Some inspiration (hopefully) for my new friends

[LilyCat]

Hi everyone,

When I was out to lunch at the park on this GORGEOUS day I was thinking about Ami and GainingStrength, and of all the stories of heartbreak and pain I am getting to know on this site -- you all get to me, your really do, each and every one of you -- and thought I'd share what I have found so helpful.

For me, music is the proof of God's existence, and I have found enormous strength and comfort in a few particular hymns and texts from classical church liturgical music.

The first is a "little" hymn, meaning that the text is simple and so is the melody -- but this is my favorite hymn, and I always sing it to myself, especially when I'm lost and can't find my way out. I don't know what it is about this hymn and text, except that it is such a spirit of humility ... but I love it. I sing it quite often, and during Lent I sang it three-four times in succession each day as a devotional. It is mystical. Something happens when you sing it like that. It brings me, at least, to a place of, usually, great pain and despair, but then that is replaced by peace and hope and calm. You can find the tune at www.cyberhymnal.org (I think that's it.)

The text is by Synesius, Bishop of Cyrene (c.365-414 ?). The tune is "Southwell."

        Lord Jesus Think on Me

        Lord Jesus, think on me
        And purge away my sin;
        From earth-born passions set me free
        And make me pure within.

        Lord Jesus, think on me
        With many a care opprest;
        Let me Thy loving servant be
        And taste Thy promised rest.

        Lord Jesus, think on me
        Amid the battle's strife;
        In all my pain and misery
        Be Thou my Health and Life.

        Lord Jesus, think on me
         Nor let me go astray;
        Through darkness and perplexity
        Point Thou the heavenly way.

        Lord Jesus, think on me
        When floods the tempest high;
        When on doth rush the enemy,
        O Savior, be Thou nigh!

        Lord Jesus, think on me
        That, when the flood is past,
        I may the eternal brightness see
        And share Thy joy at last.

        Lord Jesus, think on me
        That I may sing above
        To Father, Spirit, and to Thee
        The strains of praise and love.

There is another little-used verse that I often put up front:

      Lord Jesus, think on me:
      And this poor offering
     Which I do humbly weave for thee
     Accept, O Christ my King.



The other piece I like is from Mendelssohn's (will I ever be able to spell his name?) Elijah, which uses text from Isaiah. It is very comforting to me, particularly with M's musical setting (I think I'm right about it being from Elijah).

      Cast thy burden upon the Lord,
      and He shall sustain thee;
      He never will suffer the righteous to fall
      He is at thy right hand
      Thy mercy, Lord is great
      and far above the heav'ns.
      Let none be made ashamed
      that wait upon Thee.


Hope no one will mind my going a little astray and a little religious; it's just that I find such peace in these and thought others might as well.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

[Ami]

Thank you LilyCat,                                                                                                                                                                             I need some spiritual nourishment right now. It came at the perfect time for me.Bless You, sweet friend.Love   Ami

[Leah]

God Bless you, dear ((( LillyCat )))

I absolutely love the music by Felix Mendelssohn, and presently, I am listening to one of my favorite classical music CD's - Violin Concerto performed by Nicoloa Benedetti - I so love Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor, it is beautiful.

"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" the well known Christmas hymn (or carol) written by Charles Wesley, the brother of John Wesley --the music was composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840 and the words in the carol are absolutely awesome, my favorite carol. 

It imparts the prophesy foretold in the Old Testament book of Isaiah 7:14 – fulfilled ....  ‘a virgin shall conceive and bear a son,’ the birth of the Messiah Yeshua - Jesus’ name in Hebrew,  which means ‘salvation, deliverence, victory.’

    Jesus ‘Saviour’ - our Immanuel ‘God with Us’

‘And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.’     Matthew 1:21


Love,

Leah

[Leah]

Blessed Assurance

Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Refrain

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Refrain

Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Refrain


Words: Fanny Crosby (1873)

This hymn is one of my favorites - so dear to my joyful heart.

Presently, reading a book on loan from a dear friend - The Life and Faith of Fanny Crosby, who was a remarkable woman.

....."Known as the blind girl who grew to become well known as an American hymn writer and poetess, Fanny Crosby wrote over 9,000 hymns during her life. Many stories have been told about her. She entered what was then known as the New York Institution for the Blind at the age of fifteen and afterward taught English and history (1847-58).

As a pupil and as a teacher, Fanny spent 35 years at the school. She was often asked to entertain visitors with her poems and she frequently met with presidents, generals and other dignitaries. She was asked to play at President Grant's Funeral. Her first book of poems was published in 1844 was called The Blind Girl and Other Poems.

After leaving the school, she dedicated her life to serving the poorest and the neediest. Supporting herself by her writing, she quickly gained fame for her hymns. It is said that publishers had so much of her work, that they took to using them under pseudonyms. Her usual fee was a mere $2 which frequently went to her work with the poor. Her mission work is legendary, as is her devotion to serving others above herself."


Truly, a remarkable woman with a heart of genuineness and humility, a heart so filled with faith, and love for others.

Love to all,

Leah (my heart is so glad to know that Jesus is mine)




This woman was blind and accomplished so much - has have countless others in similar circumstances - amazing and so very humbling with heartfelt awareness and realization.

Leah x