Eternal Refuge

I managed to do 10 icons ... although had planned to make more.  This set is for Round 16 of somein30 and the theme is, again, music.  The last set had the same basic theme, but this had to be from  specific songs.  So I chose 2 favourites, and made 5 from each song.

1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10

And the first set is from a family favourite hymn "How Great Thou Art" (my Dad played it at the first service that it was used in England!) and the second set is from "London City" (by James Marsters), and is my favourite of his.

All of the images I photographs that I have taken over the years


( Lyrics )



As ever, all are snaggable, but credit would be appreciated. The credits are available over at my icon journal -

I usually watch Songs of Praise while having Sunday lunch - and di today. The first hymn was one I hadn't heard in ages, but as it started it brought back a very special memory.

Back when I was about 8 - 9, I went with Dad (as I always did) to the Chapel he was preaching at. Mum was at home with my younger brothers. Well all I remember was that it was a winter evening, but I don't know which town we went to. Just know it was a bit of a drive and we actually got there a bit early. So we were in the car talking before going in and I asked Dad what hymns he had picked and this was his #1. I remember saying that I loved it, but I then remember Dad asking me if I knew what all the words meant. And there were certainly some I didn't, so Dad sat and explained to me what all the long, more unusual, words meant.

So while that hymn was on TV I was back sitting in the dark in a car with Dad.

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

1
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.
2
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.
3
To all life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish, but nought changeth Thee.
4
Great Father of Glory, pure Father of Light
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All laud we would render, O help us to see:
’Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee.

I am still struggling with the virus ... in fact could only stay for one service this morning as I had woken up coughing early in the morning, and just couldn't stop. So decided to go home after service#1 so I could both snooze, and so others could actually hear what was going on!!

Still it was good as they had 2 of my favourite hymns ("And, Can It Be") as well as "Everlasting Love". That hymn was one I needed as I had been feeling emotionally low over the last few days ... my regular "lonely" feelings ... but the hymn reminded me that whatever else, I have a great eternal relationship with God.

( The hymn words ... for those who don't know it )

I hope that you all had a great weekend ... and are looking forward to Monday tomorrow!

Just had to listen to this hymn ... so thought I would share it. I love it very much - the words mean so much, and say so much as to why I am who I am. We finished our second morning service with it - but I was on coffee duty, so didn't get to sing it!



1
All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate'er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well,
For I know, whate'er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

2
All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see.

3
All the way my Savior leads me;
Oh, the fullness of His grace!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father's blest embrace.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way,
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.

Comments by ZingerBug.com

Happy Easter - Christ the Lord is risen today - Hallelujah.



We had this hymn to start our second service - maybe not as many people, maybe not as in tune ... but sung with love and truth on this special "first" Sunday.

Happy Easter to all my friends - take a moment to reflect on the real meaning of this season.

Many years ago I visited The Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial site in England and was stunned by the peace and beauty (as is present at War Cemetaries the world over). The details of which can be seen here, if you don't know much about the place. However I am always reminded of the place when it is Palm Sunday. One of the most popular hymns is -

Ride on, ride on, in majesty!
Hark! all the tribes Hosanna cry;
O Savior meek, pursue Thy road
With palms and scattered garments strowed.

Ride on, ride on, in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die!
O Christ! Thy triumph now begin
Over captive death and conquered sin.

Ride on, ride on, in majesty!
The wingèd squadrons of the sky
Look down with sad and wondering eyes
To see the approaching sacrifice.

Ride on, ride on, in majesty!
Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh;
The Father, on His sapphire throne,
Expects His own anointed Son.

Ride on, ride on, in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die;
Bow Thy meek head to mortal pain,
Then take, O God, Thy power, and reign.




The third verse is what I am talking about, as the ceiling of the Chapel, I think, must have been inspired by that verse ... in memory of the thousands of air-men who lost their lives -

My Bible reading continues, and today took me to Psalm 46 ... which in turn, took me to The Dambusters March.

Whether you are a Pacifist, or not, The Dambusters "happened" ... and were an amazing boost to moral at the time (just ask my Dad!) ... when the film was made, again a brillaint film, with Richard Todd as Guy Gibson VC, and a brilliant March was written by Eric Coates.  We are opening the 2nd half of our September concert with this, btw.

For me it also brings backa  great school memory ... I first heard this piece played ona  piano when I was 11, by a boy called Ian.  He couldn't read music, and only ever learnt one piece of music ... this.  It is one of those stories that is hard to believe, but is true.

So, sit back and enjoy a great piece of music -




May all those who have died (or continue to suffer) for the cause of freedom receive peace ... Never forgotten.

( Psalm 46 (King James Version) )
Back in the 1970's I lived in Essex, and for a short time attended a Church at Harold Wood, where Richard Bewes was the vicar (he's now at All Soul's Langham Place) ... during that time, he wrote a few hymns ... one of which isGod is our Strength and Refuge ... to the central part of the tune of The Dambusters March.

At our concert in September, Bude Orchestra is playing the version as in the top You Tube, but we are having a soloist to sing the hymn ... It's below the cut if you want to know what I'm talking about.

( God is our Strength and Refuge )


I hoped you enjoyed a trip into my memories, a great tune, another lovely Psalm ... and the combination, turned into a hymn.