Christmas Bells

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

     And wild and sweet

     The words repeat,

Of  'Peace on earth, good will to men!'

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

     Had rolled along

     The unbroken song,

Of  'Peace on earth, good will to men!"

Till ringing, singing on its way,

The world revolved from night to day---

     A voice, a chime,

     A chant sublime,

Of  'Peace on earth, good will to men!'

And in despair I bowed my head;

'There is no peace on earth,' I said,

     'For hate is strong

     And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men!'

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

'God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!

     The wrong shall fail,

     The right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men!'

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow    1807-1882

This 'peace on earth, good will to men' comes to us as we trust God with our whole being.  This is a peace that surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

'

Emmanuel

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Upon the earth, You came to dwell.
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
You loved us so, our sin to quell.
To Thee we sing - Emmanuel.

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Our God with us, our soul made well.
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
We thank You, Lord, with Thee we dwell.
Praise to the King - Emmanuel.

by Julie Dunlap   12-24-2011

Balulalow

O my dear heart, young Jesus sweet,
Prepare thy cradle in my spirit,
And I shall rock thee in my heart
And never more from thee depart.

But I shall praise thee evermore
With songs sweet to thy glory;
The knees of my heart shall I bow,
And sing that right Balulalow!

By James, John, and Robert Wedderburn    1567

All in Tune

All in tune to William's flute
Now is Robin's tabor,
Dance tonight and sing high praise
As they did in other days,
Every kindly neighbor.
All in tune, all in tune,
Are the flute and tambourine,
All in tune, all in tune,
Heaven and earth tonight are seen.

God and man are in accord,
More than flute or tabor,
Dance for joy and sing with awe,
For the child upon the straw
Is our God and neighbor.
God and man, God and man,
Are like flute and tambourine,
God and man, God and man,
As true neighbors here are seen.

Anonymous

New Songs by Two Amatuers

Lord, I'm Following You

Lord, I'm following You.
I can't find the path through the rain.
I know I'll make it through because I 'm Following You

Lord, I'm following You. I'm following You.

I don't know where I'm going
Though I can't see the light of day,
I know everything is gonna be okay because
Lord, I'm following You,
Oh, Lord, I'm following You.

It's not the world that gives me peace,
But the One who leads me through it because
I'm following You, Lord.
Oh, Lord, I'm following You.

I never have to cry in fear
Because, Lord, You're always near.
If there is darkness all around me
Still a light would fill my soul because
Lord, I'm following You. I'm following You.

There is a joy that passes all understanding
Because the One who holds tomorrow
Is holding my hand.
Lord, I'm following You.
Oh, Lord, I'm following You.

Friends may leave my side.
The devil may have lied.
I might not understand,
But, Lord, my life is in Your hand.
Lord, I'm following You.

And no matter what happens,
Lord, I will follow You.

by Abigail Little (age 12 years)  11-10-11


Come, Lord

Come, Lord. I am trusting in Your Presence.
Come, Lord.  You will help me find the way,
       Though the path is often slippery
       And the journey hard to follow.
Come, Lord.  I am trusting You today.

Speak, Lord.  I am listening to Your Wisdom.
Speak, Lord.  You will help me know Your ways,
       Though the path is often slippery
       And the journey hard to follow.
Speak, Lord.  I am trusting You today.

by Julie Dunlap   11-15-2011

My niece, Abigail, came to visit recently and sang me a song she had written a few days before her visit.  A few days later I came up with a tune one morning and asked my husband how he liked it.  He said it had potential, so while he milked the cow, I added words to the tune and sang it for him when he came in.  This is the first song I have written.  My husband has a whole notebook of songs he has written, so I am happy to finally have been able to write a song.  I thank the Lord for helping us along the path of life and for bringing music to our home.

All Saints

Behold the saints of old,
Mere men like you and I.
Yet noble knights unfold -
Such deep devotion lifted high.

Dying to self''s demands;
Faithful to God's commands

Like a farmer's windswept field -
Bowing stalks of wheat - God's plan.
Abundant harvest they yield;
Grace and goodness guiding humble man.

Dying to self''s demands;
Faithful to God's commands

Hallowed heads are bowed in humility;
Stalwart hearts are raised in worship.
Loyal lives respond to  God's mercy;
Noble deaths reveal God's Kingship.

by Julie Dunlap  11-9-2011

November 1st is All Saints Day, a day to remember the noble company of Saints who have faithfully lived their lives and passed on the Faith to us. 

Meditation on Top of a Cleft Rock

Sitting on a cushion of crisp leaves
In the company of barren trees,
Fresh, clean air filling my lungs,
Seeps to every capillary of my being.

Reaching inward, I find pools of water,
A mixture of tears and morning dew.
Water creeps thru the multitudes of cracks,
Rinses over smudges of hurt and shame
Embedded in the walls of my cavern,
Traces of a cleansing within.

I am ready for Christ's light to enter and
Struggle to disassemble the locks I had secured
To foolishly hide my shame in darkness.
The door creaks open slowly.

The sun bursts in;
Warmth flows to every corner,
Transforming my home to a palace
Where Christ can light His eternal fire
To shine on all the world.

Set before me is the task
To faithfully kindle this fire
So it may consume my entire self
And fill my depths with His gift
Of living water.

by Julie St. John    fall of 1986

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesu, hear me.
Within Thy wounds, hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee.
From the malicious enemy, defend me.
In the hour of my death, call me
And bid me, come to Thee,
That with Thy holy saints, I may praise Thee
Forever and ever.  Amen.

Author unknown - an eighth century prayer from Ireland

A West Virginia Memory

The hills are the basis of life in that land,
  Both as life given - and taken.

A harsh land with soft people,
  Yet, and also, a soft land with harsh people.

The land of my birth,
   With paths through the blackberry and greenbrier.
   Kind winds blowing gently of a song forgotten.

A greenness everywhere on her rugged slopes,
  And she gives forth her inner blackness
  As if a painful abortion of her babe within.
  All left to flow are her tears of acid.

The nights of West Virginia
  Mellow sharp lines and soaring peaks
  And the shadows embrace every living thing
  In her grasp till the dawn.

So much time I have spent in those hills,
  In games, thoughtful solitude,
  In the questions of life.

West Virginia is not bound by rivers and streams,
  For we all come from a land
  That calls from within us,
  To find greenness once again.

by Thomas Chapman

I thank you, Thomas and Brenda, that we have been able to share our lives, even if it is from a distance.  We appreciate your friendship.    

At Mountain Sunrise

I see the mountains

I see the sunrise

I feel the wind

And I see Your eyes.

Beautiful are they

That shine upon

This quiet and peaceful land.

Wondrous is Thy grace at dawn

Held in the palm of Your hand.

I see Your creation

I see Your care

I feel the change

And I see the pair.

Walking forth both

Hand in hand

Singing out a brand new song.

Gazing deep into their eyes,

You see the love that does belong.

You see Your creation

You see Your love

You feel our thanks

And you send the Dove.

Beautiful It settles

Down upon

Our quiet and waiting spirits.

Wondrous is Its grace at dawn;

We have no need to fear It.

I see the mountains

I see the sunrise

I feel the wind

And I see Your eyes.

Beautiful are they

That shine upon

This quiet and peaceful land.

Wondrous is Thy grace at dawn

Held in the palm of Your hand.

by Nathan Dunlap  2-6-1989

Lasting Peace

Peace, like a rock rollicking down a river,
   Flowing with the current,
   Tossing and turning
   In the churning waters,
   Pulled only one direction,
   Steadily moving forward
   Evermore.

Peace cometh by surrender.
   I place all I have
   Into Your loving hands
   To do as You will
   Knowing I am safe
   To trust Your love
   Forever.

by Julie Dunlap  8-15-2011

Paradox of Christ

Black is everything, white is nothing - black is nothing, white is everything.
Contemplate deeply, glance at the surface.
Truth lies in this contradiction.

Just look at a keyboard, a starlit sky, a soccer ball, a bride and groom, a charred marshmallow,
a newspaper, a panda bear. Ponder, wonder; see over and under.

The earth is a grey area, hiding the truth in a rainbow.
Colors absorb us - blue, green, yellow, orange, red - multiple shades in between.
     A variety of fruits to satisfy our senses
     Delicious
     Paint mixed to bring life to a picture
     Artistic
     Rolling hills with scattered clusters of wildflowers
     Magnificent

Look beyond these golden treasures to
     A family shivering outside their burning home,
     An old man with an empty stare on a park bench day and night,
     A young woman who is thrown around relentlessly,
     A child whose silent cries are ignored, left alone to starve,

 And God, who was nailed fast to a tree,
 That all may choose the path of the free.

by Julie St. John   Fall, 1987
   

Come to the Water

Come to the water; we will swim side by side.
   I know you are thirsty; this you cannot hide.

She comes to the edge and slowly descends,
   Clings to the ladder tightly. I encourage her again.

Come to the water; we will swim side by side.
   I know you are thirsty; this you cannot hide.

She peers at the still water, fear lies deep in her eyes.
   Will the darkness pull her under if she decides to try?

Come to the water; we will swim side by side.
   I know you are thirsty; this you cannot not hide.

Taking hold of my hand, we slowly float out,
   Enjoying the cool refreshment as she forgets her doubts.

She came to the water; we swam side by side.
   Splashes of laughter echo all around; her joy she cannot hide.

by Julie St. John, summer of 1987

To Glory Mooring

To Glory Mooring I travel this sorry road,
There a certain Gospel Ship is destined, I am told,
For a great metropolis with streets of gold.

Early set I out to catch the morrow's evening ride.
It was no later than noon when I was joined by
     A stranger at my side.
"Fellow, why follow this difficult, wretched highway?
Know ye not that down yonder town, one may abide
Assured of his income and living with monetary pride."

"My good man," quipped I, "diverted I must not be.
For should I dawdle to gain earthly spoils,
Sorrow I shall straightway see.
Lest without me my ship should surely flee.

Onward I trekked ignoring hunger, exhaustion, and pain,
Stooping down occasionally to drink from a stream of rain.
Nearer I drew to a somewhat cozy cottage-inn,
Where rest is given to the weary soul of such migrating men.
Since established by the Comforter,
To this haven I gratefully came after.

Next morning I again pursued my mission
Til accompanied by a man of carelessness and sinful submission.
"Why not take the shortcut to pleasure, young man?
Mind not your future nor your present condition.
Would it not be easier just to have fun disregarding the end."

"Have I come this far just to give up when my journey shall end with evening light?
Family and friends?  My heir and my hire?  Possessions and position?
Naught are these to such a fairer and grander sight.
I will run this race, and I will fight this good fight,
To obtain a garment of snowy white."

Now, over yonder escarpment shall I shortly arrive
To board the ship that will set us free captained by the Prince of Life.
Do journey here with effervescent haste,
To the only glory-bound docking place.

By Caleb Calcine,  Sept., l997
   

To Know My Lord

My heart longs to know You, Lord.
   You, Lord, created the universe and all it contains.
   You, Lord, led the Israelites through wilderness wanderings.
   You, Lord, love the widow, fatherless, and stranger.
   You, Lord, sent Your Son to earth.
   You, Lord, rose on Easter morning, Alleluia.
   You, Lord, fill us with Living Waters.
   You, Lord, are wonderful to behold.

Bring me back to my first Love, my Lord.
   You, Lord, fashioned and nourished me.
   You, Lord, guided me through desert times.
   You, Lord, gave me love for the elderly, orphans, and foreigners.
   You, Lord, are my Good Shepherd whom I follow.
   You, Lord, are my Resurrection Joy, Alleluia.
   You, Lord, brought me to rushing mountain springs.
   You, Lord, have shown me Your Majestic Love.

All praise and honor to the Lord, God Almighty.
   You are Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

by Julie St. John  1987

Yesterday's Rain

The rain that fell a-yesterday is ruby on the roses,

     Silver on the poplar leaf, and gold on willow stem;

The grief that chanced a-yesterday is silence that encloses

     Holy loves when time and change shall never trouble them.

The rain that fell a-yesterday makes all the hillsides glisten,

     Coral on the laurel and beryl on the grass;

The grief that chanced a-yesterday has taught the soul to listen

     For whispers of eternity in all the winds that pass.

O faint-of-heart, storm-beaten, this rain will gleam tomorrow,

     Flame within the columbine and jewels on the thorn,

Heaven in the forget-me-not; though sorrow now be sorrow,

     Yet sorrow shall be beauty in the magic of the morn.

By Katherine Lee Bates

The Morning Walk

The early morning rise of sunlight

Gently entwines itself around my limbs;
Taking root deep within my eyes
Flowing fluid nourishment for my skin.

The early morning frame of earth
Gently entwines itself around my goal;
Taking it's brush of field and flower
Paints fluid colors upon my soul.

The early morning music of water
Gently entwines itself around my toes;
Taking unhurried paths within my mind
Flowing fluid nourishment for my growth.

The early morning scent of air
Gently entwines itself around my face;
Taking it's brush of wind and praise
Paints fluid thoughts of a Holy Place.

by Nathan Dunlap

Ascension Day,  May 29, 2005

    The Swing Man

Quicker that a cat snatching

Mice from a corncrib

I’m up on a limb

High where blue eggs are warmed

And squirrels glare at the

Invasion.

Watch!   Don’t get dizzy tilting

Your head back to see

This is a good limb

High where the air is clean

And the view!  You ought

To see it!

Like a spider that’s sliding

Down its web I go

Underneath the limb

High where no man has been

Since its creation

Don’t worry.

Braced to drill a hole, turning

The lag deep into

The flesh of the limb

High where inchworms will inch

And little acorns will grow

Little caps.

                                                                                                                                     

Hook the cable on diving

In slow motion down

I’m leaving this limb

High where leaves clap their hands

For joy of Him who

Made us both.

Tie on the rope attaching

A seat with a knot

Don’t be impatient kids!

I am almost done!

Tarzan himself

Would be impressed.

Take the leap of faith joining

The birds in their flight

Trust the limb go up

High where the wind can catch

Your laughter and bring

You new life.

Nathan Dunlap 9/19/98

    I wrote this poem to describe my experiences of helping Bill Anacker , “The Swing Man”,

 install swings while our family lived with and near Bill and Margaret in the late 1990’s.

                                 

Stay on Course

Far this country race extends.
Run with patience 'round each bend.
Though steep those shady hills ascend,
And days of darkness will ascend
In this alien land.
       Stay on course;
       Keep the faith.
       Seek the Lord
       In one accord.
For us awaits a resting place.
Stay on course with truth and grace.
Help your teammates run their race,
And bring them through the trials they face
In this alien land.
       Stay on course;
       Keep the faith.
       Love the Lord
       In one accord.
Out of sight there waits a prize.
Brace your time of pain and sighs.
Joy reforms our sure demise;
Rejoice, O pilgrim, the prophet cries
In this alien land.
       Stay on course;
       Keep the faith.
       Hope responds
       To life beyond.

by Julie Dunlap 5-5-2011

 

Love is Come Again

Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain,
Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:

       Love is come again,
       Like wheat that springeth green.

In the grave they laid Him, Love whom men had slain,
Thinking that never He would wake again,
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:

Forth He came at Easter, like the risen grain,
He that for three days in the grave had lain,
Quick from the dead my risen Lord is seen:

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
Thy touch may call us back to life again,
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been.

by J.M.C. Crum  1872-1958

He is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia. God's blessing upon you this Easter.

Eyes of Faith

We gather 'round to sing
One morning bright in spring.
Palm branches wave and swing
All praises to the King of Kings.

Upon a donkey He doth ride;
Upon a foal He sits astride.
The lowly creature carries Christ -
His eyes with mine collide.

His eyes speak words of comfort;
They tell me I must persevere.
To keep the faith and trust His Word,
His silent message - this I hear.

As we proceed our praises ring,
Up front I see the King of Kings.
He holds the humble gifts we bring;
He offers hope this brightened spring.

by Julie Dunlap 4-19-2011

Seasons of a Treeman

Like a tree in the spring,
Blooming buds and signs of joy.
So were you, dear friend,
Putting joy in every girl and boy.

Like a tree in the summer,
Always giving fruit, delicious and sweet.
So were you, dear friend,
Always giving to those offbeat.

Like a tree in the fall,
Changing colors and adding beauty.
So were you, dear friend.
Changing lives and adding love.

Like a tree in the winter,
Dying out, ready for a new year.
So are you, dear friend,
Dead in flesh, alive in spirit,
Ready for a new life.

by Svetlana Dunlap 4-17-2011
in honor of Bill Anacker 12-8-1917 to 4-13-2011

The Tree Man's Question

How did I end up here
   Swaying with the leaves?
      I am not a monkey
   Climbing up a papaw tree.

How did I end up here
   Singing in the leaves?
      I am not a blue jay
   Nesting in an apple tree.

How did I end up here
   Searching through the leaves?
      I am not a squirrel
   Leaping in a walnut tree.

How did I meet You here
   Praying in the leaves?
      I am in awe of You
   Hanging from this Rough Old Tree.

by Nathan W. Dunlap 9-17-1998

In memory of our dear friend, Bill Anacker. We love you, Bill, and rejoice with you at your joyous homecoming. We have so many good memories of our years together, playing upwards, listening to the Lawrence Welk Show, planting flowers, listening to your stories, jumping off your 20 foot ladder and onto the swing in front of your house, so many birthday parties for children, morning devotions, on and on I could go, and I am so thankful!!

True Devotion

Praying long prayers
Studying God's Word
Wearing white robes
Singing bright songs

Is this enough?
Do we truly proclaim
Christ is the King
Of our hearts as we sing?

Do our acts of devotion
Affect our manner of living?

Patiently embracing each trial
Lovingly offering our lives
Willingly serving our King
Joyfully dying for Him.

by Julie Dunlap  3-8-2011

Brokenness

Brokenness will lead a humble soul
          into the presence of Jesus;
          though it seems we stand alone,
He is here to lead us.

He was broken upon the cross;
          His blood spilled out to save us.
          No love on earth will yet surpass
The brokenness of Jesus.

by Julie Dunlap  4-23-99

Note:  I have picked poems with a somber tone since it is Lent, in preparation for the celebration of Easter coming up at the end of this month. My prayer is that our hearts are softened by God's grace which is readily available to each of us. May God's blessing be upon you.
    
        

Embracing the Cross

Help me to love the crosses
  That come to me each day.
Show me the joy distresses
  Can bring to mark Your way.

To take up my cross
  Deny self, and follow You.
To shed away the dross
  Remake me, devoted and true.

At the thought of pain
  My natural man will shutter.
When insults are plain
  The temptation is to mutter.

I need Your abiding grace;
  I need Your strength to walk
With a bright and cheery face.
  My daily cross - I embrace.

Thank you, O Lord
  For the trial at hand.
Thank you, O Lord
  For the courage to stand.

By Julie Dunlap  3-22-2011
 

Healing

My heart is like the barren sand
Stripped of fairy-tale delight;
Miles of windswept prairie land
Grief, our most unwelcome blight.

Jesus, come - restore my life;
Upon this vessel pour Your balm.
Jesus, come and calm all strife;
You alone are Truth, my Psalm.

by Julie Dunlap 9-20-2007

I dedicate this poem to the family and friends of Daniel Frouman.

Lent

Lent is a tree without blossom, without leaf,
Barer than blackthorn in its winter sleep,
All unadorned. Unlike Christmas which decrees
The setting-up, the dressing-up of trees,
Lent is a taking down, a stripping bare,
A starkness after all has been withdrawn
Of surplus and superfluous,
Leaving no hiding-place, only an emptiness
Between black branches, a most precious space
Before the leaf, before the time of flowers;
Lest we should see only the leaf, the flower,
Lest we should miss the stars.

by Jean  M. Watt, 20th century

Vessels of Grace

Blind eyes
Deaf ears
Dark minds
Hard hearts

God's grace transfigures His children
Christ crucified unveils God's glory
The Holy Spirit penetrates sinful souls
The Blessed Trinity - Wonderful, Wise Worker.

Opening our eyes and ears
Shedding light into our minds
Softening our sinful hearts
Forming vessels of God's grace.

by Julie Dunlap 3-7-2011

Poem

I give you no formulas, says the Way,
I give you no equations.
But I will heal you in my own time,
In my own way,
Imperceptible to you,
Your mind races, seeking a solution;
But there is no solution that can be grasped by the mind.
Your mind tries every avenue,
Thinking that at least one will open up suddenly on the longed-for goal:
Freedom from pain.
But every avenue is a dead-end;
You are up against the wall,
The goal is not reached.
That is because the pain is there for a reason.
It is like a maddening fever that burns up and drives out disease.
By it alone do I heal you:
Without it you will die in your sickness.
By it alone do I change you unto perfection:
Without it you will be as a foreigner in my Kingdom.

Seek no formula.
Seek no equation.
Only be patient:
Wait on me
While I do my unseen work inside you.
When you are changed and fit for my Kingdom,
You will know that something happened.
But there is no need for thought.
Enter, then, into my joy,
You who have waited, in devotion, in my pain.

From Christ the Eternal Tao

Welcome to my blog

   Thank you for taking a look at this blog.  My husband and I are fond of Christian poetry and songs so I thought it would be fun to share some of our favorites with you.  We have also written quite a few poems and songs. I hope you find encouragement as you read these selections.