On July 17, 1999 in Dayton, Ohio I married the beautiful Jody Elliott.
Two kids and four moves later, I love her more than ever. She has the “imperishable beauty” that Peter spoke about (1 Peter 3:4)
Somewhere, somehow about 10 years ago, this became “our song”.
I dedicate this song to my wife today.
I love you, Jody.
God of Justice, Saviour to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served
Jesus, You have called us
Freely we’ve received
Now freely we will give
We must go live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go
To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in everyway
Walking humbly before You God
You have shown us, what You require
Freely we’ve received
Now freely we will give
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out Lord
A.B. Simpson
The mercy of God is an ocean divine,
A boundless and fathomless flood.
Launch out in the deep, cut away the shore line,
And be lost in the fullness of God.
Refrain
Launch out, into the deep.
Oh let the shore line go.
Launch out, launch out in the ocean divine,
Out where the full tides flow.
But many, alas! only stand on the shore,
And gaze on the ocean so wide.
They never have ventured its depths to explore,
Or to launch on the fathomless tide.
Refrain
And others just venture away from the land,
And linger so near to the shore
That the surf and the slime that beat over the strand
Dash o’er them in floods evermore.
Refrain
Oh, let us launch out on this ocean so broad,
Where floods of salvation o’erflow.
Oh, let us be lost in the mercy of God,
Till the depths of His fullness we know.
Refrain
Albrecht Dürer (Norimberg, 1471-1528)
Mourning on Christ’s Death, about 1500
O God in heaven, have mercy on us! Lord Jesus Christ, intercede for your people, deliver us at the opportune time, preserve in us the true genuine Christian faith, collect your scattered sheep with your voice, your divine Word as Holy Writ calls it. Help us to recognize your voice, help us not to be allured by the madness of the world, so that we may never fall away from you, O Lord Jesus Christ.
… Albrecht Dürer
The Divine Perfections.
How shall I praise th’ eternal God,
That Infinite Unknown?
Who can ascend his high abode,
Or venture near his throne?
The great invisible! He dwells
Conceal’d in dazzling light:
But his all-searching eye reveals
The secrets of the night.
Those watchful eyes that never sleep,
Survey the world around;
His wisdom is the boundless deep,
Where all our thoughts are drown’d.
He knows no shadow of a change,
Nor alters his decrees;
Firm as a rock his truth remains,
To guard his promises.
Justice, upon a dreadful throne,
Maintains the rights of God;
While mercy sends her pardons down,
Bought with a Saviour’s blood.
Now to my soul immortal King,
Speak some forgiving word;
Then `twill be double joy to sing
The glories of my Lord.
… Isaac Watts, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Book II, #166
