By William Cowper What various hindrances we meet, In coming to the mercy-seat! Yet who that knows the worth of prayer, But wishes to be often there? Prayer makes the darkened cloud withdraw, Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw; Gives exercise to faith and love; Brings every blessing from above. Restraining prayer, we cease to…
A great hymn, written by John Newton, and very applicable today. I’m looking forward to hearing Matthew Smith sing it in person tonight. THO’ troubles assailAnd dangers affright,Tho’ friends should all failAnd foes all unite;Yet one thing secures us,Whatever betide,The scripture assures us,The LORD will provide. The birds without barnOr storehouse are fed,From them let…
Pastor Lamberson’s sermon today was on our responsibility to love God, from Matthew 22:37. “He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” That brought this song to mind. This duet with Ed Eichner, and Denise on the piano, was sung at…
Anne Steele wrote this hymn in the mid- to late 1700’s. The thoughts and emotions are just as applicable today as then. Her version had 8 four-line verses, the modernized version put to music by Kevin Twit has changed that to 4 eight-line verses, eliminated one set and repeated the last. Verse 1 Dear refuge…
Today is Reformation Day, when many Christians celebrate the beginning of the Reformation. It all started with Martin Luther and his 95 Theses, which he was hoping would simply end the practice of the Pope selling indulgences to raise money. They led to much more than that, though. From that start came the “five Solas” which contradict the teaching…
On a flight home from LAX last summer I was listening to my iPod (the only Apple device I use regularly) and the playlist made it to the album “Canticles“, a compilation by Cardiphonia, and to the song “Habakkuk’s Prayer” by Caroline Cobb. What had been background music all of a sudden made it to…
John Newton wrote this hymn in 1779. It still works today. Christ Is Our Cornerstone by Katy Snow Approach, my soul, the mercy seat, Where Jesus answers prayer; There humbly fall before His feet, For none can perish there. Thy promise is my only plea, With this I venture nigh; Thou callest burdened souls to Thee,…
In case you need a fresh start this morning, here’s an old hymn by Anne Steele, straight from the 18th century to today, just to get you going. A MORNING HYMN. Anne Steele I. LORD of my life, O may thy praise Employ my noblest pow’rs, Whose goodness lengthens out my days, And fills the…
