A new and different kind of show today. We have to mix it up once in a while, right? 
Today I tell four stories, and connect them with songs.
The four stories are entitled “This Is Good”, “Tug of War”, “The Refiner’s Fire”, and “When I Say, ‘I Am A Christian.’”
Today’s Music
MIchelle Gold…”Almost Slipped Away”
Kent Gustavson…”Let My Prayer Rise Before You”
Recent Rainfall…”Bless And Keep You”
Troubles within the church inspired this stirring hymn. Listen to the show for the whole story, and a great rendition of the song.
Today’s Music
James Morrison
“The Church’s One Foundation” (mp3)
from “James Morrison: Gospel Collection Volume Two”
(Classic Fox Records)
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The Church’s One Foundation
Lyrics: Samuel J. Stone
Music: Samuel S. Wesley
The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord,
She is His new creation
By water and the Word.
From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her
And for her life He died.
She is from every nation,
Yet one o’er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation,
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy Name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.
The Church shall never perish!
Her dear Lord to defend,
To guide, sustain, and cherish,
Is with her to the end:
Though there be those who hate her,
And false sons in her pale,
Against both foe or traitor
She ever shall prevail.
Though with a scornful wonder
Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed:
Yet saints their watch are keeping,
Their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song!
’Mid toil and tribulation,
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace forevermore;
Till, with the vision glorious,
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.
Yet she on earth hath union
With God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won,
With all her sons and daughters
Who, by the Master’s hand
Led through the deathly waters,
Repose in Eden land.
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with Thee:
There, past the border mountains,
Where in sweet vales the Bride
With Thee by living fountains
Forever shall abide!
We’re praying for a young family with very difficult finances, a friend with vertigo, the dengue fever outbreak in Brazil, praising God for a young man’s family, praying for a young couple who recently lost their eight week old son, and a man who lost his father. Praying for Patricia, for victims of the storms in the American southeast, for the Tibetan monks, for Darfur, for Zimbabwe, the woman who is going through a difficult divorce, and my friend in the UK who has the “lurg”.
“Welcome to Lifespring, 007. Today, we’re reviewing the successful extrication from South Korea, of a kidnapped child, whose own mother participated in the stealth operation. It’s a story of unknown informants, web 2.0 social networks, computer hacking, government conflicts…even dreams from God. Yes, 007, if you listen closely, you’ll learn of a mother’s despair, her tenacity, and a man with a mission.”
Thus begins this very exciting episode of Lifespring! Listen as Mark Miller, founder of the American Association For Lost Children, tells the story of how he, with the help of Bazzel Baz, from the Association For The Recovery Of Children, along with Tiffany Rubin, mother of kidnapped Kobe Lee, rescued Kobe from South Korea, where his estranged father had taken him.
It’s an amazing story, and you’ll not hear it anywhere like you hear it here on the Lifespring! show.
Set your TiVo or other DVR device for Monday, March 31, 2008! ABC’s Good Morning America will be interviewing Mark Miller, founder of the AAFLC, and guest on Lifespring! 156. He’s helped to recover an abducted boy in South Korea. He’ll be interviewed sometime between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., according to the schedule they’ve been given.
We’re blowing it, friends. “Outsiders” don’t think very highly of us. According to the book “unChristian”, we are looked upon with skepticism and suspicion. Ouch.
Here’s a link to the book:
unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity… and Why It Matters
Listen to the show for what I think might just be the first thing we need to do to change this sad state of affairs. It’s an uplifting and positive message, despite the seriousness of the problem.
Also, I talk about the crisis of Darfur.
Music in today’s show
Derek Webb (no relation)…”Rich Young Ruler” and “Love Is Not Against The Law”
Jay Wright…”Change Gotta Come”
Website of the Day
Praises from the woman we prayed for on ATA013 who’s marriage is in deep trouble; praise from Russ; praise for my dad’s return home from the hospital; praise for listeners who respond; praying for Denise’s cousin Nathan, who has been shipped to Afghanistan; praying for God’s direction in jcjdoss’ life; prayer for Darfur; prayer for a family member’s involvement in a new responsibility at church; prayer for another family member whose marriage is in shambles; praying for Gary.
Fanny Crosby was one of the most prolific hymn writers the church has seen. This song is part of one of the most gratifying experiences of her life. Listen to the show to hear the story.
Rescue The Perishing
Lyrics: Fanny J. Crosby
Music: William H. Doane
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.
Refrain:
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.
Though they are slighting him, still he is waiting,
waiting the penitent child to receive;
plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
he will forgive if they only believe.
(Refrain)
Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
chords that were broken will vibrate once more.
(Refrain)
Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;
strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
back to the narrow way patiently win them;
tell the poor wanderer a Savior has died.
(Refrain)
