"Standing On the Promises"

Russell Kelso Carter 1849 - 1928

Born in 1849, Russell Kelso Carter, led a varied and interesting life. In his youth he was a star athlete and excellent student. He became a teacher and a coach for a period of time and then studied to become an ordained Methodist Minister. Amazingly, he later went to medical school and spent his later years as a doctor.
As if all this were not enough, he was also a musician and song writer.

Carter was a Christian for most of his life, but it wasn't until he experienced a medical crises at the age of thirty that his faith deepened. With his life in the balance, he pleaded with God for healing. He promised the Lord, whether he was healed or not, he would spend whatever time he had left fully serving Him.

Over the course of the next several months Carter drew closer to the Lord and gradually his heart began to heal. His strength returned, and he lived for forty-nine more years.

The words of the hymn he had written years earlier, "Standing On The Promises," took on a deeper, richer meaning for him. He had experienced first-hand the faithfulness of God - not just in his healing but in his life.

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful that promised.” (Hebrews 10:23)

Standing On the Promises

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

chorus:
Standing, standing
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing
I'm standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living word of God I shall prevail
Standing on the promises of God.

chorus

Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love's strong cord,
Over-coming daily with the Spirit's sword,
Standing on the promises of God.

chorus

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit's call,
Resting in my Savior, as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.

chorus




note: I sometimes find conflicting biographical information on these writers; there are also times there is much more information than I can include here. I try my best to just give a little "taste" of the stories behind these beautiful hymns. If you would like more information it is readily available on-line.

I'd Write - (If I Thought I Could)

I'm winging it today with all the other bloggers who take the Five Minute Friday challenge at Lisa-Jo's.

Today's topic:
"If I Knew I Could, I Would"

start:

If I knew I could actually put that mystery that's been banging around in my imagination for such a long time on paper I would. I would bring to life that sixty-something lady who has spunk, intelligence and whose heart is totally sold out to Jesus.

There would be stories to tell and wonderful characters to meet - and a compelling mystery that needed solving. I would stop dreaming and start writing. I would stop trying to get the whole plot ironed out in my mind first; stop trying to figure out "who-done-it" and get on with it.

I would stop being afraid that I had no business to even try such a thing, because it's all been done before and done better than I could possibly do it. I would stop telling myself that I'm not a real writer and begin to put some words together. I would put the fear of failure behind me and step out in faith.

If I could...

stop

To read lots and lots of fascinating posts, just visit Lisa-Jo - and perhaps you might even like to give this a try!

Blessings,
Linda

An Unseen Gift

The wedding is just a week away. My mind is filled with so many things as we get ready to release the last little "fledgling" from the nest. One of those things has to do with a gift - something special and meaningful that transcends monetary worth.

I have an idea or two, but as I thought about it today I knew there was one gift that I want to give her above any other. It is the same one I longed to give her brothers when they too stepped into a new life. Unfortunately it is one I cannot give; it is one they must choose to take for themselves.

I want, more than anything, to give her a faith that runs true and deep; a love for the Father that grows with every passing moment; an insatiable hunger and thirst for His word. I know that she knows and loves Him. I want so much more for her.

My own Mother gave me so much. I cannot think of a thing that was lacking. But she could not give me her faith. I had to make faith my own - to decide if these beliefs were mine. I remember a time in my adult life when I called into question the things I had believed since my earliest memory.

We can teach our children about Him. We can model faith for them. We can give them every opportunity to learn and grow in wisdom and grace, but the time will come when they have to make it their own. Then our gift becomes a prayer; a prayer that the Father will hold them tightly in His hand and draw them ever closer to Himself; a prayer wrapped in all the love we have.

Blessings,
Linda

Linking to Emily's imperfect prose

Trust and Obey

This is another of those posts just for me, another stone to lay down and mark the way. I want to remember, so that I don't have to stumble and fall again.

I was praying yesterday - giving Him all of my worries and cares, my memory verse playing over and over again in my mind:

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you."
I Peter 5:6,7

One pesky "worry" in particular kept pushing its way to the front of my fretful heart, and I felt that gentle prompting: "Don't try to figure it out right now. Leave it with me, and I'll work it all out."- such a comfort. I determined to just wait silently and not follow my usual m.o. of talking it to death with everyone involved.

I made it through about the first hour of the morning before I spoke about it to my husband. Fortunately he didn't hear me, and I felt that check in my spirit. I was thankful for the "do-over" and promised not to do it again.

It happened during a telephone conversation - I knew I should be quiet, but we touched on the subject in a very round-about way, and I blurted it out yet again. This time the words were heard loud and clear and had the affect of upsetting the other person. She asked me to please not burden her with one more thing just now. I felt terrible. Not only had I upset her, I had done exactly what I knew the Lord advised me not to do.

When will I learn to simply trust Him and walk in obedience - even when it goes against my own inclinations? It was a good lesson. When I insist on my own way, it will inevitably lead to difficulties. I seem to have to learn things the hard way. I am so thankful that He is so patient and gracious. Had I listened to Him, I would have avoided hurting someone dear to me. He really does know what is best.

"The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control. Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord. So rejoice in the lord and be glad, all you who obey Him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!"
Psalm 32: 8-11

picture: Several years ago my Christmas Cactus decided that she preferred Easter to Christmas. Every Easter since she has set out her beautiful blooms.

Blessings,
Linda

"He Lives"

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today,
I know that He is living, whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer.
And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.

He Lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way
He Lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me How I know He lives?
HE LIVES WITHIN MY HEART.


In all the world around me, I see His loving care,
And tho my heart grows weary, I never will despair
I know that He is leading thru all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing will come at last.

He Lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way
He Lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me How I know He lives?
HE LIVES WITHIN MY HEART.


Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind.

He Lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way
He Lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me How I know He lives?
HE LIVES WITHIN MY HEART.

Words and music by Alfred H. Ackley

Blessed Easter,
Linda

Why Lord?

The first of our six Easter services is tonight. This year the program is a bit of a departure from the traditional Easter programs we've done in the past. The theme this year is "You Are God," and the message is hope. It centers around the timeless question: "Why do bad things happen to good people?" - and when they do, where is God?

Four videos, testimonies of people who were walking closely with the Lord when unexpected and undeserved tragedy struck, are the centerpiece. There are beautiful songs that form a framework around the faces of those who have walked through the fire and come out with their faith still intact.

I'm reposting something I wrote a while ago when I was struggling with some of these same questions:


Far too often I find my mind is a battle field - faith and doubt warring in my heart. One of my memory verses is Psalm 32:7:
"For You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory."

I sometimes say it as I walk, trying to keep the verses I've memorized alive in my little brain. It brings me comfort...until that dart from the enemy finds its mark and I begin the inevitable round of questions.

"If that is true Father, why is there so much suffering? Why do those who love You so dearly and serve You so well have such trouble come into their lives? Why do little children suffer pain and sorrow? Why do evil people do such terrible things?......"

I fight back with the truth I know - that He loves us and will do nothing to harm us. Sometimes the questions persist.

I read something today in my little devotional, "Joy and Strength" that answered the question in a way that could only be the gentle voice of the Spirit:

"Just as soon as we turn toward Him with loving confidence, and say, 'Thy will be done,' whatever chills or cripples or enslaves our spirits, clogs their powers, or hinders their development, melts away in the sunshine of His sympathy. He does not free us from the pain, but from its power to dull the sensibilities; not from poverty and care, but from their tendency to narrow and harden; not from calumny, but from the maddening poison in its sting, not from disappointment, but from the hopelessness and bitterness of thought which it so often engenders. We attain unto this perfect liberty when we rise superior to untoward circumstances, triumph over the pain and weakness of disease, over unjust criticism, the wreck of earthly hopes, over promptings to envy , every sordid and selfish desire, every unhallowed longing, every doubt of God's wisdom and love and kindly care, when we rise into an atmosphere of undaunted moral courage, of restful content, of child-like trust, of holy, all-conquering calm."
William W. Kinsley (b.1837)

In my humanity, I want to think that nothing bad will happen to His children, or if it does, He will miraculously intervene. In truth, He will. It just may not look the way I want it to look.

Where I pray for healing or deliverance from trouble, He may have something else in mind. It doesn't mean He has withheld His love or turned His back. It means He is doing something I cannot see - something of eternal value. He has promised that He would. He asks me to trust Him.

There is the crux of the matter - trust. I have been dragged kicking and screaming into trust. I have wanted my way because I couldn't imagine the circumstances we were walking through could possibly be good or right. He has patiently waited for me to look into His face, listen to His heart, and surrender to a love that knows no bounds.

He is not obligated to answer my questions. His wisdom is so far above mine and His power limitless. He is perfect and holy. He has never failed to keep His word and has loved me unconditionally. Who am I, this broken, unworthy vessel, to question Him? Yet He tenderly draws me to Himself and listens. Often He answers; sometimes He doesn't. Always He is all that He has promised to be. If I will simply trust Him, that is more than enough.

Blessings,
Linda

linking to Emily's Imperfect Prose

The Gift

He extends the gift
with hands marred and opened wide.
The two-fold gift contained in one,
life forever, life now.

I fumble for payment,
something to offer
for such priceless treasure,
something worthy of
such love.

He asks only faith
without trappings;
No ticking off the lists
of works,
No seeking to search out His judgements,
No striving to plumb the
depths of unfathomable ways.

Simple, child-like
faith.

Blessings,
Linda

linking to One Stop Poetry today

As For Me

I see them sleeping
when You needed their prayers.
Would my head nod too
had I been there?

I see them running
when they took You away.
Would my heart be racing, legs pumping
abandoning You too?

I hear him denying, with curses,
when he pledged to stand with You.
Would I say I didn't know You
when the darkness threatened?

How often, Lord Jesus,
do I sleep when I should pray,
run when I should stand,
hurt You with my words?

Now, as then,
You search my heart with eyes of love,
Speak words of forgiveness,
Give Your life that I may live.


a repost: our week is filled with choir rehersals and services thurs - sun, anticipating great and mighty things as we celebrate Jesus

Blessings,
Linda 

Thankful for Molly

I love books! I should confess right up front that I mostly love fiction. I own more books than any other single thing. I am ashamed to admit how many books are sitting on the "to read" shelf in my closet. And yet...I still can't go into the Half-Price Book Store and come out without an armload of books. I'm a little more conservative at the local Barnes and Noble, but it takes vast amount of will power for me to walk out empty-handed.

I have had to do some serious weeding through my bookshelves in recent years. We still have our house on the market and hiring a moving van just for my books seems a little extravagant. So the books that remain are those I treasure; the ones I know I will read again and again.

I am reading one of those books now - for the third time. I spent hours yesterday in a little English country village losing myself in the story of a young girl who, even in my dotage, has become a favorite heroine. Her name is Molly Gibson. Her story is written with beautiful elegance by Elizabeth Gaskell in the book "Wives and Daughters."

When I finally grow up, I want to be just a little bit like Molly. Here is just a little taste:

"Molly was dejected, she knew not why. Cynthia had drifted a little apart; that was not it. Her stepmother had whimsical moods; and if Cynthia displeased her, she would oppress Molly with small kindnesses and pseudo-affection. Or else everything was wrong, the world was out of joint,and Molly had failed in her mission to set it right, and was to be blamed accordingly. But Molly was of too steady a disposition to be much moved by the changeableness of an unreasonable person."

Oh to be of such steady character. I am all too easily influenced by the attitudes of those around me. It is easy to be sweet and kind when all is going well. If that sweetness and kindness isn't returned or appreciated, it is another matter altogether.

All of that to say I am thankful for good books - ones that are so beautifully written they take you to another time and place, all the while edifying and uplifting. I have no patience any more for books that make me squirm uncomfortably. I suppose that's why I more often than not find myself carried back to the 19th century.

I am thankful

165 - for Mrs. Gaskell and Molly

166 - crisp, clear spring days
167 - hummingbirds who have returned, entertaining us with their antics
168 - doves cooing
169 - answered prayer for a friend
170 - beautiful black and yellow butterfly
171 - chamomile tea before bed
172 - car - all repaired and looking like new
173 - calves frolicking
174 - horses playing in the fields
175 - smell of newly cut grass
176 - little pink roses
177 - time to sit in the sun room and read - the room filled with spring breezes and birdsong
178 - a letter from a new friend
179 - working outside - getting it done one small step at a time
180 - another drought, but knowing that He is faithful
181 - finding just the right outfit for the wedding
182 - the ministry of a smile

linking to Ann's Gratitude Community

Blessings,
Linda

"My Savior's Love"

The musical talent of Charles H. Garbriel was evident from the time he was a little boy. Born and raised on a farm in Wilton, Iowa in 1856, music was always a part of his life. His father led singing schools in their home, and the young Charles taught himself to play the new reed organ they had purchased.

Without any formal training, Charles began to travel and lead his own singing schools at the age of 17. In 1890 he took the position of music director of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, San Francisco, California. It was while he was there that he wrote the hymn "Send the Light" for a missions celebration the church was having. It was his first commercial success.

In 1912 Charles moved to Chicago, Illinois and began working with Homer Rodeheaver’s publishing company. While working there he edited many song books. He himself is said to have written and/or composed between 7,000 and 8,000 songs. Among them is the hymn "My Savior's Love"

I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.

Refrain

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

For me it was in the garden
He prayed: “Not My will, but Thine.”
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.

Refrain

In pity angels beheld Him,
And came from the world of light
To comfort Him in the sorrows
He bore for my soul that night.

Refrain

He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.

Refrain

When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.

Refrain



Blessings,
Linda

On Distance

I'm joining Lisa-Jo, the Gypsy Mama, for Five Minute Friday today. The prompt is "On Distance."

start:

The days are slipping by like sand through my fingers. I watch the hour glass and look back with emotions too intermingled to sort through. Less than a month now and she will walk into the arms of the young man to whom she has given her heart.

I remember the day she came to us all smiles and soft curly hair. Our hearts were smitten from the first. I see her sitting in her little white bed with books, notebooks and writing tools spread out on the blanket; see her wearing her first formal and setting off for the big dance; watch through blurry eyes as she walked across the stage to receive her diploma; look in wonder at the beautiful woman she has become.

When she says the words that will make her wife, she will fly far away from us to live in another country an ocean away. Our hearts will go with her.

stop

Please visit Lisa-Jo to join the others at Five Minute Friday.

Blessings,
Linda

For the Joy Set Before Him

He “…emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant and being made in the likeness of men.”(Philippians 2:7)

When Jesus took on flesh, He chose to empty Himself – to be just like you and me and to live with the resources He has made available to us. He lived in complete obedience to the will of His Father, walking faithfully the path that would ultimately lead to more suffering than anyone has every known.

As we approach Easter, I am riveted by the scenes that played out before His crucifixion. In imagination I see Him in immeasurable agony in the garden, pleading for the cup to pass yet surrendering His will time and time again....

For the rest of this devotional, please join me at Laced With Grace today. Thank you so much.

Blessings,
Linda

One Small Step

On Saturday I worked for an hour in my little flower garden. This is significant because I didn't get all the work done in an hour. I actually closed the gate, put away the tools and walked back up to the house without finishing the job. Contrary to what you may think, I was proud of myself. I had finally learned a little lesson I've been trying to learn for a very long time.

Every spring I put on my old tennis shoes, walk down to the garage and get out my little store of gardening tools. I have one fenced-in flower garden (the deer seem to be of the mistaken opinion that I plant flowers to give their diet a little variety from their usual fare)by the garage, a small one under the oak trees and a little bed along the front of the house. Armed with tools, gloves, bucket and kneeling pad I open the gate and begin.

The ground is littered with the oak leaves that have drifted down over the past couple of weeks. The plants need trimming and weeds need pulling. It is a job that takes a lot longer than an hour, but I am always determined to get it done in one session. It's the way I tend to do things. I just want to finish what I begin - now!

I begin with great care, pulling every weed and cleaning up every leaf. As the minutes and hours pass the quality of my work begins to suffer. My back aches and that silly hip just won't give me any peace, but I am determined to get the job done.

When I am finished, it all looks good, but I know that there are hidden roots that I was too weary to dig up and the trimming got rather sloppy. I ache all over (I do exercise, honest. But I seem to use muscles I didn't even know were there when I'm bent over or on my knees for hours.). All I want is a long soak in a tub full of hot water and fragrant bubbles.

This year I decided to put into practice what I've been trying so hard to learn - self-control. Surely a few one hour sessions of working in the garden would be far more sensible and productive than my usual method.

It wasn't easy. When the hour was up, I kept thinking "just one more load of leaves." But I made myself close the gate.

It was good. I wasn't sore; the garden looked pretty good - a nice start; I had done a thorough job. In a few days, I'll do some more until it is all neat and tidy.

I've been praying for help in balancing the different areas of my life. This felt like one little step in the right direction. Now about blogging....

I wonder....how do you balance blogging? Do you set limits? What about reading and commenting? I know this is one area that I must work on. Eager to hear your thoughts.

Blessings,
Linda

"Beneath the Cross of Jesus"

Elizabeth Cecelia Clephane did not live to see her fortieth birthday, but she a legacy that survives to this day. Born in a little town south of Edinburgh, Scotland in 1830, she was the youngest of three girls. Despite a frail frame and failing health she was called "The Sunbeam" by those who knew her best - evidence of a cheerful disposition and a giving heart.

She loved to write poetry and had several poems published in "The Family Treasury," a Scottish Presbyterian magazine. The major portion of her poetry, however, was published anonymously after her death in 1869.

"Beneath the Cross of Jesus" was written just one year before she died and published posthumously three years later. She also wrote "The Ninety and Nine" believed to have been written especially for children.

The words of this beautiful hymn, "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" touch my heart as we draw ever closer to Good Friday. They reflect a heart filled with love and gratitude for her Savior.

"Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.

O safe and happy shelter, O refuge tried and sweet,
O trysting place where Heaven’s love and Heaven’s justice meet!
As to the holy patriarch that wondrous dream was given,
So seems my Savior’s cross to me, a ladder up to heaven.

There lies beneath its shadow but on the further side
The darkness of an awful grave that gapes both deep and wide
And there between us stands the cross two arms outstretched to save
A watchman set to guard the way from that eternal grave.

Upon that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me;
And from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess;
The wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by to know no gain or loss,
My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross."




Blessings,
Linda

Son of Man/Son of God

When You left heaven
You left so much behind-
Son of God.
All the glory, splendor,
holiness and perfect light;
One with the Father
all-powerful, all-knowing
Everywhere present-
Son of God.

You took to Yourself
humble circumstances, frail humanity,
rejection and scorn-
Son of Man.
Walking dusty earth,
surrendering Your will
to that of Your Father,
Living it out as You would one day
equip others to live-
Son of Man.

You sweat drops of blood,
facing a destiny
filled with more suffering
than anyone would ever know-
Son of Man
In Your humanity You cried out
and submitted once again,
Paying the price, saving, redeeming,
once for all.
Son of Man

You endured the cross and
separation from Your Father,
conquered death, and rose again-
Son of Man/Son of God.
Returning home, bearing scars
Forever changed,
for my sake-
Son of Man/Son of God

Blessings,
Linda

As You Have Been Forgiven

We forgive
As we have been forgiven.

He came into our lives
faceless, a shadow
that threatened a loved one
causing fear and worry.

Thoughts of grace and mercy
did not come,
Only the desire to punish
and seek justice.

The word came:
Pray for him.
Asking what seemed impossible
Yet knowing it was right.

Words formed out of obedience
from an unwilling heart
In time became sincere
pleas for blessing.

We never saw, never knew,
But something powerful happened
When we chose to forgive,
As we have been forgiven.

"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."
Matthew 6:12
"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins" (Mark 11:25).
"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"
Matthew 5:44

linking to High Calling Random Acts of Poetry and One Stop Poetry

Blessings,
Linda

Thanks: When Life Doesn't Go As Planned

I saw her start to pull out and knew there was no way my husband could get out of her way in time. The car shuddered as her car pushed the passenger side rear wheel out of alignment and mashed in its own front bumper. She and I got out of our cars at the same moment. She, so upset and full of apologies - taking responsibility before I could say a word.

Fortunately it was in a parking lot; we were stopped at a stop sign; she had just begun to pull out; no one was hurt. I was thankful for all of those things. I think I even said so, but then began to make a mental list of all the tedious paperwork and telephone calls that were going to be a part of our immediate future. It began at once, with endless phone calls to report the accident, call her parents, the police and the towing service. My well-laid plans for the evening were fast crumbling to dust.

It is my very selfish tendency to get all bent out of shape when life doesn't go according to plan. However, I have a friend who has written a treasure of a book about gratitude. These days I am looking for the gifts the Father pours into my life on a daily basis. Was this little accident, this dent in my plans, meant to be counted as one of those?

The answer is, of course, yes. It is up to me to view it through the prism of gratitude. When seen in that light, it is somehow transformed. So....with thanks:

151 - for keeping us all safe Father
152 - for the opportunity to show grace to a frightened young girl
153 - for her parents who were more than gracious
154 - for the kindness of strangers who stopped to see if all was well
155 - for insurance that covers the cost
156 - for a gracious, competent adjuster
157 - for a husband who called the adjuster's manager to tell him how much we appreciated his work (the manager nearly fell out of his chair, "No one ever calls to tell us we've done a GOOD job!")
158 - for a Father who is with us every moment of every day
159 - for a lesson in learning that my plans are not the most important thing
160 - knowing that people are far more important than things

and other things:
161 - great message from our Pastor - "Don't Worry!"
162 - a wedding gown for our beautiful girl
163 - children leading in worship, and a little girl who couldn't finish her solo for the tears; how I love her tender heart
164 - stars - and You know them by name

linking to the Gratitude Community at Ann's today (where you can print out your very own gratitude journal).

Blessings,
Linda

Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross

It is natural, as we approach Easter, to have our thinking centered on the cross and what it means to every believing heart. I have had this hymn playing in my head this week. I suppose it is no surprise that Fanny Crosby wrote this one too.

She collaborated with William Doane once again. This time it was his music that came first. Fanny wrote the lyrics after hearing the melody.

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain,
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary's mountain.

(Refrain)
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the Bright and Morning Star
Shed His beams around me.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With it's shadows o'er me.

Near the cross! I'll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.

Galatians 6: 14
"But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world."




Blessings,
Linda