"Yes, on through life's long path, still singing as you go."

Hymn: “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart” – Edward H. Plumptre (1821-1891)

Typical Tune: MARION

Of course, I’m going to be drawn to this hymn-line: it’s all about singing!

We’re not necessarily following the Yellow Brick Road with Munchkins at our ankles, but we are on a lengthening path filled with uncertainties. Oh, I realize we know where we’re going to end up, but we can never be quite certain what to expect along the way. To carry that Oz analogy a bit further, some of us are hopelessly positive, skipping down the path in our ruby slippers with great confidence and resolve that we can find our way back home. Others are heartless – or have lost heart. Some are totally without courage. Still others are mindless in their travels, not alert or thoughtful. Then there are the ones who are Toto-ly happy to just follow everyone else, making no decisions of their own.

 

It is not, however, the Great and Powerful Oz we seek in order to ask him for fulfillment. “Weeee’re (not) off to see the Wizard!” Rather we are on the path to things that are higher, things that are nobler. We have set our sights on the heavenly vision, and pleasing the Ruler of Heaven and Earth is our highest call. Thankfully, he has not hidden himself behind a curtain, pretending to be someone he is not!

I never remember walking alone through a cemetery after dark, but I’ve seen that in plenty of movies. In all those situations, the one traversing the graves is whistling or humming… or singing as they go. Perhaps they are trying to ward off the imagined evil spirits lurking there – or better yet, the singing will take their mind off the situation in which they find themselves: the music allays their fear.

We share life’s long path. Our struggles and difficulties may vary, but if we can face whatever lies ahead with a song – perhaps even a hymn – to take our mind off those things which so easily beset us, we may more likely make it safely to the other side of the graveyard… or the end of the Yellow Brick Road.

The word “still” in this hymn-line indicates that we have already been singing, and that we should keep it up. “Yes” – with confidence we set out across the uncharted territory, “still” with a song in our heart and on our lips as we rejoice, give thanks and sing.

Let’s lock arms and head down life’s road together – heartily vocalizing our common faith in song!

Hear Garrett Martin Play Al Travis' Arrangement of This Hymn Tune!

"We, as on one stem growing, living branches are in thee."

Hymn: “Christian Hearts, in Love United” – Nicolaus L. von Zinzendorf (1700-1760)
Typical Tune: CASSELL

There was a time when only scripture was sung in church, particularly the Psalms. Over the years, we have branched out way beyond versified Bible passages – WAY beyond. Denominational and personal theologies are wound into our public singing, sometimes giving us better insights into scriptural truth - at other times further obscuring our understanding!

As a hymn-writer, I am glad the church employs “hymns of human composure,” allowing for the creative expression of our beliefs in singable word structures. However, it is always refreshing as I am singing or reading a hymn-text when I come across an obvious statement of or allusion to scripture – which is the case with today’s hymnline.

In this very old text, John 15:5 is restated for us in a fresh way, clarifying the agricultural teaching of Jesus who said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Zinzendorf’s text has been translated from the German to say it like this: “We, as on one stem growing, living branches are in thee.” Whatever differences we may have in our theology and our practice, we are attached to one Stem – that being Christ himself – and out of that symbiotic relationship, we draw life… and we branch out, bringing others to be grafted with us into the Stem.

You and I share branch-hood with one another; this is more commonly called fellowship… or to be sexist: “brotherhood.” We are reliant, however, on being spliced into our common Stem, without which there would be no life in the branches… and alas, no tree! After all, fellow limbs: our children’s children will need shade and nourishment, too.


This hymn played as a postlude… complete with people milling-around! As usual, no one notices how much time she put into preparing this piece.

"Take the task God gives you gladly. Let his work your pleasure be."

Hymn: “Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling” – Daniel March (1816-1909)
Set to Many Tunes. Commonly set to Mozart's ELLESDIE tune.

Don’t you love it when you thank someone, and their sincere response is, “It was my pleasure”?

In the work-world, those who truly enjoy their jobs usually are the best at them; those who are prepared and enthusiastic seem to be the most successful. They certainly look forward to getting up and going to work - and are productive once they get there. In the church-world, it’s pretty much like that, too.

Those of us who were professional ministers (I hate that term, but I think you know what I mean) are likely to talk about being “called of God” to a life-long task. That’s well and good, but God is in the business of calling people out for service – paid and volunteer… and many more of the latter!

This hymnline underscores the need for folks who hear the call of God to get up and do something, even if it is outside their comfort zone. Upon understanding that urging as being actually from God’s heart to theirs, they without a beat agree to follow that lead. They accept the task un-begrudgingly… yeah, even gladly.

Service can be one of the most pleasurable experiences available to Christian people if, as the text says, we LET that happen.

In most of my churches in my 40-plus career with various congregations, I taught an adult Sunday School class during the hour before I served as worship-leader. One of the main reasons I did so was that I wanted to do something for which I was not paid; it was my volunteer job, done alongside other volunteers. (I am after all from Tennessee!) I took that task seriously and gladly, and many Sundays those discussions brought me more spiritual pleasure than all the hymns, anthems and handbell pieces which followed.

Although usually considered a missions hymn, this hymn is about listening for the voice of God singling us out for specific duties to enrich the kingdom… wherever we are, whatever we’re doing. Today’s hymnline compels us to accept the task gladly and to let it be a real pleasure. Let it be, let it be!

This Hymn Played - ELLESDIE Tune

"Sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defense is sure."

“Hymn: “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” – Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Tune: ST. ANNE

“Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have won the victory on his behalf.” (Psalm 98:1)

Since we dealt with being hidden in the hollow of the hand of God yesterday, it seems only right that we would move up to the arm.

“Sufficient” is a good word. Synonyms would be adequate, enough, satisfactory, appropriate, ample. These almost seem to underestimate the arm of God! While absolutely correct, sufficient isn’t as high-arching a term as we usually associate with God. However, when we need his support, enough is plenty! An ample arm will do. [Note: when referring to several items, sufficient can mean “abundant”; that’s a more biblical/church-sounding term.]

So many of our hymns refer to how God is working overtime on the defensive squad, protecting us from all invaders.  The mighty fortress he has erected on our behalf is not one that can easily be dismantled in a raid or over-run in an attack.

When discussing architecture, two of the necessities for any building are that it will stand and it will withstand. That pretty much describes the sure nature of the shielding feature of Almighty God.

He is plenty. He is sure. That’s reason enough to sing to the Lord a new song… or this old one!

Frederick Swan Plays His Famous Setting of This Hymn

[Just so you know, I have hymns about fingers and shoulders yet to come!]

“Hidden in the hollow of his blessed hand.”

Hymn: “Like a River Glorious” – Frances R. Havergal (1836-1879)

Tune: WYE VALLEY

On the security scale, you can’t do much better than this! That gigantic, powerful hand of Christ has grasped you, pulled his fingers around you and hidden you from anything outside that might harm you, distract you, or pull you away. You may have heard the phrase “in the grip of grace”; that’s what I’m talkin’ about when I sing the second stanza of this common-to-most-churches hymn.

We love being held in a place of protection. In fact, when danger lurks, we crawl as far into the palm as we can go, hiding out from anything that might seek to damage or destroy. However, being shielded from distraction is a bit different; when something interesting comes into view through the openings in his fingers – perhaps contrary to the nature of the Father and behavior expected of his children – it is then that we climb up to peer out and survey the possibilities of escape. We lick our lips and rub our hands together, dreaming of what it might be like to go there. That’s what I’m talkin’ about, y’all. Idenitfy?

Fortunately for most of us, we pass on the opportunity to vacate the nail-scarred real estate.

In terms of spiritual warfare, the hand of Christ is involved in a tug-of-war every day with forces of evil. Fortunately from what he says to us [“My Father, who gave them me, is greater than all; and no one is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” John 10:29], all the yanking possible can’t win the battle for my soul… my salvation… my relationship.

Swaddled tightly in the sacred grip, I can avoid harm, distraction and abduction. I like it here. Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about, y’all.

[I couldn’t find a rap version, but it would have fit today! I’ll work on that for my next recording project!]

This hymn sung by Crown College Choir (a little strident, but nice arrangement)