Behind the Song: Whatever it Takes
Surrendering everything to the Lord and be willing to do whatever it takes to get there is difficult. I’ve both experienced and heard stories of the struggle to get to this point to state “Whatever…
Behind the Song: On Eagle’s Wings
Father Jan Michael Joncas was returning from a meal with his friend, Doug Hall, when he discovered Hall’s father had died of a heart attack. Father Joncas longed to find a way to console his…
Behind the Song: Holy Ground
Have you ever had an experience where you felt you were standing on Holy Ground? Moses was told “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are…
Behind the Easter Hymn: They Could Not
They Could Not is an inspirational song sung by Sandi Patty, which reminds us they could not keep Jesus in the grave.The popular Easter song was written by Ron Harris and Claire Cloninger. The song…
Behind the Hymn: Beneath the Old Olive Tree
Neath the Old Olive Trees is a hymn I discovered only a few years ago, from a dear friend. The song was written by Baylus Benjamin {or B.B.} McKinney. The song was published in 1929…
Behind the Song: Via Dolorosa
The Via Dolorosa is a popular song, made popular by Sandi Patty. The song tells the story of Jesus journey carrying his cross down the Via Dolorosa to the hill of Golgotha, where he would…
Behind the Song: Ten Thousand Angels Cried
Ten Thousand Angels Cried is a popular song we hear around Easter. LeAnn Rimes released the song on her You Light Up My Life album. The inspirational album was released by Curb Records when Rimes…
Behind the Song: Worthy is the Lamb
From a young age Don Wyrtzen loved music, under the tutledge of his father, Dr. Jack Wyrtzen, who was the founder of Word of Life International. Don Wyrtzen wrote the praise chorus, Worthy is the…
Behind the Song: My Savior’s Love
Jesus death on the cross represents the highest form of love, called agape or “unconditional” love. Jesus died for you and for me on the cross, unconditional. He allowed himself to be offered up as…
Behind the Song: Why Me Lord?
When trials come into our lives it is easy to question the circumstances and ask Why Me, Lord? The classic country gospel song, Why Me, Lord? was written by Kris Krisofferson. The song was inspired…
Behind the Song: O Happy Day
Anyone who has seen Sister Act 2 remembers the transformation made during the hand clapping rendition of O Happy Day. Philip Doddridge was an 18th Century English Clergyman. He wrote the hymn O Happy Day,…
Behind the Song: There is a Balm in Gilead
Jeremiah 8:22 says “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wounds of my [God’s] people?” {Gilead also mentioned in Jeremiah 46:2,11 and Jeremiah…
Behind the Song: Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is a well-known and popular African American spiritual. The song was written by Wallis Willis, a Choctaw freedman in the old Indian Territory in what is now Choctaw County, near the…
Behind the Song: Deep River
Deep River is an African-American spiritual with unknown origins. The song was first printed in the 1876, The Story of the Jubilee Singers: With Their Songs, by J. B. T. Marsh. In 1917, Harry T.…
Behind the Hymn: No One Understand Like Jesus
Do you ever have days when your heart is heavy? Do you feel no one cares? We all have times when we are lost, floundering, struggling to understand the difficult times, feel lonely and all…
Behind the Hymn: A Great and Mighty Wonder
A great and mighty wonder is a little-known Christmas Carol. The hymn is German in origin. The hymn was written by St. Germanus I. He was born in Constantinople of a patrician family in 634…
Behind the Christmas Song: As with Gladness Men of Old
As with Gladness Men of Old is considered an Epiphany hymn more than a Christmas hymn. William Chatterton Dix wrote the hymn on January 6, 1859 while recovering from an extended illness. He was bed…
Behind the Christmas Carol: There’s A Star in the East
There’s A Star in the East is a Christmas Carol. Reginald Heber is credited with writing the song. He was in 1783 England and named after his father. He professed his admiration of the hymns…
Behind the Christmas Song: Bethlehem Morning
Bethlehem Morning was written by Morris Chapman. The song was made popular by Sandi Patty. Chapman was born in Mississippi in 1940. He served as pastor to several churches in Texas before becoming CEO of…
Behind the Christmas Song: Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child
The song is a traditional spiritual of African American origin. The origin of the song is unknown. One source claims sister Margaret Allison of the Angelic Gospel Singers, a 1950s performing group, wrote the song.…