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.