This is a song by Michael Card and it sort of ties in with my blog post.  For those of you who are struggling right now, this song is such a heart lifter.  It reminds us that there is a joy in the journey of life.  This life God has given us is a gift and it is meant to be enjoyed.  There will come hard times, and we will struggle with sin, but forget not the road before you.  God is a loving God and He has given us this life as an enjoyment.  We are on a journey, following hard after God, and though there are toils and snares along the way, there is a joy that comes with it.  I hope you can look this song up and listen to it, but here are the words!
There is a joy in the journey There's a light we can love on the way There is a wonder and wildness to life And freedom for those who obey And all those who seek it shall find it A pardon for all who believe Hope for the hopeless and sight for the blind To all who've been born in the Spirit And who share incarnation with Him Who belong to eternity stranded in time And weary of struggling with sin Forget not the hope that's before you And never stop counting the cost Remember the hopelessness when you were lost There is a joy in the journey There's a light we can love on the way There is a wonder and wildness to life And freedom for those who obey And freedom for those who obey...

This hymn is such a good look at Christ's incarnation and salvation.  It asks a humble question to start off.  Can it be that I should gain anything in Christ's blood?  How can it be that my God would die for me?  We will never be able to fully understand God's love for us, but we can pray that God will show us more and more how much love He showed by dying for us.  This hymn explores different aspects of Jesus' leaving of heaven and emptying Himself.  It explores the nature of salvation.  Our chains fall off, our heart becomes free, we rise and we follow Christ.  It also talks about forgiveness and how there is no condemnation for we who are in Christ.  I hope you enjoy this hymn and ponder Christ's great love. 

1. And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Savior’s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain-- For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, should die for me? 2. ’Tis mystery all: the Immortal dies: Who can explore His strange design? In vain the firstborn seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine. ’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, Let angel minds inquire no more. 3. He left His Father’s throne above So free, so infinite His grace-- Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race: ’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me! 4. Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray-- I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. 5. Still the small inward voice I hear, That whispers all my sins forgiven; Still the atoning blood is near, That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven. I feel the life His wounds impart; I feel the Savior in my heart. 6. No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine; Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach the eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Most of us probably learned this hymn when we were little kids.  It's a great children's hymn, but who said that it's only for children?!  I was going through a hard time the past couple of days, and it was hard to talk to God...He seemed so far away.  This hymn helped me stay joyful and secure in my walk with God.  Jesus loves me, this I know.  We need to remember this.  No matter what we feel like or what is happening, Jesus loves you, this you know.  So, read this hymn and sing it outloud, rejoicing with the fact that Jesus loves us, and we know it! 
Jesus loves me! This I know, For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; They are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. Jesus loves me! This I know, As He loved so long ago, Taking children on His knee, Saying, “Let them come to Me.”Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. Jesus loves me still today, Walking with me on my way, Wanting as a friend to give Light and love to all who live. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. Jesus loves me! He who died Heaven’s gate to open wide; He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. Jesus loves me! He will stay Close beside me all the way; Thou hast bled and died for me, I will henceforth live for Thee. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. Jesus loves me! Loves me still, Though I’m very weak and ill, That I might from sin be free Bled and died upon the tree.Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
 

   This is one of the greatest hymns that came out of the Reformation.  It's by Martin Luther, and it is all about God being our Mighty Fortress.  It helps put our lives in perspective, showing us how without God, our striving would be failing, but with the Right Man on our side, we can prevail over sin and over Satan.  I think it paints a very clear picture of life with God as our Fortress, and Satan as our enemy.  God is a bulwark never failing, a fortress that cannot be destroyed.  And, though our ancient foe (Satan) is trying to hurt us, Christ is the man who gives us the strength to confide in, for if we were left up to ourselves, we would be losing.  We tremble not for Satan, for one little word shall fell him.  I hope you enjoy this hymn as much as I have.

1. A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal. 2. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same, And He must win the battle. 3. And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him. 4. That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth: Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever.