HEAVEN CAME DOWN AND GLORY FILLED MY SOUL

         The vast majority of the songs that this blog has featured over the years have been written a century or two ago.  It is unusual to feature a song that has been written in this blogger's lifetime.  In was in the early 60's that my future wife and I began to sing duets and one of the very first that we sang was a newly published song, "Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul".  Little did we realize then that this new song was inspired by a testimony given at Montrose Bible Conference, in Montrose, Pennsylvania, which is just a few hours from where we lived at that time.  It was during the summer of 1961 that John W. Peterson was a guest there.  According to Peterson, "During one of the sessions an opportunity for a time of personal testimonies was given the audience, and Old Jim rose to his feet and told of his conversion experience. In describing that night when he met Christ, he used the phrase 'It seemed like Heaven came down and glory filled my soul.'   Right away I sensed that it would be a fine title for a song, so I wrote it down and later in the week completed the song. It became a favorite almost immediately."  Personally, I am always amazed at how quickly various gospel songs have been written.  But Peterson (1921 - 2006) did this often.  He was a songwriter who had a major influence on evangelical Christian music in the 1950s through the 1970s, writing over 1000 songs, and 35 cantatas that have sold more than three million copies.  And the song that was born that day in 1961 has blessed the hearts of people all over America as well as on mission fields worldwide. The song reminds us of that amazing conversion experience when Jesus met the need of our heart and lives, making the darkness in our lives depart.  Because of that experience our sins were taken away, as far as the east is from the west, and our night was turned to day.  The song also speaks of our justification, our standing, and our amazing future, all made possible because of what happened to us and in us that wonderful day.  If this has been your experience and your testimony then you too should be singing this song each day.  Truly, for each believer, because of what happened that day as a result of the Cross, heaven did come down and glory did fill our soul!  May we never forget to celebrate the result of God's mercy and grace to us.

             

(1) O what a wonderful, wonderful day-

Day I will never forget;

After I'd wandered in darkness away,

Jesus my Savior I met.

O what a tender, compassionate friend-

He met the need of my heart;

Shadows dispelling, With joy I am telling,

He made all the darkness depart!

Heaven came down

and glory filled my soul,

When at the cross

the Savior made me whole;

My sins were washed away

And my night was turned to day-

Heaven came down

and glory filled my soul!

      

(2) Born of the Spirit with life from above

Into God's family divine,

Justified fully through Calvary's love,

O what a standing is mine!

And the transaction so quickly was made

When as a sinner I came,

Took of the offer Of grace He did proffer-

He saved me, O praise His dear name!

Heaven came down

and glory filled my soul,

When at the cross

the Savior made me whole;

My sins were washed away

And my night was turned to day-

Heaven came down

and glory filled my soul!

      

(3) Now I've a hope that will surely endure

After the passing of time;

I have a future in heaven for sure.

There in those mansions sublime.

And its because of that wonderful day

What at the cross I believed;

Riches eternal And blessings supernal

From His precious hand I received.

Heaven came down

and glory filled my soul,

When at the cross

the Savior made me whole;

My sins were washed away

And my night was turned to day-

Heaven came down

and glory filled my soul!

You can listen to it being sung by a group of men right here.   LISTEN

O HAPPY DAY

         When Monica Doddridge gave birth to her son Philip (1702 -1751) in England, she had been through the pain of labor 20 times and 18 of her children had died in infancy. Phillip was delivered as though he was stillborn and so the midwife set him aside to attend to his mother until the baby unexpectedly cried out.  At that moment Monica realized that Philip's life had been saved for a purpose and she spent the next few years doing her best to teach her frail son the Scriptures.  But at a young age Philip was orphaned. However, an excerpt from his diary tells that his faith in God remained strong. "God is an immortal Father. My soul rejoices in Him. He hath hitherto helped me and provided for me; may it be my study to approve myself a more affectionate, dutiful and grateful child."  With no family and no money , friends encouraged him to give up his dream of entering the ministry. But he took the matter to prayer and God miraculously provided funds.  He actually began preaching at age 21 and he became known as a brilliant scholar and recognized as a Doctor of Divinity from Aberdeen University in 1736.  His best-known accomplishments were his approximately 400 hymns, none of which were published during his lifetime. It was four years after his death that a close friend, Job Orton, published "Doddridge's Hymns, Founded on Various Texts in the Holy Scripture".  One of those was "O Happy Day," expressing the profound joy of one whose faith resides in Jesus Christ. It is the poet's best known hymn today. It was originally entitled "Rejoicing in Our Covenant Engagement to God" based upon 2 Chronicles 15:15. "And all Judah rejoiced over the oath; for they had sworn with all their heart, and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest around about" (RSV).  In the United States, a refrain was added in The Wesleyan Sacred Harp (1854). The melody was a popular camp meeting tune that was combined with a popular refrain by Edward F. Rimbault (1816-1876) entitled "Happy land! Happy land!"  It was commonly used for baptismal or confirmation ceremonies in the UK and USA. The 20th century saw its adaptation from 3/4 to 4/4 time and this new arrangement contains only the repeated Rimbault refrain, with original verses being omitted. A further Americanization of the hymn took place as the Edwin Hawkins Singers rose to fame in 1969 when their recording was released and became one of the biggest gospel hits of its time. The song has been recorded by several famous artists, including Joan Baez and the Hawkins Singers. It has been a part of many movies, including The Nutty Professor II, and Sister Act II.  Today, generally only one or two verses are sung by most performers.  Doddridge himself developed tuberculosis at age 48. Funds were collected by friends to send him to Lisbon, Portugal, with the hope of prolonging his life, but he died in Lisbon in 1851 and is buried in the English cemetery there.  Looking at Doddridge's life one can't be amazed that he didn't grow up with a bitter spirit.  Great tragedies like he experienced often plant seeds of bitterness in the people experiencing them and often their children as well.  So how are we handling our disappointments?  Do we become bitter and discouraged?  Is our song  often "O Miserable Day"?   Or are we rejoicing in what God has done for us.  Do we give thanks in everything?  Does our experience of salvation make us rejoice each day?  After all, there is no better experience than having our sins washed away!  O happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away!

     

(1)   O happy day that fixed my choice

On Thee, my Savior and my God!

Well may this flowing heart rejoice

And tell its raptures all abroad.

Happy day, happy day,

When Jesus washed my sins away!

He taught me how to watch and pray

And live rejoicing every day;

Happy day, happy day,

When Jesus washed my sins away!

      

(2) O happy bond that seals my vows

To Him who merits all my love!

Let cheerful anthems fill His house,

While to that sacred shrine I move.

 Happy day, happy day,

When Jesus washed my sins away!

He taught me how to watch and pray

And live rejoicing every day;

Happy day, happy day,

When Jesus washed my sins away!

    

(3) It's done, the great transaction's done-

I am my Lord's and He is mine;

He drew me, and I followed on,

Thrilled to confess the voice divine.

Happy day, happy day,

When Jesus washed my sins away!

He taught me how to watch and pray

And live rejoicing every day;

Happy day, happy day,

When Jesus washed my sins away!

      

(4) At peace, my long-divided heart,

Can in this calm assurance rest;

There is no power can make me part

From Love by which I've been possessed.

 Happy day, happy day,

When Jesus washed my sins away!

He taught me how to watch and pray

And live rejoicing every day;

Happy day, happy day,

When Jesus washed my sins away!

It has been very hard to find an appropriate video of this song because it is so old and has so many different arrangements.  But here are a few possibilities.  First a bluegrass version.    LISTEN 1

Here is another with the Gaithers.   LISTEN 2

And, finally an upbeat version.   LISTEN 3

IN THE GARDEN

          I try not to repeat hymns in this blog, but once in awhile it becomes necessary.  This week is one of those times.  Four years ago I shared a blog on Mother's Day in memory of my mother, Aletha "Dolly" Kaufman.  It is a beautiful old hymn which I remember her singing, especially while she was working around the house.  Her joy, her hope, her example and her love for the Lord all helped draw me closer to the Lord.  And I am eternally thankful for those experiences and memories.  My only regret is that I didn't do more to thank her and honor her when I had the opportunity.

From Blog of May 5, 2011:

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 hear from your children. I wish that I could call my mother today or take her out to dinner. It is almost 18 years (note - now 22 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

THY WORD IS LIKE A GARDEN LORD

I am continually amazed at how our minds work.  At times I think I have difficulty remembering things that happened just yesterday, but at other times I suddenly recall things that happened decades ago.  That happened to me again a  few weeks ago when I suddenly remembered this week's hymn choice, even though it is probably 50 years since I last heard it sung, in my grandfather's church in Sunbury, PA.  This experience is a good reminder of how important it is to store good things in our mind such as scripture and even good music.  It is interesting that some hymn writers were neither ministers nor professional poets, but ordinary people who loved to sing and to write new Christian songs.  Edwin Hodder (1837-1904) spent the early part of his working life in New Zealand, doing sociological research among the Maori aborigines. Later he became a civil servant in his native England.  As a hymn writer he would probably be considered an amateur, but in this hymn alone he has made a great contribution to our worship. A simile makes a comparison between two things, for the purpose of illustration, and to enrich our understanding.  In his hymn, Mr. Hodder utilizes a series of similes to help us understand the value of the Word of God in our lives.  In the first verse he uses the garden and a mine, reminding us that God's Word is like beautiful, fragrant flowers that can be picked by anyone, as well as like a deep, deep mine where precious jewels can be found.  Flowers are all around us for picking, but the precious jewels require hard work to find and mine.  It is the same with the Word of God. There are simple truths on the surface that are easily grasped. But others require a level of spiritual maturity to understand, and a dedication to study and meditate on what God says.  In the second verse we have another set of comparisons.  the Bible is like the glittering light of the stars, giving the traveler help on his way, and like an armory where a soldier can be equipped to fight the battle for truth and righteousness.  The third verse is a prayer of dedication.  His original song had seven stanzas, but only three are commonly used today. One of the omitted stanzas says:

Thy Word is like a glorious choir,

And loud its anthems ring;

Though many tongues and parts unite,

It is one song they sing.

As you think about these words this week, may you gain a deeper appreciation for the Word of God.  May you dedicate yourself to enjoying the fragrance of His promises, digging deep for the jewels and truth He has shared, being guided by the light of the Word on your life's path and to preparing and using the armor of God as you face the spiritual battles of life.

Thy Word is like a garden, Lord, with flowers bright and fair;

And every one who seeks may pluck a lovely cluster there.

Thy Word is like a deep, deep mine; and jewels rich and rare

Are hidden in its mighty depths for every searcher there.

Thy Word is like a starry host: a thousand rays of light

Are seen to guide the traveler and make his pathway bright.

Thy Word is like an armory, where soldiers may repair;

And find, for life's long battle day, all needful weapons there.

O may I love Thy precious Word, may I explore the mine,

May I its fragrant flowers glean, may light upon me shine!

O may I find my armor there! Thy Word my trusty sword,

I'll learn to fight with every foe the battle of the Lord.

The words have been sung to a variety of tunes, but here is the one which I remember.   LISTEN

PEACE PERFECT PEACE

Peace is a desired condition that is elusive for much of mankind.  For centuries nations have longed for peace.  But even though many peace treaties have been signed, they have failed to provide lasting worldwide peace because of man's sin.  Without the Prince of Peace this world will never know real peace.  But peace is also elusive for most individuals.  Our neighborhoods are filled with crime. Families face internal conflicts. Separation and divorce are common. Individuals are burdened with problems and stress.  And no matter what they try, real lasting peace remains elusive.  But there is a source of lasting peace, a peace that passeth all understanding.  Isaiah 26:3 tells us that "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose kind is stayed on thee."  In John 14:27 Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  In Galatians 5:22 we read, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith."   And in Phillipians 4:7, Paul reminds us, "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  In 1875, while on vacation, Edward H. Bickersteth, Jr., heard a sermon on Isaiah 26:3 by a Canon Gibbon.  The message was still on his mind that afternoon when he visited an aged and dying relative.  As he entered the man's bedroom he found him in deep depression and troubled about his impending death.  To soothe the man's emotional turmoil, Bickersteth opened his Bible to read from Isaiah 26:3, When his friend dropped off to sleep, Bickersteth took a sheet of paper and began to write a poem, posing the most disturbing obstacles to peace in life and then answered with the affirmation of faith that could not be denied.  When his relative awoke, the author read the stanzas to him and comfort came to his troubled mind and heart.  It might have been the last thing he heard before Jesus called him "to Heaven's perfect peace." Later his hymn would comfort his own heart as he stood over the grave of a preacher son. Have you experienced God's perfect peace in your life, especially in difficult times?  I know I have, especially when family members died and also when I've had some serious surgeries ... a peace that passeth all understanding.  We can also experience that perfect peace in our everyday lives, because of His presence.  Hopefully this is your testimony.  If that is not the case, turn your burdens over to the Lord today and let Him direct your paths.  Meditate upon these words this week and apply them to your daily life.

(1)     Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?

The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.

(2)     Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?

To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.

(3)     Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?

On Jesus' bosom naught but calm is found.

(4)     Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away?

In Jesus' keeping we are safe, and they.

(5)     Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?

Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.

(6)     Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours?

Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers.

(6)     It is enough: earth's struggles soon shall cease,

And Jesus call us to Heaven's perfect peace.

After one of Bickersteth's sisters pointed out that there is nothing specific in the hymn about physical suffering. "That is soon remedied," he replied.  He took up an envelope and wrote the following verse (apparently never published) on the the back.

Peace, perfect peace, 'mid suffering's sharpest throes?

The sympathy of Jesus breathes repose.

You can listen to it here.  Unfortunately, because the hymn is so old and seldom sung anymore, it has been difficult to find a good video of it being sung.  But here are two that will allow you to hear it.

VOCAL

ORGAN

HE IS ABLE TO DELIVER THEE

One of my favorite Bible stories is the account of the three Hebrew young men who were thrown into the fiery furnace.  And before they were thrown in they turned down the king's offer and replied, as recorded in Daniel 3:17, " If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king."  Now the Lord did not see fit to keep them from that furnace but He joined them in the furnace and then delivered them out of it safely.  Deliverance is defined as "a rescue from bondage or danger." Deliverance in the Bible is the act of God whereby He rescues His people from peril.  Sometimes that is deliverance from the bondage of sin.  He can deliver the worst sinner and make them His child.  Or it can be the eventual deliverance of His children from this vile earth to the beauty of His home in heaven.  Sometimes that deliverance is God simply walking through the trials by our side, comforting and encouraging us through them as He uses them to mature us in the faith. Paul assured the Corinthian believers that no temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. In these cases, rescue may not be immediate, but will come in due time, after patience has had its perfect work in our lives.  This week's hymn choice is an old hymn which talks about God's ability and willingness to deliver us in the day of trouble.  The author was William Ogden (1841 - 1897).  At the age of eight Ogden received early musical training in community singing schools. By age ten he could read music fairly well. A little later, he could write a melody by hearing it sung or played. When he was eighteen, he became a song director in his home church. During the Civil War, he served in the 30th Indiana Volunteer Infantry for four years, and he organized a men's choir which became well known throughout the Army of the Cumberland. Later he became widely known as a teacher of normal music schools and as a conductor of musical conventions throughout the United States and Canada. As his skills developed, Ogden issued his first song book, The Silver Song, in 1870. It became immensely popular, selling 500,000 copies.  I've not been able to locate any information about the writing of this particular hymn but I must assume that he experienced God's deliverance in many ways during his lifetime and this hymn may have been the testimony of those experiences.  If today you are weighed down with the burden of sin, He can deliver you.  If you are facing difficult trials he will walk through them with you and comfort and deliver you.  And He has promised one day to deliver His children to our permanent home in Heaven.   What a joy and grand theme to know that He will deliver us.  Deliverance from sin, rescue from trials, and escape from the influence of a world in the control of the evil one come only through Christ, the Son of God

(1)     'Tis the grandest theme through the ages rung;

'Tis the grandest theme for a mortal tongue;

'Tis the grandest theme that the world e'er sung,

"Our God is able to deliver thee."

He is able to deliver thee,

He is able to deliver thee;

Though by sin oppressed, go to Him for rest;

"Our God is able to deliver thee."

(2)     'Tis the grandest theme in the earth or main;

'Tis the grandest theme for a mortal strain;

'Tis the grandest theme, tell the world again,

"Our God is able to deliver thee."

He is able to deliver thee,

He is able to deliver thee;

Though by sin oppressed, go to Him for rest;

"Our God is able to deliver thee."

(3)    'Tis the grandest theme, let the tidings roll,

To the guilty heart, to the sinful soul;

Look to God in faith, He will make thee whole,

"Our God is able to deliver thee."

He is able to deliver thee,

He is able to deliver thee;

Though by sin oppressed, go to Him for rest;

"Our God is able to deliver thee."

You can listen to this hymn here.   LISTEN

CHRIST LIVETH IN ME

          "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)   This is the scripture and truth that led to the writing of this beautiful song.  This has always been one of my favorites for two reasons.  First, I love the harmony and the backtime.  I love to hear the four parts when sung by a quartete.  But more importantly, I am always struck by the truth of the words - Christ liveth in me.  What a powerful truth and as a result, what a tremendous responsibility.  Do folks that I meet day by day sense this truth.  Do they see Christ in what I say, what I do, where I go, how I work, and how I react?  As the author, Daniel W. Whittle (1840-1901), states in his prose, do "life and light and love come forth from Christ living in me"?  Is the longing of my heart "that like Him I may be"?  Powerful questions.  Whittle reached the rank of major in the American civil war, and for the rest of his life was known as "Major" Whittle.  During the war, Whittle lost his right arm, and ended up in a prisoner of war camp. Recovering from his wounds in the hospital, he looked for something to read, and found a New Testament. Though its words challenged him, he was still not ready to accept Christ.  Thinking he was a Christian, an orderly who saw him reading the Testament asked him to pray with a dying prisoner.  But Whittle agreed to go and later said, "I dropped on my knees and held the boy's hand in mine. In a few broken words I confessed my sins and asked Christ to forgive me. I believed right there that He did forgive me." After the war, Whittle became treasurer of the Elgin Watch Company in Chicago,. In less than 10 years, though, he entered the evangelism field. Of his decision to devote his life to the Gospel, Whittle said that, while at work, he "went into the vault and in the dead silence of the quietest of places I gave my life to my Heavenly Father to use as He would."  During this period he worked with musicians Phillip Bliss and James McGranahan. His daughter, May Moody, also wrote music for some of his lyrics.   It would be McGranahan who would eventually add the music to Whittle's prose to complete this beautiful song.  I trust that you are able to make these words your testimony,  "Christ liveth in me.  Oh! what a salvation this, that Christ liveth in me."  May our lives reflect this truth each day and may others daily see evidence of this in all that we do.

1.     Once far from God and dead in sin,

No light my heart could see;

But in God's Word the light I found,

Now Christ liveth in me.

Christ liveth in me,

Christ liveth in me;

Oh! what a salvation this,

That Christ liveth in me.

2      As rays of light from yonder sun,

The flow'rs of earth set free,

So life and light and love come forth

From Christ living in me.

Now Christ liveth in me.

Christ liveth in me,

Christ liveth in me;

Oh! what a salvation this,

That Christ liveth in me.

3     As lives the flow'r within the seed,

As in the cone the tree,

So, praise the Christ of truth and grace,

His Spirit dwelleth in me.

Now Christ liveth in me.

Christ liveth in me,

Christ liveth in me;

Oh! what a salvation this,

That Christ liveth in me.

4     With longing all my heart is filled,

That like Him I may be,

As on the wondrous thought I dwell 

That Christ liveth in me.

Now Christ liveth in me.

Christ liveth in me,

Christ liveth in me;

Oh! what a salvation this,

That Christ liveth in me.

You can listen to it here.   LISTEN