He Giveth More Grace...

Here are the words to a beautiful hymn. Though written in a previous century, the words are timeless. The author, Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932), knew first hand tremendous sufferings her entire life. But God gifted her with abilities to write poems and hymns that undoubtedly have blessed and encouraged thousands of souls, including mine. I hope it blesses you today as well!

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength as our labors increase; To added afflictions He addeth His mercy, To multiplied trials he multiplies peace. When we have exhausted our store of endurance, When our strength has failed ere the day is half done, When we reach the end of our hoarded resources Our Father’s full giving is only begun. Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision, Our God ever yearns His resources to share; Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing; The Father both thee and thy load will upbear. His love has no limits, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

church signs

One of my pet peeves has always been reading dumb things on church signs around town. I don't know why it gets under my skin so much. It's like someone is trying to say something profound in a cutesy way and in a few words.

My poor hubby knows how much it annoys me...he has to put up with my ranting when we're out driving and I spot one. What REALLY annoys me is when some slogan is posted that doesn't even speak the truth.

Here are a few you may have seen yourself:

"Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the snake, and the snake didn't have a leg to stand on"

"Down in the mouth? Come in for a faith lift"

"Speak well of your enemies, afterall, you made them"

"God is a know-it-all"

"Global warming is coming"

"Get ready for take-off"

You get the picture. Why do churches think these flippant sayings are a welcoming message to someone looking for a church to visit? And I found out that churches actually subscribe to services (yes, they pay money) to receive these sayings to post on their signs. A little web surfing also shows that there are tons of sites out there that exist for the purpose of ridiculing these signs.

OK, now I've gotten THAT off my chest!

I have to admit that for the first time in my life, yesterday I actually saw a church sign message that spoke to me personally. I was out running an errand at the end of a very busy day. I was feeling a bit down on myself for having had a cranky attitude the day before in front of some loved ones. As I drove around a bend in the road in the near-darkness, I spotted a church sign that read "TGIF" and under that it said, "Thank God I'm Forgiven".

Me? Touched by a church sign message? It had to be a God thing because this has never happened before. But it really did jolt me out of my self-loathing to remember that ALL my sins, past, present, and even future, have been forgiven. They were nailed to a cross long ago. Every day I can walk in newness of faith with full assurance that I am a beloved daughter of the King, and He takes delight in me.

I love these words to the hymn, It Is Well With My Soul. They speak such truth and assurance to my heart. To read the history of this hymn and hear the melody, go here.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

I'll probably still be annoyed when I see dumb church sign messages. But I won't forget TGIF anytime soon. Have a wonderful, forgiven Friday!

Of the Father's Love Begotten...

What could be the oldest known Christmas carol is also one of my favorites. Sadly, it is not heard very often in Christian churches today. I'm grateful that I learned this hymn. Singing it somehow makes me feel united with the saints of old.

The author of the words, Marcus Aurelius Prudentius Clemens, was born in the year 348 in a Roman province in what is now northern Spain. Originally it was probably sung as a chant. The words were set to music in the 11th Century, and translated from Latin to English in the 1800's.

It is said that music is the universal language. I think that is because it has the ability to reach into the depths of the human soul. While the words of this hymn are filled with praise to God, the music is almost haunting, as if to say, "How can you not believe? This is love eternal!"

Take a few moments this Advent season to join your voice with those ancient believers and feel the power of God pull you to Himself. Be blessed! Evermore and evermore!

Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be, He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He, Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!

At His Word the worlds were framèd; He commanded; it was done: Heaven and earth and depths of ocean in their threefold order one; All that grows beneath the shining Of the moon and burning sun, evermore and evermore!

He is found in human fashion, death and sorrow here to know, That the race of Adam’s children doomed by law to endless woe, May not henceforth die and perish In the dreadful gulf below, evermore and evermore!

O that birth forever blessèd, when the virgin, full of grace, By the Holy Ghost conceiving, bare the Savior of our race; And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer, First revealed His sacred face, evermore and evermore!

This is He Whom seers in old time chanted of with one accord; Whom the voices of the prophets promised in their faithful word; Now He shines, the long expected, Let creation praise its Lord, evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore Him; angel hosts, His praises sing; Powers, dominions, bow before Him, and extol our God and King! Let no tongue on earth be silent, Every voice in concert sing, evermore and evermore!

Righteous judge of souls departed, righteous King of them that live, On the Father’s throne exalted none in might with Thee may strive; Who at last in vengeance coming Sinners from Thy face shalt drive, evermore and evermore!

Thee let old men, thee let young men, thee let boys in chorus sing; Matrons, virgins, little maidens, with glad voices answering: Let their guileless songs re-echo, And the heart its music bring, evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee, Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be: Honor, glory, and dominion, And eternal victory, evermore and evermore!

Listen here: http://nethymnal.org/htm/o/f/ofthefat.htm

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Precious Lord, Take My Hand

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

I love the words to the old gospel song, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand." The words were written by Thomas A. Dorsey (now known as the father of gospel music) back in 1932 at a time when he was probably at the lowest point in his life. He had just lost his wife and baby in childbirth, and had himself suffered several emotional breakdowns. As a gifted musician, he struggled to find his true calling in life. Finally out of his desperate circumstances, he committed his life to serving God with his music and found peace. This is his most famous work, and the song has been recorded by dozens of artists in over 40 languages.

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, let me stand

I'm tired, I’m weak, I’m lone

Through the storm, through the night

Lead me on to the light

Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear

Precious Lord linger near

When my life is almost gone

Hear my cry, hear my call

Hold my hand lest I fall

Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When the darkness appears

And the night draws near

And the day is past and gone

At the river I stand

Guide my feet, hold my hand

Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, let me stand

I'm tired, I’m weak, Lord I’m worn

Through the storm, through the night

Lead me on to the light

Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Let Freedom Ring...

Flags, parades, backyard barbeques, fireworks...these are the things the typical American associates with the Fourth of July holiday celebration. Rarely do we hear someone ask, "what are you doing for Independence Day?" Yet on July 4, 1776, it was the Declaration of Independence that was signed by 56 brave men in defiance of the Brittish government, and in doing so, they were firmly relying on God. They pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor for the purpose of forming a new Republic. Several of the signers were captured by the Brittish and tortured...others suffered by having their homes burned down. Still others fought in the Revolutionary War and were killed. Our freedom truly came at a great cost.


In the 233 years since, The United States of America has been unbelievably blessed as a nation. I hope we all will pause for a moment today and return thanks to God for all the good that has come to the world through our country, and for the freedoms we do still enjoy. May we take a little break from dwelling on the negatives (and there are, unfortunately, many) and just for today, enjoy the blessing of liberty that is still ours, and the blessing we still covet for our children and grandchildren.


My favorite patriotic song is America the Beautiful. It was written in 1893 by Katharine Lee Bates as a poem. It wasn't set to the music of Samuel A Ward until 1904. Since then, there have been many efforts to make this hymn our national anthem instead of the Star Spangled Banner. I would vote for that!


O Beautiful, for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.


O beautiful, for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America! God mend thine every flaw;
Confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law!


O beautiful, for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness and every gain divine!


O beautiful, for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years,
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea!