else can do.
Refrain:
	I love to tell the story,
	'twill be my theme in glory,
	to tell the old, old story
	of Jesus and his love.

2.	I love to tell the story;
	more wonderful it seems
	than all the golden fancies
	of all our golden dreams.
	I love to tell the story,
	it did so much for me;
	and that is just the reason
	I tell it now to thee.
	(Refrain)

3.	I love to tell the story;
	'tis pleasant to repeat
	what seems, each time I tell it,
	more wonderfully sweet.
	I love to tell the story,
	for some have never heard
	the message of salvation
	from God's own holy Word.
	(Refrain)

4.	I love to tell the story,
	for those who know it best
	seem hungering and thirsting
	to hear it like the rest.
	And when, in scenes of glory,
	I sing the new, new song,
	'twill be the old, old story
	that I have loved so long.
	(Refrain)