This is from Mom and I, our most precious Christmas gift to our children and grandchildren. May this be our legacy, a lasting memory of who we are and who we want you to become.
One of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. Jn 19:34
BLOOD AND WATER
HIS LOVE IS SO FINE
HIS LOVE IS SO SO FINE
YOUR LOVE IS SO FINE
WE’LL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU PAID THE COST
VERSE 1
OUR EYES HAVE SEEN OUR HANDS HAVE TOUCHED
THE WORD OF LIFE THE FINAL SACRIFICE
COME TO KNOW HIM WALK IN HIS LIGHT
HE’S THE BOND WE HAVE WITH EACH OTHER
HOW GREAT IS YOUR LOVE FATHER
SENDING JESUS THROUGH BLOOD AND WATER
PLACED OUR SINS ON YOUR HOLY ONE
GAVE US LIFE THROUGH YOUR SON
1.5 X
VERSE 2
HOLY SPIRIT ALIVE IN US
RENEW OUR MINDS WITH THE OIL OF JOY
COME AND GUIDE US WORK IN TRUTH
YOU’RE THE ONE WHO HEALS ALL OUR WOUNDS
HIS LOVE IS SO FINE
BRIDGE
THIS IS LOVE FOR GOD
TO OBEY HIS COMMANDS
OH, AND THIS IS THE VICTORY THAT OVERCOMES
WHEN ITS ON FAITH WE STAND
VERSE 1 REPEAT
OUR EYES HAVE SEEN OUR HANDS HAVE TOUCHED
THE WORD OF LIFE THE FINAL SACRIFICE
COME TO KNOW HIM WALK IN HIS LIGHT
HE’S THE BOND WE HAVE WITH EACH OTHER
CHORUS 2X
GAVE US LIFE THROUGH YOUR SON
EXPLANATION: SENDING JESUS THROUGH BLOOD AND WATER
God the Father sent Jesus, His Son to earth to take on the form of a man to live a perfect, sinless life, so that Jesus could pay for our sins, in our place through His death. Once we believe this truth and receive this forgiveness, God then offers us life, which water symbolizes. We are born physically in water and it is physical water that sustains our physical life. Similarly, the Bible teaches that God is the source of the “Water of Life” Rev 22:1. In order to receive this life, we have to relinquish our control over our life to God. Galatians 2:20 explains this idea. We die (crucify) our old life, where we are in control of it with our selfish desires to allow Christ to control our actions. He sends His Holy Spirit into all who follow this step. The Bible describes this in John 7:38,39. Out of the inner most part of our being will flow rivers of living water which is love for others through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our love is conditional. Julia and I could only love each other as long as each did as we desired but receiving Christ allowed us to love each other unconditionally, even when we were unloving. We desire each of our children and grandchildren to experience the marriage we had. Our children know how much Jesus changed us to have such a wonderful marriage.
OH, HOW WE SHOULD LOVE
The opening word is per-do-NAH-mee in speech but when sung passionately it often comes out as pah-dda-REE It means: Forgive me (Italian).
WHY IS IT SO HARD TO FACE ADVERSITY
WHY IS THERE SUCH A COWARD INSIDE YOU AND ME
HOW WE FORGET YOUR GREAT SACRIFICE
HOW YOU MEASURED OUR SINS AND FREELY PAID THE PRICE
OH HOW WE SHOULD LOVE
BECAUSE OF ALL THATS BEEN FORGIVEN
OH HOW WE SHOULD LOVE
BECAUSE OF ALL OF OUR SINS
LET ME SEE THE JOY IN PERSECUTION
AND IF SUFFERING IS THE CALL, HELP ME TO GO
LEAD ME DOWN THE PATH YOU HAVE FOR ME LORD
TEACH ME EVERY DAY TO TRUST YOU MORE
OH HOW WE SHOULD LOVE
BECAUSE OF ALL THATS BEEN FORGIVEN
OH HOW WE SHOULD LOVE
BECAUSE OF ALL OF OUR SINS
WHY CAN’T WE JUST HAVE GRATEFUL HEARTS
UNDERSTANDING YOU DIED TO SET US ALL APART
THROWING OPEN THE PRISON DOOR AND NOW WERE FREE
I WANT TO LOVE YOU LORD THE WAY YOU LOVED ME
CHORUS
BRIDGE
THE WORD IN YOUR MIND IS WHAT YOU KNOW
THE WORD IN YOUR HEART IS WHAT YOU LIVE
OH HOW WE SHOULD LOVE
BECAUSE OF ALL THATS BEEN FORGIVEN
OH HOW WE SHOULD LOVE
BECAUSE OF ALL OF OUR SINS
CHORUS
OH HOW WE SHOULD LOVE
The gospel calls us to repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Ac 20:21). This means turning from sin and turning to Jesus as both Saviour (who forgives us) and Lord (who rules us) Ac 2:36. These are not two separate steps. They are two sides of the same coin. True saving faith receives both at the same moment. You cannot simply believe “Christ died for my sins” and stop there. Genuine faith also says, “Lord Jesus, I trust You to guide my life. I surrender to You.” This total surrender is what baptism beautifully declares. Baptism itself does not save you, only faith in Jesus’ blood (for forgiveness) and His risen life (for power to live anew) saves you. Yet baptism is a powerful public testimony: As you go under the water, you picture dying to your old self and its sins. As you come up out of the water, you picture rising to new life—now following the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Julia and I want to spend eternity with each of you. Jesus is the only Way (Jn 14:6).
CHRISTMAS Bonus: to the grandkids who like to dance!
A SIMPLE THING 2025
JUST A SIMPLE THING
THANK YOU PRECIOUS LORD
OH SUCH A SIMPLE THING
PRAISE YOU EVERY MORN
EVEN IF MY DAY IS DARK AND CLOUDY
AND THE STORMS THEY KEEP ROLLING IN
EVEN IF MY HEART WON’T STOP ACHING
FROM THE SORROW I HAVE SEEN
YOU’RE THE ARMS THAT I CAN RUN TO
YES, YOU’RE THE SHOULDER FOR MY HEAD
THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN COME BETWEEN US
FOR I KNOW YOUR LOVE IS ALWAYS THERE
CHORUS
WHEN MY TROUBLES GROW TO OVERWHELM ME
AND MY HEART TREMBLES NEXT TO YOURS
WHEN I SINK UNDERNEATH LIFE’S BURDENS
AND IT SEEMS THERE IS NO OPEN DOOR
YOU CALL AND SAY “COME TAKE MY HAND CHILD”
AND YOU ASK ME JUST TO TRUST YOU LORD
THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A SACRIFICE GREATER
FOR I KNOW YOU PAID THE PRICE FOR ALL
CHORUS
LORD I LOVE YOU
YES I DO
CHORUS
AND LORD I’M SO GRATEFUL
I WANT TO PRAISE YOU EVERY MORN