I heard the voice of Jesus say
Many hymns are set to more than one tune. Perhaps it is a bit provincial, but it is sometimes a surprise to find that a favorite hymn is sung in another country not to just different tune, but one that is in some ways more beautiful to the the tune to which one is accustomed. Such is the case with “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say.”
God of our Fathers
Our church begins each New Year by singing “God of our Fathers”. It was written in 1876 by Daniel Roberts to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence.
Here are the lyrics of this prayer for our nation:
God of our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band.
Of Shining worlds in splendor through the skies
Our grateful songs, before thy throne arise.
Thy Love divine hath led us in the past.
In this free land by thee our lot is cast.
Be thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay.
Thy Word Our Law, thy Paths our chosen ways.
From wars alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be thy Strong arm our ever sure defense;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy Bounteous goodness, nourish us in peace.
Refresh thy people on their toilsome way;
Lead us from night, to ever ending day;
Fill all our lives, with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever thine.
“I Stand Amazed”
Talk about strolling down memory lane! We came across this song on YouTube. Not only is it a powerful presentation of the “I Stand Amazed” hymn (especially David Phelps’s solo), but it also reminds us of wonderful days of “revival meetings.” We grew up in a time when it was common for churches to have special meetings once a year or so during the middle of the week. They promoted it as “revival week” – a time to hear more sermons and sing more hymns then just on Sunday, with the aim to stir up the church, revive our souls to greater service in Christ’s Kingdom and win the lost. And yes, we even on occasion had such meetings in a tent. Those were some good memories.
All the Way My Savior Leads Me
I have been singing this song the last couple of weeks and I was surprised to learn it was by Fanny Crosby. A bit of a walk down memory lane with an old fashioned quartet doing this song. Sadly, though, they leave off one verse.
“O God Beyond All Praising”
For hundreds of years, hymn writers have set their lyrics to classical, folk, pop and rock tunes. One recent example is Michael Perry’s hymn, “O God Beyond All Praising.”
According to the United Methodist Church website, this hymn was “written specifically for the melody THAXTED in 1982, a composition by the early 20th-century British composer Gustav Holst (1874-1934) [which is part of the “Jupiter” section of his orchestral suite, “The Planets.”] This tune is normally associated in the United Kingdom with a more patriotic text. Perry composed the text, he said, ‘in response to a call for alternative words that would be more appropriate for Christian worship.’”
The lyrics of “O God Beyond all Praising” celebrate “blessings without number and mercies without end” as “We lift our hearts before you and wait upon your Word.” By setting his lyrics to this triumphant, solemn tune he effectively claimed it for the church—not only that we might sing it for ages to come, but I believe (like many great hymns of the church) for throughout eternity.
Josey, Painted Curbs and Amazing Grace
My neighbor moved out yesterday.
In my neighborhood, neighbors come and go, so this move was no different than the others, except it was. It was different because my neighbor had become a friend … thanks to her dog. That is because she needed someone to watch her dog, Prince, while she went to work. As I got to know Prince, I also got to know Josey.
Josey attends Victory Outreach church. I was not familiar with Victory Outreach. Victory Outreach was started years ago by a couple in Los Angeles as an outreach to street people: homeless, drug addicts, drunkards, the poor, the outcast. They do the kind of ministry that I can only admire from afar.
A Journey Well-Ended
My neighborhood is prone to adventures. I do not mean the stuff of storybooks, of exotic locales, of great deeds and daring, all with happy endings. No, not those kind of adventures, but the kind that a mind-your-own-business, busy-at-work, up-to-my-eyeballs-in-projects person would rather avoid. Adventures like the next door neighbor pounding on the door at two in the morning pleading for help because her boyfriend was threatening her life; an adventure like coming home to the street blocked off, SWAT teams patrolling around our home and neighborhood and the police helicopter circling overhead; an adventure like discovering the gate busted open by policemen chasing a fugitive who decided to make a quick escape through the backyard. Mind you, thanks be to the Lord, this did not all happen in one week, or month, or even year, but nevertheless, they are the kind of adventures that can unnerve and drive one to prayer.
And to prayer I did go. It was a simple prayer, but, believe me, very heartfelt: “Lord, please send me Christian neighbors.” God answered that prayer in an unforgettable way.
Nancy and “Amens”
At first glance, some traditions seem small and insignificant and yet they are filled with great importance and are worth passing on from generation to generation. Christians have always observed the AMEN tradition after prayer. I grew up in a home where we said AMEN after each prayer of blessing for our food. Although most Christians remember the AMEN tradition in this way, there is another AMEN tradition that has also remained important to many Christians: singing AMEN at a hymn’s conclusion.
My Jesus I Love Thee
Hymns are like any other song in that, especially songs from one’s youth, they can become part of the fabric of memory. An event, a person, a place, even the smell of cookies baking or the sound of a father’s voice on a recording can trigger the memory and you find yourself humming the tune, singing the words — even to a hymn that you had not heard for many years, perhaps even decades. Hymns, however, are not just like any song. They carry personal meaning and attachments, of course, but the overall purpose of hymns are to point us to our Savior, the King of Kings. “My Jesus I Love Thee” is one of these kinds of songs for me. I grew up in church singing many hymns, but this song has a special place in my heart. I have always loved singing it. The simple words and the beautiful melody have combined to be an anthem–a declaration–of my love for Jesus Christ. I hope this song (and the picture above) inspire you to declare, “If ever I love Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.”
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