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Song Story: Spring Has Sprung         

Spring is in the air making us think about the song “Spring Has Sprung.” The song was written by Thomas Chisholm, a Methodist minister and hymn writer. He dedicated his life to Christ around 1893 (age 27) during a revival led by Henry Clay Morrison. After his 1903 ordination, he only served as a minister for one year before his poor health caused him to resign. He later worked as a life…

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Song Story: Shine, Jesus, Shine

“Shine, Jesus, Shine” is a popular praise song.  It was written in 1987 by Graham Kendrick. Kendrick recounted that he’d written three verses and road-tested them. The song didn’t seem to come together and he put it away for a while. Sometime later the phrase “Shine Jesus Shine” came to his mind and he wrote the song in less than thirty minutes. The chorus fell right into place but the tempo to…

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Hymn Story: Come Worship Him

“Come and Worship” is a hymn written by Fanny Crosby. Over her career as a hymn writer, Crosby’s words were partnered with melodies of numerous composers. Phoebe Knapp is the composer of this hymn and wrote over 500 hymn tunes. Her best-known song with Fanny Crosby is “Blessed Assurance.”

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Hymn Story: Scars in Heaven

“Scars in Heaven” is a song by Casting Crowns about hope in the midst of loss. Mark Hall wrote the story as his grandparents slowly passed away. To learn more about the story behind this song watch Mark Hall discuss what inspired him. During this journey, he was inspired by an event following the resurrection in the book of Luke.

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Easter Song Story: St. John Passion

The Passion or oratorio “St. John Passion” was written by Johann Sebastian Bach. It was written during his first year as director of church music in Leipzig and was first performed on April 7, 1724, at Good Friday Vespers at the St. Nicholas Church. There are two halves, which are intended to flank a sermon. The Passion narrates the Passion of Christ as told in the Gospel of John. Bach revised…

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Author Spotlight: Chris Maday Schmidt

Today it’s my pleasure to welcome Chris Maday Schmidt, as she tells us about her newest release. Welcome, Chris! I can’t wait to hear more about the llama and alpaca. Tell us about your latest release: A FATHER’S VOW—my debut novel with Love Inspired that released on March 26—is a contemporary inspirational romance about a veterinarian and a single dad who work together to catch vandals at a…

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Hymn Story: My Song is Love Unknown

Samuel Crossman, a Puritan minister, wrote the hymn “My Song is Love Unknown” in 1664. At the time he wrote the hymn, he’d been exiled from the Church of England for his opposition to the Act of Uniformity (public prayers and sacraments rites) 1662. Crossman rejoined the Church of England the following year after writing this hymn. He continued to serve the church until his death on Feb. 4,…

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Author Spotlight: Sally Jo Pitts

It’s a joy to introduce you to Sally Jo Pitts today. 1. Tell us about your latest release- Sweet Deceit is about a waitress who has an attempt made on her life and as she works with the newly appointed sheriff to find her assailant, the two find themselves in the middle of Sweet County’s dark secrets. 2. What inspired your novel? This romantic suspense is based on the true story of my husband…

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Hymn Story: My Anchor Holds

William C. Martin wrote the 1902 hymn “My Anchor Holds.” Martin was born in 1864 in Hightstown, NJ. He served as a minister to churches in New Jersey, Connecticut, Indiana, Mass., and Florida and wrote numerous hymns. He and his wife, Euretta May Wilcox, had at least three children together.  He died in 1914 in Rialto, FL.

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Hymn Story: Let Us with a Gladsome Mind 

John Milton (1608-1674) wrote the hymn “Let Us with a Gladsome Mind” in 1623. Milton composed various musical versions of some of the Psalms. This hymn is based on Psalm 136. The tune “Monkland” is rooted in the text of “Fahre fort” (1704) by Johann A. Freylinghausen’s.  John Antes (1740-1811) significantly altered the tune to the composition known today. He was a missionary, watchmaker,…

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Hymn Story: In the Cross of Christ I Glory   

John Bowring wrote “In the Cross of Christ I Glory.” Bowing was born in Exeter, Devon, England on Oct. 17, 1792.  He is considered a great linguist, having been self-taught, he mastered five languages. He translated many literary works, served in the House of Commons for 2 terms and in 1854 was knighted by Queen Victoria and appointed as governor of Hong Kong. On Bowing’s gravestone is…

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Author Spotlight: Karin Beery

Today it is my pleasure to welcome Karin Beery. Her newest release is Finally Forever and it’s a wonderful read. Karin tell us about your writing journey and new release. Tell us about your latest release. Finally Forever is a contemporary rom-com featuring a champion ballroom dancer, a should-have-been NFL player, and a fundraiser to support special needs women. Tell us about your writing…

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Hymn Story: To You Alone

To You Alone was written by Fred and Ruth Coleman.  The hymn is often referred to by its first line “Let us join our hearts together and give thanks in one accord.” The hymn has appeared in the hymnal Hymns Modern and Ancient. I’ve been unable to find any additional information on the composers or song.

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Hymn Story: Stand Up and Bless the Lord    

James Montgomery wrote the hymn “Stand Up and Bless the Lord.” The hymn was written for the anniverary celebration of the Red Hill Wes­ley­an Sun­day School in Shef­field, Eng­land. Montgomery was born in 1771 Scotland.  His parenty died on the mission field of the West Indies while he was a young man in boarding school. He inherited a strong religious bent and became mission minded. He opposed…

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Hymn Story: I Shall Know Him

Fanny Crosby wrote the hymn “My Savior First of All.”  The hymn is also known as “I shall know Him.” Crosby, who was blind, wrote many hymns. She stated “If I had a choice, I would still choose to remain blind…for when I die, the first face I will ever see will be the face of my blessed Saviour.”

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Hymn Story: They’ll Know We Are Christians

“They’ll Know We Are Christians” is a hymn written by Father Peter Scholtes in the 1960s for an Ecumenical event. By the 1980s, Scholtes left the priesthood. He’d go on to become a business management consultant and author. He died in 2009. The title of the song originates in a phrase that non-believers used to describe Christians believers of early Church: “Behold, how they love one another.”

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Song Story: How Long Has It Been

Mosie Lister wrote “How Long Has It Been” which took him “little more than 10 minutes” to write. According to Lister, usually “I sweat blood over most of the songs I write.” He spoke in an interview about growing up in a Christian home and saying bedtime prayers. As an adult, he’d learned to talk to God in “other ways.”  One day he decided to write a song to relive those memories of talking to…