Talking about 'old songs' has got my mind running like a sanctified whirlwind tonight... so I thought about something I just did at a funeral.
My daughter-in-law's Grandmother (a precious Saint) passed away a little over a year ago. She had been a faithful Saint for years until Alzheimers began to chew away at her memories.
She ended up in a nursing home and would seldom remember anybody. In her checkered mind her son (Jimmy) was three different people: Her husband, her married son and her infant baby. Alzheimers is so cruel at times.
Ironically, however, she always remembered me. She'd hold my hand and tell me about how much she loved me and my preaching (I can't believe I'm crying in the middle of the night at a stupid computer) but when I would turn the conversation towards God she would say, "Now, where does He live again?"
Even so, whenever we prayed she would talk in tongues and weep like a baby. She was, in every sense of the word, a precious Elder who was loved by all.
For her passing I prepared the eulogy and a funeral message but, when it came time to give the eulogy, I was overwhelmed and told the congregation through tears, "I could say so much. I could comfort you with words that would help us deal with the cruelty of this thing called Alzheimers but all that really needs to be said about [the Sister's name] and her 'condition' was said a long time ago in a song that takes on new meaning to me today."
And with that I simply started singing...
"I Shall Know Him
I Shall Know Him
As Redeemed By His Side I Shall Stand!
I Shall Know Him
I Shall Know Him
By The Prints Of The Nails In His Hands!"
God swept through that place like a river and the congregation stood to their feet and sang until our pain gave way to victory.
What a great God!
Now you've done it...I'm sitting here, going to have to get up and go teach school in just a few minutes, and I'm bawling like a baby...
You are so right! It just don't get any better! ANY Murrell Ewing song is one of my favorites! I remember years ago putting his latest album on the record player and moving the arm aside so that it would play over and over again. (I sure do love the "repeat" button on my CD player, now. ) Anyway, I had a new convert that I had picked up that morning to spend the day with me so that I could help her with her newborn and small child. She'd been there since about 8 that morning ..... just before my husband came home, she said..."those are beautiful songs, but could we PLEASE listen to something else for a while?" That record had been playing for probably 9 hours.
Steadfast, your "story" about the saint with alzheimers really moved me. I sat here and was moved to tears.... I knew a lady who suffered with this terrrible disease. Like your saint, she couldn't remember people or places, but if you started to pray, she would join in and could pray beautiful prayers and commune with God in that heavenly language - when the prayer "meeting" was over, she reverted back to her state of confusion.... Makes me wonder why - but God doeth all things well - and we just have to trust Him.
This thread has been so special to me. As a child, I fell asleep under the pew hearing many of these old songs that have been listed. I won't even begin to name all them - but my heart is grieved when the worship leader will break out in one of these old songs and the praise singers have no clue as to the words or melody! Our pastor has been known to call someone in to his office to sing some of these older songs to the young man who sometimes leads worship so that he can learn them correctly.
I will mention one song - and I've told DH that they can sing it at my funeral...
What a day that will be - when my Jesus I shall see
When I look upon His face - the one who saved me by His grace
When He takes me by the hand - and leads me to the Promised Land
What a day - glorious day that will be!
Thank you to each of you who shared - I have enjoyed this thread so much! God bless each of you!
__________________ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
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Psa 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
1Pe 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Tit 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
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If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
Thank you all for sharing!
I remember years ago putting his latest album on the record player and moving the arm aside so that it would play over and over again. (I sure do love the "repeat" button on my CD player, now. 
) Anyway, I had a new convert that I had picked up that morning to spend the day with me so that I could help her with her newborn and small child. She'd been there since about 8 that morning ..... just before my husband came home, she said..."those are beautiful songs, but could we PLEASE listen to something else for a while?" 
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