Take My Life and Let it Be - Marc's Music Notables

Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879) was an unusually gifted and passionate saint. The daughter of a church rector, she was raised in Worcester, England and attended schools in England and Germany. In her love of learning, she grew to become an able scholar (even becoming proficient in both Hebrew and Greek) and a talented singer and pianist.

The deepest desire of her heart, however, was in “personal spiritual influence upon others” (Benson). This led her to value most of all her ability to write; for that reason she expended the majority of her life’s labors in writing prose and poetry that would be spiritually beneficial to the saints.

Havergal suffered poor health and was taken by the Lord at just 42 years of age. But the Lord prospered her ministry; her writings had a large impact in her own day, and several continue to be read and sung today.

The story of “Take My Life” gives a good picture of the kind of passion and joy she had in ministering to others. She once recounted the story behind it: Perhaps you will be interested to know the origin of the consecration hymn, “Take my life.” I went for a little visit of five days. There were ten persons in the house, some unconverted and long prayed for, some converted but not rejoicing Christians. He gave me the prayer, “Lord, give me all in this house!” And He just did! Before I left the house every one had got a blessing. The last night of my visit I was too happy to sleep, and passed most of the night in praise and renewal of my own consecration, and these little couplets formed themselves and chimed in my heart one after another, till they finished with, “Ever, ONLY, ALL for Thee!”

In her own words, the hymn is a “consecration hymn” in which the singer commits all of her possessions and being to the Lord for his purposes. It expresses what each of us ought to feel and long for, even if at times we see so much disparity between the words and our actual state that we have to sing most of it in hope and faith.

Text with Jesus - Reece's Peace's

Have you ever wondered how things would be if Jesus was doing his ministry now? Back in the 1980s, a well-known TV preacher suggested that Jesus might be on TV today. He used this idea to explain why he used TV himself. But it's a good question to think about. If Jesus was here today, how would his ministry be different? I often send you all text messages, and I can't help but wonder: Would Jesus use texts too if he was teaching today?

Imagine if Jesus did send texts-what would they say? My text are usually normal stuff, like checking in or asking about things. Not really big or important things. But what if Jesus sent texts that were more meaningful? We used to have no way of knowing, until now. At least that is what the company, “Text with Jesus” claims. They state they can create texts from Jesus using AI. They say these texts would be like what Jesus might send if he was teaching now. I’m not sure how they figured out what Jesus would say in texts, since we don’t have any writings from him, let alone text messages to his disciples.

This company offers to send you lifelike texts from Jesus to help you when you’re facing challenges, if you pay the $2.99 each month. I don’t want to say bad things about this app. I haven’t used it, and I can see how it could be really helpful for some people spiritually. But it does seem a bit strange that we’re relying on an app, and the people who made it, to decide how Jesus would talk to us today.

If you want to hear Jesus, maybe instead of paying for this app, you could spend time praying. Jesus communicates with us nowadays, even if it’s not through texts. He finds ways to reach us in our lives.

1st Corinthians - Reece's Peace's

Over the next few weeks, we will be exploring Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians. However, before our series, I thought we should take some time to examine how Christians throughout history have viewed and interpreted the profound teachings found in the first epistle of Paul to the Corinthians. 1st Corinthians has held a special place in the hearts of believers, offering guidance, encouragement, and timeless wisdom. Let us delve into various perspectives that have shaped our understanding of this remarkable letter.

In the early centuries of Christianity, the Church Fathers played a pivotal role in interpreting and expounding upon the teachings of the New Testament. Their writings reveal a deep appreciation for 1st Corinthians. They highlighted the importance of unity, love, and the proper use of spiritual gifts within the church. These early interpreters saw in Paul’s words a call to holiness and the formation of a vibrant Christian community.

During the Reformation in the 16th century, 1st Corinthians took on renewed significance. Reformers like Martin Luther King and John Calvin emphasized the doctrine of justification by faith, drawing inspiration from Paul’s teachings in this epistle. They also used passages from 1st Corinthians to challenge corrupt practices within the Church and call for a return to biblical truth. The Reformers saw in Paul’s writings a powerful message of God’s grace and the need for personal transformation.

In more recent times, scholars and theologians have approached 1st Corinthians from various perspectives. Some have focused on the socio-cultural context of Corinth and how Paul’s teachings addressed specific issues faced by the early Christian Community. Others have explored themes of social justice, gender equality, and the role of spiritual gifts within the church. These interpretations have contributed to a deeper understanding of the practical applications of Paul’s teachings in our modern world.

Beyond the scholarly and historical perspectives, 1st Corinthians continues to resonate with individual believers on a personal level. Many Christians have found solace, guidance, and inspiration within its pages. The letter’s emphasis on love, unity, and the transformative power of the Gospel speaks to the deep longings of the human heart. Countless individuals have turned to 1st Corinthians for direction in their relationships, personal struggles, and spiritual growth.

As we reflect on the rich history of Christian interpretations of 1st Corinthians, let us be encouraged by the diverse ways in which this letter has influenced the lives of believers across generations. Let us seek to understand its message in the context of our own faith journey and thechallenges we face today.

History of Juneteenth - Marc's Music Notables

Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday.

Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered at Appomattox Court House two months earlier in Virginia, but slavery had remained relatively unaffected in Texas—until U.S. General Gordon Granger stood on Texas soil and read General Orders No. 3: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”

In Texas, slavery had continued as the state experienced no large-scale fighting or significant presence of Union troops. Many enslavers from outside the Lone Star State had moved there, as they viewed it as a safe haven for slavery.

After the war came to a close in the spring of 1865, General Granger’s arrival in Galveston that June signaled freedom for Texas’s 250,000 enslaved people. Although emancipation didn’t happen overnight for everyone—in some cases, enslavers withheld the information until after harvest season—celebrations broke out among newly freed Black people, and Juneteenth was born. That December, slavery in America was formally abolished with the adoption of the 13th Amendment.

The year following 1865, freedmen in Texas organized the first of what became the annual celebration of "Jubilee Day" on June 19. In the ensuing decades, Juneteenth commemorations featured music, barbecues, prayer services and other activities, and as Black people migrated from Texas to other parts of the country the Juneteenth tradition spread.

In 1979, Texas became the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday; several others followed suit over the years. In June 2021, Congress passed a resolution establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday; President Biden signed it into law on June 17, 2021.

Women of the Bible - Reece's Peace's

We are excited to announce a brand-new sermon series that will be starting June 11th! As we delve into the Scriptures, we will be exploring the remarkable stories of some incredible women of the Bible. This series is titled "Women of the Bible," and it will shed light on the lives of Rahab, Ruth, Esther, and Lydia.

Throughout history, women have played significant roles in God’s plan, and their stories are not only inspiring but also provide valuable lessons for us today. Each of these women exhibited exceptional faith, unwavering dedication, and profound influence in their respective contexts.

Our series will start with the story of Rahab, a Canaanite woman known for her remarkable courage and her pivotal role in the conquest of Jericho. Rahab’s extraordinary faith and her willingness to take risks for God’s people serve as powerful reminders of God’s ability to use anyone who is willing to trust and obey.

Following Rahab, we will examine the life of Ruth, a Moabite woman whose loyalty and commitment to her mother-in-law, Naomi, are an exemplary demonstration of selflessness and devotion. Ruth’s story teaches us about God’s faithfulness and His heart for the marginalized.

In the third sermon of our series, we will focus on Ester, a young Jewish woman who became queen of Persia. Her bravery in standing up for her people and her unwavering trust in God’s providence amidst life-threatening circumstances will encourage us to remain steadfast in our own walks of faith.

Finally, we will conclude on July 2nd, by exploring the life of Lydia, a prominent businesswoman in the city of Philippi. Lydia’s open heart to the message of the Gospel and hospitality provide us with insights into the power of God’s transformative Grace and the importance of extending our faith to others.

Join us every Sunday as we embark on this journey of discovery, celebrating the extraordinary women of the Bible. Through these sermons, we hope to deepen our understanding of God’s love, God’s faithfulness, and the profound impact that women have made throughout history. We encourage you to invite your friends, family, and neighbors to join us for this enlightening series. Let us be inspired, challenged, and motivated by the faith and resilience of these incredible women in this summer series