Take a pilgrimage with Steve and Janet Ray!
Tears Singing Good Ole Baptist Hymns
The old Baptist hymns still stir me and bring tears to my eyes. They take me back to my childhood when the family would dress up, us kids in our little suits with cheesy ties and short-legged pants (I’m the one in the plaid jacket). Dad would always give us candy during the service and put his arm around us while tickling our ears. The good old days.
Dad used to tear up at the old hymns. As he lay in his bed dying a few years ago we put the Bill Gaither Trio (YouTube) albums on the iPad I bought him. He would listen to the classic hymns over and over again. I think he could already see the Lord and was ready to go.
Sunday we sang two of those old classics at Mass. I looked over expecting to see my dad and mom sitting there in their 50’s suit and dress, smiling as their three boys fidgeted in the pew waiting to get back to our ponies and swimming pool. Yeah, I had tears running down my checks.
When I got home I called my brother Tim. He said he too cannot even sing those hymns at Mass without choking up and the words stop coming. Mom and Dad were the best; those old Baptist hymns are surely sung in heaven and I have fond and loving memories on my Baptist upbringing.
The hymns from last Sunday were “What Can Wash Away My Sins, Nothing but the Blood of Jesus” and “How Great Thou Art” (YouTube video).
Put the hymnal away — I can sing those by heart and from my heart. I still sing them mom and dad who is surely watching from heaven — still praying for their boys.
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my cleansing this I see–
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
For my pardon this my plea–
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Nothing can my sin erase
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Naught of works, ’tis all of grace–
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my hope and peace–
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my righteousness–
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Childhood Memories of Grapejuice Communion
Recently, my grandson Charlie was in a school concert for kids. We were in South Carolina visiting my daughter Charlotte. The concert was held in a Baptist church, and it’s been about 30 years since I’ve been in a Baptist church, so it’s kind of interesting — a blast from the past.
I remembered the old communion cup “inserts” where we placed the little “shot glasses” of Welch’s grape juice after the quarterly communion services.
Here is a 1-minute video I made today so Catholics can see these receptacles, which are not in Catholic churches.
Back to the Holy Land – First two trips sold out, next open trip is April 2026
Holy Land!
Our first two trips sold out (Dec 28, 2025-Jan 6, 2026, and February with Ave Maria University).
Jump on our April 2026 trip while there are still open seats — and while the holy sites will still be without crowds. The crowds will return in the 2nd half of 2026.
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