Jesus Loves Me

/ Gail Johnson / 4 Comments

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love (John 15:9 KJV).

When I was growing up, I often heard the phrase ‘simple is best’ more times than I can count. It is still true today. Why create a masterpiece only to hide the truth amid clutter?

The classic hymn “Jesus Loves Me” is one of those songs with simple words and simple notes revealing profound truth to the reader, singer, and musician. Discovering how this treasure came to be was a thrilling journey.

I first read about the Warners in Robert J. Morgan’s Then Sings My Soul Book 3. If you haven’t read his books. Go purchase them. They will feed your heart, soul, and mind. I use them for devotions, private worship, and references. The background stories have lifted my flagging spirit many times.

Let’s get started.

Author

Henry Warner was a New York lawyer. He purchased land on the east side of the Hudson River called Constitution Island. He and his brother planned to build a resort hotel. When Henry lost his money in a financial disaster, he moved his family there instead. When he couldn’t pay his bills, the sheriff confiscated most of their personal belongings. His wife and several children passed, leaving two teenage daughters. His sister became a surrogate mom for Susan and Anna.

The girls spent their time learning as much as they could about nature, life, and the Bible. Both became prolific writers. Susan’s first book, The Wide, Wide World, was published by George Putnam and sold in bookstores. Anna’s first book, Dollars and Cents, was published under a pseudonym. Later they coauthored a Victorian Christian romance novel published in 1860. Anna wrote the first verse of Jesus Loves Me for a scene in that book. People loved it. When William B. Bradbury read the novel, he created a tune and added a chorus. The song became what we sing today.

That should inspire all writers!

Anyway, back to the story. Their ancestors fought in the American Revolution alongside George Washington. Susan and Anna taught Bible classes to West Point cadets. Both women were buried at West Point.

There is so much more about these ladies. I would love to see a historical novel based on their lives!

Song

Jesus Loves me! this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.

Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou has bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.

Anna B. Warner | William B. Bradbury | Public Domain | 1859

Note

My hymnals listed different verses. I included the ones that were in more than one book.

I hope you enjoyed finding out more about this beloved hymn. Do you still sing this song? Share in the comments.

Love Lifted Me

/ Gail Johnson / 2 Comments

He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters

(Psalm 18:16 KJV).

The hymn “Love Lifted Me” is a picture of someone drowning in sin. But rather than sinking into death, Christ lifts them from their trespasses and gives them a new life in Him.

Salvation is certainly a reason to break out in song!

The Author

“Love Lifted Me” was written in 1912 by James Rowe and Howard Smith. Rowe wrote the lyrics. Smith provided the music. Other familiar hymns written by James Rowe can be found in hymnals across the land. Hymns such as…

If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again | You Never Mentioned Him to Me | I Would Be Like Jesus | Sweeter As The Years Go By | Redeemed (This is not the hymn “Redeemed” by Fanny Crosby.)

If you research James Rowe, you will find recurring themes throughout his hymns. For instance, the Savior’s love for His children is portrayed in this hymn. Rescued from sin is another theme I found. Service and devotion are also mentioned. All encourage the singer and reader to draw closer to God and live a devoted life.

The Song

I was sinking deep in sin, Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, Sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea Heard my despairing cry,
From the water lifted me—Now safe am I.

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help, Love lifted me!

All my heart to Him I give, Ever to Him I’ll cling,
In His blessed presence live, Ever His praises sing;
Love so mighty and so true Merits my soul’s best songs,
Faithful, loving, service too, To Him belongs.

Souls in danger, look above; Jesus completely saves;
He will lift you by His love Out of the angry waves.
He’s the Master of the sea, Billows His will obey;
He your Savior wants to be—Be saved today.

Text by James Rowe. Music by Howard E. Smith
Public Domain

The Solid Rock

/ Gail Johnson / 12 Comments

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11 KJV).

Hoarding Boards

In April, I decided it was time to create something beautiful from the aftermath of 2024. My plan was to clean up the remaining trees and limbs, repair the minor damage, and bring life to this sleepy farm.

I began preparing for our “new life” by cleaning and organizing the barn. Hubby suggested we start by throwing away my stack of 1 x 4 x 10 pressure-treated boards. Of course, Hubby knew that was an easy no. LOL.

Why do I hoard that stack of boards? Because we purchased them over twenty-five years ago when you could buy straight wood that lasted more than a year without warping or rotting. And because those same boards were the foundation of my first porch on this farm.

Years later, my son and I redesigned the front porch and used the old boards as the decking for our back porch. (I walk on it every day.) I have used the extra boards for several projects. One example is covering a pergola. My current DIY is using them to build a fence around our raised beds. 😊

In contrast, we have rebuilt the steps on our carport three times in thirteen years due to rotting and twisting wood. Get rid of my boards? Hardly!

Nothing beats a solid foundation!

Slippery Slopes and Shifting Sands

As a babe in Christ, I devoured Christian books and music. The biblical truths contained in the words changed my life. Sadly, I’ve watched Christian leaders walk away from the foundational truth they once shared, leaving people reeling and questioning what went wrong.

It would have been easy to let their decisions affect my walk with Christ. But God’s love held me and directed my steps. I kept what I knew to be true in their earlier books and songs and walked away from the rest.

My purpose for this post is not to spread gossip but to remind us that compromise is a slippery slope. It can be so subtle we fail to recognize the shift until it’s too late.

In today’s world, (then and now) we must not trust opinions or emotions to keep us anchored. The truth we hold must be the truth found in Jesus, our solid Rock.

He never fails. Just because leaders fall doesn’t mean our faith has to fail. God is faithful, true, and just. He will always be there for us, guiding and teaching us along the way. Let’s search and memorize Scripture. Then when storms arise, let us lean into the truth found between the pages of His Word.

 The Song

Edward Mote knew nothing of Christ until later in life. After he became a Christian, he wrote “The Solid Rock” to encourage Christians to trust in Christ alone for their salvation. He served as a Baptist pastor in Horsham, Sussex.

The Solid Rock

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the vale.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before his throne.

The Solid Rock | Edward Mote | 1834 | Public Domain

Thank You

After months of changes, blessings, and hard work on the farm, it is good to be back. Thank you for reading. As always, I appreciate you. You are a blessing!