Hymn Story: Come Worship Him
“Come and Worship” is a hymn written by Fanny Crosby. Over her career as a hymn writer, Crosby’s words were […]
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Hymn Story: Come Worship Him
“Come and Worship” is a hymn written by Fanny Crosby. Over her career as a hymn writer, Crosby’s words were partnered with melodies of numerous composers. Phoebe Knapp is the composer of this hymn and wrote over 500 hymn tunes. Her best-known song with Fanny Crosby is “Blessed Assurance.”
Read moreHymn Story: Scars in Heaven
“Scars in Heaven” is a song by Casting Crowns about hope in the midst of loss. Mark Hall wrote the story as his grandparents slowly passed away. To learn more about the story behind this song watch Mark Hall discuss what inspired him. During this journey, he was inspired by an event following the resurrection in the book of Luke.
Read moreEaster Song Story: St. John Passion
The Passion or oratorio “St. John Passion” was written by Johann Sebastian Bach. It was written during his first year as director of church music in Leipzig and was first performed on April 7, 1724, at Good Friday Vespers at the St. Nicholas Church. There are two halves, which are intended to flank a sermon. The Passion narrates the Passion […]
Read moreAuthor Spotlight: Chris Maday Schmidt
Today it’s my pleasure to welcome Chris Maday Schmidt, as she tells us about her newest release. Welcome, Chris! I can’t wait to hear more about the llama and alpaca. Tell us about your latest release: A FATHER’S VOW—my debut novel with Love Inspired that released on March 26—is a contemporary inspirational romance about a veterinarian and a single dad […]
Read moreHymn Story: My Song is Love Unknown
Samuel Crossman, a Puritan minister, wrote the hymn “My Song is Love Unknown” in 1664. At the time he wrote the hymn, he’d been exiled from the Church of England for his opposition to the Act of Uniformity (public prayers and sacraments rites) 1662. Crossman rejoined the Church of England the following year after writing this hymn. He continued to […]
Read moreAuthor Spotlight: Sally Jo Pitts
It’s a joy to introduce you to Sally Jo Pitts today. 1. Tell us about your latest release- Sweet Deceit is about a waitress who has an attempt made on her life and as she works with the newly appointed sheriff to find her assailant, the two find themselves in the middle of Sweet County’s dark secrets. 2. What inspired […]
Read moreHymn Story: My Anchor Holds
William C. Martin wrote the 1902 hymn “My Anchor Holds.” Martin was born in 1864 in Hightstown, NJ. He served as a minister to churches in New Jersey, Connecticut, Indiana, Mass., and Florida and wrote numerous hymns. He and his wife, Euretta May Wilcox, had at least three children together. He died in 1914 in Rialto, FL.
Read moreHymn Story: Let Us with a Gladsome Mind
John Milton (1608-1674) wrote the hymn “Let Us with a Gladsome Mind” in 1623. Milton composed various musical versions of some of the Psalms. This hymn is based on Psalm 136. The tune “Monkland” is rooted in the text of “Fahre fort” (1704) by Johann A. Freylinghausen’s. John Antes (1740-1811) significantly altered the tune to the composition known today. He […]
Read moreHymn Story: In the Cross of Christ I Glory
John Bowring wrote “In the Cross of Christ I Glory.” Bowing was born in Exeter, Devon, England on Oct. 17, 1792. He is considered a great linguist, having been self-taught, he mastered five languages. He translated many literary works, served in the House of Commons for 2 terms and in 1854 was knighted by Queen Victoria and appointed as governor […]
Read moreAuthor Spotlight: Karin Beery
Today it is my pleasure to welcome Karin Beery. Her newest release is Finally Forever and it’s a wonderful read. Karin tell us about your writing journey and new release. Author of hopeful fiction with a healthy dose of romance, Karin Beery lives in northern Michigan with her husband and pets. They drink too much (decaf) coffee, put up their […]
Read moreHymn Story: To You Alone
To You Alone was written by Fred and Ruth Coleman. The hymn is often referred to by its first line “Let us join our hearts together and give thanks in one accord.” The hymn has appeared in the hymnal Hymns Modern and Ancient. I’ve been unable to find any additional information on the composers or song.
Read moreHymn Story: Stand Up and Bless the Lord
James Montgomery wrote the hymn “Stand Up and Bless the Lord.” The hymn was written for the anniverary celebration of the Red Hill Wesleyan Sunday School in Sheffield, England. Montgomery was born in 1771 Scotland. His parenty died on the mission field of the West Indies while he was a young man in boarding school. He inherited a strong religious […]
Read moreHymn Story: I Shall Know Him
Fanny Crosby wrote the hymn “My Savior First of All.” The hymn is also known as “I shall know Him.” Crosby, who was blind, wrote many hymns. She stated “If I had a choice, I would still choose to remain blind…for when I die, the first face I will ever see will be the face of my blessed Saviour.”
Read moreHymn Story: They’ll Know We Are Christians
“They’ll Know We Are Christians” is a hymn written by Father Peter Scholtes in the 1960s for an Ecumenical event. By the 1980s, Scholtes left the priesthood. He’d go on to become a business management consultant and author. He died in 2009. The title of the song originates in a phrase that non-believers used to describe Christians believers of early […]
Read moreSong Story: How Long Has It Been
Mosie Lister wrote “How Long Has It Been” which took him “little more than 10 minutes” to write. According to Lister, usually “I sweat blood over most of the songs I write.” He spoke in an interview about growing up in a Christian home and saying bedtime prayers. As an adult, he’d learned to talk to God in “other ways.” […]
Read moreNames of Jesus: The Lion and the Lamb
Hymn Story: Jesus is Lord of All
There is another hymn titled “Jesus is Lord of All” that is different from the Gaither version. This hymn was written by LeRoy McClard. The song was first published in The Broadman Press in 1966. McClard was born in 1926 and died on April 16, 2014. He also wrote the hymn “Jesus is Saviour and Lord of My Life.”
Read moreNames of Jesus: Light of the World
Song Story: Jesus is the Lord of All
Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote “Jesus is Lord of All” and first published the song in 1973. The couple met when they taught at Alexandria Monroe High School. They married in 1962 and had three children together. By the end of the 1960s, the couple traveled, along with Bill’s brother, Danny, as the Bill Gaither Trio. In 2002, the couple […]
Read moreNames of Jesus: Lamb of God
