His Robes for Mine

His Robes For Mine

by Chris Anderson

His robes for mine: O wonderful exchange!

Clothed in my sin, Christ suffered ‘neath God’s rage.

Draped in His righteousness, I’m justified.

In Christ I live, for in my place He died.

I cling to Christ, and marvel at the cost:

Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God.

Bought by such love, my life is not my own.

My praise - my all - shall be for Christ alone.

His robes for mine: what cause have I for dread?

God’s daunting Law Christ mastered in my stead.

Faultless I stand with righteous works not mine,

Saved by my Lord’s vicarious death and life.

I cling to Christ, and marvel at the cost:

Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God.

Bought by such love, my life is not my own.

My praise - my all - shall be for Christ alone.

His robes for mine: God’s justice is appeased.

Jesus is crushed, and thus the Father’s pleased.

Christ drank God’s wrath on sin, then cried “‘Tis done!”

Sin’s wage is paid; propitiation won.

I cling to Christ, and marvel at the cost:

Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God.

Bought by such love, my life is not my own.

My praise - my all - shall be for Christ alone.

His robes for mine: such anguish none can know.

Christ, God’s beloved, condemned as though His foe.

He, as though I, accursed and left alone;

I, as though He, embraced and welcomed home!

I cling to Christ, and marvel at the cost:

Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God.

Bought by such love, my life is not my own.

My praise - my all - shall be for Christ alone.

__________________

Wow.

No, seriously. Did you READ that? Did you THINK about it? If not, please go back!

WOW!!!!

A Whole New World

So... I have a Disney song stuck in my head right now and decided to use it for my post title. It kinda fits some of what I have to say. =)

I have now been in Arizona for almost two weeks. It's been great! The trip down here was pretty good overall, though we did run into a few problems. Wind and broken brakes. Nothing major. lol

I am staying in a little cabin called the "green bean." It has a bedroom, a bathroom, a small kitchen, and a small living room. I love it! I even have a small refrigerator, so I can keep important stuff like salsa and peanut butter around.

(I've been coming to realize that I'm weird when it comes to the temperature of things. I dislike room temperature peanut butter, salsa, or rice milk. Cold cold cold is the best! I think there was something else that some people eat room temperature that I prefer cold... but I don't remember what it was.)

I've been keeping pretty busy cleaning stuff... a cabin, a shed, etc. I've been helping go through a bunch of storage boxes, too. I have enjoyed pretty much every moment here. The worst thing was cleaning up after a pack rat that moved into a storage place. That was one messy critter! I actually didn't mind most of the mess, but there was a stove that was being stored, and the little guy ... messed it up. In spite of how disgusting it was, it only took me 10-15 minutes to clean. So 10-15 not-so-great minutes out of two weeks is not bad at all. =D

I got a library card (a very important thing no matter where I'm at!) last week and checked out a few books. Now I just have to make sure that I keep up with my account. As fast as time is flying here, that could be a bit difficult.

The weather here has been kinda cool, but very dry. I'm using lotion like crazy. I'm definitely going to need a new bottle before I leave. Even though I opened the bottle here. And chapstick???? I was already using a lot in Colorado. Here? I'm going through it pretty quick. ly.

I need to get back to work, but I'll try to post when I can! Hope you all are doing well! I really need to try and gets some time to read ya'll's blogs and comment on them.

TTFN!

Barbossa is Hungry

Hey, everyone! I did this awhile ago, but I'm doing it again because I thought it was fun. =) Great farewell post, I know... lol 

To do this yourself, get your mp3 player or iTunes or something and shuffle the songs. The first song is the answer to the first question, second song is the answer to the second question, etc etc etc

If someone asks "are you okay" you say?

Darcy Returns - Carl Davis

What would best describe your personality?

His Wondrous Love - The Wilds

How would you best describe yourself?

War at Home - Josh Groban

What do you like in a guy/girl?

All Hail the Power - Steve Pettit Evangelistic Team

How do you feel today?

I Will Never Leave You - Mac and Beth Lynch

(Okay... that might be what I WANT... but I'm still leaving tomorrow)

What is your life's purpose?

Test Drive - John Powell

What is your motto?

Our Great Savior - Don Marsh and orchestra

What do your friends think of you?

Here is Love - SoundForth

What do your parents think of you?

When God is Silent - The Wilds

What do you think of most often?

Saphira's First Flight - Patrick Doyle

What is 2 + 2?

Send in the Clowns

What do you think of your best friend?

Heritage of the Wolf - James Horner 

What do you think of the person you like?

There's No Higher Calling - Ron Hamilton

What is your life story?

I Was Made to Praise the Lord - Ron Hamilton

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Guitar Lullaby - Mark Mancina

What do you think when you see the person you like?

Healing Incantation - Mandy Moore

What will you do at your wedding?

Coriakin and the Map - David Arnold

What will they play at your funeral?

Underwater March - Klaus Badelt

What is your hobby/interest?

Return of Bingley - Carl Davis

What is your biggest fear?

Wonderful Words of Life - The Wilds

(SO not true!)

What is your biggest secret?

A Last Reading - Adrian Johnston

What do you want to do right now?

I Stand Amazed - James Koerts

What do you think of your friends?

Sweet Dreams - Jim Brickman

What is the worst thing that could happen?

Jane's Escape - Dario Marianelli

What is the one thing you regret?

I've Got a Dream - Mandy Moore 

What makes you laugh?

The Prince's Decision - George Fenton

What makes you cry?

Seaside - Samuel Sim

Will you ever get married?

My Faith Has Found a Resting Place - Ron and Shelly Hamilton

What scares you the most?

On the Wings of Love - David Osborne

Does anyone like you?

It's a Real Job - John Debney 

L. O. L. 

If you could go back in time, what would you change?

Emma - Rachel Portman 

What hurts right now?

September Healing - Spencer Lewis

What would you want to say to the person who tagged you?

I Sing the Might Power of God - James Koerts

What will you name this note?

Barbossa is Hungry - Klaus Badelt

On Purpose

I've had this video in my sidebar for some time now, but I'm not sure how many of you have seen it. Nick's story was brought up in church last Sunday, and something that he says has continually popped out at me throughout the week. Before I go into that, though, here's the video again:



What Nick says at about four minutes into the video really stood out to me. "It was done so that the works of God might be revealed through him." God had an ultimate purpose in giving Nick a life with no limbs. He had a purpose for giving the man in John 9 a life without sight.

To reveal Himself.


It's easy to look at these stories and say, "Wow. God was really able to show Himself through these people because of what they didn't have." But I started looking at it from another angle. Sure, Nick has a great platform because of his situation. But the truth is, God can be seen just as well in my life - if I'll let Him. God may have purposely made Nick without limbs in order to draw many to Himself... but He also made me with limbs for the same purpose!

I find it so easy to look at other people and see what God gave them (or didn't give them) to make them wonderful witnesses. The things that make them "better than me." This week I've been realizing, though, that God made me the way He did...

and He did it on purpose.

Voyage

On Saturday I finally got to see Voyage of the Dawn Treader!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! After so many people going on and on about how different from the book it was and how HORRIBLE the movie itself was, I went to watch it with high hopes and low expectations, if that makes sense.

I. LOVED. it. Yeah... they really strayed in some areas. But I still liked it. The cast was (still) amazing! The colors! Oh. my. word. Love love loved!!! I hope they'll look as good on DVD as they did on blu-ray. Anyhow... I hope I get to watch it again soon! I might write a more specific review soon if I have the time.

On another note, I'm only one week away from my own voyage. A voyage into the unknown, of sorts. I'm leaving for Arizona next Monday. Wow, did that sneak up! I'm not sure how often I'll be able to post while I'm gone. I'll be back in August, but I sure hope I'll be able to blog before then!

Sorry this post is so short, but for whatever reason I can't seem to concentrate. I hope to do a better post soon.

The Collection

I told you in a previous post that I got a new elephant. An adorable elephant, at that. And I decided that I would post a picture. So here's the latest addition to my collection:

Now... I have a confession to make. I'm quite a rebel when it comes to stuffed animals. I like to name them myself. According to his name tag, this cutie is supposed to be Ellison. But I'm calling him (don't laugh) Teddy. He's the most teddy-bear-ish elephant I've ever had. =D

Now... I took a collection of pictures awhile ago, intending to do a post on my elephant collection. But I decided that you would probably all be bored to death. But then... my friend Kyrstin asked to see my collection and hear how it got started! I need no more encouragement than that. So I now present to you...

My elephants.

Humphrey, a gift from my friend Haley

My friend Erin found this one at the thrift store. Pen holder/coin bank. CUTE!

This is the first elephant I got. He was a white elephant gift at a Christmas party. lol 

(I'll let you all laugh at my elephant names if you want... I call him Hammie =P)

 His trunk always has my hairbands on it. He's useful like that. ;)

Albert, Thornton (after the coolest mill owner ever), and Rikki

Peng, Mara, and Edison sitting on top of my Barnes and Noble Classics

(You'd never guess that I collect books as well as elephants!) =P

Murtagh (The Inheritance Cycle) and Huck (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn)

Mosely, Céde, and Gymn

Stanley

I need to put this little guy in the wash! He's been everywhere... I guess most keychains are like that. lol 

Bilbo

So... How did it come to this? haha It all started with a book I read to Seth. The little stuffed elephant in the story is beyond adorable. (Go here to get a glimpse of some of this author's other works. I am in LOVE with the illustrations!) After reading another book about Harry, I decided that I wanted a stuffed elephant. I wanted Harry, to be exact. But I still haven't found him. I've managed to pick up twenty other cuties along the way, though! And someday, as I get closer to having kids of my own, I'll definitely be getting Kim Lewis' books. Maybe by then I'll have Harry, too. =)

Scarf Happiness

So... I'm sure I've mentioned this once or twice, but I *love* wearing scarves. They are the perfect accent to any outfit and can really dress up a plain T-shirt. Or hold back your hair. Or make for a cute belt. And the big ones help you keep warm in the winter... and let you feel sort of Jane Austen-y. So yeah... the great things about scarves are pretty much endless.

Well... today I was introduced to an adorable blog. Made even more adorable by their current giveaway and the etsy shop that is linked to. One of the best Etsy's ever! (Right after my friend Lindsay's) Anyhow... here's the giveaway! If you go and enter and win... think of me? lol Okay, I won't deprive you of your scarf happiness. =D

Fun and Frustration =)

This week has been one of limited... of NO blogging. Sorry about that. I started a couple of posts on Monday and Tuesday, but they never got finished for one reason or another. So once again I find myself just throwing out a hodge-podge of stuff from my week for you to sort through.

My sister decided to start blogging again this week. =) So you should hop on over and say 'howdy' to her! =D

On Tuesday I logged into swagbucks and the first thing I saw was their Netflix promotion. Right there on the middle of the front page. "Sign up for a FREE month of Netflix service and get 1,000 swagbucks!" Well... as things were, I was already thinking about Tangled because Tuesday happened to be the day that it came out on DVD. Yippee! I was also thinking about how I'm still longing to see The Voyage of the Dawn Treader... and it's out on DVD on the 8th. So... if I can get both of these DVDs to watch, plus 1,000 swagbucks, plus who knows what other movies to watch for free... the timing just felt right. =) So I signed up for a free month of Netflix and requested Tangled and Voyage. Happy day!

Well... I still haven't received any swagbucks for completing the offer, but I'm lovin' Netflix! Wish I could just keep getting free trials. lol I had some relative of (or maybe the actual) flu on Wednesday, so I just laid in bed and watched 17 Kids and Counting and 18 Kids and Counting. =) I also watched DisneyNature's Oceans. Some of it was really cool, but it was loaded with evolution and environmentalist stuff. Not as good as Earth was, all things considered. 

On Wednesday I got a new phone. I love a lot of things about it, but I admit that in some ways it seems like a downgrade from my old phone. Ringtones are all quieter and if it's over 20 seconds the sound quality is horrible. Other than that, I have no complaints. I just have to get used to it. The reaction time is also slower. But I guess nothing can be perfect. Oh, and it doesn't work with bitpim. Sad day. I'll adjust, though. I really will. =)  [For anyone interested, my new phone is the Samsung Intensity II and my old one was the wonderful LG Chocolate 3]

Along those lines, I'm also quite happy because Erica got a phone, too! Yay! =D

Last of all, I got another stuffed elephant in the mail. My dear friend JoAnna got it for me. It's so cute! I'll try to post a picture of it next week. Maybe I'll post a picture of my whole collection!

 

Crazy Fun Weekend

Before I get into everything that I have to say, I wanted to quick clarify something. Just because.

I have had several people ask me if I wrote my last post. Well... thanks for the vote of confidence, people! haha Tell me if I'm wrong, but I usually give credit where it is due. I don't think that the post was something so revolutionary that I'm the first one to think of something like that, but it is all my own. Nothing was copied and pasted... the most help I had was to look up synonyms online because I wanted the words to flow better.

Yesterday was a blast as I got to hang out with some good friends. We went for free lunch at Noodles (my first time and NOT my last in that restaurant!) and I totally failed at eating with chopsticks. Nice to see that nothing has changed in the last 14 years. =P

We also went to Starbucks, where I had my first ever **REALLY** bad experience with crabby people who don't know what they're talking about and who didn't trust me. After my really great experience last week, this was a major letdown. AND... thanks very much to their hard work, I now have a negative balance on the gift card I used, though I should have enough on it for another drink. But "I can't help you. Call the 800 number." Of course. I'll see what I can do to get my money back, but "by the people and for the people" doesn't seem to apply to businesses. lol

Tonight I'm going bowling. It's cheaper later, so we're not even starting 'til 9. I think We're bowling from 9 to 1:30. So I'll most likely be sleeping in tomorrow. =) Anyhow... to get a ride to the bowling, I'm already at my friend Naomi's house. We just watched Newsies. It was my first time seeing it and two or three people were all like, "OH! That's the movie with Christian Bale! He's the best part!" Well... I think that his being the best part is more because of his character than Christian Bale himself, just so ya'll know. Oh... and how come nobody was all excited about Bill Pullman? lol Anyhow... It was a pretty good movie. Not a favorite or anything, but I wouldn't mind watching it again. =)

Tomorrow night I'm going to a progressive dinner. Never done one of those before, but I think it'll be fun! Food and fellowship are a couple of my favorite things. =D

Anyhow... that's just a peek at my weekend. Hope you guys have a good weekend, too!

The Judgement

     The courtroom is packed with people, all awaiting judgement. The silence is uncomfortable to those who will be tried, their nervous breathing the only sound in the court. The prosecutor is in his element, head held high. He stands beside a table, his cohorts are seated behind it. He taps his foot lightly, albeit impatiently, on the floor, waiting on the Judge to call a name.


     "Joseph Middleton," calls the Judge. A man stands up and moves towards the front of the courtroom. The prosecutor smiles secretively. This man will receive the death penalty for sure. As Joseph reaches the front of the room, the Judge clears his throat, "Mr Prosecutor?"

     "Your Honor," the prosecutor says, dipping his head a little, "This man is Joseph Middleton. His life has been full of wickedness. He was only five years old when he began committing crimes. He started with lying and thievery, but as he grew older, his crimes grew worse. He had no compassion on those he thought were beneath him. He loved outside of his marriage. He hoarded money that should have been given to the kingdom. He spoke evilly of those who should be honored. Even your own name was blackened in his dirty mouth, Honor! More shocking than any of this, though, for years this man has worshiped outside of what the kingdom allows. You of all people must know what a crime this is. Look at this man. See his crimes, Your Honor, and condemn him to the punishment he deserves!"
     So saying, the prosecutor cracked his knuckles and sat behind his table, grinning, gloating. His friends and companions around him sent him knowing looks, also triumphing in the imminent destruction of the man before them.
     The Judge looked at the prosecutor thoughtfully for a moment, then turned and looked at Joseph. The eyes of the guilty man met those of the Judge.
     A movement from the side of the courtroom opposite the prosecutor caused all to turn simultaneously. A man had stood from his position alone behind the table for the defense.
     The still courtroom seemed to grow even quieter as everyone watched the man slowly walk across the floor towards the one who had been charged with such numerous crimes. He stopped and stood in front of Joseph, his eyes meeting those of the Judge. Silent communication passed between them. Finally, the Judge stood.
     "Mr. Prosecutor," He said, "I see before me, not a guilty man, but a perfect man. I have looked into these eyes and seen immeasurable love and compassion. I have seen forgiveness and graciousness. There is nothing foul in him.

This man is not the criminal you think.

 He is my son."

     The Judge, the King, the Righteous One stepped down to Joseph Middleton and put a hand on his shoulder, the man -His Son- standing by. "Come, my child," He said, leading Joseph to the door that would take him out to freedom, "Enter into the joys of My Kingdom. Though your sins were once scarlet, they are now white as snow."

March of Books - Fireproof

I found this book at the thrift store one day and decided to read it. I had loved the message of the movie and was curious whether or not the book was exactly the same or a little different.

It was different in many ways, but without changing the story too much except for... Well, we'll get to that.

The thing I liked most about the book was getting a bit more into people's heads. Although the movie does an okay job portraying what a character is going through, everything is visual. Whereas in a book, you can read what someone is thinking.

Another thing I love about the book is that if I'm in the mood for some Fireproof, I can just read my favorite parts without having to stick in a DVD.

BUT... all of those good things were pretty much counteracted by the end. The end was awful. I can't even believe that something so cheesy and so-not-real-life even made it into this book! (This is your cue to stop reading if you don't want any spoilers.)

I assume that most of you have seen the movie. You know how Caleb was saving up for a boat? And how he finally communicated to his wife that his love really was back and there to stay was that he spent all of his hard-earned savings on medical stuff for her mom? Sweetest thing in the movie. Nothing touches me like self-sacrifice. Nothing.

And the book ruined that. Caleb wins the stinkin' boat on Wheel of Fortune! Maybe that won't bother some people. I probably am going way overboard with my dislike of this turn of events. But I hate hate hate it.

It's a good book if you leave that off, though!

[[March of Books]]

March of Books - Wild Orchid

Wielding a sword as deftly as an embroidery needle, Mulan is unlike any other girl in China. When the emperor summons a great army, each family must send a male to fight. Tomboyish Mulan is determined to spare her aging father and bring her family honor, so she disguises herself and answers the call...

     I haven't loved everything that I've read by Cameron Dokey, but most of it is pretty much amazing. And the set of "Once Upon a Time is Timeless" books have given me hours of pleasure. Wild Orchid was one of my favorites. 

     Hua Wei is a great warrior who loves his wife more than anything else in the world. When his wife dies in giving birth to their daughter Mulan, his heart breaks and he determines never to come home. So the infant Mulan is essentially left an orphan.

     Growing up, Mulan is a bit of a tomboy. She learns such unwomanly arts as swordsmanship and writing. So when the Huns come to attack China, it's only natural that Mulan feels that she should join the battle. 

In reading reviews done by other people, I saw that several mentioned or even complained about how similar this is to Disney's Mulan movie. The truth is, I read this book before I ever watched Mulan. And though they are kinda similar, they are *very* different. In fact, I suppose that I wished that the movie would have been more like the book. I hated Mushu (as in despised, abhorred, etc etc etc) the first time I watched Mulan. But he grew on me. =) Anyhow... I really didn't think that it was just a rendition of the Disney tale. And, as usual, Cameron Dokey wove an excellent plot around a familiar story.

O Happy Day!

Remember this post???

http://ramblinrose506.blogspot.com/2011/01/coat-love.html

Well.... Today I got the yellow trench! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!! I'm ecstatic! I've only been looking at it with sad longing for months.

It was 60% off.
I had that $10 off that I told you about yesterday.
Mom had an additional 15% off.
And I still had half of my Christmas gift card.

I'm very happy!

Fun Things on Friday

Today I'm just going to name some random things that I think are fun/cool/whatever. Maybe you'll find something you like somewhere in my mish-mash of happiness!

First up: I got a card for a free birthday drink from Starbucks... so I finally got to use it yesterday. I got their passion tea. [For those of you who don't know this, I am not a big fan of coffee, but tea is my favorite drink ever! So it only makes sense that I get the cheapest thing at Starbucks even though I could have whatever I wanted.]

Anyhow... I got my tea at a Starbucks near King Soopers and then sipped on it for awhile. We ended up in Target and my tea was gone. I was really sad 'cause it was so good! Then I had a thought: There was a Starbucks in Target, and I can get free refills with my registered gift card... The only problem would be that I was in a different location. But I really wanted more tea, so I went and asked. And they gave me the refill! Totally made my day!

Item numero dos: 

Anybody read Terri Blackstock? I love her books! Most of them, anyhow. My dear friend Bailey has a job as a receptionist, which gives her some time to read. BUT... since she's working all the time, she can't get to the library a lot. Enter moi, her library-addicted friend with similar reading passions... I check out books for both of us. (It makes me feel a little bit better about have nearly 40 items checked out when I know it's between two people!) Anyhow... enough of the background. The simple fact is this: Bailey said that she wanted to read Terri Blackstock's Restoration series. So I checked out the first two. I stayed up til one this morning reading the first one. It grabbed me from the very beginning. I wish I'd just checked out the whole series at once, but I suppose that wouldn't have been good for me health-wise. lol Anyhow... if you like suspense, survival stories, or maybe even sci-fi, give this series a shot!

Next up! This post is waaaaay cool. Hayden's blog is one of my new favorites! I love finding kindred spirits online! Anyhow... I am going to have to find The Art of Tangled at my library. =) The art for Flynn Rider? I am SO glad they made him the way they did! Some of the concept art was pretty awful!

More happiness? I got a $10 off coupon for Kohls --- for a minimum purchase of $10! And I still have half of my Kohls gift card from Christmas. Do I sense some shopping coming on? I hope so! 

This week I wore sandals and flip-flops! Winter used to be one of my favorite seasons when I lived out in the country... but since we've been in the city? Not so much. So I'm really looking forward to more warm weather! I was going to post this video right onto my blog, but embedding has been disabled. LAME. But that's a song I've had stuck in my head at different points this week. Hmm... I should watch that movie again. =) Love it! 

Aaaaaand last, but not least:

Today we are celebrating my sister Erin's birthday. Her actual birthday is tomorrow, but we've got some things going on, so we're celebrating tonight. I got a Papa Murphey's gift card 1/2 off from Plum District, so we're going to have pizza! And then us girls will probably have a movie night and watch Tangled. Assuming, of course, that we can find out why the audio on divxstage isn't working. 

Anyhow... That's some of my life's happiness right now! I hope ya'll are finding lots of little things to cheer you up, too!

Toodles!

**All images courtesy of Google

March of Books - The Count of Monte Cristo

I know that The Count of Monte Cristo has come up on several occasions here at The Ramblings of Emily Rose. The reason for that, quite simply, is that I love the story so much! So I thought that I should say a few words about it for the March of Books. =D

Many people are intimidated by the massive size of Alexandre Dumas' Count, but those that manage to get through it pretty nearly always love it. All but one of my friends are big fans of Edmond Dantes. (As far as I know, anyhow... there are a few friends with whom the subject has not yet come up.)

Unjustly thrown into prison as a young man, Edmond Dantes loses everything. Everything. But a gift from a dying Abbe Faria gives Edmond the chance, not to regain what was lost, but to seek vengeance from those who took it from him. What follows is an exciting tale of one man seeking to destroy those who destroyed him. Edmond learns, however, that in destroying others he is also destroying the life that he has found for himself and the friendships he has formed. This leads to a drastic change of heart which leads Edmond to say in a letter to one of his dearest friends:

Tell the angel who will watch over your future destiny, Morrel, to pray sometimes for a man, who like Satan thought himself for an instant equal to God, but who now acknowledges with Christian humility that God alone possesses supreme power and infinite wisdom. Perhaps those prayers may soften the remorse he feels in his heart.

I think that The Count of Monte Cristo is one of the best works of fiction to ever be written.



Join the March of Books here!