SINGING WITH SIGNS

This last quarter at Sabbath School we have had the joy of studying together the main characters of the Book of Genesis. This Book from God’s Word not only speaks of the “beginnings” but is foundational to the whole of Scriptures. We learned that God created all things in six days, creating Adam and Eve after His image. The last lesson was on God’s providential care and redeeming love in the life of Joseph. This led us to Christ our Savior. We have combined the younger people into two classes. Before we began our lessons we would have a time of singing from God’s Song Book, the Psalms. The pictures show Dorcas Jarrard leading the singing using sign language, and the teachers (Mrs. Dorothy Jarrard and Mrs. Kay LaMay) and the children carefully following and singing. They are great singers. When you sing God’s Word you are lifted up by the Spirit of God. Our theme Song was from Psalm 119 verses 97-104, glorifying our Lord and Savior in these words: “O how I love Thy law; it is my study all the day. It makes me wiser than my foes; its precepts with me stay. More than my teachers or the old thy servant understands; thy testimonies I consult and follow Thy commands. I stayed my feet from evil ways that I thy word observe; I have been taught by Thee and from Thy judgments will not swerve. How sweet in taste Thy promises, than honey far more sweet! Thy precepts understanding give; I therefore hate deceit.”
Sing with a joyful song in your heart redeemed to the praise of our Creator and Savior.
Grandpa

THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION FOR 2007

A THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION THAT SPEAKS TO THE NATION TODAY AS WELL AS IT DID IN 1782.
State of New Hampshire. In Committee of Safety, Exeter, November 1, 1782; Ordered, that the following proclamation for a general thanksgiving on the twenty-eighth day of November instant, received from the honorable Continental Congress, be forthwith printed—State of New Hampshire.
By the United States in Congress assembled.
[Wouldn’t it be a blessing to both our homes and nation that we had elected statesmen not ashamed of the Almighty Lord and King? Let us give thanks this Thanksgiving for the many blessings of the Lord who is King of nations and the only Redeemer of men. Do you know the historical context of this proclamation?]
PROCLAMATION.
It being the indispensable duty of all nations, not only to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of all good, for his gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give the praise to his goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of his providence in their behalf. Therefore the United States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many instances of divine goodness to these States, in the course of the important conflict in which they have been so long engaged, the present happy and promising state of public affairs, and the events of the war, in the course of the year now drawing to a close, particularly the harmony of the public Councils, which is so necessary to the success of the public cause, the perfect and union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them and their Allies, not withstanding the artful and unwearied attempts of of the common enemy to divide them, the success of the arms of the United States, and those of their Allies, and the acknowledgement of their independence by another European power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to these states -- Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe, and request the several states to interpose their authority in appointing and commending the observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.
[Done in Congress , at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and independence, the seventh. John Hanson, President. Charles Thompson, Secretary.]
Robert L. La May,
Contributing Editor, the Christian Observer

Sing Unto the Lord

It was a joy to preach the Word of God a few Sabbaths ago in Washington, Iowa and then to have an afternoon service at the McCreedy home in the city. A number of members and a group of children came along and sang for and with the people. Led by my daughter Dorcas the children sang with the use of sign language. It is always a joy to sing from God’s Song Book, the Psalms. We sang from Psalm 19 which reminds us of the wonder of God’s Creation: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.”
Pictures and more about the singing of God’s Word after Thanksgiving.
Grandpa LaMay

Wittenberg's Door

This last week I received an e-mail from a brother of the Reformation faith concerning the nailing of the 95 Theses on that Wittenberg 490 years ago. I had been thinking this weekend that I have not heard a trickle of thought of the Reformation. For over 45 years in the ministry I have not forgotten to share some aspect of the Reformation around October 31st. If we forget our heritage we forget what God has done in ages past and watering down our faith today. This week’s Blog is my remembering how the Lord raised up men like John Hus, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, William Tyndale, and others. Maybe we begin to launch a Reformation by building up the faith that follows the King of kings, and prepare a celebration for the 500th anniversary of that Wittenberg Door in the year 2017.

– Grandpa LaMay

Now read that e-mail:
"When my employer announced an October 31 Halloween lunch a few weeks ago, I first considered my usual response to these celebrations which parallels the late Daniel Patrick Moynahan's sage advice on another matter to [trick or?] "treat it with benign neglect."
I came up with another tactic though, remembering I had on October 31, 2003 posted a copy of the 95 Theses on my office door and have updated the "10-31-1517 to 10-31-20xx" date each year since then. Donning my dusty graduation gown sans hood, a leather tool belt, and a hammer, I came to the party as shown in the picture below. When asked what my costume was about, I only gave the hints:
1) It wasn't to celebrate Halloween.
2) It was for October 31.
3) It happened 490 years ago on October 31.
No one guessed without the hints, and two guessed right with the hints. I was able in a low-key way to divert attention from the usual insipid dark spiritual aspect of these things to remind my coworkers that it was Reformation Day and that Martin Luther had begun the Protestant Reformation 490 years ago on October 31, and remind them that I had a copy of the 95 theses on my office door hoping they might stop by to read them some time.
Soli Deo Gloria! " - Bob Williams