RUF Winter Conference at Fall Creek Falls, TN

Over 500 RUFers from Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee gathered this weekend at Fall Creek Falls. We had gorgeous weather. Sunny and cold on Saturday - perfect for an afternoon of hiking. That night, the temperature dropped and it started snowing (pictures this - groups of students frolicking in the snow at midnight. This Floridian participated but was VERY cold). So this morning when we got up everything was a blanket of white. Funny how beauty can show her face in the vibrant blue sky and coursing waterfalls, as well as in the silent snow-laden trees.





Kevin Twit led worship all weekend and introduced a "new" hymn last night. (yes, this is my shameless plug for all things indelible grace!) Apparently, Matthew Perryman Jones showed him this text from a hymnal of believers descended from the Brethren. We sang these words to the tune of "Tis so Sweet" and it hit me how rarely I think about Jesus as beautiful. Loving, yes. Powerful, yes. But beautiful? I especially love verse 2....

Hast Thou Heard Him, Seen Him?
anonymous early 20th century hymn (alt. Kevin Twit)

1. Hast thou heard Him, seen Him, known Him?
Is not thine a captured heart?
Chief among ten thousand own Him;
Joyful choose the better part

Chorus: Captivated by His beauty
Worthy tribute haste to bring;
Let His peerless worth constrain thee
Crown Him now unrivaled King.

2. What can strip the seeming beauty
From the idols of the earth?
Not a sense of right or duty
But the sight of peerless worth (repeat chorus)

3. Tis the look that melted Peter
Tis the face that Stephen saw
Tis the heart that wept with Mary
Can alone from idols draw (repeat chorus 2x)