FEB. 16, 2013

                                                      LENTEN PRACTICES


How will you spend the forty days of Lent?  When I think of this season of the year my thoughts automatically turn to my favorite hymn, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, My richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it Lord, that  I should boast save in the death of Christ, my God;  All the vain things that  charm me most I sacrifice them to His blood.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down;  Did e’er such love and  sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,  That were a present far too small;  Love so amazing, so divine, Demand my soul, my life, my all.

 Issac Watts, 1674-1748