When Troubles Assail You, God Will Not Fail You

 

When life seems empty and there's no place to go,

When your heart is troubled and your spirits are low,

When friends seem few and nobody cares

There is always God to hear your prayers -

And whatever you're facing will seem much less

When you go to God and confide and confess,

For the burden that seems to heavy to bear

God lifts away on the wings of prayer -

And seen through God's eyes earthly troubles diminish

And we're given new strength to face and to finish

Life's daily tasks as they come along

If we pray for strength to keep us strong -

So go to Our Father when troubles assail you

For His grace is sufficient and He'll never fail you.

 

~ Helen Steiner Rice

 



That Church of Long Ago

 

When I hear the church bell ringing

In the little country church,

It is then my thoughts turn backward

And my heart is stirred, so stirred.

For I see again familiar scenes

And faces dear to me;

O, in that fleeting moment

It's there I long to be.

 

Then silenced is the ringing bell,

The present comes to fore;

I must press on for there's a time

When man can work no more.

But what a privilege it is

To have these memories flow,

Bringing back those bygone days

And that church of long ago.

 

~ Loise Pinkerton Fritz

 



Trust

 

"You're skating on thin ice,

You're due for a fall" -

These tried-and-true phrases,

I heard someone call.

 

My chin firmly set,

my nose in the air,

I chose not to listen,

forgot how to care.

 

The skaters whizzed by me,

the wind in their face,

blades gleaming bright

as they started to race.

 

I wanted to follow,

my feet felt like lead,

I couldn't keep up,

fell behind instead.

 

"Take hold of my hand,

give me your arm,

Rely on my love,

I'll keep you from harm."

 

So trust in the Lord

to be your true Guide,

Skate with the Lord

always at your side.

 

~ Janet Collins

 

The Lord is good

and gives strength

in the day of trouble;

and He knows them

that trust in Him.

Nahum. 1:7

Winter's Art

 

Winter is a poet who,

in quiet meditation,

writes of mountains blanketed

by white precipitation.

 

Winter is an artist, too,

and softly draws the scene

of stillness in a frozen pond

against a silent screen.

 

Winter's a musician,

and if we're listening,

the grace-note of God's love is played

which no one's voice can sing.

 

~ Frankie Davis Oviatt

 

Home and Family

Happy 1st Anniversary to this Blog!  :)

It’s a time of lonely journeys,

When we walk through life, alone –

Over roads that lead to nowhere

And no path that leads to home –

For we cannot share in pleasures

That we see and hear each day;

They belong to happy households

We just pass along our way.

Every longing that we suffer

Adds a sadness to our lot,

For the joy, we see around us,

Are the cravings in our heart,

But they are not meant for travelers –

Who will walk through life, alone –

They are blessings of Lord Jesus

On the family and home.

~ Michael Dubina

Snowflake Sign

 

Dark clouds press down; the sky grows gray.

A winter snowfall’s on its way!

White fragile flakes drift through the air –

Each one of them, a jewel rare

That falls upon the earth with grace,

Paints on our world a fresh, new face.

 Gaze up with wonder at the sky

And catch a snowflake gliding by.

To marvel at the crystal art

Its icy beauty warms the heart.

Each frosty flake’s unique design

Becomes an awesome, reverent sign –

The God who can a mountain make,

Still cares about one small snowflake!

~ Louise Pugh Corder
 

The Beautiful Snow

 

The beautiful snow! The beautiful snow!

Covering all of the earth below;

Even the spots unlovely and drab

Adorned as a bride so daintily clad!
And the air all around so refreshingly clean

Reminds me of God and His wisdom supreme,

Wrapping His hills in a blanket at night

To give us a world in an etching of white!

And seeing His work it thrills me to know

That He washes a soul even whiter than snow.

And finding a life, once cheerless and bare,

He suddenly places His loveliness there;

Not transient, as snow is, but something to stay

Long after the snowdrifts have melted away.

Oh, I think of Him always whenever I see

The touch of His fingers on hilltop and tree,

Stooping so kindly His love to bestow,

Like a calm benediction, the beautiful snow!

 

~ Alice Hansche Mortenson

 

...Though your sins

be like scarlet,

they shall become

white as snow...

Isaiah 1:18

Wintertime

 

Like a fairyland, such a lovely sight

With the sky so blue and the ground pure white,

A bit of frost on the window pane

Tells us it's wintertime again.

 

The sparkling warmth of the old log fire

The peace we find in a heart's desire,

The untold joy of a dream sublime

Because in our world it is wintertime.

 

Wintertime, when the wind blows cold

And the snow that falls brings delight untold,

The biting air that can chill you through

The thrill of home when your day is through.

 

The little stream that is frozen hard

The snowman perched in the neighbor's yard,

Laughter and smiles that are yours and mine

Only because it is wintertime.

 

~ Garnett Ann Schultz

Simple Things

 

 

Don't miss the smallest rainbow

which crowns that rainy day,

For like the daily sunset,

it quickly fades away.

 

Hear the music of the sea

upon the rocks below,

And listen to the nightingale

when summer breezes blow.

 

Watch the turning of the leaves,

and you can be my guest,

To watch the sermon of the trees

when every heart is blest.

 

Come, catch some falling snowflakes

beside a country lane

Where we can make a snowman

with derby hat and cane.

 

Life's too short if you're too busy

to do these simple things -

So don't overlook that rainbow

and puppy dogs and swings!

 

~ Clay Harrison

 

Keep Praying

 

It matters not how much we ask

When any prayer we speak

How many blessings for our friends

Or for ourselves we seek,

God does not mind how often or

How pleadingly we call,

Indeed He warmly welcomes our

Petitions, one and all.

But we must understand that by

His wisdom great forever,

Some prayers are answered very soon

Some later, and some never.

For He knows what is best for us

And all for whom we pray

And whether he should help us, more

Than we deserve today.

And so each time we beg of God

Some favor to fulfill,

Let us be patiently resigned

To His most holy will.

 

~ James J. Metcalfe



The Snowflake

The snowflake drifted down in feathery ease,

Wafted on its flight by northern breeze;

And dazzling white, it turns the o'ercast day

To brilliant light, as in reflector's ray.

Each tiny snowflake takes its little place,

In landscape covered o'er with shimmering face;

And branches humbly bend beneath its weight,

Each clothed in all the pureness of the flake.

And in its hour, the crescent moon looks down

Upon the peaceful winter's blanket, wound

Around the earth in gentle wraps of snow,

And giveth barren earth a heav'nly glow.

Ah, pureness of the snow, the gentle flake,

Giv'n of God, that from our folly wake,

And see that in the crystal fount that flows,

There's cleansing, pureness as the snow.

~ Charles G. Ramsey

...wash me and I shall be

whiter than snow.

Ps. 51:7

Sleep

When in the night I cannot sleep

And trouble crowds my mind

I long to close my eyes and rest

And leave the world behind.

I must be still and know that God

Will soothe my fretful brow,

No need to think of yesterday

But only of the now...

When God is close and holds my hand

Then sad thoughts go away

My troubles melt into the air

And darkness turns to day.

I settle close within His arms

My faith is strong and deep

Tomorrow's in His loving hands,

The night was made for sleep.

~ Mable Warburton

Showers of His Grace

 

Like unto a mountain stream,

Are showers of His grace,

That cooleth down the thirsty sod,

The trav'lers sun - parched face.

 

His dear grace oft' blankets us,

As covers keep up warm,

From hurtful barbs that can't get in

Through His encircling arms!

 

Things that were impossible

With God not at the helm,

Become with Him the probable,

And well within our realm!

Yes, that which was so hard before,

Without His gift of grace,

So oft' is easy when you give

To God His reigning place!

 

~ Lynn Fenimore Nuzzi

Lord Let There Be

 

Lord let there be a gentle spring within my heart,

where those who need serenity and comforting

may find a cool , sweet plenitude.

 



Words To Live By

There are words to live by,

That hang upon my wall,

Insuring strength, reviving hope,

Whatever may befall.

A source of inspiration,

Whenever skies are grey,

Written very long ago,

But just as true today.

There ware words to live by,

Upon a yellowed page,

Underlined by someone

In a long forgotten age.

A guide post for the weary,

A refuge from all fear,

The simple phrase,

"Keep silent child,

...And know that I am here!"

~ Grace E. Easley

Be still and

know that I

am God.

Ps. 46:10
 

'Tis the Time

'Tis the time, when we should thank Thee,

For Your blessings to each one.

'Tis the time, when we remember,

All the great things Thou hast done.

'Tis the time, we share our bounty

With our neighbors, friends, our kin,

'Tis the time, to reap the harvest

When the hay is gathered in.

'Tis the time, to give our offerings,

That another may rejoice,

'Tis the time, of true thanksgiving

Tell it forth with joyful voice.

~ Lily S. Thomas

Be thankful unto Him

and bless His name.

Ps. 100:4

I Listen


I listen to the morning -
every sound at break of day
To the birds that sing so sweetly -
as the summer finds its way,
To the melody of nature -
little creatures soft and dear
And it seems my heart finds beauty
at each precious time of year.

I listen to the buzzing
of the bee within the rose
And I'm sure I hear the laughter
of the breeze in sweet repose,
It's a silent kind of music
as I sense it all around
Tiny insects lend their singing
as they scamper on the ground.

I listen to the night sounds
as the dusk would settle in
Crickets chirping in the treetops,
as the shadows now begin,
Oft I hear the noisy locust,
when the autumn days are near
Yet my mind and soul are happy
with each wondrous sound I hear.

Tis a magic kind of beauty -
like a symphony of God
A part of earth and heaven,
where the worthy then would trod,
A peacefulness I treasure
as each morning then would start
And because I know of heaven -
I listen with my heart.

~ Garnett Ann Schultz

Praise to Thee, my Lord,
for all Thy creatures.
St. Francis of Assisi
 

Prayer for Today

 

Good morning Lord, I'm ready

To start a brand new day.

Keep me calm in spite of all

I'm bound to face today.

Seal my lips 'lest I should put

My foot into my mouth,

Give me the strength to do my job,

Though in the North or South.

 

Good Morning, Lord, I'm back again,

I've had a good night's sleep,

Perhaps things might run smoother,

If You will help me keep

My temper and my senses,

Until the day is through.

Help me forget my troubles,

And concentrate on You.

 

~ Grace E. Easley



Walls of Brick and Stone

 

We cannot build gates high enough

Or fences that will hold

When pain or sorrow comes our way

And hearts are sad and cold.

 

There are no walls of brick or stone

No wealth or power to gain

That can hold back or overcome

Our days of loss and pain.

 

But we must not despair, give up

Because we know so well

Our God is gracious... In His time

And He can never fail.

 

He may not lift the shadows yet,

His time is not as ours,

And yet we know the thorns of life

With Him are fragrant flowers.

 

So when our walls come tumbling down

And sorrow comes our way,

There is no need for walls of doubt

Just kneel right down and pray.

 

~ Gertrude B. McClain

 

Be as a Beacon

 

As the rays of the sun

light the hours of the day

Let the warmth of Your love

show others the way.

Be as a beacon

to those who are lost

In the turbulent anger

of a heart tempest-tossed,

For anger and hate

harm the one who recalls

The sins made against him,

and builds up high walls.

If mercy and love

play a role in each life,

Avoiding all discord

with freedom from strife,

Then peace, joy and hope

will enter the soul,

And God's gentle compassion

will make that life whole.

 

~ Dolores Karides

 

Leave the Old Boat There

 

Everything says summer's over,

But leave the old boat there,

We like to be reminded of

Sailing the blue lake where

Dreams drift in clouds over our heads,

Water flowers flare,

It was a pretty sunshine summer,

Yes, leave the old boat there.

 

When winter comes and locks us in

We like the old boat there,

Snow sadness seems to go away,

The trees don't seem so bare,

While the white silence clings to earth,

She seems to breathe a prayer,

"Summer will come again, you'll see,"

Yes, leave the old boat there.

 

~ Marion Schoeberlein

 

Dawn in Summer

 

In summertime I like to rise

Before the dawn is here

And watch the darkness leave the sky

And slowly disappear.

All nature seems to stir itself

Without the slightest sound

Except the singing of the birds

Above the waking ground,

And then bright colors start to blend

Across the morning sky

Before the sun is visible

To any human eye.

That is the hour when I like

To meditate and dream

And contemplate the nobler side

Of life's unending stream,

To count my blessings on this earth

And thank my God again,

That such as I may share His world

With all my fellowmen.

 

~ James J. Metcalfe

My Father Speaks

 

"Open your heart," He said to me,

"And taste the wind and taste the sea,

I've tossed the waves and stirred the air

in freedom, with my perfect care.

 

I've scattered shells upon the sand,

and driftwood, too, from forest-land,

And heaped the mountains closely by

to catch the glow of evening sky.

 

I've made them all with you in mind

and firmly left my prints behind,

That through my work your heart will see,

I love you, child, stay close to me."

 

~ Maureen Dentler

 

Team Work

 

Please help me dear God

To write well today's page

For it's my life's story I'm writing

And I'm on the stage.

 

The things that I write

And the things that I say

May well help another

In some special way.

 

Help me Lord to listen

And answer wisely when asked

And work ever so willingly

And perform well each task.

 

Let me share joys of laughter

And love from my heart

To encourage another

And give him a start.

 

Let me rejoice in the splendor

And hear well Your voice

So that when my day is over

I'll give thanks and rejoice.

 

Rejoice that together

We wrote well a page

With You as Director

And me on the stage.

 

~ Chris Zambernard

 

My help is

from the Lord

who made heaven

and earth.

Ps. 121:2

 

Mama's Empty Chair

 

When I was just a little boy -

And mama was alive -

There was a special thing she did

That taught me faith and pride:

She always set an extra place -

At every festive fare -

And placed a lighted candle -

Before an empty chair.

 

She said it was an honored place

For loves that passed away

And for the Spirit of the Lord

To share our festive day.

So, now, I do - as mama did -

And pray that she will share

Each place of honor that I set -

Before an empty chair.

 

~ Michael Dubina

 

God's Artistry

 

Lord, I stand in wonderment

As Your paintings I survey;

A palette of vibrant colors

On this warm, clear autumn day.

 

The trees are laden with leaves so bright

Of yellow, red and gold.

No human artist could ever paint

A tree so lovely to behold.

 

The fields are filled with golden grain.

Harvest time's at hand;

Orange pumpkins in the field,

Contentment o'er the land.

 

The setting sun sets sky on fire.

The harvest moon is bright.

The crisp night air portends Jack Frost

On this lovely autumn night.

 

So when I go to sleep at night,

Lord I know that You are there,

Always watching over me

To let me know You care.

 

~ Grace Lewis

 

Autumn's Magic

 

The air is crisp, wild geese fly high

And I view Autumn with a sigh;

The leaves are dancing to and fro

In rhythm with the winds that blow.

 

The shades of Autumn sport a blush

That's envied by the palette's brush,

And I stand spellbound by this treat

As twirling leaves entwine my feet.

 

The fruits of labor now reveal

Row upon row of ripened fields,

And through a distant Autumn haze

Friendly scarecrows gently wave.

 

The harvest moon's enchanting glow

Is prelude to the Winter's snow,

And I must gather memories

That I may recall days like these.

 

~ Catherine Janssen Irwin

 



Beyond Ourselves

 

We sometimes miss a blessing
that's right before our eyes
Preoccupied by earthly things
which make us "world wise."

We fail to see beyond ourselves
hearts that we have broken,
And we forget the angry words
that we in haste have spoken.

We fill our lives with selfish things
forgetting those in need,
And miss the joy that sharing brings
in our effort to succeed.

How blessed we are when we believe,
and praise God with our lips,
For when we reach beyond ourselves -
we touch His fingertips! 

~ Clay Harrison



God Stands By You

 

God stands by you to help you
When trouble comes your way.
He stands by you to help you
At any hour of the day.

God stands by you to guide you
When you are in distress.
He stands by you to guide you
And bring you happiness.

God stands by you to lead you
And show you wrong from right.
He stands by you to lead you
And be your guiding light. 

God stands by you most steadfast
Through sorrow and despair.
God stands by you awaiting
Your every call and prayer.

 

~ Harold F. Mohn

 



Autumn Splendor

 

As autumn flaunts its splendor

Of reds and golds and brown;

As the air turns kinda nippy,

And the leaves come tumbling down;

We know that God's been busy

Changing  nature's dress,

'Tis the season to be thankful,

For we are truly blessed.

 

~ Lois N. Ayers

 



The Dinner Guest...

 

Tonight I set the table;

It was a table set for two -

I used my finest linens,

And the silverware was new...

 

Tonight I set the table;

It was laden with His food -

I served faith and hope and goodness,

And a dish of brotherhood...

 

Tonight I set the table;

With a plate of peace and love;

Than I spread the cloth with kindness,

And sweet mercy from above...

 

Tonight I set the table,

And received a great rewards,

For my guest arrived to bless it;

I was waiting for the Lord!

 

~ Hope C. Oberhelman