The hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy grabbed my attention this week, Last Sunday I led the liturgy and shared the children’s sermon. As the service began, to be honest I was preoccupied. If God called to me, He would have gotten a busy signal. “Sorry the party you are trying to reach is unavailable." Not quite the way to enter worship, is it? But then we sang. Our opening song was the traditional hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy.I was fiddling with the wireless mic, so just mouthed the first set of lyrics. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity! Second verse same as the first (yes Herman Hermits fans - some of you will understand that little joke) Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Who was, and is, and evermore shall be. The … [Read more...]
Easily Forgotten Companion
Ever hear of Gerhard Tersteegen? Me neither. I read a quote from him the other day that struck me and made me curious abut him. Who was he? Here is the quote: “God is essentially present with us in a manner that is incomprehensive to us. He fills heaven an earth; in him we live, move and have our being. He is also near our most secret thoughts, inclinations, desires and intentions.” Edward Hays in his “Book of Wonders” pondered this quote and gives God the name, “My Easily Forgotten Companion.” Now that is something to think about. That isn’t what I call God, but in reality how I treat Him. I conveniently forget God. I ignore His urges and commandments. I turn my attention away from His Presence that never leaves my side. Tersteegen later wrote: “You must withdraw into yourself a little and keep quiet before the face of God, then look gently and perfectly frankly at God who is so near to us, to let Him see … [Read more...]
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day – Hymn Story – The Voice of God
“I heard the bells on Christmas Day, Their old familiar carols play...” The words linger and the melody sticks in your mind. I sang these words this morning celebrating Christmas with my family. I woke up with Christmas joy, thanking God for sending us His son. This song has been loitering in my spirit for several weeks. I know of others who woke up this morning, not to joy, but deep sorrow. Christmas can be a cruel stabbing season following the loss of a loved one, a life threatening illness or the wrong choices made by others. I hummed this tune of" I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" a few weeks ago grieving with the rest of the nation for innocent lost lives. I remembered one melancholy verse: And in despair I bowed my head 'There is no peace on earth,' I said, 'For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men.' Sounds like this song could have been written during this frightening time of terrorism, but Henry … [Read more...]
I Wonder as I Wander
Wonder and wander are two of my favorite words. Wonder - to marvel, astonishment, awe, to ponder with curiosity To live each day with a vision of wonder opens up grand possibilities. Wander - to meander, stroll, to take one direction without intention or control I wandered the world, paying attention to the beauty God alone created. I have wondered and wandered through Advent this year. Wondered at its varied dimensions, like studying the facets of a priceless diamond. Wandered open to the lessons God chose for me or invited me to explore. No wonder I wandered into remembering the Christmas song, I Wonder as I Wander. I wondered about its story. (Ok I over did it with that sentence but it was just too tempting....sorry) I wonder as I wander out under the sky, How Jesus the Savior did come for to die. For poor on'ry people like you and like I... I wonder as I wander out under the sky. When Mary birthed … [Read more...]
Awesome Wonders – How Great Thou Art
Last Sunday I was blessed.I attend a church that still sings the classic hymns. Though we loosen up occasionally and partake in some modern upbeat praise music, we usually stick to the regular songs in our hymnals.If you are Lutheran I know the question on your mind. Not which hymn, but which hymnal. The cranberry one- Lutherans will understand. But I digress.My daughter, son-in-law and three perfect grandchildren sit with church with us each Sunday. Now there is a blessing, though noisy at times. Kyla is three and the boys (yes twins) are perpetual motion 14 month olds. More on Kyla and this song later.How Great Thou Art:I love this song and it draws me into worship every time I sing it. Powerful words:O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made...Ready for its story?How Great Thou Artbegins with Carl Gustaf Boberg (1859-1940). He was a Swedish pastor, editor, and member of the Swedish parliament. Boberg was enjoying a nice walk when a … [Read more...]
Celebrating 600!
Do you know how old Noah was when the flood began?600Do you know how many new blogs are published every minute?600Do you know which birthday for Joan of Arc we are celebrating this year?600Do you know how many years ago the University of St Andrew in Scotland began?600Do you have any idea how many blog posts I have written here since the beginning?600Fun trivia today to celebrate this 600th post.I feel blessed: Blessed by God to have the opportunity to write for Him and blessed by all of you who read these humble words each time. I am so very grateful. Thank you for reading this blog!!The most popular posts the past three years based on one the number of times people looked at that page are the ones about prayer, inspirational quotes, and hymn stories. Prayer is so essential to our growing closer to God and so many of us hunger for hope and encouragement we find in quotes and music.Since prayer, hymns, and quotes are key themes here, I thought I would share the words of one of my … [Read more...]
GET LOST! – Blessed Assurance
Image by missha via FlickrLost!Just the word makes me nervous. I think of dark alleys. Scary places. Fear of the unknown. Not knowing what will happen next. Spooky places with bizarre jumping out of the bushes happenings.Lost!Misplaced precious keepsakes. Missing loved ones, Pets gone astray.Get Lost!Sounds like a real put down, doesn’t it? Well, I am telling you to GET LOST this week!! Not very nice of me or is it?Sunday we sang Blessed Assurance, the classic hymn by Fanny Crosby. Despite her blindness, which she acquired shortly after birth, she was one of the most prolific hymn writers in history, having written over 8,000 hymns. The final four words at the end of the second verse permeated my heart. I actually stopped singing and just prayed that line over and over again while the congregation kept on singing.Lost in His love.Wow! What a grand place to get lost in – in God’s love.I have experienced and I am sure you have too being so absorbed in a project you lose track of all … [Read more...]
Great is Thy Faithfulness – A Hymn Story
Image via WikipediaChurch was wonderful last Sunday. We filled the pew to capacity when Katie and Austin brought the newborn twins and two-year-old Kyla and all the paraphernalia that accompanies young kids.Most of the service I cuddled with 6 week old Korbin and Kastin filled Bill’s arms. Holding such precious gifts, we couldn’t open our hymnal for the music. I was so glad one of the selections was a hymn classic I knew from heart: Great is thy faithfulness.I swayed rhythmically with the music with new life in my arms, eyes closed, singing my worship and praise, “Great is thy faithfulness.”The song continue to envelope my week. I found myself humming as I sat at my computer. Though not a normal shower crooner, I repeated it in my morning routines.The song cast new light onto my everyday chores. God’s love does that, doesn’t it? And what better way to live but focusing on God’s unfailing love for us. Fellow blogger Phil Malmstrom wrote similar words this week in his great blog (be … [Read more...]