Thanks Cheryl,
Thanks so much for stopping by to visit and I do appreciate all of your words of support. Friends such as yourself are truly a Blessing in my Life and with that continuing Friendship and the wonderful love of Jesus in my heart, hopefully I will be able to continue to share the Good News and Witness for our Lord for many years to come.
I'm glad that this Forum Thread speaks to your heart and I pray that it brings happiness during your time here at Adland. I'm afraid that I've neglected all of my Forum Threads during the past month, but as you know, I'm commited to stopping the slaughter of the Innocent Babies whenever possible, especially these days, with the Butcher loose in the White House.
As of November 6th, the latest 40 Days for Life Fall Campaign wrapped up and since God has blessed me with a little more of my health these days, I was able to particpate more freely this time. During this campaign, in addition to Winston Salem, NC, and Charlotte, NC, I was able to spend several days at the Abortion Clinics over in Raleigh, NC, and down in Fayetteville, NC. Although the numbers are not fully in yet, I understand that at least 508 Babies were saved throughout the country during the campaign. Thank You Jesus.
Cheryl, you speak about my being a witness for our Lord. I just wish that there were more that I could do, and I still ask His forgiveness daily for having wasted so many years of my life seeking money and personal praise, instead of working to Glorify the Lord and bringing more people back home to Him where they belong. I was reminded again of this just this past week, while I was watching the Billy Graham Homecoming Special on the Gaither Music Hour on the INSP Network.
George Beverly Shea was on the show and chatted with Bill Gaither about the origin of the wonderful Hymn, I’d Rather Have Jesus. This hymn was originally a Poem, written by Rhea F. Miller, and then later the tune for it was written by Shea. According to George, this poem, written in 1922, was left on a piano in the Shea home by his Mother, Bev Shea who wanted her son, a young man of 23, to find it and change the course of his life.
The words, I’d Rather Have Jesus, moved George so much and spoke to him about his own aims and ambitions in life, that he sat down at the piano and began singing them with a tune that seemed to fit the words. Shea’s mom heard him singing it and asked him to sing it at church the next day.
George’s life direction did change. He was offered a popular music career with NBC, however, a few years later chose to become associated with evangelist Billy Graham and has sang this, and countless other beautiful hymns, all around the world.
I’d Rather Have Jesus – The Lyrics
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands,
I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hand.
Than to be a king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway,
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame,
I’d rather be true to His holy name.
He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out of the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs,
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead.
While no one can match the booming Baritone voice of George Beverly Shea, here's one of my favorite versions of I'd Rather Have Jesus, sung by Sheri Easter and Ann Downing, once again from the Gaither Gospel Hour.
Once again, thanks Cheryl for stopping by and for all of your wonderful comments. Since we both know that we can accomplish nothing on our own without the Lord, I know that you'll join with me in thanking Him for giving us His Sweet Holy Spirit.
May The Lord Bless & Keep You My Friend,
Phil