The Lord My Shepherd Is

1

The Lord my shepherd is,

I shall be well supplied;

since he is mine and I am his,

what can I want beside?

2

He leads me to the place

where heavenly pasture grows,

where living waters gently pass,

and full salvation flows.

3

If e’er I go astray,

he will my soul reclaim,

and guide me in his own right way

for his most holy Name.

4

In sight of all my foes

you will a table spread:

my cup with blessings overflows,

and joy exalts my head.

5

The bounties of your love

shall crown my following days;

nor from your house will I remove,

nor cease to speak your praise!

Author: Isaac Watts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaqPVLh56Ec

Mama's Teaching Angels How to Sing

Accidentally ran across this one on YouTube this morning. 

Just listen...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMESF4lNhBc

Lester, Cleffie, Juanita, Wathada 

Singing at Square Dance Club's pot luck Christmas dinner in Long Beach, California, December 1980

* * *

(If you know my mama, you know she's got heaven pretty well re-organized by now.)

The Fight Is On

1

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.

Chorus:

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!

2 

The fight is on, arouse, ye soldiers brave and true!

Jehovah leads, and vict'ry will assure;

Go, buckle on the armor God has given you,

And in His strength unto the end endure [Chorus]

3 

The Lord is leading on to certain victory;

The bow of promise spans the eastern sky;

His glorious name in ev'ry land shall honored be;

The morn will break, the dawn of peace is nigh. [Chorus]

Author: Lelia Morris (1862-1929)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbgOSqGTJ_U

EPHESIANS 6

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Beulah Land

 
1 

I’ve reached the land of corn and wine,

And all its riches freely mine;

Here shines undimmed one blissful day,

For all my night has passed away.

Refrain:

O Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land,

As on thy highest mount I stand,

I look away across the sea,

Where mansions are prepared for me,

And view the shining glory shore,

My Heav’n, my home forevermore!

2 

My Savior comes and walks with me,

And sweet communion here have we;

He gently leads me by His hand,

For this is Heaven’s borderland. (Refrain)

3 

A sweet perfume upon the breeze

Is borne from ever-vernal trees;

And flow’rs that never fading grow,

Where streams of life forever flow. (Refrain)

4 

The zephyrs seem to float to me,

Sweet sounds of Heaven’s melody,

As angels with the white-robed throng

Join in the sweet redemption song. (Refrain)

Author: Edgar Page Stites (1836-1921)

It was in 1876 that I wrote "Beulah Land". I could write only two verses and the chorus, when I was overcome and fell on my face. That was one Sunday. On the following Sunday I wrote the third and fourth verses, and again I was so influenced by emotion that I could only pray and weep. The first time it was sung was at the regular Monday morning meeting of Methodists in Philadelphia. Bishop McCabe sang it to the assembled ministers. Since then it is known wherever religious people congregate. I have never received a cent for my songs. Perhaps that is why they have had such a wide popularity. I could not do work for the Master and receive pay for it.

The quote above was taken from a very interesting Wikipedia article about this song. Here's the link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beulah_(land)

In the article it mentions several other songs that talk about Beulah. Here are videos of the ones I'm familiar with.

O BEULAH LAND (TABLE SINGERS)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX5raP9qXxo

SWEET BEULAH LAND (RONNIE BOOTH)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKcrTfj_244

IS NOT THIS THE LAND OF BEULAH (THE ISAACS)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoTR5-p-Wrs

There is only one verse in the Bible that mentions Beulah:

It seems the development of the term Beulah Land comes mostly from Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan (1678). I don't believe I've ever read Pilgrim's Progress -- or if I have it was so long ago that I can't remember it. Maybe now would be a good time to do that.

On and On We Walk Together

1 

My Savior daily walks with me 

Because I trust His love, 

In all that’s best His hand I see, 

It points to heavn’ above; 

I will follow Him thru shadows dim 

or in the sunshine bright, 

And on we walk together, 

And He leads my steps aright.

2 

My Savior holds my hand each day 

And tells me not to fear, 

When tempted, to Him I must pray, 

For He is always near; 

On the gospel road He’ll share my load, 

Sin can’t my soul affright, 

And on we walk together

And He leads my steps aright.

3

Upon my blessed Lord I lean, 

My all to Him confide, 

No more the shadows come between, 

I’m walking by His side; 

In true faith will I on Him rely, 

He makes my burdens light, 

And on we walk together 

And He leads my steps aright

Chorus: 

On and on we walk together, 

Christ is ever by my side, 

And I fear no stormy weather, 

He's a faithful guide; 

You can never find another, 

That the waves obey His will, 

And he speaks to you, my brother, 

Hear His “Peace be still”.

Lyricist J.B. Baxter

This is a song we used to sing at home, from our Chuck Wagon Gang songbooks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aZWyYKFAhs

Lord, Speak to Me

1

Lord, speak to me, that I may speak

In living echoes of Thy tone;

As Thou hast sought, so let me seek

Thy erring children lost and lone.

2

O lead me, Lord, that I may lead

The wandering and the wavering feet;

O feed me, Lord, that I may feed

Thy hungering ones with manna sweet.

3

O strengthen me, that while I stand

Firm on the rock, and strong in Thee,

I may stretch out a loving hand

To wrestlers with the troubled sea.

4

O teach me, Lord, that I may teach

The precious things Thou dost impart;

And wing my words, that they may reach

The hidden depths of many a heart.

5

O give Thine own sweet rest to me,

That I may speak with soothing power

A word in season, as from Thee

To weary ones in needful hour.

6

O fill me with Thy fulness, Lord,

Until my very heart o’erflow

In kindling thought and glowing word,

Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.

7

O use me, Lord, use even me,

Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where,

Until Thy blessed face I see,

Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share!

Lyrics: Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)

Here's a beautiful rendition of this peaceful hymn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvYSoGP7pwM

In the Church of Christ, and other fundamentalist churches, there is a strong emphasis on Bible knowledge. We didn't much believe in any kind of direct communication with God outside the written pages of the divinely inspired scriptures. So this verse was a centerpiece of many a sermon. 

Living by Faith

1 

I care not today what the morrow may bring,

If shadow or sunshine or rain,

The Lord I know ruleth o’er everything,

And all of my worries are vain.

Refrain:

Living by faith in Jesus above,

Trusting, confiding in His great love;

From all harm safe in His sheltering arm,

I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.

2 

Though tempests may blow and the storm clouds arise,

Obscuring the brightness of life,

I’m never alarmed at the overcast skies—

The Master looks on at the strife. [Refrain]

3 

I know that He safely will carry me through,

No matter what evils betide;

Why should I then care though the tempest may blow,

If Jesus walks close to my side. [Refrain]

4 

Our Lord will return for His loved ones some day,

Our troubles will then all be o’er;

The Master so gently will lead us away,

Beyond that blest heavenly shore. [Refrain]

James Wells (1918), R. E. Winsett (1918)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwJfwYMuZEQ

This is a fun song to sing, and also has a great message. This video features some of our favorite Gaither gospel singers.