THE POET'S CORNER #2
THE FOUR CANDLES
The four candles burn slowly.
The Ambiance was so soft you could hear them talking.
The first one said: "I am Peace! However. Nobody can keep me lit.
I believe I will go out." It's flame rapidly diminishes and goes
out complelely.
The second one says: "I am Faith! Most of all, I am no longer
indispensable, so it doesn't make any sense that I stay lit any
longer." When it finished talking, a breeze softly blew on it
putting it out.
Sadly, the third candle spoke in its turn: "I am Love! I haven't
got the strength to stay lit. People put me aside and don't
understand my imporlance. They even forget to love those who are
nearest to them." And waiting no loaner it goes out.
Suddenly...
A child enters the room and sees three candles not burning. "Why
are you not burning? You are supposed to stay lit till the end."
Saying this, the child begins to cry.
Then the fourth candle said, "Don't be afraid, while I am still
burning we can re-light the other candles, I am Hope!"
With shining eye, the child took the candle of hope and lit the
other candles.
......
WHAT IS LIFE
by Helen Steiner Rice
Life is a sojourn here on earth
Which begins the day God gives us birth,
We enter this world from the Great Unknown
And God gives each Spirit
a form of its own
And endows this form with a heart and a soul
To spur man on to his ultimate goal -
And through the senses of feeling and seeing,
God makes man into a human being
So he may experience a mortal life
And through this period of smiles and strife
Prepare himself to Return as he Came,
For birth and death are in essence the same,
For both are fashioned by God's mighty hand
And, while we cannot understand,
We know we are born to die and arise
For beyond this world in beauty lies
The purpose of living and the ultimate goal
God gives at birth to each seeking soul -
So enjoy your sojourn on earth and be glad
That God gives you a Choice
between Good Things and Bad,
And only be sure that you Heed God's Voice
Whenever life asks you to make a choice.
......
IN HIS STEPS
by Leona Bay Gater
"The road is too rough," I said
"Dear Lord there are stones that hurt me so!"
And He said, "Dear child, I understand,
I walked it long ago."
"But there's a cool green path" I said,
"Let me walk there for a time."
"No child," He gently answered me,
"The green road does not climb."
"My burden," I said, "is far too great;
How can I bear it so?"
"My child," said He, "I remember its weight
I carried my cross, you know."
"But," I said, "there were friends with me
Who would make my way their own."
"Ah, yes" He said, "Gethsemane
Was hard to face alone."
And so I climbed the stony path,
Content at last to know
That where my Master had not gone
I would not need to go.
And, strangely then I found new friends,
The burden grew less sore
And I remembered, - - - - long ago
He went that way before.
......
NOW MAY THE GOD OF POWER AND GRACE
by Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Now may the God of Power and Grace,
Attend His people's humble cry;
Jehovah hears when Israel prays,
And brings deliverance from on high.
The Name of Jacob's God defends,
Better than shields and brazen walls;
He, from His sanctuary sends
Succour and strength when Zion calls.
Well, He remembers all our sighs;
His love exceeds our best deserts,
His love accepts the sacrifice
Of humble groans and broken hearts.
In His salvation is our hope.
And in the Name of Israel's God,
Our troops shall lift their banners up
Our Navies spread their flags abroad.
Some trust in horses trained for war,
And some of chariots make their boast;
Our surest expectations are From thee,
the Lord of heavenly hosts.
Now save us, Lord, from slavish fear;
Now let our hopes be firm and strong;
Til thy salvation shall appear
And joy and triumph raise the song.
......
.....................
To be continued
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