Journal

My dear, dear friend Linda, sent me this beautiful new Atavar, to see it in full (uncropped) go to my photos at the bottom of my page. It is stunning in its beauty and simplicity both. 

But what makes it so very special is that Linda had no way of knowing how very, very special that song is to me!!!  She had to have supernatural guidance to have sent it; among my friends, we call it a "God thing" when there's no rational explanation !!  So I'm going to post part of my bread&butter letter to Linda !!  If you don't know what a bread & butter letter is, ask Sharon aka Rocky, being in England she often uses expressions that I rarely hear any more, but grew up with among relatives who sprung from British/Irish ancestory!!

_________________________

 Here are the lyrics to the song and a story about its origins, and that is followed by a lessor known song of the same era; both Southern Gospel, Lesa, as you would be quick to point out with well earned pride!!

 Were these among the ones you sang at the all nights sings made so popular by the Gaithers?

Because He Lives

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.


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.

How sweet to hold a newborn bab

And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.


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.


And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.


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!

Words: Bill & Gloria Gaither


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Story:

Today, millions of Americans and people around the world are coming to love southern gospel music, and a big reason is the popularity of the Bill and Gloria Gaither Homecoming concerts and videos. For more than 40 years, the Gaithers have been writing and performing Christian songs. "He Touched Me," "There's Something About That Name," and some 600 others are featured in many church hymnals. But "Because He Lives" is perhaps the best known.

In the late 1960s, while expecting their third child, the Gaithers were going through a traumatic time. Their firstborn, Suzanne, was 4, and her sister Amy was three months old. The timing for another baby wasn't ideal. On top of that, Bill was recovering from a bout with mononucleosis.

The breakup of the marriage of Bill's sister, Mary Ann, had left his family devastated. What's more, a close friend's accusation that Bill and Gloria were using their ministry just to make a buck blindsided the couple and plunged Bill into a deep depression.

Gloria also remembers it as a time of fear and sadness. The educational system was being infiltrated with the "God is dead" idea, while drug abuse and racial tension were increasing. The thought of bringing another child into the world was taking its toll.

But after a simple prayer by one of Bill's close friends—a prayer that commanded the devil to back off—both Bill and Gloria recall that the strength of the Holy Spirit seemed to come to their aid. Christ's resurrection, in all its power, was reaffirmed in their hearts. They were assured that the future, left in God's hands, would be just fine.

In July 1970 a healthy baby, Benjamin, was born. Inspired by the miracle of their son's birth, "Because He Lives" poured out of the Gaithers' grateful hearts. The song clearly affirms the hope believers have in Christ. We can face tomorrow, with all its uncertainty, as we realize that God holds the future and makes life worth living.
                   ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This one is shorter, but just a powerful in its ability to heal a broken soul. And I see it is now available as a cell phone ring tone, isn't  that neat now?

Something Beautiful lyrics

Something beautiful, something good
All my confusion He understood
All I had to offer Him was brokeness and stife
But he made something beautiful of my life

If there ever were dreams
That were lofty and noble
They were my dreams at the start
And hope for life's best were the hopes
That I harbor down deep in my heart
But my dreams turned to ashes
And my castles all crumbled, my fortune turned to loss
So I wrapped it all in the rags of life
And laid it at the cross.
                ~*~*~*~*~*~
 So that is why this particular atavar and the way I got it is so very special to me. 

And its like I've come full circle, and I see quite clearly now that I've arrived back in my Meadow. A bit earlier than I had projected, but after all, look who Mastermined it !!! :)

Lets look at it again tomorrow.....