You are my hiding place; 
You will protect me from trouble 
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
(Psalm 32:7)

Do you hear the songs?  We often get lost in our own songs of despair and don't hear the hope that is offered to us when we are lost and discouraged.  I continue to return to the hymns of my youth and recite the words that inspired me then and continue inspire me today.

CHRIST AROSE 

1. Low in the grave He lay,
Jesus, my Savior!
Waiting the coming day,
Jesus, my Lord!

2. Vainly they watch His bed,
Jesus, my Savior!
Vainly they seal the dead,
Jesus my Lord!

3. Death cannot keep his prey,
Jesus, my Savior!
He tore the bars away,
Jesus my Lord!

Chorus:
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o'er His foes;
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever With His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Lyrics: Robert Wadsworth Lowry

Written in 1874

Beautiful words!  We sang this timeless hymn in church this morning, along with other Easter-appropriate hymns.  The chorus was sung acappella and it was so beautiful and moving.

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
(Matthew 28:6)

I hope your Easter was a grateful day of worship.  No matter who you are and what your life circumstances may be, you have the hope of a better life thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  

Hark The Herald Angels Sing (last verse)


Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"


Written by Charles Wesley

We often know the first verse of many of our popular Christmas hymns but fail to memorize the latter verses.  I have a couple of hymn books and enjoy reading the lyrics,  many times not even knowing the tune.  (I don't read notes.)  As you sing some of your favorite Christmas hymns this season, focus on the words of the song which, to me, sound like prayers set to music.  Let the music and the words touch your heart and soul.

Have a blessed Christmas Eve!

Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
(Psalm 115:1)

If you are a hymn lover like me, you sometimes overlook the contemporary songs.  The scripture above is featured in the song below and many, many of the contemporary songs take their inspiration and lyrics directly from the pages of the Bible.

"Not To Us"

The cross before me the world behind
No turning back, raise the banner high
It's not for me, it's all for You

Let the heavens shake and split the sky
Let the people clap their hands and cry
It's not for us, it's all for You

[Chorus:]
Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory
Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory

Our hearts unfold before Your throne
The only place for those who know
It's not for us, It's all for You

Send Your holy fire on this offering
Let our worship burn for the world to see
It's not for us, It's all for You

[Chorus]

The earth is shaking, the mountains shouting
It's all for You
The waves are crashing, the sun is raging
It's all for You
The universe spinning and singing
It's all for You
The children dancing, dancing, dancing
It's all for You, It's all for You

My all for You
Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory
My all for You
Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory
My all for You
Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory

I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me
(Chorus)
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

This is another one of those contemporary worship songs that really touches my heart.  These words always bring tears to my eyes as I "try to imagine."  I guess it's way beyond my imagination, but I do have confidence that it will be even better than my finite brain can comprehend!

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

Blessings
Lyrics by Laura Story

After hearing this song on the radio for several weeks, I finally found out who wrote and sang it from friends on Facebook. Only the last chorus is written above. The entire song is very comforting and uplifting, as it directs our "pity me" thoughts to the reality of hidden blessings. Just a lovely song!

Feel The Nails
Words by Ray Boltz, Music by Ray Boltz and Steve Millikan

They tell me Jesus died
For my transgressions
And that He paid that price
A long long time ago
When He gave His life for me
On a hill called Calvary
But there's something else
I want to know

CHORUS:

Does He still feel the nails
Every time I fail?
Does He hear the crowd cry,
Crucify, again?
Am I causing Him pain?
Then I know I've got to change
I just can't bear the thought
Of hurting Him
It seems that I'm so good
At breaking promises
And I treat His precious grace
So carelessly
But each time He forgives
What if He relives
The agony He felt on that tree?

CHORUS
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord
Do you still feel the nails
Every time I fail?
Have I crucified you, Jesus,
With my sin?
I'm tired of playing games
I really want to change
I never want to hurt You again
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord

These convicting lyrics say it all........

I've Got the Joy In My Heart

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart
Where?
Down in my heart!
Where?
Down in my heart!
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart
Down in my heart to stay

I dreamed about this hymn last night. When I woke up, I really didn't know if I had made up this hymn or if it was a hymn from my childhood. My dreams are vivid and it can sometimes be hard for me to know if it was a dream or if it really happened. What do we do when we have questions?..... we Google it. The hymn does exist. I still have no real memory of it, but it had to have been from my childhood, as I also knew the tune. For whatever reason, this was brought to me in my dream and I've had that pleasant feeling of nostalgia all day, while silently singing this cute little hymn.

I consider this another gift from God. It has to have been over five decades since I've sung this song and here it is, back in the forefront of my mind. I don't know why it was given to me, but I have enjoyed humming it again and trying to keep the joy in my heart!