This song can often be a prayer for many of us -- too much to think about if I take a week or a month at a time. Lord, one day is about all I can handle - thanks for being there each day.

As we continue in our Summer Song Series ... first, we are running out of favorites, so if you haven't passed on your favorite yet, please do so soon - time is almost up.

So, this song - enjoy singing it, dislike hearing it - this song ... what a mess of trouble it is. What a can of worms it opens.

Face it, as a wise old man once said to me, "God has a plan for your life and it ain't none of your business."

The story of John Newton is a facsinating one and the song tracks so closely to what he experienced. What is amazing grace and is it 'amazing' anymore? Have we become bored with the idea ... or just immune to it?

Let us reconsider this "amazing grace" with renewed focus and see just how this is "grace amazing"

Sorry about the delay, lacking in time is getting all too common. Anyway, July 26th we will look at the song, "Abide with Me." It is a wonderful song with a strong & significant history. The author's history is critical to the history of this song, as well.

There are so many times we would ask this of our God -- "abide with me." We want God to be close to us, especially in times of tragedy, illness, or some other major life-event. Thus, the popularity of the song. For some, it is a cry out to God ... for others, it is a professional ... for others it might be a confession.

For Henry F. Lyte, his life-struggles translated into his poetry. He was only 46, when he wrote a poem entitled “Declining Days.” When life is a struggle, it sometimes hones one's emotions to a higher sensitivity. I think Lyte experienced this. His poem, "Abide with Me" was put to music by William Monk and it was sung at Lytle's memorial. Since then, it has been used by royalty all the way down to Mother Teressa.

A cry for each of us at some point ... make it one that glorifies God ... Abide with me!