Welcome

Why a blog from me, someone who has never been a writer, someone who has never been articulate or had a solid grasp of the grammar world. Because God told me to write. Several years ago a life storm invaded my family. God kept telling me to write it all down. I argued, but He would not let up. This went on every day for a couple of weeks until one day out of frustration, (I'd like to say it was out of obedience), I picked up a pen and paper and wrote for 7 hours straight! Do you think maybe I needed therapy and God knew it?

I've been writing ever since and have learned to love it! I started out sharing my stories with friends and family. I've now been published in a Nashville church paper, Our Daily Journey (a devotional site of RBC Ministries), PCCWeb Daily Devotional, Ruby for Women Ezine Magazine, and I am a contributor in the book Alabaster Jars, Life in Abundance Collection 2.

Why Ponderings? During this life storm, God led me to a pond in the woods behind my home. There He met me each time, teaching new lessons, reminding me of old ones, showing His presence and allowing me to feel His love through the surroundings of that pond. I found myself returning over and over to ponder, pray and praise. A healing of my heart took place and out of the experience came my first book, Ponderings From the Pond, then a second book, Ponderings From My Porch, and now a third book is in the works along with a memoir about my storm.

Why am I making myself so vulnerable? Because God has done so much that I cannot keep quiet. I have to share. Jesus's last words to his desciples were, "Go,tell." We are his disciples too and this is just one of my ways of telling.

I'm no scholar but I have heard God's voice in my spirit, experience His love daily, and have a desire for others to experience this also. I would love to share with all who visit and I would love to hear from you. If my sharing gets just one to ponder, to be quiet with the Father, to see and hear from Him or to be reminded of something from Him, then this is worth my vulnerability.

As you visit me, sometimes we will be at the pond, sometimes we will move to the front porch, and sometimes we will just be here, there, and yonder. Thank you for coming and please feel free to come back anytime, you are always welcome here.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

*****EXCITING NEWS*****

My first book, Ya Know What I'm Say'n, has been released.


Ponderings

Ponderings

Saturday, August 10, 2013

The Old Hymns



During a difficult period in my life, my aunt, gifted in music, encouraged me to read the words of the old hymns and take comfort in them. This turned out to be wonderful advice.
I love the praise and worship music sung in the churches today but they are not quite like the old hymns. The words are deep and meaningful. You can witness this by scanning the church during a hymn and more than likely you will spot an older woman with tears streaming down her face because the words speak to her, she is identifying with the truth behind those words. I have come to be one of those women now. Here are just a few of the sacred ones:

“When peace like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrow, like sea billow roll; whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, “It is well, it is well, with my soul.”

“Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word; just to rest upon His promise; just to know thus saith the Lord. Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er. Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!”

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name. When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone, because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living, JUST because He lives.”


I am so thankful for God inspiring the hearts of these hymn writers hundreds of years ago and that they stood the test of time just like His Word. They have given me strength, have lifted my spirits, and helped me to go at those times when I just wanted to crawl under the covers and not get up.
There is such power in singing the hymns and we see this with Paul. He was nearly stoned to death, three times beaten with rods, received 195 lashes from the Jews, and bloodily beaten in the Philippian jail. After all this he endured, he sits in jail and we read this about him:
 
“About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25
 
We know what transpired next because of this hymn singing. Not only were they ministering to the neighboring prisoners, but a great earthquake shook so that their chains were broken and the prison doors flew open. The jailer and his family were all saved and baptized that night and they were all filled with joy! Wow!!!
 
Amazing grace, we believers have it. We may not always feel it but we can reach down inside of ourselves for it by belting out one of these beloved hymns. You don’t have to feel it to praise, just do it! There is power in praise and in these old words.
From Stream in the Desert,
 
Oh, let us rejoice in the Lord, evermore, when darts of the Tempter are flying, for Satan still dreads, as he oft did before, Our singing much more than our crying.”
 
I believe in a good, cleansing cry every now and then. But let’s also remember to raise our voices with the wonderful words of the old hymns. Really pay attention to what is being said. It not only will lift your spirits, give you courage, and please the Lord but will send the ol’ devil fleeing. It’s worth it just for that!
 
Remember, Jesus Paid it All, At the Cross, The Old Rugged Cross. We have been Washed in the Blood and can now say I am Thine, O Lord, I am Thine O Lord. We are leaning on the Everlasting Arms and Bringing in the Sheaves. We believers can gather together and sing, When We All Get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be.


God be with you till we meet again! By His counsels guide, uphold you, with His sheep securely fold you; God be with you till we meet again!

Are you humming yet?

"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs."
Ephesians 5:19

8 comments:

Brandee Shafer said...

The Church Hymnal on top of your stack is my favorite and the one with which I grew up. Interestingly, the hymn that always gets me, while an older hymn, is a newer one for me: "I Know Whom I Have Believed." I want that one sung at my funeral b/c it always makes me cry: so deeply meaningful to me.

I started hosting virtual (but old-fashioned) prayer meetings on my blog: new post every Friday. Please come by some time, if you get a chance. I know you're a prayer warrior.

Joy said...

Those are beautiful songs. I love listening to them.
Touching the inner soul.
Have a nice Sunday Kristin:)

Aritha V. said...

Thank you! This is a wonderful post. It comforts me

Denise said...

I love all the hymns you mentioned.

Floyd said...

I love those old hymns as well. That first one you mentioned by Horatio Spafford I did a post on years ago... to be able to write those words after losing all your children is a miracle all unto itself. That one and most of them bring and emotional rise in my spirit and washes my soul... and the eye sockets a bit...

Debbie Petras said...

I'm not only humming ...I'm singing! I love so many of the old hymns. Each one of the hymns you mentioned are familiar to me. The last one "God be with you till we meet again ..." is one we always sang at the end of the year in Bible Study Fellowship or at the end of our BSF retreats. It was so emotional to have hundreds of people join hands and sing this song. It gives me chills even now as I remember.

Blessings and love,
Debbie

Anonymous said...

I love old hymns. I think they are so reverent. Not that modern Christian music is not; but old hymns really have the ability for me to really feel connected.

Stacie said...

I love this. God speaks to me often through music, and the old tried and true hymns are no exception. One that always gets me is, "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!" I want my kids to know these songs, and often they are not sung. So, guess who's gonna teach them?!? :)
Great post, Kristin.