How Deep The Father's Love For Us / Not Be Shaken

First off, I need to apologize for not being the Light that I should be on here. It is far too easy to let the cares & worries of this life to distract me from my real purpose. The message today at church reminded me of that. These deep, real posts require actual thought & time to put together without (hopefully) sounding like a total moron, so I keep putting them off & putting them off &... yeah. They don't get done. So, I'm sorry.

Anyway, on to the meat of the post.

The sermon today was based on Matthew 5:14. The whole relevant section is included below.

14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

The nature of light is to shine. It can't shine if it is hidden away for lack of effort to simply stand up or for fear of what others may think. (I'm preaching to myself here.) It doesn't matter how big or small the light is. Light is merely the absence of darkness. If you are in a dark room, no amount of yelling, pleading or fist shaking will lessen the darkness. All you need is one tiny spark to make the darkness recede. As the speaker said today, "You don't have to be big, you just have to be on."

My light has been smothered under the stresses I've been dealing with lately & I often wonder if God could ever really care that one of his people is so tired & feeling down-trodden that she can't seem to care anymore. The music we sang this morning really hit home. God doesn't care how tremendously I fail. He just loves me. Me! A wretch who nailed Him to the cross, put Him through the most horrific torture ever loosed on a being & then repeatedly tosses that aside & goes on about my (not-so) merry way. I ignore Him until I'm so exhausted & hopeless that I'm on my knees in defeat, praying for it to just be done with. Then He comes along, gently picks me up, dust me off & reminds me that He's there to walk with me, to carry me if need be. It must break His heart every time I say "Oh, thanks, but I've got everything under control now, talk to You later..." & head off in my own direction. Just to fall flat on my face again. And He's always there, again. And again. And again...

Whoa, this post has really drifted from where I intended it to go, but it's probably where I needed to go. If you want to see what Christianity is all about, please, please, don't look at me. I'm a mess, a normal (? :-o) person who screws up over & over again. Get a Bible, read the New Testament (John is a good place to start) & see what Jesus has to say, in His own words. His being who He is is the only reason I am worth jack squat. I think I need to give the jazz a rest & go back to listening to Christian music again. It gives me a chance to clear my mind, forget the cares of the day & just sink into who God is.

I've made notes several times to do posts for both the songs listed below, but forget by the time I get to a computer. I decided to hit the tech booth right after the sermon was dismissed, so hopefully my durn brain wouldn't shut off before I got my chance to something worthwhile. If this is a wandering mess, I apologize. Hopefully y'all can glean a little Truth from these chicken scratches.

How Deep The Father's Love For Us
by Stuart Townend

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
(REPEAT)

~~~~~
Not Be Shaken

I will declare my choice to the nations
I will shout for joy to the congregation
I will worship God (men), worship God (women)
All my days

Those who love the Lord are satisfied
Those who trust in him are justified
And I will serve my God (men), serve my God (women)
All my days

When the nations crumble (women)
The word of the Lord will stand (men)
Kings may rise and fall (women)
His love will endure (men)
Though the strong may stumble (women)
The joy of the Lord is strength (men)
To my soul
I will not be shaken
I will not be moved
I will not be shaken

I will declare my choice to the nation
I will shout for joy to the congregation
I will worship God (men), worship God (women)
All my days

Those who love the Lord are satisfied
Those who trust in him are justified
I will serve my God (men), serve my God (women)
All my days

When the nations crumble (women)
The word of the Lord will stand (men)
Kings may rise and fall (women)
His love will endure (men)
Though the strong may stumble (women)
The joy of the Lord is strength (men)
To my soul
I will not be shaken
I will not be moved
I will not be shaken

It Is Well With My Soul

This has long been one of my favourite hymns and a very emotional one for my Mom. Her Dad died in '84 or '85 and this was sung at his funeral.

The story of how this song came to be written follows:

In 1871, tragedy struck Chicago as fire ravaged the city. When it was all over, 300 people were dead and 100,000 were homeless. Horatio Gates Spafford was one of those who tried to help the people of the city get back on their feet. A lawyer who had invested much of his money into the downtown Chicago real estate, he'd lost a great deal to the fire. And his one son (he had four daughters) had died about the same time. Still, for two years Spafford--who was a friend of evangelist Dwight Moody--assisted the homeless, impoverished, and grief-stricken ruined by the fire.

After about two years of such work, Spafford and his family decided to take a vacation. They were to go to England to join Moody and Ira Sankey on one of their evangelistic crusades, then travel in Europe. Horatio Spafford was delayed by some business, but sent his family on ahead. He would catch up to them on the other side of the Atlantic.

Their ship, the Ville du Havre, never made it. Off Newfoundland, it collided with an English sailing ship, the Loch Earn, and sank within 20 minutes. Though Horatio's wife, Anna, was able to cling to a piece of floating wreckage (one of only 47 survivors among hundreds), their four daughters- Maggie, Tanetta, Annie, and Bessie--were killed.

Horatio received a horrible telegram from his wife, only two words long: "saved alone." Spafford boarded the next available ship to be near his grieving wife, and the two finally met up with Dwight Moody. "It is well," Spafford told him quietly. "The will of God be done." Though reports vary as to when he did so, that belief led Spafford to pen the words to one of the English language's best-known hymns. Some say he wrote it on the ship to meet his wife, around the place where his
daughters died.

It is comforting to know that no matter what happens, God is right there & all is well, even if it doesn't seem like it at the time. Those of us who are His children have the knowledge that we will see our loved ones someday in Heaven.

Of course, as my Great-Uncle Glenn once said to a cousin's hubby, and I paraphrase, "No offense, but I think I'm gonna spend the first thousand years or so praising God. After that, I might look ya up".

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lyrics found at Timeless Truths
Spafford's story found here.
Week 7 - The Battle Hymn of the Republic
Week 6 - Praise You In This Storm
Week 5 - Come Thou Fount
Week 4 - The Old Rugged Cross
Week 3 - Fairest Lord Jesus
Week 2 - Be Thou My Vision
Week 1 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

The Battle Hymn of the Republic

I know, I know - it's Wednesday (well, I'm still on Tuesday, but that's night shift for ya) & I'm just now getting around to my Sunday-ish hymn. I really need to get a phone dealy put in at home so I could do all this there. Enough with the excuses, on to the bloggy-ness...

(Um, yeah... Ignore that first paragraph. As you can see it's not Wednesday anymore. In fact I'm actually posting a Sunday hymn on Sunday. Shocking, I know. And this is also behind the times as I meant to do this relatively close to the 4th, but hey, better late than never I guess.)

Yesterday morning as I was getting ready to leave work, a patriotic song came on the radio & a co-worker said that she didn't really get the point behind all the patriotic stuff. I, unfortunately, gave in to my weaker side & didn't confront her.

What I should have said was this:

The whole patriotism thing is a big deal because, like it or not, this country is the greatest one on the face of the earth. No other nation in history has done so much to ensure that it's people are free. No other nation in history has done so much to protect the weak & defenseless in other parts of the world.

Were you to say something similar in many other countries, that would not be considered your right to state your opinion. You would be hauled away & jailed for treason. In other nations & cultures, you would be killed for just your 'infidel' clothing - a t-shirt & capris. And it would all be legal.

The big deal, for me at least, with the patriotic songs is that they are a reminder. A reminder of all that this country stands for, of all that has been done & sacrificed by generations so that we can have these freedoms that are so natural, so easily used & so easily forgotten by us here in the United States. These same basic human rights are often foreign concepts to others living outside our borders.

While we were on vacation, Mom & I drove around Fort Leavenworth for a while one evening. We stumbled upon the cemetery there & the first thought for both of us was "It's so big!" Then we drove a little further & realized that had only been the tip of the iceberg.

So many white stones. So many soldiers.

All of those soldiers lived & died to protect this nation, this 'social experiment' that set the precedent for freedom. Those soldiers & the ones serving today are the reason this is the greatest nation in the world. Their courage & self-sacrifice leave me speechless in awe & gratitude.

The Battle Hymn of the Republic

Mine eyes have seen the glory
Of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage
Where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning
Of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.

Chorus

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watchfires
Of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar
In the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence
By the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.

Chorus

I have read a fiery gospel writ
In burnished rows of steel:
"As ye deal with My condemners,
So with you My grace shall deal":
Let the Hero born of woman
Crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on.

Chorus

He has sounded forth the trumpet
That shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men
Before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him;
Be jubilant, my feet;
Our God is marching on.

Chorus

In the beauty of the lilies
Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom
That transfigures you and me;
As He died to make men holy,
Let us die to make men free;
While God is marching on.

Chorus

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Gah! Dang computer keeps double-spacing everything. I'll have to get to another 'puter later to fix it.) – Yay, it’s fixed!

Lyrics found here
Week 6 - Praise You In This Storm
Week 5 - Come Thou Fount
Week 4 - The Old Rugged Cross
Week 3 - Fairest Lord Jesus
Week 2 - Be Thou My Vision
Week 1 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Praise You In This Storm

This week's Sunday-ish hymn is not actually a hymn. It's a song by a Christian group named Casting Crowns and it really hits home for me right now.

Everybody has times when it seems everything is falling apart. I'm going through that right now.

Pain in both arms from carpal tunnel, pain from fibromyalgia, getting turned down - however nicely - for a new job, realizing that my new plans for my life won't work out, financial difficulties, complete & utter exhaustion... my life really sucks right now.

But, in all this, I have a choice. I can sit here & whine & cry about it, wish that things were different, complain to God that He should fix everything, after all I am His child, He has control of everything, why don't You come down here & make it all better... yada yada yada... Or I can say "Yeah, I'm having a tough time right now, but God is right here with me. I can & will get through this, with His help".

You see, being a Christian doesn't automatically make everything hunky-dory. If anything, it makes life more difficult. Stepping up to the line with God makes a statement to the other side, Satan, that I am his enemy. He can & will use anything & everything in his arsenal to stop me in my tracks, to negate any positive impact that I could possibly have for Christ. Physical problems, money problems, relationship problems, these are all tools he uses to get to us. The good news is that he has already been defeated. He lost the war, but he keeps fighting little battles in our everyday lives. The sad part is that many buy into his lies and those are the battles that he wins. You hear about his victories every time a prominent Christian screws up & their sins get plastered all over the headlines.

I choose to trust & praise Him no matter what is going on my life. When I do that, Satan loses yet another little battle.

I realize I have it a lot better than many others out there. My uncle has MS, his wife has diabetes, 2 families in our church each lost a young son this past spring, a pregnant 14-year-old girl was murdered recently in Wichita...

I don't know about the girl's family, but my aunt & uncle praise God in the midst of their diseases & the families of those boys have handled their passing with incredible grace that can only come from God. They have chosen to praise Him in their storms.

Psalm 121:1-4
A song of ascents.
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.


Praise You in this Storm - click the link, Music & then the Lifesong CD to listen.

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
And stepped in and saved the day
Once again, I say Amen, and it is still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear you whisper through the rain
I'm with you
As your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
You are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find you

I lift my eyes into the hills
Where does my help come from
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lyrics by Mark Hall from the Casting Crowns website
Verses from BibleGateway
Week 5 - Come Thou Fount
Week 4 - The Old Rugged Cross
Week 3 - Fairest Lord Jesus
Week 2 - Be Thou My Vision
Week 1 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

It's been a while since I've done a Sunday(ish) hymn, partially because I've been really tired & these actually take some time & thought, as opposed to the rest of the fluff I usually post. And also I'm forgetful.

We sang this one yesterday in church and I have to confess that I'd forgotten about it.

The last verse is my favourite. I have a tendency, as do many Christians, to push God to the side. To put Him in a corner and say "You can hang out over here while I go off and do my thing". There are times I don't speak up for Him, afraid of what others will say. And there are times that I just don't want to deal with the whole Christianity thing. It would be whole lot simpler to just throw it out the window and live as those of the world do.

But I can't and I won't do that. Because He has done so much for me - He saved me from the eternal consequences of my sin and He has carried me over every rough patch in the road. What kind of person would I be if I turned my back on Him, just so I can live as I want, as the world dictates and then at the eleventh hour, say "Alright, I'm back, time to go to heaven". (That made me think of a T-shirt I used to have - "Many who plan to seek God at the 11th hour die at 10:30.")

I'm not saying that I'm a good person, that I do everything I should. I'll be the first to say that I am so totally screwed up. But, I have a God who is there for me when I say "Lord, I blew it again. I'm sorry. Help me." And He picks me up, dusts me off and puts me back on the right track.

"Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

1. Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
mount of Thy redeeming love.

2. Here I raise mine Ebenezer;
hither by Thy help I'm come;
and I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
interposed His precious blood.

3. O to grace how great a debtor
daily I'm constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here's my heart, O take and seal it,
seal it for Thy courts above.

Note: 'Raise mine Ebenezer' comes from 1 Samuel 7, after the Lord helped the Israelites defeat the Philistines. Verse 12 -

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lyrics from HymnSite.com

Verses from BibleGateway

Fourth - The Old Rugged Cross

Third - Fairest Lord Jesus

Second - Be Thou My Vision

First - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

The Old Rugged Cross

This has long been a favorite song of mine, especially when I stop to consider all that He went through on the cross and the night before.

I both hate and love The Passion of the Christ, because it really brings home what Christ went through so that my debt to Him could be marked Paid In Full. The scourging that is shown in that movie is so horrific and yet I don't think it shows the full extent of what He went through. I believe that no person in the history of the world or in the future to come has or will suffer as much as He did.

The scourging that tore His flesh to the bone...

Ripping out His beard by the roots...

The crown of thorns...

The mocking and scorn from people that He created and was dying to save...

And yet He accepts us, all of us - no matter what we have done, with open arms the moment we turn to Him and say "I believe in You. I believe that Your blood was spilled to wash away my sins against You. I believe that You died, defeated Satan and Death, and rose again three days later. Thank You."

Yeah, I'm preaching, but what can be more important in life than glorifying the God of the universe, the God who created everything, the God who sacrificed His Son for you and me?

The Old Rugged Cross

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain:
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.

(Refrain)

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.

(Refrain)

To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I'll share.

(Refrain)

***

For a scientific view on what all Christ went through on the cross visit this page.

Lyrics from HymnSite.

Last week - Fairest Lord Jesus
Second - Be Thou My Vision
First - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Fairest Lord Jesus

(The 'puter was on strike yesterday, so this is a day late.)

I have always loved this hymn, especially when I stop to consider how how awesome it will be to someday stand in the presence of my Lord and Saviour, the Creator of all. He is perfect, without impurity. Imagine if you will the most pristine piece of white satin, no blemish, no snags. His Glory will make that satin look like a dirty rag that's been lying in the mud.

3 The God of Israel spoke,

the Rock of Israel said to me:

'When one rules over men in righteousness,

when he rules in the fear of God,
4 he is like the
light of morning at sunrise

on a cloudless morning,

like the brightness after rain

that brings the grass from the earth.'
5 "Is not my
house right with God?

Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant,

arranged and secured in every part?

Will he not bring to fruition my salvation

and grant me my every desire?

2 Samuel 23:3-5 (New International Version)

Fairest Lord Jesus

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul’s glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine,Fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heaven can boast.

All fairest beauty, heavenly and earthly,
Wondrously, Jesus, is found in Thee;
None can be nearer, fairer or dearer,
Than Thou, my Savior, art to me.

Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forever more be Thine.

Lyrics from CyberHymnal.org.
Verses from BibleGateway.com.

Last week's hymn - Be Thou My Vision
First hymn - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Be Thou My Vision

I almost forgot about this week's Sunday hymn.

This is one that I don't remember singing growing up and fell in love with it the first time I heard the youth pastor at church sing it. Peanut & Jer had it sung by everyone at their wedding.

Be Thou My Vision
...
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
...
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
...
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
...
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
...
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
...

Lyrics from CyberHymnal.org.

Last week's hymn - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

(The ellipses are due to Blogger not always paying attention to my skipped lines.)

So Long Self

Last night Mom, a friend & I went over to Eureka to hear Dr. Teri McCarthy speak. Her husband Daryl spoke Monday night at our Perspectives class and she spoke at our 4th class several months ago. She is one of the most, if not the most, dynamic speaker I have ever heard.

(Warning - If you are a Christian and have no intention of ever going to the mission field, don't listen to her. She could, with her story & passion for Christ & missions, light a fire under the most spiritually-dead Christian. She has allowed God to use her in ways that are so amazing.)

They both brought up some statistics that are very disturbing.

• North America, between Canada & the U.S., has 95% of the world's Christian resources, including radio stations, book stores, universities, etc.
• The United States has 1 Christian worker for every 306 people.
• The Muslim world has 1 Christian worker for every 4,800,000 people.
• The Hindu world has 1 Christian worker for every 5,600,000 people.
• 2.7 billion (yes, that's billion with a B) or 4 out of every 10 people have never heard the name of Jesus Christ.
• Muslims make up 1/3 of the world's population. Only 6% of Christian workers work with Muslims.

No, going overseas to a country where Christians are hated will not be easy. Most people will probably think I am an idiot. I would rather be an idiot in the eyes of man than an idiot in the eyes of God.

Do I fear disobedience more than I fear discomfort? Discomfort from physical conditions, from fear of what others will think of me, from fear of persecution?

I can only pray for God to give me His strength & courage. There is no other way for a weak, pitiful human like me to do something of the magnitude that He asks, no - demands of me as a follower of Christ.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

After hearing this message, I got in my car & the first song on K-Love was MercyMe's new So Long Self. (Click the link to {hopefully} listen.) This song describes so perfectly what I need to do - say goodbye to my selfish wants for comfort & life of ease, so I can be used to show those who might otherwise never know the one & only true, living God. I want nothing more than to be used to glorify God with my life and to one day hear "Well done, good and faithful servant".

So Long Self
...
Well if I come across a little bit distant
It's just because I am
Things just seem to feel a little bit different
You understand
...
Believe it or not but life is not apparently
About me anyways
But I have met the One who really is worthy
So let me say
...
(Chorus:)
So long self
Well it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long self
There's just no room for two
So you are gonna have to move
So long self
Don't take this wrong but you are wrong for me farewell
Oh well, Goodbye, don't cry
So long self
...
Stop right there because I know what you're thinking
But no we can't be friends
And even though I know your heart is breaking
This has to end
...
And come to think of it the blame for all of this
Simply falls on me
For wanting something more in life than all of this
Can't you see
...
Don't feel so bad (don't feel so bad)
There'll be better days (there'll be better days)
Don't go away mad (but by all means)
Just go away, go away

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

I grew up singing the old hymns, and I eventually got quite sick of the same ol' stuff each week and so became a fan of the new-fangled praise & worship choruses. Lately I've gotten to missing some of the "oldies but goodies" I grew up on.

.

So, I think I'll start a new tradition here in my tiny corner of the blogosphere. Every Sunday, I'll post a new hymn.

.

This was the first one I played in church, my violin debut. I remember I was shaking so hard I could hardly play, but I got through it. That's what I always think of when I hear this hymn played or mentioned.

.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

...

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;

Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:

For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

...
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;

Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:

Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;

Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

...
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:

The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,

One little word shall fell him.

...
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;

The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:

Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;

The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,

His kingdom is forever.

Happy Resurrection Day!

Crown Him with Many Crowns
by Matthew Bridges

Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne:
Hark! how the heav'nly anthem drowns
All music but its own!
Awake my soul, and sing
Of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Thru all eternity.

Crown Him the Lord of love:
Behold His hands and side--
Rich wounds, yet visible above,
In beauty glorified.
No angel in the sky
Can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends his wond'ring eye
At mysteries so bright.

Crown Him the Lord of life:
Who triumphed o'er the grave,
Who rose victorious to the strife
For those He came to save.
His glories now we sing,
Who died and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring
And live that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of heav'n:
One with the Father known,
One with the Spirit thru Him giv'n
From yonder glorious throne.
To Thee be endless praise,
For Thou for us hast died;
Be Thou, O Lord, thru endless days
Adored and magnified.