June Caedmon's Blog, page 15

October 26, 2018

Inspired by . . . Hymns of Faith: Worthy Is the Lamb

Inspired by . . . Hymns of Faith: Worthy Is the Lamb




“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom,  And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”  (Rev 5:12)

Inspired by the text of Revelation 5:12, Don Wyrtzen wrote and composed this hymn while in Mexico City assisting evangelist Luis Palau in 1970. Since that time, Wyrtzen's work and passion have been "to communicate truth from scripture and from music that will touch and transform people's lives."

Often referred to as "the poet of the piano" because of his virtuoso playing and improvisational ability. Wyrtzen has arranged or composed over 400 anthems and sacred songs and worked with many well-known artists in the Christian music field.

I read a quote by Watchmen Nee recently that says, "Prayer is a warfare, but praise is a victory." 

Few hymns proclaim Christ's victory more expressly than this:

Worthy is the Lamb that was slainWorthy is the Lamb that was slain Worthy is the Lamb that was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom and strength Honor and glory and blessing
Worthy is the Lamb Worthy is the Lamb Worthy is the Lamb that was slain Worthy is the Lamb

Blessings,



You can find the entire series here.
Listen here.

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Published on October 26, 2018 19:59

October 25, 2018

Inspired by . . . Hymns of Faith: Standing On the Promises

Inspired by . . . Hymns of Faith: Standing On the Promises




For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. (2 Cor 1:20)
It has been noted that the phrase "fear not" appears in the bible 365 times. One for each day of the year. We all make promises. Yet even our well-intentioned promises are easily broken.
God's promises never fail.
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.
His promises are not simply emotional crutches, rather these Truths from His word are powerful assurances that help us navigate daily life and give us hope for the future.
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.
The author and composer of this hymn, Russell Kelso Carter, was a prolific writer, professor, Methodist minister, athlete, sheep rancher, and even a practicing physician in his later life.
No doubt, Carter's versatility, and success rest solely on his dependence upon God's promises.  As does ours.
Blessings,


You can find the entire series here.
Watch and listen here.
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Published on October 25, 2018 07:12

October 24, 2018

Inspired by . . . Hymns of Faith: The Wonder of It All

Inspired by . . . Hymns of Faith: The Wonder of It All




“What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? (Hebrews 2:6)
My phone chirps announcing a new text from my son. I touch the screen and watch in wonder as a sepia image appears. A head, with distinct features, and two precious little hands can clearly be seen. Our grandson was in the perfect position to have his image captured that day.
A precious new life. Made in the image of God.
Everything about that should stun us.
Yet it is such a small part of the story. When we take in the incarnation, resurrection, ascension, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the eternal reign of Christ we see a great God Who knows, loves, and cares for us.
The wonder and knowledge of this has the power to move the lowliest sinner to repentance. George Beverly Shea saw the truth of this at every Billy Graham Crusade.
The Wonder of It All, written in 1955, was Shea's attempt to describe what it was like watching hundreds of people come forward to accept Reverand Graham's invitation.
Blessings,



You can find the entire series here.
Watch Reverand Shea here.
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Published on October 24, 2018 15:11

October 23, 2018

Inspired by . . . Hymns of Faith: I Love to Tell the Story

Inspired by . . . Hymns of Faith: I Love to Tell the Story



You don't have to be on Facebook five minutes to realize that it's human nature to share about the goodness we've found or experienced. 

People love to share the newest cleaning products, DIY technique, or healthy food they've found for their families. And rightly so. We care about these things because we love our families and want what's best for them. And we want to share what we've found with others!

It follows then, that those of us who have experienced the life-changing love of God would want to share it. Those of us who understand the depth of our sin and the completeness of God's forgiveness have a profound compassion for those who are still entangled and weighted down by sin.

From a young age, A. Katherine Hankey, the author of this hymn text took great joy in sharing her faith. She organized Sunday school classes for the rich and poor throughout London in the mid-1800's. 

While recovering from a serious illness, Katherine wrote a lengthy poem on the life of Christ. Consisting of two main sections, the poem was later adapted into two hymns. The first section became "Tell Me the Old, Old Story" and the second, "I Love to Tell the Story."

I love to tell the story of unseen things above, of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love. I love to tell the story, because I know 'tis true; it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
While the song itself doesn't actually tell the story of Jesus and His love, we who sing it should be quick to fill in the blanks and answer questions as the Spirit guides.
Blessings,





You can find the entire series here.
Watch and listen to the Oak Ridge Boys here.
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Published on October 23, 2018 17:09

October 22, 2018

Inspired by . . . Hymns of Faith: All Creatures of Our God and King

Inspired by . . . Hymns of Faith: All Creatures of Our God and King


All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, And Your saints shall bless You. (Psalm 145:10)
Originally, and more appropriately, entitled "The Canticle of the Sun," Saint Francis of Assisi wrote this hymn near the end of his life while living in a small hut in the garden of the Covent of St. Damian where he had come to say goodbye to his dear friend Sister Clara.

Nearly 700 years later, William Draper changed the name and paraphrased some of the text for a children's Pentecost festival. Since then, it is difficult to find two hymnals with the same version.

While this hymn might not be so popular in our contemporary churches today, St. Francis remains one of the most esteemed and respected religious figures in history.

His familiar prayer is a good one with which to start our week:

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is
discord, unity.
Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is
error, truth.
Where there is despair, hope. Where there is
sadness, joy.
Where there is darkness, light.
For it is in giving, that we receive. It is in
pardoning, that we are pardoned.
It is in dying, that we are born to eternal life.

Blessings,



You can find the entire series here.

Watch and listen here.

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Published on October 22, 2018 07:10

October 21, 2018

Inspired by . . . Hymns of Faith: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Inspired by . . . Hymns of Faith: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus



Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)
Helen Howarth Lemmel, the author and composer of this hymn was also a brilliant singer who studied voice in Germany before returning to the midwest. She toured widely in the early 1900's, giving concerts at churches.

In 1918, she was given a tract by a missionary friend, entitled "Focused." The pamphlet contained these words, "So then, turn your eyes upon Him, look full into His face and you will find that the things of earth will acquire a strange new dimness."
Miss Lemmel recalled the experience she had upon reading these words: 
“Suddenly, as if commanded to stop and listen, I stood still, and singing in my soul and spirit was the chorus, with not one conscious moment of putting word to word to make rhyme, or note to note to make melody. The verses were written the same week, after the usual manner of composition, but none the less dictated by the Holy Spirit.”
Personally, I have no trouble believing her recount of this divine occurrence. How many of us have experienced the very happening which Miss Lemmel writes about in her chorus?
No matter how large or small, hurtful or benign our situation may be, when we shift our focus from our circumstances to our Savior the situation fades and our way becomes clear.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.
This assurance is not pie in the sky or wishful thinking. The last stanza makes it known that clarity comes from His word and the hope we receive is one we must share!
His Word shall not fail you—He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!
Blessings,

You can find the entire series here.
Listen to Lauren Daigle's version (my new favorite) here.
Find a more traditional version here.
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Published on October 21, 2018 16:34

October 20, 2018

Inspired by . . . Hymns of Faith: Amazing Grace

Inspired by . . . Hymns of Faith: Amazing Grace


Amazing grace (how sweet the sound) that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
Most of us are familiar with at least the first lines of this powerful hymn. A few of us know the backstory. John Newton, the debauched seaman, engaged in the despicable practice of capturing natives of West Africa and selling them into slavery. 
Through the reading of Thomas Kempis' Christian classic, The Imitation of Christ, a book that primarily answers the question, "What would Jesus do?" and other influences, such as his godly wife, God lifted Newton out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Newton never looked back and never stopped praising God for His amazing grace. 
In the mid-1750's he joined forces with William Wilberforce, the great abolitionist whose work brought about the end of the slave trade in Britain.  Newton was encouraged and greatly influenced by John and Charles Wesley and George Whitefield. In 1764 he became an ordained minister in the Anglican church and pastored the little village of Olney near Cambridge. It was there that he wrote Amazing Grace and many other hymns of faith.
Stanza 5 was later added by John P. Rees and in 2011, Chris Tomlin wrote the refrain, My Chains Are Gone.  You can watch and listen to Tomlin's version here, it includes scenes from the movie Amazing Grace, which I highly recommend.
Shortly before his death, John Newton was heard to proclaim the following:
"My memory is nearly gone but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior!"

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease: I shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace.
Shalom,




You can find the entire series here.
Listen to the Celtic Women sing here.
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Published on October 20, 2018 09:42

October 19, 2018

Inspired by , . . Hymns of Faith: Jesus Loves Me

Inspired by . . . Hymns of Faith: Jesus Loves Me

I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it. (Luke 18:17)
*****
Written in 1860 as part of Anna and Susan Warner's novel Say and Seal, the poem, Jesus Loves Me remains a favorite hymn of children around the world.
The composer, William Bradbury, recognized as a pioneer in children's music, composed the music for Warner's text and personally added the chorus to their existing four stanzas.
This simple, children's hymn teaches us some powerful things about our God:
We are weak; Jesus is strong.
Jesus has a special place in His heart for children; they belong to Him.
Jesus' death unlocked the gates of heaven allowing us to enter in.
When we come willingly to Him, as a child, He washes away our sin.
The Bible teaches us the truth about Jesus and His love for us.
You may not know all the words to this beloved hymn but chances are you know the most important ones:
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
Blessings,

You can find the entire series here.
It seems fitting to share this version, listen here.
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Published on October 19, 2018 12:42

October 18, 2018

Inspired by . . . Blessed Redeemer

Inspired by . . . Blessed Redeemer



A Hill with Three Crosses--
One cross where a thief died IN SIN
One cross where a thief died TO SIN
A center cross where a Redeemer died FOR SIN
                                           ~Unknown

*****
Many hymns begin with a poem or lyrics which are then set to music. This hymn, however, began in the heart of a composer, Harry Dixon Loes. A music teacher at Moody Bible Institue, Loes was inspired after hearing a sermon entitled, Blessed Redeemer.

He sent the melody to his friend, Avis B. Christiansen, who captured the pain of Calvary in these words of praise:

Blessed Redeemer! Precious Redeemer! Seems I now see Him on Calvary’s tree; Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading, Blind and unheeding—dying for me! 
It's hard to think of our precious Lord wounded and bleeding. As a man, Jesus didn't want to drink this cup of physical, unbearable pain and spiritual wrath. But as God, He embraced this one act of sacrificial love that would set every man, woman, and child free for all eternity.
As His lifeblood slipped away, He prayed for you. Even knowing the blackness of our hearts, He prayed. He prayed knowing that His blood would cleanse and wash away the sickness of sin that so entangles us. He prayed knowing that by His death, we would be free.
Oh, how I love Him, Savior and Friend, How can my praises ever find end! Through years unnumbered on heaven’s shore, My tongue shall praise Him forevermore.
Blessings,
You can find the entire series here.
Listen to Casting Crowns here.
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Published on October 18, 2018 07:00

October 17, 2018

Inspired by . . . Great is Thy Faithfulness

Inspired by . . . Great is Thy Faithfulness



My income has never been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years which has followed me on until now. But I must 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 which have filled me with astonishing gratefulness. ~ Thomas Obediah Chisholm

That "astonishing gratefulness" is what inspired Chisholm to write today's text and over twelve hundred other sacred poems. Rather than born out of tragedy, like many other prominent hymns, Great is Thy Faithfulness is the result of the author's "morning by morning" realization of God's personal faithfulness in his daily life.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lam 3:22-23)

We receive a new start every morning! Let that sink in for a minute, friends.

Whatever we messed up yesterday because of our pride, laziness, apathy, selfishness, or just plain, "I'm too tired to deal with it," attitude - God says, "I'm giving you another chance, today, to do it My way."

His way is peace, joy, and freedom.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow: blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
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 Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Blessings,


You can find the entire series here.
Listen here.

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Published on October 17, 2018 06:56