That is what I had this morning in Church.
For those of you who don't know, I am a member of The Plymouth Brethren, and our morning service is that of a "Breaking of Bread" (equivelant to Mass or Holy Communion), we then follow that with Bible Study.
Well the service started out with a popular hymn for the Assembly that we attend.
The next hymn that was given out was "Rock of Ages". This hymn was written in The Cheddar Gorge, and brings back great memories of a visit that our friends in Colorado made some years ago.
For me this week, the last verse (as you can see behind the cut,) was special :-
"When I draw this fleeting breath"
It goes on to speak about death, but it made me thankful to be alive - I may have been moaning about the problem I have had with breathing this week - but I am still alive and still able to live a normal life ... There is so much to Thank God for.
And for those who don't remember the tune, you can hear it here
Rock of Ages words :-
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labour of my hands
Can fulfil Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears for ever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, else I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyelids close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgement throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
Our next hymn, and the last one for this service is a real favourite of mine - and one that I would really like to have sung at my funeral service ... "And Can It Be" :-
And Can It Be That I Should Gain
And can it be, that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, shoulds't die for me?
'Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the first-born seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
He left His Father's throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace,
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race:
'Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Again, you can find the music here, so that you can all practice it!!
Then we had our second service - Dad took the service and the opening hymn was "Fight The Good Fight".
Well, I have been saying this year that I am really fighting back from the illness, and subsequent depression that overwhelmed me this year - So, yet another great choice of hymn.
Fight The Good Fight
Fight the good fight with all thy might;
Christ is thy Strength, and Christ thy Right;
Lay hold on life, and it shall be
Thy joy and crown eternally.
Run the straight race through God’s good grace,
Lift up thine eyes, and seek His face;
Life with its way before us lies,
Christ is the Path, and Christ the Prize.
Cast care aside, upon thy Guide,
Lean, and His mercy will provide;
Lean, and the trusting soul shall prove
Christ is its Life, and Christ its Love.
Faint not nor fear, His arms are near,
He changeth not, and thou art dear.
Only believe, and thou shalt see
That Christ is all in all to thee.