A Postcard from the Edge...

Some of you have voiced concern that I have fallen off the face of the earth. Considering it has been over three months since my last post, I can't say I blame you! While I haven't disappeared over the verge (yet), I will admit to getting very close to the edge. In fact, these days I spend most of my time in the Sixteenth Century. If I want to be done with this PhD by June 2012, I need a draft of the whole thing done by Christmas. So it is time to kick it into high gear, put the pedal to the metal, the nose to the grindstone (insert your favourite 'work' cliché here). As a result my life has become excessively dull by the world's standards. Most of my days--including my Saturdays (like today) and even occasional Sundays--are spent here:

Over the course of the last three months the Four-Headed Thesis Dragon of Academic Dread has sprouted two more heads, bringing the total up to a shocking six. To date, three have been vanquished (although they will need some tweaking and considerable tidying) and another is in progress. One of those vanquished heads resulted from a wee section of another chapter...a mere 2,000 words... that suddenly and almost uncontrollably morphed into a 20,000-word stand-alone chapter. (Which, incidentally, El Supervisor said is the best thing I have written so far.)

Needless to say, The Six-Headed Thesis Dragon of Academic Dread has been eating my time for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And now, it appears, as a midnight snack, as well. That's right folks. The Thesis Dreams have begun. In earnest. I've had dreams about the thesis before...but usually about the process of writing the thesis. Example: Over the summer whilst I was working on a particularly frustrating chapter I dreamed that I was at a family birthday party. What made that a thesis-related dream, you ask? When my Scottish supervisor strolled into my brother and sister-in-law's backyard, that's what. He ambled up to me and said 'So, you have a chapter for me? It had better be good.' Then turned on his heel and strolled right out of the garden and the dream.

Then last night, for the first time ever, someone from my thesis showed up. This guy:

Sir David Lindsay of the Mount (who monopolises two of my chapters, including the one I am currently working on). Yes, he looked just like the two-dimensional woodcut you see above. Interestingly enough, most of his poems start out with the narrator falling asleep and dreaming the action of the poem... Hmmmm... Anyway, I don't remember what happened, except he was there. At least he's not chasing me and threatening me with disembowelment. I would remember that! One of the professors at Edinburgh University was telling me about his time as a postgrad at St Andrews working on his PhD. One night in his final year he had a dream that one of the 16th-Century Earls of Huntly (from his thesis) was chasing him down North Street. In full plate-armour. On horseback. Brandishing a broadsword over his head. Screaming at the postgrad-now-professor (who was attempting to run away on foot) 'If you get this wrong I will kill you!'

That being said, it hasn't been all books and creepy dreams.

I had a number of visitors this year--a total of twelve, most of whom came over the summer. At some point, when I have a spare few minutes (ha!) to edit the album, I'll post some photos from those visits.

There was also a ten-day sojourn to Paris in August, during which I was able to help my dear friends Heidi and Jason Sexton by taking care of their older kids--Charlie (9), Jane (7), and Kendra (5)--whilst their baby sister, Kara (15 months), was in hospital for emergency brain surgery and recovery. Those of you on Facebook will be aware of this and the miracle that I was blessed and honoured to witness. But that is a story for another post all its own...

And in other news, I also found out that I am going to be an Auntie! My brother Matt and my sister-in-law Jesse will be welcoming their first wee baby in January! I'm so excited! I'll be back in Scotland by the time the Wee One is born, which makes me very sad. But the sooner I slay The Six-Headed Thesis Dragon of Academic Dread, the sooner I get to head home for a Baby-Holding-and-Spoiling Visit! The Wee One is becoming a more potent and effective motivating force for finishing this Thesis than anything else has ever been!

But for now, it's back to the books and the Quest after the Six-Headed Thesis Dragon of Academic Dread. Don't be surprised if you don't hear from me for a while. No doubt my Thesis will only continue growing to fill my every waking AND sleeping moment...

In Pursuit of the Four-Headed Thesis Dragon of Academic Dread

O! worthy followers, if thou hast begun to fret over the absence of our noble narrator, I wouldst put thy mind at ease. She hath not fallen over the edge of the earth, nor hath she been devoured by untamed undergraduates. She hast, however, been right ardently engaged in the desperate pursuit of that most fearsome and terrifying of beasts--The Four-Headed Thesis Dragon of Academic Dread.

Excepting a fortnight of respite in the fair state of Maryland (and a pause now and then to enjoy the elusive Scottish sun), she hath been stalking restlessly the evasive, volatile and down-right frustrating Dragon. She hath scaled the Mountains of Books, explored the vast, meandering dark Caverns of Historical Evidence, perched precariously on the Peaks of Enlightenment, and yea, verily, even slogged through the Morass of Despondency.

In the fickle elements of the Scottish summer, that vile foe, The Four-Headed Thesis Dragon of Academic Dread, sprouted yet another head. The struggle to once again cut the Dragon down to size has engaged much of our valiant heroine's attention and energy.

But she shall not be thwarted. Though weary of mind and body, she shall not yield (often). She presses onward, determined to slay the beast, one head at a time, by the Feast of Our Lord's Nativity... yea, verily, yea.

Euro Craziness

On Saturday some friends and I gathered for a time-honoured European tradition: watching the Eurovision Song Contest. We also participated in a time-honoured British tradition: mocking the Eurovision Song Contest. (After all, this is the competition that introduced ABBA and Riverdance to the world!) Eurovision is the original viewer-voting talent show (where 'X Factor', 'Pop and American Idol' got their starts). Every year, each country in Europe (and a couple beyond, like Israel) sends a musical act with an original song. After two weeks of single-elimination performances, the final 25 acts perform live, on international television. Then the millions of folks watching around the world phone in their votes for the best act (however, they won't let you vote for the country you are calling from). Most of Europe takes it very seriously. Not taking it seriously is something of a British national pastime. In fact, sometimes the best part is the incredibly sarcastic voice-over commentary of Graham Norton, the UK presenter.

A lot of the songs are in English, a number of them are in the native language of the singers. Sometimes you just can't tell what language it is. Some of the acts are, well, unusual. Some of them are awful. And one or two are actually decent. The winning country hosts the event next year.

Last year Germany won with a really obnoxious song sung by an even more obnoxious teenager. (Ten seconds are about all you need!)

The year before Norway won with one of the most irritating songs I have ever heard. It wasn't so bad the first time you heard it, but it had this nasty habit of getting stuck in your head. And NEVER going away. (Although you have to admit, his back-up singers are pretty intense.)

And now it is stuck in YOUR head! (Mwah ahahaha!)

Eurovision is notorious for crazy, over-the-top acts (check out YouTube for 'Eurovision 2008 Spain'; 'Eurovision 2006 Finland'--yes, they are dressed as Orcs; 'Eurovision 2008 Azerbaijan'). And like this year's entry from Moldova, with a song called 'So Lucky' (see below). It left us all scratching our heads. Kind of like 'The Beastie Boys' meet 'The B-52s' meet 'The World of David the Gnome'. Wait until the chick on the uni-cycle shows up around the 40-second mark...

They've been toning things down lately, probably due to the global economic crisis, and most of the acts were rather tame. Even so, when Azerbaijan won this year with a pretty standard pop song, we were pleasantly surprised. (They are also probably one of the only countries that can still afford to host it next year!)

My friends and I voted for France, because this twenty-year-old guy actually has amazing talent. Okay, so he could do with a serious haircut, but how many 20 year-olds do you know with voices like this? Who sing in Corsican? Right. None.

But I have inflicted enough Euro-pain on you already... For those of you who are morbidly curious, check out YouTube. Ireland and Estonia's entries were particularly painful. Although the UK's entry wasn't much to be proud of either...and they are big-time professionals--a boy band named 'Blue'. But Italy and Serbia were good fun (very retro), and Switzerland was delightful. Iceland's entry was really sweet: the song writer passed away unexpectedly a few months ago, so friends and family performed the song in his memory. We even contemplated voting for Denmark. And the backlog of Eurovision entries from previous years is priceless. Priceless, I tell you.

Needless to say, it was a highly entertaining and, er, educational evening!

Royal Madness

As some of you might be aware, a couple of graduates from the University of St Andrews recently got married.

On the 29th of April 2011, it seemed as though there were three places to be: London, Kate Middleton's hometown, and St Andrews. The little town where the couple met pulled out all the stops to celebrate the Big Day, and St Andrews was packed full of royal revellers. The University and the town hosted a Royal Wedding Breakfast in the United College Quad, where folks were treated to brunch and live music, and were able to watch the much-anticipated nuptials on a jumbo-tron. The RAF even co-ordinated a fly-over that coincided with the fly over in London.

I had presented my first proper major (50 minute-long) seminar paper the previous evening and decided to take it easy on Friday morning. So my friends Katherine and April came over and we had brunch (with a huge pot of tea and some sparkling wine) while watching the 'Wedding of the Century' from the comfort of my living room: like sensible people!

Later that afternoon, I strolled into town. All of the shops in town had been encouraged to decorate their windows to mark the occasion, and Union Jacks and Scottish Saltires were hung up all over the city. Some windows were more, um, creative than others. Below you'll find some photos of the Royal Madness that swept through my quiet little town.

Also, check out the music video made by 'The Other Guys', a student a cappella group from the University. It's an extremely clever and entertaining spoof of 'Bad Romance' by Lady Gaga. (*Cringe* I can't stand her!) But the spoof is fantastic and entirely a cappella! It was filmed at some of the most iconic and beautiful places in town (as well as the hideous University library). The video became so popular that they performed the song live on TV the morning of the Wedding. Clever, clever boys!

'Cheerio!'

I have been living in the United Kingdom for almost four years. And I have never heard a Brit seriously use the word 'Cheerio' in conversation.

Until today.

The very English young man in front of me at the sandwich shop (wearing a tweed jacket, khaki trousers, a sweater-vest and a tie, I kid you not!) said it to the cashier as he was leaving.

And my world stopped turning for about three seconds.

Then, when it started to revolve once again, I almost burst out laughing. Right there in the shop.

Fortunately I had the strength of mind (if not character) to hold it in until I got back to my office.

Easter : Christ The Lord Is Risen Today!

'Christ the Lord is Risen Today'

by Charles Wesley

Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Lo! the Sun's eclipse is over, Alleluia!

Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!

Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!

Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!

Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!

Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hail, the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!

Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!

Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!

Hail, the resurrection day, Alleluia!

King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!

Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!

Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia!

Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!

Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!

Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!

Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

But the pains that He endured, Alleluia!

Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!

Now above the sky He's King, Alleluia!

Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!

Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!

Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!

Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Good Friday: Alas! And Did My Saviour Bleed

'Alas! And Did My Saviour Bleed'

by Isaac Watts

Alas! and did my Savior bleed

And did my Sovereign die?

Would He devote that sacred head

For sinners such as I?

Was it for crimes that I had done

He groaned upon the tree?

Amazing pity! grace unknown!

And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide

And shut his glories in,

When Christ, the mighty Maker died,

For man, the creature’s sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face

While His dear cross appears,

Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,

And melt my eyes to tears.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay

The debt of love I owe:

Here, Lord, I give my self away

’Tis all that I can do.

Lent : Your Love Endures Forever

Another favourite about the Love of Christ, once again from the guys of Third Day. On a side note, I have a very distinct memory from my senior year of high school: of my friends Brian (on guitar and vocals) and Katie (on the cello) performing this at the school talent show. They were expressly told not to do this song, but a secular one. But they sang it anyway. And were so amazing that they got a standing ovation.

'Your Love Endures'

by Third Day

Though the treasures of

This life may fade,

Your love endures, forever.

They will pass away,

Things that man has made.

But Your love endures forever.

No I can't explain, or even understand
Why You gave Your life to save sinful man.
But I know it's true, I've seen it myself.
Your love endures forever.

Though the seasons change
With the passing time,
Your love endures forever.
And the sun will fade,
If just for the night,
Your love endures forever.

Though our pains and joys
Will come and go,
Your love endures forever.
Even in my fears
I will always know
That Your love endures forever...

Lent : Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

'Love Divine, All Loves Excelling'

by Charles Wesley

Love Divine, all loves excelling,

Joy of heaven, to earth come down,

Fix in us Thy humble dwelling,

All Thy faithful mercies crown.

Jesus, Thou art all compassion,

Pure unbounded Love Thou art;

Visit us with Thy salvation,

Enter every trembling heart.

Come, Almighty, to deliver,

Let us all Thy grace receive;

Suddenly return, and never,

Never more Thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing,

Serve thee as Thy hosts above,

Pray, and praise Thee, without ceasing,

Glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish then Thy new creation

Pure and spotless let us be;

Let us see Thy great salvation,

Perfectly restored in Thee,

Changed from glory into glory,

Till in heaven we take our place,

Till we cast our crowns before Thee,

Lost in wonder, love, and praise!

Lent : He's Always Been Faithful

'He's Always Been Faithful'

by Sara Groves

Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

Morning by morning I wake up to find
The power and comfort of God’s hand in mine.
Season by season I watch Him, amazed
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways.
All I have need of, His hand will provide;
He’s always been faithful to me.

I can’t remember a trial or a pain
He did not recycle to bring me gain.
I can’t remember one single regret
In serving God only, and trusting His hand.
All I have need of, His hand will provide;
He’s always been faithful to me.

This is my anthem, this is my song;
The theme of the stories I’ve heard for so long.
God has been faithful, He will be again;
His loving compassion, it knows no end.
All I have need of, His hand will provide;
He’s always been faithful, He’s always been faithful
He’s always been faithful to me.

Lent : I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

I was first introduced to this hymn on the Isle of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland. It was written by a Scottish minister in the nineteenth century.

'I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say'

as performed by Joanna Hogg

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

"Come unto Me and rest;

Lay down, thou weary one, lay down,

Thy head upon My breast."

I came to Jesus as I was,

Weary and worn and sad;

I found in Him a resting-place,

And He has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

"Behold, I freely give

The living water; thirsty one,

Stoop down and drink and live."

I came to Jesus, and I drank

Of that life-giving stream.

My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,

And now I live in Him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

"I am this dark world's Light.

Look unto Me; thy morn shall rise

And all thy day be bright."

I looked to Jesus, and I found

In Him my Star, my Sun;

And in that Light of Life I'll walk

Till traveling days are done.

(This version is a bit slow for my tastes, but I couldn't find a better. My favourite arrangement is by Fernando Ortega, but it doesn't have words.)

Lent : I've Always Loved You

'I've Always Loved You'

by Third Day

I don't know how to explain it.
But I know that words will hardly do.
Miracles with signs and wonders
Aren't enough for Me to prove to you.

Don't you know I've always loved you?
Even before there was time?
Though you turn away,
I'll tell you still.
Don't you know I've always loved you?
And I always will.

Greater love has not a man
Than the one who gives his life to prove
That he would do anything,
And that's what I'm going to do for you.

Don't you know I've always loved you?
Even before there was time?
Though you turn away,
I'll tell you still.
Don't you know I've always loved you?
And I always will.

Lent : O, The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

Once again, the Welsh give us an amazing visual of the love of Christ... This would be an amazing song to sign, the words and the signs that illustrate them are so evocative of their meaning.

'O, The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus'

as sung by Selah

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean
In its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me,
Is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward
To Thy glorious rest above!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth,
Changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o’er His loved ones,
Died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth,
Watcheth o’er them from the throne!

[O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Love of every love the best!
’Tis an ocean vast of blessing,
’Tis a haven sweet of rest!]

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
’Tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory,
For it lifts me up to Thee!

Lent : You Cannot Lose My Love

The following song was originally written from a parent to a child.

But I have always thought that the words were beautifully illustrative

of the love that God the Father has for His children. Unfailing,

unending, and overwhelming...

'You Cannot Lose My Love'

By Sara Groves

You will lose your baby teeth.
At times, you'll lose your faith in Me.
You will lose a lot of things,
But you cannot lose My love.

You may lose your appetite,
Your guiding sense of wrong and right.
You may lose your will to fight,
But you cannot lose My love.

You will lose your confidence.
In times of trial, your common sense.
You may lose your innocence,
But you cannot lose My love.

Many things can be misplaced;
Your very memories be erased.
No matter what the time or space,
You cannot lose My love.

You cannot lose,
You cannot lose,
You cannot lose My love.

Lent : Love Song

I first heard this song in high school. I vividly remember sitting in my friend Michelle's van in a Denny's parking lot. She put this tape in and said: 'This is supposed to be Jesus. Singing to us.' The very idea of Christ singing His love to us--that His life, death and resurrection is his Love Song--was amazing. And still is.

'Love Song'

by Third Day

I've heard it said that a man would climb a mountain

Just to be with the one he loves.

How many times has he broken that promise

It has never been done.

I've never climbed the highest mountain

But I walked the hill of Calvary.

Chorus:

Just to be with you, I'd do anything.

There's no price I would not pay.

Just to be with you, I'd give everything.

I would give my life away.

I've heard it said that a man would swim the ocean

Just to be with the one he loves.

But all of those dreams are an empty emotion.

It can never be done.

I've never swam the deepest ocean,

But I walked upon the raging sea.

Chorus:

Just to be with you, I'd do anything.

There's no price I would not pay.

Just to be with you, I'd give everything.

I would give my life away.

(Bridge) I know that you don't understand

the fullness of My love,

How I died upon the cross for your sins.

And I know that you don't realize

how much that I gave you.

But I promise, I would do it all again.

Just to be with you, I've done everything

There's no price I did not pay

Just to be with you, I gave everything

Yes, I gave my life away.

Lent : The Father's Song

'The Father's Song'

by Matt Redman

I have heard so many songs
Listened to a thousand tongues
But there is one
That sounds above them all

The Father’s song
The Father’s love
You sung it over me and for eternity
It’s written on my heart

CHORUS:
Heaven’s perfect melody
The Creator’s symphony
You are singing over me
The Father’s song
Heaven’s perfect mystery
The King of Love has sent for me
And now You’re singing over me
The Father’s song

I have heard so many songs
Listened to a thousand tongues
But there is one
That sounds above them all
[Sounds above them all]

The Father’s song
The Father’s love
You sung it over me and for eternity
It’s written on my heart

CHORUS

It’s Heaven’s perfect mystery
The King of Love has sent for me
And now You’re singing over me
The Father’s song

The Father’s song
The Father’s love
You sung it over me and for eternity
It’s written on my heart
[It’s written on my heart]

The Father’s song
The Father’s love
You sung it over me and for eternity
It’s written on my heart
It’s written on my heart
You sing it over me
Father

Lent : My Beloved

'My Beloved'

by Chris Tomlin

My beloved mine, I His,
My beloved mine, I His,
My beloved mine, I His,

His precious blood was spilled,
His precious blood was spilled,
His precious blood was spilled,
My beloved mine, I His,

He raised my life up from the dead,
He raised my life up from the dead,
He raised my life up from the dead,
My beloved mine, I His,

When my eyes shall see His face,
When my eyes shall see His face,

When my eyes shall see His face,
My beloved mine, I His,

Mighty God, Faithful One,
My Beloved, my Beloved,
You're the Lamb of God,
You're the Holy One,
My Beloved, my Beloved, my Beloved,

My Beloved mine, I His,
My Beloved mine, I His,
My Beloved mine, I His.

Lent : Your Grace Still Amazes Me

Speaking of continually being amazed by God... He is deeper. He is wider. He is stronger than anything my eyes have seen...

'Your Grace Still Amazes Me'

by Phillips, Craig and Dean

My faithful Father, enduring Friend

Your tender mercy’s like a river with no end

It overwhelms me, covers my sin

Each time I come into Your presence

I stand in wonder once again

CHORUS:

Your grace still amazes me

Your love is still a mystery

Each day I fall on my knees

Your grace still amazes me

‘Cause Your grace still amazes me

Oh, patient Saviour, You make me whole

You are the Author and the Healer of my soul

What can I give You, Lord, what can I say

I know there’s no way to repay You

Only to offer You my praise

It’s deeper, it’s wider

It’s stronger, it’s higher

It’s deeper it’s wider

It’s stronger, it’s higher

than anything my eyes can see

Lent : Here Is Love

I first encountered the following song on the Passion album 'Hymns Ancient & Modern' (2003/4). The album was a project by a group of well-known worship leaders, putting modern twists on some classic hymns. I had never heard 'Here Is Love' (sung by Matt Redman) before. But I have since heard it many times while living in Scotland, as it is an oft sung British hymn (of Welsh origins) and it has become a favourite. The imagery of the second verse gets me every time, especially the last line: 'And Heaven's peace and perfect justice kissed a guilty world in love'. Every time.

Here is love, vast as the ocean

Lovingkindness as the flood

When the Prince of Life, our Ransom

Shed for us His precious blood

Who His love will not remember?

Who can cease to sing His praise?

He can never be forgotten

Throughout Heav'n's eternal days

On the mount of crucifixion

Fountains opened deep and wide

Through the floodgates of God's mercy

Flowed a vast a gracious tide

Grace and love, like mighty rivers

Poured incessant from above

And Heav'n's peace and perfect justice

Kissed a guilty world in love

Chorus:

No love is higher, no love is wider

No love is deeper, no love is truer

No love is higher, no love is wider

No love is like Your love, o Lord

My favourite rendition is Matt Redman's version from 'Passion: Hymns Ancient and Modern', but I couldn't find a decent link, so you'll have to search for it on your own.

But you can click here for a link to a more traditional version, performed in both English and Welsh.

Lent : Oh, How He Loves Us

I could not get this song out of my head. All day long it played over and over again--on my computer, on my ipod, in my head. Rather fitting, as today marks the first day of Lent. Over the next 40 days, Christians around the world, across denominations, will be embarking on a season of prayer, fasting, and self-denial, culminating in a weekend-long observance commemorating and celebrating the single greatest Act of Love the world has ever known.

Oh, how He loves us all.

He is jealous for me, loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,

Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.

When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,

And I realize just how beautiful You are,

And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us, oh

Oh, how He loves us,

How He loves us all

He is jealous for me, loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,

Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.

When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,

And I realize just how beautiful You are,

And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us oh,

Oh, how He loves us,

How He loves us all

He loves us,

Oh, how He loves us,

Oh, how He loves us,

Oh, how He loves.

And we are His portion and He is our prize,

Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes.

If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking.

And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,

And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,

I don't have time to maintain these regrets,

When I think about, the way…

That He loves us,

Oh, how He loves us,

Oh, how He loves us,

Oh, how He loves.

'How He Loves' by the David Crowder*Band (2009): For those of you who are interested, here's a link to the song: