Perpetua, the Noble

On this date in the year 203, two North African women, Perpetua and Felicity, were martyred at Carthage along with three Christian men, Saturninus, Secundulus, and Revocatus.  All five were thrown to the beasts in the arena for the sport of the pagan crowd.  The three men faced a bear, a leopard and a wild boar; the two women faced a rabid bull.  After being mauled by the animals, the five were put to death with the sword by the Roman soldiers.  "They were killed with the sword...of whom the world was not worthy."  (Heb. 11:37-38)


Perpetua, the noble;
Felicity, her slave:
They would not turn from Jesus
And so their lives they gave!
May we, who trust in Jesus,
By word and deed proclaim
A faith that will not ever
Renounce His saving Name.

God Chose the Foolishness of Christ

Written to the glory of God for the 50th anniversary of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  It was sung there for the first time this past Sunday and I had the joy of being present as guest preacher for the occasion.  The text is set to the tune IN ARMOUR BRIGHT by Edward Norman Hay (1889-1943).  The text is based on 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, which is the appointed epistle lesson for The Baptism of our Lord in the one-year lectionary.

1.  God chose the foolishness of Christ,

     To shame the worldly wise;

     To shame the strong, God chose the weak,

     The lowly and despised.

2.  God chose the folly of the cross,

     That Christ be crucified:

     To bear sin's curse, to die man's death,

     That all be justified.

3.  God chose each one of us in Christ

     Before the world began,

     Adopting us by lavish grace

     According to His plan!

4.  God chose that water with the Word

     Should cleanse us from our sin:

     Baptized into Christ's death and life,

     His Spirit lives within.

5.  God chose that preaching of the cross--

     His wisdom from on high--

     Should be the Church's mighty pow'r

     To grow and multiply.

6.  God chose that simple bread and wine

     Christ's Word should thus decree:

     "This is My body and My blood,

     From sin to set you free."

7.  God chose for us in Christ the best

     Our world has even known;

     For all His good and perfect gifts,

     We boast in God alone!

I Lift My Eyes to See

This text is a versification of one of my favorite psalms, Psalm 121, and is set to the beautifully crafted tune NO CHILD by Amanda Husberg.

1.  I lift my eyes to see
     The mountains soar and tower--
     How strong my Maker's power!
     How sure His help for me!

2.  God keeps your footsteps true;
     His eye is never sleeping,
     His Israel ever keeping--
     So great His love for you!

3.  God guards you by His might;
     The burning sunlight shading
     And when its glow is fading,
     God keeps you safe at night.

4.  At times of trial and strife,
     When evil foes assail you,
     God's presence will not fail you--
     The LORD preserves your life!

5.  When you walk out the door,
     To where your path may lead you,
     God's blessing will precede you,
     Both now and evermore.

6.  All laud and glory be
     To Father, Son, and Spirit,
     Through whom we life inherit--
     O blessed Trinity!

Jerusalem, Awake! The Hour Is Near

As we enter a new Church Year, the traditional Gospel lesson for the First Sunday of Advent is Christ's entry into Jerusalem.  Such a lesson transports us to Holy Week and focuses our hearts upon the real purpose of our Lord's coming:  humbling Himself unto death, even death on a cross to secure our salvation.  The text was written in 1996 to the tune JESAIA, DEM PROPHETEN; the text is based on Matthew 21:1-9.

Jerusalem, awake!  The hour is near;
The day that brings your peace is almost here!
Christ comes to save all people from their sin;
He comes the sinner's heart and soul to win--
Not as a lord to reign in tyranny,
But as the Lord whose love rules inwardly.
This Sov'reign's stead proclaims His humble goal:
The true Messiah's mount, a donkey's foal.
Arise, O Israel!  Greet Your coming King;
Let ev'ry heart rejoice and gladly sing:
  "Hosanna, David's Son, hosanna!
   Hosanna, David's Son, hosanna!
   Hosanna, David's Son, hosanna!
   How blest is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"
To death this king rides with determined pace,
As still He weeps and longs for your embrace.

Lord, I Cry in Deep Despair

This hymn was written in 2008 and was inspired by the tune by Lois Brokering, EVERYTHING IS ONE.  Today's wonderful epistle lesson (1 Timothy 1:12-17) was a great reminder that Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners.  The Lord Jesus Christ alone justifies, purifies, fortifies, satisfies and glorifies all believers.


1.  Lord, I cry in deep despair;
     Do you hear my tear-choked prayer?
     Dare I come before Your throne
     With this weight of sin I own?
     Is there One to speak for me
     And declare this captive free?
        You and You alone, Lord Jesus,
        You need justify, justify my soul.


2.  All my scarlet sins you know,
     Can You make them white as snow?
     Ev'ry dark and crimson stain,
     Can You make like wool again?
     Will you cast into the sea
     All the sins that trouble me?
        You and You alone, Lord Jesus,
        You need purify, purify my soul.


3.  When I hear the tempter's voice,
     Can I make the godly choice?
     When the world would have me stray,
     Will I walk Your holy way?
     Though my nature is corrupt,
     Can its power You disrupt?
        You and You alone, Lord Jesus,
        You need fortify, fortify my soul.


4.  What of things that turn to rust--
     Are they worthy of my trust?
     What of things that moths destroy--
     Will they give me lasting joy?
     Can they make me rich indeed
     Or my beggared spirit feed?
        You and You alone, Lord Jesus
        You need satisfy, satisfy my soul.


5.  All my times are in Your hand,
     Yours alone, at Your command;
     Will You stay by me to cheer
     When my final hour is near?
     Will You then, Lord, be the Way
     That will lead from night to day?
        You and You alone, Lord Jesus,
        You need glorify, glorify my soul.