On May 28th and again on May 29th, 2020, I suffered two heart attacks. I had immediate CABG 3 (triple bypass) and spent the rest of the summer looking for additional ways my heart might fail me. Out of that experience, I made many life changes, not the least of which was moving out of the Chicago area to a very rural area of central Tennessee with a small 30-acre farm. Having spent my entire adult life in a trade, I am no stranger to manual labor, but the work on a farm is orders of magnitude greater than taking care of a suburban yard. And my heart has no problems with complaining when I over do things. Which sometimes leads to flashbacks to the summer of 2020.

But God has given us this one life to live in his wonderful creation, which he pronounced as “good.” We are not meant to be one of those timid souls, afraid of their own shadows. Life is full of pain; minor and significant; difficulty, simplicity, and the profound. There is a quote from Marcus Aurelius: “the obstacle is the way.” I think this answers the question about pain and hardship. It is through the pain, hardships and great challenges we are called.

It was through the horror of the cross, our sin debt was paid. We are called to pick up our own cross and bear our portion of the burden. We were not promised success, money, or glory, but we are promised pain and suffering. And that is where we should go without fear for great glory awaits us on the other side.

These are all affiliate marketing links. I receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase. This costs you nothing and goes a long way to supporting this channel and website.

Here are some of my favorite Hymnals:

Presbyterian 1955 Hymnbook: http://amzn.to/2zSRdpL

Episcopal 1940 Hymnal: http://amzn.to/2DEOl1H 

Broadman 1940 Hymnal:  http://amzn.to/2C1WuwK

Methodist 1939 Hymnal:  http://amzn.to/2CfJ1Wq

Pilgrim 1935 Hymnal: http://amzn.to/2DDvbJC

Now Sings My Soul, New Songs for the Lord by: Linda Bonney Olin:  http://amzn.to/2DQ6gUy

Choice Hymns of the Faith 1945 http://amzn.to/2Dx97nA

Book of Psalms for Singing https://amzn.to/2ygM00b    (1912 Psalter is unavailable)

Hymns Ancient and Modern https://amzn.to/3dfaHIY

Here are my new projects:

Trinity Hymnal 1960 https://amzn.to/3ZU7esg

Lutheran 1909 Hymnal https://openlibrary.org/books/OL25240909M/Evangelical_Lutheran_hymn-book

J S Bach Riemenschneider 371 Harmonized Chorales  http://amzn.to/2DSy5f9

References:

Dictionary of Hymnology:  http://amzn.to/2BxPabk

American Hymns Old and New https://amzn.to/3fqkkVU

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