MINISTERS FOR CHRIST ASSEMBLY OF CHURCHES
Poem Page
Two Thousand One, Nine Eleven
Two thousand one, nine eleven
Five thousand plus arrive in heaven
As they pass through the gate,
Thousands more appear in wait
A bearded man with stovepipe hat
Steps forward saying,
"Lets sit, lets chat"
They settle down in seats of clouds
A man named Martin shouts out proud
"I have a dream!" and once he did
The Newcomer said, "Your dream still lives."
Groups of soldiers in blue and gray
Others in khaki, and green then say
"We're from Bull Run, Yorktown, the Maine"
The Newcomer said, "You died not in vain."
From a man on sticks one could hear
"The only thing we have to fear.
The Newcomer said, "We know the rest,
trust us sir, we've passed that test."
"Courage doesn't hide in caves
You can't bury freedom, in a grave,"
The Newcomers had heard this voice before
A distinct Yankees twang from Hyannisport shores
A silence fell within the mist
Somehow the Newcomer knew that this,
Meant time had come for her to say
What was in the hearts of the five thousand plus that day
"Back on Earth, we wrote reports,
Watched our children play in sports
Worked our gardens, sang our songs
Went to Church and clipped coupons.
We smiled, we laughed, we cried, we fought
Unlike you, great we're not"
The tall man in the stovepipe hat
Stood and said, "don't talk like that!
Look at your country, look and see
You died for freedom, just like me"
Then, before them all appeared a scene
Of rubbled streets and twisted beams
Death, destruction, smoke and dust
And people working just 'cause they must
Hauling ash, lifting stones,
Knee deep in hell but not alone
"Look! Blackman, whiteman, brownman, yellowman
Side by side helping their fellow man!"
So said Martin, as he watched the scene
"Even from nightmares, can be born a dream."
Down below three firemen raised
The colors high into ashen haze
The soldiers above had seen it before
On Iwo Jima back in '44
The man on sticks studied everything closely
Then shared his perceptions on what he saw mostly
"I see pain, I see tears,
I see sorrow - but I don't see fear."
"You left behind husbands and wives
Daughters and sons and so many lives
are suffering now because of this wrong
But look very closely. You're not really gone.
All of those people, even those who've never met you
All of their lives, they'll never forget you
Don't you see what has happened?
Don't you see what you've done?
You've brought them together, together as one.
With that the man in the stovepipe hat said
Take my hand and there he led
five thousand plus heroes, Newcomers to heaven
On this day, two thousand one nine eleven
- Author Unknown
The Cold Within
Six humans trapped by happenstanceIn dark and bitter cold.
Each one possessed a stick of wood,
Or so the story’s told.
Their dying fire in need of logs,The first woman held hers back.
For on their faces around the fire,
She noticed one was black.
The next man looking cross the way,
Saw one not of his church,
And couldn’t bring himself to give
The fire his stick of birch.
The third one sat in tattered clothes,
He gave his coat a hitch.
Why should his log be put to use,
To warm the idle rich?
The rich man just sat back and thought
Of the wealth he had in store.
And how to keep what he had earned
From the lazy shiftless poor.
The black man’s face bespoke revenge
As the fire passed from sight,
For all he saw in his stick of wood
Was the chance to spite the white.
The last man of this forlorn group
Did naught except for gain
Giving only to those who gave
Was how he played the game.
The logs held tight in death’s still hands
Was proof of human sin.
They didn’t die from the cold without,
They died from THE COLD WITHIN.
--Author Unknown
The Lord Has A Job For Me!
The Lord has a job for me, but I had so much to do.
I said to get somebody else or wait till I get thro'.
I don't know how the Lord came out or how He got along.
But away down in my sneaking heart, I knew I done Him wrong.
One day I need the Lord real bad and needed Him right away!
He wouldn't answer my prayer at all, but I thought I heard Him say;
"Away down in My bleeding heart I got so much to do.
You can find somebody else or wait till I get thro'.
Now when the Lord has a job for me, I never try to shirk.
I drop whatever I have in hand and do the Lord's work;
My affairs can roll along or wait till I get thro'.
For nobody else can do the work the Lord has got for me to do!
--Author Unknown
Where Angels Trod
Oh to have wing's and soar up high,
beyond this earth through endless sky,
reaching Heaven where I'd see God,
streets paved of gold where Angels trod.
I humbly look up and God says with a smile,
come on over son,
sit here beside Me for awhile.
Then He points across the meadow where the Lamb lays with the lion,
says this is our home,
no more heartache, no more diem.
Builders of diamonds, streets of gold,
human riches so I've been told.
This is all yours just as far as you can see.
This is Heaven son, a home for you and Me.
I've prepared a mansion especially for you.
It's here on Hallejuiah Avenue.
Peter and Paul live there too.
Yes this is just a poem written by a mortal man,
but there is something I hope you understand,
I pray you find the peace that I've found with God,
and may we meet again on the streets where the Angels have trod.
By Randy Haun
Send Me
One day I gazed across the bounding sea to distant shores,
My ear caught hold of something that I've never heard before,
I heard the cries of desperate souls, lost in deep despair,
The sad lament of broken lives was more than I could bear.
I raised my eyes up to the sky and cried, "My God above!
Can You not help, will you not touch them with your gracious love?"
I heard the voice of Him who sent His only son to die
Say, "I'm looking for that one whose heart will break before their cry,
That one who'll answer my command to take my love and go,
And tell them my son died for them because I love them so."
A heaviness then gripped my soul, for now I under stood,
If I would not obey the call to venture forth - who would?
Again, I looked upon that shore across the bounding sea.
With humble heart I bowed my head and said, "My Lord, send me."
John M. Contreras
Huntington Beach, California
Broken Dreams
As children bring their broken toys
With tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to God
Because He was my friend.
But then instead of leaving Him
In peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help
With ways that were my own.
At last I snatched them back and cried,
"How could you be so slow"
"My child," He said, "What could I do?
You never did let go."
Author Unknown
THE FOUR CALLS
The Spirit came in childhood And pleaded,
"Let me in." But Oh! The door was bolted,
By thoughtlessness and sin, "I am too young,"
the child replied "I will not yield today.
"There's time enough tomorrow."
The Spirit went away.
Again he came and pleaded,
In youth's bright happy hour,
He came, but heard no answer,
For lured by Satan's power,
The youth lay dreaming then,
And saying, "Not today:
Nor till I've tried the earth's pleasures."
The Spirit went away.
Again he called in mercy.
In manhood's vigorous prime.
But still he found no welcome.
The merchant had no time.
No time for true repentance.
No time to think or pray.
And so, repulsed and saddened,
The Spirit went away.
Once more He called and waited,
The man was old and ill.
He scarcely heard the whisper,
His heart was cold and still.
"Go leave me, when I need Thee,
"I'll call for thee" he cried,
Then sinking on his pillow,
WITHOUT A HOPE, he died.
THE ROSE
It is only a tiny rosebud - A flower of God's
design; But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I -
The flower God opens so sweetly
In my hands would fade and die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud This flower
of God's design, Think how can
I think I have wisdom To unfold this life of mine?
So I'll trust in Him for His leading
Each moment of every day, And I'll look to
Him for His guidance Each step of the pilgrim way.
For the pathway that lies before me
My heavenly Father knows -
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments
Just as He unfolds the rose.
HOW WONDERFUL WHEN HE COMES
by Rev. Nathan Nelzen, VA (MCAC Ministerial Member) The following poem was accepted into the finals of a contest held nationwide by "The Nation Library of Poetry." Published in a book (An Anthology) named "In Dappled Sunlight" came out in the Spring of 1997.
HOW WONDERFUL WHEN HE COMES OUR SALVATION IS AT HAND HOW WONDERFUL IS HIS LOVE WHEN HE RULES THROUGHOUT THE LAND
OR SALVATION IS FROM HIM HIS SACRIFICE IS HIS LOVE HIS MERCY AND GRACE IS OURS HOW WONDERFUL IS HIS LOVE
CALL ON HIM IN TROUBLE PRAISE HIM TO KEEP YOUR JOY HE BLESSES YOU FOR YOUR FAITH WHEN THE DEVIL TRIES TO ANNOY
HIS JOY IS OUR OWN WEAPON OUR FAITH IS OUR SHIELD RIGHTEOUSNESS IS OUR BREASTPLATE HIS GIFTS OH SO REAL
JESUS IS OUR ANSWER HOW WONDERFUL WHEN HE COMES HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER HOW WONDERFUL IS HIS LOVE
LYRICS BE THE HOLY GHOST: AUGUST, 1996
DAY TO COME
Written by: Rev. E. B. Lewis 9/23/94
( MCAC Ministerial Member)
Inspired by the Scriptures of God.
Radio is silent - TV doesn't play,
no peace upon the earth,
war has taken it away.
Clouds fill the sky, darkness all around,
The beast is in power, saints trodden to the ground.
Water is poisoned, thirsty men cry,
Searching for answers, while other men die.
Radio is silent - TV doesn't play,
men are quiet, it's now Judgement Day.
Their deeds are before them,
no sin will enter in.
This day will decide, the fate of all men.
It is all over, hear the angels cry,
All saints are living, none of them shall die.
The beast has been taken, cast into the fire,
The lake that burns forever,
prepared for every liar.
Water that was poisoned, is now made clean.
As though it were crystal, when it's beauty is seen.
Clouds are lifted, light fills the sky,
Behold Christ's glory from up on high.
Brought forth by His chosen, a selected few,
One hundred forty and four thousand,
whom before God knew.
Singing as though, it were a new song,
A covenant you may say,
for the old earth is now passed away.
New heavens, new earth,
filled with glory and praise,
The saints will live forever
in the presence of our Lord's holy face.
Glory to the Father and to the Lamb.
For they together are the great I AM.
Radio is silent - TV doesn't play,
earth is changed forever,
A new covenant is made.
Elements that once were,
now vanished with the day.
Saints with the Lord, time has passed away.
A DAY TO COME.
AMEN
January 18, 1998
SERMONS WE SEE
I'd rather see a sermon than hear one
any day I'd rather one should
walk with me than merely tell the
way The eye's a better pupil
and more willing than the ear.
Fine counsel is confusing,
but example's always clear.
And the best of all the preachers
are the ones who live their creeds.
For to see good put in action
is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it if
you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action,
but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver
may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lesson
by observing what you do;
For I might understand you
and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding
how you act and how you live.
By Edgar A. Guest
LITTLE THINGS
Life that true contentment brings
Is the sum of little things,
A cheery smile at start of day,
A kindly word along the way.
A helpful hand in time of need,
A moment for an unselfish deed
A message to an absent friend,
A consoling thought when some life ends.
"Tis not great deeds from which hope springs
But just the sum of little things.
THE LAST PICTURE
When the earth’s last picture is painted,
and
The tubes are twisted and dried.
When the oldest colors have faded, and the
Youngest critic has died.
We shall rest, and faith, we shall need it -
Lie down for an eon or two.
Till the Master of all good workman, shall
Put us to work anew.
And those who were good shall be happy;
They shall sit in a golden chair.
They shall splash at a ten league canvas
With brushes of comet’s hair.
They shall have real Saints to draw from,
Magdalene, Peter, and Paul.
They shall work for an age at a sitting, and
never be tired at all.
And only the MASTER shall praise us, and
Only the Master shall blame.
No one shall work for money, and no one shall
Work for fame.
But each in the joy of working, and each
In it’s separate star.
Shall draw things as He sees it, for the God
Of things as they are.
~~END~~
CAN YOU HONESTLY JUDGE?
Pray don't find fault with a man who limps
or stumbles along the road.
Unless you have worn the shoes he wears or
struggled beneath his load.
There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt,
though hidden from view.
Or the burden he bears placed on your
back might cause you to stumble too.
Don't sneer at the man who's down today,
unless you have felt the blow.
That caused his fall, or felt the shame that
only the fallen know.
You may be strong, but still the blows that
were his, if dealt to you.
In the self-same way at the very same time
might cause you to stagger too.
Don't be too harsh with a man who sins or
pelt him with words or stones.
Unless you are sure, yes, doubly sure that
you have no sins of your own.
~ Author Unknown ~
DOES GOD REALLY SPEAK TO YOU?
Have you ever heard the voice of God
Guiding you like a shepherd's rod?
Some thing He spoke to only a few,
But He spoke to me, and He'll speak to you.
They talked to Him, the prophets of old,
Their trouble to Him they always told;
They asked for guidance, and what did He do?
He spoke to them - and He'll speak to you.
There will be times when you have to fight
To hold thought on Him and know the right,
But He's always there, you'll find it's true -
Just listen for Him and He'll speak to you.
When in times of trouble I turned to Him,
And chances of help seem mighty slim,
Lo, then, angel thoughts came clearly through -
Yes, He speaks to me, and He'll speak to you.
Now, the answer may come by Bible word,
Or perhaps a voice never before heard;
Hymns, friends, angel thoughts, are but a few
Are the many ways He'll speak to you.
So, child of His, please remember this,
Talk to your God if things seem amiss.
He will surely hear and He'll answer too.
Yes, He loves and will REALLY speak to you.
-Michael M. Abrums-
JUST LIKE HIS DAD
"Well, what are you going to be, my boy,
When you have reached manhood’s years;
A doctor a lawyer, or actor great,
Moving throngs to laughter and tears?"
But he shook his head, as he gave reply,
In a serious way he had,
"I don’t think I’d care to be any of them;
I want to be like my dad!
He wants to be like his dad! You men,
Did you ever think as you pause,
That the boy who watches your every move
Is building a set of laws?
He’s molding a life you’re the model for,
Whether it’s good or bad,
Depends on the kind of example set
To the boy who’d be like his dad.
Would you have him go everywhere you go?
Have him do just the things you do?
And see everything that your eyes behold,
And woo all the gods you woo?
When you see the worship that shines in your eyes,
Of your lovable little lad,
Could you rest content if he gets his wish,
And grows to be like his dad?
It’s a job that none but yourself can fill;
It’s a charge you must answer for;
It’s a duty to show him the road to tread
Ere he reaches his manhood’s door.
It’s a debt you owe for the greatest joy
On this old earth to be had;
This pleasure of having a boy to raise
Who wants to be like his dad.
-Author Unknown -
MY LORD HAD A JOB FOR ME
My Lord had a job for me,
but I had so much to do,
I said to get somebody else
or wait till I get thro’.
I don’t know how the Lord
came out or how He got along,
But away down in my sneaking
heart I knew I done Him wrong.
One day I needed the Lord real
bad and needed Him right away,
He wouldn’t answer my prayer
at all, But I thought I heard Him
say; I got so much to do,
you can get somebody else
or wait till I get thro’.
Now when the Lord
has a job for me,
I never try to shirk,
I drop whatever I have in
hand And do the Lord’s work;
My affairs can roll along
or wait till I get thro’.
For nobody else
can do the work the Lord
has got for me to do.