All I Have Is Christ

The Gospel message proclaimed beautifully and clearly. Christianity isn't about being good, religious, moral, or dutiful. Nor is it about groveling in self pity, despair, false humility, sorrow, and regret. It's all about Jesus! It's about what HE did on our behalf, because we never could. It's about grace! It's the  gift of true freedom and new life for eternity!

Even my very best works are as filthy rags. Nothing I do pleases God the Father apart from the finished work of Jesus. Jesus alone is my righteousness. Therefore, I can say, all I have is Christ.

All I Have is Christ

By Sovereign Grace Music, 2009

I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still
But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You

Listen Now! 

Father, How Sweet

This song has really been speaking to me as of late. Being a mother with a son of my own has changed my perspective of God the Father just a little. I cannot fathom how He felt when He gave His only Son on my behalf. 

Father, How Sweet by Sovereign Grace

VERSE 1 Father, how sweet must be the pleasure 
You find in Your eternal Son 
For long before You made the heavens 
Both You and He rejoiced as one 
And long before You formed the angels 
Before You made the day and night 
Jesus exulted in Your presence 
And He was all of Your delight 

VERSE 2 Father, what love You’ve shown to rebels 
That You would send Your Son so dear 
Into this world of grief and trouble 
To bring unworthy sinners near 
We’ll never fathom how it pained 
You When You supplied the offering 
To rescue those who had disdained You 
To watch Your dear Son suffering 

VERSE 3 Jesus, it fills our hearts with wonder 
That You would leave Your heavenly place 
To take on flesh to thirst and hunger 
To save the ones who spurned Your grace 
You came to forfeit every mercy 
To die that mercy we would find 
And then You hung alone in darkness 
So in our hearts Your grace would shine 

VERSE 4 Jesus, in glory You’ve ascended 
Never again to leave Your throne 
Because of You we are befriended 
Received and welcomed as God’s own 
Father, how sweet now is Your pleasure 
In us, Your daughters and Your sons 
We will delight in You forever 
In Jesus You have made us one 

© 2012 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)

Diapers and Burp Cloths for the Glory of God

Entry 1

As of late I've been having an identity crisis. Who am I now that this little person is in my life? For the past three months I have barely left the house. My days have consisted of diaper changes, feedings, soothing, laundry, dishes, diapers, more laundry, feeding again, etc....You get the picture. It's been months since regularly attending church or group outings, and even longer since I last taught a voice or piano lesson. I am continually challenged and humbled by how dependant my infant son is on me. He needs me to be home while his immune system stabilizes, and I know home is the safest place for him while flu, rotavirus, whooping cough, RSV, and other illnesses plague our community. I am his mother, and I want what is best for him! And yet this is not my sole identity. I am also a wife, daughter, sister, friend, volunteer, and teacher. What about these roles and responsibilities? There are days when it overwhelms me. Yesterday morning in church I must admit I found my mind wandering during the sermon. Our pastor was speaking about Jesus' childhood which somehow got me thinking about the pile of smelly cloth diapers and stale burp cloths waiting for me when I got home. Suddenly I caught myself! Diapers and burp cloths!? Really!? My next thought was, "I gotta get a life!" As the day progressed, however, the Holy Spirit met me in my frustration and sheer exhaustion with these words: "Love isn't truly love until there is sacrifice". "Oh..." I thought to myself, and then reflected on God the Father's love for me, and the sacrifice He made on my behalf. I realized that in a smaller way, that was what He was calling me to do for my family-- give myself.  And then I recognized that much of my frustration was stemming from my own confusion about my true identity. Who am I? A child of The King and an heir with Jesus Christ! My roles are those of wife, mother, daughter, etc., but they are not the essence of who I am. This realization has released me from the guilt I placed on myself to DO and given me the freedom to just BE. My Savior gently reminded me that being confined to my home on my son's behalf will only last a season, but the rewards will be eternal. Even now, I am investing in this little person's life and learning to disciple him. Sometimes it hurts, but has dying to self ever not been painful? Love requires sacrifice. And it's worth it!