Happy Thanksgiving!

"Remember, O My Soul,
 It is thy duty and priviledge to rejoice in God:
 He requires it of thee for all His favours of grace.
 Rejoice then in the Giver and His goodness,
 Be happy in Him, O my heart, and in nothing but God,
 for whatever a man trusts in,
 from that he expects happiness"

from "A Colloquy on Rejoicing" The Valley of Vision

"Thou Great and Only Potentate,
Thou hast made summer and winter, day and night;
each of these revolutions serves our welfare
and is full of Thy care and kindness.
Thy bounty is seen in the relations that train us,
The laws that defend us,
the homes that shelter us,
the food that builds us,
the raiment that comforts us,
the continuance of our health, members, senses, understading, memory, affection, will.
But as stars fade before the rising sun,
Thou hast eclipsed all these benefits
in the wisdom and grace that purposed
redemption by Jesus Thy Son.
Blessed be Thy mercy that laid help on
    one that si mighty and willing,
   one that is able to save to the uttermost.
Make us deeply sensible of our need of His saving grace,
          of the blood that cleanses,
          of the rest He has promised."

from "Bounty" Valley of Vision

"Jesus My Glory"

"O Lord God,
Thou hast commanded me to believe in Jesus;
  and I would flee to no other refuge,
            wash in no other fountain,
            build on no other foundation,
            receive from no other fulness,
            rest in no other relief.
His waterand blood were not severed in their flow at the cross,
   may they never be separated in my creed and experiences;
May I be equally convinced of the guilt and pollution of sin,
            feel my need of a prince and savior,
            implore of Him repentence as well as forgiveness,
            love holiness, and be pure in heart,
            have the mind of Jesus, and tread in His steps.
Let me not be at my own disposal,
 but rejoice that I am under the care of One who is too wise to err,
            too kind to injure,
            too tender to crush.
May I scandalized none by my temper and conduct, but
   recommend and endear Christ to all around,
   bestow good on every one as circumstances permit,
  and decline no opportunity of usefulness.
Grant that I may value my substance,
  not as the medium of pride and luxury,
  but as the means of my support and stewardship.
Help me to guide my affections with discretion,
to owe no man anything,
       to be able to give to him that needeth,
       to feel it my duty and pleasure to be merciful and forgiving,
        to show to the world the likeness of Jesus."

Valley of Vision