I had a slight obsession with Lisa Frank as a child. Ok, ok… it was not slight in the slightest. It was an all-out crazed obsession with the bright, cheerful colors and fantastic creatures. I coveted all things Lisa Frank- the pencil cases, notebooks, pens… And then I received the GOAT Lisa Frank gift- a pens/paper/card gift set. A WHOLE SET of beautifully bound, SCENTED paper and pens with cards that you could give to (what must be) the most special people in the entire world.
Now some kids would rip into that new gift with a fury and everything would be written on in around twenty minutes. That was not me. I was wise enough to know this opportunity did not come ever… I couldn’t waste these precious scented papers on just anyone. So, I put them in my most upfront, special center drawer in my desk… for the right time.
When I cleaned out my drawers before going to college guess what I found… my beloved Lisa Frank gift set. The papers didn’t smell anymore and the pens were dry. I wanted to cry. I never did give them to the most important people in the world. I didn’t give them to anyone. I put them in a dark, safe place where they were not appreciated. Actually, everytime I would see them in that drawer as a child I remember feeling anxiety over knowing exactly what to do with them.
A waste really.
As I was driving to work this week, I was thinking about some things that I clasp tightly in my hands and am so scared to let go of. Money, time, energy… I realized I hold these things as much too sacred. And I realized that God has asked me to let them go. To give these things to the most important people- His people. If I hold them close and keep them for myself, it’s such a waste.
So many times we are reminded in the bible to serve, to give, to sacrifice for others. In Luke, Jesus tells us “For who is greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves...but I am among you as the one who serves.”
I was embarrassed in that moment in my car at the amount of times I have failed God in my service. I have failed to show compassion and love for His children. I have let my own selfishness, greed, and pride direct my giving. I hold onto the things I value like I held onto my Lisa Frank gift set.
It became real to me when Paul says in Philippians “not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.” To give not to receive but to be thinking selflessly about what the receiver is blessed with.
I had my feelings hurt this week. I wallowed in self-pity and honestly gave it way too much space and time in my mind and heart. That image of Lisa Frank pens popped up again- God was showing me something- I was holding onto my own selfish issues when I needed to give it over to Him and get on with my service to His glory.
I will never be perfect in my love for others. I am not meant to be. Jesus is the only one who can hold that title. But, I can sure improve. I can use my most beautiful paper to write to someone who needs encouragement, and I can give all I can when I see hurt. I can seek opportunities to serve and to love. I can look past my own hurts and issues and actually see other people.
This song that was not originally a song at all, has become a staple in the line up for Christian Christmas Worship. Not only was this song not a song, it was also written by an atheist and put to music by a Jewish man. If you have ever heard O Holy NIght, this is shocking news. Oh and there’s even more to the story! Lean in…
First, this song was originally a poem- In a small town in France in 1847 a parish had recently renovated their organ and the priest asked a local poet, also a winemaker, Placide Cappeau, to pen a poem in celebration. The poem would be revealed on Christmas Eve at the church. Cappeau was an unbeliever, describing himself an atheist, but imagined himself there at the birth and read the gospel of Luke to prepare. Below is the original poem translated to English:
Literal Translation of "Minuit, chrétiens" (Midnight, Christians) Midnight, Christians, is the solemn hour, When God as man descended unto us To erase the stain of original sin And to end the wrath of His Father. The entire world thrills with hope On this night that gives it a Saviour. People, kneel down, await your deliverance. Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer, Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer! May the ardent light of our Faith Guide us all to the cradle of the infant, As in ancient times a brilliant star Guided the Oriental kings there. The King of Kings was born in a humble manger; O mighty ones of today, proud of your greatness, It is to your pride that God preaches. Bow your heads before the Redeemer! Bow your heads before the Redeemer! The Redeemer has broken every bond: The Earth is free, and Heaven is open. He sees a brother where there was only a slave, Love unites those that iron had chained. Who will tell Him of our gratitude, For all of us He is born, He suffers and dies. People, stand up! Sing of your deliverance, Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer, Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer!
Thinking this poem would be a wonderful song, Cappeau asked a composer, Adolphe Adam (a Jew), to put it to music. Adolphe obliged though he didn’t really believe this Jesus was the son of God and he certainly didn’t celebrate the day it was written for. The song debuted in 1847 by an opera singer and was widely loved after that.
Another amazing part of this story is that when it was found out this song was written by an atheist (who had renounced the church and became a Socialist) and put to music by a Jew, the Catholic Church renounced it and it was banned for around 20 years. The hymn was still loved and continued to spread in popularity.
The version we know was reworked some and translated by John Sullivan Dwight, a minister, in 1855. “An ardent abolitionist, Dwight strongly identified with the lines of the third verse: ‘Truly he taught us to love one another; his law is love and his gospel is peace. Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother; and in his name all oppression shall cease.’ The text supported Dwight's own view of slavery in the South. Published in his magazine, Dwight's English translation of ‘O Holy Night’ quickly found found favor in America, especially in the North during the Civil War.” (From "Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas")
John Sullivan Dwight's version O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appear'd and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born; O night divine, O night, O night Divine. Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here come the wise men from the Orient land. The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger; In all our trials born to be our friend. He knows our need, to our weaknesses no stranger, Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend! Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend! Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother; And in His name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever, His power and glory evermore proclaim. His power and glory evermore proclaim.
Legend has it that on Christmas Eve 1871, in the midst of fierce fighting between the armies of Germany and France, during the Franco-Prussian War, a French soldier suddenly jumped out of his muddy trench. Both sides stared at the man. Boldly standing with no weapon in his hand or at his side, he lifted his eyes to the heavens and sang the beginning of O Holy Night.
After completing all three verses, a German infantryman climbed out his hiding place and answered with the beginning of Martin Luther's robust "From Heaven Above to Earth I Come." Fighting ceased for 24 hours.
Another amazing story about O Holy Night- in 1906, on Christmas Eve, Reginald Fessenden spoke the first words by a human over radio broadcast- the Gospel of Luke and then Fessenden played ‘O Holy Night’ on his violin.
Though this song had a unique beginning, the words within it are a testament to God using unlikely people in unlikely situations to grow His kingdom and shine His glory. There is a contrast in the holiness of this baby boy, come as king, to take the sins of the world and the humility of the situation- a dirty stable, an ordinary inn, a long uncomfortable journey for a young mother in pain… simplicity in the situation but what holiness and glory in the revealing of a savior!
It’s hard for me to believe that God couldn’t use anyone He desires to bring His word to life and to change the world. Truly, night divine.
Ya’ll. I may sound crazy, but lately I have been thinking about being happy. Not really whether or not I should be happy but what, exactly, that means. Is it a feeling or something circumstantial or… more?
If you were like me a couple of years ago, you were overjoyed to hear a new song that was simple, catchy, and happy. Actually, the title is literally “Happy.” Pharrell Williams may not have meant to insert a profound statement but it’s in there… “Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth.” I didn’t think about it then but it struck me this week- there it is- happiness is the TRUTH. I think he was on to something.
One of the wonderful things about having trials and sufferings in life is that you gain perspective and understanding. At the time our baby boy died I had been in a period of suffering and grief for months, and then it was deepened tenfold. In the midst of this immeasurable pain was immeasurable mercy and love, and with it came peace and… joy. Not the kind of joy that makes you smile a lot and giggle and feel fuzzy, but the understanding that there was a protection over me, a hedge around my heart and hope in an abiding love. I knew joy unmatched awaited where my son had gone, and one day I would get there too. In our trials, James tells us to count it joy (happiness) because our trials grow our faith. I was able to count my suffering as joy because I was given an opportunity to cling closer to Jesus, the One who is truth, and goodness, and mercy, and love, and JOY. Glorifying Him in my trial gave me joy because my life was meant to do just that- I was living out my purpose.
In his book “When I Don’t Desire God” John Piper says,“Seeing the glory of Jesus Christ in the gospel awakens joy. And joy in Christ magnifies his worth. That is why Satan aims chiefly at blinding us from seeing Christ for who he is. He hates to see Christ honored. And Christ is mightily honored when the sight of his glory gives rise to the kind of gladness that cuts the nerve of sin and causes radical sacrifice in the cause of the gospel.”
I think we sometimes get caught up in thinking that happiness comes in moments, feelings, and circumstances. True joy comes by pursuing the One who created it. God wants us to have joy- in Galatians it is actually named a fruit of the spirit for those who profess to follow Christ. Sometimes that joy is a tearful, hard fought fight through tough circumstances and sometimes that joy is simple and lighthearted.
Whatever your trial or circumstance, may you cling to the One who promised to sustain you and endured the cross because of the joy that was to come.
. . . looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy.
Oh friends I am so excited to gush about one of the (in my opinion) most powerful and beautiful psalms. Within it you see our weakness, our deep reliance on a mighty God and you also see His response to our weaknesses- He will care for us, He will rescue us and bless us.
It is easy to believe God doesn’t care about you in the midst of great misery or pain. But that same misery and pain leads you to a closer walk with Jesus. God’s chief desire is not to be our puppetmaster, moving our strings and dictating our emotions for his pleasure. God LOVES His children. In our neediness and weakness God becomes our full provision and power, drawing us closer to Him.
In 1588 King Philip II of Spain wanted to overtake England from his Sister in Law, Queen Elizabeth I. Phillip sent Medina Sidonia with a massive fleet that was seven miles long ship to ship. 26,000 men strong against England’s smaller boats and smaller army. The Spanish Armada was the greatest army at the time and there was no question who would win. But- the wind. The Spanish sailed on fortresses on sea- massive ships designed to move with the wind, not against. The tiny English ships moved with AND against winds. The winds carried the Spanish straight for England, and then turned. The winds were against them after they arrived to battle and the English took advantage. They set fire to their own ships and sent them straight into the Spanish Armada’s fleets. The Spanish cut anchor lines in panic and the winds shifted their ships north where they were bashed against Ireland and Scotland’s coasts. They came home with one third of their men while England lost only one hundred in battle. If the Spanish had won, the mighty British Empire would have been Spanish. We might be speaking Spanish and historically been predominantly Catholic. It is also important to note that in the next ten years, two more Spanish Armadas were sent only to be battered by storms and have to retreat.
Why do I mention this? Because I think it’s fascinating…. :) and also because of the English insistence that God was on their side and turned the wind to ensure their victory. Englishmen quoted Psalm 147 constantly- it was even printed on coins and medals after their success- “He makes His wind blow and the waters flow”. God’s power is infinite, as is His love for His people.
As you read through the Psalm, look for the contrast of our weaknesses and God’s mighty strength.
Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.
The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
The Lord lifts up the humble;
he casts the wicked to the ground.
Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre!
*God gathers us to Himself as His children and in our specific ailments He heals us. This is amazing when you read the next line which shows He knows the number of billions of stars and has named them all- yet He cares for our individual hurts. God is infinitely powerful and also infinitely loving.
He covers the heavens with clouds;
he prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass grow on the hills.
He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens that cry.
*God gives food to the beasts and the raven who cries- why are ravens mentioned so specifically when the more general word ‘beasts’ comes before? Ravens were deemed unclean to eat in the time period- they were the outcast of the animal world, and were a nuisance to people yet God feeds them just like other animals. He provides for the most ridiculed outcast.
His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
he blesses your children within you.
He makes peace in your borders;
he fills you with the finest of the wheat.
He sends out his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
He gives snow like wool;
he scatters frost like ashes.
He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs;
who can stand before his cold?
He sends out his word, and melts them;
he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
He declares his word to Jacob,
his statutes and rules to Israel.
He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
they do not know his rules.
Praise the Lord!
*This portion literally lists God’s gifts- He strengthens you, He blesses you, He gives you peace, He provides for you. And then, my favorite part of this Psalm- the beauty of “He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes, He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold? He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.” Isn’t the word picture here beautiful?
Have you ever felt scared during an especially harsh ice storm in winter? I know in Boone there were many times I could not rely on my skill to get somewhere- I prayed for God to steady my hands and heart. The reality of me being very small and weak was clear on days the wind howled and ice was literally hurled from the sky. But then- He sends word and melts the ice and snow. In our times of panic, fear, weakness, with a word God can rescue us.
God’s rescuing and healing does not always look the way we want it to however. His plan is not made in order to make us happy or comfortable. His plan is to bring the nations to Himself. When we went through the months of consistently hearing nothing had changed with our baby and that we would lose him, we could’ve lamented that God wasn’t rescuing us, or our baby. That He wasn’t healing. But God did so much more- He brought us (and many others through Hayden) into a closer, more intimate relationship with Himself. He more than healed my baby boy- He allowed Hayden to never know human sorrow or misery or pain- but to only know love, and to go from living to being fully alive with Christ.
In his book “The Pleasures of God,” John Piper says “Surely it is because our fear reflects the greatness of his power and our hope reflects the bounty of his grace.” Our fear of God and our hope in God reveals His glory.
Lord, may we praise You in our joy-filled days and in our grief-stricken days. Thank You that You provide, bless, love, and protect us. May we not fear the unknown or the hard circumstances we go through but instead pray we use it as You ask- to point others toward Your holiness and to reveal Your glory. We long to know You more, serve You more, and to be more like You.
Amen.
First, forgive me- things are about to get a little heavy here. If you don’t mind, I’m pretending you, precious reader, are taking my hand and trekking through the muck with me…
There is an ache that many of us have endured that perhaps we didn’t even know how to name. I would argue that all of us have gone through a season where we’ve suffered from this pain- I would name this affliction the longing to BE KNOWN. It’s sneaky, selfish, and life altering. We desire for others to see us, hear us, love us, want us, and to truly know us. We want friends with inside jokes, spouses who finish our sentences, and pets that do everything we tell them.
But, sometimes we don’t have them. We are in despair because we are alone. And what is being alone? It is not being known. Being forgotten.
Ok friend- here is where I tell you the good news…. Just kidding, not yet. But it’s coming.
My story with Psalm 139: (and how it relates to loneliness…)
I lost my first baby boy when he was five days old. We knew we would lose him for my entire pregnancy. This was the saddest, most desperate, anguishing season of my life thus far. And I was lonely. People were swarming around us doing everything they possibly could after he died but there is a loneliness in the death of a child. You feel thrown into a pit of despair with your misery shoveled on top, suffocating you.
But, God. He was there too. (Here’s the hopeful part…) It was the most excruciating time, but never have I felt God so tangibly by my side. He refused to leave me. In the time I desperately needed someone to know me, my grief, my pain, my constant heart’s cry- He reminded me. “I know you.” He witnessed the death of His Son. He knew my pain, my misery, my anguish.
To the 139th Psalm I went, clinging to God’s promise to always be with me. I turned there to be reminded of the ways God treasures me, but found so much more. Not only does God fully know me but- get ready for it- He knows ALL THINGS. Not only that, but He taught me that this Psalm wasn’t really so much about me after all- it’s about Him. Any goodness in me reflects the One who is GOOD. It is about God being giving, loving, powerful, and wise. What mercy and grace is displayed in His knowing His children in such an intimate way. I am so grateful. Called the “Crown of the Psalms,” David’s beautiful song is a reminder of God’s omniscience (He knows everything), omnipresence (He is everywhere), and omnipotence (He can do anything).
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
The above verses tell us that God is all-knowing- He knows every thought, action, and emotion we have had and will have. He has “hemmed us in, behind and before” meaning He knows our beginning, our end, and hold us in His hand in the here and now. A picture of His love for His children.
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
God is everywhere. When David writes if I “ascend to heaven” he means God is there if we go up. “Make my bed in sheol” would be the grave, which is down. If I take the wings of the morning” would be where the sun rises, in the east and “dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea” would be west, the direction the sea would have been for David as he is writing in Israel. God’s hand does not leave you no matter, He holds you in the strength of His right hand.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
This. This is soul stirring for me- as humans we will have the darkness of misery cover us, the grief of losing those we love- painful, excruciating circumstances but though we are blinded momentarily by our suffering, God is our light. He can do absolutely anything. What seems to be dark is actually covered in the brilliance of God’s light because He spoke it into being for His glory, to fit into His perfect plan. And if it is not good to us, it is still good because God is infinitely good.
For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
God has written our story from our conception to our death and knows what lies on every page throughout the life we live. There is the picture of God’s greatness, His holiness and sovereignty here. His works are great, nothing is hidden from Him, and His eyes see us- all of us, every thought, action, good and bad from the beginning. And He still sent His son to die for us.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.
God’s knowledge, wisdom, his thoughts are too vast for us to understand
Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
O men of blood, depart from me!
They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain.
Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.
An emotional cry from David that comes, I believe, from his devotion to God. A plea that God would crush His enemies and a promise of devotion. David hates what God hates and desires to love what God loves. (Idea partly taken from John Calvin’s Commentary)
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
A prayer:
God we pray You search our hearts and wipe away any evil, any sin, any thought, action, or emotion unpleasing to You. May we reflect Your love, Your grace, Your truth, Your holiness. May we be a light and a city on a hill.
Friend, when you feel alone, when something happens in your life that throws you and the winds of change blow, remember you are not alone, friend. You are fully and intimately known by the God of the Universe. Not only is He a good God, a holy God, a loving God, but He is GOODNESS, He is HOLINESS, He is LOVE. This is the One who will never leave you. We are in the best of hands.
For a beautiful version of Psalm 139 by MercyMe:
And congratulations, Jenny Shank! You won our subscriber contest from last week!
As I stood in line for a hot cocoa on a typically awesome mom-of-four Friday night at Target I watched some prom-goers who had just gotten through ahead of me. Yes- PROM goers. Full dress, makeup, hair, tuxes, Target. My people.
They were laughing, greeting others who joined them. But the girls- the beautiful made-up girls, I noticed. In a split second moment that only a seasoned female would have discerned, they looked the other girls up and down and assessed. I knew that question that fell on their meticulously made-up faces… am I prettier? Good enough? And my heart sank a little bit. Oh the wasted time we give to comparison.
A quote came upon me in that moment - “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” Dolly gets it! (Yes, THAT Dolly.)
I must confess that I am that girl in that dress with that look and those questions. Everyday. I have to shove it away and tell myself that I am a daughter of a King- a greatly loved, masterfully created (in God’s image no less), flawed and yet cherished promise. And now that I know…
May I share it.
May I whisper it into the ear of the young girl who wonders who thinks she is beautiful and what worth she has. May I spread it among the moms who have piles of clothes on their bedroom floor and forgot whether they brushed their teeth today.
We are so much more. More than clothes and hairstyles and skin and skinny jeans. We have hurts and desires and gifts and flaws and every single one of us is a big fat mess. But there is a promise we are given- that we are loved very, very much by a God who sent His son to be perfect on our behalf. Not just because He loves us but because He IS love. That is what He must do as LOVE itself. He gives. And loves us unconditionally.
Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
May we see others as beautifully created as our Savior sees them. And may we have joy in knowing we are perfectly imperfect. May we be silly and fun-loving and free. Free in the knowledge that we are loved mightily.
Watchman Nee says, “Have we discovered how good the Lord is? Then in us he is as good as that! Is his power great? Then in us it is no less great!”
May we spread goodness. Joy. Love to the loveable and unloveable alike… because aren’t we all a mess without grace and mercy?
Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
My dear Eric grew up not understanding what a skunk smelled like. Bless his heart he was clueless until we moved to the foothills- then he got more than enough of the stench. As did our shepherd Jake- he was skunked several times. When I think back to those late nights in the cold holding a squirming, disgusting, smelly dog as we battled soaping him up and rinsing, I feel queasy and shiver. I felt like I would never be truly clean again.
Maybe you’ve felt like this- dirty, disgusting, unclean to your core. Impure and unworthy. I know. We all know. Those amazing Christian people you know who are perfect… no. No- they are unclean, disgusting, and dirty… UNTIL. Until they realize Christ has made them clean. Spotless and pure white, like newly fallen snow. WHITER than newly fallen snow. This is the power of Jesus. He loves you so much He became dirty, disgusting, mutilated so that you and I could be whiter than snow.
Praise God. Listen to Him whispering to you friend. He asks for your tiny seed of faith in Him and He will grow you into something beautifully amazing. You may be in the depths of stench, wretched, awful sin, decisions you know are dirty and dark. BUT He is here! He is among you, walking, whispering, loving. He hears you and sees you. Listen, Look, Reach out to Him. You do not have to walk in darkness- unknowing, questioning, feeling dirty. Be made new! You can be made clean just by asking for the grace and forgiveness Christ provides.
There is no greater news in this season of Easter, this spring season of new growth. All of us, whether new to faith in Christ or years in, make dirty, disappointing decisions. We all must kneel before Christ and confess our uncleanness and ask for Christ to forgive us and wash us new again. I am so thankful for God’s faithfulness through His son, Jesus. That though we are unclean, impure, dirty and sinful, He is so willing to wash us new and clean so that we can be in His presence as spotless, whiter than snow.
Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. - Isaiah 1:18
