The Faughn Family of Four

Thursday Hymn Reflection: “Though Your Sins Be as Scarlet”

Posted on September 30, 2010 by Adam Faughn • 1 Comment

[NOTE: Each Thursday, we reflect on a hymn. Many are suggested by our readers. If you would like us to add your favorites to our list, please leave a comment with up to three favorite songs, and we will reflect on them in the future.]

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A Fanny Crosby-W.H. Doane song, “Though Your Sins be as Scarlet” is one of my all-time favorite hymns. The first verse (and title) are based upon Isaiah 1:18, and the entire song takes the theme of forgiveness and encourages the hearer to find his forgiveness in the Lord.

While Crosby wrote over 8000 hymn texts, and Williams Doane contributed the music to many of them, this hymn is quite unique for both. For Crosby, it is unique in that each verse contains the same line several times. For Doane it is unique in that most of his compositions were simple four-part harmony, and this song contains more difficult and intricate music. The end result, though, is a masterpiece.

“Though Your Sins be as Scarlet” has been used for many years as an invitation song, because its focus for the singer is on their need for God, and upon God’s gracious forgiveness. The song is based in the Bible, but it is interesting to me that nearly every reference in the song can be taken as being from the Old Testament (“and remember them no more” is probably based upon Jeremiah 31:34, for example). This is a statement about Crosby’s knowledge of the whole of Scripture, and it reminds us when we sing it to center our minds on the Author of our salvation!

My favorite part of the song is the refrain of each verse, where musically the singers are told to sing the line quietly, then sing loudly and clearly. The final words of the song fit that style of music so well.

Here are the very simple words to this grand hymn, written in 1876:

“Though your sins be as scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though your sins be as scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they be red as crimson,
They shall be as wool;”
“Though your sins be as scarlet,
Though your sins be as scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow,
They shall be as white as snow.

Hear the voice that entreats you,
O return ye unto God!
Hear the voice that entreats you,
O return ye unto God!
He is of great compassion,
And of wondrous love;
Hear the voice that entreats you,
Hear the voice that entreats you,
O return ye unto God!
O return ye unto God!

He’ll forgive your transgressions,
And remember them no more;
He’ll forgive your transgressions,
And remember them no more;
“Look unto Me, ye people,”
Saith the Lord your God!
He’ll forgive your transgressions,
He’ll forgive your transgressions,
And remember them no more,
And remember them no more.

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For now, enjoy this video of the song. NOTE: My plan is to upload a better audio version when I get the chance (and learn how), so check back later tonight to see if that has happened. In the meantime, share your thoughts on this grand hymn in the comments.

Filed Under: Hymn Reflections

8 Things I’m Thankful for When I Come Home

Posted on September 29, 2010 by Adam Faughn • 6 Comments

If you follow this blog very long at all, you know that I love my family. We aren’t perfect, but we truly love one another, and we believe in spending time together as a family.

It would be very easy for today’s list to just say (1) Leah, (2) Mary Carol, and (3) Turner, because I’m so thankful to have these three in my life. But I have been doing some thinking lately about specific reasons why I’m thankful when I come home. Here are just a few:

April 1, 2008: When We Moved into Our House in Hermitage

1. I’m thankful that Leah is glad to see me. A lot of wives dread (or, at best, feel indifferent) about their husband coming home. Leah always has a hug for me, letting me know that she’s glad I’m there. That helps the bonds of our marriage stay strong.

2. I’m thankful for times when the kids are still asleep. Our children still nap, although the naps are getting shorter. It is a treat when they are still asleep and Leah and I can have those few minutes to talk, review the day, or just laugh together. Yes, sometimes, we spend a little time kissing, too!

3. I’m thankful when I hear the kids laughing and playing. There is no sweeter sound than the kids laughing and enjoying a great day at the house. While they aren’t always laughing (sometimes, they are doing the opposite!), it is a special sound to hear that sweet laughter when I open the door.

4. I’m thankful when Leah is home. It is not wrong for a woman to work outside the home. It is also great when Leah takes some time away to visit family or do other things. But there truly is something special about pulling up in the driveway and knowing the woman you love is inside. She is the most beautiful person I ever see, and it’s a joy to know that she’s there.

5. I’m thankful for chores to do. Okay, maybe I’m not all that thankful, but when I see that the grass is a little too tall, or that there are a few bills to pay, it causes me to remember that God has blessed us with the ability to have a house and to enjoy some nice things in this life. I still have the health and mental ability to take care of those chores, and that is a blessing far too many do not enjoy.

6. I’m thankful that I don’t have to worry about what my kids have learned that day. I know my children have been taught Biblical principles from the time I have left until the time I return. I never worry about the movies Leah may choose to let them watch as a reward, or about the books that sit on their shelves for them to read. We don’t have to “unteach” what someone else has taught them throughout the day.

7. I’m thankful for hugs and kisses–even if they include dirt or peanut butter (or both). I honestly can’t imagine coming home to an empty house every day and never getting the hugs of my children. The word “Daddy,” usually yelled by Mary Carol and then repeated by Turner, followed by a barrage of kisses and hugs will make any man want to get home from work.

8. I’m thankful that God has protected my family for one more day. While we live lives that are quite simple, I’m thankful that God’s hands are on my family and that He protects them. Even when we do have a struggle, we know He is there. Each day I arrive home and my three favorite people are there, it is a wonderful blessing.

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Many of you work jobs where you can’t “clock out” early. However, far too many work until quitting time and then take their time getting home. Get home! Be thankful for what you have there!

If God has blessed you with a spouse who loves the Lord and loves you, there is no reason to be slow in your trip home. Whoever is home first, whether it be the husband or the wife, try to make the other’s “arrival” a big deal. Home should be the place you long to go throughout the day, and it should cause us to remember these small blessings we have from a loving Lord.

Get home today and be thankful for what–and WHO–is there!

Filed Under: Family

The Three-Soul Index Card Challenge at Lebanon Road

Posted on September 28, 2010 by Adam Faughn • 2 Comments

This coming Sunday, October 3, we will have our Mission Sunday (the conclusion of our mission weekend) at Lebanon Road. All 8 of our supported missionaries will be with us and giving presentations throughout the morning in worship and Bible classes.

Since our minds are focused on this, I am preaching a “mini-series” on the Great Commission. I preached last Sunday on how to follow this command even though we are busy. My plan is to preach a “follow-up” sermon on the morning of the 10th.

On that date as well, we have the end of a two-week challenge that I gave last Sunday. It is nothing new with me, but several have said it has already opened their eyes, so I thought I’d share it with you.

Lebanon Road Members: Who Are Your "Three"?

Near the end of my sermon, several of our men handed out index cards to every person in the building (really high tech, I know). Everyone was then reminded that, over the course of the next two weeks, we would all come in contact with hundreds (if not thousands) of people. While that can seem overwhelming, that’s where the cards come into play.

Every person was asked to write down the names of just three people. That’s right, just three! Then, I gave a two-part challenge.

PART 1: Every day for the next two weeks, we are to pray for each person on our card. I challenged each of us to pray specifically and fervently for each person. If they are lost, pray about that. If they are an erring Christian, pray about it. And, we are to pray that God will open a door of opportunity for us to speak to that person about the Him in those two weeks.

PART 2: Each of us is to walk through those open doors when God provides them. I am a firm believer that, when we pray for an open door with fervency, God will provide it. The only question is, will we walk through it? That’s the challenging part for many of us. But, with just three people, it doesn’t seem so overwhelming.

My prayer is that this “challenge” is being taken seriously. I am keeping my card in my shirt pocket at all times, so I can pull it out and say prayers for each person on the list whenever I get the chance. So far, a door hasn’t opened, but I know it will.

Around 275 cards were given out Sunday morning (our attendance was 319, but some visitors and smaller children didn’t want a card; which is fine). If each person did, in fact, write down three names, that would be 725 doors that I know our God will open in these two weeks. Will you pray that we, as His people, have the courage to walk through those doors?

Filed Under: Church Life

Equip Network Week Post #4: What Does the Future Hold?

Posted on September 24, 2010 by Adam Faughn • 2 Comments

This week, we have taken the time to share The Equip Network (TEN) with you. On Tuesday, we looked at the brief but amazing history of this family of podcasts. On Wednesday, we shared the three “flagship” programs with you. Thursday, we told you about the other three programs that have been available from the time of the launch.

But what does the future hold? Will it be just these six programs?

Absolutely not! There has already been an amazing number of listeners to the six programs, but there has also been a significant number of show ideas submitted. While not every one of these will eventually become a podcast, several will.

In about one week, in fact, a 7th program will join TEN. Behind the Pulpit will be a program dealing with the technical aspects of preaching. This weekly program will help preachers with their preparation and delivery as they preach. Wayne Roberts and Bob Turner will host this program, set to launch Friday, October 1. You can read more about that program here.

Once Behind the Pulpit comes “live,” there are other shows in the idea stage that will join in the coming weeks and months. Speaking with the founders, I can assure that programs will cover a wide range of topics, but that they have the goal of each show being distinct, and avoiding two shows being too similar.

So, what’s coming? Here are some ideas that should be launching in the coming months, but I do not know the show names yet. There will be a comedy show, with clean humor based on things that happen in church and in our daily lives. There will be a program for missionaries, where they can encourage one another as they serve all over the world. Programs are also being developed that will deal with the family, with Christian ladies, and with restoration history. No doubt other programs will be developed in the future.

I hope you will pray for The Equip Network. It is a site that is dedicated to using technology to God’s glory. Listen to the programs that interest you, and be encouraged by each show. Keep up with the website, and be on the lookout for new programs as they are developed.

As in all things, may God be glorified by the efforts of The Equip Network!

Filed Under: Tech

Friday Links Roundup: Two Post Friday & Blog News Edition

Posted on September 24, 2010 by Adam Faughn • 2 Comments

This week, we have been writing posts dealing the The Equip Network. We have one more to go, and that will post later today.

For those of you who get emails from me about posts, please note that there will be no email about this post later today. Just come back here later (probably after 2PM Central), and it should be up.

Also, we have a quick announcement to make concerning the blog. For some time I have sent emails when new posts were up. The email for today’s Links Roundup was the last email. I have had some trouble with my gmail account lately, and I think that we have sent a sufficient number of emails to know who is going to read the blog and who isn’t.

Even though you won’t get emails, please continue to come back. Our posting schedule should return to normal next week (Monday will be book reviews, Tuesday will be “regular” articles, Wednesday will be a list, Thursday will have our hymn reflection and Friday will be the Links Roundup).

Thanks for reading, and continue to spread the word about our blog!

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On to the links for this week:

1. Dale Sadler posted a great “double list” that every parent needs to read. Enjoy “I Promise these 8 Things to My Children.”

2. Jonathan Jones writes of some of the great things we hear when we meet together with the Church. You will find encouragement in “The Soothing Sounds of the Assembly.”

3. Trey Morgan printed a great list this week that will cause you to think. You might even want to print this one out and file it in your marriage folder. His good post is “25 Ways to Kill a Good Marriage.”

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We hope you have a great weekend. We have a very busy weekend ahead of us, but it’s all good stuff. We are having a garage sale today and tomorrow, as we try to sell a lot of our baby and toddler clothes. Also, I will be going to our elders’, deacons,’ and preachers’ retreat tomorrow. This is a first for Lebanon Road, and we are excited about the plans that will be made for 2011 and beyond at this all-day get-together.

Then, it will be the Lord’s Day, and our prayer is that you remember Him above all else on His Day.

Filed Under: Links Roundups

Monthly Archives: September 2010

Thursday Hymn Reflection: “Though Your Sins Be as Scarlet”

8 Things I’m Thankful for When I Come Home

The Three-Soul Index Card Challenge at Lebanon Road

Equip Network Week Post #4: What Does the Future Hold?

Friday Links Roundup: Two Post Friday & Blog News Edition