Lost and Found, Robin Mark

What do you call a man who was a trader and 'user' of slaves, threw a baby off the side of a ship when it wouldn't stop crying, and was ruthless from the age of the age of 11 when he left school and went to sea? By his own testimony, he was "an infidel and a libertine", finally owning his own slave ship.
Photo, 1868, off E. Africa.........>

During a particularly stormy voyage, when it seemed all would be lost, he began reading Imitation of Christ, written by Thomas a Kempis, a Dutch monk. This experience at sea was used by the Holy Spirit to change this hardened, cruel man's heart, and he eventually accepted Christ as his Savior.

Here was a man Lost in a sea of anger and rebellion against all that was decent! But once he tasted the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus as Savior, he was Found. His life would never be the same again, and he began serving the Lord he had once laughed at and mocked.

In later years, John Newton became a minister of the gospel and served for many years in Olney, England; he was especially effective when he told the story of his life and conversion. He worked diligently to crusade against slavery with William Wilberforce, and the year he died, 1807, the British Parliament abolished slavery throughout its domain. He wrote Amazing Grace with the words he so loved. "I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see." He never ceased to be amazed at the mercy of God.

On one occasion late in his life, he loudly proclaimed, "My memory is almost gone, but I remember two things. 'That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.' "

Robin Mark, a Northern Irish singer, songwriter, and worship leader based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, performs this particularly sweet song which reflects John Newton's life perfectly! May it reflect our joy in Christ's mercy when we sing it and share it with other Lost and Founds!

Lyrics:
When the rain falls, and it some days will,
and the pavement under my feet,
sparkles silver and gold, in reflected light
that I otherwise wouldn't have seen.

And when the storm comes and the strong wind blows
I will bow my head to push through;
And every step that I take, I will watch and pray
and be sure my foothold is true.

Jesus, don't You keep me from that storm
I wanna walk that sacred ground;
For You are Master of it all
And I am but a lost and found.

And in the dry place, in the wilderness
when Your word seems so far away,
Oh I will think of my life, and I will bless Your name;
For Your promises never have failed.

And when the night falls, at the end of days,
I will lift my eyes to the heavens,
and we will shine like the stars, for eternal days;
In Your presence forever and e'er.

So, Jesus, don't You keep me from that storm
I wanna walk that sacred ground;
For You are Master of it all
And I am but a lost and found.

Lost and found, lost and found
I am but a lost and found
For can there be a sweeter sound,
than singing with the lost and found?

Jesus don't You keep me from that storm
I wanna walk that sacred ground;
For You are Master of it all And I am but a lost and found.

Supporting Scriptures:

"So he [Jesus] told them this parable: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." Luke 15: 3-7

"Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house...For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19: 9-10

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:17

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst." 1 Timothy 1: 15

"The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm." Luke 8: 24

"And his disciples came to [him], and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish." Matthew: 25 Luke 8: 24