Tales Of A Wayside Inn : Part 1. Interlude V.
A strain of music closed the tale,
A low, monotonous, funeral wail,
That with its cadence, wild and sweet,
Made the long Saga more complete.
'Thank God,' the Theologian said,
'The reign of violence is dead,
Or dying surely from the world;
While Love triumphant reigns instead,
And in a brighter sky o'erhead
His blessed banners are unfurled.
And most of all thank God for this:
The war and waste of clashing creeds
Now end in words, and not in deeds,
And no one suffers loss, or bleeds,
For thoughts that men call heresies.
'I stand without here in the porch,
I hear the bell's melodious din,
I hear the organ peal within,
I hear the prayer, with words that scorch
Like sparks from an inverted torch,
I hear the sermon upon sin,
With threatenings of the last account.
And all, translated in the air,
Reach me but as our dear Lord's Prayer,
And as the Sermon on the Mount.
'Must it be Calvin, and not Christ?
Must it be Athanasian creeds,
Or holy water, books, and beads?
Must struggling souls remain content
With councils and decrees of Trent?
And can it be enough for these
The Christian Church the year embalms
With evergreens and boughs of palms,
And fills the air with litanies?
'I know that yonder Pharisee
Thanks God that he is not like me;
In my humiliation dressed,
I only stand and beat my breast,
And pray for human charity.
'Not to one church alone, but seven,
The voice prophetic spake from heaven;
And unto each the promise came,
Diversified, but still the same;
For him that overcometh are
The new name written on the stone,
The raiment white, the crown, the throne,
And I will give him the Morning Star!
'Ah! to how many Faith has been
No evidence of things unseen,
But a dim shadow, that recasts
The creed of the Phantasiasts,
For whom no Man of Sorrows died,
For whom the Tragedy Divine
Was but a symbol and a sign,
And Christ a phantom crucified!
'For others a diviner creed
Is living in the life they lead.
The passing of their beautiful feet
Blesses the pavement of the street
And all their looks and words repeat
Old Fuller's saying, wise and sweet,
Not as a vulture, but a dove,
The Holy Ghost came from above.
'And this brings back to me a tale
So sad the hearer well may quail,
And question if such things can be;
Yet in the chronicles of Spain
Down the dark pages runs this stain,
And naught can wash them white again,
So fearful is the tragedy.'
poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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The Little Church Round the Corner
'Bring him not here, where our sainted feet
Are treading the path to glory;
Bring him not here, where our Saviour sweet
Repeats for
us
his story.
Go, take him where such things are done
(For he sat in the seat of the scorner),
To where they have room, for we have none,--
To the little church down the corner.'
So spake the holy man of God,
Of another man, his brother,
Whose cold remains, ere they sought the sod,
Had only asked that a Christian rite
Might be read above them by one whose light
Was, 'Brethren, love one another:'
Had only asked that a prayer be read
Ere his flesh went down to join the dead,
While his spirit looked with suppliant eyes,
Searching for God throughout the skies.
But the priest frowned 'No,' and his brow was bare
Of love in the sight of the mourner,
And they looked for Christ and found him--where?
In that little church round the corner.
Ah! well, God grant when, with aching feet,
We tread life's last few paces,
That we may hear some accents sweet,
And kiss, to the end, fond faces.
God grant that this tired flesh may rest
('Mid many a musing mourner),
While the sermon is preached and the rites are read
In no church where the heart of love is dead,
And the pastor's a pious prig at best,
But in some small nook where God's confessed,--
Some little church round the corner.
poem by Anonymous Americas
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The Creeds Of The Bells
How sweet the chime of the Sabbath bells!
Each one its creed in music tells
In tones that float upon the air
As soft as song, as sweet as prayer,
And I will put in simple rhyme
The language of the golden chime.
My happy heart with rapture swells
Responsive to the bells, sweet bells.
'Ye purifying waters swell!'
In mellow tones rang out a bell;
'Though faith alone in Christ can save,
Man must be plunged beneath the wave,
To show the world unfaltering faith
In what the Sacred Scripture saith;
Oh, well! ye rising water, swell!'
Pealed out the clear-toned Baptist bell.
'O, heed the ancient landmarks well!'
In solemn tones exclaimed a bell.
'No progress made by mortal man
Can change the just, eternal plan;
With God there can be nothing new;
Ignore the false, embrace the true,
While all is well! is well! is well!'
Pealed out the good old Dutch church bell.
'In deeds of love excel! excel!'
Chimed out from ivied towers a bell.
'This is the church not built on sands,
Emblem of one not built with hands;
Its forms and sacred rites revere -
Come worship here! come worship here!
Its rituals and faith excel!'
Chimed out the Episcopalian bell.
'No faith alone, but works as well,
Must test the soul!' said a soft bell.
'Come here and cast aside your load!
And work your way along the road
With faith in God and faith in man,
And hope in Christ, where hope began.
Do well! do well! do well! do well!'
Rang out the Unitarian bell.
'To all the truth we tell, we tell!'
Shouted in ecstacies, a bell.
'Come all ye weary wanders, see!
Our Lord has made salvation free!
Repent, believe, have faith, and then
Be saved! and praise the Lord! Amen!
Salvation’s free! we tell! we tell!'
Shouted the Methodistic bell.
'Farewell! farewell! base world, farewell!'
In touching tones exclaimed a bell.
'Life is a boon to mortals given,
To fit the soul for bliss in heaven.
Do not invoke the avenging rod.
Come here and learn the way to God.
Say to the world, ‘farewell! farewell!’'
Pealed forth the Presbyterian bell.
'In after life there is no hell!'
In raptures rang a cheerful bell.
'Look up to heaven this holy day,
When angels wait to lead the way.
There are no fires, no fiends to blight
The future life; be just and right.
No hell! No hell! No hell! No hell!'
Rang out the Universalist bell.
'The Pilgrim Fathers heeded well
My cheerful voice!' pealed forth a bell.
'No fetters here to clog the soul,
No arbitrary creed control
The free heart and progressive mind
That leave the dusty paths behind.
Speed well! speed well! speed well! speed well!'
Pealed forth the Independent bell.
'No pope, no pope, to doom to hell
The Protestant!' rang out a bell.
'Great Luther left his fiery zeal
Within the hearts that truly feel
What loyalty to God swill be
The faulty that makes men free,
No images where incense fell!'
Rang out old Martin Luther’s bell.
'Find rest! find rest! find rest! find rest!
Upon our Holy Mother’s breast,
From wearying strifes that never cease,
The mother church gives rest and pace.
Come, penitents, your sins confess
Where white-robed priests the faithful bless,
Where sacred Masses peal and swell!'
Deep tolled d the Roman Catholic bell.
Neatly attired, in manner plain,
A pilgrim see - no spot, no satin -
Slowly, with soft and measured tread,
In Quaker garb - no white, no red -
To passing friend I hear him say,
'Here worship thou, this is the way;
No churchly form, it is not well;
No bell - no bell - no bell - no bell.'
poem by Anonymous Americas
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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His True Church
I know many religious people, and one Church with no steeple,
A church that’s built with no walls, built on only believing souls,
Built upon an Eternal Foundation, that being our very Salvation,
Built upon The One Cornerstone, and that is Jesus Christ alone.
Many, who worship in a building, to Truth alone, are unyielding,
Building a church on tradition, God’s Truth, with man’s addition,
Added to the work finished by, Jesus Christ who reigns on high,
Ignoring His words “it is finished”, Grace by many is diminished.
Men making a way to Heaven, not by grace but religious leaven,
Building church in a human way, as they lead many souls astray,
As many souls weekly perch, in the pews of a manmade church,
Relying on their religious activity, to help them work into eternity.
“I will build my Church” He said, that was Christ, who is the Head,
Head of His True Church on earth, filled with souls, by New Birth,
All members being Born Again, into His Church, not one of men,
You’ll find, you no longer search, as a member of God’s Church.
Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life, as Head of the Church of Christ,
And each of us is a living stone, built through faith in Christ alone,
His Church He proceeds to build, to complete as His Father willed,
Leading the only True Church friend, as others shall see in the end.
As I Wait
Lord help my soul to gently wait, as your soon return I anticipate,
Your soon return, for your Bride, all the souls for whom you died.
That day will be a special one, when we will see God’s Only Son.
The One who died in our place, the Church shall see face to face.
On the day we hear that sound, all God’s Saints will gather round,
Gathered around The Lord above, raptured there by Christ’s Love.
When we hear that trumpet blast, we will be with The Lord at last.
We will be one big Heavenly crowd, all together up in the clouds.
Until that day that He will fulfill, I must be about The Father’s will,
For I must remain occupied, to share the reason why Christ died.
This is why Christ has sent us to be about His Father’s business,
Reaching out to every nation, and teaching them about Salvation.
While for Him I wait, I must be, faithfully pointing men to Eternity.
I must be frank with everyone, all about God’s One and Only Son.
No matter what men may say, Jesus Christ, is God’s Only Way.
Christ is the way, truth, and life, out of this dark world of strife.
So as I wait for Christ’s Return, I must help other men to learn,
Learn about the coming end, and lead them to Salvation friend.
That is why Christ has left us here, so other men could also hear,
All about His matchless Grace, so they too, can see Christ’s face.
The Black Sheep
'Black sheep, black sheep, have you any wool?'
'Yes, sir-yes, sir: three bags full.'
'I don't want any New Thought,' said he,
'Or any Theosophy, for, you see,
The faith I learned at my mother's knee
Is good enough for me.
Of course, I'm a wee bit broader than she,
Hearing one sermon where she heard three,
And I read my paper on Sunday, instead
Of the Bible only. My mother said
I was a black sheep, when she saw
I strayed a trifle away from the law,
And didn't think everyone left in the lurch
Who happened to go to a different church;
But, still, in the main, her creed is mine,
And I don't want anything more divine.'
Yet his mother's mother was more austere;
She taught her children a creed of fear,
And she called them 'black sheep' when, with a shock,
She saw them straying away from the flock,
Just far enough
To get around places they thought too rough,
Like infant damnation and endless hell.
But his mother's mother's mother would tell
How her mother thought it was God's sweet will
To punish and torture a heretic till
They drove out the devil that made him dare
Think for himself in the matter of prayer
And faith and salvation. So we see how it is
If we look back over the centuries-
The creeds men learned at their mother's knee
When Salem witches were hanged to a tree,
And the pious dames flocked thither to see,
Are not deemed Christian or holy to-day;
And the bold black sheep who went straying away
From rut-worn paths in their search for God,
And leaped over the fence into pastures broad,
Are the great trail-makers for mortal souls,
Leading the race up to higher goals
And a larger religion; where man must find
God dwelling ever within his mind,
Christ in his conduct, and heaven in his thought,
And hell but the places where love is not.
A mighty religion that makes this earth
But the cradle that fits us for death's new birth
And the life beyond it, that is so near
Its echoes may reach to the listening ear.
'Black sheep, black sheep, have you any wool?'
'Yes, sir-yes, sir: a whole world full.'
poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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Feast Of The Assumption
Dark! Dark! Dark!
The sun is set; the day is dead:
Thy Feast has fled;
My eyes are wet with tears unshed;
I bow my head;
Where the star-fringed shadows softly sway
I bend my knee,
And, like a homesick child, I pray,
Mary, to thee.
Dark! Dark! Dark!
And, all the day -- since white-robed priest
In farthest East,
In dawn's first ray -- began the Feast,
I -- I the least --
Thy least, and last, and lowest child,
I called on thee!
Virgin! didst hear? my words were wild;
Didst think of me?
Dark! Dark! Dark!
Alas! and no! The angels bright,
With wings as white
As a dream of snow in love and light,
Flashed on thy sight;
They shone like stars around thee, Queen!
I knelt afar --
A shadow only dims the scene
Where shines a star!
Dark! Dark! Dark!
And all day long, beyond the sky,
Sweet, pure, and high,
The angel's song swept sounding by
Triumphantly;
And when such music filled thy ear,
Rose round thy throne,
How could I hope that thou wouldst hear
My far, faint moan?
Dark! Dark! Dark!
And all day long, where altars stand,
Or poor or grand,
A countless throng from every land,
With lifted hand,
Winged hymns to thee from sorrow's vale
In glad acclaim;
How couldst thou hear my lone lips wail
Thy sweet, pure name?
Dark! Dark! Dark!
Alas! and no! Thou didst not hear
Nor bend thy ear,
To prayer of woe as mine so drear;
For hearts more dear
Hid me from hearing and from sight
This bright Feast-day;
Wilt hear me, Mother, if in its night
I kneel and pray?
Dark! Dark! Dark!
The sun is set, the day is dead;
Thy Feast hath fled;
My eyes are wet with the tears I shed;
I bow my head;
Angels and altars hailed thee, Queen,
All day; ah! be
To-night what thou hast ever been --
A mother to me!
Dark! Dark! Dark!
Thy queenly crown in angels' sight
Is fair and bright;
Ah! lay it down; for, oh! to-night
Its jeweled light
Shines not as the tender love-light shines,
O Mary! mild,
In the mother's eyes, whose pure heart pines
For poor, lost child!
Dark! Dark! Dark!
Sceptre in hand, thou dost hold sway
Fore'er and aye
In angel-land; but, fair Queen! pray
Lay it away.
Let thy sceptre wave in the realms above
Where angels are;
But, Mother! fold in thine arms of love
Thy child afar!
Dark! Dark! Dark!
Mary, I call! Wilt hear the prayer
My poor lips dare?
Yea! be to all a Queen most fair,
Crown, sceptre, bear!
But look on me with a mother's eyes
From heaven's bliss;
And waft to me from the starry skies
A mother's kiss!
Dark! Dark! Dark!
The sun is set; the day is dead;
Her Feast has fled;
Can she forget the sweet blood shed,
The last words said
That evening -- 'Woman! behold thy Son!
Oh! priceless right,
Of all His children! The last, least one,
Is heard to-night.
poem by Abram Joseph Ryan
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Silent Night Medley
O holy night the stars are brightly shining
This is the night of our dear saviors birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared and his soul felt its worth
At thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels voices
O night divine
O night when christ was born
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels voices
O night divine
O night when christ was born
O come o ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye o come ye to bethlehem
Come and behold him, born the king of angels
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him christ the lord.
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels voices
O night divine
O night when christ was born
Oh night divine o night o holy
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Woah
Oh holy night
When jesus was born
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Look at those stars in the sky
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Jesus was born tonight
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
song performed by by Hanson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Broad and The Narrow
When Christ started The Church He made things quite simple and clear,
However many are following Religious Leaders into ambiguity I fear.
Christ came to give us freedom through the Cross-of Salvation,
However many are following Religious Leaders on roads of damnation.
Christ told the early disciples of only one road in which to follow,
But today Religious Leaders try to make His words vain and hollow.
The only road is a narrow one, and you enter through a narrow gate,
This Truth is despised by Religious Leaders, who proclaim it is hate.
While very few find this road that leads to the only Resurrection,
A broader road is being paved by Religious Leaders to destruction.
It’s easy to get on this road through a wide gate and many are on it,
Being lead by Religious Leaders who Christ warned are false prophets.
They come to you in sheep’s clothing and appear to be pure and good,
But inwardly these Religious Leaders are darkened ferocious wolves.
In the end many will abandon the faith to follow hypocritical liars,
Lead by Religious Leaders with morals that were seared with an iron.
When you stand before The Lord, it’s only His words you will hear,
You can follow these Religious Leaders or The Lord with Holy Fear.
Will He say “Away from me” as you chose to be wicked and irreverent?
Or will you hear Him say, “Well done My fine and faithful servant”?
(Copyright © 07/2002)
O' Holy Night
Oh holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh holy night when Christ was born
Oh fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh holy night when Christ was born
(Holy night Holy night when Christ was born
Holy night Holy night when Christ was born)
Holy night
song performed by by Destiny's Child from 8 Days Of Christmas
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Bible in Poetry: Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus:
1'To angel of the Ephesus’ church, you write:
These are the words of Him who holds
The seven stars in His right hand
And walks ’mongst seven gold lamp-stands:
2 I know your deeds and your hard work
I know your perseverance too.
You tolerate not wicked men,
You’ve tested those ‘false’ apostles.
3You’ve persevered a lot on earth
You’ve endured hardships in my name,
And haven’t grown weary until now.
4Yet I hold this charge against you:
You have forsaken your first love.
5 Rethink the height from which you’ve fallen!
Repent and do things as earlier.
If you do not, I will come to you,
Remove your lamp-stand from its place.
6 The point in your favor is this:
You hate the Nicolaitans’ work;
I also hate their practices.
7 He who has ears, let him then hear
What Spirit tells the churches now.
To him who overcomes, I’ll give
The right to eat from Tree of Life,
Which is in the Paradise of God.
To the Church in Smyrna:
8'To the church in Smyrna angel write:
These are the words of Him who is
The First and Last, who died, arose
And came to life again third day.
9I know your afflictions too well
Despite your poverty, you’re rich!
I know the slanderous ones who say
But really, they are not Jews,
But are a synagogue of Satan.
10 Don’t fear of your sufferings ahead!
The devil will put some of you
Into prison to test you faith,
For ten days, you’ll suffer like this.
Be faithful, ev’n to point of death,
And I will give you crown of life
11He who has ears, then let him hear
What Spirit says to the churches.
He who overcomes will not be
Hurt by the second death at all.
To the Church in Pergamum:
12'To the church in Pergamum’s angel write:
These are the words of him who has
The tongue like sharp, double-edged sword.
13 The place you live has Satan’s throne.
Yet you remain true to my name.
You didn’t renounce your faith in me,
Even in days of Antipas,
My faithful witness, who was killed
In your city—where Satan lives.
14 I have a few things against you:
Some people teach about Balaam,
Who taught Balak to entice all
Israelites to sin by food
That was sacrificed to idols
And by sexual immorality.
15Likewise you also have those that
Who teach of Nicolaitans there.
16Repent therefore or Otherwise,
I’ll come and fight against them son,
With sword that is within my mouth.
17 He who has ears, then let him hear
What Spirit says to the churches.
To him who overcomes, I will give
Some of the manna that’s hidden.
I will also give him a white stone with
A new name written upon it,
Known only to him who gets it.
To the Church in Thyatira:
18'To Thyatira church’s angel write:
These are the words of Son of God,
Whose eyes look like blazing fire,
And whose feet look like burnished bronze.
19I know your deeds, your love and faith,
Your service and perseverance,
You’re doing more than earlier.
20 But still, I have this against you:
You tolerated Jezebel,
Who calls herself a prophetess.
Who teaches misleading servants
To sexual immorality,
And eating foods, idols’ offered.
21I have given her time to repent
But she is unwilling to change.
22 I’ll cast her on bed of suffering,
I’ll make those who commit with her,
Adultery with her suffer much.
Unless they repent of her ways.
23I will strike her children dead at once.
Then all the churches will know that
I’m He, who searches hearts and minds,
And I’ll repay each of you
In accordance with your own deeds.
24 I say now to the rest of you
In Thyatira, who don’t teach well,
And haven’t learned Satan's deep secrets
(I’ll not impose burdens on you) :
25 Hold on to what you’ve till I come.
26 To him who overcomes these things
And does my will until the end,
I’ll give him power o’er nations—
27'He’ll rule with an iron scepter;
He’ll dash them to pieces like pottery'—
As I’ve received authority,
From my dear Father in Heaven.
28I will also give him the morning star.
29 He who has ears then let him hear
What Spirit tells the churches now.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 7-13-2007
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Why Can't You Listen?
Why can't you listen?
Why can't you hear words from Me?
Why can't you sit and just be...
To listen.
Listen.
Why can't you listen?
Why can't you hear words from Me?
Why can't you sit and just be...
To listen.
Listen.
Why do you call Me?
Why do you say you're alone?
You wish for Me to appear.
And yet when I'M near.
Your closed ears wont hear Me!
Why do you pray to Me?
Master I Am of your World.
I'M with you there silently.
But you will not see...
Everything that is Me!
One I Am and only One!
Maker of your Moon, Stars and Sun.
All things on Earth that is there...
Is there if you ask,
But your faith does not last!
Why can't you listen?
Why can't you hear words from Me?
Why can't you sit and just be...
To listen.
Listen.
Why do you call Me?
Why do you say you're alone?
You wish for Me to appear.
And yet when I'M near.
Your closed ears wont hear.
A word.
Why can't you listen?
Why can't you hear words from Me?
Why can't you sit and just be...
To listen to Me.
Listen...
And let Me in!
'Father...
Clear my mind of these obstacles! '
I'M trying!
But you wish it 'your' way.
And not the way MY way is.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Let Go, Let God
Let go, let God ... Four simple words,
Yet they mean everything.
Give God your heart and not two thirds,
Let Jesus be your King.
This world will drag you straight to Hell,
To break your word and more
This world will cast its evil spell
To shake you to the core
Let go, let God ... The Lord is wise,
Why would He cheat or steal?
He owns the whole of Paradise
And Paradise is real
He wants to share His heart with you,
That's why God sent His Son
For every word Christ said is true,
That's how the war is won
Let go, let God ... Yes, every day,
Yes, every single hour
Let Jesus lead you on your way,
Let Jesus give you power.
What use is it to fight alone
When demons still exist?
Bring your life now before God's Throne,
Be God's evangelist!
Let go, let God ... like saints of old,
Like David, sing new psalms
Come to the Cross of Christ! Behold!
Look at His outstretched arms!
Look at the King of Love who died,
So holy and so brave
For there, the Lord was crucified,
Our sinful souls to save
Let go, let God ... His Son is proof
No other proof we need
He rose again, that Gospel truth
Will help us to succeed.
So call upon His holy Name,
Bathed in His holy Blood,
Baptised you'll never be the same
Dear friends ... Let go, let God
poem by Denis Martindale
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Morning Prayer Words
I hear Morning Prayer words
I think it is prevalent all over world
Somebody may call it 'Azan'*
Some one may call them 'Bhajan'*
It has definitely some meaning
A divine call from heart for winning
Love the fellow brethrens and pardon
For whatever they have unknowingly done
Why such places give us mental peace?
Why do we feel that we are at complete ease?
Is there no hidden message from our creator?
I bow my head whenever hear some prayer words in air
Our Muslim brethrens may be fasting this month
Holiest of holy month as it is called Ramadan
To purify the soul and pray for peace all over
'Allah -O-Akabar', almighty to provide the safe cover
Prayers have tremendous strength and hidden power
People offer it with sincere wishes and in rainy shower
Nothing moves them from commitment and resolve
With only request to grant confidence for it to solve
Whole religious places seem to be emitting lights
Each person dreams to have blessings right
Bow head in silence and seek for pardon
If all committed something wrong on someone
I know for sure that on one is perfect
But can not improve upon our acts?
Can we not become tolerant to mankind?
As has been seen recently that we have gone blind
'Shower on us peace and strength to withstand '
Any burden or trouble that we may be unable to stand
Provide the correct path with respect to each religion
Let some fresh air with fragrance blow in any region!
I visit holy Kaba* stone in my prayer
It provides me peace and acts as sooth sawyer
Likewise my heart bleeds when I find tears
When poor people in street painfully bear
poem by Hasmukh Amathalal
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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If Christ Came Questioning
If Christ came questioning His world to-day,
(If Christ came questioning,)
'What hast thou done to glorify thy God,
Since last My feet this lower earth plane trod?'
How could I answer Him; and in what way
One evidence of my allegiance bring;
If Christ came questioning.
If Christ came questioning, to me alone,
(If Christ came questioning,)
I could not point to any church or shrine
And say, 'I helped build up this house of Thine;
Behold the altar, and the corner stone';
I could not show one proof of such a thing;
If Christ came questioning.
If Christ came questioning, on His demand,
(If Christ came questioning,)
No pagan soul converted to His creed
Could I proclaim; or say, that word or deed
Of mine, had spread the faith in any land;
Or sent it forth, to fly on stronger wing;
If Christ came questioning.
If Christ came questioning the soul of me,
(If Christ came questioning,)
I could but answer, 'Lord, my little part
Has been to beat the metal of my heart,
Into the shape I thought most fit for Thee;
And at Thy feet, to cast the offering;
Shouldst Thou come questioning.
'From out the earth-fed furnaces of desire,
(Ere Thou cam'st questioning,)
This formless and unfinished gift I brought,
And on life's anvil flung it down, white hot:
A glowing thing, of selfishness and fire,
With blow on blow, I made the anvil ring;
(Ere Thou cam'st questioning).
'The hammer, Self-Control, beat hard on it;
(Ere Thou cam'st questioning,)
And with each blow, rose fiery sparks of pain;
I bear their scars, on body, soul, and brain.
Long, long I toiled; and yet, dear Lord, unfit,
And all unworthy, is the heart I bring,
To meet Thy questioning.'
poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Your Preferred Disposition
Come follow me were Jesus' words to the Apostles right at the start,
But words alone aren't enough, as you must follow out of your heart.
From Heaven Christ sent The Spirit to guide us in Truth my friend,
As Believers we must hear and obey His direction right to the end.
Paul, the light to the Gentiles said I wish you could all be like me,
He was crucified with Christ and in his life it was Christ you'd see.
Being crucified with Christ he said I don't live, Christ lives in me,
Believers too must follow Paul and crucify our lives upon that tree.
You will be tossed to and fro if you are influenced by this world,
Or grow in Grace if you heed the words Godly men continue to herald.
The choice is yours for God did not cut all of us out of one mold,
But we are all accountable to just One Shepherd, over one Holy Fold.
Individually we were knitted together with God's Grace and His Love,
With one eternal purpose of reflecting Christ, who now reigns above.
Out of the abundance of the heart words reflect the attitude of man,
And in deeper recesses could be unspoken motives of a hidden plan.
But remember, all things shall be revealed by Christ's Eternal Light,
So friend test the spirit and be certain that your attitude is right.
You can obey or quench the spirit of the One Jesus said He will send,
Knowing this, what will be your preferred disposition my dear friend?
(Copyright ©01/2004 Bob Gotti)
The Doubter's Prayer
Eternal Power, of earth and air!
Unseen, yet seen in all around,
Remote, but dwelling everywhere,
Though silent, heard in every sound.
If e'er thine ear in mercy bent,
When wretched mortals cried to Thee,
And if, indeed, Thy Son was sent,
To save lost sinners such as me:
Then hear me now, while, kneeling here,
I lift to thee my heart and eye,
And all my soul ascends in prayer,
Oh, give me - give me Faith! I cry.
Without some glimmering in my heart,
I could not raise this fervent prayer;
But, oh! a stronger light impart,
And in Thy mercy fix it there.
While Faith is with me, I am blest;
It turns my darkest night to day;
But while I clasp it to my breast,
I often feel it slide away.
Then, cold and dark, my spirit sinks,
To see my light of life depart;
And every fiend of Hell, methinks,
Enjoys the anguish of my heart.
What shall I do, if all my love,
My hopes, my toil, are cast away,
And if there be no God above,
To hear and bless me when I pray?
If this be vain delusion all,
If death be an eternal sleep,
And none can hear my secret call,
Or see the silent tears I weep!
Oh, help me, God! For thou alone
Canst my distracted soul relieve;
Forsake it not: it is thine own,
Though weak, yet longing to believe.
Oh, drive these cruel doubts away;
And make me know, that Thou art God!
A faith, that shines by night and day,
Will lighten every earthly load.
If I believe that Jesus died,
And, waking, rose to reign above;
Then surely Sorrow, Sin, and Pride,
Must yield to Peace, and Hope, and Love.
And all the blessed words He said
Will strength and holy joy impart:
A shield of safety o'er my head,
A spring of comfort in my heart.
poem by Anne Brontë from Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell (1846)
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Little Altar Boy
Little alter boy, I wonder could you pray for me?
Little alter boy, for I have gone astray
What must I do to be holy like you?
Little alter boy ,oh, let me hear you pray
Little alter boy, I wonder could you ask your lord
Ask him, alter boy, to take my sins away
What must I do to be holy like you?
Little alter boy, oh, let me hear you pray
Lift up your voice and send a pray above
Help me rejoice and fill that prayer with love
Now I know my life has been all wrong
Lift my your voice and help a sinner be strong
Little alter boy, I wonder could you pry for me?
Could you tell our lord Im gonna change my ways today?
What must I do to be holy like you?
Little alter boy, oh, let me hear you pray
Little alter boy please let me hear you pray!
song performed by by Carpenters
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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O Little Town Of Bethlehem
O little town of bethlehem,
How still we see the lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee to-night.
For christ is born of mary,
And gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God the king,
And peace to men on earth.
How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear christ enters in.
Where children pure and happy
Pray to the blessed child,
Where misery cries out to thee,
Son of the mother mild;
Where charity stands watching
And faith holds wide the door,
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks,
And christmas comes once more.
O holy child of bethlehem!
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us to-day.
We hear the christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our lord emmanuel!
song performed by by Dolly Parton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Lord Reigns
The Lord Reigns from on High, upon His throne above the sky,
And from His throne in majesty, He rules the world that we see.
He ruled the world in ages past, with a rule that will forever last.
For Christ will reign for Eternity, as all nations on earth will see.
His uplifted hand still is raised, though by all, He is not praised.
When His Wrath begins to flow, every nation on earth will know,
That Christ is the sustainer of, everything in the heavens above,
And of all upon the earth below, everything we’ve come to know.
One thing you can not dismiss, that He reigns in Righteousness,
Indeed, Holiness is found in Him, that reigns above all earthly sin.
When He reigns upon the earth, all sin and iniquity will be purged.
At that time His righteous decree, will cover earth from sea to sea.
Today Christ reigns in the heart, of every believer who’s set apart,
Set apart by The Lord above, cleansed from sin and filled with love.
Today we reign in Christ’s Spirit, sharing Truth with all who hear it,
Knowing when Christ does come, we will reign with God’s own Son.
You can also reign with Christ, and receive from Him Eternal Life,
If you receive Him in your heart, you, in His Reign, will have a part.
If you choose to dismiss The Lord, you, by Jesus, won’t be ignored,
And from His Reign of Righteousness, you will surely be dismissed.
(Copyright ©09/2005)
Bible in Poetry: Revelation 22
The River of Life:
1 And then the angel showed to me
The river of water of life,
As clear as crystal, and which flowed,
From the throne of God and the Lamb,
2 And down the city’s middle street.
On either side of river stood,
Tree of life, with twelve crops of fruit,
And yielding fruit on every month.
The leaves of tree healed all nations.
3 No longer will there be a curse.
The throne of God and of the Lamb
In city, and servants serve Him.
4 They’ll see His face then directly;
His name will be on their foreheads.
5 There will be no more night at all.
They will not need a lamp-light’s help,
Nor light of sun, for God gives light.
And they will reign forever, ev’r.
6 The angel turned and said to me,
'These words are trustworthy and true.
The God of spirits of prophets,
Sent angel to show his servants,
The things that must take place sooner.'
Jesus Is Coming:
7 'Behold, I am then coming soon!
Blessed is he who keeps the words
Of the prophecy in this book.'
8 I, John, heard and saw all these things.
And when I’d heard and seen them all,
I fell down to worship at feet
Of angel who showed them to me.
9He said to me, 'Do not do it!
I’m a fellow servant with you
And with your brothers, the prophets,
And all who keep words of this book.
Therefore, you worship the Lord, God! '
10 He told me then, 'Don’t seal the words
Of prophecy of this book for,
The time is near as prophesied.
11 Let him who wrongs, so continue;
Let him who’s vile, then, continue;
Let him who does the right, do so;
Let him who’s holy, holy be.'
12 'Behold, I am then coming soon!
With Me is my reward for all;
And I will give to everyone,
According to what he has done.
13 I’m Alpha and the Omega,
First and Last, Beginning and End.
14 'Blessed are those who wash their robes,
That they have right to tree of life,
And go through gates of the City.
15 Outside are dogs, with magic arts,
The sexually immoral ones,
The murderers, idolaters,
And all who love, practice falsehoods.
16 'I, Jesus, have sent my angel,
To testify to all churches:
I am the Root, David’s Offspring,
The Morning Star that’s ever bright.'
17 The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come! '
Let him who hears say, 'Come! Also.”
“Whoev’r is thirsty, let him come;
Whoever wishes let him take
The free gift of Water of Life.
18 I warn all those who hear the words
Of prophecy of this great Book:
If one adds anything to them,
Then God will add to him the plagues
That are described in this God’s Book.
19 If anyone takes words away
Then, from this Book of prophecy,
God too will take away from him,
His share in tree of life as well
As, in the holy city too,
Which are described in this great Book.
20 Whoever testifies to these
Things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.'
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen
21The grace of Lord Jesus Christ be
With God's people always. Amen.
(7-16-2007)
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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