2018 Summer Series: I Love to Tell the Story

2018 Summer Series Part 1

When you hear the word, “classic”, what comes to mind? Webster’s Dictionary provides details and examples about what is encompassed by the word ‘classic’, such as: 1) serving as a standard of excellence (e.g., classic literary works); 2) traditional, enduring (e.g., classic designs); 3) simple tailored lines in fashion year after year (e.g., a classic suit); 4) historically memorable (e.g., a classic battle). [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classic] And we have certainly encountered the use of the concept of ‘classic’ in our daily lives. For instance, the word classic is used to describe the foundational pieces, which are essential in our wardrobes—pieces that stand the test of time, and which can be mixed and matched to create new, fresh looks. Collecting and restoring old cars to their original state, to look as good as new, is an interesting hobby for many individuals. Furthermore, we are familiar with the practice of restoring or remaking classic movies. And, finally, a controversial undertaking is the reworking of classic hymns and songs, which presents the foundational message of these songs in a new and fresh way to our current generation and to the next one. Some of these songs include, Amazing Grace, Power in the Blood, and I Need Thee.

     And as we remember the classic hymns, we recognize that many individuals grew up singing them or hearing their parents and/or grandparents singing them. These traditional songs have been passed down through the generations. The past few months I’ve discovered that I’ve been singing one of those much-loved hymns, “I Love to Tell the Story;” and as I’ve done so, I’ve gained a new insight, a new revelation of its meaning:

I Love to Tell The Story

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,

Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true;

It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

Refrain

I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory,

To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best

Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.

And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,

’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

Refrain

-A. Katherine Hankey and William G. Fischer

The lines that keep replaying themselves are: “And when in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song, ‘Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long!” And it dawned on me: the old, old story is a classic. It’s essential, foundational to our faith—the love of Jesus! From before time began, love, “In the beginning, God…,” (Genesis 1: 1), could also be read as, “In the beginning, love….” But can we exchange the word “God” with the word “love”? Yes! Why? Because the Bible says that, “God is love,” (1John 4:8, 16).

So the old, old story is also my new, new song; because Jesus is the Living Word, and His love is always fresh and new! It’s foundational to our faith and to our daily lives as Christ restores us and makes us new, “When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun! ((2 Corinthians 5:17 Living Bible). In other words, our new song begins when our new life in Christ begins (see John 3:3-13). Hallelujah!

Blessings & Peace

Elizabeth Hogan Hayduk

Former Salvation Army Officer (pastor), Canada

THIS SERIES WILL BE UPDATED WEEKLY ON SATURDAYS - BLESSINGS

2018 Summer Series: I Love to Tell the Story

Introduction

Earlier this summer I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to create a Summer Series that would reach a wider audience for His glory and that would speak to the hearts and minds of others who need the same hope and comfort that I have received while going through the biopsy, tests, scans, evaluation, surgery, and the recovery process, along with the follow-up visits and more regularly scheduled scans (more in the first year, and then annually for 5 years) for tongue cancer. This is a Scriptural principle, 

“Praise to the God of All Comfort: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God,”

(1 Corinthians 1: 3-4, NIV).

     The series is designed to share my recent testimony, and through it, to encourage others to grow in their faith and become excited about sharing their current testimonies, too. Why? Because Jesus is the Living Word, and our testimony should reflect that living, growing, and deepening of our faith versus only focusing on when we initially got saved. That's good, but how long ago was that? What's God doing in our lives today? Remember that Paul admonished the Church at Corinth, “1Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly-mere infants in Christ. 2I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it, (1 Corinthians 3:1-2, NIV). The truth is that sometimes we get busy or distracted and may not realize that we are ready for the next step in our spiritual growth—meat to chew on! In the post-surgery recovery period, I have had to learn how to move from ‘milk’ (nutritional drinks) to ‘soft foods’ (anything that turns to mush when I squeeze it between my finger and thumb), to meat. Even chewing meat is happening in stages (e.g., soft, tinned/canned meat, such as fish or chicken; to minced-type meat, such as chicken nuggets, to now eating very small pieces of chicken or hamburger meat). The process that Paul is describing is one that we all go through in life, beginning as newborns drinking milk and progressing through different stages until we are mature enough to handle meatier fare. This is the perfect analogy of how we grow spiritually, too. Thus, as I’ve been praying about this series, there have been many ideas swirling in my heart and mind. I have formulated an outline; and the series, “I Love to Tell the Story”, is tentatively scheduled for 10 weeks, which includes the introduction and the conclusion. The posts will be on Saturdays, beginning this Saturday, July 21st/18 and concluding on September 23rd/18, which is the first day of autumn.
     I hope that you will join me for this 2018 Summer Series: I Love to Tell the Story. As we explore the miraculous ways that God is still working in our lives today, I pray that you will also receive assurance and affirmation of God’s love and presence in your life. Together, let us stir up our faith, to fan it into a burning flame (2 Timothy 1:6t).

Blessings & Peace

Elizabeth Hogan Hayduk

Former Salvation Army Officer (pastor), Canada

Fire in the Blood - Swiss Army Brass Band

Robin Williams as the American Flag