Sunday, November 1, 2009

Singing hymns...


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Hymns have always been a big part of our worship.  We worship at our church in a more musically contemporary way with hymns sprinkled in now and then.  We like that too, but hymns have such a deep richness, a history, a boldness, and a beauty in lyric that is incomparable.  Today, being Reformation Sunday, I am reminded of one favorite hymn writer -- Martin Luther -- who composed one of many family favorites:   
A Mighty Fortress is Our God.

Every time I sing this hymn, and especially when I sing it with my family, I feel like I can conquer anything!  And we can through Christ who gives us strength.   Can you feel the courage and strength of the Right Man  On Our Side in this verse?
Did we in our own strength confide
Our striving  would be losing,
Were not the right man on our side,
The Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He --
Lord Sabaoth His name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
 Even today as our children have grown into adults, they continually mention to me how much they enjoy singing hymns.  Really, they do!  By choosing just one a day to sing, my home scholars gained an appreciation for hymns that will last a lifetime.  I hope they pass their favorites on to their own children someday.