| OzThoughts. Friday 25th April, 2008 …and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place. (Psalm 23: 6b Amplified Bible) David, the Psalmist was not only a Shepherd, he was also a Soldier and a King. These three roles meant that Davis knew what it was to be away from home. He knew what it was to sit at a strange table, to sleep in a unusual place and to miss all the comforts of home. He knew also the pleasure of coming home to the people and the places and things he loved. Today, in Australia and New Zealand, it is ANZAC Day, our day of remembering those who left home to go and fight for our safety and freedoms. [ANZAC = Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in WW1 ]. They left their homes and love ones to go to strange lands to fight an enemy. Sadly, on this day we remember many who never returned to their home and lie buried in foreign lands. We remember, too, those who have suffered because of war. I have been asked to read this prayer at the Dawn Service at the hospital where I work as a Chaplain. I believe it fits our comments today. Lord our God, boundless provider, Source of peace that this world cannot give, We come knowing that our faith draws us to a God who has a purpose and a hope for us. Hear our prayers for those who gave their lives For those they loved, those they never knew and our country. Bring us all, the living and the dead, to that eternal home And perfect that peace on earth for which they fought and died. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. [Anyone who would like a full copy of the Order of Service, please email a request: OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au ] Eternal life and our eternal pleasure are living with the Lord, our God, who is our Provider, Protector and Saviour. Forever with the Lord!Amen; so let it be!Life from the dead is in that word,'Tis immortality.Here in the body pent,Absent from him I roam,Yet nightly pitch my moving tentA day's march nearer home. My Father's house on high,Home of my soul, how nearAt times, to faith's foreseeing eye,Thy golden gates appear.Ah! then my spirit faintsTo reach the land I love,The bright inheritance of saints,Jerusalem above. Forever with the Lord!Father, if 'tis thy will,The promise of that faithful wordE'en here in me fulfil.Be thou at my right hand,Then can I never fail;Uphold thou me, and I shall stand.Fight, and I must prevail. So when my latest breathShall rend the veil in twain,By death I shall escape from death,And life eternal gain.Knowing as I am known,How shall I love that word,And oft repeat before the throne:Forever with the Lord!Author: James Montgomery (1771-1854)The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 877 Psalm 23 (Amplified Bible) 1 THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. 2 He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.(A) 3 He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him--not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake. 4 Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with [a]oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. 6 Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place. ````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join): SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/ Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates Please forward this to your friends. Thank you and God bless you with love, peace and joy. |
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