Autumn Days

Autumn days are here

With splendid colors arrayed!

Ah, the feel in the air

Of a beautiful autumn day!

Hear the merry laughter

Of children piling leaves,

And gaze across the fields

As farmers bring in the sheaves.

Bushels of apples are being picked

to be made into cider so sweet;

Or how about a delicious pie?

M-m-m, yummy, what a treat!

I love to hear the honking

Of geese on a nearby pond.

Yes, autumn is a happy time;

We'll cherish memories fond!

The basement shelves are filled

For all our winter supply.

So we;ll say 'welcome autumn',

And to summer we'll say 'good-bye'! 

                                                       

                                                       by Rachel Plank

                                                       October 19, 2011

Yours

Yours

Lord, with my arms wide open

And my hands stretched out

I'm putting my hope in You,

And giving You my all....

From here on out.

Where You send, I'll go,

From China to New York,

Whether with rich or poor,

My trust is forever in You.

If it's through simple prayers,

Or saving tiny orphan girls,

Even when people scoff and scorn,

I'll still be serving You.

When life brings storms,

Your name is still to be praised

Because I know Your promise, 

And there will be a rainbow in the end.

My life is in Your hands,

And You are in my life.

I serve through Your name

And I love with Your heart

Because I am Yours.

Oh, Lord, I am Yours forever.

by Sveta Dunlap    Sept., 2012

Note:  I am so thankful to see God at work in our daughter, and I thank Sveta for sharing her heart through this poem.  The ultimate goal of Christian parents is that our children will love and serve Christ throughout their lives so that they bring honor and glory to God Almighty. 

'Tis the Bottom Rung

'Tis the bottom rung
   Where grace abounds
   Agape love surrounds
   Thy people all around -
      This world of sorrows,
      This world of joys.
I trust in Thee, O Lord.
I gird Thy mighty sword.
I learn to live Thy holy Word.

'Tis the bottom rung
   Where faith declares
   Christ's love calls us to share
   Share Christ's love everywhere -
      This world of sorrows,
      This world of joys.
We trust in Thee, O Lord.
We gird Thy mighty sword.
We learn to live Thy holy Word.

by Julie Dunlap  8-19-2012

Note:  I have been reading E. Stanley Jones' book Christian Maturity from which I wrote this song and the following idea. It is Christ Jesus who comes to us at the bottom rung of the ladder and lifts us up as we trust in Him.  In all other religions, people strive to reach God in various ways by climbing up to the top of the ladder. Even Christians often try to climb the ladder up to God, yet it is when we humble ourselves that God's grace is poured out abundantly and we experience agape love.  Upon receiving God's agape love, we are filled with gratitude and overflowing with God's love to share with those whom we live with and those we meet upon life's trail.