The Faughn Family of Four

Thursday Hymn Reflection: “God of Wonders”

Posted on April 15, 2010 by Adam Faughn • 1 Comment

[Each Thursday, we "reflect" on a hymn suggested by our readers. To add your favorites, leave a list of up to three in the comments. NOTE: We have about 25 still on our list, but add yours now. We do not do these in any specific order. If you add yours now, it may be written about in 6 months, or in a couple of weeks!]

Each time I hear of sing “God of Wonders,” I can’t help but think of Psalm 19, which begins with the immortal words, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge” (verses 1-2). It is common for us to sing about the creation and of how it speaks of God’s power and wisdom. Songs such as “This is My Father’s World” and “How Great Thou Art” have been helping us express those thoughts for many years. “God of Wonders” continues that type of song.

The song “God of Wonders” tries to show how expansive an awe-inspiring creation is, but how they all bring glory to their Creator, because they declare of Him. While there are not many lyrics to the song, the verses are very powerful in their wording. My favorite part of the song speaks of glorifying God in both the early morning and “as I stumble through the darkness.” Those words express to us that all creation show us God and should remind us to praise Him.

I have to admit something here. I love living in a city. One thing that living in a city has caused us to do, though, is to appreciate it when we get to see more of the natural things in creation. We love spending time while driving noticing trees, lakes, and fields. I hope we always remember that God made it all, that God is over it all, and that all of it speaks of Him.

Here are the lyrics of this good new song:

Lord of all creation
Of water, earth, and sky
The heavens are Your tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on High

God of wonders, beyond out galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy

Lord of heaven and earth (2X)

Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
And as I stumble through the darkness
I will call Your name by night

God of wonders, beyond out galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy

Lord of heaven and earth (2X)

Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth (3X)

Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth

Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
and as I stumble through the darkness
I will call your name by night

God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares your majesty
You are holy, holy

Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth

hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth

God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
Precious Lord reveal your heart to me
Father holy, holy

the universe declares your majesty
you are holy, holy, holy, holy

hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth

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What are your thoughts on this song?

By the way, I try to post videos to most of the songs in our Thursday Hymn Reflections. I couldn’t find one that met the standards I shoot for. The videos must be (1) fairly good quality, (2) fairly good singing, and (3) acapella. If you know of a video of this song that meets those requirements, let me know so I can add it.

Filed Under: Hymn Reflections

Thursday Hymn Reflection: “The Old Rugged Cross”

Posted on April 8, 2010 by Adam Faughn • 1 Comment

[Each Thursday, we "reflect" on a hymn recommended by our readers. To add your favorites to our list, leave a comment with up to three suggestions.]

“The emblem of suffering and shame.” That single phrase makes “The Old Rugged Cross” one of my favorite old standard hymns. Written in 1913, George Bennard’s best-known hymn continues to be sung as widely as just about any other old “standard.” Robert Morgan, in his book Then Sings My Soul, gives this brief history of the song:

On one occasion, after a difficult season of ministry, George realized he needed to better understand the power of the Cross of Christ. He later said, “I was praying for a full understanding of the Cross … I read and studied and prayed … The Christ of the Cross became more than a symbol …It was like seeing John 3:16 leave the printed page, take form, and act out the meaning of redemption. While watching this scene with my mind’s eye, the theme of the song came to me.”

It took several months for the words to formulate in his mind. As he preached through the Midwest, George would carry the words with him, working on them, polishing them, and sometimes singing them in his meetings. It always struck a chord with his audiences. (page 275)

When I sing and reflect on “The Old Rugged Cross,” I am struck by the way the words are able to take very deep Scriptural truths, but focus on the simple truth of what happened on Calvary, and our love for it. Maybe nowhere is that better seen than in the second verse:

O that old rugged cross,

So despised by the world,

Has a wondrous attraction for me;

For the dear Lamb of God

left His glory above,

To bear it to dark Calvary.

Preachers, you could preach a series on the themes found in that one verse!

I really think people still enjoy singing this hymn, not just because it is older, and not just because many were raised singing it, but because it is profound in its teaching. To be honest, “The Old Rugged Cross” isn’t the most musical of hymns. It certainly has a beauty to the music, but it is not as musical as other older hymns. But few (if any?) songs can match the depth of meaning found in these four simple verses.

Each verse of the song focuses on what the cross means to us now, but it is the chorus that adds the eternality of the cross to our thoughts. “I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.” We bear a cross here, but it will be worth it!

Song leaders, keep this old hymn alive. The depth of what it teaches is hard to match.

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What are your reflections on “The Old Rugged Cross?”

Enjoy this video of the song as you reflect:

Filed Under: Hymn Reflections

Thursday Hymn Reflection: "In Christ Alone"

Posted on January 28, 2010 by faughnfamilyof4 • 1 Comment

[On Thursdays, we "reflect" on a hymn suggested by our readers. To add your favorites (no more than 3, please) to the list, simply leave a comment.]

What a fantastic new hymn! “In Christ Alone,” in my opinion, will stand the test of time because it is a simple melody in the usual construction of four verses. The beauty of this song is that it builds together (1) the sacrifice of Jesus and (2) our response to it.

The song begins with a verse of praise to Jesus. With that verse, we sing that our full faith is in Him, then we move to the reason why. Verse one uses many titles and descriptions of Jesus (my Comforter, my All in All, this Cornerstone, etc.), and powerfully showers Him with praise, but does so from a deeply personal level. After naming all these attributes, verse one ends with “Here in the love of Christ I stand.”

Why “stand” with Him? The rest of the song shares that message which the world needs to hear.

He was the “fullness of God in helpless babe.” He was Immanuel; God with us. But His own people, whom “he came to save” scorned Him. That led to the cross. The song doesn’t just talk about Jesus on the cross, though. It paints a glorious picture of what happened there. In my favorite line, the song states, “‘Til on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied.” With that simple line, we are preaching the doctrine of atonement, though we might not use that word. What a glorious concept, that “every sin on Him was laid.”

The third verse celebrates the victory over the cross which gives our faith its basis. “Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again.” That is the event that shook the world and gives us our hope. Because He overcame death, the cross has its power. That being true, “Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me.”

The final verse truly provides the “so what” to the song. Here are the great words that conclude a wonderful hymn:

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me.

From life’s first cry to final breath,

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can every pluck me from His hand.

‘Til He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I stand.

The song is destined, in my opinion, to be widely accepted and used in a very short time, and for good reason. Very few newer songs contain quite so much theology as does this one.

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Enjoy this version of the hymn. (You’ll need to turn up your speakers, as the video is recorded at a low volume.)

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Thursday Hymn Reflections: "Jesus Is Lord"

Posted on December 10, 2009 by faughnfamilyof4 • 2 Comments

[NOTE: If you would like to add your song ideas for these "reflections" series, leave a comment with no more than 3 songs. There are almost 40 in the line-up now!]

The first verse of this song is very old, while additional verses have been added in the last 40 years. As the verses, especially the final one, have been added, the song has been much more used. It is a song that usually is accepted first by young people, but that adults love to.

I love this song for its simple message. It doesn’t get simpler than “Jesus is Lord, my Redeemer; how He loves me, how I love Him.” Each of those brief statements is a sermon in itself!

Probably what sets this song apart as a favorite for many, though, is the final verse, wherein the ladies sing a counter-melody. There are several different variations on the words, but here is one rendition:

Jesus came to die on Calvary;

To redeem a lost humanity;

Conquered death, He rose triumphantly,

Now He reigns for all eternity.

As the ladies sing these powerful words, the men simply sing “Alleluia” several times. That word, meaning “praise God,” lays a gorgeous background to great words about our Savior. When sung well, there are few songs that compare in beauty.

As I reflect on this song, though, I am also reminded that there is a phrase, sung twice, that we need to be careful about singing. Twice the words “Lord come quickly” appear in the text of the song. I have often warned people to be careful to mean that when they sing it! Are we really prepared and desiring that Christ return?

I cannot think of a youth rally where I have led singing when I failed to lead this song, but it is not just for young people. Jesus truly is Lord, and the words of this simple, but powerful hymn teach and encourage one another to lift Him up as such.

As I close, let me type the words of a little-sung verse to this song. It is only found in a few versions, but it is my favorite (other than the closing verse). Take time to reflect on these beautiful lyrics sometime today:

He still loves me,

Me, the sinner,

What a sorrow if I lost Him.

But He owns me,

Me, the sinner,

Praise our Jesus! Alleluia!

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What are your reflections on this hymn?

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Reflections on "Where No One Stands Alone"

Posted on November 19, 2009 by faughnfamilyof4 • 5 Comments

When I was in the Sonshine Singers at Freed-Hardeman, we sang the beautiful hymn ”Where No One Stands Alone” many times. The song was also a favorite at campus singings and devotionals. It’s always fascinating to me what “old” songs are commonly sung by young people and young adults.

The hymn reflects a theme that is common to many other great songs: God’s protection. We go through moments in life when we feel alone, but, as the song eloquently states, we “cry” to God, “Don’t hide Your face from me.”

Aren’t you thankful that God is always there!

In my mind, though, it’s the chorus of the song that gives it a life that will not fade anytime soon. Here are the famous words:

Hold my hand all the way

Ev’ry hour, ev’ry day;

From here to the great unknown.

Take my hand, let me stand

Where no one stands alone.

The song admits a vulnerability in us: we don’t know what to expect either in life or when our time comes to die. We “do not know what the morrow may bring” as James tells us, and the unknown often frightens us. It’s also difficult for many–even strong Christians–to face the difficulties of death in ways that are hard on the body. While one may not fear death itself, the process of dying can frighten so many.

It tears me apart to think of many who are lonely when illness, difficulty, and even the last hours of life come. They lay in beds at home or in a hospital in total fear of what is coming their way.

In just the same way, it hurts to think of those who face life’s hard decisions alone. Maybe a job loss comes or a business fails. Maybe a mate decides to leave or a child becomes wayward. Maybe a loved one dies. These moments scare us, and rightfully so.

That’s when we ask God to hold our hand every hour of every day. But it’s the line “let me stand where no one stands alone” that ends the powerful song with a word of triumph. We know that these difficulties are but for a moment. And there is coming a time where, no matter how many in this world stand with us, we will not stand alone. We will be, as my friend Andy says, with the overcomers.

Are you unsettled? Do you fear? Pray that God will take your hand and guide you. You are not alone!

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Tag Archives: songs

Thursday Hymn Reflection: “God of Wonders”

Thursday Hymn Reflection: “The Old Rugged Cross”

Thursday Hymn Reflection: "In Christ Alone"

Thursday Hymn Reflections: "Jesus Is Lord"

Reflections on "Where No One Stands Alone"