Sunday Thoughts

We were singing the closing hymn at church today and it was one I really like.  Its based on the 23rd Psalms.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointests my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

James Montgomery expanded on the scriptures a bit when he penned the lyrics of the hymn. He did well.

The Lord is my Shepherd; no want shall I know.
I feed in green pastures; safe-folded I rest.
He leadeth my soul where the still waters flow,
Restores me when wand'ring, redeems when oppressed,
Restores me when wand'ring, redeems when oppressed.

Thru the valley and shadow of death though I stray,
Since thou art my Guardian, no evil I fear.
Thy rod shall defend me, thy staff be my stay.
No harm can befall with my Comforter near.
No harm can befall with my Comforter near.

In the midst of affliction my table is spread.
With blessings unmeasured my cup runneth o'er.
With perfume and oil thou anointest my head.
Oh, what shall I ask of thy providence more?
Oh, what shall I ask of thy providence more?

That struck me particularly today. There are some questions I've been wrestling with recently and the words of this hymn seem to speak to me particularly strong. As if to say it will be okay, just trust the Lord.  In the hymn book, at the end of each hymn, are a couple of relevent verses. This hymn lists a passage from Isaiah.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength (Isaiah 26:3,4). 

The better you get to know the Lord the easier it is to trust in his care.  That is not to say there will be no problems.  But it will be okay, in spite of the problems.  "In the midst of affliction my table is spread."

Three for Three!

So back in July things were looking pretty exciting.  Three of my daughters were expecting all at the same time.  Yep, pretty exciting.  And now they have all delivered.  Things went really well, no problems for all three in the delivery room.  Its been an eventful winter.  

Heildebeere was first with a little boy.  That's her second.  And he's a handsome little feller at that.  This little boy has a big sister that is a bundle of mischief.  But she likes her little brother and that's cool.

Erdbeere was second, about a month later.  A little boy.  Her first.  Baby, that is.  And her first little boy. They call him baby "Townsend", since they're fans of The Who.  I like The Who, too. 

Blaubeere brought up the rear with a little girl.  Her first.  Girl, that is.  She has two little boys already.  So this little girl has two big brothers.  Cool.  This little girl got off to a shaky start and spent several days in NICU but she's home now and doing much better.

 

So the grandbaby count is now up to seven.  That's fun.  Once it got started it hasn't taken a real long time to get to that point.  I guess there will be a lull now for a while.  This is turning out pretty darn okay!