Monthly Book Giveaway--Keep A Quiet Heart, by Elisabeth Elliot

For more information about Monthly Book Giveaways, click HERE.

I opened a book tonight on my bookshelf and looked at the haphazardly-stamped message inside its back cover: "This book no longer the property of ______________Library. 

It was a copy of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. The book was in good condition; I was glad to have it in my possession, but mourned the knowledge that the library possibly never replaced Bunyan's powerful spiritual allegory. 

Another incident came to my mind today. Some time ago, I was looking for a book written by Elisabeth Elliot. Entering a well-stocked, popular Christian bookstore, I approached an employee after having no success in locating the book. 

I asked her if they carried the particular book that I had in mind, and she somewhat-too-glibly answered that, "No; we don't really carry Elisabeth Elliot anymore..."

The old preacher Vance Havner used to warn of forgetting the ancient paths. Many of the older Christian authors have so much to offer to the church as a whole today, truths that must not be forgotten but rather pressed upon the heart like leaves between the pages of a book. It is my hope (in part) in continuing these Monthly Book Giveaways that some of the older authors and the deep truths that their words conveyed may be remembered. There are some wonderful modern authors, but I pray that we may never lose the influence of those who have gone before us and have been found faithful. 

So this month's book giveaway is for a copy of Elisabeth Elliot's beautiful devotional-like book Keep a Quiet Heart. I have been tremendously blessed by this book and so deeply appreciate Elisabeth Elliot's insights and spirit-filled wisdom and perspective. I pray that it may be a blessing to someone this month. 

Description of the book (from CBD):

When you long for a quiet refuge away from the noisy, frenetic circumstances of day-to-day commitments--where do you turn? If you're Elisabeth Elliot, acclaimed speaker and author of many best-selling books, you look to one place alone: to the embracing arms of our omnipotent and infinitely loving Heavenly Father. This book is a unique collection culled from the lead articles featured in Mrs. Elliot's newsletter over the past several years. "Mostly they are about learning to know God," the author says. "Nothing else comes close to being as important as that. It's what we are here for." Join Elisabeth as she points the way to a deeper, more fulfilling--and restful--walk with God.

Author Biography (from CBD):

Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015) was one of the most perceptive and popular Christian writers of the last century. The author of more than twenty books, including Passion and Purity, The Journals of Jim Elliot, and These Strange Ashes, Elliot offered guidance and encouragement to millions of readers worldwide.

And now for the giveaway! :-)

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You might find me on these link-ups:

Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, Inspire Me Monday, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, SDG Gathering, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Time Warp Wife, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, Motivate and Rejuvenate Mondays, So Much at Home, Raising Homemakers, Hope in Every Season, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, Testimony Tuesday, Tell His Story, A Soft Gentle Voice, My Daily Walk in His Grace, Women With Intention Wednesdays, Messy Marriage, The Charm of Home, Graced Simplicity, Theology Thursdays, Children Are A Blessing, Mittenstate Sheep and Wool, Imparting Grace, Preparedness Mama, A Look at the Book, Essential Thing Devotions, Thought Provoking Thursday, Every Day Jesus, Count My Blessings, Christian Mommy Blogger, Renewed Daily, Soul Survival, Good Morning Mondays, The Weekend Brew, Blessing Counters Link Party, The HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link Up, Grace and Truth Linkup, Faith Filled Friday, Saturday Soiree Blog Party, Tell It To Me Tuesdays, SHINE Blog Hop, Faith and  Fellowship Blog Hop, Motivate and Rejuvenate Monday Link-Up, A Little R&R Wednesdays. TGI Saturdays Blog Hop. Totally Terrific Tuesday, RaRaLinkup

Flying to a Summer Land

The owner of the tenement which I have occupied for many years has given notice that he will furnish but little or nothing more for repairs. I am advised to be ready to move.

At first this was not a very welcome notice. The surroundings here are in many respects very pleasant, and were it not for the evidence of decay, I should consider the house good enough. But even a light wind causes it to tremble and totter, and all the braces are not sufficient to make it secure. So I am getting ready to move.

--Streams in the Desert

So I am getting ready to move. And though the pain of being separated from those we love seems unbearable, though the uncertainty and anxiety and fear and apprehension threaten to choke His joy from us, we know that to obey means to follow the One who leads.

So I am getting ready to move. And we become attached to people, to places, to memories, to countries to cities, to cherished things.

It is good that we cherish. Do not be fooled into thinking that it isn't. That because this life is temporal we should treat people, memories, traditions as less than what God created them to be -- cherished. The key is not to hold onto things so lightly that they fall into the cracks and become inconsequential. The key is to hand the cherished things back to God in surrender.

And that is when we truly receive them: a gift. A gift of life that will echo eternally.

So I am getting ready to move.   

This life is temporal. The places that we call home will not be forever. This truth hit me like a brick over the past several months. I am the kind of person who becomes attached to a certain way of doing things, to a particular chair, to a certain kind of food or exercise program and will stick to it for years and years and years.

But an event in my life, a prompting of obedience from the Lord pressed this truth into my heart in a deeply personal way.

It was painful. It was lonely. I knew His presence through the pain that I thought that I could not face.

And I understood the truth of Elisabeth Elliot's words--

Sometimes... fear does not subside and... one must choose to do it afraid.

Obedience involves the pain of letting go of things that a person thought that they could not let go of. It involves clinging to the One who requires it. Obedience is the child of surrender, and the two walk hand-in-hand.

But in order to obey, we must realize that this life is not what we live for -- We live for another world, another home that will never be destroyed or worn down or taken from us.

We live for a home whose Builder and Maker is God.

And He is our home. 

It is strange how quickly one's interest is transferred to the prospective home. I have been consulting maps of the new country and reading descriptions of its inhabitants. One who visited it has returned, and from him I learn that it is beautiful beyond description; language breaks down in attempting to tell of what he heard while there. He says that, in order to make an investment there, he has suffered the loss of all things that he owned here, and even rejoices in what others would call making a sacrifice. Another, whose love to me has been proven by the greatest possible test, is now there. He has sent me several clusters of the most delicious fruits. After tasting them, all food here seems insipid.

Two or three times I have been down by the border of the river that forms the boundary, and have wished myself among the company of those who were singing praises to the King on the other side. Many of my friends have moved there. Before leaving they spoke of my coming later. I have seen the smile upon their faces as they passed out of sight. Often I am asked to make some new investments here, but my answer in every case is, "I am getting ready to move."

--Streams in the Desert

A painful act of obedience to the One who leads will produce the fruits of righteousness. The fruit that clings to its hard casing will never be free to ripen in the sun of His love. We let go so that we may receive. We go, as the missionary David Livingstone spoke and lived, in the confidence that His Presence goes before us.

And if His Presence goes before us, fear is swallowed up in joy.

We leave homes, lands, possessions

For the possession of Him, Himself.

He is our home.

Our home is with Him. In that beautiful Summer-land of glory. Where every tear will be wiped away from our eyes and all the promises in Him are Yes.

So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. Mark 10:29-30 NKJV

Possessing all that we truly loved. Possessing Him. Our eternal Home. 

The little birds trust God, for they go singing

From northern woods where autumn winds have blown,

With joyous faith their unmarked pathway winging

To summer-lands of song, afar, unknown.

Let us go singing, then, and not go crying:

Since we are sure our times are in His hand,

Why should we weep, and fear, and call it dying?

It's merely flying to a Summer Land.

--Streams in the Desert

You might find me on these link-ups:

Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, Inspire Me Monday, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, SDG Gathering, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Time Warp Wife, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, Motivate and Rejuvenate Mondays, So Much at Home, Raising Homemakers, Hope in Every Season, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, Testimony Tuesday, Tell His Story, A Soft Gentle Voice, My Daily Walk in His Grace, Women With Intention Wednesdays, Messy Marriage, The Charm of Home, Graced Simplicity, Theology Thursdays, Children Are A Blessing, Mittenstate Sheep and Wool, Imparting Grace, Preparedness Mama, A Look at the Book, Essential Thing Devotions, Thought Provoking Thursday, Every Day Jesus, Count My Blessings, Christian Mommy Blogger, Renewed Daily, Soul Survival, Good Morning Mondays, The Weekend Brew, Blessing Counters Link Party, The HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link Up, Grace and Truth Linkup, Faith Filled Friday, Saturday Soiree Blog Party, Tell It To Me Tuesdays, SHINE Blog Hop, Faith and  Fellowship Blog Hop, Motivate and Rejuvenate Monday Link-Up, A Little R&R Wednesdays. TGI Saturdays Blog Hop. Totally Terrific Tuesday, RaRaLinkup

All Our Empty Places--Review and a Giveaway!

The sequel to The Fragrance of Geraniums . . . 

 Book Two in the “A Time of Grace” trilogy – by Alicia G. Ruggieri

(read my interview with author Alicia Ruggieri HERE) 

In 1935, when the bank calls in her mortgage, Sarah Picoletti – now a penniless widow – finds herself and her children on the brink of homelessness. Sick at heart, she plans to beg her brother in New Jersey to take her family in.

Then Doctor Samuel Giorgi knocks on her door. Godly and well-off, Sam seems to have put the careless ways of his youth behind him, and he also appears to have one desire: to make Sarah his wife, two decades after he broke their engagement.

However, nothing prepares Sarah for the storm that breaks once she makes her decision. Everywhere she turns, the errors of her former choices confront her, insisting on her inferiority and the irreparable brokenness of her past. Sarah begins to wonder if Christ really can bring true redemption or if He is limited by her frailty.

Meanwhile, her daughter Grace faces new challenges in her own life. When her relationship with Paulie changes unexpectedly, Grace realizes that she must make a decision with the potential to alter both of their futures.

Compassionate and intensely poignant, All Our Empty Places paints the portrait of a mother and daughter with broken pasts, who dare to step into a future overflowing with the grace of the Cross.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alicia G. Ruggieri writes Christ-centered fiction that speaks of redemption. She received her B.A. in Communications and History from Rhode Island College and lives with her husband and their emotionally-disturbed pug on the New England coast.

My Review:

All Our Empty Places is the powerful, grace-saturated, gritty sequel to Alicia Ruggieri’s first novel in her A Time of Grace Trilogy, The Fragrance of Geraniums.

I remember reading The Fragrance of Geraniums, finishing it, and feeling so deeply and profoundly shaken and yet satisfied at the conclusion. I wondered what would become of Sarah, Grace’s mother, as well as Grace and Paulie.

Ruggieri’s second book, All Our Empty Places picks up the story where it left off in her first book. It is not a “happy ending” romance. It is a deep, poignant, look in to the heart and life of Sarah Picoletti, a woman who has been through the mill and back again, a woman who has put her faith in Christ but still holds onto “hang-ups” from her past, attitudes and memories that haunt her and seek to poison her future with their seeming power over her.

All through the book, the reader wonders, Will she be able to break free? Will the grace of Christ triumph? Ruggieri paints a beautiful picture of a broken woman—a picture which reaches out and speaks to the broken places in all of us, the places that we long and yearn for the love and grace of Christ to fill. Every woman who has experienced trials and difficulties can relate to Sarah’s struggle. Sarah’s husband, Sam Giorgi is a real-life representation of Christ. Their romance  and the strains that Sarah goes through in learning to trust in the love of her husband serves as a glorious allegory to the relationship between Christ and His church.

Meanwhile, the delightful friendship/romance between Sarah’s daughter, Grace, and Paulie continues to play out. I loved the strength of character that Grace exhibits as well as her reliance and submission to her Heavenly Father throughout the book. It is a wonderful example for young women who are seeking to honor the Lord in their romantic relationships and to place Him first in their lives. Where Sarah learns to hold on, Grace learns to let go. The twist at the end of the story involving Grace and Paulie was wholly unexpected , yet so, so intensely satisfying to the reader. And the result left me yearning to read the third book in order to find out what will happen.

I loved this book on so many different levels—the development of the characters, the unexpected and unpredictable plot twist and turns, the God-saturated and focused story-line that isn’t “preachy” but deeply ”real,” the beautiful, strong writing style that always draws me into Ruggieri’s books, and the lesson learned at the end of the novel—that His grace is sufficient in and through our weakness—and that when we are willing to let something go, that is when we truly possess it. Well-done, and I highly recommend this book for anyone who is seeking a deeper walk with Christ and a powerful, grace-filled romance.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AliciaGRuggieri

Blog: http://www.abrighterdestiny.blogspot.com

Twitter: @aliciaruggieri

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/AliciaGRuggieri

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/aliciagruggieri

PURCHASE LINKS:

All Our Empty Places (A Time of Grace, Book 2) – http://amzn.com/B014JVJYCK

The Fragrance of Geraniums (A Time of Grace, Book 1) – ON SALE for $0.99 through October 31, 2015 – http://amzn.com/B00P4PB7W6

THE GIVEAWAY:

One winner will receive – a signed softcover of All Our Empty Places; a mug with 2 Corinthians 12:9 inscribed on it; Caramel Apple Biscotti; and Harvest Spice Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate mix. (Open to U.S. residents only due to shipping costs.)



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You might find me on these link-ups:

Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, Inspire Me Monday, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, SDG Gathering, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Time Warp Wife, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, Motivate and Rejuvenate Mondays, So Much at Home, Raising Homemakers, Hope in Every Season, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, Testimony Tuesday, Tell His Story, A Soft Gentle Voice, My Daily Walk in His Grace, Women With Intention Wednesdays, Messy Marriage, The Charm of Home, Graced Simplicity, Theology Thursdays, Children Are A Blessing, Mittenstate Sheep and Wool, Imparting Grace, Preparedness Mama, A Look at the Book, Essential Thing Devotions, Thought Provoking Thursday, Every Day Jesus, Count My Blessings, Christian Mommy Blogger, Renewed Daily, Soul Survival, Good Morning Mondays, The Weekend Brew, Blessing Counters Link Party, The HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link Up, Grace and Truth Linkup, Faith Filled Friday, Saturday Soiree Blog Party, Tell It To Me Tuesdays, SHINE Blog Hop, Faith and  Fellowship Blog Hop, Motivate and Rejuvenate Monday Link-Up, A Little R&R Wednesdays. TGI Saturdays Blog Hop. Totally Terrific Tuesday, RaRaLinkup

Monthly Book Giveaway--Walking From East to West: God in the Shadows

For more information about Monthly Book Giveaways, click HERE.

“Sometimes in the shadows of one’s self lie the problems, and in the shadows of one’s shaping lie the answers.” 
― Ravi Zacharias, Walking from East to West: God in the Shadows

This month's giveaway is for a copy of Ravi Zacharias' Walking From East to West: God in the Shadows. 

I cannot speak more highly of Zacharias' books. The Lord's work is so evident through his words and through his humble Spirit-filled ministry that when I listen to him or read his words, I have to admit, I stand in quiet awe of the Holy Spirit working in and through this man. 

I read this particular book several years ago. It gives the reader an eye-opening glimpse into Zacharias' early life and conversion, and the Lord's subsequent use of Zacharias as a willing vessel for the spread of the Gospel. I am excited to offer this book and pray that the Lord would use it greatly in someone's life. 

Description of the Book from the Publisher:

For more than three decades, apologist Ravi Zacharias has shared bits and pieces of his personal life and experience. In Walking from East to West, now in softcover, Zacharias invites you to follow him on a journey through his life: to see and smell the neighborhood in India where he grew up, to feel a mother’s love and the consternation of a harsh father … and the lure of a rebellious soul. In a crisis experience, Zacharias exchanged pantheism for monotheism, and meaninglessness for true fulfillment in Christ. He has traveled from the East to the West, and then back again to answer skeptics’ penetrating questions about the meaning of life and the existence of a God who is there for his children. Zacharias invites you to follow him on this journey through his life and into the lives of others, and to see how he has become more convinced with each year that Jesus Christ is the one who came to give you life to the fullest.

Author Biography (from CBD)

Ravi Zacharias is President and Founder of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM).  Their global outreach grew from humble roots in 1984 and includes fielding a team of itinerant speakers who operate from offices located around the world including the U.S., the UK, Romania, the Middle East, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Canada.  The Hallmark of Ravi’s heart is his strong evangelistic and apologetic that manifests itself from a position of compassion.

R.S.B. Sawyer is a writer whose work has appeared in HarperOne’s Best Christian Writing Series.  He and his wife, Joy Roulier Sawyer, live in Denver, where they are active in the Lighthouse Writers Workshop community.  Their editing work together has earned awards from the Associated Church Press and the Catholic Press Association.

And now for the Giveaway! :-)


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You might find me on these link-ups:

Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, Inspire Me Monday, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, SDG Gathering, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Time Warp Wife, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, Motivate and Rejuvenate Mondays, So Much at Home, Raising Homemakers, Hope in Every Season, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, Testimony Tuesday, Tell His Story, A Soft Gentle Voice, My Daily Walk in His Grace, Women With Intention Wednesdays, Messy Marriage, The Charm of Home, Graced Simplicity, Theology Thursdays, Children Are A Blessing, Mittenstate Sheep and Wool, Imparting Grace, Preparedness Mama, A Look at the Book, Essential Thing Devotions, Thought Provoking Thursday, Every Day Jesus, Count My Blessings, Christian Mommy Blogger, Renewed Daily, Soul Survival, Good Morning Mondays, The Weekend Brew, Blessing Counters Link Party, The HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link Up, Grace and Truth Linkup, Faith Filled Friday, Saturday Soiree Blog Party, Tell It To Me Tuesdays, SHINE Blog Hop, Faith and  Fellowship Blog Hop, Motivate and Rejuvenate Monday Link-Up, A Little R&R Wednesdays. TGI Saturdays Blog Hop. Totally Terrific Tuesday, RaRaLinkup

Homeschooled Author Amanda Tero's Short Story Release--Peace, Be Still

A poignant, truth and trust-filled short story from the pen of homeschooled author, Amanda Tero:

Amanda's writing style is creative, straight-to-the-point, and very Biblically solid. In Peace Be Still, Amanda focuses on the necessity of trusting God in fearful situations, even when every circumstance seems to be adverse. Peace, Be Still is also about remaining faithful to our Heavenly Father even when we cannot "see" his face through the storms of life. His Presence is always with us. 

A wonderful read-aloud short-story for families, this book is also appropriate for inspirational individual reading. Amanda's stories always lead to the beauty of God's protection and love, the centrality of His Word in our lives, and the necessity of leaning upon our Heavenly Father in the everyday and commonplace circumstances of our lives. 

Excerpt:

When the clock chimed, Keith counted the strokes. Midnight. His fingers grasped the handle of the lantern. He peeked in the room to make sure his siblings were asleep then his legs led him to the stairs. Trailing behind Dad, the climb seemed an adventure. But the responsibility of his first time alone, at night, urged his body to move swiftly up the steep steps.

Check the lights. Check the wick. Check the vents. Wind the weights. Keith's mind went through Dad's drill and his hands seemed to work automatically. Dad had encouraged him once that he was a natural, but Keith found his hands shaking by the time he surveyed the lantern room. He ran through the list twice more. Everything seemed right, but he still checked it one last time before leaving the room. Hoping Dad had returned, Keith found himself praying again.

Visit Amanda's website to learn more about this wonderful short story as well as discover other short stories that Amanda has written.

You can also connect with Amanda on social media:

Facebook 
Blog
Goodreads 
Amazon

Author Bio:

Amanda Tero is a homeschool graduate whose desire is to provide God-honoring reading material that challenges the readers to consider their walk with God. She has currently published several short stories which can be found on Amazon on her website.

Enter the GIVEAWAY for a copy of Peace Be Still! 

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You might find me on these link-ups:

Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, Inspire Me Monday, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, SDG Gathering, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Time Warp Wife, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, Motivate and Rejuvenate Mondays, So Much at Home, Raising Homemakers, Hope in Every Season, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, Testimony Tuesday, Tell His Story, A Soft Gentle Voice, My Daily Walk in His Grace, Women With Intention Wednesdays, Messy Marriage, The Charm of Home, Graced Simplicity, Theology Thursdays, Children Are A Blessing, Mittenstate Sheep and Wool, Imparting Grace, Preparedness Mama, A Look at the Book, Essential Thing Devotions, Thought Provoking Thursday, Every Day Jesus, Count My Blessings, Christian Mommy Blogger, Renewed Daily, Soul Survival, Good Morning Mondays, The Weekend Brew, Blessing Counters Link Party, The HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link Up, Grace and Truth Linkup, Faith Filled Friday, Saturday Soiree Blog Party, Tell It To Me Tuesdays, SHINE Blog Hop, Faith and  Fellowship Blog Hop, Motivate and Rejuvenate Monday Link-Up, A Little R&R Wednesdays. TGI Saturdays Blog Hop. Totally Terrific Tuesday, RaRaLinkup

Bi-Weekly Hymn Spotlight: Come Down, O Love Divine

To learn more about Bi-Weekly hymn spotlights, click here. 

Come down, O love divine,

seek thou this soul of mine,

and visit it with thine own ardor glowing;

O Comforter, draw near,

within my heart appear,

and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing.

O let it freely burn,

till earthly passions turn

to dust and ashes in its heat consuming;

and let thy glorious light

shine ever on my sight,

and clothe me round, the while my path illuming.

Let holy charity

mine outward vesture be,

and lowliness become mine inner clothing;

true lowliness of heart,

which takes the humbler part,

and o'er its own shortcomings weeps with loathing.

And so the yearning strong,

with which the soul will long,

shall far outpass the power of human telling;

for none can guess its grace,

till Love create a place

wherein the Holy Spirit makes a dwelling.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Words: Bianco da Siena, d. 1434;

trans. Richard Frederick Littledale, Jr., 1867

Brief Synopsis:

Not much is known about the author of this beautiful hymn. A Catholic mystic, Bianco Da Siena, was born in a small Italian hamlet, Anciolina. He later moved to Siena, where he worked as a wood carver. Bianco was a member of the Gesuati, living in a monastery. He composed his music in what is known as the "laude" form (a form that was used outside of the Catholic liturgy and was usually composed as "melody only.")

Bianco's hymn became better known after the Irish composer, Richard Littledale translated 4 of the hymn's stanzas and it was put in the English Hymnal in 1906. 

The English composer Ralph Vaughn Williams (1872-1958) later set the hymn to music in a way that draws the beauty and richness of the lyrics out. 


How is this hymn meaningful to believers, past and present?


I was introduced to this hymn through listening to a recording of musician Fernando Ortega performing it. The lyrics struck me with their simple poignancy and it seemed as though grace breathed through the notes. The hymn spoke to me of surrender--of surrendering one's whole soul, life, body, spirit, mind, and heart to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 

And then it spoke of that filling, that indescribable moment when the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in a believer's heart and begins to mold and shape every aspect of his inner person. 

I grew up surrounded by and immersed in very Conservative theology. I am grateful for the solid, biblical foundation that the Lord provided for me through that experience. I was "grounded" in the Word, taught that the Word is unchanging, and convinced of the authority of the Scriptures. This was a great blessing to me. 

However, the Lord also allowed me to be influenced by a person very close to me to read the "mystics," and by mystics, I mean those believers who held that the Holy Spirit works in a believer's life powerfully and fruitfully, and most important--personally. 

Lilias Trotter, Oswald Chambers, Andrew Murray, and Amy Carmichael, among others had a profound effect upon me. Theirs and others' writing brought the Holy Spirit alive for me--because all of the right theology in the world doesn't produce holiness. Only the Holy Spirit's powerful working in a believer's heart does. 

More recently, the Lord led me to read A. W. Tozer's writing, and I have been tremendously blessed through that as well. I felt a kindred bond to him when I read these words that he spoke to renowned theologian Martyn Llloyd Jones:


'Once', Martyn Lloyd-Jones recalled, 'Dr. Tozer and I shared a conference years ago, and I appreciated his ministry and his fellowship very much. One day he said to me: 'Lloyd-Jones, you and I hold just about the same position on spiritual matters, but we have come to this position by different routes.' 'How do you mean?' I asked. 'Well,' Tozer replied, 'you came by way of the Puritans and I came by way of the mystics.' And, you know,' said Lloyd-Jones, 'he was right.'

I am profoundly grateful for "right" theology. I am also profoundly grateful for the personal, life-changing work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life, the work of which this beautiful hymn speaks.  They are a two-fold cord that cannot be torn apart. 

May the Lord touch each of his people with a keen understanding of the Spirit's individual work in their lives and circumstances and may He grant to each of us that "yearning strong," of which Bianco da Siena writes. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sources:
http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-italian-mystic-composes-melodic-o-love-divine

http://www.lectionary.org/HymnStories/Come%20Down,%20O%20Love%20Divine.htm

The Life of A.W. Tozer: In Pursuit of God, by James L. Snyder 



You might find me on these link-ups:

Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, Inspire Me Monday, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, SDG Gathering, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Time Warp Wife, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, Motivate and Rejuvenate Mondays, So Much at Home, Raising Homemakers, Hope in Every Season, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, Testimony Tuesday, Tell His Story, A Soft Gentle Voice, My Daily Walk in His Grace, Women With Intention Wednesdays, Messy Marriage, The Charm of Home, Graced Simplicity, Theology Thursdays, Children Are A Blessing, Mittenstate Sheep and Wool, Imparting Grace, Preparedness Mama, A Look at the Book, Essential Thing Devotions, Thought Provoking Thursday, Every Day Jesus, Count My Blessings, Christian Mommy Blogger, Renewed Daily, Soul Survival, Good Morning Mondays, The Weekend Brew, Blessing Counters Link Party, The HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link Up, Grace and Truth Linkup, Faith Filled Friday, Saturday Soiree Blog Party, Tell It To Me Tuesdays, SHINE Blog Hop, Faith and  Fellowship Blog Hop, Motivate and Rejuvenate Monday Link-Up, A Little R&R Wednesdays. TGI Saturdays Blog Hop. Totally Terrific Tuesday, RaRaLinkup