Pastor: Richard Hurd
The Midweek Message is an On-Line Ministry
of Pastor Dick Hurd and “Caton Church”
A Global Methodist Community of Faith July 8, 2026
As is often the case I glean my inspiration for these messages from a song I have heard. However, this time it is not so much the song that encourages me but the one who was singing it. The song was written in 1913 and became popular during the old Billy Sunday revival meetings of that era. The beloved, ‘The Old Rugged Cross” is a familiar and treasured part of the faith of many, perhaps most, of my generation.
What was meaningful for me today as I listened to this old sacred hymn, was the very young man who was singing it. He was probably in his early to mid-twenties and had a beautiful baritone voice that sang not only the words but he echoed the very spirit of them. He was obviously moved by the songs message as he belted out the refrain. “I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, and I’ll change it someday for a crown!”
Friends these days we are often heard lamenting that we Have no young people in our churches. Do you think that maybe it is because we haven’t taught them to avoid what is not of God in our world. Do you think it may be that we have not taught them to cherish those things that are sacred and forever, like that old rugged cross?
Perhaps that hill “far Away” is not so far away after all. Maybe our young people just can’t see it amid all the negativity in their lives. Maybe they can’t hear its message because of all the noise the world is throwing at them day after day. Maybe they can’t cherish it because cherish is one of those old-timey words that has little or no meaning to them.
I am reminded of a passage in a book I read long ago where an old man is literally clinging to the foot of the cross, holding that rough splintery beam tight against his face because it is the only place where he was ever able to find forgiveness. He was indeed cherishing everything that cross represented.
But why does it have to be an old man? Can it not be a young man or woman or child? Of course it can, I guess it kind of begs the question. Why isn’t it more young people? No one will ever worship or love or cherish someone they don’t know, someone whom they have not been introduced to! Pretty simple I thing!! And that my friends is our responsibility!!
Yours in the love of Christ
Pastor Dick
Breath Prayer: Lord help me to teach someone to cherish YOU today. Amen
