Soundtrack for the Book of Esther
I’ve been reading and studying the book of Esther all month. Here are a few songs that go well with the themes of Esther: courage, trust, God’s sovereignty, our willing obedience.
God of Grace and God of Glory by Harry Emerson Fosdick. Grant us the wisdom of a Mordecai and the courage of an Esther.
God [...]
Hymn #1: Be Thou My Vision
Lyrics: Attributed to Saint Dallon Fargaill (6th century)
Translated to English by Mary E. Byrne (1905)
Versified by Eleanor Hull (1912)
Music: Irish folk melody, SLANE.
Theme:
After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” Genesis 15:1.
For the LORD gives wisdom, [...]
Hymn #2: Amazing Grace
Lyrics: John Newton
Music: Unknown
Theme:
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in [...]
Semicolon Review of Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
Reprint from May, 2005:
Peace Like a River tells the story of the Land family, father Jeremiah, two sons, Davy and Reuben, and a daughter, Swede. The children’s mother walked out on them long before the time of the novel. Reuben, eleven years old, tells the story. Davy is sixteen when the story starts, and Reuben [...]
The Story Behind “It Is Well With My Soul”
Hymn #3: It Is Well With My Soul
Lyrics: Horatio Spafford, 1873.
Music: VILLE DU HAVRE by Philip Bliss, 1876.
Theme: And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we[b] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:2b-4.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of [...]
Wednesday’s Whatever: I Like Lists
Especially book lists:
Time’s Top 10 Literary Hoaxes. This list is interesting, but it’s really the Top Ten Mostly Recent Literary Hoaxes. I’ve written about a couple of others that were perpetrated in the past:
Leonainie: The Poet Poe in Kokomo
Chatterton, the Wonderful Whelp.
C. Michael Patton’s Top Fifteen Must Have Books on Apologetics.
In light of today’s hymn [...]
Hymn #4: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Lyrics: Martin Luther, translated to English by Frederick H. Hedge.
Music: EIN FESTE BURG by Martin Luther.
Theme: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be [...]
Hymn #5: Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Lyrics: Thomas Chisholm, 1923.
Music: William M. Runyan.
Theme: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23.
Thomas Obadiah Chisholm was an ordinary man; he sometimes described himself as “an old shoe.” He was, at various [...]
Hymn Sing!
Have you ever been to a Hymn Sing? It’s just what it sounds like: people getting together and singing hymns, for fun and to glorify and praise the Lord.
Robert Cotrill, a Canadian pastor, writes here about how to host a community hymn sing.
The Common Room: All Day Singings
We’re getting to the end of my [...]
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