Two Ditches

Two Ditches Out on my own, but not equippedTo meet with life’s demands.From childish props I’m fully strippedFirst one and then another slippedFrom my unwilling hands. Oh, how it burned to let them go!I found the process hard,And though I wouldn’t let it show,I fondly clenched my status quo,Til I was deeply scarred. When finally […]

Old Soldier

Old Soldier Old soldier, have you left your post?The place for which you fought? The cross was once your only boastAnd held you to the spot. Not words of men, not wealth, not fameCould move you from the place, Where planted firm in Jesus’ name,You preached transforming grace. You stood for Christ, your faith was […]

Mary of Bethany

Mary of Bethany What was it Mary soughtThat caused the Lord to say,“The one thing needful she has got.“It won’t be taken away.”? It wasn’t service of the kindThat Martha tried to bear,That weighted up on her fretful mindAnd cumbered her with care. The outward kind that people see,That suits a worldly plan,Is measured by […]

The Road

The Road I took the road less travelled by I took the road less travelled byNot consciously I chose,But followed, without knowing why,The path that upward rose. It hasn’t been an easy course,My progress often blocked,But I look back without remorseFor walking where I walked. When stumbling in some dip or hole,To passion much inclined,I’ve […]

Running

Running You’re running from your troubles,But trouble comes along You’re running from your troubles,But trouble comes along‘Cause when a person’s running,It’s usually him that’s wrong. It may be something littleThat no one really knows,But anywhere you run to,That little trouble goes. Do what you can to shake it,It will not let you go,And all the […]

Dreams

Dreams The dreams I once cherished are lost in the floodOf fast-flowing waves from the current of life. The dreams I once cherished are lost in the floodOf fast-flowing waves from the current of life.The fancies of youth have been nipped in the bud.Reality choked them with trouble and strife. Their sweet-sounding notions can charm […]

Food in Egypt

Food in Egypt Ah, yes, there’s food in Egypt,But what will be the cost? Ah, yes, there’s food in Egypt,But what will be the cost?What troubles will you find there?What virtue may be lost? For no one goes to EgyptBut that he has to pay.It costs a man to eat there,However short the stay. When […]

Our Rose

Our Rose As beauty ripens, Must death invade? As beauty ripens, Must death invade?The grasses wither; The flower fade? The Lord has taken Our rose away;‘Twas He who gave it, We can’t say Nay. And memory hallows Her lingering scentThat sweetly eases Our sore lament. The pain of parting Was not our choice,But that we […]

I Shouldn’t Be Annoyed

I Shouldn’t Be Annoyed I shouldn’t be annoyedThough others seem devoid I shouldn’t be annoyedThough others seem devoidOf decency and common sense,And do their best to give offence. Despite recurring pain,I really can’t complain.Although I feel myself unnerved,No better things have I deserved. My own poor heart is vile,And filled with treacherous guile,And that deceitful, […]

The Wall

The Wall I’ve tried so hard to manage things,And make them work by pulling strings I’ve tried so hard to manage things,And make them work by pulling strings.I’ve laid my plans and thought up schemesTo seal my fortune, catch my dreams,But efforts clever and well-plannedCould not secure them to my hand. I reached a wall […]