An old Hasidic tale

The rabbi asked his students: "How can we determine the hour of dawn, when the night ends and the day begins?

One of the rabbi's students suggested: "When from a distance you can distinguish between a dog and a sheep?"

"No," was the answer of the rabbi.

"Is it when one can distinguish between a fig tree and a grapevine?" asked a second student.

"No," the rabbi said.

"Please tell us the answer then," said the students.

"It is, then," said the wise teacher , "when you can look into the face of another human being and you have enough light in you to recognise your brother or your sister. Until then, it is night, and darkness is still with us."

Source: Finding My Way Home (Henri J.M. Nouwen)

Penitent, we breathe Your name

I recently came across this Steve Green song, Father Hear Your Children, which I loved. He came across it in an old Lutheran hymnal and put some music to it. 

Father, Hear Your Children 

Father, hear Your children call
Humbly at Your feet we fall
Prodigals, confessing all
To the cross we bring our blame
All our life-long sin and shame
Penitent, we breathe Your name
Penitent, we breathe Your name

By Your love, by Your grace
By the blood of Jesus wash our sins away
Make us new today
Hear us as we pray

We're blind, but pray for eyes to see
Where we're bound, Lord make us free
Stained, we plead for purity
Where we're sick, apply Your cure
Take our guilt and make us pure
For Your mercy Lord, is sure
For Your mercy Lord, is sure

Lord, we have no other place to go
Only You can heal the wounding of our soul
Let forgiveness flow
Let forgiveness flow

Traditional Hymn, Public Domain
Additional Lyrics by Steve Green
© 2007 Birdwing Music (admin. by EMI CMG Publishing) / Steve Green Music (admin. by EMI CMG Publishing) (ASCAP)