It is well...

Good evening,

Now I know this may sound silly, but lately I am finding myself being moved by music more than usual. More than usual...you say to yourself... Is that possible?? Well, I'm here to tell you first hand that it is not only possible... it is happening. As I was journaling last night, one of my favorite hymns popped into my head. Well, actually, just the words popped into my head, I had to call Kate for the tune. But anyway, I wanted share the lyrics, and quite possibly some of my thoughts, with you.

"It is well with my Soul"
When peace like a river, attendeth my way;
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan shall buffet, though trials will come
let this blessed assurance control;
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate
and hath shed His own blood for my soul.

He lives--oh, the bliss of this glorious thought;
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Oh my soul.

And, Lord, haste the day when our faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trumpet shall sound, and the Lord shall descend;
Even so, it is well with my soul...

Seriously, those words penetrate my life with a comfort and peace that is beyond explanation. I read the background of this hymn, it's origin and whatnot. The man who wrote it lived in Chicago during the Fire of 1871. He spent the few years following the fire helping and serving the more than 100,000 homeless. After two years of helping those who fell victim of the Great Chicago Fire, he and his family decided to travel to England for what they then called an "evangelistic crusade". Due to business affairs, he was forced to send his family over the Atlantic first. Their ship never made it, it collided with an English sailing ship and sank within 20 minutes. His wife was able to cling to a piece of floating wreckage (I know, I know... Titanic style!), but his four daughters were killed instantly. Before his departure, he received a telegram from his wife. This telegram read only two words: "saved alone." He then, wrote this beloved hymn.

That, my friends, is faith. That kind of sure-footed, without-a-doubt, Christ centered faith is something that I can only strive for. "Though Satan shall buffet, though trials will come, let this Blessed assurance control. That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate and shed His own blood for my soul" I'm not sure if it could be stated better than that? Though Satan will tempt us, and we will suffer... be comforted by the fact that Christ is in control and He's got if figured out. He took my temptation and my suffering and it was nailed to the cross on the Hill. I think the best part of the whole hymn, by far!, is verse three. "He lives!- Oh the bliss, of that glorious thought. My sin, not in part, but the whole, is nailed to the cross. I shall bear it no more. Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Oh my soul!!" Again, does it get better than that?? Christ lives. How great is that? My sin... not just the quasi-bad stuff... ALL of it... was graciously taken from me and nailed to the cross with flesh and blood. It's not mine anymore. I don't need to carry that weight with me. PRAISE THE LORD!


Goodnight, friends.... and a good night it indeed will be.
Tempa