It's just a good thing God above
Has never gone on strike
Because He was not treated fair
For things He did not like.
If He had ever once sat down
And said,"That's it! I'm through!
I've had enough of those on earth,
So this is what I'll do:
"I'll give My orders to the sun -
Cut off your heat supply;
And to the moon - Give no more light -
And run those oceans dry.
"Then, just to really make it tough
And put the pressure on -
Turn off the air and oxygen
Till every breath is gone."
Do you know, He'd be justified,
If fairness were the game;
For no one has been more abused
Or treated with disdain...
Than God - and yet, He carries on,
Supplying you and me
With all the favors of His grace
And everything - for FREE!
Men say they want a better deal,
And so on strike they go.
But what a deal we've given God
Whom everything we owe!
We don't care whom we hurt or harm
To gain the things we like;
But what a mess we'd all be in
IF GOD SHOULD GO ON STRIKE!
- Mrs. T. Casey
A Heaping cup of
Happiness,
2 of Love and Caring
1 of Understanding,
1 of Joyful Sharing.
A level cup of Wisdom,
1 of Artful Living,
1 of Thoughtful insight,
1 of Selfless Giving.
Mix ingredients together,
Toss in a little Flair,
Serve to everyone you know
Topped with a Tiny Prayer.
May every measure of
Happiness
Be Yours This
Christmas Time!
'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!
The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand,
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said "It's not here" my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!
@ 1984 Bethany Farms
Revelation 19:11, 13, 16
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True. and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS
AND LORD OF LORDS.
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"Dear Mom"
I want to say so many things,
I don't know how to start.
I want to capture and describe
The feelings of my heart.
But words are so inadequate
To tell you how I feel
That scarcely any thing I say
Will my true thoughts reveal.
Just let it now suffice to say
That deep inside I know
My love for you is something
That I never will outgrow.
Your many special traits will always
In my heart combine
In such a way that you alone
A perfect mom define.
Your warmth and caring are the traits
That I am proudest of,
My future's brighter through
The fine example of your love
Bruce B. Wilmer
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"One Little Rose"
I would rather have one little rose
From the garden of a friend
Than to have the choicest flowers
When my stay on earth must end.
I would rather have one pleasant word
In kindness said to me
Than flattery when my heart is still
And life has ceased to be.
I would rather have a loving smile
From friends I know are true
Than tears shed round my casket
When this world I've bid adiew.
Bring me all your flowers today
Whether pink, or white, or red;
I'd rather have one blossom now
Than a basketful when I'm dead.
Author unknown
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Morning Prayer
Dear Lord, clear my mind as I kneel before you;
Help me to seek you in all that I do.
Help me to know where you're leading today;
Help me to follow each step of the way.
I pray not for riches nor worldy fame.
I just ask for strength to lift up your name.
If a friend has a need or a burden to bear,
Help me to be there to show that I care.
Help me to be all you want me to be;
Let others see Jesus living in me.
Then when day has ended and sleep takes control,
Dear Lord, help me say, "It is well with my soul."
Shirley W. Langley, Jackson, Tennessee
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Answers to Unspoken Prayers
I asked God for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey;
I asked for help that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things;
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but everything that I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered;
I am among all men most richly blessed.
- Anonumous
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"The Church Is Not"
The church is not made up of people who believe they are better than others...
...rather of those who believe they ought to be better than they are.
The church is not made up of perfect people...
...but of people who follow a perfect Lord and realize they ought to do the best they can.
The church is not made up of people who never make mistakes...
...but of those who acknowledge their mistakes and try not to make the same ones again.
The church is not trying to withdraw from everyone...
...but rather to bring everyone into its fellowship and love
The church is not trying to set up arbitrary rules to hinder anyone...
...but to show how following the rule of Christ helps us all.
The church is not trying to take the joy out of life...
...but to put real joy into life.
The church is not trying to make you feel ugly...
...but trying to instill the beauty of holiness in your life.
-Andrew Connally
Taken from, "THE INFORMER"; Eastside Church of Christ, 2543 Sevierville Road, P.O. Box 4724, Maryville, Tn. 37802
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