For God Alone

Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word; Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard! Tell how the angels, in chorus, sang as they welcomed his birth, “Glory to God in the highest! Peace and good tidings to earth.” Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word; Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard! Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915 Fanny Crosby wrote between 5,500 and 9,000 gospel songs. (She used some 200 pseudonyms to preserve her modesty.) Conversion, life transformation, and preservation of the saints are common themes of her texts: Rescue the Perishing; Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine; To God Be the Glory; All the Way My Savior Leads Me; Praise Him! Praise Him!; I Am Thine, O Lord; Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior; Jesus Is Tenderly Calling; He Hideth My Soul; My Savior First of All (I Shall Know Him). The Bible records countless stories of transformed lives in both the Old and New Testaments: ...

A New Day: Trusting Jesus The past two Sunday’s, as churches throughout our country have moved to online worship, Mary and I have listened and watched several worship services, including our own at First Baptist Richardson. Each pastor has offered a clear gospel presentation as part of the sermon; one pastor encouraged members of his own congregation to record their own gospel story and place it on social media. Each of these gospel presentations, these personal testimonies brings to mind the story of another preacher from the first century, the Apostle Paul and his missionary partner, Silas, as found in Acts chapter 16. I first truly discovered this passage as a seminary student while learning the various scripture passages from the old and new testaments that mention music. (Yes, minister-musicians study those passages so we may approach music in the church from a solidly biblical understanding and perspective.) About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymn...