Book Review - Then Sings My Soul

Off all the books, I have read to review here on the Ponderosa, this is, by far, my favorite.

Robert Morgan has brought the beauty of the old hymns to the heart of the modern believer. Then Sings My Soul is an amazing journey through the past 200 years of hymn writing; therefore, of the lives of saints of old. Contemporary Christian music has hit an all time high in revenues and availability, but an all time low in content.

In the spirit of being modern, we forget the importance of these old beloved hymns. What's even greater in the writings of Mr. Morgan is his ability to help us jump on the pages of time and get to know the authors of these beauties.

Not only do we learn about the lives of those who penned these hymns, but the author takes the time to educate us on the eras of hymns from the ancient Biblical times to now. Most believers now a days have no understanding of these facts.

As a home school mom, this book will become a permanent part of my curriculum. I cannot neglect to teach my children the history behind these beautiful songs.  

As a part of the Booksneeze Blogging Network, I received a complimentary copy of this book.

Hymn Study #3 - Martin Luther

This week at the Ponderosa, we are studying the life of Martin Luther as well as the hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God.

Martin Luther was a man of God whom God used in a mighty way to change the course of world history as well and the course of the church of Jesus Christ. Luther grew up in a home that practiced the Catholic faith and ended up at a monastery, but God was already working on opening his eyes to the fallacy and evils of the Roman Catholic church. He fought and fought hard, but finally ended up having to hide to save his life. God protected him and in the process, he wrote this hymn. I am thankful for his fight.

The last stanza is this hymn states:

"That word above all earthly powers,

no thanks to them, abideth;

the spirit and the gifts are ours,

thru him who with us sideth.

Let goods and kindred go,

this mortal life also;

the body they may kill;

God's truth abideth still;

his kingdom is forever.

Martin Luther had a firm faith (without works) in the Lord. He did not fear death. He trusted in the Sovereign Creator for his life and death.

Hymn Study #2- John Newton

John Newton is a well known composer of hymns and best known for Amazing Grace. His story began in England where at a young age, his mother died. But not before she had told him about her amazing Lord.

He ended up as a nine year old serving on a ship and eventually being grabbed by Her Majesty's Navy to serve the Queen. This was not his first encounter on a ship. His father was a Captain on his own ship. But this was his first encounter with the Slave trade, which was his profession for many years.

Interestingly enough, it was the very slaves he sold, which nursed him back to health aboard a slave ship, as he was fighting for his very life. He was sick and there was no one to help him recover. They were the ones who brought him water and bread. This was a turning point in this life. He never viewed his "cargo" the same again. Soon afterward he ended up on the seas during a storm. This is where he met his Creator.

John Newton became and pastor at Olney in England. He never loved better. He was given a heart of flesh in place of his heart of stone and God used him in amazing ways.

Amazing Grace has to be the favorite hymn of non believers. It is amazing how often it is played to incite emotion rather than focus on the true message that John Newton wanted to be known.

The next time you sing this beloved hymn, let the words sink down deep into your soul.

We are wretches. Our Saviour took us out of the pit and redeemed us. Praise Him!

Hymn Study #1 - William Cowper

Here at school on the Ponderosa, we are embarking on a weekly hymn study. This has been something I have yearned to do and just never made time for it in my schedule. This week was our first hymn.

"There is a Fountain Filled with Blood" was written by William Cowper. The hymn is one of great depth and yet, an all so familiar one, in which we can sing without even thinking about it.

William Cowper struggled with depression and mental anguish from the time of his mother's death at age 6 until the end of his life. He did not come into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ until he was 33 years old. After his conversion, he lived with a Pastor and his wife. The pastor eventually died, and the widow was invited by Pastor John Newton to move to Olney, England to be part of the fellowship there. Cowper moved as well.

God in his providence introduced Newton to Cowper and Pastor Newton became very instrumental in the day to day goings-on of Cowper and his mental state. He struggled so often with assurance of salvation and depression still. And yet, amazingly, wrote some deep hymns of the faith, that have become landmarks for the Evangelical body of Christ.

He wrestling with doubt. He pushed through the thoughts. He conquered in Jesus' name.

So many times when we as believers go through the valleys that can cause of pain, we feel so alone. We forget those saints that walked before. We sing the hymns and then wonder if we will ever attain to the "sainthood" of the hymn writers. But they are just like us. Wandering sheep seeking the Good Shepherd. He hears our voice and rescues.

Revive Us, O Lord!

Today, I stood in front of our church to sing as part of a ladies' ensemble. I had been asked a month or so ago to worship along side my sisters at our church. Two weeks ago I was given the song.

It was the same song my sister, dad and I sang as we circled mom's bed after she had gone to be with the Lord. The tears streamed down that day. I looked over my sister's shoulder to the tent that my mom had housed for 63 years. Many years of service to the Lord. Many years of loving a family through the thick and thin of life. Many years of laughter and fun.

So, as I sang today, I thought back to the beauty of a life in Christ. I was happy remembering. I thought it would be difficult. But what came to my mind was thankfulness.

For growth in Christ. For peace. For the many memories. For my Refuge and Strength that sustains in time and trial.

And as I sang about the revival that only the Lord can bring to a child of God, my heart was full of gratitude to my Lord.

We praise Thee, O God!

For the Son of Thy love,

For Jesus Who died,

And is now gone above.

Refrain:

Hallelujah! Thine the glory.

Hallelujah! Amen.

Hallelujah! Thine the glory.

Revive us again.

We praise Thee, O God!

For Thy Spirit of light,

Who hath shown us our Savior,

And scattered our night.

All glory and praise

To the Lamb that was slain,

Who hath borne all our sins,

And hath cleansed every stain.

All glory and praise

To the God of all grace,

Who hast brought us, and sought us,

And guided our ways.

Revive us again;

Fill each heart with Thy love;

May each soul be rekindled

With fire from above.

Propitiation!

The following is a new song we have been singing on Sunday mornings at our fellowship. Dwelling on these words can bring such agony to the soul to realize what Christ has done for us. Yet, at the same time, great joy overflows.

His Robes For Mine

His robes for mine: O wonderful exchange!
Clothed in my sin, Christ suffered ‘neath God’s rage.
Draped in His righteousness, I’m justified.
In Christ I live, for in my place He died.

Chorus:

I cling to Christ, and marvel at the cost:
Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God.
Bought by such love, my life is not my own.
My praise-my all-shall be for Christ alone.

His robes for mine: what cause have I for dread?
God’s daunting Law Christ mastered in my stead.
Faultless I stand with righteous works not mine,
Saved by my Lord’s vicarious death and life.

His robes for mine: God’s justice is appeased.
Jesus is crushed, and thus the Father’s pleased.
Christ drank God’s wrath on sin, then cried “‘Tis done!”
Sin’s wage is paid; propitiation won.

His robes for mine: such anguish none can know.
Christ, God’s beloved, condemned as though His foe.
He, as though I, accursed and left alone;
I, as though He, embraced and welcomed home!


Composed by Chris Anderson

It Is So Sweet

....to hear my two little women humming, 'Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus, while they play Little Mommies.

May they have that precious song on their lips even when they become Mommies.

So, they force me to think heartily on those words...do I trust? Is it sweet?


’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word; (May I not believe the lies)
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er; (He has proven Himself more)
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease; (He must give the grace to change)
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, (There are days I have learned, and days it feels like I'm drowning)
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end. (Thank you for never leaving me, Savior)