THE PILOT’S PRAYER

Mariner’s 23rd Psalm

          

          The Lord is my Pilot,

          I shall not drift,

          He lights my way across dark waters,

          He steers me in the dark channels,

          He keeps my log.

          He guides me by the star of Bethlehem

          For His Name’s sake,

          And yes though I sail ‘mid the tempests of life,

          I shall dread no danger, for Thou art with me.

          You prepare a harbour before me in the homeland of eternity.

          You anoint the waves with oil, and my ship glides calmly into still waters.

          Surely sunlight and starlight shall follow me on the voyage I take

          And I will rest in the port of my God forever.

 

Freely adapted by Capt. John H. Roberts (1874)

(seen in The Sailor’s Church, Rye Harbour, Sussex)

(‘Sea Sunday’ is in mid-July each year)

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A POSITIVE THOUGHT

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring, and a sunrise every morning.
Whenever you want to talk, He’ll listen.
He could live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.
What about the Christmas gift He sent you in Bethlehem;
not to mention that Friday at Calvary?
Face it, He’s crazy about you.


 Send this to the people you care about.
I thought this was mighty special, just like you.
Pass this on and brighten someone’s day, and remember . . .
God answers Knee-Mail!

(Prayer!)

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IF GOD SHOULD GO ON STRIKE

How good it is that God above has never gone on strike

Because He was not treated fair in things He didn’t like;

If only once He had sat down, and said "That’s it! I’m through:

I’ve had enough of those on earth, so this is what I’ll do —

I’ll give my orders to the sun — Cut off the heat supply:

And to the moon, Give no more light, And run the oceans dry."

Then just to make things really tough, and put the pressure on,

"Turn off the vital oxygen till every breath is gone."

 

You know, He would be justified, if fairness was the game,

For no-one has been more abused or met with such disdain

Than God, and yet He carries on, supplying you and me

With all the favours of His grace, and everything for free!

Men say they want a better deal, and so ‘on strike’ they go;

But what a deal we’ve given God, to Whom all things we owe,

We don’t care who we hurt or harm to gain the things WE like

BUT — what a mess we’d all be in IF GOD SHOULD GO ON STRIKE.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.

but

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.

If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,

He learns to find love in the World"

by Dorothy Law Nolte