Hymn Story: I Vow to Thee My Country
“I Vow to Thee, My Country” is a British patriotic hymn. Sir Cecil Spring Rice wrote the poem “The City of God” or “The Two Fatherlands” in either 1908 or 1912. The poem described how…
Song Story: Sleep, Dearie, Sleep
Sleep, Dearie, Sleep was played at the end of Queen Elizabeth II funeral at Westminster Abbey. Her bagpiper played this beautiful lament. I’ve been unable to find any additional information about who wrote the song.
Hymn Story: The Lords My Shepherd
The Lord’s My Shepherd is a hymn based on Psalm 23. It first appeared in the Scots Metrical Psalter in 1650 and is usually attributed to the English Puritan Francis Rous. The tune Crimond is…
Hymn Story: The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is Ended
This hymn was recently sung at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Rev. John Ellerton wrote the hymn in 1870 to be included in A Liturgy for Missionary Meetings. Two different translations of the text…
Book Review: When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer
Libby lives in 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and 1914 Gilded Age New York City. When she falls asleep in one life, she wakes in the next. She’s the same person living two different lives. In Williamsburg,…
Hymn Story: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High
O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High was written by Thomas A Kempis. His father was a peasant, whilst his mother kept a dame’s school for the younger children of Kempen. At the age…
The Lady’s Mine by Francine Rivers
Kathryn Walsh arrives in 1875 Calvada, a tiny mining town after being banished from her step father. She soon reopens her uncle’s newspaper and keeps finding herself in trouble. Matthias Beck, the local saloon and…
Hymn Story: At the Name of Jesus
At the Name of Jesus reminds us that one day every knee will bow and tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The song was written by Caroline Marie Noel. She was born in…
Book Review: In the Shadow of His Wings by Roslynn Long
In the Shadow of His Wings: 40 Uplifting Devotions Inspired by Birds is the perfect gift for the bird or nature lover. The devotions relate to a love for various types of birds, that go…
Song Story: Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)
With today being the twenty-first anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks I wanted to find a song about the event. Alan Jackson wrote Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning) about those tragic…
Book Review: The Element of Love by Mary Connealy
Laura Stiles and her sisters run away upon discovering their treacherous stepfather plans to marry each of them off to his lecherous friends. On the way, Laura befriends a mission group heading to serve in…
Hymn Story: What a Day that will be (When My Jesus I Shall See)
What a Day that will be (When My Jesus I Shall See) is an upbeat song and often performed on the Gaither Homecoming Videos. The song was written by Jim Hill. He studied to become…
Names of God: Jehovah-‘Uzam
Jehovah-‘Uzam means the Lord is our strength in trouble I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh; they will be drunk on their own blood, as with wine.Then all mankind will know that I, the Lord,…
Book Review: The Power of Aligning Your Words to God’s Will by Hakeem Collins
The Power of Aligning Your Words to God’s Will helps one to dig deeper into the word and issues they are facing in life. This book goes deep and leaves one with much food for…
Hymn Story: They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love
They’ll Know We Are Christians is a short chorus which reminds us to show God’s love. Father Peter Scholtes was inspired in the 1960s by John 13:35. He wrote the song for an ecumenical event.…
Names of God: Jehovah-‘Izoa Hakaboth
Jehovah-‘Izoa Hakaboth means the Lord is strong and mighty Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Psalm 24:8
Book Review: The Sugar Baron’s Governess by Elva Cobb Martin
Joshua Becket has been banished from Charleston and rebuilt a new life in Jamaica on both sides of the law. He is a sugar plantation owner as well as has a secret identity as a…
Hymn Story: A Broken Heart, My God, My Life
Recently we sung A Broken Heart, My God, My Life in church. A hymn I had not heard before and wanted to learn more about. A Broken Heart, My God, My Life was written by…
Names of God: Jehovah-‘Immeku
Jehovah-‘Immeku means the Lord is with you When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12
Book Review: To Disguise the Truth by Jen Turano
Eunice Holbrooke is taken by surprise when a man shows up at the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency where she’s a partner. She realizes her past has caught up with her and the disguise she’s hidden…