My Companion

The Good News

The Son of God

    Blessed is the Son of God with the crown of thorns upon His head.
They nailed Him to the tree only by His stripes we are here
    It was His love, not the nails that bound Him to the tree
It was His love that never fails
    If we could be washed in the blood He shed
We would be white as snow
    Grievious is the sorrow He bore on that cross for you and me
If we will come to Him and confess our sins
    With arms wide open He will pardon us
It was love, not the nails that bound Him to the tree.

The Place to Begin

   Do you wish you could find a place where you could begin again?  There is such a place at the Cross of Calvary.  He will give us grace to find our way and free our hearts from sin and wrong.  Isn't it good to know that there is such a place where we can begin again?

The Cross

    As I look at my living room door I see a white cross.  On it I picture my Savior looking down on me, who gave His all to set us free.  He is the Son of God, the Friend of all mankind who lived and died to set us free from sin and shame.  Look up to the cross, can you picture Jesus there?

The Legend of the First Robin

    A small brown bird looked down from a tree and saw a man straining beneath a heavy wooden cross.  A crown of thorns encircled His head and cruelly pierced His skin.  Moved by His suffering, the little bird followed along with the crowd surrounding the Man, and suddenly swooped down and pulled one of the thorns from the Man's forehead.  The Man lifted His eyes to the little bird and smiled a silent "thank you."  As the bird flew on, a drop of blood fell from the thorn and stained his breast a bright crimson.  And since that day, the humble robin wears a symbol of his mercy for that suffering Man -- our Savior.
(I copied from an Easter card, but the writer for this Legend of the First Robin never signed his name. G.E.S.)

Forgive

    And when you stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any man.
    St. Mark 11:25

Meditation Before an Operation

    Merciful God, Our Father, in this little secluded chapel of my soul where we may commune and not be heard,  I would be still; and listening to Thy still small voice within.  Know anew that Thou art God.  Tired and weary, frightened and wondering - I turn from distress unto thee Thou Shepherd Guide, that I may know Thy peace. 
    Rekindle my faith, light the lamp of hope within my heart then deal with me as seemest best with Thee.  For where Thou leadest, I can confidently go, only give such a courage trust, and a will to be faithful that I may be a worthy vehicle of Thy divine grace.
    With Thee all things are possible.  Quiet now this restless heart of mine, with the knowledge that Thou standest within the shadows keeping watch above Thine own.  As sleep is to the tired body, so is Thy peace that steels upon the restless spirit.
    Thy blessings too, oh Lord, upon the surgeons,whose skill Thou hast made to match my need!  Upon the nurses who in competence and devotions attend me.
    And thus, sustained and comforted by Thy presence and aid within and around about:  Fashion within me the beauty of Him whose grace can never mar or destroy.
    In the name of Him, who bore our infirmities and triumphed over all our ills, I commend to Thy safe keeping, my life, and my all, this day and evermore.
Amen

Fear Not

   

    Isaiah 43:5

Sunday

According to your faith, so be it unto you.
Matthew 9:26

Evening Prayer

    Almighty God, who seteth all things in their rightful order and to an harmonious end:  As the night with its quietness and rest follows the day with its activity, so let Thy peace subdue our spirits after this day's contest of life, its voices and noises of weary routine are stilled.
    In the deep and brooding hush of eventide Thou art so very near.  Grant Thy watchful attentiveness as we are lost in sleep to instill new confidence and strength for tomorrow's needs.  In Thy patient concern through this night, we would lose the burdens and weakness of this day.  And as the laborer sets aside his tools, so may we set aside every vagrant thought and distressing fancy, and in deep sleep be lost in the beauty of Thy refreshing peace.
    Now relaxed and unafraid trusting in Thee, grant us the deep slumber of forgetfulness, save only that Thou art closer than hands and feet, nearer than breathing.  May the peace of the gracious Master, which passes all our human understanding, be our covert, our comfort, our stay -- this night, and tomorrow and always.  In His precious name.
AMEN