The blessing of old hymns and the stories behind them

I was looking up the words to "Now Thank We All Our God", I remember singing it in the Lutheran Church as a child and I loved the lyrics I could recall. I found this story about the history of the writer as well as the lyrics and it really blessed me.

I wish you the same blessing and inspiration as you share this great old hymn with me

http://home.austarnet.com.au/gerhardy/pent20_07.htm

blessings to you all
Lynn xx

One of My Favourite Old Hymns

Blessed Assurance
Text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915
Music: Phoebe P. Knapp, 1839-1908
Tune: ASSURANCE, Meter: 9 10.9 9 with Refrain

1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.

2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
(Refrain)

3. Perfect submission, all is at rest;
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love.
(Refrain)

Tucking an angel in

There's a little girls asleep in my home tonight who has been here for only three short days. I feel like she is a gift to me. Tomorrow she is visiting her mum who is in the final stages of life with a brain tumour. She hasn't lived with her mum for many years but has her photo beside her bed. A photo of her mum with her many years ago. Just after her mum first got sick. Her mum lives in a nursing home now, about four hours drive from here. The little girl has made her mum a pink card and put a photo of herself in it. It would break your heart to read it.

I have gone into her room to say goodnight each night and we've had a little chat. She told me the first night that no one had tucked her in for five years, since her mum did. She told me she was too big to be tucked in now. I said I didn't think so myself. I said we all like to be tucked in. We chatted and she talked about her life, her mum's illness, her mum dying soon. She had her arms folded and she was all curled up and sad. I stroked her hair and blessed her goodnight and sweet dreams.

Tonight I could see she was anxious about tomorrow. Scared what she would find. She hasn't seen her mum for ten weeks. We chatted and she cried and I comforted her and we talked about life and death and dying and angels watching over us and her mum. Then I offered to plait her hair and she nodded. I offered a hug and she opened her arms. She asked if she could keep the fluffy rabbit she found in her room. I said of course. She hugged her too. She said this is the first time in a long time she has enjoyed the school holidays. I told her how glad I was that she had come to stay with me. I blessed her goodnight and wished her sweet dreams.

Tonight I tucked an angel in and I am the one who is blessed.

Daffodils ~ Floriade 2008

"Daffodils" (1804)

I WANDER'D lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretch'd in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed -- and gazed -- but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

By William Wordsworth (1770-1850).

Dad of my Childhood

through a child's eyes

Golden book stories
sitting on your knee
watching war movies
and westerns
and detective shows
In the garage
wood shavings galore
and hammering too
nails and chisels
and hinges and more
Watching you play basketball
and standing under the ski jump
watching you fly
Picking peas and rhubarb in the garden
and eating them before they could get inside
Playing with the big white rabbit
















Riding my bike
Eating Weatbix and toast
Drinking coffee and beer
Milk coffee biscuits
Smoked Cod and potatoes
Meatballs and gravy
Sweet and sour pork
Salami and cheese
Jam sandwiches....

my hero, my dad

Glorious Sunset tonight

Just in case you missed it : )

love

Lynn xx

Three little things that can make a big difference

On my radio programme this morning I shared three little things that can make a big difference to your day (not to mention other people who are the recipients)
Winston Churchill said "attitude is a little thing that can make a big difference" bless him, he was right!! A cheerful attitude costs nothing and is infectious.
Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine

The second thing is a smile. You can smile at anyone, sometimes they smile back, often they don't.
Doesn't matter, smile anyway!

The third thing is a random act of kindness. Maybe a quick email or phone call to someone you care about, just to say hi, I'm thinking of you, how are you? Maybe a small gift for someone close, maybe a special pot of soup for a friend, maybe.........

Be inspired, be an inspiration!

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,^[a]
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.

Have a wonderful blessed day!!

This was sent to me by a good friend, I hope it is a blessing to you as it has been to me

God Said . . . If

If you never felt pain, then how would
You know that I am a Healer? If you
never went through difficulties, how
would you know that I am a Deliverer?

If you never had a trial, how could you
call yourself an over comer?
If you never felt sadness, how would
you know that I am a Comforter?

If you never made a mistake, how would
you know that I am forgiving? If you
knew all, how would you know that I
will answer your questions?

If you never were in trouble, how would
you know that I will come to your rescue?
If you never were broken, then how
would know that I can make you whole?

If you never had a problem, how would
you know that I can solve them? If you
never had any suffering, then how would
you know what Jesus went through?

If you never went through the fire,
then how would you become pure?

If I gave you all things, how would you
appreciate them? If I never corrected
you, how would you know that I
love you?

If you had all power, then how would
you learn to depend on me? If your
life was perfect,
then what would you need Me for?

"The Lord's unfailing love surrounds
those who trust in Him..."

Psalm 32:10

Possibly the most self destructive emotion of all

I have come to the conclusion that the most self destructive emotion I can have is self pity.

Realising this has changed my life for the better! I am now also able to see that when someone else is wallowing in self pity, or having a "pity party" as we might jokingly call it, the worst thing I can do is sympathize with them. This just further disables them and plunges them further into that dark place where all hope is lost and fear rules supreme.

I have spent enough time there myself in the past to know it is nowhere I would recommend or mistakenly prolong anyone's journey through it. Sympathy will never help someone climb out of that pit but rather help them dig the hole deeper. It is not loving but misguided to feel sorry for someone who already feels sorry for themselves. (be they child, adult or childish adult)

Self pity is a lonely dark place without any joy. The only way out of that pit is upwards towards the light. It takes self control not to go there and get comfy there. It feels safe and familiar but that is just a deception to keep you there as long as possible. Your perceptions are dulled there, you believe lies about yourself and others, you feel hopeless and yet the truth and reality have not changed. You just "feel" differently there.

I have made a conscious decision not to visit there again. I have made a decision to choose life and to embrace the challenges and joys it brings with it. A new day every morning.

My God is a God of creativity and life. He offers me a life filled with light and hope. He has made it so. He enables me. I am ever thankful.

Naomi and Maddox and Darla up the hill with me this afternoon. What a precious blessing each of my children are!


My beautiful tree. Surely no more words are necessary....


My new friend from the hill, so glossy and sleek and so friendly : )

Psalm 145: 9 The Lord is good to everyone.
He showers compassion on all his creation.

Amen.

Lynn

What "environment" really matters? Maybe the one within us?

A dear friend sent me a video clip of a young girl speaking to what looked like the United Nations about the state of the environment/world today. This is the response I sent to my friend after watching this video.

Hi ..........., I have no wish to cause offence but as touching as that speech may be, what a pity it is full of the fear and lies that are infecting our minds today and none of it comes from God.

As far as "global warming" I believe it is the devil's biggest deception (along with "God is dead") to distract us from the truth, the truth you and I know and love. The truth is that without Christ there are no answers. Without Christ there is no peace. Without Christ there is no life.

Yes, she spoke well. Yes, she was well meaning. Would I want my daughter doing that, no. Do I want my children and grandchildren to believe all she said, no.

The focus of the Christian life must be Christ. Not fear and lies.

I am frustrated with the wholesale acceptance of the lies in the church today. It is evolutionary thinking and should have no place in our vocabulary. Holes in the ozone?, animals becoming extinct every day?, bad air, bad water, sick fish..........

NLT Romans 8: 38, 39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

That is Christ's message, being drowned out by well meaning good hearted people who are being distracted by a hopeless vain philosophy.

If only she had spent her five minutes telling those powerful world leaders the truth, JESUS is the answer, He gives us hope for the future, He is the light of the world.

If only people would spend the time they spend obsessing with fear about the environment worshiping the living God instead. Now that might change the world!

with love always
Lynn

Another Saturday Blog

Do you ever put off doing something you know is good for you? For me, that has got to be walking. There was a time I walked every day, sometimes twice a day!! Not because I had soooo much “spare” time but because I knew I needed the exercise, the fresh air and sunshine and just the pure peace and refreshing of the mind that comes from a good brisk walk!

But I always have the perfect excuse! I don’t have time, inclination or motivation and besides, it’s Canberra in the middle of winter, do I look mad? (do not answer that!!)

Anyway, this afternoon I decided to just DO IT! I donned my faithful wool cape, bought at the Salamanca markets in Hobart 14 years ago. That was a memorable trip. So many memories returned when I put that cape on. A tiny three month old Naomi, snuggled underneath against the chill Tasmanian winter. Toby then 13, Zoe 11 and Josie 9. How time flies. Beautiful Tunbridge, good friends, Tassie devils, Port Arthur before Martin Bryant. I must go back to Tassie one day…

Anyway, back up the hill with the dogs. They were so delighted to be out and about. The sun was shining. There was no one else on the hill.

Got to the top, glorious view! I could see snow!! I was delighted! Now don’t misunderstand me, I love seeing snow, in the distance. Being born in Norway I speculate I had my quota of snow before I could walk. I hate being "in" the snow. I love seeing it in the distance.
A long way away ; )

The view from up there is spectacular. I think I live in the most beautiful city on earth. And of course I am biased, slightly. If you look on my blog page you will see a photo of my home with the mountains in the background. That’s what I was looking at today, just from higher up the hill.

I noticed this old gum tree on top of the hill. I guess it’s been there over a hundred years cause it was very broad and tall. It had the best view. I wished it could talk. Maybe he did? He loves the view. He is content. He is healthy and happy right where he was planted by God so long ago. He is strong and majestic looking with branches outstretched towards his Creator. Like he's worshipping Him. He’s seen lots of changes and yet he has just grown bigger and stronger. A bit like me. I have seen a lot of changes in my life, a lot of challenges, some pain and much more joy. And I feel bigger (not physically, on the inside) and stronger for all those experiences.

That tree definitely spoke to me today. And if I hadn’t gone up the hill, I never would have heard him or seen the snow or enjoyed that cup of tea when I came back home.

And can any cup of tea taste better than the one you have when you come home from your walk? (or working in the garden) I don’t think so.

Is there something you've been putting off that you know will do you good? Do it tomorrow! I dare you!

No one can do it alone.

I can hardly believe it will be two weeks tomorrow since my first and last blog! I had ideas about writing every day but my life seems to have gotten in the way of that!lol

Sorry about the last post some of you may have received, it didn't have anything in it so don't worry if you couldn't open it, just me trying to find my way around here : )

I feel like I have taken the steep learning curve into the radio announcer world! A mere five weeks ago it was my secret heart's desire and in the last week I have been "on air" three times, the last with my own programme!!! It is almost unbelievable!

Now I find myself with a regular time slot on Thursday mornings and it is awesome, a little scary but mostly a lot of fun.

A few years ago I would never attempted to do anything I knew so little about. I would have believed I was too stupid to manage it, not good enough, dreaming.....

Now I find at the prime of my life at 52, I know I am an intelligent woman, more than capable of doing whatever it takes and doing it well!! How far have I travelled to arrive here! Some of the ride has been quite bumpy but I obviously needed that to grow me up and find my way to here!

I have so much to be thankful for.

Without my dearest friend Maureen I would never have made it. Not to where I am today anyway. She has stuck with me through all my ups and downs, unwise and some downright foolish choices, all the business of a normal life and she has believed in me and encouraged me to be ME, the best ME I can be, loving me and forgiving me and gently guiding me and giving me the proactive positive attitude I can call my own today.

I hope and pray every one of you has such a dear and faithful friend as I have had for over twenty years now.
Friends really can make all the difference.

God bless all my friends, each one of you is special and you all make a difference to my life. Thankyou :)

lots of love
Lynn xx

Lynn's Life, part one of many, welcome : )

Welcome to my first blog. I wasn't even aware of what a "blog" was until recently! It sounds like fun and we'll just have to see what happens.

I have been thinking about starting a blog since my good friend Shell started hers. I love to write. I guess this is as good a place as any to start! I am sitting here waiting for new guests and thinking about the inevitability of them arriving just as we are ready to sit down together and eat dinner. It happens now and then, and the girls are adept at taking their meals into the lounge and closing the door and making things look like we aren't in the middle of dinner. Wouldn't want the guests to feel they were interrupting! That wouldn't be my idea of "hospitality"!

I like my guests to feel they have arrived at the perfect time, to feel welcome and to be allowed to settle in without feeling they are a nuisance. I like to chat over a cuppa with them if they seem interested, and leave them in peace if they are obviously exhausted from their journey or endless sightseeing. I let them set the pace.

Well, I'd better go get that dinner on now, and not be surprised when the doorbell rings when it's all ready. I guess that's what true "hospitality" is all about, having that welcoming smile and warm room ready with the kettle on even if you are hungry or were about to do something else.

lots of love
Lynn xx