I will sing of my redeemer...

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.

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

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.


The composition was found in a piece of baggage rescued from a fiery train wreck on the day of December 20, 1876. The poem’s author, 38-year-old Philip P. Bliss, has been traveling with his wife to Chicago to fulfill an engagement at D. L. Moody’s Tabernacle.

Near Ashtabula, Ohio a bridge collapsed and the train plunged into an icy river bed. It is said that Bliss survived the fall and climbed out through a coach window only to return, looking for his wife. Reunited, they died together in the flaming wreckage.


a beautiful, simple hymn.

fun things.

today, despite things not going by my plan, God blessed me greatly. If you know me, you know that my like and dislikes lists must include the following:

likes:
reading and journaling
exercise
people
life stories
any small animal

dislikes:
well, i was born a pessimist so i wont fill that out, but lets just say, when i dont accomplish all i want/plan to :(

Today, I woke up at 6:30, had 2 hours with God, all to myself, THe house was so quiet you could hear a mouse run across the floor if it dared. I studied acts 2, journaled, read my fav blog (scotty smith's http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/), and really heard God speak to me in Acts 2 about community, and trusting the Lord to add to our number daily, not Lindsay owens to add to the number and do all the work.

Later, I took a short nap, went to the halls at Furman and had a heart to heart with Laura, a sophomore...God is doing amazing things, so much that we both were almost in tears at HIS faithfulness, HIS work, HIs power.

Then, I went to ZUMBA!! a dance class...interestingly enough in the old building where we had our meetings. It was crazy, but so energizing and completely FUN. I even got a treat to see my old boss from atlanta bread!!

At my favorite time of day, nearing sunset when the sky is periwinkle, I went to furman by the lake. What appeared in my path by God's sovereign grace?? A tiny dog!!! what a joy...turns out the lady was a christian, we sat and talked for an hour. Our pasts were so similar, and for one of the first times, I had victory in the Lord to share my wounds with another wounded. amazing grace that we are saved by.

Then, I got to come home and talk to lynn. We never get to talk on weekdays because of our schedules,but God knew we needed to laugh and pray together.

One of my conclusions is that God knows what we need. I had planned on going to the dorms for 3 hours. Even now I feel guilty...and am repenting of this need to control and do all things. Even small interruptions, chance encounters, and dance classes are gifts from HIm.

Father, help me trust you with these girls at Furman. I want them to know you first, I want to love them and share you with them, but I want to be led by the Spirit, and to trust you completely. Help me trust you and not myself, and thank you that you give me rest, even when I think I dont need it. Thank you that my job allows me to share daily and grows me like nothing else. Give me an undivided heart. I love you Dad.

This prayer really spoke to my heart.

God is desiring more freedom in my life, and teaching me about what it means to be fully broken, real, and needy of HIm. Scotty Smith writes,


A Prayer About More Freedom from Jesus

“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

Dear Lord Jesus, I’m still not as free as you intend. Though you’ve already freed me from trying to earn my salvation by anything I do or based on anything in me… though you’ve already liberated me from the illusion that I can earn more of God’s love by ramping up my obedience and decreasing my foolishness… though the chains of condemnation have already been broken and the fears of death, Judgment Day and the future have been sent packing… I’m still not as free as you intend.

I’m still a babe… a neophyte… a raw rookie in so many gospel-freedoms. Only the gospel helps me see and acknowledge these things. Only your grace keeps me from going to shame and self-contempt as I offer these prayers…

Jesus, please free me for being less irritated… more often… with fewer people. Please turn my hair-trigger reactions into slower, wiser responses. Please help me to use less words and more listening, when engaging others. Please unshackle me from the illusion of control and my commitment to a pain-free heart.

Jesus, please liberate me from thinking about the next thing, so I can be present in the current moment. Please help me make better eye contact and heart connection with others. Please help me to be more intrigued with people I don’t know and less timid around strangers.

Jesus, please break even more of the chains of my insecurities. Please free me from the grave-clothes of feeling incompetent about important things in life. Please unfetter me from thinking too much about what I’m not… by showing me more of you and who I am in you.

Jesus, please free me for greater spontaneity… louder laughter… saltier tears… and quicker repentances. So very Amen, I pray, in your most compassionate name.