Tag Archives: Hymns

Easter Sunday

Posted on by

As we enter Easter weekend, I’m reminded of the true meaning of the holiday. Growing up, the Easter bunny came on Saturday, and Easter Sunday was all about church. Of course, there was always an Easter dress to wear, but we recognized that Easter was a religious holiday not to be confused with baskets filled with plastic grass, colored eggs, and tiny treats and treasures that fit into colorful plastic eggs. As I have gotten older, I have done several things to prepare for Easter. Hopefully, these suggestions will help you build your testimony of the true meaning of Easter: … Continue reading →

What a Difference!

Sometimes the words of the old hymns touch us so deeply. Last night as we practiced for church one we sang was, ‘May the Mind of Christ My Saviour,’ except we sang it with a more modern tune. Check out these words. It started me thinking what difference would it make to my life if I thought the way Jesus did in every situation? What difference would it make to your life to have the mind of Christ? Yet that is exactly what Jesus promised us in a way. He promised his helpers that the He would send another just … Continue reading →

Without a Song

In the forum we’ve been talking about favorite hymns and church songs. Valorie commented she liked the old hymns because the theology is so rich. I agree. There are important bibles truths come out in some of those old hymns and so beautifully expressed. How could I have forgotten ‘Be Thou My Vision,’ – an absolute gem, though I like the version with the words, ‘Be thou my dignity, thou my delight,’ rather than some of the other versions that omit these words. When I was doing the music in my previous church I always specified we use these words. … Continue reading →

What’s Most Important with Church Music?

When you’re in charge of church music, the saying ‘you can’t please all the people all the time,’ is never truer. Everyone has an opinion! I remember one woman complaining one song was ‘an awful noise.’ What she meant was the song wasn’t to her taste, even though the truths in it were scriptural. Is it any wonder churches end up splitting over church music? Church music is as varied as the people who attend church. When Queen Angie asked about church music on a forum she got answers that ranged from traditional and bell choirs to jazz or contemporary/pop. … Continue reading →

My Favorite Things

I’m sure many of you remember the song My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music with its raindrops on roses etc. I thought I’d share some of my favorite things. Living where I live and belonging to the church that God has brought us to. Sunlight shimmering on water, as it was this morning when we passed the beach. Walking on the beach. Sunsets and waterfalls (Surely two of God’s most amazing creations that I never tire of looking at) My bible which is a workbook for living and filled with dates, answers to prayer, highlighted verses and underlines … Continue reading →

Latter-day Hymns: Redeemer of Israel

Hymn #6 in the current LDS hymnal, “Redeemer of Israel,” is one of the classic LDS hymns and is frequently sung at General Conference by the world famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Written by William W. Phelps with music by Freeman Lewis, it is a stirring song which always hits my heart in a poignant way. The melody is worshipful, but also invigorating. The lyrics to the hymn speak of the Redeemer of Israel who is our only delight. When I sing that line, it reminds me of the joy our relationship with our Savior brings us. The word “delight” invoke … Continue reading →

Latter-day Hymns: Truth Eternal

“Truth Eternal” is the fourth hymn in our current hymnal. Composed by Parley P. Pratt, a deeply religious man who used poetry as a means to express the feelings of his heart, this poem set to music contains beautiful visual imagery of the power of truth in our lives. The first verse reads: Truth eternal, truth divine, In thine ancient fulness shine! Burst the fetters of the mind From the millions of mankind! Brother Pratt shares his belief that as we learn truth and embrace it, our minds will become free of our old patterns, which, if incorrect, can hold … Continue reading →

The Power of Music

Until last week when we sang it at church, ‘Made me Glad,’ was a song I had never heard and certainly hadn’t sung. But after singing it, I found an interesting thing happened. This week that song stayed with me, the lyrics imbedded in my head appearing at various times of the day and night. Throughout a busy week those words under girded each day. Some examples were: When I had to do something I had not attempted before When I had to stand up for what I believed against a number of others When I was sad because plans … Continue reading →

Latter-day Hymns: Now Let Us Rejoice

My husband and I were on a long car trip toward the beginning of our marriage and were bored out of our minds. We had a hymnbook along with us in the car and he suggested that we memorize a hymn together. To be honest, I thought it was kind of an odd idea, but I went along with it (we were newlyweds and I didn’t want to rock the boat). My attitude going into it wasn’t the best, but I was amazed at how simple a thing like singing a hymn can bring in the Spirit. My heart was … Continue reading →

Two Special Items

Tristi’s blog about the movie, ‘Walk the Line’ prompted me to write about two of the Johnny Cash items I have. The first is the last CD of songs he recorded before his death. It is titled ‘Johnny Cash, My Mother’s Hymn Book.’ The CD includes songs such as: ‘When the Road is Called up Yonder’ ‘Softy and Tenderly, ‘‘Just as I am‘ The old hymn forever associated for me and, I suspect, many other Christians with Billy Graham crusades. ‘I am a pilgrim’ ‘Where we’ll never grow old.’ This is only a few. There are 15 tracks. Some of … Continue reading →