At The Cross

“To us who are being saved it is the power of God.” ~1 Cor. 1:18

Just a few of the dozens of kids here for the placement of the 40-foot cross on the new Legacy Worship CenterConstruction crews began to lift the cross into place at 6:45 this morning. 

 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.

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small;
love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

One giant crane and two tons of steel The sunrise provided the perfect backdrop and the sounds of God’s people singing provided the soundtrack It only took the singing of When I Survey the Wondrous Cross and The Old Rugged Cross to get it in place

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he’ll call me someday to my home far away, where his glory forever I’ll share.

Between 100-150 people there to witness the event (Preacher’s Count) We didn’t know whether to call it a dedication or a ceremony. We knew it was more than a photo op.  A symbol of our God’s power through Christ Jesus and him crucified

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ~1 Corinthians 1:18-24.

It was early for most, but Parker’s the only one who showed up in his PJs

Drops of grief can ne’er repay the debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away, ’tis all that I can do!

At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light,
and the burden of my heart rolled away,
it was there by faith I received my sight,
and now I am happy all the day!

As of 1:00 this afternoon, they’re still cleaning up the welding spots. But our stumple finally looks finished!

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood shed on the cross.” ~Colossians 1:19-20

Near the cross! O, Lamb of God, bring its scenes before me;
help me walk from day to day with its shadow o’er me.
In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
’til my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.

Nina Dutton & Lillian Haswell reading from Exodus (4 hours down, 71 to go) John & Betty Royse reading from Leviticus. It looks like I’ll be in Joshua this evening and our family will be in Proverbs together tomorrow afternoon

I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. ~Psalm 119:16

  Faith Builders Day Camp. Three days. 44 kids. 5th - 7th graders. Faith Builders Kids and Kipi and me Obligatory Silly Group Picture

How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth. ~Psalm 119:103

Boys on one side…  …girls on the other.

The grass withers and the flowers fall,  Most of the young people paid attention most of the time.
but the Word of the Lord stands forever. ~1 Peter 1:25

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it. ~Luke 11:28

From the first moment of Faith Builders at 9:00 Monday morning through this very moment as I’m listening to God’s Word being read by Susan Garrison and her daughter Allie it has been, and continues to be, an incredibly awe-inspiring week. I’m amazed at the power and the love of our God. I’m thrilled that he looks at me in all my sin and shame and loves me enough to save me. I’m grateful he’s put me in the middle of this community of believers who love him and love each other. And I’m humbled that, for some still unexplained reason, I’m the preacher.

Peace,

Allan

3 Comments

  1. Jenn

    Love it!! Oh and we are so thankful that you are the preacher. By the way, who in the world let their kid come to the cross raising in his jammies? Crazy! he he he

  2. Gloria

    Awesome poem! I love poems that rhyme, and I noticed that some stanzas even have rhyming words in the middle of them. For example, cross and lost; boast and most; and mine and divine. Did you make the poem yourself? The reason (referring to your last sentence) is that God chose you and wants to speak through you to the adolescents at Faith Builders. So, keep up the good work!

  3. Allan

    It’s an old Christian hymn written by the great Isaac Watts in 1707. We used to sing it all the time. It’s beyond beautiful.

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