Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Dr. Hamilton on the Great Civil Rights Crisis of Our Day

My professor here at Southern wrote an excellent post this week calling abortion the "great civil rights crisis of our time." I appreciate the clarity and honesty that he exhibits in this post. For a long time I felt apathetic about the abortion issue. I foolishly thought that there was little I could do personally for the cause of the unborn, and therefore didn't really ever think about it. Everything changed with this election. Not because abortion became more important to me, but because I truly believe that God used years of teaching on abortion and pro-life issues to finally convict me of my apathy. It is so easy to be desensitized to issues that bear so much weight because it essentially feels like I have no voice. But I wonder if my Christian brothers and sisters felt the same way when African-American brothers and sisters (created in the image of God) were beaten and even killed right under their noses. Did they feel helpless in the cause too?

But we are not helpless. We serve a big God who knows the names and faces of every one of those little ones who are discarded as medical waste. And he knew the face of every slave who suffered and labored at the hands of sinful slave-owners. Satan wants us to feel apathetic. He hates the image of God and he will stop at nothing to destroy it, even if it means making sinful people like me apathetic to the cause of life. So I encourage you to read Dr. Hamilton's post. It made me think. It made me cry. It made me feel like I have a responsibility to do something. But most importantly, it made me pray to the only One who can help us save the precious lives that are lost in the name of "freedom." May God have mercy on us all.

You can access the post here.

Monday, November 3, 2008

All I Have is Christ

The words to this song have really ministered to my heart these last few weeks. I first heard it at the New Attitude conference last May, and we sang it at church a couple of weeks ago. I thought I would share the lyrics with you. I am so thankful for all of the people at Sovereign Grace Ministries who write such Christ-centered music that causes my heart to sing to the Savior. Here it is:

I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You

Music and Words by Jordan Kauflin.
© 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries.
From Na Band: Looked Upon. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
North American administration by Integrity Music. International administration by CopyCare International.

You can buy the CD that this song appears on here.