Power in Praise

In the blink of an eye I found myself tumbling in my car one and half times! My eight month pregnant belly was behind the wheel of the car and my twenty two month old daughter was strapped in her car seat in the back when I hit the black ice and found myself topsy turvy in the snow covered field. It seemed to be no more than the blink of an eye, yet it was a slow motion event that had my mind racing and my heart jumping in my chest.

The car stopped on the driver's side and my daughter's loud cries in the back as she hung suspended in her car seat drove home the reality of what had just happened and how we had miraculously been spared from a tragic occurance. My racing heart and whirling head began to thank my Heavenly Father for being so close to us as kind strangers appeared outside the car, pulling my whimpering child out of the back seat and righting the car so that I could get out of the driver's door.

All was well with the baby in the back seat and the baby in my belly.

How fast is a camera flash? The blink of an eye is how fast it is! Do you know how fast our life span is in the span of Eternity? The blink of an eye, in the flash of a millisecond, that's all that our time registers in the Big Span.

So, why do we think that the dash between the two dates on a tombstone is such a very long duration? Is it because, when we are in the middle of living the dash between the dates it seems to stretch on and on and on?

In the span of Eternity the dash between the dates is as fast as the flash of a camera or as fast as the blink of an eye...so why do we live our lives so carelessly? Why do we tap dance on down the road without looking at where we are going and thinking about what lies on the road before us?

The blink of an eye is all it takes to be breathing air one second and then not breathing the next. The black ice event made me realize how close we can come to stepping out of our "DNA House of Clay" and stepping into Eternity's House.

The question one needs to answer is...how will we live our dash between the dates? At the end of the road, in the blink of an eye, in the camera flash of time that we've inhabited we will step out of time and into Timelessness. We will stand before the Creator of Time, Space, and Matter and He will judge the "dash between the dates."

We will either hear from His Lips "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into your rest!" or "Depart from Me, I never knew you!"

In the blink of an eye, we can surrender our Dash between the Dates over to the One Who Created us in the first place.

Warren and I arrived in the city of Hamilton, Ontario on Sunday June 14th where our son, David was booked to share his music with the folks at Harmony Baptist Church's contemporary morning service. We had a bit of time between the end of the Traditional Service and the start of the Contemporary Worship service and as David went to meet with the Worship Leader and Team for a short practice we waited in the foyer with David's wife, Samantha.

The anticipation of joining with our brothers and sisters of like precious faith for the time of praise to our loving our Heavenly Father was refreshing and took away any weariness that we felt from having a full schedule and little sleep over the course of the previous few days.

Suddenly, David appeared in the doorway and told us that the worship team was shy a few people and he had offered our services to help in the morning worship, an offer that was accepted by the Leader! We found ourselves meeting with the musicians a few moments later and going over some unfamiliar, yet beautiful music. A few short minutes after that we were in the main sanctuary and testing microphones on the platform!

"Okay, Lord, here we are ready and willing to serve!" It was not said out loud, but we thought it in our hearts. We had quick introductions to the leadership and expressed our thanks at being allowed to share the platform...we never take it lightly when we are given the privilege of being part of those who serve by leading praise and worship, because the Father is seeking those who will worship Him in Spirit and in Truth, a commission that we accept in deep humility.

The service began and we were up and singing the few contemporary pieces that Warren and I had just learned. The praise flowed from the congregation to the Throne and the one familiar song that we sang was a hymn "All Hail The Power of Jesus' Name" and its words can be sung to three different melodies. The melody chosen for this particular service always reminds me of a Christmas Carol, as the word "Crown" is sung like the phrase "Gloria In Excelsis" and one cannot help but feel lifted up into the Heavenlies as the notes flow like living water over diamonds in a rushing stream.

Jesus' Name truly is powerful, at the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Our heartfelt thanks go out to the leaders at Harmony Baptist Church for allowing us to share with you and letting us join your worship team.

That morning of service refreshed us and lifted our hearts above the grief of laying Warren's Dad to rest. We were reminded that this earthly journey is temporary, but with the Father's Gift of Eternal Life, Eternity will go on and on and on....so we can rejoice and be glad because we will be able to sing "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" and know that we can join in the everlasting song and Crown Him Lord of All!....forever and ever. Amen!

We made our way to Southern Ontario for the interment of Dad Bracken's ashes on Saturday June 15th. We felt privileged to see the transforming power of God's grace through the last years of Robert's life. He came to the place of having the utter assurance and peace of knowing the mercy of God to take away all our sins and transgressions by the Blood of the Lamb.

A few weeks before he passed away, his pastor was reading the 23rd Psalm and when the part was read "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me...." Dad interrupted and said with great assurance "He sure is!"

It was so good to know that he had come to the place of understanding that God's mercy is a free gift. It is freely given to anyone who will open up and receive it, no matter what kind of wrong things we have done in our lives. The truth of the matter is that we are all born wrong, born with the fallen nature of the first Adam. We need to accept the new birth of the Second Adam so the wrong is made right. God didn't send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. God doesn't make "bad people good" as a matter of fact He makes "dead people live."

The choice that we make is to accept the gift of Eternal Life...John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting Life." The free gift is Eternity.

In the title track song "Eternity" on David's CD there are three different people mentioned. A little boy, a teenage girl, and an old man...each person has different issues and each has to come by faith to receive Jesus as their friend and Saviour and receive the gift of Life Forever. The last verse deals with an old man in a hospital bed...he is alone and knows he has reached the end of his pain and suffering. He receives the ultimate Healing Package for his Body, Soul, and Spirit the gift of everlasting Life...Eternity.

We watched Dad's struggle with the pain in his body and we watched him surrender to the understanding that God's gift, free for the taking. The resulting fruit of peace was evident in his life.

On April 25th, in the middle of the night in his hospital room, Jesus made him an offer that he couldn't refuse...we can image Jesus walking into the hospital room and saying, "Bob you have a choice, you can stay here and endure more pain and suffering or come Home with Me and enjoy the best that our Father has to offer in His House... " We think that the choice was quietly made in that room, in the middle of the night, Bob took Jesus' hand and went to his Eternal Home.

The Gift of forgiveness was offered and received several years ago, then in that hospital room the Gift was unwrapped and accepted in all its fullness, the gift of.....Eternity!

"When peace like a river attendeth my ways, when sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, 'It is well, it is well with my soul!'

It is well....with my soul....

We sing the song and yet do we understand the true meaning? For our kids, the singing of this song meant that the long and boring concert was over and they would be free to run and play!

The words were birthed from the deep pain of loss and grief and the renewed hope in the One who is the Comforter of all comforters, the Healer of all wounds, and the Giver of peace in the middle of the storm. Loss and need bring us to our knees before the Throne of Grace. In spite of the circumstances that surround us we have the assurance that it can indeed be well with our soul.

If you are not going through trying times and difficult situations, then....check for a pulse.

If you are alive and living on Planet Earth then the big guarantee is that you will have trouble. Jesus said "In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world."

That's cause for a big "Hip, Hip, Hooray!"

It's also cause for a deep, deep "Thank You" to our Heavenly Father for giving us peace that passes understanding, even if you are in the middle of the lake in a raging storm and the boat is being swamped by huge waves...be of good cheer...it is well with my soul.

Even if the master manipulator of disease and despair rears its ugly head and buffets us with doubt and fear, we can know "let this blessed assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate and has shed His own Blood for my soul!"

No matter what, dear ones, whether in the storm or in the valley of the shadow of death or in the quiet times we can say and sing with complete truth in the knowledge that...."It is well, it is well, with my soul!"

The Brackens and the Cowiesons (aka Power in Praise) were enjoying our whirlwind tour of Great Britain. One of the places we visited was the Isle of Skye and we were booked into a lovely bed and breakfast just outside the town of Portree. Our hostess greeted us in the early evening and suggested that we go to a local restaurant for supper.

We arrived in the town centre to park the vehicle and walk over to the restaurant, each one of us a tad hungry and looking forward to tasting the local fare. As we got out of the van we heard the familiar strains of the song "Because He Lives" being piped into the town square from a speaker located on the side of a church building. We were drawn to the beautiful sound and decided to "go to Church."

Inside the sanctuary of the Church of Scotland building, we were impressed on many levels...the soaring gabled ceiling, the rich wooden pews, the crowd of worshippers singing full voice in a lilting cadence...we took up the back pew and joined in with the rest of the congregation. We feasted in our souls on the sweet music and the powerful message. No food could have substituted for the genuine pleasure of feeling the presence of the Lord among His people.

After the service we were standing outside the church building and introducing ourselves as visitors from Canada. One lady came over to us and was very enthusiastic as she exclaimed "Oh, you were the choir singing in the back pew!!"

It seems that no matter where we go we find fellowship and the opportunity to be blessed and be a blessing.

We found ourselves on a special tour of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, and Wales) and at one point ended up in a relative's kitchen in Lancaster. The visit was lovely as we met with folks who were family members that we only knew by way of overseas letters between Warren's Mom and her British cousins.

As we sat in the beautiful, sunny kitchen sipping tea and chatting, our hostess asked us to sing something...so we began to sing the familiar hymn "Amazing Grace."

The stone floors and tile walls were the perfect accoustic setting to sing acappella. As we sang the phone rang, it was our hostess' mother calling from Malta and as we sang she held out the receiver for her Mom to hear our musical offering. We were so blessed to be able to share the gift with these folks.

We learned a few days later that one of the neighbours had complained that the radio programme had been playing very loudly on that afternoon. Our hostess explained that it had not been the radio, just four Canadians singing their hearts out in her kitchen over tea and crumpets.

What a priviledge to share the gift of music, the gift of hope, and the gift of Amazing Grace...how sweet the sound!

Under His wings, under His wings, who from His love can sever
Under His wings, my soul shall abide
Safely abide forever...

So many of the Hymns of Christian faith reflect the foundation of our Hebrew roots. The "wings" are the tassels of the rabbi's prayer shawl and Jesus, in the exercising of His Office of the High Priest, has the power of healing in His "wings."

The woman with the issue of blood who went with fear and trembling and brushed the hem of His garment received healing from her malady. What's more astounding was the fact that Jesus was being jostled by a pressing crowd of people and yet He felt the healing virtue leave His Body and asked the question "Who touched Me?"

We have access to the Healing Virtue of the Lord as we ask, by faith, for His gift of healing to be given to us. No matter what the tempest or the storm that is swirling in our lives today, we can be assured that we are safe as we ask by faith, receive by faith, and stand up to walk by faith in the One under Whose wings we are safely abiding.

"I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today
I know that He is living, whatever men may say
I feel His Hand of Mercy, I hear His Voice of Cheer
And just the time I need Him, He's always near...

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life's narrow way
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives
He lives within my heart!"

What a mighty affirmation of the truth! This song is one that should be sung everyday of the year, not just at the Season we set aside called "Easter." The final Passover Lamb was slain two thousand years ago, but the Lamb did not stay dead! After Jesus fulfilled the Passover, He fulfilled the Feast of First Fruits by becoming the first to rise from the dead.

He is alive in my heart because I asked Him to come in and take up residence on the Throne of my life as my King and my God.

What is more important than that truth, is that, today, He is seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven and one day He will stand up, get on His horse,and ride back to the Planet to take over the duties of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

"Rejoice, rejoice or Christian take up your cross and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find
None other is so loving, so good, and kind....He lives!!!!"

"Hi, my name is Linda. I committed suicide this morning and I'm having a wonderful day!!" The ladies group I was speaking to that morning, certainly were paying close attention to me after my introductory statement. I don't consider myself a "speaker" yet I have had opportunity to do lots of speaking and singing in public.

The day of this particular event, as I was driving the hour from my house to the venue, I felt totally inadequate and lacking so I was praying. My prayer was answered by the still, small Voice that I have come to know and trust.

"Why don't you tell them that you committed suicide this morning and you are having a great day?"

"What???!!! Lord did I hear You right? They are going to think I am nuts!" I was a little more than shocked and my response reflected this state.

Then the soothing impression of my Heavenly Father poured the oil of joy into my being as He instructed me and reminded me of my encounter with a woman many years before who had threatened to end her life.

Beatrice (not her real name) had been a guest in our home in 1981. She, along with other members of her "Christian Drama Troupe" were billeted in our home. I had three small children under the age of five and I was involved with Church and the praise and worship ministry of "Power In Praise."

During the time that we had these folks in our home, I discovered that "Beatrice" would use my time up with telling me how hard life was for her and how much she hated every day and why this and why that and on and on and on...!

Needless to say, I tried to give her as much compassion and solace and encouragement as I could, in between taking care of my children and husband and all the other things in my life. Our "counselling" sessions would go on into the wee hours of the morning and I was becoming quite exhausted by the whole rollercoaster. The more time I gave to her the needier she became and finally we realized that we could not have her in our home anymore.

She left, but called a few days later threatening to end her life because she was so depressed and unable to handle her despair. I held the receiver in my hand and breathed a quick, silent prayer for wisdom. When I spoke I was shocked to hear the words coming out of my mouth...

"Okay, go ahead and commit suicide..." dead silence on the other end of the phone as I continued..."but you better do it right and the only right way to commit suicide is to lay down at the foot of the Cross and die to yourself and your own selfish desires!"

I could hardly believe what I was saying but I found myself continuing to speak into the phone...

"Just lay down at the feet of Jesus, let Him take your life and make it what He wants it to be. That is the only way to commit suicide and live to tell about it!"

She mumbled something in my ear and hung up.

I was in a numb place of not knowing what I had just done, but the good news is that she did not do herself bodily injury...I guess I had called her bluff and given her the answer that is the only Answer and she really was just playing manipulation and control mind games with me.

I have learned a valuable lesson from that experience as I choose everyday to die to my own plans and agendas. The Lord has given me my life because I have chosen to let Him take my life as I lay down at the foot of the Cross and die.

I am very aware of the "Beatrice's" in the world and I know that there is only one right way to end the misery. I shared the story with the assembled group of women on that morning and I saw in their faces a light of understanding and hope. God came into the assembly and was able to touch bodies, souls, and spirits with His tender and genuine healing.

"I surrender all, I surrender all...All to Thee, my blessed Saviour...I surrender all...!"

Sitting at a red light on our way home from an evening service, the four of us were singing. We were enjoying the sweet fellowship and joy of combining our voices in praise to the King. As we sang we each carried our vocal parts with Jim singing bass, Marion singing alto, Warren singing tenor, and I took a soprano descant line...then we stopped and looked at each other and asked "who was singing the melody?"

Each one noted what they were singing and decided that none of us had being singing the tune, we had been harmonizing, yet the tune had been clearly there!

We sat in a moment of stunned silence then looked over at the vehicle sitting next to us at the light. The driver was looking at us, his mouth hanging open in amazement, we didn't know if we were glowing, or what!! But the unmistakeable Presence of the Lord was with us in the cab of the truck and we knew He had been joining us as the Fifth Voice.

"Thou art worthy, Thou art worthy, Thou art worthy oh Lord...to receive glory, glory and honour, glory and honour and power...for Thou hast created, has all things created, for Thou hast created all things...and for Thy pleasure, they are created and Thou art worthy oh Lord!"