A Voice of Thanksgiving - Patricia Jordan

That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works. Psalm 26:7 ESV

Using a voice of thanksgiving is one of the best ways to witness for God.

During our children’s childhood, we attended churches where, on the fifth Sunday night, folks gave testimonies or asked for their favorite hymns to be sung. I enjoyed it and chatted with many people about how their testimonies uplifted me. 

One summer, I attended a friend’s church revival. People gave testimonies about how God answered their prayers. A woman in the choir told how God delivered her from heavy alcohol consumption. Since then, her life had become fuller and more enriched than ever before. She cried tears of joy over her new life in Christ. I didn’t see her as being too emotional, and neither did those around her. They hugged her or patted her on the back as the choir stepped down. 

In 1975, I lived in Atlanta, GA. I had lived an ungodly lifestyle for several years, moving from place to place and job to job and running from my bad decisions. I worked full-time, but still lost my car. I felt discouraged. But my sister Deena encouraged me to join the military.

On a Sunday morning in April, while sipping coffee, I thought about my life’s direction. While lost in thought, I saw myself sitting with my parents and four older siblings on a church pew during a revival night. I was nine that summer. As the choir sang their last song, the preacher looked in my direction and asked, “Are you washed in the soul-cleansing blood of Jesus?”

I wasn’t a Christian but wanted to be one. I went forward, confessed my faith in Jesus, and was baptized Sunday night. My decision on that revival night, along with reliving that memory, changed the direction of my life. I found a local church, joined it, and then investigated the military idea. I’ve lived a Christian life ever since. 

Sharing testimonies strengthens our faith and the faith of others. I love telling the story of how I returned to faith in God at twenty-three. 

With a voice of thanksgiving, tell others what God has done in your life. 

Patricia Jordan is a seventh-generation southerner from the Appalachian Mountains. She is thankful to return and live there after living in various parts of the world with her retired military husband. They have raised three daughters. She has published You Are Valuable (Westbow), which is her story of how she overcame chronic low-grade depression through Bible study, prayer, and talk therapy. Lately, she has turned her writing talents to writing devotions about walking with God.  

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Showers of Blessings - Patricia Jordan

I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. Ezekiel 34:26 NKJV

Major D. W. Whittler, the writer of the hymn, Showers of Blessings, had been through some storms and hardships, yet he wrote many beloved hymns.

In 1861, he married Abbie Hanson. They were active members of the Chicago Tabernacle. The day after their wedding, he joined the Union Army and served under General Sherman.

During the siege on Vicksburg in 1863, he was shot in his right arm, which then had to be amputated. After that, the army sent him back to Chicago but did not discharge him. By war’s end, he had been promoted to the rank of major by General Sherman. 

Upon returning home from the war, Whittler secured employment at the Elgin Clock Company. He and his wife, Abbie, become parents. Their family routine included being active at the Chicago Tabernacle. Neither their separation, his arm amputation, nor any other trials they experienced weakened their faith in God.

The evangelist D. L. Moody, also a member of the Tabernacle, asked Whittler to join his evangelism team. Moody and his team traveled a lot, so they weren’t at home for weeks on end. While traveling with Moody’s team, Whittler began writing hymns that were set to music by the pianist. From the 1870s to the 1890s, he wrote over two hundred beautiful hymns. He gave his time and talent for God to use, and we are still blessed by those hymns to this day.

Singing that sweet old hymn and other treasured hymns refreshes and strengthens me in my Christian walk. It can do the same for any of us. 

No matter what we’re going through, God desires to shower us with blessings. This is His promise to us, and He always keeps His promises. We may not see those blessings immediately, but in God’s timing, we will receive them.

Take a few moments today to name some blessings that God has showered on you. Doing this will keep your joy renewed and refreshed.

Dear Lord, help me to use my time wisely and only pursue that which brings me closer to you. In Jesus’s name, amen.

I invite you to try my book A Whisper in the Woods: Quiet Escapes in a Noisy World. No one escapes life's hurts, but quiet places help us regain our perspective. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

We Need Revival - Patricia Jordan

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction. Proverbs 29:18 NIV

One summer, I attended one of those old-time camp meeting revivals in Western North Carolina, where my husband and I live. This was my second summer of attending the tent meetings. I have a friend who attends the host church, and she invited me to her church’s revival. I went and enjoyed it so much that I returned again the following summer.

The host church covered the tent floor with wood shavings. Nightly, a great lineup of spirit-filled praise singers started and ended the meeting by singing wonderful gospel songs. In between the music, men and women prayed at the altar. Then one of the preachers approached the podium and preached an inspiring message. 

The preachers came from nearby towns scattered across the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as some from as far away as Mississippi. They each realized it was up to them to spark the revival flame. The preachers and singers knew we live in a dark world. The Spirit anointed each one to be a gospel messenger through their talents and calling. 

Our souls are in a dark place without the light of the gospel message being placed within them. Without Christ, we wander through life looking for meaning, even spiritual meaning. But because we know no restraint but God's law, we never find that peace that passes all understanding.

One night, I relaxed in our backyard, enjoying the stars that sparkled across the sky. After a few minutes, I felt in my spirit that God told me that the brightly lit stars represented believers. The dark sky represented the darkness of this world. That’s when I realized how much we need revival. As Christians, we have the responsibility to share God’s message with the world.

Think of ways you can help revive this dark world. 

Heavenly Father, cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Forgive me of my sins. Set my soul and heart on fire for revival. In Jesus' name, amen.

Patricia and her husband are both Christians who stay active in their faith. They are also Air Force veterans. They have three daughters, two granddaughters, and one great-grandbaby. They live in her hometown of Sylva, NC. Patricia went to college, intending to become a writer. After dabbling around at writing, she finally got serious about it and wrote a self-help book about her own journey of overcoming depression (Westbow Press). She enjoys gardening and staying in touch with her extended family. She believes in daily Bible reading as a means of spiritual growth and mental and emotional wellness.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing. No one escapes life's hurts, but we can move beyond them to hope and healing. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Singing Songs - Martin Wiles

Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right. Psalm 119:172 NLT

For as long as I can remember she has been singing songs.

I’m not sure when my mother began singing gospel songs. I suppose it was as a young girl when she gathered with her family on Saturday nights around the old, converted player piano. Then she began singing in the old Methodist church they attended.

After my dad became a minister, she sang in every church he pastored. A few times along the way, she formed a quartet and sang in other churches. Seventy plus years later, Mom’s still singing and playing the piano. Many of the songs she sings are the same ones she sang when I was a child. They all have one thing in common. They testify about Jesus, what he’s done, and how he’s coming back one day to take his children home.

No one else in our family has been blessed with Mom’s singing ability. Dad was a fair singer and so is my middle brother. I’ve never heard my youngest brother sing, and I never utter song sounds loud enough for anyone to hear.

What I can sing about—and do an excellent job at it—doesn’t require knowing music or being able to carry a tune in a bucket. Mom sang the gospel, but I can sing it by just sharing it with others. Though some won’t like the words of the song, I can’t alter the original message the author wrote: humans are sinful, God is love, Jesus forgives, and heaven and hell are real. I can change the methods I use to share it, but the message remains the same.

Jesus tells all his followers to sing this song. We must sing it with love, patience, and volume. The entire world needs to hear. 

We can sing literally—although I won’t—but we can and must sing through the spoken word, emails, texts, Skype, gifts, actions, and attitudes.

How often and loudly are you singing God’s song?

Prayer: Father, may we sing of Your love often and to everyone we meet. 

Tweetable: How do you sing your songs to God? 

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Singing the Light - Martin Wiles

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Psalm100:1-2 NKJV

She sauntered over to our table and asked my wife, “Can you sing?”

My wife and I were on a weekend trip to visit a church where I would preach Homecoming. The distance required staying in a hotel in a nearby town—one that served hot continental breakfasts.

As we made our way down Sunday morning to eat, we met Alice, one of the breakfast attendants. She greeted my wife with, “Honey, your hair looks sooooo good.”

My wife laughed, thanked her, and fixed her breakfast. When we had finished our meal, Alice slid over and quietly asked my wife if she could sing. Then she said, “Sing something, and I’ll sing with you.” Before I knew it, they were singing, “I’ll Fly Away.”

Soon, Alice had retrieved a song on her phone from YouTube. She sang along with the artist, harmonizing beautifully. For the next five minutes. I felt the tension rise along my spine. I wondered if the manager who stood nearby in the next room would fire her. I wondered if a patron might speak up and ask her to be quiet. One had huffed, rose, threw his plate away, and walked out.

Alice didn’t care. She sang her heart out and continued her joyful morning routine. Much as the psalmist must have when he told others to make a joyful noise to the Lord, to serve Him with gladness, and to enter His presence with singing. Exactly what Alice was doing.

Alice sang her light and encouraged others to do so also. The same thing Jesus did when He preached His Sermon on the Mount and challenged the people to let their lights shine. Lights hidden under something defeated the purpose of lighting them.

Alice sang without shame. Her husband was incarcerated, but she didn’t let that dampen her spirit. She joyfully sang to her Lord and encouraged us—and anyone else—to join her.

And Alice sang regardless of opposition. She may have later been reprimanded—or fired. I’ll never know. She may have offended more than the one person who left the room. Somehow, I don’t think Alice cared. She sang her light and would continue to do so—whether at the hotel or somewhere else.

Alice’s actions convicted me. Perhaps they do you, too. So go ahead and sing your song for Christ—regardless of where you are and despite others reactions.

Tweetable: Whose praises are you singing?

Prayer: Father, place a song in our hearts that we can’t help but share with others.

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Praise . . . Regardless - Martin Wiles

For this, O Lord, I will praise you among the nations; I will sing praises to your name. Psalm 18:49 NLT

Her instructions to the piano instructor were clear: teach regular piano lessons for fifteen minutes and teach hymns for the remainder of the time.

Mom was a member of a small United Methodist Church nestled on a country road. The only person who could play the piano could really not play well at all. So my grandmother decided to do something about it. She took the money she made from selling fish she caught and paid for Mom to take piano lessons so she could play at church as soon as possible. Her plan worked, and at nine years of age Mom began playing the piano in church.

That was sixty-seven years ago, and Mom still plays. Yet things didn’t work out exactly the way she planned. She had dreams of becoming a concert pianist—and probably could have been. But Dad came along, stole her heart, and married her just before being shipped overseas by the Army.

Shortly after his enlistment was over, Dad accepted the call into full-time Christian ministry. And Mom? She became the pianist and/or music leader for every church he pastored until he retired. She never made the stage she hoped for, but she praised God with her hands and mouth for all of those years—and still does when she has the opportunity.

The psalmist King David did too. In his early years, he praised God with a harp. He even danced before the Lord on one occasion. He praised God often by writing psalms, as well with his mouth. God had delivered him from many enemies during his lifetime, and he didn’t mind letting others know about it.

The apostle Paul said he had learned to be content in all circumstances. Thus, he could praise God in all situations. It’s a hard lesson to learn, but one God wants us to master. We can praise God for salvation. He forgives all of our sins. We can praise Him for the hope of eternal life. There, all the things we don’t like here will be missing. We can praise Him for His promise to work all things together for our good. All things won’t be good, but He’ll sustain us and work them for our good.

The list of things to praise God for is endless. Pick a few each day, and praise Him . . . regardless.

Prayer: Father, we praise You for who You are and for who we can be through Christ. 

Tweetable: Praise God with the gifts He gives you. 

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The Power of One - Martin Wiles

God replied to Moses, “I am who i am. Say this to the people of Israel: I am has sent me to you.” Exodus 3:14 NLT

Who knew one CD could change the entire service.

Our music leader was off for the day. My wife had spent hours putting music together, meeting with the sound technicians, and practicing with the praise team. Sunday morning arrived, and we were excited about the service—until the CD with all the music they were going to sing by wasn’t in the case.

Since it was three minutes before services were to begin, my wife’s mind went into shock. She had obviously left the CD in her laptop—which was at home 10 miles away. Getting it wasn’t an option. In a three minutes span, she and the sound techs dug up a few praise songs, and the pianist suggested a couple of hymns.

Although the service got off to a rocky start—the praise team hadn’t practiced the songs and my wife’s voice cracked because of seasonal crud—the Spirit of God soon took over and fixed what appeared to be broken. The power of one CD had been trumped by the power of Someone more powerful.

Moses experienced the power of One when God instructed him to go before a foreign king and tell him I AM has sent him to deliver his people from 400 years of slavery.

The power of one can be devastating, disturbing, and mind-boggling. One statement from a doctor, “You have cancer.” One call from the boss, “I need to see you in the office immediately.” One text from a girlfriend or boyfriend, “I don’t think we should see each other anymore.” One call from the police, “Your son has been in a bad accident.” One visit from the military chaplain and an officer, “We’re sorry to inform you that your daughter has been killed in action.” The list of ones is endless…and so is the pain they can bring.

Just as God took over the failed service my wife had planned and soundly defeated the Enemy’s effort to quench the moving of God’s Spirit, so He can do the same with any life situation we tackle. He is sovereign. Nothing happens outside of His control. His plans are always better than mine and can never be thwarted by the tactics of Satan.

Whatever God brings out of the one apparently bad thing will always be better. Trust Him to control your one thing.

Prayer: Father, we believe You have power over the one thing that seems to have power over us. 

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Sing a Song - Martin Wiles

Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right. Psalm 119:172 NLT

For as long as I can remember she has sung. 

I’m not sure when my mother actually began singing gospel songs. I suppose it was as a young girl when she gathered with her family on Saturday nights around the old converted player piano. Then she began singing in the old Methodist church they attended. After my dad became a minister, she sang in every church he pastored. A few times along the way, she formed a quartet and sang in other churches. 

Sixty years later, Mom’s still singing and playing the piano. Many of the songs she sings are the same ones she sang when I was a child. They all have one thing in common. They testify about Jesus, what he’s done, and how he’s coming back one day to take his children home. 

No one else in our family has been blessed with Mom’s singing ability. Dad was a fair singer and so is my middle brother. I’ve never heard my youngest brother sing, and I never utter song sounds loud enough for anyone to hear. 

What I can sing about—and do a good job at it, doesn’t require knowing music or being able to carry a tune in a bucket. Mom actually sang the gospel, but I can sing it by just sharing it with others. Though some won’t like the words of the song, I can’t alter the original message the author wrote: humans are sinful, God is love, Jesus forgives, and heaven and hell are real. I can change the methods I use to share it, but the message remains the same. 

Jesus tells me and all his followers to sing this song. I must sing it with love, patience, and volume. The entire world needs to hear. I can sing literally—although I won’t, but I can and must sing through the spoken word, emails, texts, Skype’s, gifts, actions, and attitudes. 

How often and loudly are you singing God’s song?

Prayer: Father, may we sing of Your love often and to everyone we meet. 

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