Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 26 (Friday)

Encouragement Post – Day #26 (Good Friday) I could sit and listen to Phil Keaggy play his guitar for hours.He is such a gifted musician. But as you listen, meditate on these lyrics if you will; this is a simple hymn with rich and meaningful lyrics.

"What language shall I borrow to thank Thee dearest Friend for this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end. O make me Thine forever! And should I fainting be, Lord let me never, never outlive my love for Thee."

O Sacred Head
attributed to Bernard of Clairveaux

O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down;
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown;
O sacred Head, what glory,
what bliss 'til now was thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call thee mine.

What thou, my Lord, hast suffered
was all for sinners' gain:
mine, mine was the transgression,
but thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
'Tis I deserve thy place;
look on me with thy favor,
vouchsafe to me thy grace.

What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest Friend,
for this, thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
O make me thine forever;
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love to thee.

Welcome Autumn!

There is so much pain and sorrow in this life. . .  this past week has shown clear evidence of that.  But, there is also so much beauty.  As a "romantic realist" I know that we must live in this world of pain and tragedy... but at the same time we can still find exquisite beauty.   Whether it is in the faces of people who are suffering or who are trying to alleviate the suffering... or in the prayers lifted before the throne of God on behalf of those who are suffering... or in the beauty of God's creation and plan unfolding yet again in the changing of the seasons... or in the faces of your own family and friends who bring light, love, and laughter to your life... there is beauty in midst of pain and there is light in the darkness.

After some weeks away with family (and also currently recovering from a nasty cold), I am ready to embrace the beauty that Autumn brings. The HOPE that I have does not come from government to give me things, law enforcement to protect me, or even from the love of my family.  My Hope is the LORD, the Maker of  heaven and earth.

"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness

I dare NOT trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name!

On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand, all other ground is sinking sand,

all other ground is sinking sand."

- Edward Mote 

Hebrews 6:19-20 

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, 

firm and secure. 

It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,  

where our forerunner, Jesus, 

has entered on our behalf. 

He has become a high priest forever, 

in the order of Melchizedek."

As always with my original scripture images, you are free to use this graphic by right clicking and copying or saving.