A Net in Time

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Music

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine

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I originally posted about this song on my previous blog.  I’m gradually moving things over here and rewriting thoughts a bit. Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine is a wonderful song that speaks well to the hope that is within us.  This hope that the first week of Advent speaks to. We have a hope that is also a surety.  Let’s learn more shall we?

Blessed assurance Jesus is mine

Lyrics

Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Refrain

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Refrain

Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Refrain

Author and History

This is noted by some as Fanny Crosby’s most popular song.  She has some 8000 hymn texts to her name. Fanny started writing hymns as a young child.  She was made blind by an eye infection and poor medical treatment as a six week old baby.  This did not stop her from growing up to be a happy child.  She attended the New York Institution for the Blind where she was encouraged in her poetic endeavors.  She wrote many poems and her first published work was The Blind Girl and Other Poems.  Britannica has written a nice piece about this prolific author. 

According to Wikipedia, Ms. Crosby was visiting her friend Phoebe Knapp as they there having a pipe organ installed. The organ wasn’t finished yet so Ms. Knapp played a melody she had just completed.  When she finished she asked Fanny “What do you think the tune says”?  Crosby replied “blessed assurance, Jesus is mine”. 

Hymntime mentioned an interesting story about men during the war and this song Blessed Assurance.    She also wrote Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross.

Ponderings

Is it your story?   To have that assurance of salvation and to be able to look forward to Christ’s return?  Oh, to be able to have that assurance of saying Jesus is mine.  Can you think of anything better than knowing Jesus’ mercy applied to yourself? 

What really sticks out though are these words

Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Hope is such a wonderful thing isn’t it? 

May The Mind of Christ My Savior

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Did you know I almost forgot to post a hymn this Sunday!  Shocking isn’t it?  🙂  Anyways, I found this hymn May the mind of Christ my Savior in my hymnal Lift up Your Hearts. I know this hymn well enough to sing along with it easily, but not so well that I know all the words. 

may the mind of Christ our saviour

Lyrics

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.

May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me,
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.

Author and History

Katie Barclay Wilkinson wrote this lovely hymn, and Ar­thur C. Bar­ham-Gould wrote the music to go with it.   Wilkinson was born in London, England in 1859.  She married Frederick Barclay Wilkinson and was a member of the Church of England.

She worked with young girls and women, and died nine years before her husband.  Little more in known about her, she is primarily remembered for this one hymn that she wrote. 

Ponderings

Do you mean when you sing the words “may the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day”?  Do you really want him to control all you do and say?  

Honestly, I read those words and I think… do I really want that?  Do I want Christ controlling all I do and say?  How much of ME do I want to give up?

I suppose it’s a silly question because I WANT God to be my all in all, but when I really stop and think about it…. I really like the illusion of making all my own choices in way.   To decide how I want to raise my bunnies, or talk to my lad, or decide to attend church in person, or just online.  

But as I consider this I think hmm… I like doing church online because it’s easy, cost-effective, I can sing as loud as I want, and I don’t have to wear a silly mask. Hubby and I were talking tonight and he said “I don’t care one way or the other”, and I found myself saying “I’d rather go to church”.  Funny that eh?  How God has taken this “I don’t need to go in person” person to someone who wants to go despite the restrictions it brings.  That’s the power of his love at work.  That gradual assertion of his will in my life.

Don’t you find that true in your own life? Jesus’ love gradually helps us overcomes our own obstacles influencing us in ways we don’t always know until we stop to think about it. 

may the mind of Christ my saviour

Rock of Ages

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I originally studied Rock of Ages on my previous blog. This is one of the first songs that my lad actually learned fairly well. It is a perennial favourite at our annual extended family gatherings.  Along with singing this hymn since my childhood, I think it will forever hold a special place in my heart.  If you don’t know it, I hope you will learn it!  🙂 

Rock of Ages

Lyrics to Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Cleanse me from it’s guilt and power

Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgement throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee

History and Author

Toplady grew up without his father, a British Major named Richard Toplady who died shortly after he was born.  Over time his mom moved to Ireland.  In Ireland, Augustus M. Toplady became a believer.  A smart man, he became a reverend in the Church of England. 

At some point he became a Calvinist, in which he became well-versed.  He wasn’t a strong man and died in his 38th year. 

I learned this on Wikipedia: 

Traditionally, it is held that Toplady drew his inspiration from an incident in the gorge of Burrington Combe in the Mendip Hills in England. Toplady, a preacher in the nearby village of Blagdon, was travelling along the gorge when he was caught in a storm. Finding shelter in a gap in the gorge, he was struck by the title and scribbled down the initial lyrics

Ponderings

Rock of Ages, cleft for me… Let me hide myself in thee…

Cleft – the past tense of cleave.  Which is to split or sever.

This song calls for God to split himself in two in order to provide a hiding place.   Can you imagine that?  The assurance that Augustus M. Toplady had that God would be a place to shelter in. 

Ps 27:3 

For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.

Do you see God as your place of shelter?

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;

Psalm 18:6

In my distress I called upon the Lord,
And cried to my God for help;
He heard my voice out of His temple,
And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.

Do you see your helplessness before God and your intense need for him? How when, in faith, we call out to him and he answers?  Do you see him in action?   Does this hymn help you remember God in action?

If you don’t know the Rock of Ages, message me, I’ll happily talk with you.  🙂 

 

Saviour Like a Shepherd Lead Us

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Saviour like a shepherd lead us is a song that I have sung several times since a child. I was searching for hymn to post for today in Lift Up Your Hearts and this one lept out at me.  It didn’t take long and I was singing it out (good thing hubby wasn’t home to shush me eh?)  🙂 

Saviour like a shepherd lead us

Lyrics

Saviour, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus!
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus!
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

We are Thine, Thou dost befriend us,
Be the guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus!
Hear, O hear us when we pray.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus!
Hear, O hear us when we pray.

Thou hast promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse and power to free.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus!
We will early turn to Thee.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus!
We will early turn to Thee.

Early let us seek Thy favor,
Early let us do Thy will;
Blessèd Lord and only Savior,
With Thy love our bosoms fill.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.

History and Author

The authorship of Saviour like a shepherd lead us has been attributed to Dorothy Ann Thrupp.  Born and raised in England, she has written a few hymns which were found in a number of hymnals.

She is the daughter of Joseph Thrupp of Paddington Green. Two brothers rounded out the family. She predominately wrote children’s hymns, and wrote for children’s magazines. 

Ponderings

As I listened to the hymn being played on the piano I pondered how much we take these words to heart.   

Saviour, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;

Do we really think of how much we need to the Lord?  His leadership, his care, his protection and so forth?  Do we take him for granted or really trust in his care for us? 

God Himself is with us

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I originally posted about this hymn on my old blog.  God Himself is With Us is a lovely song that I thought was worth sharing with you again.  🙂  Speaking to God’s presence and our response to him.  The author’s story is one filled with hope. 

God himself is with us

Lyrics for God Himself is With Us

God Himself is with us:
Let us now adore Him,
And with awe appear before Him.
God is in His temple,
All within keep silence,
Prostrate lie with deepest reverence.
Him alone God we own,
Him our God and Savior;
Praise His name forever.

God Himself is with us:
Hear the harps resounding!
See the crowds the throne surrounding!
Holy, holy, holy,
Hear the hymn ascending,
Angels, saints, their voices blending!
Bow Thine ear to us here:
Hear, O Christ, the praises
That Thy church now raises.

O Thou fount of blessing,
Purify my spirit;
Trusting only in Thy merit,
Like the holy angels
Who behold Thy glory,
May I ceaselessly adore Thee,
And in all, great and small,
Seek to do most nearly
What Thou lovest dearly.

Author and History

Ger­hard Ter­stee­gen, a Geman Pietist, was born into a wealthy family in Moers, Germany in 1697. He had a successful life as a merchant and gave it up in order to search for God.   His life of solitude changed as people began to come to him for spiritual advice. Preaching, writing books and music, and devoting himself to ministry filled the remainder of his life. Over the course of his ministry, he led many people to Christ. 

Thoughts and Ponderings

Isn’t this a wonderful hymn?  Reminding us of God’s continued presence and what our response should to him. 

It makes me wonder how I see God’s presence daily and what my response is when I see him. I recently shared a post about what I call God-moments.

When we seek the things of God it can completely change our lives. What do I mean can… seeking God DOES change our lives.  God makes himself known to us and that influences everything we do!  The song God himself is with us reminds us that we need to respond to that. We need to give him the praise due to him. 

As we focus on his continued presence, can we trust him as this song calls us to do?  Adoring him for all he does?

I loved how God helped Ger­hard Ter­stee­gen turn his life around.  Changing him from being a merchant to a man dedicated to bringing others to Christ.  It’s a hopeful thing is it not?

O Word of God Incarnate

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I originally wrote about this hymn, O Word of God Incarnate, back in July 2016!  Wow!  I’ve been sharing a Sunday song for quite a while haven’t I?  🙂

o word of god incarnate

Lyrics to O Word of God Incarnate

1 O Word of God incarnate,
O Wisdom from on high,
O Truth unchanged, unchanging,
O Light of our dark sky:
we praise you for the radiance
that from the Scripture’s page,
a lantern to our footsteps,
shines on from age to age.

2 The church from you, dear Master,
received the gift divine;
and still that light is lifted
o’er all the earth to shine.
It is the chart and compass
that all life’s voyage through,
mid mists and rocks and quicksands,
still guides, O Christ, to you.

I found two versions for the third verse:
The Scripture is a banner
before God’s host unfurled;
It is a shining Beacon
above the darkling world.
It is the Chart and Compass
that over life’s surging tide,
Mid mists and rocks and quicksands
, to You, O Christ, will guide.

OR this one which we sing in our church
It floateth like a banner
  Before God’s host unfurled;
It shineth like a beacon
  Above the darkling world;
It is the chart and compass
  That, o’er life’s surging sea,
’Mid mists and rocks and quicksands
  Still guide, O Christ, to Thee.

4 O make your church, dear Savior,
a lamp of burnished gold
to bear before the nations
your true light as of old.
O teach your wandering pilgrims
by this our path to trace
till, clouds and darkness ended,
we see you face to face.

Author and History

Poor Man’s bishop, William Walsham How was born in 1823.  This son of   William Wybergh How, was educated at Shrewsbury School and Wadham College, Oxford (B.A. 1845).

How chose to serve in the poor of London, living in the slums and rejecting offers to serve in more prestigious churches.   Authoring several books such as the Commentary of the Four Gospels and Plain Words for Children.

Bishop How wrote 54 hymns altogether.   He said, “A good hymn should be like a good prayer—simple, real, earnest, and reverent.”  (source)

Thinking Deeper

Do you believe in the truth of scripture?  Do you see the truth of who Jesus is?  Jesus, God’s word, born into flesh!  Do you see how he minds his people, the church?  How do we respond to that?

Do we work to become the people he wants us to be?   Do we actually try to be the burnished lamp we sing about?  Do we really try to bring light to the world around us?

Some songs remind us, don’t they?  Remind us of the call placed on our lives, and how we are to be as a light to the world around us. 

O For a Closer Walk with God

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I had forgotten about this song, I’ve sung O for a Closer Walk with God just enough to be familiar with the tune. Lift up your Hearts hymnal brought it back to my attention. 

O For a Closer Walk with God

O For a Closer Walk with God, Lyrics

O for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!

Where is the blessedness I knew,
When first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul refreshing view
Of Jesus, and His Word?

What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!
How sweet their memory still!
But they have left an aching void
The world can never fill.

Return, O holy Dove, return,
Sweet messenger of rest;
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn
And drove Thee from my breast.

The dearest idol I have known,
Whate’er that idol be
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.

So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.

Author and History

William Cowper, an English poet, is the author of this hymn.    I found this quote on the Cyber hymnal “I be­gan to com­pose them yes­ter­day morn­ing be­fore day­break, but I fell asleep at the end of the first two lines. When I awaked again, the third and fourth verses were whis­pered to my heart in a way I have oft­en ex­per­i­enced.”  He wrote those words to his aunt. 

After being institutionalized for insanity, he found peace in evangelical Christianity.  He wrote many of the Olney Hymns and was friends with John Newton.  Becoming involved with the anti-slavery movement he wrote The Negro’s Complaint. 

Born in England, his mother died in his early childhood while birthing his brother John.  His father was a rector. Depression followed William Cowper throughout his life. HymnTime has a list of the hymns he wrote. 

He also helped with Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken and There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy. 

Thinking Deeper

Turning to fervent evangelical Christianity was pivotal in the life of William Cowper.  Due to his depression, faith became important, as a result we have hymns with which to praise God.  I look at that and I’m happy about that.  Happy that God took a life that was miserable and turned it into a blessing for others.   I’m not happy that Cowper struggled, but I’m happy that God was able to use him well and provide him with a measure of peace.   It’s a good thing don’t you think?