My Tribute (To God Be the Glory!)
Have you ever tried to write a tribute
of love to our Father God? Many tributes
have been penned for people or things. A banquet of delightful words to feast
on for someone who made a difference in their lives often is disguised as an
obituary. Yet, how can one write a
tribute for our Father God?
of love to our Father God? Many tributes
have been penned for people or things. A banquet of delightful words to feast
on for someone who made a difference in their lives often is disguised as an
obituary. Yet, how can one write a
tribute for our Father God?
When I first sang ‘My Tribute’, I could
not understand the title. As I read the life of Andraé Crouch, the composer, I understand.
not understand the title. As I read the life of Andraé Crouch, the composer, I understand.
One day I rushed through my morning. I
glimpsed God’s sweetness through the window. Sometimes a colorful sky, a new
bloom in the Spring, a bird trilling a song God wrote for him to sing, a
squirrel flitting here and there, or geese slicing the air in formation. I stop and realize these sweet sights and sounds
were created for our delight by our Lord
God.
glimpsed God’s sweetness through the window. Sometimes a colorful sky, a new
bloom in the Spring, a bird trilling a song God wrote for him to sing, a
squirrel flitting here and there, or geese slicing the air in formation. I stop and realize these sweet sights and sounds
were created for our delight by our Lord
God.
I began singing from my heart – How can I say thanks for the things you have
done for me, things so undeserved, yet you gave to prove your love for me. These words humbled me, for I knew in that
moment, how great our Lord God is. My plans are nothing beside the greatness of
our Creator, who made each of us in His own image to live in the world He
created. How can I say thanks,
indeed? There are no words to describe
His grandeur, Might, and His great Love!
done for me, things so undeserved, yet you gave to prove your love for me. These words humbled me, for I knew in that
moment, how great our Lord God is. My plans are nothing beside the greatness of
our Creator, who made each of us in His own image to live in the world He
created. How can I say thanks,
indeed? There are no words to describe
His grandeur, Might, and His great Love!
Andraé Crouch and twin sister,
Sandra Crouch, were born July 1, 1942, to a godly couple, Benjamin Crouch and
his wife, Catherine. The twins, plus a
brother, Benjamin, Jr. were raised in Los Angeles.
Sandra Crouch, were born July 1, 1942, to a godly couple, Benjamin Crouch and
his wife, Catherine. The twins, plus a
brother, Benjamin, Jr. were raised in Los Angeles.
When Andraé was nine years old, he
became a Christian, learning about Christ Jesus through the preaching of his
father. His father was invited to take a
full time pastorate in another church. He was undecided as to what decision he
should make. This church had no one who
was able to play the piano for the services.
Andraé recalls, “One day in the service, Dad
called me up front, laid hands on me and prayed, ‘Lord, I don’t know what you
want me to do. If you want me to be a
pastor full time, give Andraé the gift of music’. His Dad then asked, ‘Andraé, if the Lord gives you the
gift of music, will you use it?’ Andraé assented and two weeks
later the father sat the youngster at the piano. Andraé started playing and his
father kept his promise to take the pastorate. Andraé said he played for all the services
and later started a choir. Andraé formed a homespun singing
group with his brother Benjamin, Jr. and sister, Sandra. to sing in local
churches.
became a Christian, learning about Christ Jesus through the preaching of his
father. His father was invited to take a
full time pastorate in another church. He was undecided as to what decision he
should make. This church had no one who
was able to play the piano for the services.
Andraé recalls, “One day in the service, Dad
called me up front, laid hands on me and prayed, ‘Lord, I don’t know what you
want me to do. If you want me to be a
pastor full time, give Andraé the gift of music’. His Dad then asked, ‘Andraé, if the Lord gives you the
gift of music, will you use it?’ Andraé assented and two weeks
later the father sat the youngster at the piano. Andraé started playing and his
father kept his promise to take the pastorate. Andraé said he played for all the services
and later started a choir. Andraé formed a homespun singing
group with his brother Benjamin, Jr. and sister, Sandra. to sing in local
churches.
At the age of fourteen, he composed his
first song. God put a burden on his
heart for people. He kept his promise to
use his gift of music in reaching many young people for God.
first song. God put a burden on his
heart for people. He kept his promise to
use his gift of music in reaching many young people for God.
When he was eighteen years old, God called
him to work in the Los Angeles Center of Teen Challenge, founded by David
Wilkerson. He helped people with problems such as substance abuse. His first
day, he met Larry Reed, and they became friends.
him to work in the Los Angeles Center of Teen Challenge, founded by David
Wilkerson. He helped people with problems such as substance abuse. His first
day, he met Larry Reed, and they became friends.
Years later, Andraé contemplated his
experiences and praised God. His father
and mother died of cancer, and his older brother died within a short period of
time – from1992-1995. Andraé had four different forms of
cancer and the Lord delivered him. Andraé knew he could depend on
God. Andraé explained, “It’s where I
have been – experience. I remember a lot of fear of losing my mother and my
father.” The Lord allows us to go through things because we depend on our
parents. He brings healing and makes us aware of where only God can take us. This knowing developed into a song – Through It All. “Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust
in God, through it all, I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.” During these
years, Andraé wrote many songs praising God. Soon and
very Soon, We are Going to see the King, Bless the Lord – O my Soul, Always
remember Jesus, The Potter Saw a Vessel, The Blood that Jesus shed for Me, Way back
on Calvary, and many more. He was known as an arranger for many of
the recording sessions in Los Angeles that wanted a Gospel sound. The last years of his life, he also ministered
in the church his parents began with his sister Sandra.
experiences and praised God. His father
and mother died of cancer, and his older brother died within a short period of
time – from1992-1995. Andraé had four different forms of
cancer and the Lord delivered him. Andraé knew he could depend on
God. Andraé explained, “It’s where I
have been – experience. I remember a lot of fear of losing my mother and my
father.” The Lord allows us to go through things because we depend on our
parents. He brings healing and makes us aware of where only God can take us. This knowing developed into a song – Through It All. “Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust
in God, through it all, I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.” During these
years, Andraé wrote many songs praising God. Soon and
very Soon, We are Going to see the King, Bless the Lord – O my Soul, Always
remember Jesus, The Potter Saw a Vessel, The Blood that Jesus shed for Me, Way back
on Calvary, and many more. He was known as an arranger for many of
the recording sessions in Los Angeles that wanted a Gospel sound. The last years of his life, he also ministered
in the church his parents began with his sister Sandra.
His friend Larry Reed called, and told
him of his dream. “You will write a song
that is going to go around the world!”
him of his dream. “You will write a song
that is going to go around the world!”
Andraé
asked, “what do I have to read?” His
friend replied, “Read John, chapter 17.” This passage includes: I have glorified You on the
earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me
together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world
was. John17:4-5. Andraé read that chapter, and didn’t feel inspired
to write anything.
asked, “what do I have to read?” His
friend replied, “Read John, chapter 17.” This passage includes: I have glorified You on the
earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me
together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world
was. John17:4-5. Andraé read that chapter, and didn’t feel inspired
to write anything.
The next morning he arose, singing ‘to God be the Glory.’ Andraé asked himself, “Where did
that come from?” He went to the piano
and wrote ‘My Tribute’ in about 10
minutes. That evening he and his friends gathered to sing, and Andraé
exclaimed – “It is all about Glory!”
that come from?” He went to the piano
and wrote ‘My Tribute’ in about 10
minutes. That evening he and his friends gathered to sing, and Andraé
exclaimed – “It is all about Glory!”
To
God be the glory, To God be the glory; To God be the glory for the things He has done.
God be the glory, To God be the glory; To God be the glory for the things He has done.
With
his blood He has saved me; With His pow’r He has raised me.
his blood He has saved me; With His pow’r He has raised me.
To
God be the glory for the things He has done.’
God be the glory for the things He has done.’
Like Andraé Crouch, our tribute to our
Father God comes from our faithfulness
to our Lord and service to others in His Name.
How we live our lives is our story. Each day is a new chapter and with Andraé, we learn to praise God. Andraé said, God puts the praise
in you even before you feel like it. To
God be the Glory!
Father God comes from our faithfulness
to our Lord and service to others in His Name.
How we live our lives is our story. Each day is a new chapter and with Andraé, we learn to praise God. Andraé said, God puts the praise
in you even before you feel like it. To
God be the Glory!
O God, we
give glory to you all day long and constantly
praise your name. Psalm 44:8
give glory to you all day long and constantly
praise your name. Psalm 44:8
With all my heart I
will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name
forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from
the depths of death. Psalm 86:12-13.
will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name
forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from
the depths of death. Psalm 86:12-13.
No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by
night, for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
Isaiah 60:19
night, for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
Isaiah 60:19
“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on
earth to those with whom God is
pleased.” Luke 2:14
earth to those with whom God is
pleased.” Luke 2:14
Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good
News says. This message
about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time.
Romans 16:25
News says. This message
about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time.
Romans 16:25
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