An Invitation from Hymn Titles

            "A Beautiful Life" was given to me by the "God of Our Fathers". He gave me a mother and father who cared for me "Softly and Tenderly." "In My Father's House" I learned that "God is so Good." They wanted to "Give Me the Bible." "In the Hush of the Morning" we had a "Sweet Hour of Prayer," and in the "Sunlight" I saw "All Things Bright and Beautiful." I did "Consider the Lilies of the Field," "Down in the Valley." "One Day" "Stepping in the Light," I heard "Even Winds Whisper His Name." I found "Peace in the Valley." My mother taught me to "Sing and Be Happy," while my father taught me to "Praise Him, Praise Him." They taught me that "It Pays to Serve Jesus" and that "Jesus Loves Me." We went to "The Church in the Wildwood," I lived in the "Paradise Valley" and had "Peace, Perfect Peace" as a child.

            But with the "Sands of Time," I grew into a younger man. I was soon full of "Angry Words" and I wanted to "Flee As a Bird." One "Silent Night,” "I Traveled Down a Lonely Road." "Farther Along" as I was "Walking Alone at Eve," it started to rain. I sought "Shelter in the Time of Storm." But I soon realized "I am a Stranger Here." "In Sorrow I Wandered", "Drifting Along", and soon "I was Sinking Deep in Sin." "Years I Spent in Vanity" and had "Trials Dark on Every Hand." "In the Desert of Sorrow and Sin", "I Saw the Light" and "He Leadeth Me” to "The Old Rugged Cross." I was "Washed in the Blood" and "All to Jesus I Surrender." Through "Amazing Grace" I found the "Rock of Ages."

            You see, "Jesus Paid it All" "On the Cross of Calvary" that "I Might Be Redeemed." "There is Power in the Blood", "Worthy is the Lamb." "Hallelujah, What a Savior!" Now, "I'll Never Forsake My Lord." He's "A Wonderful Savior" to me. "I'm Not Afraid" for "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" and that I am "Safe in the Arms of Jesus." I am a "New Creature" "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms." "Under His Wings" I will return home to have "Peace Like a River."

            I will "Reach Out" to my parents and ask them to forgive me. "Bind Us Together Lord," "God's Family. You know, I will now "Ring Out the Message" and tell others to "Listen to the Wondrous Story." "Pass it On" and "Tell Them of Jesus." If you are lost in sin, "Why do You Wait, Dear Sinner?" It is "Only a Step." "Yield Not to Temptation." "Why Keep Jesus Waiting," "Will You Come?" (via Bulletin Digest)

Rejoicing Over Being Robbed

            Matthew Henry, a well-known Bible scholar and author of commentaries, was once robbed by a thief who took everything he possessed. He wrote about the event in his diary: “Let me be thankful first, because I was never robbed before; second, because they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, because, although they took my all, it wasn’t much; and fourth, it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”

The Shape I Am In

            Author Diamond C. Aloes has a humorous tale of growing old in his poem “The Shape I Am In.”

There's nothing the matter with me,

I'm just as healthy as can be,

I have arthritis in both knees,

And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze.

My pulse is weak, my blood is thin,

But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.

All my teeth have had to come out,

And my diet I hate to think about.

I'm overweight and I can't get thin,

But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.

And arch supports I need for my feet...

Or I wouldn't be able to go out in the street.

Sleep is denied me night after night,

But every morning I find I'm all right.

My memory's failing, my head's in a spin...

But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.

Old age is golden I've heard it said,

But sometimes I wonder, as I go to bed.

With my ears in a drawer, my teeth in a cup,

And my glasses on a shelf, until I get up.

And when sleep dims my eyes, I say to myself,

Is there anything else I should lay on the shelf?

The reason I know my youth has been spent,

Is my get-up-and-go has got-up-and-went!

But really I don't mind, when I think with a grin,

Of all the places my get-up has been.

I get up each morning and dust off my wits,

Pick up the paper and read the obits.

If my name is missing, I'm therefore not dead,

So I eat a good breakfast and jump back into bed.

The moral of this as the tale unfolds,

Is that for you and me, who are growing old....

It is better to say "I'm fine" with a grin,

Than to let people know the shape we are in.

A Moments Wisdom