"How Great Our Joy"

This is a new song that I just learned. We will be singing it in our Christmas performance in the choir; it is gorgeous.

A song by John Bunyan

Who would true Valour see

Who would true Valour see
Let him come hither;
One here will Constant be,
Come Wind, come Weather.
There's no Discouragement,
Shall make him once Relent,
His first avow'd Intent,
To be a Pilgrim.

Who so beset him round,
With dismal Storys,
Do but themselves Confound;
His Strength the more is.
No Lyon can him fright,
He'l with a Gyant Fight,
But he will have a right,
To be a Pilgrim.

Hobgoblin, nor foul Fiend,
Can daunt his Spirit:
He knows, he at the end,
Shall Life Inherit.
Then Fancies fly away,
He'l fear not what men say,
He'l labour Night and Day,
To be a Pilgrim.


John Bunyan

When Peace Like A River (hymn with words and music) - Horatio G. Spafford

Whatever my lot

As I considered what to write for this week's song of the month, my thoughts went over the happenings of the last few days. My Grandfather had an accident and life has been in great turmoil. I found myself wondering why this all had to happen, and as I thought it over, a song began to roll through my head. What a blessing it is to have so many hymns memorized, especially during times like these. I realized that whatever God brings into my life, I must still be happy and content, " though sorrow like sea billows roll". This song, " It is well with my soul", kept running through my head all week long, and suddenly I realized that this wasn't just a song for the week, this was my song of the week. Though it is not a great sorrow, still, if I can not accept the little trials that cross my path, how will I be able to deal with the big ones?
Horatio G. Spafford went through a great trial, that inspired the writing of this moving hymn.
In 1883 Spafford, his wife and their four daughters planned to sail over to Britain, to join D.L Moody on one of his evangelistic campaigns. Just as they were about to embark on the steamer that was to carry them across the Atlantic, sudden business came up preventing Spafford from sailing. However he sent his family on ahead of him. But during the crossing, the steamer had a collision with a British vessel, 'the Lochearn, And The ship sank in less than 12 minuets claiming the lives of 226 people. Nine days after Spafford's family set sail from New york, he received a telegram from his wife that merely said, "Saved alone".
Upon hearing this news, Spafford immediately boarded a ship and set sail to join his beavered wife in Wales. In the middle of the voyage the captain called him up on deck, and showed him the place where Annie, Maggie, Bessie and Tanetta had drowned. As he gazed into the depths of the water, he felt sorrow like sea billows rolling over him, but also the peace of God in his soul. He went back to his cabin and it was there that he penned these touching lines.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Refrain

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

Refrain

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

Refrain

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Refrain

Trust and Obey - John H. Sammis (hymn)

I will now post the tune itself . It took me a very long time to find this one. All the ones I could find were either too wild, didn't have all the verses or were not the right tune. But I hope you enjoy it.

Song of the week

Trust and obey
John H. Sammis

When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey,
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear,
Not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss,
Not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove
The delights of His love,
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we'll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do;
Where He sends. we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Here is a short history of the hymn.

John H. Sammis (1846-1919), gave up his life as a businessman and part-time YMCA worker to study for the ministry. He was ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1880 and then served at
several pastorates. In his later years, Sammis taught at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles.
Daniel B. Towner (1850-1919) was music director for several well-known churches and schools, including the Moody Bible Institute. He published several music books and wrote the music for many well-loved hymns, including At Calvary and Only A Sinner Saved By Grace.
In 1887, just following an evangelistic meeting held by Dwight L. Moody, a young man stood to share his story in an after-service testimony meeting. As he was speaking, it became clear to many that he knew little about the Bible or acceptable Christian doctrine. His closing lines, however, spoke volumes to seasoned and new believers alike: I'm not quite sure. But I'm going to trust, and I'm going to obey.
Daniel Towner was so struck by the power of those simple words that he quickly jotted them down, then delivered them to John Sammis, who developed the lyrics to Trust and Obey. Towner composed the music and the song quickly became a favorite. It has certainly become a favorite song for our family.

Singing with thankful hearts

I have just received a wonderful opportunity to join a small choir arranged by my piano teacher's piano teacher. I have been praying for this opportunity for a long time, and it is wonderful to see him answer me with a yes! To sing praises to the Lord with fellow believers is a thought that thrills my soul, and I wanted to share it with you all.
I will be posting more on this subject later on. Praise the Lord!