'Tis the bottom rung
Where grace abounds
Agape love surrounds
Thy people all around -
This world of sorrows,
This world of joys.
I trust in Thee, O Lord.
I gird Thy mighty sword.
I learn to live Thy holy Word.
'Tis the bottom rung
Where faith declares
Christ's love calls us to share
Share Christ's love everywhere -
This world of sorrows,
This world of joys.
We trust in Thee, O Lord.
We gird Thy mighty sword.
We learn to live Thy holy Word.
by Julie Dunlap 8-19-2012
Note: I have been reading E. Stanley Jones' book Christian Maturity from which I wrote this song and the following idea. It is Christ Jesus who comes to us at the bottom rung of the ladder and lifts us up as we trust in Him. In all other religions, people strive to reach God in various ways by climbing up to the top of the ladder. Even Christians often try to climb the ladder up to God, yet it is when we humble ourselves that God's grace is poured out abundantly and we experience agape love. Upon receiving God's agape love, we are filled with gratitude and overflowing with God's love to share with those whom we live with and those we meet upon life's trail.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Dean's Prayer
Dad’s Prayer:
My Lord and my God,
I desire always and am here only to do your will.
I am what you’ve made me.
Thank you for your love
and the love of everyone you’ve given me.
By your freely given grace alone do I function.
Teach me Love, Humility and Compassion.
Forgive me my abundant sins.
Help me overcome temptation and though I miss the mark,
guide me back, help me climb,
lift me up into the outstreched arms of your supreme sacrifice.
Know I am striving to rest forever in your love,
and grant that my striving is emough.
Amen.
(Dean White)
Note: Dean crossed over to glory land on September 1st, and is at last free from the pain of cancer he battled for two years. It was such a pleasure to get to know Dean over the past five years. He stayed at our home in 2007 for two weeks, helping insulate our new house and helping build our porch. Since then we had some contact and saw him a few times when we were out West. He was an example of love in action and word, and I am so thankful our paths crossed. I am thankful that his family shared this prayer that Dean wrote, and may it be the prayer of my heart also.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
The Old Rugged Cross
On a hill far away stood an old rugged Cross,
The emblem of suff'ring and shame;
And I love that old Cross, where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down.
I will cling to the old rugged Cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
Oh, the old rugged Cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down.
I will cling to the old rugged Cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
In the old rugged Cross, stained with Blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see;
For t'was on that old Cross Jesus suffered and died
To pardon and sanctify me.
So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down.
I will cling to the old rugged Cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
To the old rugged Cross I will ever be true.
Its shame and reproach gladly bear.
Then He'll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I'll share.
So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down.
I will cling to the old rugged Cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
By George Bernard, 1873-1958
What a powerful hymn! I learned this hymn last month and find it hard to stop singing once I get started on it. Christ Jesus embraced humiliation and pain on the Cross for the love God has for each one of us. We are called to pick up our cross daily, whatever pain it may bring, for the sake of sharing Christ's love with the people in our lives. I suggest that you sing this song from start to finish, and see what effect it has on your spirit. God's blessings upon all of you who take the time to read this poetry blog.
The emblem of suff'ring and shame;
And I love that old Cross, where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down.
I will cling to the old rugged Cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
Oh, the old rugged Cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down.
I will cling to the old rugged Cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
In the old rugged Cross, stained with Blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see;
For t'was on that old Cross Jesus suffered and died
To pardon and sanctify me.
So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down.
I will cling to the old rugged Cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
To the old rugged Cross I will ever be true.
Its shame and reproach gladly bear.
Then He'll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I'll share.
So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down.
I will cling to the old rugged Cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
By George Bernard, 1873-1958
What a powerful hymn! I learned this hymn last month and find it hard to stop singing once I get started on it. Christ Jesus embraced humiliation and pain on the Cross for the love God has for each one of us. We are called to pick up our cross daily, whatever pain it may bring, for the sake of sharing Christ's love with the people in our lives. I suggest that you sing this song from start to finish, and see what effect it has on your spirit. God's blessings upon all of you who take the time to read this poetry blog.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Fix My Mind
Fix my mind on Thee, O Lord;
Fix my thoughts upon Thy Word.
Father all glorious, Father all true,
Father, Thou bring me life anew.
Fix my mind on Thee, O Lord;
Fix my thoughts upon Thy Word.
Jesus Christ, Thou art grace and light.
Jesus Christ, lead me through the night.
Fix my mind on Thee, O Lord;
Fix my thoughts upon Thy Word.
Holy Spirit, en-kindle my spirit.
Holy Spirit, convict me today.
Fix my mind on Thee, O Lord;
Fix my thoughts upon Thy Word.
Help me to glory in my weakness;
Help me to carry my cross today.
I will fix my mind on Thee, O Lord;
I will fix my thoughts upon Thy Word.
by Julie Dunlap 7-6-2012
I wrote this prayer/song as I was dealing with accepting my weaknesses, and recalling the Apostle Paul's words that if he were to boast, he would rather boast in his weaknesses. It is when we are weak, then we are strong because only when we acknowledge our weakness will we rely on Christ to be our strength.
Fix my thoughts upon Thy Word.
Father all glorious, Father all true,
Father, Thou bring me life anew.
Fix my mind on Thee, O Lord;
Fix my thoughts upon Thy Word.
Jesus Christ, Thou art grace and light.
Jesus Christ, lead me through the night.
Fix my mind on Thee, O Lord;
Fix my thoughts upon Thy Word.
Holy Spirit, en-kindle my spirit.
Holy Spirit, convict me today.
Fix my mind on Thee, O Lord;
Fix my thoughts upon Thy Word.
Help me to glory in my weakness;
Help me to carry my cross today.
I will fix my mind on Thee, O Lord;
I will fix my thoughts upon Thy Word.
by Julie Dunlap 7-6-2012
I wrote this prayer/song as I was dealing with accepting my weaknesses, and recalling the Apostle Paul's words that if he were to boast, he would rather boast in his weaknesses. It is when we are weak, then we are strong because only when we acknowledge our weakness will we rely on Christ to be our strength.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
All Things Bright and Beautiful
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
God made their glowing colors,
God made their tiny wings.
The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset, and the morning
That brightens up the sky.
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
God made them ev'ry one.
God gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
by Cecil F. Alexander 1818-1895
My two youngest children and I were invited to go to the St. Louis zoo with a friend, and she taught us this song before we went with her to the zoo. Our friend has two grand pianos, and she taught me this song so I was able to play along with her on the banjo. Our tour of the St. Louis zoo was very memorable, the highlight being two elephants swimming and playing in the water. These two elephants kept dunking each other like little children at play. The variety of colors were spectacular, from bright pink flamingos to the crested cranes from East Africa, the striped zebras and okapis to the golden lion. It was very fitting to sing this song before going to see so many of God's creatures and remember whose hand wrought such creativity.
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
God made their glowing colors,
God made their tiny wings.
The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset, and the morning
That brightens up the sky.
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
God made them ev'ry one.
God gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
by Cecil F. Alexander 1818-1895
My two youngest children and I were invited to go to the St. Louis zoo with a friend, and she taught us this song before we went with her to the zoo. Our friend has two grand pianos, and she taught me this song so I was able to play along with her on the banjo. Our tour of the St. Louis zoo was very memorable, the highlight being two elephants swimming and playing in the water. These two elephants kept dunking each other like little children at play. The variety of colors were spectacular, from bright pink flamingos to the crested cranes from East Africa, the striped zebras and okapis to the golden lion. It was very fitting to sing this song before going to see so many of God's creatures and remember whose hand wrought such creativity.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Little Boy
Little boy, do you know?
Jesus loves you.
I love you too.
Your life is blessed with God's love,
Blessed with my love.
Know our love is true, for you.
Little girl, do you know?
Jesus loves you.
I love you too.
Your life is blessed with God's love,
Blessed with my love.
Know our love is true, for you.
Love springs from the Lord above;
Love springs from His throne.
He's gentle;
Yes, He's patient.
Yes, He's faithful and He's true.
Little boy, little girl,
I love you.
By Julie Dunlap June 6, 2012
One morning I was singing this song for our son, Jonathan. Children are my delight. God has blessed us with many children throughout this journey of life. Children bring with them enthusiasm and trust. They are gifts from our loving Father in heaven.
Jesus loves you.
I love you too.
Your life is blessed with God's love,
Blessed with my love.
Know our love is true, for you.
Little girl, do you know?
Jesus loves you.
I love you too.
Your life is blessed with God's love,
Blessed with my love.
Know our love is true, for you.
Love springs from the Lord above;
Love springs from His throne.
He's gentle;
Yes, He's patient.
Yes, He's faithful and He's true.
Little boy, little girl,
I love you.
By Julie Dunlap June 6, 2012
One morning I was singing this song for our son, Jonathan. Children are my delight. God has blessed us with many children throughout this journey of life. Children bring with them enthusiasm and trust. They are gifts from our loving Father in heaven.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Joy Surging
Holding Your hand I walk the Way,
You understand all I would say;
Holding Your hand I need not pray.
Lord, I belong here at Your side,
Singing Your song, swinging Your stride,
Joy surging with the strength of a tide.
Beside us each tree shines against the blue,
No need to see some distant view.
The future must be here, now, with You.
This poem was written by a wife of a missionary in China who suffered much. I read it recently in a book by E. Stanley Jones. He writes that joy is a mark of maturity in a Christian. Joy is not dependent upon circumstances, rather upon our peace of heart and mind in Christ Jesus, our Lord. He writes, " When you sing His song and swing His stride, then automatically joy surges with the strength of a tide." (Christian Maturity, E. Stanley Jones, 1957) This is a worthy goal, and by God's grace He will wrought in us enduring joy.
You understand all I would say;
Holding Your hand I need not pray.
Lord, I belong here at Your side,
Singing Your song, swinging Your stride,
Joy surging with the strength of a tide.
Beside us each tree shines against the blue,
No need to see some distant view.
The future must be here, now, with You.
This poem was written by a wife of a missionary in China who suffered much. I read it recently in a book by E. Stanley Jones. He writes that joy is a mark of maturity in a Christian. Joy is not dependent upon circumstances, rather upon our peace of heart and mind in Christ Jesus, our Lord. He writes, " When you sing His song and swing His stride, then automatically joy surges with the strength of a tide." (Christian Maturity, E. Stanley Jones, 1957) This is a worthy goal, and by God's grace He will wrought in us enduring joy.
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