A Song in Prayer

 

LOVE is … Momentous!!

 

Another Great John Newton Hymn

As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. 

And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.

Mark 5:18-20

The Legion Dispossessed 

(1803)

1 

Legion was my name, by nature

Satan rag'd within my breast;

Never misery was grater,

Never sinner more possess'd:

Mischievous to all around me,

To myself the greatest foe;

Thus I was when Jesus found me,

Fill'd with madness, sin, and woe.

2 

Yet in this forlorn condition

When he came to set me free;

I reply'd to my physician,

"What have I to do with thee?"

But he would not be prevented,

Rescu'd me against my will;

Had he staid 'till I consented,

I had been a captive still.

3 

“Satan, tho’ thou fain would’st have it, 

Know this soul is none of thine;

I have shed my blood to save it,

Now I challenge it for mine;

Tho' it long has thee resembled,

Henceforth it shall me obey;"

Thus he spoke, while Satan trembled,

Gnash'd his teeth, and fled away.

4 

Thus my frantic soul he healed, Bid my sins and sorrows cease;

"Take (said he) my pardon sealed,

I have sav'd thee, go in peace:

Rather take me, Lord to heaven,

Now thy love and grace I know;

Since thou hast my sins forgiven,

Why should I remain below.

5 

“Love (he said) will sweeten labours,

Thou hast something yet to do:

Go and tell your friends and neighbours,

What my love has done for you:

Live to manifest my glory;

Wait for heav'n a little space:

Sinners, when they hear thy story,

Will repent and seek my face."

Author: John Newton

Olney Hymns, 1803

Vol. 2, p.6

Photo:  Beautiful flowers given to me in memory of Mom, by the Patrick and Shantra Anderson Family, dear friends from church. 

The Secret of the LORD

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wwmpW2PcdEw&pp=0gcJCRsBo7VqN5tD

In the secret of His presence
How my soul delights to hide
Oh, how precious are the lessons
Which I learn at Jesus' side
Earthly cares forever vex me
While my trials lay me low
But when Satan comes to tempt me
To that secret place I go
To that secret place I go

When my soul is faint and thirsty
'Neath the shadow of Your wings
There is cool and pleasant shelter
And a fresh and crystal spring
And my Savior rests beside me
As we hold communion sweet
If I tried, I could not utter
What He says when thus we meet
What He says when thus we meet

Only this I know, I tell Him
All my doubts, my griefs, my fears
Oh, how patiently He listens
And my sorrowed soul He cheers
Do you think He ne'er reproves me?
What a false Friend He would be
If He never, never told me
Of the sin which He must see
Of the sin which He must see

Would you like to know the sweetness
Of the secret of the Lord?
Go and hide beneath His shadow
And this shall then be your reward
And whenever you leave the silence
Of that happy meeting place
You will surely bear the image
Of the Master in your face
Of the Master in your face

Author:  Ellen L. Goreh, 1883

The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

Psalm 25:14, KJV

Photo: Beautiful flowers given to me when Meme passed away by my Loving Family. 

My Beloved Mother Dear

Sylvia Boren Cleland

OCTOBER 15, 1936 – 

AUGUST 13, 2025

Sylvia B. Cleland, 88, of Jacksonville, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on August 13, 2025. Born on October 15, 1936, in Boston, Georgia, Sylvia lived a life filled with faith, family, and adventure.

She was married to the love of her life, Thomas E. Cleland, for 65 years until his passing on August 3, 2020. Together, they traveled the world, living in places as far-reaching as Paris, France, Newfoundland, Canada, and across the United States in Omaha, Nebraska, before settling in Jacksonville, Florida.

Sylvia was the devoted mother of three children: Tommy Cleland (Mary), Karen Gray (Mark), and Mark Cleland (Pamela). She was blessed with nine grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren, each of whom brought her immense joy.

Her life’s work reflected her deep love for God and others. Sylvia faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher for 45 years, shaping countless young hearts with her kindness and biblical wisdom. She was also a dedicated employee of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, where she worked for 25 years, leaving behind a legacy of service, encouragement, and steadfast faith.

To know Sylvia was to know a gentle spirit, a listening ear, and a welcoming smile. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend whose influence will be felt for generations.

A visitation for Sylvia will be held Wednesday, August 20, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Legacy Lodge, 4801 SAN JOSE BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32207. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM. A graveside service will occur Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218.

Our Only Comfort In Life and In Death

 

An Orthodox

Catechism

Being the Sum of Christian Religion,

Contained in the Law and Gospel

1680

Written by

Hercules Collins

The reprinting of this Catechism is dedicated to all the Christian parents who earnestly desire to fulfill one of the noblest duties given to their life - raising their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. May the Lord bless your labors, according to the riches of His mercy and grace.

Orthodox Lesson 1.

Question 1. 

Q. What is your only comfort in life and death?

A.  That I am not my own,(a) but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death,(b) to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.(c) He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil.(d) He also preserves me in such a way(e) that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head;(f) indeed, all things must work together for my salvation.(g) Therefore, by His Holy Spirit He also assures me of eternal life(h) and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him.(i)

(a) 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 

(b) Romans 14:7-9. 

(c) 1 Corinthians 3:23; Titus 2:14. 

(d) 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7; 2:2. 

(e) John 8:34-36; Hebrews 2:14-15; I John 3:8. 

(f) John 6:39, 40; 10:27-30; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 Peter 1:5. 

(g) Matthew 10:29-31; Luke 21:16-18. 

(h) Romans 8:28. 

(i) Romans 8:15-16; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14.

(j) Romans 8:14.

Orthodox Question 2.

Q.  What do you need to know in order to live and die in the joy of this comfort? 

A. First, how great my sins and misery are; (a)

second, how I am delivered from all my sins and misery;(b) third, how I am to be thankful to God for such deliverance.(c)

(a) Romans 3:9, 10; I John 1:10. 

(b) John 17:3; Acts 4:12; 10:43. 

(c) Matthew 5:16; Romans 6:13; Ephesians 5:8-10; 1 Peter 2:9, 10.

The LORD Shepherds

 

Love will make you show your heart someday...

Louisa May Alcott, Little Women 

Happy 5th year Anniversary blessings to Matt and Grace as they rejoice in God’s gracious gifts of one another and the addition of twins  to their hearts and home recently!

The LORD has bountifully granted their hearts desires for babies 🤗!  

Olivia is on the right, and Clayton is on the left.  They were born one month ago, July 10th, in the early hrs of the morning. 

Olivia Belle arrived first at 6 lbs and 2oz and 19 inches long.  Her birth time was 2:17 am. 

Clayton Thomas was born at 6 lbs and 0oz and 20 inches long at 2:24 am.  

The LORD has generously answered their prayers, and surrounded them with much supportive love, as He always has and always will.   

The LORD cares for us all. 

Dad and I are especially thankful for the blessing of more grand-babies!! 

We watch and wait for His hand to gently lead Matt and Grace as a family, as they grow in faith to believe “God is at work and [they] can trust Him” in their home. 

Thank you, Father!

❤️

Isaiah 40-

10 

Behold, the Lord God comes with might,

    and his arm rules for him;

behold, his reward is with him,

    and his recompense before him.

11 

He will tend his flock like a shepherd;

    he will gather the lambs in his arms;

he will carry them in his bosom,

    and gently lead those that are with young.