THREE CHORDS & THE TRUTH: WAITIN' ON A WOMAN

"Country Music is three chords and the truth." - Harlan Howard

 

 

WAITIN' ON A WOMAN
Writer: Wynn Varble and Don Sampson

Sittin' on a bench at West Town Mall
He sat down in his overalls and asked me
You waitin' on a woman
I nodded yeah and said how 'bout you
He said son since nineteen fifty-two I've been
Waitin' on a woman

When I picked her up for our first date
I told her I'd be there at eight
And she came down the stairs at eight-thirty
She said I'm sorry that I took so long
Didn't like a thing that I tried on
But let me tell you son she sure looked pretty
Yeah she'll take her time but I don't mind
Waitin' on a woman

He said the wedding took a year to plan
You talk about an anxious man, I was nervous
Waitin' on a woman
And then he nudged my arm like old men do
And said, I'll say this about the honeymoon, it was worth it
Waitin' on a woman

And I don't guess we've been anywhere
She hasn't made us late I swear
Sometimes she does it just 'cause she can do it
Boy it's just a fact of life
It'll be the same with your young wife
Might as well go on and get used to it
She'll take her time 'cause you don't mind
Waitin' on a woman

I've read somewhere statistics show
The man's always the first to go
And that makes sense 'cause I know she won't be ready
So when it finally comes my time
And I get to the other side
I'll find myself a bench, if they've got any
I hope she takes her time, 'cause I don't mind
Waitin' on a woman

Honey, take your time, cause I don't mind
Waitin' on a woman
_________________________________________

Thankful for my wife and daughter!

I am so blessed!!

"Honey, take your time, cause I don't mind Waitin' on a Woman!"

Soli Deo Gloria,
allan

REDEEMED, HOW I LOVE TO PROCLAIM IT!

1 Peter 1:18-19 (HCSB)
¹⁸ For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold,
¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.

Words by Fanny J. Crosby

Redeemed—how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child, and forever, I am.

 

Chorus:

Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child, and forever, I am.

Redeemed and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence
With me doth continually dwell.

I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long;
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.

I know I shall see in His beauty
The King in whose way I delight;
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
And giveth me songs in the night

 

____________

"All my theology is reduced to this narrow compass - Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners." - Archibald Alexander 

 

Redeem - to buy back or to free from what distresses or harms. Man has been separated from God by sin.  Christ paid the penalty for our sin to satisfy divine justice.  He has freed us from the shackles of sin's bondage and God's eternal wrath. A realization of this redemption causes the ransomed to want to sing! "Redeemed, How I Love To Proclaim It! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb..."

^"Let the redeemed of the LORD proclaim that He has redeemed them from the hand of the foe "

Psalm 107:2

Soli Deo Gloria
ah



NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD

Hebrews 9:22b (ESV)  ... without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

Words and Music by Robert Lowery

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

 

For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

 

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

 

This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

 

Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

 

Refrain

Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

 

Refrain

 

 

 

________

 

The Bible is very clear concerning the forgiveness of man's sin. Only a perfect blood sacrifice would satisfy the Father's requirement. The gift of salvation required Jesus blood. No other sacrifuce would do.  "Oh! precious is the flow that  makes me white as snow. No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus."  Thank you Jesus for your precious blood that You shed for me on Calvary! Now when God looks at me He sees Christ's shed blood and declares me righteous for Jesus sake!

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

ah

Questions for Mary

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
Luke 2:19 ESV

In 1992 my sister gave me Max Lucado's book: God Came Near for my birthday.  I read for the first time "25 Questions for Mary". Questions that can't be answered and don't need to be answered.  They are only asked to remind us of the wonder and the mystery of the incarnation.  What happened when God became man and dwelt among us!  Later that same year I purchased Michael English's debut CD and he had a song called "Mary, Did You Know" on it. The song was written by Mark Lowery and Buddy Greene. Like the chapter in Lucado's book, "Mary, Did You Know" asks similar questions to Mary, the mother of Jesus.  20 years later, I still like the song and I still find these questions for Mary to be a helpful reminder of the importance of meditating on the mystery of the incarnation. To not miss the Majesty & Wonder of the Incarnation! To be intentional in stepping away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas and take time to truly reflect and meditate on (ponder) the majesty and wonder of the Incarnation: Immanuel - God With Us - God in the flesh. Born as a helpless baby. Majesty in a manger! Fully God - Fully Man!

Soli Deo Gloria
ah

“25 Questions For Mary”

By  Max Lucado

1. What was it like watching him pray?
2. How did he respond when he saw other kids giggling during the service at the synagogue?
3. When he saw a rainbow, did he ever mention a flood?
4. Did you ever feel awkward teaching him how he created the world?
5. When he saw a lamb being led to the slaughter, did he act differently?
6. Did you ever see him with a distant look on his face as if he were listening to someone you couldn’t hear?
7. How did he act at funerals?
8. Did the thought ever occur to you that the God to whom you were praying was asleep under your own roof?
9. Did you ever try to count the stars with him….and succeed?
10. Did he ever come home with a black eye?
11. How did he act when he got his first haircut?
12. Did he have any friend by the name of Judas?
13. Did he do well in school?
14. Did you ever scold him?
15. Did he ever have to ask a question about Scripture?
16. What do you think he thought when he saw a prostitute offering to the highest bidder the body he made?
17. Did he ever get angry when someone was dishonest with him?
18. Did you ever catch him pensively looking at the flesh on his own arm while holding a clod of dirt?
19. Did he ever wake up afraid?
20. Who was his best friend?
21. When someone referred to Satan, how did he act?
22. Did you ever accidentally call him Father?
23. What did he and his cousin John talk about as kids?
24. Did his brothers and sisters understand what was happening?
25. Did you ever think, That’s God eating my soup?

"25 Questions for Mary" is from Lucado's book: God Came Near 1987


Mary, Did You Know?

Lyrics written by Mark Lowery, music written by Buddy Greene

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your Baby Boy
Has come to make you new;
This Child that you delivered
Will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know that your Baby Boy
Has walked where Angels trod?
When you kiss your Little Baby,
You kiss the Face of God!

Oh, Mary, did you know?
Oh, Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear,
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the lamb!

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your Baby Boy
Is Heaven's Perfect Lamb?
This sleeping Child you're holding
Is the Great I Am!

 

Count Your Blessings

"The greater God's gifts and works, the less they are regarded." - Martin Luther

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thess 5:18 (ESV)

"It is impossible to be thankful, and at the same time, grumpy, cantankerous, critical or ill-tempered. That's a lesson Johnson Oatman wanted to teach young people in his song 'Count Your Blessings.' ... It reflected Johnson's optimistic faith, and has been a lesson to many ever since."

- from Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan


Count Your Blessings
Johnson Oatman, Jr.
Pub. 1897

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. Refrain: Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done! Count your blessings, name them one by one, *Count your many blessings, see what God hath done. [*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]   Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, And you will keep singing as the days go by.   When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; Count your many blessings—wealth can never buy Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.   So, amid the conflict whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.   *Alternate text.       giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:20 (ESV)

The Greatest Story Ever Told - The Biblical Meta-narrative using famous art!

“… the Christian gospel . . .  tells how for the world’s redemption God entered into history, the eternal came into time, the kingdom of heaven invaded the realm of earth, in the great events of the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. ” 

F. F. Bruce, The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? 5^th ed.

(Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity, 1960), 7-8.

Click here for more information about The Story

Easter: Justified By His Blood

Matt Chandler Nails It:



Matt Chandler is the lead pastor of The Village Church, a multi-campus church in the Dallas metroplex.

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Tim 1:17 (ESV)

Words by Walter Smith
1876

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great Name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish—but naught changeth Thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
But of all Thy rich graces this grace, Lord, impart
Take the veil from our faces, the vile from our heart.

All laud we would render; O help us to see
’Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee,
And so let Thy glory, Almighty, impart,
Through Christ in His story, Thy Christ to the heart.

_____
Soli Deo Gloria
ah

The Solid Rock

The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation—
Psalms 18:46 (ESV)


Words by Edward Mote
1834

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

_____

Soli Deo Gloria

ah

---

The Dash Between Your Dates

Charles Spurgeon said "Dying is but going home. Indeed, there is no dying for the saints." Six years ago today my Daddy went home.  This post is in memory of him.  He made his dash count. I will see him on the other side when it is my time to go home. - ah

 

"A beginning and an ending, dates upon a stone

But the moment in the middle is how we will be known

Cause what defines us can be found within a line

Finding reason for our time"

... What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes

James 4:14 (ESV)

What will you do with the dash between your dates?

"Only one life, 'twill soon be past,

only what's done for Christ will last."

- C.T. Studd

"The measure of life is not its duration but its donation." - Peter Marshall

"Great beginnings are not as important as the way one finishes." - Dr. James Dobson

We must be intentional if we want to finish well. Remember Luke 9:23:

And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Luke 9:23 (ESV)

chorus:

And the years go by, how they seem to fly

They’ll all be over soon

When our life is done, did we live and love

The way we wanted to

Cause everyday that we leave behind

Goes on to tell the truth

Of how we lived in the line between the two

The line between the two

So teach us to number out days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Psalms 90:12 (ESV)

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,   making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Eph 5:15-16 (ESV)

"Will I walk straight, will I be true

Will I finish strong

Will I stand up for the moment

When I could right a wrong

Because the legacy we have will never change

It’s how we spend our days"

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

1 Cor 16:13 (ESV)

In 2 Chronicles 26 we read about the life of King Uzziah.  Uzziah started strong. In verses 1-5 we find him seeking the Lord. In verses 6-15 we see the Lord giving him success, but in verse 16 his life takes a tragic turn. Through all of his success and blessings from the Lord "when he was strong" Uzziah grew proud and it led to his downfall in verses 16-23. 

But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.

2 Chron 26:16 (ESV)

"I could live a life for just myself

Or I could live a life for someone else

But I’ll live and die just to hear

You say

Well done my son come and be with Me"

 

The question is less "what is God's plan for my life?" and more "how does my life best fit into God's plan?" - Alvin Reid

O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.
Psalms 71:17-18 (ESV)

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.   I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

2 Tim 4:6-8 (ESV)

Be determined to make your dash count! Have a battle plan and be intentional about finishing strong.  Be able to say with Paul, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Don't be like Uzziah. Remember it is not how you start but how you finish. FINISH STRONG!

The song "The Line Between The Two" was written by Mark Harris, Jeff Moseley & Pete Kipley. 

_____

Soli Deo Gloria

ah

Influential Anglican John Stott (April 27, 1921 - July 27, 2011)

"The Rev. John Stott dies at 90; influential Anglican evangelist

Unassuming but erudite, the pastor was considered a mentor to Billy Graham and Rick Warren. He was a principal framer of the 1974 Lausanne Covenant that launched the global evangelical movement.

The Rev. John Stott did not fill stadiums with the faithful like his longtime friend, Billy Graham, or give the invocation at a presidential inauguration, as megachurch pastor Rick Warren did for Barack Obama. Yet he was a giant of the evangelical world — perhaps the most influential evangelist most people have never heard of."  - Elaine Woo, Los Angeles Times

John Stott wrote 50 books including Basic Christianity, The Cross of Christ, The Birds, Our Teachers, and his last book The Radical Disciple.

Time magazine named him one of the world's 100 most influential people in 2005.

Below are some John Stott quotes and a tribute video.

"The church has a double responsibility in relation to the world around us. On the one hand we are to live, serve and witness in the world. On the other hand we to avoid becoming contaminated by the world. So we are neither to seek to preserve our holiness by escaping from the world nor to sacrifice our holiness by conforming to the world.  Escapism and conformism are thus both forbidden to us. 

from The Radical Disciple

"So faith in God is not incompatible with co-operation with God.

We acknowledge that our food comes ultimately from God, and we

rightly thank him for our daily bread. But we are still dependent on

farmers and fishermen, and on the wholesale and retail trade. Again,

when we are ill, we rightly pray to God to heal us. But if we are

wise, we also consult our doctor and accept whatever treatment he

recommends. ....

Faith and works go together. Not indeed in salvation, which is by faith alone.

But in everything else we both trust God and take appropriate action."

from The Birds, Our Teachers

ChristianPost.com list 10 Memorable Quotes from John Stott

• His authority on earth allows us to dare to go to all the nations. His authority in heaven gives us our only hope of success. And His presence with us leaves us with no other choice.

• The truth is that there are such things as Christian tears, and too few of us ever weep them.

• Every Christian should be both conservative and radical; conservative in preserving the faith and radical in applying it.

• Before we can begin to see the cross as something done for us, we have to see it as something done by us.

• We should not ask, ‘What is wrong with the world?’ for that diagnosis has already been given. Rather we should ask, "What has happened to salt and light?"

• Social responsibility becomes an aspect not of Christian mission only, but also of Christian conversion. It is impossible to be truly converted to God without being thereby converted to our neighbor.

• Sin and child of God are incompatible. They may occasionally meet; they cannot live together in harmony.

• Good conduct arises out of good doctrine.

• The very first thing which needs to be said about Christian ministers of all kinds is that they are "under" people as their servants rather than "over" them (as their leaders, let alone their lords). Jesus made this absolutely plain. The chief characteristic of Christian leaders, he insisted, is humility not authority, and gentleness not power.

• We must allow the Word of God to confront us, to disturb our security, to undermine our complacency and to overthrow our patterns of thought and behavior.

_____
Soli Deo Gloria
ah

The Story of Everything

Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)

words by Chris Rice

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!

Click here to find out more about Jesus!

_____

Soli Deo Gloria

ah

'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus

'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus

1882

Words by Louisa M. R. Stead

(These words are said to have written been after Stead witnessed her husband drown. -  cyberhymnal.org)

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

Refrain

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

Casting Crowns singing 'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus.

_____

Soli Deo Gloria

ah

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

pray without ceasing,

1 Thess 5:17 (ESV)

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Phil 4:6 (ESV)

Joseph M. Scriven

1855

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer! Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged— Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; Take it to the Lord in prayer. Are we weak and heavy-laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge— Take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear; May we ever, Lord, be bringing All to Thee in earnest prayer. Soon in glory bright, unclouded, There will be no need for prayer— Rapture, praise, and endless worship Will be our sweet portion there.

____
Soli Deo Gloria
ah

Majesty

Majesty

Martin Smith, Stu Garrard

Majesty, Majesty

Your grace has found me just as I am

Empty handed but alive in Your hands

Singing Majesty, Majesty

Forever I am changed by Your love

In the presence of Your Majesty

Majesty

_____
Soli Deo Gloria
ah

Courageous

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Josh 1:8-9 (ESV)

Casting Crown's new song & video:

Courageous

(movie in theaters September 30, 2011)

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8 (ESV)

_____
Soli Deo Gloria
ah

One Day

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24 (ESV)

Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman, a Presbyterian pastor and evangelist, was born on June 17, 1859 and died on Christmas Day 1918.  He was led to Christ by D.L. Moody using John 5:24. He later wrote One Day.

One Day
J. Wilbur Chapman

One day when heaven was filled with His praises,
  One day when sin was as black as could be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin—
  Dwelt among men, my example is He!

chorus:

Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
  Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely forever:
    One day He's coming—O glorious day!

One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain,

  One day they nailed Him to die on the tree;
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected;
  Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He.

One day they left Him alone in the garden,
  One day He rested, from suffering free;
Angels came down o'er His tomb to keep vigil;
  Hope of the hopeless, my Savior is He.

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
  One day the stone rolled away from the door;
Then He arose, over death He had conquered;
  Now is ascended, my Lord evermore.

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,
  One day the skies with His glory will shine;
Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;
  Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!


Recorded by Casting Crowns with additional lyrics and new music as Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me) on their Until the Whole World Hears CD.

_____
Soli Deo Gloria
ah

Don't Be Selfish...Share Christ

If you believe how can you not share?

Video from professed atheist Penn Jillette.

Don't Be Selfish ... Share Christ

Let us not only think of ourselves. Let us also think of others. There are millions in the world who have no spiritual light at all. They are without God, without Christ, and without hope. (Eph. 2:12) Can we do nothing for them? There are thousands around us who are unconverted and dead in sins, seeing nothing and knowing nothing right. Can we do nothing for them? These are questions to which every true Christian ought to find an answer. We should strive, in every way, to spread our religion. The highest form of selfishness is that of the person who is content to go to heaven alone. The truest charity is to endeavor to share with others every spark of religious light we possess ourselves, and so to hold up our own candle that it may give light to every one around us. Happy is that soul, which, as soon as it receives light from heaven, begins to think of others as well as itself! No candle which God lights was ever meant to burn alone.

~ J.C. Ryle

Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke volume 1, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1986], 257. {Luke 8:16-21}

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CHRIST

_____
Soli Deo Gloria
ah

I Stand Amazed In The Presence (How Marvelous)

I Stand Amazed In The Presence
Charles H. Gabriel

I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

For me it was in the garden
He prayed: “Not My will, but Thine.”
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

In pity angels beheld Him,
And came from the world of light
To comfort Him in the sorrows
He bore for my soul that night.

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

_____

Soli Deo Gloria

ah