17 Comments

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  Comment by Stephen Cracknell — April 16, 2012 @ 5:32 am

  Spafford was a Christian brother who experienced the loss of of his only son (aged 4), the decimation of his livelihood due to a fire, and the subsequent tragic death of his four daughters in a major accident at sea. And yet, he could still hold firmly that “it is well with my soul.” So yes, he was ‘A Thoughtful Man’. I hope that I never have to think about some of the things he ‘thought about’.

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  Comment by gumbymonster — April 16, 2012 @ 5:44 am

  To know and trust in the magnificent doctrine of the Sovereignty of God is a most glorious thought indeed.
  I say reader, when, not if, frowning providences come your way, will you be able say, “It is well with my soul”?

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  Comment by Gordo — April 16, 2012 @ 9:42 am

  “…afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…”

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  Comment by Kate Akele — April 17, 2012 @ 2:45 am

  I definitely agree with Gordo!

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  Comment by Dominic Stockford — April 17, 2012 @ 2:54 am

  I believe Mr Spafford wrote his hymn whilst in a ship, in a storm, in roughly the place that his family had perished in a previous ship in a previous storm. To be able to say “all is well with my soul” in such circumstances not only tells us that his faith in Christ was strong, but also that he knew that the reality of eternity is far more important than anything here.

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  Comment by Helen — April 17, 2012 @ 11:30 am

  Agree with everyone! I first heard that hymn about 3 years ago on a CD of Sankey hymns sung by a Salvation Army choir, and it was a great comfort in the trial I was undergoing at the time. I am currently undergoing new (and similar) trials, and have again been recalling the song.
  “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Rom 8:35) (You can sing this to Mozart’s horn concerto in E flat b.t.w. – the song about the French Horn!)

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  Comment by Janis — April 17, 2012 @ 4:42 pm

  “My sin, not in part, but the whole, is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord!” This is the wonderful truth of the gospel. We bear it no more because it is forgiven AND because He has broken the hold that sin had on us. Take that, Accuser of the Brethren!

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  Comment by Lydia — April 18, 2012 @ 6:56 pm

  I think this is a _hilarious_ Sacred Sandwich entry. It made me chuckle. I dearly love “It is Well With My Soul.” It’s a very great hymn. I’ll gladly sing it any time. But admit it: He does interrupt himself rather a lot in that particular verse. “My sin (oh, the bliss of this glorious thought), my sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross…” Phew! Finally got to the verb! It’s a bit like something in German. (That is, because in German the verb is often delayed in the sentence.)

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  Comment by Stephen Cracknell — April 19, 2012 @ 3:39 am

  Lydia … read this carefully with your eternal destiny in mind:

  My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
  My sin, not in part but the whole,
  Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
  Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

  Thankyou brother Spafford, for puting into words what the Saviour did as my sacrificial substitute. Thankyou my Saviour, for loving me so very, very much. You bore my sins – all of them – every single one of them. There is genuine bliss in this glorious thought! If you had not done this … my soul would soon be in hell. Hallelujah!

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  Comment by SuzanneB — April 19, 2012 @ 8:49 am

  @gumbymonster: Do you know “God Moves in a Mysterious Way” by Thomas Cowper? Your comment about “frowning providences” brought this hymn to mind.

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  Comment by yankeegospelgirl — April 19, 2012 @ 11:02 am

  Oh dear. YES, this is an incredible hymn. In fact, it’s probably my favorite, and I love many. BUT… people, can’t we lighten up a little? This is funny stuff.

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  Comment by Stephen Cracknell — April 19, 2012 @ 8:07 pm

  @yankeegospelgirl: I love the “ligher side” of the Sacred Sandwich (most of my posts are tongue-in-cheek) but I find this one hard to “laugh” or “chuckle” about. Spafford experienced such great sorrow in losing all his children and yet could experience great joy because of what Jesus has done for him. I’m not critical of your post but there is a REAL tragedy behind Spafford’s song. We often see things differently. Honestly, I can’t see this post as “funny” or “hilarious” but I do appreciate Angus reminding us that in Jesus – all is well with our souls!

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  Comment by Deacon's Wife — April 19, 2012 @ 11:48 pm

  Point well taken, Stephen. However, I think one can appreciate the cleverness of the post without being cavalier about the tragic circumstances of Spafford’s life. That’s because those who are amused by the idea of a “parenthetical thought within a thought” are rightly discerning that the focus of the humor is on the creative phraseology of Spafford’s hymn and not on the calamity in his life. I find this post to be a very ingenious way to promote the idea that we as Christians would do well to continually interject some parenthetical bliss into our contemplation of God’s grace— even in the midst of our trials and sufferings. There are a lot of layers to ponder here and I, for one, can be simultaneously pricked and tickled by it.

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  Comment by Stephen Cracknell — April 20, 2012 @ 6:26 am

  Appreciate your excellent post Deacon’s Wife. I think you should be an Elder’s Wife with that much wisdom!

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  Comment by Dave D. — April 20, 2012 @ 9:53 am

  Stephen, I agree there is much wisdom in the comments from Deacon’s Wife! Angus is also wise in bringing us things constantly that provide challenge and levity. This post has been one of the best at allowing me to experience both. Thanks again, Angus!

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  Comment by Jill Price — May 10, 2012 @ 1:40 am

  Thank you Stephen for your kind honesty throughout the posts; it was nerve-racking to read through, knowing that Christians can defame the name of Christ with their pride in these situations, but you made your points and they were sound. The humor felt wrong to me also; there is an uneasiness about it within me. The Spirit has to lead people here, but the greatest commandment is to of course love God and our neighbor. If there is cause for offense, we should ere with caution and write another cartoon; humor is easily found, an offended brother not easily won.

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  Comment by Patsey Manning — May 12, 2012 @ 6:46 pm

  I enjoy Angus’s posts, I don’t ever feel offended. Perhaps I don’t dig as deeply as some, but I find no fault with the humor in Sacred Sandwich.

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