When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Ash Wednesday, the first day of my favorite liturgical season, Lent.  I know that some people find it strange that this is my favorite season.  What about Christmas or Eastertide?  Well, I love them, too, but they don't hold a candle to Lent.  I don't think I could truly enjoy the joy of Easter if I didn't live through the suffering, humility and sacrifice of Lent.  Lent is not just a time of "giving something up".  It is a time when we focus on the sacrifice Jesus made for us and realize that we, too, need to make sacrifices for Him.  Maybe the reason I love Lent so much has to do with the fact that there are some powerful hymns and choral anthems out there just dying to be sung.  The depth of emotion is amazing.  When else do you sing songs with words like chastisement, cruficy, bitter passion, sacrifice.  Words that in and of themselves are filled with great meaning. 
One of my many favorite anthems is based on a wonderful hymn, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross".  It is arranged by Gilbert Martin.  Each time I hear it, or direct it, I am overwhelmed with love for my Lord.  You would think that by now, I would become immune to it, but the love is just as strong and my heart weeps just as deeply.  I could write forever about Lenten anthems; I know the church choir gets tired of me talking about how much I love Lenten music.  But as they (whoever they are) say, when you find your passion, be passionate about it and live that passion.  That is what I am going to do these next forty days - live my passion, while remembering the Passion of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.


Fix Me Jesus

So I went to see "Joyful Noise" this weekend with a bunch of the church choir and I loved it.  The acting was not necessarily academy award winning, but the stories within the story were touching.  It really struck a chord with me.  Throughout the movie, members of this church choir shared doubts about God and His love for us.  Why did he make me this way?  Why are bad things happening around us?  Why, Why, Why? 
As the director of our church choir, I could relate.  Most Sundays and Wednesdays, I really believe what we are singing, but then someone I know is hurting and I start to think Why?  Why am I singing praises to a God that would allow such horrible things to happen.  (That's the devil getting to me, ya know)  Luckily, I am pulled out of that by realizing that God is God and I am not.  He never said life would be fair or that we wouldn't hurt, but only through praising Him through the bad times can we truly enjoy the good ones.

All the music was wonderful, but one scene really touched my heart.  Queen Latifah's character alone at the piano, begging for Jesus to fix her.  What a beautifully sung rendition of this gospel song.  I can't seem to get it out of my head and I believe that is because I need some fixing.  Don't we all!!  Praise the Lord that He loves sinners!  I hope you enjoy the clip and I hope you get to see the movie.  It is worth going with friends.  Praise God that some people in Hollywood still make movies that praise Him.

I Need a Silent Night

I've made the same mistake before
Too many malls, too many stores
December traffic, Christmas rush
It breaks me till I push and shove

Children are crying while mothers are trying
To photograph Santa and sleigh
The shopping and buying and standing forever in line
What can I say?

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

December comes then disappears
Faster and faster every year
Did my own mother keep this pace
Or was the world a different place?

Where people stayed home wishing for snow
Watching three channels on their TV
Look at us now rushing around
Trying to buy Christmas peace

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

What was it like back there in Bethlehem
With peace on earth, good will toward men?

And there were shepherd's out in the field
Keeping watch over their flock by night
And the glory of the Lord shone around them
And they were sore afraid

And the angel said "Fear not for behold
I bring you good news of a great joy that shall be for all people
For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace"

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

 

 

When I first heard this song, I thought...there Amy Grant goes again, singing the thoughts in my head.  Maybe it is the fact that we share the same birthday, but I feel myself drawn to her lyrics and melodies over and over.  Today is the first day of Advent 2011 and I am going to try to keep this song as my focus. 

There are SO many things that can distract me from the real meaning of Christmas...shopping, parties, decorating, Christmas programs, the list goes on and on.  Are all of these things bad?  No, not in and of themselves, but if done out of obligation, pride or exhaustion, then they have missed the point.  Yes, I will shop, party, decorate and lead many programs, but I hope that I will remember to keep my focus on the real reason for the season. 

When I find myself stressed or just plain exhausted, it is then that I hope to set aside time to read my Advent Devotional, listen to some beautiful Christmas music, and bask in the glow of our Christmas tree.  Focusing on the most important thing, the birth of my Lord and Savior.  Bring on the chaos and the noise ~ I am hearing angel voices!

This Is My Father's World

This is my Father's world,

and to my listening ears

all nature sings and round me rings

the music of the spheres.

This is my Father's world;

I rest me in the thought

of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;

His hands the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world,

the birds their carols raise,

the morning light, the lily white,

declare their Maker's praise.

This is my Father's world:

He shines in all that's fair;

in the rustling grass, I hear Him pass;

He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father's world.

O let me n'er forget

that though the wrong seems oft so strong

God is the Ruler yet.

This is my Father's world:

why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is King, the the heavens ring!

God reigns; let the earth be glad!

We sang this hymn to close our service yesterday and as always, I was reminded of my childhood church.  I remember this being one of the hymns we sang often and with gusto.  I have always LOVED this hymn!  One reason is because it does remind me of Factoryville Baptist Church and the people there.  That was where I first met Jesus through people like Mrs. Vick and Aunt Laura (Laura Warnken), who taught Sunday School and Pastor Olsen and Rev. Hinds, our ministers, and most of all through families like the Stevensons, Landis', Warnkens, Reynolds and Rufeners who took me in and treated me like I was one of the family.  It was a great little church to grow up in, full of love, support and people who loved Jesus. (and me)

That is not the only reason I love this hymn, though.  It just reminds me of how awesome my Father's world is.  Who but God could create such beauty?  Sunsets, rolling hills, flowers, the stars. Everywhere I look I see His amazing creation and if I am still enough, I hear Him speaking to me. 

We speak so often about going to worship service and sometimes leave the impression that church on Sunday morning is the only time we worship.  I don't know about you, but some of my best worship is when I take time to praise the Lord for the gorgeous sunset, the beautiful changing leaves in all of their brilliant colors, freshs fallen snow, redbuds about to bloom, waterfalls, puffy white clouds that look like cotton candy... He truly does speak to me everywhere. 

We are beginning my favorite time of the year, AUTUMN.  It is a time full of football, hot chocolate, sweaters, firepits, apple cider, and most of all, the beauty of God's creation is full splendor.  The leaves are simply ablaze with His love and the mums burst forth with His joy.  Everywhere I look, God is proclaiming that He reigns, and the earth should be glad.  I hope that throughout this season, you look at the world a little differently.  Each time you see the leaves of red, orange and gold, I hope you will stop and say thank you to the Creator and never forget that this truly is Our Father's World.

Be Still and Know

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is holy
Be still, O restless soul of mine
Bow before the Prince of peace
Let the noise and clamor cease

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is faithful
Consider all that He has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
And know that He will never change
Be still

Be still, and know that He is God
Be still, and know that He is God
Be still, and know that He is God

Be still; Be speechless

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know He is our Father
Come rest your head upon His breast
Listen to the rhythm of His unfailing heart of love
Beating for His little ones
Calling each of us to come
Be still, Be still

The last few weeks have been CRAZY at the Young household.  Every night in September has been filled with volleyball, soccer, church, meetings and many times 2 or more events on the same night.  Our first event free evening is on the 29th!  Over four solid weeks of events!  Talk about exhaustion.  I have found that I have been grouchier and have even started to feel very down in the dumps.  My sister sent me a text this weekend that said, "Too bad dad didn't live long enough to be fashionable in his shorts, sneakers and black socks..."  I responded, "Too bad dad didn't live long enough..."  Woah!  I sent and then immediately wished I didn't.  So I called her and said, sorry, I am just overly tired, cranky and have my own little pity party. 

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I was not just tired, but that I had been so busy that I had not taken time to Be Still.  Not just still as in sitting quietly and relaxing.  But Still as in listening to the Lord and taking the time to be with Him.  I need to set aside all the noise and the clamor and bow before my Prince of Peace.

I still have two more crazy nights before the chaos calms, but I am not waiting until then to stand in Awe of Him.  It may be just a few minutes here and there, but those moments will be what gets me through.  We all have seasons in our lives when we are overwhelmed, exhausted and completely worn down.  It is at those times that we must take the time to be still and know that HE is God.  Not us. And no, we can not get through those times alone.  I hope that you will find the time to calm your restless soul, stand and be amazed and simply Be Still.

Shine, Jesus, Shine

Shine, Jesus, Shine

Lord, the light of your love is shining

In the midst of the darkness shining.

Jesus, Light of the World, shine upon us

Set us free by the truth you know bring us

Shine on me, shine on me.

Shine, Jesus, Shine

Fill this land with the Father's glory

Blaze, Spirit, blaze

Set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river, flow

Flood the nations with grace and mercy

Send for Your word, Lord, and let there be light.

September 11, 2001... a day that we will never forget.  I was teaching at St. Joseph and I remember going into the office and seeing the second plane hit the towers on the tiny TV in the principal's office.  For some reason I can't seem to remember, we did not have our usual 8:00 Mass that morning and I was in my room until my first class with eyes glued to my TV.  It did not take long for us to get an impromptu prayer service together and we were quickly in church with all the students praying for our nation and the many victims.  We didn't tell the students much, but let them know that there prayers were needed for our nation.  Just a few weeks earlier I had been teaching the kids this song, Shine, Jesus, Shine.  It immediately came to my mind when I was asked to come up with some songs to open and close the service.  We opened with this song and I remember barely being able to sing those first two lines.  There was so much darkness, loss and not knowing.  Was it over, was anywhere safe?  But through it all, Jesus did shine. He came to heal, to save and to show us His truth. 

I cannot believe that is has been 10 years since that morning.  I know that Jesus is still filling this land, and all lands with his glory.  I pray that we don't forget and that we always strive to flood all the nations with his grace and mercy.

I Have a Maker part 2

Just an quick update!  Today during morning duty in the gym (you know the 20 minutes of babysitting prior to school starting), three precious girls came running up to me and gave me a big hug.  I, of course, hugged them back and as I looked down at them, they looked right into my eyes and began singing..."I have a Maker, He formed my heart.  Before even time began, my life was in His hands."  I joined them on the chorus working like crazy not to break into tears.  "He knows my name, He knows my every thought, He sees each tear that falls and hears me when I call!"  There the four of us stood, them still hugging my legs and me hugging their necks singing about our amazing Maker while 2-3 hundred other kids were just hanging out.  Once we finished the song, they sqeezed me tight and ran back to their class. 
WOW!  What an amazing way to start the day!  There I was feeling stuck in morning duty and then out of nowhere, God reminds me that He is there.  In the mundane moments of life, He is there.  I will never forget what happened this morning!  Long ago, God came to earth as a child and He is still reaching the world through children.  And again...NO you cannot have my job!!!!