Unpleasant Memories

As I think of yester-years—
precious memories—oh, yes!
Yet I feel chills and tingling spine
all too often, I confess.

“How could I have been so daft?”
“How must I have come across?”
Little consolation that
others too, amass such dross.

Talk of sawing off a limb,
and then plummeting to earth!
Pride and wit and pedigree
must have missed me at my birth.

Though it’s awkward to be poor,
that does not bother so;
but attempts to compensate,
or pretend—that laid me low.

“Be content,” the scriptures say,
with your lot and where you stand.
When you’re humble, you will find
many friends to lend a hand.

There are some who seem so calm
and relaxed, yes—proper too,
who have “hang-ups” and regrets
much the same as me and you.

Life is like a mile-long train—
many boxcars, rattling on;
let’s all pull together, friend,
as we rumble toward the Son.

fpn/86



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Real Life Insurance

by Frank P. Nickel

They call it “life” insurance
and I don’t want to fuss
but it’s really a misnomer
affecting all of us.

You can insure my money,
but life, my greatest wealth,
has boundaries and limits;
and this is true of health.

Yes, some would pay a fortune
for just a few more years,
but who would dare to bargain
with a dying man in tears?

Don’t think me idiotic;
you might respond with “Wow!”
but I’ve got life insurance 
for a thousand years from now.

Returns are so fantastic
just now, with more to come
for body, soul and spirit—
of bliss, the total sum.

First, peace with God is granted
on being justified;
all needs, with deep contentment,
are guaranteed beside.

And then, there’s glory waiting
beyond this vale of tears
in a land of sweet contentment
where they count not time by years.

To claim this mighty contract,
your money will not do.
God’s wonderful salvation
is free of charge to you.

Your part is just accepting
that Jesus shed His blood;
receiving as your Saviour
the risen Son of God.

Published in Contemporary Psalms, p. 4
(c) 1975 by Radiant Light Enterprises



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Those Who Trust God Fully (Trust Rewarded)

Those Who Trust God Fully (Trust Rewarded)
original hymn title: “Keiner wird zu Schanden”
lyrics by Gustav Friedrich Ludwig Knak
translated from the German by Frank P. Nickel

Psalm 25:3 "Let none that wait on thee be ashamed."

Those who trust God fully cannot know disgrace.
Shall I be the first, then, such an end to face?
No, the thought is vain and groundless, oh, my faithful Lord.
Countless galaxies may vanish; never shall Thy word!

'Tis Thy blessed promise, “Ask, ye shall receive;
seek and ye shall find.” Our need God will relieve.
Those who knock consistently, God will not ignore.
Through Him, walls foreboding yield an open door.

Lord, by faith I’ll venture on at Thy command;
cares of mine and others, Thou dost understand.
All my heartaches, deep frustrations, all those chafing fears,
to Thy heart I’ll bear them; Thou dost count my tears.

Merciful and Mighty, dearest Friend to me;
my soul’s star and sunshine, cheering constantly.
Midnight gloom or through death’s vale, contented still I am.
Soon I’m joining in the marriage banquet of the Lamb!

fpn/1975


Published as poem #37 in Contemporary Psalms, available as sheet music, contact Joyce.
Photo Credit: Joyce Rempel