A Hand Along the Journey: Poems for the King from One Pilgrim to Another

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” II Tim. 4:7 I’ve been entrusted with the Truth, A rare and precious gift, And it’s my job to pass it on As I run life’s race so swift. So many through the years I’ve known Have loved and lived for Him And it’s my turn, as they have shone, To never let His light grow dim. To stay the course consistently, To focus on the prize, To never stop, to faithful be Before all watching eyes.   My children see me every day; They must see Christ in me, If they’re likewise to Him obey When the baton transfers again shortly. There’s more to life than temporal things And pleasures we enjoy. We run for Jesus, King of Kings; His will is our employ. So run today I must, I will, With all that in me is! His strength will keep me running still  Through all my life, the  glory His.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul.” – Psalm 103 Holy Savior, Son of God, On this very Earth You trod, Stepped across the universe, Born to become one of us. Holy Savior, Son of Man, Living by the Father’s plan, Died to pay the price for sin So we could be born again. Holy Savior, I need You! Though I’ve received life anew, Still I often fail to be All that I know honors Thee. Holy Savior, Gracious Friend, God Who loves me without end, Make my life a fragrance sweet As I worship at Your feet. Holy Savior, Heaven’s King, There one day Your praise I’ll sing, And until then here do the same As I seek to live Your Name.

“…the glory of children are their fathers.” – Proverbs 17:6 A mirror of my daddy’s face Is in my soul; time can’t erase All that he means, or his embrace; He’ll always hold an honored place. I think of my dad every day, And often wish he could have stayed. I’d give a lot to hear what he’d say To grown-up questions I’d send his way. I’d give a lot if he could know The man I married, who’s like him so, And watch his grandchildren as they grow; But God’s answer to those hopes was “no.” When I was young, I never knew How great my daddy really was; I grew Up not quite knowing just how true An unsung hero he was, how great his honor due. But he knew we loved him, and he gave His love to his family, who bear his name. He lives today beyond the grave, Because of Jesus, Whose power does save. So, Daddy, know I still love you, And will until this life is through; And then in Heaven with life anew I’ll sing His ...

John 14:23 - Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him. Dear Christ, when You were here on earth, And traveling dusty roads, There was a place You loved to be – A home in the town of Bethany. There Your weary feet could rest, Your spirit be encouraged, For Bethany betokened love, A reminder of Your home above. A place to go, forever welcome, To fellowship with friends; To eat a meal, or just be still,   To love, and to be loved. Lord Jesus, we kneel before You know, Just starting our own home; We consecrate it all to Thee –   Oh, make it like Bethany! May You always be welcome within our doors, Just as You were by those friends; Help us always to treasure and worship You With all that we are and do. Help us also daily to love one another, Living Your sacred design. Ma...

“Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is: Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment.” Mark 12:29-30 "To love the LORD my God," This is the great command. It is the highest call that my Allegiance can demand. “To love the LORD my God With all my heart and soul, With all my mind and strength,” This is my foremost goal. I love You with my heart! Feelings, desires bend their knee To You, for You gave up Your own In dark Gethsemane. I love You with my soul! My spirit yearns for You, Creator and Completer Who Alone breathes life and truth. I love You with my mind! Thoughts, questions, reasonings Do kneel in faith and choose to dwell On You the Answer, wisdom’s well. I love You with my strength! All that within me is Uni...

Revelation 4:11 "...for Your pleasure they [all things] are and were created." One day I planted tiny seeds, And dreamed of fragrant flowers fair That soon would grow and bud and bloom, And grace the air with their perfume. The dirt was rich and watered right; The spot would get good bright sunlight. Well-cut stones enclosed the plot;  B lankets of mulch finished the spot. With dusty hands I strode away. I’d put in good hard work that day, And my rewards the time would tell. My job was through, and finished well. But, lo, it was not so to be! For as the little flowers pushed Their bright green stems up through the ground, There came imposters scattered round. At first I didn’t notice them (So harmless did they all blend in). But as the days and weeks went by They grew much stronger, thick and high. Then one day I chanced to pass And saw the weeds' results at last. ‘Twas then I learned a...

“Her children arise up, and call her blessed…” – Prov. 31:28 I stepped outside the eighth of May To cut some flowers for Mothers’ Day, But stopped on steps and looked about For morning did its message shout. The secrets of the clear bright dawn Sang out to me a mother’s song, And truths that I saw pictured there I now write down with you to share. As newly risen sun did shine On all its pale orange rays did find, I thought of tender smiles I’ve seen From my mom, that gave light to me. I heard the varied songs of birds Who praise their Maker without words. My mom’s sweet songs still fill my heart For she often sang as she moved about. I saw the trees stand tall and straight. I’ve seen them stay the same; it’s great To know my mom still steady is Through all life’s changes of that and this. I felt the gentle breeze of spring The refreshing coolness that it brings, Li...