Welcome!  Hymns have been and continue to be a real source of inspiration to me.  My desire in this blog is to share special hymns with my readers hoping that the words will minister to them, especially in times of great personal need.  If one of these hymns ministers to you, please take time to leave a comment so that I know that my blog is helping others as much as it helps me. Sometimes I will also provide a link where you can go to hear the hymn played.  So, please join me here each week and sing along as we praise God together.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

TELL ME THE OLD OLD STORY

Last week we shared the story behind the writing of "I Love To Tell The Story" If you recall, Katherine Hankey wrote a lengthy poem on the life of Christ while she was recovering from a serious illness. It contained two main sections each containing fifty verses. The first part of the two sections was entitled "The Story Wanted". It was this part of the poem became the basis for this week's choice, "Tell Me the Old, Old Story". I hope that we never get tired of hearing and sharing this story, the greatest story ever. The old, old story of Jesus and His love. The story that Christ Jesus makes us whole.

1. Tell me the old, old story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
Tell me the story simply, as to a little child,
For I am weak and weary, and helpless and defiled.
Refrain
Tell me the old, old story, tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.

2. Tell me the story slowly, that I may take it in,
That wonderful redemption, God's remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often, for I forget so soon;
The early dew of morning has passed away at noon.
Tell me the old, old story, tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.

3. Tell me the story softly, with earnest tones and grave;
Remember I'm the sinner whom Jesus came to save.
Tell me the story always, if you would really be,
In any time of trouble, a comforter to me.
Tell me the old, old story, tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.

4. Tell me the same old story when you have cause to fear
That this world's empty glory is costing me too dear.
Yes, and when that world's glory is dawning on my soul,
Tell me the old, old story: "Christ Jesus makes thee whole."
Tell me the old, old story, tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.

Listen to it here. LISTEN

Sunday, September 18, 2011

I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY

Katherine Hankey was born in 1834, the daughter of a wealthy English banker. Early in life Katherine caught the evangelical concern from her father and she began organizing Sunday School classes for rich and poor throughout London. All of the royalties received from these publications were always directed to a foreign mission project. When Katherine was only thirty years of age, she experienced a serious illness. During a long period of recovery she wrote a lengthy poem on the life of Christ. The poem consisted of two main sections, each containing fifty verses. The first section of the poem was entitled "The Story Wanted." and it was from this part of her poem that she later adapted the words for another of her familiar hymn texts, "Tell Me the Old, Old Story." Later that same year, while still recovering from her illness, she completed the second part of her poem on the life of Christ. This sequel to the first section was entitled "The Story Told." From these verses came the text for "I Love to Tell the Story," Being musically inclined, Kate also composed her own tunes for these two texts. Her hymns received little notice, however, when used with this music. The following year, 1867, a large international YMCA convention was held in Montreal, Canada. One of the speakers at the convention, Major General Russell from England, closed his emotionally charged message to the delegates by quoting the verses from Miss Hankey's two hymn texts. In the audience that day was a noted American gospel musician, William H. Doane, composer of more than 2,000 gospel songs. Mr. Doane was greatly moved by these lines an promptly composed musical settings for both texts. Later a new musical setting, which replaced Doane's music for "I Love to Tell the Story," was composed by William G. Fisher, a Philadelphia musician and piano dealer. Fischer also added the refrain for the hymn, "I Love to tell the story! 'Twill be mt theme in glory-to tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love." In 1875 the hymn appeared in its present from in Bliss and Sankey's collection, Gospel Hymns and Sacred Songs,which brought "I Love to Tell the Story" to the attention of evangelical congregations everywhere.

1. I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love;
I love to tell the story, because I know 'tis true,
It satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story,
'Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.

2. I love to tell the story, more wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams;
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me,
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.
I love to tell the story,
'Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.

3. I love to tell the story, 'tis pleasant to repeat,
What seems each time I tell it more wonderfully sweet;
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God's own holy Word.
I love to tell the story,
'Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.

4. I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest;
And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,
'Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.
I love to tell the story,
'Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.

Listen to it here. LISTEN

Sunday, September 11, 2011

SINCE JESUS CAME INTO MY HEART

This week I've chosen a song which reminds us that when Jesus comes into our hearts we become new creatures, old things have become new. The text was written by Rufus Henry McDaniel who was born in1850 and started preaching at age nineteen. He then became a minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1873. In 1914, following the untimely death of his son, Rufus penned these words as an expression of his faith and hope. The tune (McDaniel) was composed by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel who had it copyrighted. The song was introduced in pamphlet form at Billy Sunday campaigns at Philadelphia in 1915 and was first published later that year by Homer A. Rodeheaver. Despite the fact that the song is almost one hundred years old, its message is still relevant for today. If Jesus indeed has "come into our heart", there should be obvious changes. This song talks about some of these changes and as we sing it we should be reminded of these. And our hearts should be thankful to a great God who through the sacrifice of His Son has made all of this possible. And as is often the case in these older songs, there is a final verse which talks about heaven and that City where we shall one day dwell. And that indeed should fill us with hope, joy, and expectation as we "onward go". So, if you've experienced these changes, then join us in singing this song throughout this week.

1. What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart;
I have light in my soul for which long I have sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart.
Refrain:
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart;
Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.

2. I have ceased from my wand'ring and going astray,
Since Jesus came into my heart;
And my sins which were many are all washed away,
Since Jesus came into my heart.
Refrain:
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart;
Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.

3. I'm possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure,
Since Jesus came into my heart; And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure,
Since Jesus came into my heart.
Refrain:
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart;
Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.

4. There's a light in the valley of death now for me,
Since Jesus came into my heart;
And the gates of the City beyond I can see,
Since Jesus came into my heart.
Refrain:
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart;
Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.

5. I shall go there to dwell in that City I know,
Since Jesus came into my heart;
And I'm happy, so happy as onward I go,
Since Jesus came into my heart.
Refrain:
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart;
Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.

Listen to it here. LISTEN

Sunday, September 4, 2011

IN MY HEART THERE RINGS A MELODY

As I reflect upon church music as I was growing up, there were some hymns that I loved to sing not only because of their message but because they were peppy and fun to sing. That was a sharp contrast to many of the hymns that were sung then. One of those is this week's choice, "In My Heart There Rings A Melody". Some song leaders loved to hold the first four notes/words of the chorus and then sing the remainder at an upbeat tempo. It would stick in your mind for days after having been sung on a Sunday evening. And why shouldn't that happen? However, I never could understand how some folks could sing it without a smile on their face. What a joy to know that Christ can put a melody of love in your heart and that the words can ring there despite what is happening around you. And as is so common in these older hymns, the last verse talks about heaven where the courts of glory will ring with glorious harmony. I love that thought and look forward to that day. The text and tune were written by Elton M. Roth (1891-1951). Roth was a well known musician in his day who wrote and published many anthems and over 100 hymns. It was while assisting with evangelistic meetings in Texas on a hot summer day in 1923 that the words and music for this hymn suddenly came to him. Mr. Roth recalled, "That evening I introduced the song by having more than 200 boys and girls sing it at the open air meeting, after which the audience joined in the singing. I was thrilled as it seemed my whole being was transformed into song." And ever since then, thousands of believers have joined in joyfully singing about the melody that rings in your heart because of what Christ has done for each of us. Despite your circumstances today, I hope this melody is ringing within your heart.

(1) I have a song that Jesus gave me,
It was sent from heaven above;
There never was a sweeter melody,
'Tis a melody of love.
Chorus
In my heart there rings a melody,
There rings a melody with heaven's harmony;
In my heart there rings a melody;
There rings a melody of love!

(2) I love the Christ who died on Calv'ry,
For He washed my sins away;
He put within my heart a melody,
And I know it's there to stay.
Chorus
In my heart there rings a melody,
There rings a melody with heaven's harmony;
In my heart there rings a melody;
There rings a melody of love!

(3) 'Twill be my endless theme in glory,
With the angels I will sing;
'Twill be a song with glorious harmony,
When the courts of heaven ring.
Chorus
In my heart there rings a melody,
There rings a melody with heaven's harmony;
In my heart there rings a melody;
There rings a melody of love!

Listen to it here. LISTEN