Genuine Thanksgiving, True Freedom

There’s more to being thankful
than promptly saying so;
though this is quite important, 
far more than most folks know.
To show appreciation 
for benefit and gift,
we need to do some thinking
before our voice we lift.

This blessing we call freedom
has really cost a price;
to others we’re indebted,
who made the sacrifice.
But there’s no way to tell them;
they’ve long passed off the scene.
How can we show we’re grateful—
two centuries lie between?

It’s wonderful to ponder
that we can show our thanks
by passing on to others.
who follow in our ranks,
bequests of noble living
and sacrifices too;
to win the lost for Jesus;
no greater thing we’ll do.

Our wars have been most costly—
the losses have been great;
and sadly, after victory,
oft’ there has smoldered hate.
But those who’ve borne the Gospel
of love to distant lands
have turned the tide of history;
herein true freedom stands.

That nation but is blessed,
which owns Jehovah God;
to live for selfish pleasure
will surely curse the sod.
What glory then to follow
in paths the saints have trod,
and publish wide the message
of Christ, the Son of God.

Thus, do we truly worship
with heart and soul and mind?
Then too, are we committed,
our hearts fully resigned—
to pass along to others
the grace bestowed on us
and carry high with honor
the banner of the Cross?

Can gratitude be real,
and genuine our love,
unless the Holy Spirit
controls us from above?
This world vies for affection,
distracts us—is the word;
unless we firmly purpose
to make Christ Jesus Lord.

Our Captain of Salvation
gave all—kept nothing back;
let us as faithful soldiers
in loyalty not lack.
Of course, our means and money,
and certainly much time,
must be upon the altar,
to make our thanks sublime.

And then, our sons and daughters—
pray that they heed the call;
are they too good to offer,
to Him who gave his all?
Often Uncle Sam demands them,
of course, they have to go;
careers with greater honors,
God offers, would you know?

The Bible strongly warns us,
we dare not settle down
to soft, indulgent living,
if we would win a crown. 
Rise up then, fellow comrade,
let’s go at Christ’s command,
clad in the Gospel armor,
in His great might we’ll stand!

America’s survival
depends on us, full well,
enlisting in the conflict, 
against the powers of hell.
God has no other recourse,
to win this world from sin;
to show we’re truly grateful
let’s all, give all, for Him.

The glories now awaiting 
the faithful ones and true,
and fellowship untainted,
where everything is new.
The honor of His “Well done,”
our souls shall then enthrall;
and sorrow all forgotten,
Heaven will be worth it all.

fpn / undated



Picture: depositphotos.com #59568845, standard license

Mother’s Day

Frank's parents, Sara and Peter Nickel

Let me tell you of two ladies

with great influence on my life.

My own mother is the first one

and the other is my wife.

No one else so sacrificial,

no one else could take the place

of my mother at my entry

of this world and human race.

Many hours she invested

for my comfort and my good;

needed rest was interrupted,

others slept while oft she stood.

I am told that of the knowledge

gained in all the years we live,

over half will be acquired

by the time we’re four or five.

Let me ask you—who’s the teacher?

Not just several hours each day,

but around the clock—each moment?

It’s a mother—we must say!

No, she didn’t have much schooling

but she did have common sense

and to God she had devotion;

she had faith when clouds were dense.

She knew how to make a dinner

that was tasty—wholesome too;

how she often stretched the dollar—

did with what she had to do!

Off to school I took her blessing,

knew that she would pray for me;

when in conflict with my brothers,

she would ably referee.

In the secret place, she pleaded

that the Lord my soul would save;

brought me face to face with Jesus,

who His life for sinners gave.

She had flaws and sometimes showed them;

she was human, yes, I know,

but she walked with God serenely

in this world of sin and woe.

Yes, she clothed me and she nursed me

many times when I was sick.

Oh, it really is amazing,

what makes such a mother tick!

Well, my own dear mother left me

for the land beyond the sky,

so the Lord has yet provided

for another to stand by.

An early photo of newlyweds, Frank & Eva

And I’m glad to call her “Mother,”

she has earned that title, too.

She’s the mother of our children,

who has been so kind and true.

I’m amazed at her endurance,

thankful she’s been well and strong;

trusting God, whatever happened,

keeping busy all day long.

She has done her part in teaching,

we’ve all learned from her, you see,

probably the slowest learner

is the one that I call “me.”

There is much that I could mention;

more that’s known to God alone,

but I’m glad to say she’s charming

and my love for her has grown.

We may sometimes take for granted

many blessings on this earth,

but I’ll be forever grateful

for these treasures of such worth.

In the years of life’s grand mystery,

in the quest of love’s intrigue,

they brought zest and richer living:

two fine ladies in my league.

fpn 5/77

Reasonable Service

Reasonable Service

When I think of Him suffering for me
in the dark night of Gethsemane,
then the thorn-crown, the nails, the spear
and His prayer, “Oh, forgive them,” I hear.
Consenting to die in my place,
assuming my sin and disgrace,
then I cannot—I will not lay claim
to the years of my life that remain.
I will serve, not by notion or whim,
but with purpose, resign all to Him!

fpn / undated



Photo Credit: Deposit Photos #67483285, standard license

So Great Salvation

Inscribed to 
Dr. G. Christian Weiss, 
Voice of Foreign Missions, 
Back to the Bible Broadcast

Hebrews 2:3


How shall we escape
if we neglect so great salvation?
Oh, the love that brought to earth
the sinless Son of God.
Facing scorn and ridicule
in this, His own creation.
Crushed beneath our sin and shame,
He shed His precious blood.

How shall we escape
if we neglect so great salvation?
Wondrous message of the cross
relayed at such a price.
Many are the witnesses
who’ve given in every nation
toil and tears, yes, life itself—
a willing sacrifice!

How shall we escape
if we neglect so great salvation?
Men are lost in sin’s dark night
and death is drawing nigh.
Yearning hearts, where e’er they turn
are faced with sore frustration.
Shall we—dare we, who are saved
pass by and let them die?

How shall we escape
if we neglect so great salvation?
Wondrous heights of glory
to which now we may aspire!
Christ’s ambassadors we are
who share our Lord’s compassion.
Spirit of the living God,
oh, set our hearts on fire!

Refrain:
"Ye shall be my witnesses,
I give to you the power!
Preach the gospel, that the lost
your hope of life may share.
Go ye into all the world,
redeeming every hour.
I am with you evermore;
let others know you care!"

fpn / 1967

Published as poem #31 "How Shall We Escape" in Contemporary Psalms
and as Song #31 in "Sing and Give Thanks"
To obtain a copy of the music, contact Joyce



Photo Credit: Deposit Photos #75696461, Standard License

Gethsemane

Gethsemane

The word seems much too sacred – 

(the place where Jesus prayed) – 

for other application.

Alone, sin’s debt He paid!

But shall not servants also

share suffering with their Lord?

The act of full submission 

is basic in God’s word.

“Thy will, not mine” prevailing

though I shrink back with fright,

when claws of death surround me

while crying in the night.

Gethsemane – He conquered,

prevailing all alone;

great joy was set before Him

one day to mount the throne.

We love to think of reigning;

potentially we may,

but qualifying guidelines

prepare us for that day.

If we would reign, then suffering –  

intense, beyond our strength –  

is needed to refine us

and build our faith at length.

Gethsemane – let’s face it – 

you must, and so must I;

if we would reign with Jesus,

to self we then must die.

fpn 1/85

Photo Credit: Screen image of Gethsemane by Adam Abram

The Case of Locked Horns

You've heard of two dogs as they tangled one day;
while the third took the bone and with ease ran away.
The lesson is simple, but quickly we state,
to the dogs that were fighting, the loss was not great.
For dog fights are common and seldom 'tis said,
that they fight to the finish, leaving one or both dead.

A more tragic lesson from nature is born
in the wilds of the mountain, 'tis the deer with locked horn.
While the cause of the conflict may justified be,
still, subduing the other, himself he can't free.
Human hands might have helped had they chanced to be near,
to rescue from death at least one of the deer.

Both deer may regret that they started to fight,
but together, they die with antlers locked tight.
As with deer, so with man, in his passionate stress,
"Horns" are locked, often times, and there seems no regress.
Both fear and distrust may smolder and burn,
as souls in despair for deliverance yearn.

Disentangling horns calls for strength and for skill,
yet for all there is hope: look to Calvary's hill
where Jesus was slain in His effort to save
the souls of rebellious men from the grave.
He has wounds that were caused by the weight of our sin
and the full price was paid that our souls He might win.

fpn/undated



Published as poem #26 in Contemporary Psalms
Photo credit: Depositphotos 12781940, Standard license