PODCAST
Willful Sinning Against God
July 11th, 2023
Psalm 78:17-24
Cyrus was discouraged.
For the last year and for a meager salary, Cyrus S. Nusbaum (1861-1937) had faithfully served a circuit of seven Methodist churches in Kansas. At the annual conference, he was hoping for a better appointment, but it was not to be.
After the session in which the bishop announced that Cyrus was to continue in the same assignment, he and his wife returned to their quarters. His wife went to bed, but Cyrus could not sleep. Deeply unhappy, he sat in the parlor grappling with bitterness. About midnight, he slipped to his knees and surrendered his ministry and future to God. Out of this experience, Cyrus penned the words and music to the hymn, “His Way with Thee.” It became his theme for a productive life of service.
In Psalm 78, the people could have turned to God for guidance, but they rebelled, invoking God’s wrath. Even so, the “Most High” sent them manna and continued to care for them throughout their wilderness journey.
Author: Karen Hiner
Tags: Surrender
July 11th, 2023 at 10:27 am
Each day I begin with a cup of very strong coffee. As I set with iPad on my lap I seek out this site. Today I was given answer to a ministry calling malady. I waited until I was fifty four to leave secular employment which provided a resource to live above the American dream. After completing two postgraduate degrees I was educationally prepared to approach the calling to full time ministry. After having served in ministry as a layperson in a large congregation. Eventually I qualified for ordination in the denomination of my life. Lest I write another dissertation here I confess that I could not respond to the polity of resigning my first assignment after one month short of year.. bitterness and abandonment by leadership left me without a place to continue my service to my Lord in an official position and being told that I could not be ordained because I failed to submit to the situation. I Cyrus Nusbaum has witnessed to me today.