The Old Rugged Cross Notes

George Bennard’s Best-Loved Sacred Song Often Sung on Good Friday
© Tel Asiado
Mar 14, 2008

History of a favorite loved hymn “The Old Rugged Cross” and brief biography of the writer and composer George Bennard.
“The Old Rugged Cross” is an all-time loved gospel hymn. George Bennard wrote and composed the words and music in 1913. A sentimental [...]

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Joy to the World, the Lord is Come!

Nativity Song and Hymn by Watts and Mason
© Tel Asiado
Dec 7, 2007

Written by Isaac Watts and tune adapted from Handel’s “Messiah” by Lowell Mason, this Advent and Christmas carol remains one of the best-known and best-loved songs.
The most popular Christmas carol “Joy to the World,” was written by English text author Isaac Watts (1674-1748), with [...]

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Beyond the Sunset

The song “Beyond the Sunset” was born at the dinner table one night in 1936. Before dinner, hymn-writer Virgil Brock and his wife Blanche watched a very unusual sunset at Winona Lake, Indiana, with a blind guest (his cousin Horace Burr) and his wife, Grace. Apparently, a large area of the water appeared ablaze with [...]

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Be Still My Soul

Brief biography of hymn-writer Katharine von Schlegel and history of spiritual revival hymn “Be Still, My Soul” to the tune of tone poem ‘Finlandia’ by Jean Sibelius.
Here’s the full article… [Be Still My Soul]

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Count Your Blessings

“Count your Blessings” has remained one of the most familiar hymns. It is also a best-loved thanksgiving song to this day.
Let’s count our many blessings, see what God has done.
Here’s the full article… [Count Your Blessings]

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It is Well with my Soul

Brief biography of Christian lawyer Horatio G. Spafford and the poignant and inspiring hymn he wrote, “It is Well with My Soul.”
Inspiring hymn “It is Well with My Soul” becomes closer to heart especially for one undergoing grief. Written by a Presbyterian laywer Horatio G. Spafford, this deeply touching gospel song has long been loved.
Here’s [...]

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Great is Thy Faithfulness

In praise of God, ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness’ is a worship song that uplifts through trials and tough times. It was a result of a writer’s daily experiences and realization of God’s faithfulness. The hymn writer was Thomas Obadiah Chisholm.
Here’s the full article… [Great is Thy Faithfulness]

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Wesley’s Easter Hymn – Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Jubilant ‘Christ the Lord is Risen Today’  Sung in Christian Worship  
Charles Wesley was one of the greatest hymn writers, his words and phrases often directly drawn from the Bible. His hymns remain popular and loved among Christians.  Charles Wesley (18 December 1707 – 29 March 1788) was an English hymn writer and evangelist, brother of [...]

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My Father watches over me

Sometimes silence is the best thing to do… 
When I woke up this morning, this sacred song “My Father watches over me” was aptly on my mind. Dear visitors, kindly meditate on the lyrics with me.  When all else fail, our father God never will. 
Christ did not die for us when things were bright and rosy, when we were winners … or [...]

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O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go

This is another lifelong favourite… George Matheson’s ‘O Love that wilt not let me go’ and music by Albert Peace.
I’ve written an article about this endearing hymn and the lyricist Dr. George Matheson, the remarkable blind preacher, theologian, and writer.  Here’s my article at suite101.com -   “George Matheson’s Hymn.” 
“O Love that Wilt not Let me Go”
Lyrics: George Matheson
Music: Albert Peace
O [...]

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