"Your Duty" [guest poet]

When little children try to shirk

From doing any honest work,
And always have a good excuse
If asked to be of any use,
They'll find the lazy habit grow
As nearly all the elders know,

And very likely, hard to break
Though one may lots of trouble take;

So start today and do your bit,

I'm sure you will be glad of it.

Fanny Allen

"A Light Shining out of Darkness"

by William Cowper God moves in a mysterious way,      His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea,      And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines      Of never failing skill, He treasures up His bright designs,      And works His sovereign will. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,      The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break      In blessings on your head. Judge not the LORD by feeble sense,      But trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence,      He hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast,      Unfolding ev'ry hour; The bud may have a bitter taste,      But sweet will be the flow'r. Blind unbelief is sure to err,      And scan his work in vain; GOD is his own interpreter,      And he will make it plain.

The Lord My Banner

Jehovah-Nissi

(Exodus, xvii.15) 

  By whom was David taught, 

To aim the deadly blow,        

When he Goliath fought, 

And laid the Gittite low? 

Nor sword nor spear the stripling took,

 But chose a pebble from the brook.        

'Twas Israel's God and King Who sent him to the fight;        

Who gave him strength to sling, 

And skill to aim aright. 

Ye feeble saints, your strength endures, 

Because young David's God is yours.        

Who order'd Gideon forth, 

To storm the invaders' camp.        

With arms of little worth, 

A pitcher and a lamp? 

The trumpets made his coming known 

And all the host was overthrown.        

Oh! I have seen the day, 

When with a single word,        

God helping me to say, 

"My trust is in the Lord," 

My soul hath quell'd a thousand foes 

Fearless of all that could oppose.        

But unbelief, self-will, 

Self-righteousness, and pride,        

How often do they steal 

My weapon from my side! 

Yet David's Lord, and Gideon's friend, 

Will help his servant to the end. 

William Cowper, Olney Hymns

The Lord Will Provide

Jehovah-Jireh 

(Genesis, xxii.14)

 The saints should never be dismay'd,

Nor sink in hopeless fear; 

For when they least expect His aid, 

The Saviour will appear.

This Abraham found: he raised the knife; 

God saw, and said, "Forbear! 

Yon ram shall yield his meaner life; 

Behold the victim there." 

Once David seem'd Saul's certain prey;

 But hark! the foe's at hand; 

Saul turns his arms another way, 

To save the invaded land. 

When Jonah sunk beneath the wave, 

He thought to rise no more;

 But God prepared a fish to save, 

And bear him to the shore. 

Blest proofs of power and grace divine, 

That meet us in His word! 

May every deep-felt care of mine 

Be trusted with the Lord. 

Wait for His seasonable aid, 

And though it tarry, wait: 

The promise may be long delay'd, 

But cannot come too late. 

William Cowper, Olney Hymns

I'm Thankful for...... [DAY1]

The bravest battle that ever was fought!

Shall I tell you where and when?

On the maps of the world you will find it not;

'Twas fought by the mothers of men.

Nay not with the cannon of battle-shot,

With a sword or noble pen;

Nay, not with eloquent words or thought

From mouth of wonderful men!

But deep in a walled-up woman's heart --

Of a woman that would not yield,

But bravely, silently bore her part --

Lo, there is the battlefield!

No marshaling troops, no bivouac song,

No banner to gleam and wave;

But oh! those battles, they last so long --

From babyhood to the grave.

Yet, faithful still as a bridge of stars,

She fights in her walled-up town --

Fights on and on in her endless wars,

Then silent, unseen, goes down.

Oh, ye with banners and battle-shot,

And soldiers to shout and praise!

I tell you the kingliest victories fought

Were fought in those silent ways.

-- Joaquin Miller (1839-1913) 

She fought upon her knees for me,

Then carefully chose each word she'd say.

My mother, girded, stood to fight-- 

My war against my flesh today. 

When conquered, seeking to do wrong, 

her wandering child she found--  

She drew her sword and in my place--

She stood upon my battle ground. 

As she fought she also taught, 

And slowly, I too learned to stand-- 

And face the enemy of my soul, 

My Sword held in my hand.

Glory to God for mothers who--

Sound forth their faithful battle cry,

Rallied 'round the cross of Christ--

Pray'n "save my child or let me die."

--Bethmarie 2012

Thank you God for Mothers!

I Am The Lord That Healeth Thee

Jehovah-Rophi. 

(Exodus, xv.26) 

Heal us, Emmanuel! here we are, 

Waiting to feel Thy touch: 

Deep-wounded souls to Thee repair 

And, Saviour, we are such. 

Our faith is feeble, we confess, 

We faintly trust Thy Word; 

But wilt Thou pity us the less? 

Be that far from Thee, Lord! 

Remember him who once applied, 

With trembling, for relief; 

"Lord, I believe," with tears he cried, 

"Oh, help my unbelief!" 

She too, who touch'd Thee in the press, 

And healing virtue stole, 

Was answer'd, "Daughter, go in peace, 

Thy faith hath made thee whole." 

Conceal'd amid the gathering throng, 

She would have shunn'd Thy view; 

And if her faith was firm and strong, 

Had strong misgivings too. 

Like her, with hopes and fears we come, 

To touch Thee, if we may; 

Oh! send us not despairing home, 

Send none unheal'd away!

William Cowper, Olney Hymns

Rose from the Brier

Before the winds that blow do cease,

Teach me to dwell within thy calm:

Before the pain has passed in peace,

Give me, my God to sing a psalm.

Let me not lose the chance to prove 

the fullness of enabling love.

oh love of God do this for me:

Maintain a constant victory.

~Amy Carmichael, Rose from Brier 1933 edition

Walking With God

Oh! for a closer walk with God, 

A calm and heavenly frame;

 A light to shine upon the road 

That leads me to the Lamb! 

Where is the blessedness 

I knew When first I saw the Lord?

 Where is the soul-refreshing view 

Of Jesus and His Word? 

What peaceful hours I once enjoyed! 

How sweet their memory still! 

But they have left an aching void, 

The world can never fill. 

Return, O holy Dove, return! 

Sweet the messenger of rest! 

I hate the sins that made thee mourn 

And drove thee from my breast. 

The dearest idol I have known, 

Whate'er that idol be, 

Help me to tear it from thy throne, 

And worship only thee. 

So shall my walk be close with God,

 Calm and serene my frame; 

So purer light shall mark the road 

That leads me to the Lamb.

 

William Cowper, Olney Hymns

The Christian: A Living Sacrifice

How will I use my time today?

Why does it matter?

Can't I use my time the way I want?

After all.... It is mine.... isn't it?

     If I am Christ's, all I have belongs to Him.

And He calls, "present the things that you horde, find security in, and love more than your Lord to Me."

Why? Because He has given so much more, and there's so much more he wants to give. He is calling, "Give me your last drop of oil and flour... Give me your only son, oh Abraham, oh Widow, oh Hannah.  Give me your boat so I can teach you to walk on water; I am waiting for you to trust me, so that I can open up the windows of heaven."

What do you want me to give, Lord Jesus? 

What is it that I am keeping as my own, for myself?

      The answer comes back to me: Time.

Yes I can while away my time... if I have not given it as a 'living sacrifice' to my Savior.

Yes I can use my time how I want, spending it on me... if I can drown the hunger for a deeper relationship with my Lord. 
     But... I don't want to give up my time! Why? I know I won't get to be selfish with it if I give it to you Lord Jesus. But you are calling. Can I say "wait a little, I'll give it to you later"? With each passing minute it gets harder to say "yes," and by procrastination I prolong the pain of dying to myself. Oh Lord Jesus, I am not willing. But You can make me willing. Please make me willing to say 'yes' to You! 

What is Jesus calling you to give Him?

So The Little Minutes... humble as they be, make the mighty ages of Eternity!

One Minute

I have only just a minute,

 Only sixty seconds in it,

 Forced upon me, can’t refuse it.

 Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it,

 But it’s up to me to use it.

 I must suffer if I lose it,

 Give account if I abuse it.

 It is only just a minute,

 But eternity is in it.

 -Author Unknown

Only What's Done For Christ Shall Last

By Rev. C.T. Studd

“Two little lines I heard one day,

Traveling along life’s busy way;

Bringing conviction to my heart,

And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,

Soon will its fleeting hours be done;

Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,

And stand before His Judgement seat;

Only one life,’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,

Gently pleads for a better choice

Bidding me selfish aims to leave,

And to God’s holy will to cleave;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,

Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;

Each with its clays I must fulfill,

living for self or in His will;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,

When Satan would a victory score;

When self would seek to have its way,

Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,

In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;

Faithful and true what e’er the strife,

Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,

And from the world now let me turn;

Living for Thee, and Thee alone,

Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, “twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,

Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;

And when at last I’ll hear the call,

I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;

Only one life,’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

I Know It's Not Easy To Be A Mother

To my Mother on this lovely Mothers Day... and to all of you who are mothers, 

"Thank You" for your self-sacrifice.

I Know It's Not Easy To Be A Mother
To know all the things that you have to know,
To train up us Kids in the way we should go,

To make sure our hair's brushed and our shoes are tied,

To throw out our pet fish after it's died,

I know it's not easy to be a Mother.

To keep us Kiddo's all tucked in our bed,

To know how our nighty-night story is read,

To teach us to pray and realize our need

For the Lord Jesus is great indeed.

I know it's not easy to be a Mother.

To buy all the groceries and feed us good food,

And do up the dishes regardless of mood,

To stand behind Daddy as decisions are made,

To gently correct us when we've disobeyed.

I know it's not easy to be a Mother.

To make sure we all practice, and teach us our school,

to help us to use the Golden rule,
To make sure that Daddy is on his way,
And that he's got his lunch for today,
I know it's not easy to be a Mother.

To teach us to keep the house scrumptiously clean,
And wipe off our tears when someone's been mean,
To teach us to find joy in whatever we do,
Even when it means cleaning up after the flu,
I know it's not easy to be a Mother!

I don't know how you juggle all those balls,
And get up and pick up after life falls,
But one thing I know, for of all this, thank you,
but above all, Mother, I Love You!

All I Have Is Christ

by Jordan Kauflin

I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave

I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross

And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me

Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You

If

If I could fix my thoughts on You all throughout the day,

I would not have to worry for I could always pray.

I would renounce once and for all everything not come from You,

I'd b'lieve and embrace Your promises and seek Your face as I ought to do.

I'd recognize that you were with me, an ever present reality,

and constantly converse with You in freedom and simplicity.

I'd ask You for help in discerning your will, and in things I know You want me to do,

Offering them to You as worship and then thanking You when I am through

I wouldn't have to keep my mind on the small tasks my hands are a part of,

I'd thank You for giving me this work to do so I could give it as an act of love

I would not look ahead to the things I cannot change

but cling to You and wait and trust life's best when you arrange

If little things distract me from our sweet communion,

God You'd remind me of your presence and renew our union

If I could but abandon myself completely to You,

I'll find the path to heaven straight and light that is sure and true

If only I could discipline myself with faithfulness!

afterward would come the Joy of choosing to seek Your face.

Peter lent a boat

To save Christ from the press,

Martha lent her home,

With busy kindliness,

One man lent a colt,

Another lent a room,

Some threw down their clothes,

And Joseph lent a tomb,

Nothing have I to lend-

No boat, no house no lands;

Lord, here is my life-myself,

I place it in your hands.

Taming The Flaming

The Bible has a lot to say
About my little tongue,
It's a fire that want's it's way
And hurts friends one by one.

Lord help me always remember
You're looking straight at me,

And help me guard my mouth gate
Very thoroughly!

Turn Around

I was wondering what I could post today, since I haven't posted in a good week, and my eye rested on a poem I wrote to myself years ago and taped in the front of my Bible. It has stood like a guard rail to keep me on track when I loose joy and have to choose to keep seeking the Lord.

Watch out, beware! Use caution, have care!
Have you neglected God's word today?
Have you been going your own way?
Have you pleaded for His help today?
Watch out. Beware.

Stop running, quit doing! Halt now, while you can!
Do you think that you can run this race alone?
Without the Word in you Spirit sown?
And daily "what Jesus would do" to you shown?
Halt now while you can.

Run aground, turn around! Be heavenbound!
Fix your eyes on Jesus to finish the race,
Each day read His Word, in prayer seek His face,
Think His thoughts, sing His joy, spread His grace.
Turn around.