I don't know about you, but........

I don't know about you, but I enjoy find out the story about things that interest me. I love the history of fashion, of my genealogy, place and people. One of my interests lately has been the history behind the Hymns we sing. Who were these people and what led them to write what they did? I've gone as far as writing monologues of these people and using them to introduce these people to my church. I find that you can have a deeper understanding of the words,when you know the story being it.

Over the last coupe of years, I have come to know:

Charles Wesley "And Can It Be"
Julia Ward Howe "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"
Sarah Flowers Adams "Nearer My God to Thee"
John Newton "Amazing Grace"
Horatio G. Spafford "It Is Well With My Soul"
Franny J. Crosby "Blessed Assurance"
William Booth "Send The Fire"
Carl Boberg &
Stuart K. Hines "How Great Thou Art"
Helen H. Lemmel "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"
George Bennard "The Old Rugged Cross"
Joseph Scriven "What A Friend We Have In Jesus"

There are some pretty fasinating and amazing stories behind some of these hymns. However, there are times in my research that I come to a stand still.....maybe all I can find is the name of the author and where they lived, but there are times when I can't even find that.

This is what brings be to this particular writting. A couple of weeks ago, we sang one of those old time hymns. I asked the Worship Leader if he would like to know the story behind it. This became my next adventure. I would get to meet another person who expressed his praise to God in song. So away I went. I pulled out my reference books and began to dig and found.....you guessed it.....NOTHING! I was determined to find an answer to my quest and so I Googled it........you guessed it........once again NOTHING. You could hear others sing it, buy a CD that had the song. but there was nothing about who wrote it or even when it was written. The only thing I could find is when it was first recorded.

I guess, this will be one of those times that the song is more important then who wrote it and why. The lyrics are a request, a request that I can identify with and in "This day and Time", a request I will continue to ask.
In Philippians 4:6-7 it says:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request
to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in
Christ Jesus."

With that in mind, here's my request:

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

I am weak, but thou art strong;
Jesus keep me from all wrong;
I'll be satisfied as long,
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Through this world of toil and snares.
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

When my feeble life is o'er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o'er
To Thy Kingdom shore, to Thy shore.