Let Me Give
I do not know how long I'll live
But while I live, Lord, let me give
Some comfort to someone in need.
By smile or nod, kind word or deed.
And let me do whatever I can
To ease things for my fellow man
I want naught but to do my part
To "lift" a tired or weary heart.
To change folks' frowns to smiles again.
Then I will not have lived in vain.
And I'll not care how long I'll live
If I can give...
And give... and give.
Author unknown
I Live Alone
I live alone, dear Lord,
Stay by my side,
In all my daily needs
Be Thou my guide.
Grant me good health,
For that indeed, I pray,
To carry on my work
From day to day.
Keep pure my mind,
My thoughts, my every deed,
Let me be kind, unselfish
In my neighbour's need,
Spare me from fire, from flood
Malicious tongues,
From thieves, from fear,
And evil ones.
If sickness or an accident befall,
Then humbly, Lord, I pray,
Hear, Thou my call,
And when I'm feeling low,
Or in despair,
Lift up my heart
And help me in my prayer.
I live alone, dear Lord,
Yet have no fear,
Because I feel Your Presence
Ever near.
Published by Tim Tiley Ltd, 157 Cheltenham Rd, Bristol B56 5RR
Help Us Remember
Heavenly Father,
Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night
is a single mother who worked nine hours that
day
and was rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry
and spend a few precious moments with her children.
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man
who can't make change correctly
is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams
with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum,
begging for money in the same spot every day
(who really ought to get a job!)
is a slave to addictions
that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles
and blocking our shopping progress
are savoring this moment, knowing that,
based on the biopsy report she got back last week,
this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Heavenly Father,
remind us each day that,
of all the gifts you give us,
the greatest gift is love.
It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear.
Open our hearts not just to those who are close to us but to all humanity.
Let us be slow to judgement
and quick to forgiveness and patience and empathy and love.
AMEN!
Author unknown
Stepping Stones
The Lord came to me like a dream one day
and asked, "why do you sorrow?"
I answered, "Lord my life is so full of pain.
I can't face one more tomorrow."
The Lord sat down beside me, and gently
took my hand. He said, "Let me explain to
you and then you'll understand.
Each sorrow is a stepping stone you
must surmount each day,
And every stepping stone you climb
is a sorrow that's passed away.
The road of life is a mountainside,
with crevices in which to be caught,
But as you struggle on your way,
I the Rock, will lend support.
Every stepping stone you climb,
makes spirit and heart grow strong.
Exercising character and faith
this road seems painful and long.
The way is paved with stepping stones,
so uplift your heart and soul,
Though difficult they aid your way,
to a City paved with gold.
I know that you are tired,
for I too have walked this way,
My sorrows did they multiply,
but I cleared many stones away.
I left my rock to lift you up,
I left behind my story,
To give you strength to make your climb,
to that special place in glory.
And never fear, the Rock is here,
You'll never climb this mountain alone
Surmount life's sorrow's continue on,
For they are but stepping stones.
Author Unknown
God, Speak to Me
The man whispered, "God, speak to me" and a meadowlark sang.
But, the man did not hear. So the man yelled, "God, speak to me" and the thunder rolled across the sky.
But, the man did not listen. The man looked around and said, "God let me see you." And a star shone brightly.
But the man did not see. And, the man shouted, "God show me a miracle." And, a life was born.
But, the man did not notice. So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here." Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man.
But, the man brushed the butterfly away .. and walked on.
Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect.
Author Unknown
Gebed
Gij kent mijn dood al, God - laat mij niet weten
waar hij mij vinden en verrassen zal,
laat mij nog rustig ademen en eten,
laat mij nog slapen en de dag vergeten
die met zijn zorg mij morgen overvalt.
Want er ligt water meterdiep te zwijgen
tussen de huizen waar de herfst begint,
en ieder ogenblik, dat ik moet krijgen
genadig uit uw hand, kan mij bedreigen
en iedere kiem van ziekte zaait zich blind.
Hoe sterk mijn hart is, God, voor een lang leven,
hoe sterk de ader die mijn bloedstroom tilt,
of mijn verstand niet voortijds zal begeven,
voor ik mijn laatste blad heb volgeschreven:
gij weet het, God, maar zwijg, om mijnentwil.
Soms loop ik van een vreemde wind bewogen
tussen de lichamen der mensen door
gelijk een kind met ingeslapen ogen:
ik stoot mij niet, val niet, wordt niet bedrogen
omdat ik U binnen mijzelve hoor.
Blijf Gij daar, God, blijf Gij, terwijl mijn voeten
geduldig en gehoorzaam op hun reis,
terwijl mijn handen maken wat zij moeten,
terwijl ik lachen zal, lezen en groeten -
tot in het paradijs.
Anton van Wilderode
Gebed aan mei
Mei, maak onze aarde wit van de bloesems.
De mensenstrijd liet in ons hart
zoveel beklemming na en droesems
en ons oge ziet nog zwart op zwart.
Mei, wees genadig voor onze aarde,
opdat heur witgetooide bal
weer properkes en naar waarde moge draaien door het heelal.
Richard Minne
~ Latest update: 13 August 2003 ~
