Gerhardt - Jesus Thy Boundless Love to Me - TLH 349

 John Wesley "was so taken by the hymn that he translated all 16 stanzas into English, and even mentioned it in his final sermon before leaving Georgia." He especially liked stanza #2 posted above.

"Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me"

by Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676

Tune - Vater unser - linked here.

1. Jesus, Thy boundless love to me
No thought can reach, no tongue declare;
Unite my thankful heart to Thee
And reign without a rival there.
To Thee alone, dear Lord, I live;
Myself to Thee, dear Lord, I give.

2. Oh, grant that nothing in my soul
May dwell but Thy pure love alone!
Oh, may Thy love possess me whole,
My Joy, my Treasure, and my Crown!
All coldness from my heart remove;
My every act, word, thought, be love.

3. O Love, how cheering is Thy ray!
All pain before Thy presence flies;
Care, anguish, sorrow, melt away
Where'er Thy healing beams arise.
O Jesus, nothing may I see,
Nothing desire or seek, but Thee!

4. This love unwearied I pursue
And dauntlessly to Thee aspire.
Oh, may Thy love my hope renew,
Burn in my soul like heavenly fire!
And day and night be all my care
To guard this sacred treasure there.

5. Oh, draw me, Savior, e'er to Thee;
So shall I run and never tire.
With gracious words still comfort me;
Be Thou my Hope, my sole Desire.
Free me from every guilt and fear;
No sin can harm if Thou art near.

6. Still let Thy love point out my way;
What wondrous things Thy love hath wrought!
Still lead me lest I go astray;
Direct my work, inspire my thought;
And if I fall, soon may I hear
Thy voice and know that love is near!

7. In suffering be Thy love my peace,
In weakness be Thy love my power;
And when the storms of life shall cease,
O Jesus, in that final hour,
Be Thou my Rod and Staff and Guide
And draw me safely to Thy side!

Hymn #349
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: John 14:15
Author: Paul Gerhardt, 1653, cento.
Translated by: John Wesley, 1739, alt.
Titled: "O Jesu Christ, mein schoenstes Lich"
Tune: "Vater unser"
1st Published in: Geistliche Lieder
Town: Leipzig, 1539






Sung to St. Catharine -

While Talking Roses, Rain!

 Queen Elizabeth is the star of this display of roses.

A new postman delivered a package to us, only one block off. I was thinking of reciting to him, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." (USPS, shamelessly borrowed from the Persian Empire)

I told the lady on the porch that the Post Office confused her address with ours, same number, different street. She said, "Where the roses are! My husband loved walking by."

We talked roses and what would help hers along the front of the house. Mrs. Ichabod, who suggested replacing the lawn with roses, will deliver the altar flowers with me today. Those Veterans Honor and Easy Does It roses are fully opened and magnificent after being arranged on Sunday morning.

While we were talking roses - rain! None was predicted all week.
After a trip to the store, a sure-fire way to be a rainmaker, the deluge came down. Rainbarrels are full again.

 This bargain rose, found on clearance for 5, is also the largest bloom of the hybrids, Bride's Dream. 

I am taking dozens of photos of the garden flowers for a picture book later. One member's interest got me thinking about a good way to enjoy the flowers by themselves, without all the writing. Some wording yes, but not a lot. Other members liked the idea.

Next is The American Calvin: CFW Walther.

 California Dreamin'