In the morning I hear a song
It plays so faintly, in my head
It starts while I am yet dreaming
Stretched upon my morning bed
But as the day goes by it grows
And I begin to hum along
For though it is a catchy tune
My heart remembers not the song
But quickly in the afternoon
I pick out the words, here and there
Til dinner comes with fork and spoon
And I am singing, unaware
So by the time I’m off for bed
I’m belting out a wordy song
An anthem of blessed thankfulness
As heartfelt as the day is long

Today I finish up the second week of grad school. For the first time of my life I am living away from home, ostensibly independent concerning my social, academic, and spiritual life, and even making a little of my own money (small though it may be). By the grace of God I was settled into the home of a remarkably charming and generous couple, complete with two delightful Australian Shepherds that remind me of my own two dogs I left back home. From there I can step out the front door and walk – to a literally colorful village on the ocean or a private, cliff-locked beach.

God is greatly to be praised,

For he Christ from death hath raised.

He is the triune and almighty God,

Adam he made from the sod.

He is God almighty throughout the heavens,

Sing to him with joyful hymns.

All things that on the earth do live,

 To him your praise now give.

The mighty trees of cedar high,

They show that he is always nigh.

The tender fern so meek and low,

Murmurs that he made them so.

Look at the faces of the lonely cliffs
staring out at the sea
they raise their eyes at night
to glimpse the stars

Look at the faces of crumbling boulders
that say, come, and rest on me
they burrow down in moss
and muddy ground

Look at the faces of earnest, brave pebbles
laughing in rushing cold creek
they dance and spin in light
and water smooth

Look at the faces of silvery-cool rocks
resting in the shade of a tree
they look out at the green
and sigh so sweet

O wake ye weary sleepers
For Christ has come
O wake ye weary sleepers
For Christ will come again
O wake ye weary sleepers
For Christ has died
And he has risen
And will come again

Beauty inexplicable before the world was made
Maker of the galaxies, how radiant your face
Lover of all nations, my heart will choose to sing
A simple song of worship to my everlasting King