From the pen of Stuart Townend

I was so grateful to the worship team today that we revisited a song we have only sung a couple of times before: I Will Stand on Every Promise of Your Word. What strikes me about this song is the perfect marriage of lyrics and melody line. In the title refrain, one can imagine a resolutely innocent child of the covenant sweetly insisting before the vanities and seductions of our age: "No thanks, I will stand of every promise of God's Word."

Curious to know more, I did some quick research, and was not surprised to find this song comes from the prolific pen of Britain's Stuart Townend, who also gave us the lyrics of In Christ Alone. Townend has an uplifting and unassuming web site which you can see here.

Every Promise of Your Word
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2005 Thankyou Music

From the breaking of the dawn to the setting of the sun,
I will stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
Words of power, strong to save, that will never pass away,
I will stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
For Your covenant is sure,
And on this I am secure—
I can stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

When I stumble and I sin, condemnation pressing in,
I will stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
You are faithful to forgive that in freedom I might live,
So I stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
Guilt to innocence restored,
You remember sins no more—
So I'll stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

When I'm faced with anguished choice, I will listen for Your voice,
And I'll stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
Through this dark and troubled land
You will guide me with Your hand
As I stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
And You've promised to complete
Ev'ry work begun in me—
So I'll stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

Hope that lifts me from despair, love that casts out ev'ry fear,
As I stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
Not forsaken, not alone, for the Comforter has come,
And I stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
Grace sufficient, grace for me,
Grace for all who will believe—
We will stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

And now, a plug for Breakpoint

I first became a fan of the radio version of Chuck Colson's Breakpoint before I moved to Tucson, and since then have enjoyed the e mail versions. The one for this past Monday, for example, was about a new devotional resource that sounds stunning. Entitled A Faith and Culture Devotional: Daily Readings in Art, Science, and Life, it boasts such authors as Lee Strobel, John Stott, Gene Edward Veith, R.C. Sproul, Os Guinness, and Frederica Mathewes-Green - an all-star cast, in my opinion! The Breakpoint summary goes on to describe how these intelligent and inspirational daily readings are causing even jaded teenagers to sit up and pay attention to home devotions!

At any rate, each issue is both thought-provoking and stimulating for those of us who are interested in Christian worldview issues. You can find out how to subscribe to the e mail version that I enjoy so much by going here.

Happy Epiphany!

January 6 is the traditional date the church has observed to celebrate the visit ofthe Wise Men to adore the Christ Child. Like many dates on the Christian calendar, including Christmas, these dates are not meant to be exactly correspondent to the dates when these events actually happened, but primarily serve as a reminder that these things happened, made a difference, and should be remembered.

Traditionally, Epiphany was the end of the twelve days of Christmas, beginning on December 25. It is sometimes called the day of Manifestation, meaning the identity of Jesus was recognized as that of God Incarnate. Other events identified with Manifestation, or Revelation, are the baptism of Jesus and the wedding at Cana (the first recorded miracle).

A James 2:16 opportunity

For any who may not have received Jill Hauschildt's e mail this morning, I am reproducing it below. I first became aware of the refugee population of Tucson through an organization called 4 Tucson (more about that another day), and was encouraged to hear that many churches are now adopting refugees. But, as Jill reminds us, the needs are great.

Dear Dove Mountain members,

I'm sorry for using all your emails, but I wanted to get the word out as soon as possible. There is an urgent need for blankets among some of our refugee families here in Tucson. Many of these folks have recently come from refugee camps where they had literally nothing and have arrived with literally nothing. Although they have apartment housing, many of them cannot afford to turn on the heat, and they are cold at night. We visited with one family who had 8-10 people living in one apartment with only 4 thin blankets.

I am asking that each of you look through your closets and see if there might be an extra blanket you could spare. It does not have to be new - just clean and in fairly decent shape.

Please bring what you can spare to church on Sunday. We will make sure they are distributed to those in need.

Extra picture calendars would also be welcome. Their apartments are very sparsely furnished, and a colorful calendar (especially with different scenes of America or nature) would liven up a wall and also give an opportunity for learning English words. (I know I get more calendars than I can use each year, and maybe some of you also have extras.)

Thank you very much for your practical love toward these newcomers to our country.
In Jesus,

Jill Hauschildt

Sneak Preview

Coming soon to a church near you...you heard it here first! Enjoy the preview and learn more here at the Collision web site.

Marlene's Safari

As promised, our Marlene Luartes did end her short term in Kenya with a safari expedition! The above photo shows her looking over the Mara River, and she says the rock-like objects in the river are the backs of hippos!

If you are not on Marlene's emailing list and would like to see the rest of her safari photos, reply by "comment" and (if your e mail address is already in the Dove Mountain directory) I'll connect you!

We're glad you're back, Marlene!

Gloria!

Here's a quick plug for the Chorale at our sister church, Catalina Foothills. I have been listening to their latest Christmas album, Gloria, for the past two weeks and just love it! The Catalina Foothills website (cfcpca.org) now has a store on the music page where you can download this album in mp3 format (suggested donation $10, and well worth it!).

Dove Mountaineers Kathy and Jerry LeMay happen to have sung on this album, and John Bailey still sings with the Chorale from time to time, too. My favorite selections are Yahweh...and Sound of the Round...and Pie Jesu...and, of course, Delores Maddox in O Holy Hight Night...and ALL OF THEM!