GodReflection: Power Words
Henry Francis Lyte, a British poet died in 1847, a hundred years prior to my birth. The song Abide with Me—a portion of his legacy—found its way into the plaster of my soul.
I grew up in an a cappella church.
Theron Jay, who I would describe as a gifted Irish tenor led us in song. His trade surrounded the cement industry. He made cement blocks and could turn a wall into artful plaster. He described his work as being in the trowel trade.
Theron Jay plastered Abide with Me as a coating upon my soul during my formative years. He was a gift of God in the New Mexico desert.
Abide isn’t a word often used in today’s world. It is now archaic. I am more likely to use “to remain” or “to dwell” to express the same idea.
Jesus said, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
I want to remain in Jesus. The word abide may have changed but the message of dwelling in Jesus continues strong:
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away; change and decay in all around I see; thou who changest not, abide with me.
I need thy presence every passing hour. What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power? Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless; ills have no weight, and tears not bitterness. Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if thou abide with me.
Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes; shine through the gloom and point me to the skies. Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee; in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Although, I may pull my power word from the archives of time, its message is as relevant as the morning sun. It is always appropriate to invite Jesus to come and live within my very being.
Truth is Jesus can only abide in me if I abide in him.
Stay tuned.
Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – A GodReflection on the Power Word Abide.
God Reflection 
Yes, dear Gary, abide is a wonderful word! Thanks for all the copies of your book that you sent to CCC. What a wonderful blessing for those women! God bless!
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Sara,
I always appreciate your kind words.
Gary
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Gary, all your posts are meaningful but his one, of course, touched a nerve and stirred sweet memories of our times knowing Theron. We had a strong youth group before there were such things as youth groups and youth minsters and he was a major part of that. Sweet, warm memories, and particularly of that song and it’s meaing. Thank you!
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Vicki,
Isn’t it neat to think about blessings that we most likely were unaware of at the time.
Trust all is well.
Gary
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