Clinging to the Old Rugged Cross

The Old Rugged Cross


On a hill far away, stood an rugged cross

The emblem of suffering and shame.

And I love that old cross

Where the Dearest and Best

For a World of lost sinners was slain.


So I'll cling to the old rugged cross,

Til my trophies at last I lay down.

I will cling to the old rugged cross

And exchange it some day for a crown.


I will ever be True to the old rugged cross

It's shame and reproach gladly bear.

For the Dear Lamb of God

Left His glory above to suffer

And die for us there.


So I'll cherish the old rugged cross

Till my trophies at last I lay down.

I will cling to the old rugged cross

And exchange it some day for a crown.


I had the privilege of singing this old hymn for the last two Easters for my ladies' bible study/prayer group. There are many new sacred songs today, but there is something so special about the old, familiar hymns. I think it is a shame that so many young people have never heard many of these great standards - it's a heritage they are are truly missing out on and that could be lost if not paid attention to. After all, we love Vintage!! Many of the old sacred hymns are the same ones that the beautiful ladies in the Victorian images that we so love, sang as they were worshipping the Lord (in their pretty dresses and huge hats).

So whenever I am asked to sing, I always try to pick out an old special hymn or at least a sacred song from the 1940s, 50s or 60s. I don't want them to die out and they surely do teach the gospel, simply and beautifully.

Most importantly, the grave could not keep Jesus down, on the third day, He arose, with a mighty triumph in His soul. He bought salvation, healing, peace and heaven for us. We just each need to ask Him for forgiveness and tell Him you accept his sacrifice on the cross, ask Him to come into your heart and life, and He promises that He will. It takes a decision and an act of your will, so come to Jesus, He is waiting for you. There is room at the cross for you....

Clinging to Him this Resurrection Day,


Cynthia K.

There's Always a Springtime

There's Always a Springtime

by Helen Steiner Rice

After the winter comes the spring

To show us again that in everything

There's always a renewal divinely planned.

Flawlessly perfect, the work of God's hand.

And just like the seasons that come and go

When the flowers of spring lay buried in snow,

God sends to the heart in the winter of sadness

A springtime awakening of new hope and gladness.

Oh my, I'm so ready, even desperate, for this awakening from God of new hope and gladness in my heart of sadness. Too many losses, hurts, disappointments, rejection, being misunderstood - Lord, send the breakthrough soon.....for me and my readers who may also be in great need of your tender mercies.....

Cynthia K.

The Stairway to Heaven

My cousin, Michael Gene, went to heaven a couple of days ago. He waged a valiant battle against cancer which brought death to his body, but his spirit, soul, personality - who Mike really IS is immortal and lives on. We didn't lose him - we know exactly where he is - with his Savior, Christ Jesus. He's there with his Lord because Mike had accepted the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross, his sins were forgiven and everlasting life was awarded to him just as our God has promised.

In a couple of hours, I'll be on my way to San Antonio to join in a celebration of his earthly life and his new heavenly life. God is so good! Make sure that you and yours don't leave earth without Him. Jesus has paid the price for you, He's bought the ticket, now you simply have to receive it and thank Him for it.

Cynthia K.

Beautiful Rose of Bella Rosa is Having a Birthday!!

Yay!! It's a surprise birthday party for Rose of Bella Rosa!!!

Isn't she gorgeous! But we could never hate her because she's beautiful, because she is even more beautiful inside. She has a tender heart, sweet, sweet spirit and a loving attitude.

So, our Beautiful Rose, please accept your bouquet of red roses and baby's breath. Oh, you're welcome. Think nothing of it - it's just money - easy come, easy go.

Dear Rose, see all your bloggy friends - we've been gathered at the

party table just waiting to wish you the best, most glorious Birthday, or as I like to do, made it a Birthday week. I like to make it last - you wouldn't mind Birthday greetings and gifts and attention and pampering a few more days, would you?

Okay bloggy buddies, it's time: "Happy Birthday to you - Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday Dear Rose, Happy Birthday to you....And many more......."

Okay, let's have our cake and ice cream!!


Oooh, it's so good - but its giving me an ice cream head ache! Oh, well, I think a little more Birthday cake will help it. Rose, a third bowl of ice cream?! Well, whatever....



Well, this being your Birthday Week, we think you should enjoy it to the hilt and worry about the figure later (as if yours is a problem!) So, all week, have plenty of eating-out meals, cookies, buttery popcorn, and all the soda you want!! Course, it will make you tinkle alot!




Also be sure to eat lots of this:

Now this week, we give you permission to pamper yourself and not do any big chores around the house - we don't want you slaving as hard as this lady is:

I tend to think that to get the Birthday present you REALLY want, just go buy it yourself. So,
naturally, you'll want to do a little shopping:

And maybe some thrifting...Yay!

The important thing is that we want you to know how special you are to all of us. Its so very true. I read some of your comments and it is so obvious that your bloggy friends really love you. And why not, you're so very loveable!! Yes, you are.

And I personally, think the world of you - I just love you. I consider you a true blessing. I'm so grateful God had us "bump" into each other in this amazing cyber world that I think neither of us even knew about until this last year. Of course, it wasn't an accident - because always and always, since before Time began, our being Friends was part of His plan. Thank you, Lord.

Now, don't start crying, or we'll all be bawling our eyes out.

So, it's Time for you to know that You are absolutely Delightful!

Rose, I'm so glad you were born.... Happy Day of Birth!

Okay, gang, it's Time for us to all meet at Bella Rosa and leave our precious friend some Birthday Comments. Let's spread this Love around!!!!

Rose, be careful out there when you are shopping and dining out - It's cold and windy! Be sure to wear your fur hat and your fur muff so your hands stay warm. And I'm sure you look stunnng in Red!!

Okay, Friends, don't forget to come see me sometime. Ya'll come.



Cynthia K.

Happy Birthday, Dear Jesus

Years ago, when my niece and two nephews were small, for the first time, I read the facts of the Christmas Story to them. It is found in Luke 2 of our Holy Bible. Well, I actually read it to our entire family who were gathered in our house for our Christmas Eve celebration. Believe me, every adult there needed to be reminded of the basis of what Christmas is all about, including me. Things just sort of push the Truth aside don't they? I was actually quite nervous about doing this because I didn't want them to think I thought I was Miss Super Spirituality. But I did do what I knew the Lord was urging me to do.

So, to get ready for this, I went to the bakery department of the grocery store and picked out a small pre-made cake from behind the glass counter. The girl (about age 20) asked if I wanted her to decorate it with words and I said "Yes, I want it to say Happy Birthday Jesus". She stared at me for a little while and said "Huh"? I repeated it - she still could not fathom it!! Why, I don't know. So I said, "Christmas is the Birthday of Jesus, you know". "Oh" was her reply. People, she was not from some strange foreign country - she lived right here in Texas!! And she didn't know this?!! But there's more. After she had gone in the back and decorated with the first two words, she came back to the counter and with puzzled expression on her face, said "Now how do you spell Jesus?" (Dear God, help us!!!) So I had to spell it for her - three times before she got it. I was amazed, shocked and saddened.

So, anyway, on Christmas Eve we all gathered in our living room and sang about a dozen carols which is one of my favorite traditions. And always, Silent Night, is the final one - it is so special and my favorite carol. Right before the final carol, I slipped in the kitchen and stuck birthday candles in the small cake (the whole box of candles) and lit them. I carried it to our group of family and those three kids' eyes got huge!! I had their attention and everyone's really because I'd not told anyone I was going to do this. I sat the glowing cake on the footstool and I sat down and opened the Bible to this precious section and told them I just wanted to read what we have all been celebrating all these years. I read, my voice was shaky because I was nervous. But all of them were engrossed. I had dimmed the lights as I had come back in the room so the candles truly were the center of attention. And those words on the Birthday cake. The three kids (3-6 yrs old) had gathered really close to me and the cake. As soon as I finished reading from the Bible (and I felt it was important to read directly from it rather than a sheet of paper so it would be impressed upon them that it came from the Truth, the Holy Bible), then I started leading them in singing the Happy Birthday Song to Jesus - they were really understanding now. Then I said "I think the three kids should blow out the candles on Jesus' cake". I didn't have to mention it twice. Those three sweeties blew at the same time and out they went. We then started singing Silent Night. It is one of my favorite memories of their childhood and my adulthood when I decided to care more of what God thought of me than what people thought of me. Sometimes families are harder to reach with the truth about Jesus than are strangers.

Perhaps, it would be a special tradition you could start in your family, even if little children are not in your get-together. I think it meant a lot to everyone there - it truly did focus our attention on our dear Savior's birth.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Jesus

and

A Blessed Christmas to you all....

Cynthia K.