Apostasy 2001!
I saw a Chapel all of gold That none did dare to enter in, And many weeping stood without, Weeping, mourning, worshipping. I saw a Serpent rise between The white pillars of the door, And he forc'd and forc'd and forc'd; Down the golden hinges tore. And along the pavement sweet, Set with pearls and rubies bright, All his shining length he drew, Till upon the altar white Vomiting his poison out On the Bread and on the Wine, So I went into a sty, And laid me down among the swine. "I Saw a Chapel All of Gold" by William Blake		Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times Some will depart from the faith, Giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, Speaking lies in hypocrisy, Having their own conscience seared with a hot iron. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, But according to their own desires, Because they have itching ears, They will heap up for themselves teachers; And they will turn their ears away from the truth, And be turned aside to fables. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, That they should believe the lie, That they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth, But had pleasure in unrighteousness. 1 Tim 4.1-2; 2 Tim 4.3-4; 2 Thes 2.11-12

In Times of Need
I think that God is proud of those who bear A sorrow bravely -- proud indeed of them Who walk straight through the dark to find Him there, And kneel in faith to touch His garment's hem. Oh, proud of them who lift their heads to shake Away the tears from eyes that have grown dim, Who tighten quivering lips and turn to take The only road they know that leads to Him. How proud of them He must be -- He who knows All sorrow, and how hard grief is to bear! I think He sees them coming, and He goes With outstretched arms and hands to meet them there, And with a look, a touch on hand or head, Each finds his hurt heart strangely comforted. "I Think That God Is Proud" by Grace Noll Crowell		He (Jesus) was despised and rejected by men, A man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Isa 53.3a For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, But we have one (Jesus) who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-- Yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, So that we may receive mercy and comfort in our time of need. Heb 4.15-16

Wings!
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed and joined the trembling mirth Of sun-split clouds -- and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of -- wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there I've chased the shouting wind along and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace, Where never lark, or even eagle, flew; And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. "High Flight" by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.		O LORD, Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there. If I make my bed in the deep, Behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, Or dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139.7-10

Father's Day -- 2001 Part 1 - Shabby Old Dad
His collar is frayed, and his trousers unpressed; He's not a bit fussy the way he is dressed, But he's always ready to help out the rest -- Shabby old Dad! His shirts have queer stripes, and they're old-fashioned quite; His ties are in strings, and they're never tied right, His last year's straw hat is a terrible sight -- Shabby old Dad! His shoes need a shine, and his cuff links are tin; He does sometimes shave, but his top hair is thin; You hardly would say he was neat as a pin -- Shabby old Dad! Shabby old Dad, with his heart full of woes, And so much to think of besides buying clothes; With the kids needing food, and the money! God knows! -- Shabby old Dad! I know there's a heaven where peace can enfold A life lived for others, a heart that's pure gold, He'll go there and live there in glory untold -- Shabby old Dad! "Shabby Old Dad" by Anne Campbell		Listen, my son, to your father's instruction, And do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head, And a chain to adorn your neck. Prov 1.8-9 And, ye fathers, Provoke not your children to wrath: But bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph 6.4
		To bring up a child in the way that he should go, Travel that way yourself. Josh Billings

Father's Day -- 2001 Part 2 - Sire? Or Dad?
Any healthy fool of a male can sire a child. It takes a REAL man to be a Dad. Real? How? By being THERE and being WITH -- Day in and day out -- That's a REAL man! That's a Dad!
Sometimes I help my Dad Work on our automobile. We unscrew The radiator cap And we let some water run -- Swish -- from a hose Into the tank. And then we open up the hood And feed in oil From a can with a long spout. And then we take a lot of rags And clean all about. We clean the top And the doors And the fenders and the wheels And the windows and floors . . . We work hard My Dad And I. "Automobile Mechanics" by Dorothy W. Baruch		We put more coal on the big red fire, And while we are waiting for dinner to cook, Our Daddy comes and tells us about A story that he has read in a book. And Charles and Will and Dick and I And all of us but Clarence are there. And some of us sit on Daddy's lap, But one has to sit on the little red chair. And when we are sitting very still, He sings us a song or tells a piece; He sings "Dan Tucker Went to Town," Or he tells us about the golden fleece. And while he is telling or singing it through, I stand by his arm, for that is my place. And I push my fingers into his skin To make little dents in his big round face. "Father's Story" by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is God's reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. Psalm 127.3-5a

What God Hath Joined Together
Believe me, if all those endearing young charms, Which I gaze on so fondly today, Were to change by tomorrow, and fleet in my arms, Like fairy-gifts fading away, Thou wouldst still be adored, as this moment thou art, Let thy loveliness fade as it will, And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart Would entwine itself verdantly still. It is not while beauty and youth are thine own, And thy cheeks unprofaned by a tear, That the fervor and faith of a soul can be known, To which time will but make thee more dear; No, the heart that has truly loved never forgets, But as truly loves on to the close, As the sunflower turns on her god when he sets, The same look which she turned when he rose. "Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms" by Thomas Moore		Whither thou goest, I will go. Where thou lodgest, I will lodge. Thy people shall be my people, And thy God my God. Where thou diest, will I die, And there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, If ought but death part thee and me. Ruth 1.16b-17

Though He Slay Me, Yet Will I Trust Him Many are those Christians who are sore afflcted. Disabled of body, they move amongst us who are whole. And oft we wonder why God grants not their prayers, nor ours, that they might be healed. But the courage and faith of those who trust and serve God, despite their pain, Speak forth a Gospel message to many souls, Who otherwise would neither hear nor heed.
When I consider how my light is spent Ere half my days in this dark world and wide, And that one talent which is death to hide Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, lest He returning chide. "Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?" I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need Either man's work or his own gifts. Who best Bear His mild yoke, they serve Him best. His state Is kingly: thousands at His bidding speed, And post o'er land and ocean without rest; They also serve who only stand and wait." "On His Blindness" by John Milton		I remember my affliction and my wandering, The bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, And my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed. God's compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great, O Lord, is Your faithfulness! I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; Therefore I will wait for Him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him, To those who seek Him. It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. Let him sit alone in silence, For the LORD has laid it on him. Lam 3.19-28

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