2012-05-14
Cradle Me Jesus
Cradle me, Jesus
Words and music by Jonathan Hanks © 2008
Verse 1
When I was just a little boy
And nightmares came to steal my joy
Momma would hear me crying
And lay down by my side
She told me that the fear would pass
Promised darkness wouldn’t last
And Jesus was would be beside me
‘til I saw the morning light
So when mamma went on back to bed
I closed my eyes and said
Chorus:
Cradle me Jesus
Safe within your arms
Don't allow the sun to come and find me in harm
Cradle me Jesus
Cause I’m lying here alone
And all I see beside me is a whole lot more of the fears that I’ve been feeling
So cradle me Jesus
Verse 2
When I was only twenty-one
I took my oath and packed a gun
And made the trip to distant lands
To find out who I am
I learned to lead, I learned to fight
To do my job with all my might
But lots of what I've seen here
I just don't understand
Br:
I’ve become a man who doesn’t much compromise
And it’s been more than twelve long years since tears have filled these eyes
But tonight I feel the darkness and it’s creeping ‘neath my skin
And Momma’s been in glory since the time that I was ten
So cradle me Jesus
Safe within your arms
Don't allow the sun to come and find me in harm
Cradle me Jesus
Cause I’m lying here alone
And all I see beside me is a whole lot more of the fears that I’ve been feeling
So cradle me Jesus
Words and music by Jonathan Hanks © 2008
Verse 1
When I was just a little boy
And nightmares came to steal my joy
Momma would hear me crying
And lay down by my side
She told me that the fear would pass
Promised darkness wouldn’t last
And Jesus was would be beside me
‘til I saw the morning light
So when mamma went on back to bed
I closed my eyes and said
Chorus:
Cradle me Jesus
Safe within your arms
Don't allow the sun to come and find me in harm
Cradle me Jesus
Cause I’m lying here alone
And all I see beside me is a whole lot more of the fears that I’ve been feeling
So cradle me Jesus
Verse 2
When I was only twenty-one
I took my oath and packed a gun
And made the trip to distant lands
To find out who I am
I learned to lead, I learned to fight
To do my job with all my might
But lots of what I've seen here
I just don't understand
Br:
I’ve become a man who doesn’t much compromise
And it’s been more than twelve long years since tears have filled these eyes
But tonight I feel the darkness and it’s creeping ‘neath my skin
And Momma’s been in glory since the time that I was ten
So cradle me Jesus
Safe within your arms
Don't allow the sun to come and find me in harm
Cradle me Jesus
Cause I’m lying here alone
And all I see beside me is a whole lot more of the fears that I’ve been feeling
So cradle me Jesus
2012-04-22
Your Future!
Your Future is as Bright as the Promises of God
Words and music by Jonathan Hanks 2012 copyright
v1
your future is as bright as the promises of god
it's been a long and lonely night
but the stars are singing above
and they're shining down on you and me
reminding us that we're free
chorus:
so let the rivers flow with grace
and the sun fall on your face
and let the love that comes from the one above
fill your empty space
cause your future is as bright as the promises of god
v2
your future is as bright as the promises of god
its been a hard, cold winter
but the snows are starting to thaw
and living water makes its way
to dry and thirsty clay
Words and music by Jonathan Hanks 2012 copyright
v1
your future is as bright as the promises of god
it's been a long and lonely night
but the stars are singing above
and they're shining down on you and me
reminding us that we're free
chorus:
so let the rivers flow with grace
and the sun fall on your face
and let the love that comes from the one above
fill your empty space
cause your future is as bright as the promises of god
v2
your future is as bright as the promises of god
its been a hard, cold winter
but the snows are starting to thaw
and living water makes its way
to dry and thirsty clay
2012-02-27
Whoa!
As most of you would rightly assume, I am no enemy of the gospel or of those who preach it. Nor I am a critic of living comfortably, enjoying my own spacious home and well-equipped car and having no want for food or any necessity. Having been raised, as many of you, in very modest circumstances, for these thing I am truly grateful.
Yet there seems to be no bounds for so many "prominenti" in the circles of televangelism. Folks talking about God, constantly soliciting funds, and then living a lifestyle which, if I my say, would make Jesus blush. No joke!: palatial homes with 18,000 square feet, and private jets - sometimes multiple, and exotic automobiles, and lavish excesses beyond the reach of all but the very richest among us, all seems - well, strangely out of balance.
To be fair, these folks have never taken vows of poverty, and much of their fame has rested on the principle that God's goodness includes material blessings as well. Having said that, to whom much is given, much is required, and in a world with so much abject poverty and deprivation, not just in the third world, but often not far from our own doorsteps, these sort of ostentatious trappings just don't pass the smell test.
Moreover, to those looking at the gospel from the outside, these indulgences can do nothing but bewilder and give fodder for the critics of the greater mission of the church: to preach the good news to the poor, and bind up the wounded among us, and minister healing to the sick and brokenhearted. And while this sort of service doesn't require one to live in a hut in the third world, it also doesn't require the presence of so many extravagant luxuries, which when done even with the best of intentions, can't help but inspire scorn and chiding from those on the sidelines and in the pews.
Lord, help us to lead lives of dignity and modesty, confident that you will faithfully reward us for all that we have done in your service. Amen.
Yet there seems to be no bounds for so many "prominenti" in the circles of televangelism. Folks talking about God, constantly soliciting funds, and then living a lifestyle which, if I my say, would make Jesus blush. No joke!: palatial homes with 18,000 square feet, and private jets - sometimes multiple, and exotic automobiles, and lavish excesses beyond the reach of all but the very richest among us, all seems - well, strangely out of balance.
To be fair, these folks have never taken vows of poverty, and much of their fame has rested on the principle that God's goodness includes material blessings as well. Having said that, to whom much is given, much is required, and in a world with so much abject poverty and deprivation, not just in the third world, but often not far from our own doorsteps, these sort of ostentatious trappings just don't pass the smell test.
Moreover, to those looking at the gospel from the outside, these indulgences can do nothing but bewilder and give fodder for the critics of the greater mission of the church: to preach the good news to the poor, and bind up the wounded among us, and minister healing to the sick and brokenhearted. And while this sort of service doesn't require one to live in a hut in the third world, it also doesn't require the presence of so many extravagant luxuries, which when done even with the best of intentions, can't help but inspire scorn and chiding from those on the sidelines and in the pews.
Lord, help us to lead lives of dignity and modesty, confident that you will faithfully reward us for all that we have done in your service. Amen.
2012-02-05
Amazing Grace
There seems to be a special grace that falls on the chronically ill among us: Folks who should be in the prime of their lives, having to cope with serious, sometimes life-threatening, and debilitating disease, often with a smile on their face and a lilt in their step that defies logic.
I remember my good friend Benny, who lost his five year long battle with cancer, never failing to cheer me up, no matter how bad HIS news was. He often said: "Everytime I think about my plight, I turn my thoughts to your sorry predicament, Jon, and then I don't feel so bad." We both laughed. And that was the point.
At this very moment, I know of folks who are better men than me looking dire circumstances in the eye without a fraction of the complaining and griping and moaning that I effortlessly muster on almost any given day. Lord, have mercy.
And Lord have mercy on your sons and daughters who are in pain, and uncertainty, and in danger of not living to see their children grow up, much less their children's children. Help us to lighten their loads when we can, and give to us, a little of that special grace that they possess in abundance. Amen.
I encourage you to add your own name to the list of folks facing health challenges below: Let us remember to pray for, and support them as needed:
1. Richard (cystic fibrosis)
2. Keith (cancer)
3. Todd (cancer)
4. Mike (gastritis)
5. Dan (psoriasis)
6. Carolyn (cancer)
7. Megan (addiction)
I remember my good friend Benny, who lost his five year long battle with cancer, never failing to cheer me up, no matter how bad HIS news was. He often said: "Everytime I think about my plight, I turn my thoughts to your sorry predicament, Jon, and then I don't feel so bad." We both laughed. And that was the point.
At this very moment, I know of folks who are better men than me looking dire circumstances in the eye without a fraction of the complaining and griping and moaning that I effortlessly muster on almost any given day. Lord, have mercy.
And Lord have mercy on your sons and daughters who are in pain, and uncertainty, and in danger of not living to see their children grow up, much less their children's children. Help us to lighten their loads when we can, and give to us, a little of that special grace that they possess in abundance. Amen.
I encourage you to add your own name to the list of folks facing health challenges below: Let us remember to pray for, and support them as needed:
1. Richard (cystic fibrosis)
2. Keith (cancer)
3. Todd (cancer)
4. Mike (gastritis)
5. Dan (psoriasis)
6. Carolyn (cancer)
7. Megan (addiction)
2011-12-23
CHRISTMAS 2011
I think we all need a few good surprises: unexpected love; a second chance when perhaps we didn't really deserve it; someone saying "yes," when in our mind's eye, we had already heard the door loudly slam.
Because life is busy and complicated: Most of us juggle many obligations and wear many hats, often knocking ourselves out to make things right, or as close to right as we possibly can for our friends and loved ones. And sometimes it all falls into place. And sometimes it doesn't.
You and I can become worn down - by disappointments and challenges, and difficult circumstances that we cannot control: illnesses, our deeply-felt losses, financial problems, betrayals, or simple indifference; the mindless chattering of the tube, the incessant calls of commercialism.
And then there is Christmas, the proof that God surely heard the collective groan of the universe - that everything is irretrievably messed-up, and on a good day never quite right, and there is surely no way out - and sent us a little baby, born in a stable, born of the virgin, to be our savior, and the savior of all mankind. Wow!
Jesus. The Christ-child. God with us. Light in the darkness. Forgiveness, in an unforgiving world. And bright hope for tomorrow. And life everlasting. And all that and more. And that folks, is still quite a surprise for most of us. And a good one at that. And for this let us give thanks!
"Lord Jesus, We're so glad you cared enough to come." AMEN.
Because life is busy and complicated: Most of us juggle many obligations and wear many hats, often knocking ourselves out to make things right, or as close to right as we possibly can for our friends and loved ones. And sometimes it all falls into place. And sometimes it doesn't.
You and I can become worn down - by disappointments and challenges, and difficult circumstances that we cannot control: illnesses, our deeply-felt losses, financial problems, betrayals, or simple indifference; the mindless chattering of the tube, the incessant calls of commercialism.
And then there is Christmas, the proof that God surely heard the collective groan of the universe - that everything is irretrievably messed-up, and on a good day never quite right, and there is surely no way out - and sent us a little baby, born in a stable, born of the virgin, to be our savior, and the savior of all mankind. Wow!
Jesus. The Christ-child. God with us. Light in the darkness. Forgiveness, in an unforgiving world. And bright hope for tomorrow. And life everlasting. And all that and more. And that folks, is still quite a surprise for most of us. And a good one at that. And for this let us give thanks!
"Lord Jesus, We're so glad you cared enough to come." AMEN.
