     Lowell Mason  (1792-1872)    Lowell Mason lived in the early years of this country’s history.  He was born during the presidency of George Washington.  Mason’s passion was church music.  He loved to direct church choirs, he loved to teach Christian music to young people, and he loved to write music. […]
575) My Faith Looks Up to Thee Read More »
     The years before, during, and after the Civil War in this country were not only years of great conflict, but also of great spiritual revival, both in the North and the South.  Philadelphia Pastor Dudley Tyng was deeply involved in both the conflict and the revival.  He served as his father’s
520) Standing Up for Jesus Read More »
   Many people have asked me if I think we are living in the end times.  After all, they say, the Bible talks about famine and war and earthquakes, and we certainly have all of that these days.  Sometimes they add, “There is always so much bad news– I don’t think it can get
510) Can It Get Any Worse? Read More »
   This story is from the book Why God, Why? by Dr. Peramangalam Job.  Dr. Job (1945-2012) was an internationally known evangelist.  He has been called the “Billy Graham of India,” preaching in 129 countries, sometimes to crowds of 500,000 people.  He also became a global voice for persecuted Christians in Muslim and Communist
499) The Story Behind the Song “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” Read More »
    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 »
