The Gift(s) of the Body

October was definitely one of the most encouraging months we’ve had since arriving here because it ended with four very dear friends from the States coming to visit us, encourage us, and experience life with us. Not only that, but they brought along four footlockers filled with gifts, goodies, and notes wishing us well from people back home. As we sorted through the items and read the messages aloud to each other, i was reminded of the importance of the Body and how our work here truly is just an extension of the Body and a small part of what the Body is doing as a whole, both here and around the entire world. 

As i pondered what it meant for the Body to be working together in unison for Father’s glory, i went to the Word to remind myself of what this should look like. i found what i expected to find, but was also intrigued by a Truth i had never before noticed.

The three main places in the NT where Paul talks about us as being the Body are also the three main places where the NT talks about spiritua1 gifts: Rom. 12, 1 Cor. 12, and Eph 4. Each of these passages also ends with some sort of admonition to persevere in love of one another. Because my concern was receiving encouragement from the passages about the Body, i was initially tempted to skim past the bits about gifts—and, in fact, did as i read through Rom. 12—until i saw that each of the three passages had these same three components.

In light of this, it didn’t seem quite right to separate out these ideas that were so intertwined in the Word, so i began to think on them as a whole. The first thing that struck me is how interesting it is that the “gifts” are one of the biggest sources of division between denominations when Paul was so careful to point out how important it is that the Body remain firm as one rather than for one member to say to the other “I have no need of you” (1 Cor. 12:21). Paul wrote this to ensure “that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another” (vs. 25).

Moving here was an interesting experience for many reasons, but one reason is because we were thrown into a city with about eight other families from the States, most of whom came from different backgrounds and practices, though all were Family. Some were more charismatic, some more conservative, but we all had the same underlying goal. It is probably one of the greatest pictures of the diverse Body working together that i have personally ever experienced—not that it is perfect by any means. We still have problems and issues the same as anywhere else, but it has been fun to work through differences and grow together.

Coming back to our friends from the states coming to visit us, i think my wife and i would agree that the two verses that sum it up best are found in the introduction to Rom.:

“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritua1 gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” Rom. 1:11-12

These verses (yet another perfect union of gifts working within the Body) encompass our desires and feelings for the team that came. We truly cannot express with words what an encouragement it was to the depths of our souls to see and share life with these four. And from what they told us, it seems they were encouraged as well. A mutual encouragement of faith. It was truly life-giving. We hope—if you know any of these four—that you get the chance to talk with them and hear about life here. There is so much that we wish we could share, but space to write and the sensitive nature of some of the issues won’t allow. We do hope you get the chance to hear though!

The Body, though complex and diverse, is definitely one of the greatest opportunities for us to display the love of our Father. The Son himself proclaims in Jn. 13:35, “By this all people will know that you are my discip1es, if you have love for one another.” The love and encouragement provided by the team that came will continue to carry forward as we press forward here.  We love and miss our friends, family, and fellow laborers back States-side, and we lift you up to Father often. As we each fulfill our different roles in the Body, let us press forward as one, in love, for the glory of our Great Father.

Pardon the Interruption

People keep interrupting me when i’m trying to get stuff done. Sure, sometimes i’m only resting or doing something for entertainment, but other times there are important things i need to finish that i had specifically allotted time to complete. Who do these people think they are, interrupting my schedule?

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.            -Philipp1ans 2:3-4

The heart of man plans his way, but the L0RD establishes his steps.            -Pr0verbs 16:9

So often i will elevate my to-do list to such importance that i feel as though everyone else—even people i don’t know—should know exactly what i want to do, how i want it done, and stay out of the way unless they are of some value to my task. But no matter where i’ve lived, for some reason people just can’t get on board with this. i’ve found this to be a source of my frustration in my life, and thankfully, Father in his mercy has convicted me in regard to my pride and broadened my perspective a bit through watching the life of Chr1st.

J3sus was often on his way to do something (pretty much always something of more significance than anything i’ve got going on) when life was interrupted by other people.

On his way to restore life to a little girl, he stops to talk with the bleeding woman who touched him (Mt 9).

On his way out of the temple, he “passed by” a man born blind and stopped to heal him after his disciples asked about that man’s sins (Jn 9).

On his way to seek Father in private after the death of John the Bapt1st, he stops to heal the sick and feeds the five thousand (Mt 14).

On his way to Jerusa1em for Passion week, “passing through” Jericho he stops to stay a while with Z@cchaeus (Lk 19).

There are so many times throughout the G0spels where it speaks of J3sus as being en route to a place or event only to be stalled by an interruption that he seizes as an opportunity to give glory to G0d. Even more striking is that the interruptions are almost exclusively by people whom society had deemed unworthy of their time. These were the blind, the lame, the lepers, the sinners, the outcasts. A good, ch-going man wouldn’t be caught dead speaking to them or spending time with them, just like the priest and Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan; however, J3sus

touches the unclean leper,

takes the hand of the lame,

speaks with the blind beggar,

eats with the sinners and tax collectors.

He has very close and personal contact with people who most (i must confess, often myself included) would pass by avoiding eye contact, although perhaps offering a silent pr@yer to Father on the person’s behalf in an effort to maintain a clean conscience. All too often i have asked Father to send someone to help a person when i am already standing right there, available if only i would lay down my task, my reputation, my pride.

i am called a part of the Body for a reason. A living body doesn’t just exist; it has function and purpose. As a part of the Body, i do too. In working, sometimes hands and feet get dirty. i must be willing to do the same. J3sus is not asking me to do something he didn’t do; rather, he is asking me to follow the very model he set forth.

He had tasks of eternal importance, and yet he was willing to be present in every moment of his time on this earth. Though he did finish every bit of the mission that he came to complete, he was also aware of the numerous “good works, which G0d prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10).

This has been a difficult lesson to learn, and quite often i find myself still frustrated when i’m interrupted. (Ironically enough, as i was writing this blog post, my wife asked me to go to the store with her. Thankfully, this was already on my mind!) It is in meditating upon J3sus that my pride and frustrations melt away. Philipp1ans 2:3-4 is quoted above. The next verses put the focus completely on J3sus:

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Chr1st J3sus, who, though he was in the form of G0d, did not count equality with G0d a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.            -Philipp1ans 2:5-8

J3sus, completely holy, absolutely pure, fully satisfied, perfectly joyful in his communion with Father in heaven was interrupted.

By me.

i was dead in my transgressions, a hater of G0d, lover of darkness, worshipper of self.
J3sus saw me in my blind, dead, helpless state, and allowed himself to be interrupted from glory in heaven to come and die a gruesome death on a cross, facing the wrath of G0d on my behalf. Even the small interruptions during his ministry when he would pause to help the helpless point to his overarching mission. Perfect relationship with Father was interrupted by his death, burial, and resurrection. And what a glorious interruption it is.

Therefore G0d has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of J3sus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that J3sus Chr1st is L0rd, to the glory of G0d the Father.            -Philipp1ans 2:9-11

Running the Race

“Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.”    Pr0verbs 4:25-27

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.”    1 C0rinthians 9:24

Lately, i have spent a good amount of time thinking about why i continue to sin. i don’t mean just accidental slips of the tongue either. What concerns me even more are those instances when i have—by His gr@ce—a brief moment of clarity and clearly see the straight and narrow path, yet i then choose to
lay on the horn out of frustration
throw a pity party because i didn’t get my way
talk down about shortcomings of others
count my happiness as more important than helping others
count my comfort as more important than telling others
harbor anger over the most trivial of trespasses
say the sarcastic reply that wounds my wife
willingly, knowingly sin.

i avoid gr@ce.

This is what has been bothering me. It is really a terrifying thought that i would willingly sin in the  presence of The H0ly G0d and seemingly shirk the gr@ce set before me. When given the glorious gift of life, it seems as though my body still craves death. It’s self-satisfying, self-gratifying, self-destructive. To a degree, i guess on this side of heaven we won’t be able to fully understand, as shown by Paul’s discourse in R0mans 7 where he struggles in doing what he doesn’t want to do and not doing what he does want to do. It would appear that we are locked in a constant battle against the darkness in this world. But, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try, right? If there is “no condemnation for those who are in Chr1st J3sus,” then let this fuel us in our pursuit toward the Father.

In thinking about how to live in light of this, Paul’s analogy of running a race seemed so fitting. When you run, you are focused, determined, driven. You only take note of those things directly in your path. You don’t notice what may be on your right or left. If you are really running the race to win, your eyes are on the finish line, and you are giving all you have to get there as fast as you can. Staying in your lane is almost effortless as your gaze on the end draws you forward.

When we slow in our pursuit of G0d, we begin to take notice of our surroundings. Creation is beautiful and contains many tempting rest stops, but if you stop, you don’t finish the race. When you become concerned with those things around you, energy is stolen from the task at hand. Looking to the crowd in the stands for approval, looking to see those who have fallen behind you, looking anywhere except the finish line will always hinder.

i am prone to look elsewhere. prone to seek approval. prone to see who i am faster than, better than. prone to see if i might be missing out on some “good” thing because i was running. But we know the truth. The gr@ce at the finish line is far greater than any of the fleeting pleasures that can so easily entangle us. As we dwell upon this grace that has already been purchased for us, it will continue to grow more precious in our sight. This loving grace is the energy that propels us onward. We have been promised a crown if we endure to the end. There is a joyous hope set before us. There is nothing to gain by slowing in the race, but there is everything to lose. Our H0ly Father, the Creator, the Sovereign G0d is standing at the finish line, crown in hand extending grace. So next time the temptation to sin arises, choose gr@ce. Press forward. Don’t give an inch. Eyes on Father. And run.

Hearts Laid Bare

As I am trying to explain our experiences, triumphs, and trials to loved ones back home, I struggle.  I feel as though there are so many words I want to say and many stories I want to share, yet I'm unable to find the right words.  Sometimes I feel like there is no true way to communicate what we our new life is like...it has to be experienced to be understood.  At times it is frustrating to be unable to truly share what is happening here with you all, but there is also something beautiful about it as we have grown to see it as an undeserved gift He has given us.  It would be a lie to say that there have been no tears, struggle, or pain since we arrived here; however, Father has been speaking two things to us during the past few months.  1) It is a privilege to experience life here (and at times struggle through it).  2) He is worth it.

Before we moved, we knew there would be challenges in facing a new culture and language in addition to the sp!ritual aspect of doing the Boss' work; however, I believe that no amount of training or guidance could fully prepare us for being here.  Although we have not faced trials here as heart-breaking and devastating as many of our brothers and sisters back home and around the world, it is true that our new life has brought struggle.  This move is something that we looked forward to since 2013, but upon arrival, I found myself homesick and lacking the passion that once consumed my heart for His work.  I now longed to be back in our college town, attending the fellowship that made us feel like family, and spending time going to our favorite restaurants with family and the life-long friends Father graciously provided for us during college.   Truly, these feelings terrified me...how could my passion for His recognition fade in light of homesickness and the sweet life I missed back home?  Wasn't I the one that just spent years telling the youth at our fellowship that He is worth anything?  What was wrong in my heart to make me so quickly want to abandon what He had spent years preparing us for? Not only did these feelings scare me, they became a gateway for the enemy to speak condemnation both of our hearts. C & I struggled for weeks with the ugliness of our hearts.  It seemed that coming here had stripped away the surface of who we are and revealed the depths of our hearts.  This new home brought out every insecurity, fear, selfish ambition, doubt, as well as every bit of vanity and materialism that remained in our lives; it truly felt as though we were laid bare, and it was not pretty.  It was a dark season, and I wrote our last blog post in the middle of it.  But oh how very thankful I am that Father does not leave us in our darkness, nor does He let the lies of the enemy remain in our hearts.

First, Father began to reveal to us how easy it is to idolize His good gifts in our lives.  This is not to say that His gifts are not to be rejoiced in; however, as soon as our hearts desire them above Him, we have a problem.  Before arriving, I knew that there were things/people I idolized at times; however, I did not see the extent to which I relied on them until they were stripped away and all that was left was Father.  It was scary and humbling to realize that when these things were stripped away, I became angry.  Maybe my f@ith in Father was less deeply rooted and my full dependence on Him less solid than I thought.  Over the last several weeks, Father has been gr@ciously helping me release the idols which I had clung to...to appreciate them as ble3sings rather than cling to them as necessities for joy. 

Furthermore, He has provided gr@ce upon gr@ce for us as our s!nful hearts continue to be revealed and s@nctified.  Although feelings of condemnation reigned in the beginning (and still creep in some days), Father reminded us through the truth of His Words that we are forgiven and loved, held in His palm, never to be released.  Through this process, we have grown thankful as we realized that it is a privilege for Father to bring us to a place where the depths of our souls are made new.  It would have been so easy for Him to leave us in our comfort rather than bring us to a place where most comforts are stripped away and He is all that remains.  We have continuously asked Him through the years to make us more like Him, to reveal our s!n and help us r3pent.  Perhaps we didn't expect the answer to our prs to be so difficult, but we began to realize that we were receiving exactly what we asked for!  Not only was He changing us, He brought us to a place in the world where there are more opportunities to be made like Him than we've ever experienced before.  What a great Father we have who doesn't leave us where we are!

Not only has Father used this move to reveal to us more and more who we are, we have seen His character in a new light.  As the depths of our hearts have been laid open we have seen Him as Patient.  As we miss loved ones and long for home, we have seen Him as Comfort.  As we need so desperately for Him to change our hearts, we have seen Him as R3deemer.  As He asked us to be a part of His work, only then to reveal our s!n (and still include us in it), we have seen Him as a Gift Giver.  The word privilege has been at the forefront of our minds the last several weeks.  Through the revelation of our hearts, we saw how truly undeserving we are to be apart of anything Good, yet Father has not only s@ved us, He has brought us to a place where He can grow us into deeper people and has invited us to go to work with Him everyday. 

One of the moments when I heard Father's voice most clearly was listening to a song I've known for years.  The lyrics are nothing new to me, yet when the song came on, it was as if I was hearing it for the first time.  Through it, Father reminded me that it is a privilege and it is worth it to be s@nctified by fire and to follow the only One who is worthy of being followed. 

Please lay down your arrows
For they're sure to pierce the skin
And water from a broken well
Will make you thirst again
When all things you've acquired
Are tested by the flames
And you can see them melting
Then will you call his name
It's worth it brothers
It's worth it friends
To know your maker
To lose your s!n
Did you know that you are dearly loved
To the slaughters you are being led
Being told that it's a party
That this G0d is in your head
And every single lie
Sounds just like the greatest truth
But the one truth you're not hearing
Is that he died for you
No greater joy
No greater peace
No greater love than this
It's worth it brothers
It's worth it friends
To know your maker
To lose your s!n
Did you know that you are dearly loved

(Dearly Loved, Jimmy Needham)

"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your f@ith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in the pr@ise and gl0ry and h0nor at the revelation of (the Son)." 1Peter 3:6-7

Although the struggle does s@nctify us and prove our f@ith genuine, the trials ultimately lead to His gl0rification in our lives.   There is nothing more worth it, and by His gr@ce, we will remember this truth. 

Anchor for my Soul

Hi everyone,

The last month has been such a whirlwind of circumstances and emotions, and we would like to thank those of you who have contacted us to offer words of encouragement or have simply remembered us in your time with Dad.  We have said goodbye to literally everything and everyone we know.  I'm not sure than any number of months of preparation or pr can prepare you for that experience.  Our last Sunday at PA, our fellowship in San Angelo, was so bittersweet.  How special it was to be with our brothers and sisters who helped prepare us and encourage us in this journey; however, saying that many goodbyes in one day is something we never want to do again! 

Arriving in our new home and adjusting to life here has felt like a roller coaster at times.  At first, I (A) woke up homesick every single morning as the reality of being so far from family would hit me like a ton of bricks.  C struggled each day with a dark feeling of oppression.  Realizing that almost every face we see is the face of a lost soul as well as feeling pressure to care for me in a completely foreign context weighed on him more than ever.  There was never doubt in our minds that we are in the middle of His will; however, we were struggling to be joyful and at home here.  Although I never truly considered coming home, there certainly were moments when all I wanted was to be at home with familiar faces and comfortable surroundings.

Each day became easier and easier.  Small milestones encouraged us to keep pushing forward: our first scooter ride, first time buying groceries at the market, first time to order a meal for ourselves.  Things which were simple, everyday tasks in the States became things to celebrate when we accomplished them without making a spectacle of ourselves.

Approximately a week after arriving, we found an apartment.  For the past 7 months, we have been SO blessed to be invited into two different homes and cared for as family; however, we were so excited to find a place that we could make into our very own home.  As a woman, I think there is just something so sweet about setting up your home.  Preparing a place where we will welcome people into our lives and hopefully His Life was incredibly therapeutic for me.  C was also very sweet and patient with me as I chose to paint every room. We are choosing furniture this week and will hopefully be living on our own soon!!

On March 23, we began language school.  It has been exciting, overwhelming, and interesting trying to learn one of the hardest languages in the world.  Our "classroom" is a beautiful rooftop terrace that overlooks mountains and tea terraces.  Occasionally it rains so much during class that we have to move into the teacher's office.  As people who are used to tumbleweeds and dust, we have savored every minute of the beautiful weather and scenery!

Even in these triumphs and joys, there was something heavy lingering in our hearts.  Last Sunday, going into our time of fellowship, C & I were so hungry and desperate for Father.  Throughout singing time, I journaled with tears in my eyes as I was longing for His words and His presence.  Next to me, I could hear C singing with a strained voice.  For teaching time, we turned on a podcast from a teacher who I would occasionally listen to in the States and really like.  His lesson was over Gen 15 where Father made His covenant with Abram: to give him descendents as many as the stars as well as the land of Canaan.  Abram's response to this was, "O L0rd G0d, how am I to know that I will possess it?"  Abram did not say this in lack of f@ith, as verse 6 talks about how his belief was credited to him as r!ghteousness; however, I do believe that he needed his f@ith to be affirmed.  It appears that he needed reassurance that Father would follow through on His promises.  Oh, how perfectly I could relate!!!  That was exactly how I was feeling: knowing He is good and f@ithful yet needing an extra measure of gr@ce.

Although I had read the part of the passage which describes the covenant, I had never studied or fully understood the meaning of the sacrifice.  The teacher explained that establishing a covenant during this time meant acting out what was to happen if the promise was broken (in this case, the body of the carcass being broken and diminished).  Each party would pass through to represent their end of the bargain.  The teacher explained that the smoking fire pot and flaming torch which passed between the pieces signified the presence of G0d and that in Gen 15, He passes through alone.   Father promised to keep His end of the covenant otherwise His name would be diminished; He would no longer be the Promise-Keeper. 

In addition to this, the teacher pointed out that the more important question seemed to be, "How will I keep my end of the bargain?"  This was another thought that I could relate with as I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is good, yet I am always doubting whether or not I can actually be f@ithful & 0bedient.  So often my attitude is, "I will let me down.  I will let you down."  But isn't that the point?  The Presence passed through alone; therefore, upholding His part and Abram's part of the covenant.  In the same way that a broken covenant would require the breaking and diminishing of the guilty party, my breaking of the covenant required @tonement.  Father held up my end of the bargain for me, and in this I can rest! This is the Good News.


In this passage, Father does not promise Abram that everything will be simple; in fact, He promises that Abram's offspring will be sojourners and servants, afflicted for four hundred years.  Even so, the covenant stands.  I was so encouraged after listening to this teaching.  Although darkness and struggling had been looming, C & I rejoiced in knowing that Father already paid our price for breaking the covenant.  Now we can live as free, forgiven people, promised Life in Him.  This makes all struggles worth bearing.  This week, we are thankful that His promises stand.  We are secure in Him.  This is our anchor.  This is what keeps us grounded despite the waters which toss us to and fro (especially in a crazy place like SEA!).

Rejoicing in Him,

C&A

Hither by Thy Help I've Come...

Hey everybody!

I (Alex) am currently sitting on the bed in the room of the house that Father gave us 6 months ago.  I am overwhelmed by His faithfulness and the fact that He is the giver of very good gifts.  The last 2 years have been such a journey for Cam & I.  Abundant grace has allowed us to see Father's direction, hear His voice clearly, and be obedient to follow His lead. 

Throughout the process of preparing to answer His call to our new home, I have kept a journal of the many ways He has proved to be faithful.  I know that it will be important to meditate on His goodness in the past so that I can rest and trust Him with my future.  However, I don't want to keep Father's faithfulness and incredible works to myself during this time.  Isn't the whole point of faith to experience Him personally and then share that with others?

I want to share with our friends and family all of the sweet stories He gives us that together we might ALL worship and trust Him more.  Father put on my heart several months ago the idea of an Ebenezer.  It is the name of the stone Samuel set up as a reminder of the victory and deliverance Father gave to the Israelites in 1 Samuel 7.  The word Ebenezer is derived from Hebrew words which mean "stone of help"; therefore, an Ebenezer is something which reminds us that we have a faithful Helper.  In a sense, I want this blog to be for everyone what my journal has been to me, a reminder that we have only made it this far by His grace, and we can trust Him with our future. 

Father has had so many opportunities over the last couple years to show off His faithfulness, and I know that moving will only increase the struggle, therefore, allowing us to experience His power more and more.  One of the greatest struggles for us throughout this process was moving out of our apartment long before we planned to.  Our lease was up in August 2014, and we intended to sign another 6 month lease so that we could stay in our apartment until a couple of weeks before moving; however, we found out that the complex was raising our rent beyond our means.  We could afford to stay, but it would take every last penny we had.  Although I knew leaving the apartment and storing/selling our belongings was going to happen, I was not prepared for it to happen so soon.  Together, Cam & I struggled with which decision was the right one.  Should we renew our lease or put in 30 days notice even though we didn't have a clue where to find a cheaper place?

After many days of pr@yer, we knew that Father was leading us to put in our 30 days notice.  I cried many tears throughout the process of making the decision and I DID NOT want to move, but Father made it very clear that this was what we were supposed to do.  Once we let the apartment complex know we would be moving, we began calling everyone we knew to ask about M housing or just something in town that might be more affordable.  The more phone calls we made, the more discouraged we became as we reached one dead end after another.  I think I cried multiple times a day because I had not been emotionally prepared to leave our first home together.  Plus, I was afraid I would be leaving it for and RV parked in an alley (seriously.....it really was an option we were considering). 

I knew that even if Father called us to live in an alley RV, He would sustain us, teach us, and grow us; however, I have to admit that I wasn't necessarily happy about it.  Cameron kept telling me, "God gives good gifts, you just need to trust him."  Boy oh boy, was he right!  One day, I was having lunch with Cameron at work when a pastor from PaulAnn sat down to eat with us.  He asked what our needs were during this process, and we shared our need for housing with him.  About 2 days later, he invited us to live with him and his wife for the remainder of our time in SA!  We were unsure about it at first.  Cameron had never met his wife, and I hardly knew either of them, but we could not deny that it was Father's provision.  In September, we moved into their home; little did we know, we were inheriting a new set of parents.  Words cannot express how quickly we grew to love our new home and our sweet roomies.  Despite the fact that we hardly knew each other when we moved in, our personalities meshed perfectly, and we LOVED spending time together. 

I continue to be amazed at the INCREDIBLE gift we were given through our house parents and our new home.  Not only were we able to save money to put towards fundraising travels and enjoying the States, we had the opportunity to watch Godly people love each other, their kids, and their church family.  What an example and encouragement they have been to us! 

Now that we are 6 days away from leaving, I'm setting up an Ebenezer in my heart.   Thus far He has helped us....I know without a doubt that He will continue to do so.

Come, thou Fount of every blessing, 
tune my heart to sing thy grace; 
streams of mercy, never ceasing, 
call for songs of loudest praise. 
Teach me some melodious sonnet, 
sung by flaming tongues above. 
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it, 
mount of thy redeeming love. 

Here I raise mine Ebenezer; 
hither by thy help I'm come; 
and I hope, by thy good pleasure, 
safely to arrive at home. 
Jesus sought me when a stranger, 
wandering from the fold of God; 
he, to rescue me from danger, 
interposed his precious blood. 

O to grace how great a debtor 
daily I'm constrained to be! 
Let thy goodness, like a fetter, 
bind my wandering heart to thee. 
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, 
prone to leave the God I love; 
here's my heart, O take and seal it, 
seal it for thy courts above.