“Our inmost wants are known to him who chose us for his own.”

Hymn: “If You Will Only Let God Guide You” – Words & Music by Georg Neumark (1621-1681)
Tune: NEUMARK

This is one of those hymnlines that will grab your attention and hold it. Whether singing or reading this great text, our hearts are warmed within us as we come across this phrase: “Our inmost wants are known to him.” Suddenly, as if we were in a newspaper comic strip, a light-bulb goes off above our heads, and we say to ourselves, “Yes!” or “Amen!”

I am sorry to say that this hymn is not sung nearly often enough anymore. Its rich text is replete with great truths about who God is and how he gives leadership at every turn – IF we will let him.

This truth is expanded upon in a contemporary worship song by Tommy Walker:
    He knows my name.
    He knows my every thought.
    He sees each tear that falls
    And hears me when I call.
When this one goes past me in worship, I have a similar stop-and-think-about-this reaction – I feel that reassuring warming of my spiritual self… my spiritual heart.

It is good to know that God knows what I think and what I want, even before the realization is formed in my mind and eventually voiced in my prayers. It’s as if when I express my thoughts and desires, God nods and says, “I know.”

A Youth Choir Sings This Hymn

“The battle is not done.”

Hymn: “This Is My Father’s World” – Maltbie D. Babcock (1858-1902)
Tune: TERRA PATRIS

This is my Father’s world,
The battle is not done.
Jesus who died
Shall be satisfied,
And earth and heav’n be one.

You know how you are singing a hymn in your head… away from a hymnal… and because the
English language has so many homonyms; you wonder what the hymnwriter had in mind? This happened to me once with this hymn while listening to Cynthia Clawson sing it. Did she say “earth and heav’n be one” or “earth and heav’n be won”?

In the context of this battle metaphor, it made sense to me that Jesus would be triumphant (or satisfied) when earth and heaven were won over to his Kingdom-reign. I reached down the pew, grabbed a hymnal, and while she went on with “Then I Saw You,” I looked it up. I have to admit I was a little disappointed that it was about unity and not victory!

We are such a culture of winners – every effort seems to require a winner… and therefore a loser! I guess I fell prey to that mindset.

The truth is: being one is much more important than declaring a victory.

When Carlita and I battle (rare, but it happens), neither is declared the victor. Rather, we end up again as one… and I’m pretty sure Jesus is satisfied.

Truly, the battle between good and evil in our Father’s world rages on. However, when (as we pray aloud together on Sunday mornings) the Kingdom truly comes and God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven, “Jesus who died shall be satisfied.”


Cynthia Clawson

“How can I say thanks?”

Hymn: “My Tribute” – Words & Music by Andraé Crouch (1945-2015)
Tune: MY TRIBUTE

Andraé Crouch died last week and has been mourned and lauded throughout the Christian music community. He is known for many songs: “Soon and Very Soon,” “Bless the Lord, O My Soul,” “Through It All,” “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power,” “Jesus Is the Answer,” and “Take Me Back.” However, “My Tribute” is included in more hymnals than any of his other classics.

This hymn has only one set of words and is through-composed… meaning that each of the three sections has a different melody. The text begins with a question many of us have asked ourselves: Is there any way I can adequately thank God for all those undeserved blessings he has bestowed upon me?

The next section (the refrain) begins with the answer: Glorify God! Give credit where it is due. Move over out of the spotlight and let the Source get all the recognition.

The third section (the bridge) ends with a declaration that any praise that comes my way will be redirected to the Christ of Calvary.

If Crouch is true to his hymn text, he is wishing his fans would stop praising HIM for all the music he produced along the way, but would instead praise God for his giftedness.

How do we best express our appreciation? We make sure God is glorified and we are not!

Hear Him Sing This Song

“Mirrored here, may our lives tell your story.”

Hymn: “Shine, Jesus, Shine” – Words & Music by Graham Kendrick (1950-   )
Tune: SHINE

In most hymnals, this is the final line of English hymnwriter Graham Kendrick’s most-sung hymn.

Broken down, this is what it says: Reflected here on this side of glory, may our lives demonstrate your good news. Being a consistent reflector of the story of Christ is a goal for most of us. We want to live in such a way that the life of Christ might be mirrored in us… consistently.

We are not too far into the new year to set a few goals and/or make resolutions. This might be one to print up and place on the refrigerator door or attached to your bathroom mirror so you’ll be reminded of it every day. With this at the forefront of our minds, we are much more likely to do it.

“Mirrored here, may my life tell your story.” As it says on your shampoo bottle: Repeat as needed!

"Shine, Jesus, Shine"

“Help me not to falter, never let me fail.”

Hymn: “Set My Soul Afire” – Words & Music by Gene Bartlett (1918-1988)
Tune: SCALES

First, let me say that Gene Bartlett is one of my ministry heroes for many reasons, but primarily because he, like I, wanted to preserve the rich traditions of southern brush-arbor style revivalist singing. His model in this area prompted my establishing a non-profit for the preservation and enjoyment of that musical, historical, spiritual form.

This straight-forward prayer hymnline is one with which all true followers of Christ can immediately identify. None of us want to falter… nor fail.

Hesitating, waffling, being indecisive: these are not signs of strength – they are not positive characteristics of a good leader. If we are not careful, the start-stop, wait-worry attitudes can creep into our spiritual determination. We never set out to have a decrescendo in our resolve, but it happens. This hymnline is a prayer that we might do that less often… or not at all.

The reason I am attracted to this particular hymnline is the request, “never let me fail.” We are reluctant to verbalize a fear of failure in spiritual things, but here, Bartlett puts it out there and asks not to be a failure. I’m glad he admitted what may have caused him to falter… as is true with many of us who are serious about presenting quality offerings of praise and service. With him, I say, “Please, dear Lord, don’t let me be a failure.”

A fruitful endeavor which includes neither hesitation nor failure: that’s a worthy goal.