“Here bring your wounded hearts. Here tell your anguish.”

“Here bring your wounded hearts. Here tell your anguish.”

Hymn: “Come, Ye Disconsolate” – Thomas Moore (1779-1852)
Tune: CONSOLATION

We’re familiar with the use of “county seat” – the “seat” of government – the place where local authority is exercised. We also use it as a synonym for the center – where some concept prevails – e.g. the “seat of learning.”

Today’s hymnline follows the admonition, “Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel.” It is there that mercy-filled authority is exercised and wounded hearts and anguished lives are welcomed and dealt with. It’s a beautiful thought… a heart-warming image.

The church should be a mercy seat – a seat of mercy – a place where the concept prevails. To be all it is meant to be, the body of Christ must embrace the wounded, anguished masses one at a time… not to condemn them but to aid in their healing and restoration. The church’s ad campaign should include this hymnline… not as a church-growth gimmick, but as a sincere “all come.”

It has been said that the church is known as the only army which shoots their wounded. That image has to change. The merciful Christ demands it.

To quote Wayne Watson, the church needs to become the “Friend of a Wounded Heart.”

This Hymn Sung by the Men of Baylor’s A Cappella Choir

Wayne Watson Sings “Friend of a Wounded Heart”

“The church for you doth wait, her strength unequal to her task. Rise up, and make her great.”

Hymn: “Rise Up, O Men of God” - William P. Merrill (1867-1954)
Tunes: ST. THOMAS, FESTAL SONG

“I can’t do this on my own.” “There’s more here to do than I can get done.” “My strength is unequal to my task.” We’ve all said something like this countless times in our lives. Some of us say to ourselves some variation on this every day of our lives.

As a church body, we need to admit this: our strength is unequal to our task. We rely completely on the power of Christ among us to guide us… yea, even pull us… toward the goal of worship, work and witness.

Because it is a sexist title, we sometimes avoid this hymn nowadays; in fact, it is omitted from several newer hymnals. However, when we do that, we are guilty of throwing the baby out with the bathwater, missing some not-to-be- forgotten truths – like this one.

I’ve mentioned several times that we need to pay attention “to whom” the hymn is addressed. In this case, we are singing to ourselves… to our fellow believers – not just the men folk! In modern-speak, we would say it like this: “Somebody needs to step up. There is no way that individually we can accomplish all that the church needs to do.” That’s not nearly as poetic, but that IS what we sing when these words pass our lips.

In order for the church to fulfill her mission – to be “great” – rank-and-file everyday members must step up. There are gaps in every church – places waiting to be filled by people whose gifts “fit” the empty space. The church is WAITING for individuals to strengthen weakened or non-existent ministries. The world is waiting. Christ is waiting.

Will I be the one who will rise up, and make her great? Will you?

The Northern Lights Chorale Sings This Hymn

“He breaks the pow’r of canceled sin. He sets the prisoner free.”

Hymn: “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” – Charles Wesley (1792-1788)
Main Tune: AZMON


Why is it that those sins which were long-ago forgiven… canceled by the eraser of God… why do they continue to have power over us and haunt us? They lurk in the back of our subconscious memory and surface now and then to almost take us hostage? For some reason, we have not fully grasped the reality of forgiveness… even those of us who have known about it our entire lives, have heard multiple sermons and studies on the subject, and – best of all – have experienced it over and over for ourselves.

There’s a weird little verse in Isaiah’s woe-listing that says, “Woe unto them who draw iniquity with cords of vanity and sin as it were with a cart rope.” (5:18) I often quote it when called upon to say a particularly meaningful scripture passage; it gets great puzzled looks from everyone in the study circle! These are they who cannot let go of their sin; in their vanity, they drag it behind them as if attached to them by a rope. It’s a great picture of those of us who will not accept the gift of God’s forgiveness; it is too often a picture of ME!

Imprisoned by guilt? It’s time for a break-out.

Better yet, it is time to accept the Governor’s “pardon”! The One who governs the universe is concerned with your freedom. God wants to set you free… and his truth can do that! The truth is: you are forgiven of all you have submitted for absolution. Get over it. Let it go, let it go! Cut the tugging-rope you have too long dragged behind you. Walk away a freed man/woman.

Grab my hand. We’ll try to do this together.


This hymn text set to a delightful English tune

A lively updated version of this hymn by the Dave Crowder Band. If you enjoy contemporary worship songs, you’ll like this one!

“’Tis music in the sinner’s ear, ‘tis life and health and peace.”

Hymn: “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” – Charles Wesley (1792-1788)
Main Tune: AZMON

The name of Jesus, according to this Wesleyan hymnline is music in the sinner’s ear, and it is life, health and peace.

This hymnline seems to indicate that upon realizing the saving power of Christ, the one entering the kingdom hears the name of Jesus in an entirely different way. Where once they may have discounted him, scoffed at him, refused him, or (as with Paul) attacked Christ and his followers, NOW the very name of Jesus takes on a beauty which is almost like music.

In so many Broadway show tunes and pop music, when the performer describes falling in love, they often speak of it as hearing music from some far-off, distant place: “I hear music, and there’s no one there.”  And “Whenever you’re near, I hear a symphony.” Long before any of those songs, Wesley’s take on this was that when someone realizes the height, depth, breadth and width of the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:18), they have a similar reaction.

Fortunately for those of us who (though still sinners) have been redeemed, the beat goes on! When we hear the name of Jesus, we still warm at the thought – and we musicians hear music… usually a hymn, I would dare to say!

    Jesus, the name that calms my fears,
    that bids my sorrows cease.
    ‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears;
    ‘tis life and health and peace.

In this one brief stanza, the name of Jesus is said to calm our fears, tells our sorrows to go away, is like music to our ears, is our very life, keeps us healthy (heals), and brings with it a calming peace. The next stanza goes on to say that he breaks the power of cancelled sin, sets the prisoner free, and by his blood, makes the foulest clean. You go, Charles!

Need to be reminded of the presence of Christ in your life today? Sing a couple of meaningful hymnlines – maybe even these. Turn your fears and sorrows over to the One who can handle them. Bring music back to your silenced ears. Rediscover life embedded in his. Through his healing touch, become a more healthy follower. Find the peace that passes human understanding. Make your life a song. Have a nice day!

An arrangement of this hymn sung by the Choir from Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church

“Silent lips now sing with gladness. Blinded eyes are filled with sight.”

Hymn: “Jesus, at Your Holy Table” – Tom Allen (1958-     )
Common Tune: BEACH SPRING

Near the end of a fairly new communion hymn, we find this wonderfully descriptive line. In its context, I think it is referring to those who have achieved their eternal home, and THERE are healed of their inabilities to speak and/or see. However, standing alone, it could have a richer implication to those who in THIS life have received the miraculous intervention of the healing hand of Christ.

It is simply so well-put: “Silent lips now sing with gladness.” Imagine having spent all your days unable to phonate; by some holy inreach of your throat, you are suddenly not only able to speak, but you choose to sing! Better yet, your song is filled with gladness… maybe even thanksgiving. I suspect that most of you who read this blog-posting are the kind who WOULD break into song soon after discovering your voice!

“Blinded eyes are filled with sight.” We’ve seen it in movies and television shows: the gauze is unwrapped from about the head, the eye-lids flicker then squint – a person sees again or for the first time ever. The amount of light that floods in must be overwhelming at first, and as adjustments are made to their receptors, they are overwhelmed with all that they can immediately see: colors, shapes, faces. When the miracle is a complete restoration, they must be truly “filled with sight.”

Whether by the use of scalpel or under the hand of a praying believer, God works marvels for needy people – much as his Son (without aid of apparatus) did when he walked among the halt and lame, the blind and deaf, the depressed and ostracized.

Some will find completeness at the hand of Christ in the earthly life; others will stand healed in the heavenly Presence. Eventually, all of us will learn that Restoration is not just the name of a local company that brings out the best in our living quarters or a show on the History Channel.

Watch a woman’s reaction to hearing for the first time.

Watch a woman’s reaction to seeing for the first time.