Greater Heart

Pity the life that knows not sorrow
Enlarging the heart beyond all petty care
Giving the hope that on some glad tomorrow
That greater heart may hold more love
With more to share.

Remembering

 I am longing for the low lands

For the plains of happiness

Where the silver shades of evening

Fall to comfort and to bless 

There the vesper bells are ringing

When the evening shadows fall

There contented hearts are singing

I can hear their tender call 

I can hear sweet voices calling

From remembered yesterdays

Golden tones so sweetly falling

On my heart strings gently play 

All the ties of memory bind me

All the wishes of my heart

To the dear ones in the valley

Long too long we've been apart.

 (This poem written at age Fifteen

after marrying and moving away

from home.)   

Code 

I wrote a lightsome rhyme of verse

Innocuous pleasant reading

Between the lines I knew you'd find

A tortured heart bleeding.  

Share  

Share with the world

The weeping world

The grace that from His

Face Doth shine 

And with that sharing You will find

Joy of heart and peace of mind

When the true light shines

There is no night

Only loves eternal light.   

Victory 

The ghastly plow of war cuts deep

And turns up ground unknown and rich

New spires to God grow from such sod

Watered by blood and tears of man

Fruit of his heart and brain and hand.   

Via Dolorosa 

The soul of the rose is glory

The thorn is the pain to bear

And those who would live in story

The thorn of the rose must wear

For what do we gain unpaid for

And what without price is bought

There's the price to pay of denial

Of pain or effort or love

We climb o'er the bitt'rest trial

To rest on the heights above. 

Memories 

Tho' memories fade away In life's long lonely day

You're still in my heart In my heart to stay

And when I miss you Tho' you are so far

I just look in my heart And there you are.   

A Tear I weep

The tear that stains my cheek because of you Is mystery

A drop perhaps once flowing in Cleopatra's Nile

Or on the cheek of Magdalene chased away A smile

Locked long, long secret ages in frozen Glacier ice

Or flowing sweet in Eden when Adam found A wife.   

Coda 

Sweet are the tears of healing

Bitter the tears of strife

Endless the flowing cycle

Precious water of life.   

Clipper Ships A:

Chanty  

In the days of wind and sail

The Clipper reigned as queen of the sea

Helena, Lightening, Seawitch, names

Of long remembered fame 

I was a sailor before the mast

My hearty mates were tried and true

A likely crew we weathered the calm

And the stormy blast 

Oh for the days of salt and sail

The scream of the wind the howl of the gale

The lusty songs of my trusty mates

When the trade winds bleu 

Theres never a ship so gallant and free

No breed of men like men of the sea

Sailing their beautiful ships

On the sea of memory 

Over the ocean wide and deep

Breasting the billows briny sweep

Salt wind singing a song

Through her mainsail's straining gear 

Laden with spice and silk and jade

Ivory and apes and peacocks to trade

Racing for home on the wings of

The wind and scudding spray.  

"Never Too Big, Never Too Small"Rev. 21: 21 

Twelve little oysters at the bottom of the sea,

Of what value could they be!

Then they heard a distant call

"I need twelve pearls from you all"

Then the pearls began to grow

A mighty size began to show

The oysters feasted on the flow; 

Long years went by, again the call

"I need twelve pearls from you all"

Twelve pearls appeared on the sand

To be gathered up with a Mighty Hand

For gates of pearl in the promised land

And in that city with streets of gold

The gates of pearl shall never close.   

Dreamweaver 

Weave me a dream dream weaver

My heart is weary to-night

One little dream dreamweaver

Weave me a dream to-night 

Take all my treasures take all my gold

For one little dream dreamweaver

Though all my tomorrows

Be lonely and cold

Weave me a dream to-night 

One little dream of a time that is gone

Weave me a dream of a love that has flown

One little dream of a love bright and new

A love that is old a love that is true

Dreamweaver weave me a dream 

Fling all the sunshine tomorrow may bring

Line up the stars with the angels to sing

Waft the sweet springtime of yesterday's dream

Dreamwever weave me a dream. 

(A prayer that was answered, but only realized years later).   

God's greater plan 

I believe God has a greater plan for man

A greater plan than earthly man can understand

When we grow up to know

His greater grace and glory

We shall understand

God's greater plan for man 

Of the increase of

His kingdom there shall surely be no end.

Ah' er Pardon me, When I learn more I'll let you know.

Note: Statement abbreviated for lack of complete details.   

A Children's song 

Hobo Brown has come to town

All the children in the park

Clap their hands at the Hobo's bark

Hobo Brown Hobo Brown

We're so glad you came to town 

A little cold nose and a warm red tongue

Ready to scamper ready to run

Hobo Brown is a dog about town

Off and away on his friendly round

Everybody loves the tough little clown

The doggie we call little Hobo Brown 

One day the train pulled into town

And the whistle gave it's siren sound

Hobo perked his sassy ears

And the call is strong that the Hobo hears 

But the children playing in the park

Have made a claim on the Hobo's heart

And we'll laugh and play many a day

With that frisky clown little Hobo Brown.   

The River 

The deep flowing rivers' a symbol of life

Each eddy of quite a covering for strife

A turbulent current secreted from view

As deeply as I hide my sorrows from you 

Gay whirling rapids expression of joys

Gladsome as that of proverbial boys

When school time is over and freedom is king

May freedom be ever the theme rivers sing  

But hark what is this further down that I find

Deep river it seems that you have changed your mind

You're harnessed to labor your song in deep sound

Rings happy contented in work that you've found.   

Traitor Heart 

Oh traitor heart to beat when love is gone

To ache and throb and struggle on

False heart to beat in vain when life is done

And not lie still and rest when love has flown

False heart, false heart oh traitor heart

To throb within this aching breast

And not lie still and be at rest.   

Consolation 

When sorrow came to pass

It did not come to stay

Thank God thank God

It came to pass away.   

The Race 

Hear the silent thunder of a Million heart beats

Hear the raging thunder of a Million footsteps

Hear the silent rain of a Million tears 

Hear the gentle echoes down through the years

This air we breath, blew soft in Eden

This water we drink, flowed sweet in Galilee  

Hear the silent thunder of a Million heart beats

Hear the raging thunder of a Million foot steps

Hear the silent rain of a million tears.   

Moon Light Journey 

I lie awake in moonlight

And make a plan of sorts

To weigh my anchor at midnight

And sail for foreign ports 

I'll first put in at PekingI'l

l ride in a Jin-Rickshaw

I'll cool with a fan of a peacock's wing,

Give orders to a coolie boy 

In Bombay next I'll quarter

Strange brews of wine I'll quaff

In gay bazaars I'll barter

Choose beauty and lightly laugh 

Oh sight and sound, oh color and smell,

Oh riot of things unmeasured!

And I shall know for me 'tis well

These memories to have treasured 

I'll lie awake in moon light

When years have weathered these ports

To weigh my anchor at midnight

And sail for foreign ports.   

Fountain 

Lord let me live each day by grace for Thee

In Thee may all who ask, find faith and charity

Lord from Thy holy throne look down and see

Thy children seek Thy Face, they wait for Thee 

Lord make my life a fountain flowing

Waters of truth that come from Thee

Forever outward past my knowing

In other lives borne back to Thee 

Lo many wait for freedom in Thy word proclaimed

By Thee all things in heaven and earth are named

I must arise about Thy work to be

It may be that they also wait for me.   

Philosophy Of The Helpless 

When I see you riding like a comet

Calmly at the most exciting moment

Never the cares of earth to worry you

Never the scar of sin to flurry you

Never a doubt of men to unnerve you

Then's when I envy you 

Envy you your serenity

Envy your lack of enmity

Envy you your in difference

Envy you your munificence

Envy you your power God given

To roam at free will His heaven  

Petty earth bound prisoned mortal

Longing gaze at the immortal

Yet they have what you have not

A heart to love and brain of thought

A soul that blooms forget me not.

This is the first poem written at age

Eleven for little Sister Ruby.   

The Truck Driver's Prayer
In Memory Of A Son

Oh God of hills and dales
Of city streets and long, long trails
Go with me on my way
By night and day I pray
Be with the ones I love
Till I reach home again.

Call His Name Wonderful

Born of a woman born under the law
He nailed our sins with Him to the cross
Wonderful Jesus mighty to save
Brought resurrection with Him from the grave.

The Old New Story

Have they told you truly how God loves you
How He sent His Son to die for sinful men
There's a fountain open to the house of David
For uncleanness and for sin
For the souls of sinful men

Have they told you clearly how to find Him
In His word He said ye must be born again
At some altar bow your knees confess to Jesus
He will take away your sin

Have you learned to walk each day beside Him
Trusting only in His tender love and grace
Oh what peace and joy to live with Him forever
And to look upon His Face
To behold Him Face to face.

My Prayer

Oh Lord my need cries out to Thee
My fainting faith on bended knee
Light of my day hope of my night
Remember me remember me.



Love Card To A Friend

Through the years, through smiles and tears
Asking so little, giving so much,
Always faithful always true,
We just can't help loving you.

Share

Share with the world
The weeping world
The grace that from His Face
Doth shine

And with that sharing
You will find
Joy of heart and peace of mind

When the true light shines
There is no night
Only loves eternal light.

Nameless

Lonely despised and forsaken
Fearful alone in despair
Who but my Savior could help me
Who but my Savior would care

Led by His grace in green pastures
Walking by waters so still
Hand in hand with the Master
Seeking His perfect will

Beautiful banners of glory
Beautiful banners of love
Snowy white banners fly oe'r me
Gift of the Heavenly Dove.



Consecration

As rain to the desert sand
As drink to the thirsty land
Your tender love is manna to me
Rest in a weary land

My hovering heart beats near you
Like a wild bird brooding her young
My spirit content to rest in the dust
Or wing to a distant star

Go where you will go where you must
My heart is there where you are.



Hold My Hand

Lord hold my hand
Cause my feet to stand
Reaching out to take

My needy brother's hand
Make me a bridge of love
Spending and spent for Thee
Sharing Thy tender love
The love that comes from Thee

Lord hold my hand
Cause me to stand
Make me a bridge of love
That souls may come to Thee.




"The God Of The Second Chance"

The vessel was marred in the Potter's Hand
But He kept the pieces to try again
He shaped it slowly, with steady Hand
Then fired it to it's needs demand
Some saw it as an altar bowl
Some saw it as a pot.



Memories

Tho' memories fade away
In life's long lonely day
You're still in my heart
In my heart to stay
And when I miss you
Tho' you are so far
I just look in my heart
And there you are.

"Awake And Sing"

Awake and sing the bells of glory ring
Awake my heart awake and sing
Awake awake the dawn is breaking
It's tinder light has touched the night
New hope is born the night is flown
Awake my heart awake and sing.

Resurgence

So long as blood and sap shall surge
In cycles mingle, part and merge
Death shall not conquer nor shall night
Forever bar the dawn of light

So long as faith and truth endure
Gods love is pure and hope is sure
We shall not falter nor despair
For He will all our burdens share

We'll call on Him in every need
His is the harvest His the seed
No cloudy day nor shade of night
Can hide His Face or dim His Light.



Cicada

Cast off reject
The silken bonds of yesterday's cocoon
Lift free the fragile wings of newborn dreams
Emerge, upsurge, in-breathe the tender green
The budding perfume of another spring
And tremble in the Glory of the dawn.



The Comforter
Hebrews13:8

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today
And forever."
He will keep all my tomorrows
He has healed my yesterdays.



Sowing
Plant good seed today
For the fruit of tomorrow
That the fruits of tomorrow
Bear no pain no sorrow.



Through The Valley
Faith and love lead through the valley
Hope follows close on hov'ring wings
Fruit of faith fruit of love
Blessed hope on hov'ring wings.



God's Family On Earth

Born again
We are God's family on earth
Fathers and Mothers are we
We are God's children by birth
Brothers and Sisters are we
Born of His spirit born of His love
We are God's children by birth
We are God's family on earth.

Freedom Is

Freedom is a pencil in the hand
A mind unfettered by the belly's gross demand
Freedom is the grace to walk the road
Staunch beneath another's heavy load
Freedom is a clarion voice to speak
Strong for the helpless and the weak
Oh angels unaware, oh angels unaware.

Come One, Come All

Partners Wanted
Would you like to merge with a
Powerful zillionaire?
You just bring all your junk and
Paraphernalia to Him
And He gives His all to you!

Be sure to follow His advice
He's been in business a long time
And knows the ropes
What a deal! what a contract!
Oh yes He's widely known as
The Maker of the universe
And all that's in it.

Applications taken Twenty-four hours
Every day. Hurry!
Offer subject to expire suddenly.
Don't miss out on this one of a kind offer.

One Perfect Day

I'd like to make each day of life
A jewel bright oh Lord for Thee
Each night a cord that binds them
In a strand eternally

The colors bright that flash and gleam
Of golden deeds of love
Each facet of a Holy dream
To live one perfect day for Thee
I'd love to weave a chain of golden hours
To fashion one pure perfect day for Thee
I'd lay it at Thy feet among the flowers
Then kneel to pray and rise to worship Thee

I long to make each hour glow
With words of tender kindness
I yearn to give my heart and soul
To help and heal earth's blindness

For many go their heedless way
And never stop to kneel and pray
They never turn to Thee and say
Oh Lord I'll live for Thee.

Man From Cyrene

They called my name Simon
Man from Cyrene
They laid on my shoulders
That great heavy cross
I walked there beside Him
The great Galilean
I was only a stranger
Bewildered and lost


To me it was given
To walk that last mile
The throng was so wicked
So cruel so wild
But Peace walked beside me
The Son of God's love
My shield and Saviour
Sent down from above


They still call me Simon
Not man from Cyrene
But Simon who walked
With the great Galilean
A stranger no longer
No sorrow no loss
For He took my burden
On the old rugged cross.

"Remember"

For Diane

There's someone to say "I love you"
A heart full of love to enfold you
Forever to hold and adore you
If it's only the likes of me
There's someone to say "I love you"
If it's only the likes of me
Always forever to hold you
If it's only the likes of me.

God's Love

He watered the world with His Tears
He darkened the light of the sun
When the blood ran down on Calvary
The blood of His Only Son
The bargain made the price was paid
Arise arise sign on the line
Eternal life is thine.

Broken Vessels

Broken pitchers shed forth the light
Lights that flicker pale in the night
Piercing the darkness lending their light
Broken pitchers lighting the night
Let the light shine though the vessel is broken
There is some other alone in the night
Deeds left undone, words left unspoken
Can never lend hope nor shed forth the light.

"He's Busy Today"
Psalms 147:8

He's busy today preparing the rain
To water green pastures on the mountains of God
He's busy I know preparing the rain
Streams for the desert to bloom like the rose.

Whimsy 1
A Summer Dream

A little ramblin' rain
Pokin' round my do'
Lappin' on my windo'
Dancin' on my flo'
A little ramblin' rain
On my windo' pane
Laughin' at a sun beam
In a summer dream.

Whimsy 2

Sometimes I wonder
Has memory flown
Eloped with the bird of time
But my heart says "no"
I can't and I won't
Forget you till the end of time.

Whimsy 3

" What have we done lately?"

Man never hung any stars in the sky
Nor spoke into being a sun or a moon
Not a mouse made he no birds no bees
He made no butterflies he made no trees
How many stars have we hung in the sky
How many birds did we teach to fly
How many butterflies how many bees?

The Promise

I don't understand all mysteries
I can't dot the I s' and cross the T s'
But I know what my Saviour promised me
Yes I know what my Saviour promised me
Put thy loving kindness in my heart to stay
Let my earthly journey be a praise to Thee.

God's greater plan

I believe God has a greater plan for man
A greater plan than earthly man can understand
When we grow up to know His greater grace and glory
We shall understand God's greater plan for man

Of the increase of His kingdom there shall surely be no end.
Ah' er Pardon me,
When I learn more I'll let you know.
Note: Statement abbreviated for lack of complete details.

Unbroken Bread

The rich man feasted every day
And did not care
While the beggar laid at his gate
In despair

It is not a lack of bread
That starves the unfed lost
It is the lack of broken bread

It is the silent host
The timid silent fearful one
Who eats his bread alone.

The Prodigal Son

There is a true story of the prodigal son
A story of love and the wandering one
He took all his goods and went far away
From his kind father's house he wandered astray
Then in a far land his riches all gone
One day he remembered his father and home

I will arise and go to my father
I will confess all my terrible sin
I know I'm unworthy to be called thy son
Oh make me thy servant please take me in
I've sinned against heaven I've sinned against thee
I' m no longer worthy thine own son to be

The father beheld him far down the long road
And from his old heart fell a sad heavy load
He ran out to meet him with gladness and joy
For this was no beggar but his own precious boy

Put a ring on his finger put shoes on his feet
Bring forth the best robe for my son
Rejoice oh my people with a glad song to greet
The wand'rer who from his long journey comes home.

Tender Hands

Reach down Thy tender Hands to me
Reach down Thy Holy nail scarred Hands
Heal my sin sick soul and set me free
Let me reach out helping hands for Thee
Oh save my weary soul and let me be
Blessed to reach down tender hands like Thee

"A World Gone Right"

I dream of a world gone right
When other's burdens are our own
To bear and to share in the pain
'Tis the gift of God's love
Sent down from above
Just a dream of a world gone right.

Yonder

My heart is yonder somewhere with you
Wherever you wander where skies are blue
I'll keep the clouds here they can never harm you
While my heart is yonder, yonder with you

I wait and wonder but my heart is true
Why must you wander beyond the blue.

Sometimes the rain falls I'm missing you
But my heart is yonder, yonder with you
Somewhere out yonder beyond the blue
Wherever you wander my heart goes too.

A cow's Tale

My first real embarrassment came at the age of Eight.
My father was in the timber business, and we lived in
the country. He kept a good cow so we could have fresh milk.
We had no pasture so we staked the cow out with a long rope
so she could eat grass.

On this day it fell my lot to take her to the spring to drink at noon.
With some anxiety I led her, I was a little afraid of her horns.
When she finished drinking we started back on the deep, sandy
road Which passed the company office building.
Lumber buyers from town were just leaving and were talking at the door.

As we came up the hill my ungrateful charge Decided to go back to her
grazing ground at once. Faster and faster we went, I clinging grimly to the rope.
Just before we reached the office, her speed really picked up. I was swept off my
feet and we passed the office at about twenty five miles an hour, my cow strung out
like a race horse and I sledding along the deep sandy road on my belly until the rope
was wrenched out of my death-grip and my cow escaped to greener pastures.
My audience was convulsed with loud laughter.
I bet any stand-up comic would love to give such a successful performance
as I did on my belly - Of course I had an advantage - I had a good cow.


Traitor Heart

Oh traitor heart to beat when love is gone
To ache and throb and struggle on
False heart to beat in vain when life is done
And not lie still and rest when love has flown
False heart, false heart oh traitor heart
To Throb within this aching breast
And not lie still and be at rest.




The Best Laid Plans

Once on a time I thought about making a fortune.
Then I was faced with the problem of "how?" Ah Ha, I'll try
sales, but what to sell?
Everything I could think of was too something.
Too heavy, too expensive too ordinary or just plain too late.


I tried to define the qualities of a perfect sales item.
First it must be attractive, durable and at least appear to be useful.
Ah Ha I'm on my way, that's sales appeal!
Second the product must be short-lived, disposable or easy to lose
(my conniving side at work) good repeat sales.


Next I thought of volume. This wonderful item must have world wide
appeal to children, adults, men, women, old and young.
Eureka I'm on my way!

Now price. This perfect seller should be a real bargain or at least
of reasonable value. Ah Ha this is looking good! Of course the overhead
is important.

The item must be small and light weight for handling, shipping and storage economy.
This is bound to be a winner! Then I met my Waterloo so to speak.
This item must fit all or most of the above categories.
All I could think of was the fountain pen I held in my hand!



Christian Goal

To follow Paul's advice:
Elect of God, Holy and beloved. To have and put on bowels of mercies, kindness,
meekness, humbleness of mind, Long suffering, forbearing, forgiving.

As Christ has forgiven us so also do we forgive others. Above all these,
put on charity and let the peace of God rule in our hearts.
To which we are called in one body and we are thankful.

So let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom, teaching and
admonishing, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord.
Whatsoever we do in word or deed we do in the name of the Lord Jesus.

We give thanks to God and the Father by Him.
Whatsoever we do, we do heartily as to the Lord and not unto men, knowing
that of the Lord Jesus we shall receive the reward of the inheritance for
we serve the Lord Christ.
Amen.

Finale

Quote From Ralph Waldo Emerson

"As the marsh hen builds
On the grass and the sod
I will build me a nest
On the mercies of God."