The Holdfast

I received a book of poetry for Christmas; a book which I have enjoyed browsing through. The poet is George Herbert (an Anglican priest). His theology is clearly - and sometimes not so clearly - revealed through his poems. This jumped out at me as I was reading the other day.

The Holdfast

I threatened to observe the strict decree
of my dear God with all my power and might.
But I was told by one, it could not be;
Yet I might trust in God to be my light.
Then will I trust, said I, in him alone.
Nay, ev'n to trust in him, was also his:
We must confess, that nothing is our own.
Then I confess that he my succor is:
But to have nought is ours, not to confess
That we have nought. I stood amaz'd at this,
Much troubled, till I heard a friend express,
That all things were more ours by being his.
What Adam had, and forfeited for all,
Christ keepeth now, who cannot fail or fall.

Merry Christmas

I've so enjoyed listening to non-traditional Christmas music in recent weeks...particularly Keith and Kristyn Getty's New Irish Hymns album. The tunes are lovely and the lyrics are sound. Here are the words to two of my favorites for you to enjoy as you celebrate the grace of God in humbling Himself and coming to earth.

BORN WHERE THE SHADOWS LIE

Born where the shadows lie
To answer
every cry of man
This child who formed all life
Now breathes our breath
Born where the Father loved
Born helpless to a mother's arms
She
smoothed the tears upon
The face of God

Born with a road ahead
Alone these blameless feet would tread
The path God chose to walk
Before all time
Born holding life and death
Born bearing heaven's
wealth of peace
That fills where none can fill
Our living stream

Born now with man to dwell
Our Lord Immanuel
Come see the King
the Christ Child born to us
Born now with man to dwell
Our Lord Immanuel
My soul can finally know the God of Heaven

Keith & Kristyn
Getty
Copyright © Thankyou Music 2004

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

FULLNESS OF GRACE

Fullness of Grace in man's human frailty
This is the wonder of Jesus
Laying aside His power and glory
Humbly He entered our world
Chose
the path of meanest worth
Scandal of a virgin birth
Born in a stable
cold and rejected
Here lies the hope of the world

Fullness of Grace
the love of the Father
Shown in the face of Jesus
Stooping to bear the
weight of humanity
Walking the Calvary road
Christ the holy Innocent
Took our sin and punishment
Fullness of God despised and rejected
Crushed for the sins of the world

Fullness of hope in Christ we had
longed for
Promise of God in Jesus
Through His obedience we are forgiven
Opening the floodgates of heaven
All our hopes and dreams we bring
Gladly as an offering
Fullness of life and joy unspeakable
God's
gift in love to the world

Keith & Kristyn Getty & Stuart
Townend
Copyright © Thankyou Music 2004

Word Whimsy

As a linguistics major, I love word games. I've run into a couple recently that I thought I'd share here.

Let's begin with something to warm up your brain. . .
Example: DEAL --big deal

1. gesg

2.NiRENDEVOUSght

3. KNEE
LIGHT

4. HIJKLMNO

5. IECEXCEPT

6. It's a ALL world

Now try something a bit more challenging. . .

Example: 101 D --101 Dalmations

7. 26 L I T A

8. T 10 C

9. A T W I 80 D

10. 20,000 L U T S

11. 4 A 20 B B I A P

Even harder. . .

12. 206 B I T H B

13. S L T 8 M A 14 S T R T E

I really want to know if anybody gets this one:

14. 17 I T C R O 4913

The ultimate challenge is the following paragraph. This was given to me by a friend from work. It took me two hours to figure out, but I was determined to do it!

This is an unusual paragraph. I'm curious how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so plain you would think nothing was wrong with it! In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is unusual though. Study it, and think about it, but you may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out! Try to do so without any coaching!

I'll let y'all try for a bit before I give the answers. Ask for hints if you need them.

Good Luck!