Anna and Ally are a second set of sisters serving at this retreat. They’re both musicians and regularly lead worship with their husbands at church and in a band called Alanna’s Story. We’ve all been blessed to have them lead us into the throne room of God through musical refrain – both old and new. These sisters have intentionally weaved hymns that have stood the test of time with new, sing-able choruses in an attempt to bridge the ever-growing generational gap. In so doing, they’ve reminded us of the heritage of worshipers we stand with while exhorting us to not stop ‘singing a new song’ to our God.
“I Am the Lord’s I Know” is an old hymn written by Charles W. Naylor in 1902. Anna has recently played with key elements from his poem – the unique connection between our declaration of trust in a Sovereign God with the security we have in knowing where our identity comes from. She has recomposed the music and lyrics to now read:
Whether I live or die,
Whether I wake or sleep,
Whether upon the land,
Or on the stormy deep;I will stand confident
For all my fears have been eclipsed
by my Father’s Love
So I won’t be afraid,
I won’t be afraid,
I am the Lord’s I knowNothing shall separate
From His unbounded love,
Neither in depths below,
Nor in the heights above;I will stand confident
For all my fears have been eclipsed
by my Father’s Love
So I won’t be afraid,
I won’t be afraid,
I am the Lord’s I knowEven in the wind and the waves obey you
And at the sound of your name kingdoms fall
My hope’s secure in the hands of a sovereign God
“I am the Lord’s I know.” Just stop and think about that for a second. It’s a statement of belonging and it’s an appeal to intimacy.
We’ve been so fortunate to have such intentionality at this retreat, especially in the area of worship. Seeing as Thrive represents Global women of all ages (ranging from 26-72) from many different sending agencies, Anna and Ally have connected in a beautiful way uniting all of our hearts to the one who calls each of us his ‘I know’!
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