from whence this fear and unbelief?

From whence this fear and unbelief?
Hath not the Father put to grief
His spotless Son for me?
And will the righteous Judge of men
Condemn me for that debt of sin
Which, Lord, was charged on thee?

Complete atonement thou hast made,
And to the utmost farthing paid
Whate’er thy people owed;
How then can wrath on me take place
If sheltered in thy righteousness,
And sprinkled with thy blood?

If thou hast my discharge procured,
And freely in my room endured
The whole of wrath divine,
Payment God cannot twice demand—
First at my bleeding Surety’s hand,
And then again at mine.

Turn then, my soul, unto thy rest!
The merits of thy great High Priest
Have bought thy liberty;
Trust in his efficacious blood,
Nor fear thy banishment from God,
Since Jesus died for thee.

Augustus Toplady

my hope

Here I am again
In this raging sea
On my knees again
Deep calls to deep
I feel I’m drowning
My arms are
Just too tired to swim
I feel like I’m sinking
On my knees again
In the roar of Your waterfall
In the storm of You
May You find me holding on
May You find me true

Chorus:
And I put my hope
And I put my trust
And I put myself in You
In You, Lord [2x]

Here I am again
In need of you
Broken, Beaten
Needing You
In the roar of Your waterfall
In the wonderful storm of You
May You find me holding on
May You find me true

(Chorus)

Bridge:
Wash me clean
Set me free
Hold me close
And cover me

(Chorus x4)

Here I am
Here I am…

David Crowder Band

Lord, you are gracious

You do not treat us
as our sins deserve
though we are guilty as charged
Your Son was treated
as if responsible
for all my sin.

Lord, you are gracious
Lord you are compassionate
Slow to anger, rich in love
Lord you are.

Your Son was perfect
Blamelesness itself
Father You turned your face away
You bruised and crushed Him
That I might know your grace
for all my days

Lord, you are gracious
Lord, you are compassionate
Slow to anger, rich in love
Lord you are.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end

Lord, you are gracious
Lord, you are compassionate
Slow to anger, rich in love
Lord, you are

Slow to anger, rich in love
Lord, You are

© 2006 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)
Words and music by Pat Sczebel
As recorded on You and You Alone

my child, you are finally home

Martyrs Song – Todd Agnew

A Mighty Fortress

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevaling. 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; The Lord of Hosts, 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, thru 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.

by Martin Luther

at the cross

i heard a “new” song today… i’m not actually sure how “new” it is, but as soon as I heard the truth in the lyrics, I was just freshly reminded of God’s amazing grace to me.

I wasn’t able to find a video of the song online, but here are the lyrics…  and here’s the link to the artist’s website: Pocket Full of Rocks (you can listen to song samples on their website).

Dark was the stain of my sin
Ever more guilty within.
Searching for rescue where none could be found
until from that hill I heard the sound.
of mercy that triumphs over judgment,
of grace abounding greater than my sin.

At the cross, at the cross, where there’s room for me.
At the cross, at the cross, I am finally free.
At the cross, at the cross, burdens roll away.
At the cross.

Oh what a glorious plan.
God reaching down to fallen man.
To all of us broken, lost and undone
Hear no as heaven bids us come.
Find mercy that triumphs over judgment
Find grace abounding greater than our sin.

At the cross, at the cross, where there’s room for me.
At the cross, at the cross, I am finally free.
At the cross, at the cross, burdens roll away.
At the cross.

Such beauty through tragedy,
You giving your life for me
Unspeakable reverence as I bow here
with those that You’ve redeemed
We sing hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, to our King.

At the cross, at the cross, where there’s room for me.
At the cross, at the cross, I am finally free.
At the cross, at the cross, burdens roll away.
At the cross I am finally free.  I am finally free.

cry out to Jesus

does Jesus care?

Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,”

 1 Peter 5: 7 ” Cast all your cares upon him; for he cares for you.”

 I have once again been struggling in my heart with the question of “does Jesus care?”  Its been a common struggle for me over the past few years to think of God as vindictive or angry as opposed to a loving and caring Father. 

 When things in my life don’t make sense, I tend to assume that God is holding out on me… keeping good things from me to punish me or simply to teach me a lesson.  Instead He’s been reminding me lately that confusion or His apparent silence doesn’t equate with apathy… and it doesn’t necessarily mean that He is trying to “teach me a lesson.” 

 It simply means that its another opportunity for me to trust that what He’s said is true… that He knows what’s best for me… that He has planned my steps… that He guards my ways… that He watches over me… that He is good and wants good for me… that He cares.

 Thinking through these things reminded me of the song “does Jesus care?”  I love the words: “Oh yes, He cares… His heart is touched with my grief…When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I KNOW my Savior cares.”

 1 Peter 5: 7 ” Cast all your cares upon him; for he cares for you.”

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long? 

Refrain:
Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?

 Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?

 Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Refrain:
Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

1 Peter 5: 7 ” Cast all your cares upon him; for he cares for you.”

i heard this song at lunch today and though i’ve heard it before, it struck a new chord in light of what’s been going on at work this week (and many other thoughts that have been swarming in my mind).   it was just a comforting reminder that no matter what happens, that I am found in my comforting, loving, caring, providing, steadfast God. 

He doesn’t change as the seasons come and go.  And He is changing me… I’m not the same gal that started this journey 4 years… and He’s not done, His grace isn’t done yet, His work to change me isn’t done yet…

why do I worry?  why do I fear the unknown?  my God wrote the story… though I don’t know the ending, I know the Author.  And He has planned what’s good for me.

grace will be my song

Jesus Jesus Jesus
You ransomed one like me
Jesus Jesus Jesus
Your blood, my liberty
And now my shame is gone
And grace will be my song

Jesus Jesus Jesus
Lover of the weak
Jesus Jesus Jesus
With strength to carry me
And now my shame is gone
And grace will be my song

Glory Glory Glory
To the one who saved my soul
Glory Glory Glory
To the Everlasting Lord
Glory Glory Glory
To the King who sits enthroned
Our God

by Steve Fee