Wednesday, June 24, 2015

I Still Trust You Lord

This song was written by Rev. James McFall in 1989.  This song was inspired by a friend of Rev. McFall's who also happened to be a pastor.  It was during a very trying time in his friend's life.  First he had been badly mistreated by some people in church. Then shortly after that he tragically lost his daughter, son, daughter in law, and their unborn baby in a car accident on the way to the hospital after his daughter in laws water broke.  He's friend came to visit him and it was during this visit while they were fishing that Rev McFall asked him how he was coping with his sorrow.  It was his friend's next comment that inspired the words to this song.  He told him "I Still Trust Him." Rev. McFall called his son J.R. as soon as they got back to a phone and told him to get a pen and paper to write this song down and that is how this song came to be. 

Rev. James McFall was a Pentecostal Preacher from Philadelphia, Mississippi. He was born November 14, 1935.   He and his wife Brenda have seven children together. Anyone who knew him would tell you what a great man of God Rev McFall was and that he helped change many lives not only as a gifted songwriter, but mostly by preaching the Word of God.  He wrote over 300 has been sung by singers like Bill Gaither, Karen Peck, The Happy Goodmans, The Hemphills, J.D. Sumner and many others who sang his songs across the world. It has been stated that it was his love for his children, grandchildren, and Bethlehem Church would always be the source of his greatest pride.  Rev. James L. McFall left this world heading for a greater place on April 28, 2008.  He's funeral was held on May 2, 2008 at the First United Pentecostal Church in Philadelphia, Mississippi.  He is buried at Bethlehem Pentecostal Cemetery in Philadelphia, Mississippi. 

Please feel free to contact me if you would like to add any additional information or even if you know of any corrections needed to be made. 

Lyrics
I
I've seen the righteous man suffer pain
When it looked like the wicked would go free
And in my frustrations it just didn't seem right to me
I prayed for sunshine but You sent rain
I cried for healing but only got pain
But I know Your love will see me through
Oh Lord I still trust You

Chorus
I still trust you, Lord
I still trust you, Lord
That you're able to guide me through
This old dry barren land
And when I don't know
which way to turn or go
I still trust you Lord
So let me hold to your hand

II
I trust You because you’ve been so faithful to me
And You said in Your word Child I’ll never leave nor forsake you
“lo, I’ll go with you, until the end”
Your blood it has cleansed me from all guilt and sin
Your promise I’ll hold on to
Oh Lord I love trusting You

I Still Trust You
www.madonnamassey.net
 
Sis Madonna Massey telling story behind this song her father wrote.

From The Isaac's "Why Can't We" project.

 
From the Dunaway's  "Beautiful Day" project.



Other songs by Rev. James McFall:
Thank God I Am Free (1969)

This song has it's own story.  A story of faith and trust that God will take you where you are meant to be.  It was in 1968 that Rev James McFall was traveling to minister in Buck Eye, Arizona along with his three sons: David, Daniel, and J.R.  Bro McFall only had $6.00 to his name and an old station wagon.  His old station wagon was giving him problems and he stopped to have a mechanic take a look at it and found that he needed a regulator.  He asked the mechanic how much this regulator would cost and the mechanic's reply was $6.00.  Bro McFall talked it over with his wife and decided to trust that God will get them to Buck Eye, Arizona. While on the road the light on the car kept blinking and Bro McFall took his finger covering the light and told the devil to just keep blinking that God would get them there.  He didn't fail him either cause it was there on the platform in Buck Eye, Arizona that God projected the words to this song on the wall for Bro McFall.  This song has been recorded over 100 times, translated into many languages across the world; including Hebrew, Russian and even to the Eskimos.   That night an offering was taken up and was enough for Bro McFall to get his car fixed.  (I would like to thank Braxton McFall for this story to add to the tribute to his grandfather.)


Prayer Warriors Heart

This song was written about a dear lady named Nona Freeman.  She was on a ship sailing to Africa with her children three of them got deathly sick. She prayed, Lord, lay me on a prayer warriors heart,' and at that same time her friends felt the urgency to pray for her. She was told later and discovered it was at that very time.  
I found this story in the comments on YouTube posted by Sue Crocker in 2014.


Sources:
Find A Grave
Ancestory.com

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Thursday, June 4, 2015

If I Have To


This song was written by Rev. Darwin Hawkins in 2005 for a graduation service at a church he was attending while involved in their music ministry.  Even though he didn’t have kids of his own, he thought, what if he did have a child graduating, what would he say?  He thought back to his own childhood and statements his own mother made to him.  He has mentored three children throughout the years.  Two now are married with their own families, and one is currently still with him.   He loves them like his very own. 
 
Rev. Darwin Hawkins was born on December 30, 1956, and grew up in Port Neches, Texas. Graduated from Port Neches-Groves High in 1975 and attended college at Lamar University.  At the age of two he began playing the piano and is a self-taught pianist.  He began writing songs by the age of seven, and has now written around two hundred songs or more.  One of his songs titled I Just Can’t Imagine sung by Safely Anchored made it to the top ten charts.   Several of his songs has hit the top forty of the Singing News charts and the Gospel News charts.  He has songs that has been recorded by 52 different artist.  He Chose This Valley for Me won the Texas District Music Conference song writing first place award.  In his own words he stated, “I love my music ministry, but my heart and soul is in my church.  It is all in vain if you are not preaching truth and reaching people who need God.” 

He currently pastors a church in Port Arthur, Texas which is mostly made up of people coming out of drug addictions, prostitution, and the homeless.  People who are broken and unloved by society.  Rev. Hawkins knows God has a bigger and better plan for their lives. 

He is currently looking into creating a new album project to lead the way for his congregation’s new building fund.  More details to come about this project.  


Lyric's:

I

I brought you into the world
I sheltered you from harm
When you were a baby girl
I'd rock you in my arms
I walked with you on your first day of school
Cause you were so afraid
And now this world is reaching for you
To lead you astray

Chorus

But I'll stay on my knees if I have to
I'd fight to the bitter end
I will no be defeated
Cause I put all my trust in Him
So say what you please
I'll stay on my knees
Praying for you
If I have to


II

Now as the years have gone by
I've loved to watch you grow
Sometimes you'd make me cry
And I'm sure you didn't know
That I only wanted what's best for you
Although you couldn't see
Now satan's trying his very best
To steal you away from me

III 
(from child's perspective)

Stay on your knees
Cause you have to
Fight to the bitter end
Please don't be defeated
And put all your trust in Him
I know I say what I please
But stay on your knees
Praying for me

 
If I Have To
Sis Madonna Massey's new project Sing
www.madonnamassey.net
Two other songs written by Bro. Hawkins is also on her Sing CD.
 
Other songs by Rev. Darwin Hawkins:
 
These Hands
 
Following Jesus
 
 
I Remember Mama
 
 
 
 
He Chose This Valley
Called Out Quartet (2007 Can't Make It By Myself; 2009 Live in Nashville)


I Just Can't Imagine
 Safely Anchored Quartet Just Can't Imagine  cd 
 
I came across an article written by Deon Unthank back on March 31, 2004 about this song as well as the whole cd itself.  In his review he stated, "The title cut of the album, Just Can't Imagine is a nice ballad sang with lots of feeling.  Listening to this song will no doubt give you a slight glimpse of just what heaven may be like."
Quote taken from the Absolute Gospel Music website:
http://absolutelygospel.com/index.php?/content/articles/485
 
Bro. Hawkins has a video of this song and other like one listed below on his 
Darwin Hawkins Music Facebook page. 
See link below.
 
It Looks Like The King
The Bethels I Still Believe cd 
 
 
Sources:
 
It has been a privilege to put this together with Bro. Darwin Hawkins personally.  When I first started this blog I never even imagined of getting to personally converse with the actual writers.  What an honor.    
 
If you are interested in more of his songs and music look him up on Facebook:

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