Anna Warner was born in 1827 to a wealthy New York lawyer and his wife. Her mother died from complications during her birth. Anna and her sister Susan were raised by their father, who did well until he suffered severe financial losses in the Panic of 1837. Other difficulties left the family reduced to […]
448) The Story Behind ‘Jesus Loves Me’ Read More »
George Matheson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on March 27, 1842. He had only partial vision as a boy. After he entered Glasgow University, his sight failed rapidly and he became totally blind at the age of eighteen. Despite this handicap he was a brilliant scholar and finished the University and
418) “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go” by George Matheson Read More »
Christ the Redeemer statue, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ——————– Robert Coles is a psychology professor at Harvard, an author, and a Christian. He tells the story of a little girl he met in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He described that poverty stricken village as follows: “Death haunted every
301) I Want to Go Home (part two) Read More »
Above image: The Rock of Ages, Burrington Combe where Augustus Toplady is reputed to have sheltered from a storm. My first classic song from the 60’s is Rock of Ages. Actually, this one is from not the 1960’s, but the 1760’s. Rock of Ages was written in 1763 by Augustus Montague
291) Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me Read More »
James Weldon Johnson was born in 1871 in Jacksonville, Florida. Though he is best known for his writing, he was gifted with many talents. He was a poet, novelist, songwriter, anthologist, and newspaper publisher. He was also an educator (high school principal at age 23, and for many years a college
270) The Negro National Hymn Read More »
Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Behind the writing of many of our best-loved hymns are stories of trouble: personal tragedy, ill health, early death, or conflict. And when we are in trouble, it seems, we are more likely to look to the Lord
166) The Man Who Wrote “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” Read More »
Painting above: “My Friend” by Helen Thomas Robson ****************** Good things as well as bad, you know, are caught by a kind of infection. If you want to get warm you must stand near the fire: if you want to be wet you must get into the water. If you want joy, power, peace, eternal
153) Just a Closer Walk Read More »
One hundred years before Billy Graham’s world-wide evangelistic ministry, there was Dwight L. Moody. Moody was the best known evangelist of the late 1800’s, and like Billy Graham’s Just As I Am, Moody also had a favorite song that he would use as he ended his message and invited the crowds to come
65) Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling Read More »
Charlotte Eliot was born in England in 1789. Her parents were wealthy, and for 20-some years she lived a care-free, fun-filled life. Then, she was struck with a crippling disease, and by her early 30’s she was a bedridden invalid. She became depressed, bitter, and angry at God. She would often be rude
57) Just As I Am, Without One Plea Read More »
By Thomas Dorsey (1899-1993); Guideposts magazine, October 1987 Back in 1932 I was 32 years old and a fairly new husband. My wife, Nettie, and I were living in a little apartment on Chicago’s South-side. One hot August afternoon I had to go to St. Louis, where I was to be the featured soloist at a
2) Precious Lord, Take My Hand Read More »
