Showing posts with label Hymns. Show all posts

And He Goes Singing into that His Reward  

Posted by Benjie in , , ,

Today, we say good-bye to one of the more powerful voices of faith - George Beverly Shea. Read about it here. And then enjoy one of his more well-known songs:

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Fairest Lord Jesus  

Posted by Benjie in , ,

Today I'll be participating in a Vacation Bible School leadership training offered by our association of churches. So, in honor of my childhood memories of such an event (VBS, that is) I will share the lyrics of one of my favorite hymns. I was in junior high school before I knew that you could sing it somewhere besides at VBS.


Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul’s glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine,
Fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heaven can boast.

All fairest beauty, heavenly and earthly,
Wondrously, Jesus, is found in Thee;
None can be nearer, fairer or dearer,
Than Thou, my Savior, art to me.

(for authorship information see http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/f/a/l/faljesus.htm)

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I Cried . . . Again (and again)  

Posted by Benjie in , ,

Working on singing a special song in church this coming Sunday and I ran across the background cd for this song (not doing it this week, maybe another time). Anyway, I thought I'd do a quick go-over, and found myself unable to make it all the way through--not even once(t) without bawling like a baby. It speaks to me, maybe it will speak to you today, too:

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Thanksvember Day 18  

Posted by Benjie in , ,

#18: I am thankful for Hymns.

I know what you're thinking--isn't this guy thankful for anything besides music?--but then again, you should read Day 6 again. Even so, this is different. This is hymns--those songs that some people think are archaic (there are new hymn writers doing some really great things in the 21st century).

First of all I am thankful for the old, old hymns that spoke volumes to me as I learned faith from them. Hymns like "Fairest Lord Jesus", "The Haven of Rest", and "Face to Face with Christ My Savior." I'm thankful for some of the old hymns that are being rediscovered by some of today's artists, partly because of the words that say so much more than just the words--words like a new remix of the old hymn "One Day" (on Casting Crowns' latest release under the title "Glorious Day").



I'm also thankful for new writers like Chris Tomlin and Keith Getty who are writing new hymns in the old style. Songs that are filled with sound doctrine, and songs whose words speak to the deepest reaches of our hearts.

For this I am thankful.

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Something to Think About  

Posted by Benjie in ,

Below are the words to an old hymn written around 1876 by Jean Pigott. The words seem archaic at times, but one of the rich blessings of some of the old hymns is the word choice made by the writer. I first encountered this hymn attached to a newer melody about nine years ago. The words are so compelling that I'm drawn back to it over and over again.

The original tune: Tranquility (by James Mountain -- also 1876) is not quite as flowing as the one I first learned, but if you are familiar with this hymn it is probably the tune you'll remember.

As you read the words, try to get past the surface to what they are really saying--"O, how great Thy loving-kindness, / Vaster, broader than the sea" and then later "And Thy love so pure and changeless, / Satisfies my heart; / Satisfies its deepest longings, / Meets, supplies its every need, / Compasseth me 'round with blessings: / Thine is love indeed!"

Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting

Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.

Refrain

Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.

O, how great Thy loving kindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O, how marvelous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Belovèd,
Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.

Refrain

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed!

Refrain

Ever lift Thy face upon me
As I work and wait for Thee;
Resting ’neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory,
Sunshine of my Father’s face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting,
Fill me with Thy grace.

Refrain


Sometimes I think that it would be worth our while to use an economy of language again. What do you think?

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Music and the Message  

Posted by Benjie in , , ,

While it is not a good idea to develop our whole theology from songs, it has long been the practice of Christians to express their beliefs and ideals in music. The difficulty with this is that when people latch onto the tunes and the words, they build their belief systems on the songs instead of the foundational scripture behind the songs. Often songs have to use a less than ideal wording to fit into a pattern that can be set to music. Because of this, theology that is based on music tends to be watered-down and shallow.

On the other hand, when musicians really want to develop a deep, meaningful song that truly expresses the ideas and ideals desired, the music becomes cumbersome and awkward. Still, we should give the song-writer credit for even attempting to express in a small way the faith that has grown so deep within them.

Having said this, one of the great hymn writers of Baptist life was B. B. McKinney. Here’s an example of one of his songs that addresses faith:

Have Faith in God
By B. B. McKinney


Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely.
He sees and knows all the way you have trod;
Never alone are the least of His children;
Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Have faith in God when your prayers are unanswered,
Your earnest plea He will never forget;
Wait on the lord, trust His word and be patient,
Have faith in God. He'll answer yet.

Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow,
His heart is touched with your grief and despair;
Cast all your cares and your burdens upon Him,
And leave them there, oh, leave them there.

Have faith in God though all else fall about you;
Have faith in God, He provides for His own:
He cannot fail though all kingdoms shall perish.
He rules. He reigns upon His throne.

Refrain:
Have faith in God, He's on His throne,
Have faith in God, He watches over His own;
He cannot fail, He must prevail,
Have faith in God, Have faith in God.

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Ready  

Posted by Benjie in , ,

The words to this old hymn came to me today [The words were attributed to A.C. Palmer and Americans have sung them to a tune by Charles D. Tillman for over a century]:

Ready to suffer grief or pain,
Ready to stand the test;
Ready to stay at home and send
Others, if he sees best.

Ready to go, ready to bear,
Ready to watch and pray;
Ready to stand aside and give,
'Til he shall clear the way.

Ready to speak, ready to think,
Ready with heart and brain;
Ready to stand where he sees fit,
Ready to stand the strain.

Ready to speak, ready to warn,
Ready o'er souls to yearn;
Ready in life, ready in death,
Ready for his return.

(chorus)
Ready to go, ready to stay,
Ready my place to fill;
Ready for service, lowly or great,
Ready to do his will.

Thinking about being hot or cold and not lukewarm in service for the Kingdom, I wonder how much I am ready to do great tasks and how willing I am to do menial ones. How about you? Are you ready?

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