Podcasts by Turn in Your Hymnal to.....

Amazing Grace from 2023-05-02T02:38:12

Have you thought of yourself as a wretch? I would say few of us take that personal perspective, but John Newton saw himself in that way and had lived a life that validated it. A brief look at hi...

Saved by Grace from 2023-04-13T02:57:44

How can Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii, the hymn Pass Me Not O Gentle Saviour, and the Park Street Church in Boston all be included in the same story with Fanny Crosby? It isn't easy, but the ...

Lead Kindly Light from 2023-03-28T00:46:08

Celestial navigation. Sailing and navigating by the position of the stars. And, during the day, the "star", our sun, can be used for navigation. Today, we have numerous sophisticated ...

America the Beautiful from 2023-03-21T23:47:33

How do the structures men have built compare to the works of God? Such a question was on the minds of Katharine Lee Bates and other teachers and professors from Wellesley College. When she saw t...

Peace Perfect Peace from 2023-03-15T21:47:12

The word "peace" is used constantly in our conversations, invoking the need or desire for the end of a war, or political harmony, or the end of emotional distress, and many more.  We will c...

God be with You Till We Meet Again from 2023-03-07T01:20:39

Does your church use a regular benediction hymn or closing hymn to close a service and send the people on their way with a blessing?  Finding a good hymn to express a blessing can be a chal...

From Greenland's Icy Mountains from 2023-02-27T16:34:56

One of the characteristics of the Christian faith is that of mission work or evangelism or outreach.  Jesus gave us the Great Commission in Matthew 28, telling us to go into all the world a...

The Ninety and Nine from 2023-02-20T20:28:43

Life experiences provide us with great stories that are uplifting or show overcoming obstacles and are very relatable when put into song.  The parables of Jesus can also provide us with tha...

More Love to Thee, O Christ from 2023-02-09T02:05:43

Ever since the Fall, mankind has dealt with many tragedies, certainly a far cry from the original Creation that God put into place.  Many of the hymns in this series came into being because...

Safe in the Arms of Jesus from 2023-01-31T01:40:27

If you had to create a poem to fit someone else's music, and had about 30 minutes to do it, could you?  Such was the capability of Fanny J. Crosby.  Not only was she able to to write t...

Nearer, My God, to Thee from 2023-01-19T22:24:17

Well before the Titanic struck the iceberg and the strains of Nearer, My God, to Thee could be heard from the orchestra as the ship slipped below the waves, this hymn was a great blessing to Chr...

Another Year is Dawning from 2023-01-09T17:49:11

The love that Frances Ridley Havergal had for Jesus is clear in her hymn, Another Year is Dawning.  In looking forward to a New Year, she saw it as a time of continued relationship and serv...

Abide with Me from 2022-12-30T02:15:25

If you have seen the movie, A Bridge Too Far, you may recall that almost at the end of the movie, this hymn, Abide with Me by Henry Francis Lyte, was being sung.  The British battalion unde...

O Little Town of Bethlehem from 2022-12-19T02:02:57

Over 1800 years after the wondrous events in Bethlehem, the town was still providing inspiration to those who visited the area.  Such was the case with Phillips Brooks.  Thinking  ...

Onward, Christian Soldiers from 2022-12-12T04:10:59

Was it a military march to stir the soul or a quickly composed song to help keep children together on an outing?  Sabine Baring-Gould wanted a good marching hymn for children on a hike and ...

I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say from 2022-12-12T02:58:23

Many songs written for children resonate with adults, especially when they have melodies that stick with and uplift us. Horatius Bonar connected with children, enjoying a great ministry with the...

Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus from 2022-12-05T15:29:06

A tragic farm accident cut short the life of Dudley Atkins Tyng.  The bold, outspoken young priest served the Lord wholeheartedly.  Among his last words were those he spoke to his fath...

Silent Night, Holy Night from 2022-10-26T01:39:04

The broken pipe organ did not have a chance of functioning for the Christmas Eve service.  Yet, the inspiration of a new-born baby was what Father Joseph Mohr  needed to pen one of the...

O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go from 2022-10-17T15:39:30

Although he lost his eyesight, George Matheson pressed on with his plans for Christian ministry.  A poetic and eloquent preacher, his life had its share of heartache as many/most of us do. ...

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing from 2022-10-10T15:30:13

What do the poem of an Anglican-turned-Methodist clergyman and a song celebrating the commemoration of the anniversary of the discovery of printing have in common?  When combined (following...

Rock of Ages from 2022-09-20T01:24:07

Due to the great revival led by Charles and John Wesley, it is perhaps a little difficult for us to imagine a theological holy war of sorts between John Wesley and Augustus Toplady.  Howeve...

What a Friend We Have in Jesus from 2022-09-12T02:58:18

Jesus will meet us where we are.  Joseph Scriven found this insight when he poured out his heart in prayer in the depths of loneliness and despondency.  His relief was such that he pen...

Let the Lower Lights be Burning from 2022-09-06T18:23:07

Philip P. Bliss met an untimely death but made a profound and lasting impact on American Christian music.  This hymn, Let the Lower Lights be Burning, is emblematic of his ability to turn a...

Into the Woods My Master Went from 2022-08-29T03:11:46

In Scripture, we see numerous references to Jesus going off by Himself to pray.  We specifically see references to times of prayer on the Mount of Olives, most notably during His Passion. &...

The Sweet By and By from 2022-08-22T02:10:01

"The druggist and a violinist were in the drugstore" may sound like the attempt to start a joke or funny story, but it was the setting that brought about the hymn The Sweet By and By.  The ...

O Jesus, Thou Art Standing from 2022-08-14T23:45:36

A painting and a poem sparked a hymn.  William How studied Holman Hunt's painting The Light of the World, and later read from Jean Ingelow's poem Brothers and a Sermon.  These so moved...

Break Thou the Bread of Life from 2022-08-09T14:48:13

When we think of breaking the bread of life, do we think of focusing on Jesus or opening our Bible or the physical bread Jesus gave the crowds?  Such were the choices that Mary A. Lathbury ...

The Old Rugged Cross from 2022-08-01T01:50:32

We see so often that difficulties in life lead Christ's followers to more closely depend on Jesus in their situation and in their life.  This was the case with Reverend George Bennard and t...

The Church in the Wildwood from 2022-07-26T17:51:53

Inspiration is found in many ways.  While a beautiful scene or magnificent church may inspire a song, a song can inspire an idea or move people to action.  The Church in the Wildwood, ...

God Moves in a Mysterious Way from 2022-07-19T14:19:08

William Cowper (pronounced Cooper), the English poet and lawyer, did not have an easy life.  He fought bouts of insanity most of his life, including a stay in an asylum.  His brother w...

My Faith Looks Up to Thee from 2022-07-11T00:00

Don't you love it when you do something and your first try is outstanding?  Such was the case with Ray Palmer when he wrote My Faith Looks Up to Thee.  Palmer, however, wasn't trying t...

I Need Thee Every Hour from 2022-07-04T01:28:31

We generally think of the hymn I Need Thee Every Hour as something to help us in time of need or distress.  And, rightfully, it does provide comfort as we call on the Jesus.  Have you ...

Father, Whate're of Earthly Bliss from 2022-06-27T18:37:58

We often desire that our lives be lived without pain or discomfort. When it comes to us, is our reaction to rail against and question God for those trials? Anne Steele’s life was one that had si...

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing from 2022-06-21T17:32:20

The wild and antagonistic actions of young men are nothing new.  When the reckless, young Robert Robinson heard the "prediction" of a drunken gypsy, it  haunted him and eventually led ...

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine from 2022-06-13T01:27:16

The daughter of evangelist Dr. Walter Palmer, Phoebe Knapp showed unusual musical talent early in her life.  When she composed the tune that became Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine, Fanny C...

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross from 2022-06-06T03:30:38

If you were to open a hymnal and not find multiple hymns by Isaac Watts, you might question if you were actually holding a hymnal. His desire to worship God and put it in a form that not only gl...

Just as I Am from 2022-05-17T17:13:58

If you have attended or seen a Billy Graham crusade meeting, you have heard this hymn, Just as I Am.  It significantly predates anything Billy Graham did and has blessed people since Charlo...

Jesus Calls Us O'er the Tumult from 2022-05-11T00:55:19

Pastor's wives do a tremendous number of things to support their husband's ministry.  Imagine being asked to write a poem related to Sunday's upcoming sermon.  This is what was asked o...

Rescue the Perishing from 2022-05-02T01:59:23

The number of poems, hymns, and gospel songs Fanny J. Crosby wrote is breathtaking.  This hymn, Rescue the Perishing, is one of her finest.  From her work with those who were down and ...

Master the Tempest is Raging from 2022-04-25T00:54:52

When there is tempest in our lives, how do we respond and react to it?  Are we like Mary Ann Baker and question what a "God of love" is doing in our lives?  How often do the tragedies ...

In the Cross of Christ I Glory from 2022-04-15T00:20:42

How could such a brilliant man as Sir John Bowring (fluent in 22 languages and conversant in many more) pen the beautiful hymn In the Cross of Christ I Glory and still be known as the most unpop...

It Is Well With My Soul from 2022-04-04T02:55:48

"I am glad to trust the Lord when it will cost me something."  These are the words of Horatio G. Spafford, author of It Is Well With My Soul.  There was indeed a cost to him, particula...

God of Our Fathers, Known of Old from 2022-03-07T03:26:45

Nations founded on or embracing Christian values will likely stray from those values as time goes on.  This is particularly true when one of the seven deadly sins, pride, creeps into the na...

Blest Be the Tie That Binds from 2022-02-28T01:47:55

We are saddened when we must leave family or friends and be geographically distant from them. This is particularly true of our Christian family, especially when a pastor in good standing is call...

O to Be Like Thee from 2022-02-14T03:10:51

Thomas O. Chisholm's yearning for more Christlikeness gave us the words of this hymn, O to Be Like Thee.  It was composer William J. Kirkpatrick who set the words to music to complete a hym...

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot from 2022-02-07T03:47:31

Timeless, authorless songs that are soulful and full of yearning is an apt description of the Negro spirituals that were born of slavery.  The Jubilee Singers of Fisk University, named for ...

Living for Jesus from 2022-01-18T16:31:43

If you had to create a poem and turn it into lyrics but didn't know how to make that transition, could you do it?  Thomas O. Chisholm was able to adapt by having his daughter hum the melody...

We Gather Together from 2021-12-30T20:10:17

The holiday season that encompasses Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year is a time where many of us hold or attend family events, special activities, and parties, or in other words, we gath...

O Holy Night from 2021-12-22T15:02:05

What do a French wine merchant, a penniless Parisian, and a liberal clergyman have in common?  One of Christianity's holiest hymns about the birth of Jesus.  O Holy Night came to us fr...

The Church's One Foundation from 2021-12-13T04:10:01

Attacks from without, attacks from within.  The Church throughout history has suffered persecution and/or controversial or heretical views.  Such was the case in the mid-1800s when lib...

I Am Thine, O Lord from 2021-12-06T04:06:01

Who was one of the three most prominent evangelical leaders of the last part of the 1800s and also a hymn writer of over 8,000 hymns?  If you find these aspects of Fanny Crosby's life amazi...

Christ Arose! from 2021-11-30T15:13:19

This hymn, Christ Arose!, may seem out of place as it was recorded and is published during the Christmas season, or if you prefer, the Advent season.  (Unfortunate scheduling)  We set ...

Nothing But the Blood from 2021-11-18T15:34:27

Throughout the Bible we see many references to the precious blood, redemption by blood, cleansing by the blood, and many more.  How precious is the blood of Christ that redeems us and clean...

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise from 2021-11-09T03:00:28

Scotland has been a great source of hymns and poetry.  One such hymnist was Walter Chalmers Smith, author of the powerful hymn Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise.  He served in a varie...

Shall We Gather at the River from 2021-10-25T15:48:19

What do a sweltering hot day in New York City, the river flowing from the throne of God, and a river baptism service have in common?  Answer:  Robert Lowry's hymn, Shall We Gather at t...

Hallelujah Chorus from 2021-10-04T03:07:36

Often, out of times of deep sorrow and distress come great blessings.  We may not choose those times for ourselves but God is at work in our lives and will bring glory to Himself.  Suc...

Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed from 2021-09-27T01:30:13

Isaac Watts was a prolific hymn writer and brilliant Bible student.  Many of his hymns were written for Above Bar Congregational Church in Southampton, England, while in his late teens and ...

Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us from 2021-09-20T16:50:25

"Out of the mouth of babes..." (Ps 8:2), is a saying many of us have used.  We find that songs written for children often find their way to much wider acceptance and enjoyment.  Such i...

Savior, Like s Shepherd Lead Us from 2021-09-20T16:50:25

"Out of the mouth of babes..." (Ps 8:2), is a saying many of us have used.  We find that songs written for children often find their way to much wider acceptance and enjoyment.  Such i...

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus from 2021-09-13T02:30:40

When we enter the Advent season, we meditate on various Scriptures during the time leading up to the Nativity and sing hymns also in keeping with the season.  One such hymn is Come, Thou Lo...

Joy to the World! from 2021-09-06T01:54:59

We often sing the songs of Isaac Watts as a normal part of our worship services.  This type of hymn was not always available to the church, however.  Prior to Watts' "invention" of the...

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded from 2021-08-30T01:53:08

From the medieval aristocracy to the monastery.  Bernard of Clairvaux felt the call of God on his life to follow Christ in the monastic ministry.  We are blessed that he followed the l...

Go, Tell It on the Mountain from 2021-08-23T01:03:30

From the bitter days on the plantations arose a unique musical genre, the Negro spiritual.  John W. Work, Jr., loved the music and strove to preserve it and have it performed.  Initial...

We'll Understand It Better By and By from 2021-08-17T00:06:27

When we read the narratives of the lives of Joseph or Job, Paul or even Jesus, we do not always see what God is doing in people's lives.  This was also true of the prominent black Philadelp...

Revive Us Again from 2021-08-09T03:15:04

A mother's prayers.  A dying man's comfort.  A Bible that was sold but found its way back to its original owner many years later.  These are the elements that make for mystery and...

He Leadeth Me from 2021-08-02T14:25:56

As we go through life, we often look at a pathway that is unclear at best and many times unsettling.  Regardless our confidence on the path, we can be secure knowing it is God who leads us ...

Rejoice, the Lord is King from 2021-07-26T23:41:09

Unless you are familiar with the events of the English Reformation, you may not be aware of the religious turmoil in England as the monarchs changed.  Even in the mid-1700s, Charles Wesley'...

The Lily of the Valley from 2021-07-19T01:29:48

William Booth had a tremendous ministry in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, converting many to become followers of Jesus.  He began to focus his ministry primarily among the poor of ...

Lead On, O King Eternal from 2021-07-12T13:13:09

Graduations are celebratory events that can reach to the point of regal.  Such was the vision of Ernest Shurtleff when he penned the words to Lead On, O King Eternal.  He wrote this pr...

Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken from 2021-06-27T12:04:26

A birthday celebration for an emperor and two national anthems, Franz Joseph Haydn's melody AUSTRIA, has stirred many for years.  For Christians around the world, the melody carries John Ne...

The Saints Should Never Be Dismayed from 2021-06-14T02:08:04

The Olney Hymnal contains hymns of John Newton and William Cowper (pronounced Cooper).  All his life, William suffered bouts of depression.  After coming to Christ, his poems were set ...

All People That on Earth Do Dwell from 2021-06-02T01:23:08

Should we sing hymns and carols or should we sing Psalms?  Even the Reformers had disagreements about how church services should be conducted.  Regardless, hymnody of the time created ...

We're Marching to Zion from 2021-05-13T02:32:41

Sixteenth and seventeenth century England experienced considerable upheaval as the changing of the monarchy brought into or out of favor the current state church, whether Protestant or Catholic....

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling from 2021-04-30T00:50:40

Charles Wesley was a veritable fount of hymns.  He provided a wealth of theologically sound hymns that helped undergird his brother John's ministry and the growth of the Methodist movement ...

On Jordan's Stormy Banks from 2020-10-03T01:19:48

Samuel Stennett's poem raises our vision from the trials that confront us in our daily walk to the land of "Canaan"  "where my possessions lie," my true possessions.  The metaphor Cana...

This is My Father's World from 2020-09-04T20:19:57

If the name Maltbie Babcock isn't familiar, you will now likely remember it for a good while.  The man with the uncommon name had such a wide range of skills that most of us would be jealou...

Brighten the Corner Where You Are from 2020-08-18T02:18:47

What do Billy Sunday, the new-fangled "horseless carriage", and the Chautauqua Circuit have in common?  The song, Brighten the Corner Where You Are, of course.  Ina Duley Ogdon wanted ...

Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty from 2020-07-19T22:48:23

Do you think of a great hymn when you hear the name, Neander?  Or, are you drawn toward the thought of the extinct people group, Neanderthal, whose bones were found in the Neander Valley in...

I Sing the Mighty Power of God from 2020-07-06T02:09:41

We find great enjoyment in singing the great truths that Isaac Watts penned and set to music by many different composers.  Regardless the composer, the hymns are uplifting and glorify God. ...

Be Still My Soul from 2020-07-02T03:36:10

This hymn is a beautiful combination of a poem of God's comfort and strength and a melody that adds to the depth of the words.  As the story relates, days of despair, disappointment, turmoi...

My Country 'Tis of Thee from 2020-06-18T03:00:11

Samuel Francis Smith's patriotic hymn extols the beauty of the land and the promise of liberty that is America.  In doing so, he points us to the true source of our liberty, "Our fathers' G...

Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah from 2020-06-10T17:31

An excellent hymn that came out of the Great Awakening, one of  William Wiliams' finest.  It lifts us up in worship and acknowledges our need and dependency on Jehovah in our life's jo...

Be Thou My Vision from 2020-06-04T03:34:22

In the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, we see much turmoil and we have many questions.  High on the list of questions and the thoughts in our minds is that of racism.  Do we s...

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day from 2020-05-25T23:59:48

It may seem odd that a Christmas song is being posted at this time.  And, while it is a bit unusual, the parallels to today's situation make it worthwhile for us to consider.  In Longf...

Eternal Father, Strong to Save from 2020-02-16T23:29:04

Originally, a hymn asking for  God's protection on mariners.  It is the Navy Hymn, which graduates of Annapolis can readily identify.

Article taken from Then Sings My So...