Arise, O God, and Shine

William Hurn's 1813 hymn...hmm, don't recall ever singing this one at our congregational worship gatherings, even though it's in the Trinity Hymnal Baptist Edition (#386):

Arise, O God, and shine
In all thy saving might,
And prosper each design
To spread thy glorious light:
Let healing streams of mercy flow,
That all the earth thy truth may know,
That all the earth thy truth may know.

Bring distant nations near
To sing thy glorious praise;
Let ev'ry people hear
And learn thy holy ways:
Reign, mighty God, assert thy cause,
And govern by thy righteous laws,
And govern by thy righteous laws.

Send forth thy glorious pow'r,
That Gentiles all may see,
And earth present her store
In converts born to thee:
God, our own God, thy church O bless,
And fill the world with righteousness,
And fill the world with righteousness.

To God, the only wise,
The one immortal King,
Let hallelujahs rise
From ev'ry living thing:
Let all that breathe, on ev'ry coast,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

AMEN! And HALLELUJAH!  :-)

Lord Jesus, please forgive our lukewarm hearts, and make them burn for You and the glory of Your gospel.


The Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. (Isa. 60:2)

"Where Have All the Grandmas Gone?" by Walter S. Keys

   In the dim and distant past,
When life's tempo wasn't fast,
Grandma used to rock and knit,
   Crochet, tat and babysit.

When the kids were in a jam,
   They could always call
      on "Gram."

   In the days of gracious living,
Grandma was the gal for giving.

But today she's in the gym,
   Exercising to keep slim.

She's off touring with the bunch,
   Or taking clients out to lunch.

   Going north to ski or curl,
   All her days are in a whirl.

   Nothing seems to stop
      or block her,
   Now that Grandma's off
      her rocker.

--from "Good Old Days" magazine, March 2007 issue

Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man. Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
1 Tim. 5:3-10

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Titus 2:1-5

"Only a Dad" by Edgar Guest

Only a dad with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame
To show how well he has played the game;
But glad in his heart that his own rejoice
To see him come and to hear his voice.

Only a dad with a brood of four,
One of ten million men or more
Plodding along in the daily strife,
Bearing the whips and the scorns of life,
With never a whimper of pain or hate,
For the sake of those who at home await.

Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,
Merely one of the surging crowd,
Toiling, striving from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way,
Silent whenever the harsh condemn,
And bearing it all for the love of them.

Only a dad but he gives his all,
To smooth the way for his children small,
Doing with courage stern and grim
The deeds that his father did for him.
This is the line that for him I pen:
Only a dad, but the best of men.

--from Poems for Patriarchs: The Verse and Prose of Christian Manhood, compiled and edited by Douglas W. Phillips, The Vision Forum, Inc., 2005.

"How Firm a Foundation"

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/f/hfirmafo.htm

http://www.sermonaudio.com/hymn_details.asp?PID=howfirmafoundation


How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

"Not To Be Loved, But To Love" by Maltbie D. Babcock

O Lord, I pray
That for this day
   I may not swerve
By foot or hand
From Thy command
   Not to be served, but to serve.

This, too, I pray,
That from this day
   No love of ease
Nor pride prevent
My good intent
   Not to be pleased, but to please.

And if I may
I'd have this day
   Strength from above
To set my heart
In heavenly art
   Not to be loved, but to love.

--from The Family Album, 8th Edition, edited and published by Arthur and Nancy DeMoss, Valley Forge, PA, in the 1960's (I guess)

The Perfect Law of God, Our Failure and Sin, and the Good News of the Mercy of God in Christ Jesus

To love God is to obey Him, to keep His commandments. Love is fulfilled in the law obeyed from the heart in love. Psalm 119 extols the psalmist's love for God's holy commandments.

Friends, if we find we have antinomian (anti = against; nomos = law) tendencies, if we hate certain commandments of God, if we are rebellious and hostile at the thought of obeying God out of love for Him, then the problem is NOT with the law. Rather, WE are the problem.

Our sin is the problem.

The ONLY solution is to run to Jesus the Christ in repentence and ask for His forgiveness for our sin, in faith in Him, His perfect righteousness and mercy. Mercy and truth have kissed in Christ Jesus. That means that He is the righteousness of His people, and He--though sinless--endured upon the cross the eternal God-forsaken suffering, death, and shed blood that His people deserved to receive in God's righteous wrath. He took their punishment upon Himself as their propitiation, their substitute before a righteously wrathful God, in order that God can righteously extend mercy, the deliverance from the curse of our sin, to His people in Christ Jesus, that is, through faith in Christ Jesus.

God's promise of salvation and eternal life for whosoever believes in Jesus is for all people from every tribe, tongue, and nation in all the earth, and for all times, eras, and future generations.

And once a Christian is saved, what to do? Study and meditate in the word of God (the Holy Bible); pray the words of Scripture to God; obey the commandments of God, walking in the Spirit of God; and thus love God and your neighbor (your fellow man). To love God is to obey Him.

***

Lyrics: Matthias Loy, 1863

Music: ERHALT UNS, HERR L.M.
           Geistliche Lieder, Wittenberg, 1543


--from Trinity Hymnal, Baptist Edition


The law of God is good and wise
And sets his will before our eyes,
Shows us the way of righteousness,
And dooms to death when we transgress.

Its light of holiness imparts
The knowlege of our sinful hearts
That we may see our lost estate
And seek deliv'rance ere too late.

To those who help in Christ have found
And would in works of love abound
It shows what deeds are his delight
And should be done as good and right.

When men the offered help disdain
And willfully in sin remain,
Its terror in their ear resounds
And keeps their wickedness in bounds.

The law is good; but since the fall
Its holiness condemns us all;
It dooms us for our sin to die
And has no pow'r to justify.

To Jesus we for refuge flee,
Who from the curse has set us free,
And humbly worship at his throne,
Saved by his grace through faith alone.

***

"Thou Passest Through" by Annie Johnson Flint

"When thou passest through the waters"
   Deep the waves may be and cold,
But Jehovah is our refuge,
   And His promise is our hold;
For the Lord Himself hath said it,
   He, the faithful God and true:
"When thou comest to the waters
   Thou shalt not go down, but through."

Seas of sorrow, seas of trial,
   Bitterest anguish, fiercest pain,
Rolling surges of temptation
   Sweeping over heart and brain--
They shall never overflow us
   For we know His Word is true;
All His waves and all His billows
   He will lead us safely through.

Threatening breakers of destruction,
   Doubts insidious undertow,
Shall not sink us, shall not drag us
   Out to ocean depths of woe;
For His promise shall sustain us,
   Praise the Lord, whose Word is true!
We shall not go down, or under,
   For He saith, "Thou passest through."

--from The Family Album, 8th Edition, edited and published by Arthur and Nancy DeMoss, Valley Forge, PA, in the 1960's (I guess)

"Do Not Pray for Easy Lives" by Phillips Brooks

Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men!
Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.

"Nobody Knows But Mother" by Mary Morrison

How many buttons are missing today?
   Nobody knows but Mother.
How many playthings are strewn in her way?
   Nobody knows but Mother.
How many thimbles and spools has she missed?
How many burns on each fat little fist?
How many bumps to be cuddled and kissed?
   Nobody knows but Mother.

How many hats has she hunted today?
   Nobody knows but Mother.
Carelessly hiding themselves in the hay--
   Nobody knows but Mother.
How many handkerchiefs willfully strayed?
How many ribbons for each little maid?
How for her care can a mother be paid?
   Nobody knows but Mother.

How many muddy shoes all in a row?
   Nobody knows but Mother.
How many stockings to darn, do you know?
   Nobody knows but Mother.
How many little torn aprons to mend?
How many hours of toil must she spend?
What is the time when her day's work shall end?
   Nobody knows but Mother.

How many lunches for Tommy and Sam?
   Nobody knows but Mother.
Cookies and apples and blackberry jam--
   Nobody knows but Mother.
Nourishing dainties for every "sweet tooth,"
Toddling Dottie or dignified Ruth--
How much love sweetens the labor, forsooth?
   Nobody knows but Mother.

How many cares does a mother's heart know?
   Nobody knows but Mother.
How many joys from her mother love flow?
   Nobody knows but Mother.
How many prayers for each little white bed?
How many tears for her babes has she shed?
How many kisses for each curly head?
   Nobody knows but Mother.

--from The Best Loved Poems of the American People, selected by Hazel Felleman, Doubleday & Co., Inc., Garden City, New York, 1936

"Womanhood" by William Arthur Ward

Blessed is the woman who has a smile in her voice, a sparkle in her eyes, a song on her lips, a spring in her step, a warmth in her touch, a depth to her beauty, a purpose to her life, a joy in her faith, a hope in her breast, and a love in her heart.

--from The Family Album, 8th Edition, edited and published by Arthur and Nancy DeMoss, Valley Forge, PA, in the 1960's (I guess)

"I Have Found Such Joy" by Grace Noll Crowell

I have found such joy in simple things;
   A plain clean room, a nut-brown loaf of bread,
A cup of milk, a kettle as it sings,
   The shelter of a roof above my head,
And in a leaf-laced square along the floor,
Where yellow sunlight glimmers through a door.

I have found such joy in things that fill
   My quiet days: a curtain's blowing grace,
A potted plant upon my window sill,
   A rose, fresh-cut and placed within a vase;
A table cleared, a lamp beside a chair,
And books I long have loved beside me there.

Oh, I have found such joys I wish I might
   Tell every woman who goes seeking far
For some elusive, feverish delight,
   That very close to home the great joys are:
The elemental things--old as the race,
Yet never, through the ages, commonplace.

--from The Family Album, 8th Edition, edited and published by Arthur and Nancy DeMoss, Valley Forge, PA, in the 1960's (I guess)

"General Store" by Rachel Field

Someday I'm going to have a store
With a tinkly bell hung over the door,
With real glass cases and counters wide
And drawers, all spilly with things inside.

There'll be a little of everything:
Bolts of calico; balls of string;
Jars of peppermint; tins of tea;
Pots and kettles and crockery;

Seeds in packets; scissors bright;
Kegs of sugar, brown and white;
Sarsaparilla for picnic lunches,
Bananas and rubber boots in bunches.

I'll fix the window and dust each shelf,
And take the money in all myself.
It will be my store and I will say:
"What can I do for you today?"

--from the book, Taxis and Toadstools by Rachel Field. 1926. Published by Doubleday & Co., Inc.

The Temptation of an Easy Drift into Apostasy and Warnings Against It In Scripture and a Poem

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. (Ezek. 18:30)

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Prov. 14:12 and Prov. 16:25)

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matt. 7:12-14)

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matt. 7:21)

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. (Matt. 25:42-45)

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Cor. 6:14)

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4)

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (1 Pet. 4:16-18

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (Rev. 3:15-18)

"The Church Walking with the World"
by Matilda C. Edwards

The Church and the World walked far apart
On the changing shores of time,
The World was singing a giddy song,
And the Chruch a hymn sublime.
"Come, give me your hand," said the merry World,
"And walk with me this way!"
But the good Church hid her snowy hands
And solemnly answered, "Nay,
I will not give you my hand at all,
And I will not walk with you;
Your way is the way that leads to death;
Your words are all untrue."

"Nay, walk with me but a little space,"
Said the World with a kindly air;
"The road I walk is a pleasant road,
And the sun always shines there;
Your path is thorny and rough and rude,
But mine is broad and plain;
My way is paved with flowers and dews,
And yours with tears and pain;
The sky to me is always blue,
No want, no toil I know;
The sky above you is always dark,
Your lot is a lot of woe;
There's room enough for you and me
To travel side by side."

Half shyly the Church approached the World
And gave him her hand of snow;
And the old World grasped it and walked along,
Saying, in accents low,
"Your dress is too simple to please my taste;
I will give you pearls to wear,
Rich velvets and silks for your graceful form,
And diamonds to deck your hair."
The Church looked down at her plain white robes,
And then at the dazzling World,
And blushed as she saw his handsome lip
With a smile contemptuous curled.
"I will change my dress for a costlier one,"
Said the Church, with a smile of grace;
Then her pure white garments drifted away,
And the World gave in their place,
Beautiful satins and shining silks,
Roses and gems and costly pearls;
While over her forehead her bright hair fell
Crisped in a thousand curls.

"Your house is too plain," said the proud old World,
"I'll build you one like mine;
With walls of marble and towers of gold,
And furniture ever so fine."
So he built her a costly and beautiful house;
Most splendid it was to behold;
Her sons and her beautiful daughters dwelt there
Gleaming in purple and gold;
Rich fairs and shows in the halls were held,
And the World and his children were there.
Laughter and music and feasts were heard
In the place that was meant for prayer.
There were cushioned seats for the rich and the gay,
To sit in their pomp and pride;
But the poor who were clad in shabby array,
Sat meekly down outside.

"You give too much to the poor," said the World.
"Far more than you ought to do;
If they are in need of shelter and food,
Why need it trouble you?
Go, take your money and buy rich robes,
Buy horses and carriages fine;
Buy pearls and jewels and dainty food,
Buy the rarest and costliest wine;
My children, they dote on all these things,
And if you their love would win
You must do as they do, and walk in the ways
That they are walking in."

So the poor were turned from her door in scorn,
And she heard not the orphan's cry;
But she drew her beautiful robes aside,
As the widows went weeping by.

Then the sons of the World and the Sons of the Church
Walked closely hand and heart,
And only the Master, who knoweth all,
Could tell the two apart.
Then the Church sat down at her ease, and said,
"I am rich and my goods increase;
I have need of nothing, or aught to do,
But to laugh, and dance, and feast."
The sly World heard, and he laughed in his sleeve,
And mockingly said, aside--
"The Church is fallen, the beautiful Church;
And her shame is her boast and her pride."

The angel drew near the mercy seat,
And whispered in sighs her name;
Then the loud anthems of rapture were hushed,
And heads were covered with shame;
And a voice was heard at last by the Church
From Him who sat on the throne,
"I know thy works, and how thou hast said,
'I am rich, and hast not known
That thou art naked, poor and blind,
And wretched before my face;'
Therefore from my presence cast I thee out,
And blot thy name from its place."

--from The Best Loved Poems of the American People, selected by Hazel Felleman, Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1936

"A Woman's Question" by Lena Lathrop

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing
Ever made by the Hand above?
A woman's heart, and a woman's life--
And a woman's wonderful love.

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing
As a child might ask for a toy?
Demanding what others have died to win,
With the reckless dash of a boy.

You have written my lesson of duty out;
Manlike, you have questioned me.
Now stand at the bar of my woman's soul
Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot,
Your socks and your shirt be whole;
I require your heart to be true as God's stars
As as pure as His heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef,
I require a far greater thing;
A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts--
I look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called Home,
And a man that his Maker, God,
Shall look upon as He did on the first
And say: "It is very good."

I am fair and young, but the rose may fade
From my soft young cheek one day;
Will you love me then 'mid the falling leaves,
As you did 'mong the blossoms of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and deep,
I may launch my all on its tide?
A loving woman finds heaven or hell
On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true,
All things that a man should be;
If you give this all, I would stake my life
To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot be this, a laundress and a cook
You can hire and little to pay;
But a woman's heart and a woman's life
Are not to be won that way.

--from The Best Loved Poems of the American People, selected by Hazel Felleman, Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1936

"Two Prayers" by Andrew Gillies

Last night my little boy
   confessed to me
Some childish wrong;
And kneeling at my knee,
He prayed with tears--
"Dear God, make me a man
Like daddy--wise and strong;
I know You can."
Then while he slept
I knelt beside his bed,
Confessed my sins,
And prayed with a low-bowed head,
"Oh God, make me a child
Like my child here--
Pure, guileless,
Trusting Thee with faith
sincere."

--from Ideals Scrap Book, 1961

"To the Puritan" by Ella Bedsoul

Here is a man who causes all to lift
Their shoulders higher when they gaze at him
Whose courage and whose faith will never dim,
This forceful figure who has left a gift...
A heritage of free worship and of thrift.
He holds the Holy Bible in his hands,
The symbol which led him to distant lands.
Privation his from mother country's rift,
His head uncovered only to his God,
And not to politician nor to potentate.
He taught the Indians a true brotherhood.
He tilled the soil and turned the virgin sod.
He was ambassador to God. He knew no hate.
Devout through all his years, matchless he stood.

--from Ideals, Vol. 23, No. 5, September 1966

On Peace, Cat Stevens, Islam, and the Worldviews of Songs

This afternoon, driving home from the morning meeting of the church, I was listening to the car radio. The classical music station I usually listen to went to commercial, so I turned to different stations. At one "classic rock" station, I heard a song beginning that had a "catchy" tune and rhythm, so I lingered to listen to the entire song.

It was "Peace Train" by Cat Stevens, or the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens, now "Yusuf Islam," because the artist changed his name upon his conversion to Islam.

This is the same man who had a hit with the Christian hymn "Morning Has Broken."

Here are the lyrics of "Peace Train" (from allspirit.co.uk):

Now I've been happy lately,
thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be,
something good has begun

Oh I've been smiling lately,
dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be,
some day it's going to come

Cause out on the edge of darkness,
there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country,
come take me home again

Now I've been smiling lately,
thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be,
something good has begun

Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Yes, peace train holy roller

Everyone jump upon the peace train
Come on now peace train

Get your bags together,
go bring your good friends too
Cause it's getting nearer,
it soon will be with you

Now come and join the living,
it's not so far from you
And it's getting nearer,
soon it will all be true

Now I've been crying lately,
thinking about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating,
why can't we live in bliss

Cause out on the edge of darkness,
there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country,
come take me home again

In Christianity, "peace" means forgiveness, unity (in Christ), and salvation (safe dwelling) in Christ, for God is the author and merciful giver of peace. It is a free offer to all who would believe in Christ for the sake of His atonement for their sin in death and His perfect life lived for their salvation.

In Islam, "peace" means a submission established by violence and with violence as a principle and way of life. It means, "surrender and you will be safe from our violence," or "surrender or you will face death at our hands." There is no forgiveness of sin, no atonement for sin, no peace with God and fellow men.

Under Islam, "the world as one" comes by force/external compulsion. To get on Islam's "peace train," will be to join the perishing in "darkness," not the "living."

"Why must we go on hating"? Because we are born wicked sinners, with wicked hearts, every one of us (James 4:1-3). Each of us needs to be given a new heart by the Holy Spirit, and our sin to be dealt with by One Who will act on our behalf, because we are poor and needy, helpless to atone for our own sin. "Bliss" is a gift that only the God of peace can bestow, and he does so freely:

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Mt. 7:8)

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. (Jn. 6:24)

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. (Lk. 6:20)

Jesus, the Christ, the Ark of God, the Prince of Peace, the King of Salem, the peace offering of God for man, and "peace train" for sinners, is the One Who gives His peace to all who believe on His name. Peace can only come from Him.

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. (Ex. 14:14)

And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, ye shall offer it at your own will. (Lev. 19:5)

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. (Ps. 4:8)

Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts. (Ps. 28:3)

The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. (Ps. 29:11)

I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps. (Ps. 85:8-13)

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Is. 9:6)

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee...LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. (Is. 26:3,12)

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. (Is.32:17)

O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea...There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked. (Is. 48:18,22)

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! (Is. 52:7)

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Is. 53:5)

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. (Is. 54:10-14)

Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:78-79)

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:14)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (Jn. 14:27)

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (Jn. 16:33)

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) (Acts. 10:36)

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 1:7)

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Rom. 5:1-2)

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Rom. 10:15)

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Rom. 15:3)

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Cor. 14:33)

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (2 Cor. 13:11)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Eph. 2:8-25, emphasis added)

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:7)

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Col. 1:20)

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. (2 Thess. 3:16)

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Heb. 13:20-21)

Listen to Kevin Swanson's radio show with guest James Jacobson of Christian Freedom International:

Persecution at the Hands of the "Religion of Peace" on SermonAudio or on Mr. Swanson's web site

It Isn't Work*

It isn't work, if you like to do it,
It isn't work if it gives a thrill,
If always pleasant thoughts imbue it,
If you do it gladly and with a will.

It isn't "housework"--dusting, mending,
Scrubbing floors and baking things,
Washing dishes and pans unending,
To one who laughs and smiles and sings.

It isn't work, if you find good measure
Of cheer and sun in every minute.
It isn't housework--it's home pleasure,
With a little love and laughter in it!

* I don't know the author. If anyone finds out, please tell me in a comment. Thank you, GentleDove.

With a Smile and a Song

My favorite Disney movie, which I view as a Christian allegory (despite the fact that Walt Disney was not a Christian and did not make "Christian movies"), is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. These are the lyrics from my favorite song from that movie:

With a smile and a song
Life is just a bright sunny day
Your cares fade away
And your heart is young

With a smile and a song
All the world seems to waken anew
Rejoicing with you
As the song is sung

There's no use in grumbling
When the raindrops come tumbling
Remember, you're the one
Who can fill the world with sunshine

When you smile and you sing
Everything is in tune and it's spring

And life flows along
With a smile and a song

"Home" by Edgar A. Guest

It takes a heap o’ livin’ in a house t’ make it home,
A heap o’ sun an’ shadder, an’ ye sometimes have t’ roam
Afore ye really ‘preciate the things ye lef’ behind,
An’ hunger fer ‘em somehow, with ‘em allus on yer mind.
It don’t make any difference how rich ye get t’ be,
How much yer chairs an’ tables cost, how great yer luxury;
It ain’t home t’ ye, though it be the palace of a king,
Until somehow yer soul is sort o’ wrapped round everything.

Home ain’t a place that gold can buy or get up in a minute;
Afore it’s home there’s got t’ be a heap o’ livin’ in it;
Within the walls there’s got t’ be some babies born, and then
Right there ye’ve got t’ bring ‘em up t’ women good, an’ men;
And gradjerly as time goes on, ye find ye wouldn’t part
With anything they ever used—they’ve grown into yer heart:
The old high chairs, the playthings, too, the little shoes they wore
Ye hoard; an’ if ye could ye’d keep the thumb-marks on the door.

Ye’ve got t’ weep t’ make it home, ye’ve got t’ sit an’ sigh
An’ watch beside a loved one’s bed, an’ know that Death is nigh;
An’ in the stillness o’ the night t’ see Death’s angel come,
An’ close the eyes o’ her that smiled, an’ leave her sweet voice dumb.
Fer these are scenes that grip the heart,
An’ when yer tears are dried,
Ye find the home is dearer than it was, an’ sanctified;
An’ tuggin’ at ye always are the pleasant memories
O’ her that was an’ is no more—ye can’t escape from these.

Ye’ve got t’ sing an’ dance fer years, ye’ve got t’ romp an’ play,
An’ learn t’ love the things ye have by usin’ ‘em each day;
Even the roses ‘round the porch must blossom year by year
Afore they ‘come a part o’ ye, suggestin’ someone dear
Who used t’ love ‘em long ago, an’ trained ‘em jes t’ run
The way they do, so’s they would get the early mornin’ sun;
Ye’ve got t’ love each brick an’ stone from cellar up t’ dome:
It takes a heap o’ livin’ in a house t’ make it home.

From Collected Verse of Edgar Guest
NY: Buccaneer Books, 1976, page 12