Grateful Prayer | Thankful Heart

because he cares for you

By Lorraine

“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.”
Charles Spurgeon
1 Peter 5:6 is one of my favorite bible verses and hope it speaks to your heart too!

“As you walk through the valley of the unknown, you will find the footprints of Jesus both in front of you and beside you.”
Charles Stanley

Great is Thy Faithfulness

By Lorraine

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
 Thomas Chisholm (1866–1960) with music composed by William M. Runyan (1870–1957)

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

then sings my soul!

By Lorraine

Happy Sunday!
all words to How Great Thou Art below 

the following from Wikipedia:
“How Great Thou Art” is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish traditional melody and a poem written by Carl Gustav Boberg (1859–1940) in Mönsterås, Sweden in 1885. It was translated into German and then into Russian and became a hymn. It was translated into English from the Russian by English missionary Stuart K. Hine, who also added two original verses of his own. The composition was set to a Russian melody. It was popularized by George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows during the Billy Graham crusades. It was voted the United Kingdom’s favorite hymn by BBC’s Songs of Praise. “How Great Thou Art” was ranked second (after “Amazing Grace”) on a list of the favorite hymns of all time in a survey by Today’s Christian magazine in 2001. Wikipedia 

The inspiration for the poem came when Boberg was walking home from church near Kronobäck, Sweden, and listening to church bells. A sudden storm got Boberg’s attention, and then just as suddenly as it had made its appearance, it subsided to a peaceful calm which Boberg observed over Mönsterås Bay. 
According to J. Irving Erickson:
Carl Boberg and some friends were returning home to Mönsterås from Kronobäck, where they had participated in an afternoon service. Presently a thundercloud appeared on the horizon, and soon lightning flashed across the sky. Strong winds swept over the meadows and billowing fields of grain. The thunder pealed in loud claps. Then rain came in cool fresh showers. In a little while the storm was over, and a rainbow appeared.
When Boberg arrived home, he opened the window and saw the bay of Mönsterås like a mirror before him. From the woods on the other side of the bay, he heard the song of a thrush. The church bells were tolling in the quiet evening. It was this series of sights, sounds, and experiences that inspired the writing of the song.
According to Boberg’s great-nephew, Bud Boberg, “My dad’s story of its origin was that it was a paraphrase of Psalm 8 and was used in the ‘underground church’ in Sweden in the late 1800s when the Baptists and Mission Friends were persecuted.”
The author, Carl Boberg himself gave the following information about the inspiration behind his poem: “It was that time of year when everything seemed to be in its richest colouring; the birds were singing in trees and everywhere. It was very warm; a thunderstorm appeared on the horizon and soon there was thunder and lightning. We had to hurry to shelter. But the storm was soon over and the clear sky appeared.
“When I came home I opened my window toward the sea. There evidently had been a funeral and the bells were playing the tune of ‘When eternity’s clock calls my saved soul to its Sabbath rest.’ That evening, I wrote the song, ‘O Store Gud.’ Wikipedia
How Great Thou Art
by Carl Boberg
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Refrain:
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
Refrain
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Refrain
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Refrain
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”
Refrain
photo source

Another Year is Dawning

By Lorraine

  

Our daughter, Jamie and her family recently moved into a new home and I noticed, standing in a corner, the banjo that belonged to my dad. Daddy played this banjo while in the Philadelphia New Year’s Mummer’s Parade many years ago and it seemed fitting for a New Year’s Day post.
1939 at just 18 years old, the same age as our oldest grandson. Time is something, isn’t it!
So grateful for a another year, a new year, full of hope and adventures. I came upon this ancient hymn that is just as fitting for today. Sending prayers and wishes for you as we all begin another year
 
Happy 2016!
 
🙂

 

Year Is Gone, Beyond Recall
The year is gone, beyond recall,
With all its hopes and fears,
With all its bright and gladdening smiles,
With all its mourners’ tears.
Thy thankful people praise Thee, Lord,
For countless gifts received;
And pray for grace to keep the faith
Which saints of old believed.
To Thee we come, O gracious Lord,
The newborn year to bless;
Defend our land from pestilence,
Give peace and plenteousness.
Forgive this nation’s many sins,
The growth of vice restrain;
And help us all with sin to strive,
And crowns of life to gain.
From evil deeds that stain the past
We now desire to flee;
And pray that future years may all
Be spent, good Lord, for Thee.
O Father, let Thy watchful eye
Still look on us in love,
That we may praise Thee, year by year,
With angel hosts above.
All glory to the Father be,
All glory to the Son,
All glory, Holy Ghost, to Thee,
While endless ages run.

Christ be all around me

By Lorraine

Autumn brings the most brilliant sunrises that last but moments.
The words of this song is the prayer of my heart.
I just love the chorus too. You can listen below.

Christ Be All Around Me
by Michael W. Smith | from the album Sovereign
As I rise, strength of God
Go before, lift me up
As I wake, eyes of God
Look upon, be my sight (yeah)

As I wait, heart of God
Satisfy and sustain
As I hear, voice of God
Lead me on, and be my guide
Oh, be my guide

Chorus:
Above and below me
Before and behind me
In ev’ry eye that sees me
Christ be all around me
Above and below me
Before and behind me
In ev’ry eye that sees me
Christ be all around me (yeah)
Whoa Whoa
Christ be all around me (yeah)

As I go, hand of God
My defense, by my side
As I rest, breath of God
Fall upon, bring me peace
Bring me peace

Bridge
Your life, Your death 
Your blood was shed
For ev’ry moment
Ev’ry moment

Your life, Your death 
Your blood was shed
For ev’ry moment
Ev’ry moment

Chorus:
Above and below me
Before and behind me
In ev’ry eye that sees me
Christ be all around me
Above and below me
Before and behind me
In ev’ry eye that sees me
Christ be all around me

Whoa Whoa
Christ be all around me (yeah)
Whoa Whoa
Christ be all around me

Hold Unswervingly to Hope

By Lorraine

…for he who promised is faithful
aren’t those the best words!

Sharing an old hymn and a newer video that will uplift and encourage
~Thinking of you all this Sunday~
Standing on the Promises
Russell K. Carter, pub.1886
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.

Sharing a beautiful video full of encouraging bible verses and photos with music from
“Who Can Compare (Live)” by Mary Kat Ehrenzeller (Google Play • AmazonMP3 • iTunes)

Hard to 

Path of Life

By Lorraine

Jared and a group of his buddies recently hiked 11 miles through the New Jersey Pine Barrens. His friend, bringing up the rear, snapped a photo that he let me use.

This Bible verse is so fitting as these young men are beginning their senior year of high school.
A fine group of guys, they also hiked Pinnacle Peak in Bucks County, PA
Though dismissed in our culture, I believe Gods ways are best and pray for our youth,
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word
Psalm 119:9

 As a last hurrah, a few of us relaxed around a chiminea Labor Day evening. John picked up a rusted chiminea at a garage sale for five bucks.  He wire-brushed it and spray painted with heat resistant paint. Eleven dollars later it now looks great and worked perfectly as we roasted marshmallows for making S’mores. 
The patio fan has been installed and all of the repairs and painting is finally complete!
Well, a little brick work remains but is it a small job.
Over the winter, I will try to decide what I will plant where the boxwood bushes once grew and tackle that in the spring.
It won’t be long before the furniture is stored in the shed and the racks full of firewood take its place.
This year has zoomed by an breakneck speed.

Green Pastures

By Lorraine

Wishing you a peaceful and relaxed Sunday
Psalm 23
A psalm of David
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
    through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

‘Tis So Sweet

By Lorraine

Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him
Proverbs 30:5

‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
Louisa M. R. Stead, 1882
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

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