"In Christ Alone"

I have put a band together and tomorrow we will be singing "In Christ Alone" at church. The last couple of months have been rough and refining to say the least. Yet, almost every morning on my way to work I have been listening to some of my favorite hymns in hopes to be reminded of the work that Christ has done and in prayer that my joy would be restored.

I cannot remember when I first heard this song, but I can remember when it came from the heart of my dear friend Amanda. In August she came to visit me from St. Louis with her son and while placing him down for a nap she sang the sweet words of "In Christ Alone" over Micah. I sat outside the door and cried in awe of the lyrics. Yesterday Amanda gave birth to her second child, Ruth Helen. While Amanda and Ronnie are rejoicing in the two little blessings the Lord has given them (Micah and Ruth), they are also fervently praying about a huge decision that will impact their family. On November 30, Ronnie will be attending a hearing in Austin, Texas to adopt twin cousins of Amanda that are in horrible circumstances. All parties are recommending that Ronnie and Amanda receive the baby girls. I want to dedicate this post to the Garcia family. Please pray for them as they walk in obedience and pour the hope they have in Christ over these children. Ronnie is also in the midst of finishing seminary, so you seminarians can relate to the work that is added on top of it all. I love you Amanda and Ronnie and praise the Lord that he placed you in my life and used you in the time of my conversion where I found hope.

"In Christ Alone"
In Christ alone my hope is found,

He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.