Song for Sunday: Jesus Loves Me

It began as a poem, spoken to comfort a fictional dying child. 

Jesus Loves Me was in a book written to keep food on the table for two sisters who had lost everything in the financial panic of 1837. The book was published in 1860. The poem was set to music by William Bradbury, a profilic hymnwriter, in 1861 and gained popularity quickly because of the easy tune and the simple way it presents truth. Mr. Bradbury added the chorus "yes Jesus loves me...."

In the Civil War, soldiers on both sides sang it around their fires. It is quoted by seminary professors and concert performers as stating the basic truth of Christain faith. 

I recently attended a Bapist family event and we sung it as the benediction -- young and old knew it well. It seems to be one of those songs that is eternal.

May God bless you through it.

Jesus loves me! 
This I know, 
For the Bible tells me so. 
Little ones to Him belong; 
They are weak but He is strong.

Jesus loves me!
Loves me still,
Tho I'm very weak and ill,
That I might from sin be free,
Bled and died upon the tree.

Jesus loves me!
He who died
Heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.

Jesus loves me!
He will stay
Close beside me all the way.
Thou hast bled and died for me;
I will henceforth live for Thee.

                ~Anna B. Warner

Through the years verses have been added. Here is Whitney Houston's version:

Is there a simple song that rings true for you?

Spring Gardening

Next week, I plant seeds indoors so that I can have a fruitful garden this year. Usually, I am late with this step and I aim not to be this time around.

Last year, I grew tomatos, green beans, strawberries, nasturtiums, sunflowers, basil and marjoram. All organic.

I hope to add peppers this year. I also planted garlic last Fall, which I hope will come up. We should get actual strawberries to eat this year, too.

Starting the seeds for the gardens reminds me that Spring is around the corner. While I love winter, I look forward to the new life, the flowers, the baby birds and the bunnies. I feel very blessed to live in a place where God has ordained four definite seasons. The variety is wonderful!

What are your thoughts about the coming of Spring?


 

Song for Sunday: I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

Sometimes it's hard to live in the moment. 

I heard this song at school and it touched me. It's a good reminder that we have today and tomorrow (as well as now) is in God's hands.

I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
And I don't borrow from the sunshine
'Cause the skies might turn to grey.

And I don't worry about the future,
'Cause I know what Jesus said,
And today I'm gonna walk right beside him
'Cause he's the one who knows what is ahead.

There are things about tomorrow
That I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

And each step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb.
And every burden is getting lighter
And all the clouds, their silver line.

And, I'll bet the sun it's always shining
And no tears will ever dim the eye
And the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains, they touch the sky.

There are many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.
Yes I know who holds my hand.
 

             ~Ira Forest Stamphill

What song has blessed you recently?