O God Who Shaped Creation by William W. Reid, Jr., 1987
"O God who shaped creation
At earth's chaotic dawn,
Your word of power was spoken,
And lo! the dark was gone!
You framed us in your image,
You brought us into birth,
You blessed our infant footsteps
And shared your splendored earth.
O God, with pain and anguish
A mother sees her child
Embark on deadend pathways,
Alluring, but defiled;
So too your heart is broke
When hate and lust increase,
When words you birthed and nurtured
Spurn ways that lead to peace.
Although your heart is broken
When people scorn your ways,
You never cease your searching
Through evil's darksome maze;
And when we cease our running,
Your joys, O God, abound
Like joy of searching woman
When treasured coin is found.
O God, when trinkets tarnish
And pleasures lose their charm,
When, wearied by our wandering,
We seek your opened arm,
With motherlike compassion
You share your warm embrace;
You set for us a banquet
And heal us through your grace.
In mercy and compassion
Your goodness is revealed;
With tenderness you touch us,
And broken hearts are healed.
You claim us as your children,
You strip our prideful shame;
With freedom born of mercy
We bless your holy name!"
"O God who shaped creation
At earth's chaotic dawn,
Your word of power was spoken,
And lo! the dark was gone!
You framed us in your image,
You brought us into birth,
You blessed our infant footsteps
And shared your splendored earth.
O God, with pain and anguish
A mother sees her child
Embark on deadend pathways,
Alluring, but defiled;
So too your heart is broke
When hate and lust increase,
When words you birthed and nurtured
Spurn ways that lead to peace.
Although your heart is broken
When people scorn your ways,
You never cease your searching
Through evil's darksome maze;
And when we cease our running,
Your joys, O God, abound
Like joy of searching woman
When treasured coin is found.
O God, when trinkets tarnish
And pleasures lose their charm,
When, wearied by our wandering,
We seek your opened arm,
With motherlike compassion
You share your warm embrace;
You set for us a banquet
And heal us through your grace.
In mercy and compassion
Your goodness is revealed;
With tenderness you touch us,
And broken hearts are healed.
You claim us as your children,
You strip our prideful shame;
With freedom born of mercy
We bless your holy name!"
"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worth of praise, think about these things." Phil 4:8
Happy the Home When God Is There by Henry Ware, Jr., 1846
"Happy the home when God is there
And love fills every breast,
When one their wish, and one their prayer,
And one their heavenly rest.
Happy the home where Jesus' name
is sweet to every ear;
Where children early speak his frame,
And parents hold him dear.
Happy the home where prayer is heard,
And praise is wont to rise;
Where parents love the sacred Word
And all its wisdom prize.
Lord, let us in our home agree
This blessed peace to gain;
Unite our hearts in love to thee,
And love to all will reign."
Blessings ~ another Sabbath ~ great hymns ~ a happy home ~ thoughts worth thinking ~ ~ knowing you are tucked into prayer ~ mercy ~ grace ~ love ~"Happy the home when God is there
And love fills every breast,
When one their wish, and one their prayer,
And one their heavenly rest.
Happy the home where Jesus' name
is sweet to every ear;
Where children early speak his frame,
And parents hold him dear.
Happy the home where prayer is heard,
And praise is wont to rise;
Where parents love the sacred Word
And all its wisdom prize.
Lord, let us in our home agree
This blessed peace to gain;
Unite our hearts in love to thee,
And love to all will reign."
Wonderful post this Sunday. Thank you for your comment!
ReplyDeletelove the "whatever: quote, ms. s! was thinking about you last night and early today...
ReplyDeleteI was gazing on your blog header and thinking how one could imagine all sorts of journeys and adventures following the road into and beyond the hills. "The road goes ever on..." Tolkein
ReplyDeleteI especially like the second section of verse from the first poem. And beautiful photography Sandra.
Thank you for this. These poems remind me of going to church when I was a kid. Wonderful reminders of God's love.
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday!
Jen
Hi Joel, thanks for visiting and for your kind comment; come back soon.
ReplyDeleteHi Cherie, great verse, eh? And were you thinking good thoughts, little girl? -grin-
Hi Kathy, sometimes I sit and wonder who has gone down that road and why. This part of the valley used to be an Indian settlement and all sorts of arrowheads, etc. have been found.
When I was typing the hymn, I was thinking of you and others in similar situations. I hope it blessed you. Thank you for your kind compliment; it makes me happy when people like the photos.
Hi Jen, you're welcome and aren't they both wonderful hymns?! God loves us SO! Happy Monday back at ya! -grin-
Two very beautiful prayers. I have just enjoyed browsing through your blog and love the beautifule photo on your header. Simply breath taking!
ReplyDeleteSandra, I read your post on Old Centennial Farm, go back & read my comments as they are important re the issues she posted. TY for agreeing with this issue. TTFN ~ Marydon
ReplyDeletein church yesterday, our sermon was on keeping the Sabbath day holy! They said it used to be called the Holy Sabbath, then the Sabbath, then Sunday and now most people refer to it as the weekend- i enjoyed your post very much!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post...we sometimes need verses like this to keep things in check.
ReplyDeleteI was gazing on your blog header and thinking how one could imagine all sorts of journeys and adventures following the road into and beyond the hills. "The road goes ever on..." Tolkein
ReplyDelete___________________
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