“We’re on a mission from God.” You may recall an old comedy film that got laughs using that line. But people who make that line a living reality find it brings them very much more. Are you looking for work? Are you looking for a spouse? Are you looking for a meaningful life? Please give this song a listen, and come back here for a “good news” story.

What is the story I love to tell?

It is a big, bright, irresistible story about a loving God and His wonderful Son who rescued us from death and promise everlasting life. How do we go about telling it?

It might help to think along these two lines:
1.) What is the WHOLE story this song refers to?
2.) How much of the whole story does the person in front of us need to hear right now?

For one person, it might take a 30-hour class to hear enough to believe.
For another, one sentence might light them up.
I know people who made the decision for Jesus both these ways … and other ways, too.

So what is the “correct” story version to tell?
To the unsaved, tell the version that can bring a person to accept Jesus as Lord.
To the saved, tell the version that helps a person remain faithful and engaged for a lifetime.

It’s all good!

The effective story teller

Our song sheds light on the path to becoming effective, versatile story tellers.

• Verse 1: Here we are pointed toward learning all we can from God’s Word about creation, the fall, the savior, redemption, and the hope of life to come.
• Verse 2: Then we learn how to help those who have never heard, so they can get saved and become part of the Family of God.
• Verse 3: We also want to learn how to help those who already know the story, so they can continue to grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and live with peace, joy and power in His Household.

Looking for work? Spouse? Meaningful life?

Are you looking for work? God is hiring. He has a story to tell to the nations, and there is a spot for each of us in that work!

Are you looking for a spouse? If you love the ideas in this song, and find someone else who loves the ideas like you do, the two of you share a vital foundation for a life of joy together. Key concept — share the same GREAT mission!

Are you looking for a meaningful life? Chew on this song and watch life’s meaning come into focus. Really!

We have a sign on our kitchen wall — “Do more of what makes you happy”. When we think about what those things are, we can put high on that list, “I love to tell the story.”

God bless you lots!
-Dale

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LYRICS: I Love To Tell The Story
Text: Kate Hankey (1866)
Tune: William G. Fischer (1869)

1) I love to tell the story
Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory,
Of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story,
Because I know ’tis true;
It satisfies my longings
As nothing else can do.

Refrain
I love to tell the story,
’Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story
of Jesus and His love.

2) I love to tell the story;
’Tis pleasant to repeat
What seems each time I tell it,
More wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story;
For some have never heard
The message of deliverance
From God’s own holy Word.

3) I love to tell the story;
For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting
To hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory,
I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story,
That I have loved so long.

Let’s stay in touch

Each time I post a new song and lesson here I send a brief, cheerful note to friends of this song site. The note gives a quick description of the song and lesson along with a link to the new song’s page. It is super-easy for you to get a note from me, too. Just click the green “Song of the Week” button below and you are almost there.

To sweeten the deal, you will also get instant access to the “Music Box” where I put all the free resources and downloads that go along with these song pages. Check it out now! Good stuff. (Side note — I still post announcements on social media, too, even though I have learned it is terribly unreliable at getting the message out and keeping us connected. Email gets that job done where social media fails. We do well to connect this way, and avoid getting throttled by social media.)

Song of the Week

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First posted May 10, 2019. New video and updated article posted September 6, 2023.