Hearthstone - January 2001

Contents
xxx	Volume 16, No. 10	October 2001
Passing Melody The Extravagance of God Hugs 'N Tugs By Wendy Greiner Lefko Would You Be Missed? Lest I Lest I Forget Best Of Lifeline By Rev. Larry W. Greiner	GOD BLESS AMERICA In the days of the Civil War, a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln was a visitor at the White House. "One night—it was just after the Battle of Bull Run—I was restless and could not sleep. From the private room where the president slept, I heard low tones, for the door was partly open. Instinctively I wandered in, and there I saw a sight which I have never forgotten. It was the president, kneeling before an open Bible, back was toward me. I shall never forget his prayer: ‘Oh, thou God, that heard Solomon in the night when he prayed and cried for wisdom, hear me. I cannot lead these people, I cannot guide the affairs of this nation without Thy help, O God. Hear me and save this nation.’" George Washington, who prayed in the snow at Valley Forge said, "The event is in the hands of God." When the tide of battle was unfavorable, Washington said, "How will it end? God will direct." When the leaders of our country assembled to write the constitution, Benjamin Franklin proposed that each session be opened with prayer. He said, "I have lived a long time, and the longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth—that God governs the affairs of men. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it possible that an empire can rise without His aid?" * * * * * "We ask almighty God to watch over our nation, and grant us patience and resolve in all that is to come. We pray that He will comfort and console those who now walk in sorrow….As we have been assured, neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, can separate us from God's love….may He always guide our country….God bless America." —President George W. Bush, September 14, 2001. "If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14). Back to Contents

PASSING MELODY

Chaos, fear, confusion, panic! Those are just a few of the words describing the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, including hijacked airplanes full of innocent passengers, the day was crowded with images of explosions, collapsing buildings, people running, screaming and crying. Bits of information trickled in throughout the day, falling on a nation’s ears waiting to hear more, to know more, and to understand more. Answers were elusive. Facts became hard to bear as the death toll rose beyond comprehension. It was a tragic day for America, for the world, for mankind!

As I sat glued to the television set, I prayed unceasingly as I realized that people’s lives had been changed forever. Watching dazed citizens running to and fro looking for answers, help, and comfort, my mind soared with thoughts of Almighty God, wondering what He must be thinking and feeling. Assuming that some of the survivors and loved ones of victims in this tragedy were believers in Christ, I could not erase from my mind the image of all these precious souls clamoring to approach the Throne of Grace for help in this time of overwhelming need. How can God tune into so many urgent prayers at one time? How can He personally envelop each aching heart with His loving arms of care and assurance? How can He respond with the utmost care and concern to each individual on a personal level? I don’t know how, but He assures me that He does. "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry" (Psalm 34:15). Our God is a God of omnipotence. Every child of God can call on Him at the very same moment, and He is able to meet each one where they are and comfort them and care for their individual needs. No one on earth can offer such one-on-one personal care. If everyone charged the President’s office seeking answers, comfort and reassurance, no matter how great a man he might be, he could never begin to heal individual emotional wounds, provide personal solutions, or care for each one's needs. He is only human, as we all are. The only One who could ever take on such an enormous weight as a national tragedy on a personal basis is our Heavenly Father. He is more than capable of meeting His children's needs one by one, at the same time! There can be no greater comfort. The Almighty God who reigns and remains sovereign over this entire wicked world is ready and waiting in my hour of need to bend down, scoop me up in His arms and care for me as if I were His only child. I pray this blessed assurance covers each and every believer involved in this tragic event, and that those who don't know Christ as their Savior would be drawn to Him through the evidence of His grace in the lives of His children. Our hearts and prayers are with the victims and their families. But we praise God He is still in control and we turn our eyes toward Heaven as we seek His will in the face of tragic circumstances.

"Keep me safe, O God, for in You I take refuge" (Psalm 16:1).

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God's love for poor sinners is very wonderful, but God's patience with ill-natured saints is a deeper mystery.
—Henry Drummond

WOULD YOU BE MISSED?
	Is your family the better because of you? It must be either the better or the worse. Which is it? Is your neighborhood the better or the worse because of you? Are you part of the salt that is keeping it from corruption, or are you part of the corruption? Is your country the better for you? Would you be missed if you were taken away? Would it lose a loving, praying believing person? Are you, however feeble, one of its lights? Would the Christians miss your help were you away? Would the heathen miss your faith and prayers? Would the world be poorer at your death? — Anonymous Back to Contents

LEST I FORGET
	God, If I forget the heartache and the pain, The grief and sorrow Thou hast borne for me, Teach me to climb Golgotha's hill again To find the Cross of Calvary. If I should lose the blessing of Thy smile, Because my eyes are blinded by the light, Then may I touch Thy pierced hand a while Until I have regained my sight. If I forget the Pathway trod for me, If I forget Thine agonizing prayer, Guide, Thou, my feet to dark Gethsemane That I may find Thee waiting there. And if I ever falter with the load, Or groan beneath the crosses I have borne May I remember Thou did'st walk a road Wearing Thy mocking crown of thorns. If I forget it is not death to die, If I forget the promise of the spring, Lead me unto Thine empty tomb, that I May find my risen Saviour-King. —Ruth Margaret Gibbs Back to Contents

BEST OF LIFELINE

By Rev. Larry W. Greiner

Julia Ward Howe was so deep in thought that her husband had to kiss her cheek to rouse her. She smiled gratefully, happy that God had blessed her with many "best gifts" (1 Corinthians 12:31). He had given her a good husband, a fine doctor who healed the sick and helped the blind, and He had blessed her with five wonderful children. She had a good, rich, and happy life. If only she could share her best gifts with the wounded boys she had seen in the army tents that day. Sensing her thoughts, her husband said softly, "War is evil." His words pierced her heart and rushed hot tears to her eyes. "So many men were brought in today," she murmured, "and they are so young—and those walking—what courage! Did you hear them singing?"

Her husband nodded. "John Fremont Clarke was with you today, wasn't he?"

"Yes. He walked alongside me, and even he, strong, brave man that he is, went gushy. ‘Listen to them,’ he said. ‘They're singing an old folk song—’"

"‘John Brown's body,’" cut in her husband.

"Yes," Julia replied. "But then John said something I simply can't forget. He said it was a stirring tune, and that if the words were different it would be a beautiful song. He suggested that I write new words."

"And why not?" asked her husband quickly. Pride and love for her beloved country rushed through Julia Ward Howe's heart like a forest fire, placing dreams in her eyes and words in her head. Even if she wanted to, she could not have turned off the stream of words that rushed to her brain. She was compelled to sit down with pen and paper and write, "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord . . ." She knew God was with her, placing those words in her head and guiding her hand. And as she wrote her great poem, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," she was gratefully certain God was permitting her to share her "best gifts."

God has gifted each of His children in a unique way with different spiritual gifts and talents. Would you ask God to put your gifts to work in helping needy and hurting souls during this tragic time in our nation's history? Look for opportunities to help those who are in distress, and be eager to share your faith with those who are searching for answers to life and death. "Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15).

"Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! His truth is marching on!"

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Contents

GOD BLESS AMERICA

PASSING MELODY

THE EXTRAVAGANCE OF GOD

HUGS 'N TUGS

By Wendy Greiner Lefko

WOULD YOU BE MISSED?

LEST I FORGET

BEST OF LIFELINE

By Rev. Larry W. Greiner

THE EXTRAVAGANCE OF GOD
	Have you ever thought about the extravagance of God? More sky than man can see, More sea than he can sail, More sun that he can bear to watch, More stars than he can scale, More breath than he can breathe. More yield than he can sow, More grace than he can comprehend, More love than he can know. —Anonymous Back to Contents
I believe the promises of God enough to venture an eternity on them. —Isaac Watts