Rock of Ages



The other day I looked out my living room window to see the hillside across the road ablaze with a glow that sent me to grab my camera.
In the 16 years we've lived here I had not ever seen it quite like this.
The view is towards the north. .
the time of day was a few minutes before five and I knew that when I would turn to the south west I would see what was causing this beautiful reflection.



While I was grocery shopping yesterday ..
a dear little old lady was whistling her heart out in perfect pitch.
All through the produce section she went about selecting her Christmas dinner veggies  while whistling her clear rendition of Rock of Ages.

She was reflecting exactly what was in her heart.
I couldn't remember all the words so I came home to look them up to see what it was that was worth a solo in the store.

Rock of Ages cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save me from its guilt and power.

Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfill thy law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thous alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress:
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly,
Wash me Saviour, or I die!

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall 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.

A M Toplady


The Christmas music was playing in the background. . .
but she was looking ahead to Easter. .. .
realizing the true impact of Christmas.

I hadn't planned on posting this hymn on Christmas week.. .
but it seemed like a gift to myself so I thought I would share it with you too.

All for now.  .




Comments

  1. Your photos are lovely.
    As are the words to this well-loved hymn.

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  2. What a great hymn...and such a good reminder that Christmas is just the beginning of the story. Beautiful pic's!

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  3. That was my grandfather's favorite hymn. I only know this because every time we sang it my dad would mention this fact. My dad would also remind all of us, at Christmas, that although it was a joyous time, the biggest celebration in Christianity was really Easter. Timely post, Lovella!

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  4. Did you tell her how much it meant to you that she was whistling that tune? I imagine that you did not interrupt preferring her to carry on. What a sweet telling of this story.

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  5. Vee. . .I so wanted to tell her. ..but I just couldn't bring myself to stop her whistling. She carried on through several different verses . ..that is why I knew she must know the words. It made me smile.. . and she saw that.

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  6. What a gorgeous sunset glow. I too sometimes have to look to what is shining it's light on the mountains. I guess that's a pretty good word picture for how God shines His light on the thickets and mountains in our path.
    I love the thought of that lady whistling Rock of Ages. Thanks Lovella.

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  7. It is a gift indeed! How fun for you to overhear this whistling...
    Love the blaze of glory across the way...

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  8. Lovely. Both the picture and the song. Simply lovely.

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  9. My mom used to whistle hymns while she worked. I thought she had stopped... these last weeks as I've been helping her she had this funny breathing thing going on ... and I asked her about it, she said can you hear that? I'm just whistling such and such a song...

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  10. What a blessing that you knew the lyrics of the melody she whistled! I've often seen that as a recognition sign between us as children of our Heavenly Father! LOVE that hymn and it's a favorite of our residents at the Care Centre.

    I LOVE to whistle - but I did always get that German saying which I'll try to translate here. "Girls that whistle, chickens that crow, A twist with the wrist and off their heads go!" Funny, it's never stopped me!

    Your photos captured the sunrise beautifully!

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  11. This is a beautiful photo! The sun has been so red both at sunrise and sunset the past week.

    I could hear a whistled version of "Rock of Ages" in my head as I read your post! It is indeed a gift!

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  12. This post has got to be one of my most favorite posts of all time. The pictures and the words are a Christmas gift to me via your blog. The Rock...always there for us and always "cleft for me" to run to. Beautiful, powerful words to this well loved hymn. Thank you for sharing it.

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