The Great Choice

The pleasures of sin for a season
or the joys of salvation so grand?
Oh, how will you wish to have chosen
when at last in God’s presence you stand?

The world with its riches and glory—
however enchantingly sweet—
when death comes, will offer no comfort
but mock with a hasty retreat.

Today you may have the assurance:
your sins have been taken away
and your name is recorded in heaven,
fair land of the unending day.

Chorus:
In the light of eternity, answer.
Why trifle with God and your soul?
Choose now, as you’ll wish to have chosen
while the years of eternity roll!

fpn / undated

Published as poem #30 in Contemporary Psalms, and as song #25 in Sing and Give Thanks. Recorded on LP 365: My Sheep Know My Voice as "The Pleasures of Sin for a Season" and on LP 569: Let Us Talk About the Lord as "The Great Choice." If you would like a copy of the music, contact Joyce.


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The Divine Perspective (full length)

Proverbs 14:12, Mark 8:36

We all adopt philosophies
while passing through the years,
born either from successes
or adversities and fears.
Or possibly, tradition plays
a part—how we’ve been taught
through precept and example,
and advice which we have sought.
We may be right, we may be wrong;
we’ll live and die that way,
then stand before the Judge of all
in joy or in dismay.

Heredity, environment,
both surely play a part
but dare we make excuses? No,
the issue is our heart.
’Tis true, we lost our paradise
when our first parents sinned;
but we can get it back, you know;
through Christ it is regained.
To fit into that paradise,
where God is in control,
calls for a true, whole-hearted love
for Him within our soul.

And this, of course, requires change
in how we think and live.
It’s not within our will nor power;
this grace our God must give.
The choice is ours, we must decide
to take the gift of life,
and turn our backs upon this world
which seems a sacrifice.
But there is peace awaiting, as
we make Christ Jesus Lord,
and let Him have complete control,
submitting to His Word.

It is real peace of mind,
contentment at its best;
the Bible says that there remains
for us and inward rest.
So many voices call to us,
professing that they know
just what it is and how God will
this grace on us bestow.
But take the time to check God’s Word,
it’s precious as your breath;
avoid “the way that seemeth right
to man, but ends in death.”

What shall it profit, Jesus said
(sit down and count the cost),
if you should gain this whole, wide world
and then your soul be lost?
But that’s not all that matters, for
we have a life to live;
and for each moment of that life,
a strict account we’ll give.
Now we’re inclined to magnify
the present, here and now,
and take no thought of that great day,
when to the Lord we’ll bow.

We can invest our lives and claim
tremendous dividends
when we shall meet our Saviour
and our pilgrim journey ends.
Why live for pleasure, selfish gain,
and fame this world affords?
We’ll leave it all behind some day,
like old and rotten boards.
But we can send supplies ahead
which never shall decay,
if we’ll invest our lives for God
unselfishly today.

fpn/1975



Published as poem #50 in Contemporary Psalms. An abridged version was published later.

Picture: depositphotos.com #21171863, standard license

Take No Chances

Two thieves, condemned, on either side
of Jesus’ cross, were crucified;
the one released from sin and gloom,
the other sealed for eternal doom.

There’s hope for all till dying day;
but learn the lesson, here I pray,
if His every call is now bypassed,
do you think Christ will call at last?

fpn/undated



Picture: James J. Tissot, 'Pardoning the Repentant Thief' (1896), accessed online September 10, 2017






“The last business of Christ’s life
was the saving of a poor penitent thief.” ~D.L. Moody

God or Mammon?

“Ye cannot serve God and mammon,”
’tis a simply stated truth.
Few there are who know its import
should be learned in days of youth.

Oft ’tis said, “Almighty dollar,”
friend of mine, let’s get it straight:
only God is the Almighty;
nothing else as such can rate.

Money is a useful servant
when controlled with limits known;
but becomes a vicious tyrant
when exalted to the throne.

Love of money—we behold it,
of all evil, ’tis the root;
in the ranks of honest laborers—
not just robbers with their loot.

It’s not hard to worship money
and the things which it will buy.
Once we formulate a pattern,
that’s the way we’ll live and die.

Money cannot buy fulfillment,
money cannot purchase peace,
money cannot grant us pardon,
or secure our soul’s release.

Money cannot grant extension
of our days and precious breath.
Love of money well may damn us
to an insane mind and death.

“If the Son therefore, shall free you,
ye shall then be free indeed.”
Christ alone must be our Master,
He alone can meet our need.

fpn/undated



Picture: depositphotos.com #92868268, standard license

I Haven’t Quit

He said, “I haven’t quit the church
just ’cause I seldom go.
You see, I’ve got a lot to do,
which you perhaps don’t know.
My job is so demanding, 
with lots of overtime,
there’s hardly time to eat and sleep;
my wife thinks it’s a crime.

“I have to take her shopping
to buy the grub and such;
what’s left of what I earned all week
I’ll tell you—isn’t much!
There’s really nothing left for church,
I’ve got to fill my tank;
then there’s water, gas and lights,
and savings in the bank.

“I bought a boat, but it’s a shame
how seldom it gets out.
Sunday’s about the only day
there’s time for fishing trout.
Some Saturdays I’m just “give out;”
and I refuse to go,
I sink into my easy chair
and watch a late-night show.

“On Sunday morning things don’t move;
sometimes we just sleep in,
unless there’s company for lunch—
perhaps some kith’n’kin.
No, I—(it’s been six months, I guess)
won’t leave you in the lurch;
just any time now, I’ll be back,
’cause I’ve not quit the church!”

fpn/undated




Picture: depositphotos.com #53973807, standard license

The Divine Perspective (Abridged)

Proverbs 14:12, Mark 8:36

We all adopt philosophies
while passing through the years,
born either from successes
or adversities and fears.
Or possibly, tradition plays
a part—how we’ve been taught
through precept and example,
and advice which we have sought.
We may be right, we may be wrong;
we’ll live and die that way
then stand before the Judge of all
in joy or in dismay.

Heredity, environment
both surely play a part
but dare we make excuses? No,
the issue is our heart.
‘Tis true, we lost our paradise
when our first parents sinned;
but we can get it back, you know;
through Christ it is regained.
To fit into that paradise,
where God is in control,
calls for a true, whole-hearted love
for Him within our soul.

And this, of course, requires change
in how we think and live.
It’s not within our will nor power;
this grace our God must give.
The choice is ours, we must decide
to take the gift of life,
and turn our backs upon this world
which seems a sacrifice.
But there is peace awaiting, as
we make Christ Jesus Lord,
and let Him have complete control,
submitting to His Word.

fpn/1975


This is an abridged version. The full poem was published in Contemporary Psalms, p. 50
Picture: depositphotos.com #21171863, standard license