The Hilltop Perspective

Things just look a little different
when you think you soon may die;
you begin to shift attention 
to the land beyond the sky.

When you can’t keep up with doing,
and you don’t need what you’ve got,
then the big dreams you once cherished
somehow do not mean a lot.

If you know the Lord, you’ll manage
still to keep a steady chin
and not spend your time in worrying
over things that might have been.

If you’ve come to know the Savior
and to His Word you really hold,
you will look into the future
with excitement, staying bold.

Some may speak about “the valley;”
that’s not how it has to be.
Think of it as the last hill top, 
where God’s glory you will see.

Now’s the time to sing of mercy
God supplies from day to day,
and the joy of His salvation
as you pause to read and pray.

Why not spend some time in singing
the old songs that bless the soul?
And keep telling that sweet story
of the Christ who made you whole.

fpn 5/83



Picture: depositphotos.com #36983703, standard license

The Change of Age

A few years back, folks noticed me,
smiled and wished my friends to be;
now where I go, it seems today
they sometimes look the other way.

Yes, my friend, I am growing old;
I don’t want a lot of gold—
specially the earthly kind.
I’ve got heaven on my mind.

There we’ll walk on streets of gold, 
in the Bible we are told.
Everything so nice and clean—
no more litter will be seen.

No drunk drivers on the street,
where true saints of God shall meet;
billboards won’t be telling lies,
smog won’t irritate your eyes.

Bags of garbage won’t disgrace
mansion lawns in yonder place;
we’ll not need a walking cane—
no arthritis—no more pain!

Folks will all be friendly there;
everyone will join in prayer.
Here, the atheists sport their craze;
there, we’ll all be singing praise!

We won’t need the trees for shade
where the roses never fade;
luscious fruit all year—much more—
all be rich and no one poor.

Life down here is not for long,
so I’ll sing my happy song
when I’m present in the fold,
no one there will call me old.

fpn/1985



Picture: depositphotos.com #19007777, standard license

When the Last One Leaves

With university starting soon for some of our children, this is an appropriate time to repost this poem, originally posted January 28, 2014.









We knew that it was coming;
it has to be this way.
We’re back now where we started,
like on our wedding day.
Between that day and this oe,
we’ve journeyed by God’s grace;
as He increased our number
we ran a rigorous pace.

One son and then another,
born every other year
until they totaled seven;
just boys – but each was dear.
But then there was another,
this time a darling girl;
and talk about excitement!
Life really was a whirl.

Our house? Yes, we enlarged it;
(our bedrooms number six)
and now it seems so empty
as the clock profoundly ticks.
It seems like it is mocking
and says, “What will you do?
They’ve all got up and left you!”
It makes us sort of blue.

Almost forgot to tell you,
they’re not all married off.
The youngest two are single;
their time comes soon enough.
But they just left for college;
it’s much too far away –
Out in yon distant city –
Four hundred miles, I’d say.

Of course we still have “Snoopy,”
a canine – “Man’s best friend,”
so called by earthly standards;
we’ll keep her till her end.
And then, we have each other
to cherish and to hold.
And too, we have rich memories,
more valuable than gold.

The children all are active
at jobs and for the Lord.
That makes it so rewarding –
those years which went quite hard.
There’s one who now is missing;
a higher call he heard.
Two years ago he left us;
we’ve comfort in God’s word.

We have a sincere longing
that they may all succeed
as persons and as families;
their cause in prayer we’ll plead.
We do not ask for riches,
spelled out in earthly wealth,
but treasures great in heaven;
and Lord, please give them health!

We have a new perspective
inclined to view the past,
but no, the future becons;
press on, while life shall last!
Not stifled by past failures,
but cheered by God’s dear word,
we’ll live till heaven’s reunion,
for Jesus Christ, our Lord!

fpn/1976

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos #143392113, Standard license

Forever Adjusting

In today's poem, Pastor Frank muses about birthdays and how we must adjust over time. Eva (Jantz) Nickel, pictured here upon her college graduation, was born on this day in 1915. We honor her birthday today and the way she learned to adjust over a lifetime of faithful service as wife to Frank and mother of eight children. She graduated to glory on May 12, 1996. 

I’m about to have another birthday,
friend of mine—
the proof of growing older
and it’s not the only sign.
No use trying to kid myself 
and say it isn’t so;
the evidence is all too clear,
the indications show.

“Happy birthday!” folks will say;
but nothing much has changed
since youthful days, so long ago,
it’s just been rearranged.
“When you are older,” they’d explain,
“Then you’ll do as you please.”
So birthdays came too slow for me;
I wished for more of these.

That time has surely come and gone,
somehow I can’t recall
when I could do just as I pleased;
was such a time at all?
For I’ve been told time and again,
“Adjust! Adjust! Adjust!”
And more so now—it’s getting worse,
as I begin to rust.

Well, there’s no use complaining,
or wishing back those years;
I’ve tried to make the most of life
through joys and through my tears.
I’ve had a lot of practice at
adjusting in the past;
with that experience, I’ll keep on
adjusting while I last!

fpn/1985



Picture: from the family archives

Dying Grace

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Phil. 1:21

We sing about the joys of heaven
and how we long to go;
and understandably, we add,
“Some day—but not just now!”

We’ll spend our utmost, Satan said,
to live—yes, so it seems,
and heaven can wait, which we confess,
exceeds our wildest dreams! 

Within the providence of God
there comes a time to die;
why then should we, who know the Lord, 
so reluctantly comply?

We testify that Jesus is
our best friend, true and tried;
but mesmerized by this world’s charms,
forget we are His bride!

“O grave, where is thy victory?
O death, where is thy sting?”
Is this to us mere rhetoric—
words with a hollow ring?

“But I’m still needed in this world!”
Perhaps—to ease some woe,
but when our Lord says, “That’s enough,”
we should be glad to go.

And thanks to God, life can be good;
His grace we may employ;
if we commune with Him each day,
we’ll know His peace and joy.

“My times are in Thy hand,” dear Lord—
alike, in joy or pain;
and so, “For me to live is Christ—
to die—eternal gain!”

fpn /1995


Picture: depositphotos.com #15816415, standard license

Bowing Out Gracefully

It will never be easy for me, nor for you,
to give up the routine of things that we do.
To feel we’re not needed—in fact, in the way;
our advice, not requested; even spurned in that day.

How different from “old times,” when our word was the law,
being right in the middle of needs that we saw!
Then to stand back uneasy, while less skillful hands
turn out work that is shoddy—deaf to our reprimands.

There we stand, without comment; we’ve been shunted aside;
Never thought it’d be this hard—can’t just take it in stride.
But there’s no need to panic—turn bitter or sour;
Our hope is in Jesus; He has grace for this hour.

Let us shift our attention to the things of true worth,
and remain strong in spirit a few more days on earth.
This world—here when we came, spins on when we’re gone.
May our small contribution help those carrying on!

fpn/86



Picture: depositphotos.com #29189919, standard license

A Peaceful Afterglow

There comes a time for everyone
when the race of life is nearly run.
We give up this and we give up that;
we begin to wonder where we’re at!
But with Christ, at sunset we can know
a bright and peaceful after-glow!

Gods got a job for me to do;
I won’t give up until I’m through.
The devil says I’m not much good;
he’s lied before, I knew he would!
There are folks around with pain and care
so I’ll stand by with love and prayer.

fpn / August 1985

Alternate title: "Never Quitting"

Photo credit: Deposit Photos #127738224, standard license

Birthday Poem

The years may come and go
and as I older grow,
I often wonder
as the past I ponder,
why there isn't more to show.

Some others seem to be
two jumps ahead of me.
Looks like they've made it
and I have had it,
judging by what I see!

I guess I could be wrong--
no need to sound the gong.
If I help others
whom life now smothers,
the world may hear my song.

It's not so much what I
will own- comes time to die,
but who will miss me,
in memory bless me,
when I have said goodbye.

fpn 12/79