Hymns of Hope: O to be Like Thee

The words for this hymn were written by Thomas Obadiah Chisholm, who lived from 1866 to 1960. He was born in a log cabin near Franklin, Kentucky. He was educated in a one room school and became a teacher at the age of 16. By the age of 21 he was an associate editor of the local newspaper. He was saved at age 27, afterwhich he penned the words to "Oh, To Be Like Thee."

The basis for his words was his desire to shape himself in the image of Christ. Soon, poor health would challenge his efforts to become a newspaper editor and an ordained minister, however he would continue writing poetry. He wrote "Living for Jesus," (Living for Jesus, a life that is true, Striving to please Him in all that I do), but perhaps his most famous hymn is "Great Is Thy Faithfulness."

The words to "O to be Like Him" and "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" might be his personal diary. He started his spiritual journey with a desire to be like Jesus and as he neared the end of his journey on this earth he proclaimed God's greatness and faithfulness. What a testimony. May this be our experience and testimony as well. As we enter 2026, why not make it your prayer to be like Jesus in all that you do?

"O to be like Thee, O to be like Thee
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art
Come in Thy sweetness
Come in Thy fullness
Stamp Thine own image
Deep on my heart"

"O to be like Thee! full of compassion
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting
Seeking the wand’ring sinners to find"

Hymns of Hope: What a Day That Will Be

This hymn was written in 1955 by gospel singer Jim Hill of Middletown, Ohio. The inspiration for it came from two people who were in his life. One person was an orphan girl who had sung at his church. She concluded her song with the words, “What a day that will be,” a phrase that resonated deeply with Hill and stayed with him over the years. The second inspiration came from a personal family tragedy, when his mother-in-law suffered a stroke that left her paralyzed. Hill struggled to comprehend why such a terrible thing would happen to such a kind and devout woman as his mother-in-law was.

One day while sitting on his porch, he founded himself reflecting on the trials she had faced, when the words to the hymn began to flow into his mind. Despite having never written a song before, he shared the words with his family. On their next visit to see his mother-in-law, Hill, his wife, and sister-in-law sang it to her and for the first time in three years, she smiled. To Hill, it was a divine confirmation that his song was blessed by God.

“What a Day That Will Be” is a song of encouragement and hope. Its message of a future without sorrow, pain or death, draws on the promise found in Revelation 21:4: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

“What a Day That Will Be” is a beautiful reminder of the eternal peace promised to believers. The second verse says it all:

"There'll be no sorrows there
No more burdens to bear
No more sickness, no pain
No more parting over there
And forever I will be
With the one who died for me
What a day, glorious day that will be"

Jim Hill sang with the Stamps and Statesmen quartets. In later years he was part of the Gaither “Homecoming Series.” He was also the worship minister and choir director at Towne Blvd Church of God in Middletown, where he was a long-time member. He passed away on Jan. 9, 2018.

Jesus: Precious Name, Oh How Sweet

Lydia Odell Baxter was born in Petersburg, New York, 1809. A couple of decades later, she and her husband moved to New York City and operated a home that became known as a gathering place for ministers, evangelists and Christian workers; a lighthouse in the big city, offering respite to those spreading the gospel.

But God had a different path for Lydia – one that would take her through the valley of suffering. She developed a serious chronic illness that would confine her to bed for most of her remaining life – nearly three decades. While many would have grown bitter from such an affliction, Lydia maintained a cheerful and patient disposition that inspired everyone around her. Friends who came to offer comfort left having received it instead.

Lydia filled her days and nights with intensive Bible study and writing. She had a particular fascination with Biblical names and their meanings. Among those names, the one she found most precious was, "Jesus." Her outlook was positive. When asked how that could be in light of her suffering, she would say, “I have a very special armor. I have the name of Jesus.

Invoking Jesus’ name as spiritual protection became the inspiration for her most famous hymn, “Take the Name of Jesus with You,” written in 1870, just four years before her death. Writing it was not merely a creative outlet during her illness, but a ministry, a way of sharing the comfort she had found in Jesus’ name, with anyone who would read or sing her words.

"Take the name of Jesus with you
Child of sorrow and of woe
It will joy and comfort give you
Take it then, where’er you go"

(Taken from hymcharts.com by Don Chapman)

"I Surrender All...a Cause to Sing"

We all love that great hymn, but do you know the story behind how it came to be? The words were written by Judson Van DeVenter of Dundee, Michigan around 1890 and were later put to music by Winfield S. Weeden and published in 1896. Van DenVenter was an accomplished musician who started out as an art teacher. He taught in Sharon, Pennsylvania for 15 years, and during that time, was active in the Methodist Episcopal Church doing evangelistic work. Soon his friends began encouraging him to leave teaching to become an evangelist.

“I was conducting a meeting at East Palestine, Ohio… For some time I had struggled between developing my talents in the field of art and going into full-time evangelistic work. At last the pivotal hour of my life came, and I surrendered all. A new day was ushered into my life. I became an evangelist and discovered down deep in my soul a talent hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart, and touching a tender chord, he caused me to sing.”

"I Surrender All" was first published in Gospel Songs of Grace and Glory, a collection of old and new hymns by various hymnists. It has continued to appear in numerous other hymnals since its publication.

Van DeVenter went on to write more than 60 hymns and songs. In the 1920s, he served as a professor of hymnology at Florida Bible Institute near Tampa, which was later attended by Billy Graham. In “Crusade Hymn Stories,” by crusades singer Cliff Barrows, he writes that the evangelist said students often gathered in Van DeVenter's home for fellowship and singing. Graham was with the hymn writer when he died on July 17, 1939, recounting that Van DeVenter sang “I Surrender All” on his deathbed. Graham regularly used the hymn in his crusades.

All to Jesus I Surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live
All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me, Jesus, take me now
All to Jesus I surrender
Make me, Saviour, wholly thine
Let me feel the Holy Spirit
Truly know that Thou art mine
All to Jesus I surrender
Lord, I give myself to Thee
Fill me with Thy love and power
Let Thy blessing fall on me
All to Jesus I surrender
Now I feel the sacred flame
Oh, the joy of full salvation
Glory, glory, to His name
Refrain:

I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee, my blessed Savior
I surrender all

Thanks to Kelly Reneau for allowing me to use her beautiful photo.

How Firm a Foundation

An original verse in "How Firm a Foundation," goes like this...

"In ev’ry condition, in sickness, in health, in poverty’s vale or abounding in wealth, at home or abroad, on the land, on the sea, as thy days may demand shall thy strength ever be."

Originally published in London, England in 1787, the hymn first appeared in America in 1832, and became much loved and adored. It is good to know that in today's world, no matter the circumstance, no matter where we find ourselves, we can rely on God to provide us with a firm foundation to keep us calm and encouraged. God's love for us is rich and pure, measureless, strong and enduring. The hymn assures believers that God's strength will always be sufficient, regardless of their circumstances.

During the Civil War, both sides could be heard singing it, a testament to how God bridges the gap between all men with a calming realization that the foundation of God is our refuge. Andrew Jackson requested it be sung at his deathbed, and Robert E. Lee and Theodore Roosevelt both requested it be sung at their funerals.

In 1898, during the Spanish-American war, tensions between the North and the South were still high. A divided American army. needed to put aside differences to face a new conflict, but that was easier said than done, and then on Christmas eve of 1898 a sentinel’s call rang out, “twelve o’clock, and all’s well!” It was Christmas morning. With thoughts of home on his mind, suddenly there arose the sound of an old, familiar hymn, ringing out along those moonlit fields: ‘How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord!’ One voice, then another and soon another, and another, and in a moment a whole American army corps was singing:

"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed; For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid; I’ll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand, Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand."

With lyrics like "In ev'ry condition, in sickness, in health, in poverty's vale or abounding in wealth, at home or abroad, on the land, on the sea" believers are assured that God's strength will always be sufficient, regardless of their circumstances. The promise of God's strength applies to all situations, both good and bad. What an amazing comfort.

For 223 years, our church has been a source of strength and comfort for its members; a place for fellowship, spiritual nourishment and support; providing a sense of belonging, connection and opportunities for spiritual growth, prayer and learning about faith; offering comfort and direction during difficult times. We praise God for that.

Unexpected Blessings

I could hardly see through my windshield because of the slush and gook that had been splattered on it, so on my lunch hour I drove to the car wash, only to find it closed. Of course, we had just encountered a winter storm and the wind chill was near zero. I was resigned to the fact that I would have to wait another day to wash my car.

Since Burger King was next door, I decided that was where I would get lunch. I pulled up to the pickup window and immediately there was water dripping from the awning above, dripping onto the dirty windshield I was having trouble seeing out of. In seconds my windshield was clean!

In the process of living, we sometimes face struggles, but God sure does have a way of working things out. Here's a shout-out to unexpected blessings that let me know just how good God is.

"For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Matthew 25:35