How Deep the Father's Love for Us!

How deep the Father's love for us,

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the chosen One,

Bring many sons to glory

 

Behold the Man upon a cross,

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,

Call out among the scoffers

 

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

 

I will not boast in anything

No gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection

 

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom

by Stuart Townend

Another Snow Day!

I love snow days. As I teacher, it’s just as exciting as when I was a kid. There’s nothing like groggily waking up to a phone call and hearing, “School’s cancelled!” Now that I’m grown, sledding, building snow forts, and drinking hot cocoa has been replaced with doing laundry, washing dishes and making dinner on my holiday, but I don’t mind. (I do find some time for leisurely activities too...)

My first two years in Rolla teaching, we had no snow days. And of course, in Uganda we didn’t have any either. So this is my first year to experience them- and today is now the 4^th one this winter! It’s hard to believe that it was 78 degrees on Sunday, and now it’s pouring beautiful, white fluffy flakes- but I don’t mind! It’s lovely and I'm so thankful for the nice, relaxing day off!

The snow declares the beauty of our creator

He is glorious in splendor- Holy is His name!

He has washed me new like the freshly fallen white-

Clean, pure, and Redeemed by Christ

May all people be refreshed by His creation

Turn them to your face, O Lord

Open their hearts to see your glory

That all people may declare You as the Creator

and Your works majestic!

I love the Psalms, and as I was reading this morning I realized that the Psalmist did not live in a climate where they experienced much snowfall- otherwise I'm sure they would have written about it! So I decided to write my own Psalm about snow. The beauty of it draws me to worship our majestic Creator.

I took these pictures several snows ago. It was too snowy to go out and take pictures today- and I have yet to purchase a pair of snow boots! The first two pics are in Tower Grove Park (within walking distance from our house) and the last is our backyard.