A Door is Closed

 

A door is closed and locked behind

Me at each end of day

And I can't open it, nor tread

Again along that way.

 

It has a window small, and I

Can peer through it awhile,

But then my vision dimmer gets

As I walk each new mile.

 

So  I suppose it's best by far

To keep my eyes ahead,

Forget the past and live each day

A better life instead.

 

~ Luther Elvis Albright

 

"I am the door: by Me,

if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and go out

and shall find pasture."

John 10:9 

 



Talk to Him

 

Talk to Him, soon as you open your eyes,

Thank Him for every new day.

Tell Him you love Him, throughout every hour,

Don't be too busy to pray.

Tell Him good night, when you lie down

to sleep,

Ask Him forgiveness if there

Is something you feel that you shouldn't

have done,

Go to Him often in prayer.

 

Talk to Him, make Him a part of your life,

Include Him in all that you do,

He knows the heartaches you've learned how

to hide,

The things you are going through.

He knows all your questions, but better

than that,

He has the solutions, too...

So talk to the Lord, and know in your heart,

...He's waiting to talk to you!

 

~ Grace E. Easley

 

May your ear be

attentive and your eyes

open, to heed the prayer

which I now offer...

Neh. 1:6

It's the Thought That Counts

 

Often in times of trouble

we don't know what to say,

So we choose to say nothing,

and sometimes run away.

When friends are really hurting,

we don't know what to do,

So we offer weak excuses

or say we're hurting, too.

 

It really doesn't matter

what kind of gift we bring;

We only need to be there

if we don't bring a thing.

It truly is amazing

what a hug can do,

When heartache numbs the senses,

and friends depend on you.

 

There's comfort just in knowing

that you are not alone,

When tears are overflowing,

and hearts are cold as stone.

It's the loving prayers of others

that balance our accounts,

For when we measure love,

it's still the thought that counts.

 

~ Clay Harrison

No Secret Hiding Place

 

Wherever we go, whatever we do

We cannot go beyond God's view.

There is no secret hiding place

Where He'll not look upon our face,

And we must ever strive to be

The Christian that He wants to see.

To love and serve Him every day

And help someone to find the way.

Lest we would hang our heads in shame -

For someday He will call our name.

 

~ Kay Hoffman

 

In You Lord

I take refuge;

let me never

be put to shame...

Ps. 31:2

He Leadeth Me

 

He leadeth me across the years,

I watch each one depart,

Filled with a gladness when I see

His footprints on my heart.

I place my hand within His own

And feel that I have wings,

He's given me the rainbow

And now a soul that sings.

 

He leadeth me down every path,

And I am not afraid,

He loves me, even knowing

The mistakes I have made.

He teaches me what pure delight

We find the more we give

And that to be unselfish,

Is the only way to live.

 

He leadeth me from dawn to dusk,

As seasons come and go,

He is my guide to inner peace

And everything I know.

A little shadow of Himself

Is what I've come to be,

Always safe and warm because

...The dear Lord leadeth me!

 

~ Grace E. Easley

 

He restoreth my soul:

He leadeth me in the

paths of the righteousness

for His name's sake.

Ps. 23:3

 



I am the Good Shepherd

 

I am the Good Shepherd:

the Good Shepherd giveth

his life for his sheep.

John 10:11

Seasons of the Heart

 

 I linger by the window pane

Where Summer memories remain,

And high above the fallen snow

Bright silken flowers seem to grow.

 

I reminisce of Spring's sweet song

And for her vibrant beauty long,

I miss the fragrance of the rose

And velvet grass between my toes.

 

But soon I'll hear the songbird's trill

For it has always been God's Will

That Winter shall give way to Spring

and all the joys that it can bring.

 

~ Catherine Janssen Irwin

I've Burned a Lot of Bridges in My Time

 

 I've burned a lot of bridges in my time,

Left a trail of ashes through the years,

Backed myself into a solid wall,

And been to blame for more than half my tears.

Tripped on pride and fell upon my face,

Bitten off much more than I could chew,

Detoured over many needless miles,

And even missed the boat a time or two.

 

"Walking in where angels fear to read,"

I spoke my mind more often than I should,

Sinner...Saint...a name is but a name,

For I was sometimes bad and sometimes good.

A loner more by choice than circumstance,

I shunned the crowds to mingle with my kind,

Finding much of beauty even though

...I've burned a lot of bridges in my time.

 

~ Grace E. Easley

 

The Source and Father of Mercies

 

 When trials of life are hard-pressing,

Oh, turn to the lord, for he sees.

He's the Source and the Father of mercies;

Too, the God of all comfort is He.

 

No matter how great is the trial,

Still greater His mercy and grace.

He'll not test us more than we're able

But will give us a way of escape.

 

In sufferings and all tribulations.

He lovingly comforts His own

That we might in turn comfort others,

Their troubled hearts gently console.

 

So when trials so greatly assail us,

No trust should we put in ourselves.

The Source and the Father of mercies

Will all our anxieties quell.

 

~ Loise Pinkerton Fritz

 

Blessed be God, even the Father of

our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies,

and the God of all comfort.

2 Cor. 1:3

 

Be Not Dismayed By Dismal Days

 

 It's a dismal, dreary morning and as I sometimes do

I feel a little dreary and kinda downcast, too,

For let nobody tell you that life's a "happy song"

And that we just keep smiling

when everything goes wrong...

For it just would not be natural to always wear a smile,

For a smile would be a "silly grin" if it covered up a trial...

For there are certain periods when the soul is "sweetly sad"

As it contemplates the mystery

of both good times and bad...

We're not really discontented and we are never unaware

That the Good Lord up in heaven

has us always in His care,

But the soul of man is restless

and it just keeps longing for

A haven that is safe and sure that will last forevermore...

And as I sit here writing this

a thought passed through my mind -

"Why dwell on past or future

or what's ahead and gone behind?"

Just follow God unquestioningly

because you love Him so,

For if you trust His judgment

there is nothing you need know!

 

~ Helen Steiner Rice

Someone Shares Our Burdens

 

 Have you ever known days when nothing goes right,

When everything seems to go wrong?

Have you ever had times when friends let you down

And you're weak when you want to be strong?

 

Have problems beset you on every side,

'Til you simply don't know where to turn,

And no one seems able to lend you a hand

When you seek a solution to learn?

 

Has illness or grief taken over your life?

Is your body or mind wracked with pain?

Are you so filled with spite, guilt, envy or hate

That happy thoughts cannot remain?

 

We will all suffer anguish sometime in our life,

But we don't have to face it alone;
There is Someone who's waiting our burdens to share,

There is Someone who'll make them His Own.

 

That Someone is Jesus, through Him is the Way

That leads to contentment and rest;

He'll give us the strength all our trials to endure...

In His love all our days will be blessed.

 

So turn to the Master, with prayers and praise,

Give yourself to Him body and soul;

In that glorious bondage you'll find yourself free

To live with His throne as your goal.

 

~ Alive J. Christianson

My Guiding Light

 

 Illuminator of my soul,

Shine bright for me today -

Push back the shadows from my path

Till I can see the way

That You would have me go, dear God,

- Don't let me blindly grope -

Let your Holiness surround me

And, too, Your blessed Hope.

Grant me wisdom and discernment

- Bathe my spirit in Light!

Remove from me those obstacles

That so obscure my sight.

And when the way ahead is clear

Please take my by the hand -

For if I try to walk alone,

I'll step in sinking sand.

Dear Jesus, Love of my soul,

You know what' best for me -

And if I stay within Your Light,

That plan You'll let me see.

So grasp my hand and hold it tight,

Lest I begin to stray -

And be my ever Guiding Light

...Beginning with today.

 

~ Denise A. DeWald

 

"... I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life."

John 8:12

Lest I Forget, Lord

 

 Lest I forget to thank You, Lord,

For all You've done for me,

Not only now, but every day,

Please "jog" my memory.

Lest I forget that in each life

Your children here below

Have some distress akin to mine..

All this, I need to know.

Fill me with Your compassion

And a love for everyone..

To overlook the faults in them

And see the good they've done.

For I am weak just like the rest

And need Your saving grace,

The glory of eternity

Will be to see Your face!

I must be sure I've done my best..

God, help me as I try.

We only have one life to live..

There is a time to die.

 

~ Gene Appleby

On a Winter Morning

 

 I took a walk this morning,

I had to go and see,

The world of white that winter's hands,

Had fashioned just for me.

 

Alone beneath the somber skies,

I felt the silent spell,

And I beheld a fairyland

As feathered snowflakes fell.

 

Across a little wooden bridge,

My footprints in the snow,

Left little tracks which clearly told

Which way I meant to go.

 

With eyes alight and cheeks aflame,

I climbed the nearest hill,

And on the threshold of such joy

My heart grew hushed and still.

 

The glistening white cathedral,

of the forest towered high,

And I, a humble worshipper,

Sensed God was passing by!

 

I do not know what happened,

But I am not the same,

And I went home a better soul

...Than when I came!

 

~ Grace E. Easley

I Trust Him Still

 

I trusted God when skies were bright,

And summer days were blue and gold,

When life held only joy-filled days

And happiness was mine to hold.

 

I trusted God when roses bloomed,

When autumn showed her lovely face,

But when the season passed, and all

Was stripped of beauty and of grace -

 

I found life's winter, too, was bleak.

My skies once blue now overcast.

Storm clouds were looming, and I asked -

"Can I trust now, as in the past?"

 

I trusted when the skies were bright,

And roses bloomed so sweet and fair.

How small my faith if now I ceased

To trust God's wisdom and His care.

 

I trust Him still. And when has passed

All heartache, and the winter's gloom,

I know I'll see, and love more dear,

A summer day when roses bloom.

 

~ Beverly J. Anderson

Place Your Faith

 

 Place your faith and trust in God

With each new dawning day,

And He will be your beacon bright

Each step along the way.

 

He always will forgive you

Through acts of sin and wrong,

And in your hour of weakness

Will help you to be strong.

 

He never will forsake you

As friends so often do,

But be your staunch companion

Day after day anew.

 

He always will sustain you

In time of great despair.

His love for you is timeless

And present everywhere.

 

~ Harold F. Mohn

 

And again,

I will put

my trust

in Him...

Heb. 2:13

Life's Ultimate Goal

 

 It takes a lot of courage,

And great determination,

To overcome the obstacles

And reach a destination!

 

To be endowed with patience

Takes more than self-control;

It takes a lot of praying

When striving for that goal.

 

The road was never easy

To glory or to fame,

For in this world of strangers,

You are just another name!

 

You must expect to struggle,

And take it on the chin.

There always is a battle,

Before someone can win.

 

You must not cry or falter,

For once the game's begun

You have to keep on pitching;

Don't quit until you've won.

 

And once you taste the glory,

Don't rest on laurels pay!

For fame is not decisive -

It, too, can fade away!

 

An honor is God's blessing

Enriching heart and soul;

It's when you uplift others,

You've reached life's highest goal.

 

~ Gene Appleby

A Touch of Autumn

 

 

A touch of Autumn fills the air

with great expectations everywhere.

Hot summer days and humid nights

have given way to cool delights.

The frosted pumpkins in the glen

have children wearing silly grins.

Our harvest dreams have been fulfilled,

now dreams of Christmas have us thrilled.

The stars seem brighter than before

like fireflies at Heaven's door.

Silver moonlight and Autumn breeze

have transformed the golden trees

into chapels made of light

singing praises throughout the night.

A touch of Autumn fills the air

with thoughts that God is always there!

 

~ Clay Harrison

 

God Made An Autumn Day

 

God spoke to Mother Nature
One bright October day,
Then handed her a paint brush
And colors bright and gay,
Was then she formed a sunrise
To touch the leaves of gold,
And blended bits of scarlet
All beautiful and bold. 

At eventide, a sunset
Was added to it all,
The blue of sky - a gentle breeze
That bid the leaves to fall,
The magic of the hilltops
Each dream along the way,
God tucked away the summer
Then made an autumn day. 

~ Garnett Ann Schultz
 

I'd Like To Share My Dream

 I'd like to share my dream with you

and tell you what is best to do,

So, first before you start the day,

ask God for courage as you pray.

Whatsoever things are lovely,

live them in your heart,

Whatsoever things are honest

never let them part.

Do not turn away discouraged -

keep your eyes upon your dream,

Fight the things within you, even

hopeless they may seem,

Keep going in one direction

laughing at your fate,

Turning to the things you dreamed of,

on the track of something great!

Fill your heart with rainbows,

don't let clouds linger there,

For there's no time for sadness

when happiness fills the air.

We all can't climb the mountain

to that glorious height,

But we can go on ahead and upward

to the Guiding Light.

Don't worry about the yesterdays -

the winds have blown away,

Lift up your heart and sing again

for there's another day.

So, if you let me share my dream,

life will feel sublime,

For somewhere just beyond the clouds

the sun will always shine.

~ Doris K. Finck

I Know God's Love Is Everywhere

 I know God's love is everywhere,

In the beauty of the land,

It's as clean as the shell along the shore

After the waves have washed the sand.

It's a contented peace that you can feel

Just as twilight blankets the earth,

As fresh as the morning dew on the rose

When night to the dawn gives birth.

It's the gentle patter of the rain

After a long hot summer's day,

A radiant light that forever glows

When storm clouds roll our way.

It's as gold as the leaves when

they begin to change,

As brisk as an autumn morn,

As soft as the snowflakes that kiss your cheek

When a winter's day is born.

It sparkles as bright as jewels in the snow,

When the moon sheds its silvery light,

It outnumbers the stars in the heavens above

On a clear crisp winter's night.

For nature sings God's song of love,

In the beauty of the land,

We have only to listen with our hearts

To know God's love for man.

~ Debbie Hiber

In His Hand

 My Father sees inside my heart,

He knows my every need.

His plan for me He will reveal,

If on His Word I'll feed.

He spoke the universe in place;

He's Master of the sea.

When storms of life are raging,

I know He'll pilot me.

Why should I worry then, of fret?

For God, who gave His Son,

Holds all my moments in His hand

And giving them one by one.

~ Shirley W. Langley

In the shadow

of His hand

hath He hid me....

Is. 49:2

Spring's Arrival

 

 I didn't hear a bugle blow

When spring arrived today,

Nor did I hear the whole world shout

Along the springtide way.

Instead I heard the trilling sound

Of songbirds everywhere,

The gentle breezes, humming bees,

The wild geese in the air.

 

I didn't see a big fanfare

When spring came by our way,

Nor did I see a festive feast

To mark this gladsome day.

Instead I saw rebirth of life,

A world of blossoming;

Oh,  yes, I saw the power of God

In this first day of spring.

 

~ Loise Pinkerton Fritz

 

And he changeth

the times and

the seasons.

Daniel 2:21

The Love of a Child

 

There's nothing as lovely and nothing as true

As the love of a child in our care,

Nothing as sweet as the soft wistful eyes

Or the arms they so willingly share.

 

There's sweetness and joy such as none we have known,

There's tenderness, warmth and delight,

So wondrously rare is the mind of a child,

A portion of wisdom and light.

 

The love of a child is a treasure to keep,

Do nurture it day unto day,

This sweet little soul God has placed in your care

To guide it and show it the way.

 

It will blossom and bloom as the days shall unfold,

You will know that on you God has smiled,

For nothing's more precious or more to be sought

Than the heart and the love of a child.

 

~ Garnett Ann Schultz

 

"Amen, I say to you,

whoever does not accept the

Kingdom of God like a child

will not enter it."

Luke 18:17

Perennial Perfection

 

 Child, you're a flower,

Flourished from a seed

Nurtured, loved, protected

Perfect, yes indeed.

 

Child, you're a flower,

Skin of velvet rose,

Scent of fields of lilacs

Dainty hands and toes.

 

Child, you're a flower,

Finer by the day,

Growing strong and handsome

In your special way.

 

Child, you're a flower,

A gift of true delight

Heaven knows I'm thankful

Every day and night.

 

~ Janice Cortis Kasowski

 

"...Let the children

come to me and

do not prevent them;

for the Kingdom of God

belongs to such as these."

Luke 18:16

 



For All to Share

I thank God for the many things

He often sends my way,

The love and peace that I enjoy

Which often fill my day.

These lovely gifts He gives to me

But I must prove my worth,

If Paradise I hope to see

When I have left this earth.

Thus I must lend a helping hand

To those who are in need

And find the lost and floundering souls

Who need someone to lead -

Give freely of my time to those

Who sorrow and despair

And hold the hands of those in pain

And show them that I care.

The love and peace that I enjoy

Is there for all to share,

If you desire these gifts from God

Just go to Him in prayer.

~ Dolores Karides 

Use Me Lord

Use me Lord and let me serve

In every way I can.

Let me channel love and hope,

According to your plan.

Show me the way, lead me to where

There is a plea for help and care.

Then letme be the light, and emans

To be the answer to a prayer.

Use me Lord, give me the words

To comfort and console.

Then guide me with each step I take

To touch the heart of some dear soul.

For I have much that I can give

And I offer willingly

To be your vessel while I serve,

Dear Percious Lord, use me.

~ Patience Allison Hartbauer 



My God is in Control!

When worries seem to overcome,

And tension fills my soul,

My God is just a prayer away,

I know He's in control.

When burdens seem so hard to bear,

And triumphs seem so few,

That's when He takes my hand once more,

To lead me right on through.

God has a reason for each trial,

And as my lief unfolds,

He knows the things I can't explain,

And what my future holds.

O'er mountains or through valleys,

I have learned to be content,

I know He'll work things out to be

The way that they were meant.

May I be strengthened by each trial,

May I, His name extoll,

And never should I once forget,

That God is in control!

~ Carol McKenney

The Ministry of Kindness

 Lord, my ministry is kindness,

Loving thoughts and words and deeds,

I dedicate my life to You

To serve my neighbor's needs;

One may need loving assistance,

One, just a call t keep in touch,

And one may need a word of praise

That says, "I love you very much."

To one I'll give material gifts

To another, gifts divine

But to You, lord, I'll give myself

To be forever Thine.

~ Sister Mary Gemma Brunke, S.C.

...by love

serve one another.

Gala. 5:13

In the Arms of Jesus

In the holy arms of Jesus

There is  haven from our fears

And a refuge for the heartaches

That engulf a life in tears

For He loves us, with devotion,

Through all phases of our life -

Though we, oftentimes, deny Him

In our miseries of strife.

He is caring and forgiving

Of our frailties of heart

And the sins of human weakness

We commission and impart,

But His arms are always open -

To endear us in embrace-

When we pray to Him for refuge

and the comforts of His Grace.

~ Michael Dubina

The Season of the Roadside Stand

It's the season of the roadside stand,

And along the country roads

We see displayed the harvest yield

From seed which the tiller sowed.

There are golden ears of sweet corn,

Gourds of every size;

Beans, both green and yellow;

Potatoes, red and white.

There are solid heads of cabbage,

Some moss-curled parsley, green;

Tomatoes, squash, and pumpkins...

What a thankful autumn scene!

It's the season of the roadside stand;

How the merchants' faces beam

As they strive to please each buyer

Of this produce, freshly gleaned.

~ Loise Pinkerton Fritz

Thou crownest the year

with thy goodness;

and thy paths

drop fatness.

Ps. 65:11