Rebel to Redeemed…Sharing HIS Kind of Love
Since Jesus Came into my Heart was written by Rufus Henry McDaniel. McDaniel was born in 1850 in Ohio. By the age of nineteen he was already preaching and eventually became a minister of the Disciples of Christ Church in 1873. McDaniel wrote, “I feel in my soul that God has something for me to do in brightening the experience […]
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Music is prayer. A prayer is described as a “devout petition to God or a spiritual communion with God.” In church, music is an integral part of the worship service. At least half of the service is spent in worship of God through song and prayer. During this time we are communing with God or expressing our desires to God. […]
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He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands is a traditional American spiritual. As a spiritual this song was probably around for a long time before it was recorded and written down. The song was first published in the 1927, paper bound hymnal Spirituals Triumphant, Old and New. In 1933, Frank Warner collected the song from Sue Thomas while she […]
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Music Therapy is identified as “a treatment…in which the subject is encouraged to use sounds and singing to relieve emotions, or in which music is used as treatment.” The field of music therapist {which must be board certified} has exploded over the last 20 years. MT is an expressive therapy using music to help individuals improve their physical and mental […]
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Zacchaeus was a Wee Little Man is another popular children’s song. It’s a great way for children to learn the story of Zacchaeus. After all a song stays in your memory much longer than a story. The story recounts the story of Zacchaeus which is found in Luke 19:1-10. The song recounts Zacchaeus desire to see Jesus, so he climbs […]
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Music has the power to heal. Music helps to organize the brain. Research has proven that the use of music can even dramatically decrease the amount of medication an individual may need. Music has been known to help improve not only moods, but also serious injuries such as neurological damage. For individuals with Alzheimer’s music assist in managing emotions and […]
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I’ve Got Peace Like a River is an African-American spiritual. Spirituals began on the fields and the slaves would sing to pass the time of day. It was also a great way to pass messages along and share the gospel. This song uses water “as a simile” to describe peace, joy and love. I’ve got peace like a river… I’ve […]
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We all have songs that take us back to memories of yesteryear or provide a wave of emotion through us. These songs are the songs that make up the soundtrack of our lives. We all remember what was playing the first time we were kissed, said I love you, held a newborn baby in your arms, and throughout a number […]
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After Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves the Little Children is one of the first songs children learn in Sunday School. The song was written by Clarence Herbert Woolston. He was born in 1856 and died in 1927. The lyrics are inspired by Jesus words in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for […]
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I’ve always believed that music is the universal language? However, what do I mean by that? I realized that there are at least twelve ways in which music speaks to all of us and erases the barriers. 1. Music speaks where words cannot be found 2. Music can cross barriers {language, culture, etc.} 3. Music expresses what is in the […]
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I’ll Be a Sunbeam is a popular children’s hymn often learned in Sunday School. The song is often referred to as Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, due to the opening lines of the hymn. The lyrics were written by Nellie Talbot. Virtually nothing is known about Nellie Talbot. Even efforts to find her in census records prove to be […]
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The philosopher Plato said “music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” Music is the only entity that speaks to the human brain. In addition, it also has a powerful hold on a person’s psyche and soul. Researchers have spent […]
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Lovest Thou Me? is another beautiful song by Bill and Gloria Gaither. This song is based on John 21. To provide a little background, Peter denied Jesus three times “before the rooster crows” on the night Jesus was crucified. Jesus had predicted this to Peter before he was arrested. {John 18: 13-27} After Jesus was crucified and rose from the […]
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We’ve dissected some difficult subjects in the past in our conversations on depression, domestic violence and prodigal living. If you’ve read my blog for a while you will know how important music is to me. My Behind the Hymn on Sunday is a very popular feature. We’re going to delve into another subject that is just as important, but not […]
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Sheltered in the Arms of God is another one of those songs close to my heart that has helped me through so many difficult days and hours. This beautiful song was written by Dottie Rambo. According to a St. Augustine newspaper article about the song, Dottie had just gone through a difficult time with a friend who had disappointed her. […]
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There are times when it is so easy to worry about whatever concerns or issues are going on in our lives. However, true faith is turning it over to God and not worrying any longer about it. I have to admit that I’m guilty of worrying, although I continue to strive to turn it over to God. There are times […]
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Precious Memories is one of the songs that when I began to play or sing it many others seem to naturally join in. Memories of days gone by seem to roll through our minds and hearts with the melody. Precious Memories is credited as having been written by J.B.F. {John Braselton Fillmore} Wright in 1925. J.B.F. Wright was born February […]
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This is a very special song to me. With the anniversary of the passing of my Dad, my mind is turning to this song more and more these days. You see, My Faith Still Holds is the last song my Dad sang as he finished preaching his last sermon. At that time we had no way of knowing that it […]
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Until Then is one of the songs that can climb into my head and remain for days. I can’t help but sing the lyrics on my heart. Until Then, also sometimes referred to as My Heart Can Sing When I Pause to Remember, was written by Carl Stuart Hamblen. Stuart Hamblen was born on October 20th, 1908 in Kellyville, Texas. He […]
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Francis Scott Key We all know our National Anthem, but do you know how it originated? The author, Francis Scott Key, was at Fort McHenry when the British Royal Navy bombed the fort in 1814. Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and amateur poet, and John Stuart Skinner were on a mission for President James Madison on September 3, 1814. The […]
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