August 16, 2023 - Good Morning. It's Wednesday, August 16.
Tomorrow at 2:00 pm, First Baptist Church of Center, Texas will host a memorial service for our pastor emeritus, Carl Smith. Bro. Carl chose several songs for us to sing, and I have the blessing of singing one by the gospel artist, Andrae Crouch. "My Tribute" will certainly be a tribute to the life that our pastor lived.
In 1970, Andrae Crouch was a 27-year-old worship leader in Los Angeles. One day a friend came to him and told him about a dream that he had the night before. He dreamt that Crouch would write a song that would go around the world and minister to millions of people. Andrae responded by asking how he would go about doing something like that. The friend said - "Read John 17".
John 17 is a passage that features a prayer that Jesus prayed during the last moments of The Last Supper, moments before He led His disciples to the Garden, moments before He started the journey to the Cross. And in that moment, in that prayer, Jesus prayed this phrase (vs. 4) - "I have brought You glory on earth, Father, by finishing the work that You gave me to do." These words inspired Andrae Crouch to write "My Tribute". These words speak the legacy of faithfulness that was the life of Carl Smith.
How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me
Things so undeserved, yet You gave to prove Your love for me
The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude
All that I am, and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee
To God be the glory! To God be the glory!
To God be the glory for the things He has done!
With His blood He has saved me
With His power He has raised me
To God be the glory for the things He has done!
Just let me live my life, let it be pleasing, Lord, to Thee
And should I gain any praise, let it go to Calvary!
With His blood He has saved me
With His power He has raised me
To God be the glory for the things He has done!
More words about Carl Smith tomorrow
Meet You back here then,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
