I love singing in church! I always have. This love is not because I have a great voice, but I do have enthusiasm! My sister and I used to sing together for church services on occasion. She had the stronger voice and better range so she sang the melody. I played the piano and sang alto. We were limited on song choices by my ability to sing the alto part (I love singing harmony but it just doesn't come naturally to me) and my very limited ability on the piano. We had fun, though.
One of the songs from those years was "Victory in Jesus". We sang it with some zip. Actually, we sang most songs with zip because I liked to play fast. It was probably a nervous thing, I don't know. Anyway, I was excited recently because our worship team is singing an updated version of this song. It is syncopated and fun and I will definitely be thinking of my sister as we sing it! The picture below is from last Summer. My sister, Tina, is holding my grandaughter, Cordelia.
In my zest for singing, though, I find that I am focusing so hard on notes and tempo, I forget to ponder the words. For some reason, I get more out of the words at times if I just pause and read through the verses and chorus first. This old song has some particular nuggets that speak to me. I think all of us have times when we feel we have a broken spirit in need of healing.
Victory in Jesus
copyright 1939 by E. M. Bartlett
I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory.
chorus O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him-
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.
I heard about His healing, of His cleansing pow'r revealing,
How He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit",
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory.
chorus O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him-
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.
I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory,
And I heard about the streets of gold beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing and the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I'll sing up there the song of victory.
chorus O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him-
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.
Do you know this song?
I love the old-fashioned sound of this family! It makes me feel like we should all hang out on a big porch, sip some sweet tea and just relax. Yep, that's what this music makes me want to do.
