In Christ Alone

As a musician, and a worship leader, songs have the power to completely undo me. Since giving God control of my life when I was in Grade 10, a week after I started playing a beat-up old acoustic guitar, worship leading has always been as natural and common as breathing. All the songs I wrote in those early days were worship songs -- I didn't know they were called "worship" back then, they were just the songs that kept coming to me.

For the past 20+ years, I've either been a youth pastor who led worship, or a worship pastor who worked with youth, or sometimes a volunteer leader who played in a Celtic rock band for a living while working with youth and leading worship as well. Worship has always been a huge part of my walk with Jesus.

I've never been able to get through "In Christ Alone" without tears. It's probably one of the most powerful worship songs I've ever come across.

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

Amen and amen.