Hymns and hymn-writers are gifts to the Church. Throughout the history of the Church, just a few hymnists have distinguished themselves. Not all are as "gifted" as others and even these we identify as gifted writers, like Watts and Wesley, did not always write great hymns. Only a small percentage of their hymns are used today [...]
I attended the remembrance service in Sidney, BC today with my son James. There was a good attendance; it appears more than most years because of the recent rise in global terrorism and also because of the 100th anniversary of WW1. It is important to remember those who fall in service and also those who suffer [...]
Here is a rare old hymn by the great German hymn writer, Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676). There is no title on the little printed sheet that I found in some old papers; so I gave it a title. This hymn speaks well of the shared inheritance we have with Christ (Romans 8:17). I like the last lines [...]
This hymn is often sung at weddings to celebrate the bond between a man and his bride. "Blest be the tie that binds" is in fact a celebration of the close bond between Christian and Christian, and more particularly between pastor and his people—read these words in all these applications, and I think it will be a sanctifying [...]
O my soul, what means this sadness? Wherefore art thou thus cast down? Let thy griefs be turn’d to gladness, Bid thy restless fears be gone; Look to Jesus And rejoice in his dear name. What tho’ Satan's strong temptations Vex and grieve thee day by day? And thy sinful inclinations Often fill thee with [...]