Graze: To feed on growing grasses.



The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

-Ps. 23:1-6

Growing up on a farm, I used to watch the cows, sheep & horses graze in the pasture. Each morning we would open the gate to the barnyard and they knew there was freedom from that small pen they were in. They also knew there was nice green grass beyond the barnyard. Once the gate was open, look out because those animals wanted to get where the tall, green grass grew – the pasture! They would take off sometimes even running up the old fenced lane that went up over the hill through the cornfield to the lush green pasture on the other side of the farm. There they would graze for a while then lay down and rest for a while then graze some more. They did this all day long. Come evening we would go over to the pasture’s edge and call the cows – 'come boss, 'come boss. They would gather at the pasture gate. Sometimes we would have to go round up a few stragglers and when all were accounted for, we’d open the lane gate and back over the hill they would go to the barnyard for the night. The next morning was the same routine, day after day. What a life, huh?!

Oh that we could just graze and rest in shady green pastures all day long! But we can rest and graze in God’s green pastures and restore our souls . . . The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. (Ps. 23:1) I believe God wants us to slow down and “rest” and “graze” and “feed” on His Word. Life throws so many things our way and we are so busy – busy doing good things. But are we running on empty a good share of the time? Are we feeling stretched to extreme? Are we content with who we are in God’s divine providence? Slow down and take some time to just leisurely graze, rest a while, then graze and feed on the good things God has provided for you. Graze, rest, and enjoy the “shady green pastures” of God’s abundant love, grace, and mercy.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

What A Lovely Name [Live]

"What a lovely name, this name of Jesus. Reaching higher far than the brightest star. Sweeter than the songs they sing in Heaven. Let the world proclaim, "What a lovely name"!" - Lyrics and Music by Charles B. Wycuff.

 .

This has always been one of my all-time-favorite songs . . . especially when sung by Vestal Goodman of the "Happy Goodman Family" Gospel Singers.  She truly lived and experienced the full meaning of this song. She knew "what a lovely name," Jesus was first hand!!

 You know there are so many songs with so many messages out there.  They are everywhere - radio, TV, internet, ipods, cd's, tapes, mp3's, videos, concerts, stores, cars, etc.

How many songs do we hear in a day?  I love music so I hear more than I can even count!  Some of them hit home,  some offer words of encouragement and a message, some are cute, clever, and catchy with awesome beats, rhythms and harmony and some of them are just loud noise that I simply tune out and don't even hear!

 But this song hit a chord within my heart and soul the first time I heard it years ago and still today touches my heart.  The "Name of Jesus" brings hope, love, cheer, makes clean, redeems, brings wonder and awe, reaches far, gives a "song" . . . "Name above ALL other" - the lovely name of JESUS!!

 Do you know and proclaim this Jesus? This Jesus that is "EVERMORE the same yesterday, today, and forever!" 

Verse 1
There's… a name above all others,…… 
Wonderful to hear,… bringing hope and cheer.…… 
It's… the lovely name of Jesus,…… 
Evermore the same,…. what a lovely name.…… 

Chorus….. 
What… a lovely name,… the name of Jesus.…… 
Reaching higher far,…. than the brightest star.…… 
Sweet...er than the songs they sing in heaven.…… 
Let the world proclaim,…. what a lovely name.…… 
Verse 2…..
Thru His name there's wondrous power,…… 
Power to redeem, making sinners clean.…… 
By His pow'r He cleansed the leper,…… 
Opened blinded eyes, caused the dead to rise.…… 
Verse 3….. 
He'll…. return in clouds of glory,…… 
Saints of ev'ry race,…. shall behold His face.…… 
With…. Him enter heaven's city,…… 
Ever to proclaim,…. what a lovely name.…

Chorus:....
Oh what… a lovely name,… this name called... Jesus.…… 
Reaching higher far,…. than the brightest star.…… 
It’s sweeter…. than all the songs they're singing... in heaven.…… 
Let the world proclaim,….Let this world proclaim....
Evermore the same......What a lovely.. name.…… 

What a lovely name…. "JESUS"
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