I cannot but in wonder stand
O what great love in garden spent,
The choice he made for me,
That I in freedom, heaven sent,
Might live eternally.
I cannot hope for earthly fame,
Nor wisdom, wealth, and power.
But I will humbly preach his name,
And praise God every hour.
O, the Love of ChristO, the love of Christ, so rare,
My Savior, Lord, and Keeper,
O, how rich his precious care,
Ever growing deeper.
Could I e’er pay back the cost
Of His life paid for me.
How my Shepherd saved the lost.
And truly set me free.
O, the love of Christ, so true,
The Living Word begotten.
Promise of the Father sent,
Now all my sins forgotten.
May I ever look to thee,
Dayspring of night’s sorrow.
Overcoming Satan’s snares,
Until that bright tomorrow.
O, the love of Christ, so kind,
All earthly knowledge passing.
Filled with all God’s fullness, by
His sacrifice still lasting.
What can separate this love?
Not persecution, famine.
He conquered all that we might live.
O countless grace examine!
O, the love of Christ, now raised
From death, constrains all nations.
He died for all; and now we live,
God’s reconciliation.
The Father’s righteousness in him,
The gift beyond all measure.
Stride forth, ambassadors to win,
To do the Lord’s great pleasure.
Unworthy and helpless I stood alone,
Crying for help from my God.
Life seemed unlivable, chilled to the bone,
Longing to lie ‘neath the sod.
Yet when I cried out, the very next day,
A brother appeared where I served.
Each heart cry was answered, in Jesus the way,
Such grace that I never deserved.
Then fellowship daily with like-minded saints,
Brought peace, comfort, hope, love, and joy.
I replaced thoughts of praise for those sad, past complaints,
So thankful to be “Father’s boy.”
Years later, my wife, the perfect help mete,
Fulfilled all my deep heart desire.
Each moment together so rich and so sweet,
Love blossomed into a true fire.
And now with grandchildren, our son, his dear wife,
Blessings pour forth and abound.
God’s kindness in Christ throughout all my life,
Is the greatest love I’ve ever found.
The grave below,
And timeless, breathless,
There we sleep,
Not ‘wake or restless
In the deep.
Though worm decay
All back to dust,
There is a day
That all can trust.
We sorrow not
At death’s great loss
As others caught
Who feel the cost.
For we have hope
In Christ’s return,
An anchor rope
We hold and yearn.
In twinkling eye
And trumpet blast
Up in the sky
At one at last
Our Lord will come
And raise us all
To take us home
At his clear call.
Death now sets free
Its stinging pain,
The grave–
no victory remains.
For we’re steadfast
In our Lord’s words,
Knowing at last
We’ve great rewards!
Here’s a poem and hymn I’m writing for you today:
Life’s long journey may seem fast,
Each day’s work can make it last,
Long into the dark of night,
Keeping earthly things in sight.
Lift our vision to the skies,
Heaven’s place where we’ll arise.
Doff the cares of shallow days,
Look unto its golden rays.
Set your thoughts on things ahead,
Where Christ sits up from the dead.
Never let the world defy,
All the blessings by and by.
So, this day let’s give our all,
Answering the Father’s call.
Stoked and set and ready bent,
Doing, going where we’re sent!
Amen. I love you.
Jesus was born in a world full of darknessChorus:
Christ arose, tore the curtain
Died to save me and you,
For God’s words are all certain
And His promises true.
Every moment he cherished
To do his Father’s will.
Gave his life as he perished
Every word to fulfill.
Chorus:
Christ arose, tore the curtain
Died to save me and you,
For God’s words are all certain
And His promises true.
That’s not the end of the story,
Of true virtue and love,
Christ arose by God’s glory,
Ascending above.
Chorus:
Christ arose, tore the curtain
Died to save me and you,
For God’s words are all certain
And His promises true.
And now we live in his spirit;
We too do Father’s will,
Proclaiming truth till all hear it;
Our call we boldly fulfill.
Chorus:
Christ arose, tore the curtain
Died to save me and you,
For God’s words are all certain
And His promises true.
Night Has Fallen, Day Will ComeNight has fallen, gone the sun, across the earthly shores.
Gone the brilliant Helios, to cross celestial doors.
In the night, the stars above, reflect Creator’s zeal
To shine down deep inside our hearts, His passion there to seal.
Night has fallen, men do cease, their labors under sun.
They go to rest and seek for peace, when all their work is done.
Open hearts, they thank the Lord, and lay down weary heads,
With prayerful songs that echo sweetly from their downy beds.
Day will come, its copper rays will warm the chill of night.
Illumined earth will once again be rich and green and bright.
Man will venture forth to serve and take his just, good yoke.
Basking in the Gospel light, words that our Savior spoke.
Day will come through eons vast, a day that has no ceasing.
A timeless time with bodies new, all tears and grief releasing.
For God will send His Son again, to raise us to a life,
That never ends, filled with His love, free from all pain and strife.
Little Did They KnowLittle did they know—the word had been made flesh.
Little did they recognize—God’s love, Christ’s selflessness.
Little did they understand—the spirit He would send.
Little did they see the joy—that Calv’ry’s cross would win.
Yet Jesus was the word made flesh, the fulness of God’s grace.
The Father’s love poured out to men, His servant in disgrace.
The promised comforter did come, and now it’s Christ within.
The grave and death are overcome, eternal life we win.
Now we are to daily know—and walk by Spirit’s call.
Now we are to recognize—why Christ gave us his all.
Now we are to understand—and with all saints enjoy,
The wonders of His joy and peace—to be God’s girl or boy.
A Hymn of Thanks and PraiseAll praise to God my Father,
from Whom all blessings come.
He fills me with His spirit,
the vict’ry has been won.
Though I’ve been but a sinner;
aloof, adrift, unsure.
He gave His only Son for me,
to make me whole and pure.
All thanks to Jesus Christ my Lord,
the Savior of all men.
He gave his life—his very breath—
to save us to the end.
To die upon a wretched cross,
and in a tomb be laid.
He rose above all death and sin,
eternal life to gain.
Could I but ever praise enough,
or shout in victory.
Could every mortal tongue awake,
in one grand symphony.
‘Twere not enough—the boundless love
and grace—were we to speak.
And tell of God’s almighty power
through Jesus Christ, the meek.
Let Your Heart Be Untroubled, and Be of Good Cheer!David had troubles, his heart was enlarged,
His pain and affliction, could not be discharged.
God heard all his crying, and answered his prayer.
“Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[Psalms 25:17,18]
A man sick with palsy, unable to walk,
Was lowered by friends as our Lord gave his talk,
“Your sins are forgiven,” a promise so dear.
“Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[Matthew 9:2]
Jesus walked on the sea, after he sweetly prayed,
And to his disciples, said “Be not afraid.
It’s me, I come to you, to be ever near.
Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[Matthew 14:27; Mark 6:50]
His death was approaching, he spoke with great love,
“I prepare a place for you in mansions above.
You believe in my Father; trust me, have no fear.
Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[John 14:1-4]
“I will send holy spirit, to comfort your hearts.
My peace I give to you, the world can’t impart.
I’ll come again to you, my Father’s made clear.
Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[John 14:26-28]
“These things I have spoken, that you might have peace,
The world offers heartaches, that never will cease.
This world have I overcome, that you must hear,
Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[John 16:33]
He spoke again to them, from death did he rise.
His hands and his feet, showing before their eyes.
“A spirit in flesh, and in bones can’t appear,
Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[Luke 24:38-40]
Paul was held captive, kept by Roman guard,
At night there stood with him, his Savior and Lord.
“You have witnessed of me, and to Rome you I’ll steer.
Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[Acts 23:11]
Paul told all the others, who sailed through a storm,
“God’s angel has showed me, we’ll come to no harm.
For I believe God, all He speaks I revere.
Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[Acts 27:22-25]
When we are daunted, by Satan’s bold lies,
Remember our Lord’s words, let courage arise.
For though we are troubled, with trials and tears,
“Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[II Corinthians 4:7-18]