I Must Tell Jesus (August Newsletter Article)

From the Preacher’s Desk: “I Must Tell Jesus.”

Elisha A Hoffman was born May 7, 1839 in Orwigsburg. Pennsylvania. His father was a minister, and Elisha followed Christ at a young age. He attended Philadelphia public schools, studied science, then pursued the classics at Union Seminary of the Evangelical Association. He worked for eleven years with the association’s publishing house in Cleveland, Ohio. Then, following the death of his young wife, he returned to Pennsylvania and devoted thirty-three years to pastoring Benton Harbor Church.
Hoffman’s pastime was writing hymns, many of which were inspired by pastoral incidents. One day, for example, while calling on the destitute of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, he met a woman whose depression seemed beyond cure. She opened her heart and poured on him her pent-up sorrows Wringing her hands, she cried, “What shall I do? Oh, what shall I do?” Hoffman knew what she should do, for he had himself learned the deeper lessons of God’s comfort. He said to the woman, “You cannot do better than to take all your sorrows to Jesus. You must tell Jesus.”
Suddenly the lady’s face lighted up. “Yes!” she cried, “That’s it! I must tell Jesus.” Her words echoed in Hoffman’s ears, and he mulled them over as he returned home. He drew out his pen and started writing, I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! /I cannot bear my burdens alone; / I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!/ Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.
Hoffman lived to be ninety, telling Jesus his burdens and giving the church such hymns as What a Wonderful Savior, Down at the Cross, Are you Washed in the Blood? Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, and many more. – pg. 130 Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations and Quotes. – Thomas Nelson Publishers. Robert J. Morgan . 2000.
Are you telling Jesus your struggles? Are you sharing Him with others? May we grow together.

Statues, Name Changes, Controversy - Oh My!

So in my community there has been lots of controversy. It almost takes a history lesson to share how this came to be. Short version: History of America and the status of our culture came to ahead. I live in Virginia. Near what some call the Capital of the Confederacy. Others - "The Lost Cause." There is a lot of tradition, pride, and southern heritage. Along with that hurt, healing, and "Racism." Social justice, civil right issues, and a deep divide between politics, people, and heart issues. If I was to sum it up people are divided over statues, names that convey what has been Racial overtones. For more see this Story

So the statutes of leaders of the Civil War on Monument Avenue and areas have come down. In my community there are 2 schools named after Confederate Leaders (other schools and names in the area as well - did I mention I live in Virginia and you can't go anywhere without some area having history of the Civil War here?)Lee-Davis High and Stonewall Jackson Middle school.

Recently our school board (having a lawsuit dismissed earlier this year to force to change the names) voted to change the names of the schools by a marrow vote of 4-3. Hanover County seems divided over this. People are thinking back to when they went to school there, or their grandkids etc. I understand. There is the Financial consideration, political, and cultural. In a lot of ways I'd like to just move forward. I have one daughter that just graduated from LD and 2 children attending the school no matter what they name it.

(Several good suggestions I've heard - Mechanicsville High, Bell Creek Middle etc and some good suggestions of mascots too). The Big Thing it how can we move on as a community. I've been reading online and there tends to be a dividing issue. Which it should not be.

Here is one thing people need to be: Civil. Agree to disagree. Recognize the other side. Did people take pride in tradition, history, and heritage ? Sure. Is it really erasing history? No. Are the names offensive and meant to be racist? you bet. (People who attended the schools might not of thought it that way but the minorities that went did did and were silenced). Do we need to be calling each other names? (Snow flakes, uncaring, racists etc) No. What does that achieve? What are we back in Middle School?


Someone once reminded me to "Choose your battles wisely." Love one another. Love your enemy. Love your neighbor as yourself. If this community (which I love, and minister in) is to move forward ... we have to find a way to come together and embrace change - even if we don't like it. I find Joy that maybe this might be put behind us but recognize this doesn't solve Racism or society's woes. A name change doesn't do that. It is only a step.

There is more history, divide, and controversy here than a name change or politics or government to be the answer. I find that answer, and Hope only in Jesus.

As a minister, I see people hurting. Lives needing to be mended. They say time heals. I hope so.

May we change people one life at a time.

BTW I'm thinking of a few names (Since they don't name after individuals - mostly areas.) 360 high, Turnpike High, West Store, Studley.

Summer Sermon Series