Love Lifted Me

He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters

(Psalm 18:16 KJV).

The hymn “Love Lifted Me” is a picture of someone drowning in sin. But rather than sinking into death, Christ lifts them from their trespasses and gives them a new life in Him.

Salvation is certainly a reason to break out in song!

The Author

“Love Lifted Me” was written in 1912 by James Rowe and Howard Smith. Rowe wrote the lyrics. Smith provided the music. Other familiar hymns written by James Rowe can be found in hymnals across the land. Hymns such as…

If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again | You Never Mentioned Him to Me | I Would Be Like Jesus | Sweeter As The Years Go By | Redeemed (This is not the hymn “Redeemed” by Fanny Crosby.)

If you research James Rowe, you will find recurring themes throughout his hymns. For instance, the Savior’s love for His children is portrayed in this hymn. Rescued from sin is another theme I found. Service and devotion are also mentioned. All encourage the singer and reader to draw closer to God and live a devoted life.

The Song

I was sinking deep in sin, Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, Sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea Heard my despairing cry,
From the water lifted me—Now safe am I.

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help, Love lifted me!

All my heart to Him I give, Ever to Him I’ll cling,
In His blessed presence live, Ever His praises sing;
Love so mighty and so true Merits my soul’s best songs,
Faithful, loving, service too, To Him belongs.

Souls in danger, look above; Jesus completely saves;
He will lift you by His love Out of the angry waves.
He’s the Master of the sea, Billows His will obey;
He your Savior wants to be—Be saved today.

Text by James Rowe. Music by Howard E. Smith
Public Domain

The Solid Rock

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11 KJV).

Hoarding Boards

In April, I decided it was time to create something beautiful from the aftermath of 2024. My plan was to clean up the remaining trees and limbs, repair the minor damage, and bring life to this sleepy farm.

I began preparing for our “new life” by cleaning and organizing the barn. Hubby suggested we start by throwing away my stack of 1 x 4 x 10 pressure-treated boards. Of course, Hubby knew that was an easy no. LOL.

Why do I hoard that stack of boards? Because we purchased them over twenty-five years ago when you could buy straight wood that lasted more than a year without warping or rotting. And because those same boards were the foundation of my first porch on this farm.

Years later, my son and I redesigned the front porch and used the old boards as the decking for our back porch. (I walk on it every day.) I have used the extra boards for several projects. One example is covering a pergola. My current DIY is using them to build a fence around our raised beds. 😊

In contrast, we have rebuilt the steps on our carport three times in thirteen years due to rotting and twisting wood. Get rid of my boards? Hardly!

Nothing beats a solid foundation!

Slippery Slopes and Shifting Sands

As a babe in Christ, I devoured Christian books and music. The biblical truths contained in the words changed my life. Sadly, I’ve watched Christian leaders walk away from the foundational truth they once shared, leaving people reeling and questioning what went wrong.

It would have been easy to let their decisions affect my walk with Christ. But God’s love held me and directed my steps. I kept what I knew to be true in their earlier books and songs and walked away from the rest.

My purpose for this post is not to spread gossip but to remind us that compromise is a slippery slope. It can be so subtle we fail to recognize the shift until it’s too late.

In today’s world, (then and now) we must not trust opinions or emotions to keep us anchored. The truth we hold must be the truth found in Jesus, our solid Rock.

He never fails. Just because leaders fall doesn’t mean our faith has to fail. God is faithful, true, and just. He will always be there for us, guiding and teaching us along the way. Let’s search and memorize Scripture. Then when storms arise, let us lean into the truth found between the pages of His Word.

 The Song

Edward Mote knew nothing of Christ until later in life. After he became a Christian, he wrote “The Solid Rock” to encourage Christians to trust in Christ alone for their salvation. He served as a Baptist pastor in Horsham, Sussex.

The Solid Rock

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the vale.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before his throne.

The Solid Rock | Edward Mote | 1834 | Public Domain

Thank You

After months of changes, blessings, and hard work on the farm, it is good to be back. Thank you for reading. As always, I appreciate you. You are a blessing!

He is Risen

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know you seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you (Matthew 28:4-7 KJV).