A Net in Time

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hymns

Reach Out Thine Hand

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Today’s Write 31 Day Challenge word is Reach.  I found this song entitled Reach Out Thine Hand.  To reach implies action, either on your part and/or on the part of another.  When you reach the desire to grab on to something.  Hold that thought while you read the words of this hymn.

reach

Lyrics

Reach out Thine hand, my Savior dear,
I long to feel Thy presence near;
When Thou art near, my soul is blest,
In Thee I find sweet peace and rest.

Refrain

O Savior dear, reach out Thine hand,
And by Thy side, O let me stand,
Till Thou shalt say, Enough, My child,
No longer face the tempest wild.

Reach out Thine hand and take me in,
And let me now Thy favors win;
I’m sorely tossed upon the sea,
I long to hide myself in Thee.

Refrain

How oft I’m tempted on the way,
And foes surround me every day;
O Savior dear, reach out Thine hand,
And lead me to the Beulah land.

Refrain

Reach out Thine hand, and hold me fast,
Until the tempests all are past;
Then I shall mount on wings of love,
And reach the promised land above.

Refrain

reach out thine hand

Comments

There are no youtube videos for this song.  Not a single one. I did manage to find the sheet music for it though. 

Holland L Boyd is actually a fairly recent hymnist.  This American started releasing his music in 1915, and wrote about 40 songs.  This particular one he dedicated to Miss Elgil Bradford of Alabama.  Other than that we don’t know a whole lot about him.  

But did you read the words?  Isn’t this a lovely plea?  Calling out to the Lord to hang on tight, while temptations and storms surround.  Oh… lovely words.  I wonder why it’s not sung any more?

Look, Ye Saints! The Sight Is Glorious

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I will freely admit that I am not familiar with this hymn at all, but the Write 31 day challenge word for the day is Notice.  I couldn’t find a hymn with the word notice in it, but a synonym of notice is look!   Look, Ye Saints!  The Sight is Glorious points us toward the Lord, commanding us to notice him. 

Look, ye saints! the sight is glorious

Lyrics

Look, ye saints! the sight is glorious:
See the Man of Sorrows now;
From the fight returned victorious,
Every knee to Him shall bow;
Crown Him, crown Him,
Crown Him, crown Him,
Crowns become the Victor’s brow,
Crowns become the Victor’s brow.

Crown the Savior! angels, crown Him;
Rich the trophies Jesus brings;
In the seat of power enthrone Him,
While the vault of heaven rings;
Crown Him, crown Him,
Crown Him, crown Him,
Crown the Savior King of kings,
Crown the Savior King of kings.

Sinners in derision scorned Him,
Mocking thus the Savior’s claim;
Saints and angels crowd around Him,
Own His title, praise His name;
Crown Him, crown Him,
Crown Him, crown Him,
Spread abroad the Victor’s fame,
Spread abroad the Victor’s fame.

Hark, those bursts of acclamation!
Hark, those loud triumphant chords!
Jesus takes the highest station;
O what joy the sight affords!
Crown Him, crown Him,
Crown Him, crown Him,
King of kings and Lord of lords!
King of kings and Lord of lords!

History

Thomas Kelly is the author of Look, ye saints! the sight is glorious.  Kelly is an Irishman who originally planned to be a lawyer.  Then he came to know the Lord and his focus shifted to ministry. 

Originally an Anglican priest he eventually became one of the dissenters.  Over the course of his lifetime he wrote some 760 hymns.   He lived was born in 1769 and died 1855.  He was known to be a friend of good men, as a excellent biblical critic, and for his piety.  

Comments

I read the words to hymn and I have to ask myself… do I really take the time too look and notice the Lord?  Have I really noticed what happened when he died? 

But then see it… See how Jesus wasn’t left on his own.  He was alone, but yet he wasn’t alone.  Notice how the angels were gathered round.  We know they were at the tomb.  I know, I know… it’s a bit fanciful.  We aren’t told in scripture that as the soldiers scorned and mocked that the angels were there to be mindful of the Lord Jesus. 

Do we really notice the station that Jesus holds?  His is no longer lonely human, suffering with man on earth, but instead is full of kingly, heavenly glory.  NOTICE him!  See him there.  This is the Jesus that we worship!

notice = look

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

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

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Do you know this Easter hymn, Christ the Lord is Risen Today?   Good not only for Easter, but to remind us that the tomb is empty.  God did his work through his son.  He makes our faith a powerhouse!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

The History

Charles Wesley wrote this hymn. A prolific song writer, Charles Wesley (along with his brother John) served the people on England.  He wrote more than 6, 000 hymns.  His father was a poet and a cleric in the Anglican church.   If you would like to know more about him Christianity Today has a decent article about him. 

Lyrics to Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing ye heav’ns, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Lo! Our sun’s eclipse is o’er, Alleluia!
Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!
Christ has burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious king, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Dying once He all doth save, Alleluia!*
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now, where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross—the grave—the skies, Alleluia!

For the less common lyrics please see HymnTime.