e-mail 11/19/6

At our house, music has always been important to lift spirits and let us soar into the heavenlies even when we might have felt otherwise. It was wonderful when Debbie learned to play the piano and we would gather around as she played the old Gospel hymns that her Daddy loves so much, and we missed it when she married and took the music with her. He always teases her and says that just when she got good, she moved away with the piano while he endured "Teaching Little Fingers to Play".

Last night as I was shivering from these "extreme" cold temperatures we are having, the Gaither Hour came on with one of my favorite musicians ,Ernie Haase. Now before I continue, let me confess up front that I have my favorites: Guy Penrod, David Phelps, Ernie Haase and of course Mark Lowry. I have personally met each of these and except for David have my picture with them somewhere tucked away in hiding. These men are genuine in their faith and the songs they sing are from their heart or they don't sing them at all. They love their music because they love the One they sing about. They are more than entertainers.

Most of their music is Southern Gospel but occasionally they branch out into something more contemporary because their mentor in music, Bill Gaither, has encouraged it and that's alright with me, I like "some" contemporary music also. The Gaither Videos ministered to me through many weeks and months when I was unable to get out of the house or attend church, when no one called or came by to see how I was doing. I could count on the music and the message.

As they were singing last night I was reminded of an old song written by Dottie Rambo and Jimmie Davis "Sheltered In The Arms of God". As one of the older generation, I need to hear these older hymns from time to time because they speak to my heart. I need to hear the words and not feel drum beats in my head and vibrating through my body while I can't understand the words because the music is so loud.

As the cold makes me hurt these words meant much to me last night:

I feel the touch of hands so kind and tender
They're leading me in paths that I must trod;
I have no fear when Jesus walks beside me,
For I'm sheltered in the arms of God

So let the storms rage high,
the dark clouds rise,
They won't worry me,
for I'm sheltered safe within the arms of God;
He walks with me and naught of earth can harm me,
For I'm Sheltered in the arms of God.

Many people in today's world need to know that there is safety in the arms of Jesus. He knows all about everything we are going through and He will carry us through the good and the hard times....even the cold ones.

Remember to share God's love with someone today.

Peggy

James 1:27 "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."