August 11, 2007

So I Will Praise Him in the Night

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The plans of God bring ebb and flow –
His wisdom thus ordains it.
Prosperity to want may go,
As His good hands arrange it.
Both day and night dispense His grace;
Both work to serve His pleasure.
By day we know the glorious Face
At night we learn to treasure.

We err to think the darkness bad,
When shadows mask our knowing,
For there refreshing dew is had
That keeps the flowers growing.
The waxing and the waning moon
Both work to mark the season.
The winter dawn and dusk of June
Alike display His reason.

Should we then seek that He explain
The circle of His blessing?
Our daily rhythms here maintain
Great patterns there expressing.
For sorrows come until the Day
When Night itself will vanish,
While Wisdom works its perfect way,
And Light, will darkness, banish.

The happy soul is then content
To know that He is faithful,
And through each difficult event
Remembers to be grateful.
For God commands each circumstance
To serve those of His calling.
His loving Hand of providence
Will keep the faint from falling.

So I will praise Him in the night,
This globe of sorrows surely turns.
See there His stars of promise bright;
Behold, the light of dawn returns.


-- K.Hartnett, August 2007


<p><p><p><p><p><p><p><p><p><p>New Page 2</p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p>

This poem was inspired by the June 1st morning entry in Morning and Evening, Daily Readings by Charles Haddon Spurgeon.  I've copied the entry below. You can read other entries at the following link.

“The evening and the morning were the first day.”

(Genesis 1:5)

Was it so even in the beginning? Did light and darkness divide the realm of time in the first day? Then little wonder is it if I have also changes in my circumstances from the sunshine of prosperity to the midnight of adversity. It will not always be the blaze of noon even in my soul concerns, I must expect at seasons to mourn the absence of my former joys, and seek my Beloved in the night. Nor am I alone in this, for all the Lord’s beloved ones have had to sing the mingled song of judgment and of mercy, of trial and deliverance, of mourning and of delight. It is one of the arrangements of Divine providence that day and night shall not cease either in the spiritual or natural creation till we reach the land of which it is written, “there is no night there.” What our heavenly Father ordains is wise and good.

What, then, my soul, is it best for thee to do? Learn first to be content with this divine order, and be willing, with Job, to receive evil from the hand of the Lord as well as good. Study next, to make the outgoings of the morning and the evening to rejoice. Praise the Lord for the sun of joy when it rises, and for the gloom of evening as it falls. There is beauty both in sunrise and sunset, sing of it, and glorify the Lord. Like the nightingale, pour forth thy notes at all hours. Believe that the night is as useful as the day. The dews of grace fall heavily in the night of sorrow. The stars of promise shine forth gloriously amid the darkness of grief. Continue thy service under all changes. If in the day thy watchword be labour, at night exchange it for watch. Every hour has its duty, do thou continue in thy calling as the Lord’s servant until he shall suddenly appear in his glory. My soul, thine evening of old age and death is drawing near, dread it not, for it is part of the day; and the Lord has said, “I will cover him all the day long.”

From Morning and Evening; Daily Readings by Charles Haddon Spurgeon (Morning entry, June 1st)

June 09, 2007

And Love Ever Echoes

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Oh where might the voice of God be heard, 

And truth in fullness displayed? 

Was there such a place in all the earth 

His message was so conveyed? 

 

It was there on a hill beside the lake, 

He proclaimed what would set men free; 

And love echoed out across the land 

From Jesus of Galilee. 

 

****** 

 

And where might the prayer of God be known, 

Immortal conflict portrayed? 

Was e're such a place in all the earth 

A battle for spirits raged? 

 

It was there on a hill of olive groves 

He looked death in the face for me; 

And love echoed loudly in the night 

From Christ at Gethsemane. 

   

****** 

 

Oh where might the love of God be shown, 

In all its riches displayed? 

Was there such a place in all the earth 

Divine love should be surveyed? 

 

It was there on a hill outside the gate, 

It was there, meant for all to see, 

And love ever echoes in the earth 

From Jesus at Calvary.  

 

-- K. Hartnett, March 2006 

O the Riches in the Gospel!

<p><p>New Page 5</p></p>

O the riches in the Gospel! 

Purposes no man conceived! 

Grace unfailing; love astounding, 

Given those who have believed! 

 

Pardon full for helpless sinners. 

Justified- though guilty be! 

Jesus cursed for our transgressions; 

We made righteous by decree! 

 

Peace with God, oh timeless marvel! 

Christ’s blood our security! 

Holiness at one with Favor; 

Heaven opened wondrously! 

 

Purpose in the Master’s kingdom; 

We, His worksmanship by grace, 

Cleansed to serve; alive in conscience; 

Spirit-filled to run the race. 

 

Pleasure in His highest priv’ledge: 

Sons of God by name are we! 

Heirs with Christ through God’s adoption; 

Called in love eternally!

 

O the riches in the Gospel! 

Purposes no man conceived! 

Grace unfailing; love astounding, 

Ever theirs who have believed!


-- K. Hartnett, November 2005

 

Pardon, peace, purpose, pleasure - oh what riches we have in Christ!

You Go Before Us

<p><p><p>New Page 1</p></p></p>

Chorus

You go before us,

And what great comfort in the thought.

You've planned the future,

And love eternal is our lot!

Can it be You see my life through all eternity...

Waiting there for me?!

Oh gracious Father unto Thee

I pledge my love!

 

Verse One
Though my plans are filled with doubts and imperfections,

And the paths I choose do seem to go astray;

When I look again I see You there before me:

Establishing my steps along the way.

 

Verse Two
There's no mystery in Your purpose for the future.

Even now your faithful love's extending there.

You've made time to serve as keeper of Your blessings:

Another demonstration of Your care!


-- K. Hartnett, 1994
 

June 02, 2007

A Homeschooler's Happy Reflection

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We marked the day she started what would be

Her formal "school" - and stacks of lessons learned,
Along with drawings, tests, and answer keys
Lie dormant now in front of books returned
From friends who shared the dream.  A season wrought

With work and prayer, at times it seemed to last
Too long, but faith and patience surely taught
Us all our lessons well.  The fruit surpassed

Our ev'ry expectation – a girl who
Loves the Lord, has godly friends, studies hard,
Writes thoughtfully, and even wrestled through
Pre-calculus and language with regard!

 

"Day one" began the journey of "suppose";
"Commencement" marks the start of what she knows.

-- K. Hartnett, April 2007

Today our godly, lovely and lively daughter Lydia graduated from homeschool highschool in a ceremony held at our church for 32 such highschool seniors.  This ends an era for my wife and I as our two children are now out of highschool and our homeschooling responsibilities have come to an end.  In a poetic sort of twist, Joshua Harris, our senior pastor, was given an honorary certificate and cap and gown today (all in fun- and all a surprise) since he too was homeschooled, but never attended a similar graduation function.  It was his father, Gregg Harris, that we heard teach on homeschooling about 20 years ago that really sparked our interest.  Joshua was in attendance at that conference too - helping from behind the book table as a pre-teen!  Oh the surprising and inscrutable plans of God!  The poem is set in a sort of loose English sonnet form.

May 27, 2007

If He Had Faltered Even Once

<p><p>New Page 6</p></p>

They spit upon His meekness, 

And struck Him in the face. 

Their floggers swung with hatred; 

They stripped Him in disgrace. 

Deep worked the Roman anger 

That tortured Him, a Jew; 

Yet this His contemplation: 

“They know not what they do.” 

 

His people cheered “Hosanna,” 

Then had Him crucified. 

They freed corrupt Barabbas; 

To sentence Him, they lied. 

He hung outside their city, 

Where leaders mocked Him too; 

Yet this, the hurt He carried: 

“I would have gathered you.” 

 

No angels came to help Him 

When Heaven on Him fell. 

The Devil tried to reach Him 

Through ev’ry lie in hell. 

Unthinkable the anguish 

As Father crushed the Son, 

Yet this His firm conviction: 

“Thy will, not mine, be done.” 

 

No selfishness, no hatred, 

No spitefulness was there. 

No unbelief, no cursing, 

No pity from despair. 

One sinful thought; one failure, 

And Love would not succeed. 

The ransomed souls of hist’ry 

Must His perfection plead. 

 

If He had faltered even once, 

In flames of hell would men abide. 

Then ponder Christ, and praise at length 

The strength of Him there crucified. 

   

-- K. Hartnett, May 2007

 

I wrote this one backwards, i.e. having the idea for the last four lines before writing the rest.  Verse one highlights Christ's physical sufferings; verse two, His emotional/mental and verse three, His spiritual.  The colossal irony that the very men who tempted Him to failure were among those He died in perfection to save captures my imagination - and praise.

 

What Now Do You See?

What now do you see?

And can it be the force of Truth

That here unites two lives as one? 

They vowed to God;

What simple happenstance occurred to make it so?

The book, the prayers, the animated faces-

All speak the great and common tongue of knowledge held most dear.

 

Did He indeed design the complimentary nature of the parties joined?

The elegance of every aspect speaks itself.

And louder still, the order seen in those who likewise vowed in times before.

 

‘Twas Christ Himself who taught that truth

Is heard by those who have an ear;

What now do you hear?

 

-- K. Hartnett, 11/2006


My friends Ken and Rachael Boer asked me to write a poem that they might print and have available on the tables at their wedding reception.  Their prayer and desire was to point non-church-attenders to God, and the fact that marriage is His design- meant in part as as a picture of the relationship between Christ and the church.  I actually wrote them two poems.  This one was the one they used.  The other is called This Picture His

March 19, 2007

Creation & Astronomy Index

Beauty Reaches Through the Eye
Saturn

Behold the Fleeting Meteor
Meteor

Blackened, Lifeless, Cold, and Grim
Comet Close-Up

Can It Be?
Moon

Dazzling Phosphor in the Night
The Star Sirius

Do You Know the Order of the Planets?
Io over Jupiter

Eartbound Eyes Can E'er But See
Orion Nebula

God Knows What You'll See!
Cat's Eye Nebula

Impossibly Gigantic
Whirlpool Galaxy

Lesser Sphere of Darkest Space
Solar Eclipse

Minister of Mystery
Comet Hale-Bopp

One World Is Immaterial
Crescent Moon

Praise Him in the Arts for the Sciences
Spirograph Nebula   

Sovereign King and Caring Lord

Ten Thousand Time a Thousand Still
Globular Cluster M80

The Incarnation
The Star Capella

The Lesser Light Which Rules the Night
Lunar Eclipse 

The Stars I See Are Yesteryear's
The Pleiades

The Tadpole Swims Within His Hands
The Tadpole Galaxy

Though Men Refine Electric Lights
The Summer Milky Way

Tiny Flickers Overhead
Star Field Near Deneb

'Tis There Beyond the Reach of Earth
Moon and Venus

What Matter Is So Strange as This?
Comet Hyakutake

What Name Has He for Me?
Hodge 301

What, Oh Man, Now Do You Know?
The Ant Nebula

                  











March 18, 2007

Alphabetical Index

A Homeschooler's Happy Reflection
And in That Darkened Fluid Red
And Love Ever Echoes 
And Then...
And Yet Till Now Is Not Enough
Beauty Reaches Through the Eye
Behold the Fleeting Meteor
Blackened, Lifeless, Cold, and Grim
Boundless Living God Eternal
Can It Be?
Christ Is Born in Bethlehem!
Come Now, Look to Me
Dazzling Phosphor in the Night
Do You Know the Order of the Planets?
Eartbound Eyes Can E'er But See 
Even So, Come Quickly
For I Believe the Gospel
God Knows What You'll See!
Hallowed Be Thy Name!
Harbor of My Heart's Desire
He Came for Us
He Who Places Faith in Jesus
Here Within Your Purposes
Honored Be Thy Wondrous Word
How Awesome Is That Day to Me
If Ever a Complaint
If He Had Faltered Even Once
Impossibly Gigantic
Jesus Christ, Our Great Redeemer
Lesser Sphere of Darkest Space
Look, Mary, Look
Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment!
Minister of Mystery
My Soul Must Seek to Carry On
Naked and Alone, Hung the Son of God
O Higher Let My Praises Reach!
O the Riches in the Gospel!
One World Is Immaterial
Praise Him in the Arts for the Sciences
Prince of Peace, Thou Glorious Rider
So I Will Praise Him in the Night
Sovereign King and Caring Lord
Sow Then the Precious Seeds of Hope
Ten Thousand Time a Thousand Still
The Incarnation
The Lesser Light Which Rules the Night
The Stars I See Are Yesteryear's
The Tadpole Swims Within His Hands
There, into Peace
This Picture His
Though Men Refine Electric Lights
'Tis There Beyond the Reach of Earth
You Go Before Us
We Esteemed Him Not

What Am I Doing in the Kingdom?
What Matter Is So Strange as This?
What Name Has He for Me?
What Now Do You See?

What, Oh Man, Now Do You Know?
Where Beauty Gleams with Grace
Worship God 2006 Conference                        











March 17, 2007

Impossibly Gigantic

M51_whirlpool_galaxy_hstPhoto credit: NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)


Impossibly gigantic,

Yet hid from normal view;

With silent force controlling

The sum in your purview.

And is it not these likenesses,

In beauty, strength and grace,

That take my eye to see in you

The Great Designer’s trace?



-- K. Hartnett, July 2002


To whom, then, will you compare God?  What image will you compare Him to? (Isaiah 40:18)
 

The Whirlpool Galaxy - Almost Beyond Comprehension

Spectacular in its clarity, this image of M51- the Whirlpool Galaxy in the constellation of Canes Venatici- was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, high above the blurring effects of the Earth’s atmosphere.  It reveals the true nature of galactic spiral arms: immense structures of gas, dust and clusters of stars curving through the emptiness of outer space.  The size of this system boggles the mind.  If one were to reduce our own Solar System of planets- billions of miles in diameter itself- down to the size of a cookie, this galaxy in proper scale would be larger than the entire United States!  Spiral galaxies rotate everything in them in immense orbits that take millions of years to complete.  The earth is being flung right now with the rest of the Solar System at high speeds around the center of our own galaxy.

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.(1 Chronicles. 29:11)

In this poem I liken various attributes of God to the qualities of a gigantic spiral galaxy.  Both are too grand to fully comprehend.  As huge as our own Milky Way galaxy is, and despite the fact that it is silently hurling our entire Solar System around its center at a speed faster than a bullet’s, we live completely unaware of its presence and influence.  How similar this is to God!  Every moment our lives are silently guided in His powerful sovereignty, but we don’t even know it!  Then too behold the majesty and beauty of the galaxy’s spectacular and mysterious spiral arms.  All these things bring us to behold  the Genius of creation Himself, the Great Designer of all.


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