Pig-Slop Kiss

based on Luke 15:11-24

Dirty, grimy, gross, and poor,
Tired, weary to the core,
Awkward, muddy, rebellious teen,
Unbathed, anything but clean.

Clean, pure, washed, and wealthy,
Strong, well-dressed, able, healthy,
Confident, transparent, graceful,
Always patient, ever faithful.

Joyful greeting, undignified run,
Huge hug for Father and son.
Blatant forgiveness, ginormous party,
Big meal--potatoes and steak kind of hardy.

Laughter and joy so starkly contrasted
To past fleeting pleasures that never had lasted.
No more pigpen, instead royal treatment,
Despite the child's poor choices so frequent.

Miracle of love--it holds no grudge;
Reconciled! though I was covered in sludge.
What beautiful reality! Our Father planned this
And rejoiced to give me a pig-slop kiss.

Christmas Gift of Grace

for Marilla K., whose FB status inspired me

Christmas Eve is here again
And Santa's hitched his sleigh
To bring the good little girls and boys
Their gifts for Christmas day.
Let's hope that they've most diligently
Earned the bearded man's favor
By being perfect, little angels
While on their best behavior.
To get the big man's presents
One must strive and one must do;
His gifts are not free of charge
Watch out! I'm warning you!

Christmas Eve is here again
And a baby's in the hay
To bring all the little girls and boys
A gift on Christmas day.
He's come as a symbol of the Father's love
And His unmerited favor
Even though we are not perfect
And we have sinful behavior.
To get this baby's present
One must only truly believe
In the gift that is free of charge
And Jesus' grace receive.

Christmas Day is here again;
Joy our Jesus brings.
But not only the reason for the season He is
But the reason for everything!

Thou Hast Redeemed My Life

Thou Hast Redeemed My Life

Based on Lam. 22, 2008

April 22, 2008

Thou hast redeemed my life

Lord, how I praise Thy name!

Thou savest me from death’s despair

And from hell’s flame.

Chorus:

Thou hast redeemed my heart, my soul,

Thus I yield all I have and am to Thy control.

Thou hast redeemed my life

From dungeons low and dark

Thou hast given strength to run

Unto the mark.

Chorus

Thou hast redeemed my life

I cry; Thou drawest near.

In this I hear Thee call me

“Child, do not fear.”

Chorus

Thou hast redeemed my life

Though Satan yieldeth not.

Thou givest grace to me to fight.

Thee I have sought.

Chorus

Thou hast redeemed my life

And heard my breath, my voice.

In Thee my Savior and my God

I do rejoice!

Chorus

Opt. Tune: My Hope is in the Lord

Clothed in His Righteousness

Clothed in His righteousness, robed in salvation
Jesus hath cleansed me and made me His own.
He left His glory to bring me redemption
That I might enter my heavenly home.
Chorus

Chorus:
Clothed in His righteousness
Robed in His sacrifice
Jesus hath changed me; now I am His own!
Robed so the Father will know me in glory
When I appear before His glorious throne.

Clothed in His righteousness, robed in salvation
Christ hath prepared me to meet Him on high.
When He changed me, He gave me His white garment
Keeping it spotless from sin’s blot am I.

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, February 20, 2008

All rights reserved.
Opt. Tune: Great is Thy Faithfulness

Happy Day, Joyous Way!

As I walk in His way
All my heart rejoices
I sing praise to His name
Joining heav’nly voices.
I am His, He is mine,
Wondrous love is this!
Since my heart has been redeemed
He my substitute is.
Chorus

Chorus
Happy day! Joyous Way!
Walking with my Savior.
In His love, eyes above
Living in His favor.
Sins erased by His grace
Now I seek His face
Thus I live, my heart rejoicing
To His praise.

Once I walked in the path,
Road of sin and sorrow.
But that changed, now I have
Hope for all tomorrows.
He has giv’n, peace and heav’n,
Bought by His own life.
Now I rejoice in His love
Tell others of my Christ.
Chorus

Based on Psalm 68:3-4
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, February 20, 2008
All rights reserved.
Opt. Tune: Wonderful, Wonderful

Send Out Thy Light

Once I floated in derision and despair on earth’s wide sea
My ship had wrecked, I had no hope.
Then suddenly, a shadow, a ship along beside
Then a man threw me a scarlet rope.
Chorus

Chorus:
Send out Thy light
Send out Thy truth.
Lord, let them lead me
To Calvary.
Use me, I pray
To show Thy way.
Lord send out Thy light,
Thy truth through me.

With joy I grabbed the life-line; my hope had been restored.
To think that Someone cared for me!
I know there in that moment that I would give me life
To helping others to safety.
Chorus


Based on Psalm 43:3
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, February 13, 2008
All rights reserved.
Opt. Tune: He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels

A Child of God and Free from Sin

A child of God and free from sin,
Redeemed by Calvary.
I died with Christ upon the cross
And through Him I am free.
Chorus

Chorus:
Through Christ I am free;
Through Christ I am free.
Dead to sin, alive through Christ
As through Christ I am free.

A child of God and free from sin,
I bear this guilt no more
No condemnation I shall dread
Since I died with my Lord.
Chorus

A child of God and free from sin,
Dominion, sin has not.
I walk in newness of live and heart
For with His blood I am bought.
Chorus

Based on Romans 6
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, May 23, 2007
All rights reserved.
Opt. tune: Christ Liveth in Me

Yet Still

I was born in the world
And sin filled my life
The Devil was lord,
Yet still
God sent Christ.

Though His child through Christ’s blood
I clung still to some
Old “pleasures” in sin
Yet still
Christ called, “come.”

Like a sheep I rebelled
From the Shepherd away
Disobedient I wandered
Yet still
Jesus stayed.

All alone in the desert
All my pride disappeared.
I had failed, but forgiven.
Yet still
Christ was there.

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, March 25, 2007
All rights reserved.

He Who Redeemeth

He who redeemeth my life from destruction
From everlasting His righteousness stands.
The Lord hath prepared Him a throne in the heavens
His kingdom ruleth all over the land.

He who redeemeth my life in His mercy,
In Him alone and Him only I fear.
My Lord, He is mercious and plenteous in graciousness.
When I cry unto His name, He shall hear.

He who redeemeth my heart from iniquity
He hath forgiven and cleansed me from sin.
As far as the east and the west are in distance
He hath removed my transgressions from Him.

He who redeemeth me, my soul doth praise Him.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, praise His dear name!
For He hath redeemed me and crowned me with mercies
He is my Lord, I’ll forever proclaim!

Based on Psalm 103
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, February 7, 2006
All rights reserved.

All in Jesus!

Once I lived in wreckless sinning,
Once I had no hope, no plan.
‘Till one day the Savior whispered,
“Child reach up and take my hand.
I will lead you through the trouble,
From your sin I’ll set you free!”
From that blessed moment onward,
I was washed by Calvary!

Jesus came and gave me purpose,
Led me through the scorching fire.
Yet in Jesus, I was unharmed.
Found in Him my one desire.
Strength in weakness, help in trouble,
Water for a thirsty soul!
But to find my all in Jesus,
Christ the Lamb who made me whole!

Now I find my all in Jesus!
He’s my Savior and my King!
With the ransomed souls in glory,
Soon I’ll lift my voice and sing!
Fill me with Thy love and passion,
As I answer Thy strong call.
O, that I might one day witness,
Lord, that Thou hast been my All!

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, February 13, 2005

All rights reserved.