Sunday Blessing

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

from I Need Thee Every Hour
by Annie S. Hawks



It's been a while since I did a Sunday Blessing. I hope you enjoy and each have a blessed Sunday! The flower is from a cotton plant, first time I've seen one close up. :)

Sunday Blessing

 

Here the bells ringing
They're singing that you can be born again.

Here the bells ringing
They're singing Christ is risen from the dead.

The angel up on the tombstone
Said he has risen, just as he said.
Quickly now, go tell his disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead!

Joy to the word, he has risen, hallelujah!

He's risen, hallelujah!
He's risen, hallelujah! 

From The Easter Song

by Keith Green

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He is Risen!!! He is Risen indeed!!

Blessings to you on this glorious Easter Sunday!

Sunday Blessing

 

Happy the souls to Jesus joined,

And saved by grace alone,

Walking in all his ways they find

Their heaven on earth begun.

The church triumphant in thy love,

Their mighty joys we know;

They sing the Lamb in hymns above,

And we in hymns below.

Thee in thy glorious realm they praise,

And bow before thy throne,

We in the kingdom of thy grace:

The kingdoms are but one.

The holy to the holiest leads,

From thence our spirits rise,

And he that in thy statutes treads

Shall meet thee in the skies.

by Charles Wesley

(From my new old hymnal.)

Sunday Blessing

’Tis the grandest theme through the ages rung;
’Tis the grandest theme for a mortal tongue;
’Tis the grandest theme that the world e’er sung,
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

Refrain:
He is able to deliver thee,
He is able to deliver thee;
Though by sin oppressed, go to Him for rest;
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

’Tis the grandest theme, let the tidings roll,
To the guilty heart, to the sinful soul;
Look to God in faith, He will make thee whole,
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

From He Is Able to Deliver Thee
by William A. Ogden
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As we sang this song Sunday, I couldn't help but think of all the ways our God is able! He delivers us from sin and the power of sin. He can also deliver us from the effects of living in a sinful world, like sickness or fear, although He may not always choose to do so. But, He will empower us to be strengthened through our trials and give us the strength to bear whatever He allows! Our God is ABLE!

(Yes, a little late for SUNDAY...  but better late than never... we've been busy enjoying the last few days of my Grandmother's visit before she returns to Idaho. The visit is never long enough!!) 

ETA - For those of you who may not have heard this song before - here is a link to a congregation singing it - it's the best one I could find... not a commonly sung hymn anymore! 

Sunday Blessing

I've learned to know a name I highly treasure,
O how it thrills my spirit through and through!
O precious name, beyond degree or measure,
My heart is stirred whene'er I think of You!

Chorus:
My heart is stirred when e'er I think of Jesus-
That blessed name which sets the captive free-
The only name through which I find salvation,
No name on earth has meant so much to me.

That name still lives and will live on forever,
While kings and kingdoms will forgotten be;
Through mist and rain, 'twill be beclouded never,
That name shall shine and shine eternally.


From A Name I Highly Treasure
by Oscar C. Eliason

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The flowers are beautiful here in East Texas!! It seems that spring has happened all at once! Angie snapped this picture for me (I guess I was just too lazy to get out of the car!) :) I thought it turned out really good - especially for a phone! :)

Sunday Blessing

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,

Oh, what words I hear Him say!

Happy place! so near, so precious!

May it find me there each day;

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,

I would look upon the past;

For His love has been so gracious,

It has won my heart at last.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,

Where can mortal be more blest?

There I lay my sins and sorrows,

And, when weary, find sweet rest;

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,

There I love to weep and pray;

While I from His fullness gather

Grace and comfort every day.

From Sitting at the Feet of Jesus

Sunday Blessing

O for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer’s praise,

The glories of my God and King,

The triumphs of His grace!

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,

That bids our sorrows cease;

’Tis music in the sinner’s ears,

’Tis life, and health, and peace.

From: O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing

by Charles Wesley

Sunday Blessing

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give his only son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulder
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts no power no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

"How Deep the Father's Love for Us"
By Stuart Townend
Such a beautiful melody! (Listen here.)

I hope you have a blessed Sunday!!

Sunday Blessing

Breathe on me, breath of God,

Fill me with life anew,

That I may love what Thou dost love,

And do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God,

Until my heart is pure,

Until with Thee I will one will,

To do and to endure.

Breathe on me, breath of God,

Blend all my soul with Thine,

Until this earthly part of me

Glows with Thy fire divine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;" Ephesians 1:5 NASB

This verse has come to my attention a few times today. This evening I was thinking how I could speak this kind of encouraging words to others, and I realized that I have the perfect way, I just haven't done it in way too long. So I am going to try to keep up with Sunday Blessing. I hope you enjoy it! :)

Christmas Blessing

Into my heart,
Into my heart,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
Come in today,
Come in to stay,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

We had our children's Christmas program this morning. After the kids sang the song above, they gathered around the manger. I'm so glad they know the real reason for Christmas!!

I hope each of you has a blessed Christmas Sunday!

Christmas Blessing

Away in a manger, no crib for his bed

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head

The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,

But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky

And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay

Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,

And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there.

I brought my little manger scene (remember it?) to our family Christmas dinner. It was a hit with the little ones! They played and played with it. It's so fun to see them enjoying such a wonderful scene. :) 

Christmas Blessing

Wrapped was the world in slumber deep,
By seaward valley and cedarn steep,
And bright and blest were the dreams of its sleep;
All the hours of that wonderful night-tide through

The stars outblossomed in fields of blue,
A heavenly chaplet, to diadem
The King in the manger of Bethlehem.

Out on the hills the shepherds lay,
Wakeful, that never a lamb might stray,
Humble and clean of heart were they;
Thus it was given them to hear
Marvellous harpings strange and clear,
Thus it was given them to see
The heralds of the nativity.

In the dim-lit stable the mother mild
Looked with holy eyes on her child,
Cradled him close to her heart and smiled;
Kingly purple nor crown had he,
Never a trapping of royalty;
But Mary saw that the baby's head
With a slender nimbus was garlanded.

Speechless her joy as she watched him there,
Forgetful of pain and grief and care,
And every thought in her soul was a prayer;
While under the dome of the desert sky
The Kings of the East from afar drew nigh,
And the great white star that was guide to them
Kept ward o'er the manger of Bethlehem. 

The Christmas Night
by Lucy Maud Montgomery
 

Sunday Blessing

Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.

For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day all offenses purge away,
Giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store in His garner evermore.

Selected from Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

By Henry Alford

Sunday Blessing

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
   is God in his holy dwelling.
 God sets the lonely in families.

Psalm 68:5-6a

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, 

To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction..."
-James 1:27

Today is Orphan's Sunday.

What are you doing to help them?

Sunday Blessing

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

from A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
by Martin Luther

Happy Reformation Day!

Sunday Blessing

Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.

All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied,
God will take care of you.

Refrain:

God will take care of you,

Through every day, over all the way;

He will take care of you,

God will take care of you.

God Will Take Care of You

by Civilla D. Martin

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I don't actually have any mums yet - or pansies. I'm ready for some more fall color! This picture is from last year. Maybe I'll find them soon! :) I hope you have a blessed Sunday!!

Sunday Blessing

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!

Jesus! Lover of my soul;

Friends may fail me, foes assail me,

He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!

Let me hide myself in Him.

Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,

He, my Strength, my victory wins.

Refrain:

Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Hallelujah! what a Friend!

Saving, helping, keeping, loving,

He is with me to the end.

Selected from:

Our Great Saviour

by J. Wilbur Chapman

Sunday Blessing

Faraway in the depths of my spirit tonight,

Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;

In celestial like strains it unceasingly falls

O'er my soul like an infinite calm.

CHORUS

Peace! peace!. Wonderful peace,

Coming down from the Father above;

Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray,

In fathomless billows of love.

Ah! soul, are you here without comfort or rest,

Marching down the rough pathway of time?

Make Jesus your friend ere the shadows grow dark:

Oh, accept this sweet peace so sublime.

from Wonderful Peace

by W. W. Cornell

Sunday Blessing

O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

O light that foll’west all my way,
I yield my flick’ring torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.

from O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go
by George Matheson

Sunday Blessing

I have found a friend in Jesus, He’s everything to me,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay;
He tells me every care on Him to roll.

Refrain:
He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessed will;
A wall of fire about me, I’ve nothing now to fear,
From His manna He my hungry soul shall fill.
Then sweeping up to glory to see His blessed face,
Where rivers of delight shall ever roll.

from The Lily of the Valley
by Charles W. Fry