IN CHRIST ALONE... HYMNS TEACH AND ENCOURAGE US...

Of all of my childhood memories, some of my very fondest are sitting in Granny's living room with extended family and singing hymns and "Stamps-Baxter songs". Oh, don't get me wrong, I do love contemporary christian music, but it does not have to replace other songs which have a different kind of purpose. Our families and our church families would be well served to pass these songs on to the next generations.

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Hymns help us take the time to look at a theme from many different angles. Hymns teach us the art of meditation. I'm thinking of hymns from my past that put emphasis on the cross and the deepest convictions of the heart. I'm thinking of songs like The Old Rugged Cross, Amazing Grace, I Come to The Garden Alone, Precious Memories, Nearer Still Nearer, I Serve a Risen Savior, When Peace Like a River, and There is a Fountain. Hymns remind us that we can only approach God through the Blood of Jesus... that's right... IN CHRIST ALONE!

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I believe that each of the hymns above was put on someone's heart by God to pen. Yesterday, was the 123rd anniversary of Alfred Ackley writing the gospel song I Serve a Risen Savior also known as He Lives. I posted about my connection to this song back in December.

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Is there a hymn to our memory verses? If not, maybe one of us should pen it!

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Hebrews 12:1-3 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."