Take this day as an opportunity to catch up on your reading, pray, and rest in the presence of the Lord.
I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and I was saved from my enemies.
— 2 Samuel 22:4
- Worthy of Praise
- Day 6
Grace Day
Take this day as an opportunity to catch up on your reading, pray, and rest in the presence of the Lord.
I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and I was saved from my enemies.
— 2 Samuel 22:4
What a great idea! As I read through all of your favorite hymns, I thought all of mine had been mentioned until all of a sudden, I could hear “In the Garden “ in my head. This hymn is special to me. Back in 1988, I sang solo the verses, while the church choir joined in on the verses. I didn’t often sing solo, so this was special to me. I didn’t know it would be the last time my dad was in church…he died before the following Sunday. After church that day I sang the solo, he hugged me and told me he loved me (two things that almost never happened). Then in 2021 when my mom was dying, I played this song for her, sung by Alan Jackson. She hadn’t spoken for a while, but when it was over, she said how much she loved it. I also had several hospice patients request that I sing it. It obviously brought peace to many people.
From WordPress:
Austin Miles (1868-1946) was a pharmacist turned hymn writer and church music director. He was also an amateur photographer. One day in March, 1912, while in his dark room waiting for film to develop, Miles had a profound spiritual experience in which he saw an incredible vision of Mary Magdalene visiting the empty tomb. He saw her leave the tomb and walk into a garden where she met the Master and heard Him speak her name.
When Miles came to himself his nerves were vibrating and his muscles tense; the words to a new song were filling his mind and heart. He quickly wrote out the lyrics to In The Garden and later that evening composed the musical score. The song was published that same year and became a theme song of the Billy Sunday evangelistic crusades.
In The Garden was recorded on an album by Perry Como in 1950, was sung in the closing scene of the 1984 film Places in the Heart and continues to be a favorite of hymn lovers who treasure that quiet ‘garden time’ with their Savior.
In The Garden
I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses . . .
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!
He speaks and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me,
Within my heart is ringing . . .
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!
I think of A Mighty Fortress is Our God. Not sure if that is the title. I love all the hymns and the stories behind them!
Two of my favorites I haven’t seen so far:
– Rock of Ages (Ascend the Hill, Chris Rice, Page CXVI – all good versions)
– Abide with Me (Audrey Assad, The Worship Initiative)
I love this challenge Kelly (NEO)! I’m a day late to it as I’m catching up after a busy weekend with family here, but I wanted to still add my two favorites: It is Well with My Soul and Great is Thy Faithfulness. The church I grew up in sang Great is Thy Faithfulness often and it is etched in my heart. I especially love this verse:
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with 10, 000 beside
God gives us everything we need for today and He is also our hope for the future!
Posting an abbreviated version of my 7:30 ish comment this morning. It went to moderation and apparently did not get approved.
Awesome challenge KELLY (NEO). I would add The Old Rugged Cross by George Bennard, 1912. I can hardly wrap my mind around Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for me, a sinner, but my heart clings to the truth of it. This is one of the many hymns that take me back to the country church of my youth, and my dad’s favorite. I won’t repost the lyrics – see DANIELLE B’s comment if you’d like to read through them.
CEE GEE – many thanks for all your backstory research! ❤️
RHONDA J – thank you for the 4th verse. When I did yesterday’s study, something didn’t seem quite right with song – 4th verse fixed it! In various churches growing up, for songs with 4 verses we always sang the 1st, 2nd and 4th verses, without fail.
Reading through today’s comments and realizing I have even more favorites than I could think of this morning. Thank you so much, sisters, for jogging my memory on these wonderful hymns.
Happy Saturday she’s
I missed the reading yesterday of Day 5, but wow, it was the hymn I recognized yay….“’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus”. What grace that covers such a dark day of the author’s life, yet the hymn is full of gentleness and peace. Thank you RACHEL for the back story of “It is well with my soul”. My favourite hymns are He hideth my soul (He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock that shadows a dry, thirsty land. He hideth my life in the depths of his love, and covers me there with his hand), and How great thou art (And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing; Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on a Cross, my burdens gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee…), & Count your blessings (When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.)
@LYNN FROM AL: hope your birthday went great yesterday. May the Lord enrich your days and years with all the sweetness and blessings that life has to offer. Your wisdom, grace and kind heart make you stand out. Your resilience and positive attitude towards life motivate and inspires so many to face life’s challenges with courage. With love.
@KRISTIN L: prayers for Violet’s speedy recovery, so sorry that she missed out on such a big event, may the Lord bless her with many other opportunities to come. Redemption.
@SEARCHING & CEE GEE: thank you so much! I have been weary, but headed for another direction of joy & gladness. Pivot..pivot..pivotttt (in Ross’s voice from Friends lol) thanks to your prayers and of our dear she’s that have lifted me up. Knowing that you are keeping me in your thoughts and prayers has helped me stay positive and hopeful. I really thank God for you & the gift of prayers.
@MARI V: voice restoration and soon recovery.
@LEANNA THOMPSON: how beautiful, loved what you shared.
@ADRIENNE: for Bella’s recovery and safe wedding travels/great time.
Be blessed dear sisters.
Well I’m 5 for 5! One of my favorite’s is “Here I Am Lord”. Although not a praise song it speaks to me when I’m wondering if the Lord is asking me to do something or when I have been on mission trips. When on these trips, the last night we hold a communion service and sing this song. It’s a closing to a moving week. This is sometimes known as, “I, the Lord of Sea & Sky” and when you look at the dates of the other hymns this is very young. It was written in 1979 by an American composer, Dan Schutte and published in 1981. Its words are based on Isaiah 6:8 and 1 Samuel 3:4. Schutte wrote the song at the age of 31 when he was studying theology at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkley. He was requested to compose on short notice, a piece for the ordination Mass of a deacon, incorporating in the lyrics, God’s word, of Jesus as the light and the bread and wine of the Eucharist. His hymn is sung not only in Catholic churches but many Protestant worship services as well. I once attended a friend’s graduation from seminary and at the service, all the graduates turned to the families and friends gathered and sang this song to them.
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry,
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
I have made the stars of night,
I will make the darkness bright,
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Chorus
Here I am Lord
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night
I will go, Lord
If you lead me
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame,,
I will tend the poor and lame
I will set a feast for them,
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide,
‘Til their hearts be satisfied,
I will give my life to them,
Whom shall I send?
Chorus
Here I am Lord
Is it I, Lord
I have heard you calling in the night
I will go, Lord
If you lead me
I will hold your people in my heart.