Sola Christo ~ In Christ Alone

 "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." ~ Galatians 2:20

God gave the beautiful gift of music to all people. He has given composers creative talents and has inspired them to write the most amazing words and music for Him! One song that touches the deepest parts inside of me is "In Christ Alone" by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty. As a daily reminder to myself and to those who may pass by this small page, I wanted to share this music with you. I pray that Christ may touch you as you listen to the songs with your heart. (Just click below to enjoy the video.)

"In Christ Alone" Worship Video & Lyrics


"In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand"

Getty & Townend wanted to create a piece of music where the words were grounded in the Word, and presented in a way that would be memorable not only for worshipers on  Sunday mornings, but for believers on any day, any time, in any place.

In Townend's words, “The lyric [of this song] excites me because it places our hope, our assurance, our eternal destiny in the right place—on the solid foundation of Christ. I know in my own life I need reminding continually not to live by my feelings or my circumstances, but by the unchanging truth of the gospel.” ~ Quoted from Song Story: "In Christ Alone" by Debra Akins

 Another song in praise of Christ is this version by Michael English
~ "In Christ Alone" ~
"In Christ alone I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory let it be said of me
My source of strength, my source of hope
Is Christ alone."

Some Scripture to Consider:
"To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." ~ Jude 1:25


"And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith." ~ Philippians 3:9


"And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." ~ Hebrews 10:10

"But now the righteousness of God apart form the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe." ` Romans 3:21,22

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of he glory of God." ~ Romans 5:1,2

"Knowing that a man in not justified by the works of the law by by faith in Jesus Christ even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified." ~ Galatians 2:16

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." ~ Galatians 2:20


Christian Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty
Christian Music by Stuart Townend
Christian Music by Michael English

soli Deo gloria ~ Done for the glory of God

Beneath the Cross of Jesus

The poet who wrote the lyrics to Beneath the Cross of Jesus, Miss Clephane, was born in a little town about 30 south of Ed­in­burgh, Scot­land on the 18th of June, 1830. Little is known about this woman who was the youngest of three sisters. Those who knew the young lady referred to her as "the sunbeam" because of her cheery nature and charitable giving. Elizabeth's few poems were not even published until a few years after her death at age 39 in a magazine entitled The Family Treasure. Five stanzes exist although the order has been changed in some hymnals while other hymnals prefer only to list three stanzas. Please see below for a link for sheet music and a midi file, and a list of references for additional study.

Beneath the Cross of Jesus
Poet: Elizabeth C. Clephane, 1868.

Musical Composer: Frederick C. Maker. Tune: St. Christopher

Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty Rock
Within a weary land.
A home within the wilderness,
A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat
And the burden of the day.

There lies beneath its shadow,
but on the farther side,
the darkness of an open grave
that gapes both deep and wide;
and there between us stands the cross,
two arms outstretched to save,
like a watchman to guard the way
from that eternal grave.

O safe and happy shelter,
O refuge tried and sweet,
O trysting place where heaven's love
And heaven's justice meet!
As to the holy patriarch
That wondrous dream was giv'n,
So seems my Savior's cross to me,
A ladder up to heav'n.

Upon the cross of Jesus
Mine eyes at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart with tears
Two wonders I confess:
The wonders of redeeming love
And my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow
For my abiding place,
I ask no other sunshine
Than the sunshine of His face.
Content to let the world go by,
To know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self, my only shame,
My glory all the cross.

Listen to a midi file download and find sheet music for Beneath the Cross of Jesus at HymnSite. Click on the "Hymn Search" Box on the top left side and enter the name.

Study Devotion ~ You may be interested in the following verses from which Miss Clephane was inspired: Genesis 28:11-12;  Jeremiah 9:2;  Isaiah 4:6;  Isaiah 28:12;  Isaiah 32:2;  Ezekiel 33:6-7;  Matthew 11:30;  Galatians 6:14.

 

 

Worship Music Poll

Results of  the March 2010 Poll ~ Thank you to all who participated!!
"What styles of music do you prefer during worship?"

Traditional (hymns) 2 (25%)
Contemporary (modern styles) 3 (37%)
Gospel 1 (12%)
Organ 1 (12%)
Rock Band 1 (12%)
Orchestra 0 (0%)
Mixed instrumental ensemble 1 (12%)
Choral 2 (25%)
None of the above 1 (12%)
Combination of all the above 1 (12%)

Hymn Study

 
Although I enjoy several styles of music for worship, traditional hymns are ones that touch my heart the most. Why? Maybe it's because that is what I have been singing the most since I was a child, maybe it's the familiarity of memorized words and well known tunes, maybe it's the knowledge that innumerable Christians worldwide have sung them before me throughout centuries, or maybe it's a little bit of everything! Whatever the reason, the lyrics have such strong messages of faith and hope ~messages that are deep and sincere that I find strength in! They contain faith building words that I would like my children to hear, know, and understand.

How can I go about teaching the songs to them? We sing some of them on Sunday mornings, but there are so many inspirational ones. What about teaching them the meanings and stories behind these great hymns of faith? How do I make it interesting and meaningful to them? Squidoo author, Jimmie, has some wonderful suggestions for parents and teachers on making the hymns and their messages familiar to children in her article,
 Hymn Study for Homeschool. Although she writes it in the view from a Christian homeschool parent, her suggestions and ideas would be wonderful for any parent or teacher.

She includes articles which explain the benefits of studying the traditional hymns for you to consider. Given are sources of free hymn music and lyrics, discussion topics, and curricular connections. Several free online hymn study lesson plans are listed to give you suggestions for study and guide you in choosing ones that are helpful to the children you are working with.

Helpful reference books in print for reading and study are listed for you. Sources and samples for notebooking pages and worksheets for study notes are near the bottom of the article. The information may be used as a huge unit study about the hymns, an occasional study with a particular hymn that fits with your study topic, or as a family or choir devotional source. Whether you are a parent, homeschool teacher, Sunday school or Christian school teacher, or children's choir director, I think you will find this information useful!

Hymn Study by Jimmie

Wonderful Source of Worship Music

I wanted to share an incredible resource from my 'Facebook Friend', Gary Lanier, that I think all worship leaders and musicians will enjoy and find very useful. Gary's site is The Lanier Company ~ Sharing Worship Music with the World. There he shares free sheet music, lead sheets, hymn sheets, MP3, videos, Bible studies, and other worship materials, many of which are his own compositions. There are many other worship resources there for purchase also that look fabulous, also. Gary works in conjunction with eMusic for Worship.

March 2010 Music Poll

Would you please select your favorite styles of music you prefer for worship times and services? I know there is quite a debate among people and am curious of your thoughts on the subject.

I truly like a combination of many styles. As long as it is praising and serving God, I'm happy! I would like to write about many of these types of worship music, but am interested in what my readers enjoy, too! If you have more to say about it than the few words I have in the poll, leave me a note. Thanks for visiting and voting.