Lo! How a Rose E're Blooming

This year the rose blooms remain far into December, 

velvety petals still opening to the sun’s strong rays. 

Hardy shrubs retaining foliage,  

bursting with color beneath towering trees 

that have shed all their splendor and stand bare in contrast, 

spindly against the horizon. 

Tender blossoms, uncommon, out of season. 

Just as the birth of the holy babe was uncommon. 

Not explicable in the timing, the mother, or the place. 

Tender buds opening still, precious babe, coming still; 

despite the certain cold that lies ahead. 

Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming

16th century German hymn, author unknown

Lo! How a rose e'er blooming

From tender stem hath sprung

Of Jesse's lineage coming,

As those of old have sung.

It came a flower bright

Amid the cold of winter

When half-spent was the night.

Isaiah 'twas foretold it,

The Rose I have in mind;

And so then we behold it,

The Virgin Mother kind.

To show God's love aright

She bore to us a Savior

When half-spent was the night. 

~

May unexpected mercies bless you in this holy season!

Lisa

Rest

Return to rest, my soul, 

for the Lord has been good to you. 

Psalm 116:7

 Familiar melodies, meaningful refrains 
fall from the tongue, from long ago memory. 
Dearly loved hymns seem to stay in the mind's folds. 
Even if unsung, dormant for a time, they rise. 
Memory holds them 
though much else will diminish.
Words for the soul.



 Be Still My Soul, a well loved 19th century hymn 
sung here by the lilting voice of Leigh Nash, 
settles my heart in quiet reflection 
and joy filled praise. 
Click here to enjoy the music. 
The lyrics below...

~

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

To guide the future, as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,

And all is darkened in the vale of tears,

Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.

Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay

From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord.

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past

All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise

On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;

Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,

So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.

Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine

Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

Author: Catharine Amalia Von Schlegel 

Composer: Jean Sibelius 

Tune: Finlandia

God, the Gardener of Life

In simple humility, 

let our gardener, God, 

landscape you with the Word, 

making a salvation-garden 

of your life. 

James 1:19-21 MSG

There is a path through the church's garden, through the trees and shrubs, where new spring growth has taken hold here and there. Wildflowers lift their purple and yellow blooms sunward. Light green, early growth foliage hangs low over the walk. Stones line the path intermittently yet continuous enough to mark the way. 

In preparation for the morning I’ve selected scriptures, identified intentions for prayer, and chosen to greet Him as Abba, and otherwise determined to be a listener as each step is taken. 

Breezes move gently through the canopy of limbs and against my face. Scripture images of Bible text scroll across my mind: the comfort of the Psalms, the teachings of Philippians, the promises in the Book of John... In the walking, hymns rise in a hum; Abba’s gift, not my plan. 

As I make my way, these stones remind me of the Biblical markings of God’s way and God’s voice. These wildflowers, they remind me of thanksgiving for even the unplanned, the unsightly circumstances of living for that too is redeemed as beauty. That scent, the invisible yet present. These buds near to bursting forth, so like the promises of our faith, the renewal of life. And that wind, always the image of the life giving breath of God. 

At the journey’s end I circle back retracing my steps, lingering slow to whisper a well of gratitude. The dappled shade playing across my heaven tilted face.

'First Love' for God Flows as a Fountain

Faith flows

much like a fountain

within the heart;

a persistent

high spirited 

flowing.

The heart flows with love for God sustained by the rains of grace that fall in response to a genuine seeking for God. Time spent pursuing our Lord through the spiritual sustenance of prayer, worship, service, and thanksgiving invites the rains of grace that fill our hearts with flowing faith.

In the absence of intimate time with him Our Lord laments,

“…You have forsaken your first love.” Rev. 2:4

In the absence of spiritual sustenance the heart loses the high spirited flow of faith. Eyes cannot see His blessings. The heart cannot love Him passionately. Ears will not hear holy words of assurance and promise. Hands will not serve with thanksgiving. Therefore...

“… sanctify the Lord God in your hearts…” 1 Peter 3:1

“We sanctify the Lord God in our hearts when we with sincerity and fervency adore him,… when we rely upon his power, trust to his faithfulness, submit to his wisdom, imitate his holiness, and give him the glory due to his most illustrious perfections.” 

Matthew Henry Whole Bible Commentary

Giving Him the glory and sustaining a highspirited flow of faith, in part, through the Gratitude Journal:

607. Christian friends of deep knowledge and conviction

612. opportunities to be steeped in scripture

615. the oncologist offers a prayer for us

617. prayer experiences with special women

627. Excerpt from: Joyful, Joyful, We adore Thee  written by J. van Dyke, 1907

Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in Thee.

{Musings gained from the week’s Bible class, Sunday’s service, and deeper independent study. Linking with Hear It Sunday and the Gratitude communities.}

Late Augaust Gratitude

Early morning temperatures dip 20 degrees even in our drought stricken southern prairies; a brief reprieve until the climbing sun scorches the earth’s surface back to triple digit temperatures. In gratitude I step out to embrace God’s world at this early hour.

 “Let all the angel throng give thanks to god on high, while Earth repeats the joyful song and echoes to the sky.”   ~ Charles Wesley

535 – Boldly hardy late summer blooms

536 – Briefly clouds sooth over-lit terrain; sensitive eyes rest wide-irised in overcast skies

537 – Late summer trees bearing the promise of autumn fruit

538 – Red Cardinal parading across the fence, returns for three curtain calls, red plumes against weathered wood

539 – Memories of mother on her August birthday

540 - Mockingbirds chasing squirrels, rabbits visiting flower pots

541 - Sharp reflections on glass waters

542 - sun baked rocks along the creek offering sunning decks for wet shelled turtles

543 - Hymns giving voice to praise

“I will joyfully sing in the morning, I will joyfully sing all the day.” Psalm 59             Mary MC Donald

Linking with the Gratitude Community at Holy Experience. Join us for the joy of praise!