“Thou ill-formed offspring of my feeble brain…”
Anne Bradstreet
Recently, a very dear lady sent a positive word my way regarding a poem that appeared in our midweek devotional. Of course, the danger in this kind of encouragement is that the poet thinks that more of the same material is desired. And while this week, I am sharing a little more poetry with our church family, it comes not from pride (see Anne Bradstreet’s quote above to see some self-assessment) but from necessity. Teresa, Andrew, and I just returned from Charlotte where we spent a little time with my sister and made beginnings toward planning our father’s funeral. I want to say “thank you” to everyone who has been praying for us at this season. I know that many of our members are grieving for loved ones who have recently died or are very close to death. It is a comfort that we have brothers and sisters in Christ who are interceding for us.
Now on to the less important stuff, below are three short poems. Each stanza is connected to a certain chapter in the Bible. The chapters are Revelation 5, Romans 8, and Psalm 23.
Five Barley Loaves and Two Fish
#1
Too much for Him cannot be claimed,
Nor praise withheld proclaimed as just,
To Him belongs all glories named,
Whose rightful end is naked trust.
#2
Fashion, O Lord, a precious chain,
Whose gilded links will never rust,
Fired in sorrow; forged in pain,
With beauty born by tempered trust.
#3
Arrest me, Shepherd, when I stray,
In calloused hand, take rod and staff,
And crook me on yon narrow way,
And drive from me all idol chaff.
Have a blessed weekend and we will see many of you on Sunday.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Dale
