♫O praise Him...♫

Thursday, May 20, 2010 (5:58 a.m.)

♫All creatures of our God and King,

♫Lift up your voice and with us sing Alleluia, Alleluia!♫ I didn’t get it Lord! I almost missed it.

Having Terry jokingly ask me late last night what the song for today would be so we could get a head start on our list making, I had no idea I would wake up once again singing ♫O praise Him♫ Lord, I confess to feeling a little reluctant to continue in that vein when I came out here. And once again You have blessed my soul bigger than I could ever imagine!

First of all, I never knew this hymn was written by Saint Francis of Assisi. Much less that it was first penned within a year of his death in 1226, but not published for almost four hundred years. Lord, there is always so very much that I don’t know about a multitude of things!

Thank You that I get to keep coming before You and having You show me things that I would never think to look at. ♫All creatures of our God and King♫ first known as ♫Cantico di fratre sole, Song of Brother Sun♫ touches all the bases of this man’s heart for each of Your creations.

Lord, I am awed by his love for You. Reading a short Wikipedia entry about his life, I am excited to learn of his transformation from a lover of pleasure and ‘all things French’ to a man devoted to sharing You with others. What a blessing it is to read of his incredible transformation after hearing a sermon based on Matthew 10:9. Here Jesus told His followers to go out and freely share all they had received (v.8) without taking with them any of the usual creature comforts, “extra clothes and shoes, or even a walking stick.” This man not only heard Your Word, Lord. He embraced and lived it! And I am truly inspired by his story.

There are so many more words to this particular hymn than I had previously been aware. All of them encouraging not only man but all of nature and the environment to seek and praise You.

There I was much earlier this morning thinking how boring our time together would be here this morning just because I was still singing yesterday’s song. NOTHING could be further from the truth. YOUR Truth!

It’s all covered here Lord. ♫Thou burning sun with golden beam Thou silver moon with softer gleam… Thou rushing wind that art so strong Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along… Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice, Ye lights of evening, find a voice! O praise Him! O praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou flowing water, pure and clear, Make music for thy Lord to hear…Thou fire so masterful and bright, That givest man both warmth and light… Dear mother earth, who day by day Unfoldest blessings on our way, O praise Him… flowers, fruits, men of tender heart…♫ It’s all so much Lord!

I don’t have words to properly express myself, except that I am so incredibly grateful for all it is that You have provided us. Thank You for giving me this wonderful opportunity to take another blessed look at this glorious song. Thank You that I didn't miss it! I love You so much Dear Lord! ♫O praise Him…♫ Amen!

(572 words ~ 8:15 a.m.)