A Song That Speaks To Me: All I Have Is Christ

ALL I HAVE IS CHRIST

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

© 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI), by Jordan Kauflin

Top Stories

Chuck Swindoll's Pastoral Accountability Questions

Chuck Swindoll's Pastoral Accountability Questions:

In his book, The Body, Chuck Colson lists the questions used by Chuck Swindoll.

1. Have you been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?

2. Have any of your financial dealings lacked integrity?

3. Have you exposed yourself to any sexually explicit material?

4. Have you spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?

5. Have you given priority time to your family?

6. Have you fulfilled the mandates of your calling?

7. Have you just lied to me?

Top Stories

"Stop Following Me! (Evolution Spring Wear)"

Top Stories

John Piper - The Protestant Work Ethic

Top Stories

Let Me Yet Tell you of a More Excellent Way: Jesus

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you." - Psalm 51:12-13

I have tired and tasted many things that were so good, that I just couldn't help share. As a child, candy and video games brought me so much fun that I wanted to share it with my friends. As a teen, facts of Michael Jordan and Bruce Lee enthralled me, and I couldn't help share with friends what I benefited from considering these men. As a Christian, I have tasted and come to know the goodness of the Lord Jesus. I cannot help tell sinners of his goodness. They too must see and repent. They too must know the unsurpassed glory of the Lord. They too must see the "this-is-too-good-to-be-trueness" of the realities of Christ.

Come sinner, let me tell you of Jesus!
Top Stories

Some of my Random Thoughts

Today is so cold! Just yesterday i thought to myself..."self, it is such a nice day. Summer must be coming around early." That was then, however. Today my teeth hurt. Oddly enough, they were fine when i called my dentist to reschedule my appointment. Yet now - and this is after i called and after eating some beef - my back teeth are hurting. Only on the right side though. Yeah, the right side is the the right side to be on. That's actually where Jesus sits; on the right side of the Father in Heaven. But i'm not sure i understand that. God is like everywhere - you know, omnipresent. How is it right to say that he sits now at the right side? I dunno...it must be anthropomorphism? i should ask someone smarter than i. That shouldn't be hard, since my eye hurts. The right one. People keep telling me, "Terrence, you should wear your glasses," that's why i bought some Ed Hardy shades. Now everything is not only hazy, but darker. But i understand it quite well. As it is written..."we see through a darkened glass," and again..."turn the lights off, its too bright in here." Now they tell me that i'm too flashy. Who's right? Yet everyone is right in their on eyes, that's why "i" never capitalize any thing "i" say. Read the sentence again if you don't believe me. As the hand is quicker than the eye, so is it right to note that there is no "i" in the word "team." There is however, an "m" and "e." I like basketball and look forward to playing some pickup games in the summer, but I'm not sure if it will ever come since today is so cold!
Top Stories

Bible Study pt 14

"I choose Christ' will over my own because I study finance. I have considered all that I may get in this life via my intellect, ability, and wit, versus the eternal glory that comes with giving myself to the work and will of my God. I chose God's will, since he promised that if I store up treasures in Heaven, it will be unlike the treasures of the earth - it will be eternal!"


I have been rocked by Monday night's bible study. Josh spoke on the topic of stewardship; specifically speaking about the preciousness of time, and the importance of handling money with maturity. Expounding on the fact that all things - even our time and money, are given by God, Josh asked some questions that I believe has revolutionized my thinking. The first question is..."how much of God's time will I use for myself?" and the next..."how much of God's money will I keep for myself?" I love the way these questions were asked, as they carry clear connotations and serious reminders of God being the giver of things I have. I look forward to putting these things into practice, and redeeming the time. I have nothing else to add but this pray: "Lord, teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom"(Psa 90:12).
Top Stories

Terrence and Tynia Talk about Calvinism pt 1

Top Stories

A Look At God's Gay Children

In a recent Examiner article entitled "Christianity and God's Gay Children," author Angela Boatright-Spencer, an Episcopal Priest, writes that "since the time of both Leviticus and Paul, we have learned a great deal about sexual orientation, chiefly that it is primarily not a choice -- it is one's nature."Read article here: Christianity and God's gay Children. I have to say that Mrs. Spencer does a great deal of assuming, rather than acknowledging what is to be clearly taught in scripture. Before I continue with my thoughts, I want to preface by saying the following: this blog is in no way written to bash homosexuals, nor is it necessarily written as a rebuttal or critique to Mrs. Spencer's article. My aim in this blog is simply to assert what the scriptures teach, and to speak truth in place of what may be well-intended assumptions. Again, the goal is not to have any sort of altercations with the gay community, but only to present truth in the hopes that those who are gay by nature - and this is Mrs. Spencer's own words - may see their need for a new nature, and thereby trust in Jesus as the means to that end. All sinners, whether gay or straight, are in need of Jesus. This article seeks to reiterate why that is so.

Consider again the author's words..."we have learned a great deal about sexual orientation, chiefly that it is primarily not of choice, but of one's nature." A great truth needs to be seen and understood here. However, before we see this truth, we must deal with false assumptions that lead to wrong conclusions. The writer assumes that since one is gay primarily by nature and not of choice, they are fine as they are, so long as they live a moral Christian life viz-a-viz the "love law;" love God, love people, do on to others as you'd have others do on to you, and so on. Who in their right mind would assume that since one is born predisposed to anger, he or she ought to have "the right" to murder? No one in their right mind will draw that conclusion from such an assumption, whether the assumption is right or not. If then it is wrong to murder despite one's predisposition to it, why assume another sin - albeit homosexuality, is right to practice if one is born gay? To assume one sin over the other shows a partiality and a preference for particular offenses. To use the words of Romans 1 and verse 18, it shows that..."men by their unrighteousness suppress the truth."

Earlier I mentioned that we need to acknowledge a great truth. What is this great truth? The great and important truth is seen in Jesus' own words..."unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). We must not assume that since God is our Creator, we are his children, and are therefore in a love relationship with him. It is written..."to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). In all honestly, one is not a child of God by mere fact of being his creation, but by divine right or appointment. God grants the right of being called his children to those who receive Jesus and believe in him. Now that being said, what does it mean to receive and believe in Jesus? Simply put, receiving and believing in Jesus entails much more than mere acknowledgment of certain facts. Believing in Jesus involves trusting in his worth alone for your justification of sins. When a person understands their utter worthlessness before God, and see themselves as an offender and opposer of God in the way they break his laws and fail to rightly love him, they cling solely to Jesus alone. No man but he has lived a life of complete righteousness.

He alone has never sinned - not even in thought or deed. And more than living a sinless life, he was offered as an atoning sacrifice for sin, in order to appease God's holy wrath. Still yet, he was resurrected on the 3rd day to fulfill scripture, validate his claims as God, and to offer justification to all those who trust in him. His perfect life was given on behalf sinners in order that those who trust in him might become the righteousness of God. In other words, those who trust in Him could have his perfect life credited to their account, while their sins be imputed in his body whereby it is punished for God's justice sake. This, incidentally, is why all sinners - whether straight or gay, need to be "born again." Homosexuality, like all sin, occurs as a result of our nature. It is given via our first birth, hence the need for being "born again." As mentioned before, being born a certain way by nature does not give us the right to break our Creator's laws. Therefore God says in his mercy to all who would believe, "repent and believe the gospel that your sins may be forgiven."
Top Stories

Independence Day

"... having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness." - Romans 6:18

Top Stories

The king of Pop has Died

“I was a veteran, before I was a teenager.” - Michael Jackson

There's so much to be said of Michael Jackson's death, and the implications for believers. For now, all I want to say by way of reminder is, make your life count, believer. Pray for Mike's family, and enjoy one of my favorite Michael Jackson here:

Human Nature

Top Stories

Reflecting the Creativity of God

American Indian

Australian Aboriginal

Chinese

African

Top Stories

To Live is Christ

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26).

Christ commands all who would follow him to "count the cost." Do not simply say, "I want to follow him." Consider the cost, lest you find yourself in a position you do not like and make foolish and fatal mistake of leaving the Lord. What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? Simple put, it means "death to self." No longer will you able to be autonomous; doing whatever you want, whenever you want it. Now, rather, as a diciple of Christ you will live a servant of another - namely God. Still - and anyone who knows him can say with me - to be a slave of Jesus is to know freedom indeed!

Top Stories

Relativism Comic

I miss this comic strip!
Top Stories

Let Your Words Be Few

"When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent" (Proverb 10:19).

Often, when people consider what it means to "count the cost" of living for Jesus, thoughts of martyrdom and losing family and loved ones seem to be conjured up as the only and real meaning of the phrase. No doubt these are examples, but I do not feel as if they are the only ones. Take me for example. When God saved me, grace was given that my family and I (though we find it hard to have any long and meaningful discussion on religion, the Bible, and the things of that nature), still love each other and remain, for the most part, close. You may ask then, "what's changed? How do you count the cost? What has following Jesus cost you?" I'll tell you. Following Jesus cost me myself and my, for lack of better words, "comfortableness." This thread is just one of many examples in how that plays out. I'm a talker...I like to talk. Christ cost me my perceived liberty to talk as I'd like. Oh how hard it is to shut up sometimes!

Top Stories