Sunday morning before surgery.

Praise Singers this morningWe had a lovely service this morning. The congregation prayed for me, it was uplifting for them as well as for me. I do think they're all more upset than I am. At one point we sang "Holy Ground," another Christian classic. Then transitioned to "Bless Your Name"

In prisoners' chains
With bleeding stripes
Paul and Silas prayed that night
And in their pain began to sing
Their chains were loosed
And they were free

I bless Your Name
I bless Your Name
I give You honor, give You praise
You are the Life, the Truth, the Way
I bless Your Name
I bless Your Name

Some midnight hour
If you should find

You're in a prison in your mind
Reach out and praise
Defy those chains
And they will fall In Jesus' Name

Particularly the last verse, is all about the real battle, the real battleground--the mind. My mind is made up! God will see me through, one way or another. Which brings another old song to mind (one we did NOT sing this morning, by the way). I mentioned on June 18 that one of the advantages of being in Chistian ministry and Pentecostal worship for my entire life is that bits and pieces of old songs come to mind just when I need them. This is another one:

Elvis Presley's I've Got Confidence Lyrics

When trouble is in my way
I can't tell the night from day
I toss from side to side
Like a ship on a raging tide
I don't worry and I don't fret
God has never failed me yet
Troubles comin' from time to time
But that's all right, 'cause I'm not the worrying kind

Because I, I've got confidence,
God is gonna see me through
No matter what the case may be
I know He's gonna fix it for me

Job was so sick so long
Till the flesh fell from his bones
His wife, cattle and children,
Everything that he had was gone
But Job he never dispaired
He knew that God still cared
Sleepless days and sleepless nights
Job said honey that's all right

'Cause I've got confidence
God is gonna see me through
No matter what the case may be
I know He's gonna fix it for me

Some folks wonder how I smile
Even though I'm going to trial
How can I have song
Everything is going wrong
I don't worry and I don't fret
God has never failed me yet
Trouble's coming from time to time
That's all right, I'm not the worrying kind
'Cause I've got confidence.....

And only at this moment in time did I realize that was an Elvis Presley song! now that makes me laugh. When I was in Bible School about a million years ago, the Parker Trio sang that song. One of the Parker sisters, Kathy, maybe? is married to Mike Hayes who pastors Covenant Church in Carrollton, Texas. The other siblings are also involved in Christian Ministry and fairly well known in Pentecostal circles.

I just had an aha moment. We were attending a very conservative Bible College. Subsequent to the Parker Trio singing at a wonderful spirit-filled meeting, their tapes (I said it was a million years ago) and records (did I mention 8-tracks?) were banned from campus. The line was they are too rocky. Now I get it!!! Banning them didn't help. We all walked around humming the tune and singing that song anyway. (And sneaked into rooms after lights out to listen to the tapes! Aaah we were very bad!) But now at least I know where I could find a copy of the song. We may just have to sing that oldie but goodie! I KNOW! When I do a movie of my hospitalization and recovery, I'll use "I've Got Confidence" as the sound track!!!

I just have to sign off on that note!! Keep up your confidence!! God will see you through too!

PJDH