The Lord’s Supper -- John Piper

Dear Jesus, as I take this bread, 

   This sign of dying seed,

Oh let my hungry soul be fed

   With deathless life, I plead. 

If I must signify my blame,

   And crush the bread I eat,

Oh let the taste of bitter shame

   Be short, the end be sweet.

Oh may this bread, though I must die,

    A true similitude 

Of grace, forevermore be my

   All-satisfying food.

                         * * * 

Then after supper, Lord, you said,

    "A covenant in blood,

This cup." And thirsting, in my stead,

     You drank the fatal flood.

And now must I remember this,

     The bloody price of lust?

Must I confess my Judas kiss

     Against this cup? “You must.”

Then guilty I will taste my death,

     The death that you have died,

And sing your life with endless breath,

      Forever satisfied.

                            * * * 

The cup is past, the bread consumed,

      Now come, Lord Jesus, pour

Your Spirit ’til, all hunger doomed,

      Your people thirst no more.

 -- John Piper

                        CM tune

Who did GOD Set to Protect his Own?

....those charged with defending and protecting the people and/or the sanctuary of God are men rather than women, fathers rather than mothers.

....

This remains true through the period of the first temple, when there is a male priesthood operating alongside a male monarchy in Judah (Athaliah is never called a “queen” or given any legitimacy by the writer, and as such is the exception that proves the rule).

For the full article: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/beautiful-complementarity-male-female/

Ascension Day

Christ, the King of glory, Jesus King of love,

Is gone up in triumph to his throne above.

All his work is ended, joyfully we sing:

Jesus hath ascended: Glory to our King!

He who came to save us, he who bled and died,

Now is crowned with glory at his Father's side.

Never more to suffer, never more to die,

Jesus, King of glory, is gone up on high.

For the whole hymn

....

40 days after Jesus rose from the dead he ascended as he said he would to "the right hand of God"

Many nations celebrate this day.

Even Indonesia has a public holiday on Ascension Day. Despite Christianity being a minor religion in Indonesia, Ascension Day is designated as a public holiday.

Atheist Missionary Wonders If You Have A Few Minutes To Talk About Nothing·Apr 16, 2026 · BabylonBee.com

PORTLAND, OR — Local residents were greeted Saturday morning by an atheist missionary who politely asked if they had a few moments to talk about nothing.

The missionary, Brent Miller, was part of a new outreach program dedicated to spreading the "Good News" that there is actually no news, no plan, and definitely no God.

"Excuse me, sir," Miller said to a man mowing his lawn. "If you were to die tonight, are you certain that you would simply cease to exist and be forgotten by a cold, indifferent universe? Do you have the peace that comes from knowing your life is a statistical accident?"

According to Miller, his mission was to provide "hope-crushing clarity" to those burdened by the belief in an afterlife. He carried a bag filled with pamphlets titled Why Your Suffering is Random and The Comfort of Eternal Non-Existence.

"Most people are living in fear that their actions have ultimate meaning," Miller explained while wiping sweat from his brow. "I'm here to tell them they can relax. Whether you're a saint or a serial killer, you're both headed for the same blackness of nothing at the end of your life. Isn't that inspiring?"

At publishing time, Miller was seen being chased off a porch after trying to comfort a grieving widow by explaining that her late husband was currently nothing more than a highly inefficient fertilizer.

Morning Hymn

1

Christ, whose Glory fills the Skies,

   Christ, the true, the only Light,

Sun of Righteousness, arise,

   Triumph o'er the Shades of Night:

Day-spring from on High, be near:

Day-star, in my Heart appear.

 

2

 

Dark and Cheerless is the Morn

   Unaccompanied by Thee,

Joyless is the Day's Return,

   Till thy Mercy's Beams I see;

Till thy inward light impart,

Glad my Eyes, and warm my Heart.

 

3

 

Visit then this Soul of mine,

   Pierce the Gloom of Sin, and Grief,

Fill me, Radiancy Divine,

   Scatter all my Unbelief,

More and more Thyself display,

Shining to the Perfect Day.

-- Charles Wesley 

What GOD Does in the Bread and Wine

1.

O the depth of love di­vine,

Th’unfathomable grace!

Who shall say how bread and wine

God in­to us con­veys!

How the bread His flesh im­parts,

How the wine tran­smits His blood,

Fills His faith­ful people’s hearts

With all the life of God!

2.

Let the wis­est mor­tals show

How we the grace re­ceive;

Feeble ele­ments be­stow

A pow­er not theirs to give.

Who ex­plains the won­drous way,

How through these the vir­tue came?

These the vir­tue did con­vey,

Yet still re­main the same.

3.

How can spir­its heav’n­ward rise,

By earth­ly mat­ter fed,

Drink here­with di­vine sup­plies

And eat im­mor­tal bread?

Ask the Fa­ther’s wis­dom how:

Christ who did the means or­dain;

Angels round our al­tars bow

To search it out, in vain.

4.

Sure and re-al is the grace,

The man­ner be un­known;

Only meet us in Thy ways

And per­fect us in one.

Let us taste the heav’n­ly pow­ers,

Lord, we ask for no­thing more.

Thine to bless, ’tis on­ly ours

To won­der and adore.

--  Charles Wesley 

Morning Hymn

1.

Christ, whose Glory fills the Skies,

   Christ, the true, the only Light,

Sun of Righteousness, arise,

   Triumph o'er the Shades of Night:

Day-spring from on High, be near:

Day-star, in my Heart appear.

 

2.

Dark and Cheerless is the Morn

   Unaccompanied by Thee,

Joyless is the Day's Return,

   Till thy Mercy's Beams I see;

Till thy inward light impart,

Glad my Eyes, and warm my Heart.

 

3. 

Visit then this Soul of mine,

   Pierce the Gloom of Sin, and Grief,

Fill me, Radiancy Divine,

   Scatter all my Unbelief,

More and more Thyself display,

Shining to the Perfect Day.

-- Charles Wesley, "Morning Hymn" from Hymns and Sacred Poems. (London: W. Strahan, 1740)

Bishop Doane on His Dog

I am quite sure he thinks that I am God--

since he is God on whom each one depends

for life, and all things that His bounty sends--

my dear old dog, most constant of all friends;

not quick to mind, but quicker far than I

to Him whom God I know and own; his eye,

deep brown and liquid, watches for my nod;

he is more patient underneath the rod

than I, when God His wise corrections sends.

He looks love at me, deep as words e'er spake;

and from me never crumb nor sup will take

but he wags thanks with his most vocal tail;

and when some crashing noise wakes all his fear,

he is content and quiet, if I am near,

secure that my protection will prevail.

So, faithful, mindful, thankful, trustful, he

tells me what I unto my God should be.

by George Washington Doane

Psalm 126

When her sons from bonds redeeming 

GOD to Zion led the way, 

we were like to people dreaming 

thoughts of bliss too bright to stay. 

Fill'd with laughter, stood we gazing,

loud our tongues in rapture sang; 

quickly with the news amazing 

all the startled nations rang. 

"See Jehovah's works of glory! 

Mark what love for them he had!" 

"Yes, for us! Go tell the story. 

This was done, and we are glad." 

LORD! thy work of grace completing 

all our exiled hosts restore, 

as in thirsty channels meeting 

southern streams refreshing pour. 

They that now in sorrow weeping 

tears and seed commingled sow, 

soon, the fruitful harvest reaping, 

shall with joyful bosoms glow. 

Tho' the sower's heart is breaking, 

bearing forth the seed to shed, 

he shall come, the echoes waking, 

laden with his sheaves instead. 

--William Digby Seymour 1882

the LORD that Heals -- William Cowper

Jehovah-Rophi

I Am the LORD That Healeth Thee 

Heal us, EMMANUEL, here we are
Waiting to feel Thy touch;
Deep wounded souls to Thee repair,
And Savior, we are such.

Our faith is feeble we confess,
We faintly trust Thy Word;
But wilt Thou pity us the less?
Be that far from Thee, Lord!

Remember him who once applied
With trembling for relief;
“Lord, I believe,” with tears he cried,
“O help my unbelief!”

She, too, who touched Thee in the press
And healing virtue stole,
Was answered, “Daughter, go in peace,
Thy faith has made thee whole.”

Concealed amid the gathering throng,
She would have shunned Thy view;
And if her faith was firm and strong,
Had strong misgivings too.

Like her, with hopes and fears we come
To touch Thee if we may;
O send us not despairing home,
Send none unhealed away.

The Bread and Wine of those Outside

‭

 Do not enter the path of the wicked or walk in the way of those who are evil.

...

 For they eat bread gained from wickedness and drink wine obtained from violence.

https://bible.com/bible/107/pro.4.14-17.NET

The Jew

The Jew

Scattered by God's avenging hand, Afflicted and forlorn, 

Sad wanderers from their pleasant land, Do Judah's children mourn; 

And e'en in Christian countries, few Breathe thoughts of pity for the Jew.

Yet listen, Gentile, do you love 

The Bible's precious page? 

Then let your heart with kindness move 

To Israel's heritage; 

Who traced those lines of love for you? Each sacred writer was a Jew.

And then as years and ages passed, 

And nations rose and fell, 

Though cloud and darkness oft were cast 

O'er captive Israel

The oracles of God for you 

Were kept in safety by the Jew.

And when the great Redeemer came

For guilty man to bleed.

He did not take an angel's name, 

No, born of Abraham's seed, 

Jesus, who gave His life for you- 

The gentle Saviour - was a Jew.

And though His own received Him not, 

And turned in pride away,

Whence is the Gentile's happier lot?

Are you more just than they? 

No! God in pity turned to you- 

Have you no pity for the Jew?

Go, then, and bend your knee to pray 

For Israel's ancient race; 

Ask the dear Saviour every day 

To call them by His grace.

Go, for a debt of love is due 

From Christian Gentiles to the Jew. 

-- Poems for Sunshine and Shadow

   Back to the Bible Publishers 

"Crossing the Bar," by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Sunset and evening star,

    And one clear call for me.

And may there be no moaning of the bar,

    When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,

    Too full for sound and foam,

When that which drew from out the boundless deep

    Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,

    And after that the dark:

And may there be no sadness of farewell,

    When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place

    The flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot face to face,

    When I have crost the bar.

Flung To The Heedless Winds

     1. Flung to the heedless winds
        Or on the waters cast,
        The martyrs' ashes, watched,
        Shall gathered be at last.
        And from that scattered dust,
        Around us and abroad,
        Shall spring a plenteous seed
        Of witnesses for God.

     2. The Father hath received
        Their latest living breath,
        And vain is Satan's boast
        Of victory in their death.
        Still, still, though dead, they speak,
        And, trumpet-tongued, proclaim
        To many a wakening land
        The one availing Name.

        ___________________________________________________
        Notes:
        259 from the Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal
        Text: Acts 7: 59
        Author: Martin Luther, 1523 st. 9
        Translated by: John A. Messenger, 1843
        Titled: Ein neues Lied wir heben an
        Tune: Denby
        Composer: Charles J. Dale, 1904

Hymn on the Lord’s Sup­per # 57.

                                        tune: Amsterdam 

O the depth of love divine,

Th’unfathomable grace!

Who shall say how bread and wine

God into us conveys!

How the bread His flesh imparts,

How the wine transmits His blood,

Fills His faithful people’s hearts

With all the life of God!

Let the wisest mortals show

How we the grace receive;

Feeble elements bestow

A power not theirs to give.

Who explains the wondrous way,

How through these the virtue came?

These the virtue did convey,

Yet still remain the same.

How can spirits heavenward rise,

By earthly matter fed,

Drink herewith divine supplies

And eat immortal bread?

Ask the Fa­ther’s wisdom how:

Christ who did the means ordain;

Angels round our altars bow

To search it out, in vain.

Sure and re-al is the grace,

The manner be unknown;

Only meet us in Thy ways

And perfect us in one.

Let us taste the heavenly powers,

Lord, we ask for nothing more.

Thine to bless, ’tis only ours

To wonder and adore.

-- Charles Wesley  A.D.1745

How Great Thou Art -- 2 extra verses

O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder

Consider all the works Thy hand hath made.

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Refrain:

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee:

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee:

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin:

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow in humble adoration,

And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

Additional Verses from the Swedish:

När tryckt av synd och skuld jag faller neder,

Vid Herrens fot och ber om nåd och frid.

Och han min själ på rätta vägen leder,

Och frälsar mig från all min synd och strid.

When burdens press, and seem beyond endurance,

Bowed down with grief, to Him I lift my face;

And then in love He brings me sweet assurance:

'My child! for thee sufficient is my grace'.

När jag hör dårar i sin dårskaps dimma

Förneka Gud och håna hvad han sagt,

Men ser likväl, att de hans hjälp förnimma

Och uppehållas af hans nåd och makt.

O when I see ungrateful man defiling

This bounteous earth, God's gifts so good and great;

In foolish pride, God's holy Name reviling,

And yet, in grace, His wrath and judgment wait.

Christ came to abolish the cursing

"Christ did not come to abolish but to fulfil the law; He came only to abolish the cursing part of it, but to establish the obeying part of it. Here is prudent dealing." -- David Dickson (c.1583–1662) 

https://www.reformationscotland.org/2021/05/12/12-ways-we-see-christs-infinite-wisdom/

And None Stray

 

" And all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and

I am glorified in them." John xvii. 10.

1 0 JESUS Christ, most holy!

Head of the Church, thy bride,

Each day in us more fully

Thy name be magnified.

2 O may in each believer

Thy love its pow'r display,

And none among us ever

From thee, our Shepherd, stray.

Tune:  7.6.7.6

Faith is the Victory -- John Yates

Encamped along the hills of light,

Ye Christian soldiers, rise.

And press the battle ere the night

Shall veil the glowing skies.

Against the foe in vales below

Let all our strength be hurled.

Faith is the victory, we know,

That overcomes the world.

Refrain:

Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!

O glorious victory, that overcomes the world.

His banner over us is love,

Our sword the Word of God.

We tread the road the saints above

With shouts of triumph trod.

By faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath,

Swept on o’er every field.

The faith by which they conquered death

Is still our shining shield.

Refrain

On every hand the foe we find

Drawn up in dread array.

Let tents of ease be left behind,

And onward to the fray.

Salvation’s helmet on each head,

With truth all girt about,

The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread,

And echo with our shout.

Refrain

To him that overcomes the foe,

White raiment shall be giv’n.

Before the angels he shall know

His name confessed in Heav’n.

Then onward from the hill of light,

Our hearts with love aflame,

We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night,

In Jesus’ conqu’ring Name.

Refrain

Departure (or Apostasy)

Paul, in his two letters to Timothy, uses a Greek word with telling effect. We have the word in English as “apostasy”; it is often translated “departure.” In 1 Timothy 1:20, he tells us of two leaders who left the faith, who apostatized, Hymenaeus and Alexander. Paul then declares in 1 Timothy 4:1 that many shall depart, and the word he uses is apostesontai. Then, in 2 Timothy 2:19 Paul declares, “[L]et every one that nameth the name of Christ depart [aposteto] from iniquity.” What Paul is telling us is that life is growth; it is movement in one direction or another. Our lives are either marked by an apostasy or departure from sin, or they are an apostasy or departure from Christ. We do not stand still. The life of faith is more than words: it is growth. Time is a constant movement and departure. We can no more stand still in Christ (or against Christ) than we can remain at the age of thirty-nine forever. God has created a world of time and change, and we must therefore be forever growing in terms of His law and Word. The refusal to grow is death." --R. J. Rushdoony Taken from A Word In Season: Daily Messages on the Faith for All of Life, Volume 4, p. 39.