I Used to Love the Nights

I discovered the following lines of verse in a book on Preachers and their Families that I came across in a bookstore. I 'captured' it with my iPhone and share it with you here. It was written by a man name Rob Morgan, and carried no title.

I used to love the nights, dear Lord,

The fading of the evening lights,

The quiet routine;

The bedtime prayers;

A tale or two; then nodding heads,

three weary kids in cozy beds;

The silent hours of healing rest,

I loved the evenings best.

I hate the evenings now, dear Lord,

A speeding car out in the night,

Dives and dens and worthless ends,

Flashing lights, unworthy friends,

An empty heart, a search for love,

When all he needs is found above.

I'm going to trust You through this night,

I'm going to walk by faith, not sight.

You slumber not, nor do you sleep,

Your watchful eye can always keep,

My children in your care.

To Him who tucks me into bed;

Please station angels around his head,

And guard my child where're he be,

And bring him back, dear Lord, to Thee.

Far Nobler

Far nobler the sword that is nicked and worn;

Far fairer the flag that is grimy and torn

Than when to the battle fresh they were born.

He was tried and found true; he stood the test;

'Neath whirlwinds of doubt, when all the rest

Crouched down and submitted, he fought the best.

There are wounds on his breast that can never be healed;

There are gashes that bleed and may never be sealed,

But, wounded and gashed, he won the field.

And other may dream in their easy chairs;

And point their white hands to the scars he bears;

But the palm and the laurel are his -- not theirs!

-- Author Unknown

The Four Calls

And Spirit came in CHILDHOOD,
And pleaded, "Let me in."
But Oh! the door was bolted,
By thoughtlessness and sin.
"I am too young," the child replied,
"I will not yield today.
There's time enough tomorrow,"
The Spirit went away.

Again He came and pleaded,
In YOUTH'S bright happy hour,
He came, but heard no answer,
For lured by Satan's power,
The youth lay dreaming then,
And saying, "Not today;
Nor till I've tried earth's pleasures,"
The Spirit went away.

Again He called in mercy,
In MANHOOD'S vigorous prime.
But still He found no welcome,
The merchant had no time.
No time for true repentance,
No time to think or pray.
And so, repulsed and saddened,
The Spirit went away.

Once more He called and waited,
The man was OLD and ill.
He scarcely heard the whisper,
His heart was cold and still.
"Go leave me, when I need You,
I'll call for You," he cried.
Then sinking in his pillow,
WITHOUT A HOPE, he died.

Author Unknown

The Fatal Crossing

There is a time, we know not when:
A place we know not where;
Which marks the destiny of man,
For glory or despair.

There is a line by us unseen,
That crosses every path;
The hidden boundary between
God's mercy and His wrath.

To pass that limit, is to die;
To die as if by stealth,
It does not quench the beaming eye,
Nor pale the glow of health.

The conscience may be still at ease,
The spirit light and gay;
That which is pleasing, still may please,
And care be thrust away.

Oh! where is this mysterious bourne
By which our path is crossed?
Beyond which God Himself has sworn,
That he who goes is lost?

How long may I go on in sin?
How long will God forbear?
Where does hope end, and where begin
The confines of despair?

An answer from the skies is sent,
"You that from God depart;
While it is called Today, repent,
And harden not your heart."

Unknown Author - Dr. Alexander ???

It's that most wonderful time...

A poem from a Christmas Card that has a wonderful message. If you didn't get the card, you're fortunate to have found this page...

If you look for me at Christmas,
You won’t need a special star.
I’m no longer just in Bethlehem,
I’m right there where you are.
You may not be aware of Me,
Amid the celebrations.
You’ll have to look beyond the stores,
And all the decorations.
But if you take a moment,
From your list of things to do,
And listen to your heart, you’ll find
I’m waiting there for you.
You’re the one I want to be with,
You’re the reason that I came.
And you’ll find Me in the stillness,
As I’m whispering your name.

Love, Jesus

A Couple Favorite Poems...

Don't Tell Me

Don't tell me what you will do when you have time to spare;
Tell me what you did today to ease a load of care.
Don't tell me what you will give when your ship comes in from sea;
Tell me what you did today a fettered soul to free.
Don't tell me the dreams you have of conquest still afar;
Don't say what you hope to be, but tell me what you are.
-- Selected

The Few

The easy roads are crowded and the level roads are jammed;
The pleasant little rivers with the drifting folk are crammed.
But off yonder where it's rocky, where you get a better view;
You will find the ranks are thinning and the travelers are few.
But the steps that call for courage and the task that's hard to do;
In the end result in glory for the never-wavering few.
-- Selected

I Bargained for a Penny

In order to try out this blog, I have to post something. So, I will use this old poem that has been a personal favorite of mine for many years. Enjoy...

I bargained with Life for a penny
And Life would pay no more,
However I begged at the evening
When I counted my scanty store.
For Life is a just employer,
He gives you what you ask.
But once you've set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.
I worked for a menial's hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life
Life would have willingly paid.
- Author Unknown