"Lord of the Nations" - Regent College

I remember this song that was first introduced to me back in 2004 when I was attending Regent-College. Somehow, the song sticks and brings back fond memories of the beautiful journey through that little building under the green roof. Maybe, one of these days, I'll do a recording. Until then, the words alone are worth reflecting upon.

LORD OF THE NATIONS

O Lord of all the nations
You’ve brought us to this place
You’ve granted us each other
As symbols of Your grace
Like those who walked in darkness
We’ve seen the rising sun
A pilgrim path pursuing a holy quest begun

You purify our passions
You loose the ties that bind
You soften stony spirits
You lighten troubled minds
You enter our emotions
Untangle webs of pain
You touch us with Your finger and we are whole again

Lord be our friend and mentor
Whatever lies ahead
Your love is our refreshment
Your will our daily bread
Until we taste Your glory
Until we are made new
Within each one engender an appetite for You

O all-consuming fire
Come melt these hearts of stone
Lord wrestle with our spirits
Until You reign alone
Disperse us through the nations
Transforming grace to tell
And let this brief sojourning become our Peniel

Hymn: Sent Forth By God's Blessings (Ash Grove)

This is one of my favourite songs to end any Sunday service. (Video)
[Sing to the tune of Ash Grove]


Lyrics
Sent forth by God's blessing,
our true faith confessing,
The people of God from his dwelling take leave.
God's sacrifice ended,
O now be extended.
The fruits of this Mass in all hearts who believe.

The seed of his teaching our inner souls reaching,
Shall blossom in action for God and for all.
His grace incite us, his love shall unite us
To further God's kingdom and answer his call.

With praise and thanksgiving,
to God who is living,
The tasks of our ev'ryday life we embrace.
Our faith ever sharing,
in love ever caring,
We claim as our neighbour all those of each race.

One bread that has fed us,
one light that has led us
Unite us as one in his life that we share.
Then may all the living with praise and thanks giving
Give honour to Christ and his name that we bear.

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Midweek Meditation: "Father Hear the Prayer We Offer" (Love Maria Whitcomb Willis)

"Father, hear the prayer we offer:

Nor for ease that prayer shall be,
But for strength, that we may ever
Live our lives courageously.

Not forever in green pastures
Do we ask our way to be,
But the steep and rugged pathway
May we tread rejoicingly.

Not forever by still waters
Would we idly, quiet stay;
But would smite the living fountains
From the rocks along our way.

Be our strength in hours of weakness,
In our wanderings be our Guide;
Through endeavor, failure, danger,
Father, be Thou at our side.

Let our path be bright or dreary,
Storm or sunshine be our share;
May our souls in hope unweary

Make Thy work our ceaseless prayer." (Love Maria Whitcomb Willis, 1824-1908)

Midweek Meditation: "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"

This is still my favourite rendition of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Christmas carol, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day."

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men. 

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men. 

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men." 

Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

conrade

Favourite Hymns from Various Professions (Funny)

Time for a weekend laugh. 

Favourite Hymns of Different Professions
The Dentist's Hymn ... Crown Him With Many Crowns
The Weatherman's Hymn ... There Shall Be Showers Of Blessing
The Contractor's Hymn ... The Church's One Foundation
The Tailor's Hymn ... Holy, Holy, Holy
The Golfer's Hymn ... There Is A Green Hill Far Away
The Politician's Hymn ... Standing On The Promises
The Optometrist's Hymn ... Open My Eyes That I May See
The IRS Agent's Hymn ... I Surrender All
The Gossip's Hymn ... Pass It On
The Electrician's Hymn ... Send The Light
The Shopper's Hymn ... In The Sweet By and By
The Realtor's Hymn ... I've Got A Mansion Just Over The Hilltop
The Pilot's Hymn ... I'll Fly Away
The Paramedic's Hymn ... Revive Us Again
The Judge's Hymn ... Almost Persuaded
The Psychiatrist's Hymn ... Just A Little Talk With Jesus
The Architect's Hymn ... How Firm A Foundation
The Credit Card Telemarketer's Hymn ... A Charge To Keep I Have
The Zoo Keeper's Hymn ... All Creatures Of Our God And King
The Postal Worker's Hymn ... So Send I You
The Waiter's Hymn ... Fill My Cup, Lord
The Gardener's Hymn ... Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
The Lifeguard's Hymn ... Rescue The Perishing
The Criminal's Hymn ... Search Me, O God
The Baker's Hymn ... When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder
The Shoe Repairer's Hymn ... It Is Well With My Soul
The Travel Agent's Hymn ... Anywhere With Jesus
The Geologist's Hymn ... Rock Of Ages
The Hematologist's Hymn ... Are You Washed In The Blood?
The Men's Wear Clerk's Hymn ... Blest Be The Tie
The Umpire's Hymn ... I Need No Other Argument
The Librarian's Hymn ... Whispering Hope

(Credit: Sparkpeople,com )

Midweek Meditation: "God Be In My Head"

God be in my head
        and in my understanding;
God be in my eyes
        and in my looking;
God be in my mouth
        and in my speaking;
God be in my heart
        and in my thinking;
God be at my end
        and at my departing.

[Book of Hours, 1514]

Watch the singing here.

Alone Yet Not Alone

Joni Eareckson Tada continues to inspire, singing the theme song for the upcoming movie of the same name. The song, "Alone Yet Not Alone," has even been nominated for an Oscar. The words of the hymn support the major themes of comfort, faith and hope.



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Midweek Meditation: "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind"

This majestic hymn talks about how Big God is and how small we are. In seeking forgiveness, we receive the Big Heart of God, for in Jesus, there is perfect calm, comfort, and care. Written by John G. Whittier (1807-1892), this hymn is a beautiful accompaniment to worship and coming to resting in God's warm embrace.


Whittier is an American Quaker, who believes that God is best worshiped in quiet contemplation and reflection. It is a song that is hauntingly magnificent and rises up and lowers down in expectancy of capturing a glimpse of God's comforting presence.



Download the pdf here.

*** WORDS ***
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways!
Re-clothe us in our rightful mind,
in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence, praise;
in deeper reverence, praise.

In simple trust like theirs who heard,
beside the Syrian sea,
the gracious calling of the Lord,
let us, like them, without a word,
rise up and follow thee;
rise up and follow thee.

O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
where Jesus knelt to share with thee
the silence of eternity
interpreted by love!
interpreted by love!

Drop thy still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess
the beauty of thy peace;
the beauty of thy peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire
thy coolness and thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm;
O still, small voice of calm.

conrade

Midweek Meditation: "Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior"

This hymn is one of my favourites by Fanny Crosby.

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Refrain:
Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry,
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Let me at Thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.

Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

Thou the spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee,
Whom in Heav’n but Thee.

conrade

Hymn: "Let All Things Now Living"

I heard this on the radio today, and it brought back lots of memories about the powerful hymns I used to sing in a mainline Church. Uplifting and lively, it is about the joy of creation and the response back to God in pure worship. When we see the beauty of the earth, we get a glimpse of the beauty of the Kingdom. That is how worship ought to be. Our present chorus is a mere snapshot of the heavenly symphony of praise.

LET ALL THINGS NOW LIVING
Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving
To God the creator triumphantly raise.
Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,
Who still guides us on to the end of our days.
God's banners are o'er us, His light goes before us,
A pillar of fire shining forth in the night.
Till shadows have vanished and darkness is banished
As forward we travel from light into light.

His law he enforces, the stars in their courses
And sun in its orbit obediently shine;
The hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains,
The deeps of the ocean proclaim him divine.
We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing;
With glad adoration a Song let us raise
Till all things now living unite in thanksgiving:
"To God in the highest, Hosanna and praise!"

Watch the video here.


conrade

The Summons

This is one of my favourite hymns. The melody is a Scottish traditional Kelvingrove, with words by John Bell and Graham Maule. It is a popular song used within the Iona Community. You can download the music score here.

****

1. Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
   Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?
   Will you let my love be shown? Will you let my name be known,
   Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?
   
   
2. Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
   Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
   Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
   Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?
   
   
3. Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
   Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
   Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
   and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?
   
   
4. Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name?
   Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
   Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,
   through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?
   
   
5. Lord your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
   Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
   In Your company I'll go where Your love and footsteps show.
   Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

Midweek Meditation: "Trust and Obey"

Our meditation for this midweek is from the words of the famous hymn, "Trust and Obey."

Verse 1:
      G
When we walk with the Lord
        D            G
In the light of His Word
        C         G           D
What a glory He sheds on our way
      G
While we do His good will
       D           G
He abides with us still
         C
And with all who will
G      D    G
Trust and obey

Chorus:
D          G
Trust and obey
            E        Am
For there's no other way
      D/F#      G/B
To be happy in Jesus
        C     D    G
But to trust and obey

Verse 4:
        G
But we never can prove
       D             G
The delights of His love
      C          G         D
Until all on the altar we lay
         G
For the favor He shows
         D        G
And the joy He bestows
         C
Are for them who will
G       D   G
Trust and obey

     CHORUS


Verse 5:
        G
Then in fellowship sweet
         D          G
We will sit at His feet
         C            G
Or we'll walk by His side
        D
In the way
      G
What He says we will do
          D          G
Where He sends we will go
       C          G    D    G
Never fear only trust and obey

     CHORUS

Here is a Youtube rendition. conrade

Midweek Meditation: Be Still

It is important, even necessary to be still. When we still our hearts, we are actually preparing our inner selves to reflect on what is more important. We begin to calibrate our spiritual compasses. We sharpen our focus while tuning out the unimportant. We pray to God to restore us.

(Credit: Tanchio Household Pjd)

Consider the famous hymn by Catharina von Schelegel (1697-1768), the German hymn writer, who was inspired by Psalm 46:10-11. Incidentally, this hymn has been said to be the favourite hymn of the famous runner, Eric Liddell of "Chariots of Fire" fame.

BE STILL MY SOUL 

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Click here to listen to a beautiful rendition of the hymn, "Be still my soul."

 conrade

It's Pentecost Sunday!

A hymn for Pentecost Sunday!

---

COME, HOLY SPIRIT, HEAVENLY DOVE
Author: Isaac Watts
(English Theologian, 1674-1748)

Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove,
With all Thy quick’ning powers;
Kindle a flame of sacred love
In these cold hearts of ours.

Look how we grovel here below,
Fond of these trifling toys;
Our souls can neither fly nor go
To reach eternal joys.

In vain we tune our formal songs,
In vain we strive to rise;
Hosannas languish on our tongues,
And our devotion dies.

Dear Lord! and shall we ever live
At this poor dying rate?
Our love so faint, so cold to Thee,
And Thine to us so great?

Come, Holy Spirit, heav’nly Dove,
With all Thy quick’ning powers;
Come, shed abroad the Savior’s love
And that shall kindle ours.

Amen.


conrade