4.24.2018

My Simple Sacrifice

The rows of rich and wealthy
Flowed gaily past the stand,
Bestowing gifts of treasure
Of gold and silver grand.
Then, hidden in the great parade,
A lowly woman came,
In quietness and simple faith
She smiled as she gave.

Take my two mites, my simple sacrifice.
Tis all that I have to offer Thee.
With all of my heart, I give you every part,
For that is what You really want of me.

The multitudes had gathered 
On the hillside by the sea,
Seeking for the Savior 
Who had come from Galilee.
But as the day was far spent
A little boy arose,
Not willing just to here the Word,
He brought his little loaves.

I'll give to Christ my simple sacrifice,
Tis all that I have to offer Thee.
With all of my heart, I give you every part,
For that is what You really want of me.

You ask not for great riches,
Nor for feasts from the stall,
Neither great, astounding talent;
You want my very all.

I'll give to Christ my simple sacrifice,
Tis all that I have to offer Thee.
With all of my heart, I give you every part,
For that is what You really want of me.

4.14.2018

The Family Table

The memories flood my mind when I think of yesterday;
My sisters and my brothers at our play,
The tree forts and the kites,
The baseballs and the bikes,
And doing all our chores the right way.
But when the day was done,
And inside we all had come,
The very best of memories was made--

'Round the family table, where the Word of God was read,
We learned of His salvation over beans and cornbread,
Each question was welcome there,
Each heart was shown God's love and care
When we all gathered 'round the family table.

I think back on the times I learned life's greatest things,
About how I could glorify our King.
The pulpit stirred my soul,
Pointed me to the goal,
As I worshipped God beside the redeemed.
But the truths I most remember
Were shared in ways so tender,
When each Sunday afternoon we'd all sing,

And 'round the family table, where the Word of God was read,
We learned of His salvation over beans and cornbread,
Each question was welcome there,
Each heart was shown God's love and care
When we all gathered 'round the family table.

And through the years I find 
That table still in mind 
With echoes coming back to me 
Of laughter and tears 
Of shared joys and fears
It was more to us than bread and meat,
We wanted to be 

Round the family table, where the Word of God was read,
We learned of His salvation over beans and cornbread,
Each question was welcome there,
Each heart was shown God's love and care
When we all gathered 'round the family table.

Father, Hold My Hand

As a Child I had no need to fear
For I knew my father was near,
When some troubling woe would come my way
I would run to him and say,

“Father, here’s my hand, I offer you my hand.
I can’t see, but I know you have a plan.
This life is too big for me to handle on my own,
So, father, hold my hand.

Time is pressing on and life still brings fears
And my way is often unclear,
But my Father in Heaven holds night and day
And I run to Him and say,

“Father, here’s my hand, I offer You my hand.
I can’t see, but I know You have a plan.
This life is too big for me to handle on my own,
So, Father, hold my hand.

I empty myself of my plans and dreams,
Placing them at Your feet,
For Your ways and thoughts are far above mine,
I’m trusting only in Thee.

“Father, here’s my hand, I offer you my hand.
I can’t see, but I know you have a plan.
This life is too big for me to handle on my own,
So, father, hold my hand.

Little One

Little one, little one, I held you in my womb,
Little one, little one, for you my heart has room.
Firstfruits of my only love,
Sweetest gift from God above,
Little one, my darling babe, you are my treasure.

Little one, little one, with smallest hands and toes,
Little one, little one, with tiny ears and nose,
God, He fashioned every part,
For Him keep a tender heart,
Little one, my darling babe, you are my treasure.

Little one, little one, I laugh to see you play,
Little one, little one, oh learn to work and pray.
As you’re growing, I’ll grow too,
As you learn I’ll learn with you,
Little one, my darling babe, you are my treasure.

Little one, little one, the days are hast’ning on,
Little one, little one, soon you’ll be grown and gone.
take to heart the words I teach,
In your life the Gospel preach,
You’ll always be my darling babe; you are my treasure.

Mommy, Are Your Watching Me

Playing in the floor was my little baby boy,
Gently cooing fondly o’re his toy,
Then I heard his struggling effort 
And I glanced up just in time
To see my boy roll over
Then his tiny eyes met mine;

“Mommy, are you watching me?
I rolled over, did you see?
I know there are much bigger things
That could capture your attention,
But, Mommy, are you watching me?”

The months passed by, and then, one ordinary day,
My baby boy slowly made his way
Across the room and then with care
He stood and walked a baby mile,
And as he reached the end he met me
With his biggest smile.

“Mommy, are you watching me?
I can walk now, did you see?
I know there are much bigger things 
That could capture your attention,
But, Mommy, are you watching me?”

The years passed swiftly by, and soon my little man could
Ride a bike and whittle on some would.
Then, one day, I heard a shout
And peering through the window,
My young man drove into the lane,
He wanted me to know;

“Mommy, are you watching me?
I can drive now, did you see?
I know there are so many other things
that could capture your attention,
But, Mommy, are you watching me?”

Then one day I saw my boy become a man
As he proudly made his vows and held her hand.
I watched their love abound 
And in not to long at all,
I smiled as I took the phone,
Received his happy call;

“Mommy, are you watching me?
I’m a daddy, did you see?
You’ve always made me feel that I was
Worth all of your attention,
Still, Mommy, are you watching me?

Mommy, are you watching me?
I’m a man, don’t you see?
From your eyes I find the courage
And the strength to be strong.
Oh, Mommy, are you watching me?”

He Who Can See

A face of stone with empty eyes arose from sodden clay,
Carved by works of humankind with chisel sharp and grey,
It’s hands required foreign touch to form its hardened span,
Then kneeling to the idol came the fervent prayer of man;

“Oh, thou whose eyes that I have formed,
Please see my broken heart.
Thou whose hands that I arranged,
Please, grace and love impart,
O’re my sin-sick soul I plead
Great words of life so dear,
Ears I fashioned with my hand
Please hear my deepest prayer.”

The sullen silence trembled on, how vast and great the loss!
The god created out of stone was nothing more than dross.
In desperation and despair, when hope was nearly gone,
Man reached into his stricken heart, cried to himself alone;

“Oh eyes I see reflecting back,
Please see my broken heart.
Hands that I have labored with,
Please give me one more start.
From my sin-sick soul I plead 
New words of life so dear.”
But the ears that I had spoken to
Refused to hear my prayer.

Then in the bleakness of the night came rustling o’re the hills,
At first a whisper, then a shout, that pierced my soul with thrills.
A cross arose, a tomb stood bare, the clouds began to roll,
His voice so tender, yet so strong engulfed my very soul.

“He whose eyes you cannot see
Can see your broken heart. 
He whose hands you cannot touch
Will grace and love impart,
From the mouth hidden from view
Flow Words of Life so dear,
The ears not fashioned by men’s hands
Can hear your deepest prayer.”

Hand in hand with Jesus we’ll run this earthly race,
‘Till, one day, we shall see Him and look upon His face.

For Jesus Christ God’s only Son
Can mend our broken hearts,
His pierced hands are reaching out
To give a brand new start,
His mouth speaks mercy through His blood,
His arms will draw you near,
The ears of God Almighty 
Will hear your deepest prayer.

A Girl’s Prayer

There are many maidens searching
For what can make them beautiful
They spend their days concerning
Whether not they’ve reached their goal.
Some choose the way of worldly fame
And popularity,
My prayer is that my heart would aim
To glorify my King.

Give me sparkling eyes, smiling lips, 
and a singing heart,
Give me sparkling eyes, smiling lips,
and a singing heart,
May Your joy dwell in me that all who see
Would be drawn to the warmth of Your love,
May my life point others to the Father above.

To be beautiful some would say
One must wear the fancy clothes,
Or set ones hair in fair array,
And adorn one’s self with gold,
Your Word says favor is deceitful
And outward beauty’s vain,
But a quiet spirit with meekness full
Bring honor to Your name.

Give me sparkling eyes, smiling lips, 
and a singing heart,
Give me sparkling eyes, smiling lips,
and a singing heart,
May Your joy dwell in me that all who see
Would be drawn to the warmth of Your love,
May my life point others to the Father above.

What Matters Most

With scrub brush in hand and soaps for to clean,
The vacuum right ready to conquer my dream.
I vividly pictured a sparkling tub,
Ultra-wiped mirrors and floors without mud.
The sound of the washer would soon hum away,
Yup! I’d have a clean house by the end of the day.
But, no sooner had I put the soap to my rag
I heard a small cry from my babe down for nap.
I looked at my rag and glanced at the dirt,
And sighed but a moment for my task would be hurt.
But no more than a moment, for the summon was great
And I ran to my baby whose tears did await.
I picked him right up, and his soft blankie too,
I gently smiled and gave him a coo.
Then as I rocked him and softly sang,
I saw in his eyes that he called my name.
“Mommy,” he said, “I and growing so fast.
Turn once and blink twice, my youth will not last.
When I am bigger I’ll help with the chores,
I’ll wash all the dishes and help you mop floors.
But, for now, Mommy, please just listen to me,
Your love and your care is my greatest of needs.”
A housewife I’ll be all the days of my life,
But a mommy of babes I can never be twice.

What If...

What if my house was always spotless,
What if my floors were clean,
What if my laundry was washed and folded,
What if my mirrors gleamed,
What if I had the time to do
Whatever I so chose,
What if my days were free to go
However I supposed,
What if the merchant shops could see
My face each Saturday,
What if my friends could meet for lunch
On every other day,
What if my nights always allowed
A snuggle with my man,
What if my sleep was never short,
My hours weren't on demand,
What if my clothes were always class
Instead of Mother-proved,
What if...what if my little babe
Was suddenly removed...

What if I never heard him cry
Or saw his trusting eyes,
What if I never held again
My precious little prize,
What if I never felt his tiny
Fingers clutching mine,
What if I never knew the awe
Of Sovereign Design,
What if I never saw his smile
Or heard his little laugh,
What if the gentle coos I heard
Was nothing but my half,
What if I never saw the world
Through a little child's view,
What if I never had the chance
To see a future new,
What if I had accomplishment
Yet never time to ponder
The miracle of life through
The mind of a child's wonder,
What if I had perfection
But never knew the joy
Of what it is to love and be loved
By a bouncing baby boy?

The Vow

Wherever you may go,
Wherever you may lodge,
Your people shall be mine,
Your God shall be my God.
This I vow to you,
To you I will be true,
In sickness and in health,
Poverty or wealth,
Always only loving you.

This day I hold your hand,
(So tenderly your hand)
And give you all my heart,
(The deepest of my heart)
And as a golden flame
(A candle's golden flame)
We shall never part.
(No, never part)
Side by side we'll go
(By your side I'll go)
And journey on life's way,
(Toward Heaven's Day)
Thru' the darkest night,
Beneath starry light,
Even to a brighter day.

And we will write our sorrows in the sand,
And all our blessings we will write in stone,
From this day forward we'll go hand in hand,
Until death us part you'll never walk alone.

I promise I'll be true,
With loyalty to you,
All that was once my own
I now do share with you.
Before our God above,
We now are made as one.
I take you as my own,
Together we will grow,
Until this our journey's done.

This I vow to you,
Promise I will do,
Until this our journey's done.

The Picture

I held it with fondness, beholding each trace
Such feelings of love made my heart skip inside,
I wanted to guard it, I wanted to keep it,
For this was a picture of my groom and I.
I treasured its meaning, I cherished its glow,
Jealousy surged as protectiveness grew;
I wanted to show it for the whole world to see,
I wanted to keep it quite hidden from view.
How special it was! Like gold to my heart,
Nothing portrayed our affection as this.
It displayed our loyalty, tendernesscare,
The strength of our love and the joy of our bliss.
Then, quick as a flash, a thought came to me,
I saw as my portrait was ripped in my face.
The anguish of sorrow! the grief striking deep!
The anger that throbbed for what can’t be replaced!
And quick as the last, I pondered again,
And saw yet more closely the heart of our Lord.
Oh, how He must treasure His picture divine,
A picture of love that the world can’t afford.
So many questions invaded my mind,
Is God brought to tears  when His picture is marred?
Does His heart throb when society takes
His picture of marriage and tramples it hard?
When that which was made to portray deepest love
Is twisted and mocked, and battered with hate,
Does sorrow and anguish fill even God’s heart
As He watches His picture desentigrate?
Then, softly, I heard the voice of my Lord,
“Such sorrow I feel, yet how much more the pain
When those who portray my picture are filled 
With selfishness, pride, and casting the blame.
My love for my Church and My people is great
And from those who are lost I didn’t want to hide,
So I designed marriage—one man and one wife,
To be such a picture of My Bride and I.

Mommy of My Babe

I gazed at my wee ladmy baby was he,
And felt so unworthy his mother to be.
Each silky-soft hair, his tiny round nose
So perfectly formed from his head to his toes.
My heart filled with wonder beholding my child,
A radiant glow filled his spirit so mild.
Yet, while so enthralled with his tender repose,
I struggled with feelings I could not disclose.
This innocent baby, with character untouched,
This gift straight from Heaven that I loved so much,
To me he was given to raise up and train,
To guide and instruct, and to make God’s way plain.
But what did perplex me and drive me to tears?
That I’d be complacent, was my biggest fear.
I sat face to face with my life’s greatest mission,
The moment had come that I’d hoped for with vision.
Yet, instead of a feeling of spiritual zeal
And swelling with passion and courage like steel,
Instead of a thrill like to climbing the steep,
I felt rather empty and inwardly weak.
I gazed at my babe while tears streamed down my face,
And cried to my Father beseeching His grace.
Then., just as the dawn would pierce through night’s dim,
My baby, though sleeping, broke forth with a grin.
His lips, small and rosy, framed such a dear smile
That would melt icy hearts, make the lame run a mile.
As if God had whispered in his tiny ear,
He sent me a message I needed to hear;
“Oh, Mommy, I am but a small, helpless babe,
But please do not cry, for I’m sure we relate.
Great spiritual zeal from victories won,
And courage astounding—of these I have none.
High aspirations I have not yet known,
For how can I reap what has not yet been sown?
I don’t need the feelings of passionate pride,
I just need loving arms, open and wide.
I don’t need eloquence, just whispers of love,
Words that will tell me of Jesus above.
I don’t need and orator, and actor, or queen,
I just need a mommy who’ll rock me to sleep.
I need but a caring ear to hear when I cry,
I need warm and tender hands to draw me so nigh.
So, Mommy, don’t weep for prestige or for pride,
Just hold to my little hand—in your love I will thrive.

Leave Their Souls To Me

In suit and tie with evil eye
Rose Hitler to the stand,
He spoke with ease that would appease
All those of Daniel's Band.
Polished pews and pulpits screwed,
He promised with a gleam,
They could preach, yet with a breach,
Full Liberty it seemed.
They wouldn't hurt, he said with kirt,
If they stayed within their walls,
He'd separate the Church and State
So religion wouldn't fall.
But one young man who'd sat at hand,
Had heard enough smooth say,
This preacher boy had seen the ploy
And forward made his way.
Eye to eye with courage high,
To Hitler thus he told,
"We don't need our buildings freed,
We want our Country's souls!"
Then, like he dwelt an infidel,
His friends became his foe,
Those he thought had with with him wrought;
The words were his alone.
They got him out so quick and stout
As Hitler smiled to see,
"The steeple's yours," he said in course,
"Just leave the souls to me."
So, buffing pews, butchering Jews,
He made a hell in heaven,
While preachers swayed the other way,
Continued in fair livi'n.
But not yet told of Hitler old
Is horror's endless feat,
Six million snuffed was not enough
For Hitler's hungry teeth.
In bloodthirsty rage a slaughter has waged
As the innocent are plucked from their homes,
We cover our eyes at the screams and the cries,
Then hurry on to live lives of our own.
A hell has been made on heaven's domain,
The Hiding Place has been betrayed,
That which had been the safest for men
Has into a Death Camp been made.
Sometimes we teach and solemnly preach,
"It's not right! It should not be this way!"
But the Hitlers just smile through their teeth and their wiles
As they stealthily whisper to say,
"Go polish your shoes and straighten your pews,
And preach to your walls' population;
The steeple is yours but the people are ours,
Yes, ours are the souls of the nation."
Oh, where are the men who will stand up to sin
And fight to save innocent lives?
Where are the women who'll take what God's given
And defeat the Feminist lies?
Are we to go on living dreams of our own
While the lions devour our babes?
Or will we arise and speak up for their cries
And demand for their souls to be saved?