Sunday's Hymn: I Sing the Almighty Power of God

I sing th' almighty power of God, that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.

There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God art present there.

Isaac Watts, 1715

Tune: Forest Green, Traditional English melody, Arr. by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906

Thankfulness

I am thankful this week for the book of Genesis and my study of it this year.  We are only one week into it, and I have studied Genesis before, but I can never cease to be amazed at the power of God demonstrated in creation.  More than His power is demonstrated though.  He demonstrates His sense of order too and His love for mankind in providing all that was needed before creating him...and her.  I am thankful for the reminder this gives me in my life now that God knows exactly what I need and He will provide it exactly when it is needed.  Why do I ever worry?

I am thankful for the creation of my life and the privilege it is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

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, 1823-1876

A Blanket for Daphne

I am a bit behind on posting but we have another great niece!  I am thankful for her safe delivery, of course, but I am also thankful for another reason to knit.  I decided to try a bit of lace knitting this time and it was fun!  There are a few flaws in the blanket, if you look closely, but I am guessing that Daphne won't.

Thankfulness

This day I am thankful to be on the tail end of a nasty cold.  My nose, chapped from wiping, is finally healing and I can actually taste my food again.  Yay!

I am thankful too for cooler temps and expected rain this afternoon.  Soup weather!  I love it!

And then there is the joy I am finding in getting to know the women God has given me to lead in our study of Genesis this year.  That's in addition to the study itself!  What a gracious God we have to give us His Word to draw us ever closer to Himself!

Sunday's Hymn: Thy Loving Kindness, Lord

Thy lovingkindness, Lord, is good and free:
In tender mercy turn thou unto me;
Hide not thy face from me in my distress,
In mercy hear my pray'r, thy servant bless.

Needy and sorrowful, to thee I cry;
Let thy salvation set my soul on high;
Then I will sing and praise thy holy Name,
My thankful song thy mercy shall proclaim.

With joy the meek shall see my soul restored;
Your heart shall live, ye saints that seek the Lord;
He helps the needy and regards their cries,
Those in distress the Lord will not despise.

Let heav'n above his grace and glory tell
Let earth and sea and all that in them dwell;
Salvation to his people God will give,
And they that love his Name with him shall live.

From Psalm 69: 16-17, 29-30, 32-36

The Psalter, 1912

Tune: Ellers, Edward J. Hopkins, 1869

Thankfulness

Well, we are back from vacation and almost readjusted to real life.  I am thankful for that lovely week and the fun we had together.  We did a lot of kayaking and fishing and hiking but we also did a fair amount of just hanging out.  Kayaking was new to us and took some adjustment for us as old hands with a canoe.  Murphy had the most adjustment to make, I suppose.  He wasn't sure about us being in separate boats at first but he got over it and had a good time too.

This unexpected stay in a beautiful cabin on a lake in Wisconsin was a gift to us from our neighbors.  Obviously, I am grateful for these neighbors, our friends, and the relationship that we enjoy with them.  They are part of our real life here in at the cottage in Crystal Lake, a life that I am grateful for in so many ways.  Vacations are wonderful but....there's no place like home.

Finally, I am thankful for the start of my next study on the book of Genesis!  Yes!!!