Where Is the Love You Said Was Mine All Mine?

 

rivener  -  n. a chilling hint of distance that creeps slowly into a relationship -- beginning to notice them laugh a little less, look away a little more, explain away their mood like it's no longer your business -- as if you're watching them fall out of love right in front of you, gradually and painfully, like a hole in the radiator that leaves your house a little colder with every passing day, whose only clue is a slow, unnerving drip - drip - drip. [Middle English riven, to rend, to cleave apart. Pronounced "riv-uh-ner."] (From John Koenig's The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows)

Is it possible to experience riveners in my relationship with Jesus? Can I be on the lookout for signs that my love is growing cold?

• Dust on my Bible
• Mumbling through songs I used to belt out
• Posting the praying hands emoji and considering it the equivalent of praying for someone
• Being satisfied with watching worship services online instead of actually attending and interacting with people who I once thought of as my brothers and sisters in Christ, but who are now just people who go to my church

It brings to mind the song by the seminal Jesus Music artist, Chuck Girard, "Return to Your First Love."

You say it's different now, then how it was before

You do your best, but you don't feel it anymore

What happened to the days when your life just seemed to flow

Miracles were happening wherever you would go

You tried so hard it seems to do the righteous thing

But oh, the trials that came and the shadows it would bring

You went to meetings and you'd be the first to pray

You even spoke a prophecy, was only yesterday

But something's wrong, something's wrong with you

Though you tried your best, the Lord just didn't bless

You're wondrin' what to do

Return to your first love, put Jesus first again

The love in your heart you had when you first started

Could be there again

Return to your first love

You say you told your friends the things they're doin' wrong

You had a leading, yes, you felt it oh so strong

They looked so hurt, I guess they didn't understand

Since then, your counseling has not been in demand

You tried to give advice, but found you were ignored

But even though they scoffed, you still said

"Praise the Lord anyway."

And you thought Christians were to be of one accord

Is there a dull edge on that double-edged sword?

No, no something's wrong, something's wrong with you

Though you tried your best, the Lord just didn't bless

You're wondrin' what to do

Return to your first love, put Jesus first again

The love in your heart you had when you first started

Could be there again

Return to your first love

https://youtu.be/9NqesK4-18w?si=81DANQwDcrjXLkRA

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Truth is...The words of Jesus in Revelation 2:2-5 (NLT): "I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first. Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first."

Feel the Love

 

And now we come to the final tune(except for a short reprise of the title song) on Love Song's groundbreaking Jesus Music album, Love Song. It's a fitting conclusion as it gently tries to "seal the deal" by inviting the listener to experience all the benefits of faith the album has been singing about.

Save the sadness for another time

Save the words for a song that rhymes

Save the crying for the ones who've lied

Who've missed all the meaning

And their souls have died

Save the doubting for the morning sun

Bringing daylight where there once was none

Feel the warmth that each new day can bring

By believing, by receiving Him

Feel the love

Feel the love

Save the heartaches for the yesterdays

Now's the time to change our foolish ways

Feel the love the Son of God can bring

By believing, by receiving Him

Feel the love

Feel the love

(Chuck Girard)

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Truth is...Accepting Jesus as savior and lord isn't all rosebuds and lollipops, and yet the essence of it all really is as simple as receiving the truth that Yahweh loves you.

A Brand New Song

 

Four of the Psalms instruct those who love God to sing a new song. Isaiah 42:10 repeats the command. Two times in the book of Revelation, heavenly worshipers are said to be singing a new song.

The group, Love Song, took those Scriptures seriously...and literally.

Sing unto the heavens with a brand new song

The one that we've been hearing's been a hit too long

The lyrics sound confused as if they don't belong

So sing unto the Lord and sing with feeling

And sing a song of love

And sing a song of gladness

Much too long our music

Has been filled, filled with sadness

Sing unto the heavens with a brand new song

Sing unto the Lamb with voices clear and strong

Tell a world that's waited now for much too long

All the truths that God has been revealing

And sing a song of praise

And sing a song of gladness

Much too long our music

Has been filled, filled with sadness

(Chuck Girard - Fred Field)

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Truth is...Our world today could certainly use more love and gladness. May our lives be songs of praise that counteract the sadness and discord that permeates so much of the current culture.

And the Wind Was Low

 

The ninth song on the album, Love Song, is a slow, quiet testimony of Chuck Girard's baptism. He sings of what was happening around him and within him and through him as he committed his life to the Lordship of Jesus.

And the wind was low

And He brought me to the water

I felt His hand and joy began

And there was meaning

And the sky was blue

And He gave me His assurance

I then began to understand

The blessed meaning

Oh Creator, your perfect wisdom

And the wind grew still

And he touched me with the power

Then came the fire, the strong desire

To really serve Him

And the tears were joy

And He listened as I sang to Him

I bowed my head, He gently said

I was forgiven

Oh Creator, your perfect promise

(Chuck Girard)

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Truth is...We don't have to be a preacher or a singer or a writer, but each of us is called to be a witness; to simply "go and tell what the Lord has done for you." (Luke 8:39)

Let Us Be One

 

One of the biggest barriers to non-believers becoming believers is when they look at Christians and see them in conflict with each other...often over things that really don't matter.

Our mutual acceptance by Yahweh because of Jesus, as evidenced by the Holy Spirit's presence and power in our lives, ought to draw us toward each other instead of being separated by our opinions on church structure or worship styles.

And yes, Love Song had a song about that.

Lord, don't let me strive against my brother

I'm so tired of it, don't want to do it no more

Lord, don't let us fight against each other

Let us be one in you

Lord, give us love for one another

In what we say, yes, in what we do

Lord, teach us to build up one another

Let us be one in you

For your sake let us learn to wait on the Spirit's move

We know that the hour is so late and you'll be coming soon

Let us be one in you

Let us be one

Lord, let us rest up in your Spirit

Knowing full well that we're in your hands

Oh, God, open up our hearts so we can hear it

Let us be one in you

Let us be one

(Tommy Coomes)

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Truth is...Jesus had a prayer about it, found in the 17th chapter of John: "My prayer is not for [these current disciples] alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."

Front Seat, Back Seat

 

Most people are pretty big fans of making their own decisions and running their own lives. We like to think we're in control and are capable of driving our own destinies.

But if we're following the roadmaps of our own selfishness, chances are high we are bound for some serious mishaps.

Chuck Girard and Tommy Coomes, of the band Love Song, had experienced plenty of navigational errors that were remedied when they committed their lives to the leadership of Jesus...something they sang about in the country tune, "Front Seat, Back Seat."

I was a-runnin' from my Master

And I tried out every new thing I could find

But my life turned into one disaster

Without the Lord, I almost blew my mind

I was sittin' in the front seat

Tryin' really hard to be the driver

Thinkin' I was makin' real good time

But always windin' up the late arriver

But now I been tryin' out the back seat

And I find it is a very great relief

Now I'm ridin' in the back seat

And I'm leavin' all the drivin' to the Chief

I went barrelin' out full speed ahead

I went a 'runnin' every stop sign that I'd see

Thinkin' I'd give the Lord a shortcut

But I found out He don't need no help from me

I was sittin' in the front seat

Tryin' really hard to be the driver

(But it sure didn't work)

Thinkin' I was makin' real good time

But always windin' up the late arriver

But now I been tryin' out the back seat

And I find it is a very great relief

Now I'm ridin' in the back seat

And I'm leavin' all the drivin' to the Chief

(Tommy Coomes - Chuck Girard)

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Truth is...Becoming a believer doesn't automatically solve all our problems. There's definitely a learning curve. But when we straighten out who's really the most qualified to be in charge, we start heading in the right direction.

Welcome Back

 

The sixth song on Love Song's debut album is "Welcome Back." It is a soft ballad directed toward those who once were believers, have stepped away from the faith, and are now feeling the love of Jesus drawing them back to belief.

via GIPHY

Welcome back to the things that you once believed in

Welcome back to what you knew was right from the start

All you had to do was to be what you always wanted to be

Welcome back to the love that is in your heart

I know that you thought you could turn your back

And no one could see in your mind

But I can see that you know better now

You never were the untruthful kind

Yeah, and I'm so happy now to welcome you back

Sometimes you just don't know what you're missin'

'Til you leave it for a while

Woooh-Welcome back

Welcome back

Welcome back (Welcome back to Jesus)

Chuck Girard

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Truth is...Just like the prodigal son's father, Yahweh is always willing to welcome a person back into his loving arms. There is no such thing as being beyond the reach of forgiveness.

Freedom

 

For the young hippies who listened to the album Love Song when it was first released in 1972, their search for meaning and truth and freedom was real.

The group that made that album was also called Love Song and they had recently found the source of all the answers. All they wanted to do was tell their friends what they had found.

Jesus is the One that makes me never, ever want to spend another day without Him

Jesus is the One who shows me every time I turn around that I could never doubt Him

Jesus is the One that makes me want to shout the news above the rooftops

Shout the joyful news and let the people know that Jesus is the Lord!

Jesus is the One who changes slowly, all the evil things that dwell so deep inside me

Jesus is the One who cares forever, never let me down and never failed to guide me

Jesus is the One that makes me want to shout the news above the rooftops

Come on, let's shout the joyful news, and let the people know that Jesus is the Lord!

He's the Lord!

He'll do the same for you! (He'll give you freedom)

He's reaching out for you! (He'll give you freedom)

He's the only One who's true! (He'll give you freedom)

He'll set you free...

All He wants to do is to show you His love

and to comfort you

All you gotta do is take Him at His word

(Chuck Girard)

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Truth is...Hippies weren't, and aren't, the only ones desiring a sense of meaning and freedom from guilt. In the words of another song, "All the world over, so easy to see; people everywhere just wanna be free." The good news is, Jesus is still the answer.

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:31-32

Little Country Church

 

Sad to say, it has probably been true throughout most of the history of the church that some church people have had an attitude that directly opposed the heart of God. Namely, there have been those who have said, either inwardly or right out loud, "We don't want that kind of people here."

The good news is that Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California did not have that attitude back in 1970 when four "long-haired freaky people" walked into the church building and asked if they could play some songs the Lord had been giving them as part of their brand new commitment to Jesus.

The foursome called themselves "Love Song" and they were not the only hippies coming to Christ. History was made as the church welcomed them all with open arms and loving hearts.

It was so noteworthy, Love Song put together several notes and words to come up with the song, "Little Country Church."

Little country church on the edge of town

Doo-do-do-dn-do-do-do

People comin' every day from miles around

For meetings and for Sunday school

And it's very plain to see it's not the way it used to be

Preacher isn't talkin' 'bout religion no more

He just wants to praise the Lord

People aren't as stuffy as they were before

They just want to praise the Lord

And it's very plain to see it's not the way it used to be

They're talkin' 'bout revival and the need for love

That little church has come alive

Workin' with each other for the common good

Puttin' all the past aside

Long hair, short hair, some coats and ties

People finally comin' around

Lookin' past the hair and straight into the eyes

People finally comin' around

And it's very plain to see it's not the way it used to be

(Chuck Girard - Fred Field)

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Truth is...The church still needs to love God and love people...all people. We can still make history!

Two Hands

 

If you haven't noticed yet, we're taking a lyrical tour through an album that set several standards for musical artists involved in the Jesus movement of the late Sixties and early Seventies. It's by a group called Love Song and is titled Love Song.

My personal connection to this song is that it's simple enough for me to play on guitar, which I have done on more than one occasion. One particularly memorable performance was with a ministry co-worker named Bob Damon, with whom I worked for several years, encouraging church members to live out the truth found in these words.

We're all gathered here because we all believe

If there's a doubter in the crowd, we ask you not to leave

Give a listen to His story

Hear the message that we bring

Feel the faith swell up inside you

Lift your voice with us and sing

Accept Him with your whole heart

And use your own two hands

With one reach out to Jesus

And with the other, bring a friend

Many know Him well, others just by name

If you don't know for what He stands

You've really much to gain

With faith you can move mountains

These are common words but true

We aren't quite a mountain

But He's moved us here to you

Accept Him with your whole heart

And use your own two hands

With one reach out to Jesus

And with the other, bring a friend

(Tom Coomes - Chuck Butler)

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Truth is...Our marching orders from Jesus are to do just this. Love God and love people enough to make sure they aren't missing out on His great love for us.

Changes

 

The second song on Love Song's groundbreaking first album, also called Love Song, is titled "Changes," and it's a testimony about having found in Jesus the source and empowerment of a lasting life-change.

(Shout out to friend and pioneering Jesus music disc jockey, Rob Whitehurst, for using this song as the theme music for his show!)

I try so hard each day to shed a little light

To keep each moment of my life both full and bright

Believing in the feeling that I know is right

And here's the reason why I feel so good tonight

I'm doing what I want to and it's part of me

Keeping close to Jesus, that's the way it's got to be

Knowing that this feeling will flow eternally

And what I am, is all I have to be

I'm goin' through changes

Changes in my mind

Holding on to good things that I find

I'm goin' through changes

Changes in my mind

And I'm leaving all my emptiness behind

Yes, I'm leaving all my emptiness behind

(Chuck Girard - Dennis Correl)

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Truth is...if knowing Jesus hasn't changed me for the better, maybe I don't really know Jesus.

Love Song

 

Love Song is not only the name of one of the very first Christian rock bands, but it is also the title of their first album AND the first song on that album. With this month being the 50th anniversary of its release, it is high time this album gets the Truth Is track-by-track treatment.

The group broke the trail for all the Jesus musicians and Contemporary Christian Music artists that would follow. The song set the standard for artistry and evangelism that the group always kept at the center of their focus.

Lend an ear to a love song

Oooh a love song

Let it take you, let it start

What can you hear in a love song?

If you can feel it

Then you’re feelin’ from the heart

All the emotions, true feelings of life

is what music of love is about

If you are listening with peace in your heart

and no doubt

So listen now to a love song

If you can hear it

We will never be apart

(Chuck Girard - Jesse Johnston)

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Truth is...Take this song on its own, and you could be excused for thinking this is just another romantic attempt at getting a song on Top 40 radio. (In fact, my Beloved and I sang it to each other as part of our wedding vows!) But in the context of the whole album and the band's whole career, it's easy to see that Jesus is the love song they want everyone to hear.