FROM THE PASTOR'S PORCH: Faith, Hope, and Charity

[Lynn D. Walker]

Please visit us at COWBOY COUNTRY CHURCH

FROM THE PASTOR'S PORCH: Faith, Hope, and Charity

   Last night I was watching a movie that brought back a lot of memories to me.  The scene was one of a grown man having a flashback to when he was a little boy and he was crawling around, playing at his mother's feet while she was playing the piano.  I thought, “wow!!! how many times have I done that!!!” 

   My mother, Elma Walker, was a great gospel piano player and she spent many hours playing on our little old Wurlitzer spinet piano and singing so passionately all the old gospel hymns, and I spent many hours as a young child playing around her feet and aggravating her by pushing on the piano pedals with my little hands.  Those were such sweet times in my life. Mom started encouraging and teaching me to sing and play the piano about this time as well.  I couldn't play much yet, but I could sure belt out those old songs. 

   One of the first songs I remember learning to sing besides the old hymns was a song written by Dale Evans titled “Have Faith, Hope, and Charity”.  I just Loved that song and I just about drove everybody crazy singing it over and over again.  When I got big enough to help my Daddy at the station, I used to stand on a five gallon bucket to wash windshields and I would sing that song to the top of my lungs with a great big smile on my face.  “HAVE FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY...THAT'S THE WAY TO LIVE SUCCESSFULLY.. HOW DO I KNOW?.....THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO”.   Sometimes customers would give me a nickle for one of my little concerts.  I'm not sure they liked my singing or just wanted to shut me up!!

    The song goes on to say, “don't worry about tomorrow, just be real good today; the Lord is right beside you, He'll lead you all the way.” I will never forget that song and I still Love it.  Still pretty good advice I'd say. 

  Faith in an almighty living God, Hope for the future in all of His promises, and Charity (Love) for the Lord Jesus and all of mankind is truly successful living at it's best!! Of the three, do not misunderstand HOPE. Hope does not mean "wishful thinking". Nothing could be further from the truth. The "Hope of Heaven" is reality; it becomes truth the moment you receive Christ as your Savior and Heaven becomes your ultimate destination!! 

  The Hope of Heaven is meant to strengthen and encourage us, filling us with wonderful Joy!!  Hope is what keeps us Spiritually alive during times of stress and darkness.  It is Hope that brightens our path and makes us aware of the Presence of our All Mighty God!!  Thank God for HOPE!!

   My prayer for you today is that you will overflow with Faith, Hope, and Charity (Love).  “Now the God of Hope fill you with all Joy and Peace in believing, that you may abound in Hope, through the Power of the Holy Spirit.”  (Romans 15:13)  And I Hope you have a big smile on YOUR face today, too!! ~Pastor Lynn