Stars and Strikes

Jed came down Sunday. We really didn't have any great plans; ate at Cracker Barrel Sunday evening. I celebrated(?) the Fourth of July with a terribly messed up digestive system, so we didn't do much then, either, except watching some movies and old TV series. Jed celebrated by fixing everything around the house from the closet door in the "reading room" to trying to plumb the kitchen faucet. He went back to Atlanta today.

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One of my favorite hymns sings in my mind:

My Faith Looks Up to Thee

Ray Palmer (1808–1887)

My faith looks up to thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary,   Saviour divine! Now hear me while I pray, Take all my guilt away,         5 O let me from this day   Be wholly thine!   May thy rich grace impart Strength to my fainting heart   My zeal inspire!         10 As thou hast died for me, O may my love to thee Pure, warm, and changeless be,—   A living fire!   While life’s dark maze I tread,         15 And griefs around me spread,   Be thou my guide; Bid darkness turn to day, Wipe sorrow’s tears away, Nor let me ever stray         20   From thee aside.   When ends life’s transient dream, When death’s cold, sullen stream   Shall o’er me roll, Blest Saviour, then, in love,         25 Fear and distrust remove! O bear me safe above,—   A ransomed soul!