The power of novels

Personally I believe that most people are influenced far more than they would care to admit by novels, serial stories, films and so forth, and that from this point of view the worst books are often the most important, because they are usually the ones that are read earliest in life. It is probable that many people who would consider themselves extremely sophisticated and “advanced” are actually carrying through life an imaginary background which they acquired in childhood…—George Orwell, A Collection of Essays, 305

<idle musing>
Well, that's the end of the book. When I picked it up at the library book sale a couple of years ago, I didn't think it would suddenly become so relevant. Would that it weren't! Anyway, not sure what book to tackle next. I'm in the middle of a cognitive linguistics book, but those don't lend themselves well to extracts. And, as with most linguistics books, it's long and slow-going (at least for me).

All that to say, there might be a bit of a pause in postings outside of the regular hymns and Tozer for Tuesday while I finish the linguistics book. Or, I might start something else and let the linguistics book rest for a bit while I digest it some. We'll see.
</idle musing>

I Am Not Skilled to Understand

94 I Am Not Skilled to Understand

1 I am not skilled to understand
   what God has willed, what God has planned;
   I only know that at his right hand
   is One who is my Savior!

2 I take him at his word indeed:
   “Christ died for sinners,” this I read;
   for in my heart I find a need
   of him to be my Savior!

3 That he should leave his place on high
   and come for sinful man to die,
   you count it strange? So once did I,
   before I knew my Savior!

4 And oh, that he fulfilled may see
   the travail of his soul in me,
   and with his work contented be,
   as I with my dear Savior!

5 Yes, living, dying, let me bring
   my strength, my solace from this spring;
   that he who lives to be my King
   once died to be my Savior.
                         Dora Greenwell
                         Hymns for the Family of God

My God Is There Controlling

93 My God Is There Controlling

We search the starlit Milky Way,
A million worlds in rhythmic sway,
Yet in our blindness some will say,
“There is no God controlling!”

But as I grope from sphere to sphere,
New wonders crowd the eye, the ear,
And faith grows firmer every year:
“My God is there, controlling!”

We probe the atoms for their cause,
Explore the earth for nature’s laws,
Yet seldom in our searching pause
To think of God controlling.

Each flash of fact from out the night,
Each burst of truth upon my sight
That quickens awe or adds delight,
Reveals my God controlling.
William H. Reid
Hymns for the Family of God

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

87 Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

1 What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
   leaning on the everlasting arms;
   what a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
   leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain:
   Leaning, leaning,
   safe and secure from all alarms;
   leaning, leaning,
   leaning on the everlasting arms.

2 O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
   leaning on the everlasting arms;
   O how bright the path grows from day to day,
   leaning on the everlasting arms. [Refrain]

3 What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
   leaning on the everlasting arms?
   I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
   leaning on the everlasting arms. [Refrain]
                         E. A. Hoffman
                         Hymns for the Family of God