"Run, John! Run!" the Law demands
and gives us neither feet nor hands.
Far better news the gospel brings;
It bids us "fly" and gives us wings.
(Paul Bunyan)

Who But Christ?

Who but Christ has led a sinless life?
Who but Christ has revealed the love of God?
Who but Christ has performed such miracles?
Who but Christ has changed the course of history?
Who but Christ has claimed to be God and has the credentials to prove it?
Who but Christ can restore a broken life?
Who but Christ has overcome death and the grave?
Who but Christ offers eternal life freely to all who will come?
Who but Christ has the world hated and insulted more?
Who but Christ is worthy of all praise?
Who but Christ has purchased our salvation with His own blood?
Who but Christ takes the bitterness out of life?
Who but Christ is with me always even unto death?
Who but Christ will the entire world bow before and admit that He is Lord?
Who but Christ do the demons fear?
Who but Christ can change a murderer into a missionary?
Who but Christ can bring me to my knees in worship, admiration, honor and gratefulness?
Who but Christ is the Champion of ALL my battles?
Who but Christ is the only good within me?
Who but Christ overcomes my darkness?
Who but Christ judges righteously?
Who but Christ knows everything about and STILL loves me?
Who but Christ overlooks my every mistake and sees me with eyes of love and acceptance?
Who but Christ has spoken such words?
Who but Christ can mediate to God the Father on behalf of fallen man?
Who but Christ is worthy of judging the world?
Who but Christ answers prayer?
Who but Christ weeps and longs for each wandering soul?
Who but Christ has sacrificed all?
Who but Christ has saved myself from me?
Who but Christ has my life always been leading me to?
Who but Christ is the rock of my salvation?
Who but Christ is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world?
AGAIN I ASK YOU, WHO BUT CHRIST?!

Little bird in the sky,
You look up, it poops in your eye
You don't care, you don't cry.
You thank God cows don't fly!

THE DASH

I read of a man who stood to speak,
At a funeral of his friend.
He referred to the dates on his tombstone,
From the beginning to the end.
He noted that first came the date of his birth,
And spoke of the second, with tears,
But said what mattered most of all,
Was the dash between those years.
For the dash represents all the time,
That he spent alive on the earth,
And now only those who loved him,
Know what that little line was worth.
For it matters not how much we own,
The cars, the houses, the cash.
What matters is how we live and love,
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard:
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left.
(You could be at "dash mid-range".)
If we could just slow down enough,
To consider what's true and real,
And always try to understand,
The way other people feel;
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more,
And love the people in our lives,
Like we've never loved before,
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this special dash,
Might only last awhile.
So, when your eulogy is being read,
With your life's actions to rehash;
Would you be pleased,
With the things they have to say,
About how you spent your dash?

It Couldn't Be Done

Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn't",
But he would be one
Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.

So he buckled right in
With the trace of a grin
On his face
If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing
As he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done,
And he did it.

Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it";
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he'd begun it.

With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you , one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.

But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That "cannot be done", and you'll do it.
(Edgar A. Guest)

GREATNESS
A man is as great as the dreams he dreams,
As great as the love he bears;
As great as the values he redeems,
And the happiness he shares.
A man is as great as the thoughts he thinks,
As the worth he has attained;
As the fountains at which his spirit drinks
And the insight he has gained.
A man is as great as the truth he speaks,
As great as the help he gives,
As great as the destiny he seeks,
As great as the life he lives.
(C.E. Flynn)

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

Bite off more than you can chew,
Then chew it.
Plan more than you can do,
Then do it.
Point your arrow at a star,
Take your aim, and there you are.

Arrange more time than you can spare,
Then spare it.
Take on more than you can bear,
Then bear it.
Plan your castle in the air,
Then build a ship to take you there.

Judge Not

Pray, find no fault with the man who limps,
Or stumbles along the road;
Unless you have word the shoes he wears
Or struggled beneath his load.

There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt,
Though hidden away from view;
Or the burdens he bears, placed on your back
Might cause you to stumble, too.

Don't sneer at the man who's down today
Unless you have felt the blow
That caused his fall, or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.

You may be strong, but still the blows
That were his, if dealt to you,
In the selfsame way at the selfsame time
Might cause you to falter too.

Don't be too harsh with the man who sins,
Or pelt him with words or stones,
Unless you be sure, yea doubly sure,
That you have no sins of your own.
For you know perhaps if the tempter's voice
Should whisper as softly to you
As it did to him when he went astray,
It would cause you to falter too.

We sow a thought and reap an act,
We sow an act and reap a habit,
We sow a habit and reap a character,
We sow a character and reap a destiny.
(William Makepeace Thackeray)

FRIENDLY OBSTACLES

For every hill I've had to climb,
For every stone that bruised my feet,
For all the blood and sweat and grime,
For blinding storms and burning heat,
My heart sings but a grateful song-
These were the things that made me strong!

For all the heartaches and the tears,
For all the anguish and the pain,
For gloomy days and fruitless years,
And for the hopes that lived in vain,
I do give thanks, for now I know
These were the things that helped me grow!

'Tis not the softer things of life
Which stimulate man's will to strive;
But bleak adversity and strife
Do most to keep man's will alive.
O'er rose-strewn paths the weaklings creep,
But brave hearts dare to climb the steep.

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must-but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow-
You might succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup.
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out-
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt-
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-
It's when things seem worst that you musn't quit.
(Author Unknown)

Choose Carefully

A careless word may kindle strife;
A cruel word may wreck a life.
A bitter word may hate instill;
A brutal word may smite and kill.

A gracious word may smooth the way;
A joyous word may light the day.
A timely word may lessen stress;
A loving word may heal and bless.

Be not dismayed nor be surprised
If what you do is criticized.
Mistakes are made, I'll not deny
But only made by those who try.

There is Strength
-In silence, that speech does not know.
-In faith, that bluster can never imitate.
-In love, that hate can never realize.
-In quiet, that noise never understands.
-In prayer, that comes in no other way.

When he has more than he can eat
To feed a stranger's not a feat.
When he has more than he can spend
It isn't hard to give or lend.
Who gives but what he'll never miss
Will never know what giving is.
(Edgar A. Guest)

GOD ANSWERS
He prayed for strength that he might achieve;
He was made weak that he might obey.
He prayed for wealth that he might do greater things;
He was given infirmity that he might do better things.
He prayed for riches that he might be happy;
He was given poverty that he might be wise.
He prayed for power that he might have the praise of men;
He was given infirmity that he might feel the need of God.
He prayed for all things that he might enjoy life;
He was given life that he might enjoy all things.
He had received nothing that he asked for
-all that he hoped for;
His prayer was answered-He was most blessed.

Twelve Things to Remember-
1. The value of time
2. The success of perseverance
3. The pleasure of working
4. The dignity of simplicity
5. The worth of character
6. The power of kindness
7. The influence of example
8. The obligation of duty
9. The wisdom of economy
10. The virtue of patience
11. The improvement of talent
12. The joy of originating
(Marshall Field)

Thinking Happiness
Think of the things that make you happy,
Not the things that make you sad;
Think of the fine and true in mankind,
Not its sordid side and bad;
Think of the blessings that surround you,
Not the ones that are denied;
Think of the virtues of your friendships,
Not the weak and faulty side;

Think of the gains you've made in business,
Not the losses you've incurred;
Think of the good of you that's spoken,
Not some crel, hostile word;
Think of the days of health and pleasure,
Not the days of woe and pain;
Think of the days alive with sunshine,
Not the dismal days of rain;

Think of the hopes that lie before you,
Not the waste that lies behind;
Think of the treasures you have gathered,
Not the ones you've failed to find;
Think of the service you may render,
Not of serving self alone;
Think of the happiness of others,
And in this you'll find your own!
(Robert E. Farley)

Make yourself an honest man, and then you may be sure that there is one rascal less in the world. (Thomas Carlyle)

The poor man is not he who is without a cent, but he who is without a dream.
(Harry Kemp)

THE TEACHER
Lord, who am I to teach the way
To other people day by day,
So prone myself to go astray.
I teach them knowledge, but I know
How faint the flicker and how low
The candles of my knowledge glow.
I teach them power to will and do.
But only now to learn anew
My own great weakness through and through.
I teach them love for all mankind
And all God's creatures, but I find
My love comes lagging far behind.
Lord, if their guide I still must be,
Oh, let the other people see
The teacher leaning hard on Thee.
(Leslie Hill)

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. (Proverbs 16:32)

All human wisdom is summed up in two words, - wait and hope.
(Alexandre Dumas)

Do Your Best

It takes a little courage
And a lot of self-control,
And some given determination
If you want to reach a goal.

It takes a deal of striving,
And a firm and stern set chin;
No matter what the battle
If you're really out to win.

There is a rule in life to guide you,
As you see Prosperity:
Never put your wishbone
Where your backbone ought to be.
(Florence Koba)

Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value. (Albert Einstein)

The nicest words I know are these:
"Excuse me", "Thank you", "If you please".
(James W. Foley)

EMPHASIS
We flatter those we scarcely know,
We please the fleeting guest,
And deal full many a thoughtless blow
To those we love the best.
(Ella Wheeler Wilcox)

Make it Up

Life is too short for grievances-
for quarrels and for tears,
What's the use of wasting
Precious days and precious tears.

If there's something to forgive-
Forgive without delay-
Maybe you too, were part to blame,
So make it up today.

Be generous - forget the past
And take the broader view,
Cast away all bitterness and
Let the sunshine through.

If it's within your power
A broken heart to mend,
Remember - Love is all that
Really matters - in the end.

Loving means to love that which is unlovable,
or it is no virtue at all;
Forgiving means to pardon the unpardonable,
or it is no virtue at all;
Faith means believing the unbelievable,
or it is no virtue at all;
And to hope means hoping when things are hopeless,
or it is no virtue at all.
(Gilbert K. Chesterton)

A FUNNY THING
It is a funny thing, but true,
That folks you don't like, don't like you;
I don't know why this should be so,
But just the same I always know
If I am "sour", friends are few;
If I am friendly, folks are too.
Sometimes I get up in the morn
A-wishing I was never born;
I make of cross remarks a few,
And then my family wishes, too,
That I had gone some other place
Instead of showing them my face.
But let me change my little "tune",
And sing and smile, then pretty soon
The folks around me sing and smile;
I guess 'twas catching all the while.
Yes, 'tis a funny thing, but true,
The folks you like will sure like you.

WHAT IS LOVE?
It's silence when your words would hurt,
It's patience when your neighbor's curt.
It's deafness when the scandal flows,
It's thoughtfulness for another's woes.
It's promptness when stern duty calls,
It's courage when misfortune falls.

THE BOOMERANG
When a bit of sunshine hits you,
After bouncing off a cloud,
When a fit of laughter gets you,
And your spine is feeling proud,
Don't forget to up and fling it
At a soul that's feeling blue,
For the minute that you sling it
It's a boomerang to you.
(Capt. Jack Crawford)

TELL HIM SO
If you hear a kind word spoken
Of some worthy soul you know,
It may fill his heart with sunshine
If you only tell him so.
If a deed, however humble,
Helps you on your way to go,
Find the one whose hand helped you,
Seek him out and tell him so.

He who has a thousand friends
has not a friend to spare,
And he who has one enemy
shall meet him everywhere.
(Ali Ben Abu Tales)

Friends
I think that God will never send
A gift so precious as a friend,
A friend who always understands
And fills each need as it demands
Whose loyalty will stand the test,
When skies are bright or overcast.
Who sees the faults that merit blame
But keeps on loving just the same;
Who does far more than creeds could do
To make us good, to make us true,
Earth's gifts a sweet enjoyment lend
But only God can give a friend.
(Dr. Rosalie Carter)

GOOD IMPULSES
It isn't the thing you do;
It's the thing you leave undone,
Which gives you a bit of heartache
At the setting of the sun.
The tender word forgotten,
The letter you did not write,
The flower you might have sent,
Are your haunting ghosts at night.
(Margaret E. Sangster)

Letters are a silken thread
That runs from heart to heart,
Weaving a web of things unsaid
When we must be apart.

RISKY BUSINESS

It's a risk to have a husband, a risk to have a son;
A risk to pour your confidences out to anyone;
A risk to pick a daisy, for there's sure to be a cop;
A risk to go on living, but a greater risk to stop.
(Ruth Mason Rice)

You'll Never Know
It's easy to sit in the shine
And talk to the man in the shade,
It's easy to sit in a well-made boat
And tell others where to wade.
It's easy to tell the toiler
How best to carry his pack.
But you'll never know the weight of the load
Till the pack is on your back!

A SMILE
Let others cheer the winning man,
There's one I hold worthwhile;
'Tis he who does the best he can,
Then loses with a smile.
Beaten he is, but not to stay
Down with the rank and file;
That man will win some other day,
Who loses with a smile.

If a Jet Could Cry

Three weeks before Christmas a plane left BC ground,
Took off for Korea, it's roar sounded hell bound.

Up over the mountains and across the sea,
That plane didn't know it took Andrew from me.

The passengers all happy and jolly that day,
Just eager and ready to get on their way.

All wrapped in their thoughts and plans for their stay,
Not many noticed a young man cross the way.

His whole world before him, his family behind
Not one of them wondered what was on his mind.

I didn't know either what visions he could see.
I only wish he was thinking, kindly, of me.

Yes, I'm very selfish, and sometimes vain,
But that I would gladly have ripped him off that damn plane.

So for months I'll curse the planes going that way,
Until I feel he's happy and contended to stay.

Down deep I'm proud of a well traveled man.
They must see all they can of this beautiful land.

It broadens the mind, gives a much broader view.
The small things in life are much easier seen through.

Yes, we all need to travel, on land, air or sea.
If they did, a much better world we might see.
But please don't take my Andrew from me.
(Ruth Klassen, my "Gram", Jan. 17, 2000)

A GRANDSON'S DREAMS

Today I awoke, jumped with a start.
What time can it be? Oh, where is that clock?
It's 10 o'clock, too late, he has gone,
There I slept, was unaware of the time.

Yes, he's gone, gone, without a good-bye.
He didn't want to disturb me. Why? Why? Why?
Without a touch of his hand, or a kiss to my brow,
I overslept, what a curse, tell how how.

So hard to miss him, to beg him don't go.
Stay here with me, George, dogs and cat.
It would ruin all his life,
What a waste with no start.

I know he will work hard, like a miner strikes gold.
For the world is his oyster, and the moon is his goal.

Oh well, it's not that sad, as this is his big day.
He has big things to do, must not stand in his way.
A future to build, all his dreams to come true,
Being so strong and wise, he'll make it through.

He can see the big picture, but I know all the trials and strife,
Work, study, loneliness and sacrifice.
So watch out Korea, here he comes to take charge,
With his humor and laughter, he brings sunshine and smiles.

Sometimes I could cry "Just stay here with us,
Throw away all your dreams, your tomorrows and wealth.
Don't make a new start."
For the whims of Grandma without any heart.

Because he's my darling Grandson and about to depart,
Oh, my poor little feelings. Oh, my poor little heart.
No, look up and out to the sky,
And follow your dreams, don't let them die.

Don't let anything die over a Grandma's whims,
You are young, strong and wise.
Look, look up and out,
God's riding beside you. He knows best, no doubt.
(Ruth Klassen, my grandmother, Dec. 8, 1999)

A WONDERFUL MOTHER

God made a wonderful mother,
A mother who never grows old;
He made her smile of the sunshine,
And He molded her heart of pure gold;
In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,
In her cheeks, fair roses you see;
God made a wonderful mother,
And He gave that dear mother to me.
(-Pat O'Reilly)

SEEING

They took away what should have been my eyes,
(But I remembered Milton's Paradise)
They took away what should have been my ears,
(Beethoven came and wiped away my tears)
They took away what should have been my tongue,
(But I had talked with God when I was young)
He would not let them take away my soul,
Possessing that, I still possess the whole.
(-Helen Keller)

I RESOLVE

To strip the soul of all pretense,
To hold each day in reverence,
To keep the head and heart apace,
To make this world a worth-while place,
To share my bread with those in need,
To tolerate a neighbor's creed,
To keep a stride without a strut,
To make a home in manse or hut,
To have the grit to grin at loss,
To master life and be its boss!

My Creed

To live as gently as I can;
To be, no matter where, a man;
To take what comes of good or ill
And cling to faith and honor still;
To do my best, and let that stand;
The record of my brain and hand,
And then, should failure come to me,
Still work and hope for victory.

To have no secret place wherein
I stoop unseen to shame or sin;
To be the same when I'm alone
As when my every deed is known;
To live undaunted, unafraid
Of any step that I have made;
To be without pretense or sham
Exactly what men think I am.

To leave some simple mark behind
To keep my having lived in mind;
If enmity to aught I show,
To be an honest, generous foe,
To play my little part, nor whine
That greater honors are not mine.
This, I believe, is all I need
For my philosophy and creed.
(-Edgar A. Guest)

All of us pursue happiness,
but without knowing where to find it;
we are like drunkards trying to find their way home,
aware that they live somewhere.

It takes greater qualities to cope with good fortune than with bad.

The greatest obstacle to happiness is the expectation of too great a happiness. (Bonard le Bovier)

THE TOWN OF DON'T YOU WORRY

There's a town called Don't you worry
On the banks of River Smile,
Where the Cheer-up and Be-Happy
Blossum sweetly all the while;
Where the Never-grumble flower
Blooms beside the fragrant Try,
And the Ne'er-give up and Patience
Point their faces to the sky.

Rustic benches quite enticing
You'll find scattered here and there,
And to each a vine is clinging
Called the Frequent-eanest prayer.
Everybody there is happy
And is singing all the while,
In the town of Don't you worry
On the banks of River Smile.