Prayer of Synesius of Cyrene

O Christ, come among men as source of light,
Your ineffable birth is before the beginning of time.
You are the radiant light shining with the Father.
You irradiate lusterless matter and illumine the souls of the faithful.

You have created the world and fixed the orbit of the stars;
You sustain the axis of the earth,
You save all mankind.
You guide the sun in its course to light up all our days,
And the crescent moon which dispels the darkness of night.
You make the seed to sprout, preparing food for the flocks.
From your inexhaustible fount, You pour out the splendor of life,
Making fruitful the whole universe.

~~~ Synesius of Cyrene, c. 400 ~~~

Prayer of St. Patrick

Christ be with me, Christ within me;
Christ behind me, Christ before me.
Christ beside me, Christ to win me;
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me;
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger.
Christ in hearts of all who love me;
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself today
The strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One, and One in Three.

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need;
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward;
The Word  of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.


Note:  I put a simple tune to this prayer, and it has been running through my head for the last couple months.  I find this prayer very strengthening in that it reminds me of Christ's presence with us, always and everywhere, giving concrete examples.  What is there to fear when Christ is always with us?  Just believe.  Walk by faith, not by sight.  Christ is with us to strengthen us and grant us wisdom through His grace. God is our Father, the Son is our Redeemer, the Holy Spirit is with us to help us persevere, giving us courage and strength to work for God.

Praise, Praise to Thee

Shadow and coolness, Lord,
   Art Thou to me;
Cloud of my soul, lead on,
   I follow Thee.
What though the hot winds blow,
Fierce heat beats up below?
Fountains of water flow---
   Praise, praise to Thee.

Clearness and glory, Lord,
   Art Thou to me;
Light of my soul, lead on,
   I follow Thee.
All through the moonless night,
Making its darkness bright,
Thou art my Heavenly Light---
   Praise, praise to Thee.

Shadow and shine art Thou,
   Dear Lord to me;
Pillar of cloud and fire,
   I follow Thee.
What though the way is long,
In Thee my heart is strong,
Thou art my joy, my song---
   Praise, praise to Thee.

by Amy Carmichael,  Edges of His Ways

The Call

    My blood so red

   For thee was shed,

Come home again, come home again!

   You've gone astray

   Out of your way,

Come home again, come home again!

Anonymous,  17th century

Note:  We are now on our way back to Tanzania, our other home here on this earth, to encourage the African Church, the Diocese of Victoria Nyanza (Lake Victoria), also known as D.V.N.,  which we are grateful to have joined with on our Christian walk.  Why are we leaving our first home, Christ the King Anglican Church in Casey County, Kentucky, which we are grateful to be one with on our Christian walk?  My husband put it this way:  "We are called to bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ, as St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians."  This is our call, and we are answering this call.  Praise be to God!!!!

Road of my Desire

O Thou who dost direct my feet
   To right or left where pathways part,
Wilt Thou not, faithful Paraclete
   Direct the journeying of my heart?

Into the love of God, I pray,
   Deeper and deeper let me press,
Exploring all along the way
   Its secret strength and tenderness.

Into the steadfastness of one
   Who patiently endured the cross.
Of Him who, though He were a Son,
   Came to His crown through a bitter loss.

This is the road of my desire --
   Learning to love as God loves me,
Ready to pass through flood or fire
   With Christ's unwearying constancy.

by Frank Houghton, 1894 - 1972
found in A Treasury of Christian Poetry, compiled by Mary Batchelor

Love Through Me

Love through me, Love of God,
   There is no love in me;
O Fire of Love, light Thou the love
   That burns perpetually.

Flow through me, Peace of God,
   Calm river flow until
No wind can blow, no current stir
   A ripple of self-will.

Shine through me, Joy of God,
   Make me like thy clear air
That Thou dost pour Thy colours through,
   As though it were not there.

O blessed Love of God,
   That all may taste and see
How good Thou art, once more I pray,
   Love through me, even me.

by Amy Carmichael,  Edges of His Ways

Psalm 84: 1-7

How dear to me is Your dwelling
O Lord of Hosts;
My soul has a desire and longing
For the courts of the Lord.

My heart and soul rejoice
In the living God.
The sparrow has found her a house,
And the swallow has found a nest
Where she may lay her young.

By the sides of Your altars,
O Lord of Hosts,
My King and my God.

We are happy to dwell in Your house,
Singing praises to You.
Happy are those whose strength is found in You,
Whose hearts are set on the pilgrim's way.

Those who dwell in the desolate valley
Will find it a place of springs,
For the early rains have covered it
With pools of water.

They will climb from height to height,
And the God of gods
Will reveal Himself In Zion.

O, Lord of Hosts, hear my prayer;
Hearken, O God of Jacob.


Note: We truly are happy when we dwell with God, finding our strength in the living God.  He will bring songs in the night, rain for the dry spells, hope for the downcast, love to cast out all fear.  All we need to do is surrender our life to His Lordship.  We rest secure as we set our hearts to follow the path where He leads us.  All praise to God the Father, through Jesus Christ the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit, the blessed and undivided Trinity, now and forevermore.

Love for Hard-to-love People

O Beloved of my soul,
   This do I desire:
Faith for the impossible,
   Love that will not tire.
Jesus, Saviour, Lover, give me
Love for the unlovable,
   Love that will not tire.

O Beloved of my soul,
   Yet again I come;
Give me cords of love to draw
   Many wanderers home.
Jesus, Saviour, Lover, give me
Love that knows nor strain nor flaw,
   Love to lead them home.

by Amy Carmichael,  Edges of His Ways

Psalms 42 and 43

Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why do you sigh within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again be thanking Him,
In the presence of my Savior and my God.

By day the Lord bestows His grace,
And at night I have His song,
A prayer to the living God,
A prayer to the living God.

Send forth Your light, O Lord,
Lead me on.
Bring me to Your holy mountain.
Then I will go to Your altar.
O Lord, You are my gladness and joy.


Note:  Happy birthday, husband.  This song I dedicate to you.  I thank you for sharing life with me, and for all the times you encouraged me to put my hope in God.   Let us be led by God's blazing light each day and rejoice together as we go to His altar of grace and everlasting love received in the Holy Eucharist.

Commit Your Care

Commit your care, commit your care,
For I am here, and I am there.
Commit, commit, and do not fear,
For they are dear and you are dear.

Where is your care? Where is your care?
You cannot find it anywhere.
You cannot find it anywhere.
I heard your prayer, I heard your prayer.

by Amy Carmichael,  Edges of His Ways

Psalm 133

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
   For brethren to dwell together;
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
   For brethren to dwell in unity.

It is like the precious oil
   Upon the head of Aaron
   Running down his beard
   And the edge of his garments.
It is like the dew of Hermon
   Descending on the mountains
   Of Zion.

For there the Lord has commanded
   The blessing,
   The blessing -
      Life forevermore,
      Life forevermore.

Note:  I love this psalm and the metaphors used to describe the blessing of Church unity.  When the Church unites, the blessing of God descends upon the Body of Christ,  just as the oil of God's anointing runs down Aaron's beard and the dew descends upon the mountains.  We rejoice with all of our brothers and sisters in Christ who share the blessing of Life eternal in Christ Jesus.  Let us strive to be unite our hearts and lives with all of our brothers and sisters in Christ,  for we are all part of the Body of Christ.

Sing I Must

Lover of souls, Thee have I heard,

   Thee will I sing, for sing I must;

Thy good and comfortable word

   Hath raised my spirit from the dust.

by Amy Carmichael,  Edges of His Ways

Seeking the Truth

To travel this world over;
This desire burns in her heart.
She wants to experience,
                 to learn,
                 to grow.

Yet the flame is smothered by fear.
She becomes dizzy as she gazes
Over the steep climb she has managed,
                 overwhelmed
                 by the thought of falling.

Sure enough, she begins to fall,
Tumbling downwards
On this well established slide.

Looking up, she can hardly believe
She was just near the crest
Only an eye's blink ago.

Everything is fuzzy as she peers out
Through tears
That will not shed.

Heaviness weighs her down,
And it takes some time
Even to stand up.

Once on her feet,
She wonders if it is worth trying again.
Her dreams seem lost.

Up over the crest,
A ray of light is shattered
By the thick mist.

It seems so far away,
But essential for life;
So she begins her journey
              once again.

by Julie St. John,  January, 1986

Note:  I wrote this as a young, single person.  I had a desire to work overseas, to give my life for the poor of this world.  Yet, I lacked confidence and stability.  Many years have passed, and now I am a middle-aged mother of six children who are growing up so fast.  The Lord, in His kindness and love, has provided opportunity for us to work overseas, to give our life for the poor of this world.  We thank Him for opening the way to return to Tanzania for a two-year period.  We pray that we will be of use to the Lord in sharing Christ with our African brethren.  We pray that our grown children will know the vocation that God is calling them to pursue, and that He will guide their lives step by step just as He has guided our lives through these many years.  It is not easy to leave our home here in rural Kentucky, but we are thankful for this opportunity to be a blessing to the African church in the Diocese of Victoria Nyanza (Lake Victoria).

Teach Us to Pray

Saviour, in Whom we have access with confidence,
Lead us in prayer to-day;
Here at Thy feet we lay
All our desires; do Thou
Direct us now.

O loving Comforter, help our infirmities,
That which we know not teach;
Fashion our mortal speech
That we may know how to pray
The Heavenly way.

by Amy Carmichael,  Edges of His Ways

We are Your Shadow

We are Your shadow, O Lord

   Led by the Pillar of Cloud

That leads Your people through desert country;

A passing shadow are we.

Bright and happy and free,

Free in Your loving care.

Bright and happy are we,

The Bread of Life we all share.

We are Your breeze, O Lord,

A cooling breeze, indeed;

The wind is the Wind of Your Spirit, Lord.

A puff of wind are we.

Bright and happy and free,

Free in Your lasting love

Bright and happy are we,

O lead us, Holy Dove.

by Julie Dunlap,  May, 2014

Note: Today is Pentecost Sunday, the day we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to the Church.  The Holy Spirit brings us comfort, counsel, and strength to go on living as Christians.  We often neglect the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and try to figure things out ourselves.  However, we come to the realization that we need the Holy Spirit in order to grow in our faith in Christ.  "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of Hosts."  Zechariah 4:6

Noble Love

How often, Love, our grateful eyes
   Have seen what Thou hast done,
How often does Thy love surprise
   From dawn to set of sun.

How often has a gracious rain
   On Thine inheritance,
When it was weary, wrought again
   An inward radiance.

Thou Who upon the heavens dost ride,
   What miracle of love
Brings Thee more swiftly to our side
   Than even thought can move?

Our love is like a little pool,
   Thy love is like the sea,
O beautiful, O Wonderful,
   How noble Love can be.

by Amy Carmichael, from Edges of His Ways

Prayer for Courage

Two paths I see;
Which will it be?

One leads to foreign lands;
The other lies close at hand.

Grant us courage to choose today
To strive along the narrow way.

5-17-2014

Prayer for Courage

Lord, we ask Your shining  Light
   to guide our pilgrim steps.
Lord, we ask Your blazing Fire
   to burn the chaff we've kept.
Lord, we ask for grace today
   to humbly die to our selfish ways.
Lord, we ask for courage to live
   within Your Will always.

Lead us, guide us, grant us strength.
   May we truly honor You, O Lord.
Lead us, guide us, grant us courage.
   May we truly worship You, O Lord.

5-17-2014

Note:  We find ourselves at a crossroads, a place in our life where we have to make a decision between the good and the better.  We must choose one or the other, and both are good.  There is life in rural Kentucky which is so peaceful and beautiful.  I wake up to the sound of newly hatched chicks chirping in the hallway that are in a cardboard box with a bright light keeping them warm. Since it is a cool morning, I got the wood- stove woke up and warming the kitchen. Later, my husband will get up and milk our cow which brings us abundant cream, butter, cottage cheese, yogurt, buttermilk, whey - and plenty to share with whomever is interested.  Then we will all be getting ready to walk through the woods, over a homemade bridge my husband and son put over the gully, up the hill, to our wonderful church in the woods.  We are greeted by our church family, and we worship God together in this beautiful setting. I have the privilege to play banjo in this small church which is fun for me since I am a novice musician.  Doesn't the Lord want us to enjoy worshiping Him?  Yes!!!! So it is great to pick along with the more experienced musicians. Life is so comfortable and predictable here where we got married and bore six children.
   Then we are also being given the opportunity to return to Tanzania.  Our family was given the gift of a trip to Mwanza, Tanzania last year with a six month stay.  We had a lot of adjusting to do as we settled in a concrete floor house which requires mosquito nets on our beds because those little critters will not leave you alone at night.  In fact, often they got in the mosquito nets and tried to drive us batty.  At night, besides dodging mosquitos, you have to step carefully to avoid the cockroaches.  Also, it is often quite noisy into the night, then again in the very early morning hours.  The only quiet is between 2 and 5 a.m.. It really isn't a picture of comfort.  When we are tired and want quiet, it is quite hard to find.  There is no place to walk where there aren't loads of  people, and since our skin is white, we stand out like a cardinal on a snowy field. So why would we ever want to return??  It is the beautiful people we met that beckons our heart to Africa.  They so kindly welcomed us into their lives, forgave our awkwardness, and went a step farther to make us one of them, part of their families.  Children graced our home throughout the day, providing many friends for our children.  We had three big kids and three little kids who were regulars to our home,and they became part of our lives, forever changing our hearts.  I had the fun of trying to teach a couple of English classes, and this afforded the opportunity to get to know several of the students and some of their families.  Our son was adopted into an elderly couple's home since we ran out of bed space, and our daughters became part of our pastor's family so now our children  have a more extended family which includes African grandparents.  Isn't this a priceless gift!!!  
   The choice we face is between the good and the better.  It is not an easy choice.  It requires courage to give up the peaceful, quiet setting where we are currently residing, and take that other path which affords very little rest but an abundance of purpose and joy, to join hands with our Tanzanian brothers and sisters in the Lord and their children.  God is opening the door to this rugged path.  I need courage to walk through it to the warm welcome of the Tanzanian people calling out, "Karibu!" (which means welcome).    

Love Eternal

For love, brave love that ventureth,
   For love that faileth not I come,
For love that never wearieth,
   Nor findeth burdens burdensome.

I come for hope that springeth green,
   And burneth steadfast like a star;
For faith that pierceth through the seen
   To things eternal, things that are.

O Love, that lightenest all my ways,
   Within, without, below, above,
Flow through the minutes of my days,
   The sum of all my life be love.

by Amy Carmichael, from Edges of His Ways

Crown Him with Many Crowns

Crown Him with many crowns,
      The Lamb upon His throne,
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns
      All music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing
      Of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King
      Through all eternity.

Crown Him the Virgin's Son,
      The God incarnate born,
Whose arm those crimson trophies won
      Which now His brow adorn;
Fruit of the mystic rose,
      As of that rose the stem;
The root whence mercy ever flows,
      The Babe of Bethlehem.

Crown Him the Son of God,
      Before the worlds began,
And ye who tread where he hath trod,
      Crown Him the Son of Man;
Who every grief hath known
      That wrings the human breast,
And takes and bears them for His own,
      That all in Him may rest.

Crown Him the Lord of life,
      Who triumphed over the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife
      For those he came to save.
His glories now we sing,
      Who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring,
      And lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of peace,
      Whose power a scepter sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease,
      And all be prayer and praise.
His reign shall know no end,
      And round His pierced feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend
      Their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown Him the Lord of love,
      Behold His hands and side,
Those wounds, yet visible above,
      In beauty glorified.
No angel in the sky
      Can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends His burning eye
      At mysteries so bright.

Crown Him the Lord of heaven,
      Enthroned in worlds above,
Crown Him the King to whom is given
      The wondrous name of Love,
Crown Him with many crowns,
      As thrones before Him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns,
      For He is King of all.

Crown Him the Lord of lords,
      Who over all doth reign,
Who once on earth the incarnate Word,
      For ransoned sinners slain,
Now lives in realms of light,
      Where saints with angels sing
Their songs before Him day and night,
      Their God, Redeemer, King.

Crown Him the Lord of years,
      The Potenate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres,
      Ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
      For Thou has died for me;
Thy praise and glory shall not fail
      Throughout eternity.


written by Matthew Bridges and  Godfrey Thring, nineteenth century
music by George Job Elvey,  nineteenth century

Note: This hymn was originally written by Matthew Bridges, a devout member of the Church of England for forty-eight years, who then converted to Catholicism.  He wrote the poem three years after becoming a Catholic.  Then George Job Elvey composed soaring music to fit the poem.  He named the music 'Diademata", Greek for "crown". Elvey was a close friend of the British crown.  Later, Godfrey Thring, an Anglican priest, was asked to create a new version of this song.  Thring prayed, read Bridges' original words and studied the Bible passages relating to Christ as King.  When the song was published in 1874, the hymn publishers studied both versions and felt both works had great substance and character, so they combined the two versions.  This great Easter hymn is unique in that it is the work of three men who didn't know each other, but shared the most important element in common, faith in Jesus Christ as King. (Found in Stories Behind the Traditions and Songs of Easter, by Ace Collins, copyright 2007, pages 97-104)

     
     

O Lord Beloved, Thy Calvary Stills Us

Home of our hearts, lest we forget
   What our redemption meant for Thee,
Let our most reverent thought be set
   Upon Thy Calvary.

We, when we suffer, turn and toss
   And seek for ease, and seek again;
But Thou, upon Thy bitter Cross,
   Wast firmly fixed in pain.

And in our night, star-clusters shine,
   Flowers comfort us, and joy of song;
Nor star, nor flower, nor song was Thine,
   But darkness three hours long.

We, in our lesser mystery
   Of lingering ill and winged death,
Would fain see clear; but could we see,
   What need would be for faith?

O Lord beloved, Thy Calvary
   Stills all our questions; come, O come,
Where children wandering wearily
   Have not yet found their Home.

by Amy Carmichael,  Edges of His Ways
  

Awake, O Sleeper, Arise

Awake, O Sleeper, arise;
   Arise from the dead.
Awake, O Sleeper, arise;
   Arise to new life

For Christ is the Light,
   The Light of the world,
So walk in His Holy Light,
   A flag unfurled.

Walk carefully, redeeming the time.
   Give thanks for all things to God,
          Our Father Divine.

Speak gracefully, esteeming God's Word.
   Be salt in this weary world
          For Jesus, our Lord.

Think soberly, unceasing in prayer.
   Conform your mind to God's design;
          His Spirit, we share.


by Julie Dunlap  3-30-2014,   4th Sunday of Lent

Note:  The Lord gave me this song from Ephesians 5, one of the readings we had at church on Sunday.  This is an encouragement to live intentionally for Christ, being mindful of our walk, speech, and thoughts, that our life will be a testimony of God's love for all mankind.  May our lives bring glory to God.

Love of my Heart

Love of my heart, my streams runs dry;

   O Fountain of the heavenly hills,

Love, blessed Love, to Thee I cry,

   Flood all my secret hidden rills.

Waters of love, to Thee I cry,

   Flood all my secret hidden rills.

Waters of love, O pour through me,

I must have Love:  I must have Thee.

Lord, give me love, then I have all,

   For love casts out tormenting fear.

And love sounds forth a trumpet call

   To valiant hope; and sweet and clear

The birds of joy sing in my tree,

Love of my heart, when I have Thee.

by Amy Carmichael, from Edges of His Ways

Fill Me, O Lord

As I think upon Your love, Lord,
   Fix my mind to trust Your Word.
As I think upon Your cross, Lord,
   Help me to obey Your Word.

For the Word of God is mighty;
For the Word of God is true;
For the Word of God is mighty to save.
   It's Jesus - He'll see us through.

Holy Spirit, come and fill me;
Holy Spirit, set me free.
Holy Spirit, come and heal me.
   I'm Yours throughout eternity.
For Your Light and Fire shall consume me.
   It's Christ I long to see.

For the Word of God is mighty;
For the Word of God is true;
For the Word of God is mighty to save.
   It's Jesus - He'll see us through.

by Julie Dunlap  3-23-2014

Note:  God gave me a simple song today at my request.  I was working on it for an hour or so before church, and then after church was able to finish it up.  It is the Holy Spirit that will fill us, heal us, and enable us to live the Christian life.  Daily we must avail ourselves of His Light and Fire to consume the dross, that we will clearly see Jesus, and follow His calling.

Bear Us on Eagle's Wings

Bear us on eagles' wings,
   Lord, lest we faint,
Far, far from groveling things,
   Purge from their taint.
Jesus of Calvary,
Draw us to run after thee,
Hold us to walk with Thee,
   Walk, and not faint.

by Amy Carmichael,  from Edges of His Ways


Note: Today is Ash Wednesday and, therefore, the beginning of the season of Lent.  On Ash Wednesday, we are reminded that we are dust and to dust we will return.  This is a good reminder so we will strive to live each day to the glory of God.  It is God who will purge us; He will bear us on eagles' wings.  He leads us into this time of repentance and cleansing.  He draws us and holds us, and we will advance on the pilgrim's way in His strength.

Hidden Life in Christ

Lord, make of this our pleasant field
   A garden cool and shadowy,
A spring shut up, a fountain sealed
   For Thee, Lord Jesus, only Thee.

And as from far untrodden snow
   Of Lebanon the streams run free,
Dear Lord, command our streams to flow,
   That thirsty men may drink of Thee.

by Amy Carmichael, from Edges of His Ways

I Will Trust You, Lord

        I will trust You, Lord.
        I will give You thanks.
You are the help of my countenance.
           You are my God.

       You are my Rock and my Fortress.      
 Lead me and guide me for Your Name's sake.
           My times are in Your hand,
             For You are my strength.

        I will trust You, Lord.
        I will give You thanks.
You are the help of my countenance.
           You are my God.

I have not hidden my sin, O Lord;
I acknowledge my wretchedness.
   I confess my transgressions,
     And You forgive my sin.

        I will trust You, Lord.
        I will give You thanks.
You are the help of my countenance.
           You are my God.

        Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
        Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He will give the desires of your heart.

        I will trust You, Lord.
        I will give You thanks.
You are the help of my countenance.
           You are my God.

   Do not forsake me, O Lord;
O my God, be not far from me!
Make haste to help me, O Lord,
       You are my salvation!

        I will trust You, Lord.
        I will give You thanks.
You are the help of my countenance.
           You are my God.

from Psalms 42, 31,32,37, and 38


Note:  This song is a prayer of trust in God, developed in three days as I was reading these Psalms.  The key message is trusting God as we journey through life, and with trust in God comes thankfulness and cheerfulness.  God works from the inside out;  as He changes our hearts and minds, our countenance is brightened.  We are the "Light of the World" from this redeeming grace. Praise be to God!

Thy Steadfast Love to Strengthen Us

God of patience and endurance,
   Steadfast as the steadfast stars
Stands Thy promise, Thine assurance
   Unto Thine ambassadors;
I, thy God, will strengthen thee,
Where I am, there thou shalt be.

Lord, we would endure, O sift us
   Clear of weakness, make us strong;
Lord, we would endure, O lift us
   Into joy and conquering song;
Cause us in Thy peace to dwell
Seeing the Invisible.

Let us welcome all life's weather
   Whatsoever it may be,
And, or singly, or together,
   Find our heart's delight in Thee,
Our Redeemer, our Adored,
Lover and beloved Lord.

by Amy Carmichael, from Edges of His Ways

Oneness

To seek together
   the One True Path
      which leads us
   to the feet of our Maker.

To give together
   the One True Gift
      of our hearts
   to Him in awe and reverence.

To find together
   the One True Love
      which leads us
   to obey our Master's call.

To know together
   the One True Joy
      of learning
   to rest in His warm embrace.


by Nathan Dunlap,  January 27, 1999

Note:  My husband wrote this poem for our 9th anniversary, 15 years ago.  I now realize so much truth in this poem.  Without God's abiding grace, moment by moment, oneness is a far fetched goal, but as we learn to abide in Christ as this poem beautifully expresses, we will grow in unity with one another.  This is not only true in a marriage, but is also true in His Church.  So I ask you all to pray for unity in the Church Universal, the Body of Christ, for we are called to be a light in this world.

A Piece of Heaven

Knowing you is like a slice of sunny skies;
   Your cheerful countenance illuminates your space.
Your doll-like daughter's dancing eyes
    Reflecting God's abiding grace.

The warmth and joy I saw in you
    Hath wrought a change in me,
And so I thank the Lord most high.
    This piece of heaven I did see.


12-15-2013
by Mama Anna  (my Tanzanian name, since my oldest daughter is named Anna)

Her smile is contagious

A piece of heaven in Nyakato

Rock of My Heart

Rock of my heart, and my Fortress Tower,
   Dear are Thy thoughts to me,
Like the unfolding of leaf or flower
   Opening silently.
And on the edge of these Thy ways,
   Standing in awe as heretofore,
Thee do I worship, Thee do I praise,
      And adore.

Rock of my heart, and my Fortress Tower,
   Dear is Thy love to me,
Search I the world for a word of power,
   Find it at Calvary---
O deeps of love that rise and flow
   Round about me and all things mine,
Love of all loves, in Thee I know
      Love Divine.

by Amy Carmichael, from Edges of His Ways

Note: While we lived in Tanzania, I discovered this book which had great devotional ideas and poems by Amy Carmichael. I will be sharing some of her poems this year since I find her poetry expresses the depth of Christian thought, yet in a simple way.  May you be blessed this new year in knowing God's unfailing love for you. This love of God is steadfast and sure.  God's love is the firm foundation we can rely on as we face various challenges in life. As we grow in the knowledge of God's love, we will find we are shaken less often by the circumstances we face. Happy New Year, friends.