A New Year's Hymn

 "Be not disheartened by troubles,

for trials are the building blocks

on which to erect a fortress of faith

secure in God's ageless rocks."

Helen Steiner Rice

 

A new year is dawning.

 “Another year is dawning, Dear Father, let it be, in working or in waiting another year with Thee: another year of progress, another year of praise, another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Those words are the first verse of Frances Ridley Havergal's hymn, "Another Year is Dawning" written in the late 1800s. 

"What a hymn to sing to our Father in Heaven on the eve of a New Year. A prayer unto God for whom nothing is impossible. A hymn to beseech our heavenly Father for a good year ahead; a year of resting and trusting, of praise for His mercies and faithfulness, and of service to Him. Let this be our heartfelt prayer too as we look forward to another year with the Lord."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Great Christian Hymns website 

I don't know whether to be happy or sad as we move into a new year. After the year we've just experienced, I'm happy to see it over with, but also know the new year may be just as difficult. 

One thing I'm sure of, though, is our God was with us this year, and He will be with us next year. The second verse says:

“Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace; another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face; another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast; another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Frances Ridley Havergal wrote Another Year is Dawning as a greeting to her friends. It is a grand New Year's prayer of consecration. In the book "Amazing Grace" Kenneth W. Osbeck wrote: "It was said of her that she always lived her words before she wrote them. Her life was one of constant and complete commitment to God." What a challenge to us!

This certainly is the time to live our life in service to God. To be a witness of His power and faithfulness even though times are hard. Looking up instead of looking down. Trusting instead of complaining. I will deliberately set my mind on the things of God, not the things of the world. We have the ONLY reason to live!

The third verse says:

“Another year of service, of witness for Thy love; another year of training for holier work above; another year of dawning, Dear Father, let it be, on earth, or else in heaven, another year for Thee.”

As you watch (or maybe sleep like I will be) the new year come in, welcome it with the Hope of Christ!

 

If we, His children, won't trust and praise God in all circumstances, remember the words of Psalm 148. He will receive praise from His creation:

 

". . . Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his biding,

you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,

wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds . . .

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted;

his splendor is above the earth and the heavens." 

 

"All of Psalm 148 tells us that the Lord of God is in control. When He speaks in heaven, things happen on earth . . . God does not run this world by consensus but by decree. His Will will be fulfilled." Warren W. Wiersbe

 

" Oh, may my new year be dedicated to living for and serving God. There's HOPE in the new year--God's Hope . . . Jesus. Call on Him to fill your heart with Hope.

 

Christmas Miracles

Two stories worth reading . . . the first is about the lovely Christmas Carol: Silent Night!

"When this beloved hymn was written by two humble church leaders for their own mountain village parishioners, little did they realize how universal its influence would eventually be. Joseph Mohr, assistant priest in the Church of St. Nicholas in the region of Tyrol, high in the beautiful Alps, and Franz Gruber, the village schoolmaster and church organist, had often talked about the fact that the perfect Christmas hymn had never been written. So Father Mohr had this goal in mind when he received word that the church organ would not function. He decided that he must write his own Christmas hymn immediately in order to have music for the special Christmas Eve mass. He did not want to disappoint his faithful flock. Upon completing the text, he took his words to Franz Gruber, who exclaimed when he saw them, 'Father Mohr, you have found it--the right song--God be praised!'

"Soon Gruber completed his task of composing an appropriate tune for the new text. His simple but beautiful music blended perfectly with the spirit of Father Mohr's words. The carol was completed in time for the Christmas Eve mass, and Father Mohr and Franz Gruber sang their new hymn to the accompaniment of Gruber's guitar. The hymn made a deep impact upon the parishioners even as it has on succeeding generations.

"When the organ repairman came to the little village church, he was impressed by a copy of the Christmas carol and decided to spread it all around the region of Tyrol. Today it is sung, in all major languages of the world and is a favorite wherever songs of the Christmas message are enjoyed."                                                                                               Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace

 The second story is from Streams in the Desert, Volume 2, by Mrs. Charles, E. Cowman:

"It was Christmas Eve, 1875, Ira D. Sankey was traveling by steamboat up the Delaware River. It was a calm, starlit evening, and there were many passengers gathered on deck. Mr. Sankey was asked to sing. He stood leaning against one of the great funnels of the boat, and his eyes were raised to the starry heavens in quiet prayer. It was his intention to sing a Christmas song, but he was driven almost against his will to sing 'Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us.'

"There was a deep stillness. Words and melody, welling forth from the singer's soul, floated out over the deck and the quiet river. Every heart was touched.

"After the song was ended, a man with a rouch, weather beaten face came up to Mr. Sankey and said, 'Did you ever serve in the Union army.' 'Yes,' answered Mr. Sankey, 'in the spring of 1860.' 'Can you remember if you were doing picket duty on a bright, moonlit night in 1862?' 'Yes,' answered Mr. Sankey, very much surprised.

"'So did I,' said the stranger, 'but I was serving in the Confederate army. When I saw you standing at your post I said to myself, 'That fellow will never get away from here alive.' I raised my musket and took aim. I was standing in the shadow, completely concealed, while the full light of the moon was falling upon you. At that instant, just as a moment ago, you raised your eyes to heaven and began to sing. Music, especially song, has always had a wonderful power over me, and I took my finger off the trigger.

"'Let him sing his song to the end,' I said to myself. 'I can shoot him afterwards. He's  my victim at all events, and my bullet cannot miss him.' But the song you sang then was the song you sang just now. I heard the words perfectly: 'We are Thine. do Thou befriend us, Be the guardian of our way.'

"'When you finished your song it was impossible for me to take aim at you again. I thought, 'The Lord, who is able to save that man from certain death, must surely be great and mighty.' and my arm of its own accord dropped limp at my side.

''Since that time I have wandered about, far and wide, but when I just now saw you standing there praying as on that other occasion, I recognized you. then my heart was wounded by your song. Now I ask that you help me find a cure for my sick soul.'

"Deeply moved, Mr. Sankey threw his arms about the man who in the days of the war had been his enemy. And that night the stranger found the Good Shepherd as his Savior."

 

I almost didn't see that deer.

Miracles of Christmas never cease. May you find your own Christmas miracle this year.

 

 

 

Joyful Words for Christmas

This is one of my favorite Christmas snaps taken in Maryland a few years ago.
 

There's a Song in the Air!

Josiah G. Holland, 1819-1881

 

You may like to listen to the music as you sing along:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4wFYrCjCXM

 

"There's a song in the air! There's a star in the sky! There's a mother's deep prayer and a baby's low cry! And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing, for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!

 

"There's a tumult o'er the wonderful birth, for the Virgin's sweet Boy is the Lord of the earth. Ay! the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing, for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!

 

"In the light of that star lie the ages impearled, and that song from afar has swept over the world. Ev'ry hearth is aflame--and the beautiful sing in the homes of the nations that Jesus is King!

 

"We rejoice in the light, and we echo the song that comes down thru the night from the heavenly throng, Ay! we shout to the lovely evangel they bring, and we greet in His cradle our Savior and King!"

 

"Josiah G. Holland created one of the most thoughtful and thrilling of all the carols that we sing during this season. It is no wonder that the angels' song rang out so jubilantly; They knew it was the King of heaven and earth they serenaded. How little did those who followed the brilliant light of the star realize that through the ages the whole earth would be illumined by Christ the Lord."  Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace devotional

 

I found this lovely brown barn 2 miles from the house and had to turn around to take a picture. 

 

Spurgeon, writing about Psalm 103, wrote these words:

"There is too much in this Psalm for a thousand pens to write, it is one of those all-comprehending Scriptures which is a Bible in itself, and it might alone almost suffice for the hymn-book of the Church."

Psalm 103. One of my favorites. I try to read it each Sunday morning.

"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—

who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;

he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;

the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts. The Lord has established his throne in heaven,and his kingdom rules over all.

Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who ovey his word.

Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.

Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, O my soul."

As you celebrate the birth of Christ with family and friends, praise His name with your whole heart, and may your celebrations be filled with joy and love.

 

I always enjoy finding a decorated lightpost!
 

 

A Gift of Inspiration

"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops."

Henry Gardiner Adams, 1812-1881 

 

I always love a chocolate kiss! No, Abby and Jo didn't pose for this.

 

I did something today that I hadn’t thought about for many years. I read the book I wrote.

 

The first Sunday in December the members in our Sunday School class gave a thank you card to our teacher, and I had made my chocolate chip coffee cake (don’t drool friends,) for him and his family.

It was a pleasant surprise to him, but he gave me a bigger surprise. Somehow he had a copy of the book I wrote and brought it in for me to sign.

 

I hadn’t thought about my book for a long time. By the time I got home I had decided to read it to remember all I’d written.

 

It was a humbling experience. I kept saying: “WOW. Did I write this? How did I do it? I can’t believe I wrote it.”And, of course, we all know that I didn't do it, God did it through me. It's amazing how He works in someone's life.

 

It brought back many experiences from my life. Happy and sad ones. But it did something even better than that. I was reminded how important note writing is and the joy of encouraging others.

A lovely Camellia bloom in my living room one winter.

I do believe this is the best gift I could have received this year. Since moving to Brookville four years ago, far away from everything and everyone I knew, I haven’t been writing notes as I use too. I still write notes, but not with the enthusiasm I always had, and the number of notes I use to write decreased.

I needed to find something to do to help me feel comfortable in my new home town. So my passion changed to quilting, as I began working with the ladies in the quilt ministry. My part was adding batting and backs to quilt tops already made. Along the way I taught myself how to make quilt tops by watching some videos online.

Since I love to create, buying fabric with colors that blended well and laying out the pattern for the quilt piece was fun and kept me occupied. Slowly I started to adjust to life in NW PA.  Note writing took a back seat to this new area of service. Creating quilt pieces for myself and my friends brought me the satisfaction of doing something worthwhile, and working with other ladies to make blankets for those in need gave me a new area of service for God.

Reading my book opened my eyes to the service God gave me back in my 30s and encouraged me to try and be more faithful to this ministry. Now that I know more people in this “foreign” land, my ears are open to needs where encouragement can help.

Thank you, Eric, for the pleasant surprise, although shocking one, and reintroducing me to a ministry that defined my life for years. And thank you, God, for filling me with the passion to encourage others and write a book about note writing. Your Hand always directed my hand, and Your Words always provided me with just the right words to write. There's no other way I could have written a book.

When I worked at the Baptist Convention I gave talks about note writing, and I was videoed and added to an E-quip website for training purposes. If you have a desire to write notes to encourage, you may be inspired by watching the video. The link is below. If you'd like a copy of the book I'd be happy to give you one. You can reach me at writerofnotes@comcast..net

 https://bcmd.e-quip.net/presentations/1080

 

Yes, it was a very special gift I received for this Christmas season. The gift of remembrance, inspiration and motivation, and it certainly encouraged my heart! Is there someone you can give the gift of inspiration, motivation and encouragement too?

A Reason to Sing in December

A house of chocolate! My favorite place to visit!

 

"I heard a bird sing

In the dark of December,

A magnificent thing

And sweet to remember.

'We are nearer to spring

Than we were in September.'

I heard a bird sing

in the dark of December." 

Oliver Herford

 

 

I like that little poem! It's a good reminder that spring is only a season away! And guess what? Only 5 months until fawn season!!!!!!! I can hardly wait to once again drive around early morning to catch a glimpse and snap of those baby fawn. But, as for the title of this post, the best reason to sing in December is Christmas! Nothing else compares.

 

We always have a reason to sing, just not in December, but all year long.

"When I cannot pray, I always sing."

Martin Luther

 The November 23rd devotion in Streams In the Desert, Volume 2, goes well with Luther's quote. It's a good lesson to learn.

"In 2 Chronicles there is a thrilling narrative concerning a battle won through praise. Jehoshaphat was told that a great multitude was coming against him and from across the sea . . . 'We have no might against this great company' Jehoshaphat told the Lord . . . 'neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon thee.' Not upon the greatness of the difficulty, but upon Him . . . Then, Jehoshaphat appointed singers who should go forth before the army, singing, 'Praise the Lord, for His mercy endureth forever.'"

I've turned to this portion of Scripture many times when I feel overwhelmed and near defeat. Standing before our God and singing His praise is a great way to have victory over the "disasters" of life.

 

"The aim and final reason for all music should be nothing else but the glory of God and the refreshment of the spirit."

 J. S. Bach

 "Oh, that we could reason less about our troubles, and sing and praise more! . . . We can sing our cares away easier than we can reason them away. Sing in the morning. The birds are the earliest to sing, and birds are more without care than anything else that I know of . . . Sing at evening. Singing is the last thing that robins do. When they have done their daily work; when they have flown their last flight, and picked up their last morsel of food, then on a topmost twig, they sing one song of praise . . . Oh, that we might sing morning and evening, and let song touch song all the way through." Streams in the Desert, Volume 1, May 5 devotion 

There's some chocolate!

We have a reason to sing. God. I believe He hears, and my heart is always helped. With all the beautiful Christmas Carols (not me, of course, the songs), be refreshed and sing!

 "How many walls of difficulty would fall flat were we to simply march around them with shouts of praise? As we compass walls with praise, the Lord has promised to 'compass us about with songs of deliverance.'" Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

 It may be December, but spring is not far away. Let's enjoy this special month with song!

I would be remiss if I didn't mention my 35th wedding anniversary on the 14th. Below is the best picture taken of Jerry in years. I'd say we both don't look too bad.