Sunday's Hymn: I Lay My Sins on Jesus

I lay my sins on Jesus,
The spotless Lamb of God;
He bears them all, and frees us
From the accursed load:
I bring my guilt to Jesus,
To wash my crimson stains
White in his blood most precious,
Till not a spot remains.

I lay my wants on Jesus;
All fullness dwells in him;
He heals all my diseases,
He doth my soul redeem:
I lay my griefs on Jesus,
My burdens and my cares;
He from them all releases,
He all my sorrows shares.

I rest my soul on Jesus,
This weary soul of mine;
His right hand me embraces,
I on his breast recline.
I love the Name of Jesus,
Immanuel, Christ, the Lord;
Like fragrance on the breezes
His Name abroad is poured.

I long to be like Jesus,
Meek, loving, lowly, mild;
I long to be like Jesus,
The Father's holy Child;
I long to be with Jesus
Amid the heav'nly throng,
To sing with saints his praises,
To learn the angels' song.


Horatius Bonar, 1848
Tune: Miriam, Joseph P. Holbrook, 1865

New Year's Eve Report

Emily and I have been attending a performance of the Jim Brickman Holiday Tour each Christmas season for the last couple of years. This year we enjoyed the show on New Year's Eve at Rockford, IL and it was excellent, as usual. Jim Brickman, America's Romantic Pianist, was joined again by vocalist Anne Cochran and electric violinist Tracy Silverman. New to the show was Benjamin Utecht, NFL star recently turned vocalist. After a fun, relaxing evening, we were walking out when we realized that Anne Cochran, Ben Utecht and Tracy Silverman were available in the lobby so we circled back to see what was going on. To make a long story short, we ended up getting our picture taken with Ben Utecht displaying his Super Bowl ring. Now this struck both of us as extremely funny because we are about the least sports-oriented people you can imagine...unless you count fishing as a sport, I guess. But at that point, we had never heard of Ben Utecht before, even related to music. So we got the picture and headed home to google him. For those of you in our category of sports knowledge, it turns out he was part of the winning team from Indianapolis, IN in the 2006 Super Bowl. And for those of you who are dying to see it, here's the picture...

That cute blond in the background is Ben's wife, Karyn, who was Miss Minnesota in 2005. We recognized her from his website.

Thankful Thursday

It was 49 sunny degrees here in Crystal Lake this afternoon! And it wasn't even windy! So Murphy and I set out for a nice long walk. An hour later, he is now sleeping in his little bed and I'm enjoying a nice hot cup of tea. I'm thanking God for this lovely weather and the fun walk with Murphy but maybe I'm even a little bit more thankful to have this peaceful moment right now. A one year old puppy is a lot different from a senior citizen canine.

I'm also thankful for God's provision of everything we really need and a few extra things as well.

And finally, much as I enjoyed the celebration of Christmas and extra time with my family, I am also thankful for the return to a routine. I know I'm a little boring that way but I really do better with a regular routine for my life. How about you?

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Sunday's Hymn: O Come, All Ye Faithful

O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him
Born the King of angels;

O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

God of God, Light of Light;
Lo, he abhors not the Virgin's womb:
Very God, Begotten, not created;

Sing, choirs of angels;
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
Glory to God in the highest;

Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning:
Jesus, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father,
Late in flesh appearing;


Anon., Latin, 18th century
Tr. by Frederick Oakelery, 1841
St. 1, lines 1 and 2, alt.
Tune: Adeste Fideles, unknown: probably 18th century

Thankfulness

I'm not even going to call it "Thankful Thursday" this time.  But surely I do have so many things to be thankful for.  I'm thankful for extra time spent with my family this week and that includes the new boy, the canine member of this family, Murphy, who has brought so much joy in the wake of some tough times.

I'm thankful for His righteous right arm that upholds us in those tough times.  I'm thankful for His refining in trials too.

And I'm thankful for God's more than adequate provision for us, His provision materially on this earth, yes, but more importantly, His provision spiritually, now and forever, through that glorious Savior Jesus Christ whose birth we just celebrated.

I am thankful.

Sunday's Hymn: Angels, From the Realms of Glory

Angels, from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth;

Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Shepherds in the fields abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant light:

Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen his natal star:

Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In his temple shall appear;

All creation, join in praising
God the Father, Spirit, Son;
Evermore your voices raising
To th'eternal Three in One:


James Montgomery, 1816
Doxology added
Tune: Regent Square, Henry Smart, 1867

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful that my Christmas preparations are just about complete and I can relax in anticipation of the glorious event of the anniversary of our Savior's birth.

I'm thankful as well that Andy can enjoy these next couple of days of anticipation with us at home.

And finally, I am thankful that Murphy will be part of the joy of Christmas with us this year too!

Merry Christmas to all!!!

Sunday's Hymn: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night

While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.

"Fear not," said he—for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind—
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.

"To you in David's town this day,
Is born of David's line,
The Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord,
And this shall be the sign.

"The heav'nly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid."

Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song:

"All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace:
Good will henceforth, from heav'n to men,
Begin and never cease!"

Nahum Tate, 1700

Tune: Christmas, George Frederick Handel, 1728

Thankful Thursday

Oops, its Friday again. I was so busy enjoying the reason for my thankfulness...a day off for Andy that we got to spend together...that I didn't remember to post about it! We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast with Emily at a local restaurant called, appropriately enough, Andy's before doing some browsing and light shopping. We then returned home to take Murphy for a walk and catch up a few things we wanted to do around here...nothing high pressure though. After a supper of chicken and rice soup and salad, we broke into the cookies that one of the ladies in my group at Bible study gave me for Christmas. Mmm, mmm!

So I'm thanking God for some time to relax and regroup together and be reminded of what really matters in this hectic time leading up to the celebration of Christmas. It was a lovely day!

Sunday's Hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, thou Lord of might,
Who to thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times didst give the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.

O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny;
From depths of hell thy people save,
And give them victory o'er the grave.

O come, thou Dayspring from on high
And cheer us by thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.

O come, thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heav'nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.

Latin antiphone, 12th century. Latin hymn, 1710

Tr. by John Mason Neale, 1851

Tune: Veni Emmanuel, Ancient plain song, 13th century

Adapted by Thomas Helmore, 1856

Thankful Thursday

At the top of my list of things to be thankful for today is these four verses from chapter 10 of the book of Hebrews:

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."

Further down the list but in full recognition that they are gifts from our most gracious God are my family, including the new little canine member, Murphy.

And may I say that I am enjoying the Christmas hymns even more than usual this year?! I'm not sure of why but its true.

How's that for a random list of thankful thoughts on this second Thursday of December?

Sunday's Hymn: How Firm a Foundation, Ye Saints of the Lord

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
You who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed;
I, I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

"E'en down to old age all my people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.

"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake."

"K" in Rippon's Selection, 1787

Tune: Adeste Fideles, Unkown: probably 18th century

Thankful Thursday

How could I not continue to thank our gracious God for this lovable little bundle of joy? He's settling in well and wrapping himself around all of our hearts.

I am also very thankful for the new tenants in the other rental house. They are a particular blessing, coming as they have, just at the start of winter weather.

And I'm thankful for a detour into Hebrews in the study of Acts that I am privileged to participate in this year. I do love the book of Hebrews!

Sunday's Hymn: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear Desire of ev'ry nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
Born a child, and yet a King,
Born to reign in us for ever,
Now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all-sufficient merit
Raise us to thy glorious throne.

Charles Wesley, 1744

Tune: Hyfrydol, Rowland Hugh Prichard, 1855

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone's Thanksgiving has been as happy as ours with many, many reasons to thank our God. This precious gift is my biggest reason to thank Him today.

Meet Murphy, who arrived last evening. He's a ten month old bundle of energy and affection who occasionally looks like this:

What a perfect reminder that "weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5b).

Sunday's Hymn: God, in the Gospel of His Son

God, in the gospel of his Son,
Makes his eternal counsels known;
Where love in all its glory shines,
And truth is drawn in fairest lines.

Here sinners of a humble frame
May taste his grace, and learn his Name;
May read, in characters of blood,
The wisdom, pow'r, and grace of God.

The pris'ner here may break his chains;
The weary rest from all his pains;
The captive feel his bondage cease;
The mourner find the way of peace.

Here faith reveals to mortal eyes
A brighter world beyond the skies;
Here shines the light which guides our way
From earth to realms of endless day.

O grant us grace, Almighty Lord,
To read and mark thy holy Word;
Its truths with meekness to receive,
And by its holy precepts live.

St. 1-2, Benjamin Reddome, 1787

St. 3-5 alt. by Thomas Cotterill, 1819

Tune: Germany, William Gardiner's Sacred Melodies, 1815

Thankful Thursday

Today I've been thinking about how thankful I am for:

• a loving husband who shares my sorrows and joys
• a thoughtful daughter who helps me
• a sister who understands
• dear friends who encourage me
• and most of all, a Savior who redeemed me!

I am blessed.

Sunday's Hymn: O Splendor of God's Glory Bright

O Splendor of God's glory bright,
From light eternal bringing light,
Thou light of light, light's living Spring,
True Day, all days illumining:

Come, very Sun of heaven's love,
In lasting radiance from above,
And pour the Holy Spirit's ray
On all we think or do today.

And now to thee our prayers ascend,
O Father, glorious without end;
We plead with sovereign grace for pow'r
To conquer in temptation's hour.

Confirm our will to do the right,
And keep our hearts from envy's blight;
Let faith her eager fires renew,
And hate the false, and love the true.

O joyful be the passing day
With thoughts as pure as morning's ray,
With faith like noontide shining bright,
Our souls unshadowed by the night.

Dawn's glory gilds the earth and skies,
Let him, our perfect Morn, arise,
The work in God the Father one,
The Father imaged in the Son.

Ambrose of Milan, 340-397

Tr. compiled by Louis F. Benson, 1910

Tune: Winchester New, Musikalisches Handbuch, Hamburg, 1690

Thankful Thursday

Recent days have been difficult at Field Stone Cottage. We've had to say good-bye to a beloved member of our family, our sweet, loving Charlie. But in the midst of our grief, God is still so faithful and there is much to thank Him for. In the hard times of the last ten days, in His sovereignty, God has graciously guided us through the difficult decisions that had to be made. He gave, and continues to give, us much comfort through the most loving of friends and we are oh, so grateful to Him for that too. Finally, we thank Him for the sixteen years that we had Charlie to love and enjoy. We wouldn't trade that for anything!

Sunday's Hymn: When Israel Out of Egypt Went

When Israel out of Egypt went,
From people of a speech unknown,
The lord among his people dwelt,
And there he set his royal throne.

The sea beheld and fled away,
The Jordan's waters backward turned,
The lofty mountains and the hills
With trembling awe our God discerned.

What aileth thee, O troubled sea?
Thou Jordan, why thy riven tide?
Ye mountains and ye little hills,
Why thus dismayed on ev'ry side?

O tremble, earth, before the Lord,
In presence of Jehovah fear,
Beneath whose touch the flinty rock
Became a fount of waters clear.

Psalm 114, The Psalter, 1912
Tune: Abschied, Wenzel Mueller


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