IHG October 2021Care of the Spirit: Part 1

Faith, Hope & Healing
 

“Great is Thy Faithfulness”

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”  ~Hebrews 11:1

“Great it thy faithfulness, O God my Father, there is no shadow of turning with thee; thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not; as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.  Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness, Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided; great is thy faithfulness Lord, unto me!

 Summer & winter & spring time & harvest, sun, moon, & stars in their courses above, join with all nature in manifold witness to they great faithfulness, mercy & love. Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand has provided; great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Pardon for sin & a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer & to guide; strength for today & bright hope for tomorrow, blessings are mine, with ten thousand beside!  Great is thy faithfulness!  Great is thy faithfulness!  Morning by morning new mercies I see.  All I have needed thy hand has provided; great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

“Be Thou My Vision”
 

The prophets remind us that there are two visions or views in our world, often competing with each other to grab our attention & direct our lives. One sees death & the other sees life.  One sees hopelessness & the other sees hope.  One sees brokenness & the other sees healing & wholeness. One sees life’s circumstances through our limited human vision & the other sees life through God’s eyes.  When you see life through God’s eyes everything changes & even in times of suffering, as you take in the very breath of God, your dried dead bones will come to life & the beauty of life will return as you come alive in the Spirit of God. 

“Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that thou art.  Thou my best thought, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom & thou my true word, I ever with thee & thou with me Lord; Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all.”

God’s Steadfast Love Endures Forever
 

“God is our refuge & our strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though the waters roar & foam, though the mountains tremble with it tumult.  The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob in our refuge.” ~Psalm 118:1-2

~Posted by Rev Kathryn Bindig, MDiv. MS; Pastoral Care Minister with assistance from Rich Muscatello; Director of Business Development & Strategy