Tuesday, August 01, 2006

The old Hymns

Let me start by saying that before this transformation in my life. The old songs just didn't do anything for me (does that statement in an of itself tell you anything). I thrived on the "new" stuff. It felt better, because you know, it is all about us, and how we feel, what we get out of it. UGH!!!

Well, the Holy Spirit has really given me a deep appreciation for these old hymns, the words as well as the stories behind the songs. I keep going over in my mind the words to "It Is Well With My Soul" What an awesome testimony of the sovereignty of God in this song.

Also another song that has a new meaning for me now is: "Amazing Grace" These words mean so much to me now. When people ask "how did you come to this new faith in Christ alone?" I can honestly say it was by the grace of God and that is it. No one person showed this to me/us. It was all God. He throught the Holy Spirit revealed these wonderful truths to us. When I heard this song the other day, wow, it just hit me, that is MY song.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev’d;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ’d!

Those words say it all. It was grace that taught my heart fear, and it was grace that relieved my fear. I'm so thankful that everyday God, through the Holy Spirit, reveals things to me, and shows me that he is in control of everything. ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! The good, the bad and the ugly. Even in the bad, God is there, he is in control. It is so overwhelming to realize that.

On Friday I had the opportunity to share some of my testimony to a customer at work. It was wonderful, she was in tears. She is being dealt with by God at the moment. She was also raised in a "works" based, legalistic religion, and was taught you can never be sure of your salvation. She totally doesn't agree with that, she knows she is not living right at the present, but you can see the hand of the Lord in her life. Please pray that I can be a testimony to her. My plan is to print out my testimony and give it to her. She just keeps coming back to me, she opens up to me about things.

Also, on Fri I read a blog, Minnie Moments, she shared her son's "decision" experience. It reminded me of her story here, here, here, and here, and it is somewhat similar to my life. Not quit exactly, but similar, I can definately relate. (long story for another day) at any rate, it was overwhelming to me, she was "chosen" by God and plucked out of the muck and mire, now her children have a different heritage. Why me? I often ask, the answer simply is this, because God is God and he chose me before the foundation of the earth.

Okay, I must stop rambling for now. My husband is wanting to look something up. He is getting fired--in a negative way--up about something a "preacher" is saying on the tv about God. "God doesn't always get his way". I'll explain it later. Honest.

4 comments:

Minnie said...

WOW! WOW! WOW! What a GREAT testimony!!! Thank you so much for sharing that. And thank you for mentioning me. Sharing my "junk" with everyone was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. But I know God has a purpose for it and He has shown countless times (and STILL showing) that He is doing great things and reaching people with my testimony. It is truly humbling, to say the least. The greatest reward has been seeing our oldest son accept Christ into his life. No words can explain the sheer joy and RELIEF that he will have a better life and better opportunities than I had, and he will spend eternity in Heaven. What a blessing to have seen all of this unfold (and still unfolding!).

Grafted Branch said...

Ha! I promise that I didn't see Minnie Hart's stuff before I wrote out my testimony in a 5-part post too!

Amen about the music. You're sure to stir something (not that you meant to) because I'm still getting stuff on my "As...Is."

Michelle- This One's for the Girls said...

I love the old hymns too--A Mighty Fortress is Our God, And Can it Be and Jesus I am Resting are some of my favorites. I also love a lot of the new stuff--I just love praising Him.

Thanks for the post!

Heather said...

Amen about the music!! So true for me to :)