Christmas is a very special time for most of us, being with family and friends, and doing many other wonderful things together, like shopping for gifts, going to Christmas parties and singing Christmas carols.
However, what really makes this time most special, at least for me, is the true joy, the hope, and the peace that comes from knowing and having the best Gift of all in my life, Jesus Christ.
I never cease to wonder at God's amazing love in leaving His glorious throne in heaven above to be born into our sin-sick world, become a man, and be born is poverty in a dirty stable in an obscure place and in an obscure family.
Not only that, but He came to live among us and be one of us, serving us, healing us, and showing us His way.
Then, making us His children through His suffering on the bitter cross.
Oh, but the wonder still continues....
He rose from the dead to give us eternal life and give us eternal hope...to make us BORN AGAIN!
What a perfect, holy way!
What a Salvation!
Thank you, Lord Jesus!
via Pinterest
So, remember to seek Him this Christmas!
May you be abundantly blessed this Christmas and may you have a wonderful and happy New Year in Him.
With Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebrations still fresh in our memories, I'd like to share something that you probably won't find in the normal history books about the so-called 'chance of history' that brought Elizabeth to the throne. Until she was 10 years old or so, young Elizabeth was not directly in-line to the throne of England.
Queen Elizabeth II
Many of you would've probably watched the movie TheKing's Speech. It tells the story of how it all came about very well (its a very good movie by the way, except for some course language used and some swearing in some scenes - which could be muted while watching). Another good rendering of the story (covering it from beginning to end) is found in the movie Bertie and Elizabeth.
Here, though, is a brief overview of the story:
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth's Parents)
In the early 1930s, just before the outbreak of World War II, England passed through a very significant crisis. In many ways, it was at a crossroads. The choices made would have indirect, but very significant consequences for England, the Empire, and perhaps the rest of the free world.
After King George V (Queen Elisabeth II's grandfather) died, his eldest son, David, became King Edward VIII. His reign would be very brief, however, because of his own ungodly choices. He insisted on marrying the twice-divorced-American woman, Mrs. Wallace Simpson.
Edward VIII
According to the laws of the Church of England, this was not possible since the reigning monarch is considered the head of the Church of England and the Defender of the faith. (Ironically, all this started from the English Reformation of King Henry VIII!).
Well, King Edward VIII was given a choice by Parliament and the government. Either to forget about Wallace Simpson and stay king or insist on marrying her and abdicate!
No monarch ever abdicated before in the entire history of the British monarchy. Edward VIII made his choice and abdicated. The first ever to do so.
With this done, his younger brother, Albert, suddenly found himself on the throne of England and his daughter, Elizabeth, next in-line. This was a total shock to everyone and most especially, to Albert, who became King George VI (Queen Elizabeth II's father).
King George VI
Hollywood and the media was taken by storm with this story. Many thought it as absolutely fairy-tale-like romance...a king giving up his kingdom for the woman he loved...
But as time went on and darkness fell over Europe and the world, people's perspectives changed dramatically.
For it was not long after George VI's coronation, that Hitler began his blitzkrieg of Europe. Britain declared war on Germany and was now in great danger. Britain needed a leader, a source of inspiration for the nation.
Well, here comes one of things that have fascinated me very much. You may even see a little glimpse of what I see as some of God's sense of humour in it too.
In the leadership of the Axis powers, especially as seen in Hitler, amazing eloquence and charisma was wielded by its tyrants. From the surviving archival footage, one cannot but be amazed at the hypnotic-charisma of Hitler as he rallied Germans with his speeches in those large Nazi rallies.
We would think that God would raise a leader in Britain with similarly eloquent qualities to counteract this dark evil descending over Europe.
Not so. God choose two leaders for Britain who had speech impairments, Winston Churchill and King George VI!!
Their speeches were not as charismatic as Hitler's but through them they rallied Britain (and later the rest of the free world) to the cause of freedom and good. See the King's Speech.
On Victory In Europe Day (VE Day) Left to Right: Princess Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, King George VI, and Princess Margaret
King George VI's deep sense of duty and commitment to his people and the land of Great Britain was a major source of encouragement for everyone. He and his family became deeply involved with the sufferings of the people of Britain during the Blitz. They helped raised the moral of the people.
Most came to believe that if Edward VIII, with his selfish ways and lack of any sense of duty to his people, would have made Britain really vulnerable. Not only that, he and Mrs. Simpson were sympathetic to the Nazis. If Britain had fallen to Hitler....well, history would have turned out quite differently...oh, but there are no 'ifs' in God's world, as one Godly Christian once said. Everything is ordained by His eternal wisdom and knowledge.
Here, at last, I come to the part you will NOT find in the history books.
You see, this did not just happen. God moved his people to pray during the crises of Edward VIII's abdication and He answered their prayers.
One of those intercessors was the man of God, Rees Howells, from Wales who started the Bible College in Swansea.
Here is what went on behind the scenes and newspaper reports, as told by Norman Grubb (someone who was there at the college at the time - the same one who wrote the biography of C.T. Studd by the way):
In 1936, there came the serious national crisis over King Edward VIII and his proposed marriage. In this again the Lord led the College to take a stand in prayer. The diaries of the daily meetings give the following account:
December 4. "The News about the King has come to light in the morning papers, and the Director [Rees Howells, the founder] tells us how serious conditions are. We came back in the evening and pleaded with the Lord to guide the king, and give wisdom and discernment to all those concerned in this crisis."
December 5. "Day of prayer in College. Situation in England very grave, because it concerns not only our land, but the British Empire."
December 6. "Day of prayer and fasting in the College. We pray for the Empire in its present crisis. The Lord reveals that it is His will for Edward to abdicate. Mr. Howells was as strong as a lion in the fight, and declared, 'Edward is not to reign, or the Lord has not spoken by me.' There is a wonderful victory as we believe in the evening."
December 7. "There is thanksgiving over the victory of yesterday. The papers reveal that while at the end of last week the king was challenging the position, now he is anxious to do only what will be best for the Empire."
December 9. "Believing for the Lord to help King Edward to make decision according to God's will, and that his soul may be blessed."
December 10. "Came bake at 2.20 p.m. to ask the Lord to control the country, now that the news of the abdication of King Edward VIII is known."
December 11. "We are thankful for this believing of the Holy Spirit. The Lord has saved the Empire, and raised the standard of life in our beloved land."
Norman Grubb, Rees Howells Intercessor: The Welsh Coal Miner a Prince with God, Pennsylvania, USA: Christian Literature Crusade, 1980, pp. 215-216
Isn't our God amazing! What I saw in this story is God's amazing Providence. People sometimes wonder where was God in all this darkness of World War II? Well, this is one glimpse. He prepares the way and involves His people in it, too.
Queen Elizabeth II
Yes, God makes Kings...and Queens, too...as well as Presidents, Prime Ministers, and all other rulers. Now some are Satan's choice, but that never catches God off-guard. He uses even these for His glorious purposes and for the good of His people. We must believe this.
This story also encourages us and shows us the responsibility we have to pray in order to have Godly rulers. He guides our prayers and He answers them.
One last thought before closing this very lengthy post. This story keenly reminds me of these verses:
'He hath shewed strength with his arm; he scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.' (Luke 1:51-52)
'Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing...All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity...It is he...that bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity...' (Isaiah 40: 15, 17, 22, 23)
________________________ Resources: Mark Logue and Peter Conradi, The King's Speech: How One Man Saved The British Monarchy, New York: Sterling, 2012 Norman Grubb, Rees Howells Intercessor: The Welsh Coal Miner a Prince with God, Pennsylvania, USA: Christian Literature Crusade, 1980, pp. 215-216
Today is ANZAC day. It's a day when we remember the landings in 1915 of Australian and New Zealand troops on the beaches of Gallipoli. We also remember the sacrifices of all the troops who fought to defend our freedom in the many conflicts since that day. It's also a time to remember our troops who are still serving overseas and their families. They're willingly putting their lives daily on the lines for us to be safe and free. Yes, there is no greater love than a friend lay down his life for his friends (see John 15:13).
At this time we can also remember the greatest sacrifice in the world that was done for us - how our Saviour gave His life to purchase our eternal freedom from sin and hell and gave us the gift of eternal life with Him. Thank you Lord Jesus for this sacrifice...Your love teaches us what love and sacrifice really are.
There is one hymn I'd like to share with you today: 'Abide with me'
This hymn became a great comfort to many during WWI both to our troops on the battlefields and to those back home.
Was it a morning like this
When the Son still hid from Jerusalem?
And Mary rose from her bed
To tend the Lord She thought was dead
What is a morning like this,
When Mary walked down from Jerusalem?
And two angels stood at the tomb,
Bearers of news she would hear soon.
Did the grass sing?
Did the earth rejoice
To feel you again?
Over and over like a
Trumpet underground,
Did the earth seem to pound:
“He is risen”
over and over
in a never ending round
“He is risen, alleluia, alleluia!”
Was it an morning like this,
When Peter and John from Jerusalem?
And as they raced for the tomb,
Beneath their feet was there a tune?
Was it a morning like this,
When my Lord looked out
On Jerusalem?
He is risen, alleluia, alleluia.
Good Friday is a very special day. A day when we remember the heavy price our Saviour, Jesus Christ the Son of God, paid for our salvation and redemption. His precious blood is what cleanses us from our sins and gives us eternal life. Without the events of that day all humanity would be in hopeless misery and darkness now and for all eternity. Neither you nor I would be able to know God, love Him, and approach Him. Thank you, Lord for the cross and the great price you paid for my salvation.
Now, on that Friday long ago, an suspecting man was thrust into the greatest event in history. It was then that He encountered Someone who changed his life forever. The Gospels tell briefly of that encounter, but in it one could read a lifetime story.
'And they compel one Simon of Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.' (Mark 15:21) 'And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.' (Luke 23:26)
In his book, The First Easter, Peter Marshall imagines the scene of the procession to Calvary and that special encounter between Christ and Simon of Cyrene.
It was an ugly situation as the procession went slowly along this way that will for ever be known as the Via Dolorosa [way of suffering or sorrow]. Meanwhile - Simon of Cyrene was approaching the city gate.
He had just arrived in Judea, and was about to enter the Holy City, as a pilgrim for the festival.
He had spent the night in some village just outside, and, rising early in the morning, had bathed and dressed himself carefully...with a tingling excitement because soon he would be in Jerusalem. The wonder of Jerusalem, that exiles had described, he would now see with his own eyes...the sounds of the Holy City...he would hear with his own ears. Yet He tried to keep calm, and as he set out on the short walk that lay between him and the city, he was very thoughtful.
He walked along the winding path that sometimes ran through the fields...Sometimes along narrow roads between hedges where there was the fragrance of pomegranate trees and honeysuckle... Sometimes along the torturous course of the dried-up river bed where the earth was cracked with the heat of the sun.
Sometimes it wound up the jagged hillside to twist down among the giant boulders and huge rocks behind which many a robber might hide. He walked along beside the tall rushes, where he frightened conveys of birds that flew wheeling, diving...
And he walked through the divided crops, ripening in the sunshine.
He could hear the sheep bleating on the inhospitable hillside, while the morning sun climbed higher and chased away the mists that lay in the hollows, trailing down into the ravines like tulle scarves.
As he walked along, he was thinking of the temple and its glories, the history of his people and the worship of his fathers...
Already he could see ahead of him the domes of the temple gleaming gold in the sunshine, could hear the pigeons that had their nest in the cupolas and gables, and he thought of his own city looking from her height over the blue waters of the Mediterranean.
Then as he neared the city gate he began to hear shouting that grew louder and louder.
There seemed to Simon to be a sort of chant running through the noise...
a refrain that men's voices made clearer and clear er until he thought he could recognise the word
"Crucify
crucify
crucify...."
They met right at the city gate ... Simon of Cyrene and the crowd. He found that the procession was headed by some Roman soldiers; he would recognise them anywhere...
the insignia on their shields...
and their uniforms...
He could tell a legionnaire when he saw one.
He had little time to gather impressions, and as for asking questions, that was impossible. He could not make himself heard in all the rabble.
The noise and confusion with its sinister and malice made Simon shudder.
Simon was aware of two moving walls of Roman steel. There was something strange about it all but, before he could understand it, Simon was caught up in it - sucked into the procession, and swept out through the gate again.
Simon was excited, afraid...He was puzzled and ill at ease. He scanned face after face quickly, looking for some light of pity...
of friendliness,
of welcome...
But he found none.
He felt the drama of the situation, the cruelty of it...And its horror crept over him like a clammy mist - and he shivered.
He was captured by the procession, stumbling along, tightly wedged in the very heart of the crowd.
Then he noticed that there were three men who staggered under the weight of crosses of rough, heavy wood on which these unfortunates were going to die.
Each man was bent beneath the burden he carried, and perspiration moistened his drawn face.
One of them was strangely appealing, His face was arresting. Simon felt his gaze returning again and again to that one face. He noticed that blood was trickling down from wounds in the brow.
On His face there was a twig of long-thorned brier, twisted around in the shape of a crown and pushed down cruelly on His head.
Simon watched with beating heart as they shuffled along, fascinated by the look in those eyes.
He could see nothing else. Everything was forgotten, even why he had come to Jerusalem. This public execution had driven everything else from his mind.
Forgotten for the moment were the temple and its services,
messages he brought from friends far away...
things he had been asked to get...
Everything was forgotten as he watched this Man carrying the cross.
And then He looked up! His eyes almost blinded by the blood that trickled down from under that grotesque crown that was on his head...
Why didn't somebody wipe His eyes?
And as Simon looked at Him, He looked at Simon...And the eyes of the two ... met!
How did Christ know what was in Simon's heart?What was it that made Him smile, a slow, sad smile that seemed to still Simon's wildly beating heart and give him courage?
The look that passed between them Simon never forgot as long as he lived, for no man can look at Jesus of Nazareth and remain the same. (my emphasis)
As these two looked at each other, the Man with the cross stumbled, and the soldiers, moved more by impatience than pity, seeing that the Nazarene was almost too exhausted to carry the cross any further, laid hands on Simon and conscripted him to carry it.
He was the nearest man.
He was strong.
His shoulders were broad!
Simon's heart almost stopped beating; he tried to speak, but no words came.
A few minutes before, he had been a lonely pilgrim quietly approaching the Holy City. And now, there he was in the midst of a procession of howling men and women, walking between two moving walls of Roman steel, and carrying on his shoulder a cross on which someone was going to die!
The look of gratitude and love that flashed from the eyes of Jesus as Simon lifted the load from those tired, bleeding shoulders did something to the man from Cyrene, and in an instant life was changed. (my emphasis)
Simon never could explain it afterwards - how it happened!
There are moments of spiritual insight that defy the limits of syntax and grammar.
There are some things too deep for words.
But all at once he saw the meaning of pain...
understood the significance of suffering...
The meaning of prayer was unveiled...
and the message of the Scriptures.
He saw prophecy take form and live before him.
He remembered words of the psalmist and the prophets of old, words that until now had been without sense of meaning, but now... he saw ... and understood.(my emphasis)
Yes, the one who meets Jesus of Nazareth will never be the same again. No-one can remain neutral. If you haven't yet had such a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, ask Him now. He is near and always ready to heal and forgive. If you have had that wonderful encounter already, take a moment to thank Him for His sacrifice and ask Him to refresh that relationship. This is what I pray. Amen.
God Bless,
_________________ Reference:
Peter Marshall, The First Easter, (ed.) Catherine Marshall, London: Hodder and Staughton, 1959, pp. 54-59
Be blessed by this lovely song about the passion of our Saviour. Sung by Sandi Patti. It is one of my favourite Easter songs. Sometimes I think, it would feel like Passion Week or Good Friday without hearing it.
VERSE 1: Down the VÃa Dolorosa in Jerusalem that day The soldiers tried to clear the narrow street But the crowd pressed in to see The Man condemned to die on Calvary
VERSE 2: He was bleeding from a beating, there were stripes upon His back And He wore a crown of thorns upon His head And He bore with every step The scorn of those who cried out for His death
CHORUS: Down the VÃa Dolorosa called the way of suffering Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King, But He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me. Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary.
CHORUS (Spanish): Por la VÃa Dolorosa, que es la via del dolor Como oveja vino Cristo, Rey y Señor, Y fue Él quien quiso ir por su amor por ti y por mÃ. Por la VÃa Dolorosa al Calvario y a morir.
BRIDGE: The blood that would cleanse the souls of all men Made its way through the heart of Jerusalem.
CHORUS: Down the VÃa Dolorosa called the way of suffering Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King But He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me Down the VÃa Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary.
I can't believe that 2011 has just ended. It's been an amazing year to be sure. A LOT has happened, many changes, many sorrows, and also many joys. Floods, storms, earthquakes, tsunamis, revolutions, revolts, victories and defeats, death and destruction, and also revival and joy! These are just the amazing paradoxes of this year. In it all we can say: 'Eben-ezer...Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.' (1 Samuel 7:12b). It is really exciting and humbling to think that we live in days when history is being made. It is days in which our God and our Heavenly Father is working mighty things that we at times do not know or understand. But we can be sure, as His children, that they are always good and full of infinite wisdom. Personally I can declare that He has been faithful. 'Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and they paths drop fatness.' (Psalm 65:11). Amen! Jesus is very good!
Now a new year is before us - 2012! A new beginning and full of new opportunities to experience God's goodness and faithfulness! It is a time of making new resolutions....unfortunately, I'm very bad at keeping them! We need His grace always. My prayer for this new year, it to know the Lord Jesus more. To lose myself and find Him more. It is not always easy, but this is true life and yes, true joy. I want to spend time with Him more. I want to rely and trust Him more fully. I want to see Jesus lifted high in my life, my family, in the Church, and around the world.
At this moment, let us also remember our brothers and sisters in the Lord around the world who are suffering and are persecuted. I have in mind the sad bombings of Churches in Nigeria this past Christmas. May the Lord strengthen them and comfort them.
Tonight is also the 1st anniversary of the bombings of the Church in Alexandria, Egypt where many died and many others were injured. 12 months later, Egypt has undergone unbelievable change. The Church in Egypt has suffered a lot and yet in the midst of that darkness, the Lord Jesus shines in His people. That is a comfort for all His people everywhere. I believe that next year will bring many more changes both on the personal level and on the more general, worldwide level, some perhaps may not be what we would like to have. But through it all, He will be with us and we will see Him, if we just look up to Him and call on His name!
The following video clip has gone viral on the internet. Though you will most probably never see it on the normal media. It happened a few weeks ago in Cairo, Egypt in the Moukatam Cave Church, during a long 'Night of Prayer and Return to God' meeting in which at least 70,000 people attended. Earlier this year, some members of this Church experienced martyrdom during one of the many attacks on Christians this year. See what the Lord is doing.
'And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' (Acts 2:21)
'The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.' (Proverbs 18:10)
Thousands in Egypt shout JESUS for 10 consecutive minutes. It was also totally spontaneous!
The song "Hail, Jesus, Your my King!' in Arabic while the congregation shouts JESUS!
Amen! May the Lord give us more of this worldwide in this coming new year!
Before ending, I just want say thank you to all my friends for encouraging me. This year I started blogging. It has been an amazing experience. I look forward to being blessed by all of you again this new year!
Well, this is the end of this lovely day, spent happily and quietly with my family. The Lord gave us a good and blessed time together. We worked, sang, laughed, prayed, ate, and opened presents together. A really special time. It is hard to believe it's come and gone so quickly. This is life. It goes very quickly. But with Jesus, this is never the end...it is always only the beginning! Because of this day 2,000 years ago, we can have life and hope for tomorrow, as well as today. A new year is now before us and we can always rely on Him to be with us to guide us and to satisfy us. Let us rejoice in Him! Let us love and fear Him! He is our life!
Today I'd like to share a small historical event that took place during WWI. It was the Christmas Truce of 1914, when Christmas brought a glimpse of the final peace that will one day come because of the first and second coming of the Prince of Peace. It also shows how the Christmas carol, 'Silent Night' has brought many people, far and wide and under difficult circumstances together, through the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Unfortunately it's late now and I feel pretty tired after such a lovely but long day, so I won't be able to write about it myself! But I'll give you some links and a documentary video clip.
In WW2, Christmas brought similar moments of peace and reconciliation...even if it lasted one night. Click here to watch Silent Night - A touching WWII true story (a few graphic war scenes and perhaps a bit of course language).
Hello again, my dear reader friends! It's been a while since my last post and Christmas is almost upon us! I believe it is an amazing season...not because of all the silliness that goes on around in the world during that time, but because of the amazing thing that we remember at this special time every year. How the Great God of Heaven and Earth and all that is in them, the Great God of the Universe, our Great Creator, should love us so much that He would give us His most precious Son to redeem us from sin and death and give us eternal life to all who believe and receive His salvation. I never ever cease to wonder at this. This greatness that choose to be a small helpless baby, born in a very poor home, and in a poor, dirty manger. To grow and become a Man and die on a horrible cross...all for us! It is beyond our understanding! But we can accept it with humility and thanksgiving and give our lives to Him as an offering. Thank you, Lord!
This is the GOSPEL:
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His
Only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not
Perish, but have
Everlasting
Life"
John 3: 16
Amen!
We do not want to celebrate this season in the way the world celebrates...just gifts and material things...but it is a time to worship our Redeemer.
*****************
Recently, I discovered an amazing boys choir based in London, called Libera. They mainly sing classical sacred music and they are just amazing and so heavenly. You've probably already noticed the music video I put on the top of the blog for the Carol of the Bells...I think this is the best version I've found for it so far. Here is some more for you to be blessed by this Christmas time:
Here is another one of my favourite songs, 'I love You, Lord'. It is sung by Barry McGuire as the Apostle Peter on another of Jimmy and Carol Owen's lovely musicals - The Witness.
'So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord: thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs....' (John 21: 15)
Hear it here (audio only) and be blessed:
I LOVE YOU, LORD
by Carol Owens
Peter:
I love You, Lord, And You know I always meant to do things right. I love You, Lord, When I think of how I've failed You I could cry. And when I hear You calling me I want to run and hide, Yet You know I love You so.
I Love You, Lord, Although I know my heart may not seem true. I love You, Lord, And I've prayed for one more chance to prove I do. I want to leave the past behind and feel Your smile again, Oh Lord, You know I love You so, I love You so.
So if You find it in Your heart to let me start again, I'll be your witness, Lord, Your witness, Lord, Your witness to the end of my life. Let me make it right, Let me try again, I'll be your witness to the end.
So if You find it in Your heart to let me start again, I'll be Your witness, Lord, Your witness, Lord, Your witness to the end of my life. Let me make it right, Let me try again, I'll be Your witness to the end, to the end.
********************************* Amen! May this be our prayer, too, when we feel that we've failed our Lord.
Well, it is a long way from Easter (or Resurrection Day) still. However, I can't hold myself back from posting this song today! It has really touched and encouraged me. After all, for Christians, everyday of the year is Resurrection Day! He is our Passover and our Resurrection! He is Alive! It is so easy to forget this or take it for granted during the year. But that shouldn't happen.
This is an older song by Don Francisco, from Jimmy and Carol Owens' (the ones who wrote 'Freely, Freely') album The Victor! - a beautiful Musical.
It recounts the Resurrection Morn from Peter's perspective. I love songs that tell a story.
The gates and doors were barred And all the windows fastened down, I spent the night in sleeplessness And rose at every sound. Half in hopeless sorrow And half in fear the day Would find the soldiers breaking through To drag us all away.
And just before the sunrise I heard something at the wall. The gate began to rattle And a voice began to call. I hurried to the window, Looked down into the street Expecting swords and torches And the sound of soldiers' feet.
There was no one there but Mary, So I went down to let her in, And John stood there beside me As she told us where she'd been. She said, "They've moved Him in the night And none of us knows where. The stone's been rolled away And now His body isn't there."
We both ran toward the garden, Then John ran on ahead. We found the stone and the empty tomb Just the way that Mary said. But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in Was just an empty shell And how or where they'd taken Him Was more than I could tell.
Well something strange had happened there, Just what I did not know.... John believed a miracle, but I just turned to go. Circumstance and speculation Couldn't life me very high, 'Cause I'd seen them crucify Him... Then I saw Him die.
And back inside the house again The guilt and anguish came. Everything I'd promised Him Just added to my shame. When at last it came to choices, I'd denied I know His name. And even if He was alive It wouldn't be the same.
Suddenly the air was filled With strange and sweet perfume. Light that came from everywhere Drove shadows from the room. Jesus stood before me With His arms held open wide. And I fell down on my knees, And just clung to Him and cried.
He raised me to my feet, And as I looked into His eyes Love was shining out from Him Like sunlight from the skies. My guilt and my confusion Disappeared in sweet release. And every fear I'd ever had Just melted into peace.
(Chorus)
He's alive! He's Alive! He's alive and I'm forgiven Heaven's gates are open wide!
(Repeat)
He's alive! He's alive! He's alive!
****************************
Amen! May it bless you today as it has blessed me.
