My Hymnal...

... is not as well read as my Bible.... sadly.

After I wrote my last post I went to my bookshelf and pulled off my Lutheran Hymnal. The Lutheran Hymnal is the so called Old Hymnal it was first published in 1941. It is also called the "red hymnal" because, well, its red. The "new hymnal" is blue and was published in 1980-something.

My red hymnal means a lot to me. It was a gift when I was confirmed from the church. On the cover is stamped in gold letters: Karl Ernest Lindner May 29, 1988. I can't believe its been 17 years since I was confirmed. That's half a lifetime ago, literally.

Until just recently I had never thought of hymns as poems, but they are. Here's a hymn I just found. I don't think I've ever had the opportunity to sing it, but I like the words:

Oh, for a faith that will not shrink;
Tho' passed by many a foe
That will not trmbel on the brink
Of poeverty or woe;

That will not mur-mur nor complain
Beneath the chast'ning rod,
But in the hour of grief or pain
Can look upon its God;

A faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without;
That, when in danger, knows no fear,
In darkness no doubt;

That bears unmoved the worlds dread frown
Nor heeds its scornful smile;
That sin's wild ocean cannot drown
Nor Satan's arts beguile;

A faith that keeps the narrow way
Till life's past spark is fled
And with a pure and heavenly ray
Lights up the dying bed

Lord, give us such a faith as this;
And then, whate'er may come,
We'll taste e'en now the hallowed bliss
Of an eternal home

-- Lutheran Hymnal 396
William H. Bathurst/Alexander Reinagle

I think it would be a good and self-edifying thing to add my (less than daily) devotions. That's something I need to work on, too. Doing daily, not everyother day or once a week (maybe) devotions.