Author: Hizkia

On the Good and Faithful

On the good and faithful God has set His love;
When they call He sends them Blessings from above.
Stand in awe and sin not, Bid your heart be still;
Through the silent watches, Think upon His will.

Lay upon God’s altar Good and loving deeds,
And in all things trust Him To supply your needs.
Anxious and despairing, Many walk in night;
But to those that fear Him, God will send His light.

In God’s love abiding, I have joy and peace
More than all the wicked, Though their wealth increase.
In His care confiding, I will sweetly sleep,
For the Lord, my Savior, Will in safety keep.

Spencer Lane, 1879

taken from the Blue Psalter Hymnal, #7

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Another year is dawning: Dear Father, let it be,
In working or in waiting, Another year with Thee;
Another year of progress, Another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, Of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness In the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning Upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, Of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, Of witness for Thy love;
Another year of training For holier work above.
Another year is dawning: Dear Father, let it be,
On earth or else in Heaven, Another year for Thee. Amen.

Text: Frances Ridley Havergal

Dear family and friends:

The new year is dawning upon us, and soon we will bid farewell to 2011 and welcome 2012!  It’s been 12 years since the Y2K madness and yet we are still here, kicking, breathing, well, and very much alive. Continue reading “Merry Christmas 2011”

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He,
Lord Sabaoth His name, From age to age the same,
And he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim, We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure;
One little word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly powers- No thanks to them- abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through him who with us sideth;
Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also;
The body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still;
His kingdom is for ever.

Martin Luther, 1529
Tr. Frederick H. Hedge, 1853

taken from the Blue Psalter Hymnal, #444