It Is Well With My Soul

I am sure many have heard the unforgettable story of Horatio Gates Spafford, author of the beloved hymn "It Is Well With My Soul".  It is one of the most beautiful songs that I have heard, especially when sung in a four part harmony.

Courtesy of Amer­i­can Colony Hotel

Born: Oc­to­ber 20, 1828, North Troy, New York. Died: Oc­to­ber 16, 1888, Je­ru­sa­lem, Is­ra­el, of ma­la­ria. Buried: Je­ru­sa­lem, Is­ra­el.

Spafford was a lawyer who lived in Chicago in the late 1860s. He and his wife Anna had five children and he was an advocate for the abolitionist movement. He frequently housed guests in his home such as Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey, and was an known as a dedicated Christian.


In the 1870s God tested the faith of Horatio and Anna. First their four year son, Horatio Jr. died of Scarlet fever. Then the Great Chicago Fire burned down much of the invested property that Spafford owned.  Although this was a great devastation, they had a strong faith in God and trusted in him for support. Though they were nearly broke, they used what they had to help those devastated by the fire. They showed a great example of Christ's love to those in need.


By 1873 the failing health of Anna Spafford and dealing with all that had ensued, the Spafford's planned a trip to Europe for a getaway.  Spafford had a two fold reason to go, his friends and fellow laborers in the Lord, Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey were conducting a revival in England and wanted Spafford to assist.  


In November they planned to set sail to Europe. The day they planned to leave, Horatio was called on emergency  business and could not go.  So, as to not disappoint, he sent his wife and daughters ahead.  In Gods perfect timing, all went according to his great plan. 


The ship that Anna and the girls were traveling on were struck by a British ship. Their ship sank within 12 minutes in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.  It is said that only 81 of the 307 souls aboard survived. 
Anna was picked up among the debris but all four girls were lost. 

Anna sent a simple yet heartbreaking cable to her husband which read "Saved alone. What shall I do..."  At the news of his family, Horatio left Chicago and set sail for England to bring his wife home.  

Sailing across the very place the tragedy happened, the Captain of the ship that Horatio was on, called him to the bridge to inform him of the fact. That very night, Horatio Spafford penned the words of the now famous and beloved Hymn "It Is Well With My Soul".

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

Spafford felt the peace that passes all understanding. He knew the grace that God gives in times of distress.  

I tell you this story not to bring sadness but encouragement. Many of us have dealt with trials and tribulation.  My family has personally dealt with trials over the past few years and we know of many who have been suffering with in the last year.  It is a great encouragement to me to see others praise God in the midst of their trial.   I don't know if I were subject to the same trials that were given to the Spafford's that my response would be the same.   I pray it would be so.  

Hymn of the Month - Loyalty to Christ

Loyalty to Christ

Words: E. Tay­lor Cas­sel, 1894. This song was writ­ten for the first con­ven­tion of the Bap­tist Young Peo­ple’s Un­ion. Music: Flo­ra H. Cas­sel  (NetHymnal.org)

This is our February hymn of the Month. You can hear the song here. (home.fuse.net)

Words:

From over hill and plain there comes the signal strain,
'Tis loyalty, loyalty, loyalty to Christ.
Its music rolls along; the hills take up the song
of loyalty, loyalty, Yes, loyalty to Christ.

CHORUS
"On to victory!  On to victory!"
Cries our great Commander, On! (great Commander, On!)
We'll move at His command; We'll soon possess the land
thro' loyalty, loyalty, Yes, loyalty to Christ.


O hear, ye brave, the sound that moves the earth around;
'Tis loyalty, loyalty, loyalty to Christ.
Arise to dare and do; Ring out the watchword true
of loyalty, loyalty, Yes, loyalty to Christ.


CHORUS


Come, join our loyal throng, We'll right the giant wrong;
'Tis loyalty, loyalty, loyalty to Christ.
Where Satan's banners float we'll send the bugle note
of loyalty, loyalty, Yes, loyalty to Christ.


CHORUS


The strength of youth we lay at Jesus' feet today,
'Tis loyalty, loyalty, loyalty to Christ.
His gospel we'll proclaim, thro' out the world's domain,
of loyalty, loyalty, Yes, loyalty to Christ.

CHORUS

I hope you enjoy this as much as we do. There is nothing better than learning new Godly tunes! 

Praise God for Those Old Time Preachers!

This evening as I was attempting to sew, I decided to listen to some good preaching. I LOVE to listen to old preachers and so I googled a name that I came to mind, Lester Roloff. Much to my surprise there is a website dedicated to his radio ministry called the Family Alter. I heard some great preaching! The first message was titled "The Juicy Book of Hebrews", I love how God still speaks so clearly to me through these great old time preachers! I also found another great website called FundamentalBaptistSermons.com. I listened to a sermon from Tom Malone called "Soul Winning I" it is a four part series from 1976 when he went to BJU and preached to the students there. I can't wait to listen to the other 3 sermons!  So here are the links to the aboved mentioned websites: Fundamental Baptist Sermons & Roloff Evangelistic Enterprises. Hope you enjoy them as much as I am!

Hymn of the Month -- November

Our Hymn for the month of November is "Give Me that Old Time Religion" or "'Tis The Old Time Religion" 


It has a catchy tune that I imagine we will be singing all day long! You can here the music here (again thank you to BIBLEBELIEVERS.COM for the great piano music)!




Words & Music: Adapt ed from an Af ri can-Amer i can spir it u al by Charles D. Till man, who first heard it at an 1889 camp meet ing in Lex ing ton, South Car o­li na (MI DI, score).

This song was sung in the Acad e my Award win ning mo vie Ser geant York (1941).

---

Refrain

’Tis the old time religion,
[or Give me that old time religion]
’Tis the old time religion,
’Tis the old time religion,
And it’s good enough for me.

It was good for our mothers.
It was good for our mothers.
It was good for our mothers.
And it’s good enough for me.

Refrain

Makes me love everybody.
Makes me love everybody.
Makes me love everybody.
And it’s good enough for me.

Refrain

It has saved our fathers.
It has saved our fathers.
It has saved our fathers.
And it’s good enough for me.

Refrain

It will do when I am dying.
It will do when I am dying.
It will do when I am dying.
And it’s good enough for me.

Refrain

It will take us all to heaven.
It will take us all to heaven.
It will take us all to heaven.
And it’s good enough for me.

Refrain

Hope you enjoy as well!

Rachel

New Blog Layout

I hope you enjoy my new blog layout! I had a lot of fun and some irritation trying to put it all together ;) But I think it looks great!

Prayer in the Midst of Trials

Lately it seems that life's trials have overwhelmed so many of my family and dear friends. I feel compelled to ask for prayer for many of these needs and find myself often in prayer to my heavenly father on the behalf of these dear people. I am thankful that people ask and give the opportunity to others to pray for them.


James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

I don't pretend to be a "righteous man", but I will say that I find great comfort and joy in laying people's needs at the feet of my LORD.  I don't do it as much as I should, but I try and be consistent with it.  We have been the recipient of the LORD's blessing in the midst of trials, I believe because others have prayed on our behalf too.

I want to take a few min and share some of my burdens for others and ask that you also may lay these needs on the alter of God.

1. I have a friend who delivered a baby boy yesterday. Tiffany and Aaron named their son Micah. The baby has pulmonary anomalous venous return. His pulmonary vein isn't attached. It should be draining into his lungs but goes to his liver instead. So he is not getting oxgenated blood to flow. They will wait a few days and do surgery. The Dr said he will be in the hospital about a month.  You can only imagine how hard this must be. My heart just aches for them.
2. Many of you have been praying but please keep the Crotts family in your prayers. Please see  update posts on Through it All, Joy here. Here is a summary of what has happened. Rick and Darla are missionaries to Papua New Guinea. She was pregnant with their seventh child and delivered a stillborn baby 5 months early. Afterwards she became lucid, eventually showing signs of a stroke. They needed $87,000 dollars to medivac her to Australia so that she could get the medical attention she needed. Through many prayers and God's mercy, two business owners in PNG fronted the money. Since being in Australia, they are still trying to figure out what is happening but have ruled out a bleed, blood clot or stroke. 
3. We have several in our small church who are suffering financially. One of which is our missionary family. They struggle with gaining and keeping new support. They are missionaries to Cuba and they help to train pastors as well as help existing pastors. This does not give justice to what all is involved there. If you would be interested in more information please see our church's website here. It burdens my heart to see people like pastors and missionaries suffering as they fulfill God's call for their life. 

There are so many other requests that it is hard to just ask for these. I know so many that are lost, sick, or  in financial binds.  

But I return to THE word and God so graciously tells me:

Psalms 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Psalms 46:10-11 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

So, I will pour my heart out to God, my refuge and strength, seeking the peace that passeth understanding, and trying desperately to be still. 

 

The Fight Is On

Here is our "Hymn of the Month". We have been learning this great Christian Warfare song titled "The Fight Is On" doesn't that just get you ready for fighting!  Here is a link to hear the music for the hymn: Click Here (SPECIAL THANKS TO BIBLEBELIEVERS.COM FOR THE WONDERFUL PIANO MUSIC)

 
Words & Music: Lei la N. Mor ris, 1905 (nethymnal.org)

The fight is on, the trumpet sound is ringing out,
The cry “To arms!” is heard afar and near;
The Lord of hosts is marching on to victory,
The triumph of the Christ will soon appear.

Refrain

The fight is on, O Christian soldier,
And face to face in stern array,
With armor gleaming, and colors streaming,
The right and wrong engage today!
The fight is on, but be not weary;
Be strong, and in His might hold fast;
If God be for us, His banner o’er us,
We’ll sing the victor’s song at last!

The fight is on, arouse, ye soldiers brave and true!
Jehovah leads, and victory will assure;
Go buckle on the armor God has given you,
And in His strength unto the end endure.

Refrain

The Lord is leading on to certain victory;
The bow of promise spans the eastern sky;
His glorious Name in every land shall honored be;
The morn will break, the dawn of peace is nigh.

Refrain

Psalms 100:1-5 A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.


Hope you enjoy!