Hope

Guys, it has been quite the month. There has been a lot of fear in my heart, a lot of sighing and groaning. So today I'm going to share a song that has encouraged my heart this week. Hope it encourages you too. Happy weekend!

There is a Hope

by Stuart Townend

There is a hope that burns within my heart,

That gives me strength for every passing day;

A glimpse of glory now revealed in meagre part,

Yet drives all doubt away:

I stand in Christ, with sins forgiven;

And Christ in me, the hope of heaven!

My highest calling and my deepest joy,

To make His will my home.

There is a hope that lifts my weary head,

A consolation strong against despair,

That when the world has plunged me in its deepest pit,

I find the Saviour there!

Through present sufferings, future's fear,

He whispers 'courage' in my ear.

For I am safe in everlasting arms,

And they will lead me home.

There is a hope that stands the test of time,

That lifts my eyes beyond the beckoning grave,

To see the matchless beauty of a day divine

When I behold His face!

When sufferings cease and sorrows die,

And every longing satisfied.

Then joy unspeakable will flood my soul,

For I am truly home.

And if you feel like listening to it:

Hymns

I am pretty sure there isn't much more in this life more beautiful than a hymn. When I listen to a hymn, it makes me feel close to God, and fills my soul in a satisfying way. I personally think the old traditional hymns are best, although I know there are some gems in our modern repertoire as well. But in my opinion, the old hymn writers were inspired by God in a way that I think our modern writers are missing out on. I'm not exactly sure why this is, but there you have it.

But really, how can you not be fed by the words of the following hymns?

He leadeth me, O blessed thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!

Whate’er I do, where’er I be

Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

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.

1. Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
   Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
   Change and decay in all around I see—
   O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I stand amazed in the presence

Of Jesus the Nazarene,

And wonder how He could love me,

A sinner, condemned, unclean.

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.

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,

Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love

Redeemed me for His own.

1. All the way my Saviour leads me,
   Cheers each winding path I tread,
   Gives me grace for every trial,
   Feeds me with the living Bread.
   Though my weary steps may falter
   And my soul athirst may be,
   Gushing from the Rock before me,
   Lo! A spring of joy I see;
   Gushing from the Rock before me,
   Lo! A spring of joy I see.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

I am hard pressed to decide which of these hymns are my favourites. I love them all! 

Which hymns do you love? What is your favourite? Or do you prefer modern worship songs?

Friday links.

This week's link-up is a little different since I didn't really have any new articles to share so I thought I'd show you what I've been up to lately instead! 

What I'm reading:

I got The Quiet Place by Nancy Leigh DeMoss for Christmas. It's a daily devotional and I'm loving it! Nancy is someone who grew up in a Christian home and has so much to offer in the way of insight. While I love to read stories and testimonies of people who have found God in the deepest and darkest of broken places, it is also lovely to hear about someone who has found God even in a more sheltered life. I realize that Nancy, as a human being, is as 'broken' as the next person, but her upbringing being what it was, she has a unique perspective. In a lot of ways, she reminds me of a younger Elisabeth Elliot.

What I've found online:

On a completely different note, I recently found a new-to-me blog by the Hollywood Housewife. I love, love, love it. She is real, relate-able, and funny. She has depth and honesty going for her but mostly it's a light-hearted, fun blog. She's also an avid reader and I love reading her book reviews! She's married to a Hollywood director, who directs movies that I'd never see because of the raunch-factor, but her blog is about her, and her little family and I love how it feels like I'm having a little peek into a life that is so far removed from what I know.

What I'm doing:

Surviving winter is pretty much it. Getting through the school day. Planning next year's curriculum. Trying my best to be a good mom and trying to let go of the guilt. Planning fun things to do so that I don't go nuts from all the snow and cold. Knitting. Reading. Cooking and baking.

What I'm listening to:

Found this gem recently. I like a lot of different music and my taste varies depending on my mood. But I must admit that there is nothing in this world quite like a hymn. An old hymn feeds my soul in a way most modern hymns and songs can't. Now, I realize that this is not an old hymn, but it gives me the same soul-satisfying, calming feeling that I get when I hear or sing hymns. So I love it and listen to it over and over.