I first saw this song Saturday, while trying out some

songs on the piano that I’d never heard before.

When I read the words, I thought, "What a song!"

This isn’t just a hymn ‘of the week’, it’s a new year song.

It’s a life song…

Only One Life

It matters so little how much you may own,

The places you’ve been or the people you’ve known.

For it all comes to nothing when placed at His feet;

It’s nothing to Jesus, just memories to keep.

(Chorus)

Only one life, so soon it will pass;

Only what’s done for Christ will last!

Only one chance to do His will;

So give to Jesus all your days.

It’s the only life that pays when

You recall you have but one life!

You may take all the treasures from far away lands,

Take all the riches you can hold in your hands,

And take all the pleasures your money can buy;

But what till you have when it’s your time to die?

(Chorus)

The days pass so swiftly, the months come and go,

The years melt away like new fallen snow.

Spring turns to summer and summer to fall;

Autumn brings winter, then death comes to call.

(Chorus)

Words and music by Lanny Wolfe

How true!

So many seem to think that this life is all about being happy

Or follow the world’s philosophy of, “eat, drink, and be merry”.

The world says, “You only have one life, you might as

well get all the fun you can get out of it before it ends.”

But few of us really see life as our chance to serve God

willingly out of our deep love for Him

and then live what we believe.

Just like in another favorite song of mine says,

“I could demand your love, I own you twice-

but only willing love is worth the price.”

It’s up to us.

To serve or not to serve.

We only have one life, and ‘only that what’s done for Christ will last.’

Sorry I haven’t blogged in a while… I’ve been really busy with moving and everything.

Just to fill everyone in, the Lord provided us a house on base last month…

the same day my dad checked into his work here!

We have all our furniture now… except I don’t have a bed.

We ordered a futon for me, but all they sent so far was the mattress!

Anyway, it’s been a long time since I’ve written a hymn of the week,

so I thought I’d start my writing back up with one.

I was given a piano book I’ve really been wanting

from The Wilds music for Christmas.

Thank you Ma and Pa!

It’s called ‘O Be Glad’ and it has some of my favorite songs in it

for choir arrangements (which I love playing.)

I came across a song I never heard of, but the title sounded lovely,

so I played it to see how it sounded.

Not only is the music pretty, but as I read the words, they really touched my heart…

A Simple Offering

He was just a little boy, he had just a little food;

He was just another nameless face among a multitude.

There were thousands in the crowd that day, and he was just a youth.

How could anyone have guessed how he’d be used?

A heart of faith, a little lunch, a willing, eager lad,

It wasn’t much, it wasn’t big, but it was all he had.

Jesus took his simple offering, He knew it was his best;

Then He blessed the food, fed the multitude, and gathered what was left.

(chorus)

Help me give You anything, everything,

Holding nothing back from You.

Help me go anywhere, everywhere,

You have work for me to do.

Please take my one small life, my little sacrifice,’

For in Your hands I can be multiplied.

With all my self aside, Lord, here am I.

She was just a struggling widow, facing famine, fighting death.

She had a little oil and flour, after that no hope was left.

Yet she offered up her only chance to a stranger at her door.

In her hour of need God blessed her deed,

And made her little so much more.

Like the widow, like the little boy, Lord, I give to You my all.

Although others will bring greater gifts, there’s no offering that’s too small!

There’s no life that’s insignificant when it’s yielded to God’s plan,

For the Master can use anything when it’s placed into his hands.

(Chorus)

Words and music by Brigette Smisor

Beautiful examples of how the Lord takes a little, and turns it into a lot for Him.

How wonderful that God can use sinners like us!

Sometimes we get wrapped up in pride,

and tell the Lord, “You can have this, but don’t touch that!”

But when we surrender everything to the Lord, He gives us His best,

and we can be used for Him!

How great a privilege it is to serve the Lord!

For some time now, I've been wanting to put a song on my blog.

I liked how Mom had one, so I found one that spoke to me.

Be sure to turn your speakers on!)

Have You Died? 

There are so many Christains who name the name

       of Christ,

Who are washed in Jesus' blood, and are partakers

       of new life,

But deep inside they struggle with strong,

       besetting sin,

And they wonder if they'll ever learn the victory to win.

Chorus:

Have you died? Have you signed the warrant for

       your own execution?

Have you come to the end of self, and all your

       resolution?

When we finally fail in trying, we will find

       success in dying,

Have you died that you might live in Christ anew?

Lord, Jesus, when You came to earth, to give Your

       life for me,

You faced every strong temptation, but from sin

       Your life was free.

And if my perfect Savior had to die a cruel death

To obtain my freedom, how can I escape by

       doing less?

Chorus

The only way to victory is not through strong resolve,

It is not through anything that I can do.

I must learn to see myself upon the cross in Jesus Christ,

And in Him I've resurrected to a pure and holy life.

I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live,

Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.

And the life which I now live in the flesh,

I live by the faith of the Son of God

Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

Chorus

      ~ Abigail Miller

I hope this song would bless you as it has me!

I've experienced the truth of this song.

Our flesh must die.

All our desires and wants and plans must be crucified.

Real joy comes from the Lord, and sin won't make us

as happy as we might think

God has a specific plan for each of us.

EVERY detail He planned, and nothing will make us truly

happy but what God designed for us.

Oh 'deere', I suppose Mondays are quite busy, and I can't find time to blog. So, I just might have to go with 'Hymn of the Mid-week' . Anyway, here is  this week's (or mid week's) hymn I've chosen...     He Knoweth the Way   O Lord, Thou art my King, and who am I to question Thy way? Whatever the loss, whatever the cost, Draw me closer to Thee ev'ry day.   (c) He knoweth the way that I take; A new heart within He'll create. That I may walk worthy and come forth as gold, He giveth and taketh away.   O Lord, Thou art my life, and who am I to understand why? You died on a tree for a sinner like me? Lord, to self make me willing to die.   O Lord,  Thou art my all, and who am I to walk without Thee? My sin I forsake, Thy cross I will take- Now Thy servant, dear Lord, make of me.     Lyrics: Mac Lynch Music: Mac Lynch     I absolutely love these words! How true... He does know the way that we take. He designed our path,  He will give and take away... for us to come forth as gold!

 I said last Monday I was going to start my Hymn of the week.

But Monday and Tuesday passed without me getting a chance to write it.

That's OK, because I was seriously debating between 3 songs.

After much time playing them on the piano and meditating on the words,

I picked one that I just found Monday...

Lord Let Me Serve

People are longing to learn of the Savior;

Children are growing not knowing He cares.

Lord, let me tell them about your compassion.

Lord, where can I be used?

(c) Lord, let me serve; Lord, let me follow.

Give me a place and a purpose to fill.

Teach me to serve; teach me to follow.

Use me to do your will.

Lord, let me serve where ever You need me.

Make me a vessel thro' which You can flow.

Give me a mission, a place of fulfillment.

Lord, where can I be used?

Ready and willing to give You my talent.

Show me the task and I'll serve You today.

Give me a passion to work for Your glory.

Lord, where can I be used?

Lyrics: Linda Lee Johnson

Music: Tom Fettke

... what a song! It has really spoken to me and encouraged me in following God's will. He has given me a burden for lost souls and I feel He might be calling me to the mission field someday. I hope these words speak to you too.

I'm going to start something new...

When I'm playing piano, I like to go to a hymn I've never heard of before and play it. While I'm playing it, I read the words and they've really blessed my life. (And sometimes Mom will sing Ü) I have decided to share my favorite ones to play and sing...

To Whom Much Has Been Given

We gather in God's presence to worship Him this hour.

We honor and exalt Him, we kneel to Him in prayer.

Our words are but a silence unless we do as He desires.

For to whom much has been given much more shall be required.

(c) To whom much has been given much more shall be required.

You have given gold and silver; will you give to Him your lives?

Will you labor with your savoir? Will you do as He desires?

For to whom much has been given much more shall be required.

To seek the lost and hungry and feed them with His Word,

To reach out to our enemies, and embrace them with His love,

Empowered and commissioned, so we must do as he desires.

For to whom much has been given much more shall be required.

Words: Janice Akers

Music: Susan Naylor Callaway

I'd have to say my one of my favorite holidays (besides Christmas and Easter) is Independence Day. And whenever I sing "The Star-spangled Banner", I can feel a deep love and appreciation for my country. Every word means so much to me... but whenever I sing it, I have to sing ALL the verses! I took it upon myself to memorize all 4 verses last year... and I sing them every day. I thought I'd share with you Francis Scott Key's full song that has meant so much to me, and to many.

1. Oh say can you see, by the dawn's early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight, o'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly gleaming. And the rocket's red glare, and bombs bursting in air gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there. Oh say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? 

2. On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep, where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes. What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep as it fittingly blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, in full glory reflected now shines in the stream. 'Tis the star-spangled banner, O long may it wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.  

3. And where is the band who so vauntingly swore, 'mid the havoc of war and the battle's confusion. A home and a country they'd leave us no more? Their blood was wash'd out the foul footstep's pollution. No refuge could save the heirling and slave from the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave; And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

4. And thus be it ever, when free men shall stand between their loved homes and the war's desolation; Blest with vict'ry and peace, o'er the heaven's rescued land praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then the conquer we must, when our cause it is just, and this be our motto, "In God is our trust!" And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Learning all 4 verses has really caused me to have a deeper appreciation and love for my freedom that so many men died for. I also like to note that in the last verse, 'Power' is capitalized... we need to always remember to thank God for our country! He has been SOOO good to us, blessing us with the freedom to worship Him.  I deeply encourage you to learn the entire "Star-Spangled Banner", and sing it often. It is of my absolute favorite songs of all time!

Happy Independence Day!

O&O