PRAYER REQUESTS: “ . . . The prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up; . . . Pray for one another that you may be healed.” — James 5:15-16.

Sing songs from your heart to Christ.  Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ .  ~  Ephesians 5:19-20, Msg.

IN ‘THE QUEST FOR UNITY,’ one of Gene Shelburne’s  two new books, he tells how in his exclusivist fellowship years ago they treated a ‘Father’ Kemper with kindness when he visited their summer meetings. Gene describes the ecumenical priest this way: “On more than one

occasion I remember Father Kemper, white collar and all, sitting in the front row not five feet from our Protestant pulpit and belting out a cappella Stamps Baxter songs with a gusto that  made some of us look unconverted.”

Singing with gusto isn’t one of the Basic Doctrines of the Church, but if nothing else it’s good therapy. Though I’m still pretty much a stickler for Scriptural lyrics, I can make a mental adjustment as I lead or sing

some of the old ‘Gospel’ songs. And when I look in the eyes of those listening and/or singing, and see the light of heaven as it were shining there, I am lifted to a plateau of worship of our God . . . And I think I see Him smiling!     ~ JDM