Just As I Am

Just As I am – without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me,  And that Thous bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Charlotte Elliott

The above verse is the first stanza from the well known hymn written by Charlotte Elliott in 1835 titled, Just As I Am.

For over 175 years this Hymn has been heard in palaces, castles, cabins and huts. It has been played on pianos, pipe organs, guitars, symphonic instruments, and harmonicas. And its words have touched the rich and poor, the young and old, and the healthy, sick, and dying.

This lyrical message has spanned the globe for almost two centuries and continues to serve as the most selected piece of music played during the invitation to received Christ throughout the world today.

Just as I am, and waiting not, to rid my soul of one dark blot, to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

So how does one pen such work? From a life of ease and comfort? Not usually. Words with such depth often come from a well of struggle and in Charlotte’s case this proved to be so.

I’m So Thirsty

Have you ever experienced a life situation that made you feel like you were walking through the scorching heat of a dry and forsaken land?

I’m so thirsty, I can feel it…Burning through the furthest corners of my soul.
Deep desire, I can’t describe it…Nameless urge that drives me somewhere…Though I don’t know where to go….

Have those situations left you parched and in need to quench your thirst for relief?

Seems I’ve heard about a river, from someone whose been…And they tell me once you reach it, That you’ll never thirst again…So I have to find the river…Somehow my life depends on the river…Holy river

During those life situations what do you reach for to help you get through?  Drugs, alcohol, food, shopping, work, etc. Do those things quench your thirst?  If so, for how long?  Are their effects lasting or fleeting?

Other waters I’ve been drinkin…But they always leave me empty like before
Satisfaction, is all I’m askin…Could I really be this thirsty, If there weren’t something more

Is there something more?  Something that can quench the thirst and the burning in our soul?  Something that offers everlasting effects?

Character Revealed

“For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Character is something that every human possesses.  And though it resides internally its effects are displayed externally.  It is evaluated and judged to be either good or bad and can determine the path for success or failure.

With that being said, a person’s character is a very important component of their individuality. And according to the scripture verse referenced above character is also something that God pays close attention to.

So what is character?

Deck of Cards

It is always humbling when the gift of imagination surprises you into a moment of pause.  A moment that causes you to stop and consider that nothing is too small or insignificant that God can’t use it to bring glory and praise to Him.

Recently I was sent a video titled, Deck of Cards, which emotionally touched me not only as a patriot, but also as a christian.  Who would have thought that a simple deck of cards could be a source used to bring comfort to a soldier during war as well as a source to bring glory to God.

After viewing the video, I did a little research on the story and found that the earliest known reference dates back to April 20, 1762 (just a little earlier then our video narrator states)  and has been the recipient of notoriety for several decades.

I also discovered that part of the deck explanation has unfortunately been omitted from the video.  However, in spite of its missing content, the video is still very worthy of viewing.  It serves as a reminder that God can use anything to bring comfort and remembrance of Himself to those who seek Him. And it pays tribute to the brave soldiers, of past and present, who have honored us through their acts of sacrifice.

The entirety of the story of the Deck of Cards will be enclosed for you to read after the video.  May you enjoy!

Frayed But Not Torn

The Conclusion of – A Father’s Legacy

Netherlands- 1944

Under the boot of German occupation the Netherlands quickly changed.  The carefree and peaceful life of each Hollander had been drastically effected.

Their freedoms, country, peaceful existence, and common humanities had been replaced with oppression, harsh restrictions, cruelties, and unrelenting persecution.

Horror’s stood in common place as the Dutch were forced to bend to the will of Hitler’s reign.  Fear governed as disbelief became the mindset.  And all to soon their choices became few, and those that were before them were hard and disheartening.

As persecution towards the Jewish Dutchman increased the non-Jewish Dutch were faced to make decisions. For some the choice was not to become involved.  Others chose to profit from the plight of the Jewish people.  And yet others chose to risk freedom and death to provide protection for their fellow man who just happened to be Jewish.  The ten Boom’s choose the latter.