Thursday, June 28, 2007

For a Closer Walk with God


William Cowper penned the words to the following hymn which has been the theme of the Whetstone Conference 2007.

O for a closer walk with God,

A calm and heav’nly frame,

A light to shine upon the road

That leads me to the Lamb!

Where is the blessedness I knew

When first I saw the Lord?

Where is the soul refreshing view

Of Jesus and His word?

The dearest idol I have known,

Whate’er that idol be,

Help me to tear it from Thy throne,

And worship only Thee.

So shall my walk be close with God,

Calm and serene my frame;

So purer light shall mark the road

That leads me to the Lamb.

I’ve looked forward to this conference for about four years (since the last one). My eager expectations have not been let down. Praise the Lord! We have been enjoying some of the finest sermons and lectures on communion with God. I say “finest,” not because the speakers are world renown, but because they are humble, “unprofitable” servants exalting their Savior who is worthy of all praise.

The graphics for the conference banner and literature consist of a peaceful view of John Wesley’s prayer room. This particular room was set aside by Wesley when he purchased this home at the age of seventy-eight for a place to spend quality time communing with his God. This has served as an appropriate reminder of our need for secret communion with God.

I knew that Wesley was born in June in the year 1703 but I had been confused as to the actual date. Some sources site the 17th, and others site the 28th. I just learned that the difference is in the calendar used. According to the ‘old style’ calendar, prior to 1752, the date was June 17. According to the ‘new style’ calendar, after 1752, the date is June 28. So, it was neat, for me, to see a connection with John Wesley and the timing of this conference.

I wish that all of you could be here this week. We have truly been blessed by the Lord. Tim and I hope to give more information on the conference lectures over the next week or so.


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Posted by Jason Button at Thursday, June 28, 2007
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7 comments:

  1. AnonymousFriday, June 29, 2007 2:38:00 PM

    The simplicity and apparent bareness of the room help to emphasize the importance of a vital and serious walk with God. It is as if there is just enough space for you and God, and that He should occupy the majority of it.
    Thanks for the photo and hymn.

    Are they using the Cowper hymnat the conference, if so what tune are they using?

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  2. Tim AshcraftFriday, June 29, 2007 10:59:00 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  3. Tim AshcraftFriday, June 29, 2007 11:06:00 PM

    Hi Anthony,

    Sorry about the deletion. I misspelled something and thought I could correct it. I Just got home from the closing session of the conference a little while ago. I think we sang the Cowper hymn at almost every session. We sang from our old hymnal, which has a different tune than the newer one. It doesn't give a name for the tune; it just says, "ARR. FROM WILLIAM GARDINER." Our newer hymnal uses the tune "Closer Walk" and says that it is an Old Irish Tune. Hope this helps.

    It was a very good conference. Jason and I hope to post some of the highlights over the next few days.

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  4. AnonymousSaturday, June 30, 2007 10:28:00 PM

    Tim,
    Thanks for the info. I love old hymns. When they are used as a spring board for a conference, every time I hear them aftrer the conference I can recall the content and personal impact of the conference.

    One other question that will help me narrow it down, What hymnal do you use?

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  5. Tim AshcraftSaturday, June 30, 2007 11:27:00 PM

    Our old hymnal (the one used in the conference) is "Favorite Hymns of Praise" published by Tabernacle Publishing Company of Wheaton, Illinois. The new hymnal is "Hymns of Grace and Glory" from Life Line Publications and Ambassador Emerald International in Greenville, SC. Both are good hymnals. The new one has some recent hymns written by local people, including some from our church. The new hymnal is available in our church bookstore and can be ordered on our website for $15 each. The URL is http://www.mountcalvarybaptist.org/Books.aspx.

    I love the old hymns, too. Sometimes I just read the lines for devotional value, or sing them to myself. They frequently give my spirit a good jumpstart.

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  6. Jason ButtonSunday, July 01, 2007 7:45:00 AM

    Here's a link to the tune we used: MARTYRDOM, Hugh Wil­son, 1800; ar­ranged by Ralph E. Hud­son, cir­ca 1885 (MI­DI).

    Some of the most memorable times during the conference were when Ps. Minnick lead the men singing a capella. After one of the evening services he lead the entire congregation in singing a few hymns a capella. I wished that some of our evangelical friends could have experienced the glory of music that sounded nothing like our contemporary culture and yet was soul-stirring. It was music that ministered to our hearts and minds, not only our emotions. It was refreshing!!!

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  7. AnonymousMonday, July 02, 2007 10:19:00 AM

    Thanks guys,
    I have both of those hymnals, and I know the tune MARTYRDOM. Cowper's hymns make wonderful fuel for spiritual meditation. I oftenhave a hymnal at my bedside and use it as a springboard into my daily time in the Word.

    I believe hymns are one of the most neglected forms of literature in our churches. Since hymnody is rarely addressed in church it gets even less time at home.

    Anyway, I appreciate your thoughts and information. I truly wish I could have been at the conference.

    I attended Mt. Calvary for one semester while at BJ. It was the Semester that Dr. Minnick started his series on Ephesians, so I think I got through maybe the first five verses :) . But I have since listened to most of the rest of that series.

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