Battle Hymn of the Republic

Let's Have a Cup of Coffee & Chat Awhile

Good Morning and God Bless America and all of you!!

This week has been one of reflection since tomorrow is Veterans' Day.  I have a family member who has served in every war fought on United States soil plus the European Theater and Viet Nam.  I have a fife from the Civil War sitting in my bookcase...I pick it up every now and then and hold it to my heart.  I have a finely carved wooden box dated 1937 on the bottom.  Also on the bottom are the initials PEW (only the W is carved).  The box was made by Paul Wimberly and never finished.  He was killed at Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.  Most things in my home have a story and I love that.  It's not a museum but a place where I am surrounded by history and remembrance of family.  I am so very proud of my heritage and especially those who served our country!

I grew up in the Lutheran Church and the following hymn was sung with gusto so many times and especially to celebrate Veteran's Day.  The church was large with beautiful carved oak woodwork and stained glass windows and when we sang this song, I remember looking at the windows and the beautiful colors...it was like those windows came alive!  As a Baby Boomer, so manybefore me had been involved in World War I and World War II.  Such pride they had in serving their country.  I like the Battle Hymn of the Republic and for all it represents.  I hope that you will sing this song with me today because the wars go on and the presence of the Lord is so important!

The Battle Hymn of the Republic

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:

He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;

He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:

His truth is marching on.

(Chorus)

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps,

They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;

I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps:

His day is marching on.

(Chorus)

I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:

"As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal;

Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel,

Since God is marching on."

(Chorus)

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;

He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat:

Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!

Our God is marching on.

(Chorus)

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,

With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:

As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,

While God is marching on.

(Chorus)

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,

He is Wisdom to the mighty, He is Succour to the brave,

So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of Time His slave,

Our God is marching on.

(Chorus)

Journal Entry December 2002:  Spoken long ago and appropriate for today...

"One of my favorite books in the Bible is the book of James.  If I need wisdom I should ask God and wisdom will be given to me.  God will bless me.  If I don't give up when my faith is tested, He will reward me with a glorious life.  I am tempted by my own desires...those desires give way to sin.  I should be quick to listen and slow to speak or get angry.  Obey God's message, don't just listen.  God you tell me that you will bless me in everything I do if I listen and obey.  Open my ears that I would hear your whisper.  Help me to love others as much as I love myself (which means I need to be good to me too).  I must not close my eyes to the needs and suffering of others.  Real faith works!  You tell me teachers will be judged more strictly than others.  As I open my mouth speak through me.  I want to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine and sincere.  Create in me a clean heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me.  Light my path this day Open doors to good health, a clear mind and financial provision.  Use me as a vessel of love." ~~  Your Servant "."

"The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe."~~Proverbs 29:25

Have a blessed day...am praying for all of you!  Pick up your Bible today.  Just like having the right tools helped me plant my Winter Garden, the Bible will answer every question you have and give you peace!