O Give us Homes

O give us homes built firm upon the Savior, Where Christ is Head and Counselor and Guide;
Where ev'ry child is taught His love and favor And gives his heart to Christ, the crucified:
How sweet to know that tho his footsteps waver His faithful Lord is walking by his side!
O give us home with godly fathers, mothers, Who always place their hope and trust in Him;
Whose tender patience turmoil never bothers, Whose calm and courage trouble cannot dim;
A home where each fins joy in serving others, And love still shines, tho days be dark and grim.
O give us homes where Christ is Lord and Master, The Bible read, the precious hymns still sung;
Where pray'r comes first in peace or in disaster, And praise is natural speech to ev'ry tongue;
Where mountains move before a faith that's vaster, And Christ sufficient is for old and young.
O Lord, our God, our homes are Thine forever!  We trust to Thee their problems, toil, and care;
Their bonds of love no enemy can sever If Thou art always Lord and Master there:
Be Thou the center of our least endeavor Be Thou our Guest, our hearts and homes to share.

 Barbara B. Hart, 1916
Jean Sibelius, 1865-1957

EOA #14 

God the Refuge and Portion of His People

Here's another treasure from my old hymnal. Enjoy!

Loud may the troubled ocean roar;
In sacred peace our souls abide;
While every nation, every shore,
Trembles and dreads the swelling tide.

There is a stream whose gentle flow
Supplies the cit of our God;
Life, love, and joy still gliding through,
And watering our divine abode.

That sacred stream, thine Holy Word,
Supports our faith, our fear controls;
Sweet peace Thy promises afford,
And give new strength to fainting souls.

Zion enjoys her Monarch's love,
Secure against a threatening hour;
Nor can her firm foundation move,
Built on His truth, and armed with power.

~~Isaac Watts

The Guiding Spirit

Here's another gem from my old hymnal. Hope you enjoy.

Come, gracious Spirit, heavenly Dove,
With light and comfort from above;
Be Thou our guardian, our Thou our Guide;
O'er every thought and step preside.

 To us the light of truth display,
And make us know and choose Thy way;
Plant holy fear in every heart,
That we from God will ne'er depart.

Lead us to holiness--the road
Which we must take to dwell with God;
Lead us to Christ--the living way;
Nor let us from His pastures stray.

Lead us to God--our final rest--
To be with Him for ever blest;
Lead us to Heaven, its bliss to share--
Fullness of joy forever there.

Providence Wise

A few years ago I found a jewel of a little old book. It is an old hymnal from 1864 and it is a treasure trove of old hymns and poetry. I recently started reading through it again and wanted to share some of what I've read. This one is titled "Providence Wise"

Wait, oh, my soul, thy Maker's will;
Tumultuous passions, all be still!
Nor let a murmuring thought arise;
His ways are just, His counsels wise.

He in the thickest darkness dwells,
Performs His work, the cause conceals;
But though His methods are unknown,
Judgment and truth support His throne.

In heaven, and earth, and air, and seas,
He executes His firm decrees;
And by His saints it stands confessed,
That what He does is ever best.

Wait then, my soul, submissive wait,
Prostrate before His awful seat;
And, 'midst the terrors of His rod,
Trust in a wise and gracious God.

~~Beddome