Along life’s way I hope and pray
That God is there both night and day
And that He hears our silent prayer
To stay close by no matter where.
I’m sure that He has much to do
And millions with a wish list too
I do not want to jump the line
The chances are that I’ll be fine.
But it would be quite nice to think
That when one trembles on the brink
The Lord is there to break the fall
Because He loves us warts and all !
I wish I had a magic cape
That I could use for my escape
From this old world that’s full of tears
And struggles greatly with its fears !
I’d rise above the clouds so high
And sail the currents in the sky
Perhaps I’d fly to Neverland
Now wouldn’t that be fine and grand ?
What shall be there, what will I see,
God’s Promised Land, eternity !
I’ve traveled on life’s byways with stops along the way
And traversed many highways before the end of day
I’ve wandered far too long searching for the rainbow’s end
While asking God to help me to find my lifelong friend.
I lost my pal not long ago, I wish she were here
So I could say I miss her and why she was so dear
Perhaps time will tell if we shall ever meet again
But I’m not worried yet cause I still remember when !
I have wept alone but a million tears
And battled with close to a thousand fears
I have argued in vain a hundred ways
And struggled and lost for too many days.
I have wakened often in darkest night
The victim of unreasonable fright
I have said my prayers aloud to my God
And have asked for aid and a gentle prod.
I am sure that He will always be there
Through the bleakest night or a day quite fair
I shall beg His help to carry my load
And to stay with me on this last long road !
I’d like to think that I am blessed
In my constant and desired quest
To find the peace I’m sure exists
Someplace beyond where patience sits.
So guard your tongue, be kind to all
Remember pride doth have its fall,
Our Jesus Christ, so humble He
Has promised us eternity !
There is a day that I recall
It happened early in the fall
As we were riding in the car
To visit someone not too far.
We came upon a crossroads stop
I felt my mind spin like a top
For there before my very eyes
Was the most wonderful surprise.
A country church its spires high
They stretched to reach into the sky
This ancient brown wood edifice
That seemed to speak of heaven’s bliss.
The beauty of the grounds about
Spoke loudly for its faith devout
The sight of that old wooden spire
Breaching heaven sets hearts afire.
It’s been so long since I was there
I think I can’t remember where
But this I know when I am sad
The thought of it makes me feel glad !
I’m learning to live in a different way
Taking all of my chances from day to day
Trying to be a better version of me
By sharing my dreams and the hopes that I see.
So come and take part in this new escapade
Together we must try to stand unafraid
We’ll join in the chorus that praises our God
Let’s have faith in His word, it won’t be that hard !
The winds have swept this coat of white
Across the rooftops through the night
The streets lay silent and pristine
With winter’s stamp upon the scene.
The birds seem quiet deep in sleep
For how much longer may we keep
This peaceful picture in our mind
To help us all some comfort find ?
What is it that I’m wishing for
A world that’s free of hate and war
What is it that I’m dreaming of
A place that’s full of peace and love.
What is it that I hope to see
That all God’s children will be free
What is it that I long to hear
The song of angels on my ear.
What is it that I pray to feel
That all of this is true and real
What is it that I want to touch
The heart of God I love so much !
There among the shadows in a deep dark borrowed cave
The son of man was taken his body to be laved
While most of those who knew him did hide along the way
Fearing their discovery before the end of days.
Imagine their surprise when they learned that he was gone
There was no way to find him neither there nor beyond
It took three days to learn he no longer knew the grave
But risen forth had he for his people to be saved !
Today’s the day I need to say
I thank You Lord for every day
The love and care, the food and drink
And all the pleasant thoughts I think.
My heart is Yours forevermore
I’ve never felt this way before
I promise that I shall be true
And vow to live my life for You !
High on the precipice I left my foolish fears
There silent and alone amidst my falling tears
Vowing not to be that sad soul forever more
Training my eye to focus on God’s open door
For He has said to all that we are welcome here
We’re free to come and go, to laugh and cry or cheer !
There is a place that waits for me
Beyond the waves, across the sea
Perhaps a cove or sandy beach
Seawater splashed and unimpeached.
God’s creatures waiting one and all
Adhering to the Saviour’s call
We stand in line there to await
Determination of our fate !
Sometimes a knock upon the door
Awakens us to joy in store
My dearest girl reach deep inside
For that is where your courage hides.
Just take a chance, reach out right now
And you will learn to take a bow
Perform you must no matter what
Let’s show the world the power you’ve got.
Now walk erect and make a stand
Reach out to lend a helping hand
Know God is always there for you
He loves you so, His love is true !
Oh Lancelot, dear Lancelot, where is it you have gone
What lost and lonely metaphor may we depend upon
Oh Lancelot, kind Lancelot, please help to make me smile
I would love to be a maiden for just a little while
And when my life is over and my fate has been resolved
I’d rise above the madness with no mystery unsolved !
We need to be careful along life’s weary way
So that we do not waste one solitary day
For days are short and lives are somewhat shorter too
Before we are aware our time is overdue
I think that life is so full of varied blendings
Though I prefer to wish for more happy endings !
Oh help me Lord, show me the way
To keep my aim on faith each day
I need to know that You are there
To save me from life’s dark despair.
Sometimes I’m lost and feeling low
Confused about where I should go
But I have hope that I can’t lose
My trust in You whate’er I chose !
Oh what an exciting thrill that it would be
If I were a shining star upon your tree
I’d glow and twinkle brightly all through the night
From morning snuggles to whispers of goodnight !
Oh Santa Claus, Santa Claus, where are you tonite
Are you getting ready for early morning flight,
Please be very careful, the elves are working hard
Are you sure that everyone has their own green card ?
Oh Santa Claus, please do try to remember me
And leave some extra kisses on my Christmas tree !
EXCUSE ME, but I was reminded of one of the most exciting experiences of my life that occured a number of years ago in 2011 at the Discovery Center, Times Square, NYC. I attended a special Israeli Dead Sea Scrolls Presentation and spent more than 5 enthralling hours soaking up the aura of films, fragments, scrolls, maps and knowledge with a dear friend of mine, her birthday gift to me ! We even got to eat in the newly opened Cake Boss area, lower level. But the highlight of the exposition was scouring over those fragmented scrolls and recognizing the actual Tetragrammaton. Can you imagine my excitement ? Gave me the chills ! There it was, direct from Qumran and the Essenes to NYC and me ! What magic made those 4 letters of ancient script call out my name I may never know, but I won’t ever forget ! I am in my 85th year of life now and still trying to reach out and spread the good news. You don’t have to listen but I am bound to speak. May God bless you all and keep you safe in His arms ! Sincerely, Claire B.
I hear a voice so sweet and clear
A voice full of great warmth and cheer
Like notes that echo on the ear
A childlike sound that joyous rings
To tempt the mind with magic wings
Like songs the smallest angel sings !
For all of those who are alone
And to the Lord their prayers intone
To those who’ve lost far too much sleep
O’er worry how their home to keep,
Or health that is in need of care
Some crisis that they cannot bear
For help to wake and greet each day
True faith is there to show the way.
The Lord’s beside you never fear
He feeds your soul from far or near
He guides you in what e’er you do
Have hope, believe He won’t fail you !
The time is coming it’s almost here
As we wait to greet the brand new year
What kind of changes shall we then see
And what will that mean for you and me ?
Since I am old and remember when
We all believed He would come again
To reign on earth for a thousand years
And heal our wounds and allay our fears.
Then once was a time when faith was strong
And peoples from divers lands did throng
To worship Him in His holy place
And join Him there in eternal grace !
Life is so very precious, oh my dear
Embracing faith helps keep our God quite near
I see His stars that twinkle in the sky
Reminding me there is this force on high.
I’ve not been blinded by the far-off lights
They’ve been my company too many nights
I lie abed before my eyelids close
And sometimes count my fingers and my toes
Still joyous count God’s blessings by the score
Knowing if I have need there will be more !
Oh how I wish that I could be
The Christmas star upon your tree
I’d cover me with sparkle dust
And shimmer in a style august !
I’d shine and twinkle through the night
And glimmer in the early light
I’d hear the wishes that you made
Before it was to bed you’d laid
I’d gift to you a world so sweet
Filled with pure joy and hope complete !
These winter winds embrace the night
While we all snuggle and sleep tight
Under blankets or handmade quilt
That wizened hands with love have built.
The winds do whistle through the glass
Reminding all of life’s morass
Our patience is required now
Pray we survive these times somehow.
For longer than we care to think
Our future trembles on the brink
The Lord is there and knows our plight
And safekeeps us throughout each night !
Along the path that we have trod
With one eye constant on our God
So many twists and turns we’ve met
Temptations passed hold no regret
We’ve stayed the course with faith in mind
And kept our courage strong not blind.
Sometimes the fates have challenged us
With visions ever glorious
But we have met the enemy
And seen the truth that all may see
Bare fisted, bald or velvet gloved
Remember, you are truly loved !
The dearest words that we can say
Are “thank you Lord” for each new day
Tomorrow has some time to wait
Its thanks may come a day too late.
The time is now not hours hence
It only makes good common sense
The days may rise and after pass
Till we have breathed our very last
There is that moment each must know
We’ve reached the end of life’s last show !
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 | 31 | ||||
Claire V. Bogdanos 