Doug

Stanley Garrison wrote:

"Somewhere, somewhere in Time's own Space;
There must be some sweet pastured place;
Where creeks sing on and breezes blow,
Some Paradise where horses go.
For by the love that guides my pen
I know great horses live again."



My rewrite:
Somewhere, somewhere in Time's own Space
There must be some sweet Heavenly place;
Withe trees to mark and squirrels to chase.
Withe stinky stuff in which to roll;
Some Paradise where all dogs go.
For by the love that guides my pen
I know that great dogs live again.
8/8/2019

2019 Journey

January 21-28

Just As I Am Without One Plea

Possibly second only to Amazing Grace, thanks to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; one of the most recognized Christian Hymns of all times.

Written in 1834 by a sweet poet named Charlotte Elliot (1789-1861). Music was added in 1836 by William Bradbury (1816-1868). Inspired by John 6:37 “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” According to Miss Elliot's sister, Charlotte “became deeply conscious of the evil in her own heart, and...she suffered much mental distress under the painful uncertainty whether it were possible she could be saved.” Until she had an encounter with a Dr. Malan of Geneva in May 1822. He observed how she was held back from the Saviour by her own self saving efforts he said, “Charlotte, cut the cable, it will take too long to unloose it; cut it, it is a small loss.” He than bade her to give “one, look silent but continuous at the cross of Jesus.” Verse one came from her heart immediately and permanently. She spent the next 40 years continuing to write and publish Christian spiritual poetry.

Modern day listeners will no doubt remember this hymn as being sung by various choirs at the countless altar calls given by the Rev. Billy Graham at his many crusades.

Verse 1

Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me.

And that Thous bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Verse 2

Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my sould of one dark blot,

To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Verse 3

Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt,

Fightings and fears within, without,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Verse 4

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight riches, healing of the mind,

Yes, all I need, in Thee I find,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Verse 5

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

Because Thy promise I believe

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

https://youtu.be/yuNFAB4mTn8

2019 Journey

January 14-20

He Giveth More Grace

Written by Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932) whose life story is similar to Fanny Crosby, another great hymn writer. Annie was 3 years old when her mother died in childbirth, though the baby girl survived. The girls' father, suffering from an incurable disease, gave the two girls up for adoption to the Flint family. Annie came to faith in Jesus at the age of 8 and began writing poetry around that same time. She took a job as a teacher at age 18, but severe arthritis caused her to resign. She was faced with a lifetime as an invalid; in a wheelchair. She turned her energies to writing poetry and her most famous one became a hymn when Hubert Mitchell penned the music. The words to this hymn are drawn from the following scriptures:

2 Corinthians 12:9 “For He has said to me, 'My Grace is sufficient for you; for my strength is perfected in weakness.' Therefore gladly would I boast about my weakness that the power of Christ can rest on me.”

James 4:6 “but He gives more grace. Therefore He says, 'God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”

Isaiah 40:29 “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

From her position of weakness Annie Johnson Flint knew what she was writing about.

He Giveth More Grace

Verse 1

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater.

He sendeth more strength when the labors increase.

To added affliction, He addeth His mercy

To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.

Verse 2

When we have exhausted our store of endurance;

When our strength is failing 'ere the day is half done;

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources

Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Chorus

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure

His pow'r has no boundaries known unto men.

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth and giveth and giveth again.

Verse 2 is especially meaningful to me as my grandmother Anderson quotes it in a letter she wrote to her nieces during her later years. She writes about the deaths of her husband “my life's partner” and her son, but follows those sad words with the words of hope she sees in verse 2 of He Giveth More Grace.

I found this video of a family choir and its adorable director singing the hymn.

https://youtu.be/zG7i6SgUwF8

2019 Journey

January 7-13

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty

Written by Reginald Heber (1783-1826) in 1826. The lyrics were written to be used on Trinity Sunday; a Sunday set aside to celebrate the Triune Nature of God. I don't remember any teachings about Trinity Sunday in any of the churches I attended. That doesn't mean there were no teachings, maybe I wasn't paying attention. Observed on the first Sunday after Pentecost by “Christian churches the world over” according to one of my sources.

I don't know if the lyrics were spoken or sung traditionally, but in 1861 (35 years after Heber penned the words), John Bacchus Dykes (1323-1876) set the words to music, based on a tune then known as NICAEA.

The words are drawn directly from Revelation 4:1-11. Here it is, followed by my own observations:

Verse 1

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;

Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty!

God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Verse 2

Holy, Holy, Holy! All the saints adore Thee,

Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

Cherubim and seraphim, falling down before Thee,

Which wert and art and evermore shall be.

Verse 3

Holy, Holy, Holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,

Though the eye of sinful man They Glory may not see;

Only Thou art Holy; there is none beside Thee;

Perfect in Pow'r in Love and Purity.

Verse 4

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!

All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea;

Holy, Holy, Holy!merciful and mighty;

God in three persons, Blessed Trinity.

Verse 1: opening praise,  Revelation 4:8

Verse 2: This is what's going on in Heaven right now and for all eternity. Revelation 4:9

Verse 3: Perfect description of our perfect God: Perfect in Power= Holy Spirit; Love=God; "It's not what He does, it's who He IS" (Joyce Meyer) Purity=Jesus

Verse 4: Brings to mind Psalm 96:11-12 'Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad: Let the sea roar, and all its fullness: Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord.'

One more thought – it seems more than fitting that this is the first hymn in most of the hymnals I've used.

Here is a link to an arrangement presented by the First Plymouth Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. I appreciate the orchestra, but love the a Capella section. I noticed that they did alter some of the original lyrics. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/0SHDNs7Dt5M

2019 Journey

2019 Journey

I am embarking on a journey this year. A musical journey.

Although I appreciate much of the contemporary praise and worship songs, I find myself missing the Hymns I grew up with in the old Methodist Church and, later Presbyterian. So I am attempting to re visit and relearn, not only the words and music, but have found it fascinating to look into the background of the Hymn's origin; lyricists and composers.

The first week, (January 1-6) I explored and relearned “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”

Lyrics written in 1925 by Thomas Chisholm 1866-1960 and musical accompaniment by William M. Runyan 1870-1957

Based on Lamentations 3:22-24 'Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion ,” says my soul. Therefore I will hope in Him!”'

Chisholm later wrote, “My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health in (my) early years which has followed me until now. Although I mus not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness.”

Verse 1: Great is Thy faithfulness, o God my Father.

There is no shadow of turning with Thee.

Thou changes not, Thy compassions they fail not.

As Thou has been, Thou forever ill be.

Verse 2: Summer and winter and springtime and harvest;

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Verse 3: Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide.

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow;

Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.

Chorus:

Great is Thy faithfulness;

Great is Thy faithfulness;

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.

Great is They faithfulness, Lord unto me!

We didn't have an orchestra and our choir was significantly smaller, but this is a pretty respectable arrangement. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/EMACCtitfRw

Testing

Have been away for awhile, mainly because I forgot how to log in and my password. Took me awhile to figure it out. I have an idea for 2019. Tune in later - gotta go to my hair appointment.