God of Our Fathers

Words: Dan­i­el C. Ro­berts:

The hymn was written in 1876 for a cel­e­bra­tion of the Cen­ten­n­i­al Fourth of July, and sung at Bran­don, Ver­mont, to the tune called Russ­ian Hymn! When our Gen­er­al Con­ven­tion ap­point­ed a Com­miss­ion to re­vise the Hymn­al, I sent it, with­out my name, prom­is­ing to send the name if the hymn were ac­cept­ed. It was ac­cept­ed and print­ed anon­y­mous­ly in the re­port of the Com­mis­sion. Be­fore the Hymn­al was print­ed, the Rev­er­end Dr. Tuck­er, late of Troy, ed­it­or of our best mu­sic­al Hymn­al, and Mr. George Will­iam War­ren, or­gan­ist of St. Thom­as’ Church, New York, were ap­point­ed to choose a hymn for the cen­ten­ni­al cel­e­bra­tion of the adopt­ion of the Con­sti­tu­tion. They se­lect­ed this hymn, then anon­y­mous, and want­ing a tune, Mr. War­ren com­posed a tune to which it has since been set in the Tuck­er Hymn­al.

Music: National Hymn, George W. War­ren, 1888 (MI­DI, score). War­ren wrote the tune for the cen­ten­ni­al cel­e­bra­tion of the Unit­ed States Con­sti­tu­tion.

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies
Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.

Thy love divine hath led us in the past,

In this free land by Thee our lot is cast,
Be Thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide and Stay,
Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.

From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.

This hymn is as "on point" now as it was 1888.

If you have a heart for prayer be sure to ask your church
about a prayer ministry, needs, and where you can best serve. Ask God where He would have you serve, needs He wants you to pray about, and how you can serve Him. Remember Jesus was in constant prayer with the Father but also set time aside to sit with His Father and converse (prayer)about EVERYTHING!

I must appologize for the lack of posts for the past few months but I am working hard to post and follow God's lead.

Dear Sweet Father,

You bless us all in ways we can understand and in ways we cannot. Open our eyes to opportunities to serve You. Open our hearts for Your people. Give us the wisdom to counsel and to pray for specific needs. You are our loving Daddy and You only want to see us grow in You and to bring You glory. Thank You for providing opportunities for us to serve You.

Guide and protect us.

Forgive us when we fall short of Glory but let us Praise You in all we say and do.

We pray that You will provide us opportunities to witness to those who are blind to You. Give us the courage and words to do as You ask.

I thank You for all You do for us.

In Jesus' name,
AMEN

The picture (title: Sacrifice of Isaac) above is one of Abraham about to sacrifice his son, Isaac. May we obey like he.

Do you have a relationship with Jesus? If not and would like to know more, please contact me via the email address on the left.

Be Thou My Vision

Words: Attributed to Dallan Forgaill, 8th Century (Rob tu mo bhoile, a Comdi cride); translated from ancient Irish to English by Mary E. Byrne, in “Eriú,” Journal of the School of Irish Learning, 1905, and versed by Eleanor H. Hull, 1912, alt.

Music: Slane, of Irish folk origin (MIDI, score). Slane Hill is about ten miles from Tara in County Meath. It was on Slane Hill around 433 AD that St. Patrick defied a royal edict by lighting candles on Easter Eve. High King Logaire of Tara had decreed that no one could light a fire before Logaire began the pagan spring festival by lighting a fire on Tara Hill. Logaire was so impressed by Patrick’s devotion that, despite his defiance (or perhaps because of it), he let him continue his missionary work. The rest is history.

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Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.


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My victory won! Such a light heart offers up this hymn. A God so loving He gave His son to provide us a chance to be with Him for all eternity.

Can you imagine what it cost Him to give His son's life... to watch Him ridiculed, beat, spat on, and murdered..all for us. Could you do the same? Would you like to have the assurance of spending all eternity with Him? An eternal life in Heaven can be yours for the asking. If you would like to accept Christ as your savior, please, email me and we can make that walk together. I would like to pray for and with you.

Dear Sweet Jesus,

You are amazing! I offer my life to You. I bow down before You. I sing Your praises and dance with joy before You. Oh, for all to know You as I do. Please bring me those that I might share my love for You.

God, I ask for Your protection for my friends that lost their jobs and are seeking Your face. They do not want to move forward without Your guidance. Give them peace and a sense of Your presence. Provide for all their needs.

God, I ask for healing for all who are suffering..be it physical, mental or spiritual. There is so much suffering and Your are the great Physician.

Abba, You are in control and we offer our all to You.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

So excited about what I see God doing all around me. Please, comment to let me know of things you see God doing.

New Year! New You?

I am sorry I have been off of here for a month but I was working as many as 76 hours a week. Life is back to normal, for me. So a daily Prayer Connection should be possible.

Hymn of the day:

Words & Music: James M. Black, 1893 (MI­DI, score). Black, a Meth­od­ist Sun­day school teach­er in Wil­liams­port, Penn­syl­van­ia, was call­ing roll one day for a youth meet­ing. Young Bes­sie, daugh­ter of a drunk­ard, did not show up, and he was dis­ap­point­ed at her fail­ure to ap­pear. Black made a com­ment to the ef­fect, “Well, I trust when the roll is called up yon­der, she’ll be there.” He tried to re­spond with an ap­prop­ri­ate song, but could not find one in his song book:

This lack of a fit­ting song caused me both sor­row and dis­ap­point­ment. An in­ner voice seemed to say, “Why don’t you write one?” I put away the thought. As I opened the gate on my way home, the same thought came again so strong­ly that tears filled my eyes. I en­tered the house and sat down at the pi­a­no. The words came to me ef­fort­less­ly…The tune came the same way—I dared not change a sin­gle note or word.

This song was sung in the Aca­de­my award win­ning mo­vie Ser­geant York (1941).


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When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Refrain

When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.

On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection share;
When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Refrain

Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Refrain


I hope when the roll up yonder is called...you will be there...will you? If you don't know our Lord and would like to email me and we can walk together as you make that life changing decision.

Dear Sweet Jesus,

I call out in Your name to reach out and save all those sitting on the fence. Heaven has no limit to the number who may enter...we only have to believe. I am reminded of the saying " the more the merrier" and won't it be merry? Singing and praising the Father and being able to dance before You. Be still my heart, I so long for that day when I can see You face to face.

Lord, You know of the friends who lost their jobs this week. I pray for them that You will provide just the right job for them. Ease any fears they may have and give them a sense of peace.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, for You are in the Heavens and all is right with the world. Let us rest in that.

Your little girl, forever,

Penny

The artwork is titled: The Calling of the Chosen to Heaven

Shall We Gather at the River

Hymn of the day:

Words & Music: Robert Lowry, 1864; first published in Happy Voices, 1865, number 220 (MIDI, score):

One afternoon in July, 1864, when I was pastor at Hanson Place Baptist Church, Brooklyn, the weather was oppressively hot, and I was lying on a lounge in a state of physical exhaustion…My imagination began to take itself wings. Visions of the future passed before me with startling vividness. The imagery of the apocalypse took the form of a tableau. Brightest of all were the throne, the heavenly river, and the gathering of the saints…I began to wonder why the hymn writers had said so much about the “river of death” and so little about the “pure water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb.” As I mused, the words began to construct themselves. They came first as a question of Christian inquiry, “Shall we gather?” Then they broke in chorus, “Yes, we’ll gather.” On this question and answer the hymn developed itself. The music came with the hymn.

Part of this hymn was sung in the Academy Award winning movie, Trip to Bountiful
(1985). It was also sung at the funeral of American Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas.

Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?

Refrain

Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.

On the margin of the river,
Washing up its silver spray,
We will talk and worship ever,
All the happy golden day.

Refrain

Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown.

Refrain

At the smiling of the river,
Mirror of the Savior’s face,
Saints, whom death will never sever,
Lift their songs of saving grace.

Refrain

Soon we’ll reach the silver river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace.

Refrain

I can't wait for the day that I meet my Savior in paradise. To spend eternity with God....WOW! Hard to wrap my head around how awesome that is going to be.

Do you know the one true God? Have you accepted Christ as your Savior? If you have questions about your salvation or wish to accept Christ email me with them.

Sweet Jesus,

We dance in the rain under the umbrella of Your love. We sing praises to You and lay prostrate before You. We humbly seek Your face in all we do.

Go with us and help us to keep our eyes You. Guide us and provide us opportunities to spread the "Good News". May we be Your hands and feet in this fallen world.

Forgive us of our sins and we gladly accept Your Sweet Grace.

In Your Son's Name,

Amen

Onward Christian Soldiers

Baring-Gould wrote about this hymn:

Whit-Monday is a great day for school festivals in Yorkshire. One Whit-Monday, thirty years ago, it was arranged that our school should join forces with that of a neighboring village. I wanted the children to sing when marching from one village to another, but couldn’t think of anything quite suitable; so I sat up at night, resolved that I would write something myself. “Onward, Christian Soldiers” was the result. It was written in great haste, and I am afraid some of the rhymes are faulty. Certainly nothing has surprised me more than its popularity. I don’t remember how it got printed first, but I know that very soon it found its way into several collections. I have written a few other hymns since then, but only two or three have become at all well-known.

This hymn was sung at the funeral of American president Dwight Eisenhower at the National Cathedral, Washington, DC, March 1969.

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!

Refrain

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

Refrain

Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

Refrain

What the saints established that I hold for true.
What the saints believèd, that I believe too.
Long as earth endureth, men the faith will hold,
Kingdoms, nations, empires, in destruction rolled.

Refrain

Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.

Refrain

Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King.
This through countless ages men and angels sing.

Refrain

I have heard this song most of my life but never really listened to the words, until
now. Read them and then reread them. I find this hymn very inspirational.

As Christians we are to ban together doing the work God has laid out for us. We are fighting a war...a war against Satan and his demons. We are to stand on God's promises.

Would you like to join God's army? If so, please, email me and we can discuss any questions you may have.

Sweet Prince of Light,

Lead the march we have undertaken in Your name. Give us strength to fight the good fight. Give us the words to tell others about You. Bring us the multitudes so that we may be light and serve them as You did.

Bless us, guide us, and love us in all our inequities.

Love You bunches,

Amen

Greater is He

Hymn of the day:

I took the challenge when I said that I would stand
I knew it wouldn't be an easy thing cause it messed up Satan's plan
God gives me daily strength to stand in victory
Though the powers of Hell may come my way
Greater is He in me

Chorus:
Greater, Greater, Greater is He in me.
I'm singing, I'm shouting, I'm happy and I'm free.
I'm a soldier in an army that never has known defeat.
Greater, Greater, Greater is He in me.

Verse II:
For so long I wondered in this cold, cruel world alone.
Heartbreak and much failure was just about all I'd ever known.
Then I met God's only Son who listened to my plea.
Now life has a brand new chapter,
Greater is He in me.

Yesterday I took a virtual tour of the Tabernacle and the Holy Spirit stirred me...what people had to do to be in the presence of God before Christ. Now with the death and resurrection God is in Me. So I must be sure what music I listen to, movies I watch, books I read, words I speak or think, are worthy of God.

Don't take it lightly that the one High God resides in you...so you can never be separated from Him...He is a part of you. Do you find this as comforting as I do?
Would you like to? If you have questions about salvation, please, email me.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for taken up residence in this pitiful shell. You love me and find me worthy when I am not. You sent Your son to live and die for us.

We lift up all those sick, alone, scared, or lost to You. We ask that You lay Your loving hands on each and may they feel Your presence in a powerful way.

Go with us through this holiday season keeping the reason for the celebration upper most in our minds.

Bless us and protect us,

Amen

I Will Enter His Gates

Scripture Verses of Thanksgiving in the Old Testament
1 Chronicles 16:8
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:35
Cry out, "Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise."

1 Chronicles 29:13
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

Daniel 2:23
"I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king."

Jonah 2:9
But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD."

Thanksgiving Verses in the Book of Psalm
Psalms of Thanksgiving (NIV)
Psalm 7:17
I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Psalm 30:12
that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Psalm 35:18
I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.

Psalm 75:1
We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 95:2
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 118:19
Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.

Psalm 118:21
I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.

Keep A Gratitude Journal
A Personal Log of Thanksgivings

One way to deepen your relationship with God, and give yourself a happier life, is to keep a journal of all the wonderful things you have to be grateful for. Taking the time to write down your blessings is a great way to show yourself the reasons to be happy, and it gives you something to look back on in times of sadness or weariness so that you may see that even when you feel lonely, God is with you.

Songs of Thanksgiving
For The Fruits of This Creation

I Will Enter His Gates
Let All Things Now Living
My Gratitude Now Accept, O God
We Gather Together
We Thank You, Lord
more songs of thanksgiving...

Enter His Gates Lyrics

Verse
Enter His gates with thanksgiving
and enter His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him for He's worthy

and bless His holy name.

Bridge
When I come in the house of the Lord,
I will serve Him with gladness
for He's done so much for me.
I get excited every time I praise Your name,
when I think of how He set me free.

Chorus
I just can't stop clapping my hands.
I just can't stop stomping my feet.
I just can't stop shouting Your name,
praising the Lord, Lord.

Vamp

Sopranos
I can't stop it,
I can't stop it,
I can't stop it,
praising the Lord.

Altos
Clapping my hands,
stomping my feet,
I just can't stop praising the Lord.

Tenors
When I think about what He's done for me,
I just can't stop praising the Lord.

Chorus

Just a little help for those of you struggling with being thankful.