Sunday HYMN 9/16/12

Why So Heavy by Red Mountain Music

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I remember thinking when I was in middle school and high school about how very blessed I was. My parents were still married and loved each other as well as loving their kids. Our family was healthy and whole. But it scared me. I know that I didn't trust God to love me beyond these blessings that I enjoyed. So I was fearful that they'd be taken away.

Flash forward, oh let's just say a few years. :) In the last two years I've experienced the most loss and change as well as uncertainty in so many areas of my life. However, God has kept our family together and close to Him through out the process of Dad's death, Jason's job hunt, our subsequent move across the country, and even now as we seek to minister to the Hoodland area.

However, being me, my heart is not always soaked in truth. It doubts, it pouts, and generally it tries to dictate reality by making me feel abandoned or lonely. That's where the great hymns come in. They remind me of God's truth in a way that spurs my heart back toward Him.

Here's the lyrics written by Edward Caswall in 1873:

Verse 1

Oh why so heavy, oh my soul?
Thus to myself I've willed
Oh why so heavy, oh my heart?
And so sorrow-filled?

Refrain

Hope thou in God, He still shall be
Thy Glory and thy endless praise
His saving grace shall comfort thee
Through everlasting days

Verse 2

His goodness made thee what thou art
And yet will he redeem
Oh be thou of a contrite heart
And put your trust in him.

Sunday HYMN 8/19/12

This hymn has been an anchor over the last 18 months or so. It's been my prayer while my dad was in hospice, while we waited on God to provide a call for Jason, while we waited to see where we would live, and even now as we prayerfully anticipate God's work on our behalf here in the Hoodland area.

Red Mountain Music - How Sweet to Wait

1 How sweet to wait upon the Lord, 
While he fulfils his gracious word; 
To seek his face, and not in vain, 
To be beloved, and love again! 

2 To see, while prostrate at his feet, 
Jehovah on the mercy-seat; 
And Jesus, at the Lord’s right hand, 
With his divine atonement stand! 

3 “Father,” he cries, “I will that these 
Before thee on their bended knees, 
For whom my life I once laid down, 
Be with me soon on this my throne.” 

4 Amen! our hearts with rapture cry, 
May we with reverence look so high; 
Ascended Saviour, fix our eyes, 
By faith upon this glorious prize! 

5 With this delightful prospect fired, 
We’ll run, nor in thy ways be tired; 
And all the trials here we see, 
Will make us long to reign with thee.

Sunday Hymn 7/29/12

This is our family's hymn of the month; we were introduced to it at Pear Orchard, and it's become one of our favorites:




Satisfied:

All my life I had a longing
For a drink from some clear spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.

Refrain

Hallelujah! He has found me
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies all my longings,
Through His blood I now am saved.

Feeding on the husks around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.

Refrain

Poor I was, and sought for riches,
Something that would satisfy,
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul’s sad cry.

Refrain

Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me

Sunday HYMN

Matt Redman has been writing great worship songs for a while. This morning I've had 10,000 Reasons in my head. May you ever worship HIM with heart, soul, and song!

"10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)"

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name