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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Thankful Thursday

This week has been a jumble of mixed emotions mostly related to my sweet little Charlie. He's only two weeks shy of 16 and we've known about an underlying problem with his heart for the last two and a half years. It's just been in the "keep an eye on it" stage though, and we've been instructed to bring him into the vet at the first sign of coughing. Well, he had a slight, intermittent cough last week but it turned into an ugly "keep all three of us awake" sort of thing in the early morning hours on Saturday. So Saturday morning we were at our regular vet's office and she confirmed my suspicions that it was indeed a cardiac cough and started him on some Lasix. She was reluctant to do any more without consulting Charlie's cardiologist, however. So Tuesday afternoon, he and I headed over there. The cardiologist confirmed that he is in early congestive heart failure and added enalapril to his drug routine. She also reassured me that Charlie could be made comfortable and enjoy a good quality of life for a while longer...maybe even another couple of years. And that's a big reason to be thankful for me this week! I do thank God for caring vets and advances in veterinary medicine but I am also very grateful for God's provision of the resources to spend on a beloved pet like this. We won't do anything extraordinary but a couple of drugs seem like a small thing compared to the joy of Charlie's presence in our lives for another while. Thank you, God.



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Sunday's Hymn: Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord

Thy way, not mine, O Lord,
However dark it be!
Lead me by thine own hand,
Choose out the path for me;
Smooth let it be or rough,
It will be still the best;
Winding or straight, it leads
Right onward to thy rest.

The kingdom that I seek
Is thine; so let the way
That leads to it be thine,
Else I must surely stray.
I dare not choose my lot;
I would not if I might:
Choose thou for me, my God,
So shall I walk wright.

Take thou my cup, and it
With joy or sorrow fill
As best to thee may seem;
Choose thou my good and ill.
Not mine, not mine the choice
In things or great or small;
Be thou my Guide, my Strength,
My Wisdom, and my All.

Horatius Bonar,1857
Tune: Invitation, Frederick C. Maker, 1881


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Thankful Thursday

Today my thankful thoughts are focused on:

continued healing and improvement in Andy's back

a good time of fellowship with a dear sister

the gift of the Holy Spirit

the peace of God, that transcends all understanding and that guards our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.

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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 fulfill
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'm thankful for this week's very fall-like weather....cool and clear.

I'm thankful for the start of another year of Bible study. Its the book of Acts this year and I'm already being convicted and challenged.

I'm thankful for the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit who testifies that I am a child of God.


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Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful today for the weekend stay in Minocqua, WI that I won last spring at an outdoor show. Andy and I (and Charlie too) are heading out tomorrow morning for a much needed bit of relaxation. It's supposed to be a lovely weekend, weather-wise, and we plan to relax with some lackadaisical fishing (no boat this time) and checking out of local shops and tourist spots.

I'm thankful too that our heavenly Father provides for all we need here on this earth but He promises that our real treasures are in heaven. What a loving Father He is!


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Sunday's Hymn: The Lord Will Come and Not Be Slow

The Lord will come and not be slow,
His footsteps cannot err;
Before him righteousness shall go,
His royal harbinger.

Truth from the earth, like to a flow'r,
Shall bud and blossom then;
And justice, from her heav'nly bow'r,
Look down on mortal men.

Rise, God, judge thou the earth in might,
This wicked earth redress;
For thou art he who shall by right
The nations all possess.

For great thou art, and wonders great
By thy strong hand are done;
Thou in thine everlasting seat
Remainest God alone.

John Milton, 1608-1674
Tune: St. Magnus, Jeremiah Clark, 1670-1707


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Thankful Thursday

I am so very thankful for:

my dear friend, Kim...for so very many reasons.

that we have new tenants in the rental...and I think we are going to have a very good relationship with this family.

that God is healing Andy's back...and that its in His timing, not mine, because I know His ways are perfect...despite my impatience.

that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."~1 John 1:9


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Sunday's Hymn: O God of Truth

O God of truth, whose living Word
Upholds what're hath breath,
Look down on thy creation, Lord,
Enslaved by sin and death.

Set up thy standard, Lord, that we
Who claim a heav'nly birth,
May march with thee to smite the lies
That vex thy groaning earth.

Ah! would we join that blest array,
And follow in the might
Of him, the Faithful and the True,
In raiment clean and white!

Then, God of truth for whom we long,
Thou who wilt hear our pray'r,
Do thine own battle in our hearts,
And slay the falsehood there.

Thomas Hughes, 1859
Tune: Mirfield, Arthur Cottman, 1872

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Thankful Thursday

Today my thankful thoughts have turned to....flowers!
















I'm so glad God made them a part of our world...especially the pink ones!


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Sunday's Hymn: We Praise Thee, O God

We praise thee, O God, our Redeemer, Creator
In grateful devotion our tribute we bring.
We lay it before thee, we kneel and adore thee,
We bless thy holy Name, glad praises we sing.

We worship thee, God of our fathers, we bless thee;
Through life's storm and tempest our Guide hast though been.
When perils o'er take us, escape thou wilt make us,
And with thy help, O Lord, our battles we win.

With voices united our praises we offer,
To thee, great Jehovah, glad anthems we raise.
Thy strong arm will guide us, our God is beside us,
To thee, our great Redeemer, forever be praise.

Julia Cady Cory
Tune: Kremser, Old Netherlands melody in The Collection, Adrianus Valerius, 1625

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Thankful Thusday

Thanking God for:

Emily's willingness to mow the lawn while Andy is still suffering with his water skiing injury

God's healing of a very young family member of a dear friend of mine

Good times celebrating our birthdays together (Andy, Emily and I all have our birthdays within three weeks during the summer)

"...the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."~Ephesians 1:3


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Sunday's Hymn: My God and Father, Day by Day

My God and Father, day by day,
Far from my home in life's rough way,
O teach me from my heart to say,
"Thy will be done."

Though dark my path and sad my lot,
Let me be still and murmur not,
Or breathe the prayer divinely taught,
"Thy will be done."

What though in lonely grief I sigh
For friends belov'd, no longer nigh,
Submissive still would I reply,
"Thy will be done."

If though shouldst call me to resign
What most I prize, it ne'er was mine;
I only yield thee what was thine,
"Thy will be done."

Let but my fainting heart be blest
With thy sweet spirit for its guest,
My God, to thee I leave the rest:
"Thy will be done."

Charlotte Elliott, 1834
Tune: Almsgiving, John B. Dykes, 1823-1876



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Thankful Thursday

Andy hurt his back last week. It happened water skiing, of all things, but he was limping around and quite uncomfortable for a few days. He's still not 100% but he is much, much better and I'm so grateful to our gracious God for that. But I'm also thankful for the things He's (re)taught me through this injury of Andy's. (I'm a forgetful person, you know.) He's reminded me of just how frail our health is and how quickly the physical abilities we have, the very ones we take for granted, can be lost, and that makes me much more grateful for those abilities! He's also shown me again how dependent we are on each other, Andy and I, as I've done so many tasks that are usually Andy's, and that knitting together in marriage is another reason to praise God.

I'm also thanking God this week for some of the nicest weather we've had all summer! Highs in the 70's and low humidity! It doesn't get much better that that!

What are you thanking our loving God for this week? Please do join in the thanksgiving!


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Sunday's Hymn: None Other Lamb, None Other Name

None other Lamb, none other Name,
None other Hope in heav'n or earth or sea,
None other Hiding place from guilt and shame,
None beside thee!

My faith burns low, my hope burns low;
Only my heart's desire cries out in me
By the deep thunder of its want and woe,
Cries out to thee.

Lord, thou art Life, though I be dead;
Love's fire thou art, however cold I be:
Nor heav'n have I, nor place to lay my head,
Nor home, but thee.

Christina G. Rossetti, before 1893

Tune: Rossetti, William Jeater, 1907

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for the renewed sense of comfort that God has given me in Psalm 73. I was reminded of that Psalm in our Sunday School last Sunday and as we read it, memories washed over me of a time a number of years ago, a very painful time, when I clung to those words of truth and love from our gracious God. He knows how forgetful I am and how much I needed to be reminded of those words again and for that, I am grateful.


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Sunday's Hymn: Jesus, Master, Whose I Am

Jesus, Master, whose I am,
Purchased thine alone to be
By thy blood, O spotless Lamb,
Shed so willingly for me,
Let my heart be all thine own,
Let me live to thee alone.

Jesus, Master, I am thine:
Keep me faithful, keep me near;
Let thy presence in me shine
All my homeward way to cheer.
Jesus, at thy feet I fall,
O be thou my all in all.

Jesus, Master, whom I serve,
Though so feebly and so ill,
Strengthen hand and heart and nerve
All thy bidding to fulfill.
Open thou mine eyes to see
All the work thou hast for me.

Lord, thou needest not, I know,
Service such as I can bring;
Yet I long to prove and show
Full allegiance to my King.
Thou an honor art to me;
Let me be a praise to thee.

Frances R. Havergal, 1865
Tune: Wells, Adapted from Dimitri Bortnianski, 1752-1825


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Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for the fellowship that I enjoy with the women of our church. Our church has grown some but its still pretty small by most people's standards. One of the benefits of that as far as I'm concerned is that it's easier to get to know everyone. And among those I've gotten to know more recently is a delightful young woman who invited all the women of the church to her house for lunch today.

That's another advantage to being fairly small. We can still gather comfortably in someone's home! Well, all the women at least.

Not every woman of the church was able to come but many did and most age brackets and stages of adult womanhood were represented. That caused me to reflect on my thankfulness for that aspect of being small as well. We're not all broken into groups of peers! I appreciate and enjoy the fellowship of women in various ages and stages of life! Each one brings something special to the group and to me personally. Each one gives me a particular reason to thank God for her. And so I do!

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Its always...

...tea time at the Centerville Tea Room in Woodstock, Illinois!




Emily and I enjoyed a lovely luncheon there yesterday.




We shared a pot of Black Forest Tea with our sandwiches.




Those china tea cups make the tea taste even better!




What a delightful way to spend a bit of time together!




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Sunday's Hymn: How Gentle God's Commands

How gentle God's commands,
How kind his precepts are!
Come, cast your burdens on the Lord,
And trust his constant care.

While Providence supports,
Let saints securely dwell;
That hand, which bears all nature up,
Shall guide his children well.

Why should this anxious load
Press down your weary mind?
Haste to your heav'nly Father's throne,
And sweet refreshment fine.

His goodness stands approved,
Down to the present day;
I'll drop my burden at his feet,
And bear a song away.

Philip Doddridge, 1755
Tune: Dennis, Arr. from Hans G. Nageli by Lowell Mason, 1845

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Thankful Thursday

I have a list of things to thank God for this week. The first is His timing. Last week was the week we were without electricity for four days. It was warm but nothing like this week where temperatures are topping out at over 95 degrees and the humidity is very high. I am so thankful that God did not orchestrate the storm that knocked out our power and caused so much damage and the high heat and humidity for the same week! And I am very grateful for air conditioning too!

My second reason to thank God today is for my husband, Andy, whose birthday is tomorrow. I am very grateful for this good man that I've shared over 35 years of marriage with! Happy Birthday, Andy!

The third reason for gratitude today is for the fun day that Andy, Emily and I shared yesterday. A fishing outing was planned a couple of weeks ago but it was much too hot for that. So we made sure we were on the lake (Crystal Lake is only about two blocks from our house) at 8 AM when wake time started for a bit of water skiing and tubing as well as swimming off the boat before things heated up too much. And wonder of wonders, we were the only ones enjoying those activities at that time of the morning!

That was followed up by lunch at a local pizza place to celebrate the aforementioned birthday. Emily treated us to that and a good time was had by all. Thank you, God, for a thoughtful, loving daughter.

So what are your reasons for praising and thanking God today? Please do join in and share them!

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Sunday's Hymn: Children of the Heavenly King

Children of the heav'nly King,
As ye journey, sweetly sing;
Sing your Saviour's worthy praise,
Glorious in his works and ways.

We are trav'ling home to God
In the way the fathers trod;
They are happy now, and we
Soon their happiness shall see.

Shout, ye little flock and blest;
You on Jesus' throne shall rest;
There your seat is now prepared,
There your kingdom and reward.

Lift your eyes, ye sons of light,
Zion's city is in sight;
There our endless home shall be,
There our Lord we soon shall see.

Fear not, brethren; joyful stand
On the borders of your land;
Jesus Christ, your Father's Son,
Bids you undismayed go on.

Lord, obediently we go,
Gladly leaving all below;
Only thou our Leader be,
And we still will follow thee.

John Cennick, 1742
Tune: Pleyel's Hymn, Arr. from Ignaz J. Pleyel, 1790

Power is Back!

Just had to share the good news with my bloggy friends! My thankful list now includes things like air conditioning and the freedom to use the washer and dish washer. Plus the miracle of the electric garage door opener! And its so quiet around here too! We're happy campers tonight!


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Thankful Thursday

Its Thursday morning and we are still without power since the big storm on Monday. Most people in Chicagoland have had theirs restored but we are among the approximately 100,000 whom the utility company says should be up and running "by the weekend."

Andy, Emily and I have been so very thankful this week for our generator! Andy bought it about five years ago when we lost power for three days and he had the foresight to have it wired into the electrical panel when we had to replace the service entrance and breaker box last year. Its not the huge kind of generator that makes it so you can forget its not the real thing. No, we can't run the air conditioning or the washer or dish washer or the oven. We can only use one heat producing appliance at a time, one burner on the electric stove or the coffee maker for those that imbibe, for example, but we can have a few lights or fans and the router for internet. But most importantly, we can keep food in the freezer and refrigerator and we can have the hot water heater on too! Sometimes it feels downright decadent to have this blessing from God but we do praise Him and thank Him for it!

We are also so very grateful for God's protection in the storm. And isn't that what He does for us every day in so many ways, ways we might not even be aware of at the time? We do have an awesome God!

For He will hide me in His shelter
in the day of trouble;
He will conceal me under the cover of His tent;
He will lift me high upon a rock.~Ps. 27:5

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Summer Storm

It's been quite the eventful day at the cottage. Violent thunderstorms blew through Chicagoland this morning knocking out power to over 600,000 people and we were among them. Many, many trees were downed and our big, beautiful spruce was sprawled across the driveway early in the storm.




The storm came out of the north and apparently put some twisting force on our poor tree.




Not only was our driveway blocked but the entire street was impassable on this end because of our tree.




Also on the other end because of a neighbor's tree!




We were fortunate, however, in that the spruce was actually on the city right of way so they removed it. And not only that but, because it did block the road, it was removed by noon!




We're also very thankful for God's protection in that no one was hurt and nothing was even damaged. Even our recycling container emerged unscathed, much to our amazement!




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Sunday's Hymn: A Shelter in the Time of Storm

The Lord's our Rock, in him we hide,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A shelter in the time of storm.

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land,
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A shelter in the time of storm.

A shade by day, defense by night,
A shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes affright,
A shelter in the time of storm.

The raging storms may round us beat,
A shelter in the time of storm;
We'll never leave our safe retreat,
A shelter in the time of storm.

O Rock Divine, O Refuge dear,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Be thou our helper ever near,
A shelter in the time of storm.

Vernon J. Charlesworth, arr. by Ira D. Sankey, 1840-1907
Tune: A Shelter in the Time of Storm, Ira D. Sankey, 1840-1907

Thankful Thursday

I'm thanking God today for slightly cooler temperatures. The humidity seemed less intense too.

I'm also thankful for a lovely lunch with the women of my church today. I was seated next to a woman who is fairly new to our church and this was my first opportunity to get to know her a bit better. What a pleasure that was!

Yesterday, I had coffee (well, she had coffee and I had tea) with an old friend, a true kindred spirit, that I hadn't seen for a while. Catching up with her was a joy too.

And finally, I am thankful to be caught up with my weeding at last. They got so far ahead of me while we were on vacation but, with some much appreciated help from Andy, they are finally under control...for the moment. Weeds are an awful lot like dust, you know.


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Kitchen Improvements: Post Script

I'm really thrilled with all the improvements to our kitchen but...there is always a but, isn't there? Well, mine was the desire to add curtains to the windows. We already had cell-type blinds but there is such a softness to curtains on kitchen windows. Especially lace curtains. I love the sun filtering in through them! And I had this length of lace from a swag that Emily had on her dorm room window in college so...here's how I spent my "extra" time over the Fourth of July weekend.

I couldn't be more please with the results! The plants are happier having their sun filtered too!

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

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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Sunday's Hymn: There is a Green Hill Far Away

There is a green hill far away,
Without a city wall,
Where the dear Lord was crucified,
Who died to save us all.

We may not know, we cannot tell,
What pains he had to bear;
But we believe it was for us
He hung and suffered there.

He died that we might be forgiv'n,
He died to make us good,
That we might go at last to heav'n,
Saved by his precious blood.

There was no other good enough
To pay the price of sin;
He only could unlock the gate
Of heav'n, and let us in.

O dearly, dearly has he loved,
And we must love him too,
And trust in his redeeming blood,
And try his works to do.

Cecil Frances Alexander, 1848
Tune: Meditation, John H. Gower, 1890

Thankful Thursday

Andy gave me the gift of an iPad this past Saturday! Can you believe it? I'm still incredulous myself! I've got a long ways to go on the learning curve but, wow! That about sums it up! Maybe that's too many exclamation marks...no, I don't think so.

And, listen to this. I normally use my laptop to post to my blog but there is a major, multiple day problem going on for some Blogger users including me. But here I am, posting from my iPad, using an app called Blogpress and smiling all the time.

And Charlie is smiling too because he's so much more comfortable sleeping on my lap without my continual effort to reach over him to use the laptop.

So, yes, today I am thankful for this fun, new gadget but even more I am thankful for a loving husband who persisted in telling me how much I would enjoy it. Need I say he was right?

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


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon each: lemon zest, poppy seeds
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, beaten
8 oz. lemon yogurt (I used 8 oz. vanilla yogurt plus 1 teaspoon lemon juice)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla

Heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine flour, sugar, lemon zest, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center of dry ingredients and set aside.

Stir together beaten egg, yogurt, vegetable oil and vanilla in medium bowl. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients mixing only until just moistened. Batter will be lumpy.

Spoon batter into greased or paper-lined muffin tins, filling each 2/3 full. Bake until muffins are golden brown, about 18-20 minutes. Cool in pan for 5 minutes.

Mix 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar with 3 teaspoons lemon juice in a small bowl to make a glaze. Remove muffins to cooling rack and drizzle with glaze. Serve warm.

Sunday's Hymn: Teach Me, O Lord, Thy Holy Way

Teach me, O Lord, thy holy way
And give me an obedient mind;
That in thy service I may find
My soul's delight from day to day.

Guide me, O Saviour, with thy hand,
And so control my thoughts and deeds,
That I may tread the path which leads
Right onward to the blessed land.

Help me, O Saviour, here to trace
The sacred footsteps thou hast trod;
And, meekly walking with my God,
To grow in goodness, truth, and grace.

Guard me, O Lord, that I may ne'er
Forsake the right, or do the wrong:
Against temptation make me strong,
And round me spread thy shelt'ring care.

Bless me in ev'ry task, O Lord,
Begun, continued, done for thee:
Fulfil thy perfect work in me;
And thine abounding grace afford.

William T. Matson, 1866
Tune: Penitence, St. Albans Tune Book, 1875

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful that today was warmer and sunnier than its been but definitely not too hot. I think I'm in that stage of life where my comfortable temperature range varies by only a degree or two either way and today was practically perfect in that regard.

I'm also thankful for my "new" kitchen. I'm thankful for Andy's willingness to help redesign it and then acquire and install the upgrades. Its a joy to work in now!

And I'm thankful for this truth spoken by our God to His people in Isaiah 49:16a:

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands

It makes His promise to never leave me nor forsake me penetrate my heart with even deeper meaning.

Kitchen Improvements: Phase IV

Phase IV, the final phase of the kitchen improvement project is now complete! Here is the unveiling of a beautiful stainless steel pot rack hanging over the Boos Block!
What a difference it makes! The pots and pans are so much easier to grab as needed. Now I just have to decide how to utilize the new found cabinet space to its maximum advantage.

The entire kitchen improvement project cost about $2500.00. That's not cheap but its still a fraction of what an actual kitchen remodel would have cost and I know I'm happier with the outcome. My kitchen went from looking nice but not so workable to very comfortable to work in and I really love how it looks too! I am so pleased!

A View of Mt. Hood

As seen through the window of the plane on my recent trip to Oregon

Sunday's Hymn: How Precious is the Book Divine

How precious is the book divine,
By inspiration given,
Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine,
To guide our souls to heav'n.

It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts,
In this dark vale of tears;
Life, light and joy it still imparts
And quells our rising fears.

This lamp, through all the tedious night
Of life, shall guide our way,
Till we behold the clearer light
Of an eternal day.

John Fawcett, 1782
Tune: Belmont, Arr. from William Gardiner, 1812

Sunday's Hymn: Shout, For the Blessed Jesus Reigns

Shout, for the blessed Jesus reigns;
Through distant lands his triumphs spread;
And sinners, freed from endless pains,
Own him their Saviour and their Head.

He calls his chosen from afar,
They all at Zion's gates arrive;
Those who were dead in sin before
By sovereign grace are made alive.

Gentiles and Jews his laws obey;
Nations remote their off'rings bring,
And unconstrained their homage pay
To their exalted God and King.

O may his holy church increase,
His Word and Spirit still prevail,
While angels celebrate his praise,
And saints his growing glories hail.

Loud hallelujahs to the Lamb,
From all below, and all above!
In lofty songs exalt his Name,
In songs as lasting as his love.

Benjamin Beddome, 1769
Tune: Truro, Psalmodia Evengelica, 1789

Thankful Thursday

I'm still here in Oregon thanking God for this very special time that He arranged for me and Mary to be together. I'm also thankful for the graciousness of Andy and Emily and my dear friend, Kim, who have each stepped in to take over various aspects of my day to day work at home so I could be here. And although this trip has been primarily one of "sister time," I've seen so many other precious members of my family and I do thank God for each one of them. I am blessed!

Sunday's Hymn: Who is This That Comes from Edom

Who is this that comes from Edom,
All his raiment stained with blood;
To the slave proclaiming freedom;
Bringing and bestowing good:
Glorious in the garb he wears,
Glorious in the spoils he bears?

'Tis the Saviour, now victorious,
Trav'ling onward in his might;
'Tis the Saviour, O how glorious
To his people is the sight!
Jesus now is strong to save,
Mighty to redeem the slave.

Why that blood his raiment staining?
'Tis the blood of many slain;
Of his foes there's none remaining,
None the contest to maintain:
Fall'n they are, no more to rise,
All their glory prostrate lies.

Mighty Victor, reign for ever,
Wear the crown so dearly won;
Never shall thy people, never
Cease to sing what thou hast done:
Thou hast fought thy people's foes;
Thou wilt heal thy people's woes.

Thomas Kelly, 1809
Tune: Edom, Albert L. Peace, 1885

Thankful...

...Friday. But this time I have a good reason for not getting my thankfulness posted on Thursday. I was flying out to visit my sister, Mary, and other family members in Portland, Oregon!

So today I am thankful for God's protection of my travels as well as my family members here, each one of them. Of course, Andy and Emily and Charlie are on my mind too! I miss them! And that sense of separation from them makes me ever so thankful for them too!

Cowboy Coffee Cake

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups brown sugar
2/3 cup softened butter
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup sour milk
2 well-beaten eggs

Combine flour, salt, sugar and butter; mix until crumbly. Reserve 1/2 cup mixture.

To remaining crumbs, add baking powder, baking soda and spices; mix thoroughly. Add milk and eggs; mix well. Pour into 9 X 13 inch greased pan. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs. Chopped nuts or cinnamon may be sprinkled over crumbs.

Bake in 375 degrees Fahrenheit oven for approximately 30 minutes. Test for doneness with toothpick.

Sunday's Hymn: How Calm and Beautiful the Morn

How calm and beautiful the morn
That gilds the sacred tomb,
Where Christ the crucified was borne,
And veiled in midnight gloom!
O weep no more the Saviour slain;
The Lord is ris'n; he lives again.

Ye mourning saints, dry ev'ry tear
For your departed Lord;
Behold the place, he is not here,
The tomb is all unbarred;
The gates of heath were closed in vain:
The Lord is ris'n; he lives again.

Now cheerful to the house of prayer
Your early footsteps bend;
The Saviour will himself be there,
Your Advocate and Friend:
Once by the law your hopes were slain,
But now in Christ ye live again.

How tranquil now the rising day!
'Tis Jesus still appears,
A risen Lord to chase away
Your unbelieving fears:
O weep no more your comforts slain;
The Lord is ris'n; he lives again.

And when the shades of evening fall,
When life's last hour draws nigh,
If Jesus shine upon the soul,
How blissful then to die!
Since he has ris'n that once was slain,
Ye die in Christ to live again.

Thomas Hastings, 1831
Tune: Hastings, Thomas Hastings, 1831

Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful for the truth of this passage from Hebrews 10:

⁸ First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made). ⁹ Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. ¹⁰ And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

More April Snow

April 18, 2011

Sunday's Hymn: Arise, O God, and Shine

Arise, O God, and shine
In all thy saving might,
And prosper each design
To spread thy glorious light:
Let healing streams of mercy flow,
That all the earth thy truth may know.

Bring distant nations near
To sing thy glorious praise;
Let ev'ry people hear
And learn thy holy ways:
Reign, mighty God, assert thy cause,
And govern by thy righteous laws.

Send forth thy glorious pow'r,
That Gentiles all may see,
And earth present her store
In converts born to thee:
God, our own God, thy church O bless,
And fill the world with righteousness.

To God, the only wise,
The one immortal King,
Let hallelujahs rise
From ev'ry living thing:
Let all that breathe, on ev'ry coast,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

William Hurn, 1813, alt.
Tune: Lischer, Arr. from F.J.C. Schneider by Lowell Mason, 1841

April Snow

See that white stuff in front of our neighbor's fence?

And Andy thought it would be safe to put the snow blower away after the 15th!

Bloggers Meet!

What a wonderful evening we had with Kim and Neil and Kim and Tom last night!!! The gathering fully met my expectations and more!! Kim of Hiraeth was the perfect hostess (no surprise there) and the conversation flowed as we talked and laughed our way through the evening. I couldn't believe how fast the time went! We did manage to get a few pictures but I think we were all more interested in talking and visiting and maximizing our time together in that way than capturing the moment visually. All three of us gave our cameras to our hubbies and they caught a few snaps while we sat on the couch with Kim's Ivy...who was not going to be left out of the fun! I'm anxious to see the pictures Kim and Kim post but I love the way these shots capture the dog lover in all three of us.


We were out later than usual, especially for a week night, and Andy and I were dragging this morning at 5:00 but it was well worth it...for both of us! I didn't think to take any pictures of the guys but I did notice that the conversation didn't lag at their end of the table or side of the living room either. Neil's parting words were an invitation to visit them in Ontario. Now wouldn't that be fun!!!

Thankful Thursday

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to meet friend and fellow blogger Kim of The Upward Call today!!!! She is in Chicago this week for the Gospel Coalition Conference and tonight we're having dinner with Kim and her husband, Neil, at the home of my real-life, dearest friend, Kim from Hiraeth. I'm so excited!!! God is so gracious to give us friends with whom we can share our thoughts and joys and disappointments in life. I've been blessed with both real-life and cyber-friends in abundance but today I am especially thankful to Him for the Kims in my life.

Apricot Preserve Filled Whole Wheat Muffins

1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 beaten egg
1 8-oz. carton sour cream
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
1/4 cup apricot preserves (peach is yummy too)

Line muffin pan with 12 muffin papers. Set aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

In medium bowl, stir together all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Make a well in center of dry mixture.

In another medium bowl, combine egg, sour cream and oil. Add all at once to dry mixture. Stir until just moistened. Fold in pecans, if desired.

Spoon about half of the batter into prepared muffin pan, filling each cup 1/3 full. Top each with one teaspoon of apricot preserves. Then top with remaining batter, filling each cup 2/3 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden. Cool muffin pan on wire rack for five minutes. Remove muffins from pan. Serve warm. Lovely with a nice hot cuppa!

Sunday's Hymn: O Day of Rest and Gladness

O day of rest and gladness,
O day of joy and light,
O balm of care and sadness,
Most beautiful, most bright;
On thee the high and lowly,
Through ages joined in tune,
Sing Holy, Holy, Holy,
To the great God Triune,

On thee, at the creation,
The light first had its birth;
On thee, for our salvation,
Christ rose from depths of earth;
On thee our Lord, victorious,
The Spirit sent from heav'n;
And thus on thee, most glorious,
A triple light was giv'n.

Thou art a port protected
From storms that round us rise;
A garden intersected
With streams of Paradise;
Thou art a cooling fountain
In life's dry, dreary sand;
From thee, like Pisgah's mountain,
We view the promised land.

Today on weary nations
The heav'nly manna falls;
To holy convocations
The silver trumpet calls,
Where gospel light is glowing
With pure and radiant beams,
And living water flowing
With soul-refreshing streams.

New graces ever gaining
From this our day of rest,
We reach the rest remaining
To spirits of the blest.
To Holy Ghost be praises,
To Father and to Son;
The church her voice upraises
To thee, blest Three in One.

Christopher Wordsworth,1862
Tune: Mendebras, Arr. from a German melody by Lowell Mason, 1839

Kitchen Improvements: Phase III

We've completed Phase III of our kitchen improvement project and I'm ready for the unveiling!

But first, the "before" pictures. The kitchen has this pale striped wallpaper on the wall between the counter top and the cabinets as well as under the window and on the soffit above the cabinets.
Its been here from before we moved in but I like it...all except for the part between the kitchen sink and the window. Why would anyone put wallpaper in that back splash area? Must have been someone who never washed dishes. Predictably, the wallpaper was peeling back there and the sheet rock underneath was in danger from the moisture.

Because I like the wallpaper and because of the complications involving the shape of the molding under the window sill and the book shelves to the left of the window, we decided that only the part between the window and the sink area had to be redone. After several visits to the big box home improvement stores, we decided to go with a thermoplastic material made to look like metal. The brand name is Fasade. It comes in a number of patterns and finishes. Our choice is called hammered and its in a brushed nickel finish. Naturally, it was not available in our local stores, not even as a special order. But we found it online from this site. It came quickly and I stripped that area of wallpaper in a couple of hours just one week ago today. The next morning, it took a few hours for Andy and me to formulate a plan of action and get the pieces fastened up with Liquid Nails but we enjoyed gazing at the result of our labors over lunch.

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for so many things today!

• I'm thankful for a quiet walk this morning. I'm thankful for extra time to pray and think and reflect on God's goodness.
• I'm thankful for my kind and loving husband, Andy.
• I'm thankful for my thoughtful daughter, Emily.
• I'm thankful for our sweet little Charlie.
• And God's provision of unexpected patches of sunshine too.
• I am thankful.

Sunday's Hymn: My Soul in Silence Waits for God

My soul in silence waits for God,
My Saviour he has proved;
He only is my Rock and Tow'r;
I never shall be moved.

My honor is secure with God,
My Saviour he is known;
My Refuge and my Rock of strength
Are found in God alone.

On him, ye people, evermore
Rely with confidence;
Before him pour ye out your heart,
For God is our defense.

For God has spoken o'er and o'er,
And unto me has shown,
That saving pow'r and lasting strength
Belong to him alone.

Yea, lovingkindness evermore
Belongs to thee, O Lord;
And thou according to his work
Dost ev'ry man reward.

From Psalm 62, The Psalter, 1912
Tune: Howard, Wilson's Selection of Psalm Tunes, 1825

Thankful Thursday....

...a day late again. But I'm still thankful.

I'm thankful for sunshine and warmer temperatures yesterday.

I'm thankful for family, both what the world considers family and my family through Christ.

And I'm thankful for the truth in these words from Isaiah 55:

⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

I am thankful.

Sunday's Hymn: Here From the World We Turn

Here from the world we turn, Jesus to seek;
Here may his loving voice tenderly speak!
Jesus, our dearest Friend, while at thy feet we bend,
O let thy smile descend! 'Tis thee we seek.

Come, Holy Comforter, Presence Divine,
Now in our longing hearts graciously shine;
O for thy mighty pow'r! O for a blessed show'r,
Filling this hallowed hour with joy divine!

Saviour, thy work revive: here may we see
Those who are dead in sin quickened by thee;
Come to our hearts tonight, make ev'ry burden light;
Cheer thou our waiting sight; we long for thee.

Fanny J. Crosby, 1876
Tune: Cambria, Welsh hymn melody, from the Bristol Tune Book, 1876

Kitchen Improvements: Phase II

Phase II of the kitchen improvements had to be a way to increase counter top workspace. We had a small kitchen cart/island which helped some. You can see it in my Kitchen Improvements: Phase I post, but it simply wasn't big enough. And we had plenty of floor space for something bigger.

First, we measured and tried some different pieces of furniture in the spot to determine the appropriate dimensions. Then we did lots of research, mostly online, before deciding on a beautiful butcher block from the John Boos company. They have lots of different styles and sizes but we chose a Gathering Block III. And upon discovering through the very helpful Norbert at the factory store that we could save 40% if we went down to pick it up in Effingham, IL, which is about 5 and a half hours away, we decided that a weekend road trip was just the ticket.

Now, the Gathering Block III measures 24 X 48 inches and we have a Honda Ridgeline pick-up with a bed that is bigger than that so we figured it would be a piece of cake. We even thought the end gate would close and the tonneau cover would fasten over it!! Wrong!!!! It was kind of scary watching the forklift descend on the truck and I was too shocky to think of a picture at the factory but here it is in the pickup in the driveway.

We were a little concerned about the two of us getting it out of there when we got home but we managed by opening the box and bringing in the well-packed pieces one at a time.

Andy did have to get our gracious neighbor to help him bring in the 4 inch thick top though. I just could not manage an end of that!

Then it was on to assembling it which Andy did with just a little help from me and none from Charlie.
Then we kind of rolled it upright and slid it into place before putting in the basket drawers.

It was an adventure but we're very, very pleased with the results! Isn't it a beauty!

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for:

• A dear friend who listens
• A loving husband
• Sunshine
• Daffodil leaves poking up
• Progress on the kitchen project (separate blog post coming soon)
  
• But most of all, I'm thankful for God's sovereignty in all situations

Sunday's Hymn: Who Hath Believed

Who hath believed after hearing the message,
To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
He shall grow up as a plant new and tender,
And as a root out of a barren field.

He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement of our peace was upon him,
And with his stripes we are healed.

He was despised and by all men rejected,
Weighted with sorrows, acquainted with grief;
Smitten, afflicted, by God was forsaken,
He suffered alone; no one could bring relief.

Like as a lamb he was brought to the slaughter,
Speechless as sheep to the shearers was led;
He was cut off from the land of the living,
For our transgressions on Calvary bled.

From Isaiah 53:1-8
Richard J. Oliver
Tune: He Was Wounded for Our Transgressions, Richard J. Oliver

Thankful....

...Friday. Oops. Thankful Thursday flitted into my mind a couple of times yesterday but then I'd get busy again and the thought was gone. Not that I didn't have things to be thankful for, believe me. For one thing, it was a lovely sunny morning and Charlie and I had a delightful walk.

And then there was this lovely sight outside my kitchen window:
I know I've posted them other years but I just never can resist taking a new picture of these every spring.

And since it is Friday now, I'm going to tell you how thankful I am that Andy is working from home today! He normally works from home one day a week but that hasn't happened for the last few months because of big projects at work that necessitated his being present on site. So its nice to have him back with us.

Several of my thankful blogging friends are joining in praising God for His good gifts to us each Thursday. Please feel free to join us!

Quotable

The God of the law and the God of the Gospel is the same God--unchanged, unchangeable. His mercy beams forth more gloriously in the Gospel than in the law, but His holiness is not obscured by the effulgence of His mercy. No, the displeasure of God against sin is more strongly marked in the sacrifice of His Son, than in all the hecatombs of victims which bled on the Jewish altars; and we may rest assured, that "if he who despised Moses' law died without mercy, he will be accounted worthy of much sorer punishment, who treads under foot the Son of God, treats as unclean the sanctifying blood of the covenant, and does despite to the Spirit of grace." The Gospel despiser, the impenitent apostate, will find that there is no wrath like the wrath of contemned, abused mercy, and that it is indeed "a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." The belief of the infinitely energetic holiness of God, manifesting itself both in the sufferings of Christ and in the peculiarly sore punishment of the despiser and neglecter of the Gospel, is admirably fitted to produce that "which is in perfect harmony with that grateful love which arises from the faith of the truth as it is in Jesus.~John Brown, Hebrews, commentary on Hebrews 12:28-29

Sunday's Hymn: Arm of the Lord, Awake, Awake!

Arm of the Lord, awake, awake!
Put on thy strength, the nations shake,
And let the world, adoring, see
Triumphs of mercy wrought by thee.

Say to the heathen from thy throne:
"I am Jehovah, God alone."
Thy voice their idols shall confound,
And cast their altars to the ground.

Let Zion's time of favor come;
O bring the tribes of Israel home;
And let our wond'ring eyes behold
Gentile and Jews in Jesus' fold.

Almighty God, thy grace proclaim
In ev'ry clime of every name;
Let adverse pow'rs before thee fall,
And crown the Saviour Lord of all.

William Shrubsole, 1795
Tune: Truro, Psalmodia Evangelica, 1789

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for a bit of sunshine this afternoon in which to take Charlie for a short walk. It was a short one because the temperature was only 38 degrees F. and there was a little breeze to make it feel even cooler. Charlie is 15 now and old guys get cold in that kind of weather. But it was nice to get out in the fresh air for a quick trip around the block.

I'm even more thankful for this exhilarating reminder from our Hebrews passage for this week:

You have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.~Hebrews 12:22-24

I'm joining with Kim of The Upward Call and many others in posting my thanksgiving to God each Thursday of 2011. Here's your invitation to join in!

Sunday's Hymn: Awake, My Soul

Awake, my soul, stretch ev'ry nerve,
And press with vigor on;
A heav'nly race demands thy zeal,
And an immortal crown.

A cloud of witnesses around
Hold thee in full survey;
Forget the steps already trod,
And onward urge thy way.

'Tis God's all-animating voice
That calls thee from on high;
'Tis his own hand presents the prize
To thine aspiring eye.

That prize with peerless glories bright,
Which shall new lustre boast,
When victors' wreaths and monarch's gems
Shall blend in common dust.

Blest Saviour, introduced by thee,
Have I my race begun;
And, crowned with vict'ry, at thy feet
I'll lay my honors down.

Philip Doddridge, 1755
Tune: Christmas, George Frederick Handel, 1728

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful that its March. I do like all of the seasons but I am very ready for winter to be over and spring to arrive. That happens on Sunday, March 20th this year. At least, that's what the calendar says and I'm ready for warmer days, robins and daffodils!

I'm also thankful for leftovers for dinner tonight.

And my warm, soft Charlie sleeping in my lap.

And that Andy will be home in less than an hour.

I am thankful.