I can't tell you how many times I have listened to a rendition of the classic hymn "It Is Well With My Soul" and not think of the true heartache and anguish that writer Horation Spafford was going through just prior to writing it.
I was sitting down listening to the rock band Kutless' latest take on the song and it got me really thinking about it. I consider Spafford a modern-era Job. He lost most of posessions in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. But the material posessions that he lost were nothing compared to what he would lose just a few short years later in November of 1873. On board the steamship Ville du Havre, Spafford's wife Anna along with his four daughters Annie, 11; Maggie, 9; Bessie, 5 and Tanetta, 2 met disaster when an iron sailing vessel, Loch Earn collided with the steamship. Of the 313 passenger aboard the Ville du Havre, 226 perished into eternity, including all four of Spafford's daughters. Anna, who was picked up by a passing ship, found unconcious was brought aboard. When Anna arrived in Wales nine days later she sent her husband a telegram that said, "Saved Alone. What shall we do?"
Those words would have haunted me. Spafford immediately picked up to leave for his wife after receiving the telegram. When the ship carrying Spafford to Europe passed by the location of the tragedy, the Captain sent for Horatio to come to his cabin. There, he told him that they were passing by the spot in where his daughters had drowned. What happened next was history. With pen in hand and consolation from the Holy Spirit, Spafford penned this now classic and emotional hymn ...
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
(Refrain:) It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
(Refrain)
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Refrain)
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pain shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
(Refrain)
And Lord haste the day, when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
(Refrain)
Spafford's story of tragedy and the ability to overcome it could have only been done with the help of God. Just like Job, Spafford had put his full faith in trust in God and that through Christ he would be with his daughter once again.
It still doesn't stop me from getting teary eyed when I think of the tragedy that he went through, which ultimately brought him closer to the Lord. Praise God for stories like this, whose tragedies teach us that even in the toughest and trying of times, we still need to turn to and give ourselves to God and realize that He is still in control no matter what the circumstances be.
"It Is Well With My Soul" is an everlasting reminder of when Jesus says, "I'll never leave nor forsake you." Great reminder, coming from the Savior Himself.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
New Flyleaf ...
I have to say that I am truly impressed with Flyleaf's new album, Memento Mori. I wasn't sure what to expect seeing as though this Christian metal band has spent most of it's illustrious career in the mainstream touring with groups like Korn, Disturbed, Seether, Three Days Grace among others.
I was under the impression that with their touring history, there wasn't going to be much of a message to their album. I was wrong. This goes to show you that you should never judge a band by it's press photo.
With each listen, I get more hooked on the album's message.
Some of the tracks that I really liked are in no particular order: "Beautiful Bride", "The Kind", "In The Dark" and "Arise".
Alot of Flyleaf fans ask the question, is this album worth the four year wait? I think so. I think Memento Mori is a tad bit more mellow compared to the self-titled debut, but in no means is it soft. It has plenty of awesome and heavy moments.
Overall, I think November 10th will be a pretty exciting day for fans. The new album will finally be out for all to listen to.
- Jay
I was under the impression that with their touring history, there wasn't going to be much of a message to their album. I was wrong. This goes to show you that you should never judge a band by it's press photo.
With each listen, I get more hooked on the album's message.
Some of the tracks that I really liked are in no particular order: "Beautiful Bride", "The Kind", "In The Dark" and "Arise".
Alot of Flyleaf fans ask the question, is this album worth the four year wait? I think so. I think Memento Mori is a tad bit more mellow compared to the self-titled debut, but in no means is it soft. It has plenty of awesome and heavy moments.
Overall, I think November 10th will be a pretty exciting day for fans. The new album will finally be out for all to listen to.
- Jay
Saturday, October 3, 2009
The Importance of a Good Church ...
Church has been for the most part a very important part of my life over the past six years. I have to be honest, I have not always made my way into the sanctuary of my home church every Sunday and Wednesday and for that, I am ashamed. It's recently that I have discovered the true place of church in my life - as a pillar of fellowship, support and growth in my faith in Jesus Christ.
I have had candid conversations in the past several weeks with people who have fallen completely away from the church. They feel they have either become wronged by someone, they have felt it is full of hypocrisy or perhaps whether they want to admit it or not, they have become complacent or even lazy about keeping up with it. The third category is where I have found myself from time to time, but after a whoopin from God, I'm right back in the mix.
Let be first say, don't make excuses for not going. If you have given your life to Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, to me there is no excuse to not go. If someone has wronged you, oh well. We're to forgive and forget (Gen. 50:17, Matt 6:15Eph 4:32). You might be saying, "Well this person wronged me, therefore that's a justifiable reason for me not attend church” Humbug! That's not an acceptable excuse in God's eyes. Remember, you can't fool or mock God. (Gal. 6:7)
If it's for reasons that you think people are hypocrites, remember that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and none of us our perfect. If someone walks different than they talk, maybe that could be an opportunity to become stronger in your faith and not let it hinder you personally. Trust me, if all people stopped going to church or even serving God because of hypocrites, there would be no believers. You are going to find those types of people in ANY church you go in. While we're supposed to be the Bride of Christ (Church), we're still human and as human, we have a sinful nature. So if you are looking for perfection, look to Christ, not fellow believers. You'll come up disappointed every time.
For those who are just lazy - like I have been. Once again, there's no excuse. When I sit down and think of the life Christ took me from, the hell that I would avoid through His salvation and the many blessings that He has bestowed upon my family - how could I even contemplate not serving Him in His church? I couldn't. My laziness was no excuse to God whatsoever. Now I can tell you something that helped me was studying God's Word on a regular if not daily basis, a consistent and meaningful prayer life and complete obedience to the will of God.
I have been told by idiots, I mean fellow believers, "You don't need to go to church to be a Christian." You're absolutely right. You don't have to go to church to be saved. But... and this is a big but... How do you grow in your faith without a good church congregation? Church isn't the building. It's the body of believers in Christ that occupy that building. God didn't intend for us as Christians to live a life of faith in solitude. The church is an outreach, a companion, a body of believers that work together as different parts of the body of Christ. I listened to a song recently by a group called Flyleaf. The song is called "Beautiful Bride". This is what one of the verse said ... "If one part's hurt the whole body's sick / If one part mourns we all mourn with Him / Rejoice and we'll sing with You" We need all the parts of the body, unified to do His work. So church attendance is important for the reason of extending the reach of the body out to reach those who are lost, to show them the same saving knowledge of Jesus Christ that you had. We all have to work together for one purpose.
For those of you who say "Keeping up with church is hard sometimes. I have a life to live and I want to be able to have fun." I feel you. We're all human, we all want to do things with our lives, but I can tell you. A life lived for God and Christ is not an easy one. The world is going to hate us for the stand we take Christ. But remember, the world hated Jesus before it hated us. (Mark 13:13, John 15:18). Stand firm in your faith, get involved in your local church and serve God like He intended.
It's not an easy walk, but trust me; you'll be rewarded and blessed for your obedience. If you are not currently in church, I pray that this blog post gets you motivated enough to pray and ask God where He wants you. If you are a member of church already, I would encourage you to get involved again. Rededicate your life to Christ, the One who gave His life so that through Him, you and I could live. For eternity.
Blessings to all who are reading this right now, I have just prayed for you. :)
- Jay
I have had candid conversations in the past several weeks with people who have fallen completely away from the church. They feel they have either become wronged by someone, they have felt it is full of hypocrisy or perhaps whether they want to admit it or not, they have become complacent or even lazy about keeping up with it. The third category is where I have found myself from time to time, but after a whoopin from God, I'm right back in the mix.
Let be first say, don't make excuses for not going. If you have given your life to Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, to me there is no excuse to not go. If someone has wronged you, oh well. We're to forgive and forget (Gen. 50:17, Matt 6:15Eph 4:32). You might be saying, "Well this person wronged me, therefore that's a justifiable reason for me not attend church” Humbug! That's not an acceptable excuse in God's eyes. Remember, you can't fool or mock God. (Gal. 6:7)
If it's for reasons that you think people are hypocrites, remember that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and none of us our perfect. If someone walks different than they talk, maybe that could be an opportunity to become stronger in your faith and not let it hinder you personally. Trust me, if all people stopped going to church or even serving God because of hypocrites, there would be no believers. You are going to find those types of people in ANY church you go in. While we're supposed to be the Bride of Christ (Church), we're still human and as human, we have a sinful nature. So if you are looking for perfection, look to Christ, not fellow believers. You'll come up disappointed every time.
For those who are just lazy - like I have been. Once again, there's no excuse. When I sit down and think of the life Christ took me from, the hell that I would avoid through His salvation and the many blessings that He has bestowed upon my family - how could I even contemplate not serving Him in His church? I couldn't. My laziness was no excuse to God whatsoever. Now I can tell you something that helped me was studying God's Word on a regular if not daily basis, a consistent and meaningful prayer life and complete obedience to the will of God.
I have been told by idiots, I mean fellow believers, "You don't need to go to church to be a Christian." You're absolutely right. You don't have to go to church to be saved. But... and this is a big but... How do you grow in your faith without a good church congregation? Church isn't the building. It's the body of believers in Christ that occupy that building. God didn't intend for us as Christians to live a life of faith in solitude. The church is an outreach, a companion, a body of believers that work together as different parts of the body of Christ. I listened to a song recently by a group called Flyleaf. The song is called "Beautiful Bride". This is what one of the verse said ... "If one part's hurt the whole body's sick / If one part mourns we all mourn with Him / Rejoice and we'll sing with You" We need all the parts of the body, unified to do His work. So church attendance is important for the reason of extending the reach of the body out to reach those who are lost, to show them the same saving knowledge of Jesus Christ that you had. We all have to work together for one purpose.
For those of you who say "Keeping up with church is hard sometimes. I have a life to live and I want to be able to have fun." I feel you. We're all human, we all want to do things with our lives, but I can tell you. A life lived for God and Christ is not an easy one. The world is going to hate us for the stand we take Christ. But remember, the world hated Jesus before it hated us. (Mark 13:13, John 15:18). Stand firm in your faith, get involved in your local church and serve God like He intended.
It's not an easy walk, but trust me; you'll be rewarded and blessed for your obedience. If you are not currently in church, I pray that this blog post gets you motivated enough to pray and ask God where He wants you. If you are a member of church already, I would encourage you to get involved again. Rededicate your life to Christ, the One who gave His life so that through Him, you and I could live. For eternity.
Blessings to all who are reading this right now, I have just prayed for you. :)
- Jay
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