Thursday, April 30, 2015

The Glory of Life

 
The glory of life is to love,
not to be loved,
To give, not to get,
to serve, not to be served;
To be a strong hand in the dark
to another in time of need,
To be a cup of strength to
any soul in a crisis of weakness.
This is to know the glory of life.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

The Spring

 
There's a trail winds down from my house
to a lovely little spring
Where goldenrod grows all around
and pheasants take to wing;
Where bees buzz 'round wild flowers
of yellow, blue and white,
And hummingbirds and insects feed
as they move from site to site.
 
In Wintertime, when all is still
as a picture in a book,
My spring keeps on a-bubbling
to begin its little brook.
And then I know - no matter how
my world may rock and spin,
God is in His heaven, and
it will all come right again.
 
~ Frankie Davis Oviatt

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

A New Beginning

 
With the newness of each morning
When the sun begins to rise,
How our hearts are filled with joy
As we gaze up to the skies.
 
For each dawn is filled with gladness
We're so grateful for the day,
One more chance to do God's bidding
And make amends for yesterday.
 
As we spend these precious hours
May we ever be aware
That this gift of one more day
Is but a gift to spend with care.
 
Every day's a new beginning,
Though the last it may well be,
But if we spend it well, we'll spend
Our life with him eternally.
 
~ Polly Thornton
 
...Amend your ways
and your deeds....
Jer. 7:3

Monday, April 27, 2015

Not by Chance nor Happenstance

 
 Into our lives come many things
to break the dull routine,
The things we had not planned on
that happen unforeseen,
The unexpected little joys
that are scattered on our way,
Success we did not count on
or a rare, fulfilling day -
A catchy, lilting melody
that makes us want to dance,
A nameless exaltation
of enchantment and romance -
An unsought word of kindness,
a compliment or two
That sets the eyes to gleaming like crystal drops of dew -
 
The unplanned sudden meeting
that comes with sweet surprise
And lights the heart with happiness
like a rainbow in the skies...
Now some folks call it fickle fate
And some folks call it chance,
While others just accept it
as pleasant happenstance -
But no matter what you call it
it didn't come without design,
For all our lives are fashioned
by the Hand that is divine -
And every happy happening
and every lucky break
Are little gifts from God above
that are ours to freely take.
 
~ Helen Steiner Rice
 


Sunday, April 26, 2015

The Faith of a Mustard Seed

 
How often I have stumbled
along life's narrow way.
How often I have grumbled
at the first light of day.
When the road of life grows weary,
I want to run and hide,
When days are dark and dreary,
I lock myself inside.
In times of toil and trouble,
I often fail the test.
When misfortunes burst my bubble,
I'm seldom at my best.
When the storms of life assail me
and knock me to my knees,
I realize I could not see
the forest for the trees.
For God had always been there
waiting to meet my need,
And all I had to do was share
the faith of a mustard seed.
 
~ Clay Harrison
 
And the Lord said,
"If you have faith
the size of a mustard
seed you would
say to this tree, 'Be
uprooted and planted
in the Sea,' and it
would obey you."
Luke 17:6

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Beware the Seed

 
 Beware! Beware
What seeds you sow
If - what they bear -
You do not know.
For, what you sow,
The Lord will grow
And you must harvest
What you sow.
 
Be sure,
Of what you want to grow
Above the earth
Or down, below;
And never sow
A bitter seed
That will but grow
A bitter weed.
 
~ Michael Dubina
 
...they that
plow iniquity, and
sow wickedness,
reap the same.
Job 4:8

Friday, April 24, 2015

Beside the Waters

 
 Beside the quiet rippling streams
My Lord is leading me,
All nature bears His spoken word
In everything I see.
For lo, He comes to comfort me
And sits down at my side,
He whispers in the breezes
Blowing gently through my mind.
The waters ripple gently on,
So quiet and serene,
And on its waves I see His truth
Reflecting like a dream.
 
And mounted up on eagle's wings,
The Master makes me soar,
Above the waters running still
And all because He's Lord.
Reflected on the ripples are
The trees and skies above,
Resplendent with the sun,
As warm as God's abiding love.
A place where I find solitude
Without a single care,
Beside the waters deep and still,
My Father leads me there.
 
~ Thomas P. McHugh
 
...he leadeth me beside still waters.
He restoreth my soul...
Ps. 23:2-3
 


Thursday, April 23, 2015

Snow Picnic

 
I planned a picnic in the snow,
Invited feathered friends I know.
I scattered crumbs and seeds toe at,
With suet for a special treat;
 
Then took my place at window seat,
Each honored guest to quietly greet.
Slate-colored juncos came to call
And brown-hued chipping sparrows small.
 
The cardinals perched on ice-white spread
In splendid coats of crimson red.
I watched the purple finches dine
In royal bibs, raspberry  wine.
 
Towhee, nuthatch and chickadee
Had gracious manners once could see.
When kingly blue jay lit to taste,
The other birds made room in haste.
 
My friends chirped thanks for crisp birdfeed,
Nutritious food that filled each need.
I listened joyfully and thought
Of Winter wonder God's birds brought.
 
~ Louise Pugh Corder
 

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

The Heralds of Spring

 
A nest and two birds in a tree,
Two birds singing merrily;
There'll soon be a family...
This is the sign of Spring.
 
Flow'rs peeking through snow-dusted ground,
Emerging without slightest sound,
Brightening the landscape around...
This is the sign of Spring.
 
A rainbow aglow in the sky
After a shower from on high,
A gorgeous sight to the eye...
This is the sign of Spring.
 
A branched pussy willow tree
With catkins so silvery,
A most welcome sight to see...
This is the sign of Spring.
 
The peepers a-peeping out yon
In woods at the set of sun,
All heralds of what has come...
Colorful, life-filled Spring.
 
~ Loise Pinkerton Fritz
 
Nevertheless he left not himself
without witness, in tat he did
good, and gave us rain from
heaven, and fruitful seasons,
filling our hearts with food
and gladness.
Acts 14:17

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

The Secret

 
I met God in the morning
When my day was at its best,
And His presence came like sunrise,
Like a glory in my breast.
All day long the Presence lingered,
All day long He stayed with me,
And we sailed in perfect calmness
O'er a very troubled sea.
Other ships were blown and battered,
Other ships were sore distressed,
But the winds that seemed to drive them
Brought to us a peace and rest.
Then I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind,
When I too had loosed the moorings,
With the Presence left behind.
So I think I know the secret,
Learned from many a troubled way:
You must seek Him in the morning
If you want Him through the day!
~ Ralph Spaulding Cushman
 

Monday, April 20, 2015

Gentle Folk

 
Sometimes it so amazes me,
The love that people give,
They lighten up my darkest hours
And help my soul to live.
Just when I'm feeling down
At times, a friend appears
To put a smile inside my heart,
And wipe away my tears.
It makes me realize how much God
Loves us through and through,
When He takes the time to care for me
Through gentle folk like you.
~ James Joseph Huesgen
 


Sunday, April 19, 2015

My Daily Prayer

 
 Give me a spirit sweet, dear Lord,
As I go about my day,
Tat I would be a blessing glad
To someone on life's way.
Let no small pettiness of mine
Keep me from doing good,
To help where there's a need, and love
My neighbor as I should.
When I would seek my will, not Yours,
Speak to my heart anew;
Give me a vision clear, dear Lord,
Of what You'd have me do.
Please grant to me the strength I need
To stand for right and good,
Rememb'ring that we all should strive
To do the thing You would.
Lord, let me not be boastful of
Some good that I have done,
But keep me ever mindful that
From You my blessings come.
I do not ask for riches grand,
Nor skies forever fair;
A closer walk with You, dear Lord,
This is my daily prayer.
 
~ Kay Hoffman

Saturday, April 18, 2015

A Day Worthwhile

 
 I count that day was wisely spent
In which I do some good
For someone who is far away
Or shares my neighborhood.
A day devoted to the deed
That lends a helping hand
And demonstrates a willingness
To care and understand.
I long to be of usefulness
In little ways and large
Without a selfish motive
And without the slightest charge.
Because in my philosophy
There never is a doubt
That all of us here on earth
Must help each other out.
I feel that day is fruitful
And the time is worth the while
When I promote the happiness
Of one enduring smile.
 

Friday, April 17, 2015

Set Me Afire

 
 Lord, set me afire with a white-hot blaze,
Consuming all of my willful ways,
Burn away all that You see,
That might deter or hinder me.
Sear me right down to the bone,
'Til every sinful thought is gone,
Let the flames rise hot and bright,
Like a scarlet vigil light.
 
Lord, let me mirror only Thee,
'Til there's nothing left of me,
Let my soul reflect the glow
Of Thy goodness here below.
Rid me of each vain desire,
In this ever-cleansing fire,
And when my heart shall cease to beat,
...Bless these ashes at Thy feet.
 
~ Grace E. Easley

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Autumn

 
 Amber, crimson, russet, gold,
Foliage colors now unfold.
Bright the sky and crisp the air,
Signs of Autumn everywhere.
 
Orange pumpkins in the field,
Harvest shows a lavish yield.
Roadside stands are quite a treat
Laden with good things to eat.
 
Scarlet sumac are ablaze
All along the country ways;
Goldenrod and asters, too,
Lend their charm for us to view.
 
Autumn calls the heart to praise
For the bounty of Fall days,
For the beauty we behold
When the leaves turn red and gold.
 
~ Beverly J. Anderson
 
And he changeth
the time and
the season...
Dan. 2:21
 


Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Get Away from All of It

 
 Sometimes I surely think that I
Would like to get away
From all of it and be alone
And rest and think and pray.
 
I could relax and contemplate
The joys that I have had
And I could read some Scripture for
It  makes one's heart so glad.
 
'Twould also serve to brush away
The cobwebs from my mind,
'Twould help me to make light my load
And leave my cares behind.
 
In fact I think that ev'ryone
Should sometimes get away
From all of it and contemplate,
Relax and think and pray.
 
~ Luther Elvis Albright
 
Persevere in prayer,
and watch in
it with thanksgiving.
Col. 4:2
 

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

After the Winter, God Sends the Spring

 
 Springtime is a season
Of hope and joy and cheer.
There's beauty all around us
To see and touch and hear.
So, no matter how downhearted
And discouraged we may be,
New hope is born when we behold
Leaves on a budding tree,
Or when we see a timid flower
Push through the frozen sod
And open wide in glad surprise
Its petaled eyes to God,
For this is just God saying,
"Lift up your eyes to Me,
And the bleakness of your spirit,
Like the budding Springtime tree,
Will lose its wintry darkness
And your heavy heart will sing" -
For God never sends the Winter
Without the joy of Spring.
 
~ Helen Steiner Rice

Monday, April 13, 2015

The Great Commission

 
It's not hard to be a Christian
and fill a friendly pew
Where only friends surround you
and praise the things you do.
But God would have us share His word
with those who know Him not
On darkened streets and avenues
where sinners cast their lot.
 
Here dwell the non-believers,
and those who have not heard
That Jesus Christ still loves them
according to His word.
Here dwell the lost and lonely,
the homeless and the proud,
Who, like sheep, have gone astray
by following the crowd.
 
Here dwell the broken-hearted,
the abandoned and abused,
Who have seen the "Sunday Christians"
and walked away confused.
It's not hard to be a Christian
and fill a friendly pew,
But after the Benediction...
can Christ be found in you?
 
~ Clay Harrison
 
"Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations..."
Matt. 28:19
 

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Then Jesus Approached

 
 The Jesus approached and said to them,
"All power in heaven and
on earth has been given to Me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit..."
 
Matt. 28:18-20

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Admonition

 
Reach out your hand to those in need,
Say not, "I have no time to give,"
True joy is in the kindly deed,
And peace is in the love we live.
 
Be fond of virtue more than gold,
Let blessed truth be in your heart;
Onto the right path firmly hold
And vanquish evil from the start.
 
The God of Wisdom has a plan,
And to this plan all things are bound.
His gift of freedom is, for man,
The greatest treasure to be found.
 
We have this life in which to live
Our freedom choices day to day:
It's not to evil we should give
Our very souls and lives away!
 
~ George R. Kossik

Friday, April 10, 2015

The Little Horse Who Failed

 
 Once there was a little horse
who entered in a race,
but due to careless folly
it ended in disgrace.
 
This came about when he outran
the other on the track
so far, he wondered where they were
and took a quick glance back.
 
When he stopped, the second horse
the turf did swiftly spin,
and with his four hoofs flying,
beat him to the win.
 
So let this be a lesson:
run your race in your own time
and regarding competition,
never stop to look behind.
 
For we are individuals;
with ourselves we must compete,
and to concentrate on rivals
is to suffer sure defeat.
 
~ Don Beckman

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Lack of Knowledge

 
 When I was young I wondered how
the sky could be so blue;
what kept the clouds from falling down,
why four was two times two?
 
I asked my elders why green leaves
should turn to browns and reds,
and they would often frown at me
or shake impatient heads
 
and say "when you are older, lad,
you'll understand such things,
and know the reason snow is white
and why a bird has wings."
 
Yet, I am older now and find
when children question me
that it is hard to answer them
and not speak foolishly.
 
For this is the truth: the questions asked
are quite profound and wise;
it only is in adult minds
the lack of knowledge lies!
 
~ John C. Bonser

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

I Offer Thanks


 
 I offer thanks for friends so dear,
For every word of joy and cheer,
The quiet moments I so love
And blue skies there so high above,
The special dreams that are my own
And every beauty I have known.
 
I offer thanks for Springtime days
And happiness on country ways,
The precious laughter of a child
And tiny violets growing wild,
The brook that murmurs as it flows,
The magic o a Junetime rose.
 
For sun and rain and gentle earth
The miracle of Spring' rebirth,
Each Autumn color bright and bold,
For snowflakes soft and Winter's cold,
The sea that rushes to its banks,
For God and love - I offer thanks.
 
~ Garnett Ann Schultz
 

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Time for Change

 
When our hair has turned to silver
And our steps are slowed by years
We must change our style of living -
In some ways we don't endear;
Younger hands must do the planting,
Stronger hearts must run the race;
You and I must love, more dearly,
While we 'wait the Lord's embrace.

 It is time for little diversions,
From our ways of younger years,
Time to live with limitations
Greying years combined with fears;
Younger hands must cut the timber;
Stronger hearts must climb the hill,
You and I must dress, more warmly,
To endure each Winter's chill

We must, also, pray to Jesus
For the comforts of His love
To sustain us and endear us
For Eternity, above;
Younger hands must do the labors;
Stronger hearts must lead the chase;
You and I must love, more dearly,
While we 'wait the Lord's embrace.

~ Michael Dubina

Monday, April 6, 2015

Holy Is His Name

 
Through the many, many years
There are many smiles and tears;
Yet the smiles predominate
If we live for Jesus' sake.

Tho the years may heartaches bring;
Yet the heart shall surely sing;
If to Jesus we belong,
For His very name is song.
 
Saviour here me, as I pray,
That I dedicate each day
To Thy precious Holy Name;
Which is evermore the same!
 
~ Sancie Earman King
 

Sunday, April 5, 2015

I Thank God for My Home

 
 When sunrise lights the morning skies
Over our village paradise
And roosters crow their "wake-up" call
For us to hear, both one and all,
I thank God for my home.
It's not a palace for a king;
It's just a country cottage, small,
But, oh, the joys it ever brings,
Joys nestled there within its walls.
Here family lives with God as guide;
Here love for one another reigns.
All things are taken in their stride;
Concern for each one never wanes.
The windowsills hold flowers, bright,
That shed a ray of welcome here
And beckon to the flowers outside,
The gardens with their floral cheer.
When sunup fills the earthen floor
And touches on each village door
And folks begin their work each day
I n their same good old-fashioned way,
I thank God for my home.
 
~ Loise Pinkerton Fritz

Saturday, April 4, 2015

If Memories are Riches

 
 I'll always have my memories,
When I am old and gray,
And they at least are something
No one can take away.
I could not ask for greater wealth,
Because they are so dear
And I will never wish for more
As long as I am here.
For if they measure riches by
Memories here on earth,
I'll surely be a millionaire -
So great would be their worth.
 
~ Harold F. Mohn

Friday, April 3, 2015

Cabin of My Dreams

 
There is a cabin of my dreams
To which I often go,
Sometime amid the Autumn leaves
Or nestled in the snow.
It's close beside a crystal stream,
Wherein I often swim,
And there are deer who never mind
That I am watching them.
There is a cabin of my dreams,
Rustic, quaint and small,
And yet I feel when I am there
I surely have it all.
It has two ample windows
Through which the sunlight streams,
And when dusk falls, the honeysuckle
Drifts into my dreams.
There is no need to lock the door,
No one lives out this far,
And I do very well indeed
Without a bus or car.
I've spent some happy hours
On that bench beneath the trees,
My homemade bread is sweetened
With wild honey from the bees.
Because one cannot see it
Doesn't mean it isn't there,
It is my secret refuge
From a world so full of care.
Within its walls an atmosphere
Of true simplicity,
And we are one, who dwell within,
...My little dog and me.
~ Grace E. Easley
 

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Time for God

 
At the end of the day when the world is still
And my thoughts can return to memory,
I like to relax by my windowsill
And watch the great river glide out to sea.
It ripples along in an easy way,
A the lights blink on shining streaks of gold,
Across sparkling water for sun's last ray -
Just a final gleam as the day grows old.
 
Serenity comes to my window seat..
It's peaceful and calm as I linger there.
This hour of rest has become my retreat;
A place for solace and freedom from care.
Each of us seeks out a place he can be
Closer to God and tranquility.
 
~ Marian Ford Park

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Home and Hearth

 
Home and hearth, such sweet words,
I ponder in my muse,
For they tell of simple joys,
The ones I do most choose...
For home's a cheery haven
With hearth so red aglow,
Where cares are oft' unburdened
And peace is good to know...
The dearest place upon the earth,
A respite from the storm,
Where hearts are shaking kinship
And building memories warm...
Home and hearth, such sweet words,
They signify true rest,
Where life' simple pleasures
Are at their very best!
 
~ Virginia Borman Grimmer