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!
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Sunday, February 2, 2014
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
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
Monday, January 27, 2014
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
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)
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
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Psalm 24: 7-10
Lift up, O gates, Lift up;
Lift up your lintels.
Reach up, you ancient portals
That the King of Glory may come in.
Who is this King of Glory?
Who is this Mighty King?
He is the Lord, strong in battle;
He is the Great I Am.
Lift up O gates; Lift up;
Lift up your lintels.
Reach up, you ancient portals
That the King of Glory may come in.
Who is this King of Glory?
Who is this Mighty King?
He is the Lord of Hosts;
He is the Great I Am.
Note: "Your lintels" literally means 'your heads'. The gates to the temple were thought to be too low for the King of Kings, the Lord Almighty, to enter. So what does this mean for us today? Perhaps it would say for us to lift up our heads in trust and adoration in the Lord, that our eyes be fixed on God, not the things of this world. The King came as a lowly babe in a manger in the little town of Bethlehem. He humbled Himself so he could unite Himself with His people. He came to show us true humility and pure love, untainted by self interests. We are to learn from this gentle King and embrace His way of the Cross, lifting up our heads in complete trust.
Lift up your lintels.
Reach up, you ancient portals
That the King of Glory may come in.
Who is this King of Glory?
Who is this Mighty King?
He is the Lord, strong in battle;
He is the Great I Am.
Lift up O gates; Lift up;
Lift up your lintels.
Reach up, you ancient portals
That the King of Glory may come in.
Who is this King of Glory?
Who is this Mighty King?
He is the Lord of Hosts;
He is the Great I Am.
Note: "Your lintels" literally means 'your heads'. The gates to the temple were thought to be too low for the King of Kings, the Lord Almighty, to enter. So what does this mean for us today? Perhaps it would say for us to lift up our heads in trust and adoration in the Lord, that our eyes be fixed on God, not the things of this world. The King came as a lowly babe in a manger in the little town of Bethlehem. He humbled Himself so he could unite Himself with His people. He came to show us true humility and pure love, untainted by self interests. We are to learn from this gentle King and embrace His way of the Cross, lifting up our heads in complete trust.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Psalm 95:1-7
Come, let us sing;
Let us sing unto the Lord,
Let us shout for joy to the God of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving in our hearts,
And a loud shout to Him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God,
And a great King above all other gods.
In His hands are the caverns of the earth,
And the heights of the hills are His also.
The sea is His for He made it,
And His hands have molded the dry land.
Come, let us bow down;
Let us bow and bend the knee,
Let us kneel before the Lord, our God, our Maker.
For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture.
Oh, that today, you would hearken to His voice,
You would hearken to the voice of the Almighty.
Note: Today is the first day Advent, and therefore the beginning of a new church year. Today an elder from our church shared this piece of wisdom. He said that he wondered if one is always thankful to the Lord, that one would be praying without ceasing. What better way to pray than to be constantly thankful, no matter the circumstance, trusting God each step of the way! This is what I want to strive to live. I love Psalm 95, and find myself singing this song often. May it be ingrained in my innermost spirit.
I was sharing the tune God gave me for this psalm with my husband in downtown Mwanza. It was a pleasant time to share this song, and he joined in and sang with me. We were sitting out a sudden rain and many people were hurrying by to get to shelter. Though it was raining, it was not cold. I thank the Lord for giving me the desire of my heart, bringing our family to a busy city in Africa. It was wonderful, and I know I am loved by the King of Kings. My heart bursts into songs of thanksgiving to God.
My goal is to be a thankful person. I want to be thankful where I am, and to be thankful for the people I am privileged to live with, those I worship with, those I meet each day. Each person is a gift from God to cherish and love. Thanks be to God!!!
Let us sing unto the Lord,
Let us shout for joy to the God of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving in our hearts,
And a loud shout to Him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God,
And a great King above all other gods.
In His hands are the caverns of the earth,
And the heights of the hills are His also.
The sea is His for He made it,
And His hands have molded the dry land.
Come, let us bow down;
Let us bow and bend the knee,
Let us kneel before the Lord, our God, our Maker.
For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture.
Oh, that today, you would hearken to His voice,
You would hearken to the voice of the Almighty.
Note: Today is the first day Advent, and therefore the beginning of a new church year. Today an elder from our church shared this piece of wisdom. He said that he wondered if one is always thankful to the Lord, that one would be praying without ceasing. What better way to pray than to be constantly thankful, no matter the circumstance, trusting God each step of the way! This is what I want to strive to live. I love Psalm 95, and find myself singing this song often. May it be ingrained in my innermost spirit.
I was sharing the tune God gave me for this psalm with my husband in downtown Mwanza. It was a pleasant time to share this song, and he joined in and sang with me. We were sitting out a sudden rain and many people were hurrying by to get to shelter. Though it was raining, it was not cold. I thank the Lord for giving me the desire of my heart, bringing our family to a busy city in Africa. It was wonderful, and I know I am loved by the King of Kings. My heart bursts into songs of thanksgiving to God.
My goal is to be a thankful person. I want to be thankful where I am, and to be thankful for the people I am privileged to live with, those I worship with, those I meet each day. Each person is a gift from God to cherish and love. Thanks be to God!!!
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