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

Be Still

"Stand still," my soul, for so your Lord commands:
E'en when your way seems blocked, leave it in His wise hands,
His arm is mighty to divide the wave.
"Stand still," my soul, "stand still," and you will see
How God can work the "impossible" for thee,
For with a great deliverance He does save.

Be not impatient, but in stillness stand,
Even when surrounded on every hand,
In ways your spirit does not comprehend.
God cannot clear your way till you are still,
That He may work in you His blessed will,
And all your heart and will to Him do bend.

"Be still," my soul, for just when you are still,
Can God reveal Himself to you; until
Though you His love and light and life can freely flow;
In stillness God can work through you and reach
The souls around you. He then though you can teach
His lessons, and His power in weakness show.

"Be still"--a deeper step in faith and rest.
"Be still and know" your Father does know best
The way to lead His child to that land,
A "summer" land, where quiet waters flow;
Where longing souls are satisfied, and "know
Their God", and praise for that He has planned.

~from Streams in the Desert, June 20

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