THE UNCLOUDED DAY

If you are like me, the older we become the more we think about heaven. And as more of our friends and loved ones "move" there, the more real heaven seems to become.  As we look around at our world and all of its problems, we realize that this is not our home, we are just tenting here, and heaven is our destination.  Titus 2:13 should express our daily heartfelt desire, " Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."  This must have also been the desire and hope of Josiah Altwood (1885 - 1909) when he penned the words of this week's hymn choice.  All that I can find about him is that he apparently was a circuit riding preacher in the Midwest, and an elder of the North Ohio Conference of the United Brethren Church.  Circuit riders, officially known as Traveling Clergy, brought their faith to the wild frontiers.  Often ministering to large territories, taking as much as a month or more to complete a circuit, a circuit preacher was probably a job that encountered many dangers, trials and loneliness. Maybe he sang this song as he walked or rode from location to location. When you think of Reverend Altwood's hymn in context of what he likely endured, it gives the words a special meaning.  He's talking about a land of peace, a gathering of family and friends, a place where nobody needs to cry ever again.  It is a place where God rules over an eternal city in joy and happiness, a land where thee are no storm clouds.  If you, too, are looking for that glorious day and that indescribable home, sing along this week with joy and hope.  Our real home is being prepared for us - right now.   So keep looking up! 

(1)   O they tell me of a home far beyond the skies,

O they tell me of a home far away;

O they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise,

O they tell me of an unclouded day.

O the land of cloudless day,

O the land of an unclouded day,

O they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise,

O they tell me of an unclouded day.

(2)   O they tell me of a home where my friends have gone,

O they tell me of that land far away,

Where the tree of life in eternal bloom

Sheds its fragrance through the unclouded day.

O the land of cloudless day,

O the land of an unclouded day,

O they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise,

O they tell me of an unclouded day.

(3)   O they tell me of a King in His beauty there,

And they tell me that mine eyes shall behold

Where He sits on the throne that is whiter than snow,

In the city that is made of gold.

O the land of cloudless day,

O the land of an unclouded day,

O they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise,

O they tell me of an unclouded day.

(4)   O they tell me that He smiles on His children there,

And His smile drives their sorrows all away;

And they tell me that no tears ever come again

In that lovely land of unclouded day.

O the land of cloudless day,

O the land of an unclouded day,

O they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise,

O they tell me of an unclouded day.

If you like his style, here is a version done by Johnny Cash.  CASH

If you prefer the music of Gather Homecoming, you can listen to that right here.   GATHER

I WILL SING OF MY REDEEMER

Philip Paul Bliss (1838-1876), was a well known teacher, evangelist and soloist. He and his wife Lucy traveled extensively, spreading the Gospel in song. In December, 1876, they were taking a much needed break; spending Christmas Holidays with Bliss' parents, in Pennsylvania. On the 28th, after receiving a request by telegram from D.L. Moody, the couple left their two children with grandparents and traveled by train to attend an evangelistic meeting in Chicago.   While ministering at the meeting, Bliss spoke these words to the congregation: "I may not pass this way again", after which he sang, I'm Going Home Tomorrow.  The next day they boarded a train back to Pennsylvania in a winter snow and ice storm As their train was crossing over a river in Ashtabula, Ohio, the bridge suddenly gave way and all the passenger cars fell into the freezing waters below. Bliss escaped through a window, only to find that Lucy had somehow been left behind in the wreckage. Although he was told not to do it, Bliss headed back into the fire, saying: "If I cannot save her, I will perish with her." Neither survived.   Among Bliss' belongings were the lyrics to this week's hymn. In 1877, the hymn was set to music by composer and evangelist James McGranahan. That same year, George Cole Stebbins made a recording of the hymn, one of the first songs ever to be recorded on Thomas Edison's new invention, the phonograph.  For almost a century and a half since then this hymn has been sung by countless believers as a stirring testimony of what Christ has done for us.  With His blood He delivered us from the curse of sin, He purchased us, He sealed our pardon, paid our debt and made us free.  And that is something to sing about!  Praise God for the victory we have because of His wondrous love and sacrifice.  Sing that message with joy throughout this week. "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." (Galatians 3:13)

(1)  I will sing of my Redeemer,

And His wondrous love to me;

On the cruel cross He suffered,

From the curse to set me free.

Sing, oh, sing of my Redeemer,

With His blood He purchased me,

On the cross He sealed my pardon,

Paid the debt, and made me free.

(2)   I will tell the wondrous story,

How my lost estate to save,

In His boundless love and mercy,

He the ransom freely gave.

Sing, oh, sing of my Redeemer,

With His blood He purchased me,

On the cross He sealed my pardon,

Paid the debt, and made me free.

(3)   I will praise my dear Redeemer,

His triumphant pow'r I'll tell,

How the victory He giveth

Over sin, and death, and hell.

Sing, oh, sing of my Redeemer,

With His blood He purchased me,

On the cross He sealed my pardon,

Paid the debt, and made me free.

(4)   I will sing of my Redeemer,

And His heav'nly love to me;

He from death to life hath brought me,

Son of God with Him to be.

Sing, oh, sing of my Redeemer,

With His blood He purchased me,

On the cross He sealed my pardon,

Paid the debt, and made me free.

Listen to it here.    LISTEN

WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL JESUS

Have you ever experienced a long night of caring for a sick child or loved one and you thought the morning would never come?  I'm sure many of us have faced those long dreary nights.  Or maybe it has been a time of carrying a heavy weight or facing a heavy care or burden.  Or maybe it has been a time of facing a grief or loss.  We all face times like this.  They are part of our earthly journey.  But hopefully, in times like this, you've experienced God's presence and a song that has brought you peace and comfort.  A song that the Lord has implanted in your mind - a song of deliverance, of courage, of strength.  And this has helped you understand that Jesus is there to help carry you through this time and lightened your load.  And hopefully your heart has responded with "thank you, wonderful, wonderful Jesus". I've experienced this often while caring for sick loved ones, while undergoing medical tests, while waiting for results, while facing bad news, in moments of stress, in times of indecision and in times of grief.  And that is the theme of this week's choice written by Anna B. Russell (1862-1954) in 1921.  The music was written by Ernest O. Sellers while he was teaching at the Baptist Bible Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana.  But that is the only background that I have been able to locate on either of them or the hymn itself.  Someone has said that the hymn was based on Psalms 32:7, "Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah."  That could very well be the case, but I haven't found anything to verify that.  But I would assume that Anna Russell most likely faced those same dreary days and long nights as we do.  And, she must have also experienced the presence of the Lord and the song that He implanted in her heart.  And this must be her testimony.  This hymn should be both a challenge and a reminder to us who are living almost a century later.  A challenge to hide God's Word in our heart as well as Biblically based hymns and choruses that the Holy Spirit will bring to our minds when we need them.  And a reminder to recognize God's presence in both the good times and the trying times.  He is there to comfort us when we trust Him.

(1)    There is never a day so dreary,

There is never a night so long,

But the soul that is trusting in Jesus

Will somewhere find a song.

Wonderful, wonderful Jesus,

In the heart He implanteth a song:

A song of deliverance, of courage, of strength,

In the heart He implanteth a song.

(2)   There is never a cross so heavy,

There is never a weight of woe,

But that Jesus will help to carry

Because He loveth so.

Wonderful, wonderful Jesus,

In the heart He implanteth a song:

A song of deliverance, of courage, of strength,

In the heart He implanteth a song.

(3)   There is never a care or burden,

There is never a grief or loss,

But that Jesus in love will lighten

When carried to the cross.

Wonderful, wonderful Jesus,

In the heart He implanteth a song:

A song of deliverance, of courage, of strength,

In the heart He implanteth a song.

(4)   There is never a guilty sinner,

There is never a wandering one,

But that God can in mercy pardon

Through Jesus Christ, His Son.

Wonderful, wonderful Jesus,

In the heart He implanteth a song:

A song of deliverance, of courage, of strength,

In the heart He implanteth a song.

You can listen to it here.   LISTEN

BLESSED REDEEMER

As I have been reading about the history of various hymns I have found that one of two situations generally happens.  The first is that somebody writes a poem and then later somebody puts it to music.  The second is that often both the writing of the poem and the music are done by the same person at the same time.  But rarely is the music written first and then later somebody writes the words. But this is what happened In the hymn "Blessed Redeemer". Harry Dixon Loes (1892-1965), a music student in Chicago, was so inspired by a sermon he heard entitled "Blessed Redeemer" that he wrote a melody he thought would be appropriate for a hymn of the same name. Loes then sent his tune to his friend Avis Christiansen (1895-1985), who composed the text for "Blessed Redeemer."  Avis was encouraged by her godly grandmother and she wrote her first poem at the age of ten.  Then one Sunday morning in Moody Church she listened to a new song by Harry Loes and the Lord reminded her of the talent that he had entrusted to her. She immediately was led to write poetry that would soon be turned into hymns.  In 1917 she was married to Ernest Christiansen who later became vice president in charge of investments for Moody Bible Institute.  But in spite of a very busy schedule she continued to write with zeal producing more hymns and two books of poetry.  In the forward of one of these books the legendary pastor and author H.A.Ironside wrote: "Avis B. Christiansen is the gifted author of many of our sweetest gospel songs. By means of these her name is known around the world ... With a very keen apprehension of spiritual realities, and a clear understanding of the great truths revealed in the Word of God, her hymns and poems are eminently Scriptural and soul-uplifting".  This old hymn has always been one of my favorites.  My wife and I quite often sang this as a duet because of its powerful message.  It reminds us of the great sacrifice at Calvary and that Christ did this for me.  And I especially love the testimony of the final verse, "O how I love Him, Savior and Friend, How can my praises ever find end! Through years unnumbered on Heaven's shore, My tongue shall praise Him forevermore."  What a joy to look forward to that great day.  Rejoice with me in the truth of these words this week.

(1)    Up Calvary's mountain, one dreadful morn,

Walked Christ my Savior, weary and worn;

Facing for sinners death on the cross,

That He might save them from endless loss.

Blessed Redeemer! Precious Redeemer!

Seems now I see Him on Calvary's tree;

Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading,

Blind and unheeding — dying for me!

(2)   "Father forgive them!" thus did He pray,

E'en while His lifeblood flowed fast away;

Praying for sinners while in such woe

No one but Jesus ever loved so.

Blessed Redeemer! Precious Redeemer!

Seems now I see Him on Calvary's tree;

Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading,

Blind and unheeding — dying for me!

(3)   O how I love Him, Savior and Friend,

How can my praises ever find end!

Through years unnumbered on Heaven's shore,

My tongue shall praise Him forevermore.

Blessed Redeemer! Precious Redeemer!

Seems now I see Him on Calvary's tree;

Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading,

Blind and unheeding — dying for me!

I have had trouble finding a video with the original tune, but here it is sung by the White Sisters.    LISTEN

Recently the words have been revived and put to a different tune by the group Casting Crowns.   Here is their version which has become popular today.     NEW TUNE.

MY FAITH HAS FOUND A RESTING PLACE

Salvation is a word that is used in many religions, but it is in the definition of that word that separates Christianity from all other so-called attempts to know God.   Today many feel "Whatever you think is right must be okay, because everybody has a right to his own opinion. You find God your way, and I'll find Him my way. Don't impose your thinking on anyone else."  We live in an age of political correctness. You cannot say, do or even think anything for fear of offending someone! For many faith and spiritual life are nothing more than one's personal philosophy of life.  But the scripture tells us otherwise. "Neither is there salvation in any other for there is no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved."  This week's choice makes it very clear that our faith can't be in any device or creed but in the death of Jesus Christ who paid the price for our salvation.  For years today's song has been popular as a testimonial hymn although little has been known of the listed author, Lidie H. Edmunds. What has been known is that the tune is an old Norwegian folk melody and was published in 1891.  In recent years research has found that Lidie Edmunds was the pen name for Eliza Hewitt. Eliza was a public school teacher. One of her students struck her with a heavy slate and she suffered a severe spinal injury which forced her to retire from teaching and made her an invalid the rest of her life in Philadelphia. However, she was able to continue to be involved with children in Sunday School and as superintendent at the Northern Home for Friendless Children. She also was used to write a number of hymns.  We don't know the specific story behind the writing of this hymn but we can assume that it grew out of her experience.  If you have placed your faith in the finished work of the Cross, then you can sing along with this song.  For you need no other argument or plea. It is enough that Jesus died and that He died for you.

(1)    My faith has found a resting place,

Not in device or creed;

I trust the ever living One,

His wounds for me shall plead.

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that He died for me.

(2)   Enough for me that Jesus saves,

This ends my fear and doubt;

A sinful soul I come to Him,

He'll never cast me out.

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that He died for me.

(3)   My heart is leaning on the Word,

The living Word of God,

Salvation by my Savior's Name,

Salvation through His blood.

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that He died for me.

(4)   My great Physician heals the sick,

The lost He came to save;

For me His precious blood He shed,

For me His life He gave.

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that He died for me.

You can listen to it here.   LISTEN

JESUS SAVIOR PILOT ME

Edward Hopper was a Presbyterian minister who spent most of his life in his home town of New York City helping sailors from around the world in a small church in New York harbor known as the "Church of Sea and Land."   As part of his ministry to the sailors he published a  poem which first appeared as an "anonymous" poem in the Sailor's Magazine of New York in 1871.  Shortly afterwards, John E. Gould, while in ill health, took the poem and put it to music. Later that year it was published in The Baptist Praise Book.  In 1880 the secretary of the Seamen's Friend Society, asked Dr. Hopper for an anniversary hymn and he sent him the first two and last verses of the poem.  These were printed, and sung by the congregation at the Broadway Tabernacle on May 10,1880. Now while the words were written specifically for sailors who regularly experienced the roughness of the sea, thousands of others have been helped since then as they have experienced the difficult waves and stormy seas of life.  Life too is filled with hidden rocks and treacherous shoals.  And we only get through those seas and times with a pilot, the Lord Jesus, who guides us with His chart and compass.  Our cry needs to be, Jesus Savior, Pilot Me.  Maybe today you are being rocked by the seas and waves of life.  Trust Jesus.  He knows the way and He will pilot you to shore. Hopper actually penned six verses and they are all included below.  However, most hymnals only carry three - the ones shown in bold below.  Edward Hopper's prayer expressed in the final stanza of his immortal hymn had its complete fulfillment when he died in 1888. He was found sitting in his study chair, pencil in hand, writing a new poem on the subject of heaven.

(1)    Jesus, Savior, pilot me

Over life's tempestuous sea;

Unknown waves before me roll,

Hiding rock and treacherous shoal.

Chart and compass come from Thee;

Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

(2)   While th'Apostles' fragile bark

Struggled with the billows dark,

On the stormy Galilee,

Thou didst walk upon the sea;

And when they beheld Thy form,

Safe they glided through the storm.

(3)   Though the sea be smooth and bright,

Sparkling with the stars of night,

And my ship's path be ablaze

With the light of halcyon days,

Still I know my need of Thee;

Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

(4)   When the darkling heavens frown,

And the wrathful winds come down,

And the fierce waves, tossed on high,

Lash themselves against the sky,

Jesus, Savior, pilot me,

Over life's tempestuous sea.

(5)   As a mother stills her child,

Thou canst hush the ocean wild;

Boisterous waves obey Thy will,

When Thou sayest to them, "Be still!"

Wondrous Sovereign of the sea,

Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

(6)   When at last I near the shore,

And the fearful breakers roar

'Twixt me and the peaceful rest,

Then, while leaning on Thy breast,

May I hear Thee say to me,

"Fear not, I will pilot thee."

Listen to it being sung here.   LISTEN

O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED

John Ernest Bode (1816-1874) was an Anglican clergyman serving a small parish near Cambridge, England, when his three children, a daughter and two sons, were ready for confirmation.  Bode not only presided over their confirmation, but also wrote this hymn especially for the occasion.  He told his children that "I have written a hymn concerning all the important truths I want you to remember."  I imagine that his children never forgot that service and their father's concern for them and their spiritual lives. However, we have all experienced broken promises - some that our friends have broken and maybe some that we ourselves have broken.  Many folks make promises to God, especially when they are in deep need, and then fail to keep them when times are better.  If you heal me or if you help me escape this danger or if you help me get this new job ...  I'll ... you can fill in the blanks.  I have often watched folks joining our church promise things like faithfully attending services, giving regularly, or serving in some ministry. Then after they join, these promises are forgotten.  It is so sad when believers do not live lives of integrity.  But it is even worse to be judged by God for making a vow or promise to him and then not keeping it. Vows to God are serious business and need to be kept. This hymn serves as a hymn of commitment for every Christian.  It reminds us of  promises that we have probably made to Jesus.  It also asks Jesus to protect us from the dangers and temptations posed by the world.  And it reminds us that Jesus has made promises too, such as the promise never to leave us and that we will live with him in glory.  And, unlike we humans, He is faithful and keeps all of His promises to us.  And we can count on that.

(1)   O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;

Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend;

I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side,

Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my Guide.

(2)   O let me feel Thee near me! The world is ever near;

I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;

My foes are ever near me, around me and within;

But Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.

(3)   O let me hear Thee speaking in accents clear and still,

Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self will.

O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;

O speak, and make me listen, Thou Guardian of my soul.

(4)   O Jesus, Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee

That where Thou art in glory there shall Thy servant be.

And Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;

O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend.

(5)   O let me see Thy footprints, and in them plant mine own;

My hope to follow duly is in Thy strength alone.

O guide me, call me, draw me, uphold me to the end;

And then in Heaven receive me, my Savior and my Friend.

This has been sung to many different tunes, but the one that might be the most familiar can be heard here.     LISTEN