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Light for Living began as a writing ministry of Pastor Gary Click while pastoring the Calvary Baptist Church in Clinton, IN. His articles were published in the local newspaper, The Daily Clintonian. They were also distributed to email subscribers and several were posted on this website. Shortly after assuming the pastorate of the Fremont Baptist Temple, Fremont, OH, he was approached by Pastor James Lewis and chief operator, Brian Benedict about providing a two thirty-minute Radio Programs for the weekend. (WHVT 90.5 fm) At this point, Pastor Click's writing ministry transformed into a radio ministry. Due to time constrains, the weekly devotional gave way to the radio ministry. However, these devotionals are still available online through the Light for Living Archives. Pastor Click is still active in writing bible studies, dramas and devotional articles for other applications. We hope to make those resources available soon. Click here to learn more about becoming a Christian. Listen to the "Light for Living" broadcast live on whvtfm.com Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00 pm.
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My Country 'tis of Thee The children of the Park Street Church in Boston celebrated Independence Day 1831 by presenting the premier performance of America, more readily recognized by its opening words, My Country ‘Tis of Thee. Sammuel Francis Smith had felt the call of God to enter into the Baptist ministry and enrolled at Andover Theological Seminary. There a friend gave him a collection of German hymnals. One song in particular, caught his interest, Got segne Sachsenland (God Bless Our Saxon Land). Inspiration gripped his soul and in short order he penned the words that have stirred the hearts of many Americans. A graduate of both Harvard University and Andover Seminary, Smith developed lasting friendships with the poet, Oliver Wendell Holmes. Holmes used the occasion of class reunion to compose a short poem honoring Smith. And there’s a nice youngster of excellent pith – Although Smith is most well know for this hymn that took him less than thirty minutes to compose, there are 150 other hymns that flowed from his pen. Smith’s admiration for the Baptist missionary, Adoniram Judson, led him to tour several mission fields spreading the gospel. He also served as the editorial secretary for the American Baptist Missionary Union. A man of great learning, Smith also found time to contribute to the work of the Encyclopedia Americana. Skilled in fifteen different languages, Smith was well qualified to fill his position of Professor of Modern Languages at Waterville College. He was learning a sixteenth at the time of his death at the age of eighty-six. Samuel Francis Smith was obviously a skilled and inspired man. Yet his most admirable trait is his devotion to God and country. To him, these traits were inseparable. This can be clearly seen in the hymn, America. He begins "My country ‘tis of thee sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing." But notice how gently and sweetly he concludes the hymn. Our fathers’ God, to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing. Long may our land be bright With Freedom’s holy light, Protect us by Thy might, Great God, and King. Samuel Francis Smith knew that true and lasting freedom only comes from God. America’s freedom found its source in Heaven. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Corinthians 3:17) The freedom America enjoys is the envy of the world. No other nation has embraced freedom and liberty as America has. America was founded upon freedom: the freedom to worship God according to our own conscious. America, from its beginning, realized the Christian truth that true faith is not spread by force. It is spread by influence and the power of God’s Holy Spirit. You enjoy the freedom of being an American. What a privilege! Do you also enjoy the freedom of being a Christian? "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free." (Galatians 5:1) Your are the
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Send an email to Pastor Click. Thanks for stopping by.
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