While hiking up a hill along a dirt trail near the St. Johns River, I captured this old, fallen tree. I thought it had been cut down by a chain saw – while leaving a clear picture in its heartwood that reminded me of the "Old Rugged Cross" of Jesus Christ ... As a boy in church and school I had sung that old song many times, memorizing the words to all stanzas and chorus. ... Miraculously, the end of this fallen tree was facing towards the trail, - its face in an upright position - so all who came by could clearly see this "Good News" reminder of Jesus’ Soul-Saving, Love-in-Action for the entire World's populations! ... If the tree end had faced in another direction away from the trail, perhaps no one passing by there would ever have seen this 2000-year-old visual message. And my photo would not have been captured for others to see it either. ... This picture of the falling down of this old tree is a part of God's Will and a Message to all mankind! This "just-by-chance" (not really) photo and story is now a spiritual inspiration for my life and even my photography and writing! ...
But, I must ask, what does God want us to do with this, His visible display and His natural message for today? ... Well, we can still rejoice in reading the words and hearing the music of this great old church hymn "The Old Rugged Cross" written by Methodist evangelist and song leader George Bennard in 1912 over 100 years ago: "On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suff’ring and shame, And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best For a world of lost sinners was slain.... Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, Has a wondrous attraction for me; For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above, To bear it to dark Calvary. ... In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine Such a wonderful beauty I see For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died To pardon and sanctify me. ... To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, Its shame and reproach gladly bear; Then He'll call me someday to my home far away, Where His glory forever I'll share. ... Chorus: 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."
CONTACT J.R. at e-mail JRBEATTY@AOL.COM for more info and assistance.
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