Free to Be

There came a time, I felt a longing
   To be free;  free to be,
   To be a limb on the Tree of Life
      That would reach out and offer fruit
      To nourish the poor
          So they, too, would be free,
             Free to be.

I searched here and there,
   From mountain tops to chapel pews.
      Peace was nowhere.
   Even the sweet air of the South Pacific
      Held the stale quality
         Of freedom withheld.
   I came home in despair.

In my search for freedom, I came upon
   A layer of fog;
   A blanket of doubt
      Lay on top my labyrinth within -
         A mouse in a maze
            Trapped!

It soon became clear, I was the capture
   Who held myself prisoner all these tear-filled years.
In order to grow, I had to let go -
   To open my deadly grip,
   To surrender all my pride and shame,
   To hang in His loving arms.
I found freedom in His pain.

by Julie St. John   December, 1986

Today is Good Friday,  the day we remember the crucifixion of our Lord and King.  It is a good day because Jesus demonstrated His deep and lasting love for us.  Only in Christ will we find the freedom and peace we long for along the path of life.

I Ask for Thy Grace

I ask for Thy grace,
    Thy all sufficient grace;
    Thy grace to help me -
    Strengthen me this day.

Come to me, Lord,
    I call Thee.
Come to me to stay.

I seek Thy holy face,
    Thy most majestic face;
    Thy holy face to lead me
    As I pray.

Come to me, Lord,
    I call Thee.
Come to me to stay.

I call Thy holy name,
    Thy most majestic name;
    Thy holy name above
    All other names.

Jesus, Jesus,
    I love You.
Jesus, come to stay.

I ask for Thy grace,
    Thy all sufficient grace;
    Thy grace to help me -
    Strengthen me this day.

By Julie Dunlap  3-17-2012

Here is another short song I came up with as I was picking out a tune on my banjo.  In my weakness, I realize a need for God's grace to strengthen me for the day. This song is a prayer for grace - God's unmerited kindness to help us when we call upon Him.
 

 

Stabat Mater

At the Cross her station keeping

Stood the mournful mother weeping,

Where he hung, the dying Lord.

For her soul of joy bereaved,

Bowed with anguish, deeply grieved,

Felt the sharp and piercing sword.

Who, on Christ's dear mother gazing,

Pierced by anguish so amazing,

Born of woman, would not weep?

Who on Christ's dear mother thinking

Such a cup of sorrow drinking,

Would not share her sorrows deep?

For his people's sins chastised,

She beheld her Son despised,

Scourged, and crowned with thorns entwined.

Saw him then from judgment taken,

And in death by all forsaken,

Till his spirit he resigned.

Jesus, may her deep devotion

Stir in me the same emotion,

Fount of love, Redeemer kind.

That my heart fresh ardor gaining,

And a purer love attaining,

May with Thee acceptance find.

True repentance, Jesus, win me:

Savior print thy wounds within me.

Brand them on my stubborn heart.

As Thou bought'st, through tribulation,

In thy passion, my salvation,

Let me bear therein my part.

Let me mourn, O Lord, beside Thee

For the sins which crucified Thee,

While my life remains in me.

Take beneath the cross my station.

And in all thy desolation.

So unite myself to Thee.

Jesus, great beyond all other,

Turn not from me, heav'nly brother,

Let me too bewail thy pain.

Let my soul, thy death declaring,

Thy unsparing passion sharing,

Count thy bruises one be one.

Let thy stripes and scourging smite me;

At thy holy Cross requite me,

Let thy blood refresh me there.

O how sad and sore distressed

Now was she, that mother blessed

Of the sole-begotten One.

Deep the woe of her affliction,

When she saw the crucifixion

Of her everglorious Son.

Note: We sing this great hymn during Lent on Thursday evenings as we contemplate the way of the Cross.  

Love of Solitude

Come away, my child;
Learn from Me, my heart.
Still your troubled mind;
Calm your anxious thoughts.

Come away, my child;
Learn from Me, my ears.
Heed the call to holiness;
Listen long before you speak.

I will guide you, child;
You will falter now and then.
I am always near at hand;
You are My beloved friend.

Come away, my child;
Learn from Me, my feet and hands.
Doing deeds of mercy;
Loving lost and struggling man.

Come away, my child;
Learn from Me, my lips and tongue.
Speak good words of comfort;
Tell of Christ's redeeming plan.

by Julie Dunlap  4-23-2011

O Lord, Seek Us

O Lord, seek us, find
     In Thy patient care;
By Thy love before, behind us,
     Round us everywhere:
Lest the god of this world blind us,
     Lest he speak us fair
Lest he forge a chain to bind us,
     Lest he bait a snare.
Turn not from us, call to mind us,
     Find, embrace us, bear;
Be Thy love before, behind us,
     Round us, everywhere.

by Christina Rossetti   1830-1894

Surrender

Lord, I lift my feeble hands;
I entrust my humble husband -
Placing him in Your loving care,
Lifting him up in constant prayer.
Take him with Your steady hands
As he travels into foreign lands.

Guide him as he teaches.
Bless the Word he preaches.
Sustain him in Your arms;
Protect him from all harm.
May my soul be still
As I trust Your Holy Will.

by Julie Dunlap   1-24-2012

Note: My husband is going to Tanzania to teach evangelists all of  this month and the first week of March.  May God bless his time away.

Prodigal Son

Come back, my precious son, come back.
My grieved heart sends forth deep sighs.
I call to you, my son, come back.
Get loose of the crafty enemy's lies.

I recall bright boyhood days.
You knew the love of our saving Lord.
Tricks and deceptions led you astray;
Dormant in your captive heart lies God's Word.

Your Father loves you deeply, my son,
Eager to take you in outspread arms.
His mercy follows after you, my precious son.
The blood of Jesus breaks Satan's deadly charms.

by Julie Dunlap    9-25-2000

Many years ago I wrote this poem for Caleb, and I praise the Lord that he came back to our Father's outstretched arms.  The angels in heaven rejoice and celebrate his return.