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

I came across the lyrics to the hymn below, about an hour ago, from a facebook hymn forum I'm a part of. For the first time in a long time, I just picked up my guitar and started fingerpicking and singing, seeing where it took me. It took me to a fairly immediate melody and chord structure (first time of playing). I then played it a couple more times to iron a couple of kinks, et voila! The version below is my third take. It's a bit rough and ready - a couple of my notes are a bit 'off'. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy! The lyrics are a pertinent reminder to me of God's idea of what consitutes "riches" (hint: it's not what usually tops my list).

I find it's better to listen to it in headphones - you can hear the nuances and tones of the fingerpicking far better. The pause at the beginning and end of the song stems from my having to hit record at the back of the sanctuary before  running to the guitar and mic on the platform at the front of the sanctuary (told you it was rough and ready!)

Cheers
Dan

The Riches of Love

The treasures of earth are not mine
I hold not its silver and gold
But a treasure far greater is mine
I have riches of value untold

The treasures of earth must all fall
Its riches and honor decay
But the riches of love that are mine
Even death cannot take them away

O the depth of the riches of love
The riches of love in Christ Jesus!
Far better than gold, or wealth untold
Are the riches of love in Christ Jesus

Compared with the riches of love
The wealth of the world is but dross
I will seek but Christ Jesus to win
And for Him I count all things but loss

Come, take of the riches of Christ
Exhaustless and free is the store
Of its wonderful fullness receive
Till you hunger and thirst nevermore

Rev. Henry Burns Hartzler - 1888

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:7-10)


“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:44-45)