How I Enjoy Liberty in My Music Choices
I grew up in churches that used predominately Gospel songs and choruses (Jesus Saves, Washed in the Blood, Love Lifted Me, Climb up Sunshine Mountain, etc.). I then found myself in a more traditional hymn oriented environment (O For a Thousand Tongues, O Sacred Head Now Wounded, etc.) and the Psalter with a side jaunt in “nit-picking hymnody” that corrected lines like “emptied Himself of all but love” and “thou hast for all atonement made” and considered “Since Jesus Came Into My Heart” ludicrous. I grew very familiar with music “experts” who could tell the difference between good and bad Christian music and expected others to submit to their standards. Somewhere along the line I discovered that, as a redeemed child of God, I had the ability and individual soul liberty to decide for myself. As a result, I’ve come to embrace what I, personally, consider the best of Getty, Sovereign Grace, and others along with older hymns like “How Sweet and Awful is the Place”. I can appreciate the content and efforts of people like Shai Linne although my 67 year old mind has trouble keeping up with his fast-paced poetry. I admit liking the sound of Southern Gospel, but I don’t like it in church.
In short, I’ve come to enjoy liberty in my choices of music. I haven’t sung “Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul” for several years and I don’t miss it. Neither do I miss hearing “I Want to Marry Daddy When I Grow Up” as a special on Father’s Day.
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Ron, awhile back as we were singing “Room at the Cross,” it reminded me of the Roy Roger’s song, “Happy Trails.” I looked it up and “Room at the Cross” was copywrited in 1946 and “Happy Trails” was released only 6 years later in 1952. It is interesting how many of the old hymns actually had a lot in common with the secular music of their day.
How does “The Rusty Horseshoe Song” fit into that grouping system? ;-)
Greg Linscott
Marshall, MN
Now you’ve gone to meddling, Greg Linscott! The Rusty Horseshoe Song is full of depth and sentimental meaning. I want you to sing it at my funeral.
"Some things are of that nature as to make one's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache." John Bunyan
In my church growing up, we used a traditional hymnal in the Sunday morning service and a gospel chorus book in the evening service. We had a Singspiration time once a month after the evening service and could pick songs from either book to sing. I loved both types of songs. My first job was in a tree nursery, and I would spent hours out weeding the plants while singing church songs to myself.
Ron, I can find much to “Amen” in your post.
However, don’t you mean “How Sweet and Aweful Is the Place”? (as in “full of awe”) Although since it is talking about the Church, maybe in some cases “awful” is more apropos! :)
I well remember the version we sang at T4G 08: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkE8Ou8iw-A
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Greg Long, Ed.D. (SBTS)
Pastor of Adult Ministries
Grace Church, Des Moines, IA
Adjunct Instructor
School of Divinity
Liberty University
I should have typed “aweful” although one of my old hymnals supports my misspelling. I’ve also used “holy” and “awesome” instead. It’s one of my favorites. I am overwhelmed when I ask myself, “Why was I a guest?”
"Some things are of that nature as to make one's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache." John Bunyan
One of my all time favorites also.
While I was aware of the hymn “How Sweet and Awesome” for many years, I never sang it regularly in church until I attended a church that used a mixture of old and new hymns.
"Some things are of that nature as to make one's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache." John Bunyan
There are so many excellent hymns that are rarely sung in church. I attribute this to bad music. Something that has been good for me is to peruse good hymnals and just read the lyrics.
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