rescue the perishing.............

care for the dying, Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.....

So it was written a long time ago...1870 to be exact- but the words have been ringing over and over in my heart since katrina made land fall and as we watched rita prepare to hit.

i was doing some visiting in midland over labor day weekend and was told i needed to hear this hymn that was done in the church service the week before- before katrina hit- before we knew what we now see.

a couple had taken the song and arranged it a little differently- added to the chours gave it a bridge- but the truth of the words rang out just like they must have back in 1870 when Fanny Crosby wrote it- a call to all- a plea- a comand- a duty..........

i keep coming back to the words- "rescue the perishing, care for the dying, snatch them in pity from sin and the grave; weep over the erring one, lift up the fallen, tell them of Jesus the mighty to save. .....rescue the perishing, care for the dying, Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save."....

how? what can i do? pray- sure been there doing that....but what can i physically do? how can my hand reach out?

"Though they are slighting him, still he is waiting, waiting the penitent child to receive; plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently; he will forgive if they only believe. .......rescue the persishing, care for the dying, Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save."

life is a precious gift- i have been glued to fox news over the past weeks- watching- looking- crying- seeing the devistation and heartbreak on the faces of so many. their questions ring out in my mind........"WHY?" ...... i have been relieved to see that many people are not trying to answer that question with smugness- with "the answer"- instead i have seen (on the most part) compassion. compassion on the faces of those who have gone to help....compassion on the faces of those who are reaching out.....compassion- it is a beautiful thing in the midst of dispare and horror.....

"down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter, feelings lie buried that grace can restore; touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness, chords that were broken will vibrate once more.......rescue the persishing, care for the dying, Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save...... Rescue the perishing, duty demands it; strength for thy labor the Lord will provide; back to the narrow way patiently win them; tell the poor wanderer a Savior has died.....rescue the perishing, care for the dying, Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save!"

how will you be a part of the "rescue" mission? i am trying to figure that out myself right now- how can my hands reach out....how can i wash?

rescue the perishing, care for the dying, Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save!