For Being Kind

 

Of the many friends I've treasured -

Those who've lived the longest time

Are the ones who were the kindest

With the gifts of heart and mind;

Never selfish; never greedy;

Never sparing loving care;

Always sharing of their harvests

And the fortunes of their prayers.

 

They were, always busy people -

Helping others with their needs -

And, forever, sowing kindness

In their acts of Christian deeds;

None were, ever, rich or noble -

Or possessed of master minds;

They were only humble people,

God has blessed for being kind.

 

~ Michael Dubina

 

Regrets

 

I regret that yesterday,
I didn't smile a little more,
Or give a warmer welcome
To a caller at my door.
 I regret I didn't take the time
To call a distant friend,
That I wasn't somewhat kinder
And left some notes unpenned.
 I regret I was so cranky
And hasty on my way,
Oh, how I wish that I could change
My thoughtless yesterday.

 

~ Virginia Borman Grimmer

 

Sweet Communion

 

The cooling  breezes touched my face;

 The water net my hand.

I breathed the tangy perfumed air

while sifting heated sand.

 

Thoughts so tangled earlier

began to calm and slow,

when I felt His hand upon my brow

as I turned to go.

 

I knew a sweet Communion

Had taken place that day.

Without a word or conscious thought,

My troubles washed away.

 

~ Virginia Bishop

 

 

 

A Good Creed

 

If any little word of ours
Can make one life the brighter;
If any little song or ours
Can make one heart the lighter,;
And take our bit of singing
And drop it in some lonely vale
To seet the echoes ringing.

If any little love our ours
Can make one life the sweeter;
If any little care of ours
Can make one step the fleeter;
If any little help may ease
The burden of another;
God give us love and care and strength
To help along each other.

 

If any little thought our ours
Can make one life the stronger;
If any cheery smile of ours
Can make its brightness longer;
Then let us speak that thought today,
With tender eyes aglowing,
So God may grant some weary one
Shall reap from our glad sowing. 



Meditation

Search into the garden

 Of your soul and you will find

A gem of priceless beauty

Like a jewel that's most divine.

Meditate in silence

And with each breath release

A faith that's filled with magic

And a magic filled with peace...

For in your quiet moment

You will surely visualize

That in this rest of peacefulness

God will unveil a prize.

A prize that's been unnoticed

Like a jewel that has been lost

But now in silent meditation

You can hear His faint response.

Like a choir of angels singing

For we mortals here below

If we take the time to listen

His miraculous touch will flow.

Flow free from every corner

The invitation's clear

If you take the time to listen

Then God's music you will hear.

~ Chris Zambernard



God of Grace

 

O grant us faith, dear God of grace,

that strengthens and sustains -

A faith that reigns triumphantly

Through all our earthly pains.

 

Grant comfort that reveals Thy love,

Console our hearts, we pray;

God, wipe our tears, and courage give

To walk in hope each day.

 

O grant us peace, dear God of grace,

Peace Thou alone canst give;

That we may rest our souls in Thee,

And in thy sweetness live.

 

~ Beverly J. Anderson

 



Let the Music Swell

In this transformed heart of mine,

Let the music swell,

Springing forth from Christ divine,

Heaven's eternal Well.

Let me sing in rapturous wonder

And joyous ecstasy -

Fetters that bind breaking asunder,

Redemption's hymn setting free.

Let this heart, deluged with song,

Sing of God's great love.

May my voice join angel throng,

Praising His Name above.

In men's hearts may Christ's joy be reigning;

Let music fill the air,

Echoing through all earth with singing

Salvation's song ev'rywhere!

~ Kathryn Thorne Bowsher

O sing unto the Lord

a new song: sing unto

the Lord, all the earth.

Ps. 96:1



Our Guiding Light

I walk not alone in the shadows,

thought it seems at times- I must be.

Then a gentle hand on my shoulder

tells me God is walking with me.

Through life's trials and tribulations

the shadows so often appear,

and days that should bring us happiness

are filled with misgiving and fear.

Often we feel lost and lonely -

not able to find the way,

and we wonder if we will ever again

step into the light of day.

If we reach out in the shadows,

we'll find that we are not alone,

for God is the way, the truth, and the light,

and He'll guide us safely home~

~ Doris A. Orth



Rest

Rest for bodies that are weary
...Rest for souls in deep despair,
Sweet assurance of His presence
...even in a world of care.

Blessed rest in times of trouble
Peaceful harbor in the storm,
In the midst of dark depression
...Rest and safety in His arms.

When the heart is heavy laden
Trust the one that loves you best,
For He knows about each heartache
In His love is blessed heart rest.

Toils of life may make
you weary
When you do your
very best,

Place your head upon your pillow
As He gives you sleep and rest.
When life's sun is quickly setting
And you pass the final test,
His amazing grace will take you
To that final place of rest.

~ Gertrude B. McClain

Come to Me all of you
who are burdened and
I will give you rest.
Matt. 11:28

My Wish For You!

I wish you true blessings
that come from above,
God's infinite wisdom,
God's wonderful love!

May His comforting hand
guide your step every day
And light up your pathway
as you throw cares away

And trust in Him only,
For He knows what is best
His all-seeing eye
Never shuts, never rests;

Give Him full swing
in your life and He'll be
Always beside you
every step of the way!

~ Ruth W. Johnson

A Day to Remember

This heart of mine will ever see

This greenwood where the trees

All whisper in October's sun

To every passing breeze.

Where evergreens in majesty

Sweep Heaven with their crowns,

While thistles and wild flowers wear

Their starry autumn gowns.

The gentle cool, the fiery Fall

The valley filled with peace,

The singing birds, the dancing stream

The south-bound flight of geese.

They fill my heart, they lift my soul

They make my life worthwhile,

The sun m- God's love, the wind - His kiss

My happiness - His smile!!

~ Kate Watkins Furman

A Day as Rich as This

 

A day as rich

as this could be

The wealth of my

necessity:

The tracks of God

through all of time,

But He stepped off

this day as mine.

 

~ Roxie Lusk Smith

 

All Is Well

 

God's gift to us

with each new day

Is guidance to live

our life His way.

Through all our trials

of sorrow and joy,

We seek His teachings

to employ.

With heart so full

and hand outstretched,

We strive each day

to meet His quest.

And when He beckons us

to His door,

Our best we've done;

none could do more.

 

~ Jackie Haney-Walsh

Devotion

 

I've been upon my knees today -

On bended knees - but not to pray,

But somehow as I labored there

Aiding the growth of blossoms fair

I seemed to feel Him close to me,

And so in deep humility

I found a peace and sweet content

That must be truly heaven sent

And as I tilled the earth's rich sod,

I felt as if I worked with God.

 

~ Elsie Heimroth Moger

 

Because I'm Human

 

Because I am not perfect,

My best intentions seem

To sometimes miss fulfillment,

Like the texture of a dream.

And I wage a daily battle,

That I very often lose,

Between the things that matter,

And the ones I seem to choose.

 

Because I am no angel,

I am easy to mislead,

In spite of what I know is right,

I'm swayed by pride and greed.

Sometimes I think I love the world,

Too much to want to leave,

Though Eternity awaits me,

And all that I believe.

 

My free will is a problem,

How easy it would be,

If God made the decisions,

And took the job from me.

But in this there is no merit,

I am very well aware,

So I have to work for Heaven,

Every moment I am here.

 

And just because I'm human,

It might take a little long,

To become what I was meant to,

Since I'm really not that strong,

So I'll just keep on a-trying,

And I'll live from day to day,

For my spirit is immortal,

...Though my body's made of clay.

 

~ Grace E. Easley

 



It Will Cost You Something

 

It will cost you something to follow God;

To leave old ways behind.

It will cost you something to read is Word;

To be renewed in mind.

 

It will cost you something to take your stand.

It will cost you something to pray.

It will cost you something to seek His Will,

And do it, day by day.

 

But you'll gain a deeper love of God

And for your neighbor, too.

You'll gain a heart that will forgive

As God's forgiven you.

 

It will cost you something to follow God,

And wear the Saviour's name.

It will mean you must give up a lot,

But there's a lot to gain.

 

~ Glenda Fulton Davis

The Mind is a Garden

 

The mind is a garden

where thought flowers grow,

The thoughts that we think

are seeds that we sow.

 

God is Near



 

Let not your heart be troubled

For God is by your side,

Let not your thoughts be weary now

With such a worthy guide,

The night must bring the dawning soon

And then the time will come,

When all you've dreamed of will come true

And heartaches will be done.

 

Let not your heart be troubled

But keep a courage sure,

This trying time will quickly pass

And hurts you must endure,

You must keep faith in what is right

However dark the day,

However deep the shadows are

That fall upon your way.

 

Let not your heart be troubled

Let not your soul be sad,

But keep a mem'ry sweet and dear

Of all the joys you've had,

Walk hand in hand along the road

To reach the rainbow's end,

Let not your heart be troubled now

For God will be your friend.

 

~ Garnett Ann Schultz



My Friend

 



I have a friend I have never seen

but just as sure as night,

My friend keeps close watch o'er me -

makes sure things are all right.

His helping hand is always there

whenever I may fall,

And though I backslide - now and then,

He loves me through it all.

In sorrow - I can turn to Him,

in secret - shed my tears,

He soothes my every heartache,

and drives away  my fears.

My friend's full name is Jesus Christ,

I love Him - yes, indeed,

He never fails to comfort me

whenever I'm in need!

 

~ Bill Carr

 

Don't Give Up...

Don't give up when the road is rough,

And everything goes wrong;

Accept the challenge that is yours,

And face each day with song...

 

Don't give up when storm clouds roll,

And your soul is full of pain;

Accept the challenge that is yours,

And the sun will chase the rain...

 

Don't give up when temptations come,

And your heart is filled with care;

Accept the challenge that is yours,

And the Master will abide...

 

Don't give up when your world turns sour,

And life seems dark and glum;

Accept the challenge that is yours -

God will help you overcome!

 

~ Hope C. Oberhelman 

 





Home

 

Let us insulate for winter

And seal up all the cracks.

Then sit down in your easy chair

And ease your aching back.

 

Now don't sit too long and doddle

Or hibernate too much;

Or you'll end up in a stagnant state

And there's no fun in that.

 

For many aches get greater

And your joints get stiffer too,

When you forget to take the time

To get up again and move.

 

Now that you've fixed your earthly house

And eased into that chair,

Don't waste the time while resting

Now that's the time for prayer.

 

The home that God has waiting

Needs only love and care

Through faith in His Beloved Son

Who died, that you might share.

 

~ Mildred Friend Rogers Thomas



God's Presence

 

One can feel the presence

Of God beside the sea,

Or in the sylvan setting

of a verdant peaceful sea.

 

Wherever one does venture,

There never is a place

Where god goes not before us

To flood it with His grace.

 

His love is ever with us,

In sunshine and in rain,

Upon a lofty mountaintop,

Beside a quiet lane.

 

God's ever gentle presence

Brings blessings every day

As we go about our duties

With true faith along the way.

 

~ Virginia Borman Grimmer

 

While Searcing Out

 

While searching out the pleasures

That make a heart content,

I found life's richest treasures

Were those that Heaven sent.

 

~ Catherine Janssen Irwin

His Way

 

He has a way with hearts grown sad.

a way we've known before

When he appears where shadows fall,

He opens one more door.

Words are often empty,

along that troubled road,

His presence never fails,

to lighten heavy loads.

 

~ Florence Barclay

Going His Way

 

Because God sets a special course

for each of us to go

I do not ask the where's and why's -

Why do I need to know?

 

Because God holds us in His hand

wherever we may be -

I walk in faith so nothing stops

me from my destiny.

 

So, should you stumble, even fall,

or cry in pain or fear -

just listen and you'll hear Him call,

"Fear not, for I am here."

 

~ Eugene G. E. Botelho

Priorities

 

Is it really important to plan your day

Down to the tiniest minute?

Or is it important to give God all day,

Then be conscious of His purpose in it?

 

For the finest plans of mice and men

Do go astray, so they said.

Activities that seem so important today,

Won't matter at all, when you're dead.

 

So, meet God at the start of the morning,

Spend time with Him during the day,

Take time to be kind and gentle,

And always, always, pray.

 

~ Ruth C. Grace

The Golden Thread

 



Love is a golden thread

That links us one and all.

We heard it in our mother's voice

Whenever she would call.

 

We felt it in our father's touch.

His strength made us secure.

We feel it still in daily life;

It helps us to endure.

This never-ending golden thread

Is love personified.

It banishes all doubt and fear

When we are by God's side.

 

For it is His love we're feeling -

His love for you and me,

All woven in and through our lives;

A golden tapestry!

 

~ Gorda J. Appoloni

 

Lasting Riches

 

We get caught in life's swift current

And we try to stay afloat,

When it comes to things that really count

I'm afraid we miss the boat.

We're so busy making money;

Only dollar signs we see.

We're unable to appreciate

The best in life is free!

 

Take a look around you;

God's beauty is everywhere.

People will astound you

If you only sow you care.

Stop and say, "Good Morning."

And, "How are you today?"

Now wait - and hear the answer

Before you go your way.
 

Your day will be much better

If you lend a helping hand.

You may not make a dollar,

But you may have made a friend!

And friends can compound interest

In the little things you do.

Friends bring dividends

Your whole life through.

 

A friend can make you happy,

Make your life worthwhile.

And the interest you'll be getting

Is the sharing of a smile.

Friends are all around us;

If only we could learn

It's friends who makes us rich in life

And not how much we earn!

 

~ Mary Ann Houston

 

Identity

 

This is a time with which I can identify,

The autumn scheduled soon to take her leave,

Filled with a strength in which I can believe,

There's music in the wind that passes by,

And deep within my heart a restless sigh,

Like creaking stalks of corn, and yet again,

The fragment of  along ago refrain,

As blackbirds wing their way across the sky.

Here is  a season like unto myself,

Not by our chance our close affinity,

A new awareness almost stunning me,

Brings joy into a heart so long bereft,

...I find a new perspective, having left

The past behind where it was meant to be.

 

~ Grace E. Easley

 

Thank You

 

Thank You for the breeze that blows

And for the golden wheat that grows;

For each and every flower's birth;

For all the good things on this earth.

 

Thank You for the wind's refrain

To the splatter of needed rain.

Thank You for your silent voice

That always makes our hearts rejoice.

 

Thank you for the gift of friends

And for Your love that never ends.

Thank You, Lord, for being here

To wipe away each helpless tear.

 

Thank You for our nightly dreams,

For all the stars and soft moonbeams.

Thank You, Lord - You're always there

To listen to our humble prayers.

 

~ Rosa Nelle

 

A Light In The Darkness

 

In the small hours of the morning

When it's darkness before the dawn,

When you think the light will never come,

And your faith is almost gone -

 

There is One there right beside you,

To help you see your way,

He's with you in the darkest hours,

As well as the light of day.

 

His light will never fail to guide,

Nor ever fade or dim,

He'll lead you to His loving arms,

And keep you safe with Him.

 

~ Connie J. Kirby