Living for Jesus

We just had our October Hymn Sing, and it was such a blessing as we sang hymns written by men who lived in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. This is our 24^th Hymn Sing season, and on Thursday we had 12 people make professions of faith.

One of the hymns we sang was written by Thomas Obadiah Chisholm who was born in 1866 in a log cabin near Franklin Kentucky. He became a schoolteacher at age 16. He was ordained as a Methodist minister in 1903, but after one year, because of failing health had to step down. He was selling insurance in Winona Lake and then lived in Vineland, New Jersey,

Chisholm wrote over 1200 sacred poems which were featured in Christian periodicals across the country. In 1923, he wrote the poem “Great is Thy Faithfulness, and William Runyan, from Moody Bible Institute, wrote the music for this beloved hymn.

Towards the end of his life, he retired to the Methodist Home for the Aged in Ocean Grove, NJ, and died on February 29, 1960 in Ocean Grove.

Another popular hymn written by Chisholm is the hymn, Living for Jesus. The lyrics are timely, and I want to share them with you. Many of you knew Bill Bibik, who served at America’s Keswick for over 30 years. Bill died one year ago this month from Covid, and this was his favorite hymn.

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.

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Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.

Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Living for Jesus – Bill Welte Piano

Have a great week.

Undivided: By Christ, in Christ, for Christ,

Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick

Bill would love to hear from you: bwelte@americaskeswick.org.

Written by Bill Welte: President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 12 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.