Stories Behind the Songs & Hymns About Heaven

In times of doubt, fear, and loss, we turn to the songs and hymns that remind us that this world is not all there is--that what awaits us as followers of Jesus is a heavenly kingdom. Songs like "Face to Face," "Amazing Grace," "Victory in Jesus," and "I'll Fly Away" were written amid circumstances of great personal pain in the lives of the songwriters. In sharing their stories, we can find even more comfort in our own circumstances.
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Stories Behind the Songs & Hymns About Heaven
By: Ace Collins


Stories Behind the Songs & Hymns About Heaven by Ace Collins contains the stories behind 30 well loved songs that were inspired by thoughts of heaven. Each of the thirty chapters begins with a scripture that applies to the song and story behind the song, when possible the lyrics to the song are included. Some of the songs are still within copyright laws, therefore the lyrics to those songs are not provided.

I was at times surprised but delighted with the wide variety of songs shared in this volume. I expected songs such as "Shall We Gather at the River" and "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder", but did not expect songs like "This Ole House". Some of the songs presented in this book were new to me and I enjoyed having the chance to look these songs up on-line and to hear them for the first time.

Many of the songs and hymns about heaven were written by people who were facing hard times. They came from hearts weary of this world, hearts longing for heaven and a day without tears. I was inspired by the testimonies of some of these writers, they faced great hardship and many faced tragedies, but they did not lose sight of God and His promise of an eternal home with Him in heaven.

It is hard to choose a favorite song/hymn from Stories Behind the Songs & Hymns About Heaven so I will include a few of my favorites.

"Beyond the Sunset" was written against the backdrop of the great depression. The writer, Virgil P. Brock, was wearied by all he saw around him. It seemed there was no hope left in the world. While spending a weekend with his blind cousin he was inspired by the "vision" and faith of his cousin. Though unable to see with physical sight, his cousin's soul was able to see "beyond the sunset".

Another favorite was" This Ole House". I have always enjoyed singing along with Rosemary Clooney's rendition of this song, while little knowing the deeper meaning the writer meant to convey. The composer of this song was a popular cowboy radio host. He wrote many songs that pointed his audience to God."This Ole House" was inspired by a hunting trip, a chance encounter with an old house and its recently heaven bound occupant.

I've always loved the song "He Keeps Me Singing", the chorus can get stuck in my head for days! The testimony behind this song was heartbreaking. But the faith of the composer, Luther Burgess Bridgers, was inspiring. After losing his wife and three sons it was his faith in meeting them in heaven one day that kept him singing and serving his Savior Jesus. After years of believing and trusting he was able to see the fruit of his faith and the far reaching power of his song had on so many.

Another favorite was "Face to Face". I loved that the theme of this song was a desire to see our Savior face to face! That the real attraction of heaven is our Savior and not simply an escape from life's difficulties. "Face to Face" was written by Carrie Breck, a wife and mother blessed with the gift to encourage others with her gift of poetry.

There were a few stories that I found a little tedious to read, as they outlined how a song became popular rather than the people behind the song. Definitely those stories were important too, to show how God can use a song at just the right time to bless people. Overall I really enjoyed Stories Behind the Songs & Hymns About Heaven and would recommend it.

*I received a complimentary copy of Stories Behind the Songs & Hymns About Heaven from Baker Books Bloggers in exchange for my honest review*

 

One Day

One Day

One day when heaven was filled with His praises,
  One day when sin was as black as could be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin—
  Dwelt among men, my example is He!

Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
  Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely forever:
    One day He’s coming—O glorious day!

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain,
  One day they nailed Him to die on the tree;
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected;
  Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He.

One day they left Him alone in the garden,
  One day He rested, from suffering free;
Angels came down o’er His tomb to keep vigil;
  Hope of the hopeless, my Savior is He

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
  One day the stone rolled away from the door;
Then He arose, over death He had conquered;
  Now is ascended, my Lord evermore.

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,
  One day the skies with His glory will shine;
Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;
  Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!

-J. Wilbur Chapman (1859-1918)

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13

"For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

"Jesus saith unto him,' I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6

 May you have a blessed and beautiful Resurrection Sunday!

  

The Savior of the World

I recently read this devotional by David Jeremiah from his daily devotional Greater Purpose.

The Savior of the World

And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.

Luke 2:16

There's no one like Christ the Lord. He's the Savior of the world, the Lamb of God, the Wonderful Counselor, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

The Bible uses more than 300 names and titles to describe Him, but Jesus can no more be contained in His names and titles than the ocean can be bottled in a collection of containers, however beautiful. He is timeless and boundless, and His infinity extends through the universe into perpetual depths of forever-ness.

Charles Spurgeon confessed, "I know my words cannot honor Him according to His merits: I wish they could. Indeed, I grow less and less satisfied with my thoughts and language concerning Him. He is too glorious for my feeble language to describe Him. If I could speak with the tongues of men and of angels, I could not speak worthily of Him. If I could borrow all the harmonies of heaven, and enlist every harp and song of the glorified, yet were not the music sweet enough for His praises."

We've made Christmas into a complicated affair; but Jesus Himself, though incomprehensible, is as simple as a humble manger and as loving as an innocent Babe. Come with haste... and adore Him.

-David Jeremiah from Greater Purpose 

" Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.'" John 8:12

May you all have a blessed Christmas celebrating the amazing gift of Jesus our Savior! 

I Serve A Risen Savior

                                                                                (source) 

I Serve A Risen Savior

I serve a risen Savior
  He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living,
  Whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy;
  I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
  He’s always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
    He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me
  I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary,
  I never will despair;
I know that He is leading,
  Through all the stormy blast;
The day of His appearing
  Will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
  Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs
  To Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him,
  The Help of all who find,
None other is so loving,
  So good and kind.

-Alfred Henry Ackley (1187-1960)

"For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

"Jesus saith unto him,' I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." John 11:25 

May you have a blessed and beautiful Resurrection Sunday celebrating the miracle of new life in Christ! I am so grateful that He does live! That Jesus is with me every step of the way, that "He walks with me and talks with me.." What an amazing blessing!

        

The Love of God

(source)

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.  

Refrain:
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

 -Fredrick Martin Lehman (1868-1953)

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19

I Need Thee Every Hour

Source

                                                                                 
                                                                                  I Need Thee Every Hour

                                                                                   I need thee ev'ry hour,

                                                                                   Most gracious Lord.

                                                                                   No tender voice like thine

                                                                                   Can peace afford.

 

                                                                                   I need thee ev'ry hour;

                                                                                   Stay thou nearby.

                                                                                   Temptations lose their pow'r

                                                                                   When thou art nigh.

 

                                                                                    I need thee ev'ry hour,

                                                                                    Most holy One.

                                                                                    Oh, make me thine indeed,

                                                                                    Thou blessed Son!

 

                                                                                    I need thee, oh, I need thee;

                                                                                    Ev'ry hour I need thee!

                                                                                    Oh, bless me now, my Savior;

                                                                                    I come to thee!

 

                                                                                    I need thee ev'ry hour,

                                                                                    In joy or pain.

                                                                                    Come quickly and abide,

                                                                                    Or life is vain.

 

                                                                                   -Annie S. Hawks, 1835-1918

 

                                    "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:20b

 

 

 

 

My Savior's Love

 My Savior's Love-
 
I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

For me it was in the garden
He prayed: "Not My will, but Thine."
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

In pity angels beheld Him,
And came from the world of light
To comfort Him in the sorrows
He bore for my soul that night.

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

-Charles Hutchinson Gabriel

May you have a blessed Easter filled with the love and joy of our Risen Savior Jesus!

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.'" John 11:25-26a

The Lily of the Valley

                                                               I have found a friend in Jesus, He's ev'rything to me,
                                                               He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
                                                               The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see
                                                               All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole:
                                                               In sorrow He's my comfort, in trouble He's my stay;
                                                               He tells me ev'ry care on Him to roll;
                                                               He's the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
                                                               He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

                                                                          Refrain:
                                                                    He's the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
                                                                    He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

                                                                    He all my grief has taken, and all my sorrows borne,
                                                                    In temptation He's my strong and mighty tow'r;
                                                                    I've all for Him forsaken; I've all my idols torn
                                                                    From my heart, and now He keeps me by His pow'r.
                                                                   Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore,
                                                                   Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal;
                                                                    He's the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
                                                                    He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

                                                                   He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
                                                                   While I live by faith and do His blessed will;
                                                                   A wall of fire about me, I've nothing now to fear,
                                                                  With His manna He my hungry soul shall fill;
                                                                  Then sweeping up to glory I'll see His blessed face,
                                                                  Where rivers of delight shall ever flow;
                                                                 He's the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
                                                                  He's the fairest of of thousand ten to my my soul.

                                                                 -Charles W. Fry

Whenever I see a Lily of the Valley I cannot help but think of this song! I am so pleased we have Lily of the Valley growing at our home.

"I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys." Song of Solomon 2:1

Be Still My Soul- Review

"Be Still My Soul" by Randy Peterson is a beautiful treasury of 175 best loved hymns and the stories behind the hymns. Plus individual biographies of 12 hymn writers such as the Wesley brothers, Fanny Crosby and Isaac Watts.

I found this volume a real pleasure to read. As a lover of history and the beautiful hymns of our Christian heritage I can honestly say this is a book I would read over and over again throughout the years to come. The stories behind each and every song were such a blessing to read. I enjoyed how the author wove together the history behind how the hymns were inspired, and how they impacted believers in the years to follow. For example "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" written by Helen Lemmel was inspired by a quote Lemmel had read by Lilias Trotter. Though little is know about Katharina von Schlegel, the writer of the hymn "Be Still My Soul", this book explores how the hymn impacted the life of Eric Liddell, the famous missionary and athlete. There are so many touching stories within the pages of this book, it was very hard to put down.

I also found the quality of the book itself to be worth mentioning. The cover art and rough cut pages were a real treat! Plus each hymn is presented on the left hand page with the story behind the hymn on the corresponding right hand page.

Overall I would highly recommend this book. It is a real treasure. Well written and researched.

"Let me exhort you to "sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the LORD with all your heart" (Ephesians 5:19). Keep hymns and spiritual songs by your bedside with your Bible and carry them with you to read. They will enrich your faith, invigorate your hope, and keep warm and tender your love." Samuel Logan Brengle

You can find more information about "Be Still My Soul" HERE.

*I received a complimentary copy of Be Still My Soul from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review*

Last Friday..

Last Friday was a beautiful sunny day, and one that I will always remember! Adam took the day off from work so that he could take me to my ultrasound appointment. It was so amazing seeing our little baby's heart beating, her little body being so perfectly formed. At one point she lifted her little hand and spread all five of her fingers. I cannot wait to hold that little hand in September. : ) And yes, I am using female pronouns, because our sweet little baby is a girl!

Later Friday afternoon Adam and I decided to head out to an estate sale we had seen advertised. Our main interest in going was a piano they had mentioned in the advertisement. From the description we assumed it would be out of our price range, but thought we would look just for fun. Much to our amazement the piano was priced at $95 and included the matching bench. We were so pleased. : ) Afterwards Adam discovered that the piano was made in 1985, the same year we were born.
 

We purchased the piano and our families helped move it to our house. It has such a lovely sound! Adam plays the piano by ear beautifully and I have so enjoyed sitting by the piano in the evenings while he plays hymns. I also play, but I am very out of practice. However I am now attempting to regain what I have lost over time. I imagine that our little baby is enjoying all of the lovely music and I hope she will play the piano herself someday. It does seem providential that the LORD provided this beautiful piano the day we discovered we were expecting a little girl, and she did make a point of showing us her lovely little hand. : )

"Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord." Ephesians 5:19

My Jesus, I Love Thee

 

 

My Jesus, I Love Thee

 

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love Thee because Thou has first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree.
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

-William R. Featherson 

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 

1 John 4:10

"Be Still, My Soul"

---

 

 

(photo source) 

 "Be Still, My Soul"

 Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side. 
 Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; 
 leave to your God to order and provide; 
 in every change God faithful will remain. 
 Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend 
 through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. 

 Be still, my soul: your God will undertake 
 to guide the future, as in ages past. 
 Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake; 
 all now mysterious shall be bright at last. 
 Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know 
 the Christ who ruled them while he dwelt below. 

 Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on 
 when we shall be forever with the Lord, 
 when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, 
 sorrow for forgot, love's purest joys restored. 
 Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past, 
 all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.  

-Katharina A. von Schlegel 

Over the years "Be Still, My Soul" has become my favorite hymns.

The comforting words and beautiful music are such an inspiration!

May you have a blessed day!

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

"Silent Night"

It was Christmas Eve in the Austrian Alps. At the newly constructed Church of St. Nicholas in Oberndorf, a Tyrol village near Salzburg, Father Joseph Mohr prepared for the midnight service. He was distraught because the church organ was broken, ruining prospects for that evening’s carefully planned music. But Father Joseph was about to learn that our problems are God’s opportunities, that the LORD causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him. It came into Father Joseph’s mind to write a new song, one that could be sung without the organ. Hastily, he wrote the words, “Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright…” Taking the text to his organist Franz Gruber, he explained the situation and asked Franz to compose a simple tune.

That night, December 24, 1818, “Silent Night” was sung for the first time as a duet accompanied by a guitar at the aptly named Church of St. Nicholas in Oberdorf.

Shortly afterward, as Karl Mauracher came to repair the organ, he heard about the near-disaster on Christmas Eve. Acquiring a copy of the text and tune, he spread the hymn throughout the Alpine region of Austria, referring to it as “Trioler Volkslied.”

The song came to the attention of the Strasser family, makers of chamois-skin gloves. To drum up business at various fairs and festivals, the four Strasser children would sing in front of their parents’ booth. Like the Von Trapp children a century later, they became popular folk singers throughout the Alps.

When the children- Caroline, Joseph, Andreas, and Amalie- began singing “Trioler Volkslied” at their performances, audiences were charmed. It seemed perfect for the snow-clad region and perfect for the Christian heart. “Silent Night” even came to the attention of the king and queen, and the Strasser children were asked to give a royal performance, assuring the carol’s fame.

“Silent Night” was first published for the congregational singing in 1838 in the German hymnbook Katholisches Gesang- und Gebetbuch fur den offentlichen and hauslichen Gottesdienst zunachst zum Gebrauche der katholischen Gereinden im Konigreiche Sachsen. It was used in America by German-speaking congregations, then appeared in its current English form in a book of Sunday school songs in 1863.

Were in not for a broken organ, there never would have been a “Silent Night.”

From “Come Let Us Adore Him” by Robert J. Morgan

Song and Sewing

Thought I would share this lovely song. It was a favorite during my growing up years. I have been enjoying the music of Annie Herring today as I work on sewing some new items for Lilacs in Spring. Hope you are all having a lovely day!

^" And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

The famous Longfellow brothers were born and raised in Portland, Maine, in the 1800’s. Henry Wadsworth was born in 1807, and younger brother Samuel arrived in 1819. Henry became a Harvard professor of literature and one of America’s greatest writers, and Samuel became a Unitarian minister and hymnist.

While Henry was publishing his books, however, dark clouds were gathering over his life and over all of America. In 1861, his wife tragically died when her dress caught fire in their home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. That same year, the Civil War broke out. Two years later, Henry’s son Charley, age seventeen, ran away from home and hopped aboard a train to join President Lincoln’s army.

Charley proved a brave and popular soldier. He saw action at the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863, but in early June he contracted typhoid fever and malaria and was sent home to recover. He missed the Battle of Gettysburg, but by August Charley was well enough to return to the field. On November 27, during the Battle of New Hope Church in Virginia, he was shot through the left shoulder. The bullet nicked his spine and came close to paralyzing him. He was carried into the church and later taken to Washington to recuperate.

 Receiving the news on December 1, 1863, Henry immediately left for Washington. He found his son well enough to travel, and they headed back to Cambridge, arriving home on December 8. For weeks Henry sat by his son’s bedside, slowly nursing his boy back to health.

On Christmas day, December 25, 1863, Henry gave vent to his feelings in this plaintive carol that can only be understood against the backdrop of war. Two stanzas now omitted from most hymnals speak of the cannons thundering in the South and of hatred tearing apart “the hearth-stones of a continent.” The poet feels like dropping his head in despair, but then he hears the Christmas bells. Their triumphant pealing reminds him that “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep.”

 The Sunday school children of the Unitarian Church of the Disciples in Boston first sang the carol during that year’s Christmas celebration. How wonderful that such a song could emerge from the bloody clouds of the War Between the States.

From "Come Let Us Adore Him" by Robert J. Morgan

Thanksgiving

Here are some photos from my Thanksgiving Day. It was a beautifully sunny day and unseasonably warm for November here in upstate New York.

Mom, my sister Rachel and I spent most of Wednesday busy in the kitchen. We listened to Christmas music and had a great time just being together. Since Rachel married in 2011, it always a treat to have her at home cooking with us. : )

The photo above is of our table setting and the three pies Rachel and I baked. I am always on a quest to find the best pecan pie recipe. This year I tried a recipe I found on the Country Cook website- one of my favorite places to find recipes.

Mom busy in the kitchen! Each year mom cooks up the best meat dressing. The recipe is one that has been handed down several generations by my mother's relatives from Germany. Yum!

                                                       The house looking cozy and busy. : )

Here is a recipe for the rolls I baked: yeast rolls. I thought it was a tasty recipe.

       Me and my dear Adam. I was peeling potatoes when my sister Hannah wanted to snap our photo.

Micah, my most adorble nephew, celebrating his first Thanksgiving. He tried butternut squash for the first time, and loved it. Doesn't he look sooo cute sitting up at the table?

                                         My sister Rachel and her husband Spencer- Micah's mom and dad.

                                                              Mom and my sister Hannah.
                                  We all had a wonderful day filled with the LORD’s abundant blessings!

Last night we watched "By the Light of the Silvery Moon"; it is a Thanksgiving tradition. I thought I would share this song as it is so much fun, and made me think of all the excitment at our house.



Also , from November 24th through November 30th all items in my Etsy shop will be 10% off. Just use coupon code 10percent when checking out. : ) I am adding some new items over the next day or two.

Cara Mia

This afternoon I am enjoying a somewhat overcast sky, a day filled with sewing, tea and beautiful music! I have been listening to a record Mantavoni. I was hoping to find a recording of his rendition of "Chim-Chim-Cheree", which is very fun, but since I could not find one here is "Cara Mia" another one of my favorites!