This is My Father's World

Many years ago around the late 1800's, a pastor from Lockport, New York named Maltbie D. Babcock like to hike. There was one area in particular he liked to go called the escarpment, an old upthrust ledge near Lockport. He described it as a marvelous view of farms, orchards and Lake Ontario. It is said those walks inspired the lyrics to this hymn "This is My Father's World". Before Babcock would walk, he'd often say "I'm going out to see my Father's world."

Here are the lyrics to this timeless hymn written so long ago. I would imagine Mr. Babcock would be pleased to know it's still sung today.

This is my Father’s world,

And to my listening ears

All nature sings, and round me rings

The music of the spheres.

This is my Father’s world:

I rest me in the thought

Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;

His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world,

The birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white,

Declare their maker’s praise.

This is my Father’s world:

He shines in all that’s fair;

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;

He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world.

O let me ne’er forget

That though the wrong

Seems oft so strong,

God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father’s world:

The battle is not done:

Jesus who died shall be satisfied,

And earth and Heav’n be one.

This is my Father’s world,

Dreaming, I see His face.

I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise

Cry, The Lord is in this place.

This is my Father’s world,

From the shining courts above,

The Beloved One, His Only Son,

Came—a pledge of deathless love.

This is my Father’s world,

Should my heart be ever sad?

The lord is King—let the heavens ring.

God reigns—let the earth be glad.

This is my Father’s world.

Now closer to Heaven bound,

For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.

No place but is holy ground.

This is my Father’s world.

I walk a desert lone.

In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze

God makes His glory known.

This is my Father’s world,

a wanderer I may roam

Whate’er my lot, it matters not,

My heart is still at home.

Have a blessed day my friends.

This is My Father's World

Father's Day - a time to recognize and remember our fathers.

Perhaps your father has passed, or you don't have a good relationship with your father. One common thing we ALL have is access to is a Heavenly Father who loves us more than we can comprehend, and more than any other human being could love us.

Proverbs 31 Ministries ~ Do You Know Jesus?

This is my Father’s world,
the birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white,
declare their Maker’s praise.

This is my Father’s world:
He shines in all that’s fair;

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;

He speaks to me everywhere.

1901 ~ Maltbie Babcock

For more information about this hymn
and the rest of the lyrics
you can visit here:
This is My Father's World

Have a blessed day my friends.

Father's Day

Father of love, our guide and friend,

O lead us gently on,

Until life’s trial time shall end,

And heav’nly peace be won.

~ William Irons, 1844 ~ 

My earthly father has passed, but I am thankful for my Heavenly Father who watches over me. I also have the peace of knowing I'll be reunited with my earthly father again someday.

Look at the birds of the air,
for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns;
yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
 Are you not of more value than they?
Matthew 6:26

Father's Day

Free for personal use

Happy Monday to You

Free Vintage Postcard ~ Wednesday

This is a fun vintage postcard above, which is part of a series of the days of the week.  Don't you think the way of corresponding years ago was much nicer than today.  I think this beats an email, text or voice message.  

The next image is a pretty congratulations postcard.  I'm going to use it on a card I'm making for a friend who recently retired, and a young lady who just had her 8th grade graduation.  

Free Vintage Postcard ~ Congratulations

I used one of the schooner images I had on here to make a Father's Day card for my husband and thought you might like to take a look.  

Father's Day Card I made for my hubby

Below is a scripture card I made with a passage from Psalm 107.  We handed these out to the men in church yesterday.  Yours free if you'd like, click on the image for a larger size.

Free Scripture Card

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, 

your ears will hear a voice behind you saying.  

"This is the way; walk in it.".  

Isaiah 30:21

Thanks for stopping by to visit and for all the kind comments you leave me.  I appreciate each and every one of you and love to see your happy faces on the side of my blog.  Have a blessed Monday my friends.

My Dad

My dad, my hero.  1932-2001

For I am now ready to be offered, 

and the time of my departure is at hand.

I have fought a good fight, 

I have finished my course, 

I have kept the faith:

Henceforth there is laid up for me 

a crown of righteousness, 

which the Lord, the righteous judge, 

shall give me at that day: and not to me only,

but unto all them also that love his appearing.  

2 Timothy 4:6-8

My dad was a great guy, not just because he was my dad but because he was a great guy.  He was kind and compassionate towards others, always wanting to quietly help someone who needed it.  He was a good provider for my family, an excellent role model, and always happy.  When I think back, my memories of him are laughing and smiling.  I miss him terribly, but have the assurance that I will see him again someday. 

Old Family Photo ~ I'm the baby

One of the funny stories my mom likes to tell is on their wedding day.   The picture below is of my dad on the left and his twin brother on the right.  His brother is actually wearing my dad's flower - a stephanotis - and is pinning a carnation to my dad (the groom).  I'm sure as my dad and uncle were discussing it, they assumed the biggest flower should go to the groom. 

Have a blessed day my friends.

Father's Day Images for You

The nautical images I posted yesterday in honor of Father's Day seemed popular, so I thought I'd offer a few more.  I found this lovely embossed purple Dad postcard yesterday in my stash.  If you look closely, you'll notice an anchor.  

Free Dad Vintage Postcard w/ Anchor

Here are a couple more schooners, one with a lighthouse.  Are you prepared for Father's Day?  My stepson and his family live away from us, but my husband was able to spend some time with them this week.  My daughter made a special delivery to him last evening which was a homemade strawberry rhubarb pie.  He was delighted of course.  His card is a work in progress, and I'm using one of the images I posted yesterday.   He's been a great dad over the years, always there for his children and supportive of their ventures.  The grandkids adore him.  He's the type of grandpa that will get right down on the floor and play trucks for hours making all the appropriate truck noises.  He's a keeper!!

Free Lighthouse and Schooner Vintage Postcard

Free Vintage Postcard of Schooner

Father's Day is tomorrow, I don't have my dear dad to hug, but if you have yours - give them a call, visit if you can, make them feel special.  

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, 

firm and secure.

Hebrews 6:19

Congratulations to Shoregirl for winning my Friday Blog Giveaway.   Stop by her blog when you have the chance, you're guaranteed to be inspired by her recipes, sewing projects, tutorials and paper crafts.   For more info on the weekly giveaway, you can check it out here.  Friday Blog Giveaway

Have a delightful weekend.

Down to the Sea in Ships

Free Vintage Schooner Graphic

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.  For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.  They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.  They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.  He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.   Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!  Psalm 107:23-31

Free Vintage Schooner Image

I live in a small fishing community where most of the residents make their living off the water in one way or another.  This is a familiar passage of scripture with the people in my area.  I am posting it in honor of Father's Day.  Although my dad's main occupation was construction, there was a time he made his living off the sea and was happiest there.  He departed this world for Glory Land ten years ago and I miss him dearly.  There are so many things I want to tell him that have happened since he's been gone.  However, I know his stories since he's been gone would be FAR more interesting than mine.  

Free Vintage Postcard

My husband is a fisherman and is so happy and content when he is on the water.  He can testify that the "works of the Lord" are evident in a mighty way and "his wonders in the deep" are beyond comprehension.

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.  

I hope you've enjoyed this post and the images I'm sharing with you today.  I've posted the Father's postcard before, but thought it appropriate to bring it out again.

Today is my Friday Blog Giveaway.  My husband draws every Friday evening around 8:00 p.m. EST and a winner is announced by Saturday morning.  Click on this link to see how you can enter.  Free Friday Blog Giveaway

Blessings to all of you today.  

Inspire with Courage - Spirit - or Hope

But encourage one another daily, 
as long as it is called “Today,” 
so that none of you may be 
hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 
Hebrews 3:13

Encourage ~ according to Webster's dictionary, it means to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope.  I am encouraged every day when I visit some of your blogs.  There are more blogs available to us online than we'd have time to visit in a lifetime, but some really speak to us and beg us to stop and spend some time.  We share ideas, pleasant thoughts, something we've made, something we're proud of.  We share our faith, prayers, talents, and family.  In doing so, we're encouraging one another without even realizing it.  

There are many blogs with over 500 followers and you would think, that number alone would be an encouragement to the blog owner.  The most encouragement comes when the time is taken to leave a comment, to let them know if a particular post was meaningful to them.  This post isn't about me trying to get comments, it's about us as a group of bloggers reaching out by leaving a pleasant word to someone who has encouraged you.  Our words of encouragement can be far reaching, beyond the scope of our comprehension.  


Here are some free postcard images for you today.  I have seen just about every possible relative mentioned on this type of postcard.  I've even seen "To My Dear Pet".  Here are a Sister, Mother and Father postcard image, free for you today.  Don't forget to click on each image for a larger size.

Free Vintage Postcard ~ Sister

Free Vintage Postcard ~ Mother

Free Vintage Postcard ~ Father

 Have a blessed day dear ones.