I’ve been listening to beautiful classic Christian hymns in my office here at the church building all day long. The songs are not coming from a radio or a CD player or from the internet. These songs are coming from our chapel across the hall where Keith Lancaster and 130 men and women from all over the United States are recording two albums in the Acappella Praise and Harmony series.

Build your hopes on things eternal; hold to God’s unchanging hand…

For the past couple of hours my computer has been updating me with the horrible news out of Boston. Two explosions at the Boston Marathon. At least two people killed. Three dozen or more injured, some critically. Blood all over the sidewalks. Families separated from one another.

Because he lives, I can face tomorrow…

A most amazing blend of young voices and old, men and women, four-part harmony, Christians from here in Amarillo and from as far away as Michigan, Kentucky, New York, and, yes, Massachusetts. Praising God. Proclaiming his great love and faithfulness. Declaring trust in his promises. Giving us in the church offices a beautiful glimpse of heaven.

Resting in my Savior as my all in all, standing on the promises of God…

Chaos and turmoil near the finish line. Violence and death. Terrorism. Indescribable pain. Act of War. Panic. Screams of horror. Uncertainty. Fear. Lots of fear.

Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love…

In the middle of listening to these beautiful hymns sung by faithful Christians in an historic chapel in Amarillo, we’re reminded by the news out of Boston that Jesus has not yet returned in his glory. We’re shocked all over again at the realization that we live in a fallen world characterized by sin and death, pain and anguish, terrible tragedy and suffering. The headlines and pictures on my computer screen this afternoon have the capacity to completely take over. They can define the rest of my day. They could come to distort and shape my world view. But these songs drifting down the hall from the chapel put the day’s news in its proper perspective. Today’s news. Any day’s news. These songs remind us that our God is truly faithful, that he really is making things right, that he is doing what he always promised he would do, and that one day his Kingdom will come in all of its glory and power, destroying all sin and all death once and for all.

Lord, thank you for the gift of song and the power it possesses to encourage and inspire in dark times. Lord, please bless your children in Boston with your divine comfort and healing. And, Lord, come quickly.

Peace,

Allan