Jacobs Thoughts and Doings

This sunset blessed us tonight!  I stepped outside to take the picture, being sure to include the dried, lovely pods of our tulip tree. a breath-taking burst of Winter glory!

As it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit. – The Spirit of truth … will shew you things to come.

Rev 1:19

I find it helpful to take the long view now and again, as it was with John, the Apostle, on the Island of Patmos where he was a prisoner for Christ’s sake, now quite old but still vital.  The followers of Christ were being fiercely persecuted by the Roman Empire.  John himself was in their “prison” so to speak in the Mediterranean Sea, far from his beloved churches.

In times of darkness, we desperately need a word of truth by which we move into the future. That word came to John saying, “Open your eyes and see the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”  Even though things look bleak, God is preparing a future for them who love him.   In a flash the Spirit of truth shows us amazing things, things that are prepared for us, things that renew our faith in the Lord Jesus.

We need to see, by the eyes of faith, things to come.  Only the born again can see them.  That is the secret that all believers come to know – God is preparing a glorious future for all who love him, despite the present difficulties.

So, move forward, do not despair, God will shew you things to come.

I need this word of encouragement this morning.  Maybe you do as well.  We need to believe that God is indeed looking after us now and will continue to do so into the future.  We are children of hope!

On cold Winter days what is better than whoopee pies, brown with white filling?  Anna Ruth makes the best!

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

I am encouraged by the last verse of our hymn, “Be Still My Soul” by Ka­tha­ri­na von Schle­gel.

I have been writing about challenges that I am facing these past days.  I believe in the goodness of the Lord but I saw no solution to the problems that daunted me.  At the deepest level I believed in the goodness of the Lord but on the surface, I was tossed about.  Then I saw the mighty hand of God touching my distress and once again, confessed that I should not have felt the way I did.  If God is God and Lord of my life, why do I flail about?  Lord, forgive!

Katharina von Schegel spoke language that blesses me today!  She says, calm your soul, begin to sing songs of praise, from the heart.  Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways.  I tend to acknowledge my frustration, not his wisdom.  Challenges drive us into his arms.

Then as the clouds come, they simply highlight the mercy and grace of God.  I see that the Sun of life outshines and outlasts all of life’s passing clouds. The Sun shines more brightly.  Thank you, God.

In the cold of Winter I want to make something in my shop.  I am in the turning mood so here are two candle holders. still on the lathe, waiting to dry.

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 blessèd we shall meet at last.

I am not sure, but I think (long ago) I believed that following Christ would mean no more trouble or least less trouble!  Having walked with Jesus through 74 or years I still believe that!

This is the fourth verse of one of my favorite hymns, speaking again of how important it is to speak to my soul!  I seldom hear this kind of language!  “Be still, my soul.”  What is my soul and how can I speak to it like, “Stop fussing!”  I did not grow up with this reality – me telling my soul to be still when it gets unsettled.  When things go wrong for me I fret.  That is a far cry from being still.  So, I waver between believing and not really believing.

I see in this verse of song a deep lesson that I believe I am slowly learning.  To begin with, it provides a context – the reminder that I will be forever with the Lord!  So why get so in a lather about things that will surely pass?  My vision must fasten on Jesus, my daily friend and eternal God.

Disappointments, grief, fear and sorrow will be “forgot,” overcome by joy restored.  So, my soul, mind, and imagination, the time is coming, surely, when tears are passed, when we are with our Lord forever.

“All safe and blessed.”

Bless the author of our hymn who lived in the early 1700’s, Catharina von Schlegel.  Bless her heart for sharing her faith with us.

Yum, yum.  Thanks, Marie, for sharing your handiwork!  Good for soul and body!

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.

How an old, old familiar hymn speaks today, to me, especially, is a blessing that surprises and blesses me no end.  Thank you, God.

I referred to the first verse of this hymn a day or so ago. Here is the second verse, a mine of grace and truth.

God guides our future as he has our past.  Believe that!  Nothing can shake my confidence that God is leading in my life, saved and in his hands.  I might not feel like it just now, but what is now mysterious shall be clear as light, at last. 

So, with this faith I speak truth to my soul, Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know his voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.  If the waves and the winds know his voice and obey him should we not be like them?  To walk with Jesus is a test of faith, every day.  But it is the way of and to eternal peace!

The Winter cold reshapes our pond, like a lunar landscape.  I enjoy seeing nature having fun!

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Ps. 46:10-11.

I have been blessed many times by this hymn written in the early 1700’s by a German lady, Catharina von Schlegel.  We know little about her.  She wrote several hymns, but this one, translated into English, survived and has blessed many, including me.

As noted in a recent blog, I am dealing with some difficult circumstances just now.  I need help!  The Lord brought to mind this profound hymn that spoke of God’s love for me time and again, written about 300 years ago.  Here is the first verse.  I read it slowly!

This is one of her 29 hymns that is still in use in the English world.

“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.

I hold in my heart the phrase, “He faithful will remain.”  I falter and waver.  He does not! “Through thorny ways he leads to a joyful end.”  My soul, be still!  Rest in the arms of Jesus.