My God the drowning sinner saves
Who trusts alone in Jesus’ name
Though crushed in weakness ‘neath the waves
The savior keeps alight my flame

From everlasting to everlasting,
You’ll always grip my hand in thine!
And one day cause the waves to break;
Above my head the sun shall shine!

I see no friend to bear me up
To love me and to lead ahead
But Jesus loves me this I know
And as I walk He leads me, blind
[refrain]

The Lord my shepherd calls to me
A wayward sheep who thinks he knows
Help me fight this heart of stone
Your ways are pleasant, pathways peace!
[refrain]

One day soon, that’s not too far
My eyes shall close, my breath shall cease
Then standing sinless in His gaze
All sorrows fade, all love release
[refrain]

- Josh Rodatus, July 2010

A story hymn from old John Newton

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith and love and every grace
Might more of His salvation know
And seek more earnestly His face.

‘Twas He who taught me thus to pray
And He I trust has answered prayer
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He’d answer my request
And by His love’s constraining power
Subdue my sins and give me rest.

Instead of this He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart
And let the angry powers of Hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed
Cast out my feelings, laid me low.

Lord, why is this, I trembling cried?
Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death?
“Tis in this way,” the Lord replied
“I answer prayer for grace and faith.”

“These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou may find thy all in me.”

- John Newton, 1779

I am suddenly doubting the wisdom of this piece. It does not smell like the fear of the LORD. It may be a case of Job 38:2. Comments welcome.

‘Tis a senseless costly waste
To dig a mine in a mirey place
To spend long hours in worldly books
Complying with the council of comely crooks
Crooks- say you- why deem them so coarse?
They take a small fortune, place career on a horse
And bedraggle me off the level course

Thy Word is truth and life and light
I yearn to learn it with all my might!
But time is pressed by crooks’ inflation
As I pay to live by their dictation
What is the cost of breaking the tie?
And what is the benefit gained thereby?
The cost is the loss of a paper certificate
Which qualifies me to negotiate
For a few of the livings available on earth
Whose stress with their cost is commensurate

But what is the gain from parting ways?
From self-directing my training days?
The benefit gained is eternal I say
For the best years of mind
Shan’t be spent on benign
Subjects only divine and the useful
Divine I concede is paramount indeed
But useful- say you- what is that?
Why- languages cultures both formal and raw
Bricklaying medicine I’ll learn them all
When the Lord pours his Spirit on me from above
Hands feet and lips shan’t be awkward to love

But looky- say you- here
You’re only a dreamin’
Putting food on the table ain’t as easy as yer seemin’
All dreams are a fancy
Til they’re blighted with hunger
Be practical good man and awake from your slumber
A bachelor’s will secure a steady living- don’t go scheming

Dear friend you may trust that a trade I won’t forego
A livelihood is vital to be living here below
Business skill is found not only in professors’ knowledge
Thus a simply more efficient way to train is out of college
I thank thee for thy council but it comes from only one
Of the many ways to live one’s days beneath the blazing sun
Remember Proverbs says the godly pauper is the better
While the bachelor holder’s clawing deadlines fit him in a fetter
Seeking third the Kingdom drains a life and makes it vapid
Seek ye first His righteousness, these things shall all be added

- Josh Rodatus, October 2009

Running round the dark of night resting fate in hands of sight
With fears of questions silence answered, he’s a-fraid he might be lost
Underneath the stiffened mask his eyes grow weak when Father asks:

Did you thank me for the trees?
Did you thank me for the rain?
Did you thank me for my answers, spoken softly just the same?
Will you thank me for my kingdom, did you thank me for the cross?
Do you trust me now enough to face the cost?
Do you know I’ll always be here when you’re lost?

Drawn beneath the waves of earthly toil and unrest
Life’s unveiling treasure lies in paper food and dress
When once what mattered slips away his hands draw back and Father asks:

Did you thank me for the trees?
Did you thank me for the rain?
Did you thank me for your purpose, though un-earthly just the same?
Will you thank me for my kingdom, did you thank me for the cross?
Do you trust me now enough to face the cost?
Do you know I’ll always be here when you’re lost?

- Josh Rodatus, May 2007

What have I done
My Lord, my King
Must I live on knowing not your pain
What have I done
Mine eyes deceive
Have I not worshiped you
Neigh thou grace, my God
I unde-serv-ed thee

What have I done
Thy loving hand
Gifts all I see yet not your plan
What have I done
What must I bring
Have I not worshiped you
Neigh thou love, my King
I unde-serv-ed thee

What have I done
Mine hands of yours
How frail and empty Lord they come
What have I done
Thou workest through
Have I not scourg-ed you
Neigh thou wounds, my Lord
I unde-serv-ed thee

- Josh Rodatus, April 2008

Thou sloth, hark!
Tis the clock tower chime?
Tis the stone mason’s hammer?
Tis the fluttering sail blown full wind?

Neigh!
Still more captivating
Are the master’s hands
Shattering silence with one swift flourish
Striking into sense the darkest befuddlement

Oh happy disruption!
Carry me away!
Wrist flick hither
Fingers burning for their destinies

Glacic shards upon ivory hammers
Weight acruing- it affords no tarry
So sing soft, sing quick
Deep cuts by a surface touch

Hark thou sloth!
For as fine wine to parched lips
Is the master’s touch to the frigid soul

(referring to piano)

- Josh Rodatus, July 2008