Hello, November

/ Gail Johnson / 22 Comments

November is a sense-ational month. Every morning the world takes on a new look, sound, smell, or feel.

In my world, gold, orange, and crimson paint the landscape. Now mind you, I have to search for it. 😊 Distant sounds are louder due to the falling leaves. Allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves fill the air.  And soft fleece blankets are my new companions.

This month is also a time of harvests, homecomings, and Thanksgiving. A time to spend with family and friends. It is also a time to give thanks for our bountiful blessings whether our baskets are brimming or lacking earthly treasures. The truth is we are blessed if we have Christ.

Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered (Romans 4:7 KJV).

Blessed is a reason to give thanks. Don’t you think?

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103: 2-5 KJV).

Without giving it much thought, what benefits come to mind when reading Psalm 103? How many can you add after thinking about it?

Why not take a moment and count your blessings as Johnson Oatman Jr. encouraged folks to do in 1897?

Count Your Blessings

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one, 
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Johnson Oatman Jr. 1897 Public Domain

Photos courtesy of Tama66 (Pixabay), jplenio (Pixabay), Ragabz (Pixabay), and LenaKivak(Pexels)

Higher Ground

/ Gail Johnson / 4 Comments

Have you ever had a song to snuggle up and breathe new life into your flagging spirit? No? Well, maybe it just happens to me. 🙂

When a song enters my heart and mind there’s no getting away from it until I read it, sing it, and study it. Past experience has taught me that somewhere in the lyrics is the inspiration for my next steps.

For the past three months, I’ve had a head full of songs. The one I want to share with you today is an oldie but goodie. Written by Johnson Oatman Jr. in 1898 “Higher Ground” has been a favorite for many generations.

Higher Ground

I'm pressing on the upward way, 
New heights I'm gaining ev'ry day;  
Still praying as I onward bound,  
"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."
Refrain- Lord, lift me up and let me stand
By faith, on heaven's tableland 
A higher plane than I have found; 
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14 KJV).

2-My heart has no desire to stay 
Where doubts arise and fears dismay 
Though some may dwell where these abound 
My prayer, my aim is higher ground.

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I (Psalm 61:2).

3-I want to live above the world, 
Though Satan's darts at me are hurled; 
For faith has caught the joyful sound, 
The song of saints on higher ground.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1 KJV).

4-I want to scale the utmost height 
And catch a gleam of glory bright; 
But still I'll pray till heav'n I've found, 
"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1 KJV).

One of my favorite people in the Bible is Caleb. After fighting for forty years, he stood before Joshua, a man of eighty, and asked for his mountain (Joshua 14:10-13). Judges 1:20 tells us that he took that mountain.

Take heart, fellow sojourner. We are created for higher ground. His plan and purpose make it possible for us to scale the “utmost heights” of this life. Many have gone on before us with the Lord’s help. And he will lead us to higher ground if only we have the heart and courage to follow.

Photos courtesy of Pixabay