Singing His Praise!

JUST AN UPDATE:

The second week there was one lady and the third week, two ladies…. God is working. ( a few others stopped by and listened in and left).

This week the same two ladies attended and shared requests for prayer.

I am encouraged and praise the Lord for the blessings in the class.

Jer.33:3 “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Verse I memorized this week.

I Cor. 7:23,24 “Ye are bought with a price, be not ye the servants of men.  Brethern, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.”

"GOD USES THE PREPARED PERSON...

Well, I prayed for ladies to come, I sent out fliers with the monthly news bulletin for the community, one of the ladies took one to the person who puts announcements on the local radio station,  I ordered lesson books, prepared the lesson, and a few ladies signed up and a few others said they would come.

I prayed a lot about it and enlisted others to pray for the Lord’s blessing.

I went over to the community room, set up the stereo with nice music playing, took several extra Bibles so that if anyone needed a Bible. and had little pieces of paper set for deciding on a name for our class.

I called those who signed up to remind them this morning and the first call was a young woman who was very excited about coming but her sister answered the call and she shared that the young woman had an emergency in her family, the second lady had an appointment to have a test, one that planned on coming had an unexpected person come in at the last minute, and on it goes.

Yes, I was there by myself.  NOT!  The LORD and I were there.  I turned on the music and listened to Carrie Thompson’s  “Strings of Praise” accompanied by Jeff Acker and our son, Nathan Pierpont.

I decided if none came that I would stay there the whole time and read the Word and pray for the Lord’s anointing for when the Lord does choose to send someone in.

The key Scripture for the study  I am using (”Becoming A Woman of Prayer” by Cynthia Heald,) is “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3.

The book is one that was my mother’s and she had it about 2/3 filled out. It seems she may have been studying through it when the Lord took her home “to show her unsearchable things.”

Though, humanly speaking I  am very disappointed that no one came to the first Bible study, I am also overjoyed that I can still call upon my Lord and wait and see what HE has in store for me.

I am waiting on the edge of my seat, so to speak, to see what HE is going to do here in our little community.

Perhaps you will join me in prayer for God’s blessing as I  desire to share the love of God with others.

“Wait on the Lord” Ron Hamilton 1950 Copyright 1988, Majesty Music,  Inc.

Ask and it shall be given unto you;

Seek and ye shall find.

Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Opened in God’s time.

Ye have not because ye ask not;

So ask and seek and find.

For the Lord gives good thing in His time

Wait on the Lord, wait on the Lord,

I say wait on the Lord Thy God

Wait on the Lord, Wait on the Lord

Wait, Wait, Wait upon the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” KJV

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. NIV

This is a verse that I have kept over my sewing machine or work place for many years to remind myself of the importance of doing my very best in whatever I do. Whether it be a job or making a gift for a friend or family, in my work place, as a wife and mother, a pastor’s wife or teacher.

A dear niece noticed my typed note to myself several years ago and sweetly cross-stitched a beautiful plague for me in lavender with a pretty blue flower and lavender ruffle.

Whenever I went to a new job or moved I would take that little plague and put it up over my work area.

When I make a mistake in my crocheting that perhaps only I would even know isn’t right, I feel compelled to pull out my work and make it right.

I crocheted a beautiful apricot tablecloth with a pineapple design and several years after I made it I was sitting at the table and I noticed a place where I had skipped a cluster stitch. No, I did not take it apart and fix it, it is still a beautiful table cloth and it is still very useful, but it has been twelve years or more since I made it and it still pops out at me.

I think of the time when I was making a bride’s maid’s dress and the iron spit water on the peau de soie (a lovely matte satin fabric which Is very unforgiving). Needless to say I had to go shopping to replace the section that was damaged.

One day while decorating for a Christmas program I was carrying some boxes and I entered the building in the dark (the light switches were at the other end of the sanctuary) and someone had moved the platform furniture into the area where I usually walked freely and holding the boxes high, I suddenly crashed into the pulpit. Now though the hand is healed, I have a scar to remind me of that occasion.

I often think back over my life as a Christian and think of things which I wish I had done differently, or that I had been a better servant of Christ, a better wife, parent, or friend.

This reminds me of the “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” and the blessed fact, that as born again Christians who have put their trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, we are assured of His forgiveness.

I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Read this precious portion for the Word of God…..

Well, moving can be stressful.

First you begin right away changing your address so that things will go smoothly, call all utilities and have them stopped and started on the best days for all concerned, tell all your friends to get out their erasers, and then get on the computer and try to edit your personal data (which is no small task).

Then you dutifully go to the secretary of state to get a new drivers license….

Not so fast, wait, “do you have the list?” They ask.

Yes, that is right there is a list of things that you need to get a new drivers license.

To get a new mi. Drivers license I had to send for a certified copy of my birth certificate with a raised seal because mine was a photo copy (which I have used for I don’t know how many years, with no questions asked).

So I sent a photo copy of my copy of my birth certificate to Cassopolis County Clerk with a check for $13 and less than a week later I received my real birth certificate and they say and I quote, “please note” that the date on my birth certificate on file is august 28…..

I think someone must have been asleep when they recorded it because I have celebrated my birthday for sixty-nine years on august the 26th according to the copy my parents gave me.

I wonder who made the mistake.. My parents, the Dr., The clerk…. Oh dear…. This is pretty serious.
Now when should I celebrate my birthday….???

When I go to pick up a prescription am I going to have to give the 28th for my birthday….Will my drivers license expire on the 28th. Do I celebrate both days…. Ha ha!

I have always celebrated my spiritual birthday on the 28th as I remember being saved two days after my birthday. Which now makes my birthday and salvation on the same date.

What a trauma for an old lady. Then again why should I complain if I am two days younger.

“Praise the Lord, He Never Changes”

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

• TO KNOW THE JOY OF HAVING ALL OF YOUR CHILDREN TRUST CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOUR AT AN EARLY AGE.

MELONY JANE (PIERPONT) EVANS SALVATION 8-29-60 WHILE HEARING ME WITNESS TO A NEIGHBOR BAPTIZED WAYLAND FIRST BAPTIST, WAYLAND, MI 1-26-1964

KENNETH LEE PIERPONT SALVATION 5-31-1963, DURING FAMILY DEVOTIONS WITH DAD WHILE MOM WAS AT WORK BAPTIZED 12-25-66, HI WAY BY-WAY BAPTIST CHURCH, NEAR MIDLAND, MI.

KEVIN ALAN PIERPONT SALVATION DURING DEVOTIONS WITH MOM, 4-25-1970 BAPTISZED 3-17-1974 BY BLESSED HOPE BAPTIST, DAYTON , OH

NATHAN SHIPLEY PIERPONT SALVATION 7-28-1972 DURING DEVOTIONS WITH MOM BAPTIZED BY HIS BROTHER WHILE PASTORING PLEASANT RIDGE CHURCH OHIO 6-5-1977

• TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE FAITHFULLY SERVING THE LORD IN THEIR VARIOUS MINISTRIES AND DESIROUS OF RAISING THEIR CHILDREN TO HONOR THE LORD WITH THERE LIVES.MELONY AND HUSBAND JIM (PASTOR)- GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH, OTT0WA, IL
  KENNETH (SR. PASTOR) AND WIFE LOIS(HATTON) PIERPONT- EVANGEL
  BAPTIST, TAYLOR, MIKEVIN (PASTOR) AND WIFE CAROLYN (WORTH) PIERPONT - HIGGINS LAKE
  BAPTIST, ROSCOMMON, MI

  NATHAN (MINISTER OF MUSIC) AND WIFE JENNIFER (GIEHL) PIERPONT,
  NORTHEASTERN BAPTIST, KALAMAZOO, MI

  TO BE SO BLESSED WITH THIRTY-ONE GRANDCHILDREN PLUS ONE ON THE WAY IN DEC. AND NINE GREAT GRANDCHILDREN. WHO CALL US ON THE PHONE TO LET US KNOW THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOUR. TWO OF THEM ARE YOUTH PASTORS AND TWO IN TRAINING FOR MISSIONS WORK, ONE SERVING FAITHFULLY WITH HER HUSBAND IN THEIR LOCAL CHURCH AND THREE BEGINNING A MINISTRY OF SINGING GOD’S PRAISE, AND MANY YOUNG ONES WHO LOVE YOU AND SERVE YOU IN THEIR YOUTH.

  TO ME THIS IS THE GREATEST MOTHER’S DAY GIFT ANY OTHER COULD EVER ASK FOR. IT IS MY GREATEST DESIRE THAT ALL OF MY DESCENDANTS COME TO KNOW CHRIST PERSONALLY, HAVE A GREAT DESIRE TO HONOR THE LORD WITH THEIR LIVES AND LIVE FAITHFULLY FOR HIM (NOT NECESSARILY AS PASTOR OR MISSIONARY) BUT WHERE EVER AND WHATEVER THE LORD WANTS FOR THEM WHICH OF COURSE WOULD MEAN FAITHFULNESS TO HIM IN EVERY AREA OF THEIR LIVES.

  I PRAY THAT I WILL BE THE KIND OF EXAMPLE AND WHEN I FAIL THAT THEY WILL KNOW THAT MY GREATEST DESIRE IS TO HONOR MY SAVIOUR WHO HAS BEEN MY HELP AND STRENGTH.

“THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ALL YOU’VE DONE”

After seeing my grandson, Zachary wading in the sloppy puddles… I was reminded of the time that I wrote a song about the rain…

http://carolyn.wpatch.com/

When we were at Church in Logansville Ohio I was invited to the Fortnightly Club ( a group of musicians that met monthly).Ha! It was fun and they usually had a theme.

This time it was Spring…

Everyone sang or played an instrument. I was the only singer… so I wrote that little ditty and also the sacred song ” ‘Tis A Miracle of God”

It was April or May…

IT’S WET

It’s wet, it’s wet
the rain is falling on the ground
It’s wet, it’s wet
There’s lots of moisture all around
It’s wet, it’s wet
You’re going to get you tootsies wet….
Don’t get in a muddle
You’ll fall in a puddle
You’re going to get your tootsies wet.

‘TIS A MIRACLE OF GOD

1.  Who can make a flower blossom?
Who can make the birds to sing?
Cause the winds to sway the tree tops?
‘Tis a miracle of God.

2.  Who can keep the sunshine glowing,
Even while the rain shall fall,
Bending them to make a rainbow?

‘Tis a miracle of God.

Chorus:

We must pause, fall on our knees
To Him credit all of these,
And give praise to the Creator.
‘Tis the Miracle of God.

Who can make the lightning thunder,
Yet, can calm the angry seas,
Put the stars up in the heavens,
‘Tis the Miracle of God.

3.  Jesus gave His life on Calvary,
Then He rose up from the grave.
He can give you life eternal.
Tis the Miracle of God.

Word’s and music by
Jane A Pierpont

Last evening it was our turn to minister to the dear folk at the HCMC.

I usually set my alarm on my palm so that I am prepared after work, but I forgot to put in the New Year’s schedule, so when I got into the car after work and Ken said we were ministering at the HCMC (I have to admit) I thought, “OH NO, I am just too tired”.

Isaiah 40:29-31
29. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

30. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

31. But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

We had our supper and then I practiced a song and changed my clothes.
I even had a little time to rest in my “bird cage” (swinging wicker chair).

When we arrived there was no one down stairs in the dinning hall where we usually meet and after a little detective work we arrived on the second floor where there were over twenty-five dear folk all lined up in their wheel-chairs waiting for the service to start.

After I got my Karaoke set up, I began to play the piano while Ken passed out hymnals.

There is one sweet lady there who always sits in the front and does the ‘princess’ wave to me while I play the piano.

We sang a few familiar hymns and even as I played and sang along, I truly enjoyed hearing some of the people singing along, especially on the choruses of the hymns.

I sang “Be Not Afraid” (One of my favorite songs) based on:

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

While Ken preached, I enjoyed watching the faces of the little congregation. Since they have just finished eating, probably have taken their meds and it is always toasty warm in the room, some have difficulty staying awake, Yet, off and on they will rally and smile and even laugh when Ken says something funny.

After the service we make the rounds and shake everyones hand. The ‘waving’ lady always comments on what I am wearing and tells me how pretty I am.

Another, tiny little lady took my hand firmly and thanked me over and over again and told me she loved my song.

My heart was broken when I patted the hand of a

young

women who seemed unable to communicate, but when I talked to her and patted her hand she gave me the most raidiant smile. That made my day.

Psalm 63

1 O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.

3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.

4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

I am so glad that I didn’t let the devil discourage me, because I felt better when we got home that I had when I came home from work.

“THERE IS JOY IN SERVING JESUS”

December 7th

What a blessed time at the Christmas by Candlelight at the Northeastern Baptist Church in Kalamazoo where our son Nathan is music pastor.

The ladies in the church signed up to be hostess to a table which she decorated, invited quests, made and served the dessert.

There were about eighteen tables, all beautifully decorated.

The snowman centerpiece light was so pretty.

This is the dinnerware that Jennifer used and she used star cookies with our names for name cards.

The evening was a special blessing to me because Nathan gave a beautiful Christmas concert.

One of my favorite numbers he presented was “In The First Light”.

What a blessed day of fellowship and praise with God’s dear people this past week.

Sunday, Ken and I had the privilege of ministering at the First Baptist Church of Weston, MI.

http://www.firstbaptist.8m.com/index.html

When we arrived we were warmly greeted. The church is an old church with beautiful wood work throughout. Everything was so warm and homey and well cared for. We were also so blessed by the services.

The Sunday school opening was well prepared by the song leader and a young person played the quitar to accompany the opening. The Sunday school teacher was well prepared and we were blessed by the lesson.

The church is blessed with about 4 pianists, 2 organists, trumpet and flute players, 4-5 people played the guitar, each having a part throughout the days services.

The daughter of one of the families was visiting, with her preacher husband (from Canada). She sang along with three others in beautiful harmony, accompanied by guitars and the electronic piano. Oh, what a precious time as we all worshiped the Lord with her as she lifted her voice to the Lord in praise and adoration.

Even the family that entertained us in their home for dinner had not only prepared a feast for us but invited several other families. The hostess had called us to find out if we had any special dietary needs and went to great effort to make sure that I had plenty to eat.

It is always such a joy to me when people obviously spend time preparing for the Lord’s work as if it were the most important thing they had to do. Whether it be the S.S. teacher, pastor, musicians or cooks. God will use us all if we are prepared and willing.

Some little statements that I have often used when training musicians and teachers in our past ministries:

“If it is worth doing- It is worth doing well”
“God uses a prepared person”

He truly did that Sunday at the little church in Weston, MI.

I encourage those of you whom God has blessed with talents to practice and prepare as if you were scheduled to sing or preach or give a testimony at any moment before the KING and HE will give you opportunities to mininister for HIM.

We were also so blessed at our Thanksgiving Family Praise time, when some of our young grandchildren gave testimony of how they feel the call of God in their lives.

PRAISE THE LORD!

I have always looked forward to Sundays and Wednesdays and any other days when things are going on the the Lord’s house. Even in the little West Foster Care Home on a side street in Hillsdale, MI. while the BIBLE is being shared with six men and the helpers scurrying around working to meet the needs of those dear men.

Our day started out with a S.S. Class, I prepared my lesson for my Sunday School class just in case someone came….(not today). I also prepared for the adult class so that I would be able to contribute if I didn’t have any students in my class.

This morning in the worship service Ken and I sang, “Come Christians Join and Sing” by Christian Henry Bateman, arranged by Rick Powell.

One line that I like especially in the song is “Life shall not end the strain, Allelujah, Amen.”

The song ended with exerpts from Wilbur Chapman’s, “Our Great Savior”.

“SAVING, HELPING, KEEPING, LOVING, He is with me to the end…. Allelujah”.

I just love to sing and worship God in His house where ever Christians gather.

There is no place that I would rather spend my vacation, or my birthday or anniversary than I His House. There is no place I rather be when I am discouraged, grieving or ill. As our dear retired missionary Bud Johnson with Baptist Church planters stated in their last prayer letter…. “even though sometimes I don’t feel so great, I still go to church, because while I am there I get cheered up.”

When we go on vacation, we like to find a church to with which to worship.

Today at our West Home service, one dear man didn’t want to face the front, so the helper let him sit there with his back to us. When we started singing he kept his eyes closed nearly the whole time but I heard him singing and I watched his lips move as he mouthed the words to “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” and later we sang “Amazing Grace” and all the men sweetly sang with haulting voices. They also really listen as the gospel as it was given. This is so precious and exciting to me to be able to encourage those dear people.

If you have an opportunity to help your church minister in a nursing home, I encourage you to go to your pastor and offer to sing or just go and join in the singing and help turn the pages for the residence or hold the book for one who can’t.

My very first solo was in a nursing home when my pastor Allen Robbins took us to serve at a nursing home. Also the first time that I played the piano publicly was at a nursing home service. I would not trade those experiences for anything.

I heard someone say once, I’d rather wear out serving the Lord than rust out serving myself or the world.

“Come Christians Join and Sing”