My Poems

THE OASIS OF GOD (Exodus 15:27)
Part 1

Tired, weary and worn, God's people marched on
Toward the promised land far up ahead.
Though hungry and thirsty, they found no relief,
Yet followed wherever He led.
Then suddenly they gasped at a beautiful sight,
Seventy palms that swayed in the breeze;
And twelve wells of water to quench everyone's thirst,
As they rested beneath the palm trees

As we meet in our churches, an oasis for all,
And receive needed strength from the Lord,
He provides us with shade from the heat of the day,
And refreshes our souls with His Word.
Let us worship in spirit and truth, as Christ said,
Bow our hearts before God on His throne,
Sing His praises with gladness and lift up His Name,
Praising God that His way is made known.

As we carefully ponder the message of God,
Through his chosen servant today,
Let us claim every promise He graciously gives,
And confess every sin as we pray.
Let us take each command as God’s personal Word
To apply to our life style and need.
Then this church where God put us will surely become
An oasis like Elim, indeed.

Part 2

The oasis called Elim in Old Testament times
Brought refreshing and rest to the soul
Of the travelers who wearily looked for the land
That God promised as their ultimate goal.
The 12 wells of water quenched everyone’s thirst,
While the seventy palms gave them shade.
There they worshiped the Lord who provided such rest;
Then they traveled ahead unafraid.

As we meet in our church home, an oasis for all,
And receive needed strength from the Lord,
He provides us with shade from the heat of the day,
And refreshes our souls with His Word.
Let us worship in spirit and truth, as Christ said,
Bow our hearts before God on His throne,
Sing His praises with gladness and lift up His Name,
Praising God that His way is made known.

Part 3

Like the oasis called Elim refreshed many souls,
As they traveled to God’s promised land,
So Christ’s church, like Elim, has become a rest stop,
Provided by God’s gracious hand.
Here we worship in Spirit and truth, as Christ said,
Lift our voices in praise to the Lord,
Confessing our sins and shortcomings to God,
And listen to His holy Word.

When the service is ended, we go on our way,
To live out the teachings received.
And share what we learned with our family and friends
That the message of life be believed.
We must not forget that our neighbor next door
Needs the Water of Life from our well,
To the weary, and thirsty, and hungry, and sick,
This message of Life we must tell.

That friend at the office we see every day,
The checker at the local food store,
The school teachers who give of their time to our kids,
The salesman who comes to our door;
If people like these hear us share of our faith,
That they may be spiritually healed,
Then this church will reach those around us in need,
For this is our home mission field.

This House of Clay

My house is getting older and its shape is not so good,

So I'll be moving out some special day.

I have another home prepared for me far up above,

When I put off this weathered house of clay.

It's base is getting weaker and the old house trembles some.

The paint is rough and wrinkled, so I'd say.

The windows barely let in light; it's awfully hard to see.

I'm planning soon to leave this house of clay.

The hinges are quite rusty and the old house creaks a lot,

Though things do work some better when I pray.

There's snow upon the rooftop and cold throughout the house,

I can't much longer use this house of clay.

Not long ago the builder of this house moved in with me,

And promised me that He had come to stay.

He has another house prepared for me far up above,

When I shall get to leave this house of clay.

The house He's been preparing is far better than this one.

It's absolutely grand in every way.

No sickness, sin or sorrow will bespoil my brand new house,

And it will soon replace my house of clay.

This house has served me well throughout the years God's given me;

But I look forward to a better day.

I'll move into my new house when my Savior calls me home,

And leave behind this crumbling house of clay.

THIS MIXED UP WORLD

This world is in an awful mess, and mix-ups do abound.

Someone has entered in our store and changed the tags around.

The things of value are marked low, the cheap are higher priced.

The evil habits oft called good, the good no longer prized.

We've left belief in truth divine to pluralism's grace.

We've set aside the one true God, and quickly filled his place

With all the gods of all the creeds, our idol shelves are full,

For multiculturalism, you know, is more acceptable.

Welfare has come to fill the lot of poor around the land,

No need to work, just take with ease the government's helping hand.

Alternative lifestyle they're said to choose, the homosexual gays,

They call it pride, which they parade, and flaunt their sinful ways.

Our unborn babes are put to death, as if we do not care.

Their Moms believe in choice, you see, this guilt they'll have to bear.

But others shoot abortionists and think they're justified.

Forgetting that for everyone our Lord and Savior died.

Freedom of speech we glibly call the gross profanity.

As airwaves fill with vulgar talk and crass pornography.

Discipline and teaching skills, important as they seem,

Are oft replaced in schools today with building self esteem.

We know God's Word condemns the ones who call the evil good,

Who mock the just who try so hard to live the way they should.

Help us return, O Lord, we ask, the price tags to their place,

Before you stop this world gone mad, and judge the human race.

THE FATHER OF LIGHTS

James 1:13-17

The Father of Lights in heaven above
Abundant blessing bestows.
He graciously gives His wonderful gifts
To those He eternally knows.

"Do not be deceived," he speaks to His flock
"I never tempt any man.
No evil I send to my people in need,
It's just not a part of my plan."

The Father of Lights looks down on the earth,
Filled with darkness of sin and despair,
Watching thousands of lights scattered all through the land,
For He lit them with tenderest care.

What are these lights shining over the world,
Providing such brilliant sights?
They're disciples of Christ, the Light of the world,
For God is the father of Lights.

WHY I LIVE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Why do I live in the Pacific Northwest?
Where it rains many days of the year.
Where day after day is cloudy and gray
And the Fall is so foggy and drear.

Why do I live in the Pacific Northwest?
Where a whole month can pass without sun
When the house is so dark, and we do miss the park,
And the full rivers rapidly run.

Why do I live in the Pacific Northwest?
The reasons are many, my friend
The evergreen trees unceasingly please
In the forests that stretch without end.

Yes, beauty abounds in the Pacific Northwest,
Where the waters of blue Puget Sound
Curl around by Seattle where the fishermen battle
To bring the pink salmon around.

The Cascade Range is a beautiful sight,
Lifting snow covered peaks up on high,
There breathtakingly near stands lofty Rainier
Majestically touching the sky.

Mount Baker up north and Saint Helens down south,
The Olympics way out to the west,
Lift the spirits of all, in Spring or in Fall,
Even those who are feeling depressed.

Getting back to the weather, we must not forget,
That the rain doesn't fall all the time,
For the Summer is clear, best time of the year,
Hardly a day that the sun doesn't shine.

So why do I live in the Pacific Northwest?
Many reasons I've just given you,
To pick out the best is a difficult test,
But July to September will do.

I'VE GONE ON AHEAD

O what peace and what joy are unceasingly mine,
Since I reached my glorious home!
In the presence of Jesus, my Savior Divine,
From here I will nevermore roam.

Such melodious songs that the angels intone,
For those who have been reconciled!
And how thrilling to hear these words from my Lord:
"Welcome to Heaven, my Child!"

Don't weep for me, for my pain passed away,
When the angel God sent lifted me.
And His peace filled my heart as homeward I flew
Toward that glorious light I could see.

I know that it’s hard to bid me goodbye,
But remember it's just for awhile.
I've gone on ahead to wait for you here.
I'll welcome you home with a smile.

I wish you God's best in the days still ahead,
So be faithful and true to the Lord.
'Till I meet you up here in this wonderful place,
Where eternal life is restored.

I'm hungry no more, for His Word is my food,
And thirst I will nevermore know.
All sickness and pain have vanished away,
No sadness like down there below.

I've entered my rest, eternal and sweet,
I'm living far more than before.
So hurry along and meet me up here.
I'll wait on this beautiful shore.

THE PASTOR OF OUR CHURCH

When you’re looking for a church home where God’s holy Word is taught,

And you find a godly pastor in your search.

If he thunders from the platform or expounds with utmost care,

Pay attention to this pastor of the church.

If he teaches and he preaches, and he gives wise counsel too,

With a reputation nothing can besmirch,

If he dedicates your babies and then visits you when sick,

He’s a good one, this here pastor of the church.

When a group meets in committee, he’s expected to be there.

You can bet he’ll never leave you in the lurch.

With a word of exhortation and a smile to light your day,

He’ll even joke, this funny pastor of the church.

When your sick ones pass beyond these portals to the heavenly home,

He’ll drop his exegetical research.

Just to offer words of comfort as he lays dear ones to rest,

He’s a caring, loving pastor of the church.

His days are filled with sessions, as he counsels hurting folks,

Lifting some while dropping proud ones from their perch.

Let us honor and appreciate this man that God has sent,

And let’s pray for him, the pastor of our church.

HE SHED HIS BLOOD

He shed drops of His blood in Gethsemane,

As He agonized deeply in prayer;

Then poured it all out on the Cross, without doubt

He revealed God’s great love and His care.

He grew the thorns they fixed on His brow,

And the leather they used for the whips.

He planted the tree that sets people free,

And made wine they put to His lips.

The nails that they used in His hands and His feet

And the hammer that drove them in place

Were made from the ore He had buried before;

He died to save His fallen race.

His entire creation suffered deeply with Him,

For the sun hid its face on that day;

And the rocks split apart as if breaking their heart;

Their Creator was passing away.

The veil of the temple was torn from the top

To open the way back to God;

And graves emptied out, risen saints walked about;

Soon we too will rise from the sod.

We weep when we read how He suffered and died,

His fallen creation to win.

We shout “Praise the Lord” and rejoice in His Word,

To save us poor earthlings from sin.

LIVING IN THE NAME OF THE LORD

Now here’s a wise suggestion that will revolutionize your life,

And make your every movement well worthwhile.

In Colossians 3, verse seventeen, Paul tells us what to do,

If we would please the Lord to make Him smile.

Live not for wealth or worldly power; strive not to gain great fame;

But all you do and all you say should be in Jesus Name.

And if you aid some beggar poor, or give your tithes to God,

PAY all you dues and gifts in Jesus Name.

When you’re at work, work heartily each day and every hour.

STAY busy as a beaver in God’s name.

And when you’re on vacation or take time for recreation,

PLAY joyfully and fairly in His Name.

Then when some trial your pathway dogs, and leads you to despair,

Just turn your eyes to God in earnest prayer,

The Lord above in wondrous love will lift your load of care,

PRAY fervently to God in Jesus’ Name.

Who’s having a Birthday?

We enjoy giving gifts to each other,

And a table just loaded with food,

With family and friends as a blessings God sends

Come, join in this sweet festive mood.

But why such a fun celebration?

What makes this so special a morn?

As Christmas draws near, best time of the year.

The day when our Savior was born.

How best to remember His coming

To a world that was lost and forlorn!

His story let’s read, and in praise to Him lead

For the blessing that Jesus was born.

What gifts do we have for the Savior,

Ere the Christmas gift wrappings are torn?

We can give Him our heart, and make a new start,

On the day that Jesus was born.

The decorations we see all around us,

Some very old and quite worn,

Remind us of Him who saved us from sin,

On this day when Jesus was born.

The evergreen tree can remind us

That Jesus was treated with scorn.

On the Cross Jesus died, for us crucified.

That’s why our Savior was born.

Take a long look at each decoration.

Think of Christ, as the house you adorn.

Then rejoice at His birth, when He came to this earth,

On the day that Jesus was born.

THE CHURCH IN LLANERCH HILLS

I grew up in Upper Darby some seventy years ago,

Enjoyed the summer weather and the cold and wintry snow.

As I muse upon those days of yore my mind with memory fills

Of many friends and joyful times at the church in Llanerch Hills

And when my time on earth has passed and all my work is done,

I'll ne'er forget I owe the start to Mrs. Ferguson.T ’was she who taught that class of boys and led me to the Lord.

She taught us well and interesting, we never once were bored.

That basement church was where I learned and faith in Jesus grew,

As speakers came and gave the Word of God so tried and true.

Our pastor stood quite tall and straight with smiles and whitened hair.

He welcomed all with a hand shake, his name was John H. Blair.

The Guilfords, Brobsts, and Antons, the Kaenes, Jacksons, Fords,

The Greeleys, Bowens, Zimmermans, all these my mind records.

The Wallers, Higgins, Fergusons, and names that I've forgot.

Were all a part of those good days that were my youthful lot.

What I remember best, I'd say, were times with those my peers.

We had our Sunday meetings, outings, parties in those years.

Took trips to Keswick often and went to football games.

And Youth for Christ in Philly, my memory often frames.

With Dick and Doris, Art and Walt, and Harry, Ralph and Ray,

Priscilla, Howard, John and Greg, and Frank along the way.

Plus Alice, Thelly, Marilyn, and Eleanor and June.

My sisters Shirl and Helen, and brothers Bob and Don.

And many other faces that appear in my mind's eye.

I beg forgiveness from the ones that I have just passed by.

That Chapel there in Llanerch Hills was such a blessing then,

We know that someday very soon we'll surely meet again.