Musings Abraham Lincoln

            President Abraham Lincoln often amazed people with his familiarity of the Bible.  In 1864 news had come of the Cleveland , Ohio , convention of a third party which nominated John C. Fremont for President. A friend drifted into the White House, gave Lincoln an account of the convention, and said that instead of the many thousands expected there were present at no time more than 400 people. The President struck by the number mentioned, reached for the Bible on his desk, searched a moment, then read the words: (from 1 Sam 22:2)

            “And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.”

            “Take all this book upon reason that you can, and the balance on faith,” Lincoln said of the Bible to his friend Joshua Speed in 1864, “and you will live and die a better man.”

Poem by Unknown — Emptied and Filled

One by one He took them from me,

All the things I valued most;

Until I was empty handed

Every glittering toy was lost.

And I walked earth’s lonely highways

In my rags and poverty;

Till I heard His voice entreating,

“Lift your empty hands to Me.”

Empty hands I lifted heavenward

And He filled them with a store

Of His own transcendent riches

Till my hands could hold no more.

And at last I comprehended,

With my mind so slow and dull,

That God could not pour His riches

Into hands already full.

Poem by Martha Snell Nicholson — My Advocate

I sinned. And straightway, post-haste, Satan flew

Before the presence of the Most High God,

And made a railing accusation there.

He said, “This soul, this thing of clay and sod,

Has sinned. “Tis true that he had named Thy Name,

But I demand his death, for Thou has said,

“The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Shall not

Thy sentence be fulfilled? Is justice dead?

Send now this wretched sinner to his doom.

What other thing can righteous ruler do?”

And thus he did accuse me day and night,

And every word he spoke, O God, was true!

Then quickly One rose up from God’s right hand,

Before whose glory angels veiled their eyes.

He spoke, “Each jot and tittle of the law

Must be fulfilled: the guilty sinner dies!

But wait . . . Suppose his guilt were all transferred

To ME and that I paid his penalty!

Behold My hands, My side, My feet! One day

I was made sin for him, and died that he

Might be presented faultless, at Thy throne!”

And Satan fled away. Full well he knew

That he could not prevail against such love,

For every word my dear Lord spoke was true!

Various Musings — Grandmothers

Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever --  Anonymous

If God had intended us to follow recipes, he wouldn’t have given us grandmothers --- Linda Henley

It is as grandmothers that our mothers come into the fullness of their grace — Christopher Morley

Just about the time a woman thinks her work is done, she becomes a grandmother. --  Edward H. Dreschnack

You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother.  Proverb

It’s amazing how grandparents seem so young once you become one. -- Anonymous

Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you’re just a mother... The next you are all-wise and prehistoric – Pam Brown

You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother.

When grandparents enter the door, discipline flies out the window.   Ogdon Nash

Have children while your parents are still young enough to take care of them. --  Rita Rudner

Just about the time a woman thinks her work is done, she becomes a grandmother. --  Edward H. Dreschnack

Grandchildren are God’s way of compensating us for growing old. --  Mary H. Waldrip

Poem by Martha Snell Nicholson — I Shall Be Like Him

There is a verse of scripture

Which grips my very soul,

And lights earth’s dingy pathway, ---

A gleaming, shining goal.

So long I have been wearied

Of this weak self of mine,

This sinning, faltering nature,

So different, Lord, from Thine.

And so with utter rapture

I read the words which say

I shall be changed entirely

And be like Thee some day.

Like Thee, like Thee, my Savior?

I cannot understand.

The vessel like the Potter

Who made it with His hand?

The lost lamb like the Shepherd,

The branches like the Vine?

Help me, I am bewildered

With riches poured like wine.

I cannot understand, dear Lord,

I only trust and know

That when at last I am like thee

My cup will overflow.

Poem by Grace E. Troy — Things

Things! Things! Things!

Laboring night and day

To add to one’s earthly store,

Treasures to rust and decay.

Things! Things! Things!

That never can satisfy

The longing of human hearts,

Born for a day --- but to die.

Things! Things! Things!

Gathered with anxious care,

For which not an inch of Heaven’s space

Will be found for keeping up there.

Things! Things! Things!

Bought with our silver and gold,

Which might have been used to send good news

To bring other sheep to His fold.

Things! Things! Things!

Often times bringing more strife,

Some day --- it may be today ---

You’ll be called to account for your life.

Things! Things! Things!

What  then will you say to your Lord?

Your life’s work just wood hay, stubble ---

To be burned at the Great Judge’s word.

Things! Things! Things!

What then of the harvest at last?

Nothing but leaves, no rich golden sheaves

No crown at His feet to be cast.

Poem by Grace E. Troy — Stand Still

Stand still and His salvation see

The battle is the Lord’s

You’ll find as Israel did of old

No need to draw your swords.

Stand still and wait for Him, and thou

Shalt see what He will do,

His arm of old the seas rolled back

To lead His people through.

Stand still God has a thousand ways,

To work His wonders still,

All things in earth and sky and sea

Are working out His will.

Stand still and lift your voices high,

His glorious praises sing.

He for your help is drawing nigh,

He shall deliverance bring.

Poem by Grace E. Troy — His Will For Me

I take my cross of loneliness,

Thy gracious will for me,

For though I walk a hidden path,

I company with Thee

I take my cross of weakness, Lord,

Appointed as I need,

For when I’m weak --- tis then Thy strength

Will make me strong indeed.

I take my cross of weariness,

This too, Thy choice for me.

For when I’m weary --- then I find

A rest, perfect in Thee.

Shut in with Thee --- the world apart,

Yet never, Lord, alone,

I take my cross --- and lo, I find

It lifts me to Thy throne.

Poem by Annie Johnson Flint — This Is The Day

Sigh of the breezes or sob of the tempest,

Skies of pure azure or clouds hanging low,

Sunshine or frost or the last of the storm wind,

Veiling of mist or the white whirl of snow;

Welcome the day! For the Lord, He hath made it,

Cometh it golden or cometh it gray.

Bringeth it burden or giveth it guerdon,

Let us rejoice and be glad in His day.