My Jesus, I love Thee

William Featherstone (1846-1873) was just sixteen years old when he wrote these words. This hymn is one of my favourites. The words are so full of praise to God. They make my soul resonate with praise, and when I sing this hymn I long to sing it on and on and on, for I never tire of the words. 

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;

For Thee all the follies of sin I resign.

My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love Thee because Thou has first loved me,

And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree.

I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,

And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;

And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,

I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;

I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow;

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

Where You are, I wanna be

This Had Me As Close to Crying As I Usually Get

It Is Not Death To Die

Old Hymn, True Words

I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew

he moved my soul to seek him, seeking me.

It was not I that found, O Savior true;

no, I was found of thee.

Thou didst reach forth thy hand and mine enfold;

I walked and sank not on the storm-vexed sea.

'Twas not so much that I on thee took hold,

as thou, dear Lord, on me.

I find, I walk, I love, but oh, the whole

of love is but my answer, Lord, to thee!

For thou wert long beforehand with my soul;

always thou lovedst me.

~~~

Interestingly enough, here's a new version (with an added chorus) that I found by googling the first line: http://www.reformedpraise.org/songs/updatedhymns/irresistible-grace/

More surprising, my Mommy made a comment on that link about two years ago!! :D What a find.

Out of the Mouths of Babes and Infants

It happened while I was practicing the songs I have to play on Sunday. I was going through the list, making sure I knew how to play each song reasonably well, correcting mistakes in timing and such.

I came to a song I really like. One that is well known:

Two little girls came running into the room. "Come on, let's sing!" They said, their high-pitched voices full of excitement at the fact that they knew one of the songs I was playing.

They began singing along, asking me where I was. I pointed to the line and listened as they attempted to sing the words.

Mostly, they didn't.

They missed lines, substituted others, and made me smile at their tries. There was one word, however, one Name, which they sang with gusto:

"Jesus!"

You know what? Even though they flubbed their way through most of the song, and had things out of order, I think God delighted in that just as much as He does when we sing all the words right.

They sang from their hearts, praising Christ.

In Christ alone, my hope is found...

Whether or not I do everything right.

Whether or not my life is in order.

Whether or not I am perfect.

Here in the love of Christ I stand.

Thank you to two little girls who reminded me of something precious.

Interesting Song

"Christmas Must Be Something More" - Taylor Swift

What if ribbons and bows didn't mean a thing
Would the song still survive without five golden rings
Would you still wanna kiss without misletoe
What would happen if God never let it snow
What would happen if Christmas carols told a lie
Tell me what would you find

You'd see that today holds something special
Something holy, not superficial
So here's to the birthday boy who saved our lives
It's something we all try to ignore
And put a wreath up on your door
So here's something you should know that is for sure
Christmas must be something more

What if angels did not pay attention to
All the things that we wished they would always do
What if happiness came in a cardboard box
Then I think there is something we all forgot
What would happen if presents all went away
Tell me what would you find

You'd see that today holds something special
Something holy, not superficial
So here's to the birthday boy who saved our lives
It's something we all try to ignore
And put a wreath up on your door
So here's something you should know that is for sure
Christmas must be something more

We get so caught up in all of it
Business and relationships
Hundred mile an hour lives
And it's this time of year
And everybody's here
It seems the last thing on your mind

Is that the day holds something special
Something holy, not superficial
So here's to Jesus Christ who saved our lives
It's something we all try to ignore
And put a wreath up on your door
But here's something you should know that is for sure
Christmas must be something
Christmas must be something
Christmas must be something more

There's gotta be more
There's gotta be more

Dante's Prayer - Loreena McKennit

When the dark wood fell before me

And all the paths were overgrown

When the priests of pride say there is no other way

I tilled the sorrows of stone

I did not believe because I could not see

Though you came to me in the night

When the dawn seemed forever lost

You showed me your love in the light of the stars

Cast your eyes on the ocean

Cast your soul to the sea

When the dark night seems endless

Please remember me

Then the mountain rose before me

By the deep well of desire

From the fountain of forgiveness

Beyond the ice and the fire

Cast your eyes on the ocean

Cast your soul to the sea

When the dark night seems endless

Please remember me

Though we share this humble path, alone

How fragile is the heart

Oh give these clay feet wings to fly

To touch the face of the stars

Breathe life into this feeble heart

Lift this mortal veil of fear

Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears

We'll rise above these earthly cares

Cast your eyes on the ocean

Cast your soul to the sea

When the dark night seems endless

Please remember me...

I don't know if I posted this one already...

"Son of God" - Starfield

The lyrics are in the video. :)

Song of the Weekish ;p

"The Motions" - Matthew West

This might hurt, it's not safe

But I know that I've gotta make a change

I don't care if I break,

At least I'll be feeling something

'Cause just okay is not enough

Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don't wanna go through the motions

I don't wanna go one more day

without Your all consuming passion inside of me

I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,

"What if I had given everything,

instead of going through the motions?"

No regrets, not this time

I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind

Let Your love make me whole

I think I'm finally feeling something

'Cause just okay is not enough

Help me fight through the nothingness of this life

'Cause I don't wanna go through the motions

I don't wanna go one more day

without Your all consuming passion inside of me

I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,

"What if I had given everything,

instead of going through the motions?"

take me all the way (take me all the way)

take me all the way ('cause I don't wanna go through the motions)

take me all the way (I know I'm finally feeling something real)

take me all the way

I don't wanna go through the motions

I don't wanna go one more day

without Your all consuming passion inside of me

I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,

"What if I had given everything,

instead of going through the motions?"

I don't wanna go through the motions

I don't wanna go one more day

without Your all consuming passion inside of me

I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,

"What if I had given everything,

instead of going through the motions?"

take me all the way (take me all the way)

take me all the way (I don't wanna go, I don't wanna go)

take me all the way (through the motions)

take me all the way

I don't wanna go through the motions

Song of the Week

"Before There Was Time" - Caedmon's Call

I don't know if I've posted this before, but it's good enough to post again!

Before there was time
There were visions in Your mind
There was death in the fall of mankind
But there was life in salvation's design

Before there were days
There were nights I could not see Your face
But the night could not keep me from grace
When You came and took my place

Chorus

So I cry holy only begotten Son of God
Ancient of days
I cry holy only begotten Son of God
And sing the praises
Of the One who saved me
And the promises He made

Before there was time
You counted the hairs on my head
You knew all the words that I've said
And You purchased me back from the dead

Before I was made
You searched me and knew my ways
You numbered all my days
And You set forth the steps I would take

Chorus

You saved me; You raised me
You saved me; You pulled me from the grave

Chorus 2x

So I cry holy only begotten Son of God
Ancient of days
I cry Holy only begotten Son of God
And sing the praises
Of the one who saved me
And the promises He made
Before there was time

Song of the Week

"Love Song For a Saviour" - Jars of Clay

In open fields of wild flowers,

She breathes the air and flies away

She thanks her Jesus for the daises and the roses

In no simple language

Someday she'll understand the meaning of it all

He's more than the laughter or the stars in the heavens

As close a heartbeat or a song on her lips

Someday she'll trust Him and learn how to see Him

Someday He'll call her and she will come running

And fall in His arms and the tears will fall down and she'll pray,

I want to fall in love with you

Sitting silent wearing Sunday best

The sermon echoes through the walls

A great salvation through it calls to the people

Who stare into nowhere, and can't feel the chains on their souls

He's more than the laughter or the stars in the heavens

As close a heartbeat or a song on our lips

Someday we'll trust Him and learn how to see Him

Someday He'll call us and we will come running

And fall in His arms and the tears will fall down and we'll pray,

I want to fall in love with you

It seems too easy to call you Savior,

Not close enough to call you God

So as I sit and think of words I can mention

To show my devotion

I want to fall in love with you

I can't remember if I've posted this one before, but it's worth posting again if I have.

Song of FOREVER

This song is so awesome.

"Still Alive" - Portal

This was a triumph

I'm making a note here:

HUGE SUCCESS

It's hard to overstate my satisfaction

Aperture Science

we do what we must because we can

for the good of all of us except the ones who are dead

but there's no sense crying over every mistake

you just keep on trying until you run out of cake

and the science gets done and you make a neat gun

for the people who are still alive

I'm not even angry

I'm being so sincere right now

even though you broke my heart and killed me

and tore me to pieces

and threw every piece into a fire

as they burned it hurt because I was so happy for you!

Now these points of data make a beautiful line

and we're out of beta, we're releasing on time

so I'm glad I got burned

Think of all the things we learned for the people who are still alive

go ahead and leave me

I think I prefer to stay inside

maybe you'll find someone else to help you

maybe black mesa

that was a joke, haha, fat chance

anyway this cake is great, it's so delicious and moist

look at me still talking, when there's science to do

when I look out there it makes me glad I'm not you

I've experiments to run, there is research to be done

on the people who are still alive

and believe me I am still alive

I'm doing science and I'm still alive

I feel FANTASTIC and I'm still alive

While you are dying I'll be still alive

and when you're dead I'll be still alive

STILL ALIVE, still alive

Song of the Week

"Gravity" - Shawn Mcdonald

The ways of this world are grabbing a hold

Won't let me go, won't let me fly by

It takes it's toll down on my soul

‘Cause I know what I need in my life

Don't let me lose my sight of You

Don't let me lose my sight

I don't want to fall away from You

Gravity is pulling me on down

I don't want to fall away from You

Gravity is pulling me to the ground

This world keeps making me cry

But I'm going to try, going to try to fly, going to fly high

Don't want to give into the sin, want to stay in You ‘til the end

Don't want to lose my sight of You

Don't want to lose my sight

I want to fly

Into the sky

Turn my back on this old world

Leave it all behind

This place is not my home

It's got nothing for me

Only leaves me emptiness

And tears in my eyes

It's All Because of....Who?

As I was folding laundry this morning, I kept going over the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5 - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control - and I had an interesting thought. It's amazing how often that happens. :p

What I thought was, hey: it mentions self-control in there. Isn't that something?

I think it shows, again, the clear Biblical principle of God's sovereign power and our own responsibility. We are supposed to be self-controlled, to wage war against the flesh...but we can't do it without the Spirit working in us.

Christian life is a struggle. We fight, daily, against sin. It's amazing and relieving to know that the Spirit is there to help us, that Christ has accomplished what He set out to do, and that the Father will complete the work He has begun in us.

Because of Jesus, we have the ability to put on the Armor of God. We can fight back against sin and against the "desires of the flesh" (Galatians 5:17).

And the fruits of the Spirit can grow in us.

Song of the Week

"Hosea's Wife" - Brooke Fraser

I just spoke silence with the seeker next to me

She had a heart with hesitant, halting speech

That turned to mine and asked belligerently

"What do I live for?"

I see the scars of searches everywhere I go

From hearts to wars to literature to radio

There's a question like a shame no one will show

"What do I live for?"

We are Hosea's wife

We are squandering this life

Using people like ladders and words like knives

[CHORUS]

If we've eyes to see

If we've ears to hear

To find it in our hearts and mouths

The word that saves is near

Shed that shallow skin

Come and live again

Leave all you were before

To believe is to begin

There is truth in little corners of our lives

There are hints of it in songs and children's eyes

It's familiar, like an ancient lullaby

What do I live for?

We are Hosea's wife

We are squandering this life

Using bodies like money and truth like lies

[CHORUS]

[Bridge]

We are more than dust

That means something

That means something

We are more than just

Blood and emotions

Inklings and notions

Atoms on oceans

Song of the Week!

"Further From Myself" - Pillar

Link (Embedding disabled)

It's pressure the pleasures measure
The pressure is overbearing
Is it me myself that's caring
For every double-minded joy
And I admit that when I submit to you
I feel so unreal when I'm still
When I'm waiting for you to reveal
And from myself I seem so far away
And I admit that when I submit to you
I can see all of the selfish things I do

[Chorus]
I'm further, further from myself
When I'm next to you
When I run to you

I was wasted embraced it but faced it
With you inside my heart you replaced it
Can't believe you have erased it
Selfishness and foolish pride
And I admit that when I submit to you
I can see all of the selfish things I do

Further from my future
Further from the past
Further from the starting line
Further from the last
Further from my doubts
Further from my fears
Further from temptation that I faced throughout my years
Further from agitation
Further from distraction
The reaction of the dissatisfaction of others actions
Further from myself
Further from my flesh
Further from my birth and I'm
Further from my death

I like it. I think it's pretty.

Song of the Week

Hillsong United - "Hosanna"

I see the king of glory

Coming on the clouds with fire

The whole earth shakes

The whole earth shakes

Yeeeah

I see his love and mercy

Washing over all our sin

The people sing

The people sing

[Chorus]

Hosanna

Hosanna

Hosanna in the highest [x2]

I see a generation

Rising up to take their place

With selfless faith

With selfless faith

I see a near revival

Stirring as we pray and seek

We're on our knees

We're on our knees

[Chorus]

Heal my heart and make it clean

Open up my eyes to the things unseen

Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart from what breaks yours

Everything I am for your kingdoms cause

As I go from nothing to

Eternity

[Chorus x2]

Hosanna in the highest

Song of the Week

"Search Me, Know Me" by Jonah33

Song of the Week

"Pieces" by RED

I'm here again

A thousand miles away from you 

A broken mess, just scattered pieces of who I am

I tried so hard

Thought I could do this on my own 

I've lost so much along the way 

Then I'll see your face

I know I'm finally yours 

I find everything I thought I lost before 

You call my name 

I come to you in pieces 

So you can make me whole

I've come undone 

But you make sense of who I am 

Like puzzle pieces in your hand

Then I'll see your face

I know I'm finally yours 

I find everything I thought I lost before 

You call my name 

I come to you in pieces 

So you can make me whole

I tried so hard! So hard!

I tried so hard!

Then I'll see your face

I know I'm finally yours 

I find everything I thought I lost before 

You call my name 

I come to you in pieces 

So you can make me whole

So you can make me whole

I think I'm starting to get addicted to these guys.  ^.^

*Just as a warning for those who don't really like heavy stuff, this is the lightest song I've heard from RED, so if you search for more of their music you might want to prepare yourself for some "loud noise". (Mom and Dad. Love ya.)