"In His Presence" by Alec Rowland

I asked for a copy of Alec Rowland's book, "The Presence" for my next book review because I was curious to know what he meant by the subtitle of "experiencing more of God." What I found is that the book's main focus is not about having supernatural experiences, but on the revival of a Christian's spiritual life. Its about renewing our relationship with Him; about having a closer walk with God who is still alive and active in our world today, even though we don't always "feel" His presence.

On page 69 of the book, the author encourages us to look at our own lives and ask some important questions: "What will motivate me to actively share with others the story of my relationship with Jesus? What will make me want to pray? What will motivate me to dig into the Bible and truly study the Word of God with an eye toward having my life changed? What will infuse my worship with a deep and authentic hunger for God's presence? The only answer is a restored (revived) love for God."

The author uses personal stories/experiences of revival in his own life, as well as in the lives of others, to help motivate us in our Christian walk; to be on a mission to become more Christ-like. In that sense, it has very good things to say and I think it could be a decent book to help with Bible study conversations.

The book did seem rather long to me, though, and not super engaging. I guess that's why it took me so long to finally write a review (2 months), because it took me so long to finish the book.  But, overall, I found the book to be inspiring, and somewhat entertaining at times. 

NOTE:  Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.

HYMN: Rock of Ages

There are many hymns that have been written around the Lord being our rock. Here are just a few of them (click on each title to see the words):

1. Build On the Rock
2. Builded On the Rock
3. Built On the Rock
4. Honey in the Rock
5. Mighty Rock, Whose Towering Form
6. O God, the Rock of Ages
7. Praise the Rock of Our Salvation
8. The Sheltering Rock

But, I think the most popular of all the hymn that speak about our "Rock" is the classic hymn Rock of Ages, written by Augustus M. Toplady in 1776. The words to this hymn came to him when he was taking refuge among some limestone rocks in England, during a violent thunderstorm. The rocks kept him safe from the storm. Likewise, trusting in the Lord gives us great confidence in knowing we can take refuge among the strongest Rock of all - Jesus Christ.

ROCK OF AGES

Words by:  Augusts M. Toplady - 1776 

Music by:  Thomas Hastings

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
[originally When my eye-strings break in death]
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

HYMN: Make Me A Blessing / Be A Blessing Today

Let's go back to October 2009, five years ago. It was towards the beginning of cold and flu season, and I wrote a post that gave several suggestions on how to be a blessing to those who are not feeling well. Check out that blog post here:

BE A BLESSING TODAY

Along with that blog post, I also included a hymn that was written by Ira B. Wilson in 1905. The original title of the hymn was "Out in the Highways and Byways of Life" but it has since been changed to "Make Me A Blessing." This hymn will be our hymn of focus for this Sunday.

I wasn't able to find any information about this hymn, other than the author being a composer who was taught music at home by his sister, and later became a student at The Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.

I like the hymn because it reminds me to let my light shine so that others will see Jesus in me.

Matthew 5:16 -  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (ESV)

Make Me A Blessing

(click on the title above to hear the tune)

Words by Ira B. Wilson

Music by George S. Schuler

Out in the highways and byways of life,

many are weary and sad;

Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife

making the sorrowing glad.

 

Refrain:

Make me a blessing,

Make me a blessing,

Out of my life

May Jesus shine;

Make me a blessing, O savior, I pray,

Make me a blessing to someone today.

 

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love;

Tell of His pow'r to forgive;

Others will trust Him if only you prove

true ev'ry moment you live.

 

Refrain

 

Give as 'twas given to you in your need;

Love as the Master loved you;

Be to the helpless a helper indeed;

Unto your mission be true.

 

Refrain

A Picnic Snack - An Introduction to My New Book Project

Here's a sneak peak at the new book project I've been working on.  I'm excited to say its almost ready for publication, but still needs a couple finishing touches. I am hoping to have it available to the public by the 1st of November (maybe sooner!) In the meantime, you are probably wondering what this book is about.

The new book is geared towards the younger crowd - children in the 3-8 developmental age range, but older children may enjoy it also. It is called, "A Picnic Snack," and is based on a fun experience I had when I was a little girl living in the small town of Manito, IL. My neighborhood friends and I often played outside together, and I can remember more than one occasion when we all brought snacks from home to share with everyone else.

The two main ideas of the book are "sharing with friends" and "thanking God for our food." My niece, Carolyn, drew the illustrations, and she did a great job for her debut in the publishing world. I enjoyed working with her on this.

I am using the same company I used for my first book, and will be sure to let you know when it is available to the public.

Stay tuned!  

HYMN: Day By Day / Does God Give Us More Than We Can Handle?

I'm going to use two of my old posts to talk about today's hymn. First, click over to this post I wrote three years ago: 

DOES GOD GIVE US MORE THAN WE CAN HANDLE?

Then, come back here to read more about the hymn below...

2 Corinthians 12:9 -  And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

DAY BY DAY

By: Karolina Sandell

 

Day by day and with each passing moment,

Strength I find to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,

I've no cause for worry or for fear.

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure

Gives unto each day what He deems best,

Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Ev'ry day the Lord Himself is near me

With a special mercy for each hour;

All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,

He whose name is Counsellor and Pow'r.

The protection of His child and treasure

Is a charge that on Himself He laid;

"As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,"

This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in ev'ry tribulation

So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,

That I lose not faith's sweet consolation

Offered me within Thy holy word.

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting;

E'er to take, as from a father's hand,

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,

Till I reach the promised land.

To read about the author's meaning behind this hymn, click here to another post I wrote four years ago:
 

DAY BY DAY

 

HYMN: There's A Race For Us To Run - Hallelujah

I had never heard of this hymn before now, and I couldn't find any information about its background, but I found it as I was looking up some other hymns. It was under the category of  "encouragement for running the race," and is based on Hebrews 12:1-2.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Click on the title below and enjoy listening to it. It has an upbeat and catchy tune. Maybe it will help give you the pep you need to keep running the race for the Lord...

There's A Race for Us to Run - Hallelujah

Words:  J.I.

Music:  William A. Ogden

 There’s a race for us to run—Hallelujah,

  And a way for us the race to win.

To all those who have begun—Hallelujah,

  God has spoken, “Look away to Him!”

 

Refrain:

Look away! O look away!

Look to Jesus now today!

Look away from everything unto Jesus,

Look away from everything to Him!

 

Look away from all around—Hallelujah,

  Look away from all the strife and din;

Look away where peace is found—Hallelujah,

  Look away from everything to Him.

 

Look away from fickle soul—Hallelujah,

  Look away from failing self within;

Look away toward the goal—Hallelujah,

  Look away from everything to Him.

Look away from all the past—Hallelujah,

  Look away from both the good and sin;

To the living One hold fast—Hallelujah,

  Look away from everything to Him.

Look away into His face—Hallelujah,

  He who’ll finish what He did begin.

O what grace to run the race—Hallelujah—

  We obtain by looking off to Him!

HYMN: Because He Lives

My grandma's birthday is tomorrow, and she would have been 95 years old. So, in honor of her, I am sharing her favorite hymn today...

This is a newer hymn, written in 1971 by Bill and Gloria Gaither. The words came after the birth of their 3rd son. The couple had been going through a difficult time with health issues, family issues, and world happenings. Gloria was distraught over bringing their baby into this crazy, messed up world. But, the Lord gave her reassurance and these words were written to share with others. These words give us encouragement and remind us of the hope we have in Christ despite the difficulties and uncertain days we face...

BECAUSE HE LIVES

By:  William and Gloria Gaither, 1971

(The 1974 Dove Awards song of the year)

 

God sent His Son - they called Him Jesus.

He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

 

Chorus
Because He lives I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives all fear is gone;
Because I know He hold the future
And life is worth the living - just because He lives.

 

How sweet to hold a newborn baby
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance;
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Chorus

And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to vict'ry,
I'll see the lights of glory and - I'll know He lives.

Chorus

John 14:19 "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. (NKJV)

 

Matthew 28:6 - "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

 

Bend Your Brain (Book Review)

I think we can all agree that exercise is important for strengthening muscles and building healthy bodies. Right? Well, the brain is no different. It needs to be exercised in order to remain strong and healthy. As the saying goes, "use it, or lose it."

BEND YOUR BRAIN, a new book from MARBLES: THE BRAIN STORE, has been developed to give your brain the exercise it needs to remain healthy. It is meant to enhance memory and build problem solving skills. A quote from this book says,"Breakthrough research has been shown that you can generate new brain cells as you use your brain to focus, create, and play!" 

The book is separated into five different categories:

• Visual Perception
• Word Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Coordination
• Memory

And, each category is separated into five different levels of difficulty:

• 1 = mind warming
• 2 = mind stretching
• 3 = mind growing
• 4 = mind bursting
• 5 = mind blowing

This book will keep you (and your mind) busy for hours. It is fun, engaging, and keeps your interest - thanks to the variety of puzzles. I really enjoyed trying to solve the puzzles, and even involved my son and my husband at different times.

If you like word puzzles, mazes, dot-to-dots, and brain teasers, you will love this book. And, with the upcoming holidays, it would be a great stocking stuffer idea!

NOTE:  I received the book free from BLOGGING FOR BOOKS for this review.

HYMN: 'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus

For today's hymn, I want to take you back to an old post I wrote four years ago. Click here to read it:

DIFFERENT PATHS IN LIFE

 

At the end of the post, you will see a video of TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS, sung by Casting Crowns. It is a beautiful hymn, written by a young missionary in 1882 who wrote the words shortly after she watched her husband die while trying to rescue a young boy from drowning. Here are the words:

 

TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS

By:  Louisa M.R. Stead

 

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”

 

Refrain

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

 

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

 

Refrain

 

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

 

Refrain

 

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

 

Refrain

 

 



 



HYMN: Lord, Speak to Me

Frances Havergal was the youngest daughter of a hymn writer in England. She was very intelligent, reading at the age of 4, and writing poems at the age of 7. She followed in her father's footsteps by becoming a deeply spiritual hymn writer, and also wrote several devotional books.

This hymn was written in 1872 as a help to those who minister in the church. It is written like a prayer, and I especially like the last verse, as it is a prayer of my own heart that the Lord will use ME wherever He sees fit to do so.  

 

LORD, SPEAK TO ME

1872 – Frances R. Havergal

 

Lord, speak to me that I may speak
In living echoes of Thy tone;
As Thou has sought, so let me seek
Thine erring children lost and lone.

 

O lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wandering and the wavering feet;
O feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Thy hungering ones with manna sweet.

 

O strengthen me, that while I stand
Firm on the rock, and strong in Thee,
I may stretch out a loving hand
To wrestlers with the troubled sea.

 

O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.

 

O give Thine own sweet rest to me,
That I may speak with soothing power
A word in season, as from Thee,
To weary ones in needful hour.

 

O fill me with Thy fullness, Lord,
Until my very heart overflow
In kindling thought and glowing word,
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.

 

O use me, Lord, use even me,

Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where,

Until Thy blessèd face I see,

Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.

 

~~~

 

Two verses that go along with this hymn

Ephesians 6:20 - For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

 

2 Corinthians 1:4 - Who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.