Sunday, April 12, 2009

Tell Me the Story

Regardless on which side of belief a person stands, there is no denying the impact one man's life has had on our world.

Throughout centuries, people have misused His name as a blessing on their endeavors, though He was not a part of them; abused His name as a curse word; mocked His name as that of a madman, a figment of imagination, or a grand liar; dismissed His name as having no place among those of rational men; strove to anhilate His name, persecuting or killing those who put their faith in Him; and yet His name remains. It is a rock against which storms rage but cannot overcome.

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10, NIV)

In honor of Easter, an old hymn that tells His story while inviting the hearer / reader to tell it, too -- fitting for a writer's page:

Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in chorus,
Sang as they welcomed His birth,
“Glory to God in the highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth.”

Refrain:
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.

Fasting alone in the desert,
Tell of the days that are past,
How for our sins He was tempted,
Yet was triumphant at last.
Tell of the years of His labor,
Tell of the sorrow He bore;
He was despised and afflicted,
Homeless, rejected and poor.

Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,
Writhing in anguish and pain;
Tell of the grave where they laid Him,
Tell how He liveth again.
Love in that story so tender,
Clearer than ever I see;
Stay, let me weep while you whisper,
“Love paid the ransom for me.”

- Frances J. Crosby, 1880

4 comments:

Alexander Field said...

Thanks for that this morning Keanan! Happy Easter!

Anonymous said...

Happy Easter and I love the art!

Pappy said...

Great old hymn, and nothing tells the story better than our great old hymns. Happy Easter (belated) I was away from the keyboard. Pappy

Keanan Brand said...

Alex, Jade, and Tex - It was a rainy Easter here in the Arkansas River Valley, but it was a good day. I spent it with my mom (Dad and his wife are visiting in Mississippi, I think), so it was quiet. We watched The Passion of the Christ in the afternoon, and had a long discussion time about ministry, forgiveness, frailties, grace, and more. Good times. Hope you all had a great Easter, too.