With the ugliness of our current political season approaching a point beyond belief, now turn we unto God’s stuff: For the Beauty of the Earth, sung by Heather Prusse, packed with photos of God’s created beauty–preserved by Him, despite the fallen status of this world. The beauty is there for a reason: to testify that God is nigh.
I need all the assurance that My Lord can give me, all the time. And sometimes we can find it in a hymn. This is the Harpeth Gospel Quartet, with no musical instruments but their voices, singing Fanny Crosby’s Blessed Assurance. And the beautiful scenery on the background testifies that God is nigh.
This is a beautiful rendition by Alan Jackson: brings a tear to my eye. Sweet Hour of Prayer was one of the hymns my mother used to play on the record player as she did her housework. I’d hear it at Grandma’s house, too, from time to time. These loving memories stir my soul; and just at this moment I don’t think it’d be wise to try to talk about them out loud. Thank you, Mr. Jackson.
My friend Cormier, up in Canada, asked for this one: Give Me That Old Time Religion. I found it in this clip from Sergeant York, with Gary Cooper and Walter Brennan.
For newcomers to this blog, we like to start each day with a hymn or worship song; so if there’s one you’d like to see posted here, just let me know.
Susan asked for this yesterday, and at the time I said, “Gee, I’m sure I posted that one just a little while ago…” But what was I thinking? This is Revive Us Again–and I don’t know about you, but I can always use some reviving! There is so much to weary our souls, and only Jesus can refresh them.
Nathan on auto harp, Lyle on guitar–this is my favorite rendition of the hymn. Even the deer around here like it, when I whistle it to them.
Suggested by Susan, sung by the Calvin College Alumni Choir, If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee delivers a powerful message. True, we could suffer the wisdom of this world to guide us; but that would be the blind leading the blind right into the ditch.
I found the images of mountains very moving: the works of God’s hands powerfully testify to His greatness and His love.
This is the hymn that was with me last night, one of my Uncle Bernie’s favorites: Shall We Gather at the River, performed by the kids of Fountainview Academy.
How I would love to meet you folks out there in person! But I think we’ll meet at tht river–the wonderful river that flows past the throne of God.
One of the wisest things I ever heard anybody say came from a panelist on this dinky little 15-minute talk show on a Christian radio station. When things look darkest, she said, “Sing louder.” And I think Christ Shall Have Dominion would be a very good thing to sing. And a very good thing to pray for.
Let me know if you’ve had enough of Holy, Holy, Holy. I haven’t. These are the kids from Fountainview Academy singing it from Minister Gardens in Rosedale, British Columbia.
I heard this haunting melody as background music in a movie, suspected it was an old English hymn, and Patty and I found it on the Internet: Down in Yon Forest, here performed by the folk group, Kerfuffle.
This hymn, usually sung at Christmas-time, goes back at least to the 14th century ande may be older than that. It likens Our Lord Jesus Christ to a brave knight who sheds his blood for those who love him.