Happy Thanksgiving!

Bounty

Thou great and only Potentate,

Thou hast made summer and winter,

day and night;

each of these revolutions serves our welfare

and is full of they care and kindness.

Thy bounty is seen in the relations that train us,

the laws that defend us,

the homes that shelter us,

the food that builds us,

the raiment that comforts us,

the continuance of our health, members,

senses, understanding, memory,

affection, will.

But as stars fade before the rising sun,

thou hast eclipsed all these benefits

in the wisdom and grace that purposed

redemption by Jesus thy Son.

Blessed be thy mercy that laid help on

one that is mighty and willing,

one that is able to save to the uttermost.

Make us deeply sensible of our need of his

saving grace,

of the blood that cleanses,

of the rest he has promised.

And impute to us that righteousness which

justifies the guilty,

gives them a title to eternal life,

and possession of the Spirit.

May we love the freeness of salvation,

and joy in its holiness;

Give us faith to grasp thy promises, that are our hope,

provide for every exigency,

and prevent every evil;

Keep our hearts from straying after forbidden pleasures;

May thy will bind all our wishes;

Let us live out of the world as to its spirit,

maxim, manners,

but live in it as the sphere of our action

and usefulness;

May we be alive to every call of duty,

accepting without question

thy determination of our circumstances

and our service.

--Valley of Vision

I don't deserve His love! (from Valley of Vision)

My Father, enlarge my heart, warm my affections, open my lips, supply words that proclaim 'Love lustres at Calvary.' There grace removes my burdens and heaps them on thy Son, made a transgressor, a curse, and sin for me; there the sword of thy justice smote the man, thy fellow; there thy infinite attributes were magnified, and infinite attributes were magnified, and infinite atonement was made; there infinite punishment was due, and infinite punishment was endured. Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy, cast off that I might be brought in, trodden down as an enemy that I might be welcomed as a friend, surrendered to hell's worst that I might attain heaven's best, stripped that I might be clothed, wounded that I might be healed, a thirst that I might drink, tormented that I might be comforted, made a shame that I might inherit glory, entered darkness that I might have eternal light. My Saviour wept that all tears might be wiped form my eyes, groaned that I might have endless song, endured all pain that I might have unfading health, bore a thorny crown that I might have a glory-diadem, bowed his head that I might uplift mine, experienced reproach that I might receive welcome, closed his eyes in death that I might for ever live. O Father, who spared not thine only Son that thou mightest spare me, All this transfer thy love designed and accomplished; help me to adore thee by lips and life. O that my every breath might be ecstatic praise, my every step buoyant with delight, as I see my enemies crushed, Satan baffled, defeated, destroyed, sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood, hell's gates closed, heaven's portal open. Go forth, O conquering God, and show me the cross, mighty to subdue, comfort and save.

God and Myself; a Valley of Vision Prayer

Lord God Almighty,

Thy understanding is unsearchable and infinite,

Thy arm cannot be stayed,

They agency extends through limitless space,

All works hang on thy care,

With thee time is a present now.

Holy is thy wisdom, power, mercy, ways, works.

How can I stand before thee

with my numberless and aggravated offences?

I have often loved darkness,

observed lying vanities,

forsaken thy given mercies,

trampled underfoot thy beloved Son,

mocked thy providences,

flattered thee with my lips,

broken thy covenant.

It is of thy compassion that I am not consumed.

Lead me to repentance, and save me from despair;

Let me come to thee renouncing, condemning,

loathing myself,

but hoping in the grace that flows even to the chief of sinners.

At the cross may I contemplate the evil of sin,

and abhor it,

look on him whom I pierced,

as one slain for me, and by me.

May I never despise his death by fearing

its efficacy for my salvation.

And whatever cross I am required to bear,

let me see him carrying a heavier.

Teach me in health to think of sickness,

in the brightest hours to be ready for darkness;

in life prepare me for death.

Thus may my soul rest in the, O immortal

and transcendent one,

revealed as thou art in the Person and work

of thy Son,

the Friend of sinners.

Oh Hypocrite Me

While I was reading Matthew 24 tonight, I was struck with how like the Pharisees and Saducees I am! How often do I want to set myself up in a place of honor and make the exterior clean, but not the interior! I was greatly convicted that I need to be the humble servant. I need to clean the inside, not just the outside! As I was asking the Lord for forgiveness for my prideful, hypocritcal attitude, I was blown away by the reality that He doesn't have to forgive me at all, but yet, in His grace, He chooses too. I am so thankful! I then read this Valley of Vision prayer that seemed to fit perfectly, so I wanted to share it with you.
God and Myself
"Lord God Almighty, thy understanding is unsearchable and infinite, thy arm cannot be stayed, thy agency extends through limitless space, all works hang on thy care, with thee time is a present now. Holy is thy wisdom, power, mercy, ways, works. How can I stand before thee with my numberless and aggravated offences? I have often loved darkeness, observed lying vanities, forsaken thy given mercies, trampled underfoot thy beloved Son, mocked thy providences, flattered thee with my lips, broken thy covenant. It is of thy compassion that I am not consumed. Lead me to repentance, and save me from despair; Let me come to thee renouncing, condemning, leathing myself, but hoping in the grace that flows even to the chief of sinners. At the cross may I contemplate the evil of sin, and abhor it, look on him whom I pierced, as one slain for me, and by me. May I never despise his death by fearing its efficacy for my salvation. And whatever cross I am required to bear, let me see him carrying a heavier. Teach me in health to think of sickness, in the brightest hours to be ready for darkness; in life prepare me for death, thus may my soul rest in thee, O immortal and transcendent one, revealed as thou art in the Person and work of thy Son, the Friend of sinners."

Peace Like a River

I haven't had a very good day. Nothing particularly bad happened, but I felt tired, impatient, and crabby all day. As the day progressed I felt more and more anxious and restless. I felt like I needed a break. When Ryan's counseling appointment cancelled, I was glad, this meant that he could play with Rylie so I could have some time to myself. I thought that might make me feel better. I perused a magazine, that didn't make me feel better. I figured if I did the dishes, I would feel good because I was doing something constructive and I wouldn't have them hanging over my head. Since that didn't work, I moved on the reorganizing and cleaning the medicine cabinet. I called my parents and told them I needed a break and asked if I could send Rylie over there tomorrow. They said "of course", then I felt guilty that I was sending my child somewhere else so I could have some rest. I had a good cry and heard reassuring words from my parents. They assured me that I wasn't being a bad Mommy or wasn't loving my girl just because she would be spending the day with her Grandparents. That made me feel some what better, but still had that moody feeling. I decided maybe I just needed some time with the Lord. I spent some time in prayer, then read the Word. It washed over me like a cool balm. Finally, this is what my soul needed! He promises us peace, but only if we go to Him. Of course I wasn't finding peace in all those other things I was doing. I needed to go to Him and confess my sinful attitudes and spend time in His presence. I also read this from the Valley of Vision:
"May his comforts cheer me in my sorrows, his strength sustain me in my trials, his blessings revive me in my weariness, his presence render me a fruitful tree of holiness, his might establish me in peace and joy, his incitements make me ceaseless in prayer, his animation kindle in me undying devotion. Send him as the searcher of my heart, to show me more of my corruptions and helplessness that I may flee to thee, cling to thee, rest on thee, as the beginning and end of my salvation."

The Holy Spirit

Growing up as a Fundamentalist I think the Holy Spirit was downplayed in my thinking. It was a reaction to unbiblical doctrine that some other denominations hold. I have recently been thinking more about the Holy Spirit and His role in my life. I read this Valley of Vision prayer that was very glorifying to the Holy Spirit, so I wanted to share it with you.
Spiritus Sanctus
O Holy Spirit, as the sun is full of light, the ocean full of water, heaven full of glory, so may my heart be full of thee. Vain are all divine purposes of love and the redemption wrought by Jesus except thou work within, regenerating by thy power, giving me eyes to see Jesus, showing me the realities of the unseen world. Give me thyself without measure, as an unimpaired fountain, as inexhaustible riches. I bewail my coldness, poverty, emptiness, imperfect vision, languid service, prayerless prayers, praiseless praise. Suffer me not to grieve or resist thee. Come as power, to expel every rebel lust, to reign supreme and keep me thine; come as teacher, leading me into all truth, filling me with all understanding; come as love, that I may adore the Father, and love him as my all; come as joy, to dwell in me, move in me, animate me; come as light, illuminating the Scripture, moulding me in its laws; come as sanctifier, body, soul and spirit wholly think; come as helper, with strength to bless and keep, directing my every step; come as beautifier, bringing order out of confusion, loveliness out of chaos. Magnify to me they glory by being magnified in me, and me redolent of thy fragrance.