THEN FREEDOM CAME!

ONCE I STOOD IN GRAVE CLOTHES

Bound by sin and shame

Then the voice of Jesus echoed:

“Loose those chains!” then freedom came!

All at once its grip was broken

Satan’s power no longer ruled

Sin had lost its claim upon me

On redemption’s Rock I stood.

Heaven’s Light burst all around me

Sin’s dark shadow hid its face

All the past was now forgiven

In the fullness of His grace.

Then the shouts of victory sounded

Songs of praise were lifted high

As the cross of Jesus conquered,

Hallelujah’s filled the sky!

---B. Pent

FREE AT LAST

Once I lived for earthly pleasure
By sin's blindness I was bound
Chained by guilt & things they offered
Only darkness hung around.

Then I heard that Jesus loved me
That He came to set me free
And His Blood for my redemption
Was the price He paid for me.

Oh the pain He bore on Calvary!
On the Cross He spoke my name:
"Please forgive this Hell-bound sinner"
Then He died to take my blame!

When I saw the God of Glory
Pouring out His life for me
I cried out in faith for mercy
Then He came and set me free!

Now I stand redeemed, forgiven
All the past is wiped away
To the Lamb be all the glory
I am saved by grace today!
B. Pent

MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

Forget the things that are behind; forget injuries, slights, unkind words. Be to big to be hurt; to great to be unkind; to busy to quarrel; to wise to engage in unseemly gossip; to strong to permit little annoyances to turn you from life's main course; to clean to stain your character with any kind of impurity.

"Let me hold lightly things of this earth
Transient treasures, what are they worth 
Moths can corrupt them, rust can decay
All their bright beauty gone in a day.

Let me hold lightly temporal things
I, who am deathless, I who have wings
Let me hold fast, Lord, things of the skies
Quicken my vision, open my eyes!

Show my thy riches, glory and grace
Boundless as time is, endless as space
Let me hold lightly things that are mine
Lord, Thou hast given me all that is Thine."
(Martha Snell Nicholson