Scripture and ...

As I stated in my last post, I found several songs and poems while going through a box containing my grandfather's funeral guest book from 1972. When I talked to my now 94-year-old grandmother just yesterday, she still exhibits the faith in a Lord who cares for her that got her through the difficult time of becoming a young widow.  I found the hymn When Jesus Leads quoted in a letter from my grandfather's brother shortly after my grandfather's funeral. Though we don't know why the Lord allowed my grandfather to die when my dad was only 16, God has a plan and just because we don't know what it is doesn't mean we can't continue to trust Him and how He leads us.  When Jesus Leads by C. Austin Miles Verse 1 : When Jesus leads, the way grows bright, E’en though before ‘twas darkest night; About Jesus in John 1:4-5 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness , and the darkness did not comprehend it. From H...

Recently my mom gave me a box of old photos and family history documents to scan. In them was the guest book for the funeral of my grandfather, a godly preacher who died long before I was born. It also had a stack of old letters and cards written to my grandmother, a rather young widow at the time. I've always yearned to know more about my grandfather, so I read through the letters. I learned much of how my grandfather was a faithful servant of the Lord and mentor. I also found two hymns and a poem that were shared with my grandmother at the time of her bereavement. I found them very special and would like to share them with you as well. The Lord Will Provide was written on the back of the funeral service program. "The Lord will provide" was also quoted several times in letters to my grandmother as something my grandfather said often during his two-year-long battle with leukemia. The hymn was written by John Newton. It is not in many hymnals anymore and even the olde...

While recently studying the blood of Jesus and its effect on those who believe , I was struck by this hymn that I had sung many times before. It really lined up with what I was learning in my Bible study . Each verse seemed to highlight one of the Bible verses I had looked at.  "Precious, Precious Blood of Jesus" was written by Frances R. Havergal. It was published in Havergal's  Loyal Responses: Or, Daily Melodies for the King's Minstrels in 1882.  She wrote many familiar and beloved songs, such as " Like a River Glorious ," " Take My Life And Let It Be ," and  " I Gave My Life For Thee ." Her love for Jesus and her gratitude for His death to provide her salvation shines through in her poems and songs. I was introduced to this song in Hymns of Grace and Truth , but I later discovered that some of the verses had been altered. I am including the version from the Hymns of Grace and Truth (verses 1-7 below) since those are the ones...

Here are all of the links to my Christmas blog posts in one place.  All of the Christmas carols, the DIYs, the Bible studies, the online quiz.  All connected here so that you can find them easily. Christmas Bible Studies and Quizzes A calendar with Bible verses with different names of Jesus  for four weeks of advent A calendar with Bible verses for the four weeks of Advent  themed on hope, peace, joy and love Bible verses that emphasize why Jesus was born  for sharing on social media, printing, or crafting A free printable Bible study to look into why Jesus was born An online or printable quiz to separating biblical fact from traditional presumptions about Jesus' birth Christmas Bible Verse Lockscreens Bible verses images to put on your smartphone's lockscreen Christmas Songs Are you looking for the Bible verses behind these Christmas songs? Just click on the links to read the lyrics and the Bible verse that correspond with them...

Isaac Watts is a hymn writer, well-known as the author of 750 hymns like “ When I Survey The Wondrous Cross ,”  “Alas And Did My Savior Bleed,” and “O God Our Help In Ages Past."  His  “Joy To The World” was first published in 1719. Later, Lowell Mason took lines of music from Handel's Messiah  to compose the tune, Antioch, that is now so familiar. Did you recognize the first notes of “ Lift Up Your Heads ” or possibly “ Glory to God ” as the beginning notes? “And heaven and nature sing” reflects the orchestra in the opening notes of “ Comfort Ye .” The interesting thing about “Joy To The World” is that the song is really more about the Second Advent (Jesus' return to reign) than the First Advent (Jesus birth so He could die for our sins). The biblical prophecies in verses 3 and 4 are not fulfilled yet, but they will be when Jesus Christ returns to set all things right. Even the first verse doesn't accurately reflect the birth of Jesus, as the earth didn't “re...

What can be more traditional at Christmas than a Christmas carol, especially one whose most prevalent tune dates back at least to 1580? "What Child Is This" brings out the truth that Jesus is both Savior and King of Kings and is worthy of praise. It contrasts the Baby who was worshipped while yet a child with the rejected Messiah who was crucified for our sins. My favorite verse is the last which invites everyone from pauper to royalty to worship Jesus and invite Him to be the Lord of their life. Like most Christmas carols, "What Child Is This" does sometimes portray more of a Christmas card scene with Jesus sleeping on Mary's lap, animals mentioned as being beside the manger (the location of the manger is never actually given, nor a stable mentioned), and the magi seem to visit Jesus at the time of His birth rather than probably two years later. In spite of these presumptions, this carol beautifully brings out the purpose of Jesus' birth- to save ...

Not many songs are more familiar for Christmas than Hark the Herald Angels Sing. My son calls it the Charlie Brown Christmas carol because the kids sing it at the end of the iconic Christmas program. Charles Wesley, the author, wrote over 6,000 hymns, including the familiar “ And Can It Be That I Should Gain ”, “Christ The Lord Is Risen Today”, “ Come Thou Long Expected Jesus ”, and “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing.” In the first verse of “Hark The Herald Angels Sing,” he calls all nations to join in with the angels in giving “glory to the newborn King.” The second verse looks into the doctrine of the incarnation and the final verse looks at the purpose behind Jesus' birth*. While I love this song, I do want to point out that in Luke 2 it does say that the angels spoke "Glory to God in the highest," and did not sing it. In fact, angels are never mentioned as singing in the Bible (with the possible exception of Job 38:7). Ironically, the original hymn did n...