BROADCASTS.com

b'\\u201cPraise the Lord!\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d the man yelled. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Here comes the authoress!\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d The man was Pastor D. L. Moody, a well-known teacher an evangelist, and he was introducing one of the most prolific hymn writers in the United States of America, Fanny Crosby. Her hymns had touched and inspired millions who attended his church revival meetings. She only found herself on stage because there was no other seating available, but Moody was delighted to have her there.\\nFanny was born in Putnam County, New York, in 1820. In infancy she developed a bad cold, causing inflammation in her eyes. A doctor applied mustard plasters, which some thought caused damage, and Fanny lost her sight. At the New York Institution for the Blind, she became a teacher and wrote song lyrics and other poetry. In addition, she had the honor of becoming the first female voice heard publicly in the United States Senate Chamber in Washington, DC. She even read one of her poems there. How awesome is that?\\nIn 1858, she married a fellow scholar, Alex Van Alstyne (who was also blind), and they had one child. But when their child died in infancy, Fanny was badly grieved. Her hymn \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Safe in the Arms of Jesus\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d is believed to be the result of that grief. In the lyrics of this beautiful hymn, she expresses how wonderful it is to be close to Jesus, \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Safe on His gentle breast / There by His love o\\u2019reshadowed / Sweetly my soul shall rest.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d She also looks forward to the day Jesus will make all things new, when we will be \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Free from the blight of sorrow / Free from my doubt and fears.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d How many other suffering parents were comforted by that hymn?\\nFanny wrote an astounding eight thousand hymns. She gave all credit for her gift of hymn writing to the Lord. She also worked relentlessly to serve people who were impoverished and living in the inner city, most of whom were immigrants. She was an amazing woman for whom things could have turned out so differently. Instead of despair, she chose to draw near to her Lord and Savior. The next time you hear \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Blessed Assurance\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d or \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Pass Me Not Oh Gentle Savior,\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d remember the woman who wrote them, Fanny Crosby. \\u2022 Susan Sundwall\\n\\u2022 No matter what your circumstances are, God has given you gifts that are important in His kingdom. What are some ways you can serve Jesus in your context?\\n\\u2022 Have you ever experienced Jesus\\u2019s love and closeness through worship music and hymns? \\nSing a new song to the Lord; let the whole earth sing to the Lord. Psalm 96:1 (CSB)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nJohn.5.1-John.5.15|Eph.2.12-Eph.2.13|Titus.3.3-Titus.3.8'