Tag Archive | Hymns

Tuesday Tunes ~ Count Your Blessings

Jun29

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Are you a list maker? I used to be. Now I dictate my lists on my cellphone.

We make lists of many things. Groceries, What to pack for vacation, Errands to run,

Chores, Christmas gift and card list, (one of my favorites!) Bible Verses to memorize, Ideas for stories to write, Ways to introduce Bible lessons in a memorable way… the list of lists could go on forever! Have you ever listed or counted your blessings?

“I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Psalms 34:1

Several years ago, I had major surgery and was in a lot of pain when they wheeled me back to my room. John was there with Mom and Dad. I remember Mom saying, “That’s not my Kathy, she’s not smiling; my Kathy always smiles. And then John leaned over the side rail and said, “Sing Count Your Blessings!” It wasn’t easy but I softly sang. This surgery had meant that there would never be a miracle baby for us. But I knew God had a plan and I trusted Him. Of course, John and my family were among the first blessings on my mental list, and of course, knowing that the Lord is always with me is always at the top.

Timberlake Baptist Church and our brothers and sisters in Christ were huge blessings to both of us. The following day I had some visitors. There were flowers and cards from our Fourth Grade Sunday School Class. One precious little girl drew a picture and message so sweet – it is now among my treasures. My doctor was blessed by that little treasure too. Every child I have ever taught and cared for are all on my list of blessings. Too many to count! When I count those special blessings, I pray for each one as the Lord brings them to mind.

What about you? Are you having a dark storm in your life? Go to the One who created you. The One who gave His life for you and arose that you may have eternal life. He came that you might have life more abundantly. So dear friend, as you go before the Throne of grace in prayer, remember to count your blessings. In doing so, you are acknowledging His hand in your life and it is a way to delight in Him. You may be surprised to see what the Lord has done for you!

Click on the link below and sing along with me as I sing along with George Beverly Shea.  Don’t forget to Count your Blessings!

Count Your Blessings

(Johnson Oatman, Jr.       ~      Edwin O. Excell)

“When upon lifes billows you are tempest-tossed,

when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost.

Count your many blessings – name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings- name them one by one;

Count your blessings see what God hath done;

Count your blessings – name them one by one;

Count your many blessings – see what God hath done.”

Count Your Blessings

Monday Melody/ A Song for Bessie

Jul8

 

Over the past few years, whenever a hymn is mentioned; I have noticed there are believers who make a face or comment they prefer praise music. This is especially true for those wonderful hymns which have stood the test of time.

When The Roll is Called Up Yonder is often sung on family shows set in in the late 1800’s. The expressions on the faces of the singers do not reflect the significance of this old hymn; however they sing their parts beautifully. Especially the bass on this song. Perhaps they are unaware of the story behind it.

In the book Al Smith’s Treasury of Hymn Histories by Alfred B. Smith.

Mr. Smith tells a precious story of the background for When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder.

(Hearing him tell the story of how Hymns were written was a wonderful experience as he also sang the song. Now he is singing in Heaven with the little girl who inspired this old favorite.)

Sunday School teacher and Epworth League (a young people’s Bible club) James M. Black was walking to the post office in Williamsport PA and decided to take a different route than usual. He walked down an alley and discovered terrible poverty he didn’t know existed in his town.

There was a young girl sweeping the porch. Although she was only fourteen-years-old; she wore the look of poverty and deprivation on her face.

“Do you go to Sunday School?” he asked.

“No sir. I’d like to but I don’t have anything fit to wear; but sir, how I’d love to go,” was her reply.

Mr. Black and his wife made sure she had clothes and everything she needed to make her feel fit to go to Church. Friends even donated clothing for her.

Soon, she was faithful in attendance to both Sunday School and the Epworth League. She was there to respond every time the roll was called until one day when her name was called there was no reply.  Mr. Black became concerned that something was wrong. Perhaps her drunken father had refused to allow her to come or had beaten her again.

After Church, Mr. Black made his way through the alley to her ramshackled house. He found a very sick young lady. He sent for his doctor and the news was not good.  She was diagnosed with an advanced case of pneumonia.

Walking back home, he couldn’t shake the feeling that had come over him when Bessie had failed to show up for roll call that day.  Some day there will be a roll call in Heaven and oh, the sadness there will be for those whose names are not written in the Lambs Book of Life.

He had tried to find a suitable song that morning but couldn’t find one to sing which he could use to impress this truth upon the hearts of the young people.  His heart was heavy and disappointed that there was not a song to sing which would impress upon their hearts the need for The Savior.

He ended the service and in his disappointment he felt this was an opportunity lost. Suddenly, a thought came to mind. Why don’t you write one? He said later, “I put away the thought but as I opened the gate and walked up the path to my house, the same thought came again so strongly that tears filled my eyes. I went into the house and sat down at the piano. Without any effort at all the words seemed to tumble from my mind.”

When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound

and time shall be no more;

And the morning breaks Eternal, bright and fair,

When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,

An the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.

“After the complete set of words had come, the tune then came in the same manner. I felt that I was only the transcriber – I dared not change a note or word. In a few days I more fully understood why, for our beloved Bessie went home to Heaven to await that glorious day.”

“This song was first sung publicly at her funeral and before singing it, I related the circumstances which led to its writing. Never will I forget the effect it had upon the large audience of friends who had come. The Lord had taken little Bessie home but in her place He had given a song to keep reminding us to be ready for that great roll-call day.”

     When The Roll is Called Up Yonder was first published in the Epworth League songbook in 1892. It may have been overlooked and unpublished if Mr. Black had not written the manuscript in green ink. It stood out to publisher, Mr. Charles Gabriel who was editing the book. He later said, “The composer’s name was not familiar to me, but the green ink had made the song stand out. It was a new thought. I played it over, liked it and published it.” The rest is history. (ABS)

Lets sing along with the Gaither and friends as they sing Bessie’s song.

What if this Sunday School teacher had just passed by that dear child and had not invited her to Sunday School or followed through? She may have never received Christ as her Savior, her faithful attendance would not have been a catalyst to the song that has blessed and encouraged so many.

How about you? Is your name written in the Lambs Book of Life? (Revelation 20:11-15)

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved

Acts 16:31

Monday Melody: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story

Mar11

Several years ago, my friend and I sang at a Christian Women’s Conference. Following the music, the speaker had a special exercise for us. She gave us a slip of paper and instructed us to think about the following phrase, “If I could be an animal, what would I be?” we were to write the animal on a slip of paper and to be ready to share with the group and to tell everyone why.

f228e53e14370fedbecb085a086f39a5.jpg  That was easy. I didn’t have to think twice. I removed the blue cap from my Bic pen and wrote Songbird.

The woman walked around the room making comments and offering suggestions. When she stopped at my chair, I could feel her disapproval. “I don’t think you understand,” she said. “Think of a wonderful, majestic animal. If you must be a bird, why not be something fearless and majestic – an Eagle would be a great choice!”

“But I am not majestic nor am I a bird of prey. I would be a songbird and always will be. As long as I can remember, I sang constantly. Washing dishes, swinging on the swing in our back yard or on the front porch, sweeping the floor, preparing lessons to teach, gently waking my sister and brother. (Okay, that may have been a bit obnoxious but I meant to wake them gently, cheerfully.) Riding in the car, whatever I am doing, I sing. It comes naturally. I don’t usually think about it, it just swells up in my soul and flows past my lips – sometimes I sing without realizing it.”

“Well,” she said, “Eagles soar high and their voice is powerful.”

“I learned many years ago that it isn’t always the loud, powerful songs that touch the soul but the soft, soothing lullabies, quiet songs of consecration, pleading songs of invitation, cheerful songs to lift the weary soul and earnest songs of praise unto the Lord. This is what God placed on my heart for ministry. When I was a candy striper in the hospital, it was hymns sang softly that calmed the hurting, pediatric patients. When I was a small child, my grandfather who suffered from emphysema asked me to sing for him when he was having a difficult time breathing. He always said it helped. This is why I am a songbird. To soothe, to calm, to praise Him and to give Him the glory.  I can and do sing the Eagle songs when He places these songs on my heart. He usually gives me the softer songs to sing.”

We each have a job to do. Whether you are soprano, alto, tenor or bass, He has asked us to “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”

There are so many passages in Scripture about singing; it must be important to the Lord. After all, He made the songbird and the eagle. Whatever bird we fancy ourselves to be isn’t important as long as we lift our voices to Him!

I was playing the piano this weekend and ran across this song. He prompted me to share some of the wonderful old hymns with you and Monday Melody began. So lift your voice with me and sing. (Check out the link below. The group singing reminds me of the Church from my early years as a believer. So if you have a hymnal, turn to the following song and sing along.

I Will Sing the Wondrous Story

   ♫ Francis H. Rowley     ♫ Peter P. Bilhorn

http://youtu.be/9ahjKfVb4Lc

“I will sing the wondrous story of the Christ who died for me

How He left His home in glory for the cross of Calvary.

       Yes I’ll sing the wondrous story of the Christ who died for me,

        Sing it with the saints in glory, gathered by the crystal sea.”    

 

Hymn Requests

Nov4

In The Vision of a Mother’s Heart, one of the chapters portrays Song Requests in Church.
Little Jimmy was confused about the title of his favorite song but the song leader knew which song he meant and they all sang Trust and Obey. 

On their way home from Church, “Mama” announced that she had borrowed a hymnal from the song leader so that the children could copy the songs so that they would learn the songs they sang most often.

The Church where I grew up asked for requests almost every Sunday night. When the music director asked for requests, we all knew that Mr. Drain would request page number 292.
Surely Goodness and Mercy by John W. Peterson and Alfred Smith. We sang all of the verses as well as the chorus at the end. We sang this with enthuasum. We sang with joy. We sang with smiles as we watched Mr. Drain singing with all his heart.

Back in the “old days,” we had hymnals. Children stood by their parents and learned to read the music as well as the words as they shared their song book with Mom or Dad. Many of us remember all five verses to How Great Thou Art and Just As I Am because the hymns became a part of who we are. Sometimes I fear that we will have a generation of children who do not know how to read music because they have missed out on this wonderful tradition of sharing a hymnal.

What about you? Do you have any memories of learning hymns with your parents in Church?
What would song would you request?

I must admit that I prefer the older songs. Songs filled with doctrine and have a good melody as well. Crown Him With Many Crowns, Wonderful Grace of Jesus, At Calvary, and Mr. Drain’s favorite – Surely Goodness and Mercy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDMqlwsfa2kImage

Church Song Requests – Repost from The Vision of a Mother’s Heart blog.

Mar6

In The Vision of a Mother’s Heart, one of the chapters portrays Song Requests in Church. Little Jimmy was confused about the title of his favorite song but the song leader knew which song he meant and they all sang Trust and Obey.

On their way home from Church, “Mama” announced that she had borrowed a hymnal from the song leader so that the children could copy the songs so that they would learn the songs they sang most often.

The Church where I grew up asked for requests almost every Sunday night. When the music director asked for requests, we all knew that Mr. Drain would request page number 292.

Hymnals

 
Surely Goodness and Mercy by John W. Peterson and Alfred Smith. We sang all of the verses as well as the chorus at the end. We sang this with enthusiasm. We sang with joy. We sang with smiles as we watched Mr. Drain singing with all his heart.

Back in the “old days,” we had hymnals. Children stood by their parents and learned to read the music as well as the words as they shared their song book with Mom or Dad. Many of us remember all five verses to How Great Thou Art and Just As I Am because the hymns became a part of who we are. Sometimes I fear that we will have a generation of children who do not know how to read music because they have missed out on this wonderful tradition of sharing a hymnal.

What about you? Do you have any memories of learning hymns with your parents in Church? What would song would you request? Did you learn to read music at Church by singing along using the hymnal? I would love to hear your stories!

I must admit that I prefer the older songs. Songs filled with doctrine and have a good melody as well. Crown Him With Many Crowns, Wonderful Grace of Jesus, At Calvary, and Mr. Drain’s favorite – Surely Goodness and Mercy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDMqlwsfa2k