POEMS, etc

Faith is not something to grasp, it is a state to grow into.

Mahatma Gandhi

Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.

Martin Luther King

t is only with gratitude towards God that life becomes rich.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

* * * * * * * * * *

THE HILL OF CALVARY

I heard two soldiers talking as they came down the hill.

The sombre hill of Calvary bleak, and black, and still.

And one said "the night is late these thieves take long to die"

And one said "I am sore afraid and yet I know not why"

I heard two woman weeping as down the hill they came.

And one was like a broken rose and one was like a flame.

And one said "men shall rue this deed their hands have done"

And one said, only through her tears , "My Son My Son My Son"

I heard two angels singing ere yet the dawn was bright.

and they were clad in shining robes - robes and crowns of light.

And one said "Death is vanquished" and one in golden voice

Sang "Love has conquered, conquered all, Oh Heaven and earth rejoice."

Theodosia Garrison

(1874 – 1944)

* * * * * * * * * *

Can you say at close of day before you meet the night,

Of all the troubles in the world, you helped to put one right?

That just one heart was happier because your smile was true;

One wrinkle in the folds of life was smoothed because of you?

Anon

* * * * * * * * * *

FOLLOW ME

Peace in my little room, No care or fear,

While I kneel quietly, My Lord is here;

Filled is my heart with joy, He speaks to me,

Deep in my soul I hear, "Come follow Me"

Knelt in my quiet room, Sacred and still, with a glad heart, I say,

"MY LORD, I WILL"

* * * * * * * * * *

THERE’S SUNSHINE IN A SMILE

Life is a mixture of sunshine and rain

Laughter and pleasure, teardrops and pain.

All days can’t be bright, but it’s certainly true,

There was never a cloud the sun didn’t shine through.

You’ll find when you smile, your day will be brighter.

And all of your burdens will seem much lighter.

For each time you smile, you will find it is true,

Somebody, somewhere will smile back at you.

And nothing on earth can make life more worthwhile,

Than the sunshine and warmth of a beautiful smile.

Anon

* * * * * * * * * *

Lord Jesus Christ, you declared yourself to be the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Help us not to stray from you, for you are the Way;

Nor to distrust you, for you are the Truth;

Nor to rest on any other than you, for you are the Life.

Give us grace to follow you, the Way,

To learn from you, the Truth,

And live in you, the Life.

After Erasmus (16^th century)

* * * * * * * * * *

THE ALTO’S LAMENT

It’s tough to be an alto when you’re singing in the choir,

The sopranos get the twiddly bits that people all admire,

The basses boom like loud trombones, the tenors shout with glee,

But the alto part is on two notes (or, if you’re lucky, three).

And when we sing an anthem and we lift our hearts in praises,

The men get all the juicy bits and telling little phrases.

Of course the trebles sing the tune – they always come off best;

The altos only get three notes and twenty-two bars’ rest.

We practice very hard each week from hymn book and the Psalter,

But when the conductor looks at us our voices start to falter;

"Too high! Too low! Too fast – you held that note too long"!

It doesn’t matter what we do – it’s certain to be wrong!

Oh! Shed a tear for altos, they’re the Martyrs and they know,

In the ranks of choral singers they’re considered very low.

They are so very ‘umble that a lot of folk forget ‘em;

How they’d love to be sopranos, but their vocal cords won’t let ‘em!

And when the final trumpet sounds and we are wafted higher,

Sopranos, bases, tenors – they’ll be in the Heavenly Choir.

While they sing "Alleluia!" to celestial flats and sharps,

The altos will be occupied with polishing the harps.

author unknown

..but definitely must be an alto

* * * * * * * * * *

Prayer is not the least you can do for someone, prayer is the MOST you can do for someone.

Prayer is the mightiest force in the world.

Salvation is free, but discipleship costs everything we have.

all Billy Graham

* * * * * * * * * *

HUGGING

Feels good, Dispels loneliness,

Overcomes fears, Builds self-esteem,

(Wow! They actually want to hug Me!)

Slows down ageing, Huggers stay younger longer,

Eases tension, Fights insomnia,

Keeps arm and shoulder muscles in good condition,

Is ecologically sound, Does not upset the environment,

Is democratic Anyone is eligible for a hug,

Is portable, Affirms physical well being,

Is energy efficient, saves heat, Makes impossible days possible,

Makes happy days happier.

* * * * * * * * * *

THE VIOLET

Down in a green and shady bed

A modest violet grew,

Its stalk was bent, it hung its head

As if to hide from view.

And yet it was a lovely flower,

Its colour bright and fair,

It might have graced a rosy bower

Instead of hiding there.

Yet there it was content to bloom,

In modest tints arrayed:

And there diffused its sweet perfume

Within the silent shade.

Then let me to the valley go

This pretty flower to see,

That I may also learn to grow

In sweet humility.

Written by Jane Taylor (1783 – 1824)

who wrote the famous "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" with her sister Ann.

* * * * * * * * * *

Genealogists are the only people happy to receive a death certificate in the post!

Definition of genealogy - chasing your own tale.

* * * * * * * * * * THE ALTO’S LAMENT It’s tough to be an alto when you’re singing in the choir, The sopranos get the twiddly bits that people all admire, The basses boom like loud trombones, the tenors shout with glee, But the alto part is on two notes (or, if you’re lucky, three). And when we sing an anthem and we lift our hearts in praises, The men get all the juicy bits and telling little phrases. Of course the trebles sing the tune – they always come off best; The altos only get three notes and twenty-two bars’ rest. We practice very hard each week from hymn book and the Psalter, But when the conductor looks at us our voices start to falter; "Too high! Too low! Too fast – you held that note too long"! It doesn’t matter what we do – it’s certain to be wrong! Oh! Shed a tear for altos, they’re the Martyrs and they know, In the ranks of choral singers they’re considered very low. They are so very ‘umble that a lot of folk forget ‘em; How they’d love to be sopranos, but their vocal cords won’t let ‘em! And when the final trumpet sounds and we are wafted higher, Sopranos, bases, tenors – they’ll be in the Heavenly Choir. While they sing "Alleluia!" to celestial flats and sharps, The altos will be occupied with polishing the harps. author unknown ..but definitely must be an alto

*** * * * * * * * * * Prayer is not the least you can do for someone, prayer is the MOST you can do for someone. Prayer is the mightiest force in the world. Salvation is free, but discipleship costs everything we have. all Billy Graham * * * * * * * * * ***
HUGGING Feels good, Dispels loneliness, Overcomes fears, Builds self-esteem, (Wow! They actually want to hug Me!) Slows down ageing, Huggers stay younger longer, Eases tension, Fights insomnia, Keeps arm and shoulder muscles in good condition, Is ecologically sound, Does not upset the environment, Is democratic Anyone is eligible for a hug, Is portable, Affirms physical well being, Is energy efficient, saves heat, Makes impossible days possible, Makes happy days happier.
*** * * * * * * * * * THE VIOLET Down in a green and shady bed A modest violet grew, Its stalk was bent, it hung its head As if to hide from view. And yet it was a lovely flower, Its colour bright and fair, It might have graced a rosy bower Instead of hiding there. Yet there it was content to bloom, In modest tints arrayed: And there diffused its sweet perfume Within the silent shade. Then let me to the valley go This pretty flower to see, That I may also learn to grow In sweet humility. Written by Jane Taylor (1783 – 1824) who wrote the famous "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" with her sister Ann. * * * * * * * * * *** Genealogists are the only people happy to receive a death certificate in the post! Definition of genealogy - chasing your own tale.