LIKE SANDS THROUGH THE HOUR GLASS…

You are probably expecting that phrase to be followed by, “These are the days of our lives”. After almost 11,000 episodes since 1965 many have heard those words during the afternoon hours throughout the land. By the way, though I don’t watch soap operas, I was surprised to see that Bo and Hope are still alive and well in Salem in 2008. I wonder how much it costs to look that good after all these years? Anyway, I digress.  Even though no one said it as well as Macdonald Carey, we all experience life! I found myself this past week sitting squarely in the middle of quite the milestone if I do say so myself. My trusty 2001 Impala made the journey from 199,999 miles to 200,000 miles of service! We were working on putting Christmas meals together at the church and on a return trip from Kroger’s I noticed the odometer coming precariously close to the second century mark as I pulled into the parking lot. After circling the block a couple of times, there it was, 200,000! Now I spend a lot of time on the road so this isn’t my first rodeo moving a car past this number of miles, probably the sixth to be exact. But I must be getting sentimental in my old age; I was like a little kid. Taking picture of the dashboard even calling Terri to celebrate. “I promise to write another column when the Impala hits 300,000!” So with that said I suppose it’s appropriate to celebrate when another year comes to a close.

I was singing an old song this morning that I am told was inspired by, would you believe it, John Wayne! It was said that the he was talking to a good friend of his by the name of Stuart Hamblen. Something the Duke said inspired Hamblen to write these words, “It is no secret what God can do, What He's done for others, He'll do for you, With arms wide open, He'll pardon you, It is no secret what God can do.” What an incredible thought as we prepare to journey from one year to the next, don’t you think? To be reminded that it’s not a secret is what stands out to me. The wonderful Grace of God is extended to everyone, and everyone is to know. From the testimony of the shepherds to you and I today, what we know, we are to tell. Listen to the verses of Hamblen’s song, “The chimes of time ring out the news, another day is through, someone slipped and fell. Was that someone you? You may have longed for added strength, your courage to renew

Do not be disheartened, for I have news for you. It is no secret what God can do, What He's done for others, He'll do for you, With arms wide open, He'll pardon you, It is no secret what God can do. There is no night for in His light, you never walk alone. Always feel at home, wherever you may go. There is no power can conquer you, While God is on your side

Take Him at His promise, don’t run away and hide. It is no secret what God can do, What He's done for others, He'll do for you. With arms wide open, He'll pardon you, It is no secret what God can do” What a song, what a message for that matter. There is another interesting side note to that tune. It was said that a dear saint who met Stuart Hamblen remarked, “Mr. Hamblen, you didn’t write that song, you just got to hold the pen!” I love that! What a truth that is. The good news of the gospel is not and was not our invention; we simply get to share the story. So with Christmas over and a new year before us, may we endeavor to share the best-kept secret that the world has ever known? Paul reminded us in the letter he wrote to a church in Corinth, “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” And Jesus mandate to every Christ Follower is clear, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” As the world turns, as years begin and end and as we each journey on through our lives we have our marching orders do we not? Tell the story, live the story, and whatever you do, don’t keep it a secret.

It was said that Fritz Kreisler the world-famous violinist, earned a fortune with his concerts and compositions, but he generously gave most of it away. So, when he discovered an exquisite violin on one of his trips, he wasn't able to buy it. Later, having raised enough money to meet the asking price, he returned to the seller, hoping to purchase the beautiful instrument. But to his great dismay it had been sold to a collector. Kreisler made his way to the new owner's home and offered to buy the violin. The collector said it had become his prized possession and he would not sell it. Keenly disappointed, Kreisler was about to leave when he had an idea. "Could I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?" he asked. Permission was granted, and the great virtuoso filled the room with such heart-moving music that the collector's emotions were deeply stirred. "I have no right to keep that to myself," he exclaimed. "It's yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into the world, and let people hear it." It is no secret what God can do, if we’ll just let him. Happy New Year!