Note: This was written following the funeral of a good friend
who passed away following a very long battle with cancer.
There is a river deep and wide
I am bound to find a way to the other side.
I have labored here long and hard,
And now I long just to see my Lord.
There is a time for everything in life we are told,
Work, and play and friends and all I've had.
But,all I have done is work to the bone,
Now I just want to go on home.
There is a river deep and wide
I am bound to find a way to the other side.
I have labored here long and hard
And now I long just to see my Lord.
Many a friend, foe and kin have all left this land
And now have taken their stand
On the banks of that river deep and wide.
Now I am left to stand alone
looking for a way to the other side.
There is a river deep and wide
I am bound to find a way to the other side.
I have labored here long and hard
And now I long just to see my Lord.
There is a glorious day coming
When I cross that river deep and wide
To take my stand on the other side.
For I have labored here long and hard
And then I will be with my beloved Lord.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
There is a Grace in this Land
There is a Grace in this land
That comes from One who is close at hand.
Not from that which I can do,
But, a gift from the One whose voice is my command.
I walk through life as though a ghost,
Not knowing from one day to the next
Just what I am to do,
But, guided by One who knows that I am perplexed.
Faith and trust is the command,
I wait in hope of serving the Man,
And then a voice do I hear
Go and tell them who I AM.
Time and again I asked for His word
To let me hear in my time of fear.
In the dark I cried out,`Lord I hurt'.
Then I heard, `I'm here!'.
There is a Grace in this land
That comes from One who is close at hand.
Not from that which I can do,
But,a gift from One whose voice is my command.
Times of trouble and hurt I have seen,
By my efforts nothing could make me clean.
It was the Grace from He above,
Who saved this wretch with nothing but His Love.
There is a Grace in this land
That comes from one who is close at hand.
Not from that which I can do,
But,from a gift from One whose voice is my command.
That comes from One who is close at hand.
Not from that which I can do,
But, a gift from the One whose voice is my command.
I walk through life as though a ghost,
Not knowing from one day to the next
Just what I am to do,
But, guided by One who knows that I am perplexed.
Faith and trust is the command,
I wait in hope of serving the Man,
And then a voice do I hear
Go and tell them who I AM.
Time and again I asked for His word
To let me hear in my time of fear.
In the dark I cried out,`Lord I hurt'.
Then I heard, `I'm here!'.
There is a Grace in this land
That comes from One who is close at hand.
Not from that which I can do,
But,a gift from One whose voice is my command.
Times of trouble and hurt I have seen,
By my efforts nothing could make me clean.
It was the Grace from He above,
Who saved this wretch with nothing but His Love.
There is a Grace in this land
That comes from one who is close at hand.
Not from that which I can do,
But,from a gift from One whose voice is my command.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
I Heard a Voice in the Night-Time Calling
I heard a voice in the night-time calling
As soft and gentle as a summer breeze.
I heard a voice in the night-time calling
It flowed about me as a gentle wind through the trees.
I heard a voice in the night-time calling
One that was as clear as a lark in the trees.
A sound that made me wonder,
If the call was coming on a far-off breeze.
My heart leapt at the sound
So gentle and yet so real.
It made me wonder if I was dreaming,
It all seemed just so surreal.
I heard a voice in the night-time calling,
As soft and gentle as a summer breeze,
I rose in the night, looked far and near,
And answering said, "I am here".
When a voice is heard in the night-time calling
As soft and gentle as a summer breeze.
When a voice is heard in the night-time calling
That it seems to flow as a gentle wind through the trees.
It is a voice calling each of us
A voice from far, yet so near.
It is the voice of the blessed one
Seeking - one to come here.
As soft and gentle as a summer breeze.
I heard a voice in the night-time calling
It flowed about me as a gentle wind through the trees.
I heard a voice in the night-time calling
One that was as clear as a lark in the trees.
A sound that made me wonder,
If the call was coming on a far-off breeze.
My heart leapt at the sound
So gentle and yet so real.
It made me wonder if I was dreaming,
It all seemed just so surreal.
I heard a voice in the night-time calling,
As soft and gentle as a summer breeze,
I rose in the night, looked far and near,
And answering said, "I am here".
When a voice is heard in the night-time calling
As soft and gentle as a summer breeze.
When a voice is heard in the night-time calling
That it seems to flow as a gentle wind through the trees.
It is a voice calling each of us
A voice from far, yet so near.
It is the voice of the blessed one
Seeking - one to come here.
Searching
Like a restless wind that blows across our lives
Our souls search through doors only to find boundless sighs.
Always seeking, but not yet finding
Answers to questions that never stop hiding.
Many souls are always searching
Following the restless winds of life.
Like companions on a journey all seek to find
Unknown answers to questions that have no sign.
Not a stone unturned, not a road not traveled
Always looking as though with a common thread binding
This band of travelers seeking, but not finding.
A restless wind blows across our lives
Like the universe that never ends,
Searching, searching never growing weary
For the chase of an answer that life won't send,
Not too far, but yet so far, we run about
On a quest for life that has no end.
Quite a band of travelers are we
who seek to find, but yet cannot see.
Always searching, like a restless wind
Blowing across our lives
On another chase to send.
Who can be satisfied in a world of known
When there is so much to seek,
That is like the wind that has blown.
Always seeking, but not yet finding
Answers to questions that never stop hiding.
Dedicated to James Kavanaugh, whose writings of There are Men Too Gentle to Live Among Wolves gave me the inspiration to write this poem. I too am a searcher in life.
Our souls search through doors only to find boundless sighs.
Always seeking, but not yet finding
Answers to questions that never stop hiding.
Many souls are always searching
Following the restless winds of life.
Like companions on a journey all seek to find
Unknown answers to questions that have no sign.
Not a stone unturned, not a road not traveled
Always looking as though with a common thread binding
This band of travelers seeking, but not finding.
A restless wind blows across our lives
Like the universe that never ends,
Searching, searching never growing weary
For the chase of an answer that life won't send,
Not too far, but yet so far, we run about
On a quest for life that has no end.
Quite a band of travelers are we
who seek to find, but yet cannot see.
Always searching, like a restless wind
Blowing across our lives
On another chase to send.
Who can be satisfied in a world of known
When there is so much to seek,
That is like the wind that has blown.
Always seeking, but not yet finding
Answers to questions that never stop hiding.
Dedicated to James Kavanaugh, whose writings of There are Men Too Gentle to Live Among Wolves gave me the inspiration to write this poem. I too am a searcher in life.
Friday, March 12, 2010
A New Day Given
With the setting of the sun
Another day has been won
Deep purple and red skies blend together
Mark the memories of another day forever.
Once a long, long time ago
My days seemed so dark and forlorn
But then I realized that with the passage of each
I had but to listen to the words of a sage
With words that had been handed down through the age,
That from the beauty of the setting sun
Came the anticipation of the glorious sun-rise of another one.
Time can heal all wounds of pride and heart
Each day can bring bright rays of joy for a new start.
The beauty of the setting sun
Reminds me of another day being won.
How I love to see each day that I’m given
To know that I have striven
To bring to my heart a joy of a life lived
And the anticipation of the sun-rise of a new day given.
Another day has been won
Deep purple and red skies blend together
Mark the memories of another day forever.
Once a long, long time ago
My days seemed so dark and forlorn
But then I realized that with the passage of each
I had but to listen to the words of a sage
With words that had been handed down through the age,
That from the beauty of the setting sun
Came the anticipation of the glorious sun-rise of another one.
Time can heal all wounds of pride and heart
Each day can bring bright rays of joy for a new start.
The beauty of the setting sun
Reminds me of another day being won.
How I love to see each day that I’m given
To know that I have striven
To bring to my heart a joy of a life lived
And the anticipation of the sun-rise of a new day given.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Night Reflections
I was not able to sleep tonight and started thinking, which is always disastrous for me. I remembered attending a funeral of a friend some time back and the minister at the service told of his love for the 23rd Psalm. However, he said that for it to have greater meaning he said it in the first person - as though God was speaking directly to him.
I thought about that a lot, so I re-wrote the Psalm as he suggested, putting emphasis on the first person wording - and it truly did have for me, greater meaning.
See what you think.
Psalm 23
[God speaking directly to me]
“I am your shepherd,
and I will not let you be in want.
I will make you to lie down in green pastures,
I will lead you beside the still waters.
I will restore your soul,
and I will lead you in the paths of righteousness for My
Name’s sake.
Yea, though you will walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
you need fear no evil;
for I will be with you,
My rod and My staff will comfort you.
I will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies;
I will anoint your head with oil;
and make your cup to run over.
And My goodness and My mercy shall follow you all the days of your life,
and you shall dwell in My house for ever.”
I thought about that a lot, so I re-wrote the Psalm as he suggested, putting emphasis on the first person wording - and it truly did have for me, greater meaning.
See what you think.
Psalm 23
[God speaking directly to me]
“I am your shepherd,
and I will not let you be in want.
I will make you to lie down in green pastures,
I will lead you beside the still waters.
I will restore your soul,
and I will lead you in the paths of righteousness for My
Name’s sake.
Yea, though you will walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
you need fear no evil;
for I will be with you,
My rod and My staff will comfort you.
I will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies;
I will anoint your head with oil;
and make your cup to run over.
And My goodness and My mercy shall follow you all the days of your life,
and you shall dwell in My house for ever.”
Friday, February 19, 2010
Book Reviews
This is something a little new to me, writing reviews of some of the books I have read. I was asked to do so, by someone who knew how much I liked to read - and my enjoyment of good books. I hope my comments are not too boring or offensive.
Review of the book: Life of Washington by Anna C. Reed
This book was originally published in 1842 and is now being re-printed by the New Leaf Publishing Group for Attic Books.
The British spellings and formatting of the text have been retained in their original form in the re-publishing in order to maintain the historical content of that writing.
It is a somewhat small book in physical size with very good paper texture allowing for an easy reading of the printed material. The feel of the book, given the original spellings and formatting, is as though one is reading the original 168 year old copy.
The book is very well written, with the author obviously having access to a great deal of factual material dealing with not only the life of George Washington, but the military battles of the Revolutionary War, and the Continental Congress. The author was a niece of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, so it is only logical that through that source her material would be available.
The book reads very fast. It is some 290 pages long, and I completed it in 4 nights of reading.
Totally fascinating, it gives an insight into not only the life of our first President, but his view of life itself. A man given to great moral and religious thoughts - all of which guided his life from his earliest days until his death.
This book should be a required reading for all school age children. It should a required reading for any one qualifying for elected political office - up to and including the President of the United States.
It speaks clearly of the arrogance of power of some in high positions - giving those individuals a lesson in how prepare and conduct oneself in life and office.
It is a primer for life - and for public service. The examples set by George Washington - his faith and character are truly an example for all to try and emulate.
Today our faith and the practice of religion are for most - hidden. In Washington's time both were expressed freely and honestly. It is what carried both them and this country through a terrible ordeal to emerge as free men and an independent nation.
The book dealt with all aspects of Washington's life - his view of life, the offices he held, his trials in battle, his approach to a religious life and sustained him at the point of death itself. He talked to God in secret and his God led him safely through all of his life.
With a life clearly depicted in the book - Washington was elected unanimously to the office of President, and then re-elected unanimously - a feat that will never occur in the history of this nation again. He was offered a title of "king" and rejected it out of hand - something in today's world others might not do.
This is truly an amazing book, worthy of being read by young and old alike, a true primer for life - a life depicted by moral character and an expression of one's faith in God. It is a statement of what should be our nation's motto: "In God We Trust".
I rate this a 5 star book.
***************
Deadly Disclosures, a truly suspense filled mystery, written exceedingly well by Julie Cave.
Intrigue, suspense, multiple plots; all interwoven very well within a powerful story about the extreme efforts of a secret group espousing evolution over creationism.
The author skillfully developed the primary mystery plot with that of the leading character, Dinah Harris, an agent of the FBI who was investigating the crimes committed while at the same time suffering from deep depression in her own life resulting from a family tragedy and involving an abuse of alcohol culminating in her struggles to find and free herself..
The story line is well developed moving quickly along until the climax at the very end providing the reader with an unusual twist.
A book well worth reading, it flows quickly and well.
Truly a 5 star book – the first in a trilogy of stories presenting the reader with the excitement of anticipating the ones to follow.
Review of the book: Life of Washington by Anna C. Reed
This book was originally published in 1842 and is now being re-printed by the New Leaf Publishing Group for Attic Books.
The British spellings and formatting of the text have been retained in their original form in the re-publishing in order to maintain the historical content of that writing.
It is a somewhat small book in physical size with very good paper texture allowing for an easy reading of the printed material. The feel of the book, given the original spellings and formatting, is as though one is reading the original 168 year old copy.
The book is very well written, with the author obviously having access to a great deal of factual material dealing with not only the life of George Washington, but the military battles of the Revolutionary War, and the Continental Congress. The author was a niece of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, so it is only logical that through that source her material would be available.
The book reads very fast. It is some 290 pages long, and I completed it in 4 nights of reading.
Totally fascinating, it gives an insight into not only the life of our first President, but his view of life itself. A man given to great moral and religious thoughts - all of which guided his life from his earliest days until his death.
This book should be a required reading for all school age children. It should a required reading for any one qualifying for elected political office - up to and including the President of the United States.
It speaks clearly of the arrogance of power of some in high positions - giving those individuals a lesson in how prepare and conduct oneself in life and office.
It is a primer for life - and for public service. The examples set by George Washington - his faith and character are truly an example for all to try and emulate.
Today our faith and the practice of religion are for most - hidden. In Washington's time both were expressed freely and honestly. It is what carried both them and this country through a terrible ordeal to emerge as free men and an independent nation.
The book dealt with all aspects of Washington's life - his view of life, the offices he held, his trials in battle, his approach to a religious life and sustained him at the point of death itself. He talked to God in secret and his God led him safely through all of his life.
With a life clearly depicted in the book - Washington was elected unanimously to the office of President, and then re-elected unanimously - a feat that will never occur in the history of this nation again. He was offered a title of "king" and rejected it out of hand - something in today's world others might not do.
This is truly an amazing book, worthy of being read by young and old alike, a true primer for life - a life depicted by moral character and an expression of one's faith in God. It is a statement of what should be our nation's motto: "In God We Trust".
I rate this a 5 star book.
***************
Deadly Disclosures, a truly suspense filled mystery, written exceedingly well by Julie Cave.
Intrigue, suspense, multiple plots; all interwoven very well within a powerful story about the extreme efforts of a secret group espousing evolution over creationism.
The author skillfully developed the primary mystery plot with that of the leading character, Dinah Harris, an agent of the FBI who was investigating the crimes committed while at the same time suffering from deep depression in her own life resulting from a family tragedy and involving an abuse of alcohol culminating in her struggles to find and free herself..
The story line is well developed moving quickly along until the climax at the very end providing the reader with an unusual twist.
A book well worth reading, it flows quickly and well.
Truly a 5 star book – the first in a trilogy of stories presenting the reader with the excitement of anticipating the ones to follow.
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