Only Me, on My Knees...

As I was posting items to Etsy, I was listening to random youtube music videos, when the playlist began to play "Holy" by Nichole Nordeman from the WOW 2003 Hits.  Can you believe how long ago that was?  I can't, I truly can't.  

Her voice brought so many memories flooding back, I remember sitting staring out my bedroom window, the pink flowered wallpaper contrasted the deep green foliage of the beautiful wild garden below.  I contemplating the lyrics, appreciating her perspective.

Today, I was arrested by one line "and all you wanted - only me, on my knees..."  she said "singing", I thought "praying".   Lost on the rabbit trails of my mind, I missed the remainder of the song to simply re-hear "somehow, all that matters now is ... you... and all you ever wanted, only me on my knees."

I realized that is what He wants.  He wants us to petition Him, to ask of Him, to kneel before Him in thanksgiving.  Do we really take prayer seriously?  How easy it is to forget!

Sweet hour of prayer!...That calls me from a world of care,

...In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief..

And oft escaped the tempter’s snare...with such I hasten to the place

Where God my Savior shows His face....And since He bids me seek His face,

...I’ll cast on Him my every care,

Untill,...I view my home and take my flight...And shout, while passing through the air, “Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

As Death Gives way to Victory

"...I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!"

Today, I was reading through the Daily Mail when I saw, and read, the most tragic report on Iraq.  The headline read "ISIS executes 19 girls for refusing to have sex with fighters."  I wanted to turn away, I wanted to close my eyes - I didn't want to read it. 

(read article here)

Yet, I couldn't turn a blind eye.

The article didn't specify how many, if any, of these girls were Christians, but the price list for buying a girl for such purposes, specifically mentions Christians.  I thought about those poor girls, so scared, so sickened, so alone.  I hope they all knew Christ as their Saviour.  Those who did are already with their Lord, their tears and sorrows have vanished, they are no longer dressed in earthly white robes, but in heavenly ones.  No one can touch them there.   

When I finished the article, I thought of the line of the hymn "As death gives way to Victory."  For those who are Christians, their death has turned to victory.  A Victory that ISIS can never comprehend.  A Victory that can never be lost.  

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;

He came to love, heal and forgive;

He lived and died to buy my pardon,

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Chorus

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

And then one day, I'll cross the river,

I'll fight life's final war with pain;

And then, as death gives way to victory,

I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!