Who is Passing the Plate?

The response to our Lord’s great commission,
so oft is “too little—too late!”
Would we possibly do more if Jesus
were passing the offering plate?

Just a glimpse of those hands with the nail scars
inflicted by force of a mall,
should cause me to give all I can give
since I know that he gave me His all!

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Friendship

If you are lonely,
it could be no doubt
that you are now shutting
some fine person out.

We all do so need friends,
at least one for sure,
whom we can depend on
whose love will endure.

Love calls for commitment,
at times given in vain,
but we should keep trying—
there’s a whole lot to gain.

For someone is waiting
in loneliness too;
and driving it from him
may depend upon you.

No amount of self-pity
our hearts can fulfill;
but cheering another
most assuredly will.

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On Loan From God

Alternate Title: "Earth's Family Cycle"

We take our infants in our arms.
No sacrifice, just joy!
And soon they take steps of their own –
our precious girls and boys.

They trust us so, and we in turn
don’t want to let them down
but we will fail, and they must learn
that God is God alone.

Reminded they’re just lent to us,
both for our joy and trust
and if we’d help them reach their goals,
show trust and hope we must.

Then comes the time to take hands off,
but heart-strings still hold fast;
and God keeps working, till one day
we’re satisfied at last.

They find their niche in this wide world
by grace of God above,
and that is what it’s all about:
when they express God’s love.

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