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That Old Rugged Cross

That Cross Letting earth-bound mind (and soul to) indulge thought The title of this hymn came to heart and memory And miraculously, after one "new" hymn I know not My freshly downloaded file played, "The Old Rugged Cross" Slowly but suddenly I'm a majority of one (in GOOD company) Echoing, "Cross, 'emblem of suffering and shame'" has a claim on me For sinners saved by One who gladly paid for all sin, shame, iniquity Because He would not let His handiwork (art, by Ancient Trinity) die My indulgence in thought-life, doubt-life, questioning-life Could not stand before the "attraction" of The Pure Lamb of God A bad day in "town" in our "backward" nation (my non-American life) Erased! Faith and fear may not coexist. Which one do we feed, reward? That Old Rugged Cross suades us to lay earthly trophies down - Something true about Calvary, an Artist wanting to save art - His own

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Beata Agustin

Date: 11/22/2021 9:54:00 PM

Thanks for sharing this, and sharing your faith, exposed through your spiritual muse. God bless you.

Anil Deo
Date: 11/22/2021 11:47:00 PM

Always a pleasure to have U visit, Beata, my Sister in the Philippines. Your Faith outstanding here on PS, is a warm comforting reminder to me that we are not alone (as Witnesses, with Testimony of the Goodness of Jesus) shalom, shalom

Debra L Brown

Date: 11/18/2021 7:25:00 PM

Anil, A lovely poem, "The Old Rugged Cross" was the first hymn that I sang when I was a little girl. It has a powerful message. Thanks Anil, You are such a blessing to all of us ~ Debra

Anil Deo
Date: 11/20/2021 8:57:00 AM

What a powerful hymn, as with John Newton's "Amazing Grace", and "It is well with my Soul." Many have some sad backgrounds, and make some hymns all the more evocative, universal, "eternal". Thanx My Sis in Jesus

Linda Darnall

Date: 11/9/2021 7:37:00 PM

What an inspiring poem! I can picture your old life being 'erased' and replaced by your new life--I especially liked this part: "My indulgence in thought-life, doubt-life, questioning-life Could not stand before the "attraction" of The Pure Lamb of God."That really spoke to me as I've been struggling with my own doubt-life taking over lately. Shalom!

Anil Deo
Date: 11/9/2021 10:27:00 PM

Linda, Linda, Linda (Agape love wanted me to tell U this. I am a "sucker" for wanting to erase injustice. And I am a happy FAMILY man). If some of the poems are true, U have suffered & my sense of justice - born under severe segregation in South Africa in 1959 - made me want to send hope in some way. But U have it; doubt is the other side of the coin of Faith (they inform each other). No questioning = slavery. Recall DOUBTING THOMAS? He had faith & we speak of him to this day especially in India and Syria!! y challenge is when doubt comes, I must NOT ACT quickly, but give ME & Jesus a chance, to get into SHALOM. If u study deeply SHALOM, U will make a breakthrough. For me it was obstacle & Light