On the Cross Our Sins Christ Carried (Baptism Hymn)

I've shared on this blog before a few of my original hymn texts, but there are many I've written that I haven't shared. The 4th hymn text I wrote was for a hymn for use at Baptisms, and I think the time has come to finally put it up here. You can find the text below, but let me explain why today is the perfect day to share it.

God Calls to Us, Says “Here am I.”

God calls to us, says “Here am I.”
       Reveals Himself to us by grace.
“Keep to yourself! Do not draw nigh.”
       Our answer provokes to God's face.
“I am too holy” we go on,
       “Too holy for you.” to God say.
Our own devices drive us on
       To reject God, send Him away.

What holiness is this we name?
       Our hearts pour out their lust and pride.
What virtue do we say we claim?
       Our tongues lash out to curse and lie.
What love gives proof of sanctity?
       Our love of self and perverse wants.
What peace shows forth our unity?
       Our peace that rings out jeers and taunts.

If God had left us in our sin
       Imprisoned in our unbelief,
On judgment day how great a din
       Of wailing we would sound in grief.
God's fury He would on us spend
       To pay us our deservèd wage.  
The truth we then would apprehend      
       In endless torment ne'er assuaged.

But God in flesh Himself revealed
       To call unto Himself His own.
And though rejected, light revealed
       By which our darkness is well shown.
Yet in our disobedience crass,
       To which God binds all men by Law,
God shows His mercy on the cross
       From whence forgiveness flows to all.

What here revealed is wondrous grace:
       That though God's wrath we well deserve,
Christ bore this wrath--died in our place--
       So unto life God us reserves.
His sob'ring Word God speaks to us
       Lest we forget our source of life,
And spurn the grace God gives to us
       That saves us from our sin and strife. 

[Fall 2012]

Our Fallen World Is Steeped in Sin (Or, An Inadvertent Hymn Limerick)

Our fallen world is steeped in sin
Surrounding us, without, within.
       Our own strength fails,
       Will not avail
To 'gainst the curse the battle win.

Yet some think that they can attain
To holiness which life them gains.
       With hard'ning hearts,
       They set apart
Themselves as free from sinful stain.

Upon the Law do they rely
And place their hope to curse deny.
       Yet shows their deaths
       The curse's breadth
For from the Law their works belie.

Where our own strength is worthless shown
God makes His pow'r in weakness known:
       Christ, crucified,
       In weakness died,
His blood shed to our sin atone.

Though free from sin and curse's blame
Christ spurned not cross and curse became.
       In dying thus,
       Christ redeemed us,
And by this sin's curse overcame.

Set free from self-reliant ways,
We now on Christ do fix our gaze.
       We need not fear,
       For faith sees here,
The strength for everlasting days.

[2013]

In Love Christ Shed His Tears

Yesterday was a good day. Yesterday, I got to see a hymn I had written in print for the first time in the Winter 2014 issue of Lutheran Forum. (The hymn text is included as the end of this post if you have limited time and need/want to skip my ramblings on my hymnwriting journey to this point)

RichieWriMo hymnwriting committment post

I know what you're probably thinking: What's RichieWriMo?

RichieWriMo is my take on NaNoWriMo: National Novel Writing Month

I have a number of friends--you know who you are--do this challenge of writing a 50,000 word novel draft entirely in November. Some of my friends have successfully completed this multiple times.

I, however, am not going to write a 50,000 word novel. I am going to use this as an opportunity to write hymn texts.  Over half of my hymn texts finished to date have been finished in my previous two November RichieWriMo campaigns, so this will keep the tradition going into its third year. Like last year, I'm setting my goal at 5 finished hymn texts. I wrote 5 the first year and failed to reach my goal of matching it last year, but 5 is a good number. I should be able to do 5......yes.

This blog entry may be a mistake because it creates some accountability and invites your ridicule if I slack off. So, please take advantage of this potential opportunity to ridicule my laziness and help motivate me to write some hymns!

See How He Loves Us

Suggested Hymn Tune: HERZLIEBSTER JESU

Moved to compassion, Jesus started weeping

Outside the tomb which Laz’rus’ corpse was keeping.

The Jews who saw this were then moved to speaking:

“See how He loved him!”

“Father, forgive them.” We hear Jesus crying

As He is hanging on the cross and dying;

Bearing our sin and to us life supplying.

See how He loves us!

Viewing Christ’s death we see love’s definition;

Acting to save us of his own volition

Though we deserved it not, won sin’s remission.

See how He loves us!

[Nov 2013]

O Lord, Do Not Forsake Me

I was hoping to have a new Ash Wednesday hymn text written to share, but I can't quite realize the idea I've been pondering. I shall reflect more during Lent and continue trying. In the meantime, this original hymn text based on Psalm 38 will have to do:

O Lord, do not forsake me;
Come quickly help to bring.
My anguish overtakes me;
In groanings now I sing.
The guilt of my transgression
Has crushed my feeble frame.
Lord, hear now my confession--
I call upon Your Name.

Your pointed Word has pierced me
As arrows through my breast.
I feel Your hand upon me
As burden on my chest.
My strength and members languor
As I upon You wait.
Rebuke me not in anger,
But let Your wrath abate.

My sin leaves me in sorrow
And ever present pain,
That wounds me to my marrow
Till others see the stain.
My friends and neighbors leave me
While enemies pursue
To ruin and bereave me
And hateful gloatings spew.

My foes see my repentance
And judge it to be vain,
But I’ll not let their sentence
My thoughts now entertain.
For you, O Lord, will hasten
Forgiveness to provide.
O God of my salvation,
Near You let me abide.

[Nov 2013]