Stories and Anecdotes - Favorite Hymns

Dentist’s Hymn                             Crown Him with Many Crowns

Weatherman’s Hymn                     There Shall be Showers of Blessing

Contractor’s Hymn                         The Church’s One Foundation

Tailor’s Hymn                                 Holy, Holy, Holy

Golfer’s Hymn                                There is a Green Hill Far Away

Politician’s Hymn                            Standing on the Promises

Optometrist’s Hymn                        Open My Eyes That I Might See

IRS Agent’s Hymn                           I Surrender All

Gossip’s Hymn                               Pass It On

Electrician’s Hymn                          Send the Light

Shopper’s Hymn                             Sweet By and By

And hymns for highway speeders

45 mph . . . . . . . . God Will Take Care of You

55 mph . . . . . . . . Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah       

65 mph . . . . . . . . Nearer My God to Thee

75 mph . . . . . . . . Nearer Still Nearer

85 mph . . . . . . . . This World is Not My Home

95 mph . . . . . . . . Lord, I’m Coming Home

And over 100. . . . Precious Memories

Poem by Grace E. Troy - What Does it Matter?

What does it matter –- unlearned tho I be

In earth’s knowledge that passeth away –-

Since I have the Wisdom that came from above

For which I had nothing to pay?

What does it matter –- unloved tho I be

By the world and its frivolous throng –

Since I have a Friend -– the Savior Divine

Whose love fills my heart with a song!

What does it matter –- unknown tho I be

In annals of mere mortal man -–

Since God is my Father and knew me by name

Before this creation began.

Tho poor, I am rich,  I’ve a mansion on high

Unknown -– yet well known I shall be,

Unloved –- yet so loved by the Savior Divine

He died to redeem even me.

Poem by J.G. Holland - God Give Us Men

God give us men.  The time demands

Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and willing hand;

Men whom the lust office does not kill;

Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;

Men who possess opinions and a will;

Men who have honor; men who will not lie;

Men who can stand before a demagogue

Condemn his treacherous flatteries without winking;

In public duty and in private thinking!

For while the rabble with their thumb-worn creeds,

Their large professions and their little deeds

Mingle in selfish strife; lo! Freedom weeps!

Wrong rules the land, and waiting Justice sleeps!

Poem by Dinnie McDole Hayes - Father, Are You There?

A little child lay in the dark;

The room was strange, he saw nowhere,

He was afraid; but then he called,

“Father, are you there?”

He felt a hand, so strong and warm,

Close clasping his; the calm and clear

He heard his father’s tender voice,

“Yes, laddie, I am here.”

Like that small child, we sometimes feel

That we are in the dark of care;

In terror of some harm, we call,

“O Father, are You there?”

We reach our hand to Him, and find

A blessed answer to our fear;

His hand holds ours; we hear His voice,

“Fear not, for I am here.”

So though we tremble in the dark,

In need of strength and help and cheer,

We have a tender Father’s word,

“Fear not, for I am here.”

Poem by Edward H. Richards - The Wise Old Owl

A wise old owl sat on an oak,

The more he saw the less he spoke;

The less he spoke the more he heard;

Why aren’t we like that wise old bird?

Poem by Unknown - A Decrepit Old Gasman

A decrepit old gasman, named Peter

While hunting around his gas heater,

Touched a leak with his light;

He rose out of sight -----

And, as everyone knows anything about poetry can tell you, he also ruined the meter.

Poem by Anthony Euwer - My Face

As a beauty I’m not a great star,

There are others more handsome, by far,

But my face ---- O don’t mind it

For I am behind it,

It’s the people in front get the jar!

Poem by Unknown - Somebody

Somebody did a golden deed;

Somebody proved a friend in need;

Somebody sang a beautiful song;

Somebody smiled the whole day long;

Somebody thought “Tis sweet to live”;

Somebody said “I’m glad to give”

Somebody fought a valiant fight;

Somebody lived to shield the right;

Was that “somebody” you?

Poem by Unknown - Prayer Answered

I asked for strength that I might achieve;

He made me weak that I might obey.

I asked for health that I might do greater things;

I was given grace that I might do better things.

I asked for riches that I might be happy;

I was given poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;

I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;

I was given life that I might enjoy all things,

I received nothing that I asked for, all that I hoped for,

My prayer was answered.

Poem by John Greenleaf Whittier - Eternal Goodness

I know not what the future hath

Of marvel or surprise;

Assured alone that life and death

His mercy underlies.

And if my hear and flesh are weak

To bear an untried pain,

The bruised reed He will not break,

But strengthen and sustain

No offerings of my own I have,

No works my faith to prove;

I can but give the gifts He gave,

And plead His love for love.

And so, beside the silent sea,

I wait the muffled oar;

No harm from Him can come to me

On ocean or on shore.

I no not where His islands lift

Their fronded palms in air;

I only know I cannot drift

Beyond His love and care.

Stories and Anecdotes - Anyone Saved Lately?

            The little old lady viewing Westminster Abbey was an unusual tourist.  She looked like someone’s plain, lovable, unpretentious grandmother, in her shapeless hat and rumpled print dress.  She listened to the guide’s droning description, glanced with interest at every stone and inscription, but did not seem overawed.  Finally she stopped the guide, her gaze sweeping over the great Abbey, steeped in Christian tradition and greatness, and said, “Young man, stop your chatter and tell me, has anyone been saved here lately?”

            There has never been a time when there was more building of churches than there is today.  It is hard to find a church in hour area that is not engaged in a building program.  This is necessary because of the expanding population that is crowding many of our churches beyond their capacity.  But in the midst of our beautiful buildings, with their dedication to the worship of God, it would be wise to stop our busy efforts and to ask ourselves the questions, “Has anyone one saved here lately?”

Poem by James Whitcomb Riley - In a Friendly Sort O' Way

When a man ain’t got a cent, and he’s feeling kind o’ blue.

An’ the clouds hang dark an’ heavy, an’ won’t let the sunshine through,

It’s a great thing, O, my brethren, for a feller just to lay

His hand upon your shoulder in a friendly sort o’ way!

I makes a man feel curious, it makes the teardrops start,

An’ you sort o’ feel a flutter in the region of the heart;

You can look up and meet his eyes; you don’t know what to say

When his hand is on your shoulder in a friendly sort o’ way.

Oh, the world’s a curious compound, with it honey and its gall,

With its cares and bitter crosses, but a good world, after all.

An’ a good God must have made it---leastways, that is what I say,

When a hand is on my shoulder in a friendly sort of way

Poem by Ilah Jane Kilian - Winding Down the Corridor of Life

Sometimes the path winds straight and narrow,

Sometimes it bends and twists,

At times the thorns may prick us,

Our reaction may be to resist.

The Lord always has a reason,

His purpose is divine,

Whatever is the season,

It’s His will and not mine.

Our corners must be polished,

To let His love shine through.

Our attitudes and actions

Show just what we must do.

Life has been a blessing

My children a delight;

The Lord has blessed me greatly,

From early ‘morn ‘til night.

Life isn’t always easy,

The briars prick and hurt;

But Jesus goes before us

He is always on alert.

So as I journey onward

His purpose hid from view –

I’ll trust Him for the future,

I know His Word is true.

Poem by Grace E. Troy - Wait for Him

God’s delays are not denials

He has heard your prayers

He knows all about your trials;

Knows your every care,

God’s delays are not denials;

Help is on the way

He is watching o’er life’s dials,

Bringing forth the day

God’s delays are not denials;

You will find Him true

Working through the darkest trials

What is best for you.

Poem by Grace E. Troy - I Knoweth Not, But He Knows

I know not what the Home is like

Which He went to prepare

It is enough for me to know

My Saviour will be there

He’s promised that He’ll come for me;

His word He’’ll surely keep;

It may not now be very long

Till we together meet.

I know not what a day may bring

Into this world’s long night

I know the Judge of all the earth

Will only do what’s right.

Tho thru this life’s mysterious ways

The heart may often quail

My hope is anchored safe and sound

In Him who cannot fail.

And when He comes to bring me home

And whispers low to me

One look from Him will satisfy

Thru all eternity.

"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."

Job 23:10

Poem by Phoebe Cary - Nearer Home

One sweetly solemn thought

Comes to me o’er and o’er;

I an nearer home today

Than I ever have been before

Nearer my Father’s house,

Where the many mansions be;

Near the great white throne,

Nearer the crystal sea;

Nearer the bound of life,

Where we lay our burdens down;

Nearer leaving the cross,

Nearer gaining the crown!

But lying darkly between,

Winding down through the night,

Os the silent unknown stream,

That leads at last to the light.

Closer and closer my steps

Come to the dread abysm;

Closer death to my lips

Presses the awful chasm

Oh, if my mortal feet

Have almost gained the brink;

If it be I am nearer home

Even today than I think;

Father, perfect my trust;

Let my spirit feel in death,

That her feet are firmly set

On the rock of a living faith!

Poem by Unknown - Just Be Content

Most every day a little boy

Comes driving past our house,

With the nicest little pony---

Just the color of a mouse—

And a groom rides close behind him

So he won’t get hurt, you see,

And I used to wish the pony

And the cart belonged to me.

I used to watch him from our porch,

And wish that I could own

His pony and his little cart,

And ride out all alone.

And once when I knelt down at night,

I prayed the Lord that He

Would fix it so the pony

And the cart belonged to me.

But yesterday I saw him

Where he lives, and now I know

Why he never goes out walkin’

‘Cause his legs are withered so!

And last night when I was kneelin’

With my head on mother’s knee,

I was glad he had the pony

And the cart, instead of me.