Portals Into God's Presence: Have Thine Own Way, Lord

If you've been following this blog over the years, you know that from time to time I take a hiatus, turning Upward and inward so that I can be more faithful in my adoration of God, service to God, and witness of God's active and awesome presence in this world. Beloved, now is such a time. I feel a change on the horizon, amazing things ahead in my marriage, motherhood, and ministry. This hiatus is not about withdrawing from all things, rather it is about living more deeply and thus drawing away from social media...including this blog. To be honest, I'm not sure how long it will last, except that I will be back. But for now, my activity on From Time to Time, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram will be on pause.

My prayer is that you will be stretched and strengthened during my pause, just as I hope to be. My prayer is that you will live more fully into your purpose as one who is created and loved by Almighty God, just as I hope to be. And until my return, my prayer is that this song, "Have Thine Own Way, Lord" will be your prayer, as it is mine. This hymn, written by Adelaide Pollard, is an ode to trust in and surrender to the absolute will of God. As you meditate on the words, be blessed by the heartfelt and humble rendition by one of my favorite preachers of the day, E. Dewey Smith, pastor of the The Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church in Decataur, GA. 

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!

Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.

Mold me and make me after Thy will,

While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!

Search me and try me, Master, today!

Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,

As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!

Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!

Power, all power, surely is Thine!

Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!

Hold o’er my being absolute sway!

Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see

Christ only, always, living in me.

Portals Into God's Presence: Nothing But the Blood

On Sunday, during both worship services that I attended,  I was reminded of the amazing power of the blood of Jesus. Often, we have conversations about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, without really thinking about the atonement, reconciliation, forgiveness, and healing made possible at Calvary. And while it may seem awfully violent to some, I am grateful that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). This giving of Jesus was not only in His living example, but also in His dying sacrifice. With that in mind, our hymn for the week is, "Nothing But the Blood."

This hymn, written by Robert Lowry, is lifted in our congregations on First Sunday as we commune together at the Lord's Table, but how powerful would it be if day-in and day-out we lived intentionally remembering that it is the blood of Jesus that makes us righteous in the sight of the Almighty and All-Loving God! I will admit, I take issue with some of the language of the song—as an African-American woman—and the way it lifts up whiteness as virtuous. If I could rewrite the chorus, I'd replace the word "white" with "clean" or even rewrite the entire line to say, "Oh! precious is the flow that gives a heavenly glow" but that's just me. That said, I'm not throwing the baby out with the bathwater and this is still one of my favorite songs. Please enjoy the lyrics and the spirited rendition at Second Ebenezer Church in Detroit of "Nothing But the Blood."

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow

That makes me white as snow;

No other fount I know,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon, this I see,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

For my cleansing this my plea,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing can for sin atone,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

Naught of good that I have done,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my hope and peace,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

This is all my righteousness,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Now by this I’ll overcome—

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

Now by this I’ll reach my home—

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Glory! Glory! This I sing—

Nothing but the blood of Jesus,

All my praise for this I bring—

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.