Thankful Thursday

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.~Hebrews 13:20-21

These are the verses I'm especially thanking God for today. This afternoon, Kim, Carol and I finished up our long-standing study of the book of Hebrews and for me, these two verses bring to mind so much of the content of that book. I have so, so much to be thankful for in them...that I am at peace with our God through the blood of Christ who bore my sins on the cross, that our Lord Jesus Christ is my great Shepherd, that God will equip me and sanctify me to do every good work that He plans for me in His will making me pleasing to Him through Christ Jesus. There's more imbedded in these words of Scripture too but this is more than enough to make me overflow with gratitude to Him!

Sunday's Hymn: Blest be the Tie that Binds

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love:
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

Before our Father's throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims, are one,
Our comforts and our cares.

We share our mutual woes,
Our mutual burdens bear,
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.

This glorious hope revives
Our courage by the way,
While each in expectation lives,
And longs to see the day.

From sorrow, toil and pain,
And sin, we shall be free;
And perfect love and friendship reign
Through all eternity.

John Fawcett, 1782
Tune: Dennis, Arr. from Hans G. Nageli by Lowell Mason, 1845

Thankful Thursday

Its Friday again and I'm just posting my gratitude to God this morning for the fun day Emily and I spent together yesterday. We had originally planned to do something outdoors like visiting the Japanese Gardens that are about an hour from our house. 80% chance of rain changed that so we visited the community of Naperville, IL which is about an hour away in a different direction to browse some shops and enjoy a relaxing lunch. We agreed that it didn't matter exactly what we did, that the important thing was being together and we had a wonderful day of it! So wonderful that I forgot all about my Thankful Thursday post until this morning!

Sunday's Hymn: Now May He Who From the Dead

Now may he who from the dead
Brought the Shepherd of the sheep,
Jesus Christ, our King and Head,
All our souls in safety keep.

May he teach us to fulfil
What is pleasing in his sight;
Perfect us in all his will,
And preserve us day and night.

To that dear Redeemer's praise,
Who the cov'nant sealed with blood,
Let our hearts and voices raise
Loud thanksgiving to our God.

John Newton, 1779
Tune: Mercy, Arr. from Louis M. Gottschalk, 1867



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Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for:

• our snug and welcoming home...weeds and all...as we returned from vacation
  
• strength for the work accomplished this week...lots of weeding included
• FaceTime on my iPad that allows me to see my sister in Oregon when I talk to her
• my sister in Oregon
  
• our church and our time of prayer together last evening
• the book of Hebrews
• God's sovereignty over all despite things that don't always make sense

What are you thanking our gracious God for this day? Please share!

Sunday's Hymn: Father, Again in Jesus' Name We Meet

Father, again in Jesus' Name we meet,
And bow in penitence beneath thy feet:
Again to thee our feeble voices raise,
To sue for mercy, and to sing thy praise.

O we would bless thee for thy ceaseless care,
And all thy works from day to day declare:
Is not our life with hourly mercies crowned?
Does not thine arm encircle us around?

Alas, unworthy of thy boundless love,
Too oft with careless feet from thee we rove;
But now, encouraged by thy voice, we come,
Returning sinners to a Father's home.

O by that Name in whom all fullness dwells,
O by that love which ev'ry love excels,
O by that blood so freely shed for sin,
Open blest mercy's gate, and take us in.

Lady Lucy E. G. Whit more, 1824
St. 3, line 2; st. 4, line 4, alt.
Tune: Longwood, Sir Joseph Barnby, 1872

Thankful Thursday

On this second Thursday of our vacation in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, I am thankful for:

God's provision of safety, especially on the water but also on our trips to town and sightseeing

the fish we've caught

the refreshment and relaxation that Andy and I (Charlie too) have experienced together

WiFi coverage and my iPad which has allowed me to stay in touch with those from whom it is hard to be separated

a home and a life that I'm glad to return to

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Sunday's Hymn: Great God of Wonders!

Great God of wonders! all thy ways

Are worthy of thyself divine;

And the bright glories of thy grace

Among thine other wonders shine:

Who is a pard'ning God like thee?

Or who has grace so rich and free?

Pardon from an offended God!

Pardon for sins of deepest dye!

Pardon bestowed through Jesus' blood!

Pardon that brings the rebel nigh!

O may this glorious matchless love,

This God-like miracle of grace,

Teach mortal tongues like those above,

To raise this song of lofty praise;

Samuel Davies, 1723-1761

Tune: Pater Omnium, Henry J.E. Holmes, 1875

Thankful Thursday

We're on vacation in the beautiful Northwoods of Northern Wisconsin this week and next. Its good to spend time relaxing together with Andy and Charlie in God's beautiful creation! I'm so thankful for His provision of this place and the resources that allow us to be here. But today I am especially thankful that He allowed Andy to catch this impressive 40 inch musky right off the dock of our cabin yesterday afternoon! I'm also thankful that He provided the granddaughter of a neighbor at just the right time to hear Andy calling me to come quick with the camera! She ran up to the cabin and got me before that big fish got away so Andy has this snap to prove his story.

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