In loving memory of Joel P. McKanna, April 23,1979 - May 25,2011

When in the Maddening Maze of Things

by John G. Whittier, 1807-1892



When in the maddening maze of things,

When tossed by storm and flood,

To one fixed hope my spirit clings,

I know that God is good.

I know not what the future hath

Of marvel or surprise,

Assured alone that life and death

His mercy underlies.

And if my heart and flesh are weak

To bear an untried pain,

the bruised reed He will not break

But strengthen and sustain.

And so beside the silent sea

I wait the muffled oar;

No harm from Him can come to me

On ocean or on shore.

I know not where His islands lift

Their fronded palms in air;

I only know I cannot drift

Beyond His love and care.

"...The Lord is gracious and full of compassion." Psalm 111:4

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28

 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

                            

Treasures

Bask in the risen Son's great light,
   Warm and fair and true,
Walk not in paths of darkness;
   The dark is not for you.
Stand not in world-bound wonder,
   At enticements and fleeting pleasure
For folly is in the heart of fools
   Clutching their earth-bound treasure.
                         By Grant Sullivan  (excert of
                                     poem written upon the dedication of
                                     Paige Sullivan to his Lord)

Life's Goal

So let me work on Life's patchwork quilt
   Through the rainy days and the sun--
Trusting that when I have finished my block
   The Master may say: "Well done."
                            Elizabeth Ryan DeCoursey

Cares in This Life

Should Thy mercy send me
   Sorrow, toil, and woe;
Or should pain attend me
   On my path below;
Grant that I may never
   Fail Thy hand to see,
Grant that I may ever
   Cast my care on Thee.
                       James Montgomery, 1771-1854
                       The Mennonite Hymnary

God's Mercy

What mercy and divine compassion
  Has God in Christ revealed to me!
My haughty spirit would not ask it,
  Yet He betowed it, full and free.
In God my heart doth now rejoice:
  I praise His grace with grateful voice.
  I praise His grace with grateful voice.

Eternal wrath should be my portion:
  The Lamb of God, for sinners slain,
Removed the curse and condemnation,
  His blood atoned for every stain.
God's love in Christ on Calvary's Tree
  From guilt and shame has set me free.
  From guilt and shame has set me free.
                   Gerhard Tersteegen, 1697-1769
                          from the Mennonite Hymnary,1942

Love of Christ

O grant that nothing in my soul
   May dwell, but Thy pure love alone;
O may Thy love possess me whole,
   My joy, my treasure, and my crown!
All coldness from my heart remove;
   May every act, word, thought, be love.
                                 by Paul Gerhardt,1651
                                 translated by John Wesley
                                 from The Mennonite Hymnary

Forgiveness

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I John 1:9