hymn

When the Home Gates Swing Open

/ Gail Johnson / 10 Comments

The race for 2026 has begun, and I’m still at the gate. How are you doing?

Whether you are ahead, stuck in the middle, or lagging behind, take heart. The year is still young. Extend yourself some grace. Make a plan. Keep your eyes on the finish line. God is with us.

This month’s hymn is an encouraging word about winning the race and receiving the prize. Let’s take a look.

Author

Oren Adolphus Parris (1897-1966), a native of Jefferson County, Alabama, served as a bugler in World War I. A prolific songwriter, he became a key figure in the publishing business. In 1997, he was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Song

I am on the upward road, leading to that bright abode,
Where forever my soul shall be free;
Won’t that be a happy time, heaven’s bells will sweetly chime,
When the home gates swing open for me.

But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city (Hebrews 11:16).

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever (Revelation 22:5).

That will be a happy day,
When the clouds have passed away
From my cares I shall be free,
When the home gates swing open for me.

Tho’ sometime the path may lead thru the vale of sin and greed,
Jesus ever my refuge will be;
Soon at home my trials o’er, I shall praise Him evermore,
When the home gates swing open for me.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

But let all those that take refuge in thee rejoice, Let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: Let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee (Psalm 5:11).

I’ll keep walking in His light, till my faith shall end in sight,
He will lead me till safe o’er the sea;
I shall find a welcome there, and a crown of glory wear,
When the home gates swing open for me.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).

When the Home Gates Swing Open (1927) | Oren Adolphus Parris | Public Domain

Be strong. Take courage. The Lord is on our side.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen (Revelation 22:21).

How Sweet the Name of Jesus

/ Gail Johnson / 6 Comments

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21 KJV).

While searching for the words of a song to go along with the Christmas story, I came across the beautiful words of another. “How Sweet the Name of Jesus” is not a carol, but it explains why we celebrate the birth of Christ.

Let me introduce you to the author.

The Author

When you hear the name John Newton, what is the first thing that comes to mind? I think of three things. Slave trader, abolitionist, and“Amazing Grace.” When I searched his name, I found the following:

He was a pirate.
He was pressed into the Navy.
He was flogged for his poor conduct.
He was given to a slave trader’s wife.
If not for other slaves feeding and clothing him, he could have perished.
He dealt in the slave trade.
He repented on a ship one night during a storm.
He became an abolitionist.
He wrote 281 hymns.

When I look at that list, I think of the above verse. “For he shall save his people from their sins.” One can clearly see God’s grace in Newton’s life. Let’s take a look at what the man thought about God’s grace and the gift of His Son.

The Song

How Sweet the Name of Jesus

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear,
And drives away his fear.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:4-5).

It makes the wounded spirit whole,
And calms the troubled breast;
’Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary rest,
And to the weary rest.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee (Isaiah 26:3).

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls (Matthew 11:28-29).

Dear name! the rock on which I build,
My shield and hiding place;
My never-failing treasure, filled
With boundless grace!
With boundless grace!

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower (Psalm 18:2).

Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (Romans 5:20).

Jesus, my Shepherd, Brother, Friend,
My Prophet, Priest, and King,
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
Accept the praise I bring,
Accept the praise I bring.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6).

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8).

How Sweet the Name of Jesus | John Newton | Public Domain

Your Turn

How do you like the words to the song? Do they remind you of Christ’s birth? His gift of Salvation? What names would you add? What scripture?

Further Reading

To learn more about John Newton, visit:
museumofthebible.org
pbs.org
1517.org
christianhistoryinstitute.org
cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk
On Amazon: Out of the Depths, The Autobiography of John Newton

Let All the People Praise Thee

/ Gail Johnson / 11 Comments

And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long (Psalm 35:28).

The Song

1) Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
Ye people of His choice,
Let all to whom He lendeth breath
Now in His name rejoice.
For love’s blest revelation,
For rest from condemnation,
For uttermost salvation,
To Him give thanks.

Reasons to Praise Him

I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good (Psalm 54:6).

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9).

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:1).


For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).

CHORUS
Let all the people praise Thee.
Let all the people praise Thee!
Let all the people praise Thy name
Forever and forevermore.

2) Oh, praise Him for His holiness,
His wisdom, and His grace;
Sing praises for the precious Blood
Which ransomed all our race.
In tenderness He sought us;
From depths of sin He brought us;
The way of life then taught us.
To Him give thanks.

Reasons to Praise Him

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (Revelations 4:11).

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing (Revelation 5:12).

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Corinthians 6:20).

3) Had I a thousand tongues to sing,
The half could ne’er be told
Of love so rich, so full and free,
Of blessings manifold,
Of grace that faileth never,
Peace flowing as a river
From God, the glorious Giver
To Him give thanks.

Reasons to Praise Him

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love (Ephesians 1:3-4).

The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace (Psalm 29:11).

Let All the People Praise Thee | Mrs. C. H. Morris | Public Domain

As we approach the Thanksgiving holidays, may we find more and more reasons to praise Him!