There's No Need to Worry

 

Through the darkness of this life,

I travel everyday;

but there's no need to worry,

for I have found "The Way."

An I know He will guide me,

where I must go,

so there's no need to worry,

God's word has told me so.

And there's no need to worry,

even in the darkest night,

For I'll keep looking forward

and I will see His light.

And He will lead me down the road,

as narrow as it is,

but still no need to worry,

because the road is His.

So why waste any time at all,

not a minute, hour, or day,

when there's no need to worry,

once you have found "The Way."

 

~ George A. Hellard Jr.

The Cozy Days

 

When Autumn's last faint crickets

Pass fleetingly away,

When frost is burned upon the urn

A new and crisp cold day.

When big plump cheeks are rosy

And cold weather is askew,

The winter chills upon the wills

Of folks like me and you.

It is the time of cozy weather

Of winter day by day,

When cloak, and quilt, and shawl,

and hearth

Help on to get away.

The winds at frosted windows

Replay their symphony,

hill the edge of sill and ledge

Except where fire be.

We'll hide behind the walls of home

Enjoined in winter's thing,

Counting all of the cozy days

That take us back to spring.

 

~ James Joseph Huesgen

There's No Limit To God's Love

 

In the lake I see reflected

The moon and stars above,

And suddenly, I'm reminded -

There's no limit to God's love.

 

Each day He gives us sunlight

So mortal eyes might see

The beauty of the heavens

Reflected from each tree.

 

From honeybees in the clover,

To the melody of birds,

Each creature is a testament

Beyond our spoken words.

 

From the lilies of springtime,

To summer's yellow rose,

God lets us know He loves us

Through every flower that grows.

 

The seasons are reminders

Controlled by Him above

To reassure us daily...

There's no limit to God's love!

 

~ Clay Harrison

Treasures Along the Way

 

 

How oft, among the waving fields

of life, so fair and wide;

We, careless, take the husk and straw

And cast the grain aside.

And on its pleasant, gravelly strand,

With jewels richly strown;

We pick the pebbles and the shells

And leave the gems alone.

 

And in the hall, and at the mart,

And on the land-street fair;

We choose the worse, and fail to see

The wondrous treasures there.

The treasure of the kindly deed,

The gem of vital thought,

The riches of the glorious scene

The hand of God hath wrought.

 

There's treasure on the broad highway,

There's treasure in the street,

There's treasure in the looks and smiles

Of those we chance to meet;

There's treasure in the friendly voice,

The song and e'en the laugh;

Then make it yours and throw aside

The worthless stones and chaff.

 

~ Bruce E. Hoad, Sr.

God's Children

 

Although God loves the whole wide world

And blesses every part,

I think He has a special place

For children in His heart.

 

I think He cherishes their smiles,

Their eagerness and mirth,

And their appreciation of

The wonders of His earth.

 

I think He listens closely to

Whatever words they say;

I think He follows them to school

And watches them at play.

 

And when they go to bed at night,

He probably is there,

To see that they have happy dreams

Beneath their tousled hair.

 

Al children in a special way

Belong to God above,

And I am sure He favors them

With everlasting love.

 

~ James J. Metcalfe

The Chapel On The Hill

 

As twilight shadows softly fall

I slowly wend my way,

To the little Chapel on the hill

To meditate and pray.

 

The weary burdens of this world

At last are all forgot,

My steps are quickened as I near

The Holy place of God.

 

The organ's softly playing

As I step inside the door,

And a quiet contentment fills me

That I never knew before.

 

Then I bow my head in silence

And I left my heart in prayer,

And unburden all my troubles

To the only One who cares.

 

And as I pray, I seem to hear

Him answer me and say,

"Thy sins are all forgiven, son,

Go forth and mend thy ways."

 

Now, as I leave that Hallowed ground

And slowly homeward plod,

My heart is filled with solace

From Communion with my God.

 

~ Catherine MacDonald

The Little Bird

 

I walked the hills this morning.

My heart felt sad in me.

I heard a small bird singing

The sweetest melody.

 

It seemed to come from everywhere

I hunted high and low.

But where God's singer hid himself

Was not for me to know.

 

I thanked Him for the little bird

I thanked Him for the song

I thanked Him for the message heard

And then the bird was gone.

 

I know that my God loves me

He sent that bird you see,

To put a song within my heart

And set my spirit free.

 

~ Nancy M. Smith

 

...we were rescued

like a bird from

the fowler's snare...

Ps. 124:7

 

Thou Hast Given So Much

 

Thou hast given so much to me,

give one thing more...

a grateful heart; not thankful

when it pleaseth me...

but such a heart whose pulse

may be Thy praise.

 

~ George Herbert

My Morning Prayer

 

Help me be the smile

One someone's face and not the frown.

Help me be the one who picks them up

Not puts them down.

 

Help me be the rose

In someone's life and not the thorn.

Help me be the rainbow in their sky

And not their storm.

 

Help me warm a heart

Not be the one who brings the snow.

Help me be the dew when they need it, Lord

to grow.

 

Help me be the light

Not be the one who turns them out,

Help me instill confidence

Not misery and doubt.

 

When day is done

Let there be one

Who holds a memory

 

Of love and joy

To know that they

Are loved, by Thee... and me.

 

~ Debbie Immel North

Speak To Me Lord Jesus

 

Oh speak to me Lord Jesus

I long to hear Your voice

Banishing my sorrows,

Bidding my sad heart rejoice.

 

You know I'm oft so busy

Rushing here and there,

That I do most the talking

When I kneel down in prayer.

 

Seem so much to ask for

So much to tell You too,

I rarely stop to listen

Yet I need to hear from You.

 

So now I will be quiet

Hushed my mind and heart,

Speak Lord in the stillness

Your word to me impart.

 

Speak to me and show me

What You would have me do,

Then give to me the courage

To go and work for You.

 

~ Rosemary J. Tivey

 

Speak, Lord;

for thy servant heareth.

1 Samuel 3:9

My Special Time

 

There's a time that is so special"

When the day is fresh and new -

Sitting out upon my front porch,

While the ground is laced with dew.

 

With a mug of fresh-made coffee,

And my kitten at my side,

All my worries take a back seat;

All my problems have to slide.

 

For it's my own time to marvel

At the handiwork of God,

As the soft breeze sifts the treetops,

And the flowers give a nod.

 

Birds unite to sing a chorus;

They're so happy to be free.

Squirrels are playing on the front lawn;

Such a lovely sight to see.

 

All the grass looks somehow greener,

And the sky's of bluest hue,

As I view them from my front porch -

When the day is fresh and new.

 

~ Diana Sue Lindley

Pets

 

You've given many gifts, oh Lord,

That brighten, help and cheer,

Like butterflies and sunset skies,

But of gifts there's none more dear

Than pets, dear dogs and cats and all

Who share our smiles and cares

And wag a friendly tail or purr,

Or look with ever caring eyes

Into our own, as though they were

Studying each thought we have,

And when their short, good lives

Are done and they have gone away,

They leave a sorrow. Yes, but too,

A joy that still does stay

On through the years ahead,

And brings a tear but most a smile,

For what they shared with you and me

Helped make our lives worthwhile.

 

~ Minnie Boyd Popish

The Wayside Chapel

 

There's a little wayside chapel

Where the fragrant wildflowers grow,

And it's here I got to worship

The Lord God Whom I know.

He is the great Creator,

To earth He holds the deed;

He is the loving Shepherd

Who watches over me.

 

In this little wayside chapel

There's a reverence that glows,

For where two or three are gathered

In His name, He's there, I know.

So when darkness veils the sunlight

And the heart is sorely pressed,

In this little wayside chapel.

Here God grants me peace and rest.

 

~ Loise Pinkerton Fritz

 

For where two or three are

gathered in my name,

there I am in the midst of them.

Matthew 18:20

Majestic Steeple

 

I see you from the wooded path

I see you from the hill

I see your shadow gently fall

Upon my window sill.

 

When skies are warm and sunny

Or cold with rain or snow

You loom tall and inspiring

And protect me here below.

 

Your cross glows in the sunset

A reverence I do feel

And thankful prayers come to my lips

As chiming bells do peal.

 

Majestic steeple in the sky

I see you everywhere

You bring me comfort and contentment

For I know that God lives there.

 

~ Grace P. Quattrone

Test of Faith

 

My heart is very heavy

With the burdens of this day

For it has been a time of trials -

Of struggle and dismay -

And all my prayers have been in vain

To comfort my despair

Or bring me blessings of my Lord

For faith in holy prayer.

 

Yet, I am not disposed to cry

For all in disarray

For God, I'm sure, has made this day

For me to find my way

And means, for me, to walk alone -

To prove my faith is strong -

When prayers are empty of reward

And everything goes wrong.

 

~ Michael Dubina

Take Time to Pray

 

 

Do you have a lot of problems

That you just can't set aright,

That seem to follow you each day

And awaken you at night?

 

Do you feel your spirit slipping

With so many faded dreams,

As you try to put together

Life that's splitting at the seams?

 

Perhaps you've got to learn to give

Before your right to take,

The branch that bends not in the wind,

It will most surely break.

 

Just ask the Lord to help you,

He'll guide you each new day,

You'll find your burdens lifted

If you take the time to pray.

 

~ Albert N. Theel

 

Seek And Ye Shall Find

 

On a stroll one sunny morning

I set out to gather jewels

I left behind all doubt and worry

But took along essential tools.

 

Tools of wisdom, faith, and patience

And a basket full of dreams

To be filled to overflowing

From the priceless gift of Him.

 

I also took along the positive

And 'twasn't long until I found

A humming voice so clear and chiming

Though there was no one around.

 

I also felt a sweet caressing

As the warm wind softly draped

E'er so gently 'round about me

And I knew it was God sent.

 

The stroll continued as I gathered

All the jewels that I could hold

I then compared them to His riches

Of a flawless... "Gift of Gold"...

 

~ Chris Zambernard

The Power of Faith

 

Each cross that you may have to bear,

Each fear that brings duress,

Will never be too great for you

If God's love you possess.

 

When pain and sorrow are your lot

And drive you to despair,

You will find hope and sustenance

If you seek God in prayer.

 

When goals in life seem out of sight

And efforts are in vain,

Have faith and with God's helping hand

Each one you can attain.

 

No power on earth is greater

Than faith that you possess.

It will transcend all other things

And bring true happiness.

 

~ Harold F. Mohn

Life's Treasures

 

There are no treasures I possess

That bring eternal happiness.

I covet not the things of gold

That some desire to have and hold.

I have no diamonds, pearls and such

That others tend to love too much,

For these are temporary things

To which the Christian never clings.

Better far are the things of God,

The golden grain and bursting pod...

Peace of mind, a contented heart,

A faith that sets our lives apart.

I treasure more my daily breads

Than souvenirs of the ancient dead.

I'd rather have a loving friend,

A wife on whom I can depend.

These are the treasures I possess

That fill my life with happiness.

 

~ Clay Harrison

 

A man's life consisteth not in the

abundance of the things

which he possesseth.

Luke 12:15

Today

 

Today I promise I'll be true

And do the things I ought to do.

I'll keep my thoughts all shining bright

My spirits buoyant, clean and light.

 

I'll speak with calm and careful tongue

Rejoice when I see work well done.

I'll love my neighbor down the street

And guard my sometimes wayward feet.

 

I'll seek the best, the fine and true,

And let no angry thoughts come through.

I'll offer help when need I see,

For that's the way I ought to be.

 

And can I, Lord, this promise keep,

And when at night lay down to sleep

Remember that my thanks are due

To God, the One who saw me through.

 

~ Mabel Warburton

Prayers Can't Be Answered Unless They Are Prayed

 

Life without purpose is barren indeed -

There can't be a harvest unless you plant seed,

There can't be attainment unless there's a goal,

And man's but a robot unless there's a soul...

If we send no ships out, no ships will come in,

And unless there's a contest, nobody can win...

For games can't be won unless they are played,

And prayers can't be answered unless they are prayed...

So whatever is wrong with your life today,

You'll find a solution if you kneel down and pray

Not just for pleasure, enjoyment and health,

Not just for honors and prestige and wealth....

But pray for a purpose to make life worth living,

And pray for the joy of unselfish giving,

For great is your gladness and rich and your reward

When you make your life's purpose the choice of the Lord.

 

~ Helen Steiner Rice

 

Used with permission of

The Helen Steiner Rice Foundation

Cincinnati, OH 45202

The Fruits of Peace

 

With love plant seeds of peace today;

Tend them in a careful way,

Anger, greed and rancor thrive

Where discontent lets them survive.

 

Weed the garden of your heart;

Give the peaceful plants a start.

Nourish them with constant prayer;

Flowers of strength will blossom there.

 

Storms of life may beat and bruise them;

God will use the storms to prove them,

Harvest time will show increase:

Goodness, joy - the fruits of peace.

 

~ Ethel H. Kleppinger

 

Peacemakers who sow in peace

raise a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:18

September Moods

 

As Autumn shadows lengthen,

And shorter grow the days

I know I love September

In so many different ways!

September rolls up all the moods

That other months have given

And sends them flying on a cloud,

Straight to seventh heaven!

The wistful moods of rainy days

Seem to echo in the fun

Of happy hours remembered,

Or beach and wind and sun!

The moods I felt in early Spring

Beside a crackling fire

Seem to renew, in Autumn's dream,

Some unfulfilled desire!

The wintry winds spoiled many a plan,

Dipping the mood quite low,

But the sparkling sun on the crisp, white snow

Made me want to go, go, go!

September spurs the memories

Of the months as they came and went

And stirs one to evaluate

Just how the time was spent!

The Fall is frosting on life's cake

The moods, the savory spice,

But September is the cake itself,

Because it is so nice!

 

~ Rahya Montuori

September Abundance

 

As summer turns to autumn

Throughout September land,

Rich, ripened harvest plenty

Abounds at every hand.

 

The earth is full of fragrance

Of mellow fruit and hay.

The sky's an azure canvas,

And crickets chirp all day.

 

Vermillion leaves are scattered

Among remaining green.

Wild goldenrod and asters

Enhance the roadside scene.

 

I feel a reverent wonder

At such abundant love

Sent from a gracious Father

Sustaining from above.

 

~ Louise Pugh Corder

Sandcastles

 

I learned a needed lesson

At the shore one summer day

As I watched the little children

Building sandcastles at their play.

It is wise to build for heaven

For life's tides ebb and flow,

Earth's treasures are not lasting

We must one day let them go.

But the good deeds of the blessed

To the needy of the earth

Will please our Heavenly Father

And have eternal worth.

 

~ Sister Mary Gemma Brunke

 

Beside the Sea

 

 

In happiness I reign supreme,

Under the spell of the sea;

I hear the ocean's mighty roar

Singing her songs to me.

 

Waves caress the sandy shore

On a seaside holiday,

Salt sprayed breezes kiss my cheek,

Sea gulls romp and play.

 

I lingered lost in my reverie

By my mystical, magical sea,

A perfect day that will remain

Locked in my memory.

 

Golden sunbeams warm my soul,

Shimmering everywhere;

Then suddenly I felt the touch

Of God's presence there.

 

~ Nora M. Bozeman

The Measure of Love

 

The measure

of love

is to love

without measure.

 

~ St. Francis de Sales

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord help me to live

That others may

Be glad I chanced

To pass their way.

Help me to smile

Through worry and care,

Teach me that burdens

Lighten through prayer.

 

May it never be said

That I failed to lend

A helping hand

To the need of a friend.

grant that seeing Christ

In others

I may recognize them

As my brothers.

 

Most of all let me live

In Thy grace

Content with my role

In the human race,

That when this earthly life

is through

I may share eternity

With You.

 

~ Eleanor Larson

Garden in My Heart

 

I have a garden in my heart

Where friendly flowers grow,

And each one has the gentle name

Of somebody I know.

Their petals are the memories

Of passing smiles and tears,

Their stems are sturdy shafts of love

That last throughout the years.

I tend my garden carefully

And keep its beauty bright,

Beneath a kindly sun by day

And faithful stars at night.

The wind may blow, the snow may fall

The rain may gather gloom,

But in the garden of my heart

The flowers always bloom.

I do not ever pluck them for

The vases on my shelves,

Because I know they would not last

Or multiply themselves.

 

~ James J. Metcalfe

 

In Every Heart

 

By acts of faith and deeds of love

And kindnesses of mind,

God's Kingdom - and its world of joys -

Is in our hearts, to find,

For - in each heart - He planted seeds

To nourish, from within,

That open up His World of Grace

To let us enter in.

 

For every need of life and love,

He gave us seeds to sow

And willed - to us - the right to choose

Which seeds we want to grow

So, we must sow and grow the seeds

That Christian loves impart

And He will light - within us all -

The kingdom in each heart.

 

~ Michael Dubina