Monday, November 1, 2010
A Thanksgiving Conversation
I learned something recently on a trip to Germany. Previously, I had not been aware of all the German hymn writers who gave us some incredible hymns of our faith.
It was memorable to be able to stand in both the City Church and Castle Church in Wittenberg, churches where Martin Luther preached centuries ago, and sing his hymn “A Mighty Fortress is our God.” What a great hymn of praise to God that was especially powerful when accompanied by a room-size pipe organ!
German hymn writer Joachim Neander penned one of my favorites. Actually, this hymn was a part of my wedding, so it holds extra meaning to me. Our family plans to read this as part of our Thanksgiving Celebration and I encourage you to do the same. It reminds us of several things for which we have to be genuinely thankful.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.
Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?
Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.
Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Gladly forever adore Him.
With a Thankful Heart,
Rick
It was memorable to be able to stand in both the City Church and Castle Church in Wittenberg, churches where Martin Luther preached centuries ago, and sing his hymn “A Mighty Fortress is our God.” What a great hymn of praise to God that was especially powerful when accompanied by a room-size pipe organ!
German hymn writer Joachim Neander penned one of my favorites. Actually, this hymn was a part of my wedding, so it holds extra meaning to me. Our family plans to read this as part of our Thanksgiving Celebration and I encourage you to do the same. It reminds us of several things for which we have to be genuinely thankful.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.
Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?
Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.
Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Gladly forever adore Him.
With a Thankful Heart,
Rick
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