A Mother's Seeds

Thanks to Jenni N, who posted a link to this blog post (An Imperfectionist in a Perfectionist World). From there I read her thoughts on Watering Seeds and Waiting for Fruit. In the comments Virginia Knowles left her poem, A Mother's Seeds. What a blessing.

A Mother’s Seeds

A mother sows seeds
Sows in hearts softened by sweet nurture
Seeds of myriad sizes, shapes, and sorts:
Truth, mercy, faith, repentance, salvation
Wisdom, praise, discipline, responsibility
Love, joy, peace
Here a seed, there a seed, everywhere a soul seed

No mother is purely saint, saintly pure
So subtle weed seeds slip from her packet too:
Bitterness, pride, impatience, sloth, doubt, scorn, fear
She may wisely snatch them up again right away
Before harm takes root in tender spirits
But some sink in and grow in spite
Later to be plucked out, or not

Yet she seeks to sow good seed in good soil
Not for the pleasure of plowing, digging. straining
Staining hands and knees with clay
Casting bloodied thorns and stubborn stones aside
Not for these trials she toils, bowed low
But for the hope, for the promise of the soul seed’s sole purpose:
Oh, for the fruit!

Working, watering, worrying, weeping, watching, waiting. wondering:
Will these tiny seeds fulfill destiny
First with green stem and fragrant blossom, and then fruit at last?
Or will they lie lifeless underground or shriveled on dry crust of earth?
Oh, did one, even just one, take root deeper and deeper in the divine deep?
Anchored by a sturdy, centering, downward shaft
With fragile spreading threads tangled outward, seeking sustenance?

Oh, for the fruit of those roots unseen!
So: more seeds! Sow more seeds! Sow and sow again!
Lord, make them grow!
For a mother must be faithful but He alone can bring forth fruit!
(Soli Deo Gloria! Gloria in Excelsis Deo!)
His fruit is sweet and succulent, swelling with more seeds
Later to be scattered far beyond her own field, season after season

Nations and generations shall witness her seeds and His fruit
Fruit from seed, and seed from fruit
From her home to His uttermost gardens
From her time to His eternity
For a mother’s heart sows well beyond her own wee plot
She mothers young and old, neighbor and sojourner
Her reach is far and deep, patient and persistent

Any seeking soul becomes her soil
She meets needs with diligent deeds
Bathes each one in warming rays of kindness and prayer
A mother’s heart sows these seeds then
Waters, works, watches, waits, wonders again and again
By faith, hope, and love, she reaps abundant harvests
When goodly, godly fruit is ripe at last.

Virginia Knowles

Friend

I've Found a Friend

I've found a Friend, oh, such a Friend!
He bled, He died to save me;
And not alone the gift of life,
But His own self He gave me.
Naught that I have my own I call,
I hold it for the Giver;
My heart, my strength, my life, my all,
Are His, and His forever.

I've found a Friend, oh, such a Friend!
All pow'r to Him is given,
To guard me on my onward course,
And bring me safe to heaven.
Th'eternal glories gleam afar,
To nerve my faint endeavor;
So now to watch, to work, to war,
And then to rest forever.

James G. Small, 1817-1888

His Robes for Mine

This is a wonderful hymn! I have really enjoyed it on the album, Promises from Sound Forth, that John Mark and Deborah left for us. You can listen to part of it by following the link. Here is just one verse and the chorus.

His robes for mine: such anguish none can know.
Christ, God's beloved, condemned as though His foe.
He, as thought I, accursed and left alone;
I, as though He, embraced and welcomed home!

I cling to Christ and marvel at the cost:
Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God.
Bought by such love, my life is not my own:
My praise--my all--shall be for Christ alone.

by Chris Anderson

In Heavenly Love Abiding

In heav'nly love abiding,
no change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
for nothing changes here.

The storm may rage without me;
my heart may low be laid.
But God is all around me.
I cannot be afraid.

Wherever He will guide me,
no want shall turn me back.
My Shepherd is beside me,
and nothing can I lack.

His wisdom ever waketh;
His sight is never dim.
He knows the way He taketh,
and I will walk with Him.

Where He leads me
I will follow.
He gives comfort in my sorrow.
I rest in His care.

Green pastures wait before me
which I have never seen;
Bright skies will soon be o'er me,
where darkest clouds have been.

My hope I cannot measure;
my path to life is free.
My Savior holds my treasure,
and He will walk with me.

by Anna L. Waring, 1820-1910

The Glorious Theme

Unnumbered comforts to my soul
Thy tender care bestowed,
Before my heart was e'er aware
From whence these comforts flowed.

Through ev'ry period of my life
Thy goodness I'll pursue,
And after death, in distant worlds,
The glorious theme renew.

from When All Thy Mercies, O My God
Joseph Addison, 1672-1719

What's Up?

Boy, there have been a lot of contemplative sorts of posts lately! (The new year does that to me!) What are we up to? Samuel has been sick (stomach issues) twice in the last week, and Elizabeth had it last night. Mothers out there, join me in being truly thankful that our carpet was spared! Both of them were over it in 24 hours, so that is a huge blessing.

The weather has been warming up a bit, this morning it was ten above!

Steven presided at a funeral for a retired soldier today.

I have a couple of projects on the (knitting) needles and am trying to decide what to knit on the plane in a few weeks. Something I can do on a circular, so I don't scare TSA. I do not want to lose any knitting needles to someone who will throw them away! Actually, what does TSA do with confiscated stuff? Never mind, I don't think I want to know.

Steven took me out to Pike's Landing for my birthday. It's a classy place and we got an appetizer, entrees and dessert. Talk about shooting the whole wad! It was so good, and so nice to have a quiet evening (didn't break up one argument or correct any bad manners the whole time!) with my Sweetie.

We sang a great hymn at church last night, called Here is Love. I have it on a recording, and the words are hard to understand, so it was nice to be able to think about them thoroughly.

Here is Love

Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Lovingkindness as a flood,
Jesus, Prince of life, is dying;
Life for us is in His blood.
Oh what heart can e'er forget Him?
Who can cease His praise to sing?
Wondrous love, forever cherished
While the heav'ns with music ring.

On the mount of crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God's mercy,
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above,
And heav'n's peace and perfect justice
Kiss the guilty world in love.

Let me all Thy love accepting,
Love Thee, ever all my days.
Let me seek Thy kingdom only
and my life be to Thy praise.
Thou alone shalt be my glory,
Nothing in the world I see.
Thou hast cleansed and sanctified me,
Thou Thyself hast set me free.

In Thy truth Thou dost direct me
By Thy Spirit through Thy Word;
And Thy grace my need is meeting,
As I trust in Thee, my Lord.
Of Thy fullness Thou art pouring
Thy great love and pow'r on me,
Without measure, full and boundless,
Drawing out my heart to Thee.

William Roes, 1802-1883
Robert Lowry, circa 1895


Oh, and here's a picture of the kids in their latest Hideaway in History: a medieval castle.

How Swiftly Flies Into the Past

How swiftly flies into the past the precious life we squander!
Would that our sluggish hearts aghast might in sobrie’ty ponder!
O, that with ev’ry passing year a bounteous harvest might appear!

“Pray tell, pray tell, where are the fruits we recently were bearing?”
How often God, midst our pursuits, this chief complain was airing:
“Hope I in vain? How my heart grieves! Instead of fruit, I find but leaves.”

He speaks, “Cut down the barren tree! The ground it merely cumbers,
Light, moisture, soil, it hoards these three, yet nothing yields, just slumbers!
O Death, come near and strike the root! Apply the ax! It bears no fruit!”

“Let it alone,” the Savior speaks, “that I may dig and dung it!
Although, ‘tis true, in vain one seeks; I hope for fruit among it.
Strict verdicts, Father, yet restrain! One year! Perhaps all is not vain!”

Grant, Lord, this year that by Your pow’r we might much fruit be showing!
Let Your blest Spirit from this hour through ev’ry branch be flowing!
And may from us to all around rich blessings flow and fruit abound!

Johann J. Rambach, 1693-1735
tr. Bradley McKenzie, b. 1961

Heart Cry

O Saviour, I have nought to plead,
In earth beneath or heaven above,
But just my own exceeding need,
And Thy exceeding love.

The need will soon be past and gone,
Exceeding great, but quickly o'er;
The love unbought is all Thine own,
And lasts for evermore.

Jane Crewdson, 1809-63


Not what I am, O Lord, but what Thou art!
That, that alone can be my soul's true rest;
Thy love, not mine, bids fear and doubt depart,
And stills the tempest of my tossing breast.

It blesses now, and shall for ever bless,
It saves me now, and shall for ever save,
It holds me up in days of helplessness,
It bears me safely o'er each swelling wave.

'Tis what I know of Thee, my Lord and God,
That fills my soul with peace, my lips with song;
Thou art my health, my joy, my staff, my rod;
Leaning on Thee, in weakness I am strong.

I am all want and hunger; this faint heart
Pines for a fulness which it finds not here:
Dear ones are leaving, and, as they depart,
Make room within for something yet more dear.

More of Thyself, O shew me hour by hour,
More of Thy glory, O my God and Lord;
More of Thyself, in all Thy grace and power,
More of Thy love and truth, Incarnate Word!

Horatius Bonar, 1808-89

The Fight is On

I've got a lot buzzing around in my head right now, and I'm ashamed to say, I'm worried and bothered (as Martha). I'm about to go through each thing and find some scripture to help me think right. It's a battle! Will I continue to wrangle and churn or will I think God's thoughts?

We sang this at church last night:

The fight is on, O Christian soldier,
And face to face in stern array,
With armor gleaming and colors streaming,
The right and wrong engage today!
The fight is on, but be not weary,
Be strong and in His might hold fast;
If God be for us, His banner o'er us,
We'll sing the victor's song at last!

Leila Morris, 1905

How Much I Owe

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:6, 8-10

How often I forget that I was a helpless, sinful enemy of God when Christ died for me. May I take this thought to heart!

When This Passing World is Done

When this passing world is done,
When has sunk yon radiant sun,
When I stand with Christ on high,
Looking o'er life's history,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

When I stand before the throne,
Dressed in beauty not my own,
When I see Thee as Thou art,
Love Thee with unsinning heart,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

Chosen not for good in me,
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Saviour's side,
By the Spirit sanctified,
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show
By my love how much I owe.

Oft I walk beneath a cloud,
Dark as midnight's gloomy shroud;
But, when fear is at its height,
Jesus comes, and all is light;
Blessed Jesus, bid me show
Doubting saints how much I owe.

When the praise of heav'n I hear,
Loud as thunders to the ear,
Loud as many waters' noise,
Sweet as harp's melodious voice,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

Robert M. McCheyne, 1813-1843

Sunday Nuggets 8/2

Just last night I was complaining to Steven about something in our lives that just doesn't seem "fair." The Lord could change it, but He has chosen not to. Most of the time I'm okay with it, but other times it just jumps out of the closet and yells, "Boo!" I guess we all wrestle with this issue in different areas. And sometimes there seems to be no reasonable answer to why God does what He does.

We live by faith, not by sight.

This morning Stephanie sang "God Makes no Mistakes":

My life I give to You, O Lord.
Use me, I pray.
May I glorify Your precious name
In all I do and say.
Let me trust You in the valley dark
As well as in the light,
Knowing You will always lead me;
Your will is always right!

I know God makes no mistakes.
He leads in ev’ry path I take
Along the way that’s leading me to Home.
Though at times my heart would break,
There’s a purpose in ev’ry change He makes:
That others would see my life
And know that God makes no mistakes.

And when someday in Heav’n above
I see His dear face,
May I then be counted faithful
As a runner in this race.
But now I’m trusting in the Savior
To show me the way.
In His righteousness He guides me,
As I seek to please Him day by day.

I know God makes no mistakes.
He leads in ev’ry path I take
Along the way that’s leading me to Home.
Though at times my heart would break,
There’s a purpose in ev’ry change He makes:
That others would see my life and know that God...
Our God makes no mistakes.

Kim Moore


Rachel played "I'd Rather Have Jesus" for an offertory--I always think of Dad singing this song. My flesh is so weak! How I desire this to be true of me. So many other things clamor for my affection.

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Refrain:
Than to be the king of a vast domain,
Or be held in sin’s dread sway;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I’d rather be true to His holy name

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead

Rhea F. Miller, 1922


PS Steven's luggage arrived safe and sound. :o)

Sunday Nuggets 7/26

Navigating by What Sticks out of the Water

The Tanana River is like chocolate milk, and navigating one's boat by what sticks up out of the water will surely result in being stuck on a sandbar.

Pastor Dan preached this morning from Judges 14. Samson lived his life according to what seemed good to him, without considering what would please the Lord.

In life, as in boating, it's easier to just go by what is visible. But in both instances we MUST know what's under the surface.

In our lives God is working behind the scenes, and only by knowing Him and seeking to please Him can we avoid the sandbars that come unawares upon those who live by natural sense alone.

We look not to the things which are seen
but to the things which are unseen.
For the things that are seen are transient,
but the things that are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18 ESV

(also God Moves in a Mysterious Way)


Rock of Ages, Let me hide myself in Thee!

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die.

Augustus M. Toplady, 1740-1778

Stricken, Smitten and Afflicted

Dan and Rachel sang this as a duet this morning, and it was so beautiful and rich.

Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted

Stricken, smitten, and afflicted,
See him dying on the tree!
This is Christ, by man rejected;
Here, my soul, your Savior see.
He’s the long expected prophet,
David’s son, yet David’s Lord.
Proofs I see sufficient of it:
He’s the true and faithful Word.

Tell me, all who hear him groaning,
Was there ever grief like this?
Friends through fear his cause disowning,
Foes insulting his distress;
Many hands were raised to wound him,
None would intervene to save;
But the deepest stroke that pierced him
Was the stroke that justice gave.

You who think of sin but lightly
Nor suppose the evil great
Here may view its nature rightly,
Here its guilt may estimate.
Mark the sacrifice appointed;
See who bears the awful load;
It’s the Word, the Lord’s Anointed,
Son of Man and son of God.

Here we have a firm foundation;
Here the refuge of the lost;
Christ, the rock of our salvation,
His the name of which we boast.
Lamb of God, for sinners wounded,
Sacrifice to cancel guilt!
None shall ever be confounded
Who on him their hope have built.

Thomas Kelly, 1769-1854

Earth's Richest Boons

This stood out to me this morning from the Scottish Psalter and Church Hymnary:

Praise ye Jehovah, Source of all our blessing;
Before His gifts earth's richest boons wax dim;
Resting in Him, His peace and joy possessing,
All things are ours, for we have all in Him.

-Margaret Cockburn-Campbell, 1808-41


These verses came to mind:

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Romans 8:32

But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

What is Going On?!

If you feel this way about the events of your life, read William Cowper's perspective:

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

William Cowper, 1731-1800

Mr. Cowper knew whereof he spoke! He loved the Lord, but struggled with depression and lack of assurance of his salvation.

View of God

If I have a proper view of God, I will behave properly. Take the time to savor and ponder the words of this hymn.


My God, how wonderful Thou art,
Thy majesty how bright!
How beautiful Thy mercy-seat,
In depths of burning light!

How dread are Thine eternal years,
O everlasting Lord,
By prostrate spirits day and night
Incessantly adored!

O how I fear Thee, living God,
With deepest, tenderest fears,
And worship Thee with trembling hope
And penitential tears!

Yet I may love Thee too, O Lord,
Almighty as Thou art,
For Thou hast stooped to ask of me
The love of my poor heart.

No earthly father loves like Thee;
No mother, e'er so mild,
Bears and forbears as Thou hast done
With me, Thy sinful child.

How beautiful, how beautiful
The sight of Thee must be,
Thine endless wisdom, boundless power,
And awful purity!


Frederick William Faber, 1814-63

Resting in God's Care

I have posted this poem before, but it has been such a blessing lately. I am working on memorizing it. The tune in my 1929 Scottish Psalter and Church Hymnary (thanks, Steve and Jolene!) is rather minor-sounding, but so beautiful!


If Thou but Suffer (allow) God to Guide Thee

If thou but suffer God to guide thee,
And hope in Him through all thy ways,
He'll give thee strength, whate'er betide thee,
And bear thee through the evil days;
Who trusts in God's unchanging love
Builds on the rock that nought can move.

What can these anxious cares avail thee,
These never-ceasing moans and sighs?
What can it help if thou bewail thee
O'er each dark moment as it flies?
Our cross and trials do but press
The heavier for our bitterness.

Only be still, and wait His leisure
In cheerful hope, with heart content
To take whate'er thy Father's pleasure
And all-discerning love have sent;
Nor doubt our inmost wants are known
To Him who chose us for His own.

Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving;
So do thine own part faithfully,
And trust His word,--though undeserving,
Thou yet shalt find it true for thee;
God never yet forsook at need
The soul that trusted Him indeed.

Georg Neumark, 1621-1681

Hymn for Young People

Oh that our young people would have this heart toward God!

Lord, in the fulness of my might,
I would for Thee be strong:
While runneth o'er each dear delight,
To Thee should soar my song.

I would not give the world my heart,
And then profess Thy love;
I would not feel my strength depart,
And then Thy service prove.

I would not with swift-winged zeal
On the world's errands go,
And labor up the heavenly hill
With weary feet and slow.

O not for Thee my weak desires,
My poorer, baser part!
O not for Thee my fading fires,
The ashes of my heart!

O choose me in my golden time:
In my dear joys have part!
For Thee the glory of my prime,
The fulness of my heart!

Thomas Hornblower Gill, 1819-1906
(found in the 1929 Scottish Psalter and Church Hymnary)

Sunday Nuggets 1/20

Elizabeth and I stayed home sick this morning. We both have coughs. Hers sounds so dreadful, but she acts fine. I've been feeling pretty cruddy, with frequent headaches. But Steven stayed with the girlie this evening so I could go to church. I tried not to cough on anyone. We sang this wonderful hymn.

O Thou in Whose Presence

O Thou in whose presence my soul takes delight,
On whom in affliction I call,
My comfort by day and my song in the night,
My hope, my salvation, my all!

Where dost Thou, dear Shepherd, resort with Thy sheep,
To feed them in pastures of love?
Say, why in the valley of death should I weep,
Or alone in this wilderness rove?

O why should I wander, an alien from Thee,
Or cry in the desert for bread?
Thy foes will rejoice when my sorrows they see,
And smile at the tears I have shed.

He looks! and ten thousands of angels rejoice,
And myriads wait for His word;
He speaks! and eternity, filled with His voice,
Re-echoes the praise of the Lord.

Dear Shepherd! I hear, and will follow Thy call;
I know the sweet sound of Thy voice;
Restore and defend me, for Thou art my all,
And in Thee I will ever rejoice.

Joseph Swain, 1762-1796


A few quotes from Jim Elliot in Shadow of the Almighty:

I lack the fervency, vitality, life in prayer which I long for. I know that many consider it fanaticism when they hear anything which does not conform to the conventional, sleep-inducing eulogies so often rising from Laodicean lips; but I know too that these same people can acquiescently tolerate sin in their lives and in the church without so much as tilting one hair of their eyebrows. Cold prayers, like cold suitors, are seldom effective in their aims.

God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life and may I burn up for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life but a full one, like you, Lord Jesus.

O God, save me from a life of barrenness, following a formal pattern of ethics, and give instead that vital contact of soul with Thy divine life that fruit may be produced, and Life--abundant living--may be known again as the final proof for Christ's message and work.

Sunday Nuggets 12/30

A couple verses from the hymn Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart:

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
Wean it from earth, through all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,
And make me love Thee as I ought to love.

I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
No sudden rending of the veil of clay,
No angel visitant, no opening skies;
But take the dimness of my soul away.

Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh;
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.


For Christmas I asked for and received "Shadow of the Almighty: the Life and Testament of Jim Elliot." I read this book in high school, I believe, maybe in college. It impacted me greatly. This man was sold out to God. Here was a prayer of his when he was twenty: "Lord, make my way prosperous, not that I achieve high station, but that my life may be an exhibit to the value of knowing God." May it be so.


This week I will have another birthday, Lord willing. Last year I was half of "three score and ten." That was a sobering thought. My life may be half over. And now another year (almost) has slipped by. What have I accomplished for the Lord? for the benefit of my family? I so desire that this be a year of growth in grace and in the knowlege of the Lord.