threegirldad

Sunday Hymn: The Power of the Cross

2012-01-22T12:54:00.000-06:00

Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Chorus

Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.

Chorus

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

Chorus

Words and Music: Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

Sunday Hymn: Veni Veni Emmanuel

2011-12-11T16:21:00.001-06:00

Sunday Hymn: Amazing Love

2011-09-11T14:12:00.002-05:00

My Lord, what love is this
That pays so dearly
That I, the guilty one
May go free!

Amazing love, O what sacrifice
The Son of God given for me
My debt he pays, and my death he dies
That I might live, that I might live
(Last time only) That I might live!

And so they watched him die
Despised, rejected
But oh, the blood he shed
Flowed for me!

Refrain

And now, this love of Christ
Shall flow like rivers
Come wash your guilt away
Live again!

Refrain

Words and Music: Graham Kendrick

Sunday Hymn: All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

2011-09-04T13:25:00.000-05:00

All hail the power of Jesus’ Name! Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.

Let highborn seraphs tune the lyre, and as they tune it, fall
Before His face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all.
Before His face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all.

Crown Him, ye morning stars of light, who fixed this floating ball;
Now hail the strength of Israel’s might, and crown Him Lord of all.
Now hail the strength of Israel’s might, and crown Him Lord of all.

Crown Him, ye martyrs of your God, who from His altar call;
Extol the Stem of Jesse’s Rod, and crown Him Lord of all.
Extol the Stem of Jesse’s Rod, and crown Him Lord of all.

Ye seed of Israel’s chosen race, ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all.
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all.

Hail Him, ye heirs of David’s line, whom David Lord did call,
The God incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all,
The God incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all.

Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget the wormwood and the gall,
Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all.
Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all.

Let every tribe and every tongue before Him prostrate fall
And shout in universal song the crownèd Lord of all.
And shout in universal song the crownèd Lord of all.

O that, with yonder sacred throng, we at His feet may fall,
Join in the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all,
Join in the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all!

Words: Edward Perronet (final verse added by John Rippon in 1787)
Music: Oliver Holden

Sunday Hymn: Blessing and Honor and Glory and Power

2011-08-28T14:46:00.000-05:00

Blessing and honor and glory and power,
Wisdom and riches and strength evermore
Give ye to Him Who our battle hath won
Whose are the kingdom, the crown, and the throne.

Into the heav’n of the heav’ns hath He gone,
Sitteth He now in the joy of the throne,
Weareth He now of the kingdom the crown,
Singeth He now the new song with His own.

Soundeth the Heaven of the heavens with His Name;
Ringeth the earth with His glory and fame;
Ocean and mountain, stream, forest, and flower
Echo His praises and tell of His power.

Past are the darkness, the storm, and the war,
Come is the radiance, that sparkles afar,
Breaketh the gleam of the day without end,
Riseth the Sun that shall never descend.

Ever ascendeth the song and the joy;
Ever descendeth the love from on high;
Blessing and honor and glory and praise,
This is the theme of the hymns that we raise.

Life of all life, and true Light of all light,
Star of the dawning unchangingly bright,
Sun of the Salem whose light is the Lamb,
Theme of the ever new, ever glad psalm!

Give we the glory and praise to the Lamb;
Take we the robe and the harp and the palm;
Sing we the song of the Lamb that was slain,
Dying in weakness, but rising to reign.

Words: Horatius Bonar
Music: John Bacchus Dykes (based on O Quanta Qualia)

Sunday Hymn: And Can It Be That I Should Gain?

2011-07-10T16:10:00.000-05:00

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Words: Charles Wesley
Music: Thomas Campbell

Sunday Hymn: I Sing the Mighty Power of God

2011-06-19T15:14:00.000-05:00

I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.

There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God art present there.

Words: Isaac Watts

Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams

(based on the traditional English melody Forest Green)

Sunday Hymn: We're Marching to Zion

2011-06-12T17:15:00.000-05:00

Come, we that love the Lord,
And let our joys be known;
Join in a song with sweet accord,
And thus surround the throne.

We’re marching to Zion,
Beautiful, beautiful Zion;
We’re marching upward to Zion,
The beautiful city of God.

The sorrows of the mind
Be banished from the place;
Religion never was designed
To make our pleasures less.

Refrain

Let those refuse to sing,
Who never knew our God;
But children of the heav’nly King
May speak their joys abroad.

Refrain

The men of grace have found
Glory begun below;
Celestial fruits on earthly ground
From faith and hope may grow.

Refrain

The hill of Zion yields
A thousand sacred sweets
Before we reach the heav’nly fields,
Or walk the golden streets.

Refrain

Then let our songs abound,
And every tear be dry;
We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground
To fairer worlds on high.

Refrain

Words: Isaac Watts (Refrain: Robert Lowry)
Music: Robert Lowry

Sunday Hymn: I'd Rather Have Jesus

2011-06-05T16:13:00.000-05:00

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold,
I'd rather be His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands,
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.

Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin's dread sway.
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause,
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame,
I'd rather be true to His holy name.

Refrain

He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom,
He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He's all that my hungering spirit needs,
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead.

Refrain

Words: Rhea F Miller
Music: George Beverly Shea

Sunday Hymn: "Shine Jesus Shine"

2011-05-22T16:44:00.000-05:00

Lord, the light of your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness, shining
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us
Set us free by the truth you now bring us
Shine on me, shine on me

Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father's glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light

Lord, I come to your awesome presence
From the shadows into your radiance
By the blood I may enter your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me, shine on me

As we gaze on your kingly brightness
So our faces display your likeness
Ever changing from glory to glory
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story
Shine on me, shine on me.

Words and Music: Graham Kendrick

"Hannah's Song"

2011-05-15T15:18:00.001-05:00

[This is a song that Hannah's favorite ICU nurse taught her during her last stay in the hospital. That wonderful lady sent us a letter after the funeral to tell us about "Hannah's Song" and the precious times the two of them had together during the last few weeks of Hannah's life. We'll always be grateful for that.]

*******

When I get to heaven gonna walk with Jesus,
when I get to heaven gonna see His face!
When I get to heaven gonna talk with Jesus,
saved by His wonderful grace!

Because I'm saved, saved, wonderfully saved,
saved by the Blood of the Lamb!
Saved, saved, wonderfully saved,
and I'm so glad I am!

Hallelujah!

*******

"I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live..."

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death...I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

(John 11:25; 1 Cor 15:20-26,50-54; Revelation 21:1-4)

~~~~~~~

Hannah Elizabeth Elliott
July 11, 1989 - May 18, 1994
Isaiah 63:9

Sunday Hymn: Before the Throne of God Above

2011-05-08T15:20:00.000-05:00

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!

Words: Charitie Lees Bancroft
Music: William B. Bradbury

"Life is Like a Painted Dream"

2011-05-01T16:56:00.000-05:00

Today is the 2-year anniversary of my wife's first stroke (which was followed by a second stroke and brain surgery in less than two weeks). In lieu of a hymn, I offer these words of wisdom from Octavius Winslow, which were a great encouragement to me at a time when things looked rather bleak.

Life is Like a Painted Dream

"For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death." Psalm 48:14

The world passes away. Everything here in this present world is changing.

"Life is like a painted dream;
Like the rapid summer stream;
Like the fleeting meteor's ray;
Like the shortest winter's day;
Like the fitful breeze that sighs;
Like the waning flame that dies;
Darting, dazzling on the eye;
Fading in eternity."

A rope of sand, a spider's web, a silken thread, a passing shadow, an ebbing wave, are the most fitting and expressive emblems of all things belonging to this present earthly state. The homes that sheltered us in childhood we leave. The land which gave us birth we leave. The loved ones who encircled our hearths pass away. The friends of early years depart. And the world that was so sunny, and life that was so sweet, is all beclouded and embittered—the whole scenery of existence changed into wintry gloom. Such are the saddening, depressing effects of life's vicissitudes.

But in the midst of all, "this God is our God for ever and ever!" All beings change but God. All things change but heaven. The evolutions of time revolve, the events of earth go onward, but He upon whom all things hang, and by whom all events are shaped and controlled, moves not. "For I am the Lord, I change not." Our affairs may alter. Our circumstances may change. Our relations and friends may depart one by one. Our souls in a single day pass through many fluctuations of spiritual feeling. But He who chose us to be His own, and who has kept us to the present moment, is our covenant God and Father forever and ever, and will never throw us off and cast us away. "For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death."

--Christ's Sympathy to Weary Pilgrims

Sunday Hymn: Christ the Lord is Risen Today

2011-04-24T13:31:00.000-05:00

Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Lo! the Sun’s eclipse is over, Alleluia!

Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!

Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!

Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!

Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!

Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hail, the Lord of earth and Heaven, Alleluia!

Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!

Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!

Hail, the resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!

Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!

Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia!

Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!

Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!

Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!

Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

But the pains that He endured, Alleluia!

Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!

Now above the sky He’s King, Alleluia!

Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!

Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!

Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!

Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Words: Charles Wesley

Music: Unknown

Sunday Hymn: All Glory, Laud and Honor

2011-04-17T16:00:00.000-05:00

All glory, laud and honor,
To Thee, Redeemer, King,
To Whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.

Thou art the King of Israel,
Thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s Name comest,
The King and Blessèd One.

Refrain

The company of angels
Are praising Thee on High,
And mortal men and all things
Created make reply.

Refrain

The people of the Hebrews
With palms before Thee went;
Our prayer and praise and anthems
Before Thee we present.

Refrain

To Thee, before Thy passion,
They sang their hymns of praise;
To Thee, now high exalted,
Our melody we raise.

Refrain

Thou didst accept their praises;
Accept the prayers we bring,
Who in all good delightest,
Thou good and gracious King.

Refrain

Words: Theodulph of Orleans (tr. John M. Neale)
Music: Melchior Teschner

Sunday Hymn: And Can it Be That I Should Gain

2011-04-10T17:01:00.000-05:00

Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Words: Charles Wesley
Music: Thomas Campbell

Sunday Hymn: My Redeemer

2011-04-03T15:04:00.000-05:00

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer,
With His blood, He purchased me.
On the cross, He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.

Refrain

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death, and hell.

Refrain

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be.

Refrain

Words: Philip P. Bliss
Music: James McGranahan

Sunday Hymn: In Christ Alone

2011-03-27T16:18:00.000-05:00

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Words and Music: Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Sunday Hymn: Be Still, My Soul

2011-03-20T16:32:00.006-05:00

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

Words: Katharina A. D. von Schlegel
Music:Jean Sibelius

Sunday Hymn: Be Thou my Vision

2011-03-13T13:34:00.000-05:00

Thanks to a wonderful "coincidence" that had me in Southern California the same week as Shepherd's Conference, I was able to attend the evening session on Thursday (March 11). This is one of the hymn's that was sung in Grace Community Church's main auditorium by close to 4,000 people. What a tremendous blessing!

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Words: Attributed to Dallan Forgaill
Music: The Irish Folk Song Slane

Sunday Hymn: Oh, Worship the King

2011-03-06T23:27:00.000-06:00

O worship the king all glorious above,
O gratefully sing his power and his love;
Our shield and defender, the ancient of days,
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.

O tell of his might, O sing of his grace,
Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
And dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

The earth with its store of wonders untold,
Almighty, thy pow'r hath founded of old;
Hath stablished it fast by a changeless decree,
And round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.

Thy bountiful care what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air; it shines in the light;
It streams from the hills; it descends to the plain;
And sweetly distils in the dew and the rain.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
In thee do we trust, nor find thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!

O measureless might! ineffable love!
While angels delight to hymn thee above,
The humbler creation, though feeble their lays,
With true adoration shall lisp to thy praise.

Words: Robert Grant
Music: Attributed to Johann Michael Hayden

"Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church..."

2011-03-06T22:22:00.000-06:00

Dr. Robertson McQuilkin was the president of Columbia Bible College (now Columbia International University) from 1968 – 1990. His wife having been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a few years prior to the end of his tenure, Dr. McQuilkin reached a point where it became clear that he could no longer serve as president and also care for his wife personally.

In a 2004 article titled, “Living by Vows,” (published in Christianity Today), Dr. McQuilkin recounted how a number of close friends and colleagues, whom he respected deeply, encouraged him to consider institutionalizing his wife for the sake of his career :

So began years of struggle with the question of what should be sacrificed: ministry or caring for Muriel. Should I put the kingdom of God first, "hate" my wife and, for the sake of Christ and the kingdom, arrange for institutionalization? Trusted, lifelong friends—wise and godly—urged me to do this.

"Muriel would become accustomed to the new environment quickly." Would she? Would anyone love her at all, let alone love her as I do? I had often seen the empty, listless faces of those lined up in wheelchairs along the corridors of such places, waiting, waiting for the fleeting visit of some loved one. In such an environment, Muriel would be tamed only with drugs or bodily restraints, of that I was confident.
[…]
When the time came, the decision was firm. It took no great calculation. It was a matter of integrity. Had I not promised, 42 years before, "in sickness and in health . . . till death do us part"?

This was no grim duty to which I stoically resigned, however. It was only fair. She had, after all, cared for me for almost four decades with marvelous devotion; now it was my turn. And such a partner she was! If I took care of her for 40 years, I would never be out of her debt.
[…]
I have been startled by the response to the announcement of my resignation. Husbands and wives renew marriage vows, pastors tell the story to their congregations. It was a mystery to me, until a distinguished oncologist, who lives constantly with dying people, told me, "Almost all women stand by their men; very few men stand by their women." Perhaps people sensed this contemporary tragedy and somehow were helped by a simple choice I considered the only option. (emphasis added)

And so, in 1990, Dr. McQuilkin -- renowned author, speaker, and former missionary -- announced his resignation to the faculty and students of Columbia Bible College. He spent the next 13 years honoring and fulfilling his vows to his wife. A short segment of that speech survives in audio form.

Last fall, Focus on the Family aired an episode titled Love in the Midst of Alzheimer’s featuring a recorded talk of Dr. McQuilkin telling his story.

Rethinking Proverbs 22:6

2011-03-04T18:49:00.003-06:00

"Train a child up in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Now, that is something we're going to camp out [on] for awhile, because that is a verse that is another favorite verse of Proverbs that doesn't mean what anybody thinks it does. I very reluctantly -- it takes a lot of hubris to say that everybody has translated a verse wrong -- but everybody has translated that verse wrong. People are -- you'll read more and more academics who are admitting that -- but, traditional translations die hard, and, unfortunately, this is a well-beloved traditional translation.

The trouble is that...there are a number of troubles with taking it that way. "Train up a child in the way he should go." Let me give you a literal -- a very literal -- translation of that: "Initiate for the child on the mouth of his way; even when he is old, he will not turn from it." And I give you a more of a [loose] translation: "Start out a boy according to his own way; even though he may grow old, he will not turn from it." Now, what do you notice that's missing there? What's missing is, there is no "way he should go." And that is beyond argument not in the Hebrew; the Hebrew text says nothing like "the way he should go." There simply is no argument about that. You have people interpret it that way, but it doesn't say that. It simply says, if you start out your child according to the dictate of his way, then when he is old, he won't depart from it.

Now, when you think about that, if you don't assume the traditional translation, does that sound like it's saying that this is something you should do? "Start out a child according to his way" -- well, what is "his way" according to Proverbs? We just saw at 22:15: "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child." So, what is "his way"? "His way" is a foolish way. "His way" is a sinful way. Left to himself, he'll bring shame to his mother. Didn't we just read that? So, if you start out a child according to his way, then when he grows old, he won't turn from it. Do you start getting what Solomon really is saying? He's saying something like 29:15 says: "A child left to himself brings shame to his mother." That's a child who's let loose. Remember, Proverbs says again and again that there's only two ways. There are only two ways: there's God's way, and there's our way. And what is our way like? Well, it's a way that seems right to the eyes of a man, but what's the end of it? Destruction...the way of death.

So, this is a verse that's hinting at and giving the two ways: the one way is the child's way, but by implication, the other way is God's way. But what this is actually is -- this is not a promise. And, unfortunately, many, many Christian parents have taken this as a promise. It's not a promise; it's a warning. It's not a promise that if you start out Johnny going to Sunday School, then although when he turns seventeen, he'll start boozing and carousing and being sexually immoral, but you know eventually he'll come back, because you took him to Sunday School. That is not what this verse says. What this verse says is that if you start Johnny out being accustomed to get Johnny's way, and Johnny expecting that if he whines and cries long enough then he will prevail on Mom and Dad, and if you start Johnny out expecting the world ought to cater to Johnny's whims and Johnny's expectations and Johnny's demands, then even though his body will mature, he won't. He'll never turn from that. And you've known children like this, who grow up expecting the world to cater itself to them -- and if they ever "get religion," they think "religion" is the same thing. That's why so many churches are consumer-driven; they've got a bunch of Johnnies in them, who expect that God should do things their way, the church should do things their way, they should be able to customize it, they think God is the great "Burger King in the sky" -- you know, where kids are king: "Special orders don't upset us." And they've been led to expect that everything should cater itself to them.

That's what this verse is warning against. This verse is warning that if you start out a child assuming that he should get his way, he won't depart from it. Another indication of that is this word "will not depart." That verb, sur, the verb is used seventeen times in Proverbs. Thirteen out of those seventeen times, it means, "departing from something evil." Only three of the times is it used of departing from something positive. And then, the next one is this verse-- which is what we're trying to decide -- what does that mean? So, I want to try to make that plain. What I'm saying is, when it says, "when he is old, he won't depart from it," the traditional idea is: "Well, you've led him in a good way, and when he's older, he won't depart from that good way." But the verb usually means departing from something bad. So, naturally, we would assume that that's what it means here. And I think that is what it means here.

Let me be as plain as I can: what Proverbs -- what Solomon is saying is, "If you raise him to expect his own way, that's a bad thing, and it's a bad thing that he should depart from, but when he grows up, he won't depart from it. He won't repent of it. He won't leave it, because you led him to expect it. You led him to think that's the way things are supposed to be."

Do you see? Are you tracking with me? I don't demand that you agree with me, but [do] you at least understand what I'm saying here?

Dan Phillips, "Insights from Proverbs (Children in Proverbs)"
Sovereign Grace Baptist Church 2007 Conference on Proverbs
(Click here to see the audio files for all six sessions)

Sunday Hymn: Jesus Paid It All

2011-01-23T15:31:00.000-06:00

I hear the Saviour say,
"Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in me thine all in all."

Jesus paid it all,
All to him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power, and thine alone,
Can change the leper's spots,
And melt the heart of stone.

Refrain

For nothing good have I
Whereby thy grace to claim—
I will wash my garments white
In the blood of Calvary's lamb.

Refrain

And when, before the throne,
I stand in him complete,
"Jesus died my soul to save,"
My lips shall still repeat.

Refrain

Words: Elvina M. Hall
Music: John T. Grape

"Dreaming of a Red Christmas" (by Warren McPherson)

2010-12-20T11:58:00.003-06:00

[The following article was published in the December, 1954, edition of a denominational youth ministry magazine]

DAVE ELLIOTT is dreaming of a red Christmas just like the one he had last year. . . .

It was in the American sector of Berlin and a group of servicemen sat talking together. Christmas was only a few days off—and that can be about the loneliest time of the year when you are a long way from home. They reminisced of how it would be in Nashville, Wichita, Dayton, and Houston. They talked of what they would do if they were "back home."

The conversation struck a definite note of homesickness as they recalled past thrills of caroling with the "gang." Someone asked if it were possible for them to go caroling right there in Berlin. The atmosphere became electric and the conversation was alive with expectation. The question was answered in the affirmative. They could go, and they would go Christmas caroling "just like back home." It would also give the German people a demonstration of how Christmas was observed in the United States.

When the great day arrived, Dave joined the other servicemen in a full schedule of activity. First there was a party for a group of orphans and underprivileged children from both the western and eastern sectors of Berlin. The children were especially thrilled to be the honored guests of the American soldiers. American customs were followed to the letter. There was fruit, candy, and toys for all the children, with plenty of fun and excitement.

An added thrill of the occasion was the distribution of good, warm, used clothing which several American organizations had sent. The servicemen saw to it that each child received clothing that would fit him. Dave was carried away with excitement. He said, "I found myself in the middle of about seven or eight little boys—all trying to get fixed up at the same time. We had a wonderful time, and I'm sure that it will become an annual affair!"

The next stop was a crippled children's home. The children could not understand the carols as they were sung in English. However, they could understand from the warmth of the singing and from the treats they received that this was part of the American way of celebrating the birth of the Saviour. Dave was solemnly reminded that he was seeing boys and girls who would be crippled the rest of their lives. "Seeing this," he recalls, "just made me more thankful that I have good health and a good homeland."

Another stop was at an old folks home. Here, coffee and cookies were served and carols were sung. "I guess that was what really made Christmas complete for those old folks," Dave recalls. "They seemed so happy that we came. They even joined in with us." The elderly people detained them as long as they could, because the visit of these young "ambassadors of goodwill" had meant so much to them. Time was fleeting and there was one more stop on their itinerary so they hurried on their way.

In a few moments they arrived at their destination—the joining point of American, British, and Russian sectors of Berlin. There was no mistaking the Russian sector from the others. It was characterized by dark, quiet, empty, and lonely streets. People are not allowed on the streets at night and very few lights are visible. It was like a ghost city.

The group went as close to the boundary as the Red-Border guards would allow. Quickly they gathered and very soon the peaceful melody of "Silent Night," followed by the joyful and hopeful refrain of "Joy to the World," was wafting its way down the dark and gloomy streets of Red Berlin. "I can't remember all the carols we sang, but we must have sung them all," says Dave.

Among the first to stop were an elderly man and woman from the Russian sector. They paused and listened attentively to the carolers. The group sang loudly and joyfully, and the crowd of listeners seemed to grow with the volume. As the elderly couple stood listening, no doubt their memories returned to better, more peaceful and joyful days. Tears filled their eyes and without shame, they let them course down their cheeks.

Those servicemen sang with all the enthusiasm of their souls. For twenty minutes or more they sent the message of a loving Redeemer into the sector of darkness and heartache. Here, too, within hearing of Eastern Berlin and within sight of the Communist-Borderguard, there were coffee, cookies, and carols for all.

When the singing finally ceased, the elderly couple lingered momentarily and then once again turned their tread toward the east and disappeared into the ominous darkness of the streets of the Russian sector.
Dave Elliott is still in Berlin. His thoughts are again turning to Christmas—but this time to the caroling which they are planning. He feels certain there will be a much larger group of servicemen taking part and they anticipate even greater response. Dave will be a long way from home again this year and Christmas won't be like it is back there. But he remembers the tears in the tired eyes of that elderly couple who lingered to hear the carols a year ago—and he is convinced that there could be no more blessed way of spending Christmas than by singing the good news and glad tidings on the Red Border.

Sunday Hymn: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

2010-12-19T15:42:00.000-06:00

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six winged seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Lord Most High!

Words: Translated from the Greek by Gerard Moultrie
Music: Set to the tune "Picardy"

Sunday Hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

2010-12-05T16:07:00.002-06:00

O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny

From depths of Hell Thy people save

And give them victory o'er the grave

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,

And open wide our heavenly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,

Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,

In ancient times did'st give the Law,

In cloud, and majesty and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Words: Translated from Latin by John Mason Neale

Music: Origin unknown

Sunday Hymn: Hallelujah Chorus

2010-11-28T20:27:00.000-06:00

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ, and of His Christ;
And He shall reign for ever and ever,
For ever and ever, forever and ever,

King of kings, and Lord of lords,
King of kings, and Lord of lords,
And Lord of lords,
And He shall reign,
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings, forever and ever,
And Lord of lords,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

Words and Music: Handel

"Thank you" to all veterans...

2010-11-11T13:48:00.003-06:00

...including my dad.

Sunday Hymn: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

2010-10-31T16:01:00.000-05:00

The Battle Hymn of the Reformation

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
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;
Lord Sabaoth, 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 through 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.

*******

Sunday Hymn: My Hope is Built

2010-10-24T16:49:00.000-05:00

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

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

When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest upon unchanging grace;
In ev'ry rough 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 I shall launch in worlds unseen,
O may I then be found in him;
Dressed in his righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Words: Edward Mote, Music: William B. Bradbury

Sunday Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy

2010-10-17T16:29:00.000-05:00

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Words: Reginald Heber, Music: John B. Dykes

Rejoice, The Lord is King!

2010-10-10T16:11:00.000-05:00

Rejoice, the Lord is King!
Your Lord and King adore;
Rejoice, give thanks and sing,
And triumph evermore:

Life up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Jesus, the Saviour reigns,
The God of truth and love;
When he had purged our stains
He took his seat above:

Refrain

His kingdom cannot fail,
He rules o'er earth and heav'n;
The keys of death and hell
Are to our Jesus giv'n:

Refrain

He sits at God's right hand
Till all his foes submit,
And bow to his command
And fall beneath his feet.

Refrain

Words: Charles Wesley, Music: John Darwall

Sunday Hymn: Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

2010-10-03T15:08:00.000-05:00

Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God’s own field, fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day all offenses purge away,
Giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store in His garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring Thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in, free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified, in Thy garner to abide;
Come, with all Thine angels come, raise the glorious harvest home.

Words: Henry Alford, Music: George J Elvey

Sunday Hymn: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

2010-09-26T15:22:00.000-05:00

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.

Walter C. Smith and John Roberts

Sunday Hymn: Come, Thou Almighty King

2010-09-19T16:10:00.001-05:00

Come, Thou almighty King,
Help us Thy Name to sing, help us to praise!
Father all glorious, o’er all victorious,
Come and reign over us, Ancient of Days!

Jesus, our Lord, arise,
Scatter our enemies, and make them fall;
Let Thine almighty aid our sure defense be made,
Our souls on Thee be stayed; Lord, hear our call.

Come, Thou incarnate Word,
Gird on Thy mighty sword, our prayer attend!
Come, and Thy people bless, and give Thy Word success,
Spirit of holiness, on us descend!

Come, holy Comforter,
Thy sacred witness bear in this glad hour.
Thou Who almighty art, now rule in every heart,
And ne’er from us depart, Spirit of power!

To Thee, great One in Three,
Eternal praises be, hence, evermore.
Thy sovereign majesty may we in glory see,
And to eternity love and adore!

Music by Felice di Giardini (more information here)

Sunday Hymn: How Deep the Father's Love

2010-09-12T13:51:00.002-05:00

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Stuart Townend

Sunday Hymn: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

2010-08-22T14:11:00.001-05:00

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who hath fearfully, wondrously, made thee;
Health hath vouchsafed and, when heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee.
What need or grief ever hath failed of relief?
Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging,
Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,
Biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace,
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding,
Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,
Sheddeth His light, chaseth the horrors of night,
Saints with His mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Gladly for aye we adore Him.

Joachim Neander, 1680

Sunday Hymn: Great is Thy Faithfulness

2010-08-15T13:06:00.001-05:00

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Refrain

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Refrain

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Refrain

Thomas Chisholm and William Runyan, 1923

Sunday Hymn: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

2010-08-08T14:06:00.002-05:00

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

[His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.] §

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Isaac Watts, 1707 (written for a communion service; originally titled
Crucifixion to the World by the Cross of Christ)

§ this stanza commonly omitted in modern printings