Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Counting Blessings Today

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in Heaven, nor your home on high.

So, a-mid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journeys end.

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings,
Name them one by one;
Count your many blessings,
See what God hath done.

Johnson Oatman, Jr.

Aged 19, Oatman joined the Methodist Church and years later, granted a license to preach in local Methodist congregations. His mainstream career was in a mercantile business and later as administrator for a large insurance company in New Jersey. At the same time, he wrote over 5,000 hymn texts. "Count your Blessings" is generally considered to be Oatman's finest hmn. It first appeared in Songs for Young People, compiled and published by Edwin O. Excell in 1897. It has been sung all over the world. One writer has stated, "Like a beam of sunlight it has brightened up the dark places of the earth." SUITE101.COM

Wow, this man wrote over 5,000 songs! This song I dedicated to my daughter Kim while she was young. She always struggled with setting her eyes on the immediate, getting discouraged, and forgetting all the blessings that she was sitting in which should have been filling her heart with joy. Don't we all do that?

I am trying TRIED to write in the Compose of this blogger to see if I don't have to do the Edit Html. Lately, I need an easier, more simplified life. ha

Counting my blessings this morning... let's not let the worlds troubles take away our JOY! Christ in us - the hope of Glory!

5 comments:

Faith said...

This was one of my favorite songs growing up! I loved hearing my mom sing it most weekends...she was so busy working full time in the week but on weekends she would sing this. I love it!!

TO BECOME said...

I loved this post! I have always had a blessing when singing or hearing this song sung. There are problems on every hand, we need to keep our eyes on the blessing and from WHO they come from. Thanks, connie Marie. connie from texas

Joy said...

Oh that brings back wonderful memories! That is so uplifting and pretty. Thank you for sharing.
Joy

Attie said...

another wonderful post from you with words to live by!! I have a saying on my wall it says.."Blessings counted by toes!!"
Iam very blessed!1

Farrah said...

Amen! Love that old hymn!