SWEETER AS THE YEARS GO BY

Last week when my wife shared her age with a friend, the friend asked, "How did you get that old so fast?" Yes, time does fly. On Tuesday (see my personal blog for January 30) my aunt and uncle will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary. The Lord willing, we will celebrate our 50th anniversary in June. And in June I will celebrate my 67th spiritual birthday. Where did the years go? But in all three of these relationships, they are better and closer today than they ever were. And that is the testimony shared by this week's hymn, "Sweeter As The Years Go By". Last Saturday night, a local radio station was playing programs from the past and they played an old recording of "The Old Fashioned Revival Hour". After Rudy Atwood's traditional piano opening, the choir sang this week's hymn. I hadn't heard it in years but I sang along and thought how true the words really were not only years ago, but even more so, today. No matter how long you have served the Lord, I hope that this is also your testimony. I understand that the lyrics and music were written by Leila N. Morris (1862-1929). She became blind in her early fifties, but that didn't keep her from writing. I am told that she had a 28-foot long blackboard with large music staff lines. Using this special board she was able to see enough to help her write hymns. In all she wrote more than 1,000 hymn texts as well as many of the tunes. Her handicap didn't keep her from doing this and being productive for God. This hymn was first copyrighted in 1912 and the stanzas were originally for soprano and alto duet. But arrangements for full four part harmony were made by the Lillenas Publishing Company. Even with her blindness, Mrs. Morris found that her Lord did become sweeter to her as the years went by. Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus' love is sweeter, sweeter as the years go by. May this also be your experience.

1. Of Jesus' love that sought me, when I was lost in sin;

Of wondrous grace that brought me back to His fold again;

Of heights and depths of mercy, far deeper than the sea,

And higher than the heavens, my theme shall ever be.

Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by,

Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus' love is sweeter,

Sweeter as the years go by.

2. He trod in old Judea life's pathway long ago;

The people thronged about Him, His saving grace to know;

He healed the broken hearted, and caused the blind to see;

And still His great heart yearneth in love for even me.

Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by,

Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus' love is sweeter,

Sweeter as the years go by.

3. 'Twas wondrous love which led Him for us to suffer loss,

To bear without a murmur the anguish of the cross;

With saints redeemed in glory, let us our voices raise,

Till Heav'n and earth reecho with our Redeemer's praise.

Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by,

Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus' love is sweeter,

Sweeter as the years go by.

I often have difficulty finding videos of many of these old hymns. I finally found a video for this hymn, but it is just an instrumental rendition accompanied by the words. So sing along as you recall this hymn. LISTEN

STANDING ON THE PROMISES

Russell Kelso Carter (1849-1928) was a star athlete of a military academy and an excellent student academically, who went on to be a successful teacher and coach. He then spent several years as an ordained Methodist minister, after which he went to medical school. He spent the last of his professional years as a doctor of medicine. Carter was also a musician and songwriter. In 1886, he co-edited a hymnbook which included Carter's most famous hymn, Standing on the Promises which was written while he was serving as a professor (of chemistry and mathematics) at the Pennsylvania Military Academy. The music, composed by Carter as well, has the kind of bright marching style that must have been familiar at the academy. Although Carter was a professed Christian most of his life, it wasn't until a crisis with his natural heart that he began to understand the reality and power of Bible promises. At age 30, his health was in critical condition and the physicians could do no more for him. Carter turned to God for help and healing. He knelt and made a promise that healing or no, his life was finally and forever, fully consecrated to the service of the Lord. It was from that moment that the written Word of God became alive to Carter. Over the course of the next several months his strength returned, and his heart was completely healed. Carter lived another healthy 49 years. Life's storms may threaten to sweep us away at times, but when we choose to stand upon the promises of God, we have found a place of safety, a place where the footing is forever firm. With confidence we say, "the Word of our God stands forever" (Isa. 40:8). To believe it and obey it is to anchor our lives to the impregnable rock of God's truth. What a great place to stand as we begin a new year in a world that is filled with despair and uncertainty.

(1) Standing on the promises of Christ my King,

through eternal ages let his praises ring;

glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,

standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing,

standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;

standing, standing,

I'm standing on the promises of God.

2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail,

when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

by the living Word of God I shall prevail,

standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing,

standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;

standing, standing,

I'm standing on the promises of God.

3. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,

bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,

overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,

standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing,

standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;

standing, standing,

I'm standing on the promises of God.

4. Standing on the promises I cannot fall,

listening every moment to the Spirit's call,

resting in my Savior as my all in all,

standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing,

standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;

standing, standing,

I'm standing on the promises of God.

Listen to this week's hymn here. LISTEN

I WOULD BE LIKE JESUS

How many times this year have you made the mistake of writing 2011? Have you made any resolutions for the new year? If you have, after two weeks have you broken them yet? I have never been into the resolution thing myself. But the start of a new year does give you a chance to evaluate where you have been in the past and where you are headed in the future. It is important to have goals, especially spiritual ones. Recently I heard this week's hymn choice on the radio. It brought back memories of having sung it so often, many years ago, in Sunday night services. And I guess the memory of Sunday night services really dates me because today such services appear to be gone from the schedule of present day churches. Now while some critics say that this hymn emphasizes works too much, I disagree. Works should naturally follow our salvation which itself is a gift of God. And as a result we should desire to tell the story and serve Him. Our lives should continually show growth spiritually as the Holy Spirit guides us in our Christian journey. I chose this hymn specifically for today because I think it does serve as a good goal, or a good desire, for the future year. It should be our prayer each day. As we respond to the leading and work of the Holy Spirit we should become more like Jesus - in the home, in the throng, and all day long. Little is known about the writing of this hymn. James Rowe was the son of a copper miner. He worked for the Irish government for four years and then emigrated to America at the age of 24. He settled in Albany, New York, and worked in railroads in New York for about 10 years. He then became an inspector for the Hudson River Humane Society. Then he worked for music publishers in Texas and Tennessee. In his later years he moved to Vermont and worked with his daughter, an artist, writing verses for greeting cards. Rowe teamed up with the composer of the tune, Howard E. Smith. According to Rowe's daughter, Mrs. Louise Rowe Mayhew, Smith was a little man whose hands had become knotted with arthritis, but he could still play the piano.Therefore, while Rowe was writing words, Smith would play some notes on the piano and then copy them down. This is how they teamed together to write numerous hymns. Little else is known about the writing of this hymn. But, maybe we don't need to know more about its beginnings to make it our prayer, or resolution, for the coming year.

(1) Earthly pleasures vainly call me;

I would be like Jesus;

Nothing worldly shall enthrall me;

I would be like Jesus.

Be like Jesus, this my song,

In the home and in the throng;

Be like Jesus, all day long!

I would be like Jesus.

(2) He has broken every fetter,

I would be like Jesus;

That my soul may serve Him better,

I would be like Jesus.

Be like Jesus, this my song,

In the home and in the throng;

Be like Jesus, all day long!

I would be like Jesus.

(3) All the way from earth to glory,

I would be like Jesus;

Telling o'er and o'er the story,

I would be like Jesus.

Be like Jesus, this my song,

In the home and in the throng;

Be like Jesus, all day long!

I would be like Jesus.

(4) That in Heaven He may meet me,

I would be like Jesus;

That His words "Well done" may greet me,

I would be like Jesus.

Be like Jesus, this my song,

In the home and in the throng;

Be like Jesus, all day long!

I would be like Jesus.

You can listen to it here. LISTEN

ANOTHER YEAR IS DAWNING

In January of 1874, the many friends of Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879) received a New Year's greeting with the heading, "A Happy New Year! Ever Such May it Be!" Following this greeting appeared her text, still considered to be one of the finest New Year's prayers of consecration ever written. One can well imagine that those who received this greeting card from Miss Havergal that year read her words thoughtfully. They were written by one who had already become widely known throughout England as "the consecration poet." It was said of her that she always lived her words before she wrote them. Her life was one of constant and complete commitment to God. Her many talents—an accomplished pianist and vocalist, proficiency in seven languages, a keen mind (memorization of the entire New Testament, Psalms, Isaiah, and the Minor Prophets)—were all dedicated to serving God and others during the new year. After the deaths of loved ones, I especially enjoy the closing lines "Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be on earth or else in Heaven, another year for Thee". So as we begin the new year of 2012 may this be the prayer of our hearts.

(1) Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be

In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.

Another year of progress, another year of praise,

Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

(2) Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,

Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;

Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;

Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

(3) Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,

Another year of training for holier work above.

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be

On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.

It was very difficult to find a video of this hymn to share with you, but I did find one which may be a little different. But you can hear the hymn sung and played. LISTEN

THERE'S A SONG IN THE AIR

Happy New Year! One of my annual disappointments is that the day after Christmas most radio stations stop playing Christmas music. One of the things I enjoy most about Christmas is hearing the music of the season, especially those carols that share the true meaning of the holiday. Because of this, I have decided to spend one more week with Christmas music. This week's carol was written by Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819 - 1881). Holland was forced to drop out of high school, but years later he became a medical doctor. He was also a poet, novelist, and magazine editor and he helped establish Scribner's Magazine. The poem first appeared in his book "The Marble Prophecy And Other Poems" in 1872. It then appeared in his "Sunday School Collection" in 1874 and again in his "Complete Poetical Writings" in 1879. The title for this carol originally was "A Star and A Song." The present tune, "Christmas Song,", was composed for these words by Karl P. Harrington, approximately twenty-five years later. The lyrics focus on the Nativity of Jesus and the recognition of Jesus as king. Each stanza concludes with a tribute to the kingship of the Christ child born in Bethlehem's manger. So as we leave the Christmas season for another year and move into 2012, meditate on these words as you again consider the great message of Christmas. And, as noted in verse three, may the message of this carol bring rejoicing to your home.

1. There's a song in the air! There's a star in the sky!

There's a mother's deep prayer and a baby's low cry!

And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,

For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!

2. There's a tumult of joy o'er the wonderful birth,

For the virgin's sweet Boy is the Lord of the earth.

Ay! the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,

For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!

3. In the light of that star lie the ages impearled;

And that song from afar has swept over the world.

Every hearth is aflame, and the beautiful sing

In the homes of the nations that Jesus is King!

4. We rejoice in the light, and we echo the song

That comes down through the night from the heavenly throng.

Ay! we shout to the lovely evangel they bring,

And we greet in His cradle our Savior and King!

Listen to it here. LISTEN