'TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS

While preparing a PowerPoint presentation of the words for my wife's offertory, I came across the background of the writing of the hymn that she had chosen to play in this morning's worship service. I found that this very familiar hymn was written as a result of a personal tragedy. I really wasn't surprised because I have found that many of our favorite hymns have been penned in times of grief. "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" was written by Louisa M. R. Stead in 1882, out of one of her darkest hours — the tragic drowning of her husband. Louisa Stead was born in England and later felt the call of God upon her life for missionary service. She arrived in America in 1871. Louisa married and the Steads had a daughter, Lily. When the child was four years of age, the family decided one day to enjoy the sunny beach at Long Island Sound, New York. While eating their picnic lunch, they suddenly heard cries of help and spotted a drowning boy in the sea. Mr. Stead charged into the water to try and save the boy. As sometimes happens, the struggling boy pulled his rescuer under the water with him, and both drowned before the terrified eyes of wife and daughter. And out of her struggle with God during the ensuing days, flowed these meaningful words — "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus." As you meditate upon these words this week, be reminded that trusting in Jesus is the only sure way to face the difficulties of life. And as we do that we find that He is always there to provide the rest and peace that we need in every situation. And as her last verse says, He will never leave us - He'll be with us until the end.

(1) 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His word,

Just to rest upon His promise;

Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.

Chorus:

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

(2) How I love to trust in Jesus,

Just to trust His cleansing blood.

Just in simple faith to plunge me

'Neath the healing cleansing flood!

Chorus:

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

(3) Yes, I've learned to trust in Jesus,

And from sin and self to cease,

Now from Jesus simply taking

Life and rest and joy and peace.

Chorus:

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

(4) I'm so glad I learned to trust Him,

Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend,

And I know that He is with me,

He'll be with me to the end.

Chorus:

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Listen to it here. LISTEN

DOES JESUS CARE?

Why does God allow suffering? Why do good people suffer? These are age old questions without simple answers. God does allow suffering and good people do suffer and experience pain. I am sure that many of my readers either are suffering or have suffered at times throughout their lives. Often the suffering is physical, sometimes it is emotional. Then there are events we encounter like tornados, earthquakes, terrorism. And we ask why? And while we may not have the answers, we do know that God does care and that He provides grace and strength and peace in difficult times, from His infinite resources, to those who put their trust in Him. Frank E. Graeff was a Methodist pastor who served churches around Philadelphia. He was born in Tamaqua in 1860 and was reared and educated in that area of Pennsylvania. He is said to have written 200 hymn texts. He was also said to be a special friend to children and an encouragement to everyone who knew him. While he was known as the "sunshine minister", he went through some severe testing experiences and resulting periods of despondency. It was while passing through one of these tests that he became very despondent, full of doubt and full of physical agony. Turning to the scriptures for solace and strength he found that I Peter 5:7 spoke to his need. "Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you." This was the inspiration that led him to pen the words of the great hymn "Does Jesus Care?" Each one of the verses of Graeff's hymn asks some intensely personal and important questions, and the answer is always "Oh yes, He cares." The final verse is always one that touches me. I can not imagine the pain of losing the one closest to you. And yet we know that Jesus still cares and that His heart is touched with our grief. Claim this truth as you face the burdens and pain in your life.

(1) Does Jesus care when my heart is pained

Too deeply for mirth or song,

As the burdens press, and the cares distress

And the way grows weary and long?

Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

(2) Does Jesus care when my way is dark

With a nameless dread and fear?

As the daylight fades into deep night shades,

Does He care enough to be near?

Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

(3) Does Jesus care when I've tried and failed

To resist some temptation strong;

When for my deep grief there is no relief,

Though my tears flow all the night long?

Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

(4) Does Jesus care when I've said "goodbye"

To the dearest on earth to me,

And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,

Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

Listen to it being sung here. LISTEN

IN THE GARDEN

Today is Mother's Day and if your mother is still alive, please take time to visit her or at least call her. The older I become, the more I understand how much it means for parents, especially senior parents, to hear from their children ... every day. Getting older can result in the feeling of becoming more alone and wanting to her from your children. I wish that I could call my mother today. It is almost 18 years ago that the Lord took her home in an auto accident. There is hardly a day that goes by that I don't wish that I could call her to see how she is, to share things that are happening in my life and to tell her that I love her. But that will now have to wait until I get to glory. But if your mother is alive, you can still do that. Don't wait. Tomorrow could be too late. In memory of my mother on this Mother's Day, I am repeating her favorite hymn this week. I had used it in November of 2008, on the 15th anniversary of her death. This hymn was written by C. Austin Miles after his having read the scripture passage of Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Jesus in the garden of Joseph. What a joy to know that we can live and walk in the presence of the One who loved us enough to die for us. Our time with him in prayer and meditation and service should be a time of great fragrance and beauty much like what you would experience in a peaceful, beautiful flower garden. And yet it pales in the light of the promise that we shall one day be with Him in the new home He is preparing for us. And who can begin to comprehend what my mother is experiencing today as she walks with her Lord, in His presence. That was her desire and longing.

(1) I come to the garden alone

While the dew is still on the roses

And the voice I hear falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

(2) He speaks, and the sound of His voice,

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

(3) I'd stay in the garden with Him

Though the night around me be falling,

But He bids me go; through the voice of woe

His voice to me is calling.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

You can listen to it here. LISTEN

LOVE DIVINE ALL LOVES EXCELLING

Did you get up early on Friday morning to watch the wedding ceremony and events from Westminster Abbey in England? If you did, you were one of the many millions, like me, around the world who viewed this wedding. During the actual ceremony, I personally enjoyed hearing the choir and participants sing familiar hymns such as "Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah", and "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling", my choice for this week's hymn. My hope is that some of those who sang those words had a genuine heart understanding of the message. I was impressed that a hymn with the name of Jesus would be used in such a service that was viewed throughout the world. In this day and age that is not politically correct and probably would not have been allowed if the service would have been held in the United States. Appropriately this week's choice was written by Charles Wesley, a son of England, in 1747. Charles was the eighteenth of Samuel and Susannah Wesley's nineteen children (only ten lived to maturity). He was born prematurely in December 1707 and appeared dead. It is said that he lay silent, wrapped in wool, for weeks. But the Lord preserved his life and he went on to be a very influential person in the history of Christianity. As a writer he is said to have averaged 10 poetic lines a day for 50 years. He wrote 8,989 hymns, ten times the number composed by the only other candidate, Isaac Watts, who could conceivably claim to be the world's greatest hymn writer. Some feel that this particular hymn was Wesley's best. Throughout the hymn he describes the love that surpasses any love ever known. Even the romantic love of a prince and princess pales in the light of this love. The hymn also addresses the work of the Son, the Spirit, and the Father in the life of a believer. And I love the closing words, "Finish, then, Thy new creation ... Till in heaven we take our place, till we cast our crowns before Thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise." What a day that will be when we are totally lost in His love. As you meditate on these powerful words this week may you "Serve Thee as Thy hosts above, pray and praise Thee without ceasing, glory in Thy perfect love."

(1) Love divine, all loves excelling,

Joy of heaven to earth come down;

Fix in us Thy humble dwelling;

All Thy faithful mercies crown!

Jesus, Thou art all compassion,

Pure unbounded love Thou art;

Visit us with Thy salvation;

Enter every trembling heart.

(2) Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit,

Into every troubled breast!

Let us all in Thee inherit;

Let us find that second rest.

Take away our bent to sinning;

Alpha and Omega be;

End of faith, as its Beginning,

Set our hearts at liberty.

(3) Come, Almighty to deliver,

Let us all Thy life receive;

Suddenly return and never,

Never more Thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing,

Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,

Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,

Glory in Thy perfect love.

(4) Finish, then, Thy new creation;

Pure and spotless let us be.

Let us see Thy great salvation

Perfectly restored in Thee;

Changed from glory into glory,

Till in heaven we take our place,

Till we cast our crowns before Thee,

Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Enjoy this great hymn here. LISTEN

UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE

Christ Is Risen! Christ is risen indeed! These familiar words will be heard in churches all over the United States on Easter morning, the day we celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To celebrate, many churches will 'pull out all the stops' and sing any number of inspiring, joy-filled hymns about the resurrection. One of my favorite is this week's choice which ws written by Robert Lowry. The text was written and the tune was composed in 1874 after Lowry had moved to preach at the First Baptist Church in Lewisburg, PA. He also served there as a professor at Bucknell University. I personally find this so interesting since I did my master's work at Bucknell and I can't help wonder how such a marvelous hymn like this could have been written by a member of their staff. But things have certainly changed in over a century. Anyway, during the spring of that year, Lowry was having his evening devotions and was impressed with the events associated with Christ's resurrection. Soon he found himself in the parlor of his home and, in a very spontaneous fashion, he penned the words and music for this song. I am always amazed at how quickly some of our favorite hymns were written. It was first published the following year in a Sunday school songbook Brightest and Best of which he was coeditor with William Howard Doane (1832-1915). This song emphasizes both the facts and the importance of the resurrection of Christ. Lowry is credited with the publication of over twenty collections and continued to be interested in church music all of his life. It has often been said that the quality of Lowry's hymns did much to improve the cause of church music in this nation during the latter part of the nineteenth century. And today we can joyfully sing this favorite as we thank God for the death and resurrection of Jesus. He took the punishment for our sins when we deserved to be crucified. Oh what mercy and grace. But today we remember the most important day in history. Rejoice, He is risen, He is risen indeed!

(1) Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior,

Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose,

With a mighty triumph o'er His foes,

He arose a Victor from the dark domain,

And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.

He arose! He arose!

Hallelujah! Christ arose!

(2) Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus my Savior;

Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose,

With a mighty triumph o'er His foes,

He arose a Victor from the dark domain,

And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.

He arose! He arose!

Hallelujah! Christ arose!

(3) Death cannot keep its Prey, Jesus my Savior;

He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose,

With a mighty triumph o'er His foes,

He arose a Victor from the dark domain,

And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.

He arose! He arose!

Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Listen to it here. LISTEN

PRAISE HIM, PRAISE HIM!

Palm Sunday is the day we remember the "triumphal entry" of Jesus into Jerusalem, exactly one week before His resurrection (Matthew 21:1-11). Some 450-500 years earlier, the Prophet Zechariah had prophesied, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9). Matthew 21:7-9 records the fulfillment of that prophecy: "They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: 'Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' Hosanna in the highest!'" It was day in which He was welcomed as King, one week before they crucified Him like a common criminal. And so today I've chosen a familiar hymn which brings praise to the one who was Prophet, Priest, and King - our Redeemer. It was written by the blind Fanny Crosby, probably the most prolific hymnist in history. Though blinded by an incompetent doctor at six weeks of age, she wrote over 8,000 hymns. About her blindness, she said: "It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me." But she did write many great hymns of praise to her Redeemer which believers have sung to the praise of God over the years. So join in sharing one of Fanny's hymns of praise as we begin this week in which we celebrate the crucifixion and the most important event in history - the Resurrection.

(1) Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim!

Hail Him! hail Him! highest archangels in glory;

Strength and honor give to His holy Name!

Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,

In His arms He carries them all day long:

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Tell of His excellent greatness.

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Ever in joyful song!

(2) Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

For our sins He suffered, and bled, and died.

He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,

Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus the Crucified.

Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows,

Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong.

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Tell of His excellent greatness.

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Ever in joyful song!

(3) Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

Heav'nly portals loud with hosannas ring!

Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever.

Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King!

Christ is coming! over the world victorious,

Pow'r and glory unto the Lord belong.

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Tell of His excellent greatness.

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Ever in joyful song!

You can listen to Fanny Crosby's great hymn of praise here. LISTEN

AT CALVARY

As we approach the Easter season, there are many favorite hymns that speak of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross at Calvary. One of my favorites is the hymn that I've chosen for this week. It was a favorite in our church when I was growing up and it is still one that seniors love to sing at our monthly hymn sings which I lead at the Pinebrook Bible Conference. It reminds us of how the crucifixion of Christ can change our lives so dramatically. And this is what stirred the author to pen these words many years ago. The story behind the hymn began when Dr. R.A. Torrey was president of Moody Bible Institute. Here is the story as told by Dr. Torrey. "When I was president of the Moody Bible Institute, I received a letter from a very concerned pastor who told me of a son who was causing himself and his family a great deal of trouble. His life was really mixed up. And the father felt that attendance at Moody would help. I advised the father that even though I sympathized with him, for I was a father; yet, because I was running a Bible school and not a reform school, I had to deny his request. After many letters of pleading his cause, I finally gave in with the stipulation that the rebellious teen must see me each day and make every effort to abide by the rules and requirements of the Institute." Torrey went on to say that the boy faithfully visited his office each day; and with wisdom from God's word, he answered the questions that had been keeping the boy from God. Finally, after many months of counseling, the prayers of the boy's father were answered when young William R. Newell received Christ as his personal Savior. Thirty years later, as a teacher at Moody, Mr. Newell was recounting those turbulent years as a rebellious teen; and as he was rejoicing in his salvation, the words of a poem flooded his mind. His mind was filled with a word picture of what had happened in his life and also in the lives of all those who surrender to Christ. The new man in Christ could now write these words that have spoken to many for over a century. Meditate on these words as you celebrate the Easter season.

(1) Years I spent in vanity and pride,

Caring not my Lord was crucified,

Knowing not it was for me He died on Calvary.

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;

Pardon there was multiplied to me;

There my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary.

(2) By God's Word at last my sin I learned;

Then I trembled at the law I'd spurned,

Till my guilty soul imploring turned to Calvary.

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;

Pardon there was multiplied to me;

There my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary.

(3) Now I've given to Jesus everything,

Now I gladly own Him as my King,

Now my raptured soul can only sing of Calvary!

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;

Pardon there was multiplied to me;

There my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary.

(4) Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan!

Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!

Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary!

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;

Pardon there was multiplied to me;

There my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary.

Now listen to it sung here. LISTEN