Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895) spent her whole life in Ireland. She married an Anglican pastor in 1850, William Alexander, who later became Bishop of Derry in 1867. She was very interested in children’s education throughout her life, and many of her almost 400 hymns were written especially with young people in mind. In 1848 she published Hymns for Little Children. One of her goals was to present the Apostles’ Creed in an interesting way which children would understand. She wrote […]

Every year a few weeks before Easter, Tenth launches its Easter Sacrificial Offering (ESO) campaign. The ESO benefits five projects that provide help and encouragement to the some of the poorest people around the world. This tradition of mercy predates the memories of most members at Tenth. But where does it come from? And what has made it such a longstanding tradition?     Arguing there is no futility in mercy, the Global Outreach Commission at Tenth authored a blog entry in […]

Joseph did time in an Egyptian prison for a crime he did not commit (Genesis 39:20).  Samson was imprisoned by the Philistines (Judges 16:21). King Jehoiachin was held prisoner in a Babylonian prison (2 Kings 24:12). The prophet Jeremiah was imprisoned by King Zedekiah. Herod the Tetrarch put John the Baptist in prison (Matthew 14:3). The Apostle Peter was put in prison by Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:4). Paul and Silas were thrown into prison in Philippi (Acts 16:24).   These are […]

Lo! the Apostolic train join your sacred name to hallow; Prophets swell the glad refrain, and the white-robed martyrs follow; And from morn to set of sun, through the church the song goes on.   Holy God, We Praise Your Name On March 25, 1984, I stepped into Tenth Presbyterian Church for the first time. My mother was not bringing me to a worship service. No, we were of good Methodist stock, my mother having grown up in a Methodist minister’s household! But […]

Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children. Deuteronomy 4:9 In Charles Dicken’s Little Dorrit, a father on his deathbed presses into his son’s hand a pocket watch engraved with the letters DNF, urging his son with his dying breath to take it to his mother. The […]

“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” Romans 8:19-22 Not long […]

Let me get two caveats out of the way at the outset. First, this post is not about Aimee Byrd’s new book, Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. The post is occasioned by its release and the conversation surrounding it, but I’m not trying to engage directly with the book or the responses to it. Second, if complementarianism can be thick or thin, broad or narrow, then my perspective lands on the broad or thick side of the spectrum. I don’t want to […]

When I was young, I couldn’t “wait” for Christmas each year. The anticipation of receiving presents made December seem longer than every other month. As I have gotten older, Christmas has taken on more of a “weight.” Like many church musicians, much of my annual labor is occupied with Christmas. Preparations for Lessons and Carols begin as early as June followed by a steady stream of work culminating in December’s services. Every year this process reminds me of the awe-inspiring […]

“For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.” 1 Thessalonians 1:8 As we honor God’s faithful provision and sovereign guidance to Tenth’s Global Outreach ministry, this year’s Global Outreach Conference will focus on how the Spirit of Christ builds and grows the Church through the work of Tenth’s global partners. Why should you take part […]