Quote from Forum Archives on April 14, 2006, 11:42 am

Posted by: homenews <homenews@...>

Dear Hope Chest friends,

 

As I was praying for my children this morning, a poem came to mind which I had memorized many years ago.  

 

The Sign

by Amy Carmichael, missionary to India

from Toward Jerusalem

 

LORD crucified, O mark Thy holy Cross

On motive, preference, all fond desires;

On that which self in any form inspires

Set Thou that Sign of loss.

 

And when the touch of death is here and there

Laid on a thing most precious in our eyes,

Let us not wonder, let us recognise

The answer to this prayer.

 

I know that many of you have not yet planned anything special to commemorate Good Friday.  It doesn't have to be complicated.   You could just read the Scriptures, watch a video about Jesus' death and resurrection, and sing about what he has done for us.   As I was reading the Gospel account to a few of my children this morning, I just kept thinking, "He did this for me, for my sins."  (Even after thirty years, this truth is fresh when I take the time to meditate on it.)   Then I thought, "In light of what he has done, how should I live?"  I prayed, "May I be poured out."  That brought to mind three other poems, actually songs I wrote many years ago. 

 

Alabaster Jar

by Virginia (Quarrier) Knowles from Matthew 26:6-13

 

Alabaster jar, costly sweet perfume

Devotion broke it open

Fragrance filled the room.

Poured over Jesus’ head

Anointing for the grace

Some saw only money lost

Jesus blessed the love she gave.

Broken and poured out, broken and poured out

But there’s no waste of life, just fragrant sacrifice

And it’s all because of love.

Can you see his love? Messiah on the cross

Body broken, blood poured out

For our sin’s redemption cost

Can you see his power? Victory over death

Hell could not contain him

Nor quench his living breath

Broken and poured out, broken and poured out

But there’s no waste of life, just fragrant sacrifice

And it’s all because of love.

Lord, break me for your glory, pour me for your name.

Let me share his sufferings and power just the same.

Crucified with Christ is what I want to be,

For when I’ve died to my old life, I’ll rise up to be free.

Broken and poured out, broken and poured out

But there’s no waste of life, just fragrant sacrifice

And it’s all because of love.

 

Creator on the Cross

by Virginia (Quarrier) Knowles, 1984

Oh the love of the Holy God for man whose life was lost

No greater love there is than this, My Creator on the cross.

He made me, yet he died for me, He paid the greatest cost,

The blood of Jesus Christ the Son, My Creator on the cross.

Grace abounding and mercy free set fire to my frost

My blackest sin washed white by him, My Creator on the cross.

 

Who Is There Like Unto Thee?

by Virginia Knowles

 

Who is there like unto Thee, O Lord,

To Thy name give glory!

Full of compassion, righteousness and truth,

Full of strength and power, and clothed in majesty!

And yet on the cross, you were willing to bleed,

And you met us there, in our time of need.

And now at your throne room, we may boldly enter in,

To receive grace and mercy again and again!

 

~*~*~

Please share these poems with your family,

and forward this message to anyone who may be encouraged by it.

 

May God bless you richly, so abundantly,

and open your eyes to the wonders of the cross and the empty tomb.

He did this for you.

 

Blessings,

Virginia Knowles

www.TheHopeChest.net

 

 

 

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