Doxology

I grew up in a very traditional southern Baptist church outside of Washington, DC. All with the grandiose column pillars, hardwood pews and of course the stain glass windows. There were 4 cornerstones to my church dating back to the 1950s…when church planning started out in a one room brown building or so I was told every founder’s day. (do church’s still have a founder’s day?) I say this is “MY” church since I grew up and explored pretty much everything there was. I think if the little old ladies knew where all I’ve been there would have been some glares and “tisks”. My favorite place was the sanctuary. I could roam from the balcony to the baptismal. My parents were in other places within the church. They were always involved with something and so we were there when there weren’t people there. That was Tuesday nights. When my sister or brother could watch me…I went with mom & dad to print the church bulletin. This is of course before there was a “copier”…it was a BIG loud printing machine. I remember the smell of ink and the fluid to keep it from drying. Helping fold or stack…(boring) – so I’d use the escape of the bathroom or drink of water to go and venture out into a HUGE building by myself.

I would get lost in time…I loved to sing hymns…at the piano (plucking out the notes), at the pulpit (just like the minister) or in the back pew to see if I could sing loud enough…..it was an experience…hymns always fascinated me because how could people of the past understand the future? Rock of Ages…what is an Ebenezer….it’s hard to pick a favorite but I did have 2…This is my Father’s World and the Doxology. The later for the sheer simplistic of harmony. It sounds so churchy. The tune was actually older then the words.

1541 – the hundredth (tune) – 1673 Thomas Ken wrote the words…but only the last four lines are widely known…this a morning song.

I’m quite a bit older then that girl from the 70s and tonight for some reason, I had this on my mind. I’m 41 and 350 days old. And I have a different look…why do I return to the past? I'm not so sure how to believe in words or have faith in the past...maybe it's my expectations of who God is...

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Blessings? Some but not all – do we deserve all, is it a right to expect?
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Creatures – that’s what I sometimes feel like – a bug, ant, spider – everything else is BIGGER than me
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
So there are angels? Who determines if you are good enough to be an angel in the heavenly choir?
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Praise - to commend the worth of; express approval or admiration of; a praising or being praised; commendation or glorification

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Awake, my soul, and with the sun; Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise, To pay thy morning sacrifice.

Thy precious time misspent, redeem, Each present day thy last esteem,
Improve thy talent with due care; For the great day thyself prepare.

By influence of the Light divine; Let thy own light to others shine.
Reflect all Heaven’s propitious ways; In ardent love, and cheerful praise.

In conversation be sincere; Keep conscience as the noontide clear;
Think how all seeing God thy ways; And all thy secret thoughts surveys.

Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart, And with the angels bear thy part,
Who all night long unwearied sing; High praise to the eternal King.

All praise to Thee, who safe has kept; And hast refreshed me while I slept
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake; I may of endless light partake.

Heav’n is, dear Lord, where’er Thou art, O never then from me depart;
For to my soul ’tis hell to be; But for one moment void of Thee.

Lord, I my vows to Thee renew; Disperse my sins as morning dew.
Guard my first springs of thought and will, And with Thyself my spirit fill.

Direct, control, suggest, this day, All I design, or do, or say,
That all my powers, with all their might, In Thy sole glory may unite.

I would not wake nor rise again; And Heaven itself I would disdain,
Wert Thou not there to be enjoyed, And I in hymns to be employed.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost