The Way, the Truth, and the Life

Words and music by F.P. Nickel

I am the Way (I am the Way)
I am the Truth (I am the Truth)
I am the Life (the only life with true fulfillment)
come and follow me, then you shall be free,
free to walk in fellowship divine forever.
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life;
no one ever comes to God, 
unless he comes by me.

I am the Door (I am the Door)
The only Door (the only Door)
I am the Door (the only Door into the sheepfold)
In the fold with me, there you shall be free
free from fear and danger to your soul forever.
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life;
no one ever comes to God, 
unless he comes by me.

I am the Bread (I am the Bread)
The living Bread (the living Bread)
I am the Bread (the living Bread that came from heaven)
Come partake of me, then you shall be free
to live and move by power divine forever.
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life;
no one ever comes to God, 
unless he comes by me.

I am the Vine (I am the Vine)
The living Vine (the living Vine)
I am the Vine (the living vine, ye are the branches)
Now abide in me, then you shall be free,
free to bear much fruit by grace divine forever.
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life;
no one ever comes to God, 
unless he comes by me.

fpn/1972
This is written as a song, contact Joyce for a copy of the printed music.



Picture: sourced online

Thank God for the Bible

Words by James M. Gray
Music by Frank P. Nickel, 1967

O how can we thank Thee, our God, for the Bible?
Whose truth doth each century clearer reveal;
the fountain of wisdom and source of all knowledge, 
the court of humanity’s final appeal.

O here thou revealest that Thou art our Father,
the hand that hath fashioned and caused us to be.
The “resident forces,” “electrons,” and “atoms” 
could never have made or have loved us like Thee.

O how can we thank Thee, our God, for the Bible;
the gospel’s glad story, nor else had we known
of sinners redeemed and made meet for Thy glory,
of sinners redeemed who shall sit on Thy throne!

Then glory and honor, dominion, and power 
ascribe to the Trinity again and again.
To Father, and Son, and the blest Holy Spirit, 
forever and ever, and ever, Amen!


These lyrics are set to music, as song #8 in the songbook titled “Sing and Give Thanks”
Contact Joyce for a copy. The song was also recorded by the Nickel Family Singers on side one of LP671 "Wonderful Love."

Picture: depositphotos.com #10774121, standard license

The Holy Spirit

How fortunate the man who knows
the Holy Spirit’s power
and constantly communicates
with God each conscious hour.

Far more than influence (He is that),
a real person is He,
who has a mind, who has a will,
and who can feel with me.

He takes His place beside me in
each circumstance of life.
He never tires, nor does He leave
in times of storm and strife.

Third person of the God-head, He
is never caught off guard.
My pace He may accelerate
and then again, retard.

His presence makes for power and love
and always a sound mind;
my heart, when owning His full sway
will certainly be kind.

The name He bears will tell in part
His virtues and His work
as comforter, He calms my fears
where sudden dangers lurk.

As master teacher, He instructs
on issues paramount.
When facing choices, He will point
to things that really count.

He is the Holy Spirit, whom
the world can never know.
His thoughts are clean, His motives pure,
delights God’s truth to show.

The atmosphere is charged today
with other spirits high
whose purpose is to substitute 
for truth, a subtle lie.

The problem, friend, is Lucifer
(as Satan he is known);
no earthly mind can match his wit,
nor conquer him alone.

He is the prince of darkness and
a kingdom he controls;
he tempts, deceives, manipulates
a mass of wretched souls.

God’s very own are not exempt
from strategy so shrewd;
for Satan even quotes God’s Word,
but always misconstrued.

He offers many pleasures, and
of course, “enlightened minds,”
but dims the conscience, so with ease
the soul he quickly blinds.

’Tis for this cause that Jesus sent
the Holy Spirit true,
to share His love, explain His truth,
and guide our footsteps, too.

He takes God’s Word and lights the path
sin’s darkness to dispel,
and charts aright the course of life
to heaven instead of hell.

But that’s not all; by grace divine
produces fruit through me
of love and meekness, joy and peace
which those about shall see.

He can be grieved, He can be quenched;
oh God forbid, I pray,
that I should spurn this gracious Friend
to follow my own way.

He loves me so, and how I need 
this blest Companion’s care.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart,
I ask in humble prayer.

fpn/undated
Also published as "The Underlying Cause of Evil"



Pictures: sourced online

Transparent and Honest

Some folks may appear to be faithful
in worship and service of God,
but if we just knew, we would see them
less loyal than some whom we prod.

For motives so often are hidden
and we can be fooled a long time;
while God knows, He practices patience—
with mercy and kindness sublime.

It’s sad when we practice deception.
Is there gain in telling a lie?
Some prosper in money and standing—
but loss will result by and by.

When we are not truthful with others,
our mind must approve what we say;
we come to believe our own falsehoods;
we’re deceived, as no longer we pray.

This means that communion with Jesus
is out, for He is the Truth;
We’re bound to be callous and grouchy,
having lost the bright luster of youth.

Why bring on ourselves great injustice
and to others, as well, prove a curse?
Oh, let us make sure folks won’t wonder,
when we’re carried one day on the hearse.

And that day will come—let us face it!
“To die once”—then judgment and fate;
being saved, transparent and honest,
we’ll be welcomed at heaven’s strong gate.

fpn 1/83
(Alternate title "The Double Mind")



Picture: depositphotos.com #118536180, standard license

Faith Which Works by Love

Let theologians wrangle
and lay the scriptures bare;
revealing by their logic
that they can split a hair.
But I’ve one deep desire:
to please my Lord above
and demonstrate by practice
a faith which works by love.

Yes, I’m aware, my brother,
that ignorance is not bliss;
but “knowledge puffeth up” and thus
much truth we’re bound to miss.
And I am sadly burdened
in what I read and see,
how God’s own flock is scattered
by men of high degree.

I’m not against the scholars
who dig into God’s word,
but let them be reminded
how God is truly heard.
He never shares a secret
with those He cannot trust;
however intellectual,
humility’s a must!

So, when a man is learned
and owns revered degrees,
God often lets him stumble
for failure of his knees
to bow in deep abandon
and ask for truth concealed;
for God is not discovered,
He only is revealed.

New books are being written
for grown-ups and for youth;
though ever so persuasive,
some do pervert the truth.
Just like a little poison,
in the most wholesome food,
results in fatal damage;
corrupting what is good.

Now here’s a word of comfort
Christ gave to you and me:
It’s “Ye shall know the truth
and the truth shall make you free.”
He clearly thanked the Father
for all those rich in faith,
though poor in means and spirit,
accepting what God says!

Shall men of cloth and standing
force God into a mold?
Can laboratory testing
the mind of God unfold?
Christ said that He would send us
His Spirit from above.
If we’ll submit, He’ll teach us
the faith which works by love!

fpn/undated
Published as poem #18 in Contemporary Psalms


Picture: depositphotos.com #8335348, standard license

My Bible and My Hymnbook

My Bible and my hymnbook grow dearer ev’ry day.
They comfort and they guide me along life’s toilsome way.
’Tis through God’s word, the Bible, His tender voice I hear
and as I sing and worship, I feel His presence near.

Some people treat the Bible as ‘twere a lucky charm.
It’s not the book, but message, that saves us from all harm.
Such folks don’t use their hymnbook for superstitious hearts,
can never sing with liberty the songs which grace imparts.

Oh, Brother, read your Bible and use your hymnbook, too;
for life at best by ev’ry test, no other book will do.
Your Bible and your hymnbook, oh, hide them in your heart;
you’ll have an anchor for your soul. God’s truth they will impart.

fpn / 1967
Recorded on LP467, side one; published as Poem #9 in Contemporary Psalms, and as Song #11 in “Sing and Give Thanks." If you would like a copy of the music, contact Joyce.

Photo: depositphotos.com #36662225, standard license