HUGH STOWELL

Here is a statue of Hugh Stowell, the writer of "From Every Stormy Wind that Blows." I'm not much into statues. The real person would suit me better, or a picture of the real person since he died in 1886.

I like him, though. He wrote only one song. I have written only one book. I wonder if they'll raise a statue to me. Maybe not .

After he'd decided it was wrong to baptize babies, he became a Baptist. That's a new reason to me for becoming a Baptist. He was known for his work in the cause of peace. Also a first--I didn't know Baptists were into furthering the cause of peace. I thought we were rabble rousers.

In 1847 (one hundred years before I was born), he traveled to Liverpool to preach at Myrtle Street Baptist Chapel and stayed there the rest of his life. That's longer than I've stayed in one place.

His preaching was simple and direct--and humorous. Have you ever wondered what we'd do without humor-- with all the not-so-funny things going on around us?

Mr. Stowell started a series of lectures on Sunday afternoons. People who thought they couldn't dress well enough to go to church attended these talks. Often he spoke to a crowd of three to four thousand.

He started the Workman's Bank to help people develop habits of saving, which kept many from poverty.

This guy was busy. Maybe that's why he wrote only one song. I guess I'll get started on my second book since I'm not a speaker or a banker.

In the meantime, you know where to pick up Ebenezer. You'll still have money to sock away in the Workman's Bank--or wherever you keep it.

Speaking of money, a check for children's books is going to educator and child advocate Emily Bond in honor of those who played our Blog game.

You can read on page 13 of Ebenezer about Mr. Stowell's song, "From Every Stormy Wind that Blows."

Thanks for your participation and putting up wth my silliness.

Marty

AND THE WINNERS ARE

I'll start at top. Joe Ellis and a darling grandchild, a granddaughter, right?

Next is my sister, Jo's beautiful yard since I lost the pictue she sent, and she has such a lovely place in Ohio. Actually, if you look closely at that little dot, that's Jo. She said she knew the answer, but never told me. Can you trust these big sisters?

Next is Chaplain Bob and Barb Ruesch. Bob was first to answer the question.

Next is my cousin, Barbara, who asked the question in the first place.

Last, but with the most complete answer is Mary K Frazier, a life-long friend. She is shown with two of her sisters, Nancy and Shirley. Mary K (who is pictured on right) gave names and dates. Joh Barger coined the term 'web log'in 1997; it was shortened to 'blog' by Peter Merholz in 1999.

Nobody wanted me to send them a book--sooo I sent my sister a giant lemon by her grandson Evan. For the rest of you I'm giving books to underprivileged children in your honor. Is that OK?

This was fun, thanks to all of you. Please comment on my blog from time to time, like dear Mary K always does. Or send me an e-mail.

Any of you who will send your grandson to Fresno, I'll send you a giant lemon from the great San Joaquin Valley (my back yard). But you must hurry. Supplies are limited.

You can purchase Ebenezer all kinds of ways and places: From me on my website, Lighthouse Christian Publishing Company, Amazon or ask your independent bookstore to order it.

Thanks for the fun. Marty

BERT SHADDUCK

At right is the Methodist church of Bert Shadduck, writer of "The Great Judgment Morning."

I used his church because I didn't think he was that good looking.

Mr. Shadduck was born in 1869 and died in 1950. His father ridiculed his Christian faith, but he stayed true. He was a member of the Salvation Army, then the Methodist church. One of his great causes was fighting the teaching of evolution. I think a larger banner he flew was warning people of "the great judgment morning." We all must reckon with God's judgment, but we need not fear that day if we've met the Savior.

I've been encouraged to write more about the authors of our hymns. I've chosen not to do a lot of that. You can find plenty of books on the biographies of the hymn writers. I study and write about the phrases of the great old songs of the faith--many coming straight from the scripture.

But I did decide to take just a few "blogs" of time and look at some of these musical poets.

Speaking of blogs, my cousin, Barbara, asked me where the word blog came from. So, here's the deal: To the first person who answers this question on my blog, I'll send:

1.)My book, Ebenezer and Ninety-Eight Friends. 2)One book of your choice. (Valued $15 or less that I can buy at Majesty, our neighborhood Christian bookstore).

Remember, God would rather save you than judge you. Aren't you glad He'll take somebody as ugly as Bert Shadduck? (He really isn't that bad looking. They just didn't have good photographers back then.)

Thanks for your support.

Marty

NO ONE EVER CARED FOR ME LIKE JESUS

I'd like to share with you an article from my book. The picture at right is Dr. Charles Weigle.

I KNOW THE AUTHOR

Every day He comes to me with new assurance,
More and more I understand His words of love;
But I’ll never know just why He came to save me,
Till some day I see His blessed face above.
No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus,
C.F. Weigle

It was the middle of the 1960s, but we hadn’t come to demonstrate for or against abortion, women’s rights or the peace movement. We had gathered to celebrate a birthday. Hundreds of students and faculty marched down Main Street in Chattanooga. Dr. Charles Weigle, hymn writer and mentor for many young people, had turned 95. The Sunday evening service of Highland Park Church was being held in the Civic Center this one special evening.
Dr. Weigle sat with us in the dining hall at Tennessee Temple College. He had a room on campus, where students cared for him. I remember his winning smile. I remember he talked to any of the students—about something funny or about a serious problem. I remember he liked lots of sugar in his tea.
The Weigle Singers, formed in his honor, sang his most recognized hymn, “No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus.” What an honor to know the man who had penned these words. Every time I hear the song, I want to say, “I knew the author.”
Dr. Weigle didn’t make it to 96. He went to be with the One about whom he’d been singing for over 40 years—the one who comforted him when his wife left him after he became a Christian. He went on to be with the Author of his faith and my faith—and the faith of anyone who receives this Jesus.
I don’t hear Dr. Weigle’s songs much anymore. We have a new era in music. But the same thought is still being penned and proclaimed: “There’s simply nobody who cares for us like Jesus.”
When Christmas rolls around this year, I hope I’ll remember with a new zeal whose birthday I’m celebrating—whether I read the Nativity story with my family, fellowship over a cup of hot chocolate with my church family, or march down Main Street, singing His praises.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…Hebrews 12:2

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This and 98 other stories can be found in Ebenezer and Ninety-Eight Friends. You may purchase it from me, Amazon or Lighthouse Christian Publishing.

Speaking of ninety-something people, my mother just celebrated her 93rd birthday yesterday. What a joy to be a part of her long and happy life.

Thank you all four your support.

Marty

SUNDAY SCHOOL KIDS THEN AND NOW

In 1780 when Robert Raikes and John Burton started Sunday school in England, there was no public school. Sometimes they had to teach the children to read before they taught them the Bible.

Many of these children spent their other six days working in factory jobs. Maybe they appreciated Sunday school more than we do today.

My greatest desire for my five grandchildren is that they learn and glean from this same Book taught to these young factory workers over 200 years ago.

Holy Bible, Book divine,
Precious treasure, thou are mine;
Mine to tell me whence I came;
Mine to teach me what I am.
Mine to comfort in distress,
Suffering in this wilderness.
John Burton (1773-1822)

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11

You can read about my long table where I learned from this Book. See "Chocolate Chips, Raisins and the Word of God" in Ebenezer and Ninety-Eight Friends.

Thanks for reading my blog and letting me use a lame excuse to show my grandkids' pictures.