Olio of Short but Sweet
Christmas 2000
On Being a Parent
Silencing the serpent
Pig Tale
Love Thy Neighbor

Olio of Short but Sweet
The day began with dismal doubt A stubborn thing to put to rout; But all my worries flew away When someone smiled at me today. Anonymous		Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. Prov 16.24
Hail, Guest! We ask not what thou art; If Friend, we greet thee, hand and heart; If Stranger, such no longer be; If Foe, our love shall conquer thee. Welcome over the Door of an Inn		Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, For by so doing, Some have unwittingly entertained angels. Heb 13.1-2
Some folks in looks take so much pride They don't think much of what's inside; Well, as for me, I know my face Can ne'er be made a thing of grace And so I rather think I'll see How I can fix inside of me; So folks'll say, "He looks like sin But ain't he beautiful within!" Anonymous		Do not let your beauty be That outward adorning of arranging the hair, Of wearing gold, or of putting on fine apparel; But let it be the hidden person of the heart, With the incorruptible ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, Which is very precious in the sight of God. 1 Pet 3.3-4
Who builds a church within his heart And takes it with him everywhere Is holier far than he whose church Is but a one-day house of prayer Morris Abel Beer		Sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord, Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Eph 5.19b-20
Before God's footstool to atone A poor soul knelt and bowed his head. "I failed," he cried. The Master said, "Thou didst thy best -- Press On!" Anonymous		I don't mean to say I am perfect. I haven't learned all I should even yet. But I press on toward that day when I will finally be All that Christ saved me for and wants me to be. Philipp 3.12, LB

His Birthday -- 2000 Anno Domini
How far is it to Bethlehem Town? Just over Jerusalem's hills adown, Past lovely Rachel's white-domed tomb -- Sweet shrine of motherhood's young doom. It isn't far to Bethlehem Town -- Just over the dusty roads adown, Past Wise Men's well, still offering Cool draughts from welcome wayside spring; Past shepherds with their flutes of reed That charm the woolly sheep they lead; Past boys with kites on hilltops flying, And soon you're there where Bethlehem's lying. Sunned white and sweet on olived slopes, Gold-lighted still with Judah's hopes. ==>		And so we find the Shepherd's field And plain that gave rich Boaz yield, And look where Herod's villa stood. We thrill that early parenthood Could foster Christ who was all-good; And thrill that Bethlehem Town to-day Looks down on Christian homes that pray. It isn't far to Bethlehem Town! It's anywhere that Christ comes down And finds in people's friendly face A welcome and abiding place. The road to Bethlehem runs through The homes of folks like me and you. "How Far to Bethlehem" by Madeleine Sweeny Miller
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called... Wonderful Counselor Mighty God Everlasting Father xxxxxPrince of Peace. Isa 9.1		And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1.14

On Being a Parent
A Builder builded a temple, He wrought it with grace and skill; Pillars and groins and arches All fashioned to work his will. Men said, as they saw its beauty, "It shall never know decay; Great is thy skill, O Builder! Thy fame shall endure for aye." A Mother builded a temple, With loving and infinite care, Planning each arch with patience, Laying each stone with prayer. None praised her unceasing efforts,		None knew of her wondrous plan, For the temple the Mother builded Was unseen by the eyes of man. Gone is the Builder's temple, Crumpled into the dust; Low lies each stately pillar, Food for consuming rust. But the temple the Mother builded Will last while the ages roll, For that beautiful unseen temple Was a child's immortal soul. "Two Temples" by Hattie Vose Hall
And now a word to you parents... Don't keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather, bring them up with the loving discipline the Lord himself approves, with suggestions and godly advice. Eph 6.4, LB Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Prov 22.6		You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart... you shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house when you walk by the way when you lie down, and when you rise up. Deu 6.5-7
To train up a child in the way he should go, TRAVEL THAT WAY YOURSELF! Josh Billings		Diogenes struck the father when the son swore. Robert Burton

Silencing the serpent
If you are tempted to reveal A tale to you someone has told About another, make it pass, Before you speak, three Gates of Gold. These narrow gates: First, "Is it true?" Then, "Is it needful?" In your mind Give truthful answer. And the next Is last and narrowest, "Is it kind?" And if to reach your lips at last It passes through these gateways three, Then you may tell the tale, nor fear What the result of speech may be. "Three Gates" from the Arabian		(God said...) Don't gossip. Don't falsely accuse your neighbor of some crime, for I am Jehovah. Leviticus 19:16, LB Anyone who says he is a Christian but doesn't control his sharp tongue is just fooling himself, and his religion isn't worth much. James 1:26, LB If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue, and guard your lips from telling lies. 1 Peter 3:10, LB Don't tell your secrets to a gossip unless you want them broadcast to the world. Proverbs 20:19, LB
There is so much good in the worst of us, And so much bad in the best of us, That it hardly behooves any of us To talk about the rest of us. Anonymous Hear no ill of a Friend, Nor speak any of an Enemy. Ben Franklin		Knowing, what all experience serves to show, No mud can soil us but the mud we throw. James Russell Lowell It takes your enemy and your friend, Working together, to break your heart... The one to slander you, The other to bring you the news. Mark Twain

Pig Tale
One night in late October, When I was far from sober, Returning with my load with manly pride, My feet began to stutter, So I lay down in the gutter, And a pig came near and lay down by my side; A lady passing by was heard to say: "You can tell a man who boozes, By the company he chooses," And the pig got up and slowly walked away. by Francis Lage Hayes		Wine is a mocker, Intoxicating drink arouses brawling, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise Proverbs 20.1 Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; But be filled with the Spirit Ephesians 5.18

Love Thy Neighbor
Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!) Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace, And saw, within the moonlight in his room, Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom, An angel writing in a book of gold. Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold, And to the presence in the room he said, "What writest thou?" -- The vision rais'd its head, And with a look made of all sweet accord, Answer'd, "The names of those who love the Lord." "And is mine one?" asked Abou. "Nay, not so," Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low, But cheerly still; and said, "I pray thee then, Write me as one that loves his fellow men." The angel wrote and vanish'd. The next night It came again with a great wakening light, And show'd the names whom love of God had blest, And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest. "Abou Ben Adhem" by Leigh Hunt		(Jesus said...) "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world... "For I was hungry and you gave Me food "I was thirsty and you gave Me drink "I was a stranger and you took Me in "I was naked and you clothed Me "I was sick and you visited Me "I was in prison and you came to Me." Then the righteous will answer Him, saying... "Lord, when did we see You hungry & feed You? "Or thirsty and give You drink? "When did we see You a stranger & take You in? "Or naked and clothe You? "Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?" And the King (Jesus) will answer and say to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." Mt 25.34-40

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