Sunday's Hymn: Under His Wings

Under His wings I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

Refrain

Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.

Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.

Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.

—Will­iam O. Cush­ing

Other hymns, worship songs, sermons etc. posted today:

• Update: I Stand Amazed at By Grace Alone
• And Can It Be at Gospel Grace
• The Church’s One Foundation (hymn story) at Challies.com
• The Glory of God Revealed in Christ at Theology for Girls
• Voices from the Past #17 at Tried With Fire 
• Lord’s Day 17, 2013 at The Thirsty Theologian
• You Weekly Dose of Spurgeon at Pyromaniacs: Pray for your under-shepherd!
• Update: Praying Ephesians 4:1-16 at Daily on My Way to Heaven

Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by contacting me using the contact form linked above, and I’ll add your post to the list.

Linked Together: Vocation, Vocation, Vocation

A thoughtful theology of work (or vocation) gives purpose to our lives, whatever our circumstances. What’s more, it provides both motivation to act and peace to rest in. 

It’s been a neglected area of study and teaching, although recently I’ve seen more written about it. Here are three recommendations—two links and one book: 

• I’m just a …(fill in the gap): “Your work is from God, it is His calling. He gave you the work, He designed you for it, and He’s called you to do it today”—David Murray.

  Can I add that this applies even to those of us who are not actually employed? What work we find to do and what service our circumstances demand of us, as long as it’s legal and not sinful, is God’s calling for us.

• Is There a Distinctively “Christian” Way to Be a Bus Driver?: “The Bible teaches that as Christians we should function within our God-ordained vocations (i.e., legitimate callings) (1) from biblical foundations, (2) with biblical motives, (3) according to biblical standards, and (4) aiming at biblical goals. These are the necessary and sufficient conditions for Christian virtue”—Justin Taylor. 

• My son recently read Tim Keller’s book on work, Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work, and recommends it, although he wishes it had more in it that applies directly to small business owners. (Do you have any books you’d recommend for those who, like him, run their own business?)

  (Here’s a bonus link to Keller’s sermon, Our Work and Our Character.)

Thankful Thursday

Another Thursday; another list of things for which I am thankful.

• an answered prayer, and just in time.
• progress on the kitchen renovation.
• I wasn’t hurt (except for a few minor bruises) when I went flying head first in the dark over the baby gate I forgot was there.
• Grandbaby 1 is recovering from her latest illness and the eye infection that came with it.
• Grandbaby 3 is growing—and fast!
• Grandbaby 2 has two top teeth—finally!—and is learning to stand and walk around the furniture.
• my winter tires. Yes, it’s late April, but I still need them.
• grocery store tulips to brighten snowy April days.
• all God’s provisions, big and small, too many to list, and many unknown to me. 

What are you thankful for?