Our church just received new hymnals full of classic and contemporary songs to sing. I am happy they mixed the old and new tunes for such a wonderful blend of music styles. Let’s have some fun today and see how many hymn writers can you match with their compositions:Who wrote the following hymns? (Tried to be easy on you so most of the names are quite familiar)1. Joy to the World2. Jesus Christ is Risen Today3. Come to the Table4. A Mighty Fortress in our God5. Blessed Assurance6. It is Well with my Soul (When Peace like a River) – do you know the story behind this hymn? What a witness! 7. Hallelujah Chorus8. Amazing Grace9. All Creatures of our God and King10. Borning Cry - I had to include this hymn since I have found many are not familiar with it and it is one of my favorites Listen to it here Scroll down for the answers.Interesting as I compiled this I realized how many hymns I knew the tune to, but knew nothing about its author. Each song … [Read more...]
Beneath the Cross of Jesus – Elizabeth Clephane (1830-1869)
March is Women’s History Month or should I say Women’s Her-story Month. The Tuesday and Friday posts this month will feature women who lead lives that could serve as models for us in our Christian walk. It was difficult to narrow the list for the few dates in March but I did try to find some women you may not know very well and women writers. Enjoy!The last hymn we sang on Sunday – Beneath the Cross of Jesus – contained words that lingered within me.Slowly read some of the lines:Beneath the cross of Jesus I long to take my stand….and from my contrite heart, with tears, two wonders I confess; the wonder of his glorious love and my unworthiness… I take O cross, your shadow for my abiding place; I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of his face.The whole hymn swelled as a prayer within me.Who wrote these meaningful words of devotion to Christ? I never heard of her before: Elizabeth Clephane.Elizabeth Cecelia Douglas Clephane (1830-1869) was born in Edinburgh, but lived most of her … [Read more...]
I Surrender
“We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can,Namely, surrender our will and fulfill God’s will in us.” Teresa of AvilaI like control. The comfort of knowing what is happening and what to expect. The power to do what I need to do, on my self-created timetable, and in my own way.Yet living out of my ego and self desires does not satisfy the emptiness in my heart. This God-created void nudges me to once again acknowledge my way isn’t the best way. God calls us to live differently - to surrender our wills to Him and to relinquish the control, power and expectations we cling to so tightly. To be honest I sing the hymn “I Surrender All” with my fingers crossed. Maybe God won’t hear me that day and I can still stay in charge a little longer. Perhaps I can fool Him, hide from him like Adam and Eve did when they too sought power for themselves instead of seeking God, the all powerful. We live this life backwards with eyes focused on ourselves, not on God. The writer of the words … [Read more...]
Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus – A Favorite Hymn and a Contemplative Practice
You become what you think about. (Earl Nightingale).What do you focus on?So often I see only my problems, my faults, my limitations. My ego leads my thinking and behavior down wrong paths with a dimming flashlight. I focus on my circumstances, not my blessings.I know the answer. The ironic solution lies in my life verse from Hebrews 12:2: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”The old hymn, “Turn your Eyes upon Jesus” says it all:Turn your eyes upon Jesus.Look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.Did you realize the lady who wrote this wonderful hymn, Helen Howarth Lemmel was blind? She had much heartache in her life including being deserted by her husband when she lost her sight.Lemmel could have focused on her losses, yet she spent her life in music including writing over 500 hymns. A woman without sight saw the vision of how to truly live: with eyes on Jesus.Some call this … [Read more...]
Be Thou My Vision – Singing my Daily Prayer
“Those who sing, pray twice” I have been using my favorite hymn as part of morning devotions this week: Be Thou My Vision. This haunting Celtic tune lingers with me all day. Even though the words are old English with the Thou’s and Thy’s, every time I pray its message, I feel the presence of God. Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best Thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light. Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord; Thou my great Father, I Thy true son; Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one. Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight; Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight; Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower: Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power. Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, Thou mine Inheritance, now and always: Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou … [Read more...]