The Glory of Life

 

The glory of life is to love,

not to be loved,

To give, not to get,

to serve, not to be served;

To be a strong hand in the dark

to another in time of need,

To be a cup of strength to

any soul in a crisis of weakness.

This is to know the glory of life.

The Spring

 

There's a trail winds down from my house

to a lovely little spring

Where goldenrod grows all around

and pheasants take to wing;

Where bees buzz 'round wild flowers

of yellow, blue and white,

And hummingbirds and insects feed

as they move from site to site.

 

In Wintertime, when all is still

as a picture in a book,

My spring keeps on a-bubbling

to begin its little brook.

And then I know - no matter how

my world may rock and spin,

God is in His heaven, and

it will all come right again.

 

~ Frankie Davis Oviatt

A New Beginning

 

With the newness of each morning

When the sun begins to rise,

How our hearts are filled with joy

As we gaze up to the skies.

 

For each dawn is filled with gladness

We're so grateful for the day,

One more chance to do God's bidding

And make amends for yesterday.

 

As we spend these precious hours

May we ever be aware

That this gift of one more day

Is but a gift to spend with care.

 

Every day's a new beginning,

Though the last it may well be,

But if we spend it well, we'll spend

Our life with him eternally.

 

~ Polly Thornton

 

...Amend your ways

and your deeds....

Jer. 7:3

Not by Chance nor Happenstance

 

 Into our lives come many things

to break the dull routine,

The things we had not planned on

that happen unforeseen,

The unexpected little joys

that are scattered on our way,

Success we did not count on

or a rare, fulfilling day -

A catchy, lilting melody

that makes us want to dance,

A nameless exaltation

of enchantment and romance -

An unsought word of kindness,

a compliment or two

That sets the eyes to gleaming like crystal drops of dew -

 

The unplanned sudden meeting

that comes with sweet surprise

And lights the heart with happiness

like a rainbow in the skies...

Now some folks call it fickle fate

And some folks call it chance,

While others just accept it

as pleasant happenstance -

But no matter what you call it

it didn't come without design,

For all our lives are fashioned

by the Hand that is divine -

And every happy happening

and every lucky break

Are little gifts from God above

that are ours to freely take.

 

~ Helen Steiner Rice

 



The Faith of a Mustard Seed

 

How often I have stumbled

along life's narrow way.

How often I have grumbled

at the first light of day.

When the road of life grows weary,

I want to run and hide,

When days are dark and dreary,

I lock myself inside.

In times of toil and trouble,

I often fail the test.

When misfortunes burst my bubble,

I'm seldom at my best.

When the storms of life assail me

and knock me to my knees,

I realize I could not see

the forest for the trees.

For God had always been there

waiting to meet my need,

And all I had to do was share

the faith of a mustard seed.

 

~ Clay Harrison

 

And the Lord said,

"If you have faith

the size of a mustard

seed you would

say to this tree, 'Be

uprooted and planted

in the Sea,' and it

would obey you."

Luke 17:6

Beware the Seed

 

 Beware! Beware

What seeds you sow

If - what they bear -

You do not know.

For, what you sow,

The Lord will grow

And you must harvest

What you sow.

 

Be sure,

Of what you want to grow

Above the earth

Or down, below;

And never sow

A bitter seed

That will but grow

A bitter weed.

 

~ Michael Dubina

 

...they that

plow iniquity, and

sow wickedness,

reap the same.

Job 4:8

Beside the Waters

 

 Beside the quiet rippling streams

My Lord is leading me,

All nature bears His spoken word

In everything I see.

For lo, He comes to comfort me

And sits down at my side,

He whispers in the breezes

Blowing gently through my mind.

The waters ripple gently on,

So quiet and serene,

And on its waves I see His truth

Reflecting like a dream.

 

And mounted up on eagle's wings,

The Master makes me soar,

Above the waters running still

And all because He's Lord.

Reflected on the ripples are

The trees and skies above,

Resplendent with the sun,

As warm as God's abiding love.

A place where I find solitude

Without a single care,

Beside the waters deep and still,

My Father leads me there.

 

~ Thomas P. McHugh

 

...he leadeth me beside still waters.

He restoreth my soul...

Ps. 23:2-3

 



Snow Picnic

 

I planned a picnic in the snow,

Invited feathered friends I know.

I scattered crumbs and seeds toe at,

With suet for a special treat;

 

Then took my place at window seat,

Each honored guest to quietly greet.

Slate-colored juncos came to call

And brown-hued chipping sparrows small.

 

The cardinals perched on ice-white spread

In splendid coats of crimson red.

I watched the purple finches dine

In royal bibs, raspberry  wine.

 

Towhee, nuthatch and chickadee

Had gracious manners once could see.

When kingly blue jay lit to taste,

The other birds made room in haste.

 

My friends chirped thanks for crisp birdfeed,

Nutritious food that filled each need.

I listened joyfully and thought

Of Winter wonder God's birds brought.

 

~ Louise Pugh Corder

 

The Heralds of Spring

 

A nest and two birds in a tree,

Two birds singing merrily;

There'll soon be a family...

This is the sign of Spring.

 

Flow'rs peeking through snow-dusted ground,

Emerging without slightest sound,

Brightening the landscape around...

This is the sign of Spring.

 

A rainbow aglow in the sky

After a shower from on high,

A gorgeous sight to the eye...

This is the sign of Spring.

 

A branched pussy willow tree

With catkins so silvery,

A most welcome sight to see...

This is the sign of Spring.

 

The peepers a-peeping out yon

In woods at the set of sun,

All heralds of what has come...

Colorful, life-filled Spring.

 

~ Loise Pinkerton Fritz

 

Nevertheless he left not himself

without witness, in tat he did

good, and gave us rain from

heaven, and fruitful seasons,

filling our hearts with food

and gladness.

Acts 14:17

The Secret

 

I met God in the morning

When my day was at its best,

And His presence came like sunrise,

Like a glory in my breast.

All day long the Presence lingered,

All day long He stayed with me,

And we sailed in perfect calmness

O'er a very troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered,

Other ships were sore distressed,

But the winds that seemed to drive them

Brought to us a peace and rest.

Then I thought of other mornings,

With a keen remorse of mind,

When I too had loosed the moorings,

With the Presence left behind.

So I think I know the secret,

Learned from many a troubled way:

You must seek Him in the morning

If you want Him through the day!

~ Ralph Spaulding Cushman

 

Gentle Folk

 

Sometimes it so amazes me,

The love that people give,

They lighten up my darkest hours

And help my soul to live.

Just when I'm feeling down

At times, a friend appears

To put a smile inside my heart,

And wipe away my tears.

It makes me realize how much God

Loves us through and through,

When He takes the time to care for me

Through gentle folk like you.

~ James Joseph Huesgen

 



My Daily Prayer

 

 Give me a spirit sweet, dear Lord,

As I go about my day,

Tat I would be a blessing glad

To someone on life's way.

Let no small pettiness of mine

Keep me from doing good,

To help where there's a need, and love

My neighbor as I should.

When I would seek my will, not Yours,

Speak to my heart anew;

Give me a vision clear, dear Lord,

Of what You'd have me do.

Please grant to me the strength I need

To stand for right and good,

Rememb'ring that we all should strive

To do the thing You would.

Lord, let me not be boastful of

Some good that I have done,

But keep me ever mindful that

From You my blessings come.

I do not ask for riches grand,

Nor skies forever fair;

A closer walk with You, dear Lord,

This is my daily prayer.

 

~ Kay Hoffman

A Day Worthwhile

 

 I count that day was wisely spent

In which I do some good

For someone who is far away

Or shares my neighborhood.

A day devoted to the deed

That lends a helping hand

And demonstrates a willingness

To care and understand.

I long to be of usefulness

In little ways and large

Without a selfish motive

And without the slightest charge.

Because in my philosophy

There never is a doubt

That all of us here on earth

Must help each other out.

I feel that day is fruitful

And the time is worth the while

When I promote the happiness

Of one enduring smile.

 

Set Me Afire

 

 Lord, set me afire with a white-hot blaze,

Consuming all of my willful ways,

Burn away all that You see,

That might deter or hinder me.

Sear me right down to the bone,

'Til every sinful thought is gone,

Let the flames rise hot and bright,

Like a scarlet vigil light.

 

Lord, let me mirror only Thee,

'Til there's nothing left of me,

Let my soul reflect the glow

Of Thy goodness here below.

Rid me of each vain desire,

In this ever-cleansing fire,

And when my heart shall cease to beat,

...Bless these ashes at Thy feet.

 

~ Grace E. Easley

Autumn

 

 Amber, crimson, russet, gold,

Foliage colors now unfold.

Bright the sky and crisp the air,

Signs of Autumn everywhere.

 

Orange pumpkins in the field,

Harvest shows a lavish yield.

Roadside stands are quite a treat

Laden with good things to eat.

 

Scarlet sumac are ablaze

All along the country ways;

Goldenrod and asters, too,

Lend their charm for us to view.

 

Autumn calls the heart to praise

For the bounty of Fall days,

For the beauty we behold

When the leaves turn red and gold.

 

~ Beverly J. Anderson

 

And he changeth

the time and

the season...

Dan. 2:21

 



Get Away from All of It

 

 Sometimes I surely think that I

Would like to get away

From all of it and be alone

And rest and think and pray.

 

I could relax and contemplate

The joys that I have had

And I could read some Scripture for

It  makes one's heart so glad.

 

'Twould also serve to brush away

The cobwebs from my mind,

'Twould help me to make light my load

And leave my cares behind.

 

In fact I think that ev'ryone

Should sometimes get away

From all of it and contemplate,

Relax and think and pray.

 

~ Luther Elvis Albright

 

Persevere in prayer,

and watch in

it with thanksgiving.

Col. 4:2
 

After the Winter, God Sends the Spring

 

 Springtime is a season

Of hope and joy and cheer.

There's beauty all around us

To see and touch and hear.

So, no matter how downhearted

And discouraged we may be,

New hope is born when we behold

Leaves on a budding tree,

Or when we see a timid flower

Push through the frozen sod

And open wide in glad surprise

Its petaled eyes to God,

For this is just God saying,

"Lift up your eyes to Me,

And the bleakness of your spirit,

Like the budding Springtime tree,

Will lose its wintry darkness

And your heavy heart will sing" -

For God never sends the Winter

Without the joy of Spring.

 

~ Helen Steiner Rice

The Great Commission

 

It's not hard to be a Christian

and fill a friendly pew

Where only friends surround you

and praise the things you do.

But God would have us share His word

with those who know Him not

On darkened streets and avenues

where sinners cast their lot.

 

Here dwell the non-believers,

and those who have not heard

That Jesus Christ still loves them

according to His word.

Here dwell the lost and lonely,

the homeless and the proud,

Who, like sheep, have gone astray

by following the crowd.

 

Here dwell the broken-hearted,

the abandoned and abused,

Who have seen the "Sunday Christians"

and walked away confused.

It's not hard to be a Christian

and fill a friendly pew,

But after the Benediction...

can Christ be found in you?

 

~ Clay Harrison

 

"Go ye therefore,

and teach all nations..."

Matt. 28:19

 

Then Jesus Approached

 

 The Jesus approached and said to them,

"All power in heaven and

on earth has been given to Me.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit..."

 

Matt. 28:18-20

Admonition

 

Reach out your hand to those in need,

Say not, "I have no time to give,"

True joy is in the kindly deed,

And peace is in the love we live.

 

Be fond of virtue more than gold,

Let blessed truth be in your heart;

Onto the right path firmly hold

And vanquish evil from the start.

 

The God of Wisdom has a plan,

And to this plan all things are bound.

His gift of freedom is, for man,

The greatest treasure to be found.

 

We have this life in which to live

Our freedom choices day to day:

It's not to evil we should give

Our very souls and lives away!

 

~ George R. Kossik

The Little Horse Who Failed

 

 Once there was a little horse

who entered in a race,

but due to careless folly

it ended in disgrace.

 

This came about when he outran

the other on the track

so far, he wondered where they were

and took a quick glance back.

 

When he stopped, the second horse

the turf did swiftly spin,

and with his four hoofs flying,

beat him to the win.

 

So let this be a lesson:

run your race in your own time

and regarding competition,

never stop to look behind.

 

For we are individuals;

with ourselves we must compete,

and to concentrate on rivals

is to suffer sure defeat.

 

~ Don Beckman

Lack of Knowledge

 

 When I was young I wondered how

the sky could be so blue;

what kept the clouds from falling down,

why four was two times two?

 

I asked my elders why green leaves

should turn to browns and reds,

and they would often frown at me

or shake impatient heads

 

and say "when you are older, lad,

you'll understand such things,

and know the reason snow is white

and why a bird has wings."

 

Yet, I am older now and find

when children question me

that it is hard to answer them

and not speak foolishly.

 

For this is the truth: the questions asked

are quite profound and wise;

it only is in adult minds

the lack of knowledge lies!

 

~ John C. Bonser

I Offer Thanks



 

 I offer thanks for friends so dear,

For every word of joy and cheer,

The quiet moments I so love

And blue skies there so high above,

The special dreams that are my own

And every beauty I have known.

 

I offer thanks for Springtime days

And happiness on country ways,

The precious laughter of a child

And tiny violets growing wild,

The brook that murmurs as it flows,

The magic o a Junetime rose.

 

For sun and rain and gentle earth

The miracle of Spring' rebirth,

Each Autumn color bright and bold,

For snowflakes soft and Winter's cold,

The sea that rushes to its banks,

For God and love - I offer thanks.

 

~ Garnett Ann Schultz

 

Time for Change

 

When our hair has turned to silver

And our steps are slowed by years

We must change our style of living -

In some ways we don't endear;

Younger hands must do the planting,

Stronger hearts must run the race;

You and I must love, more dearly,

While we 'wait the Lord's embrace.

　It is time for little diversions,

From our ways of younger years,

Time to live with limitations

Greying years combined with fears;

Younger hands must cut the timber;

Stronger hearts must climb the hill,

You and I must dress, more warmly,

To endure each Winter's chill

We must, also, pray to Jesus

For the comforts of His love

To sustain us and endear us

For Eternity, above;

Younger hands must do the labors;

Stronger hearts must lead the chase;

You and I must love, more dearly,

While we 'wait the Lord's embrace.

~ Michael Dubina

Holy Is His Name

 

Through the many, many years

There are many smiles and tears;

Yet the smiles predominate

If we live for Jesus' sake.

Tho the years may heartaches bring;

Yet the heart shall surely sing;

If to Jesus we belong,

For His very name is song.

　

Saviour here me, as I pray,

That I dedicate each day

To Thy precious Holy Name;

Which is evermore the same!

 

~ Sancie Earman King

 

I Thank God for My Home

 

 When sunrise lights the morning skies

Over our village paradise

And roosters crow their "wake-up" call

For us to hear, both one and all,

I thank God for my home.

It's not a palace for a king;

It's just a country cottage, small,

But, oh, the joys it ever brings,

Joys nestled there within its walls.

Here family lives with God as guide;

Here love for one another reigns.

All things are taken in their stride;

Concern for each one never wanes.

The windowsills hold flowers, bright,

That shed a ray of welcome here

And beckon to the flowers outside,

The gardens with their floral cheer.

When sunup fills the earthen floor

And touches on each village door

And folks begin their work each day

I n their same good old-fashioned way,

I thank God for my home.

 

~ Loise Pinkerton Fritz

If Memories are Riches

 

 I'll always have my memories,

When I am old and gray,

And they at least are something

No one can take away.

I could not ask for greater wealth,

Because they are so dear

And I will never wish for more

As long as I am here.

For if they measure riches by

Memories here on earth,

I'll surely be a millionaire -

So great would be their worth.

 

~ Harold F. Mohn

Cabin of My Dreams

 

There is a cabin of my dreams

To which I often go,

Sometime amid the Autumn leaves

Or nestled in the snow.

It's close beside a crystal stream,

Wherein I often swim,

And there are deer who never mind

That I am watching them.

There is a cabin of my dreams,

Rustic, quaint and small,

And yet I feel when I am there

I surely have it all.

It has two ample windows

Through which the sunlight streams,

And when dusk falls, the honeysuckle

Drifts into my dreams.

There is no need to lock the door,

No one lives out this far,

And I do very well indeed

Without a bus or car.

I've spent some happy hours

On that bench beneath the trees,

My homemade bread is sweetened

With wild honey from the bees.

Because one cannot see it

Doesn't mean it isn't there,

It is my secret refuge

From a world so full of care.

Within its walls an atmosphere

Of true simplicity,

And we are one, who dwell within,

...My little dog and me.

~ Grace E. Easley

 

Time for God

 

At the end of the day when the world is still

And my thoughts can return to memory,

I like to relax by my windowsill

And watch the great river glide out to sea.

It ripples along in an easy way,

A the lights blink on shining streaks of gold,

Across sparkling water for sun's last ray -

Just a final gleam as the day grows old.

 

Serenity comes to my window seat..

It's peaceful and calm as I linger there.

This hour of rest has become my retreat;

A place for solace and freedom from care.

Each of us seeks out a place he can be

Closer to God and tranquility.

 

~ Marian Ford Park

Home and Hearth

 

Home and hearth, such sweet words,

I ponder in my muse,

For they tell of simple joys,

The ones I do most choose...

For home's a cheery haven

With hearth so red aglow,

Where cares are oft' unburdened

And peace is good to know...

The dearest place upon the earth,

A respite from the storm,

Where hearts are shaking kinship

And building memories warm...

Home and hearth, such sweet words,

They signify true rest,

Where life' simple pleasures

Are at their very best!

 

~ Virginia Borman Grimmer