JW's Favorites

[jwharv]

I love poetry and songs with a lyrics strong enough to stand alone with out music. I would like to share some here and for you to share any you know of.

[jwharv]

Amazing Grace Lyrics

John Newton (1725-1807)
Stanza 6 anon.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.





(My two favorite stanzas are in bold. I have never heard anyone sing these 2 and can't understand why.)

[jwharv]

A Christian Mandate
Do all the good you can
By all the means you can
In all the ways you can
In all the places you can
To all the people you can
As long as ever you can.

[jwharv]

With Out Jesus



With Out Jesus

My life has no meaning,

My heart has no beat,

The singer has no song,

Or the music a beat,



With out Jesus,

Salvation is lost,

Hope does not matter,

Faith is no more then a word,

Grace could never happen,

Nor could we true love know,



With out Jesus,

I am nothing,

I know not true love,

I have no hope,

No future,



Yet With Jesus,

I have it ALL!!!!

[jwharv]

I CAN'T EVEN WALK
by: Colbert and Joyce Croft


1. I thought number one would surely be me,
I thought I could be what I wanted to be.
I thought I could build on life's sinking sand
But I can't even walk without You holding my hand.

Chorus:
I can't even walk without You holding my hand.
The mountain's too high and the valley's too wide.
Down on my knees, I learned to stand.
And I can't even walk without You holding my hand.

2. I thought I had done a lot on my own.
I thought I could make it all alone.
I thought of myself as mighty big man,
But I can't even walk without You holding my hand.



3. I think I'll make Jesus my One and my All
From now on when I'm in trouble, only His name I'll call
And If I can't trust Him, I'll be less than a man
'Cause I can't even walk without You holding my hand.

[jwharv]

CAN OF WORMS

Are you in
a can of worms today?
Did your day start right?
Did you think to pray?

When trouble arrives
then whom would you blame?
Is God the one?
Is that your game?

If you look to the Lord,
from the moment you wake,
and trust in his guidance
each step of the way,
He’ll faithfully deliver
when the flood rushes through,
and be that protection
to rescue you too.

Copyright © BY JOE MEDREK

[jwharv]

Dr. Jesus

I came to the doctor with ailments galore
Aches & pains, bruises & sores
Told him I was tired of suffering each day
And asked--no begged--that he take the pin away
Little did I know he'd already diagnosed me
Knew my symptoms, the causes, the complete remedy
Yet he listened with patience as I bemoaned my plight
Urged me to have faith that it would be alright
Not sure if I believed him but earnestly hoping
I tried to relax and let Dr. Jesus do his thing.
At the first touch I cringed, and tried to draw back
Surely good medicine didn’t feel like that
I fidgeted in discomfort and wriggled with unease
Not allowing myself comfort, though I knew his expertise
I winced at each movement and flinched at each step
Thoroughly unhappy though his skills were adept
How much time passed i could not quite say
What was taking so long for the pain to go away
Each time i thought the procedure was done
The hurt would begin again as though he’d never begun
Well..maybe it didn’t hurt quite as much as before
But what I wanted was to be completely restored
I struggled with the pain, tried not to cry aloud
Surely in the doctor’s office, that’s not allowed
In the hands of the great healer, why did pain linger on?
Once i have it to Dr, Jesus, shouldn’t all pain be gone?
Like waking from anesthesia I suddenly realized
That Jesus had healed me, but why should I be surprised.
What I didn’t know was that each pain and sting
Were my wounds being dressed, my scars softening
For Jesus, master healer in hi infinite wisdom knew
He had to remove the scarred tissue before he could give me anew
He tended each wound with his patience and love
A feat only divinely possible from above
His hand massaged my heart my spirit restored
He attended each ailment, no malady ignored
His healing comes with a guarantee
That’s good throughout eternity
So if you need an appointment make one today
And rest in perfection as Jesus has His way.

Annette M. Parrott

[jwharv]

Jeremiah 24:7 And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

A God Shaped Hole

I searched, I waited, I fantasized
Schemes I concocted, plans I devised
Confident I could do my part
To fill that God shaped hole in my heart

I begged, I borrowed and compromised
Revised, disguised and advertised
Pursuing the piece to make me whole
To fill that God sized void in my soul

I went to and fro, up and down
Looked here and there, looked all around
Only finding keys to discontentment and strife
Trying to open the God like lock in my life

I sought aid from strangers, family and friends
They only failed me and could not make amends
I could not understand why a fissure was left
As I tried to fill that God shaped cleft

Oh the chasm that plagued me, the emptiness looming
the hollowness weighing, the vacancy dooming
The cavity persisted, the vacuity followed
As I tried to fill that God fitted hollow

So much tmie wasted in pursuit
Not following His footsteps, but my ill chartered route
Seeking Hi hands, yet not His face
Trying to fill that God patterend space

Father please fill this unfilled position
Supply me, occupy me, you're my only ambition
I come to You, Creator, Source of my soul
For only You can fill this God shaped hole.

Dr. Annette M. Parrott

[jwharv]

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

Satan laughs, he thinks I'm had
Seeing my countenance, knowing I'm sad
But no matter my plague of feelings Grimm
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

Though there is sadness, there is no despair
My hope is in Him, I've nothing to fear
Even as forgotten aches are creeping back in
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

I've emptied my heart, all that's left are the moans
Please curtail my suffering, or call me on home
Each moment a struggle, daily chagrin
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

My spirit's melancholy but 'tis well with my soul
My flesh it weak but His blood has made me whole
My heart feels as if being torn limb from limb
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

I thought you would be the supreme anesthesia
That there would be no more pain since you are my healer
I pray for another dousing, filling to the brim
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

Bring me back to where we first did begin
Where my only craving was your touch on my skin
Through my tears, my vision grows dim
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

I don't understand why this must be
How have I displeased You that this must happen to me
Your perfect will is why, and Your timing is when
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

Salvation in check, peace at rest
My joy may be wavering, but I still know I'm blessed
I resist drowning, and continue to swim
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

I lay it in your hands and trust that you will
My unrest-- quiet, my requests--fill
My hands lifted in praise, my mouth spilling hymns
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

Annette M. Parrott

[jwharv]

AFFLICTIONS, THOUGH THEY SEEM SEVERE
Words: John New­ton,

Afflictions, though they seem severe;
In mercy oft are sent;
They stopped the prodigal’s career,
And forced him to repent.

Although he no relentings felt
Till he had spent his store;
His stubborn heart began to melt
When famine pinched him sore.

“What have I gained by sin, he said,
But hunger, shame, and fear;
My father’s house abounds with bread,
While I am starving here.

I’ll go, and tell him all I’ve done,
And fall before his face
Unworthy to be called his son,
I’ll seek a servant’s place.”

His father saw him coming back,
He saw, and ran, and smiled;
And threw his arms around the neck
Of his rebellious child.

“Father, I’ve sinned—but O forgive!”
I’ve heard enough, he said,
Rejoice my house, my son’s alive,
For whom I mourned as dead.

Now let the fatted calf be slain,
And spread the news around;
My son was dead, but lives again,
Was lost, but now is found.

’Tis thus the Lord His love reveals,
To call poor sinners home;
More than a father’s love He feels,
And welcomes all that come.

[jwharv]

"Bring The Rain"

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray

Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty

[jwharv]

Go Down Death

by James Weldon Johnson


Weep not, weep not,
She is not dead;
She's resting in the bosom of Jesus.
Heart-broken husband—weep no more;
Grief-stricken son—weep no more;
She's only just gone home.

Day before yesterday morning,
God was looking down from his great, high heaven,
Looking down on all his children,
And his eye fell on Sister Caroline,
Tossing on her bed of pain.
And God's big heart was touched with pity,
With the everlasting pity.

And God sat back on his throne,
And he commanded that tall, bright angel standing at his right hand:
Call me Death!
And that tall, bright angel cried in a voice
That broke like a clap of thunder:
Call Death!—Call Death!
And the echo sounded down the streets of heaven
Till it reached away back to that shadowy place,
Where Death waits with his pale, white horses.

And Death heard the summons,
And he leaped on his fastest horse,
Pale as a sheet in the moonlight.
Up the golden street Death galloped,
And the hoof of his horse struck fire from the gold,
But they didn't make no sound.
Up Death rode to the Great White Throne,
And waited for God's command.

And God said: Go down, Death, go down,
Go down to Savannah, Georgia,
Down in Yamacraw,
And find Sister Caroline.
She's borne the burden and heat of the day,
She's labored long in my vineyard,
And she's tired—
She's weary—
Go down, Death, and bring her to me.

And Death didn't say a word,
But he loosed the reins on his pale, white horse,
And he clamped the spurs to his bloodless sides,
And out and down he rode,
Through heaven's pearly gates,
Past suns and moons and stars;
On Death rode,
And the foam from his horse was like a comet in the sky;
On Death rode,
Leaving the lightning's flash behind;
Straight on down he came.

While we were watching round her bed,
She turned her eyes and looked away,
She saw what we couldn't see;
She saw Old Death. She saw Old Death.
Coming like a falling star.
But Death didn't frighten Sister Caroline;
He looked to her like a welcome friend.
And she whispered to us: I'm going home,
And she smiled and closed her eyes.

And Death took her up like a baby,
And she lay in his icy arms,
But she didn't feel no chill.
And Death began to ride again—
Up beyond the evening star,
Out beyond the morning star,
Into the glittering light of glory,
On to the Great White Throne.
And there he laid Sister Caroline
On the loving breast of Jesus.

And Jesus took his own hand and wiped away her tears,
And he smoothed the furrows from her face,
And the angels sang a little song,
And Jesus rocked her in his arms,
And kept a-saying: Take your rest,
Take your rest, take your rest.
Weep not—weep not,
She is not dead;
She's resting in the bosom of Jesus.

[jwharv]

Answer to Agnostics
Some people pride themselves on being agnostics. That is, they say that religious teachings are very well for those who care to be so stupid that they want to believe in God and heaven, something they cannot see. The agnostics, however, pride themselves on believing only those things which they can prove and understand. This reminds me of a story.
"I will not believe anything that I do not understand," said a man in a hotel one day. "Neither will I," said another. "Nor will I," said a third. "Gentlemen," said one who sat close by, "on my ride this morning I saw some geese in a field eating grass. Do you believe that?"
"Certainly," said one of the three listeners. "I saw the pigs eating grass. Do you believe that?" "Of course," said the three. "I also saw sheep and cows eating grass. Do you believe that?" "Of course," was again the reply.
"Well, the grass turned to feathers on the backs of the geese, to bristles on the backs of the swine, to white wool on the sheep, and to hair on the cow; do you believe that, gentlemen?" "Certainly," they replied.
"But do you understand it?"

[jwharv]

Nine Mistakes to Avoid

1.Remorse over yesterday's failure.
2.Anxiety over today's problems.
3.Worry over tomorrow's uncertainty.
4.Procrastination with one's present duty.
5.Resentment of another's success.
6.Criticism of a neighbor's imperfections.
7.Impatience with youth's imperfection.
8.Skepticism of our nation's future.
9.Unbelief in God's providence.

[jwharv]

Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior

Frances J. Crosby, 1868

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

* Refrain:
Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry,
While on others Thou are calling,
Do not pass me by.

Let me at a throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.

Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

Thou the spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee,
Whom in Heav’n but Thee.

[jwharv]

Christ the Savior
A native of interior China wanted to become a Christian but couldn't understand how Christianity was superior to Confucianism and Buddhism. One morning he came to the missionary in a happy mood saying, "I dreamed last night, and now I understand. I dreamed I had fallen into a deep pit where I lay helpless and despairing. Confucius came and said, 'Let me give you advice, my friend; if you get out of your trouble, never get in again.' Buddha came and said, 'If you can climb up to where I can reach you, I will help you.' Then Christ came. He climbed down into the pit and carried me out." It takes the Savior of man to do that. Only a Savior would stoop so low as to save a sinful soul like yours and mine.

[Pressing-On]

Lots of good stuff, JWHARV! :highfive

[jwharv]

Thanks.................

[jwharv]

Remind Me Dear Lord
Written by Dottie Rambo



Verse I

The things that I love, and hold dear to my heart
Are just borrowed they’re not mine at all
Jesus only lets me use them to brighten my life
So remind me, remind me dear Lord

Chorus
Roll back the curtain of memories now and then
Show me where you brought me from
Oh, and where I could have been
Remember I’m human, and humans forget
So remind me, remind me dear Lord

Verse II
Nothing good have I done to deserve God’s own Son
I’m not worthy of the scars in His hand
Yet He chose the road to Calv’ry to die in my stead
Why He loved me, I can’t understand

Repeat chorus, then:

So remind me, remind me dear Lord

[commonsense]

Remind Me Dear Lord
Written by Dottie Rambo



Verse I

The things that I love, and hold dear to my heart
Are just borrowed they’re not mine at all
Jesus only lets me use them to brighten my life
So remind me, remind me dear Lord

Chorus
Roll back the curtain of memories now and then
Show me where you brought me from
Oh, and where I could have been
Remember I’m human, and humans forget
So remind me, remind me dear Lord

Verse II
Nothing good have I done to deserve God’s own Son
I’m not worthy of the scars in His hand
Yet He chose the road to Calv’ry to die in my stead
Why He loved me, I can’t understand

Repeat chorus, then:

So remind me, remind me dear Lord


I'm a huge fan of all of the songs Dottie wrote. In the past I've sung many of them myself. Regardless of anyone's opinions of her personal life, she wrote some of the best songs ever!

[jwharv]

I ASKED THE LORD THAT I MIGHT GROW
Words: John New­ton, Ol­ney Hymns


I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek, more earnestly, His face.

’Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer!
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He’d answer my request;
And by His love’s constraining pow’r,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry pow’rs of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

Lord, why is this, I trembling cried,
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
“’Tis in this way, the Lord replied,
I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”

[jwharv]

Amazing Grace Lyrics

John Newton (1725-1807)
Stanza 6 anon.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.





(My two favorite stanzas are in bold. I have never heard anyone sing these 2 and can't understand why.)


This is on my mind tonight......

[jwharv]

Still Go Free
As performed by the Hinsons



Verse I
Lock me up in a prison, and throw away the key
Take away the vision, from these eyes that now can see
Deprive me of the food I eat
You can even bind my hands and feet
But as long as I have Jesus
Then I can still go free

Chorus
That I could still go free
What kind of man, would reach down His hand
And do this for me?
Unworthy to live, and not fit to kill
Then a man on the cross, put me in his will
And said that I could still go free

Verse II
Now I never could quite understand
Why a King would want to leave His throne
To dawn the robes of an earthly man
Feel the pain of flesh and bone
And to later trod, trod a lowly path
That led to Calvary
Where the blood washed stains
Broke all the chains
So that I could still go free

Repeat chorus then,

And said that I could still go free

[jwharv]

The Love of God

Frederick M. Lehman, 1917

1. The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
* Refrain:
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
2. When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
3. Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

[Rico]

I CAN'T EVEN WALK
by: Colbert and Joyce Croft


1. I thought number one would surely be me,
I thought I could be what I wanted to be.
I thought I could build on life's sinking sand
But I can't even walk without You holding my hand.

Chorus:
I can't even walk without You holding my hand.
The mountain's too high and the valley's too wide.
Down on my knees, I learned to stand.
And I can't even walk without You holding my hand.

2. I thought I had done a lot on my own.
I thought I could make it all alone.
I thought of myself as mighty big man,
But I can't even walk without You holding my hand.



3. I think I'll make Jesus my One and my All
From now on when I'm in trouble, only His name I'll call
And If I can't trust Him, I'll be less than a man
'Cause I can't even walk without You holding my hand.

I like this song.

[Rico]

Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior

Frances J. Crosby, 1868

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

* Refrain:
Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry,
While on others Thou are calling,
Do not pass me by.

Let me at a throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.

Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

Thou the spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee,
Whom in Heav’n but Thee.

This was one of the first songs I learned to play on the guitar.

[jwharv]

He Was There All The Time

Written By: Gary Paxton

Verse I
Time after time I was searching for peace in some void
I was trying to blame all my ills on this world I was in
Surface relationships used me till I was done in
But all the while someone was begging to free me from sin

Chorus
He was there all the time
He was there all the time
Waiting patiently in line
He was there all the time

Verse II
Never again will I search for a fake rainbows end
Now that I’ve found the answer my life is just starting to rhyme
Sharing each new day with Him is a breath of fresh life
Oh what I’ve missed He’s been waiting right here all the time

Repeat chorus twice, then:

He was there all the time

[jwharv]

I Need You More Today
As Performed By The Bishops

Verse I
There are decisions I can’t make on my own
And there are trials I must face all alone
But you said you’d walk with me
Down life’s troubled road
And you said come unto me
I’ll bear your heavy load

Chorus
I need you more today than I did yesterday
Mountains are higher, rivers are wider
I need you more today than I did yesterday
Help me remember I need you more today

Verse II
When I wake up in the morning
And I fear to face the day
Let me feel your gentle hand leading the way
Yesterday has come and gone
With those trials far behind
But I’m ever learning Lord
And everyday I find

Repeat chorus twice, then
Dear Lord remind me, I need you more today

[jwharv]

Please Come Down To Me

Verse I
I know that I'm not worthy to call upon your name
All my life I've been a sinner and for that I am ashamed
But I heard that you would listen to I'm giving you my plea
I'm too unworthy Lord, to come to you
Could you please come down to me?

Chorus
I know that there are others who could offer more than I
I promise you I'd understand if for me you had no time
I think I've just hit bottom and I'm looking up to see
I'm too unworthy, Lord, to come to you
Could you please come down to me?

Verse II
I guess I must be reaping from the seeds that I have sown
Lord, you owe me nothing, we haven't spoken for so long
If you could spare some mercy I'll pledge my life to thee
I'm too unworthy, Lord, to come to you
Could you please come down to me?

[jwharv]

The Shepherd's Call
Words and Music by Gerald Crabb

(1st Verse)
I wandered far from the fold where I was safe.
It wasn't long until I found I'd lost my way.
I cried with fear as the night began to fall.
One more lost lamb, but I heard the Shepherds call.

(Chorus)
He saw my steps as they walked right into the dark.
Though I went astray, I never once left his heart.
That night long ago, how I still recall.
When I lost my way, then I heard the Shepherds call.

(2nd Verse)
He left the fold to search out one that strayed.
Left ninety-nine for there was one to be saved.
There on that ledge one-step would have ended all.
I felt a hand, and I heard the Shepherds Call.

[jwharv]

Wounded Soldier

Verse 1:
Lord, my battle scars are many and my medals must be few
For in the midst of conflict raging, so often I've failed You
But somehow You've kept me standing, You picked me up each time I'd fall
You don't cast out wounded soldiers, You just love them through it all

Chorus:
One day all the soldiers will go home
They'll cease fighting, for the battle will be won
As the Captain says, "Well done, you've fought the fight, the race is run
Wounded soldier, the war is over, welcome home

Verse 2:
In my heart I am a victor, yet at times the flesh is weak
So often I have begged Your grace lest I go down in defeat
It's then I recall that battle that was fought by You alone
As Your blood ran from that rugged cross, our victories were won

(Repeat Chorus)

Words and Music by Gerald Crabb

[jwharv]

You Chose To Be My Friend
Words and Music by Gerald Crabb


Verse I
You were there for me through it all, when everyone around said I would fall
You were my friend, you believed in me through the good times and the bad
At times I felt that you were all I had
You were my friend and believed in me

Chorus
You went the extra mile to prove your love was true
You held out your hands as they drove the nails in you
When you could have walked away and turned your back to all my sins
For me you gave your life, you chose to be my friend

Verse II
Often like a child so full of fear, you stood by my side and held me near
You were my friend, you believed in me
When my faith grew weak and strength seemed gone
You took me by the hand and led me on
You were my friend, you believed in me

[jwharv]

Greeting the King
Noblemen were gathered together in London waiting for the King of Great Britain. They all knew him personally, yet they all honored him as their king. When he entered, they stood solemnly to their feet. "Take your seats, gentlemen," he said, "I count you as my personal friends." And then joking he added, "I am not the Lord, you know!" Immediately one of the noblemen, a Christian, said, "No, sir, if you were our Lord, we would not have stood to our feet; we would have fallen to our knees."

[jwharv]

Something to Think About
A shipwrecked sailor who had spent three years on a deserted island was overjoyed one day to see a ship drop anchor in the bay. A small boat came ashore, and an officer handed the sailor a bunch of newspapers.
"The captain suggests," he told the sailor, "that you read what is going on in the world and then let us know if you want to be rescued."

[jwharv]

Where God Ain't
He was just a little lad,
And on the week's first day,
Was wandering home from Sunday School,
And dawdling along the way.
He scuffed his shoes into the grass;
He found a caterpillar;
He found a fluffy milkweed pod,
And flew out all the filler.
A bird's nest in a tree o'head
So wisely placed and high,
Was just another wonder
That caught his eager eye.
A neighbor watched his zigzag course,
And hailed him from the lawn;
Asked him where he'd been that day,
And what was going on.
"Oh, I've been to Sunday School.
(He carefully turned a sod
And found a snail beneath it);
I've learned a lot about God."
"M'm'm, a very fine way," the neighbor said,
"For a boy to spend his time;
If you'll tell me where God is,
I'll give you a brand new dime."
Quick as a flash his answer came!
Nor were his accents faint-
"I'll give you a dollar, Mister,
If you tell me where God ain't."

[jwharv]

"The Lamb is the light thereof."
- Revelation 21:23

Quietly contemplate the Lamb as the light of heaven. Light in Scripture is the emblem of joy. The joy of the saints in heaven is comprised in this: Jesus chose us, loved us, bought us, cleansed us, robed us, kept us, glorified us: we are here entirely through the Lord Jesus. Each one of these thoughts shall be to them like a cluster of the grapes of Eshcol. Light is also the cause of beauty. Nought of beauty is left when light is gone. Without light no radiance flashes from the sapphire, no peaceful ray proceedeth from the pearl; and thus all the beauty of the saints above comes from Jesus. As planets, they reflect the light of the Sun of Righteousness; they live as beams proceeding from the central orb. If he withdrew, they must die; if his glory were veiled, their glory must expire. Light is also the emblem of knowledge. In heaven our knowledge will be perfect, but the Lord Jesus himself will be the fountain of it. Dark providences, never understood before, will then be clearly seen, and all that puzzles us now will become plain to us in the light of the Lamb. Oh! what unfoldings there will be and what glorifying of the God of love! Light also means manifestation. Light manifests. In this world it doth not yet appear what we shall be. God's people are a hidden people, but when Christ receives his people into heaven, he will touch them with the wand of his own love, and change them into the image of his manifested glory. They were poor and wretched, but what a transformation! They were stained with sin, but one touch of his finger, and they are bright as the sun, and clear as crystal. Oh! what a manifestation! All this proceeds from the exalted Lamb. Whatever there may be of effulgent splendour, Jesus shall be the centre and soul of it all. Oh! to be present and to see him in his own light, the King of kings, and Lord of lords!

C. Spurgeon

[jwharv]

THOUGH TROUBLES ASSAIL US
John New­ton


Though troubles assail us and dangers affright,
Though friends should all fail us and foes all unite,
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,
The promise assures us, “The Lord will provide.”

The birds, without garner or storehouse, are fed;
From them let us learn to trust God for our bread.
His saints what is fitting shall ne’er be denied
So long as ’tis written, “The Lord will provide.”

When Satan assails us to stop up our path,
And courage all fails us, we triumph by faith.
He cannot take from us, though oft he has tried,
This heart cheering promise, “The Lord will provide.”

He tells us we’re weak, our hope is in vain,
The good that we seek we never shall obtain,
But when such suggestions, our graces have tried,
This answers all questions, “The Lord will provide.”

No strength of our own and no goodness we claim;
Yet, since we have known of the Savior’s great Name,
In this our strong tower for safety we hide:
The Lord is our power, “The Lord will provide.”

When life sinks apace, and death is in view,
The word of His grace shall comfort us through,
Not fearing or doubting, with Christ on our side,
We hope to die shouting, “The Lord will provide.”

[jwharv]

The particular value of private prayer consists in being able to approach God with more freedom, and unbosom ourselves more fully than in any other way. Between us and God there are private and personal interests, sins to confess and wants to be supplied, which it would be improper to disclose to the world. This duty is enforced by the example of good men in all ages.-Amos Binney

[jwharv]

I am the creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit come from God and returning to God; just hovering over the great gulf; till a few moments hence I am no more seen; I drop into an unchangeable eternity! I want to know one thing, the way to heaven; how to land safe on that happy shore. God Himself has condescended to teach the way; for this end He came from heaven. He hath written it down in a book. 0 give me that book! At any price give me the Book of God! Lord, is it not Thy word-“If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God? Thou givest liberally, and upbraidest not. Thou hast said, if any be willing to do Thy will he shall know. I am willing to do; let me know Thy will.”-John Wesley

[jwharv]

Going Too Fast
A number of years ago, a Navy jet fighter plane shot itself down over the deserts of Nevada while testing a new cannon mounted on its wing. The plane was flying at supersonic speeds, but the cannon shells were subsonic. What happened was crucial. The fighter actually ran into the shells it had fired seconds before. The jet was traveling too fast.
Sometimes we travel too fast for our own spiritual good. God speaks and we are going too fast to hear Him.
Don't be guilty of traveling so fast with your life that you run past the sound of the Word of God. Be in the center of His will.