HAPPY VALENTiNE'S FROM JOHN NEWTON

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds

In a believer's ear

It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds
And drives away his fear

It makes the wounded spirit whole

And calms the troubled breast

Tis manna to the hungry soul
And to the weary rest

Dear Name! the rock on which I build
My shield and hiding-place
My never-failing treasury fill'd

With boundless stores of grace

Jesus! my Shepherd, Brother, Friend
My Prophet, Priest, and King
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End
Accept the praise I bring

Weak is the effort of my heart
And cold my warmest thought
But when I see Thee as Thou art
I'll praise Thee as I ought

Till then I would Thy love proclaim
With every fleeting breath
And may the music of Thy Name
Refresh my soul in death

happy black friday from JOHN NEWTON

These lyrics are awesome. I had fun writing new music for them this morning. You can go here and listen to an older melody. I just went and sang it with that old melody by myself and Mac. Fun times. Also, go here for some of my favorite hymn lyrics of all time... also by Jonny Newton himself. Be blessed and enjoy.

Why should I fear the darkest hour
Or tremble at the tempter's power
Jesus vouchsafes to be my Tower

Though hot the fight, why quit the field
Why must I either flee or yield
Since Jesus is my mighty Shield

When creature comforts fade and die
Worldlings may weep, but why should I
Jesus still lives and still is nigh

Though sin would fill me with distress
The throne of grace I dare address
For Jesus is my Righteousness

Though faint my prayers and cold my love
My steadfast hope shall not remove
While Jesus intercedes above

Against me earth and hell combine
But on my side is power divine
Jesus is all and He is mine

DAMNiNG DESPAiR

William Cowper thought he was not among the elect. This is apparent in his poetry, his depression, and even in some of his hymns. G. K. Chesterton saw it. In Orthodoxy, he claimed that Cowper was “damned by John Calvin.” Cowper was friends with John Newton [pastor and hymnist who wrote “Amazing Grace”] and lived with him for 12 years. Newton would write to William to encourage him in his fearful despair.

July 30, 1767 [excerpts]:

I can only advise you to resist to the utmost every dark and discouraging suggestion.

Though sin has abounded in us, grace has superabounded in him; though our enemies are many and mighty, Jesus is above them all; though He may hide himself from us at times, He has given us a warrant to trust him, even while we walk in darkness, He has promised to return, and gather us with everlasting mercies.

So, to renounce self, to live upon Jesus, to walk with God, to overcome the world, to trust the Lord when we cannot trace him, and to know that our duty and privilege consist in these things, may be readily or quickly learned; but, upon repeated trial, we find that saying and doing are two different things.

We please ourselves with agreeable prospects and proposals; but determination is with the Lord. We may rejoice that it is, He sees all things in their dependences and connexions, which we see not, and therefore he often thwarts our wishes for our good.

Let us strive and pray for a habitual resignation to his will; for He does all things well. It is never ill with us but when our hearts doubt or forget this plainest of truths.

JOHN NEWTON from 1779

as by the light of opening day
the stars are all concealed
so earthly pleasures fade away
when Jesus is revealed

creatures no more divide my choice
i bid them all depart
his name and love and gracious voice
have fixed my roving heart

holy historical hymnody, batman

Tis preposterous to say that the church today is in the state it is in solely because of the sometimes shallow and dumb lyrics in the songs we sing. However, we are certainly helping to sustain our emaciated spirituality by them. So, here's a little John Newton to soothe the soul.

begone, unbelief
my Savior is near
and for my relief
will surely appear
by prayer let me wrestle
and He will perform
with Christ in the vessel
I smile at the storm

though dark be my way
since He is my guide
tis mine to obey
tis His to provide
though cisterns be broken
and creatures all fail
the word He has spoken
shall surely prevail

His love in times past
forbids me to think
He'll leave me at last
in trouble to sink
each sweet Ebenezer
I have in review
confirms His good pleasure
to help me quite through

why should I complain
of want or distress
temptation or pain?
He told me no less
the heirs of salvation
i know from His word
through much tribulation
must follow their Lord

since all that I meet
shall work for my good
the bitter is sweet
the med'cine is food
though painful at present
twill cease before long
and then, o how pleasant
the conqueror's song!