A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Daily
Encouragement on
Tuesday, April 2,
2019
The Strasburg
Railroad Steam Engine 89 built in 1910 passing by the
dining car of the Casey Jones restaurant where we dined
for lunch yesterday. (Photo by Ester)
"Tune
My Heart To Sing Thy Grace"
Message
summary: Our
hearts need regular
tuning as we are
confronted with
conflicting tones in
various settings all
throughout life. We need
to constantly tune in to
hear the voice of God,
foundationally through
His authoritative,
inspired, and inerrant
Word, the Holy
Scriptures.
Listen to our message on your audio player.
Listen to our message on your audio player.
"Teach
me Your way, Lord,
that I may rely on
Your faithfulness;
give me an
undivided heart,
that I may fear
Your Name" (Psalm
86:11).
Come
thou fount of
every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Yesterday
morning we had our
piano tuned by
Leavitt Keener, who
has tuned our piano
since we moved to
Lancaster County in
2001. Brooksyne has
been a bit negligent
in getting her piano
tuned and learned
that Leavitt was
ill, so put it off
even longer. When he
walked in today, his
face glowed, as he
said, "I received a
miracle!" He has a
testimony of being a
three year survivor
of pancreatic
cancer. He undergoes
chemo every three
weeks and will need
cancer drugs the
rest of his life,
but he is rejoicing
that God spared his
life, there is no
presence of cancer
in his body, and he
is back to work,
only taking time off
to recover after
his chemo
treatments.
Listening
to Leavitt at work from our
office downstairs,
one could mistakenly
think that a child
was striking the
keys, one note after
another. I was
tempted to holler up
from our office, "Stop
banging on our
piano!"
In tuning our piano Leavitt initially uses a standardized
tuning
fork set to a very
specific tone. This forms the
basis for tuning
each note on the
piano. If he begins
with the wrong tone
it will adversely
affect his entire
tuning job. (Note to
self: that would be
a good
illustration.)
In tuning our piano Leavitt initially uses a standardized
tuning
fork set to a very
specific tone. This forms the
basis for tuning
each note on the
piano. If he begins
with the wrong tone
it will adversely
affect his entire
tuning job. (Note to
self: that would be
a good
illustration.)The tuning
begins near the
middle of the
keyboard. It’s the
starting point and
standard for the
piano tuner’s work.
He gets the pitch
from a metal tuning
fork that vibrates
at a frequency of
440Hz. Its pitch is
constant; it is
never out of tune.
Of course everything
gets higher tech and
Leavitt also uses
some type of
electronic meter as
well.
You surely have heard the hymn and may just want to break out into song at reading these words, "Come thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace." What an unusual descriptive phrase the songwriter uses to petition God for dealing with one's heart. We often pray for a softened heart, an undivided heart, a steadfast heart, a renewed heart, a loving heart, etc.
But today let us consider the notion of having our hearts tuned. We speak of not only tuning a piano but also an engine tune-up in a vehicle. We get a tune-up with the purpose of restoring the engine to optimum performance.
You surely have heard the hymn and may just want to break out into song at reading these words, "Come thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace." What an unusual descriptive phrase the songwriter uses to petition God for dealing with one's heart. We often pray for a softened heart, an undivided heart, a steadfast heart, a renewed heart, a loving heart, etc.
But today let us consider the notion of having our hearts tuned. We speak of not only tuning a piano but also an engine tune-up in a vehicle. We get a tune-up with the purpose of restoring the engine to optimum performance.
One of my
favorite historical
characters is George
Washington Carver, a
fellow Missourian.
He was able to see
the hand of God in
nature. Carver said,
"I love to think of
nature as an
unlimited
broadcasting station
through which God
speaks to us every
hour if we will only
tune in."One of the great spiritual responsibilities we have is exercising discernment and teaching those whom we influence to do so as well. There is a cacophony of voices that call out to us to go the wrong way. We are exposed to these voices at all ages, but our youth are particularly vulnerable. We need to constantly tune in to hear the voice of God, foundationally through His authoritative, inspired, and inerrant Word, the Holy Scriptures.
Our hearts need regular tuning as we are confronted with conflicting tones in various settings all throughout life. The dissident tones of this world are ever tugging at our mind and can get us off pitch from our spiritual relationship with God, usually at a gradual rate, so that we might even be unaware.
Tuning up
our hearts to the
standard of God's
perfect pitch is an
essential exercise
for all believers.
The best tuning
"fork" in the Bible
is found in Hebrews
4:12, "The
Word of God is
living and active,
sharper than any
double edged
sword. It
penetrates, even
to dividing soul
and spirit, joints
and marrow. It
judges the
thoughts and
attitudes of the
heart."
Today's daily text is one of those treasures from the Psalmist: "Teach me Your way, Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your Name." We are especially gripped by the phrase, "Give me an undivided heart". What a powerful description of a heart that is in tune with God's heart!
Like the piano, when we tune into God's voice and hear His message, there are other messages bombarding our minds and trying to take over or distort His clear, unambiguous message. I want to fine tune my heart to receive what God has for me not giving ear to that which distorts, revises, or adds to the truth of God's Word.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, I
want my heart to be
tuned to Your Truth
and righteousness,
for You are the Way,
the Truth and the
Life. I place my
complete trust in
You and reject the
godless trends and
vain philosophies
promoted by the
world. May
Your words be
embedded in my heart
and mind through the
faithful study of
Scripture so that I
might not sin
against You and I
will easily
recognize truth from
error. Since I'm
often prone to
wander, I ask You,
Father God, to mount
my soul on Thy
redeeming love and
tune my heart to all
that is good,
righteous, and holy
so that my attitudes
and actions are
harmonious with the
Scriptures, in the
precious name of
Jesus I pray. Amen.
Two years ago we visited Marilyn, the friend who had the piano in the first photo, in San Diego. She had moved the black Steinway into her beautiful home in San Diego and it now sits beside her other Steinway. While we were there another friend, Elnora Dresselhaus, stopped to visit. Since she's also a pianist it was a perfect time for the two of them to play a duet. Their song of choice was: "How Great Thou Art" but it took only a few notes of their playing to realize the pianos are not set to the same tuning. It wasn't quite the pleasant sound we had all hoped for. Brooksyne backed off since we wanted to hear the beautiful hymn as it should sound. Elnora is a very gifted pianist and has played on this piano over the years.
When Jesus played the piano! Here in Lancaster County we are blessed to have Sight & Sound, sometimes touted as the "Christian Broadway", which has been dramatizing adventuresome Bible Epics for nearly 40 years, complete with story, song, and spectacular staging and effects. There's also a Sight and Sound Theater in Branson, Missouri where we honeymooned in 1976.
We have enjoyed these outstanding presentations through the years, most recently one simply titled "Jesus". Each one ends with a clear presentation of the Gospel. Of course, the actors are actually local "real" people known throughout the community and in area churches they attend.
A number of years ago Juanita, my mother's longtime friend, shared the following story with us during a visit in her home located in the Branson, MO area. She and her late husband, Warren, had many contacts in the Branson area and were able to get us some free or discounted tickets to several shows and attractions. In fact in three days we attended five!
The attraction that stood out most was the presentation of a drama called "The Promise" which powerfully presented the message of the Gospel. Randy Brooks, the actor who portrayed Jesus, did an outstanding job and is himself a devout believer. In a remarkable way he really fit the stereotypical art image we have of Christ.
Juanita told me they had taken their grandchildren to see the play one Saturday evening and the next day Randy attended their church and was playing the piano. Their grandson in wide-eyed amazement pointed out, "Look, Grandma! Jesus is playing the piano!"
Brooksyne's
Tuning Memory:
Our message today
takes me back to my
childhood when my
dad proudly brought
home a second hand
(probably third or
fourth hand) radio
console from the
1930's era. It was
solid wood with a
veneer finish and
had the typical dial
tuner. As a family
we were pretty
excited about the
"antique" radio and
right away we tried
to find our favorite
radio stations. The
problem was we
couldn't hear our
station clearly
without nearby
stations trying to
butt in. We would
try to fine tune it
but then we'd then
run into static as
we got further and
further from the
actual station we
were trying to hear.
But if we were
patient and fine
tuned it delicately
and with much
deliberation we'd
finally get the
station we wanted.
Of course, anyone
who then messed with
the dial was in big
trouble. Like the
radio, when we tune
into God's voice and
hear His message,
there are other
messages bombarding
our minds and trying
to take over or
distort His clear,
unambiguous message.
I pray that I will
regularly fine tune
my heart to receive
what God has for me
which means I will
not give ear to that
which distorts,
revises, or adds to
the truth of God's
Word.
Today's daily text is one of those treasures from the Psalmist: "Teach me Your way, Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your Name." We are especially gripped by the phrase, "Give me an undivided heart". What a powerful description of a heart that is in tune with God's heart!
Like the piano, when we tune into God's voice and hear His message, there are other messages bombarding our minds and trying to take over or distort His clear, unambiguous message. I want to fine tune my heart to receive what God has for me not giving ear to that which distorts, revises, or adds to the truth of God's Word.
Teach
me some melodious
sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
I'll praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it
Mount of Thy redeeming love
Sung by flaming tongues above
I'll praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it
Mount of Thy redeeming love
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, I
want my heart to be
tuned to Your Truth
and righteousness,
for You are the Way,
the Truth and the
Life. I place my
complete trust in
You and reject the
godless trends and
vain philosophies
promoted by the
world. May
Your words be
embedded in my heart
and mind through the
faithful study of
Scripture so that I
might not sin
against You and I
will easily
recognize truth from
error. Since I'm
often prone to
wander, I ask You,
Father God, to mount
my soul on Thy
redeeming love and
tune my heart to all
that is good,
righteous, and holy
so that my attitudes
and actions are
harmonious with the
Scriptures, in the
precious name of
Jesus I pray. Amen.The
piano tuning
lesson today
prompted a few
other "piano"
memories
Many
years ago
Brooksyne played
this Steinway
baby grand piano
at a friend's
home in
Maryland. I
snapped this
photo from the
balcony.
Two years ago we visited Marilyn, the friend who had the piano in the first photo, in San Diego. She had moved the black Steinway into her beautiful home in San Diego and it now sits beside her other Steinway. While we were there another friend, Elnora Dresselhaus, stopped to visit. Since she's also a pianist it was a perfect time for the two of them to play a duet. Their song of choice was: "How Great Thou Art" but it took only a few notes of their playing to realize the pianos are not set to the same tuning. It wasn't quite the pleasant sound we had all hoped for. Brooksyne backed off since we wanted to hear the beautiful hymn as it should sound. Elnora is a very gifted pianist and has played on this piano over the years.
When Jesus played the piano! Here in Lancaster County we are blessed to have Sight & Sound, sometimes touted as the "Christian Broadway", which has been dramatizing adventuresome Bible Epics for nearly 40 years, complete with story, song, and spectacular staging and effects. There's also a Sight and Sound Theater in Branson, Missouri where we honeymooned in 1976.
We have enjoyed these outstanding presentations through the years, most recently one simply titled "Jesus". Each one ends with a clear presentation of the Gospel. Of course, the actors are actually local "real" people known throughout the community and in area churches they attend.
A number of years ago Juanita, my mother's longtime friend, shared the following story with us during a visit in her home located in the Branson, MO area. She and her late husband, Warren, had many contacts in the Branson area and were able to get us some free or discounted tickets to several shows and attractions. In fact in three days we attended five!
The attraction that stood out most was the presentation of a drama called "The Promise" which powerfully presented the message of the Gospel. Randy Brooks, the actor who portrayed Jesus, did an outstanding job and is himself a devout believer. In a remarkable way he really fit the stereotypical art image we have of Christ.
Juanita told me they had taken their grandchildren to see the play one Saturday evening and the next day Randy attended their church and was playing the piano. Their grandson in wide-eyed amazement pointed out, "Look, Grandma! Jesus is playing the piano!"
Brooksyne's
Tuning Memory:
Our message today
takes me back to my
childhood when my
dad proudly brought
home a second hand
(probably third or
fourth hand) radio
console from the
1930's era. It was
solid wood with a
veneer finish and
had the typical dial
tuner. As a family
we were pretty
excited about the
"antique" radio and
right away we tried
to find our favorite
radio stations. The
problem was we
couldn't hear our
station clearly
without nearby
stations trying to
butt in. We would
try to fine tune it
but then we'd then
run into static as
we got further and
further from the
actual station we
were trying to hear.
But if we were
patient and fine
tuned it delicately
and with much
deliberation we'd
finally get the
station we wanted.
Of course, anyone
who then messed with
the dial was in big
trouble. Like the
radio, when we tune
into God's voice and
hear His message,
there are other
messages bombarding
our minds and trying
to take over or
distort His clear,
unambiguous message.
I pray that I will
regularly fine tune
my heart to receive
what God has for me
which means I will
not give ear to that
which distorts,
revises, or adds to
the truth of God's
Word. More
photos from our
weekend
On
Sunday we were
blessed to have
our long-time
friends, Tom and
Marsha Neizmik,
who had come to
Lancaster County
for the Sight
and Sound show,
join us in a
church service
and then share a
meal at the Casey
Jones
Restaurant
eating in an
authentic
railroad dining
car. The Casey
Jones restaurant
is at the place
where you can
stay in restored
cabooses at the
Red
Caboose Motel
although now the
cabooses are
painted their
original colors.
Tom and Marsha
came into the
church we
pastored in
northern
Pennsylvania
nearly 40 years
a young married
couple. They
were a great
blessing to our
ministry and
have served the
Lord in many
ways. Most
notably in our
view is that
together they
have overseen
and often lead a
weekly service
in a nursing
facility for
over 35 years
starting in
their early
twenties.
The
views from the
dining car are
interesting
whether it be
the train
passing or
pasture land or
later viewing
the tall corn
fields.
A
young Amish
couple on an
open spring
wagon likely
going to Youth
Meeting.
Tom
and Marsha
remain
fun-loving and
youthful even
after 40 years
of marriage.
Here they climb
a ladder on a
box car on the
Casey Jones
restaurant
porch.
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
"Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing" Video Buddy Green, Jeff Taylor This is the song that has the line, "Tune my heart to sing Thy grace."
"Yes And Amen"
Video
Calvary Church Worship Band
Once we had our piano
tuned and had an interesting
problem we shared about it in a
footnote in this message.
Finally
today:
Children "tuning" our piano many years ago. Now Sadie, the middle child, is 13 and the two boys, David and James, are not too far behind in age!
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