In times of repentance, I find my words run dry...they just don't cut it. 
This is when I look to hymns, such as "Arise, my soul, arise".
These lyrics speak hope into the guilty soul, reminding us that our right-standing with God is grounded purely in Christ's atonement and imputed righteousness. We are declared righteous, because Christ is righteous and He is our righteousness. 
May you find comfort in these lyrics. 


The words are by Charles Wesley. 
The music is my own. 

Arise, soul arise

(Words by Charles Wesley, Music by Dan Wallis)
Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for Adam’s race,
His blood atoned for Adam’s race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
'Forgive him, O forgive,' they cry,
'Forgive him, O forgive,' they cry,
'Nor let that ransomed sinner die!'

The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One; 
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And 'Father, Abba, Father,' cry. 

The story behind this song. 
Thelma Fiebig, one of the seniors who make up our Church (a lovely lady) wrote a poem. It was placed in the bulletin during the Easter season - either this year or last year. Actually, I'm not sure when - all I know is that it was floating around in my office for AGES. 
One day it turned up - this lone piece of paper and, as I read it, I thought "This poem would make a great hymn". And not only is it a great hymn, but it fills a hole within hymnody. There are many songs / hymns about the suffering of Christ on the cross. However, there are not many hymns that describe, or explain, that the physical suffering of Christ on the cross was probably the least of His worries. The spiritual reality of being separated from the Father (from the Trinity?) was the cup that Christ wanted passed from Him, that caused Him to sweat drops of blood.
This song describes that terrible and wonderful reality in such an eloquent and beautiful manner. 
May it cause us to praise God anew for His incredible sacrifice. 

The Ultimate Sacrifice
(Words by Thelma Fiebig, Music by Dan Wallis)

Verse 1
Not the thorns that pierced his head
Not the skin torn from his back
Not the blood lust of the crowd
Nor the guards’ verbal attack

Not the struggle up the road
As he bore the cross of shame
Not the sound of rebels’ cheer
As to Calvary they came

Chorus 1
These were the acts of cruelty
Inflicted by sinful man
Pain much deeper than human flesh
Was part of the Master’s plan

Verse 2
The pain of broken heart
While hanging on that tree
“Why, o why my Father
Have you forsaken me?”

Because He bore our guilt
He paid our penalty
The sin God could not look upon
Was borne for you and me
Chorus 2
Beyond the acts of cruelty
Inflicted by sinful man
Pain much deeper than human flesh
Was part of the Master’s plan

Verse 3
Then came the resurrection
When victory was won
Now Jesus sits at God’s right hand
As His beloved Son

Chorus 3
We thank you Christ for what you bore
For love of sinful man
We see the marks of wounded love
In the nail prints in your hands

© Thelma Fiebig + Dan Wallis 2010

Below are a couple of avenues through which you could invite a friend / colleague / family member to the next men's breakfast. This is low-impact evangelism that ANYONE can do! Why not pray and ask God to lay a man you know on your heart, then ask God to give you an opportunity to invite him to this meal?

Just right click and save to your computer, then send an email to your friend / colleague with this as an attachment. 

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