The Ecstasies of Spring

 

 I am old, and yet I know

the ecstasies of Spring -

The joy of budding roses

and bluebirds on the wing.

 

My heart is almost glowing

to see the rivers run,

And there's comfort just in knowing

there will be morning sun.

 

The cold, white shawl of Winter

once more is packed away

As the creatures of the forest

come again to play.

 

Each garden is a showplace -

a masterwork of art.

For the ecstasies of Spring

have blossomed in my heart.

 

~ Clay Harrison

 

Great and wonderful are your

works, Lord God almighty...

Rev. 15:3

Treasures I Hold Dear

 

 My days are filled with treasured things

From dawn of morning's light

To sunset when the shadows all

To bring the welcomed night.

 

The treasure of a loyal friend...

The treasure of a smile...

The treasure of another day

To make it all worthwhile.

 

The treasure of a solid faith

To make my world grow bright...

The treasure that He guides my steps

From dawn to sunset's flight...

 

My days, of course, are centered on

This thing called "life's career,"

But in pursuit of long-sought dreams,

I hold these treasures dear.

 

~ Henry W. Gurley

 



World of Chapels

 

 There's a church, around the corner,

That I visit every day,

But it's not the only chapel

Where I choose to kneel and pray,

For I pray, in different places -

When I feel the need for prayer -

And the Lord is always with me,

Does not matter when or where.

So, the church - around the corner -

Is a special place to me,

But it's not the only chapel

Where I know the Lord to be,

For I find Him, always waiting -

Anywhere I choose to pray -

In my world of many chapels

That I enter every day.

 

~ Michael Dubina

One Little Stray

 

Out in the pasture, the sheep lay 'round

Quiet and tranquil, not making a sound.

 When one little sheep, 'twas not very old

Got up from the flock, strayed out in the cold.

 

For many a year, he wandered afar

Mid turmoil, he hungered, felt thorns that did scar

Over rocky roads that were rough and steep,

Carrying a memory, in his heart, so deep.

 

The loving Shepherd left His flock one day,

Went out to the desert to find His stray.

At last, He heard the little one's cry -

He found him helpless, about to die.

 

On shoulders strong, He carried His own,

From ninety-nine others, no more will he roam.

The angels I heaven rejoiced 'round the throne,

For the Good Shepherd had brought

His lost one back home.

 

~ Darlene LaRose Skiff



A Wealth of Memories

 

 My heart is full as I recall

A wealth of memories,

Which can cheer my lonely days

And put my heart at ease.

 

My mind goes back to Mama

And a gentle, loving Dad,

A Grandma sweet and tender

And a dog that we called "Chad."

 

Faithful friends were cherished

And held in high esteem;

You greeted each tomorrow

As your dared to dream your dream.

 

Life was plainly simple,

Devoid of fear and hate,

When love of God or country

Were not up for debate.

 

If everyone would realize

How precious life can be,

They'd care for one another

And sweet memories achieve.

 

~ Catherine Janssen Irwin

God's Gift of Memory

 

 We can't bring back the good old days,

For they're now past; they're gone.

We can't reverse the days of time,

They just keep marching on.

We only have the present day,

Perhaps the future, too,

But God has never promised us

Another day we'd view.

 

We can't bring back the good old days,

Not in reality,

But we can still catch glimpses

Through eyes of memory.

We can't bring back those cherished times

But they can come to us,

For through God's gift of memory,

They still our hearts can touch.

 

~ Loise Pinkerton Fritz

 

Whereas ye know not what

shall be on the morrow.

For what is your life?

It is even a vapour,

that appeareth for a little time,

and then vanisheth away.

James 4:14

 



Slow Me Down

 

 Lord, slow me down!

I need to pause

And watch the butterfly,

Behold the trees

Waft in the breeze

And hear a baby's cry.

Give me the time,

The time to see

How Your creations praise Your name.

From sky to sea

Your Majesty

They openly proclaim.

Yes, slow me down

That I may see

Exactly how it's done.

Then, may I, too,

With nature's crew

Worships You through Your Son.

 

~ Janice George

 

And he said unto them,

"Come ye yourselves apart

into a desert place,

and rest a while..."

Mark 6:31

The Journey Home



 

Don't worry about anything,
For don't you know it's true,
A loving God has launched the ship
That gently carries you.

Each boat that sails the sea of life
That rocks with every storm,
Is guided through the straits of faith
To a harbor safe and warm.

The Hand that knit you in the womb
Will never cease to care,
A ballast in the wildest wind
A love that's always there.

For no one lives but by His grace
And given is each breath,
Well known the time of every birth
The hour of every death.

And each man hears a special call
That beckons him alone,
While God provides along the way
The stars that guide him home.

~ Kate Watkins Furman

 

It's April

 

It's April and once more I see

New leaf and bud on greening tree,

The flowers rising from the sod

And opening petaled eyes to God;

Again, the earth is sparkling clean

And dressed in Springtime's apple-green.　

It's April and once more I hear

The robin's trill so sweet and clear,

The brooks' and streamlets' merry song

A freed from ice they roll along;

Again, young bleating lambs at play

Are heard in meadows 'cross the way.　

It's April and once more I know

The warmth that comes from Springtime's glow,

The hope that's in my heart reborn

With every shining April morn;

Again, I know God's promise true...

To all thing He gives life anew!
 

~ Beverly J. Anderson

Early Spring

 

 I love these days in early Spring

When hills are turning green,

And every leaf and blade of grass

Is bathed with dewy sheen.

There is no need for coaxing

To leave behind the chores,

On slightest pretense I am quick

To wander out-of-doors.

I love the tang of Springtime air

Brimful with blossoms sweet;

A carpet made of lush green grass

Springs softly 'neath our feet.

Within my neighbor's garden near

Bright daffodils now bloom

And from my window I can hear

A robin's cheery tune.

These are the days I cherish mot

When birds come back to sing,

And everywhere God seems to say:

Come, say "hello" to Spring!

 

~ Kay Hoffman

 



Nobody's Perfect

 

Nobody's perfect, all of us have

Traits we must overcome,

Regrets for the things it is too

late to change,

For what we have not, or have done.

But we just have to do the best

that we  can,

Believing that God will come through,

And if we fall down, we must get

up again,

The way that He wants us to do.

For nobody's perfect, once there

was One,

Born in a stable dim,

Sinless and blameless, Whose message

was Love,

...But the people crucified Him!

 

~ Grace E. Easley

Texture of My Soul

 

 May the texture of my soul

Be as fine as it can be;

May it be the kind of texture

That greatly pleases Thee.

May not a thread of coarseness

Be any part of it,

But only finest woven threads

That for my King are fit.

 

May the texture of my soul

Be as Thou would have it be;

May it e'er be interwoven

With threads of purity.

Threads of faith, forgiveness, love,

Humbleness of mind;

Then may the texture of my soul

Be fully holy-lined.

 

~ Loise Pinkerton Fritz

 

Because it is written,

"Be ye holy; for I a holy."

1 Peter 1:16

God's Rebel Rose

 

It clings, tenacious, to the vine

Where, once, it bloomed

and reigned, sublime -

And snows of Winter, sleet and hail,

Cannot upon its will prevail.

 

One Rebel Rose - long past its prime -

Still clings onto its mother vine

And corns the rule that is comply

With nature's law to fall and die.

 

~ Michael Dubina

 



Shelter Us

 



With happy hearts and hymns of praise

We ask You bless our earthly days -

We ask You guide in all we do,

Make us humble, kind and true.

 

God, shelter us in Your strong arms.

Let us be free and safe from harm,

And when we wander, rein us in

To Your sheltering arms again.

 

~ Gertrude Blau Byram

 

Keep the Faith

 

 Help us, Lord, to keep the faith

when things are going wrong...

Teach us to turn the other cheek

and move by faith along.

 

Just being good is not enough

while trying hard to cope.

We must put our faith to work

with charity and hope.

 

We need not fear the great unknown

when God is on our side,

And there is nothing we can't do

when faith in Him's applied!

 

There is no power on this earth

that's worthy of our fear,

For Christ shall send a Comforter

to believers far and near.

 

Help us, Lord, to keep the faith

and never turn away...

Show us, Lord, Thy majesty;

abide with us today.

 

~ Clay Harrison

 

Now faith is the substance

of things hoped for,

the evidence of

things not seen.

Heb. 11:1

Growing in Grace

 

 It took awhile for me to see

that no one's life is trouble free!

What must be done when fortune frowns?

Face it square on solid ground!

From God's own word I'm firmly told,

be ye brave and be ye bold;

Take a stand and stem the tide,

of hopeless thoughts - in faith abide.

 

God's faithfulness to me and you -

is really what will see us through!

No matter where in life we stand -

we're held securely in His hand.

 

It may not seem that He is there,

when we are visited by despair -

But heavenly hosts and angels near,

prevail upon us not to fear.

 

Unseen strength be yours and mine,

living life one day at a time -

Tomorrow may come - may stay away,

but we have in hand, the gift of today!

 

~ Janice C. Wright

 

This is the day

the Lord has made;

Let us rejoice and

be glad in it.

Ps. 118:24

Faith Produces Works

 

 Think of all God's done for us,

For, oh, it has been much;

He has provided every need...

Our raiment, food and such.

Through every valley He was there

To lift us mountain-high;

Whatever trials came our way,

He was the Light to guide.

 

Since God has done so much for us,

What have we done for Him?

He's given to us His only Son

To die for all our sins.

He asks nought else but this one thing...

That on Christ we believe,

But when truly love the Lord,

Our faith will bring forth deeds.

 

~ Loise Pinkerton Fritz

 

Even so faith, if it hath not works,

is dead, being alone.

James 2:17

 

Innocence

 

 I saw the children playing

And how it brought to me,

The days when I was young and small

And from every heartbreak, free.

 

I held not then a troubling thought,

All of my days were full and free

 And  how my mind meandered back -

How those days were all for me.

 

Such innocence did so exist

So easily those days,

Chaste in that phase, the youth of life,

In oh, so many ways.

 

And I said a little prayer to God

To take my soul, back then,

And make me pure and whole and clean

As if, I were a child again.

 

~ James Joseph Huesgen

 



Prayer for Strength

 

Give me strength of heart, Lord Jesus,

To endure the trials of time;

Give me strength of will and purpose

To pursue what is divine;

Give me strength of love and mercy

To forgive my fellowman

And the strength of truer wisdoms

To perceive and understand.

Give me greater strength of courage

That will better challenge strife;

Greater strength of faith and vision

To avoid the sins of life;

Give me strength of limb and body -

Strength to rise and build, anew -

And a strength that never wavers

In my trust and love for You.

 

~ Michael Dubina

 



With Sled in Tow

 

 It's Wintertime! The snow comes down

On country lanes, on streets in town;

With dazzling coats of pristine white

It blankets everything in sight;

 

And takes me back so long ago

When leaden skies brought our first snow

We raced to slopes of nearby hills

And with delight took our spills

 

And sledded 'til the sun went down

Behind the mountains far from town.

Then in the evening's afterglow,

We plodded home, our sleds in tow.

 

I'll dream a dream of wintry eve

When I shall take my sled and leave

 My fireside warmth for childhood thrills

On snow-clad slopes of nearby hills.

 

And Winter comes with its first snow -

I'll be a child with sled in tow.

 

~ Henry W. Gurley

God, Show Me How

 

 God, give me wisdom to discern

Just where I am most needed

And grant nobody's cry for help

To me, shall go unheeded.

Let me see into those hearts

Who hide their deepest pain

And show me how to write the words

And bring them hope again.

Lord, You have given me so much

And now I want to share

The love with which You shower me,

With people everywhere.

Thought I brought nothing to this world

And that is how I'll leave it,

May all my poems ring out with Faith

...The way that I believe it.

 

~ Grace E. Easley

 

Wisdom is a tree of life to those

who grasp her, and he is happy

who holds her fast

Prov. 3:18

 

A Faith Is Mine

 

A faith is mine because I know

The Spring will come - the grass will grow,

And winter snow will melt away

Upon a lovely April day,

The earth will warm - trees burst in bloom

While nature sings a happy tune.

A faith is mine - the sun will rise

All golden in the eastern skies,

While gentle rain will bless the earth

In tender moments of rebirth,

And mountains tall will ever stand

To add a beauty to our land.

Somehow a quiet fills my heart

In joys and gladness life impart,

Believing - courage - each my own

In moments that I spend alone,

A world so filled with dreams divine

That will come true - a faith is mine.

 

~ Garnett Ann Schultz

It Will Always Be Amazing

 It will always be amazing

How God loved and cared for me

When I had no time to listen

As He tried to speak to me.

 

I was young and very foolish

As I went my self-willed way.

Still He blessed me with His mercies,

And watched over me each day.

 

And He never loved me less, He

Just seemed to love me more,

Waiting patiently for me, to

Let him enter my heart's door.

 

Then one day I felt so lonely

And I turned to God above.

Trusting Jesus as my Saviour,

I found God's redeeming love.

 

It will always be amazing

His forgiveness, oh, so sweet,

And my emptiness He filled with

Wondrous peace and joy complete.

 

Now for years we've walked together.

He's the dearest Friend to me.

There in gladness and in sadness

By my side He'll ever be.

 

It will always be amazing,

God's unfailing love and grace,

And one day in Heaven's glory

I'll behold Him face to face.

 

~ Beverly J. Anderson

 

 



The Source of Every Blessing

 The source of every blessing

Is God, Who reigns above;

A God of love and mercy

And never failing love.

He blesses us with sunshine

And rain to make things grow,

He is there in Autumn's colors

And in Winter's falling snow.

He is there when health is failing

And burdens seem too hard to bear;

He reaches out with arms of love,

With compassion and infinite care.

To all who come unto Him,

He will never turn away,

To all who seek for mercy,

He is just a prayer away.

~ Frances Culp Wolfe

For with You

is the fountain of life,

and in Your light

we see light.

Ps. 37:10

Seasons of Life

Remember, though the season be

A blackish-gray monotony

Of cloudy sky and muffled sound

And snow that lies on frigid ground,

To each of us there comes a season

That soothes the soul and rights the reason,

When we have learned to cast aside

Our bitterness, our greed and pride. 


And in their stead, we then displace
These senseless faults with God's pure grace
Then Winter's bitter wind departs
And we feel Spring within our hearts.

Where flowers bloom in grand array
And rainbows chase the gloom away
For kinder thoughts and nobler deeds
Are what an ailing body needs.

At times we grow; at times we rest.
The time for each, He knows the best.
Through every season, oh may we be
Drawn closer Lord, my God, to Thee.

~ Polly Thornton

To everything there is a season,
and a time to every purpose
under the heaven...
Eccl. 3:1

Leave Everything in God's Hands

Leave everything in God's hands.

The lilies do, you know.

Through sunshine and through darkness

The lilies grow.

Through cold and windy weather,

Through winter's ice and snow

The lilies sleep in God's care...

Once more to grow.

In Spring they rise in beauty -

'Neath golden sun they glow;

And nourished by Spring showers

The lilies grow.

Leave everything in God's hands.
You're still more dear, you know,

Than all the blooming lilies

In fields that grow.

Oh, how you matter to Him.

He cares and loves you so;

He knows in shadowed valleys

Sweet virtues grow.

Yes, God knows all your needs, friend.

Seek Him in prayer. He'll show

In His time wondrous blessings.

He's promised so.

Leave everything in God's hands.

Trust Him Who loves you so.

For you are precious to Him.

You are, you know.

~ Beverly J. Anderson

The Lord is My Light

The Lord is my light...

the Lord is the strength of my life...

whom shall I fear?

Psalm 27:1

Smile

The thing that goes the farthest toward
Making life worthwhile,
That costs the least and does the most,
Is just a pleasant smile.
The smile that bubbles from a heart
That loves its fellow men,
Will drive away the clouds of gloom,
And coax the sun again;
It's full of worth and goodness, too,
With manly kindness blent,
It's worth a million dollars, and,
It doesn't cost a cent.
There is no room for sadness
When we see a cheery smile
It always has the same good look -
It's never out of style;
It nerves us on to try again
When failure makes us blue,
The dimples of encouragement
Are good for me and you;
It pays a higher interest
For it is merely lent,
It's worth a million dollars and
It doesn't cost a cent.
A good thing to remember
And a better thing to do
To work with the construction gang
And with the wrecking crew.


For a Brand-New Day

Thank You, God, for a brand-new day;
And thank You for the chance to say
Those loving words that yesterday
I left unsaid, and went my way.
Thank You, God, for a brand-new day.
For showing me a better way
To share Your love and kindness show
So folk may see in me Your glow.
Thank You, God, for a brand-new day.
Be skies bright blue or stormy grey
Whatever comes is sent by You
And by Your grace I'll make it through.
Thank You, God, for a brand-new day.
I will rejoice and not dismay.
I will be glad and lift above
My heart's praise for Your wondrous love.
Thank You, God, for a brand-new day.
May I cherish it, God, I pray;
And hear me as again I say:
Thank You, God, for a brand-new day!

~ Beverly J. Anderson

The Prayer Flower

While walking through a forest

on the mountain top today,

I looked beside a solemn birch

and saw a flower pray.

All alone it bowed its head;

with none but me to see

the total reverence it expressed,

I wondered, could it be

that anyone in this cold world

would deep and truly care

enough about our loving God

for such perpetual prayer?

It really made me stop and think

a thought of soulful kind:

life will bloom the brighter

with God foremost in our mind.

~ Don Beckman

God's Majesty

 Ah, Lord, how great Your majesty

In crimson leaves upon a tree -

More beauty than a heart can hold

On Autumn mornings, misted gold!

Ah, Lord, how great Your splendor, too,

In Summer roses kissed with dew!

Were I a queen upon a throne,

No greater treasure could I own.

Ah, Lord, how glorious Your morn

When Spring is suddenly reborn,

As purple crocus beckon me

Behold a world bejeweled by Thee.

And, Lord, how very kind art Thou

To mound soft snowflakes on the bough

So Winter's harshness we can bear

With ermine's magic everywhere.

In Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring,

There's beauty in the smallest thing,

Reflecting Your great majesty,

Unfolding till eternity.

~ Sandra Town Lytle