Story Behind the Song

Horatio Spafford, a successful Chicago lawyer, penned the hymn “It Is Well with My Soul” after several tragic events in his life. In 1871, the Spafford’s only son died at the age of four. Shortly after his son’s death, Horatio endured the great Chicago fire, which destroyed all of his investment property and ruined him financially. Then in 1873, the family planned a trip to Europe. Horatio was delayed by business, but sent his wife and four daughters on ahead, promising to follow them in a few days. While crossing the Atlantic, their ship was struck by an iron sailing vessel and sank rapidly, killing over 220 people, including all four of the Spafford’s daughters. His wife Anna survived and when she arrived in Europe she sent back the telegram, “Saved alone.” Horatio left immediately to bring his grieving wife home. As he passed near the spot of his daughters’ death, he began to write these words:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

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!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

In the midst of the darkest days of his life, Horatio maintained a deep sense of God’s sustaining presence. Stripped of everything but their faith, the Spafford’s moved to Jerusalem to begin a mission work there and impacted many lives with the message of our hope in Christ.

Whatever you are going through this week, may this song become your prayer. As you hold on to God’s promises, may you proclaim “It is well, it is well, with my soul!”

Tori's Message

I spoke about experiencing every dimension of freedom in Christ on Sunday. Deep in our bones we know that we were created to be free beings, which is why we react so strongly to bondage, slavery, and oppression. This week I received another letter from my friend Tori who is serving time in the federal penitentiary. The last time that I visited him, I told him that I don't want any more of our young men and women to end up rotting away in prison. We were created to be free. I asked him to share with our teens some things from his experience that might guide them in the right direction. The powerful message below is what he wrote. It is meant as a letter to our ROC Youth, but I wanted to share it with you because it is deeply connected to some of the things we are exploring in Romans 8. Continue to keep Tori lifted up in your prayers.

This is a picture of Tori with "the Christian brothers I'm really close with... my prayer group on the dorm."

July 6, 2011

The Family,

Hello everyone, my name is Tori Q. Hill, but everyone used to know me as Baby PB from Play Boy Gangster Crip. It’s taken me a long time to get this far. Seen things you may have never even heard of. I’ve done things I hope and pray none of you ever have to experience. At the young age of 22 years old, I’ve graduated into manhood by way of the penitentiary. A place I wish I’d never had to come to, and somewhere I pray to God in Heaven, that none of you ever have to see the inside of.

It’s hard times any time you do time. Whatever the security, whatever the yard, doing time is time. This is not for human beings, let alone grown men. I’ve watched guards let rival gangs kill each other. I’ve seen a man get his head pushed in with a lock over an argument. I know a guy who got stabbed over a cheese biscuit. Tension and bad vibes run the compound in the prison system. C.O.’s doing and saying whatever they want, men kissing other men. It’s enough to drive a brother crazy. Your line of friends and family, who will remember you, will also dwindle and even fade into nothing. You get a chance to see who really cares for you. You have nobody but yourself, God and those you least expect to make the trip to come see you. And trust me; “Homies” are not going to look out.

It gets deeper: When you’re in the cell, looking out the window, when everything finally sinks in, it can bring tears to any man’s eyes. He’ll tell you different, but he’s probably lying. Unless he enjoys being away from civilization and family, kids, mother and siblings, he’s felt the pain of hard time. The loneliness can break a man. The thought of that out date being so far away can eat you alive. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemies. This is not a life for anyone.

But, when all is said and done, I understand that this is what it took, like a lot of guys, to get me in the position to be used by my Heavenly Father. He may not have put me here, but He and I are positive that this experience will not be wasted. My siblings, I would like to be your sacrifice so that you gain from this experience. It is only fair that you get a chance to see that you don’t have to come here to know where the streets lead. This is my blood, sweat, and tears so that you may choose a different path. Don’t follow me little brother and young sister. Follow the right Way. There is more waiting for you than you can see. God has a beautiful ending for us all, even me. I’m not perfect. I wish I was, but truth is, I’m not there yet. Not yet. I know what I want. And I know where peace is and this it’s waiting for me.

After all the pain and suffering, after all the drugs, guns and street living, I finally know where peace is. I know how to fill that void in my life. God has given me another chance to live. I’ve been dead for so long, I am now home. Free from this mental prison that lurks in the street life. I refuse to be another victim any longer. What about you?

In the upcoming months, I’ll be writing you all to share some deep things. The way I see you guys is as family. So I’ll treat you like it. A few of my brothers would like to send their testimonies as well. If you are okay with that, then I’ll give them the green light. But I must warn you, there are raw and uncut brothers. 100% real, and now about Christ.

I grew up where you live. I’ve made a name for myself as a drug dealing, trigger happy individual. Now I know the damage I’ve done. The families I’ve destroyed. The lives I’ve taken. Sometimes I can see their faces. Hear their voices. Feel their pain. It’s not worth it. Never was. And now that I’m back home in Christ, I will forever love you – my younger brother, my younger sister. For my only wish is to stop the bloody beast that eats our young.

I love you and I’ll be writing soon. Take it slow and safe.

Love ~ Tori

p.s. I hope you enjoy the pictures. Would love to see some of you guys soon!