The Lord's Bouquet

 

I picked a bouquet for Jesus

And put it in a vase;

Then I humbly bowed my head,

And said my dinner grace.

 

I lit a candle with a match,

And blessed the glowing flame

And thanked the Lord for daily bread,

And praised His holy name.

 

The vase that hold the Lord's bouquet

Is just a small pint jar;

Because I have no proper one

To thank the Morning Star.

 

Nevertheless I thank thee Lord,

For all I have today

Including the homey little jar

That holds the Lord's bouquet.

 

~ Evelyn Damron

 



A Dog Lover's Prayer

 

My prayer book's unconventional,
An album scarred with age,
The dogs who shared their lives with mine
Stand out on every page.

 

The spaniels of my childhood days,

All floppy ears and fluff;

The dobermans who shared my bed,

Magnificent and tough.

 Though some folks picture Heaven's gates
Atop a golden stair,
The precious photos in my book
Inspire this humble prayer:

"Lord, lead me to a sun-washed field,
Then send them one by one;
Let yelps of joy lead wagging tails
As to my arms they run.

 

Sad eyes of pleading, paws that beg,

A symphony of barks,

Invite a romp in fragrant grass

To songs of meadowlarks.

 This Heaven that I pray for, Lord,
Where lilacs scent the air,
Is blessed with all the dogs I've loved
Who come to greet me there.

 ~ Toni Fulco 

Slow Me Down A While

 

Today, I'm in a hurry, Lord.

There's much i need to do.

Slow me down a while, that I,

Might share some time with You.

 

There are many who are lost, Dear Lord,

Who cannot find their way.

You know each sparrow, man, and child,

Embrace each one, I pray.

 

Many hurt,and hunger, Lord,

I pray Thy Will be done.

Slow me down to give You praise,

For blessings, everyone.

 

As for me, Dear Lord, I cannot ask

For more than You have given.

Slow me down, that I may lift,

My grateful prayers o heaven.

 

If any day, I fail to pray,

Lord, slow me down a while.

Let me reflect upon Your grace,

Before another mile.

 

~ Nancy W. Tant

 



Recognize God's Blessings!

 

God blesses us in many ways,

In different ways each day.

 

Some days He washes our hearts with tears

On others, the sun has its way!

A letter, a call, a bird's sweet song,

Or just being alive and part of the throng.

 

A chat with a friend, the payment of bills,

An endearing word that cures many ills!

The smile of a neighbor, a cheery hello

From someone you pass, whom you don't even know!

 

Completing a task begun long ago,

Of finding a recipe that you wanted so!

Finding a neighbor who needed you

To help with a task that was too  hard to do.

 

To sit with a grandchild, to fix a bike,

To hear "I wuv you" from a little tyke!

To have God's blessing in some small way

Is to recognize it every day!

 

~ Rahya Montuori

 



As Summer Bids Farewell

 

Summer must have slipped away

I saw  a leaf fall down,

In slowest kind of disarray

It softly touched the ground.

 

There seems to be a hint of gold

emblazoned here and there,

still on a tree of loveliness

of green still lingers fair.

 

As summer bids a fond farewell

In colors bright and bold,

excitement seems to fill the air

and beauty to behold.

 

And once again in majesty

of colors that are rare,

God hold the autumn in His hand

paints beauty everywhere.

 

~ Katherine Smith Matheney

 

All God's Children

 

We're all God's children on this earth,

and individually

He is a Father to us all,

as only He can be.

He knows the yearning of each heart,

over and above,

And none of us outgrow our need

For all His precious love.

 

We're all God's children on this earth,

However near or far,

Each face, each voice is dear to Him,

As different as we are.

He never loses track of us,

No matter where we go,

Nobody is an orphan

In God's family, you know.

 

We're all God's children on this earth,

The richest and the poor,

He loves each single one of us,

Of that we can be sure.

And when we say, "Our Father

Up in Heaven," once again

The Lord bends down to listen,

And He softly says, "Amen."

 

~ Grace E. Easley

 



His Love Abides

 

When friendships fail along life's way

And loneliness invades,

Friend, take your burden to the Lord...

His mercy never fades.

Your hurt and pain He understands;

He offers calming peace.

His loving touch will heal your wounds

And bid the teardrops cease.

And soon your heart will smile again

As He sets things aright,

For in His presence there is joy

And lonely hours take flight.

Oh blessed fruit I which to trust

When life has lost its song...

Though friends forsake, His love abides,

Forever sure and strong!

 

~ Beverly J. Anderson

 

Inner Sanctuary

 

I have an inner sanctuary

And friend, you have one too,

The  holy Spirit dwells inside

The Bible says -- it's true.

 

Sometimes I stand beneath the stars

In stillness of the night

And in my sanctuary  there

I marvel at His might.

 

His handiwork! -- He made it all,

His glory it declares.

He's strong in pow'r -- not one star falls

They're Heaven's golden stairs.

 

Our earth is such a little thing

Compared to galaxies

And I am less than nothing yet

His spirit dwells in me.

 

Within your sanctuary, friend,

Does Jesus meet with you?

If not, I urge you to repent

And His friendship renew.

 

~ Luther Elvis Albright

 

Never Alone

 

He can calm the troubled waters
When you walk in dark despair,
There is hope when you feel helpless
Knowing that the Lord is there.

Sharing in your sunshine moments
Or in valleys deep and wide,

He will never, ever leave you
 He is always by your side.

There's no other friend so faithful
Through the sunshine and rain,
Through the teardrops and the laughter
In your joy and in your pain.

We could never, ever thank Him
For His love He gives so free,
Never changing...never ending
Throughout all eternity.

Oh the wonder of all wonders
As we live from day to day
Knowing that we have a Father
Who is with us all the way.

~ Gertrude B. McClain

 

In the Bible

 

In the bible you'll be finding

Exactly what you need -

Answers to your questions,

Advice that you should heed -

 

Faith that gives you wisdom

To trust where trust should be,

And not believe that there is bad

In ev'rything you see -

 

Hope that gives you courage

To face another day

And feel that any sorrow

Is never here to stay -

 

Love that changes all your thinking

And makes you glad you trod

The pathway that was beautiful

Because you walked with God.

 

~ Rachel Hartnett

 

...rejoice O hearts

that seek the Lord.

1 Ch. 16:10

My Every-Hour God

 

God of the morning, newborn day,

Sparkling and fresh and bright,

Grant me the wisdom to use it well,

Thank you for dawning's light.

 

God of the noonday, walk with me

Under fair skies above,

Help me to show in all that I do

Reflections of Your great love.

 

God of the twilight, peaceful hour,

End of a blessed day,

My heart in gratitude kneels to You,

Stay near me as I pray.

 

God of all hours, nighttime comes

Bringing me quiet rest,

Safe in the knowledge that by Your grace

I am forever blest.

 

~ Lee Simmons

 



God's Majesty is Everywhere

 

The sky is blue as a robin's egg,

the grass is emerald green.

God's majesty is everywhere -

His glory daily seen.

 

Blossoms of peach, pear and plum,

drift softly on the breeze,

And songbirds sing a joyful song

from resurrected trees.

 

A fawn was seen upon the lawn,

an eagle soars above.

Moonbeams sparkle dusk to dawn

to fill the night with love.

 

From ocean floors to mountains high,

to prairies in between,

God's majesty is everywhere -

His glory daily seen.

 

~ Clay Harrison



Close to Thee

 

The Lord and I, we have our time

Of love, and talks, and prayers sublime,

These are special moments willed

When He takes charge, and I am stilled.

He's told me of all blessed things,

The summers, winters, falls, and springs,

The graces that come unto you

About the earth and Heaven, too.

Some things are hard to understand

The differences of God and man,

Though by His voice I hear no word,

'Tis within prayer that He is heard.

Together in our quiet way

I feel the joy of many things,

It seems I hear small voices pray

And feel the brush of angel's wings.

Of course I feel this in my heart

'Tis when I pray, the God I find,

'Tis when our heart and soul are true

That God is close to me and you.

 

~ James Joseph Huesgen

 



Humble Missions

For each of us, there is a reason

 Why we live upon this earth -

Why the Lord has chose to bless us

With the sanctity of birth;

There's a purpose for our being

And a mission to fulfill

But we cannot know its nature

Or the Lord's Eternal will.

It is, seldom, deeds of greatness -

That He plans to have us do -

And we will not profit riches,

But for blessings that ensue;

They are simply humble missions

That will never bring us fame

But will justify our being

And do honor to His name.

~ Michael Dubina

Morning in June

Oh, what is more joyful

than morning in June?

The air is sweet-scented

and songbirds in tune.

Morning glory trumpets

sip nature's cold dew

On gossamer spider webs,

dazzling to view.

The bountiful garden

awaits to bestow

Plump, fresh, crispy vegetables

row after row.

God's summer world's smiling

with June's special charms.

Go thankfully greet it

with welcoming arms!

~ Louise Pugh Corder

Great and wonderful

are your works,

Lord God Almighty...

Rev. 15:3

Birds He Gave Wings

 

Birds He gave wings

To soar to the sky;

Man He gave thoughts

To attain heaven's heights.

 

~ Louise Pinkerton Fritz

The Beauty of a Snowflake

In the beauty of a snowflake,

Falling softly on the land,

Is the mystery and the miracle

Of God's great, creative hand,

For what better answers are there

To prove His Holy Being

That the wonders all around us

That are ours just for the seeing!

~ Helen Steiner Rice

Used with permission of

The Helen Steiner Rice Foundation

Cincinnati, OH 45202



Times of Stillness

 When the rush of life o'ertakes me,

And my soul quiet seeks,

When my mind is full of pressures

That pursue me through the week,

I have a little haven

Where I find my heart's content,

And the quiet that surrounds me there

Is truly heaven sent.

For we all need times of stillness;

To relax and just unwind,

And let go of small resentments

That clutter up our minds.

So, I seek the soothing quiet,

To my haven, safe I trod,

And alone there in silence,

I feel very close to God!

~ Jean E. Moore



Earth Song LXI

When winter-winds blow harsh and cold

with wild and angry cries

and sweep the withered autumn leaves

into storm-clouded skies

and drifted snow lies high and deep

across each frozen field,

anticipation of the spring

becomes our strength and shield.

As bitterness of blizzard's breath

is lost in budding trees,

the healing in love's gentleness

will ease life's agonies:

like sunlight arching through the mists

that hide the meadow's flowers,

the promises in hope and faith

are rainbows in dark hours.

~ Eugene G.E. Botelho



Reflections

Reflections in the water

Are staring back at me...

They seem to have some questions...

"Do you like what you see?"

"Are you a better person

Than you were yesterday?

Is any heart the lighter

Because you passed His way?"

It seems the Master speaketh

And unto me did say...

"Don't wait until tomorrow,

You only have today."

I searched my soul in silence

And quietly did pray,

"Help me be Your reflection

Today... and every day."

~ Ann Matthews



The Harbor

There's a harbor where dream boats are anchored

And, oh, what a bright spot it is!

It's clear as a bell that is ringing

And there's nary a sprinkling of mist.

It's far from the world and its burdens,

Far from the world and its cares;

So calm and serene is this setting

And each has a boat anchored there.

There's a harbor where dreamboats are anchored

And there in this setting, serene,

Each one looks ahead down life's waters

In hope of fulfilling a dream.

The heart is this harbor for dream boats,

And while they are anchored there,

Let us ask God for help and for guidance

As we for our journeys prepare.

~ Loise Pinkerton Fritz

I will instruct thee and

teach thee in the way which

thou shalt go: I will guide thee

with mine eye.

Psalm 32:8



He Stands by Me

 

He stands by me in trouble

And times of great distress,

He helps me face each problem

That causes me duress.

He strengthens and sustains me

In times that I feel fear.

He is my inspiration

And fills my heart with cheer.

He comforts and consoles me

In moments of despair.

He makes my life far brighter

By helping in it share.

Whenever I may need a friend

I know that I will find,

That God is always standing by

To bring me peace of mind.

 

~ Harold F. Mohn

 

 

Gray Days

 

The graying comes the last of fall

The wind upon a wing,

'Tis when the birds take flight... most all

A parting song they sing.

 

Thro' the gray and stormy days

Please God... help me recall,

The beauty that was stored in me

The good things most of all.

 

And Father... help me not to dwell

In the days of gloom and gray,

To let a love within me swell

And to thank You... as I pray.

 

~ James Joseph Huesgen

 

 

 

The Silence of the Lambs

How dark the night of doubts and fears

as seen through sorrows' bitter tears

when morning seems light years away

and we crave the warmth and light of day.

How sad the heart that lonely beats

like heavy footsteps on empty streets

when no one seems to know your name,

and every day is just the same.

How sweet the voice of someone dear,

the loving touch of someone near

who takes your hand and leads the way

until you see the light of day.

How fond the memories we share

of those God sends to love and care,

for when hearts beat like fighting rams...

we seek the silence of the lambs.

~ Clay Harrison

Knowing

It's knowing You are always there

 Through each hurt and little care,

That keeps me on an even  keel

When daily woes my calm could steal.

It's knowing, whether night or day,

Close to home or far away,

That You support my hopes and reams,

Or at least, that's how it seems.

It's knowing you're my dearest friend

In your vigil without end,

Guiding me o'er troubled seas

With a strong and steady breeze.

It's knowing that You'll always be

In heart and soul, close tome,

Until You guide me to that shore

Where pain and worries are no more.

~ Catherine Janssen Irwin

 



Not Alone

 

How oft, at times, I stand alone,

 At least it seems that way to me,

And yet I know whate'er the odds

That's not the way it ought to be.

 

For high above this pale of life,

And close beside my daily walk,

I know of One who's ever nigh

To hear when I to Him talk.

 

I never need to feel alone

On crowded streets, or desert isle,

For God is there, - true friend who pleads

With loving eyes and a cheery smile.

 

His ways are not obtrusive ways,

And yet outside our heart's closed gates

He offers all that life can give,

As patiently outside He waits.

 

~ Harvey M. King

 

Every Tree is Like an Altar

 

Every tree is like an altar,

Built to say a little prayer,

They make a church in woods and parks,

They seem to say God's everywhere.

 

Standing like pencils in the world

They look up to the sky each day.

And somehow you feel their great strength 

Knowing God is not far away.

 

Trees with  hundred years in them

Will be my friend eternally,

I'm so thankful to God that He

Gave me a church in every tree.

 

~ Marion Schoeberlein

 

 

God's Creatures

 

A smile upon a small child's face,

A cat with kittens in a sheltered place,

A small dog waiting for a bone -

None of these I call my own.

 

A honeybee sips at a flower,

A small bird twitters by the hour,

They're all God's creatures - not my own,

Just loaned to us, we're not alone.

 

~ Helen Miller DeVore

 



We Shall Steer Safely

 

We shall steer safely

through every storm,

so long as our heart is right,

our intention fervent,

our courage steadfast,

and our trust fixed on God.

 

~St. Francis de Sales

 

Song of the Sea

 

There is a song that beckons me

To shore, where all is wide and free;
Where meets the awesome sea with sky

Which soothes the souls of such as I!

Tho' ocean is a noisome thing

If we but listen, it will sing;
In such a lulling winsome way

To little children while at play.

I wonder, as joys I see

If Jesus, while on Galilee;
Could witness seagulls in their flight

Which is a soul-uplifting sight!

For we should never once forget

 The God who fashions even yet;
All wonders of the sea and shore

That we might praise Him evermore!

 

~ Sancie Earman King