Faith and footwork for the Lord,
Contented smiles to take the News,
Fervent prayers for family growth,
For added workers in the field.
A tropical sun to try the wavering,
Jeers and rocks from passersby,
A song of joy from Jesus’ sowers,
With seeds of hope for heaven’s folk.
Amazed disciples mind their brethren,
Fraternal love to teach and learn
The gifts of life, the gates of glory —
Here reigns our God, the rousing Father.
I think this was written sometime around my birthday, last week. It appears not to have been posted anywhere, so here it is for the appreciation of those who love the art of poetry.
With love in the heart, we’re like the Lord:
His patience working powerfully in us,
His faith is ours, in the fullness of God,
His tender touch our gentle tool—
This Man of men, bringer of mercy.
Not everywhere is light eclipsed:
A few believe that God exists,
Fewer still do all his will,
But human sight is short and dull,
The moon of ignorance is total—
Nearly—Christians must be ever vocal
With news of glory—darkness reigns;
To expel it, only the voice of saints.
You cannot be saved—No merit
Of man redeems from sin, no good
Of self nor any you think to inherit—
Obey the Lord for cleansing blood.
If in this life I touch but one or two,
And see in heaven a soul that I had saved,
Let thanks be God’s that I, in faith, was true,
That for another the kingdom’s path was paved.
The world is full of long complaints—
Disciples, too, make loud lament
Against half-hearted, lukewarm saints—
What’s needed is that I repent.
He cannot bear correction—stiff-necked—
Inflexible—his back will break.
The humble bend before the Lord,
Inherit the earth, defeat the world.
Our God is kind in every way,
He holds the evil tide at bay,
With love he showers his faithful saints,
In Christ no follower falls or faints.
He bears us on the Spirit’s wing,
That we might daily praise and sing;
In us he lives, we shall not tire,
The word within burns like a fire.
Our God is good, and goodness proves,
In every trial and pain he moves;
In heaven’s path the Cross we bear,
His suffering and joy we gladly share.
— RandalMatheny.com
On this day, the first, when Jesus rose
Alive, and set aside his burial clothes,
His faithful followers come together and meet,
To sing his praise, around his table they eat,
And in his Name they pray for peace
And courage to speak, that he increase,
His grace be given, his saving truth be spread,
Because they know he lives who once was dead.
Their God is Father, they in Christ immersed,
This day they glory in him whom God raised first.
On the Prancing Pen site, I posted a poem in honor of Fred E. Dennis and his booklet “Fifteen Hundred Bible Questions and Answers.”
Those interested in ordering the booklet can order from Mrs. Benton K. Cochran. They ask the recipient pay postage and a small donation toward the cost of printing. Email her here: bencochran@cascable.net
Simple faith, the goal of searching,
Life with center and circumference,
That single word of fullest meaning,
Limitless love for one and all.
—JRMatheny http://randalmatheny.com