A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Tuesday,
July 27,
2021
Thomas and Tommy Carpenter
"Victory
In Jesus"
“For this God is our God forever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death” (Psalm 48:14). "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57).
As
we headed back home through Arkansas last Tuesday we had lunch
at the Cracker Barrel in Little Rock with Tommy Carpenter
along with his son, Thomas, whom he introduced to us. We met
Tommy about 15 years ago in a "chance" meeting when I was in
my chaplain supervisor's office in Springfield, MO. It would
be hard not to become friends with Tommy!
He
is a veteran minister of the Gospel and missionary (to
Belize). We have been blessed to have him as a guest in our
home and years ago he preached in the little country church
where I served several years as an interim pastor. When we had
lunch he refreshed us with his personal connection concerning
an old hymn many of us enjoy singing that we’ll share in
today’s message. He refers to this hymn background as "The
rest of the story":
At first her voice was very weak, but as she continued to sing the words became clearer and her voice grew stronger. She then sang the second verse:
Immediately after singing this verse and the chorus she died! The preacher, at a loss for words said, “I reckon she’s singing the third verse up yonder.” *
What a way to go! And what a memorable demonstration of God’s presence and guidance even unto death.
Psalm 48 begins with the worshipful declaration, “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised…” This Psalm is written by a group of singers known as the “Sons of Korah”. Most likely these were temple singers who lived during the period of the divided kingdom.
This Psalm extols God for His greatness, His deliverance, His unfailing love and other divine attributes. It includes a virtual Google Earth-like tour around the wall of the Holy City. “Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation” (12,13).
But the Psalm ends with our first daily text which empowers us as we transmit the life-changing message of God’s truths to our own generation. Let us examine it today, consider its relevance, and receive its assurance:
“For this God is our God forever and ever.” This is our great eternal God! This God is our “Maker, Defender, Redeemer and Friend.” Consider His great acts throughout history. Consider the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, of Moses, Joshua, Samuel and David; the God of Ruth, Esther, Mary, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel; the God of Peter, Stephen and Paul. Martin Luther, John Wesley, D.L. Moody, Jim Elliot, Billy Graham, and many others who stood the tests and finished or are finishing well. He is the God of so many not recorded in history books, little known on this side who have stood firm and faithful to God throughout the long history of the church. (That would be most of us reading this.)
In your own life consider those who have walked faithfully with God and impacted your own life. Some are now with Christ; others still labor here below. Let us together with one heart and one voice declare, “This God is our God forever and ever! He will be our guide even unto death.” And then let us declare, "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Back in the
early 1900’s singing schools were fairly common in the U.S.,
having had their origin in American History as early as the
1700’s. New systems of music notation, including shape
notes, were developed by singing school teachers as an aid
in learning to sing by sight without musical
instrumentation.
Tommy’s Uncle Carl was hosting Eugene M. Bartlett, a popular songwriter and leader of a singing school, in his home in rural Arkansas in 1939. One morning Bartlett showed Carl the music and lyrics for a brand new song he had just written.
It began, “I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory…” He then went on to share with his Uncle Carl the entire song that many of us know as “Victory In Jesus”. Of course the song has become one of the most beloved hymns of the church and is found in most hymnals regardless of denomination. I don't think we've ever been to any church that doesn't sing "Victory in Jesus"! The last time we sang it in the large church we now attend the people, young and old, sang out like old-time congregational singing.
Eugene Bartlett died in 1941, at just 55 years of age, only two years after he wrote his best-known song. But his wife, Joan Bartlett, lived many more years, in fact renewing the copyright in 1967.
When her time of death came the family and preacher gathered around her bedside. They looked on rather helplessly as she was in the final throes of death, her body ravaged and completely unresponsive.
Expecting to see her draw her final breath they were stunned by her sudden arousal as she broke into song:
Tommy’s Uncle Carl was hosting Eugene M. Bartlett, a popular songwriter and leader of a singing school, in his home in rural Arkansas in 1939. One morning Bartlett showed Carl the music and lyrics for a brand new song he had just written.
It began, “I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory…” He then went on to share with his Uncle Carl the entire song that many of us know as “Victory In Jesus”. Of course the song has become one of the most beloved hymns of the church and is found in most hymnals regardless of denomination. I don't think we've ever been to any church that doesn't sing "Victory in Jesus"! The last time we sang it in the large church we now attend the people, young and old, sang out like old-time congregational singing.
Eugene Bartlett died in 1941, at just 55 years of age, only two years after he wrote his best-known song. But his wife, Joan Bartlett, lived many more years, in fact renewing the copyright in 1967.
When her time of death came the family and preacher gathered around her bedside. They looked on rather helplessly as she was in the final throes of death, her body ravaged and completely unresponsive.
Expecting to see her draw her final breath they were stunned by her sudden arousal as she broke into song:
I
heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood’s atoning,
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory.
O victory in Jesus…
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood’s atoning,
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory.
O victory in Jesus…
At first her voice was very weak, but as she continued to sing the words became clearer and her voice grew stronger. She then sang the second verse:
I
heard about His healing, of His cleansing pow’r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, “Dear Jesus, Come and heal my broken spirit,”
And somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory.
O victory in Jesus…
How He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, “Dear Jesus, Come and heal my broken spirit,”
And somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory.
O victory in Jesus…
Immediately after singing this verse and the chorus she died! The preacher, at a loss for words said, “I reckon she’s singing the third verse up yonder.” *
What a way to go! And what a memorable demonstration of God’s presence and guidance even unto death.
Psalm 48 begins with the worshipful declaration, “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised…” This Psalm is written by a group of singers known as the “Sons of Korah”. Most likely these were temple singers who lived during the period of the divided kingdom.
This Psalm extols God for His greatness, His deliverance, His unfailing love and other divine attributes. It includes a virtual Google Earth-like tour around the wall of the Holy City. “Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation” (12,13).
But the Psalm ends with our first daily text which empowers us as we transmit the life-changing message of God’s truths to our own generation. Let us examine it today, consider its relevance, and receive its assurance:
“For this God is our God forever and ever.” This is our great eternal God! This God is our “Maker, Defender, Redeemer and Friend.” Consider His great acts throughout history. Consider the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, of Moses, Joshua, Samuel and David; the God of Ruth, Esther, Mary, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel; the God of Peter, Stephen and Paul. Martin Luther, John Wesley, D.L. Moody, Jim Elliot, Billy Graham, and many others who stood the tests and finished or are finishing well. He is the God of so many not recorded in history books, little known on this side who have stood firm and faithful to God throughout the long history of the church. (That would be most of us reading this.)
In your own life consider those who have walked faithfully with God and impacted your own life. Some are now with Christ; others still labor here below. Let us together with one heart and one voice declare, “This God is our God forever and ever! He will be our guide even unto death.” And then let us declare, "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, when
we consider the saints throughout history and the
marvelous saving power portrayed in their lives
we’re encouraged by their bold example and their
consistent enduring walk with You. We
recognize these “greats” of the past and those in
our own generation who are faithful and powerful
examples. They do not build their own kingdom or
seek credit for their accomplishments. Instead they
recognize that it is God alone who deserves our
truest praise, no matter our own personal sacrifice.
We gratefully declare to ourselves and to others,
“This God is our God! He will be forever and
ever! He will be our guide even unto death.”
Thank you that we indeed have victory in Jesus!
* Interestingly the third verse of “Victory in Jesus” talks about “I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory.......and some sweet day I’ll sing up there the song of victory.” How fitting that the third verse would not be sung by Joan Bartlett on her death bed down here below, but she would “sing up there the song of victory!”, the precise lyrics that were written she would personally experience!
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, when
we consider the saints throughout history and the
marvelous saving power portrayed in their lives
we’re encouraged by their bold example and their
consistent enduring walk with You. We
recognize these “greats” of the past and those in
our own generation who are faithful and powerful
examples. They do not build their own kingdom or
seek credit for their accomplishments. Instead they
recognize that it is God alone who deserves our
truest praise, no matter our own personal sacrifice.
We gratefully declare to ourselves and to others,
“This God is our God! He will be forever and
ever! He will be our guide even unto death.”
Thank you that we indeed have victory in Jesus!* Interestingly the third verse of “Victory in Jesus” talks about “I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory.......and some sweet day I’ll sing up there the song of victory.” How fitting that the third verse would not be sung by Joan Bartlett on her death bed down here below, but she would “sing up there the song of victory!”, the precise lyrics that were written she would personally experience!
Both
Tommy and his son Thomas were replete with
interesting stories.
Thomas
is a missionary with CompassionLink, leading a
ministry to the disabled. Early in the pandemic he
contracted covid while overseas at a mission
conference and was the very first covid patient at
Cox Medical Center in Springfield, MO. He had quite
an overcoming experience and his amazing story is
told here.
Another
“rest of the story”
Tommy
and his wife Nelma last visited our home in October
2011 when they were passing through after attending
a Mission Conference. Only a few days later Nelma
and her grandson, Buck (son of Thomas), entered into
heaven via a car accident. What a very difficult
time it was for Tommy and Buck’s parents, for the
whole Carpenter family and for all those they had
ministered to over the years in their pastoral and
missionary role. A couple years later God brought a
godly woman named Jane into Tommy’s life and they
entered into marriage.
Tommy
remains vibrant in his witness and while we were at
the Cracker Barrel he saw several people he knew
including the children's hospital chaplain who had
ministered to him and his family 10 years ago when
their son Buck died. This chaplain carried a heavy
burden due to his wife being very sick and we joined
Tommy and Thomas as they anointed him with oil and
prayed for his wife's healing right there in the
Cracker Barrel!
Brooksyne’s further research on singing schools from an online encyclopedia:
Singing schools were often taught by traveling singing masters who would stay in a location for a few weeks and teach a singing school. A singing school would be a large social event for a town; sometimes nearly everyone in the town would attend and people would come for miles. Many young men and women saw singing schools as important to their courtship traditions. Sometimes the entire life of a town would be put on hold as everyone came out to singing school. In this way, singing schools resembled tent revivals.
Laura Ingalls Wilder related attending a singing school as a young lady in These Happy Golden Years, one of the Little House books. Her husband, Almanzo Wilder, courted her there.
One common tradition was the “singing school picture” taken of the teacher and students on the last day of school. Many old black and white photographs exist as records of these events from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; genealogical researchers often find these records useful. The pictures were often taken in front of a blackboard with the name of the teacher and date of the school. Some of these pictures show small classes, while others record very large schools.
Singing schools underwent many changes as cities grew and the population moved away from an agrarian lifestyle. One of the most notable changes was the length of schools; athebrews619elpishope one time it was common for schools to last four weeks. This was shortened over time, and today most of the larger singing schools last for two weeks, though the Gospel Singers of America School of Gospel Music still lasts for three weeks.
Singing schools began to hold less interest for the general public as time went on and could rarely get attendance from an entire town. Instead, schools were attended by interested students from a much larger region. In the case of Sacred Harp singing schools, students usually attended because of their interest in the Sacred Harp singing tradition; in other schools, students attended because of an interest in vocal church music, especially for those churches that maintain an all a capella music tradition.
Brooksyne’s further research on singing schools from an online encyclopedia:
Singing schools were often taught by traveling singing masters who would stay in a location for a few weeks and teach a singing school. A singing school would be a large social event for a town; sometimes nearly everyone in the town would attend and people would come for miles. Many young men and women saw singing schools as important to their courtship traditions. Sometimes the entire life of a town would be put on hold as everyone came out to singing school. In this way, singing schools resembled tent revivals.
Laura Ingalls Wilder related attending a singing school as a young lady in These Happy Golden Years, one of the Little House books. Her husband, Almanzo Wilder, courted her there.
One common tradition was the “singing school picture” taken of the teacher and students on the last day of school. Many old black and white photographs exist as records of these events from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; genealogical researchers often find these records useful. The pictures were often taken in front of a blackboard with the name of the teacher and date of the school. Some of these pictures show small classes, while others record very large schools.
Singing schools underwent many changes as cities grew and the population moved away from an agrarian lifestyle. One of the most notable changes was the length of schools; athebrews619elpishope one time it was common for schools to last four weeks. This was shortened over time, and today most of the larger singing schools last for two weeks, though the Gospel Singers of America School of Gospel Music still lasts for three weeks.
Singing schools began to hold less interest for the general public as time went on and could rarely get attendance from an entire town. Instead, schools were attended by interested students from a much larger region. In the case of Sacred Harp singing schools, students usually attended because of their interest in the Sacred Harp singing tradition; in other schools, students attended because of an interest in vocal church music, especially for those churches that maintain an all a capella music tradition.
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Victory In Jesus" Video Jimmy Fortune (dedicated to our friend Tina Kester)
"Victory
in Jesus/Power of the Blood" Video Bluegrass
medley by Shane and Shane with Bethany Dillon
"Victory In Jesus" Video Jimmy Fortune (dedicated to our friend Tina Kester)
More
travel photos
In
Tahlequah OK we had a meal with my (Stephen's)
niece, Greta, and her husband Dean at Fish's
BBQ. Tahlequah is an Indian town and was
established as a capital of the 19th-century
Cherokee Nation in 1839, as part of the new
settlement in Indian Territory after the
Cherokee Native Americans were forced west
from the American Southeast on the Trail of
Tears.
You
know it's authentic BBQ when they walk right
by your table for the third time with slabs of
brisket from the fire pit outside. We found
the Fish's BBQ about twenty years ago when my
brother Pat and I attended a reunion and had
accidentally found it which is pretty amazing.
It's
in an unmarked former auto repair shop with
the garage door still in place with a gravel
parking lot that has huge ruts, due to heavy
rains, way down a long alley off a side
street. I guess when you are well-known by the
locals you get all the business you need!
We
stayed one night in Jackson TN near the Casey
Jones homestead. Do any rail enthusiasts
recognize this old steam engine? See here.
The
Ballad of Casey Jones Video
Near
Nashville we got off I-40 to eat at a folksy
establishment known as the "Loveless Cafe"
where the specialty is southern biscuits and
sausage gravy. We sure enjoyed our meal and
joined a lot of famous people who also have
eaten there based upon the 8 X 10 photos of
movie stars, country singers and politicians
who filled the walls.
The name "Loveless Cafe" is
interesting and we wondered how they came up
with such a name. Based upon the name
loveless was it going to be a dour place
void of love? (We didn't really think that!)
Actually it was named after the original
owners Lon and Annie Loveless, who in 1951
began serving chicken and gravy to travelers who passed by their house along US Highway 100
in Nashville, Tennessee. They served them
fresh hot food right out their front door!
Finally
today:
One
more story Tommy Carpenter told us: He
officiated at his Uncle Carl's funeral service
at the First Baptist Church in Fort Smith,
Arkansas. He told us as he sat on the platform
the words to "Victory In Jesus" came to mind
and he rejoiced as he realized his Uncle Carl
was experiencing that "mansion He has built
for him in glory" and he was "walking on the
streets of gold beyond the crystal sea", and
was singing up there "the song of victory"!
Send
a message to Stephen
& Brooksyne
To receive the
"Daily Encouragement" each Monday-Friday
through email see this
page to subscribe to our email list. You can also
subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or
through a Wordpress email subscription.
(See the email subscription on the right side
after opening this page)
Permissions:
Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and
distribute any material on Daily Encouragement
Net, in part or in whole, in any format,
provided that you do not alter the wording in
any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of
reproduction. It is our desire to spread this
material, not protect or restrict it. We do
request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription
information intact.
We want to thank all who financially
support our ministry. We
realize there are many fine ministries and
causes requesting support but if the Lord
would lead you we surely need and appreciate
the financial support from our readers and
listeners. Our
ministry labor is comprised of approximately
half our time to Daily Encouragement and the
other half to our chaplaincy ministry to
companies for which we receive compensation.
Each of these ministries essentially is the
same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for
each of us. Our goal for many years is that
each would provide half of our ministry
expenses and income.
If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information.
To donate directly online here. This will open to a page that designates the offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376
If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information.
To donate directly online here. This will open to a page that designates the offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376
Please Note: We
also provide this easy option due to the
convenience, for international supporters,
and for those who may not be concerned
regarding receiving an official tax
deductible receipt. Click here to
send an offering using PayPal. This
will open to a page that states "Brooksyne
Weber".Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
© Copyright 2021 Stephen C. & Brooksyne
Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA