In my mind’s eye, I see it now~
The wonder of that night~
When angels spoke to humble men,
Awaking in their fright.
No other eyes had gazed in awe
At such a wondrous scene,
Nor heard the angel herald’s voice,
Thinking it was a dream.
Imagination transports me
To see with starstruck eyes
Unveiled messengers of God
Appearing in night skies.
My soul exults, my voice rings out,
With angel bands I sing!
Our hallelujahs fill the air
With praises to the King!
Poem by Connie Faust
Photo by Bob McCoy
“November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.
With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.
The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring.”
― Clyde Watson
Photo by Marge McCoy
Than these November skies
Is no sky lovelier. The clouds are deep;
Into their grey the subtle spies
Of colour creep,
Changing that high austerity to delight,
Till ev’n the leaden interfolds are bright.
And, where the cloud breaks, faint far azure peers
Ere a thin flushing cloud again
Shuts up that loveliness, or shares.
The huge great clouds move slowly, gently, as
Reluctant the quick sun should shine in vain,
Holding in bright caprice their rain.
And when of colours none,
Not rose, nor amber, nor the scarce late green,
Is truly seen, —
In all the myriad grey,
In silver height and dusky deep, remain
The loveliest,
Faint purple flushes of the unvanquished sun.
by John Freeman
Photo by Mark Wood
God gave us eyes to see them
and lips that we might tell
how great is the Almighty
who has made all things well.
Cecil Frances Alexander
Photo by Marge McCoy
Give us, Lord, a bit o’ sun
A bit o’ work and a bit o’ fun;
Give us all in the struggle and sputter
Our daily bread and a bit o’ butter;
Give us health, our keep to make,
An’ a bit to spare for others’ sake.
Give us sense, for we’re some of us duffers,
An’ a heart to feel for all that suffers;
Give us too, a bit of song
An’ a tale, and a book to help us along.
An’ give us our share of sorrow’s lesson
That we may prove how grief’s a blessin’.
Give us, Lord, a chance to be
Our goodly best for ourselves and others
Till all men learn to live as brothers.
-Inscribed on the wall of an old inn in Lancaster, England
Photo by Jean Pike
In the height of the storm, when the water’s so deep,
The burden’s so heavy ~ the mountain so steep,
That you can’t lift your head or take one step more
And you cry out to God, as you’ve cried before.
No answer is coming ~ life feels so unfair;
It seems God’s not listening or just doesn’t care.
But remember, as you face the threatening tide ~
God sees the picture from the beautiful side.
Like an unfinished quilt or embroidery fine,
The tangle of threads has no reason or rhyme.
Midst fear and confusion, you can’t understand;
Still, you’re safe and secure in your Father’s hand.
There’s a purpose behind your suffering and pain;
The storm-clouds will pass and the sun shine again.
Then, as Jesus is wiping the tears from your eyes,
You’ll see the picture from the beautiful side.
“…..blessed are those who have not seen
and yet have believed.”
(John 20:29 NIV)
Poem by Connie Faust
Photo by Jean Pike
I feel the melody of Your love
Flow from Your heart to mine,
As You sing the notes of devotion
In songs of grace so divine.
No audible music echoes forth
In all the world around,
But strength and courage emanate
From your silent, holy sound.
You hear my cry of helplessness,
My despondency and dread,
And you respond with songs that soothe,
Bringing peace to my soul instead.
Poem by Connie Faust
Photo by Jean Pike
Zephaniah 3:17
“The LORD your God is with you,
He is mighty to save,
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Praise His Name Forever!
Come and stand before His throne,
Make His wondrous glories known;
Bought salvation for His own;
Praise His Name forever!
Crucified to set men free
From reigning evil’s tyranny;
Lifted up for all to see;
Praise His Name forever!
Blood from head, hands, feet and side
Flowed to fill sin’s chasm wide;
God’s wrath forever satisfied;
Praise His Name forever!
Darkest sin shall not prevail
O’er pardon bought by thorn and nail;
Such wondrous grace can never fail;
Praise His Name forever!
Christ, God’s everlasting Son
O’er death the final vict’ry won;
Now God and man, the twain made one;
Praise His Name forever!
Come and let the anthems ring; All tongues proclaim, all nations sing;
To Him your sweetest offerings bring;
Praise His Name forever!
Poem by Stephen Balga
Photo by Cheryl Cook
*Originally posted on August 29, 2012
This post was first published on our blog on March 16, 2020. It features a poem by Connie Faust and a photo by Diane Domigan.
A LITTLE THANKS
Greeting God in the morning,
I lift my eyes
look skyward
and give a little thanks. . .
For a clean, fresh new morning
for life and mobility
for a chance to start anew
and serve my God —
I give a little thanks
For every meal, without fail
I bow my head
close my eyes
and give a little thanks . . .
For a place to eat in peace
for pure water in my cup
for food to fill and nourish
as He provides —
I give a little thanks
Then, as the moments unfold
With open eyes
I’m aware
He bids me give Him thanks . . .
For people I encounter
for every pain or pleasure
for His abiding presence
each passing hour —
I give a little thanks
And when the day is closing
I bow once more
gratefully
and give a little thanks . . .
For another day with God
for His gift of forgiveness
for joys waiting in heaven
My Lord, receive
My heartfelt prayer of thanks
Poem by Connie Faust
Photo by Diane Domigan
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
Psalm 19:7
Photo by Jean Pike
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