Sweeter Than Honey

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear.
                                                                             ~John Newton




Most of you have probably heard of George Beverly Shea.  He was born into the home of a minister of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Winchester, Ontario.  George's mother woke him each morning with "Singing I go, along life's road, praising the Lord, praising the Lord."   As George grew, and his father moved their family to New York and New Jersey, it became evident that George's full and resonate voice was a gift from God.


George encountered an opportunity for a job at a radio station.  He was told he could sing an occasional hymn (obviously this arrangement indicated they didn't want him to get too carried away!).  Later one evening when he sat down at the piano to practice for the Sunday service, he found a poem.  It was written in 1922 by Mrs. Rhea F. Miller.  The words spoke to his heart and an appropriate melody came easily, as did the decision about his offered job.

George Beverly Shea
by Paul Davis

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I'd rather be His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause;
I rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I'd rather be true to His holy name.

He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;

He's all that my hungering spirit needs;
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead.

...Than to be the king of a vast domain,
Or be held in sin's dread sway.
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I wonder how many times George Beverly Shea sang that song.  In December of last year, The Recording Academy decided to honor him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in conjunction with the 2011 Grammy Awards.

"I was surprised to receive the call from The Recording Academy president before Christmas and am honored for the recognition," Shea said. "The music has been for God's glory."

Over his musical and ministry career spanning more than 80 years, Shea has produced over 70 albums of hymns, including nine CDs, with RCA and Word Records. He's still giving concerts near his home.  At 103 years of age, Shea still believes "Jesus is sweeter than honey from out of the comb."

 Those same words from the third verse came to me yesterday as I was listening to the Bible.  David, in Psalm 19:10 said, "The ordinances of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More are they to be desired than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb." and again in Psalm 119:103 said, "How sweet are thy words unto my taste, yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth."

My whole wheat bread recipe calls for honey.  And my granola recipe, too.  And I love honey in my tea.  Why?  It's sweet. And so are the words of my Lord, written  in the Book of Life.   

The sweet words, "Come unto me and I will give you rest."  "As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you; abide in My love." "Whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you."  Sweet, sweet words.  Just like Jesus -- He is sweeter than the honey out of the comb! 

* * * * *

Ice Cream Topping

for a

Honey of a Guy

Do you have a friend who would "give someone the shirt off his back?"  I was raised by a man like that, worked with a man like that, and RB and I have a friend like that, too.  Actually we have more than one abundant giver friend -- a couple Marks...and Ken.  Ken isn't the kind of guy that broadcasts his gifts, either monetary or practical.  But I speak from experience when saying I've been on the receiving end of a few of them -- and I also hear how others have been the recipients of his blessings.  When I do, I say to myself, "Ken's been busy." 

A couple years ago when Ken's son was in Greece he brought me (and his parents) a jar of nuts covered in honey.  I know how much Ken enjoyed the treat, so when I saw this recipe on Martha Stewart's website I wanted to try it for him.  And of course we all know that behind every great man stands an even greater woman [insert giggle] -- I included the bee plug-in from Bath and Body Works for his wife.  The bee bandana came from Hobby Lobby. 

Do any of the rest of you stock up at Bath and Body Works' clearance sales?  I'd love to hear creative ideas of what you do with your "loot." 



Ingredients

1/2 cup walnut halves 

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup dried apricots cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1/2 cup good-quality honey

Directions

1. Stir together nuts and fruit; transfer to a 6-ounce jar. Top with honey.
2. Topping can be refrigerated in jar up to 1 month; to serve, bring to room temperature.

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