"Just as I am..."

Click here for music

As some of you may know, ever since hearing a few Nicole Nordeman songs at RHCBC I've become quite the hardcore fan of her songs. I was quite surprised to discover the "Even Then" song on my friend BC's blog was also by NN at first. But knowing how powerful and moving her lyrics, not to mention her voice, are, I'm not THAT surprised anymore. Her song "Tremble" was the first one I ever heard, while all of them can be quite the tear jerkers I've found if you take the time to reflect on them, I've found "Why" (the crufication song) the most touching thus far.

In one of the more recent sermons at LBCM (I think it was just a few days ago, but you know how I can be with the LAGGED blog entries), the Senior Pastor mentioned a story about one of the books I got for my Baptism that I've read half. Can't really remember if perhaps I finished it last year. A particular perSon really sparked an interest for reading (perhaps specifically Christian books) in me... Anyhow, jumping back to the point. I remember the one story he extracted from the book "In His Steps" had to do with one of the sisters in the church beautifully singing a song in the sermon. What he didn't mention was that song that brought those people to repentance was the classic "Just as I am"...Here are the lyrics:

Just as I Am, Without One Plea
Text: Charlotte Elliott, 1789-1871
Music: William B. Bradbury, 1816-1868
Tune: WOODWORTH, Meter: LM
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1. Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidst me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

2. Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

3. Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

4. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

5. Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

6. Just as I am, thy love unknown
hath broken every barrier down;
now, to be thine, yea thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

"Even Then" - Nichole Nordeman
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It's a fear that keeps me wide awake
In the middle of the night
When the expectations are too great
And the bar gets raised too high
So I do the best with what I've got
And hope that no one knows
That I strain to see how high I can
Try to stand on these toes
Until I'm measured, but You know better

(Chorus)
So, thank-You, Jesus
Even when You see us just as we are
Fragile and frail and so far
From who we want to be
So, thank-You, Jesus
Even when the pieces are broken and small
Dreams shatter and scatter like the wind
Thank-You, even then

So I put aside the masquerade
And admit that I am not okay
Which may not be the thing to say
But I'm not ashamed to need You more each day

(Chorus)

We raise the standard and try to reach You
But we'll never make it, and we don't need to

P.S. BC, please don't take the song down from your page ;)