I\u2019m going to name drop this morning. I\u2019ve done it once before and shared just a little about my Bible College music theory class. But today, I plan to share a little more information.<\/p>\n
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1978 was the year. Cincinnati Bible College was the place. Katie Cartwright was the professor. The upper level of the Coach House was the classroom. This stone building was the growing field of a few aspiring musicians.<\/p>\n
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I will admit I wasn\u2019t one of them. I was a music major. Part of the course work was music theory. The workings of music. What made music sound like it does. That\u2019s the stuff we were learning.<\/p>\n
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In the midst of this small group of first year music majors sat a young man named Rich Mullins. He\u2019s all the buzz right now with the movie of his life. But I can honestly say, \u201cI knew him when\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
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It wasn\u2019t the best year for some of us in that room. I was learning how to live on my own. I was sick quite a bit my freshman year. I didn\u2019t always hand in my homework (and I have the handouts from Mrs. Cartwright to prove it\u2026and by the way, Rich\u2019s name was on the list too).<\/p>\n
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To be honest, I struggled with the ins and outs of my life as much as I struggled with the ins and outs of music!<\/p>\n
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That\u2019s why I want to share this song with you today. Rich was a master of words. Yes, he was an excellent song-writer, but his words are what brings the music to life. Look at this line. \u201cIf I fall, let me fall on the grace that first brought me to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
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I fall. But thankfully, God\u2019s there to catch me and in His grace is where I land.<\/p>\n
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The Apostle Paul understood God\u2019s grace. Romans 3:24 tells us that \u201cwe are justified freely by his grace\u201d and Romans 5:17 speaks of \u201cGod\u2019s abundant provision of grace.\u201d In Ephesians 1:7-8 he says, \u201cthe riches of God\u2019s grace that he lavished on us.\u201d Paul reminded Timothy of the grace \u201cpoured out on me abundantly\u201d in 1 Timothy 1:14.<\/p>\n
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And for those who might not believe Paul\u2019s words, God said this in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV). \u201cMy grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
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So, \u201clet me fall on the grace that first brought me to You.\u201d I will gladly sing Rich\u2019s words and remind myself of God\u2019s grace. I pray that you will do the same.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIf I Stand\u201d<\/p>\n
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There’s more that rises in the morning
\nThan the sun
\nMore that shines in the night
\nThan just the moon
\nThere’s more than just this fire here
\nThat keeps me warm
\nIn a shelter that is larger
\nThan this room<\/p>\n
\nThere’s a loyalty that’s deeper
\nThan mere sentiment
\nA music higher than the songs
\nThat I can sing
\nThe stuff of earth competes
\nFor the allegiance
\nI owe only to the Giver
\nOf all good things<\/p>\n
Chorus:
\nSo if I stand let me stand on the promise
\nThat You will pull me through
\nAnd if I can’t let me fall on the grace
\nThat first brought me to You
\nIf I sing let me sing for the joy
\nThat has born in me these songs
\nAnd if I weep let it be as a man
\nWho is longing for his home<\/p>\n
\nThere’s more that dances on the prairies
\nThan the wind
\nMore that pulses in the ocean
\nThan the tide
\nThere’s a love that is fiercer
\nThan the love between friends
\nMore gentle than a mother’s
\nWhen her baby’s at her side<\/p>\n
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There’s a loyalty that’s deeper
\nThan mere sentiment
\nA music higher than the songs
\nThat I can sing
\nThe stuff of earth competes
\nFor the allegiance
\nI owe only to the Giver
\nOf all good things<\/p>\n
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(Chorus)[i]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n