In His Time

God in His mysterious ways knows what's  best for us. Our prayers may be answered instantly, or we have to wait for the right time, or simply no because it is not for you.

Precious Lord

THE BIRTH OF THE HYMN
"PRECIOUS LORD"

Back in 1932, I was a fairly new husband. My wife, Nettie and I were living in a little apartment on Chicago 's south side. One hot August afternoon I had to go to St.Louis where I was to be the featured soloist at a large revival meeting. I didn't want to go; Nettie was in the last month of pregnancy with our first child, but a lot of people were expecting me in St. Louis . I kissed Nettie goodbye, clattered downstairs to our Model A and, in a fresh Lake Michigan breeze, chugged out of Chicago on Route 66.

However, outside the city, I discovered
that in my anxiety at leaving, I had forgotten my
music case. I wheeled around and headed back.

I found Nettie sleeping peacefully. I hesitated
by her bed; something was strongly telling me
to stay. But eager to get on my way, and not wanting to disturb Nettie,
I shrugged off the feeling and quietly slipped out of the room with my music.

The next night, in the steaming St. Louis heat, the
crowd called on me to sing again and again. When I
finally sat down, a messenger boy ran up with a
Western Union telegram. I ripped open the envelope....
Pasted on the yellow sheet were the words:
YOUR WIFE JUST DIED.

People were happily singing and clapping around me, but I could hardly keep from crying out. I rushed to a phone and called home. All I could hear on the other end was "Nettie is dead. Nettie is
dead.'"

When I got back, I learned that Nettie had given
birth to a boy. I swung between grief and joy. Yet
that same night, the baby died. I buried Nettie and
our little boy together, in the same casket. Then I
fell apart.

For days I closeted myself. I felt that God had done me an injustice. I didn't want to serve Him anymore or write gospel songs I just wanted to go back to that jazz world I once knew so well. But then, as I hunched alone in that dark apartment those first sad days, I thought back to the afternoon I went to St. Louis . Something kept telling me to stay with Nettie.

Was that something God? Oh, if I had paid more attention to Him that day, I would have stayed and been with Nettie when she died.

From that moment on I vowed to listen more closely to Him. But still I was lost in grief. Everyone was kind to me, especially one friend. The following Saturday evening he took me up to Maloney's Poro College , a neighborhood music school. It was
quiet; the late evening sun crept through the curtained windows.

I sat down at the piano, and my hands began to browse over the keys. Something happened to me then. I felt at peace. I felt as though I could reach out and touch God. I found myself playing a melody.


Once in my head they just seemed to fall into place: 'Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on,let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn, through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light, take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.'

The Lord gave me these words and melody, He also healed my spirit. I learned that when we are in our deepest grief, when we feel farthest from God, this is when He is closest, and when we are most open to His restoring power.

And so I go on living for God willingly and joyfully, until that day comes when He will take me and gently lead me home.

- - - -Tommy Dorsey

For those too young to know who he is, Tommy Dorsey was a well-known band leader in the 1930's and 40's.

Kuha Mo- Xyriel Manabat, 100 Days to Heaven

The first time I heard the expression "kuha mo?" (did you get my point?),  it seemed offensive. This was copied by people who were followers of 100 Days to Heaven.

Anna Manalastas, left by her mother as  child, had an unhappy childhood. So that when she had her own company and the CEO, she was bitchy. To drive her point to her staff, her parting word was "kuha mo?", with tinge of sarcasm.

Bihag Mo - Bart & Sophia, 100 Days to Heaven

The characters Bart and Sophia of 100 Days to Heaven started out with mutual animosity, with Sophia getting hired as a marketing expert supposedly to help out Bart's lackluster performance. But because of constant togetherness  on the job, both developed their love for each other despite the warnings of Anna Manalastas that Bart was a womanizer.Eventually he  proved his selfless love for Sophia..

100 Days to Heaven-Mahiwaga

I love this TV series, which I viewed when it was already halfway to its fimale. I thank my friend,
Mercy, for  enticing me to watch.it. I try to avoid TV series as it ties me down to the chair to finish one. But with 100 Days, no regrets.

The cast were good, especially the child actress Xyriel Manabat, playing the role of the young Anna Manalastas..

I believe that it was worth watching,   it reaffirms what has been said about heaven and hell! That no one enters heaven if you have not forgiven the people who have wronged you, and if you have not  ask for forgiveness from God...repented! Moreover, one sin not repented will throw you into hell. Your conscience will tell you if you have done wrong.Be guided always by the precepts of GOD, embodied in the greatest book of all time, the BIBLE!