In response to today, October 11th. Thursday. 2007.

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.

Birth-again Day

The year was 1993

I was 7 years old, October 1.

I prayed with my mom 

Telling Jesus that I was a sinner,

and asked forgiveness...

for, like, the 5-billionth time.

This time, though,

Mom in my arms,

Both of us crying,

My Hellen Keller momment

Felt sincere.

I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back.

Happy Re-birthday, Me. I hope you have a re-birthday, vaguely timed, or concrete. More so, I hope you have been re-birthed.

Cheers, friends!

Perspective

Something to Consider, Tonight

There is much debate over what is called 'Christian Music'. What makes it Christian? Is it the lyrics? Is it the performer? Is it the record label?

At Cross Rhythms our current understanding is that music is music and to put labels on it only works to reinforce a sacred-secular divide, something that is not helpful when trying to 'go into the world' and engage and connect with those outside our church culture.

However, we do believe that music is influenced by the heart, the lifestyle, the spirituality and the worldview of those who use their natural gifting to create music. 'Out of the heart the mouth speaks, life or death'. So the best understanding of what is 'Christian Music' is that which is written by professing Christians who are living an active Christian faith. And this music has the potential to convey Christian spiritual truths ('life').

2 Chronicles 5:13-15

 13in unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice ^(D)accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised the LORD saying, "^(E)He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting," then the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud,

 14so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for ^(F)the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.

Works Cited:

http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/vision/history/contemporarychristianmusic/

The Bible, http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=14&chapter=5&verse=12&end_verse=14&version=49&context=context

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