CRESTWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH

2 days ago

Thursday Audio Devotional
Steal Away
Arranged by Charles Callahan
Jane Johnson, organ
bit.ly/2LQ7Xd5

During the period of slavery in this country, slaves would “steal away” from their plantations to attend secret meetings, which were often convened by songs. Like most African-American spirituals, Steal Away carries two meanings, one being the literal meaning of the text and the second being a coded message that those in the know would understand but those on the outside would fail to comprehend. Some scholars interpret “Jesus” and “home” as references to a safe place where slavery was not permitted. The literal meaning of the text reminds us of the trumpet call in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, and Revelation 6:12-17. In the same way that this spiritual called slaves to their secret meetings, Steal Away can also call Christians to an encounter with God.

Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus!
Steal away, steal away home, I ain’t got long to stay here.

My Lord he calls me, he calls me by the thunder;
the trumpet sounds within my soul; I ain’t got long to stay here.

Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus!
Steal away, steal away home, I ain’t got long to stay here.

Green trees are bending, poor sinners stand a trembzzzzling;
the trumpet sounds within my soul; I ain’t got long to stay here.

Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus!
Steal away, steal away home, I ain’t got long to stay here.

My Lord, he calls me, he calls me by the lightning;
the trumpet sounds within my soul; I ain’t got long to stay here.

PRAYER
By your grace, O God, I will simply relax in your salvation,
Letting you do whatever you need to do to draw me to yourself.
Salvation is your work, not mine.
Thank you, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
--from Praying with the Psalms, A Year of Daily Prayers and Reflections on the Words of David by Eugene H. Peterson

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CRESTWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH

4 days ago

Tuesday Audio Devotional
Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above
Arranged by Gail Ann Wasson; Maureen Howell, piano
bit.ly/3qCiuaF

Sing praise to God who reigns above, the God of all creation,
the God of power, the God of love, the God of our salvation.
With healing balm my soul is filled and every faithless murmur stilled:
To God all praise and glory.

Our God is never far away, but through all grief distressing,
an ever present help and stay, our peace and joy and blessing.
As with a mother's tender hand, God gently leads the chosen band:
To God all praise and glory.

Thus all my gladsome way along, I sing aloud your praises,
that all may hear the grateful song my voice unwearied raises.
Be joyful in the Lord, my heart, both soul and body bear your part:
To God all praise and glory.

Let all who name Christ's holy name give God all praise and glory;
let all who own God’s power proclaim aloud the wondrous story!
Cast each false idol from its throne, for Christ is Lord, and Christ alone:
To God all praise and glory.

PRAYER: NEW DAY

This new day you give to me
From your great eternity
This new day now enfold
Me in your loving hold

You are the star of the morn
You are the day newly born
You are the light of our night
You are the Saviour by your might

God be in me this day
God ever with me stay
God be in the night
Keep us by thy light
God be in my heart
God abide, never depart.
-- from The Edge of Glory: Prayers in the Celtic Tradition by David Adam

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