earth & heaven

I love this poem.......I don't know who wrote it. May it bring comfort and hope to you tonight.

O Lord,
I live here as a fish in a vessel of water,
only enough to keep me alive,
but in Heaven I shall swim in the vast ocean.

Here I have a little air to keep me breathing,
but there I shall have sweet and fresh gales:

Here I have a beam of sun to lighten my darkness,
a warm ray to keep me from freezing;
yonder I shall live in light and warmth forever.

My natural desires are corrupt and misguided,
and it is Thy mercy to destroy them;
My spiritual longings are of Thy planting,
and Thou wilt water and increase them;
Quicken my hunger and thrist after the realm above.

Here I can have the world,
there I shall have Thee in Christ.

Here is a life of longing and prayer,
there is assurance without suspicion,
asking without refusal.

Here are gross comforts, more burden than benefit,
there is joy without sorrow,
love without inconstancy,
rest without weariness.

Give me to know that heaven is all love,
where the continual viewing of the beauty keeps the soul in continual transports of delight.

Give me to know that heaven is all peace, where
error
pride
rebellion
passion
raise no head.

Give me to know that heaven is all joy, the end of
believing
fasting
praying
mourning
humbling
watching
fearing
repining;

And lead me to it soon.

Please pray for our children tonight......both families went through some trying ordeals today.
Pray that they would trust God to give them comfort, peace, and confidence in the days ahead. I am amazed and thankful when I observe their maturity and emotional stabilty in some really tough circumstances.

To God be the glory great things He has done.