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HYMN STORIES
“AND NOW YOU KNOW….”
We are encouraged, uplifted and sometimes even challenged by some of the songs and hymns we sing so often. You might wonder what inspired the writing and composition of these songs. There is a story behind each one. Most often these stories will give even more meaning to the already powerful blessing these songs are. In this library, you will find reasons and life experiences that God used to provide us with wonderful messages in music. These are historical accounts of hymns and songs used in the programs of Hope Today.
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10,000 REASONS
10,000 REASONS (BLESS THE LORD) was written by Matt Redman and Jonas Myrin in what is known in song writer's realm as a "spontaneous moment." It takes some somgs several weeks and perseverance to come together, while others are surprisingly quick. When Jonas began playing a chorus melody he was working on, Matt was immediately inspired to words from the opening of Psalm 103. In this psalm, King David lists several reasons why his heart is full of worship for God! The number
Feb 12
NEARER, STILL NEARER
Lelia N. Morris shunned the limelight…even though she wrote over one thousand gospel songs. She preferred to be known as Mrs. C. M. Morris, a nondescript home maker. She had been born in 1862 in the mountains of Ohio. As a child, Lelia went forward to the altar several times, seeking salvation. Finally, a man came and laid his hand on her head, assuring her that, “God was here and ready to forgive her sins;” that marked her conversion at age ten. Shortly after this, sh
Feb 11
NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD
As often is the case, the story behind the hymn text will give new meaning to the words; such is the story of NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD , written by Cleland McAfee and first published in 1903. Park University in Parkville, Missouri began in 1875 with only 17 students. Colonel George Park was the colourful founder of Parkville, and had donated the land for the college. John McAfee joined as the other founder and was the first president. John had five sons and one daughter
Feb 11
MY SAVIOUR’S LOVE/I STAND AMAZED/ HOW MARVELOUS, HOW WONDERFUL
There are three titles often used for this hymn text written by Charles H. Gabriel. You may find it with the title " MY SAVIOUR'S LOVE," OR "I STAND AMAZED IN THE PRESENCE" OR "HOW MARVELOUS, HOW WONDERFUL." Charles Gabriel grew up on a farm in Wilton, Iowa. His father led singing schools in their home, and young Charles developed a strong interest in music. It is said that he taught himself to play the family’s pump organ. Without formal music training, and at the
Feb 11
MORE ABOUT JESUS
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is certainly amazing. It is both so simple that a child can understand it’s basic message of placing one’s faith in Christ, yet so profound that in your life time, you will never get to the end of learning more about Him. You see, the Christian gospel is not about a concept or idea; it is about a person. It is about a growing knowledge of and relationship with the eternal Son of God. The more you learn about God, the more there is to learn. I
Feb 11
MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF YOUR PEACE
Our Hymn story today is about a well-known text entitled Make Me A Channel of Your Peace . It is a prayer that has widely been attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, who lived from 1182 to 1226 and founded the Franciscan Order. Yet these words never appeared in any of his writings…although this poem is the kind of prayer he would compose and a message he would not be displeased about. Some of the words in part bears a strong resemblance to famous sayings of Giles of Assisi
Feb 11
MAKE ME A BLESSING
Our relationship with God is beautiful! In it, we will be encouraged to respond to others in the same way as God would. We actually begin to be like our heavenly Father…loving and caring for others just as He does. Our relationship with God will teach us to be a blessing to others as well. Regardless of the task God calls us to, whether great or small, it will receive His promised blessing when we do it faithfully and with sincere motives. MAKE ME A BLESSING is our hym
Feb 11
LOVE DIVINE, ALL LOVES EXCELLING
Most often, a hymn text has a story behind it as to how it was inspired by a life event or because of God’s provision and/or faithfulness. When it comes to poems or hymns written by Charles Wesley, so many do not have such a story. He was always writing them, and afterwards, he had few dramatic tales to talk about the occasion! It was said of Charles that he had inherited this gift from his father, and although the skill had been resident in him early in life, his convers
Feb 11
LITTLE IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT
Sometimes we may think that our accomplishments are very small or very insignificant; in fact, our hymn story today is really the intertwining of many small events that God used to bring about some very big results! It was a very cold and wintery night when Canadian, Fred Suffield, awoke to an urgent pounding on his door; a half-frozen man reported that a train had stalled in the blizzard, and the passengers were in danger of freezing to death. Lighting a lantern, Fred f
Feb 11
JESUS SHALL REIGN
JESUS SHALL REIGN , was written in 1719 by Isaac Watts; it was one of his more than 600 hymns composed in his lifetime. Isaac is often called "the father of English hymnody." This hymn is considered one of the earliest texts written with a missionary emphasis, however, the missionary movement had scarcely begun. It was not until 1779 that William Carey began to stir Christians to their responsibility to fulfil the great commission. It was no doubt very disheartening wh
Feb 11
JESUS SAVES
Our hymn today is entitled, JESUS SAVES . The author is Priscilla Owens who was born on July 21 st , 1829 in Baltimore, Maryland. She was of Scottish and Welsh descent. Her parents were Isaac Owens and Jane (Steuart) Owens. She was the oldest of 7 children in her family, having 3 brothers and 3 sisters. Priscilla was educated at the Patapsco Institute in Howard County, Maryland, and the Ladies’ Collegiate Institute in Baltimore. For forty-nine years, she taught school
Feb 11
JESUS PAID IT ALL
We may tend to think that only those who are very musical or scholars of Biblical truth will be used to write poems or hymns; our hymn story today is about a lay woman named Elvina Hall. Elvina and her husband served in their church for more than 40 years. She wrote the words of her hymn, JESUS PAID IT ALL , one Sunday morning in 1865, while seated in the choir loft at her church in Baltimore, Maryland. She was supposed to be listening to her Pastor presenting his message
Feb 11
JESUS IS ALL THE WORLD TO ME
Will Thompson grew up in East Liverpool, Ohio in the mid 1800’s. East Liverpool was known for a healthy, maybe a creative trade; the pottery trade. In fact, Will's parents, Josiah and Sarah Thompson, were local entrepreneurs who had helped transform the area into a pottery manufacturing region. Will showed early signs of his Dad’s entrepreneurial spirit, and being from a financially comfortable family, he was able to devote time to his other passion of music. By the time
Feb 11
JESUS, I COME TO YOU
William T. Sleeper lived between February 1819 and September 1904. He was born in Danbury, New Hampshire. William received his theological training and was ordained to Christian ministry in June 1853. He was sent to minister as a homeland missionary in Northern Maine. To see his life and activities for Jesus Christ, it would be obvious that William was a true and dedicated servant of the message of God’s redemption and salvation for mankind. William Sleeper pastored sev
Feb 11
IN TIMES LIKE THESE I NEED A SAVIOUR
IN TIMES LIKE THESE will encourage your heart! Ruth Caye Jones, born in Pennsylvania in 1902, composed both the words and music. Early in her life, she had taught herself to play the piano and the organ. Later, Ruth married a pastor and raised five children. In 1948, she established a unique radio ministry; a program that was broadcast each week from the Jone’s home in Erie, Pennsylvania. By that time, she was well-known as the writer of this wonderful hymn. Her son,
Feb 11
I WILL ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING IN MY HEART
It seems so fitting at this Thanksgiving time to hear the story of a wonderful song of praise written by Leona Von Brethorst. Of course, it was inspired by Psalm 100. Leona was born in 1923 in a little town called, if you can believe it, Stinking Creek, Tennessee. She was one of 11 children in her family and was raised in poverty. On Sundays in the summer time, she would walk 3 miles to the nearest Full Gospel Church; a journey that was impossible over the winter months.
Feb 11
I AM HIS & HE IS MINE
Our hymn story this time is about the wonderful text written by George Robinson called I AM HIS & HE IS MINE . Some hymnals call this hymn, “Loved with Everlasting Love.” George was an Irish Pastor during the late 1800’s. Some of his poems were published in a volume called, "Songs in God’s World.” Some have wondered if the text for this hymn was, in part, inspired by D. L. Moody’s testimony. Moody says that on the morning after he had first trusted Christ, he thought the
Feb 11
HYMN OF PROMISE (IN THE BULB THERE IS A FLOWER)
Many of the stories of hymns talk about a text that was written centuries or generations before. And yet, there are hymns and songs being written and published still today. The HYMN OF PROMISE , or as some know it, ’IN THE BULB THERE IS A FLOWER ’, was written in 1985! Natalie Sleeth was born in 1930. She started her piano training at age 4, and gained much of her musical experience by singing in choral ensembles during her earlier years. Natalie studied music theory,
Feb 11
HEAVEN CAME DOWN AND GLORY FILLED MY SOUL
In his teenage years, John W. Peterson dreamed of being a singer and soloist; he often sang on local radio programs and in churches. In singing, John felt competent and confident. He wrote, “Here was at least one place where I could excel. I knew it, and I made the most of it!” John found work one summer in a factory running a machine that was very noisy. He would sing at the top of his lungs for hours on end, making up melodies and imagining he was on stage. Little d
Feb 11
HE LEADETH ME
Dr. Joseph H. Gilmore was born in Boston, April 29, 1834. He was the son of a Governor of New Hampshire. He was well educated and graduated in Arts at Brown University and in Theology at Newton Theological Institution. He became a Professor of Hebrew at the Newton Institute, and was later appointed the Professor of Logic in Rochester University in 1868. For some time, he held a Baptist ministerial charge at Fisherville, New Hampshire and later at Rochester, New York. At
Feb 11
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