amazing grace

I used to think this song was dull and lifeless (maybe it was just to do with people singing it in church with just that... no life), but now, it's got a certain something to it. I imagine that it comes to everybody at sometime in their life, it just kinda clicks, and these words begin to make sense, so they're not just words anymore, they're a song from the heart.

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
was blind but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The world shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun refuse to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Shall be forever mine.

When we've been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we've no less days to sing God's praise
than when we'd first begun.W

ords: stanzas 1-6 John Newton, 1779; stanza 7 John Rees (nineteenth century)

typical "resting in the Lord" scenario

Some men remind me of a poor immigrant who was discovered walking on the tracks of a railroad walking on the tracks of a railroad in New Jersey. On his back he carried a huge bulk and as he trudged on, tired and halk, he resembled Bunyan's pilgrim with his burden. In passing a station an agent ordered him off the track, reminding him he was liable to arrest for tresspassing. The man demurred and produced a railroad ticket good for passage from Jersey City to Scranton. The agent looked at him in amazement, and asked why he was walking when he might ride.
The stranger replied that he thought the ticket gave him on the privilege of walking over the road. His right was explained to him, and the tired man with delight boarded the first train for his destination.
Surely the angels must look with wonderment at the thousands who trudge along, anxious and careworn, bearing life's burdens without Divine help and future hope.
Ah, how many of God's children, through distrust and disbelief, fail to "possess their possessions!"
- Author Unknown

Smiling Jesus

'the Visual Bible: the Gospel of Matthew' (Jesus: Bruce Marchiano)

alive, touchable: reality

In these moments when everybody's gone: I feel so alone, it's so dark here. There's not even a spark here to warm the cold in my soul.

I want to reach out and touch You, I want You to be real! I want to hold You, I want to know You! In a way I can feel.

Then You come alive, so alive! I know You are really here. You shine a light so bright, now You feel so near - because You are! You're really here!

I can see why You brought me to this dark lonely place, with my heart filled with so many other things, for you there just wasn't space. But now that I've felt You so deep in my heart I never want too go away - please Lord don't ever let me stray, let Us never be apart.


song: Haven S. art: unknown