Sorry no picture for this one.

When people find out that I teach music or that my degree is in music, they often ask me what my favorite song is. Don't ask me that. That's like asking a parent which is their favorite child. Do you know how many good songs there are in this world? How am I supposed to pick?!? Well, I have a new song to add to my list of favorites (plural). Greg and I were at church tonight singing, and I did something that I don't usually do. I listened to the words of the song, ha. Usually, I just listen to the melody and that uplifts me more than anything else. The Bible says to "make melody in your heart," but it isn't specific as to how to go about that. So I often try to listen to the words that I am singing, but my heart never fails to drift back to the melody. I truly believe that God gave us music as a foretaste of Heaven. And sometimes when I sing, I close my eyes and pretend that I am there. I often wonder if there is another dimension to music in Heaven that we just can't hear on Earth. But that's getting into some philosophies that would take up waaaaaay to much space and time to write about. Anyways, the point of all this is that there is a song that I have sung a hundred million times (yes, my mother was a math teacher) and never really listened to ALL of the words. When we sang it tonight, I paid attention to what I was singing, and tears came to my eyes. Read all four verses. The last is my favorite, but don't be impatient and jump straight to the end. Read it all.


"IN CHRIST ALONE" words by Stuart Townend

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, fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on the cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied.
For every sin on Him was laid.
Here in the love 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 controls 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 stand.