Just Pondering
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Rick Branan |
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (CSBBible)
Civilla Durfee Martin (Jordan Falls, Nova Scotia, August 21, 1866--March 9, 1948, Atlanta, Georgia). Daughter of James N. and Irene (Harding) Holden. She married Rev. John F. Geddes, Congregational minister of Coventryvilee, N.Y. at Jordan Falls Methodist Church, Shelbourne Co., Nova Scotia, on May 19, 1891. There is thus far no information about their marriage and its end. After several years of teaching school, she married Walter Stillman Martin, a Baptist minister, and traveled with him in evangelistic work. However, because of frail health, she was compelled to remain home much of the time. In 1916, they became members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). They had one son, A.G. Martin.
In her writing, she used only her initials, "C.D." rather than her full name of that of her composer-husband. She is reputed to have written several hundred hymns and religious songs. Her first one, "God Will Take Care of You," written in 1904 became world-famous. Her husband wrote the music for this and many of her other hymns. "His Eye is on the Sparrow" written in 1906 and set to music by Charles H. Gabriel, has also received wide acclaim. In addition to the above, "Like as a Father," "A Welcome for Me," and "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power" are among her better-known hymns.
Her husband and collaborator, W.S. Martin (1862-1935) preceded her in death. For the last 29 years of her life, she made her home in Atlanta, Georgia, where she was a member of the First Christian Church. Her funeral was held on March 10, 1948 at Spring Hill and the interment was in the West View Cemetery in Atlanta.
Carlton S. Buck
His Eye Is on the Sparrow
Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely
And long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
I sing because I’m happy—
I sing because I’m free—
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled.”
His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness,
I lose my doubt and fear.
Though by the path He leadeth,
But one step I may see:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted,
Whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing,
When hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him;
From care He sets me free:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
Written by Civilla D. Martin
Worry is a constant problem for many of us. It consumes us. I have a friend that says he plans for the worse case, so he won’t be disappointed. The Greek word comes from a root word that means to distract. This is exactly what Satan wants – for us to be distracted. In 1 Peter, we are told to put our worries or cares on God because the Satan is lurking like a lion. My first year of Little League baseball our team had a player who was always distracted. If a ball was hit to him, he was oblivious. Focus on the Father.
Our passage today connects worry to prayer. Instead of worrying, we should focus on praying to God. Paul writes to the Thessalonians to “pray without ceasing.” When our focus is on God, that focus should consume us and leave no room for worry. Corrie Ten Boom wrote, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” There is a corollary to “don’t worry;” it is to rejoice always. Paul reminds the Thessalonians of this too. When we rejoice and pray, we have peace.
In Civilla Martin’s lyrics, she writes, “When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies, I draw the closer to Him; from care He sets me free. Jesus teaches us in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) that He watches over creation and He surely watches over you and me.
Don’t worry, instead pray and rejoice to God who takes way our anxieties.
Just pondering . . . Bro. Rick