If you’ve been following me on Facebook for very long, you know that hymns and songs are very near and dear to my heart. I’ve come to realize that those songs we sang as kids, songs about our faith and music in general, seem to crop up in difficult times. That’s my story. These songs offer us strength and encouragement and even smiles as we reminisce about times past.

Since November, my dear, dear friend Dr. Daniel McClain, Danny McClain, has also been suffering with glioblastoma (the very same kind of cancer that I have). This strange disease takes you through many trials of uncertainty, and brings along with it all the accompanying side effects. (Blood clots, TIAs, strokes, hemorrhaging, seizures, loss of speech, memory loss, control of muscles … the list goes on and on and then you add the drugs!) I’ve had four friends fall prey to this disease this year … now Danny is in a much more difficult place with this disease. Daily Terri, Danny’s wife, and Bonita talk, send scripture, share caregiver strategies, and encourage each other on this journey.

Terri reported yesterday that Danny, who had his speech affected from early on, sang out loud “How Great Thou Art” from the very beginning, with no prompting or anything, perfectly clear, giving all glory to God on high. The family felt that it was certainly, after all these months, a special gift from the Heavenly Father who knows exactly what we are going through every minute of the day. Danny and I have had many conversations about this place. Danny is at peace with the Lord Jesus Christ, and through that peace speech is not needed … it shows in his face and could be seen in his life all these years.

Obviously, it might be good for all of us to sing about how great God is today. We all have challenges that are in our lives, so join me today in singing How Great Thou Art. The lyrics are below, but most of us should know them.

Carrie Underwood sings it the best, and Danny loves Country Western. I dedicate this song to my dear, dear friend. Please pray that the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be more real than He has ever been to him and his family during these days ahead.

Check out this video of Carrie Underwood on YouTube:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“How Great Thou Art”

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

And when I think of God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!