O Jesus, Friend Unfailing

O JESUS, Friend unfailing,
How dear art Thou to me!
Are cares or fears assailing?
I find my strength in Thee!
Why should my feet grow weary
Of this my pilgrim way?
Rough though the path and dreary,
It ends in perfect day!

What fills my soul with gladness?
'Tis Thine abounding grace!
Where can I look in sadness,
But, Jesus, on Thy face?
My all is Thy providing ---
Thy love can ne'er grow cold;
In Thee, my Refuge, hiding ---
No good wilt Thou withhold.

Why should I droop in sorrow?
Thou'rt ever by my side!
Why, trembling, dread the morrow?
What ill can e'er betide?
If I my cross have taken,
'Tis but to follow Thee;
If scorned, despised, forsaken,
Nought severs Thee from me.

For every tribulation,
For every sore distress,
In Christ I've full salvation,
Sure help and quiet rest.
No fear of foes prevailing,
I triumph, Lord, in Thee!
O Jesus, Friend unfailing,
How dear art Thou to me!

Written originally in German by Samuel Christian Gottfried Kuster (1762 to 1838), translated by Miss Hannah K. Burlingham (1842-1901) on June 13th, 1865, when she was only 23 years old! Moya Brennan has a version of this that is on a CD called Focusfest 2001 - The Sound of Grace. The tune she uses is a traditional Irish tune called "The Dawning of the Day". (This tune was popularized by a group called The Dubliners on a song called "Raglan Road".

You can have a listen here. Check the tabs at the top of the site to find the page.

There's a Promise Coming Down That Dusty Road

Here's a song based on the story of Jairus' daughter.

A hand of fear gripped the crowd
That day at Jairus' home
When the doctor shook his head
and said she's gone
You could feel that mother's heart break
You could hear them cry and mourn
Their little girl was only twelve years old

Somewhere in the distance
Outlined against the sun
There came a Man on a mission
From the throne
They said "look somebody's coming"
But what they did not know
It was their Promise coming down
that dusty road

Chorus:
There's a Promise coming down that dusty road
From His holy hand healing virtue flows
He's got the keys to what you need
Death and hell He will defeat
There's a Promise coming down that dusty road

The wonder turned to mocking
When Jesus did speak
'Cause He said your daughter's not dead
She's just asleep
Then He turned to the unbelievers
And He told them all "go home"
They heard Him say
"Leave Me and death alone."

And then He laid His hand upon the child
And He looked death right in the eye
He said, "All power in Heaven
and earth it belongs to me"
And with a voice that sounds like thunder
He hurled death and hell He will defeat
Oh there's a promise coming down your dusty road

Bottom of the Barrel

This is the song that actually inspired my idea to do a series about songs based on Bible stories. This song is based on the story about the Widow of Zarapheth and also makes reference to a passage in Habakkuk. This song also appears on the CD "Wonderful Story" by the Greenes.

Bottom of the Barrel - Mike Sage

A poor little widow, fearful and sick
Was busy gathering a bundle of sticks
She decided the next meal was the last one she'd ever fix
Then along came old Elijah saying don't be afraid
Just go and do what you hear the Lord say
Seeing your faith, surely He will make a way.

So she poured all the oil out of the cruse
And the last ounce of flour from the barrel she scooped
And made a cake for the prophet, herself, and her little son too.
The flour from the barrel never ran short
And the oil from the cruse continued to pour
Beyond the bottom of her barrel
She reached into the top of the Lord's.

Chorus:

At the bottom of the barrel God will provide
Every need He shall supply.
When all that we have ends
That's when all the He has begins
There's nothing but a miracle
At the bottom of the barrel.

There are times here in this life
When everything's wrong and nothing seems right
But we walk by faith, we don't walk by sight
And when there are no cattle out in the stall
And the grapes from the vine fall
Remember God will take care of it all.

Chorus:

At the bottom of the barrel God will provide
Every need He shall supply.
When all that we have ends
That's when all the He has begins
There's nothing but a miracle
At the bottom of the barrel.

Habakkuk 3:17 - 19 - Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer's; He makes me tread on my high places.

The Unexpected Cross

I love songs that take a Bible story and then make a personal application with it. Southern Gospel music has a lot of great examples. Today's song, based on the story of Simon of Cyrene, is from a CD called "Wonderful Story" by the Greenes, copyright 1999.

The Unexpected Cross - Marcia Henry

Traveling through Jerusalem, Simon of Cyrene
Came upon the Crucifixion of the innocent Nazarene
The Soldiers shouted orders, gave Simon’s heart a chill
Then he took the cross for Jesus, carried it up the hill

[Chorus:]
The unexpected Cross, is always hard to bear
But there’s glory in the suffering, Triumph in despair
For Christ is our example, and the crown is worth the cost
Lord, help me to bear faithfully, the unexpected cross

Along the road to heaven, crosses lie unseen
A crisis for the moment, to keep the spirit keen
As Jesus gives the orders help to sacrifice the will
Take up the cross and follow, the victory on the hill

Of Weary Ways or Golden Days

I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.

But "I know Whom I have believed
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed
Unto Him against that day."

Amen!

I Then Shall Live

I Then Shall Live
Lyrics
Words by Gloria Gaither
Music by Jean Sibelius
FINLANDIA

I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven;
I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father;
I am His child, and I am not afraid.
So greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother,
The law of love I gladly will obey.

I then shall live as one who’s learned compassion;
I’ve been so loved that I’ll risk loving too.
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges;
I’ll dare to see another’s point of view.
And when relationship demand commitment,
Then I’ll be there to care and follow through.

Your kingdom come around and through and in me;
Your power and glory, let them shine through me;
Your Hallowed name, O may I bear with honor,
And may You living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor,
And may You feed a hungry world through me.
Amen. Amen. Amen.

Text © 1981 Gaither Music Company. Music © Breitkopf & Hartel (Outside U.S.
only). All rights reserved.

Christ Be In My Waking

Christ Be In My Waking

As the sun is rising,

In my day of working,
With me every hour.
Christ be in my resting,
As the day is ending,
Calming and refreshing,
Watching through the night.

Christ be in my thinking,
And my understanding,
Guarding me from evil,
Walking in the light.
Christ be in my speaking,
Every word a blessing,
Pure and not deceiving,
Grace to all who hear.

Jesus, this is my devotion,
All my life to know You,
Every day to walk with You.
Saviour, You’re my deepest longing,
You’re the One I live for,
Teach me, Lord, to walk with You.

Christ be in my gladness
For the joy of living,
Thankful for the goodness
Of the Father's hand.
Christ be in my sorrow,
In my day of darkness,
Knowing that I follow
In the steps He trod.

Christ when hope has faded,
Nothing left to cling to,
Every pleasure jaded,
Every well is dry.
Christ the loving Shepherd
Draws me with His kindness,
Leads me from the desert
To the streams of life.

Stuart Townend & Simon Brading
Copyright © 2011 Thankyou Music

I Understand Now

A beautiful song - musically & lyrically - from Mary Kathryn.


I Understand Now

Remembering the former things
And thinking of today
I understand now
Looking back I see
How Your mercy covered me
I understand now

How You brought me through the darkness
Holding me close
We walked together
Untouched and yet so changed
I emerged to see the Light that was my guide
You saved my life

Remembering the former things
And thinking of today
I understand now
Looking back I see
How Your mercy covered me
I understand now

You protected me from harm
With Your great a mighty arm
A loving Father
So gallant and so brave
Like a soldier out to save the land he loves
Sent from above

Sweet Comforter
Holy One of God
Look at me
In Your eyes I see
Safe in Your love
Following the path
You made for me
Now I see . . . I see

Remembering the former things
And thinking of today
I understand now
Looking back I see
How Your mercy covered me
I understand now
I understand now

Words & Music by Mary Kathryn, © 1998 Elements of Praise, BMI

You can read and listen at her website: www.mary-kathryn.com

Rise, My Soul, To Watch and Pray

This was one of the hymns we sang today. I thought it was interesting to see that it was written in 1697 by a German composer named Johann Freystein. Then in 1863 it was translated into English by Catherine Winkworth, who is responsible for many of hymns we enjoy today.

"Rise, My Soul, to Watch and Pray"
by Johann B. Freystein, 1671-1718
Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878

1. Rise, my soul, to watch and pray,
From thy sleep awaken;
Be not by the evil day
Unawares o'ertaken.
For the Foe,
Well we know,
Oft his harvest reapeth
While the Christian sleepeth.

2. Watch against the devil's snares
Lest asleep he find thee;
For indeed no pains he spares
To deceive and blind thee.
Satan's prey
Oft are they
Who secure are sleeping
And no watch are keeping.

3. Watch! Let not the wicked world
With its pow'r defeat thee.
Watch lest with her pomp unfurled
She betray and cheat thee.
Watch and see
Lest there be
Faithless friends to charm thee,
Who but seek to harm thee.

4. Watch against thyself, my soul,
Lest with grace thou trifle;
Let not self thy tho'ts control
Nor God's mercy stifle.
Pride and sin
Lurk within
All thy hopes to scatter;
Heed not when they flatter.

5. But while watching, also pray
To the Lord unceasing.
He will free thee, be thy stay,
Strength and faith increasing.
O Lord, bless
In distress
And let nothing swerve me
From the will to serve Thee.

6. Therefore let us watch and pray,
Knowing He will hear us
As we see from day to day
Dangers ever near us,
And the end
Doth impend--
Our redemption neareth
When the Lord appeareth.

Hymn #567
The Trinity Hymnal
Text: Matthew 26:41
Author: Johann B. Freystein, 1697, cento
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt.
Titled: "Mache dich, mein Geist, bereit"
Tune: "Straf mich nicht"
1st Published in: Hundert Arien
Town: Dresden, 1694

Indelible Grace!

We sang this in church today. What a marvelous message, and what wonderful imagery!


A Debtor to Mercy Alone by Augustus Toplady (author of Rock of Ages)

A debtor to mercy alone
Of covenant mercy I sing
I come with Your righteousness on
My humble offering to bring
The judgments of Your holy law
With me can have nothing to do
My Savior’s obedience and blood
Hide all my transgressions
From view

The work which Your goodness began
The arm of Your strength will complete
Your promise is yes and amen
And never was forfeited yet
The future or things that are now
No power below or above
Can make You Your purpose forego
Or sever my soul from Your love

My name from the palms of Your hands
Eternity will not erase
Impressed on Your heart it remains
In marks of indelible grace
Yes I, to the end will endure
Until I bow down at Your throne
Forever and always secure
A debtor to mercy alone

O Light That Knew No Dawn

In our worship service, we sometimes reflect on a hymn while it is played, before the call to worship. Today I was the pianist and the hymn below was today's choice. The author is Gregory of Nanzianzus, and I encourage you to google the name and read up on some fascinating Christian history. I also encourage you to google John Brownlie, who was a Scottish pastor in the late 1800's. He translated this and many other poems from the ancient Greek & Latin.

O Light That Knew No Dawn

O Light that knew no dawn,
That shines to endless day,
All things in earth and Heav’n
Are lustered by Thy ray;
No eye can to Thy throne ascend,
Nor mind Thy brightness comprehend.

Thy grace, O Father, give,
That I might serve in fear;
Above all boons, I pray,
Grant me Thy voice to hear;
From sin Thy child in mercy free,
And let me dwell in light with Thee.

That, cleansed from stain of sin,
I may meet homage give;
And pure in heart, behold
Thy beauty while I live;
Clean hands in holy worship raise,
And Thee, O Christ my Savior, praise.

In supplication meek
To Thee I bend the knee;
O Christ, when Thou shalt come,
In love remember me,
And in Thy kingdom, by Thy grace,
Grant me a humble servant’s place.

Thy grace, O Father, give,
I humbly Thee implore;
And let Thy mercy bless
Thy servant more and more.
All grace and glory be to Thee,
From age to age eternally.

Another Brian Houston song

I TOOK MY BURDEN TO THE CROSSROADS

I looked both ways down the ancient roads
I asked the Lord for the right way
To find redemption for my soul
And the sunlight streamed in through my window
Shone a ray of hope into my blackest hole
Took the book of Jeremiah to my bedside
Felt inspiration murmur soft and low

Hurricane keep a blowing
Send me something on the breeze
Sounds like hope and a future
Sounds like there might be some for me

When I wonder why I bother
When I feel like giving up on my life
When they’re selling all that You gave me freely
In the temple courts for a criminal price
Will You keep revealing to me all the mysteries?
And the ancient secrets so well hid
Like when mercy triumphs over judgement
Revealing more of You than the law ever did

Brian Houston
Copyright © 2001 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music/MC

Where You See Bones

I bought a couple of CD's on ebay a few weeks ago. This song was on one of them. I think the lyrics are amazing.

WHERE YOU SEE BONES

When the ones you love and trust hurt and destroy You
You may be discouraged, certainly don't think of giving up
When you are broken, when you are wounded
Forgive those who persecute you
For it's alright to be broken, and it is no shame to cry

But I do not want you to remain in that place of brokenness
Even though I am in that place with you
Still I do not want you to stay there

Where you see bones, I can see the army
When you see floods, I see the shore
Where you see dry winds blow, I see new life grow
Where you see clouds in your way, it is the Lord

Like I delivered Moses out from the desert place
So I will lead you through
You will see a fire in the night and a pillar of cloud in the day
I will go before you
And if you can forgive then when your soul is really mended
You will see that there is gold, pure gold
Real gold of great worth
You will see there is gold, pure gold
Real gold of great worth in your life

But I do not want you to remain in that place of brokenness
Even though I am in that place with you
Still I do not want you to remain there
No, no, no, no I do not want you to remain in the land of your affliction
No, no, no, no I do not want you to stay there in the land of your broken dreams

To know that I the Lord your God dwell within you
Live beside you and walk behind you
This the pure gold I am talking about
That cannot be consumed by fire or stolen away by human hands
This is the gold of ministry that you have longed for
That you have laid awake at night on your bed dreaming of

And you need to know that I have been wishing for you
Dreaming in you, hoping for you
For my dreams are so much greater for you than yours
And to know my hand in Your life
This is the greatest prize
So much better than recognition

And as you rise up in me, many will know
Many will see, many will hear
Because I am your God

This is the pure gold that I am refining in you
That will shine within your soul
And your cup will run over
And you will see the fruit of your labours
And you will not be disappointed forever
For your toils and your struggles are not in vain

© 2001 : Brian Houston
KingsWay's ThankYou Music/MCPS

How Many Times (Seventy Times Seven)

How Many Times (Seventy Times Seven) Mark Gershmehl - White Heart

Lord, I got no more tears to cry,
Someone has hurt me, done me wrong,
I’m walking wounded, oh,
Lord, this pain is a knife of fire,
Why does it have to turn out this way?
Why to the innocent seem to pay?

How many times must I stand in the waves of this crashing sea?
How many times must I forgive all the hurt that’s been done to me, let the jury go, set the sinner free?
Oh, seventy times seven.

Lord, I really don’t understand,
I’m looking ‘round for some stones to throw,
You’re telling me I should let it go.

How many times must I stand in the waves of this crashing sea?
How many times?
I hear what you’re saying inside of me, but I don’t understand the mystery,
Oh, seventy times seven.

How may times have you wept from the anguish of all my shame?
How many times have I nailed up on the cross of pain?
You bled from a broken heart and I was to blame,
Seventy times seven,
Over and over again,
Seventy times seven,
Lord, you know just how hard I have tried,
Seventy times seven,
Gotta see that I’m hurting inside,
Seventy times seven,
Don’t you know that my pride is at stake?
Seventy times seven,
So, tell me how much one should take,
Seventy times seven.


I've always loved this song, and whenever I'm struggling with forgiveness, the Holy Spirit uses this song to push me along.

Sweet Contentment

This week I enjoyed listening to the CD "Love in the Ruins" by Lianna Klassen. She has an angelic voice and deeply inspiring lyrics. Here's a song that really spoke to me:

Sweet Contentment
words and music by Lianna Klassen

There's a place of sweet contentment
But that place is a harder journey than it seems
and the journey is a mystery
'til Messiah, He lights the way for eyes to see
and though I'm as a child
and quickly lose my way
I know that place of sweet contentment
grows closer everyday.

And the character I'm building on this journey we call Life
Is the Character that gives me hope and that it'll be alright
and the hope I find in Jesus, is the hope of better things
So I will wait in sweet contentment, for the next step that He brings.

In that place of sweet contentment
The Father, he whispers gently in our ear
But on the journey to contentment
and through the breaking , His voice it shouts loud and clear
Oh the pain that I have known
Has brought me closer still
To that place of sweet contentment
In brokeness fulfilled.

And the character I'm building on this journey we call Life
Is the Character that gives me hope and that it'll be alright
and the hope I find in Jesus, is the hope of better things
So I will wait in sweet contentment, for the next step that He brings.

The song notes include this quote from C. S. Lewis: God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.

www.liannaklassen.com