Ira Forrest Stanphill was born on February 14, 1914 and died on December 30, 1993. Mr. Stanphill was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001. He was a well known Assembly of God minister who dedicated his life to serving God, preaching, writing songs, and singing all over the country and world.
Yesterday, I received a Facebook post recognizing his birthday. I don't think, that's the primary reason I woke up today to "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow". If that was the case, God could have woke me with some of his even more popular songs, such as "Mansion Over The Hilltop". "Room At The Cross For You", "Unworthy", "He Washed Our Eyes With Tears", "Suppertime" and so many more. But those words, "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow" I hear pretty regular and I will share about that in a more personal way in just a minute.
I love the song "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow". I have heard it sung for years by so many. Years ago, it was The Statesman, the old Oak Ridge Quartet, The Cathedrals. Several years ago, Leanne Rimes recorded it on her Inspirational Songs album and I understand she sings it in some of her concerts today. It has been featured on a couple of the Gaither videos. It is a time honored song that people love to sing and people love to hear.
But I mentioned I hear these words often. I have had the distinct privilege the past several months to go visiting with my pastor, Brother John. Every Tuesday, rain or shine, we go out to the hospitals, rehabs, homes or where it is needed to see the sick or homebound. Whoever he is led to perhaps bring a little brightness to their day and leave with a prayer of hope and comfort. I don't know if he even knows it, but he so often says, "we know who holds tomorrow". I go home every Tuesday evening, feeling so blessed to have had the day, to see so many smiling faces and hear their sweet stories and to have spent the day with Brother John.
Brother John is a special man to me. He is a godly man, a man of faith with a sweet spirit, humble, compassionate, rooted and grounded in God's word, and I could go on and on. In my opinion he is what people would expect in their pastor. I love to get to church on Sunday and see the order or worship, look at the songs and who is singing but I love seeing the topic of Brother John's message and the scripture text he will be using. Now he is not paying me for this (of course he could if he wanted too LOL) but in some small way, I want to acknowledge my thanks for him and what he has done for me especially during the time I was sick and what he does for others..
Of course, I had no idea what was going on around me during the first many weeks of my sickness so I have to rely on what I am told. But I hear, Brother John had an "uncanny" ability to show up at the hospital when he was needed most. During the times when I took a turn for the worse, when important medical decisions were being made or whatever, he was there. I would like to think it was because it was me (LOL) but I know better. He desires and does this for everyone as he can. And this doesn't include the time, when you stop by the church and he is there in his office, with Bibles, commentaries all over the place and he is prayer and study. And when you are with him, his phone is constantly ringing or texts are being received. Yet, to my amazement, he maintains a good balance in his life with his family, bees and blueberries. This gives him the needed time to "recharge" and place himself in a stronger position to be more effective for serving God and our church. I have great respect for Brother John and proud to call him my friend and pastor. So when Brother John tells these sweet people we go to visit, "we know who holds tomorrow", there is no doubt in my mind, he does.
Now during this political season and with all the candidate commercials, I should say something like, this is not Brother John and I have not approved the message. LOL Come to East Gadsden Baptist tomorrow and experience the joy of worship I experience.
I hope you have an amazing Saturday and enjoy Earnie Haase and Signature Sound sing "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow"!
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