There is a Time

For everything there is a time and a season.
That's what I love about Ecclesiasties. It puts everything in it's place. These last couple of weeks have been a mix of so many "times and seasons" that I felt like I was on the verge of a mental breakdown for a while.....don't worry, I'm fine now. :-)
Last week, amidst the craziness of 4-H summer, we had a family friend die, and a wedding all in the same weekend. The mix of the two got me thinking quite a bit.
When a human mind is rushed with all these mixed emotions, suddenly life becomes so much shorter.
We live, we eat, we breath....
We grow up, we get a job, we get married...
We have families, we have losses, we have gains...
But one day we will die.
We will leave behind us loved ones, kisses not given, tears not wiped, regrets to fill an ocean, and yet we will be able to do nothing, change nothing because we will be dead and there's no going back.
It's when I think about these things that life becomes so fragile to me. So often I find myself caught up in my present worries and aurguments that I forget how fragile this life truly is. In my impatience, I so easily try to rush life. Then I look back and wish I had savored that moment.

I think about all the people losing their homes in Colorado right now. I think about how often I grudgingly clean and do chores in my home. If I were one of those people who had lost my home, I doubt that I would be thinking about how hard it was to clean the house. I bet I would be thinking about how I wish I had enjoyed my time there instead.
But, why does it take tragedy to make me think?
Ecclesiastes seems to have the answer to that too. :-) In chapter 7, verse 3 it says, "Sorrow is better than laghter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better." Maybe that's it. Maybe that is why God allows sorrow to be mixed with our joys. Because it gets us to think. It makes us appreciate the joys more.
Mourning over the death of a man married to his wife for 44 years, made the joyous wedding of some dear friends all the richer. Sorrow makes you cherish the joy more. One woman lost her husband, one girl married the man of her dreams. And I stand on the outside and watch. I learn about God's faithfulness, and I learn to love what I have been given.

There is a time for everything, we just need to learn to accept the current time.

100th Anniversary of the Titanic

I wrote this story for a 4-H event, with the theme of the 100th anniversary of the RMS Titanic in mind.

I hope you enjoy!

Nearer, My God to Thee

Based on true lives and events on board the RMS Titanic

            “Come now, Lilli,” said Selma Asplund, as she leaned over her sweetly sleeping child. Her husband drew near and laid a heavy hand on her shoulder.

            “Let her sleep Love. I can carry her for now. There is no point in alarming the little ones. Third class is not yet being allowed up stairs.”

            “My dear, does it look as though there is truly something wrong?” Her beautiful eyes held a look of worry and fear.

            “I cannot tell for sure, but hurry, get Edvin and go to the boys. I’ll get Lillian and meet you there in a moment.”

            Selma hastily scooped up her little lad. His cheeks were rosy and his eyes closed peacefully in a serene sleep. As she looked at him, her mind filled with worry and fear for her little ones. The steward had said there was nothing to fear, but a mother’s heart is always cautious for her lambs. What if the ship were sinking? Would they all be able to escape?

            “Lord,” she whispered earnestly. “Protect my little ones. Let no harm befall them.”

She sighed, stroking the sleeping brow, “I leave them in your hands. Let Your will be done.”  As she lifted the toddler into her arms, peace flooded her like a huge wave. She closed her eyes and for a moment she was once again standing with her father, a young bride preparing to leave the land she had known her whole life.

            “Remember, Selma my dotter, da verds that God spoke to Joshua before they vent into da promised land,” her father had told her. “‘As I vas with Moses, so I vill be with thee: I vill not fail dee, nor forsake dee.’”

            She had been afraid of the unknown on that day, just as she was afraid of it now, but remembering that beloved verse gave her a new strength. God would be with her and her family this night.

            She hastened into the adjoining room where her three oldest sons were waiting.  Filip, Clarence and Carl were standing near the door, looking quite languid. Spotting his mother, Clarence rushed to her side.

            “Momma,” he asked. “Can I please go back to sleep like Lilli? I am so tired and Filip said I have to stay awake.”

            “No dear,” She replied. “Momma and Poppa’s hands are full. You must be a big strong man for Momma and stay awake.”

            “I’m so tired. Why can’t we go back to Grandmoder and Grandfoder’s house? I liked my bed by the fire.”

            “Clarence,” she said. “Please be Momma’s strong man and stay awake.”

            “Yes, Momma. I will stay awake and be a strong man for you. Besides, someone has to keep little Carl awake. He looks even more tired than me,” he said with a smile.     

            Mr. Asplund entered the room carrying little Lillian.

            “Come with me,” he said leading the way. The family filed out the door. The room they entered was quite crowded with anxious and fatigued passengers. The family huddled down together in a small corner of the room. By this time the noise had awaken Lillian and she was sitting contentedly on her father’s lap. Clarence looked over at his father and said, “Poppa, may we practice the Bible verses we were learning yesterday?”

            “Why yes, Clarence, I think that would be an excellent idea.” Then nodding to his wife, they began.

            “John chapter fifteen, verses twelve and thirteen. ‘This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’”

            Clarence sighed, “I like that verse Poppa. I hope I can be a man like Jesus who isn’t afraid to die for others.” Mr. Asplund turned his head as a tear came to his eye. He wondered if it would be just moments before his son would have to see this verse played out before his own eyes. He had been told that the lifeboats were being filled on deck with only the women and children. 

            Turning to his family he said, “I pray that all of my children will be willing to give of their lives for others.”  At that moment, crowds of third class passengers rushed out of the large room.

            “They must be letting third class up now,” observed Mr. Asplund. Suddenly a gruff looking man tapped Mr. Asplund’s shoulder.

            “Quickly, come with me if you want to make it to the top in time. There’s a steward leading people up.” The man lowered his voice to a whisper, “They say the ships sinking fast. You had better hurry with the youngins.”

            Mr. Asplund quickly picked up Lillian. “Come Selma. Come boys. We must go with this man.” They quickly obeyed and followed. He led them through the mass of people and down a hall, where they were met by a steward.

            “Why Poppa, the steward’s our friend Mr. Cox!” cried Filip. 

            “Yes son,” said Mr. Asplund. “Follow him. Don’t let him out of your sight.” Quickly the small group rushed through the maze of halls and stairs. The further up they got the louder the sound of screams and wailing became.  

            “Here!” yelled Mr. Cox, as he opened a side door. A blast of icy air hit Clarence’s face as he pushed through the door.

            “Filip!” yelled their father. “Hold on to Carl. Clarence! Here, take Lillian’s hand. I must find room on a boat for you all.” The ship was tilting quite far by this time and nearly all of the lifeboats had been launched. Selma looked around frantically trying to keep track of all the children through the mobs. She caught sight of her husband rushing towards her through the crowd.

            “You must come quickly!” he called. “The boats are nearly full.”  The family struggled through the crowd towards a boat.

            “Only two seats left!” called one of the sailors.

            “Please,” called out Mr. Asplund. “My wife and young ones!”

            “No,” cried Selma. “There must be enough room for my boys! I won’t leave without them; without you.”

            “No, my love,” said Mr. Asplund, taking her in his arms. “You, Edvin and Lillian must go. I love you my beloved bride.”

            “No!” she wailed. “I won’t go. Not without you! Please let me stay!”

            “Please love,” he said, as he pulled her towards the boat. She shook violently as she clung to the babe in her arms. Mr. Asplund took the baby and handed him down to a woman already in the boat. He turned back and embraced his wife for the last time. In that moment, Selma’s heart was torn in pieces. It felt as though she was being ripped apart.

            “God go with you my love,” he whispered in her ear. She gazed into his eyes and turned to the boat.

           

            As his father and mother embraced for the last time, Clarence looked at Lillian. She had always been his best friend. He didn’t want to leave her, but he stood tall and brave as he hugged her tightly. Even though he was scared, he must be momma’s strong man.

            “Good bye Lilli. I love you.”

            “I wuv you too,” she tearfully called as her father scooped her up and placed her into the boat. The three boys moved back with their father, away from the crowds. They watched, hearts pounding, as the last boats were launched and the faces of the ones they loved disappeared. The ship was leaning farther and farther every moment as Father and sons sought to push their way through the crowds. Suddenly, as if it were a soft breeze, a gentle tune floated past their ears. Mr. Asplund turned his head towards the band members who were standing only a few yards away, playing their last song. Recognizing the song, he lifted up his voice and began to sing the tender hymn. The boys, hearing their father’s voice turned and came to him. Little Clarence’s lower lip trembled as he looked up at his father. With a deep breath he too joined in the song, followed by Filip and Carl. The ship leaned farther. A piercing sound of crunching metal filled the air followed by a terrific explosion. Clarence closed his eyes and with his last breaths sang out:

“Still all my song shall be,

Nearer, my God, to Thee.
Nearer to Thee!”

Are We the Greatest?

            Every generation has had its share of new inventions and advancements. Those that have gone before us have laid stones for us to build upon, and because of their achievements we are given the opportunity to achieve even more. Success even causes some to exalt themselves, believing that the world would be worse off without them, and that they have reached the height of knowledge. There are even those who would go so far as to say that we are the smartest generation. A verse that comes to mind is Ezekiel 28:17, “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.” Perhaps this is a warning for us. Just as generations before us, we have placed ourselves on a pedestal, but my fear is that just like men of old, we shall soon be knocked down and replaced with another god.

            On July 2, 1881, tragedy struck across the U.S. as President James Garfield was shot at a railroad station by the insane Charles Guiteau. In the moments that followed, some of the most horrendous acts of insanitation were committed. The doctors that examined Garfield in that station showed no hesitation as they plunged bare, unwashed fingers into the wound, inserting thousands of germs off the station floor into his back. Dr. Willard Bliss, the doctor that cared for the dying Garfield, performed other exploratory surgeries and such in search of the bullet all in the most unsanitary methods. It is a shame that five years earlier this same doctor had ignored a man named Dr. Joseph Lister and the World’s fair in New York. Lister had been a pioneer in the field of antiseptic surgery and had greatly reduced the infection rates in his hospital. Unfortunately, at the World’s Fair, many American doctors refused to believe in Lister’s methods. Due to their pride and ignorance, President Garfield and countless others, died from infection and blood poisoning. If he had been shot in the same way fifteen years later, he would have been nearly recovered within two weeks.

            Although doctors in the eighteen hundreds, such as Dr. Bliss, knew a lot about surgery and medicine, they did not know enough. Ultimately, when the time came for action they failed, because they would not believe that they were wrong. They had closed their minds to any new ideas that may be and in fact were right. Far too often this very same attitude is seen in the way scientists and doctors’ work. They decide that one way is the best and they close their minds to all others. There is so much more for us to learn just as there was so much for those doctors to learn. If we close our mind to new discoveries, because we have already reached the top we will quickly find ourselves at the bottom.

            Garfield’s life could have been saved if Dr. Bliss had headed Dr. Lister’s antiseptic advice. I can’t help but wonder how many lives today would be saved if people were willing to put their pride in a box and realize that they may be wrong. While this example is an example from the medical world, this same concept applies to everyone. When we allow our pride to get in the way, we miss out on the world of wisdom and knowledge that God has for us. We have learned a lot, much of it due to the stepping stones laid down by past generations, but we have not learned it all.

            Fifteen years after Garfield’s death he would have been fine. The doctors would have known how to find and remove the bullet in only a few hours and he would have been on his way to recovery. Fifteen years from now we will know so much more than we know now, that is, if we humble ourselves. If we continue in a state of pride and vanity with closed hearts and sealed minds, God will curse us as Ezekiel warned. We are not the greatest. No matter how much we discover and accomplish we will never know it all. Only God knows it all. He is the greatest.

American Music

Happy late 4th of July to all! I hope everyone had a great time celebrating our Nation's independence. I know I sure did. Our family went to Old World Wisconsin for the first half of the day. Old World is one of my favorite places to go. I just love it. The setting was 1876, the 100 year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. I decided that since it was the 4th I could get away with dressing up colonial style. It was very hot, but I had so much fun... even if I was a century out of style. :-)

They had an old fashioned band that played; the Harmony Coronet Band. It sounded so 1800’s and set the mood for the whole day. Back during this time in history, most counties had a band. It was a very important part of the community. Nowadays, it seems that most of what we get is school bands. :-( Too bad.

They marched around playing "Yankee Doodle" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic," and a few other songs. I think they also played "Hail Columbia" and "The Star Spangled Banner." During the flag raising ceremony they played "Doxology" while everyone sang.

In the park they did a concert and later they marched in the parade. It was great fun to see all of the people picnicking in the center of the town, listening to the band play. It really gave you that old time community feel.

Now for the main point of this post. After lunch, they had a hymn sing at the old church. It sounded beautiful having so many people crammed into such a small building and all singing their hearts out to the Lord. It was breath taking. Well, after singing hymns for a while, the band leader came in and gave us an important musical lesson. I am going to try to quote what he said to the best of my ability. It will not be word perfect, but you will hopefully get the point. He said, "I hear some people ask, 'What is Northern music and what is Southern music?' I don't really know and here's why. One very popular Civil War song was premiered in New York, (sounds Northern right?) was written in Ohio, (still Northern,) and President Abraham Lincoln had this song played at his inauguration. Very Northern right?"

(Mind you, I knew exactly which song this was, and I kept guessing it to my Mom. Important detail)

"That song was "Dixie," one of the most popular Confederate songs of the Civil War."

At this point I blurted out, a little too loud, "Yes! That's Dixie, I got it right."

The guy started laughing and said, "I see we have a Southern lady among us."

I am quite sure I turned red as I replied, "Well not exactly, I just like singing 'Dixie'."

So that was my "moment." Go ahead, laugh at me.

Continuing with his history lesson, he said, "Another song of the Civil War started out as a Southern revival song, "Canaan’s Happy Shore." Some Northern soldiers heard the song and put some rather vulgar words to it. Words too vulgar for me to repeat in front of the ladies and children." (I hate to admit it, but I (a lady) knew the name of that vulgar song, "John Brown's Body." Hehe)

"President Abraham Lincoln did not like that the soldiers sang these words, and asked Miss Julia Ward Howe if she would write some new ones. Of course she did, and that song is now known as "Battle Hymn of the Republic." So you see, I don’t know what is Southern music and I don't know what is Northern music, but I do know what is American music."

And of course, as he said that last line, he looked right at me the whole way through. Please, just let me melt! I do not think that he realized that I really do agree with him.

It was a good point though and one that we need to remember. While it is wonderful to study history and great to discuss these things, we must not let ourselves lose the Patriotism that we ought to have for our Nation under God. We may not agree with all of our leaders, but if we lose our Patriotism for the Nation that our forefathers fought and died to secure, we may just lose our Nation. "In God We Trust," let us never forget it!

Rachel, Kendra and I were asked to be Liberty Girls, in the parade. It was fun, but hot as we had to wear white robes over our already warm outfits. But, we survived and enjoyed every bit of it.

I am sure my Mom will be putting more pictures up later. It was the most Patriotic 4th of July we have ever celebrated.

After Old World Wisconsin, we joined our church family for a continuation of the celebration. Some of us girls were even able to get a few people over to the barn where we had a barn dance. Since we did not have music we sang out loudly, (can you guess?) Dixie, which I had the greatest fun singing out loudly. We sang some others like Mari’s Wedding and Yankee Doodle as well.   What a day!

Happy 4th of July Everyone!!!!!

In Christ,



Kaila

The Foundation of Love

If Music Be the Food of Love, Play On. - William Shakespeare

For years I have seen this lovely saying on my Grandma's fridge. I always thought that it was a beautiful picture.  Every now and then, I get to thinking about love... hey; we all do at some point. I'm not a big fan of fictional romance and all that, but I do love a true, real life, love story of people in history, to that of my own parents. Having studied different musicians and read biographies of different people, I have found two stories in particular to be quite the interesting comparisons. These stories have a similarity, because both of the couples "fell in love" through their love for music. The love stories are that of Jonathon and Sarah Edwards and that of Robert and Clara Schumann. The major difference in these two stories is that one couple based their relationship on God and the other did not. Both stories are romantic tales, which I enjoyed learning about, but I do have a favorite... I'll share in due time.

In 1723, in the backdrop of British citizens and the thirteen colonies, there was a town called New Haven, and in that town there was a slightly distracted school teacher. This teacher was the twenty year old Jonathon Edwards, and his distraction was the thirteen year old Sarah Pierrepont. He wrote about this young lady in his Greek grammar book.... something I'm very glad he did. But what he wrote about was not silly daydreaming, rather it was about this lass's great love for God. They were very different from each other, but they both loved music. Jonathon Edwards said, "The best, most beautiful, and most perfect way that we have of expressing a sweet concord of mind to each other, is by music. When I would form in my mind and idea of a society in the highest degree happy, I think of them as expressing their love, their joy, and the inward concord and harmony and spiritual beauty of their souls by sweetly singing to each other." (1) They became friends and spent more time together talking about life, and God, and sharing books that were influential in their lives. In the spring of 1725 they were engaged. Jonathon waited for two years, until Sarah was seventeen, to marry her. According to Noel Piper, in her book "Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God," this wait was difficult for him, but he endured it anyways in order to honor God. Shortly after they were married, Jonathon got a job as a pastor in Northampton. In total, they had eleven children. I won't go into details on the rest of their lives. Of course, you should read about them anyways as there is much to learn and the preaching of Jonathon Edwards played a big part in the First Great Awakening, so please do some further reading if you haven't already.

The story of Robert and Clara Schumann is a very dramatic love story, filled with trauma and anguish. Robert was a "lawyer-to-be" who in fact, would never be a lawyer because he preferred music over law. Clara was an amazing pianist with a protective father. The two met when Robert began studying music under Friedrich Wieck, Clara's father. When Robert and Clara fell in love, Wieck was furious at the idea of his gifted daughter marrying this poet-musician and he tried to stop them in every way possible. They actually had to take him to court where the judge made Wieck take back many of the untrue statements he had made against Schumann. Robert and Clara won in court, but it took some time before they were actually able to marry.(2) They wrote to each other when they were away and in 1840, they were married. The couple was devoted to each other for life and they had eight children. Unfortunately, later in life, Robert had an ear problem where he constantly heard ringing in his ears. He tried to commit suicide by throwing himself in the Rhine River, but was rescued by boatmen. He lived in a mental institution for the last two years of his life. Once again, there is much more to the story that I have not written.

These two stories are both considered romantic love stories from history. After reading both of these stories, I was thinking about how both couples fell in love with a great love for music as a common thread and suddenly something very important dawned upon me. I was trying to figure out what made these two stories so different, besides the obvious difference in time, place and situation.  Then it hit me. While Robert and Clara both loved music, as did Jonathon and Sarah, there was something extremely different about the Edwards. Jonathon fell in love with Sarah because of her great love for God. God was the foundation for their relationship. They both loved music, but they loved God more. As I look at the later lives of these four people, I see that God used the Edwards in mighty ways in furthering His Kingdom. I do not see this in the Schumanns. The Schumanns may have produced amazing music, but they did not do it for God's glory.

 I love music. I think music is a beautiful thing, and I love the above Jonathon Edwards quote on music. But that does not change the fact that I love God more. While I think it is a beautiful thing for two people to have a common love for music, I think it is an even greater thing for two people to have a common love for God. The foundation of all our relationships should be God. Obviously, the Edwards were not perfect, only Christ is perfect, but I do think they got it right when it came to matters of love and marriage. They put Christ first in their lives, and it shows.

The foundation of love is Christ. Don't let other earthly things...yes, even music...get in the way or distract you from His perfect love.

Just some thoughts.

In Christ,

Kaila

1. Piper, Noel. Faithful Women & Their Extraordinary God. Wheaton, Il: Crossway Books, 2005.

2. Smith, Jane Stuart and Betty Carlson. The Gift of Music. Wheaton, Il: Crossway Books, 1995.

Pictures from Wikipedia.org

April 15, 1912 - Nearer, My God, To Thee

On April 14, 1912, the impossible and unthinkable happened; the RMS Titanic sank. She was a glorious ship, built so well that she would never sink. Her testimony is one of God's great power over man, as He sank the ship that couldn't be sunk. In the chaos and terror that followed the Titanic's crash into the iceburg, the sound of a hymn could be heard through the screams. "Nearer, My God, To Thee," was played by the ship's band during the final moments before the ship sunk into the icy cold depths of the ocean. I can only imagine the hope it must have given to those who would soon be with Christ. This song must have meant far more to the Christians on board that ship, than I could ever imagine until I reach death's doors.

I can picture it; shivering cold, sitting in a lifeboat, watching as the sparks fly, the people run and scream, the ship slowly sinking lower and lower down into the sea, and yet through the screams and screeching, the sound of this hymn lilts over the water, calming those on board awaiting their certain death. I know this scene has been depicted in films - I've never watched any of them - but, I can see it clearly in my head. If ever there was a time that a simple hymn did wonders, it must have been on board the Titanic. Imagine with me, will you, that you are on board the Titanic, fearful of your certain death, and yet peaceful in the knowledge that you will soon be with God, far nearer to Him than you ever could be on this earth. Now read the words to this hymn...

Nearer, My God, To Thee

By: Sarah F. Adams

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

Refrain

Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness be over me, my rest a stone.
Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God to Thee.

Refrain

There let the way appear, steps unto Heav’n;
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee.

Refrain

Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;
So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee.

Refrain

Or, if on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I’ll fly,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

Refrain

There in my Father’s home, safe and at rest,
There in my Savior’s love, perfectly blest;
Age after age to be, nearer my God to Thee.

Refrain

In Christ,

Kaila

Depth of Mercy

Here is a beautiful story that I found on Cyber Hymnal that goes with the song Depth of Mercy. Tis a wonderful story that goes with a wonderful song.

An ac­tress in a town in Eng­land, while pass­ing along the street, heard sing­ing in a house. Out of cur­i­o­si­ty she looked in through the open door and saw a num­ber of peo­ple sit­ting to­ge­ther sing­ing this hymn. She list­ened to the song, and af­ter­wards to a sim­ple but ear­nest pray­er. When she went away the hymn had so im­pressed her that she pro­cured a co­py of a book con­tain­ing it. Read­ing and re-read­ing the hymn led her to give her heart to God and to re­solve to leave the stage. The man­a­ger of the the­a­ter plead­ed with her to con­tin­ue to take the lead­ing part in a play which she had made fa­mous in other ci­ties, and fi­nal­ly he per­suad­ed her to ap­pear at the the­a­ter. As the cur­tain rose the or­ches­tra be­gan to play the ac­com­pa­ni­ment to the song which she was ex­pect­ed to sing. She stood like one lost in thought, and the band, sup­pos­ing her em­bar­rassed, played the prel­ude over a se­cond and a third time. Then with clasped hands she stepped for­ward and sang with deep emo­tion:

“Depth of mercy, can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?”

This put a sud­den stop to the per­for­mance; not a few were im­pressed, though many scoffed. The change in her life was as per­ma­nent as it was sin­gu­lar. Soon af­ter she be­came the wife of a min­is­ter of the Gos­pel.

Sankey, pp. 134-5

Depth of Mercy
By: Charles Wesley
Depth of mercy! Can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God His wrath forbear,
Me, the chief of sinners, spare?

I have long withstood His grace,
Long provoked Him to His face,
Would not hearken to His calls,
Grieved Him by a thousand falls.

I have spilt His precious blood,
Trampled on the Son of God,
Filled with pangs unspeakable,
I, who yet am not in hell!

I my Master have denied,
I afresh have crucified,
And profaned His hallowed Name,
Put Him to an open shame.

Whence to me this waste of love?
Ask my Advocate above!
See the cause in Jesus’ face,
Now before the throne of grace.

Jesus, answer from above,
Is not all Thy nature love?
Wilt Thou not the wrong forget,
Permit me to kiss Thy feet?

If I rightly read Thy heart,
If Thou all compassion art,
Bow Thine ear, in mercy bow,
Pardon and accept me now.

Jesus speaks, and pleads His blood!
He disarms the wrath of God;
Now my Father’s mercies move,
Justice lingers into love.

Kindled His relentings are,
Me He now delights to spare,
Cries, “How shall I give thee up?”
Lets the lifted thunder drop.

Lo! I still walk on the ground:
Lo! an Advocate is found:
“Hasten not to cut Him down,
Let this barren soul alone.”

There for me the Savior stands,
Shows His wounds and spreads His hands.
God is love! I know, I feel;
Jesus weeps and loves me still.

Pity from Thine eye let fall,
By a look my soul recall;
Now the stone to flesh convert,
Cast a look, and break my heart.

Now incline me to repent,
Let me now my sins lament,
Now my foul revolt deplore,
Weep, believe, and sin no more.