Once In A Lifetime

Today I have the privilege to write about a book that is near and dear to my heart. Rev. Clyde E. Nichols has been an important part of my life and I am so glad that he has written this book. "Lift Up Your Eyes" is a book of Christian devotions that Rev. Nichols has written over the past four decades. He has written a weekly newspaper column, "Lift Up Your Eyes",  for the Temple Daily Telegram (Temple, Texas) for the past 46 years. The first column ran on May 8, 1965, and it has been a regular feature in the Saturday edition since then.

Rev. Nichols has chosen the very best of his columns to include in this book of 366 devotions (one for each day of the year plus Leap Year). There are extra devotions at the end of the book for holidays (Martin Luther King Day, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Father's Day and Thanksgiving).

The name of the book comes Psalms 121: 1-2, "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence does my help come? My help comes from the Lord..." Each devotion is based on a true story from history, literature, a movie or the personal experiences of Rev. Nichols. There is a Scripture verse included with each devotion.

Rev. Clyde E. Nichols served as senior minister of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Temple, Texas, from 1963 to 1986. He served as an associate pastor at LaPorte Community Church (Laporte, Texas) in the early 1990s. My husband and I grew to know and love Rev. Nichols during these years. In November 1991, he performed our marriage ceremony. In 1992, he was by my side after I was seriously injured in a head-on car wreck with a drunk driver. Rev. Nichols baptized both my husband and I in the Chapel at LaPorte Community Church in 1993. He was everything you could ask for in a pastor.

I have read many Christian devotional books, but this book is truly a once-in-a-lifetime reading experience. The book is inspirational, motivational and will lead you to a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. This book is now available on the AuthorHouse site in hardcover, paperback and e-book format.

Rev. Nichols provided me with a free copy of this book in digital format to read and review. I hope to travel to Temple on April 30th to celebrate the publishing of this book and Rev. Nichol's 90th birthday. I will purchase a signed hardback copy of this book and keep it on my nightstand. I will read a devotion from this book each night to end my day.

Lift Up Your Eyes

I recently learned that a long-time family friend, Pastor Clyde Nichols, is working on a new book of daily Christian devotions.  The name of the book is "Lift Up Your Eyes".  Pastor Nichols is Minister Emeritus of First Christian Church, Temple, Texas, where he served as senior minister for 23 years from 1963 to 1986.  He is a graduate of Texas Christian University and Brite Divinity School.  He severed as an associate pastor at LaPorte (TX) Community Church during the 1990s.  My husband and I came to know Pastor Nichols very well during those years.  On November 21, 1991, Pastor Nichols performed the marriage ceremony for Dean and I.  On October 16, 1992, Pastor Nichols was by my side when I was rushed into emergency surgery after I was seriously injured by a drunk driver.  In 1993, Dean and I were baptized by Pastor Nichols at LaPorte Community Church. He was everything you could ask for in a pastor...he was with us during joy and sorrow.
Pastor Nichols' Christian devotions have been published in local newspapers for many years.  I am delighted to learn that his wisdom and inspiration will now be published in a book.  Here is a sample of the material that will be in the book.

Thomas A. Dorsey, often called the Father of Gospel Music, was born in Villa Rica, Georgia in 1899. His father was a Baptist minister, and his mother played the organ and piano wherever her husband preached.
Thomas quit school early and was soon hanging around theaters and dance halls. Musicians there encouraged him to practice at home on his mother’s piano. He did, and by the age of 12 was earning money playing at parties and private get-togethers.
He moved to Chicago, and in 1920 was married to Nettie Harper, but the demanding schedule of playing at night, working at other jobs during the day and studying in between, led to a nervous breakdown. He was unable to work for two years. In order to survive, Nettie took a job in a laundry to support them.
His uncle encouraged him to attend the National Baptist Convention. There he was impressed by the singing of W. M. Nix. He soon began composing sacred songs and was hired music director at Chicago’s Pilgrim Baptist Church, a position he held for nearly 40 years.
In 1932 they were living on Chicago’s South Side, and he and Nettie were expecting their first child. Thomas was scheduled to be the featured soloist for a revival in St. Louis. The second night, as he finished his solo, a Western Union messenger brought the news that Nettie had died along with their new born son.
He managed to get through the funeral service, but when it was over, he withdrew from his family, his friends, and even his beloved music. In despair, he sat one evening at the piano idly running over the keys when suddenly he felt at peace and found himself playing a melody he had not heard or played before. The words for it came into his head—just seemed to fall in place. What has been called “the greatest gospel song of all time” was born. People around the world know it, sing it, and love it because of its profound message of hope and faith.

Precious Lord, take my hand,

Lead me on, help me stand,

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.

Through the storm, through the night,

Lead me on to the light,

Take my hand, precious Lord,

Lead me home.