Quote... "Often the test of courage..."

Often the test of courage is not to die but to live. 

–Alfieri

"Thanks to God!" by August L. Storm

Thanks to God for my Redeemer,

Thanks for all Thou dost provide!

Thanks for times now but a mem’ry,

Thanks for Jesus by my side!

Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,

Thanks for dark and stormy fall!

Thanks for tears by now forgotten,

Thanks for peace within my soul!

Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,

Thanks for what Thou dost deny!

Thanks for storms that I have weathered,

Thanks for all Thou dost supply!

Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,

Thanks for comfort in despair!

Thanks for grace that none can measure,

Thanks for love beyond compare!

Thanks for roses by the wayside,

Thanks for thorns their stems contain!

Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,

Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!

Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,

Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee!

Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,

Thanks through all eternity!

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"Lord, help me to CHOOSE gratitude even if I don't always FEEL it."

The Thorn---by Martha Snell Nicholson

 

The Thorn

by Martha Snell Nicholson

I stood a mendicant of God

before His royal throne
And begged him for one priceless gift,

which I could call my own.

I took the gift from out His hand,

but as I would depart
I cried, “But Lord this is a thorn

and it has pierced my heart.

This is a strange, a hurtful gift,

which Thou hast given me.”
He said, “My child, I give good gifts

and gave My best to thee.”

I took it home and though at first

the cruel thorn hurt sore,
As long years passed I learned at last

to love it more and more.

I learned He never gives a thorn

without this added grace,
He takes the thorn to pin aside

the veil which hides His face.

Does Jesus Care? By Frank E. Graeff

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained

Too deeply for mirth or song,

As the burdens press, and the cares distress,

And the way grows weary and long?

 

Refrain:

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

   

Does Jesus care when my way is dark

With a nameless dread and fear?

As the daylight fades into deep night shades,

Does He care enough to be near?

   

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed

To resist some temptation strong;

When for my deep grief there is no relief,

Though my tears flow all the night long?

   

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”

To the dearest on earth to me,

And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—

Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

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 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7)

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Fridays are harder days than some. Why? That's when the "bad" things have happened for our little family.  

It was Friday when:
--we found out that the first baby we showed interest in had been aborted
--we found out that the little guy we were tentatively matched to adopt would not be ours
--I started miscarrying our biological baby (May 10th)
--we found out that the baby Tina planned to place in our arms had instead gone to the arms of Jesus... (August 16th)

Perhaps that's why my I'm extra glad for the fact that God truly does care!  And HE IS FAITHFUL!!

Whispering Hope, by Septimus Winner

 

Soft as the voice of an angel,

Breathing a lesson unheard,

Hope with a gentle persuasion

Whispers her comforting word:

Wait till the darkness is over,

Wait till the tempest is done,

Hope for the sunshine tomorrow,

After the shower is gone.

Refrain:

Whispering hope, oh, how welcome thy voice,

Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.

If, in the dusk of the twilight,

Dim be the region afar,

Will not the deepening darkness

Brighten the glimmering star?

Then when the night is upon us,

Why should the heart sink away?

When the dark midnight is over,

Watch for the breaking of day.

Refrain:

Whispering hope, oh, how welcome thy voice,

Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.

Hope, as an anchor so steadfast,

Rends the dark veil for the soul,

Whither the Master has entered,

Robbing the grave of its goal;

Come then, oh, come, glad fruition,

Come to my sad weary heart;

Come, O Thou blest hope of glory,

Never, oh, never depart.

Refrain:

Whispering hope, oh, how welcome thy voice,

Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.

When The Time Is Right

When the Time Is Right…

--Margaret Penner Toews ©

High on the hill above the stormy waters

He keeps a careful eye upon the men

Yearning to still the wind and hush the billows,

And agonizes, deeply loving them.

I know the winds are high, I know your muscles ache

From rowing hard upon the troubled lake,

The Father knows each facet of your frame,

Is well aware of terror, tears, and strain.

He’ll send Me when the night is almost o’re,

And let Me bring your plunging craft ashore

At the fourth watch. You’re cradled in His keeping;

No hour there is that e’er would find Us sleeping.

Roll with the waves! Lay down your broken oar!

Don’t you recall?... I’ve still your tossing seas before.

Come, Ye Disconsolate--by Thomas Hastings

Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish,
 Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel.
 Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish;
 Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.

Joy of the desolate, light of the straying,
 Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure!
 Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying,
 “Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot cure.”

Here see the Bread of Life, see waters flowing
 Forth from the throne of God, pure from above.
 Come to the feast of love; come, ever knowing
 
Earth has no sorrow but heaven can remove.

“I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.”  

Jeremiah 31:13