My Lord, What a Morning!

Spiritual Song / Hymn


A spiritual song I've loved through the years since my youthful years. Through this hymn of faith and hope, I face the the new year... "looking to my God's right hand, when the stars begin to fall".   

My Lord, What a Morning! 




THE 1790 CENSUS of the United States reported more than 750,000 blacks. The musical expressions of the majority of these blacks—those enslaved in the South—greatly influenced American religious and secular musical forms. Although some Christians attempted to use the Bible to justify the institution of slavery, the majority of African-Americans embraced Christianity. As a result, they created and performed songs, particularly the spiritual, that had a lasting influence on Christian worship.

Slaves held informal, possibly secret, prayer meetings. Sometimes they sang and prayed all night.  The spirituals sung in these meetings drew from hymns, the Bible, and African styles of singing. Most slaves could not read, so the spirituals helped to teach them the Bible.

The religious counterpart to the work song was the spiritual. The first reference to spirituals as a distinctive genre appeared early in the nineteenth century. Many scholars believe, however, that the spiritual originated in the late eighteenth century. It is not known precisely when the term spiritual began to be applied to black religious folksongs. Since the editors of Slave Songs of the United States (1867) did not define the term in their compilation, it must have been in common use by 1860.
Improvisation was crucial in the creation of a spiritual. The spiritual was most likely fashioned by combining verses from the Bible and hymns with portions of sermons and prayers given during the worship of the enslaved. Such religious expressions were embellished, and repetitive refrains were added.

The spiritual “My Lord, What a Morning!” for example, was essentially (re)created from the hymn “Behold the Awful Trumpet Sounds.” Here is the spiritual:

My Lord, what a morning, 

My Lord, what a morning, 

My Lord, what a morning 

When the stars begin to fall. 

You’ll hear the trumpet sound, 

To wake the nations underground, 

Looking to my God’s right hand, 

When the stars begin to fall.

Two stanzas from the original hymn, first published in Richard Allen’s 1801 hymnal, show where the slave composer received his inspiration:

Behold the awful trumpet sounds, 

The sleeping dead to raise, 

And calls the nations underground: 

O how the saints will praise! . . . 

The falling stars their orbits leave, 

The sun in darkness hide: 

The elements asunder cleave, 

The moon turn’d into blood! . . .

Video Credit:

My Lord, What a Morning, sung by Le Choeur d'Adultes de la Maîtrise Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris (Choir of Notre Dame Cathedral): "My Lord, what a morning!" (traditional, arr. H.T. Burleigh), sous la direction de Lionel Sow. Hommage musical pour les victimes des attentats du 11 septembre 2001 (Musical homage for the victims of September 11, 2001 victims.)



Resource:

The Spiritual. Written by Angela M.S. Nelson. ChristianHistoryInstitute.org. Accessed January 3, 2020.


(c) January 2020. Tel. Wayfarer Psalms. All rights reserved.

Great is Thy Faithfulness

God's faithfulness is new every morning.

Even if it appears that we are alone, we are not. God is with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us; he promised that. One of my lifelong favourite hymns, "Great is Thy Faithfulness" says: "... Thou changest not thy compassion, they fail not. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me." 

And for a significant reason, I've revisited the hymn first thing this morning.

Sometimes in the midst of trials, lingering illness included, we feel so unloved, alone, hurt, unappreciated, and abandoned.  Or, for no reason we are depressed and can't even figure out why. We also feel letdown after some event's excitement only to find we have overspent excessively, perhaps blowing our budget the year through. Well, you are not alone.  But all those things will eventually pass as God shows his faithfulness.

God our Protector

God's timing is never ours.  One moment, something is taken away from us. I used to ask, "why?" a lot before.  Not anymore. Nowadays, I simply look for blessings. 

The Lord has a better plan.  A blessing in disguise.  It no longer surprises me like it did before.  Why? Because I trust that His plan is what is best.  But first, we have to trust Him with all our hearts.

Earlier I was meditating on Psalm 91. What a reminder somewhere in my readings - a lovely psalm of protection...

Living the Purpose-Driven Life

Reflections on a life driven by purpose

This post is inspired by Rick Warren's bookseller The Purpose-Driven Life, a book that some years back, got me into a serious re-think of living a purpose-driven life. Since then I've not only re-read it, I've also used The Purpose Driven Life Journal to record significant life lessons. I've also gifted some friends a copy of the journal. Yes, the best way to reinforce our progress in fulfilling God's purpose/s for our life is to keep a spiritual journal.

Purpose

Everything has a reason to be. Ecclesiastes. God created us for a purpose. It is our choice whether to follow this through or not. Things happen for a reason, but sometimes for whatever reason, many people just drift in life with no set purpose or direction. We often hear that these people do not live – they just exist. 

Forgiveness: I'm Sorry

Having difficulty forgiving? You are not alone. 

As we go through life striving to find our peace of mind, situations may frustrate us as some people can rub us the wrong way consciously or not,  and cause us to respond eye for an eye.   

The Devil's intent is always to spoil that which is good. Even before God's gift of life was ours, he stated his assault in the Garden of Eden. But God in His mercies will not let His power be defeated. Side by side the Devil lures us to sell our souls to him like he does to Dr. Faustus. But through storms of life, God is ever nearby ready for us, if we but seek his help.  Once again, God takes our hand with His own forgiving grasp.

Prayer and Praying

What is prayer to you? How do you pray?

Prayer is the most important talk I do. It is the best thing that happens to me as I feel most intimate with God, my creator and saviour, my refuge and strength, my only constant friend.

In recent years, especially the past months, I find myself often in prayer, in solitary, or even amid the maddening crowd. Prayer is extremely appeasing. My praying has become more intense too, as biological days race and tick.

Glory to Behold

One glory experience ...

Val Kerr, Guest Writer

It was that night I saw the sunset and I was sure I was blessed. And so would anyone be:  A great swathe of salmon pink cloud settled over half of the horizon.  Earlier, bright pink and glimpses of gold were on show.  

Overhead, the pale blue and mauve sky colours were “waiting in the wings.” It was a spectacle to be enjoyed by anyone who wanted to see it.

This made me think about a personal vision of my Saviour that I once witnessed. At the time I was physically located in a small meeting room in one of the parks run by the Council. Low-priced English lessons were available and I was the teacher.

Purpose and Motivation

Have thine own way, Lord.


A week ago, last Saturday, I was enjoying a cup of coffee with a friend when she took me by surprise by asking me what's my purpose for working so hard, how contented I appear to be, and which she immediately followed with another question: "What motivates you?"

Not that I didn't know what to answer. I take such questions seriously.  I had few sips of my coffee before I mustered my answer. No, I did not stammer.

Christians are most likely familiar with Rick Warren's "purpose" books, journals, purpose-driven life, purpose-driven church, and so on... and yes, I have some of his books, including two copies of the journal. 

Longing for God

Today, I woke up with this verse in mind:  "My soul  hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God."  --- Psalms 84: 2



Feeling alone and dejected? It happens occasionally. We want to connect to a living person but no one seems available.

There are also times when we feel overwhelmed by the heaviness of our problems, concerns of the world we live in, our leaders' integrity and commitment, our own personal relationships, financial issues. Oh, the list can be endless.

Easter Saturday Thoughts

Today, Easter Saturday, is the day or the time between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.

Jesus is dead. We believers await the Easter "morning" when we can rejoice, sing and shout our loudest hallelujahs in our hearts because Jesus is risen!

What a wonderful encouragement this is!  Jesus is in the grave, it is the interval time. Just as certain as the old prophecies about the Messiah's birth and death and Calvary, the Bible gives assurances from Jesus that he is coming again.

Source of Strength

A bird struggles to break out of its shell before it comes alive. Once alive, it struggles to survive.  In a way, it's a show of its strength and the courage to survive.  For once it’s out and sees the light and smells the cool and fresh air, comes the challenge to grow, then slowly, it learns to eat, … and eventually to fly.

So do we.  We struggle to survive,  to grow, to be loved, to be accepted, to live. To love, to give, to enjoy, to share.

Carpe Diem - Seize the Day

Seizing the moment is to live life fully

We have our good days and bad days. And more, there are just bad days when we think the whole world and everyone is against us. That day when everything seems wrong. As humans we let our thoughts focus on that cluster of the bad moments.

He Comforts Me

He Comforts Me

Laurie Glass, Guest Writer/Poet

When tears begin to fall

From deep inside of me,

Still, comfort I can find

That comes from only He.

Valentine's Day Thoughts of a Happy marriage

Gentle insights for Valentine's Day about keeping a happy marriage

A Christian friend of mine who is happily married sent this list to share. Below, I worked on her list, came up with an enhanced post. It's February, the month for lovers, red roses, Valentine's Day cards and box of chocolates. It's alarming that so many marriages fail. It helps to reinforce what to do when the honeymoon is over, or as my friend puts it, "what to do after you say: I do."

1. Put God first

When believers put God first in their marriage, they worship God together, seek guidance together and take comfort and joy from the blessings of their one God. For those who do not believe in God, surely you have your own higher power or someone (or something) you put high above the pedestal.

C.S. Lewis Quote to Live the Day Fully

Encouraging and motivating quote from C.S. Lewis to make the most of our day.

Some days can be overwhelming with cares of the world.  Putting up with everyday living, survival itself.  Even writers may find it difficult to pen down their thoughts when the spirit is willing, the flesh is run down, and brain's dried out. It's midnight again.

Depth of our Strength

It’s in tough times that we often discover the depth of our strength.

To do what seems impossible, all we need is submit our thoughts cares to a higher power. I call mine God.  At the same time, we should do our best to meet the challenge at hand. It feels good to look back and know that we faced our tough times, and grow from the experience. A quote that comes to mind is one by Emily Dickinson:

On Giving and Receiving

What does the Bible say about giving and receiving?

Giving

There are numerous verses about giving including what Jesus himself said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20: 35). We also learn about giving wholeheartedly, and giving to glorify God. 

However there is another side of giving, that of taking or receiving. Do we take advantage of generous people? Some people have gotten so used to receiving that they've forgotten to acknowledge the giver enough to say those two simple but powerful words, 'thank you.' As well as being respectful to elders, parents should inculcate to children gratefulness and saying "thank you." 

On Faith, Smile, and Gratitude

From time to time, we all have our down moments. I was organising my files and found this short anonymous poem entitled "Faith." It is congruent to my thoughts as I focus on recent events - when we need those moments of inspiration rather badly, anxious for the morrow, uncertain of more grey hours and days... We can only try to put up with our own challenges. Here's a quote on faith and doubt.

Doubt sees the obstacles,

Faith sees the way.

Doubt sees the darkest night,

Faith sees the day.

Doubt dreads to take a step,

Faith soars on high.

Doubt whispers, "Who believes?"

Faith answers "I".

And speaking of giving more smiles and the "world smiles with you" despite angst and frustrations, comes to mind one of the foremost English writers, J.B. Priestley. He had a huge output of thought-provoking plays, novels and essays.

Praising God Through Suffering

Kathy Brunker, Guest Writer

Most of us find it easy to thank and praise God when life's circumstances are going well for us: when we are happy about a new relationship; the birth of a child; a new job; or moving to a new home, to name a few examples.

But what about when circumstances are not so good: our relationship have turned sour; ourselves or a child is sick; we have been retrenched from our job; or we have been forced to give up our home. These things and many others can cause us to suffer.

Have you ever thought about praising God through your suffering? 

Reflection on Meekness

The meek shall inherit the earth

We don’t always have to prove to ourselves that we are powerful, or to be so high-strung opinionated to prove ourselves to others as if our life depended on it.

How about we consider the feelings of the other person alongside ours?  We can practice courtesy even in our worse criticisms. 

It’s good to remind ourselves that true power doesn’t need to be broadcast to prove itself.

"Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5.  Through a quiet and cool confidence, we can still be heard.  Even better.