(Foreword by George Younce) An inspiring collection of stories behind fifty treasured songs of the faith, including "Mansion Over the Hilltop," "We Shall Behold Him," "He's Still Working on Me," and "Sweet Beulah Land."

Evangelical Christianity--the faith professed by one in four Americans--exerts an enormous influence in American society. Believed by some to have originated as a reaction to the social revolution of the 1960s, evangelicalism as a distinct subculture in fact dates to the advent of radio. The evangelical faithful flocked to the airwaves, developing a nationwide mass culture as listeners across denominational lines heard the same popular preachers and music. Evangelicals left behind the fundamentalism of the early 20th century as broadcast ministries laid the foundation for the culturally engaged New Christian Right of the late 20th century. This historical ethnography presents the era's major radio evangelists and songwriters in the own words, drawing on their writings and recordings, as well as songbooks, liner notes and "song story" anthologies of the period.

The Complete Book of Hymns brings to life the stories behind more than 600 hymns and worship songs. With background on the composer, the inspiration behind the lyrics, scriptural references for devotional consideration, and a sampling of the song lyrics, this book brings forth the message of these great songs of the faith like never before!

The lead article, provides unique insight into the lives of Seth and Bessie Sykes, evangelists and song writers of the song "Thank You Lord for Saving My Soul." Other topics include the sufficiency of God's grace, His purpose for man's creation, His role as comforter, His strength and His faithfulness. A number of articles relate the story of how the brief life of the author's great grandson and that of his parents had such a significant impact on so many lives. Several articles resulted from the author's personal life experiences including the emotions involved in moving on from a loved home and lifetime church. Other articles touch on heroes of the bible, a debt you can never pay, Paul Harvey's radio broadcast of "If I Were the Devil," and experiencing the indwelling life of Christ. This is the third in a series of books by Jim Davenport dealing with the general topic of Christian Devotions and Quick Studies, which was the title of the first volume. The second volume is An Attitude of Thankfulness.

Before television, radio was the sole source of simultaneous mass entertainment in America. The medium served as launching pad for the careers of countless future stars of stage and screen. Singers and conductors became legends by offering musical entertainment directly to Americans in their homes, vehicles, and places of work and play. This volume presents biographies of 24 renowned performers who spent a significant portion of their careers in front of a radio microphone. Profiles of individuals like Steve Allen, Rosemary Clooney, Bob Crosby, Johnny Desmond, Jo Stafford, and Percy Faith, along with groups such as the Ink Spots and the King's Men, reveal the private lives behind the public personas and bring to life the icons and ambiance of a bygone era.

Stretch your faith through this collection of intimate interviews with today's top worship songwriters. Even before King David sang his praises, God has been drawing men and women to "sing a new song." Join author and hymnologist Lindsay Terry as he sits down one-on-one with the writers of today's most inspiring and powerful worship songs including: "Here I Am to Worship" "Open the Eyes of My Heart" "Shout to the Lord" "He is Exalted" "I Can Only Imagine" Includes Bonus CD of songwriters telling their own stories!

We live in constant search mode looking for purpose and meaning, trying to find something, anything, that might satisfy the deep longings of our heart. Yet this search is nothing new. Even the wisest man who ever lived struggled with these same issues finding that everything in life was meaningless, a "chasing after the wind." Follow Solomon's search through a fascinating study of Ecclesiastes as in the depths of his despair he discovers that only the God who made the sun can offer real and lasting results under it. Satisfaction guaranteed.

(Easy Piano Songbook). This collection includes 50 well-known gospel songs arranged for easy piano with lyrics. Includes: Bless His Holy Name * Down at the Cross (Glory to His Name) * Give Me That Old Time Religion * He's Got the Whole World in His Hands * His Eye Is on the Sparrow * How Great Thou Art * I Believe * I'll Fly Away * Just a Closer Walk with Thee * My Tribute * The Old Rugged Cross * Precious Memories * Put Your Hand in the Hand * Shall We Gather at the River? * Soon and Very Soon * Sweet by and By * Swing Low, Sweet Chariot * There Will Be Peace in the Valley for Me * Wayfaring Stranger * When the Saints Go Marching In * Wings of a Dove * and many more.

The old gospel song invited listeners to turn their radios on and hear the . . . music in the air. Now return to the eventful days when Americans could “turn the lights down low and listen to the Master’s radio” through this colorful and inspiring history of Christian music and ministry during the golden age of gospel radio. Learn the stories behind such legendary groups as Blackwood Brothers, Statesmen, Gaithers, Back to the Bible Quartet, Old Fashioned Revival Hour Quartet, Haven of Rest Quartet, and Stamps Quartet. Follow the careers of the great songwriters of the radio days, men such as Albert Brumley, Merrill Dunlop, John W. Peterson, and Stuart Hamblen. Read about the evangelists who pioneered Christian broadcasting, such as Billy Graham, Charles Fuller, Jack Wyrtzen, Percy Crawford, Paul Myers, Torrey Johnson, Walter Maier, Theodore App, and Paul Vader. And learn the stores behind the greatest gospel songs of the country, from “Some Golden Daybreak” to “Beyond the Sunset,” plus more than 100 others!

Historically the state of Ohio has maintained an active role in the promotion of southern gospel music. Many gospel artists, including some of the Nation’s finest, were either born, or lived a portion of their life, in Ohio. Development of these ministries and the events that have taken place along the way has become a valuable part of Ohio’s history. Over the past two years, desiring to preserve a portion of this history, I have completed extensive research interviewing gospel artists throughout the state. I then compiled this information into a unique collection of history to be shared with everyone. To help the reader more fully appreciate “life on the road” the stories of these gospel artists are presented within the context of eight road tours covering the entire state of Ohio. Travelling along on each tour we will experience a variety of emotions from laughter to frustration. At each stop we will learn some fascinating facts about the town and while in town we’ll stop by and visit with a few of those southern gospel artists and/or groups who claim the town as part of their heritage. Each tour will end with a short walk down memory lane as we view photos of those gospel artists whom we have just visited. So come on! Open the book, climb on board and prepare yourself for eight exciting tours across the great state of Ohio where we’ll meet some truly inspiring people. Hope you enjoy the book!