OVER THE SUNSET MOUNTAINS

             Over the decades hymn writers have chosen a variety of ways to describe heaven or the trip to heaven.  These have included things like trips through the river, flights through space or trips over the mountains.

          John Peterson (1921-2006), one of the great hymn writers of modern times, used the sunset mountains in his hymn about heaven.  He talked about someday crossing the mountains to softly pass into the arms of Jesus, the One who loved him so.  What a beautiful description of the time that awaits believers.       

          Peterson wrote over 1,000 songs and 35 cantatas.  When Peterson first started writing gospel melodies and lyrics some were rejected by publishers. He found one of these rejections especially disturbing.  He had just written this week's hymn choice.  The music editor he approached seemed pleased with his song but made this suggestion – "Take out the name of Jesus and enlarge a little more on heaven."

          Peterson thought, "Heaven without Jesus?  That is unthinkable!  So, he picked up his manuscript and left.  God honored Peterson for not compromising the truth.  Over the years the song was published as written and has brought comfort to many.

          In writing the song Peterson knew that in heaven toiling will all be ended, shadows will flee away and sorrows will all be forgotten. Oh, what a wonderful day that will be.
          Many believers fear when they think about their final moments on earth.  They don't know when or how this will happen.  But scripture and hymns like this one should remind us that He who loves us will be there to carefully carry us in His arms. What a wonderful day that will be.

 

Over the sunset mountains

Someday I'll softly go

Into the arms of Jesus

He who has loved me so

Over the sunset mountains

Heaven awaits for me

Over the sunset mountains

Jesus my Savior I'll see.

 

Toiling will all be ended

Shadows will flee away

Sorrow will be forgotten

Oh What a wonderful day

Over the sunset mountains

Heaven awaits for me

Over the sunset mountains

Jesus my Savior I'll see

Jesus my Savior I'll see.

Listen to it here.   MOUNTAINS 

 

I BELONG TO THE KING

           Could a simple children's story be the source of a beautiful hymn that has been an inspiration to so many over many decades?

          Well, that is exactly what happened to the book entitled "A Princess in Calico" which tells of a little girl who remained happy although her life was full of misfortune.  When asked how she could smile through all of her troubles, she replied, "Oh it's because I belong to the king!"      

          Ida L. Reed (1865-19519), author of this week's hymn, lived a life filled with burdensome trials and afflictions. Growing up doing heavy farm work in West Virginia, she was forced to do this in support of an invalid and widowed mother.  After being bedridden herself for many years, she was moved to a hospital in hope of prolonging her pain-wracked life.  From her hospital bed she wrote many poems, including the words of this hymn.

          The words of the little girl in the story became her testimony, "I belong to the king."

          Not only did Ida know that she belonged to the King, but she knew that someday she would dwell in His palace by His glorified throne.  The words of her song provide comfort and hope for all believers.  We may face many challenges in this life, but we have a bright future in the presence of our King.  We have His mercy and kindness and He is our unfailing refuge.  And His promise is sure.  We just need to wait for His final call.

          Are you burdened with pain?  Do the cares of this life get you down?  Are you discouraged?  Then remember that, if you are a believer, that you, too, are a child of the King and He will not forsake you.

          Listen to it here.   KING

1    I belong to the King, I'm a child of His love,

I shall dwell in His palace so fair;

For He tells of its bliss in yon heaven above,

And His children in splendor shall share.

Refrain:

I belong to the King, I'm a child of His love,

And he never forsaketh His own;

He will call me some day to His palace above,

I shall dwell by His glorified throne.

2    I belong to the King, and He loves me I know,

For His mercy and kindness, so free,

Are unceasingly mine wheresoever I go,

And my refuge unfailing is He. (Refrain)

3    I belong to the King, and His promise is sure,

That we all shall be gathered at last

In His kingdom above, by life's waters so pure,

When this life with its trials is past. (Refrain)

HE LIVES

This is a feature where once each month 

I share one of my personal favorite hymns.

          This great message makes it easy to understand why this is one of my favorite hymns.  What a joy it is to proclaim the exciting truth that "He Lives" and because He does live, we too can have eternal life and victory over sin.  What a wonderful, exciting experience to serve the risen Savior and thank him for the great sacrifice that He made for us. 

          Alfred Henry Ackley (1887-1960) was a talented and trained musician who played the piano and the cello. He graduated from Westminster Theological Seminary in Maryland, and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister. He served as pastor in several states of the United States, and worked for a few years with evangelist Billy Sunday and the Rodeheaver Music Company. Ackley's musical endeavors were so appreciated that he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Sacred Music degree by John Brown University in Arkansas.   He wrote lyrics and or music for more than 1,500 religious and secular songs. 

          Once while preaching during an evangelistic crusade, a young man is said to have asked, "Why should I worship a dead Jew?" Ackley stated, "HE LIVES! I tell you, He is not dead, but lives here and now! Jesus Christ is more alive today than ever before. I can prove it by my own experience, as well as the testimony of countless thousands." 

          That evening the young man gave his heart to Christ. Later, Ackley sat down at the piano and voiced that conclusion in song. He says, "The thought of His ever-living presence brought the music promptly and easily". 

          And for years this hymn has been a hymn of triumph for all believers. Thank God that because He conquered the grave, we can know Him as our Savior. And He is present with us all the time to walk and talk with us. While many religions worship dead leaders, we worship the one who is risen and alive.

           May that reality thrill your hearts daily.  Jesus, our risen Savior, is alive and is preparing a new home for his children.  Rejoice!

(1)    I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today;

I know that He is living, whatever men may say;

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,

And just the time I need Him He's always near.

 

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and He talks with me

Along life's narrow way.

He lives, He live, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives:

He lives within my heart.

 

(2)   In all the world around me I see His loving care,

And tho my heart grows weary I never will despair;

I know that He is leading thro' all the stormy blast,

The day of His appearing will come at last.

 

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and He talks with me

Along life's narrow way.

He lives, He live, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives:

He lives within my heart.

 

(3)   Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing

Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!

The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find,

None other is so loving, so good and kind.

 

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and He talks with me

Along life's narrow way.

He lives, He live, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives:

He lives within my heart.

 

Listen to it here.  LISTEN

 

NOW I BELONG TO JESUS. (TH)

TIMELESS HYMNS - A regular feature in which I choose a previous hymn blog, revise it and post it again.  This one was first posted in 2014          

 

          Some of my best memories growing up were the weeknight prayer meetings which used to be well attended by believers.  My favorite part of those gatherings was the testimony time when most of those attending would share and thank the Lord for what He had done for them.   These were often times of encouragement for many of us, especially as we heard how God was answering prayer.  

          But in between those testimonies folks would, as the Lord led them, start choruses and we would all join in singing them.  One chorus that I remember that was a favorite was "Now I Belong To Jesus".  It was a reminder that because of His great sacrifice for us, and His grace and mercy, that we indeed were His and in turn He was ours - an amazing personal relationship.  And that relationship is eternal.  

          But seldom did we sing the verses that also share a powerful message.  His love is eternal and nothing can sever it.  Once we were lost without any hope but He left heaven and came to earth to provide our salvation.  And joy should flood our souls since Jesus has saved us.  And we belong to Him.  

          The words were penned by Norman Clayton whose hymns we have featured in this blog before.  The ninth of ten children, Clayton was converted at the age of six.  He became church organist at 12 and kept the role of church organist the rest of his life.  Clayton's profession was in the building industry, but he also created his own publishing house, Gospel Songs, which was later absorbed into the Rodeheaver Company. 

          In 1942 he was working with Jack Wyrtzen's Word of Life organization, providing music for both the radio broadcasts and crusade meetings.  He composed the tune Ellsworth that year, and wrote the words for this fine gospel song about a year later.  He had the habit of writing the music before the words. He made it a lifelong practice to memorize Scripture and tried, each time he wrote the words of a song, to be sure that its message was clearly biblical. Clayton wrote hundreds of hymns and they were singable, musically sweet and tender of sentiment.  They reflected his evangelical emphasis, focused on the saving work of Christ and the relationship with God through Him.  This emphasis is certainly emphasized in this week's hymn choice.  

         Hopefully, as you read the words of Clayton's hymn this week, you will be reminded of the special personal relationship that believers have with the Lord Jesus.  Nothing can compare with that.  May joy flood your soul as you thank Him for making this a reality ... not just for the years of time alone, but for eternity!

 

(1)    Jesus, my Lord will love me forever,

From Him no pow'r of evil can sever,

He gave His life to ransom my soul;

Now I belong to Him; 

Now I belong to Jesus,

Jesus belongs to me,

Not for the years of time alone,

But for eternity.

 

(2)    Once I was lost in sin's degradation,

Jesus came down to bring me salvation,

Lifted me up from sorrow and shame,

Now I belong to Him; 

Now I belong to Jesus,

Jesus belongs to me,

Not for the years of time alone,

But for eternity.

 

(3)    Joy floods my soul for Jesus has saved me,

Freed me from sin that long had enslaved me

His precious blood, He came to redeem,

Now I belong to Him; 

Now I belong to Jesus,

Jesus belongs to me,

Not for the years of time alone,

But for eternity. 

 

Listen to it here.   BELONG 

BOW THE KNEE

 

          Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  (Philippians 2:9-11)

          All people, whether they are believers or unbelievers, will one day acknowledge Jesus as Lord. The reference to knees bowing implies an act of submission and worship. Every person will one day acknowledge the authority of Jesus Christ and give him the honor and respect he deserves. But bowing the knee should be a daily act of worship.
          I found that there are actually two songs with the same title. Both songs have a good biblical message. Both are true.
          As Christ followers we need to recognize who God is. He IS King of all the ages and He alone deserves our worship. It is also true that this God who is high and lifted up is one that we can trust on our journey through life, even when you don't understand the purpose of His plan. The writer reminds us of a truth that we need to hang onto -  don't forget we live by faith and not by sight – see 2 Corinthians 5:7.
          Bowing the knee means entire submission. Yielded, soft, flexible. It is a strange salvation that knows nothing about daily submission to Christ Jesus the Lord.  Bowing the knee means willing service. Bowing the knee means obedience.  Bowing the knee means yielding, no longer resisting God, repenting.  Bowing the knee means ownership. If He is my Lord He owns me lock, stock and barrel.  In simple words, to "bow the knee" means, having a soft, yielded, very flexible approach towards God – so that He need not push or prod you to do His will, His way! No matter if He is chastening you, or just instructing you, you yield and accept His work in your life!
          When you want to yield and give in to temptation – bow the knee   When you feel depressed under life's pressure – bow the knee.   When you feel like getting angry and staying angry, don't yield to anger… bow the knee!   When you struggle with memories and find it easy to just quit… bow the knee! Bowing the knee allows the Lord to bless you and your life unhindered by your efforts – no pride.  Bowing the knee allows the Lord to protect you. You are depending on His power, not yours. This is how you find the secret place of the most high! The first step to experiencing His protective power, is you bowing 
          As Christ followers we need to recognize who God is. He IS King of all the ages, and He alone deserves our worship.   It is also true that this God who is high and lifted up is one that we can trust on our journey through life even when you don't understand the purpose of His plan. 
            Wherever you are today – rejoicing in the goodness and greatness of God or struggling to understand the heart of the Father – stop long enough on your spiritual journey to bow your knee.

What a privilege to come into God's presence

Just to linger with the One who set me free.

As I lift my eyes and see His awesome glory.

I remember who He is and bow the knee.

Bow the knee

Bow the knee

He is King of all the ages

Bow the knee

God alone on His throne

See Him high and lifted up

and bow the knee.

Kneel before Him

All adore Him

As you live to love Him more

Bow the knee.

In His hands He holds

the power of creation.

With His voice He spoke,

and all things came to be.

Yet He hears each simple prayer

I bring before Him

When I humbly seek His face

and bow the knee.

Bow the knee

Bow the knee

He is King of all the ages

Bow the knee

God alone on His throne

See Him high and lifted up

and bow the knee.

Kneel before Him

All adore Him

As you live to love Him more

Bow the knee.

Bow the knee

Bow the knee

He is King of all the ages

Bow the knee

God alone on His throne

See Him high and lifted up

and bow the knee.

Kneel before Him

All adore Him

As you live to love Him more

Bow the knee.

 

Listen to the one version here.   BOW

I LOVE YOU LORD

          This worship chorus is simple and expresses the deep, sincere thoughts of one's heart.  I love you Lord and I lift my voice to worship you.  And our desire should be that our worship may be sweet in the Lord's ears and that He might accept our feeble efforts as a sweet, sweet sound. Oh, that this might be true.

          These words penned by Laurie Klein (née Brendemuehl, 1950) in 1976 are some of the most widely recorded in all of contemporary Christian worship.

          Klein, a native of Wisconsin, displayed musical talent and interest at a young age. Encouraged by her mother, she learned to play piano, autoharp, and guitar. She started writing songs at age 16, the first one titled "Loving Unconditionally." At age 24, she met and married Bill Klein while at Central Oregon Community College. Their life was simple and difficult, as they started a family with no money to spare. Laurie described "I Love You, Lord" as "a gift from heaven" – as the lines flowed effortlessly, one after the other

          Klein was a young mother, living in a small camper while her husband attended college. Isolated in the Oregon wilderness, she had no community, no nearby friends, and no local church body to call home. Making things worse, she did not drive, so she could not go visit friends or family who lived farther away than walking distance. Her loneliness drove her to invest more fully in her daily time of devotion to God. The song rose out of her daily quiet time in the morning before her toddler woke up. The words tumbled out of her mouth as she was quietly playing guitar. Recognizing that they had some merit, she quickly wrote them down

           Later, she sang the song for her husband, who suggested she play it for a local pastor and some musicians. The song found its way to Jack Hayford's Church on the Way in Van Nuys, California, and was recorded by several musicians of the budding Christian music scene, including Buck and Annie Herring (2nd Chapter of Acts). The song gained greater recognition

          There is something very honest about this song, something that continues to resonate, quietly, through the forests and deserts, hilltops and valleys of life. There is something theologically rich about it—the central ethic of our faith: love of God. Even when we don't feel it. Even when God is silent. Maybe that's when God is listening. May our words be a "sweet, sweet sound" in that ea r.

 

I love You, Lord

And I lift my voice

To worship You

Oh, my soul, rejoice

Take joy, my King

In what You hear

May it be a sweet, sweet sound

In Your ear

Listen to it here.  SWEET

THEN CAME THE MORNING

          Do you ever imagine what it would have been like to walk in the shoes of one of the Bible characters?
          Sometimes we forget that they were human and faced the daily challenges of life that affect us.  Doubts, fears and worries were parts of their lives.  They didn't know what tomorrow would hold, just as we don't.

          It must have been a very difficult time for the disciples to accept the sudden loss of their close friend and teacher.  Suddenly He was gone.  What would they do?  How would they go on?
          And that is the situation that this song addresses.  The song was written by Chris Christian, an American songwriter who won four Grammy awards and was nominated for seven Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. But it was the Bill Gather Trio's version that made the song famous.

          "Then Came the Morning" is simply a song about Jesus, the all-mighty and loving God, rising from his death. Aside from the song being a conveyance of the Lord's mercies and Christ's resurrection, it is also a song about the birth of Christians during that particular morning Jesus came back to life.  As the world's Savior, the resurrection of Jesus has given us the hope that things will be better. 

          Although the tune starts with a gloomy vibe, it ends with an upbeat feeling, giving the song an edge for being unique and catchy, making it one of the most listened-to gospel songs today.  
          Believers can't help but get excited with the message that ends this great song. "Then came the morning, Shadows vanished before the sun, Death had lost and life had won, For morning had come." Hope reigns for all believers.

          Yes, morning has come.  Rejoice! 

They all walked away, nothing to say

They'd just lost their dearest friend

All that He said, now He was dead

So this was the way it would end

 

The dreams they had dreamed were not what they'd seemed

Now that He was dead and gone

The garden, the jail, the hammer, the nail

How could a night be so long?

 

Then came the morning

Night turned into day

The stone was rolled away

Hope rose with the dawn

 

Then came the morning

Shadows vanished before the sun

Death had lost and life had won

For morning had come

 

The angel, the star, the kings from afar

The wedding, the water, the wine

Now it was done, they'd taken her Son

Wasted before His time

 

She knew it was true, she'd watched Him die too

She'd heard them call Him just a man

But deep in her heart she knew from the start

Somehow her Son would live again

 

Then came the morning

Night turned into day

The stone was rolled away

Hope rose with the dawn

 

Then came the morning

Shadows vanished before the sun

Death had lost and life had won

For morning had come

Then came the morning

Shadows vanished before the sun

Death had lost and life had won

For morning had come

For morning had come

Listen to this inspiring song here.   MORNING

 

GRACE GREATER THAN ALL OUR SIN

 This is a feature where once each month 

I share one of my personal favorite hymns.        

 

           "Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe."  What a beautiful truth for each believer.  This truth is what makes this one of my very favorite hymns.
          The words find a scriptural basis in Paul's teaching of justification by faith in Romans 5:1-2: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

          Julia Harriette Johnston (1849-1919) was the daughter of a Presbyterian minister and a mother who was a poet. She began writing when she was nine years old but really started writing verse in high school. Later she authored many books on Christian missions and missionaries, along with about 500 hymn texts, many of which were published in her books. She was faithful to the ministries of the church, serving in Sunday school for 41 years and also as president, for two decades, of the Presbyterian Missionary Society, an organization founded by her mother. 

          In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the suffrage movement was intensifying in the United States. It was a time when women in many denominations were in the paradoxical position to spread the Good News, but had to be remain quiet while doing it. However, there were women hymn writers, such as Johnston, who decided to ignore this and wrote hymns as social, religious, and biblical commentary. This hymn is a commentary on Romans 5, particularly on Romans 5:20b, which says: "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." 

           In this great hymn Johnston contrasts the theme of God's abundant grace - manifest through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross - with "our sin and our guilt" (stanza one), our "sin and despair" (stanza two), and our "dark stain" (stanza three).  The words remind the sinner that despite what has happened in the person's life, God's grace has wiped away all sin through the death of Jesus.  

          In the second verse she uses the imagery of the "sea waves cold" to describe the effects of sin. While the sinner may indeed be drowning in the vast, bleak, cold ocean with no hope in sight, the grace that poured out on the sinner is greater and deeper than anything else and it leads the sinner "to the refuge, the mighty cross." It does not matter what has happened or what the sinner has done; God's love is greater and is graciously given to those who believe.

          Personally, I love the words of the refrain which sum up the message and impact of grace.  It will pardon and cleanse and it is greater than all our sin.  Marvelous, infinite and matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe.  I pray that you have experienced this grace in your life and that your heart is overflowing with the wonder of God's great grace.  And, if you haven't, then the final verse is an invitation for you

 

1.     Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,

Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,

There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin

 

2.     Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,

Threaten the soul with infinite loss;

Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,

Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin

 

3.     Dark is the stain that we cannot hide;

What can avail to wash it away?

Look! There is flowing a crimson tide;

Whiter than snow you may be today.

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin

 

4.     Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,

Freely bestowed on all who believe,

All who are longing to see His face,

Will you this moment His grace receive?

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin

 

Listen to it here.     GRACE