With Easter approaching, my thoughts always shift to the cross and to what Christ accomplished at Calvary. Join with me in remembering this lovely old hymn,
At Calvary by William Newell. 1895
Sung by Lynda Randle
At Calvary
Years I spent in vanity and pride, Caring not my Lord was crucified, Knowing not it was for me He died On Calvary. Refrain: Mercy there was great, and grace was free; Pardon there was multiplied to me; There my burdened soul found liberty At Calvary. By God’s Word at last my sin I learned; Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned, Till my guilty soul imploring turned To Calvary. Now I’ve giv’n to Jesus everything, Now I gladly own Him as my King, Now my raptured soul can only sing Of Calvary! Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan! Oh, the grace that brought it down to man! Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span At Calvary!
I felt compelled that someone needed to hear this old hymn today. Didn’t hurt myself ~ just a link to a video with lyrics copied and pasted below. I love this video version; it reminds me of an old-time black and white movie.
Nothing you have ever done is outside the power of God to forgive. His grace is greater than all our sin!
Blessings as you listen and remember this timeless message:
Grace Greater Than All Our Sin
by Julia H. Johnston
VERSE 1 Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt, Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured, There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt
REFRAIN Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin
VERSE 2 Dark is the stain that we cannot hide; What can avail to wash it away? Look! There is flowing a crimson tide; Whiter than snow you may be today.
VERSE 3 Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, Freely bestowed on all who believe, All who are longing to see His face, Will you this moment His grace receive?
As soon as I had published my post yesterday, Solitary Snowdrop, I realized that there were some things about loneliness that I had neglected to include.
Have any of you ever done that?
Fortunately, you – my readers – filled in the gaps where I left off, and I thank you:
Rene Yoshi, from Sweet Rains reminded of how the Holy Spirit brings comfort to us during loneliness, either directly from His presence or by sending someone our way with encouraging hugs.
Joseph Elon Lillie of Lillie-Putpointed out that our loneliness is often more about the pain within rather than our circumstances without, and how that when we allow the Lord to address those issues, the loneliness usually subsides.
Message From the Fieldshared a Scripture passage from Job 23 as a reminder that we are not alone when feeling so.
Mikey of Hiseternalword shared a link to a wonderful post of his about loneliness called, Friend of the Lonely. I hope he forgives me for misspelling his name on my reply!
Bill with Unshakable Hopeshared his insights comparing religion vs relationship with God: “Religion = loneliness, relationship is fellowship.” So true!
Jennifer with Fragrant Grace reminds us of the importance of prayer for those feeling lonely and rejected. I know for myself that it is all to easy to forget the pain of loneliness, and to neglect offering encouragement and prayer for those still hurting.
Lilka of B is for Blessedoffered her encouragement about my post,
my friend Jane, and so many others through their Likes.
After reading your lovely comments, and receiving blessings from the encouraging Likes, I realized that there is yet one more source of loneliness. It can happen to any of us in the realm of blogging.
I think back to a little over a year ago when I first began publishing my writing on Word Press. I had very few followers and little feedback. Having never had the courage until then to share my thoughts openly, it was disheartening. It left me feeling lonely and lost in the big world of blogging. At times, I still feel that way.
How very grateful I am now to have more readers, and to receive such thoughtful comments as the ones I shared. I appreciate you, my lovely readers.
One thing I have learned is that blogging is not just about throwing my thoughts out there; it is also about interacting with others. I have found so many wonderful sites and made many friends through blogging. It is through connecting with others that the loneliness felt in this arena dissipates.
That said, though, the most important thing for us to remember is that God cares about everything we post, whether or not we receive any likes or feedback. He is pleased with our sacrifices of exalting His name.
Even in blogosphere, we are never alone if we have Him. Never.
I’ll end today’s post with an old hymn that goes along with our thoughts on loneliness. Enjoy this Golden Oldie,
*Please note: if you happened to read my post from yesterday, and offered any comments after my publishing today’s, I apologize for not including your thoughts. I do so very much appreciate you! Also, sorry for the infrequent posts. Sadly, I am still struggling with my neck and will do a post soon about my plans.
Blessings, Sue
After yesterday’s post, I got to thinking about how wonderful that, among other things in heaven, we will get to meet all of our Christian blogging friends. People we have never seen in person, we will instantly know there.
An old gospel song kept going through my head all day, one that some of you may not have ever heard before. Enjoy the blessings contained in this song, and allow God to fill you with the anticipation of heaven’s joyous singing, with heartbells all ringing:
Won’t It Be Wonderful There?
When with the savior we enter the glory land Won’t it be wonderful there Ended the troubles and cares of the story land Won’t it be wonderful there?
Chorus: Won’t it be wonderful there Having no burdens to bear Joyously singing, with heartbells all ringing Won’t it be wonderful there?
— Instrumental —
Walking and talking with Christ, the Supernal One Won’t it be wonderful there Praising, adoring the Matchless Eternal One Won’t it be wonderful there?
Chorus: Won’t it be wonderful there Having no burdens to bear Joyously singing, with heartbells all ringing Won’t it be wonderful there?
— Instrumental —
There where the tempest will never be sweeping us Won’t it be wonderful there Sure that forever the Lord will be keeping us Won’t it be wonderful there?
Chorus: Won’t it be wonderful there Having no burdens to bear Joyously singing, with heartbells all ringing Oh, won’t it be wonderful there?…
We never know what’s around the bend, so it is best to put our trust in God. To see this photo with Scripture, go to Heavenly Raindrops Images
For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. II Timothy 1:12 KJV
I have read this verse many times, and had always thought that the persuasion mentioned refers mostly to our salvation. When we come to know Christ by believing in Him, our persuasion comes from knowing that He is able to keep watch over that commitment until we get to heaven, because the Holy Spirit seals us. In keeping with the old hymn associated, I always thought this verse referred only to our assurance of salvation.
Keela, from Testimonies of His Goodness, got me to thinking about it differently, though. In a post last month, Real Talk – Commitment Brings Control, Keela discusses this verse from the angle of whether we are committing our problems into God’s care, fully persuaded He is able, thereby allowing Him to keep them.
I am a person who values commitment. I generally take my time before making one, because when I commit to something, I am all in. I want others to trust my word. When I commit, I commit.
If I am so good at committing, though, why does this not translate into my commitment to trust God fully with all of my problems? To having a persuasion that He will keep, by watching over, burdens that I give to Him. Why do I say that I commit things into His capable hands, if I am only going to turn around and take them back by worrying or trying to solve things on my own?
Yet committing, in the sense of trusting God, must be an all in matter, through a relinquishing of the burdens. If I take back my cares, I break my vow to trust.
God wants us all in when it comes to our commitment to trust Him. He wants us persuaded. Jesus is our model for commitment by being faithful to us. He is all in, and has nail-scarred hands to prove it.
I only thought that I was good at keeping my word with commitments; in fact, when it comes to fully entrusting my problems to the Lord, I waiver. My difficulty in doing so involves a problem I have with casting, and I will discuss this in my next post.
I caught this last glimpse of the sun just before it set ~ the plane is a crop duster.
What’s the point in borrowing trouble by worrying about tomorrow? From time to time, though, we are all guilty of doing so.
Worrying serves no purpose. As Christ reminds,
“Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:34b
So, for all my fellow worry-ers, let’s purpose to live in the blessedness of the day God brings, and leave the cares of tomorrow where they belong ~ in the hands of the One who holds every tomorrow!
As sung by Alison Krauss
I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day; I don’t borrow from its sunshine, For its skies may turn to gray. I don’t worry over the future, Fore I know what Jesus said; And today I’ll walk beside Him, For He knows what is ahead.
Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand But I know who holds tomorrow And I know who holds my hand.
Every step is getting brighter As the golden stairs I climb; Every burden’s getting lighter, Every cloud is silver lined. There the sun is always shining, There no tear will dim the eye, At the ending of the rainbow. Where the mountains touch the sky,
Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand But I know who holds tomorrow And I know who holds my hand.
I don’t know about tomorrow, It may bring me poverty; But the one who feeds the sparrow Is the one who stands by me. And the path that is my portion May be through the flame or flood; But His presence goes before me And I’m covered with His blood.
Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand But I know who holds tomorrow And I know who holds my hand.
My pink hydrangea in bloom ~ always a blessing to me!
Go do as I say Don’t fret along the way I’ll make you a blessing every day
Sue Nash/2013
Surely blessing I will bless thee
Hebrews 6:14
Make Me a Blessing
A beloved hymn by George Shuler and Ira Wilson You will enjoy this video. The little girl sings it beautifully in English, while the lyrics are in Spanish.
Joyful ~ a photo I took of a sculpture in bronze of children at play
The joyful sound. Have you heard it?
It’s still ringing out, even now.
It’s a mighty sound. Did you miss it? Its song by seekers, ever found.
It’s a wondrous sound. Will you listen? Its melody chimes all around.
It’s a blessed sound. Will you heed it? Its tune resounds with saving power.
Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance. Psalm 89:15
At times, life gets us down, causing our joy to dwindle. However, no hardship or assault from the enemy has the power to drown out the joyful sound. It is the sound of salvation, which comes from trusting Jesus as Lord.
After becoming true children of the living God, our joy comes in knowing that nobody can ever pluck us from His hands. Salvation brings a blessed joyful sound that rings endlessly in the heart.
Enjoy revisiting this timeless hymn, and if you have not yet met the Savior, call to Him now. Jesus still saves.
We have heard the joyful sound: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Spread the tidings all around: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Bear the news to every land, climb the mountains, cross the waves; Onward! ’tis our Lord’s command; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Waft it on the rolling tide: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Tell to sinners far and wide: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Sing, you islands of the sea; echo back, you ocean caves; Earth shall keep her jubilee: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing above the battle strife: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! By His death and endless life Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Shout it brightly through the gloom, when the heart for mercy craves; Sing in triumph o’er the tomb: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Give the winds a mighty voice: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Let the nations now rejoice: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Shout salvation full and free; highest hills and deepest caves; This our song of victory: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
A recent photo of my mom ~ taken by my brother, Chuck
I wrote this a while back, but decided to post it now in honor of my sweet mom. She is seventy-eight years old today, and brings blessings to every life she touches.
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Bringing in the Sheets
When I was young, we used to sing a hymn in our church that went something like this:
“Bringing in the sheets, bringing in the sheets,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheets.”
At least, that is what I thought we were singing. Never having heard the word sheaves, I just thought that for some reason it made God happy if we did not leave sheets hanging on the clothesline. Not understanding why, I nevertheless joyfully sang along about the sheets.
I later learned that sheaves represent souls, and that this song is a reference to a passage in Psalms, where after sowing with tears the precious seed of God’s truth, we will one day present a harvest of souls reaped for Him. (Psalm 126:6)
Mundane Things Can Show the Love of God
Although I understand the song’s meaning now, I question whether as a child I was that off base. I got to thinking about the rather mundane task of bringing in the sheets, and remembered how when growing up my mother would always hang our laundry outside. Even though we had a dryer, she was more accustomed to saving on electricity, and just much preferred the freshness of things dried outside.
The rigors of clothesline laundering were tiring, but I never heard my mother complain. She routinely performed this mundane task, out of love for her family. Memories of her loving hands caring for us caused me to consider that perhaps God is pleased when we bring in the sheets.
As Christians, we tend to think that to harvest souls, we must do the extraordinary. We view soul winning as something reserved for missionaries, or as lengthy gospel presentations by visitation teams through our church. However, what if there are equal opportunities in the mundane? Little, seemingly insignificant things we can do to sow the love of Christ.
Mundane Things Can Soften Hearts Toward God
Life provides many such opportunities. Things like helping an elderly woman carry her groceries, showing kindness to the checker at the supermarket, or simply smiling in the bank line when everyone else is complaining. With every little thing done and by throwing in a sincere nugget of I’m praying for you here or a God bless you there, it shines His love even more.
There are many small measures, which if done for Him, could be the very ones that soften cold, sin-hardened hearts toward God. They could be the precursors of readiness for when an opportunity presents for the gospel.
I doubt I will ever hear the old hymn, Bringing in the Sheaves, without getting a mental picture of my mom toting the laundry basket back from the clothesline. Like a loving mother, caring for her family by drying their sheets outside to fill them with freshness of a summer breeze, we have many ordinary opportunities in life to demonstrate the love of God.
If we have faithfully sown seeds of God’s love and truth, we will doubtless enter heaven rejoicing, bringing in sheaves. He will honor our faithfulness in the harvest. He will also be pleased with our record of well-doing in seeming mundane efforts for Him. God will rejoice that we brought in the sheets!
Heavenly Raindrops 