ThoughtSeeds

Are you like me -- do you get distracted easily? It's something I struggle with, and with God's help, I've gotten better about not being pulled too far off the path by them, but it still happens. Join me today as we talk about what the Bible says about it, and how to obey the command in Proverbs 4 to not get sidetracked!

Though a teaching career she loved and enjoyed was cut short by a hot-tempered student's physical attack, Eliza Hewitt did not grow bitter. She poured out her love for Jesus into writing poems, hymns, and Sunday School material. This particular hymn, "Stepping in the Light," urges us to follow in the steps of the Savior, because His steps lead us in paths of light. Join me as we learn more about Eliza Hewitt and "Stepping in the Light."

https://lights4god.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/eliza-hewitt-2/
https://hymnstudiesblog.wordpress.com/2008/10/29/quotstepping-in-the-lightquot/

In the Old Testament, we find a "woman of valor" mentioned twice. The first is in the book of Ruth, where Boaz praises her. The second is in the acrostic poem at the end of Proverbs 31, where we learn about how to be a woman of valor -- an excellent wife, a virtuous woman. Join me as we study the ways this applies to us today.

https://avirtuouswoman.org/proverbs-31-woman-explained-for-modern-women/

Valor. What does this word mean, really? Where did it come from? Today, we learn about the origins of the word in Scripture, and it's multiple meanings. Join me as we learn more about Gideon, who God called a "mighty man of valor," even when he was scared and hiding from the enemy.

http://livingwordin3d.com/discovery/2018/03/01/the-mystery-in-chayil-the-hebrew-word-for-valor/

In 1824, the world first heard Beethoven's 9th (and final, grandest and best) Symphony. It was truly a triumph for him - - a realization of what he'd hoped and worked for. He had envisioned a supreme symphony that would combine instruments and voices, and the final movement -- the one entitled "Ode to Joy" -- finished to thunderous applause by everyone present. Beethoven -- completely deaf -- was turned around by some of the soloists so he could see the reaction of the people.

Some 80-plus years later, Henry van Dyke wrote the glorious lyrics of "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee," with the express intent that they be sung to Beethoven's "Hymn of Joy." In the nearly 100 years since then, they have been sung, with this lyric/tune combination considered to be one of the most joyous expressions of hymn lyrics in the English language. Join me as we look and study more about how this hymn came to be.

http://articles.ochristian.com/article6060.shtml
https://deannawitkowski.com/hymn-tune-history-hymn-to-joy-joyful-joyful-we-adore-thee/
https://www.hymnologyarchive.com/joyful-joyful-we-adore-thee

In Nehemiah 8, the people are assembled together inside the newly rebuilt city of walls of Jerusalem. As they hear the Law of God read aloud, they become grieved and are weeping. Nehemiah tells them not to grieve, not to worry or be upset -- but to make the joy of the Lord their strength. The word strength here means "refuge, protection, stronghold, safe harbor." Can you rejoice in the Lord with a glad heart and know He is your refuge and protection?

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." Are you in a season that is a night of weeping? Have you been there before, but come through on the other side of shouting for joy in the morning? Know this: God promised that morning follows night, and He promised that joy comes in the morning.

https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-30/

Hey everybody! I'll be away the podcast for the next weeks, and I'll be back with a new episode on May 11. In the meantime, check out any episodes you've missed, and have a wonderful time enjoying spring!

"His Banner Over Me is Love" is one of the many gospel choruses and hymns that Alfred B. Smith wrote and published. Join me as we learn more about how the impact Alfred Smith had lives around the world through his music ministry in the 20th century.

https://livinghymns.net/al-smith-biography/

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/greenvilleonline/obituary.aspx?n=alfred-b-smith&pid=140844976

In the Song of Solomon, the bride declares that her beloved has brought her into his banqueting house, and his banner over her is love. What does she mean, and what does that mean for us, the Church, as the Bride of Christ?

https://www.chaimbentorah.com/2015/08/word-study-but-his-banner-over-me-is-love-ודגלו-גלו-עלי-אהבה/

https://loveatthecentre.wordpress.com/tag/his-banner-over-me-is-love/