hymn

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!

Everybody Will Be Happy Over There

/ Gail Johnson / 9 Comments

If you love hymns, you have probably heard “Everybody Will Be Happy Over There.” Written in 1921 by E. M. Barlett, the song has been played by gospel, country, and bluegrass musicians. Let’s take a look.

The song

There’s a happy land of promise over in the great beyond,
Where the saved of earth shall soon the glory share;
Where the souls of men shall enter and live on forevermore,
Ev’rybody will be happy over there.

The important thing about a journey is to know our destination. Keeping it in mind helps us with the in-between. What is the in-between? It’s the place where “stuff” happens. Where things change. Where we discover what we’re made of.

It is also the place we decide to keep moving forward or turn back. Journeys are not always easy. Every road trip, including our spiritual journeys, has a testing time that affects how we remember it.

Delays: sickness, life, financial hardship,
Dreams: shattered, forgotten, postponed
Prayers: waiting for years
Traffic Jams: things that keep us immobile

Although some travelers dislike detours, they are often necessary due to construction, mechanical trouble, missed turns, rest, hunger, or a teaching moment. Whether the trip is a dream or a nightmare, look for the nugget of truth.

Verse

Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, will be singing ’round the throne,
In that land where no one ever knows a care;
And the Christians of all ages will join in the triumph song,
Ev’rybody will be happy over there.

God deals with individuals and with families. If you are praying for loved ones. Know that He is working! One day, we will rejoice together.

Verse

We will hear nobody praying and no mourning in that land,
For no burdens there will be for ys to bear;
All the people will be singing, “Glory, glory to the Lamb,
Ev’rybody will be happy over there.

When we reach our destinations in this world, we unpack our luggage and set it aside. First Timothy 6:7 says, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” That includes our burdens. We may weep the entire journey, but joy comes in the morning when we step across Jordan!

Can you imagine? No, praying. No mourning. No burdens. God will wipe away our tears, and we will spend eternity praising His name.

Verse

There we’ll meet the One who saved us and who kept us by His grace,
And who bro’t us to that land so bright and fair;
We will praise His name forever as we look upon His face,
Ev’rybody will be happy over there.

We will finally see our precious Travel Guide. The One who holds the map and directs the traffic. The One who sees the traffic jams and the road construction. The One who creates the rest stops and supplies the needed nourishment. The One who holds us. The One who keeps us. The One who redeemed us with His blood.

Jesus is the reason our heavenly destination is so important. He is also the reason why our earthly journey is important. If we don’t follow His map and get the in-between right, we will not reach the destination He’s planned for us. Let us hold His Map in front of us and keep our eyes on Heaven.

Chorus

Ev’rybody will be happy, will be happy over there,
We will shout and sing His praise;
Ev’rybody will be happy over there.

Happy travels, my friend!

Everybody Will Be Happy Over There | E. M. Barlett | Public Domain