2024

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.  And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.  God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.”  And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.” Genesis 1:1-5

On this first day of 2024, I would like to share the words from a favorite hymn of mine, “Thine the Amen” that was written by Dr. Herbert Brokering and his wife Lois.

“Thine the amen, Thine the praise, alleluias angels raise.  Thine the everlasting head, Thine the breaking of the bread.  Thine the glory, Thine the story, Thine the harvest then the cup.  Thine the vineyard, then the cup is lifted up; lifted up.  Thine the life eternally, Thine the promise let there be.  Thine the vision, Thine the tree, all the earth on bended knee.  Gone the nailing, gone the railing, gone the pleading, gone the cry.  Gone the sighing, gone the dying what was loss lifted high.  Thine the truly, Thine the yes, Thine the table we the guest.  Thine the mercy all from Thee, Thine the glory yet to be.  Then the ringing and the singing, then the end of all the war.  Thine the living, Thine the loving evermore; evermore.  Thine the kingdom, Thine the prize, Thine the wonder full surprise.  Thine the banquet, then the praise, then the justice of Thy ways.  Thine the glory, Thine the story, then the welcome to the least.  Then the wonder all increasing at Thy feast, at Thy feast.  Thine the glory in the night, no more dying only light.  Thine the river, Thine the tree, then the Lamb eternally.  Then the holy, holy, holy celebration; jubilee.  Thine the splendor. Thine the brightness, only Thee; only Thee.”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, 8not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay