Let our lives confess His peace.

How good it is to belong to the One who can still a storm with a single command.

He still calls us to rest in the peace that He brings - are we?

MacArthur's Favorites

Here's a fun link for any fans of John MacArthur, and for lovers of old hymns:

MacArthur's Favorite Hymns

A couple of mine are on this list - My Jesus, I Love Thee, and A Mighty Fortress.

And if you'd like, check out this post, which reminds me to keep moving forward in this new year in my (pretty neglected) goal to know more Christ-exalting, doctrine-rich, soul-stirring songs by heart.

~

Note: So many hymns have been put to a wide variety of modern music to fit every taste, so don't let images of dark, brooding organ music deter you from discovering the treasure of old hymns!

May I suggest...

Indelible Grace. From their site:

Our hope is to help the church recover the tradition of putting old hymns to new music for each generation, and to enrich our worship with a huge view of God and His indelible grace.

I love the rich, Christ-exalting, soul stirring truths in these songs, and the music is great too! You can listen to large clips of the songs on the site - I have my eye on this CD and this one...actually, all of them. :)

None But Jesus

I haven't heard much of Hillsong's music, but a while back I came across their song, None But Jesus and bookmarked it on YouTube to listen to another time. Tonight I'm listening to it, mingled with the sounds of rain crashing down outside my window. I hope the rich meaning of this beautiful song will minister to your heart as much as it has to mine. :)



In the quiet, in the stillness
I know that You are God
In the secret of Your presence
I know there i am restored

When You call i won't refuse
Each new day again i'll choose

There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now i live to bring Him praise

In the chaos, in confusion
I know You're Sovereign still
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do Your will

When You call i won't delay
This my song through all my days

All my delight is in You Lord
All of my hope, all of my strength
All my delight is in you Lord forevermore

More than enough

God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Ps 73:26

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
and to take him at his word;
just to rest upon his promise,
and to know, "Thus saith the Lord."

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!


My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

Lord, haste the day...

I've been listening to Peace Like a River: The Hymns Project this morning and the song below is one of my favorites. Let the lyrics and music sink into your soul and be encouraged! Turn it up, sing along! :)

Testimonies from Ages Past

Do you ever read hymns? I have a book of hymns that also includes stories about the authors or the inspiration behind each song. I love the rich theology found in the lyrics. I love that they are the written testimonies of believers from ages past, often giving witness to God's faithfulness, trustworthiness, sustaining grace, and guidance. How can we not treasure such a gift?


While reading an article by John Piper lately, I came across this quote by William Law that expresses the merit of song for the believer:

"Just as singing is a natural effect of joy in the heart so it has also a natural power of rendering the heart joyful . . . There is nothing that so clears a way for your prayers, nothing that so disperses dullness of heart, nothing that so purifies the soul from poor and little passions, nothing that so opens heaven, or carries your heart so near it, as these songs of praise.

They create a sense and delight in God, they awaken holy desires, they teach you how to ask, and they prevail with God to give. They kindle a holy flame, they turn your heart into an altar, your prayers into incense, and carry them as a sweet-smelling savor to the throne of grace."

Wow! I wish I knew more hymns by heart than the ones I can count on one hand. If you haven't done so in the past, I'd encourage you to crack open a hymnal or search different sites on the Internet and do some reading, singing, or memorizing of your own. I'm sure there are lots of sites out there - a couple that I came across just doing a quick search include Hymn History and Cyber Hymnal. (You can listen to the melodies at Cyber Hymnal so you know how it's sung.) Sometimes as part of my devotions or before bed I pick a hymn I don't know and just sing it to my own made-up tune. Try it - it's a great way to settle your heart in worship towards God.

What are some of your favorite hymns?

I'm Resting

Jesus I am resting resting

In the joy of what Thou art

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart

Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee

And Thy beauty fills my soul

For by Thy transforming power

Thou hast made me whole

I've had this song in my head all day at work and it has been reminding me of the only source of real peace and rest. ..I hope that you're resting in Jesus today, whatever circumstances you're in.

Note: You can read the rest of the lyrics or download a free MP3 of this song HERE.

Faithful One

"For my eyes are toward You, O God, the Lord;
In you I take refuge..." (Ps. 141:8)

"You have taken account of my wanderings..." (Ps. 56:8)

"...I will hope continually, and will praise You
yet more and more." (Ps. 71:14)

O Church Arise

by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

(Listen on YouTube)

O Church Arise and put your armour on

Hear the call of Christ our Captain

For now the weak can say that they are strong

In the strength that God has given

With shield of faith and belt of truth

We’ll stand against the devil’s lies

An army bold whose battle-cry is Love
Reaching out to those in darkness

Our call to war to love the captive soul

But to rage against the captor

And with the sword that makes the wounded whole

We will fight with faith and valour

When faced with trials on every side
We know the outcome is secure

And Christ will have the prize for which He died

An inheritance of nations

Come see the cross where love and mercy meet

As the Son of God is stricken

Then see His foes lie crushed beneath His feet

For the Conqueror has risen

And as the stone is rolled away

And Christ emerges from the grave

This victory march continues till the day

Every eye and heart shall see Him

So Spirit come put strength in every stride

Give grace for every hurdle

That we may run with faith to win the prize

Of a servant good and faithful

As saints of old still line the way

Retelling triumphs of His grace

We hear their calls and hunger for the day

When with Christ we stand in glory

His love is STEADFAST!

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Do you want to listen to a beautiful song that expresses this steadfast love we have in Christ?

I Belong, by Kathrynn Scott - you can listen to the song HERE as well get a free download.

On a side note, as I was listening to this song I was thinking about the Christians in Orissa, India that are going through such persecution....praise God that they are not separated from this amazing love even in their hardship...keep praying!

Worship on Wheels and a CD Recommendation

Last summer I was working at a job that was about a forty minute drive from where I live. Other then the amount of money that was going towards gas every week, I really enjoyed the commute. The solitude. I often brought Cd's to listen to or sing along with which often turned the drive into my own private worship service. Being alone in a car is the best for that. : )

Now why am I sharing this, you may ask! It was just something I was remembering tonight because I put in this CD and was transported back to those amazing times of worship last summer in my car. (I had just bought the CD around this time and listened to it often.) It's classical in style, which I found to be a refreshing change from a lot of the contemporary worship music I usually listen to. And it's deep and reflective and spiritually encouraging. Sound good? It is! All the songs are actually poems of Amy Carmichael set to music. Amazing woman, amazing poetry. I have to share some excerpts from a couple that particularly hit home with me...

Thou hast not that, My child, but thou hast Me
And am not I alone enough for thee?
I know it all, know how thy heart was set
Upon this joy which is not given yet

(from Thou Dost Know the Way)

My Father, to my heart I take
They simple word of truth today
I shall not lose me in the brake
For Thou dost know the way

Before my face a mountain frowns
Above me all the sky is grey
The mist is lying on the downs
But Thou dost know the way

(from Rose from Brier)

So check it out - song samples and a video about the making of this CD are available here.