Sunday's Hymn: Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Cleanse me from it's guilt and pow'r.

Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfill thy law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to thee for dress,
Helpless, look to thee for grace;
Foul, I to the Fountain fly;
Wash me Saviour, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyelids close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee.

Augustus M. Toplady, 1776
Tune: Toplady, Thomas Hasting, 1830


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Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for Andy's day off from work today. Well, let me clarify that. I am thankful for Andy's day off from his paid employment today. We both worked very hard today and are feeling satisfied with all we accomplished. I am thankful that God gives us the strength and abilities to do all sorts of jobs around the house.

Fall is a busy time in Northern Illinois as we prepare for freezing temps and snow but it's a beautiful time too. I am thankful for the beauty of the changing leaves against the blue sky but I'll be thankful for the beauty of winter when it comes too. How wonderful that our God surrounds us with the beauty of creation all year long!

And finally, I am thankful for the comfortable bed and the restoration of sleep that await me in a couple of hours...not to mention the clean sheets I put on that bed today!


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Sunday's Hymn: Ye Christian Heralds, Go Proclaim

Ye Christian heralds, go proclaim
Salvation through Emmanuel's name!
To distant climes the tidings bear,
And plant the Rose of Sharon there.

God shield you with a wall of fire,
With flaming zeal your breasts inspire,
Bid raging winds their fury cease,
And hush the tempests into peace.

And when our labors all are o'er,
Then shall we meet to part no more;
Meet with the blood-bought throng to fall,
And crown our Jesus Lord of all.

Bourne H. Draper, 1803
Tune: Missionary Chant, Heinrich C. Zeuner, 1832


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Thankful Thursday

A day late again but all week I've been so thankful that our God is "able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us" so "to Him be all glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."~Ephesians 20-21

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Sunday's Hymn: How Beautiful the Sight

How beautiful the sight
Of brethren who agree
In friendship to unite,
And bonds of charity;
'Tis like the precious ointment, shed
O'er all his robes, from Aaron's head.

'Tis like the dews that fill
The cups of Hermon's flow'rs;
Or Zion's fruitful hill,
Bright with the drops of show'rs,
When mingling odors breathe around,
And glory rests on all the ground.

For there the Lord commands
Blessings, a boundless store,
From his unsparing hands,
Yea, life for evermore:
Thrice happy they who meet above
To spend eternity in love!

From Psalm 133, James Montgomery 1771-1854
Tune: St. Godric John B. Dykes, 1823-1875


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Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for a good check-up by my endocrinologist today. My thyroid cancer is well under control! I'm also thankful for my endocrinologist. He's a wonderfully competent doctor and a very caring man. What more could I ask?

I'm thankful for a nice hot cup of tea when I got home. My endocrinologist is about an hour and 15 away, as they say in these parts, and it's been steadily raining all day. That tea was very welcome!

I'm thankful for a soft, warm little dog...Charlie...in my lap as I drank the tea. And while I'm on the subject of Charlie, I'm going to mention that tomorrow is his 16th birthday! I'm thankful for every moment of his life and that he belongs to us!

I'm thanking God for a warm and comfortable home to return to as well. I'm a homebody and am always thankful for my cozy refuge, whether I've been gone a few weeks or a few hours.

Of course, I'm most thankful for the refuge and strength that is my God, an ever-present help in trouble.

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Sunday's Hymn: Father of Mercies

Father of mercies, in thy Word
what endless glory shines;
Forever be thy Name adored
For these celestial lines.

Here may the wretched sons of want
Exhaustless riches find;
Riches above what earth can grant
And lasting as the mind.

Here the Redeemer's welcome voice
Spreads heav'nly peace around;
And life and everlasting joys
Attend the blissful sound.

O may these heav'nly pages be
My ever dear delight;
And still new beauties may I see,
And still increasing light.

Divine Instructor, gracious Lord,
Be thou forever near;
Teach me to love thy sacred Word,
And view my Saviour there.

Anne Steele, 1760
Tune: Beatitudo, John B. Dykes, 1875

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Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for a lovely day spent with my dear husband, Andy, today.

I'm thankful for this bit of Indian summer we're having this week. 79 sunny degrees today!

And I'm thankful for the health and strength God has given us to do the work we did in the yard today...especially since Andy is still recovering from his recent back injury.

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Sunday's Hymn: I Waited for the Lord Most High

I waited for the Lord most high,
And he inclined to hear my cry;
He took me from destruction's pit
And from the miry clay;
Upon a rock he set my feet,
And stedfast made my way.

A new and joyful song of praise
He taught my thankful heart to raise;
And many, seeing me restored,
Shall fear the Lord and trust;
And blest are they that trust the Lord,
The humble and the just.

O Lord my God, how manifold
Thy wondrous works which I behold,
And all thy loving, gracious thought
Thou hast bestowed on man;
To count thy mercies I have sought,
But boundless is their span.

Psalm 40:1-5, The Psalter, 1912
Tune: Dunstan, Sir Joseph Barnby, 1838-1896


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