Sunday's Hymn: O Word of God Incarnate

O Word of God Incarnate,
O Wisdom from on high,
O Truth unchanged, unchanging,
O light of our dark sky;
We praise thee for the radiance
That from the hallowed page,
A lantern to our footsteps
Shines on from age to age.

The church from her dear Master
Received the gift divine,
And still that light she lifteth
O'er all the earth to shine.
It is the golden casket,
Where gems of truth are stored;
It is the heav'n-drawn picture
Of Christ, the living Word.

It floateth like a banner
Before God's host unfurled;
It shineth like a beacon
Above the darkling world.
It is the chart and compass
That o'er life's surging sea,
'Mid mists and rocks and quicksands,
Still guides, O Christ, to thee.

O make thy church, dear Saviour,
A lamp of purest gold,
To bear before the nations
Thy true light, as of old.
O teach thy wand'ring pilgrims
By this their path to trace,
Till, clouds and darkness ended,
They see thee face to face.


William Walsham How, 1867
Tune: Munich, Meiningen Gesangbuch, 1693

Thankfulness

I'm thankful for the sunshine and warmth this afternoon after a rainy day yesterday and a morning with a cold, penetrating breeze.  Murphy and I had a very nice walk in the sun!

I'm also thankful that a dear friend's husband came home from the hospital today.  They are a very close elderly couple and it was hard on them to be apart.  Besides that consideration, I am thankful for the improvement in his health.

Finally, I am thankful for a loving husband of my own and God's blessing of good health for both of us.

What are you thanking our gracious God for today?  Please do share.

Sunday's Hymn: Shine Thou Upon Us, Lord

Shine thou upon us, Lord,
True Light of men, today,
And through the written Word
Thy very self display,
That so from hearts which burn
With gazing on thy face
Thy little ones may learn
The wonders of thy grace.

Breathe thou upon us, Lord,
Thy Spirit's living flame,
That so with one accord
Our lips may tell thy name.
Give thou the hearing ear,
Fix thou the wandering thought,
That those we teach may hear
The great things thou hast wrought.

Speak thou for us, O Lord,
In all we say of thee;
According to thy Word
Let all our teaching be,
That so thy lambs may know
Their own true Shepherd's voice,
Where'er he leads them go,
And in his love rejoice.

Live thou within us, Lord;
Thy mind and will be ours;
Be thou belov'd, adored,
And served with all our powers,
That so our lives may teach
Thy children what thou art,
And plead, by more than speech,
For thee with ev'ry heart.



John Ellerton, 1881
Tune: Leoni, Arr. from a Jewish Melody

Sunday's Hymn: What a Friend We Have in Jesus

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Ev'rything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Ev'rything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged:
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our ev'ry weakness—
Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our Refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.


Joseph Scriven, c. 1855
Tune: What a Friend, C.C. Converse, 1868

Today's Sighting

As we set out on our walk with Murphy this morning, we were greeted by an unusual sighting just down the road.  Sandhill cranes!  We've never seen them in Crystal Lake before, although I know that they do stop over in a nature preserve a few towns away from us as they make their way to parts north.  This pair seemed unperturbed as we watched them stroll across an open lowland area.  Murphy was unimpressed but Andy and I were captivated.

Thankfulness

I've been thanking God these last few days for the obvious indications that our little Murphy is feeling less anxiety about separating from us.  Earlier this week, he watched me as I loaded his Kong toy with treats for him in preparation for leaving, as is our routine.  Before I finished that task, he was in his crate with his head calmly resting on his front paws in anticipation.  A small but significant victory, for sure.  He's also been laying on his bed in the sunspot in the kitchen while I do a few tasks upstairs.  Not too long ago, he would have been on my heels.  These signs of increased security in his place with us make me very thankful!

I'm also thankful for some beautiful sunny weather to walk in with Murphy.  He's an active little fellow and loves those walks!  So do I but much more so when I'm not freezing cold!

And I'm thankful for some new friends met on those Murphy walks, both canine and human.  God puts the most interesting people in my path!  I can't wait to see what He does with these new relationships!

What are you thanking our gracious God for today?  Please do share!

Sunday's Hymn: Look, Ye Saints, the Sight is Glorious

Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious;
See the Man of Sorrows now;
From the fight returned victorious,
Ev'ry knee to him shall bow:
Crown him! crown him!
Crowns become the Victor's brow.

Crown the Saviour, angels, crown him;
Rich the trophies Jesus brings;
In the seat of pow'r enthrone him,
While the vault of heaven rings:
Crown him! crown him!
Crown the Saviour King of kings.

Sinners in derision crowned him
Mocking thus the Saviour's claim;
Saints and angels crowd around him,
Own his title, praise his Name:
Crown him! crown him!
Spread abroad the Victor's fame!

Hark! those bursts of acclamation!
Hark! those loud triumphant chords!
Jesus takes the highest station;
O what joy the sight affords!
Crown him! crown him!
King of kings, and Lord of lords.



Thomas Kelly, 1809
Tune: Coronae, William H. Monk, 1871

Thankfulness

I'm thankful that my oven is all shiny clean now!  Its a self-cleaning oven but it seems to me that they require plenty of work to get clean despite the name.  You have to clean the parts around the door first or that part gets only hot enough to bake on rather than bake off.  Then you have to scrub the racks while the oven cleans itself.  But it looks like new now!

I'm also thankful for our pink dogwood tree.  This unusually warm spring has it looking its very best and I love it!

Finally, today I am reflecting on the love of God in sending His Son to save His people and the obedience of Christ in completing the work the Father gave Him to do.  I am humbled and thankful.

Sunday's Hymn: Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high his royal banner,
It must not suffer loss:
From vict'ry unto vict'ry
His army he shall lead,
Till ev'ry foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
The trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict
In this his glorious day:
Ye that are men now serve him
Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger,
And strength to strength oppose.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Stand in his strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you,
Ye dare not trust your own:
Put on the gospel armor,
Each piece put on with pray'r;
Where duty calls, or danger,
Be never wanting there.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
The strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor's song:
To him that overcometh
A crown of life shall be;
He with the King of Glory
Shall reign eternally.


George Duffield, 1858
Tune: Webb, George J. Webb, 1837