When the automobile replaced the horse drawn wagon, the buggy whip became a curiosity. A hundred years ago, anyone who hitched a horse to a cart knew what one was. Now, most people couldn’t even describe one! A growing number of Americans believe they have no more need for God since the faith once explained the mysteries of the world for us has been replaced by science to tell us how the universe works. This is not a new idea. Friedrich Nietzsche, in 1882, wrote about the death of God in Europe, that the belief in the Christian God that had shaped the culture of that continent was dying. The violent spasms that shook the world in the 20th century and the bleak secularism that grips Europe now can be traced to the death of vital faith in a living God. I fear that America is treading the same path, replacing God with Self.
Science may explain the ‘how’ of the world, but our discovery processes cannot explain the ‘why.’ I understand the mechanism of conception that brought me to life, but that tells me nothing about why I am here, or why I even ask the question – ‘Why?’ Is it enough to simply say that we exist? Shakespeare’s Macbeth said, “Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” Is this the truth about us? If God is dead, then that is truth. Our lives can achieve a sort of frail nobility only by tasting the delights of our senses and preparing the world for the next generation.
An honest inquiry into this world will not lead us to superstition, but it will humble us enough to consider that Someone bigger than us exists. The wonder of the cell, billions of them form our bodies, are stupendous! The beauty of the Universe, vast and as yet unexplained by the most brilliant minds among us, is stunning. To me, it requires greater faith to believe that such amazing things emerged by chance from chaos that it does to accept that there is a Designer of it all. To acknowledge that there is an Intelligence making the universe exist as we know it does not automatically make a person a Christian, of course. But, if one accepts that there is a God, then it would follow that we should want to know Who God is.
And for me, the story unfolded in the Bible reveals Him, Lord of the Universe who further revealed Himself as my Savior in the coming of Jesus Christ. Far from diminishing our lives, this story gives meaning and purpose to us. Like all good things, the Story can be misused to oppress and misunderstood in ways that darken understanding. But, where the Spirit is allowed to make the Story live, humanity is richer.
\God is not dead. He lives. And I, for one, love Him and I am thankful that He has chosen to make Himself known to me.
Here’s a word from the Word. My prayer for my world…
"I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, …
My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength— that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in.
And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God."
(Ephesians 1:17-18, 3:14-19, The Message)
____________
“Then sings my soul,
My Father God, to Thee.
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art!” Amen.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Proud and grandiose fool
He introduced himself as the “Rev. Dr.” The way he said it made me know he wanted me to inquire about his degree, so I did. When he told me where he had attended and the degree he held from that institution, I knew he was a fraud. That particular school did not even have a degree program in that field of study! Later I learned that this man had left a pastorate when his fraudulent claims were uncovered. I have never claimed a degree I did not earn, but I find myself acting the part of a proud fool occasionally. I hear words designed to impress coming from my mouth, or present myself as a hero in my own story.
What makes us do such things? That ancient sin called Pride! We all want to be voted ‘most liked,’ or ‘most successful,’ or ‘coolest guy’ don’t we? From the moment we become aware of ourselves as toddlers, we play the ‘look at me’ game, first with Mommy and Daddy, then with friends, and then for the world around us. It’s been said often that ‘we buy things we don’t need to impress people we don’t like.’ Dave Ramsey, the financial guru, makes this wry observation: “I'm not against people having new cars. I'm against them having you. We spend a tremendous amount impressing somebody at the stoplight who we'll never meet. It makes you broke and keeps you broke.”
Pride robs us of ourselves. It makes us frauds, pretenders, wanna-be’s who are incapable of living contentedly right where we are. It sabotages our ability to experience joy today by convincing us that we need to be someone else to really be ‘it’ – whatever we think that may be. The Bible tells me that Jesus was a person not known for His ‘cool’ factor! "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not." (Isaiah 53:2-3, NIV) He was born a nobody, came from nowhere, had no degrees. Yet, God lifted Him up. Jesus was "in very nature God, (but, He) did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Philippians 2:6-7, NIV) "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name!" (Philippians 2:9, NIV)
Disciple, find joy in being yourself. If God makes you a king, then be a good one. If He makes you a servant, then do it well. Those who are richest in joy are those who know who they are and who have learned to ‘live in their own skin.’ Contentment is a choice we can make, by letting go of pride. It’s not the same as complacency. Many people have given up on life and settled for mediocrity, calling that contentment. We press on to become all that Christ has called us to be, but not to earn applause of those around us. Our focus always must be to please the One who knows us best and loves us most!
Choose humility as your way of life. Humility is not to be confused with being a doormat, nor is it refusing excellence! We are not being humble when we will not accept legitimate affirmation or appreciation. Humility is simply being content to belong to God while being confident in His promise and the strength of the Spirit.
Here’s a word from the Word for those who would turn their back on pride and take up humility.
"Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever." (1 John 2:15-17, NLT)
What makes us do such things? That ancient sin called Pride! We all want to be voted ‘most liked,’ or ‘most successful,’ or ‘coolest guy’ don’t we? From the moment we become aware of ourselves as toddlers, we play the ‘look at me’ game, first with Mommy and Daddy, then with friends, and then for the world around us. It’s been said often that ‘we buy things we don’t need to impress people we don’t like.’ Dave Ramsey, the financial guru, makes this wry observation: “I'm not against people having new cars. I'm against them having you. We spend a tremendous amount impressing somebody at the stoplight who we'll never meet. It makes you broke and keeps you broke.”
Pride robs us of ourselves. It makes us frauds, pretenders, wanna-be’s who are incapable of living contentedly right where we are. It sabotages our ability to experience joy today by convincing us that we need to be someone else to really be ‘it’ – whatever we think that may be. The Bible tells me that Jesus was a person not known for His ‘cool’ factor! "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not." (Isaiah 53:2-3, NIV) He was born a nobody, came from nowhere, had no degrees. Yet, God lifted Him up. Jesus was "in very nature God, (but, He) did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Philippians 2:6-7, NIV) "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name!" (Philippians 2:9, NIV)
Disciple, find joy in being yourself. If God makes you a king, then be a good one. If He makes you a servant, then do it well. Those who are richest in joy are those who know who they are and who have learned to ‘live in their own skin.’ Contentment is a choice we can make, by letting go of pride. It’s not the same as complacency. Many people have given up on life and settled for mediocrity, calling that contentment. We press on to become all that Christ has called us to be, but not to earn applause of those around us. Our focus always must be to please the One who knows us best and loves us most!
Choose humility as your way of life. Humility is not to be confused with being a doormat, nor is it refusing excellence! We are not being humble when we will not accept legitimate affirmation or appreciation. Humility is simply being content to belong to God while being confident in His promise and the strength of the Spirit.
Here’s a word from the Word for those who would turn their back on pride and take up humility.
"Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever." (1 John 2:15-17, NLT)
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Leaves in the Gutter
The rain gutters on my house were overflowing ... with leaves! The big old oak tree is doing its Fall thing and I think every tenth leaf managed to land in the rain gutter. So, I got out my ladder, cleaned the leaves out of the gutters, and flushed out the downspouts. What's the deal? Why bother cleaning the gutters anyway? They’re just going to get full again. IF I just left the leaves in those gutters, the water would not drain away. Come winter, the standing water would freeze into large blocks of ice extending onto the roof. The winter rain then would not be able to run off and the moisture would work its way under the shingles, eventually rotting the roof boards. A little exertion prevents major damage.
So many things are like that. Regular oil changes can easily be overlooked and the engine won’t stop immediately, but the increased wear of dirty oil will definitely cause a shorter service life. Preventative maintenance is easy to overlook. Given time; there is a price to pay.
The principle holds when it comes to our spiritual health, too. For example, take attendance at church. You can be a Christian without regularly going to church. You won’t be as effective but you can have saving faith, apart from being in your local church. (Amazing statement from a veteran Pastor, eh?) You can read your Bible, pray, trust Christ, and make Sunday a play day: golfing, fishing, and picnicking with family. Short term you won't see much impact on your life. You might even feel some relief about getting rid of the need to be up and out on Sunday AM. A subtle erosion of spiritual health will begin that will not be noticeable for quite some time. Gradually, the edge will go out of your faith. Without teaching that helps you to apply the unchanging Word to an ever-changing world your spiritual understanding will stagnate. From your example, your kids will conclude that church is just one of life’s options, and as young adults, they will all most certainly discard church attendance all together, along with saving faith.
Neglecting to read the Scripture on a daily basis won't cause you to immediately descend into gross immorality.
Failure to engage in generous giving won't make you into Ebenezer Scrooge in a year's time.
Failure to pray won't turn you into an atheist overnight!
But... long term a failure to practice these things will bring on spiritual flab. Your spiritual ears will miss the 'still, small voice of God.' Your spiritual eyes will not perceive His hand at work. Your short prayers will turn into childish whimpers and whines... 'bless me, give me, help me.'
Here is wisdom from the Word.
"Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber." (Proverbs 6:6-11, NLT)
Clean out the gutters today!
Make an investment in doing the small things. Amazingly- the big stuff will take care of itself!
_______________
My eyes are dry,
my faith is old.
My heart is hard
my prayers are cold.
And I know how
I ought to be,
Alive in You, and
dead to me!
Oh, what can be done
For an old heart like mine?
Soften it up with oil and wine.
The oil is You,
Your Spirit of love;
Please wash me anew
In the wine of Your blood.
My Eyes Are Dry
© 1978 Birdwing Music
Ears To Hear
BMG Songs, Inc. (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)ü(Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)
(Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)ü(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)ü(Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)
Keith Green
CCLI License No. 810055
So many things are like that. Regular oil changes can easily be overlooked and the engine won’t stop immediately, but the increased wear of dirty oil will definitely cause a shorter service life. Preventative maintenance is easy to overlook. Given time; there is a price to pay.
The principle holds when it comes to our spiritual health, too. For example, take attendance at church. You can be a Christian without regularly going to church. You won’t be as effective but you can have saving faith, apart from being in your local church. (Amazing statement from a veteran Pastor, eh?) You can read your Bible, pray, trust Christ, and make Sunday a play day: golfing, fishing, and picnicking with family. Short term you won't see much impact on your life. You might even feel some relief about getting rid of the need to be up and out on Sunday AM. A subtle erosion of spiritual health will begin that will not be noticeable for quite some time. Gradually, the edge will go out of your faith. Without teaching that helps you to apply the unchanging Word to an ever-changing world your spiritual understanding will stagnate. From your example, your kids will conclude that church is just one of life’s options, and as young adults, they will all most certainly discard church attendance all together, along with saving faith.
Neglecting to read the Scripture on a daily basis won't cause you to immediately descend into gross immorality.
Failure to engage in generous giving won't make you into Ebenezer Scrooge in a year's time.
Failure to pray won't turn you into an atheist overnight!
But... long term a failure to practice these things will bring on spiritual flab. Your spiritual ears will miss the 'still, small voice of God.' Your spiritual eyes will not perceive His hand at work. Your short prayers will turn into childish whimpers and whines... 'bless me, give me, help me.'
Here is wisdom from the Word.
"Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber." (Proverbs 6:6-11, NLT)
Clean out the gutters today!
Make an investment in doing the small things. Amazingly- the big stuff will take care of itself!
_______________
My eyes are dry,
my faith is old.
My heart is hard
my prayers are cold.
And I know how
I ought to be,
Alive in You, and
dead to me!
Oh, what can be done
For an old heart like mine?
Soften it up with oil and wine.
The oil is You,
Your Spirit of love;
Please wash me anew
In the wine of Your blood.
My Eyes Are Dry
© 1978 Birdwing Music
Ears To Hear
BMG Songs, Inc. (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)ü(Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)
(Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)ü(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)ü(Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)
Keith Green
CCLI License No. 810055
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Leaning toward the Son
A birch tree that grows in my backyard has a curious curve to it, somewhat like this- ). A large maple tree blocks the sunlight on one side, so the birch has grown toward the sun. It does so because the sun is its source of energy and life. That tree reminds me to face the Son! In the face of Jesus Christ, I find my life, my strength. Do you? Does your life lean towards the Son?
The direction that we face in our attitude has consequence. It’s not ‘just a look.’ If we gaze longingly at the forbidden fruit that promises to satisfy our hunger, we will inevitably drift in the direction of disobedience, into sin. If we cast our glance, again and again, to some past failure, regret will overtake us and bring despair. But, if we build the habit of turning to the Lord in worship, like the birch tree bent towards the sun, our lives will lean towards Him. From Him we will find health – emotional and spiritual. Scripture says "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance (face).” (Psalm 42:11, KJV) Turn to the Lord and let Him put a healthy glow on your face! Another of the holy songs says, "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. (face)" (Psalm 89:15, KJV) Worship turns us towards the Lord and there, face to face, we are brightened!
How much ‘facetime’ do you invest with the Lord each day?
Facetime are those moments spent face to face, connecting and communicating. There is a real difference between just being around someone and really seeing them face to face! We do not thrive spiritually just because we have some passing awareness of Jesus’ Presence. We need to make time for facetime with Him, time when we are doing nothing other than worshipping Him, meditating on His Words, listening for the whisper of the Spirit in our soul.
Here’s a word from the Word, full of promise, an amazing statement. "God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (2 Corinthians 4:6-7, NIV) When we turn to let the brilliance of the light of Jesus’ face shine on us, He creates treasure from our daily lives! It’s not our radiance that shines, for we are just ordinary people. It is His reflected glory that makes us someone special.
Are you leaning toward the Son?
_____________
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth
Will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Lemmel, Helen H.
© Public Domain
The direction that we face in our attitude has consequence. It’s not ‘just a look.’ If we gaze longingly at the forbidden fruit that promises to satisfy our hunger, we will inevitably drift in the direction of disobedience, into sin. If we cast our glance, again and again, to some past failure, regret will overtake us and bring despair. But, if we build the habit of turning to the Lord in worship, like the birch tree bent towards the sun, our lives will lean towards Him. From Him we will find health – emotional and spiritual. Scripture says "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance (face).” (Psalm 42:11, KJV) Turn to the Lord and let Him put a healthy glow on your face! Another of the holy songs says, "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. (face)" (Psalm 89:15, KJV) Worship turns us towards the Lord and there, face to face, we are brightened!
How much ‘facetime’ do you invest with the Lord each day?
Facetime are those moments spent face to face, connecting and communicating. There is a real difference between just being around someone and really seeing them face to face! We do not thrive spiritually just because we have some passing awareness of Jesus’ Presence. We need to make time for facetime with Him, time when we are doing nothing other than worshipping Him, meditating on His Words, listening for the whisper of the Spirit in our soul.
Here’s a word from the Word, full of promise, an amazing statement. "God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (2 Corinthians 4:6-7, NIV) When we turn to let the brilliance of the light of Jesus’ face shine on us, He creates treasure from our daily lives! It’s not our radiance that shines, for we are just ordinary people. It is His reflected glory that makes us someone special.
Are you leaning toward the Son?
_____________
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth
Will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Lemmel, Helen H.
© Public Domain
Monday, November 08, 2010
What do you expect?
An experiment was conducted in which people were put into a stereo-optic device that displayed two distinct images, one in the left eye and one in the right eye. After the images flashed the subject reported seeing what he was culturally conditioned to see. The expectation played heavily into the perception!
Do you realize how much your expectations shape your experience? If you go into any situation today expecting misery, you will find it. If you complain about Monday from the start, you will find the week a long slog to Friday. I do not want to become overly simplistic, falling into a life that refuses reality. There are those who become adept at pretending all is well, working hard to maintain the illusion that life is always good. That only leads to foolishness. There is, however, a decision to meet each and every situation trusting in the Lord’s goodness and ability to provide all that you need. The Psalm teaches us to pray, "Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord. These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there … This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:19-20, 24, NLT)
I do not believe that every experience I have comes from the hand of God! The choices that I make and those of people who live alongside of me in this world make have consequences both intended and unforeseen. But, I am convinced by Scripture that everything that happens to me as His child passes through His hand. He will provide us the grace and strength to stand, if we will trust Him. When dire troubles come my way (and they do) I do not think, “Oh God, did this somehow escape Your notice? Were You surprised by this report?” I know that He knows all things! On those days, I pray, “Father, I am confused, but You are not. Show me the way through, around, over, or under this circumstance which I trust that You will ultimately use to accomplish Your purposes in me and the world in which I live. ‘This is the day that You have made!’ ”
If faith in the loving care of my Father forms my expectation, I will see Him working "for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, NIV) When we trust Him and live that faith in daily obedience, we are spared planting the seeds of many tribulations and enduring the harvest of sorrow. Instead, He leads us through the gates of the righteous that lead to His joyful Presence, which sustains us in every circumstance, sows the seeds of rich reward.
Right now, would you take a moment to reset your expectations?
If you’re having a great day, praise Him for allowing you to enjoy it, for letting you have life and breath to see the sunrise, delight in love, and do His will. If you’re in a tough moment, ask for faith to find His provision that will let you meet the challenge with grace, for eyes that can see the opportunities to do good in the middle of it all.
Here’s a word from the Word. Make it yours.
"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." (Psalm 37:4-6, NIV)
________________________
Be still, my soul;
The Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross
Of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God
To order and provide.
In ev'ry change
He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul;
Thy best, Thy heavenly Friend
Thro' thorny ways
Leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul;
Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future
As He has the past.
Thy hope, Thy confidence
Let nothing shake;
All now mysterious
Shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul;
The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them
While He dwelt below.
Be Still My Soul
Von Schlegal, Katharina / Borthwick, Jane L. / Sibelius, Jean
© Public Domain
Do you realize how much your expectations shape your experience? If you go into any situation today expecting misery, you will find it. If you complain about Monday from the start, you will find the week a long slog to Friday. I do not want to become overly simplistic, falling into a life that refuses reality. There are those who become adept at pretending all is well, working hard to maintain the illusion that life is always good. That only leads to foolishness. There is, however, a decision to meet each and every situation trusting in the Lord’s goodness and ability to provide all that you need. The Psalm teaches us to pray, "Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord. These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there … This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:19-20, 24, NLT)
I do not believe that every experience I have comes from the hand of God! The choices that I make and those of people who live alongside of me in this world make have consequences both intended and unforeseen. But, I am convinced by Scripture that everything that happens to me as His child passes through His hand. He will provide us the grace and strength to stand, if we will trust Him. When dire troubles come my way (and they do) I do not think, “Oh God, did this somehow escape Your notice? Were You surprised by this report?” I know that He knows all things! On those days, I pray, “Father, I am confused, but You are not. Show me the way through, around, over, or under this circumstance which I trust that You will ultimately use to accomplish Your purposes in me and the world in which I live. ‘This is the day that You have made!’ ”
If faith in the loving care of my Father forms my expectation, I will see Him working "for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, NIV) When we trust Him and live that faith in daily obedience, we are spared planting the seeds of many tribulations and enduring the harvest of sorrow. Instead, He leads us through the gates of the righteous that lead to His joyful Presence, which sustains us in every circumstance, sows the seeds of rich reward.
Right now, would you take a moment to reset your expectations?
If you’re having a great day, praise Him for allowing you to enjoy it, for letting you have life and breath to see the sunrise, delight in love, and do His will. If you’re in a tough moment, ask for faith to find His provision that will let you meet the challenge with grace, for eyes that can see the opportunities to do good in the middle of it all.
Here’s a word from the Word. Make it yours.
"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." (Psalm 37:4-6, NIV)
________________________
Be still, my soul;
The Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross
Of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God
To order and provide.
In ev'ry change
He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul;
Thy best, Thy heavenly Friend
Thro' thorny ways
Leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul;
Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future
As He has the past.
Thy hope, Thy confidence
Let nothing shake;
All now mysterious
Shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul;
The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them
While He dwelt below.
Be Still My Soul
Von Schlegal, Katharina / Borthwick, Jane L. / Sibelius, Jean
© Public Domain
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