Lenten Thoughts

I was asked to give a 'testimony' during the worship service on March 20, 2011. As one who is NOT comfortable at all with demonstrative effusions on my faith, the following is what I ultimately stated.

Thoughts on God’s Presence in my life:

Some of us can stand on the street corner and proclaim our faith. Others of us can pray with confidence in public. And others of us can put our faith in erudite words as a verbal testimony. I don’t feel comfortable doing any of those things.

I come from a Dutch Reformed background and generations of psalm singers. I attended a Christian elementary school and a Christian college. I learned early and throughout my formative years to SING my faith. The words of the hymns and psalms of my youth are firmly imprinted on my brain. I feel closest to God and most uplifted either when singing or listening to the glorious music of the church. In times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of stress or in times of relaxed pleasure, I chose to sing my faith.

One hymn speaks my faith loudly and clearly – even to the point that I had it sung at the memorial services for both of my parents and will request that it be sung at mine too – Our God Our Help in Ages Past.

I invite you to join me in a testament to my faith and yours as we lift our voices in praise to the Almighty singing together Psalm 90, Hymn #210, Our God Our Help in Ages Past. Hear the words. Let them speak to you as they speak to me. May you feel God’s eternal love and eternal presence in your life – our guide while life shall last and our eternal home.

Lenten Testimony
March 20, 2011
Betty Kooy

1. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
2. Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
3. A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
4. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the op’ning day.
5. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last,
And our eternal home.