Thursday, June 30, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The Rose Wore the Thorns
I enjoy writing song lyrics. Here is one. Hope it blesses you.
Dixie
The Rose Wore the Thorns
In Eden’s Paradise the roses always bloomed
Until a curse was cast and every soul was doomed.
Thorns choked the roses and spread throughout the land.
But from the beginning God had a perfect plan.
In Gethsemane, Sharon’s Rose wept alone.
A bittersweet fragrance floated up before God’s throne.
A kiss of betrayal, forsaken and scorned.
The perfect Rose stood faultless among the thorns.
From Calvary, bruised petals covered the earth.
Sharon’s broken Rose broke sin’s dreadful curse
Crimson water flowed from His feet and hands.
Would Sharon’s suffering Rose ever bloom again?
In a borrowed tomb, they laid a wilted Rose,
By a miracle of grace, the Rose began to grow.
Defying death, the flower blooms again,
And can be planted in the souls of believing men.
The Rose wore the thorns so I could wear a crown.
The Rose bore the cross so I could stand on holy ground.
Trampled by the feet of men
The Rose lives and blooms again.
Heaven helped us all the day the Rose wore the thorns.
Yes, Heaven helped us all the day the Rose wore the thorns.
Dixie
The Rose Wore the Thorns
In Eden’s Paradise the roses always bloomed
Until a curse was cast and every soul was doomed.
Thorns choked the roses and spread throughout the land.
But from the beginning God had a perfect plan.
In Gethsemane, Sharon’s Rose wept alone.
A bittersweet fragrance floated up before God’s throne.
A kiss of betrayal, forsaken and scorned.
The perfect Rose stood faultless among the thorns.
From Calvary, bruised petals covered the earth.
Sharon’s broken Rose broke sin’s dreadful curse
Crimson water flowed from His feet and hands.
Would Sharon’s suffering Rose ever bloom again?
In a borrowed tomb, they laid a wilted Rose,
By a miracle of grace, the Rose began to grow.
Defying death, the flower blooms again,
And can be planted in the souls of believing men.
The Rose wore the thorns so I could wear a crown.
The Rose bore the cross so I could stand on holy ground.
Trampled by the feet of men
The Rose lives and blooms again.
Heaven helped us all the day the Rose wore the thorns.
Yes, Heaven helped us all the day the Rose wore the thorns.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The Champion
On October 27, 1980, my husband and I were overjoyed at the birth of our second child. John Drake Phillips weighed in at 8 pounds 10 ounces and was born with a black eye – our “heavyweight fighter” we joked. Ironically, in just a few days our little champion faced a fight for his life.
Baby John awoke the morning of his two-week birthday in distress. He was whimpering like a sick puppy, so I went to his crib to see what was wrong. I couldn't get him to open his eyes.
Picking him up, I tried to get him to nurse, without success. The entire time his eyes were tightly closed and he continued his high-pitched whine. I rushed him to the doctor’s office where I was advised go immediately to the hospital. Our baby was admitted. My husband and I were in shock. What happened? How did our healthy son get so sick?
After several tests, a pediatrician met with us. He was very somber as he gave the diagnosis: bacterial spinal meningitis. John could die.
The doctor said John probably picked up a bug in the delivery room that over the previous two weeks infiltrated his entire system. Our hearts raced and we felt like we were in the middle of a nightmare.
The doctor explained, “If John’s fever breaks, he might have a chance.”
Over the next twelve days, my husband and I took turns spending the night at the hospital. For days the fever continued to rage in John’s limp body. The evening of the seventh day I stood by his bed and whispered in his ear, “Don’t give up, Baby Boy. Don’t give up.” My spirit cried out to his, “Keep fighting, John. Daddy and Mommy love you so much.”
We were not allowed to hold John, but the nurses set up a cot and chair in his room for us. One night during my watch, a nurse turned the television to The 700 Club. A gospel group was singing Because He Lives.
How sweet to hold a newborn baby.
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days,
As they sang, I sensed the presence of God come into the room. I cried uncontrollably. As if the musicians were physically in the room with me, one of the singers stopped the song and said, "There's a newborn baby who is very sick in the hospital.”
I sat stunned. Could she be talking about our baby?
She continued, "The doctors told you that your baby might die, but God wants you to know that this sickness is not unto death. Your baby is going to live."
The group started singing again and finished the song. As they sang the final chorus, the peace of God devoured my anxieties, and I knew John was going to live. I knew God was going to heal our son.
I felt John’s forehead. He still had a high fever, but I raised my hands to Heaven anyway and thanked God for healing our son. I knew God was granting a miracle to our family. In the middle of the night John's fever broke.
"John has had a dangerously high fever several days.” The doctor said the next morning. “He is going to live, but he might have brain damage."
Amazingly, my heart stayed peaceful at the announcement. No fear, no what ifs terrorized my soul. I had experienced a visit from Heaven, and I knew that John was going to be OK. A few days later we took our baby boy home completely whole.
Twenty-six years have passed, and we still reminisce about the day Jesus visited our baby the hospital room and healed him. We are convinced that without God’s supernatural touch from Heaven, our little boy wouldn't have had a fighting chance – even though he was born with a black eye.
Baby John awoke the morning of his two-week birthday in distress. He was whimpering like a sick puppy, so I went to his crib to see what was wrong. I couldn't get him to open his eyes.
Picking him up, I tried to get him to nurse, without success. The entire time his eyes were tightly closed and he continued his high-pitched whine. I rushed him to the doctor’s office where I was advised go immediately to the hospital. Our baby was admitted. My husband and I were in shock. What happened? How did our healthy son get so sick?
After several tests, a pediatrician met with us. He was very somber as he gave the diagnosis: bacterial spinal meningitis. John could die.
The doctor said John probably picked up a bug in the delivery room that over the previous two weeks infiltrated his entire system. Our hearts raced and we felt like we were in the middle of a nightmare.
The doctor explained, “If John’s fever breaks, he might have a chance.”
Over the next twelve days, my husband and I took turns spending the night at the hospital. For days the fever continued to rage in John’s limp body. The evening of the seventh day I stood by his bed and whispered in his ear, “Don’t give up, Baby Boy. Don’t give up.” My spirit cried out to his, “Keep fighting, John. Daddy and Mommy love you so much.”
We were not allowed to hold John, but the nurses set up a cot and chair in his room for us. One night during my watch, a nurse turned the television to The 700 Club. A gospel group was singing Because He Lives.
How sweet to hold a newborn baby.
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days,
As they sang, I sensed the presence of God come into the room. I cried uncontrollably. As if the musicians were physically in the room with me, one of the singers stopped the song and said, "There's a newborn baby who is very sick in the hospital.”
I sat stunned. Could she be talking about our baby?
She continued, "The doctors told you that your baby might die, but God wants you to know that this sickness is not unto death. Your baby is going to live."
The group started singing again and finished the song. As they sang the final chorus, the peace of God devoured my anxieties, and I knew John was going to live. I knew God was going to heal our son.
I felt John’s forehead. He still had a high fever, but I raised my hands to Heaven anyway and thanked God for healing our son. I knew God was granting a miracle to our family. In the middle of the night John's fever broke.
"John has had a dangerously high fever several days.” The doctor said the next morning. “He is going to live, but he might have brain damage."
Amazingly, my heart stayed peaceful at the announcement. No fear, no what ifs terrorized my soul. I had experienced a visit from Heaven, and I knew that John was going to be OK. A few days later we took our baby boy home completely whole.
Twenty-six years have passed, and we still reminisce about the day Jesus visited our baby the hospital room and healed him. We are convinced that without God’s supernatural touch from Heaven, our little boy wouldn't have had a fighting chance – even though he was born with a black eye.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Not So Desperate Pastors' Wives
Meet my beautiful sister-in-law Sharon Phillips..... She's the tall beauty on the left......
Sharon is a pastor's wife, too. She is married to my husband's baby brother Don. They have faithfully served the congregation of Calvary Baptist Church in Camden, Arkansas, for almost 30 years.
As most of you know, Paul and I have been honored to serve the Gospel Lighthouse Church in Floyd, Iowa, for 30 years.
But that's not the only similarities in our lives.... Here is some fun trivia to transplant a smile on your face.........
Guess what Sharon's maiden name is? FLOYD.....
And guess the name of the little village JESUS has called Paul and I to serve HIM? FLOYD..... **GRIN**
Are you seeing a connection here?
We were born the same year and have shared the same last name for more than 30 years. **TEE HEE**
Have you connected the dots yet?
Sharon's middle name begins with and L and so does mine. **Amazing... don't you think?**
Some people might consider Sharon and I desperate pastors' wives, but we don't. We can both testify that we don't regret a mile we have loved God and served His people.
Now that we're WEST OF FIFTY.... we've asked the Lord to help us FINISH STRONG for HIM.... With more years behind us than ahead of us, we've asked Him to use us in this season of life in a way that brings glory and honor to Him.
And HE PUT A SONG IN OUR HEARTS.......
We've both loved gospel music and realized early in our ministries the power of an anointed song, but the thought never crossed our minds to write a song together.
We've asked ourselves why it took us soooo long to join musical forces and the only answer we can come up with is because it wasn't GOD'S TIMING YET....
But a few months ago something shifted in our souls....... Sharon was praying in Arkansas and I was praying in Iowa. God heard our prayers. The Lord led Sharon to start www.tunemylyrics.com.
I sent her some lyrics and she tuned them. We gave our little "musical" lunch to JESUS and we have some very exciting news.
Drum roll please.....
Tada..........
Our song HOPE WAS CARVED IN A ROLLING STONE placed in the 2011 Singing News / Solid Gospel Songwriters Search. Woo Hoo!
We are humbled beyond words and very thankful for God's blessing in our lives.
Here is an article from Singing News about the contest.......
Nashville, TN - The 2011 Singing News / Solid Gospel Songwriters Search has concluded and the winners have been chosen. The two first place winners will have their songs recorded by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound and Gordon Mote.
The First Place Winners, listed in alphabetical order are:
"Another Soldier" - written by David Pike - to be recorded by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
"When I Rise" - written by Boyd Hoops - to be recorded by Gordon Mote
The five Runners Up are listed below, in alphabetical order:
"Believe In Mercy, Trust in Grace" - Brian Bowers/Tara Williams
"He'll Be There" - Frances Barrier Bryant
"Hope Was Carved In A Rolling Stone" - Dixie and Sharon Phillips
"Lord It's The Journey" - Mark Hawkins
"When My Ship Comes In" - Brian Bowers and Tara Williams
Congratulations to everyone who submitted songs for the 2011 Singing News / Solid Gospel Songwriters Search. There were many great songs and the judges debated at length in deciding the winners. Many of the entries will be posted as MP3's on www.SingingNews.com for everyone to listen to.
Southern Gospel music, the music with an Eternal Difference, is alive and well, as evidenced by the many entries in this years Songwriters Search. Keep on writing folks!
Sharon is a pastor's wife, too. She is married to my husband's baby brother Don. They have faithfully served the congregation of Calvary Baptist Church in Camden, Arkansas, for almost 30 years.
As most of you know, Paul and I have been honored to serve the Gospel Lighthouse Church in Floyd, Iowa, for 30 years.
But that's not the only similarities in our lives.... Here is some fun trivia to transplant a smile on your face.........
Guess what Sharon's maiden name is? FLOYD.....
And guess the name of the little village JESUS has called Paul and I to serve HIM? FLOYD..... **GRIN**
Are you seeing a connection here?
We were born the same year and have shared the same last name for more than 30 years. **TEE HEE**
Have you connected the dots yet?
Sharon's middle name begins with and L and so does mine. **Amazing... don't you think?**
Some people might consider Sharon and I desperate pastors' wives, but we don't. We can both testify that we don't regret a mile we have loved God and served His people.
Now that we're WEST OF FIFTY.... we've asked the Lord to help us FINISH STRONG for HIM.... With more years behind us than ahead of us, we've asked Him to use us in this season of life in a way that brings glory and honor to Him.
And HE PUT A SONG IN OUR HEARTS.......
We've both loved gospel music and realized early in our ministries the power of an anointed song, but the thought never crossed our minds to write a song together.
We've asked ourselves why it took us soooo long to join musical forces and the only answer we can come up with is because it wasn't GOD'S TIMING YET....
But a few months ago something shifted in our souls....... Sharon was praying in Arkansas and I was praying in Iowa. God heard our prayers. The Lord led Sharon to start www.tunemylyrics.com.
I sent her some lyrics and she tuned them. We gave our little "musical" lunch to JESUS and we have some very exciting news.
Drum roll please.....
Tada..........
Our song HOPE WAS CARVED IN A ROLLING STONE placed in the 2011 Singing News / Solid Gospel Songwriters Search. Woo Hoo!
We are humbled beyond words and very thankful for God's blessing in our lives.
Here is an article from Singing News about the contest.......
Nashville, TN - The 2011 Singing News / Solid Gospel Songwriters Search has concluded and the winners have been chosen. The two first place winners will have their songs recorded by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound and Gordon Mote.
The First Place Winners, listed in alphabetical order are:
"Another Soldier" - written by David Pike - to be recorded by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
"When I Rise" - written by Boyd Hoops - to be recorded by Gordon Mote
The five Runners Up are listed below, in alphabetical order:
"Believe In Mercy, Trust in Grace" - Brian Bowers/Tara Williams
"He'll Be There" - Frances Barrier Bryant
"Hope Was Carved In A Rolling Stone" - Dixie and Sharon Phillips
"Lord It's The Journey" - Mark Hawkins
"When My Ship Comes In" - Brian Bowers and Tara Williams
Congratulations to everyone who submitted songs for the 2011 Singing News / Solid Gospel Songwriters Search. There were many great songs and the judges debated at length in deciding the winners. Many of the entries will be posted as MP3's on www.SingingNews.com for everyone to listen to.
Southern Gospel music, the music with an Eternal Difference, is alive and well, as evidenced by the many entries in this years Songwriters Search. Keep on writing folks!
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