Later in the morning as I was preparing to leave for Sunday morning church, I found myself humming and singing a couple of lines from another song.  I realized the tune was familiar and couldn't recall all the words.  And I didn't recall where I knew it from. 

All I could remember were the lines, "When Jesus passed by, when Jesus passed by, Oh what a difference, Since Jesus passed by........."  

In the church service, we heard a visiting Director of Missionary work in Asia tell some amazing and faith-building stories of how God made a life changing difference in many people's lives in Countries where Christians are still persecuted today.  Did you know you will be put in jail just for being Christian?  If you evangelize or even tell others about God, you will be put in jail longer.  Yet, some of the people he talked about were overjoyed to know Jesus and live for Him, even under such corrupt and dangerous governments.  Why?  The stories in the speaker's message seemed to fit that song to a 'T'.  "Oh what a difference since Jesus passed by!"

Thinking more about the song, I recalled hearing it sung by the Cathedrals years ago, and this is what happens to me from time to time - some treasured lyrics just seem to spring up in my mind.  Later in the day, I took a look on You Tube and found Ernie Haase and Signature Sound singing it, and it's on their brand new album, 'Dream On'.  Ernie was in the Cathedrals with George Younce and Glen Payne when they did that song.  Possibly in the 70's or '80's?  I'd have to look that point up.  Although the Cats are no more and both George and Glen are gone, it is great that Ernie is now introducing another generation of listeners to some of those neat songs.  The legendary Bill Gaither wrote this short tune in 1966, and the Cats performed a number of his songs over the years.  Nobody sang just like them, but if you liked them, you can still hear some of those special harmonies in Ernie's music.  

So Sunday was a good day of reflection on the difference God can make in my life.  I'm going to carry that thought with me to work today and maybe I can share it with someone who needs to know. 

Like the second verse says, "I can't explain it and I cannot tell you why, but Oh, what a diff'rence, since Jesus passed by".  

Hope YOUR day is a great one too.

Stephen

p.s.  If you get a chance, click on this link and enjoy the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLSGEAQHzA8

Since Jesus Passed By

Bill Gaither - 1966

Like a blind man I wandered
So lost and undone
A beggar so helpless
Without God or His Son
Then my Savior in mercy
Heard and answered my cry
And oh what a diff’rence
Since Jesus passed by

All my yesterdays are buried
In the deepest of the sea
The old load of guilt I carried
Is all gone, praise God I’m free
Looking for that bright tomorrow
Where no tears will dim the eye
Well oh what a diff’rence
Since Jesus passed by

Since Jesus passed by
Since Jesus passed by
Oh what a diff’rence
Since Jesus passed by
Well I can’t explain it
And I cannot tell you why
But oh what a diff’rence
Oh what a diff’rence
Oh what a diff’rence
Since Jesus passed by

I've been working on some new music tracks and am looking forward to adding them to my repetroire of great gospel songs.

Jane and I have tickets to see one of our favourite American gospel groups, The Hoppers, which appear in our area this December, hosted by the lovely  Parker family.  On November 21st, we'll see our favourite gospel trio, Dave, Duane and Neil, [the original Couriers] at Bayfair Baptist Church in Pickering, Ontario.  Frequent visitors to Canada, these Pennsylvania guys are some of the original veterans of American gospel music, and will be hosted by my friend Tim Harden of The Watchmen Quartet.  This will be a good night!  

Until next time.......... see you.

Stephen

I've been working on income tax preparation this afternoon.  Who likes doing that sort of thing?

While I worked, I had occasion to listen to some great music on Paul Heil's 'Gospel Greats' internet radio programs. 

http://www.sunlite-radio.com/page14.html

If you listened to this website, you would have heard two outstanding songs that gripped my heart.  

'In Rembrance Of The Cross' was sung by The Tribute Quartet and talked about how some think it more 'politically correct' these days to leave the cross out of our language, but oh how much it means to those who follow Christ.  Upon the cross of Golgotha some two thousand years ago, hung the very redemption of mankind.  God's only son.  For you.  For me.

This next story made me stop working and just listen.........

In a song titled, 'Stained Wooden Cross', soloist Big Mo Ostrander tells about meeting a skilled woodcarver who was hand-carving a cross from mahogany wood.  When Mo told him his carving was beautiful, the woodcarver said, "It's nothing yet, wait till you see it stained.  It's the stain on the cross that makes the difference!  Mo says that when he heard those words, something snapped in his mind as he thought of the blood-stained cross of Christ.  As he watched the woodcarver dip that cross into a mahogany-red stain, the stain flowed over and into the creases and grain of the wood, completing the work and giving it a new beauty that surpassed the original wood.

Doesn't Christ do just that?  His Grace covers all of our creases and imperfections and completes our lives. 

It was the blood of Jesus that stained that old rugged cross, and that made the difference!

Give 'em Heaven,

Stephen   

Maybe like me, you have found it odd as you grew older to have a manager or boss at work, or perhaps a Pastor who is younger than yourself.  When you are young, it's easy to respect those types of folks, because they are always older, right?  Don't get me wrong, I still respect them, but sometimes wonder what these younger folks are thinking, and why.  I guess the 'generational gap' is alive and well.  Is it just me, or does anyone else think that there are 'high-school-aged kids' who are driving around in police cars; are nurses or doctors in our hospitals; and are teachers in our schools!  Some sure look young to me.  Ha.               

I respect a number of older, greyer and wiser friends, but hold in highest esteem a few that have been real solid guys.  I'm talking about those who set a good example in the community; were dedicated to their families, their church, their faith in God, and that have helped many others along the way.

There are a few special guys like that, whom I know.  Some live in 'my backyard', and some live miles away.  None want to be put on a pedestal and that's OK, but whether they think I should or not, I just have to look up to them.

It reminds me of the old and humourous story of a man who said, "When I was young, my father didn't know anything!  But as I grew older, I realized my father had become much wiser."   How true.    

Just the other day, I received a gem email from a friend about twenty years my senior.  I cannot begin to imagine how much he knows and has experienced in life, and more importantly, the Christian wisdom he can bring on so many topics of discussion.  I just had to let him know and say thanks. 

If YOU get a chance, why not say thanks to someone senior in your own life who has influenced, helped or guided you along the way!  

Make and keep these types of friends for life.

Give 'em Heaven!

Stephen 

I recall singing - or at least listening to - this old hymn in church as a kid.  Funny, but you begin to think the old songs are outdated as newer songs arrive.  Wrong.  I've been working on a new arrangement of that song, from the Ivan Parker collection and from his newest album titled, "That Was Then, This Is Now".  http://www.ivanparker.com/

It's another outstanding album from Ivan.

Anyway, just wait till you hear this version of  "Oh I Want To See Him", which opens in a melodic but reverent tempo with, "As I journey through this land, singing as I go.  Pointing souls to Calvary, to the crimson flow.  Many arrows pierce my heart, from without, within.  But my Lord, goes ahead, thro' Him, I must win."  

You begin to think you are just hearing an old-fashioned song freshened with some new chords and instruments, and then the chorus picks up the pace with lively background voices.  You still think it's just a nice song, and then WHAM... hold onto your seatbelts... the tempo grabs you and you are off for a fun ride through the chorus ... and you really don't want the song to end ... at least I don't. 

The tempo rises again as the song ends with "Cares all past; we're gonna' be home at last; ever to rejoice".

"Oh I Want To See Him".  I hope you do too. 

Here's a partial clip.... however this clip ends before the excitement builds.  Trust me, this is a great track.    

http://cdbaby.com/cd/ivanparker6      

I'll be doing this song at the November concert.  I think it's gonna' be good.

Give 'em Heaven.

Stephen