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Every now and again I like to post a favorite song that we sing at Grace Fellowship Church. In worship this morning we sang an old Newton hymn that has become a favorite. It’s a hymn you may well know, one titled “Approach, My Soul, the Mercy Seat.” It is one of Newton’s Olney Hymns. We use the third stanza as a chorus, singing in that chorus that though we are bowed down beneath a load of sin, we find …
Today’s guest blog comes courtesy of Matthew Smith. Matthew is a singer-songwriter from Nashville who takes old hymn lyrics and sets them to new music. He is a founding member of the Indelible Grace community, and tours full time, playing concerts of hymns at churches. I blogged here last week about his new song “Goodnight,” from his forthcoming album Watch The Rising Day. For this article I simply asked Matthew to writes about how he came to find such joy …
Yesterday I gave you an early listen to Matthew Smith’s new song Goodnight. That song was drawn from the old hymn book titled Hymns from the Land of Luther which features German hymns translated to English by Jane Borthwick. After I listened to Matthew’s hymn I immediately went looking for a copy of Hymns from the Land of Luther and found it on Google Books. I’d love to find a printed copy, but for now have been contenting myself with …
Today at church we were introduced to a new hymn–at least one that was new to me. Titled “Pleading for Mercy” it is one of Newton’s Olney Hymns (#45 if you must know). And it’s a good one, too. Josh, our leader worshipper, composed a tune for it, altered a few of the lyrics, combined some of the verses, and so on. The end result was very powerful–as powerful as just about any of Newton’s hymns, I think. In mercy, …
Earlier today I was thinking about my favorite hymn lyrics (not hymns overall-just particular lyrics). I think my all-time favorite is and remains the final stanza of “And Can it Be?” The last two lines just grip my soul every time I sing them: No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine; Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach th’eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own. …
Monday July 7, 2008 What if the Muslims Won? This exceptional article by Gene Edward Veith is in the most recent edition of Tabletalk Magazine. Why I Will Vote for Obama Douglas Groothuis writes about why he will [most certainly not] vote for Obama. Geek of the Week God shows up in an unexpected place in this interview with Dr. Richard Hipp, the creator of SQLite, a program you use but have never heard of. How Many Deaths Go into …
I wanted to draw your attention to a few albums that I’ve been enjoying recently. Each of these albums features music that is appropriate for corporate worship and each features selections of modern or ancient hymns. Each of them is worth buying and listening to. All of the albums are available through iTunes (where I generally purchase my music these days) but they should also be available elsewhere. In Christ Alone: Modern Hymns Of Worship In Christ Alone: Modern Hymns …
Today seemed like a good day to share a few music-related notes that I’ve been saving up to post together. I am no authority on music but I do listen to a lot of it and always enjoy finding new albums or new bands that are worth listening to. Here are a few suggestions. Reilly Reilly is a band hailing from Philadelphia that plays what they term “symphonic rock.” Largely acoustic but with some strains of good old rock ‘n …
I have an older brother named Andrew who lives in the fine city of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Andrew needs help with something and I’m hoping that someone here–perhaps someone who lives in Chattanooga or who knows people who do, may be able to offer assistance. Now I would not generally create a post such as this one, but the fact is that my brother has some special needs. He was diagnosed just a few years ago with Asperger’s Syndrome. Asperger’s is …
Wednesday October 10, 2007 Books and Libraries Dr. Mohler says, “We moderns tend to take books and libraries for granted, assuming that, at least since the invention of writing, all human beings have always enjoyed such access to the printed page. In reality the story is much different.” Finding Reliable Men Thabiti is writing a series inviting “the pastors/elders out there to a conversation about finding and training faithful men for the task of leadership in the church.”