Monday, August 25, 2025
The buck stops … over there!
Friday, August 22, 2025
Displaced!
Judged, not just forgiven
Thursday, August 21, 2025
God doesn't change…
Justification of the ungodly
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Vindicated!
But is it biblical?
A prayer? Or a patriotic song?
1 My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From ev'ry mountainside
Let freedom ring!
2 My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills,
Like that above.
3 Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom's song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.
4 Our fathers' God, to thee,
Author of liberty,
To thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright
With freedom's holy light;
Protect us by thy might,
Great God, our King.
Samuel F. Smith
Hymns for the Family of God
<idle musing>
OK, some sing this as a patriotic song of victory, but if you look at the words, it's really a prayer—especially after verse 1. Of course, most people don't know any verse except the first one, so I guess it makes sense to see it as a country-praising call to arms. I'll take it as a prayer, though. And we certainly need it to be answered in today's world!
That's the final hymn in this hymnbook. And this is the final hymnbook currently in my collection (I've owned many more in the past), so any future hymns I post will be ones I come across in other books. I hope you've enjoyed the three-plus years as I've wandered through three Methodist hymnals and one generic evangelical one.
</idle musing>
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
But it evolved—Calvinism, that is
Worth the work?
The joy of the Lord (Tozer for Tuesday)
Pay taxes?
The Bible teaches that the Christian should be law-abiding. The Bible also teaches loyalty to country. A loyalty and love of country does not mean that we cannot criticize certain unjust laws that may discriminate against special groups. The Bible says that God is no respecter of persons. All should have equal opportunities. The government of God is to be our model.
The Bible also teaches that we are to co-operate with the government. Jesus was asked, “Is it lawful to give tribute?” Jesus set the example forever by paying taxes. It takes money to run a government and to maintain law and order. The tax dodger is a civic parasite and an actual thief. No true Christian will be a tax dodger. Jesus said, we are to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s. ” We ought to be more than taxpayers. To be simply law-abiding is not enough. We ought to seek and work for the good of our country. Sometimes we may be called upon to die for it. We are to do it gladly—as unto God. We are to be conscientious in our work as good citizens.
Billy Graham
Hymns for the Family of God
<idle musing>
OK, I'll agree with him up to the point about fighting on behalf of it (that's what he means by dying for it). Violence is never an option for the Christian.
</idle musing>
Monday, August 18, 2025
The radical nature of evil
Why nonviolent resistance is possible
A (belated) prayer for an election
Lord Jesus, we ask Thee to guide the people of this nation as they exercise their dearly bought privilege of franchise. May it neither be ignored unthinkingly nor undertaken lightyly. As citizens all over this land go to the ballot boxes, give them a sense of high privilege and joyous responsibility.
Help those who are about to be elected to public office to come to understand the real source of their mandate—a mandate given by no party machine, received at no polling booth, but given by God; a mandate to represent God and truth at the heart of the nation; a mandate to do good in the name of Him under whom this country was established.
We ask Thee to lead our country in the paths where Thou wouldst have her walk, to do the tasks which Thou hast laid before her. So may we together seek happiness for all our citizens in the name of Him who created us all equal in His sight, and therefore brothers. Amen.
Peter Marshall
Hymns for the Family of God
<idle musing>
Sure, there's some questionable stuff in there, but I'll agree w/his prayer for doing good and seeking the happiness of all the people! We could use some of that right about now…
Just an
</idle musing>
Sunday, August 17, 2025
But not in the Church!!
He is color-blind.
There are many practical problems
which still have to be wisely and understandingly worked out.
But one thing is certain,
that the color barrier
and the Christian Church
cannot go together.
It was the world which God so loved,
and within the Church
it is the world which is
the family of God.
Hymns for the Family of God
Saturday, August 16, 2025
The hungry
To allow the hungry man to remain hungry would be blasphemy against God and one’s neighbor, for what is nearest to God is precisely the need of one’s neighbor. It is for the love of Christ, which belongs as much to the hungry man as to myself, that I share my bread with him and that I share my dwelling with the homeless. If the hungry man does not attain to faith, then the fault falls on those who refused him bread. To provide the hungry man with bread is to prepare the way for the coming of grace.—Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Hymns for the Family of God
Friday, August 15, 2025
Why Job?
What happens when God appears?
Indifference
When Jesus came to Golgotha they hanged Him on a tree,
They drove great nails through hands and feet, and made a Calvary;
They crowned him with a crown of thorns, red were His wounds and deep,
For those were crude and cruel days, and human flesh was cheap.
When Jesus came to our town, they simply passed Him by,
They never hurt a hair of Him, they only let Him die;
For men had grown more tender, and they would not give Him pain,
They only just passed down the street, and left Him in the rain.
Still Jesus cried, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do,”
And still it rained the winter rain that drenched Him through and through;
The crowds went home and left the streets without a soul to see,
And Jesus crouched against a wall and cried for Calvary.
—G. A. Studdert-Kennedy
Hymns for the Family of God
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Power and evil…
See evil for what it is…
Hear the Voice of Jesus Calling
1. Hark! the voice of Jesus calling,
"Who will go and work today?
Fields are white, the harvest waiting,
Who will bear the sheaves away?"
Loud and long the Master calls out,
Rich reward he offers free:
Who will answer, gladly saying,
"Here am I, send me, send me."
2. If you cannot cross the ocean
And the foreign lands explore,
You can find the needy nearer,
You can help them at your door.
If you cannot give in thousands,
You can give the widow's mite,
And the least you give for Jesus,
Will be precious in his sight.
3. If you cannot speak like angels,
If you cannot preach like Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus,
You can say he died for all.
If you cannot rouse the wicked,
With the judgment's dread alarms,
You may lead the little children,
To the Savior's waiting arms.
4. Let none hear you idly saying,
"There is nothing I can do,"
While the lost of Earth are dying,
And the Master calls for you.
Take the task he gives you gladly;
Let his work your pleasure be.
Answer quickly when he's calling,
"Here am I, send, send me."
Daniel Marsh
Hymns for the Family of God
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Real evil vs. romantic evil
nonbeing and evil
Macedonia (hymn)
The vision of a dying world
Is vast before our eyes;
We feel the heartbeat of its need,
We hear its feeble cries:
Lord Jesus Christ, revive Thy Church
In this, her crucial hour!
Lord Jesus Christ, awake Thy Church
With Spirit-given power.
The savage hugs his god of stone
And fears descent of night;
The city dweller cringes lone
Amid the garish light:
Lord Jesus Christ, arouse Thy Church
To see their mute distress!
Lord Jesus Christ, equip Thy Church
With love and tenderness.
Today, as understanding’s bounds
Are stretched on every hand,
Oh, clothe Thy Word in bright, new sounds,
And speed it o’er the land;
Lord Jesus Christ, empower us
To preach by every means!
Lord Jesus Christ, embolden us
In near and distant scenes.
The warning bell of judgment tolls,
Above us looms the cross;
Around are ever-dying souls—
How great, how great the loss!
O Lord, constrain and move Thy Church
The glad news to impart!
And Lord, as Thou dost stir Thy Church,
Begin within my heart.
Anne Ortlund
Hymns for the Family of God
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Gregory of Nyssa on evil
Evil
Tozer for Tuesday
Jesus Saves! (hymn)
1 We have heard the joyful sound:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to ev'ry land,
Climb the steeps and cross the waves;
Onward! 'tis our Lord's command;
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
2 Waft it on the rolling tide:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Tell to sinners far and wide:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing, ye islands of the sea;
Echo back, ye ocean caves;
Earth shall keep her jubilee:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
3 Sing above the battle strife:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
By His death and endless life
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing it softly through the gloom,
When the heart for mercy craves;
Sing in triumph o'er the tomb:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
4 Give the winds a mighty voice:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Let the nations now rejoice:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout salvation full and free;
Highest hills and deepest caves;
This our song of victory:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Priscilla J. Owens
Hymns for the Family of God
Monday, August 11, 2025
It's a domain!
No afterlife?
Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life
1 Where cross the crowded ways of life,
Where sound the cries of race and clan,
Above the noise of selfish strife,
We hear Thy voice, O Son of man!
2 In haunts of wretchedness and need,
On shadowed thresholds dark with fears,
From paths where hide the lures of greed,
We catch the vision of Thy tears.
3 The cup of water given for Thee
Still holds the freshness of Thy grace;
Yet long these multitudes to see
The sweet compassion of Thy face.
4 O Master, from the mountainside,
Make haste to heal these hearts of pain;
Among these restless throngs abide,
O tread the city's streets again,
5 Till sons of men shall learn Thy love
And follow where Thy feet have trod;
Till, glorious from Thy heaven above,
Shall come the city of our God!
Frank M. North
Hymns for the Family of God
<idle musing>
Definitely a social gospel hymn! Take a minute to read the biography at the link above. Seems he was a pretty important person in his day. Hymnary.org inserts a sixth verse:
3 From tender childhood's helplessness,</idle musing>
from human grief and burdened toil,
from famished souls, from sorrow's stress,
your heart has never known recoil.
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Send the Light
1 There’s a call comes ringing o’er the restless wave:
“Send the light! Send the light!”
There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save.
Send the light! Send the light!
Refrain:
Send the light, the blessed gospel light.
Let it shine from shore to shore.
Send the light, the blessed Gospel light.
Let it shine forevermore.
2 We have heard the Macedonian call today:
“Send the light! Send the light!”
And a golden off'ring at the cross we lay,
Send the light! Send the light! [Refrain]
3 Let us pray that grace may ev'rywhere abound;
Send the light! Send the light!
And a Christ-like spirit ev'rywhere be found.
Send the light! Send the light! [Refrain]
4 Let us not grow weary in the work of love.
Send the light! Send the light!
Let us gather jewels for a crown above.
Send the light! Send the light! [Refrain]
Charles H. Gabriel
Hymns for the Family of God
Saturday, August 09, 2025
He Lifted Me
1 In loving kindness Jesus came,
my soul in mercy to reclaim,
and from the depths of sin and shame,
through grace He lifted me.
Refrain:
From sinking sand He lifted me,
with tender hand He lifted me,
from shades of night to plains of light,
O praise His name, He lifted me!
2 He called me long before I heard,
before my sinful heart was stirred,
but when I took Him at His word,
forgiv'n He lifted me. [Refrain]
3 His brow was pierced with crown of thorn,
His hands by cruel nails were torn,
when from my guilt and grief, forlorn,
in love He lifted me. [Refrain]
4 Now on a higher plane I dwell,
and with my soul I know ’tis well;
Yet how or why, I cannot tell,
He should have lifted me. [Refrain]
Charles H. Gabriel
Hymns for the Family of God
<idle musing>
Seems the author had quite a few pen names, but that's about all we know about him...
</idle musing>
Friday, August 08, 2025
Jesus Never Fails (hymn)
1 Earthly friends may prove untrue,
Doubts and fears assail;
One still loves and cares for you,
One who will not fail.
Refrain:
Jesus never fails,
Jesus never fails;
Heav'n and earth may pass away,
But Jesus never fails.
2 Tho' the sky be dark and drear,
Fierce and strong the gale;
Just remember He is near,
And He will not fail. [Refrain]
3 In life's dark and bitter hour
Love will still prevail;
Trust His everlasting pow'r
Jesus will not fail. [Refrain]
Arthur A. Luther
Hymns for the Family of God
Thursday, August 07, 2025
Invasion!
A nonviolent struggle
I'd Rather Have Jesus
1 I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I'd rather be His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands.
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
Refrain:
Than to be the king of a vast domain
or be held in sin's dread sway.
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
this world affords today.
2 I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause;
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than world-wide fame.
I'd rather be true to His holy name [Refrain]
3 He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom'
He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He's all that my hungering spirit needs.
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead [Refrain]
Rhea F. Miller
Hymns for the Family of God
<idle musing>
I wonder how many Christians today would stand by this? When power and wealth and status are worshiped by so many, do we really believe that Jesus is preferable?
By the way, take a look at the biography of the hymnwriter, which includes the story of how the tune was written—by George Beverly Shea!
</idle musing>
Wednesday, August 06, 2025
At the center is …
Obedience … righteousness
A prayer from St. Patrick
I arise today
Through God ’s strength to pilot me:
God ’s might to uphold me,
God ’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God ’s ear to hear me,
God ’s word to speak for me,
God ’s hand to guard me,
God ’s way to lie before me,
God ’s shield to protect me.
Christ be with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
—St. Patrick
Hymns for the Family of God
Tuesday, August 05, 2025
It's not neutral territory
Who is on the Lord's side?
Since Jesus Came into My Heart
1 What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart!
I have light in my soul for which long I have sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain:
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.
2 I have ceased from my wand'ring and going astray,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And my sins which were many are all washed away,
Since Jesus came into my heart! [Refrain]
3 I shall go there to dwell in that city, I know,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And I'm happy, so happy, as onward I go,
Since Jesus came into my heart! [Refrain]
Rufus H. McDaniel
Hymns for the Family of God
<idle musing>
Hymnary.org inserts a pair of verses:
3 I’m possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure,</idle musing>
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure,
Since Jesus came into my heart! [Refrain]4 There's a light in the valley of death now for me,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And the gates of the City beyond I can see,
Since Jesus came into my heart! [Refrain]
Monday, August 04, 2025
A rescue operation
Redeemed!
1 Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!
redeemed through His infinite mercy—
His child, and forever, I am.
Refrain:
Redeemed, redeemed,
redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!
Redeemed, redeemed–
His child and forever, I am.
2 Redeemed and so happy in Jesus,
no language my rapture can tell!
I know that the light of His presence
with me doth continually dwell. [Refrain]
3 I think of my blessed Redeemer;
I think of Him all the day long.
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song. [Refrain]
4 I know I shall see in His beauty
the King in whose law I delight,
who lovingly guardeth my footsteps
and giveth me songs in the night. [Refrain]
Fanny Crosby
Hymns for the Family of God
Now I Belong to Jesus
1 Jesus my Lord will love me forever,
From him no pow'r of evil can sever;
He gave his life to ransom my soul-
Now I belong to him!
Refrain:
Now I belong to Jesus,
Jesus belongs to me-
Not for the years of time alone,
But for eternity.
2 Once I was lost in sin's degradation,
Jesus came down to bring me salvation,
Lifted me up from sorrow and shame-
Now I belong to him! [Refrain]
3 Joy floods my soul, for Jesus has saved me,
Freed me from sin that long had enslaved me;
His precious blood he gave to redeem-
Now I belong to him! [Refrain]
Norman J. Clayton
Hymns for the Family of God
<idle musing>
I mused about Clayton in this post. As for this hymn, there is a nice devotional on it here.
</idle musing>
Sunday, August 03, 2025
The Light of the World Is Jesus
1 The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin;
The Light of the world is Jesus.
Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in;
The Light of the world is Jesus.
Refrain:
Come to the Light; ’tis shining for thee.
Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me.
Once I was blind, but now I can see.
The Light of the world is Jesus.
2 No darkness have we who in Jesus abide;
The Light of the world is Jesus.
We walk in the light when we follow our Guide;
The Light of the world is Jesus. [Refrain]
4 No need of the sunlight in heaven, we’re told;
The Light of the world is Jesus.
The Lamb is the Light in the city of gold;
The Light of the world is Jesus. [Refrain]
Philip P. Bliss
Hymns for the Family of God
<idle musing>
I don't recall ever hearing or singing this Philip Bliss song. It isn't one of his better know ones, only occurring in about 180 hymnals. Hymnary.org inserts a verse:
3 Ye dwellers in darkness with sin-blinded eyes:</idle musing>
The Light of the world is Jesus.
Go, wash at His bidding, and light will arise;
The Light of the world is Jesus. [Refrain]
Saturday, August 02, 2025
Why Do I Sing about Jesus?
1 Deep in my heart there's a gladness,
Jesus has saved me from sin!
Praise to His name, what a Saviour!
Cleansing without and within.
Refrain:
Why do I sing about Jesus?
Why is He precious to me?
He is my Lord and my Saviour,
Dying! He set me free!
2 Only a glimpse of His goodness,
That was sufficient for me;
Only one look at the Saviour,
Then was my spirit set free. (Refrain)
3 He is the fairest of fair ones,
He is the Lily, the Rose;
Rivers of mercy surround Him,
Grace, love, and pity He shows. (Refrain)
Albert A. Ketchum
Hymns for the Family of God
Friday, August 01, 2025
Reconciliation
God's work—from beginning to end
O, How I Love Jesus
1 There is a name I love to hear,
I love to sing its worth;
It sounds like music in my ear,
The sweetest name on earth.
Refrain:
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!
2 It tells me of a Savior's love,
Who died to set me free;
It tells me of His precious blood,
The sinner's perfect plea. [Refrain]
3 It tells of One whose loving heart
Can feel my deepest woe,
Who in each sorrow bears a part,
That none can bear below. [Refrain]
Frederick Whitfield
Hymns for the Family of God
<idle musing>
Hymnary.org inserts a verse:
3 It tells me what my Father has</idle musing>
In store for ev'ry day,
And though I tread a gloomy path,
The sinner's all the way. [Refrain]