Recipe for a Better Life

 

Take one part Psalm 1:1-3.

How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Add a cup of John 15:13.

No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.

Season to taste with "Amazing Grace".

Was blind, but now I see.

Mix well and cook over a sweet overlay of guitars, and you've got Phil Keaggy's "Now I Can See".

I can feel a warmth inside filling me

A hand touched my eyes

Now I believe the Son did rise

And He will be my Everlasting Light

Now I can see what He wants me to see

I then shall be like a tree planted by a river

And I shall not be moved

Come and walk with Me, He said

Talk with Me, I am your friend, your friend

Greater love hath no man than this

That a man lay down his life for his friends

And He did, yes He did

This was God's love for man

He took upon Him all of our sins

And this was His plan, His plan

Now I can feel that warmth inside filling me

His hand touched my life

Now I can see what He wants me to see

I then shall be like a tree planted by a river

And I shall not be moved

https://youtu.be/zeFcbeMq3ag?si=Y4pSlNDl01dNibc-

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...While being a Christian involves looking at facts and making decisions, there is certainly an emotional element and a personal benefit. I'm not just recognizing Jesus' authority or adhering to a list of rules. I am being transformed into a better, wiser, more joy-filled person.

What a Day!

 

Different people have different ideas about what heaven will be like. In the song, "What a Day," Phil Keaggy sang about his.

When I get home I will see all

The holy men I read about

Peter and John, James, Luke, and Paul

And brother Tom without a doubt

And I do believe there will be

King David at the harp

A song of praise with every chord

What a sight to see, the redeemed and

The angels gathered round worshiping the Lord

What a day that will be

Oh, what a day that will be!

When we get home, our eternal home

There'll be no more sick and dying

No one is sad, no one is alone

And there will be no more crying

He will wipe away every tear

From His children's eyes

And put a smile upon their faces

What a happy day when we see

Our Lord in paradise

Crowned as King of Kings

What a day that will be

Oh, what a day that will be!

https://youtu.be/d6e8nfvDDGw?si=YhoeMupvGQNO6t1K

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...Nobody really knows what "so we will always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17) will be like. Will we actually get to hang out with our favorite Bible characters? Will we spend time reminiscing with our loved ones who died before us?

No one knows, but I'm pretty sure it will be wonderful. I'm pretty sure John got it right when he wrote Revelation 21:4  -  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. (CSB)

Rejoice

 

The last song on the first side of Phil Keaggy's debut solo album offers a warning, a call to action, and a glimpse into a heavenly party...

Now the time of the harvest is near

Don't be blind and take heed how you hear

Now there are many saying which way to go

And you listen but still you don't know

He's the Shepherd that will give you rest

All ye heavy laden

He who asks will receive and

All who seek will find Him

Can you dig what this means?

All the angels in Heaven above

Rejoice when there's a soul saved ...

Don't close your eyes

Let not your heart become cold

What has been said is what has to be told

Don't be deceived, let the blind lead the blind

But now receive and life you will find.

He's the Shepherd that will give you rest

All ye heavy laden

He who asks will receive and

All who seek will find Him

Can you dig what this means?

All the angels in Heaven above

Rejoice when there's a soul saved.

All true saints of Jesus Christ

Rejoice when there's a soul saved.

https://youtu.be/Y9gfCXx2nbs?si=eMdRqKoqkBUCFJIy

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...Life as we know it IS going to end, whether by our personal deaths or by the return of Jesus. Knowing that, and desperately needing the rest and peace that Christ offers, isn't there ample reason to put our faith in him and give the angels a reason to rejoice?

*  *  *

P.S. I've got a book being released November 1, and you can win a copy. In fact, you can win THREE books. Watch the video at this link (which originally appeared on the "Truth Is..." Facebook page), share the links below to your friends on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and help me get the word out about "The Best of Truth Is..." (Please and thank you!)

Link to the FB event: https://www.facebook.com/share/17GDmA3Qi8/

Link to the Amazon Kindle pre-order: https://a.co/d/6UFy2Io

A Time and a Place

 

When Pete Seeger reacted musically to Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, he created the song, "Turn Turn Turn (To Everything There Is a Season)". When Phil Keaggy took HIS turn at it, he added Matthew 6:26 and produced "A Time and a Place".

There is a time and a place for everything

This is the time, this is the place

And we can sing songs and play guitar

And shoot the breeze,

And we can talk about the human race

After all we are part of it all.

Have you considered the sparrows up above?

They do not sow, they do not reap.

And yet your Heavenly Father feeds them,

And His love for you is much more deep.

After all you are part of it all.

Said the robin to the sparrow

I would really like to know

Why these anxious human beings

Rush about and worry so

Said the sparrow to the robin

Friend, I think that it must be

That they have no Heavenly Father

Such as cares for you and me

Have you considered the sparrows up above?

They do not sow, they do not reap

And yet your Heavenly Father feeds them

And His love for you is much more deep

After all you are part of it all

There is a time and a place for everything

This is the time, this is the place

This is the time and the place for Jesus

'Cause Jesus is everything to me

https://youtu.be/cv_XZ4_1A04?si=nI3f2chgbtHW_y_D

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...We seem to rush through life. Hurrying to finish tasks, eat meals, go places, do things . . . And a lot of that hurrying is due to worrying. And a lot of that worrying is due to messed-up priorities and placing trust in our efforts instead of in our Lord.

Father, help us to slow down, make you our everything, and consider the sparrows.

*  *  *

P.S. I've got a book being released November 1, and you can win a copy. In fact, you can win THREE books. Watch the video at this link (which originally appeared on the "Truth Is..." Facebook page), share the links below to your friends on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and help me get the word out about "The Best of Truth Is..." (Please and thank you!)

Link to the FB event: https://www.facebook.com/share/17GDmA3Qi8/

Link to the Amazon Kindle pre-order: https://a.co/d/6UFy2Io

Gotcher Steps In?

 

Without a doubt, the Jesus Music of the early Seventies was definitely more oriented toward evangelism and what it's like to live as a Christian in the day-to-day than today's worship-centric Christian radio.

However, Phil Keaggy blended both concepts in "Walking With Our Lord."

Is the inventor of the ear unable to hear?

The creator of the eye unable to see?

Is His arm so short that it cannot save

In your time of need?

And at the moment you decide

You'll find He's your guide

Helping you along in times of distress

So just put your faith in Him

And give Him your heart

He will do the rest

Follow Me, He calls us

Come to Me, He wants us

Trust in Me, He tells us

Abide in Me, He loves us

When He calls, we'll follow

When He calls, we'll go

We can surely trust Him

His voice, we surely know

Walking with our Lord, talking to our God

He is compassionate

Giving you a peace

That you never can forget

Singing every heart, ringing every bell

Loving His tenderness

Giving Him the praise

And His holy name we'll bless. Oh yes!

As we experience the gift that God has to give

Holy Spirit in our lives we can love everyone

If we live our faith, we'll receive a crown

When our day is done

Follow Me, He calls us

Come to Me, He wants us

Trust in Me, He tells us

Abide in Me, He loves us

When He calls, we'll follow

When He calls, we'll go

We can surely trust Him

His voice, we surely know

Thank you, Lord.......

https://youtu.be/hTyVlZE1RVg?si=pfwwrdwIlmuNOpUn

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...Because of our bent toward living life our way instead of God's way, we need to be led by God's Spirit. If I walk the direction that makes the most sense to me ... the direction that looks like it's going to get me what I want and let me do what I want ... it won't be long before I'm not only off God's best path, but I'm completely lost in the woods.

Holy Spirit, I don't need you to walk with me. I need you to take me by the hand so I can walk with you.

*  *  *

P.S. I've got a book being released November 1, and you can win a copy. In fact, you can win THREE books. Watch the video at this link (which originally appeared on the "Truth Is..." Facebook page), share the links below to your friends on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and help me get the word out about "The Best of Truth Is..." (Please and thank you!)

Link to the FB event: https://www.facebook.com/share/17GDmA3Qi8/

Link to the Amazon Kindle pre-order: https://a.co/d/6UFy2Io

The Ever-Present King of the Jews

 

The second song on Phil Keaggy's debut solo album (What a Day) is titled "King of the Jews" and in just over two minutes points out some reasons why a person might want to do what the final line suggests: "Let Him in, don't depart."

He will never leave you

He will never leave you

He is by your side everyday

Every night.

He will never forsake you

He will never forsake you

He'll always abide everyday

Every night.

He is always near,

Call His name

He'll be there.

Jesus is faithful and true

Jesus is faithful and true

Show you right from wrong

Keep you wise, keep you strong.

Jesus, King of the Jews

Jesus, King of the Jews

Nailed to a cross

Where He died for the lost.

Knocking at your heart

Let Him in, don't depart.

https://youtu.be/RqT73bVhF4Y?si=_SEHYe0Zw2SidZnI

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...[Jesus is] with you always, remaining with you perpetually  —  regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion  -  even to the end of the age. -Matthew 28:20 (AMP)

From Rock Guitar Hero to Jesus Music Pioneer

 

Phil Keaggy had a decent following and an expanding reputation as an amazing guitarist as part of a late-60s / early 70s rock power trio, Glass Harp.

Then he met Jesus. And nothing has been the same since.

As a musician, Keaggy began expressing the joy of his newfound faith through the songs he wrote and performed. That didn't fit so well in the context of Glass Harp, so Phil went solo and ended up being part of the Mount Rushmore of Jesus Music/Contemporary Christian Music.

Mount Rushmore of Jesus Music:
Larry Norman, Andrea Crouch, Honeytree, Phil Keaggy

Keaggy's first solo album was, as the album cover states, "written, arranged, produced, and performed by Phil Keaggy." Every note, every word, every percussive tap and melodic pluck was Phil Keaggy expressing his love, joy, and hope in the Lord.

Today, and for the next eight weeks, Truth Is... will meditate on the songs of that album, What a Day.

First up, "That Is What the Lord Will Do for You":

Winter's here, autumn's gone

Leaves have fallen

It's the season before the dawn

Spring is calling

And as winter comes to an end

Spring brings life again

Born again, given life anew

That is what the Lord will do for you

Just in case you haven't heard

In the beginning was the Word

And the Word was with God

And the Word was God

He gives life to all mankind

He gives sight to the blind

Able to see, able to start anew

Life and that is what He'll give to you

And it's free

All you have to do is believe

That He loves you

Died for you, is ever more alive for you

There is something about the wind

And how it blows

Where it's coming from and then where it goes

There's no doubt when you hear it

There's no doubt when you're born of the Spirit

Born again, given new life anew

That is what the Lord will do for you

https://youtu.be/UVCEL-POPrI?si=w1crHFfHKTNLc_us

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...Having been "born again" for more than a few years, I must admit that this sense of resurrection and joy and being filled with the life of Christ is something that is not "one and done." Every day, Lord Jesus, keep me aware of how dead I was without you and how you conquered death...not just for yourself, but for me, too.