All For Jesus

This week we will share two songs that illustrate a child-like faith. They are written by others and recorded as solos by Frank's daughter, Joyce, at a young age. Here is the recording of today's song with lyrics below:



Words by E.E. Hewitt, music by W.J. Kirkpatrick

Little hands to work for Jesus
Little feet to walk his way
Little ears to hear his message
Little lips to sing his praise.

All for Jesus, all for Jesus
True and faithful may I be
All for Jesus, all for Jesus
All for Him who died for me.

Little hands to help each other,
Little lips His grace to tell,
Little songs to raise to heaven,
Little hearts to love Him well.

All for Jesus, all for Jesus
True and faithful may I be
All for Jesus, all for Jesus
All for Him who died for me.

Little eyes to read the story
Of His love in all around
Little minds to learn the lessons
In the Holy Bible Found

All for Jesus, all for Jesus
True and faithful may I be
All for Jesus, all for Jesus
All for Him who died for me.

Little lips to speak so gently,
Little knees to bow in pray'r.
Little feet to do His errands,
Little hearts to trust his care.

All for Jesus, all for Jesus
True and faithful may I be
All for Jesus, all for Jesus
All for Him who died for me.

From Salvation Songs for Children: Number One, p. 37
©1939, compiled by Ruth P. Overholtzer, Child Evangelism Fellowship
Recorded on LP 263: Love is Why. side two.
Public Domain, contact Joyce for a copy of the printed music

My Choice

By William (Bill) Pearce McChesney
Martyred in Congo, November 25, 1964 at age 28. 

I want my breakfast served at “Eight,”
with ham and eggs upon the plate.
A well-broiled steak I’ll eat at “One,”
and dine again when day is done.

I want an ultra-modern home
and in each room, a telephone;
soft carpets, too, upon the floors,
and pretty drapes to grace the doors.

A cozy place of lovely things,
like easy chairs with innersprings,
and then I’ll get a small TV—
of course, “I’m careful what I see.”

I want my wardrobe, too, to be
of neatest, finest quality,
with latest style in suit and vest.
Why shouldn’t Christians have the best?

But then the Master I can hear,
in no uncertain voice, so clear,
“I bid you, come and follow me,
the lowly Man of Galilee.

“Birds of the air have made their nest,
and foxes in their holes find rest;
but I can offer you no bed,
no place have I to lay my head.”

In shame I hung my head and cried.
How could I spurn the Crucified?
Could I forget the way He went,
the sleepless nights in prayer He spent?

For forty days without a bite,
alone He fasted, day and night.
Despised, rejected—on He went,
and did not stop till veil was rent.

A Man of sorrows and of grief,
no earthly friend to bring relief—
“Smitten of God,” the prophet said—
mocked, beaten, bruised, His blood ran red.

If He be God and died for me,
no sacrifice too great can be
for me, a mortal man, to make;
I’ll do it all for Jesus’ sake.

Yes, I will tread the path He trod,
no other way will please my God;
so henceforth, this my choice shall be,
my choice for all eternity.

Published with permission in Sing and Give Thanks, p. 11b

Editor's note: The life and death of Bill McChesney greatly impacted Frank, who obtained permission to include this poem in his songbook along with the related song #33, "His Choice" with lyrics by McChesney. For more info, see "The Martyr Bill McChesney"

I Do, Don’t You?

Words by Melville W. Miller. Music by Edwin O. Excell, 1907
Click the arrow above to play. If you see no video play arrow, click the song title to view online.

I know a great Saviour, I do; don’t you? 
I live by His favor, I do; don’t you?
For grace I implore Him, I worship before Him,
I love and adore Him, I do; don’t you?

I need Him to lead me, I do; don’t you?
Heav’n’s manna to feed me, I do; don’t you?
What ever betide me, I need Him beside me,
In mercy to hide me, I do; don’t you?

I love to be near Him, I do; don’t you?
He speaks and I hear Him, I do; don’t you?
For me He is caring, the cross I am bearing,
I love Him for sharing, I do; don’t you?

I want Him to use me, I do; don’t you?
For service to choose me, I do; don’t you?
I want Him to bless me, to own and confess me,
completely possess me, I do; don’t you?

Public Domain. Sheet music available here.
Published as Song #2 in Sing and Give Thanks
Recorded on LP 365: My Sheep Know My Voice (verses 1 and 4 only)

Accepting His Will

Accepting the will of my Heavenly Father—
leaving the choices in His hands alone.
Fully resigned, not to ask any question,
I would exert no will of my own.

Accepting the will of my Heavenly Father—
choosing my way can but lead to regret,
often I’ve thought that I knew what I wanted:
much of it now I would rather forget.

Accepting the will of my Heavenly Father—
always He has my best interests in mind.
Losses become stepping stones for the future;
He is so loving and He is so kind.

Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life,
how can I question or fear any ill?
He loves me dearly and He holds the future;
I am resolved to do His sweet will.

fpn / undated

Be sure to follow along this week for a selection of poems written by Frank Nickel on the topic of mothers and motherhood. If you'd like to receive the poems each day in your Email inbox, subscribe to "A Poem a Day" in the right sidebar or click here.

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos #49049271, standard license

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