19 November 2010 - "Trust and Obey"

Upon receiving the poem from me yesterday
An erudite friend mentioned the phrase 'trust and obey'
The words of this hymn came into my head
So I decided to use them today instead
John Sammis wrote the hymn in 1887
About the ideal relationship with God in heaven
Almost every phrase resonates with me
About how I would like it to be
And I find it hard to add to what he penned
So I guess my small poem should come to an end
But I think that as you read the words of the hymn
You will find it hard to escape its natural rhythm

When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss,
Not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows,
For the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we'll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do,
Where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

22 October 2010 - Amazing Grace

John Newton penned these words in 1772
To uplift me, they never fail to do
The tune also has a strong effect
As it is very easy to recollect
I could hear this hymn every day
And be happy every time it did play
All the stanzas tell a story
But all revolve around God's glory
And by the time we get to the last stanza
There is often a praising extravaganza

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

13 October 2010 - Prayer is the soul's sincere desire

James Montgomery penned these words in 1818
About the different aspects of prayer unseen
I really like the words and the tune
They make me want to pray real soon

"Prayer is the soul's sincere desire
Unuttered or expressed
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.

Prayer is the burden of a sigh
The falling of a tear
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near.

Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try
Prayer, the sublimest strains
That reach The Majesty on high.

Prayer is the Christian's vital breath
The Christian's native air
His watchword at the gates of death
He enters Heav'n with prayer.

Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice
Returning from his ways
While angels in their songs rejoice
And cry, "Behold, he prays!"

The saints in prayer appear as one
In word, in deed, and mind
While with the Father and the Son
Sweet fellowship they find.

No prayer is made by man alone
The Holy Spirit pleads
And Jesus, on th'eternal throne
For sinners intercedes.

O Thou by Whom we come to God
The Life, the Truth, the Way
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod
Lord, teach us how to pray"

13 August 2010 - El Shaddai

Listening to this hymn sung by Amy Grant
Improve on the words I just can't
They were penned fifty years ago by Michael Card
He was clearly quite a bard
For God, El Shaddai is a Hebrew name
God Almighty, it means the same
The lyrics tell of a story great
The tune is also first rate

El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
El-Elyon na Adonai,
Age to age You're still the same,
By the power of the name.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
Erkamka na Adonai,
We will praise and lift you high,
El Shaddai

Through your love and through the ram,
You saved the son of Abraham;
Through the power of your hand,
Turned the sea into dry land.
To the outcast on her knees,
You were the God who really sees,
And by Your might,
You set Your children free.

Through the years You've made it clear,
That the time of Christ was near,
Though the people couldn't see
What Messiah ought to be.
Though Your Word contained the plan,
They just could not understand
Your most awesome work was done
Through the frailty of Your Son.