Christian Reflection and Prayer

"I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His Love:
I love to tell the story because I know ' tis true,
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

I love to tell the story!
Twill be my theme in glory-
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me;
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.

I love to tell the story-'tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully
sweet;
I love to tell the story, for some have ever heard
The message of salvation from God's own
holy Word.

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest;
And when in scenes of glory I sing the new,
new song,
'Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.
(Words: Arabella K Hankey (1834-1911)
Music: William G. Fischer (1835-1913)

Reflection:

This beautiful, wonderful hymn brings back memories.
It reminds me of the old Swedish Mission Church that
I grew up in. These were wonderful people, many of
whom were Swedish immigrants, who loved to worship
their God. This hymn was sung at one function or another,
in our church every week.
Through the words the singer tells why he/she loves
to tell the story. The story is the "Good News",
the Holy Scripture, The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Why does he/she love to tell this story, first "because
I know its true". Contrary to some opinions, this is
not a fiction, it's not just another history book. It is
the true story of God the Father's relationship with
His children. It is the true account of God's love for
His children whom He gave, to them, His son. Secondly
because "it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do".
This true story satisfies my every need, like nothing else.
Thirdly I love to tell this story because "some have never
heard the message of salvation from God's own Holy Word".
You see because I believe this story I have received eternal
salvation. And there are a lot of people who have not really
heard this story, and I know that I must tell them, because
I love to tell the story. And finally I love to tell the story
because "those who know it best seem hungering and
thirsting to hear it like the rest". Even I know this story
I can't get enough, I hunger and thirst for the story of
Jesus love and glory. Do you love to tell the story?

Prayer:

Thank you for the old, old, story God, help me to tell
it so all may know, all may believe. THANK YOU GOD
FOR BEING GOD!

Samantha Smith
Ambassador of Peace and Goodwill
(1972-1985)
"If we could be friends just by getting to know each
other better, then what are our two countries really
arguing about? Nothing could be more important
than not having a war if war would kill everything."