Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Hymn Of Trust

 
 O Love Divine, that stooped to share
Our sharpest pang, our bitterest tear,
On Thee we cast each earth-born care,
We smile at pain while Thou art near!

Though long the weary way we tread,
And sorrow crown each lingering year,
No path we shun, no darkness dread,
Our hearts still whispering, Thou art near!

When drooping pleasure turns to grief,
And trembling faith is changed to fear,
The murmuring wind, the quivering leaf,
Shall softly tell us, Thou art near!

On Thee we fling our burdening woe,
O Love Divine, forever dear,
Content to suffer while we know,
Living and dying, Thou art near!

~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

Monday, December 30, 2013

One Day At A Time

 
We worry about our tomorrows
Oft missing the joys of today
Troubled about what may happen
Yet tomorrow, may not come our way.
 
Life's pathway is ever uncertain
"Right now" is what's yours and mine..
The future is safe in God's keeping
We can live but one day at  time.
 
~ Gert Holaday

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Lord Give Me A Song

 
Lord give me a song to lift y soul,
When muscles shrink and dreams grow old,
A melody whose words ring true,
In "this vale of tears" I'm walking through.
Lord give me a song that's made to share
With lonely people everywhere,
Joyous notes on wings that reach
Into the private lives of each.
 
Lord give me a song that gathers up
Life's sweetest memories in a cup,
Of gentle faces and a host
Of things now gone but never lost.
Lord give me a song to make my day
A better one in every way,
Fill it with thanks to You who bring
So much of which we ought to sing.
 
Lord give me a song when skies re grey,
And it looks like winter's here to stay,
When the rain runs down my window pane,
And it seems the sun won't shine again.
How well I can recall the saying,
That "he who sings is doubly praying",
My words might be too low to her,
But I know a song will reach Your ear.
 
Lord give me a song that never ends,
And as each silver note ascends,
Perhaps some stranger passing by,
Might gain new courage, such as I.
I did not ask for wealth and such,
For earthly goods don't matter much,
I only pray I may be given
A song, to sing me into Heaven.
 
~ Grace E. Easley

Saturday, December 28, 2013

The Zest Of Life

 
Let me but live my life from year to year,
With forward face and unreluctant soul.
     Not hastening to, nor turning from the goal;
Not mourning for the things that disappear
In the dim past, nor holding back in fear
From what the future veils; but with a whole
And happy heart, that pays its toll
To youth and age, and travels on with cheer.
  So let the way wind up the hill or down,
     Through rough or smooth, the journey will be joy;
     Still seeking what I sought when but a boy,
New friendship, high adventure, and a crown,
     I shall grow old, but never lose life's zest,,
     Because the road’s last turn will be the best.
 
~ Henry Van Dyke

Friday, December 27, 2013

His Guiding Hand

 
With outstretched hand, He leads me
Where deep blue waters flow,
When my footsteps tend to falter,
He shows the way to go.
 
Gently leading on a  journey
Which is yet unknown to me
For the paths is steep ad narrow
Difficult for me to see.
 
But I feel my faith grow stronger
And I see alight divine
As I smile and travel onward
With His strong hand holding mine.
 
~ Juanita R. Davis

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Dear Lord

 
Dear Lord,
help me to live this day
quietly, easily;
 
To lean upon
Thy great strength
trustfully, restfully;
 
To wait
for the unfolding of Thy Will
patiently, serenely;
 
To meet others
peacefully, joyously;
 
To face tomorrow
confidently, courageously.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

There is One

 
There is One, that like a shepherd
will defend our way,
And He looks with eyes of pity
on the sheep that stray;
From the mountains wild and lonely,
still He calls them to His fold,
He is full of grace and mercy ---
His love can ne'er be told.
 
There is One, that like a shepherd
will defend our way,
We shall see, adore and praise Him
thro' a long, bright day;
In the kingdom of the faithful
we shall lay our armor down,
And from Him, our Lord and Savior
receive a starry crown.
 
~ Fanny J. Crosby

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Thy Will Be Done

 
I do not care
Where I may be
If I may be there,
Lord, for Thee.
 
I care not where
May feet may go
if they may go
for Thee, and so
I from
my grateful
glad
heart pray,
"Oh, gracious God
Let my feet trod
 
The winsome,
Cheerful
holy way."
 
~ Lorena Farmer Cowdrey

Monday, December 23, 2013

Faith And Purpose

 
However dark the day may seem
Or steep the path I plod
I have no fear because I know
I have my faith in God,
I know He will not leave me or
Forget me in my need
As long as I believe in Him
With every thought and deed.
I may be foolish now and then
And I may lose the way
But He is always at my side
Wherever I may stray.
His guiding grace reminds me of
The mercy He has shown
And in my deepest misery
I never feel alone.
I know my God is willing to
Forgive my every sin
As long as I have faith and I
Sincerely try to win.

~ James J. Metcalfe

Sunday, December 22, 2013

All May Be One

 
Jesus prayed
that all may be one,
like His coat
woven without seam;
but men without love
divided remain,
like His garments
parted at the cross.
 
~ Edward A. Gloeggler

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Gentle Jesus

Gentle Jesus listen closely
To the words that I would say,
'Tis with love that knows no limits,
That I come to Thee today.
For without You life is empty,
With no comfort any place,
I have naught save You to help me,
Do not turn away Thy face.

Gentle Jesus teach me patience,
Take away this foolish pride,
Grant I only be permitted,
To continue at Thy side.
Though my heart is sometimes weary,
And my eyes are filled with tears,
I have only but to tell Thee,
And my sorrow disappears.
Gentle Jesus, Lord and Master,
Deep within this human shell,
Lives a soul which Thou hast ransomed,
It would love Thee long and well.
You have felt as I am feeling,
Who could better understand,
Than the One who meekly listened,
To their "crucify the Man!"

~ Grace E. Easley

Friday, December 20, 2013

The Covert Of Thy Wings

 
I do not even ask, dear Lord,
That Thou should'st still the sea,
But that Thy strong unfailing love
with peace abide in me,
For well I know no storm would come
Could I not stand the test,
So let me lean with faith serene
Against Thy loving breast;
Willing thus to stand the storm
Though bruised by grief and pain,
Knowing that someday my loss
Will prove eternal gain.

For oh, I know no song-filled sky
Or days all bright and clear
Could ever cause my soul to cling
To Thee like this --- so near.
And had I been less tempest-tossed,
My heart could not have known
The utter sweetness just to trust
In Thee, and Thee alone!
And so I do not ask to fly
Above the storm and sing;
Just let me in the tempest feel
The covert of Thy wings!

~ Alice Hansche Mortenson

Thursday, December 19, 2013

My Soul And I

 
Know well, my soul, God's hand controls
Whate'er thou fearest;
Round Him in calmest music rolls
Whate'er thou hearest.
 
What to thee is shadow, to Him is day,
And the end He knoweth,
And not on a blind and aimless way
The spirit goeth.
 
Nothing before, nothing behind;
The steps of Faith
Fall on the seeming void, and find
The rock beneath.
 
~ John Greenleaf Whittier

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

A Song In My Heart

 
I was thinking of the heartaches
That I had held so fast
All the disappointments
That seemed to me so vast.

Nothing seemed to ease the pain
Of worry held so long
My heart was oh, so weary
And empty of its song.

I turned my eyes toward Heaven
And went to Him in prayer
I poured out all my troubles
And found contentment there.

I forgave all I remembered;
The things that had been done
I also asked forgiveness
For remembering every one.

I rose from prayer contented
I barely remembered the start
Of my troubled soul so weary
I had a song in my heart.

 ~ Virginia Laws

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

It's The Little Things

 
It's the little things
we do and say
That mean so much
as we go our way.
 
A kindly deed can lift a load
From weary shoulders on the road,
Or a gentle word,
like summer rain,
May soothe some heart
and banish pain.
 
What joy or sadness
often springs
From just the simple
little things!
 
~ Willa Hoey

Monday, December 16, 2013

Who Can Dare?

 

Who can watch the rising sun
Or see the wonders God has done,
Who can count them one by one
--- and say, There is no God.
 
Who, the orchard's gifts can share
Can taste the fruit that ripens there
Can watch it grow, and yet declare,
That God is dead.
 
Who can see the wonders done
By missionaries' efforts spun,
Or count the souls their works have won,
--- and claim, there is no God.
 
Who can look upon the grain
The clouds above that bring the rain,
To nourish crops on field and plain,
--- yet dares infer, that God is dead.
 
Who is so blind he cannot see
The wonders wrought in Galilee,
By Christ who came for all to see
--- and know, There is no God!
 
~ Ronald Eyrich

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Comfort

 
Dear Lord, I am so comforted
in my great love for Thee.
My worries fall like petals 
and my faith burns deep in me.
The thankfulness within my heart, 
the comfort that I feel,
Will lighten every burden
as in prayer I humbly kneel.
So thankful I am, my dear Lord,
for each day set apart,
As gratefully my prayers I say,
with comfort in my heart.
So thankful, I am, my dear Lord,
I do believe in Thee,
Like Benediction Incense, Thy love
flows over me.
 
~ Charlotte Trevillyan Sheward

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Listless Moments

 
Listless moments
spent in flight
Lost forever,
a fool's delight.
 
Lasting moments
Spent in prayer,
Saved forever
in heaven's care.
 
~ Bill Twomey

Friday, December 13, 2013

Charity

 
Do something today to bring gladness 
To someone whose pleasures are few,
Do something to drive off sadness ---
Or someone's dream 
to come true.

Find time for a neighborly greeting
And time to delight an old friend;
Remember, --- the years are fleeting 
And life's latest day will soon end!

Do something today that tomorrow
Will prove to be really worth while;
Help someone to conquer sorrow
And greet the new dawn with a smile ---

For only through kindness and giving
Of service and friendship and cheer,
We learn the pure joy of living
And find heaven's happiness here.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

The Rose

 
A splendid rose stood
all alone,
Surrounded by a wall
of stone
Around the wall were
roses, too,
Still neither knew the
other grew.
 
So often we, like
flowers dwell
Too deep within our
human shell
And pass through life ---
"not understood" ---
Not making all the friends
we should.
 
~ Anthony J. Pettito

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Wherever He May Guide Me

 
Wherever He may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh,
His sight is never dim, ---
He knows the way He taketh,
And I will walk with Him.
 
~ A. L. Waring

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee

 
O Master, let me walk with Thee
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret; help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.
 
Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee
In closer, dearer company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong.
 
~ Washington Gladden

Monday, December 9, 2013

Discovery

 
Today I smiled, and all at once,
Things didn't look so bad.
Today I shared with someone else,
A bit of hope I had.
Today I sang a little song,
And felt my heart grow light,
And walked a happy little mile,
With not a cloud in sight.

Today I worked with what I had,
Nor longed for any more,
And what had seemed like only weeds,
Were flowers at my door.
Today I loved a little more,
Complained a little less,
And in the giving of myself,
Forgot my weariness.

 ~ Grace E. Easley

Sunday, December 8, 2013

I Will Not Hurry

 
 I will not hurry through this day!
Lord, I will listen by the way,
To humming bees and singing birds,
To murmuring trees and friendly words;
And for the moments in between
Seek glimpses of Thy great Unseen.
 
I will not hurry through this day,
I will take time to think and pray;
I will look up into the sky,
Where fleecy clouds and swallows fly;
And somewhere in the day, maybe
I will catch whispers, Lord, from thee!

~ From I HAVE A STEWARDSHIP by Ralph Spaulding Cushman
Copyright 1967 by Maude E. Cushman
Used by permission of the publisher, Abingdon Press

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Take Up Your Cross

 
Take up your cross and follow God
And He will lead the way,
To bring you hope and inner strength
To face each new born day.

Take up your cross and follow God
And cast aside your fear,
For when you need a helping hand
He always will be near.

Take up your cross and cast aside
Your gloom and dark despair,
For He will help to ease the pain
That in your heart you bear.

Take up your cross, be not afraid
However dark your plight,
For God will see you through the storm
And be your guiding light.

~ Harold F. Mohn

Friday, December 6, 2013

Morning Prayer

 
Help me use this day so wisely,
Lord,
That there will be no sad regret
When evening comes,
for hours misspent,
For work undone;
and let me not forget
Those things which seem
important now to me
Might dwindle in the light
of Thy eternity!
So if I've planned this day all wrong,
Please rearrange it,
Lord, and make it right;
Just let me glorify Thy name,
Put first things first,
I want Thy smile to-night!
 
~ Alice Hansche Mortenson

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Your Own Version

 
You are writing a Gospel,
A chapter each day,
By deeds that you do,
By words that you say.
 
Men read what you write,
Whether faithless or true;
Say, what is the Gospel
According to you?
 
~ Paul Gilbert

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

You Never Walk Alone

 
You never walk alone my friend
Though you may think you do,
For in your sorrow and despair
God always walks with you.
There is no hour, no passing day
He is not by your side,
And though unseen He is still there
To be your friend and guide.
Whene’er you think you walk alone
Reach out and you will find,
The hand of God to show the way
And bring you peace of mind.
 
~ Harold F. Mohn

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

My Task

 
 To love some one more dearly every day,
To help a wandering child to find its way,
To linger over a noble thought, and pray,
And smile when evening falls.
This is my task.
 
To follow truth as blind men long for light,
To do my best from dawn of day ‘till night,
To keep my heart fit for His holy sight,
And answer when He calls.
This is my task.


~ Maude Louise Ray

Monday, December 2, 2013

A Guide That Never Falters

 
There is a Guide that never falters,
Amidst the storms of doubt and fears ---
For He has walked the way before thee,
And He knows the path you see;
is feet have trod the rugged hillsides,
And the valleys of despair --
His life has paved the way to heaven,
Never fear, He'll guide you there;
His soul has tasted mortal anguish,
His eyes have felt the sting of tears,
He's a timely guide, a sympathetic Saviour,
So, trust to Him your future years.
 
~ Elizabeth E.S. Williams

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Choice

 
Our lives are songs;
God writes the words
And we set them
to music at pleasure;
And the song grows glad,
or sweet or sad,
As we choose
to fashion the measure.
 
~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Thank God For Little Things

 
Thank You, God, for little things
that often come our way ---
The things we take for granted
but don't mention when we pray ---
The unexpected courtesy,
the thoughtful, kindly deed ---
A hand reached out to help us
in the time of sudden need ---
Oh, make us more aware, dear God,
of little daily graces
That come to us with "sweet surprise"
from never-dreamed-of places.
 
~ Helen Steiner Rice

Friday, November 29, 2013

Consolation

 
There is never a day so dark and dreary
But God can make it bright.
There is never a night so black and void
But God can send his light.
So take to Him those hopeless things
That are tearing at your life...
The heart that puts its trust in God
Finds help to meet the strife.
 
~ Roxie Lusk Smith

Thursday, November 28, 2013

These Are The Gifts I Ask


These are the gifts I ask
Of thee, Spirit serene:

Strength for the daily task,
Courage to face the road,
Good cheer to help me bear the traveler's load,

And, for the hours of rest that come between,
An inward joy in all things heard and seen.

These are the sins I fain
Would have thee take away:
Malice, and cold disdain,
Hot anger, sullen hate,
Scorn of the lowly, envy of the great,
And discontent that casts a shadow gray
On all the brightness of the common day
.
 
~ Henry Van Dyke

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Never Alone

 
Sometimes, oh Lord, when I cannot pray,
I sit very still with nothing to say.
But never-the-less, I know you are there;
I whisper your name 'cause I know you care.
You know that I'm troubled with things on my mind,
And you know I've been weak, so often unkind,
But your spirit is with me, right here in this home;
And I know that I never am walking alone.
 
~ Helen Parker

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Experience

 
We must live through the weary winter,
If we would value spring.
And the woods must be cold and silent,
Before the robins sing.
 
The flowers must be buried in darkness,
Before they can bud and bloom.
And the sweetest and warmest sunshine,
Comes after the storm and gloom.
 
So the heart, from the hardest trial,
Gains the purest joy of all.
And from the lips that have tasted sadness,
The sweetest songs will fall.
 
For as peace comes after suffering,
and love is reward of pain.
So, after earth, comes heaven,
And out of our loss, the gain.
 


Monday, November 25, 2013

Thou Art Near

 
O love Divine, that stooped to share
Our deepest pang, our bitterest tear,
On Thee we cast each earth-born care,
we smile at pain while Thou art near.
Though long the weary way we tread,
And sorrow crown each lingering year
No path we shun, no darkness dread,
Our hear still whispering "Thou art near."
 
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Understanding

 
No more of light, I ask, O God,
But eyes to see what is:
Not sweeter songs, but ears to hear
The present melodies:
Not more of strength, but how to use
The power that I possess:
Not more of love, but skill to turn
A frown to caress:
Not more of joy, but how to feel
Its kindly presence near
To give to others all I have
Of courage and of cheer.
No other gifts, dear God, I ask,
But only sense to see
How best these precious gifts to use
Thou hast bestowed on me.
 


Saturday, November 23, 2013

Life's Seasons


  Life is life the seasons
Each one its changes bring,
A fertile seed takes root and grows
Thus youth is like the Spring.
Maturity comes in Summer
As we work and play and sing,
In the Fall we gather harvest
From the deeds we sowed, and then,
Alas too soon it's Winter
And our eyes have grown quite dim,
Have faith no need to worry
'Tis not the end of everything
For our souls will be returned again
To Heaven, where God is king.

 
~ Louis H. Guenther

Friday, November 22, 2013

Keep Me Near Thee

 
Keep me near Thee, dearest Jesus,
Always in Thy holy sight.
Draw me ever closer to Thee
Till the coming of the night.
 
Hold my hand and lead me onward
Through the trials and stress of day:
Let me see Thee, hear Thee, feel Thee ---
In my daily toil and play.
 
Hand in Thine I can not falter
Thou art ever at my side;
And my heavy heart seems lighter
When it in Thy heart confides. 
 
 

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Use Me Lord

 
Lord, give me courage to be true
To You in all I say and do.
Give me your love to keep me sweet
To everyone I chance to meet.
Give me your power to keep me strong.
Grant me your presence all day long.
Give me the Faith that all may see
How very real you are to me.
Give me wisdom to choose the best.
Help me perform each task with zest.
Give me vision to see your plan
Use me, Lord, wherever you can.
 

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

God Promised

 
God did not tell me,
Only roses would grow.
That I'd find no sorrow,
On the path I must go.
 
But He promised to be there,
Each step of the way,
Providing a way to escape,
The temptations of each day.
 
His grace all sufficient,
Daily to see me through.
He'd help me to conquer,
And be victorious too.
 
~ Dottlee Dugan Reid

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Morning Prayer

 
When little things would irk me, and I grow
Impatient with my dear ones, make me know
How in a moment joy can take its flight
And happiness be quenched in endless night.
Keep this thought with me all the livelong day
That I may guard the harsh words I might say
When I would fret and grumble, fiery hot,
At trifles that tomorrow are forgot ---
Let me remember, Lord, how it would be
If these, my loved ones, were not here with me.
 

Monday, November 18, 2013

God's Design

 
Philosophers may reason why
But I won’t take the time,
I only know I’m here on earth
Because of God’s design.
So I will just continue on
And do the best I can,
And know that God will do the rest
Because He made the Plan.

 
~ Ed Kane

Sunday, November 17, 2013

We Thank Thee

 
We thank Thee, Lord,
That of Thy tender grace,
In our distress
Thou hast not left us
wholly comfortless.

We thank Thee, Lord,
That of Thy wondrous might,
Into our night
Thou hast sent down
the glory of the Light.

We thank Thee, Lord,
That all Thy wondrous ways,
Through all our days,
Are wisdom, right,
and ceaseless tenderness.
 
~ John Oxenham

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Blessing On All Our Days

 
May blessings be ours in the morning,
May gladness be ours in the night,
May the breezes but gently caress us
And the sun give us softly its light.
In stress and in doubt and in danger
True courage and faith may we know,
And the Home Lights of God be our beacon,
Wherever we star or we go.
 
 Brian O'Higgins

Friday, November 15, 2013

A Morning Offering

 
My God, I offer You today…
My life and all its care…
Keep me from sin till evening comes…
Help me my cross to bear…
My day is long, my work is hard…
My life seems all a-wry…
I have no time to think or pray…
And the years pass swiftly by…
O God, accept my work today…
I do it all for You…
‘Tis badly done --- complainingly…
But the best that I can do...
And You are kind and gentle, Lord…
And the faults You will not see…
Such as it is, my life anew…
I dedicate to Thee.

~ Rev. Thomas Foy

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Needless Worry

 
Some of your hurts you have cured,
And the sharpest you still have survived,
But what torments of grief your endured
From evils which have never arrived!
 
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Yesterday's Cross

 
 The cross that pressed so heavy
Is light and sweet today;
It lost its weight this morning
When Jesus came my way.
 
The cross that looked so dreary
A day or two ago,
Has, with His presence, brightened,
He helped me lift it so.
 
It now, is light, a feather,
I laugh amid my tears,
And raise, with Him, my burden ---
All flown my anxious fears.
 
The cross that weighed so heavy,
The tears that fell so fast;
are changed to glorious rainbow
In skies, all blue at last!
 

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Open My Eyes

 
God open my eyes so I may see
And feel Your presence close to me...
Give me strength for my stumbling feet
As I battle the crowd
On life's busy street.
And widen the vision of my unseeing eyes
So in passing faces I'll recognize
Not just a stranger, unloved and unknown
But a friend with a heart
that is much like my own...
Give me perception to make me aware
That scattered profusely
on life's thoroughfare
And the best gifts of God
that we daily pass by
As we look at the world
with an unseeing eye.

~ Helen Steiner Rice