A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Hymn

Wondrous Love

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Oh, I haven’t sung this song enough to have it memorized completely, but enough that I know Wondrous Love fairly well.  Interestingly enough it was harder than expected to find videos since a number that I found had different words to it.  Also known as What Wondrous Love.

wondrous love

Lyrics

What wondrous Love is this, oh my soul, oh my soul
What wondrous Love is this, oh my soul
What wondrous Love is this that caused the Lord of Bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down
When I was sinking down, sinking down
When I was seeking down beneath God’s righteous frown
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul

To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing
To God and the the Lamb, who is the great I AM
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be
And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on
And through eternity I’ll sing on

Who wrote is a bit of a mystery, there is no definitive answer.  It is known to be an traditional American folk though. 

Comments

Ah, to remember what Christ did for us eh?   It’s definitely a reason to sing.  I was mentioning on a fellow FMF writers blog today that I find it easier to sing a pray than to say a prayer.   This song just reminds me of that truism. 

What would you sing to the Lord in prayer?

Mansion over the Hilltop

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I am almost finished going through this little hymnbook that I have here.  It’s an old Singspiration folk Hymnal.  Anyways, I’m hoping to finish up soon so I can either give it to my lady who likes the old songbooks I have, or put it back on our hymnal shelf.   It’s a rather nice song with a forward looking theme. 

Mansion over the hilltop
I’m satisfied with just a cottage below
A little silver and a little gold
But in that city where the ransomed will shine
I want a gold one that’s silver lined
 
Refrain
I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop
In that bright land where we’ll never grow old
And some day yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold
 
Don’t think me poor or deserted or lonely
I’m not discouraged I’m heaven bound
I’m but a pilgrim in search of the city
I want a mansion, a harp and a crown
 
Refrain
 
I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop
In that bright land where we’ll never grow old
And some day yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold
 
Refrain

Written by Ira F. Stanphill in 1949.   He also wrote Happiness is the Lord.  Born in New Mexico, he spent most of his formative years in Kansas.   He became a pastor within the Assemblies of God.  Later on he gave up pastoring to focus on evangelistic meeting and concerting. 

According this Wiki Article I found, he was known to “Occasionally as part of his crusades, he would ask members of the congregation to suggest titles for songs. Selecting one title from the suggestions, he would write words and music for a song during the service.”  Doesn’t that show talent?

Comments

I Found it interesting when I was looking for videos to share how often the songs would start the same, but then they would vary from the tune I had in my head.  It’s a bit disconcerting to start singing along and then oops… that’s not how they are singing it!  Slight changes matter!

I love the forward looking of this old gospel tune.  Knowing what we have here, and what we have to look forward to.  Do you ever consider that?   Does it make a difference in your contentment levels to know that here is temporary.  Might be a life of struggle (or not) but either way we have something to look forward to, and that (at least for me) makes the going easier. 

I have decided to follow Jesus

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This morning in church we sang a song that normally you sing with littles, it brought to mind this other song that normally we sing with littles. I have decided to follow Jesus has an unexpected story behind it!   I thought I would TELL you about it (the write 31 days challenge word).

Lyrics

  1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
    I have decided to follow Jesus;
    I have decided to follow Jesus;
    No turning back, no turning back.
  2. The world behind me, the cross before me;
    The world behind me, the cross before me;
    The world behind me, the cross before me;
    No turning back, no turning back.
  3. Though none go with me, still I will follow;
    Though none go with me, still I will follow;
    Though none go with me, still I will follow;
    No turning back, no turning back.
  4. My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
    My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
    My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
    No turning back, no turning back.
  5. Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
    Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
    Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
    No turning back, no turning back.

Author/History

I have decided to Follow Jesus is a folk melody from India. 

A revival happened in Wales.  The result of that revival is Welsh missionaries heading off to India to convert the masses.    One man headed off to Assam, India.  Conversion of one native man occurred, resulting in the conversion of others.   This led to a fair amount of resentment and anger on the part of the local village chief.

Learn the rest of the story below, then listen to a quiet rendition of this lovely, simple song. 

Looking Deeper

When I discovered the story behind this song, my heart stopped for a moment.  Considering… what would I have done in this situation?  If I could save the life of my son, would I recant the Lord?  What would I do?

Then another song that we sung in church this morning that spoke to how we need to become like a shadow of the Lord.  Doing what he does, following him everywhere, serving as he serves, loving as he loves.  Being his direct shadow.   

Again my heart stops and I find myself stopping to ask.  What is my first love?  If I have to stop and ask the question doesn’t that call into question what is truly my first love?  A first love shouldn’t need to be questioned or wondered on.

How about for you?  What would you do in the situation?  Would your actions, as a result of your love for the Lord God, be words that could inspire a song, inspiring others for generations?

Mighty To Save

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Our church is currently celebrating it’s 40th anniversary.  As part of that celebration they are bringing in people who are part of their past.  This morning they brought in a young man Tyson and the band he plays with.  One of the songs they played is Mighty to Save.  It was a joy to sing this song with our congregation.

Mighty To Save

Lyrics for Mighty to Save

Everyone needs compassion
A love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me

Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour
The hope of nations

[Chorus:]
Saviour, he can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever Author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as you find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again

I give my life to follow
Everything that I believe in
Now I surrender

[Chorus]

Shine your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing for the glory of the risen king Jesus [2x]

[Chorus x2]

Shine your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing for the glory of the risen king Jesus [6x]

Authors

Benjamin David Fielding and Reuben Timothy Morgan are the authors of this song. This song comes out of Hillsong music. Reuben Morgan being an Australian, a pastor with Hillsong.  He has written several songs.  Ben Fielding is a worship leader, a pastor within Hillsong.  He has written more than 200 songs.

Thoughts on Mighty to Save

I know there is scuttlebutt about not using Hillsong music as it supports an organization that is shown to be struggling with being true to God.  At the same time I read the words to this song and I have to wonder… is this song untrue to who God is?  Does it call us to worship anyone other than God?  

This song is clear. 

Saviour, he can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever Author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So we beseech Jesus to take us as we are, and then to fill our lives.  Our lives given in surrender to him and to his ways.  A good thing that eh?  

Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul

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I remember singing this song as I was growing up, it was also a favourite song in a Baptist church I attended for a while.  Singing it pop up in my folk hymnal brought a smile to my heart, so today I bring you Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul. 

heaven came down and glory filled my soul

Lyrics to Heaven Came Down….

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.

Chorus
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, (filled my soul)
When at the cross the Savior made me whole; (made me whole)
My sins were washed away and my night was turned to day,
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul! (filled my soul)

Born of the Spirit with life from above into God’s family divine,
Justified fully thru 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!

Chorus

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 it’s because of that wonderful day, when at the cross I believed;
Riches eternal and blessings supernal, from His precious hand I received.

Chorus

Author

John W. Peterson is the author of this fun song.   I found this site devoted to him and his music.  He was a pilot in WW2 who flew the deadly China Hump.  A graduate of the Moody Bible Institute and the American Conservatory of Music.  He launched his song-writing career in Pennsylvania.  Later on he moved to Michigan, and then on to Arizona. 

Over his music career he wrote more than 1000 songs such as Surely Goodness and Mercy.

Thinking Deeper

Think about these words eh?

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.

I know that many are like me, growing up in the Christian home, our faith deepening over time.  We are like Timothy… growing up in faith.  

Yet others are like Paul, having a sudden awareness brought to them of the reality of who Christ is. 

Regardless of how your faith deepens and you come to know more of the Lord, the question remains… do you remember Jesus’ compassion?  Do we recall how, in our time of need, Jesus responds?  This song draws us back into the remembrance.  It draws us to remember just who Christ is and what he calls us to be, what he declares us to be.  Justified people, a people won by grace and love, a people filled with hope because we know what awaits us. 

Happiness is the Lord

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I used to sing this song as a child.  I haven’t heard Happiness is the Lord in a very long time so when I saw it in my songbook I thought… let’s share it!  🙂

Happiness is the Lord

The History

Author is Ira F. Stanphill who was an Assemblies of God pastor.  He also sang and wrote gospel songs.  By the time he was 10 years old he was playing many instrument: Piano, ukulele, organ, and accordion.  He was writing songs by the time he was 17 as well as working at revival meetings, and singing at various church meetings/gatherings.  He worked as a singing evangelist.  He was born in New Mexico in 1914 and died in 1993.

Lyrics to Happiness is the Lord

Happiness is to know the Saviour,
Living a life within His favour,
Having a change in my behaviour,
Happiness is the Lord.
Happiness is a new creation,
Jesus and me in close relation,
Having a part in His salvation,
Happiness is the Lord.

Real joy is mine,
No matter if the teardrops start,
I’ve found a secret,
It’s Jesus in my heart.

Happiness is to be forgiven,
Living a life that’s worth the livin’,
Taking a try that leads to Heaven,
Happiness is the Lord.

Real joy is mine,
No matter if the teardrops start,
I’ve found a secret,
It’s Jesus in my heart,
Jesus in my heart.
Happiness is to be forgiven,
Living a life that’s worth the livin’,
Taking a trip that leads to Heaven,
Happiness is the Lord,
Happiness is the Lord,
Happiness is the Lord.

Trust and Obey

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It has been a long time since I sung this song Trust and Obey.  Such an easy song to sing with a powerful reminder that all we need to do is trust and obey the Lord God. 

Trust and Obey

Written by John H. Sammis, a Pres­by­ter­ian min­is­ter, inspired by a statement made by a young man at a revival meeting.  This young man said “I am not quite sure…but I am goi­ng to trust, and I am going to obey. Dwight Moody took note of it and sent it along to Rev. Sammis. (source)

Rev. Sammis, a New Yorker, was originally a businessman who became a pastor. He wrote more than 100 songs throughout his life.  After serving in various churches as pastor,  he served as teacher at The Bible Institute of Los Angeles. 

Lyrics to Trust and Obey

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Refrain

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

Refrain

But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

Refrain

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Refrain