I'd Like to Go to Africa

Today

I thought

I would like

To go to Africa.

Yes, I will go to Kenya

And see if time

Has stood still

Where at least

The walk

Is on the ground

All all come

To a sudden halt

At dusk

And sounds

Come from the voice

And travel a mile or two

And strength comes from

The family

Near to you.

Yes, Today

I thought

I'd like to go to Africa.

                                                        by Sallie Lanier, May 5, 1995

Note:  I found this poem in Foreign to Familiar,by Sarah A, Lanier. Copyright 2000, page 104.  Our family is on their way to Tanzania, which borders Kenya.  We have been preparing by studying Swahili and reading up on the culture from this hot-climate country.  I am amazed that we get to go as a family to live among the East Africans.  Please keep us in prayer as we venture out of our familiar home to a foreign land.  Please pray that we will have safety, good health, and strength for each day. 

Thy Praises

All our praise to Thee, Father;
All our praise to Thee, Son;
All our praise to Thee, Spirit;
Three persons in One. (3 times)

Oh, our Lord, Thou are holy;
Oh, our Lord, Thou are King;
Oh, our Lord, Thou are lovely;
Thy praises we sing. (3 times)

May our lives bring Thee glory;
May our tongues bring Thee praise;
May our love bring Thee honor;
Thy name do we raise. (3 times)

Oh, our Lord, Thou are holy;
Oh, our Lord, Thou are King;
Oh, our Lord, Thou are lovely;
Thy praises we sing. (3 times)


by Julie Dunlap  April 13, 2013


Note:  Last month  I made up a tune in the shower, and the next day as I put the tune to the banjo, I sang this simple praise song to fit the music.  As we meditate on the goodness and love of our God, praises flow out of our souls.  It could be expressed through music and poems, yet it is also expressed through virtuous living and acknowledgement of our dependency on our Creator.  When we fall because of our frailty, God is with us to help us stand again.  All praise to our merciful God! 

Three Strands

Quiet, so loving, sincere
Rock deep in waters pure.

Beautiful pearl

Bold, so loving, generous;
His love for his pearl continuous.

Majestic myrtle

Christ reigns as their center,
Shared with all who enter.

Glorious and Royal,
Redemption to our soil.

Jesus is Lord.

by Julie Dunlap   7-20-2002

Note:  This poem was written during one of our visits to our close friends, Bill and Margaret Anacker.   We lived with them one winter when the our older children were young, and so they became like grandparents for our children.  I put this poem in now in memory of them, and in gratitude of how we experienced Christ through their friendship.  

Kindly Spring

Kindly spring again is here,
Trees and fields in bloom appear;
Hark!  The birds with artless lays
Warble their creature's praise

Where in winter all was snow,
Now the flowers in clusters grow;
And the corn, in green array,
Promises a harvest day.

Lord, afford a spring to me,
Let me feel like what I see;
Speak, and by Thy gracious voice,
Make my drooping soul rejoice.

On Thy garden deign to smile,
Raise the plants, enrich the soil;
Soon Thy presence will restore
Life to what seemed dead before.

by John Newton   1725-1807


Note:  Praise The Almighty and Merciful Lord of Lords and King of Kings for the springtime, both in nature and that experienced in our human souls!!!

Easter Hymn

Death and darkness get you packing,

Nothing now to man is lacking,

All your triumphs now are ended,

And what Adam marred is mended.

Graves are beds now for the weary,

Death a nap, to wake more merry;

Youth now, full of pious duty,

Seeks in Thee for perfect beauty.

The weak, and aged tired, with length

Of days, from Thee look for new strength,

And infants with Thy pangs contest

As pleasant, as if with the breast.

Then, unto Him, who thus hath thrown

Even to contempt Thy kingdom down,

And by His blood did us advance

Unto His own inheritance.

To Him be glory, power, praise,

From this, unto the last of days.

by Henry Vaughan  1622-1695

Note: The Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  May the daystar rise daily in our hearts as we advance forward upon the Way of the Cross which the Son of God has shown us. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Why Did You Die?

       Why?  Why?
Why did you die
    On the cross?
You're my boss.

Why'd You die for me?
    I am like a little pea.

       Why? Why?
Why did you die
    On the cross?
You're my boss.

Why did You die on the cross?
        It is so I won't get tossed?

Tell my why you did.
         I am just a kid.

       Why? Why?
Why did You die
     On the cross?
You're my boss.


by Susanna Dunlap, age 11,   3-4-2013
(Susanna's first song)

The Servant King

Lord, You laid aside Your cloak of Glory,
    And wrapped Yourself in a towel of humility,
Placed the basin of Your love at our feet
    Knelt before us on Your knees.

Lord, wash my feet, Lord wash my feet,
Lord wash my feet.  I would be a part of Thee.
      Let me wash your feet, let me wash your feet,
      Let me wash your feet.  I want to be like Thee.

Lord, You laid aside Your throne of Glory,
     And took upon Yourself the form of a servant,
Walked the path of obedience to death,
     Even death upon the Cross.

Lord, wash my feet, Lord, wash my feet,
Lord, wash my feet.  I would be a part of Thee.
     Let me walk with Thee, let me walk with Thee,
     Let me walk with Thee.  I want to be like Thee.

by Nathan Dunlap  12-08-2000
John 3:3-15, Phil. 2:5-11

Note:  May we all draw close to Christ this Holy Week.  May we grow in joy and gratitude as we reflect on Christ's Passion. May we join in His sufferings by taking up our cross daily.  May we choose the Way of the Cross and thereby increase in endurance, patience, hope, and joy, awaiting the day of our homecoming. May we choose to be servants for Christ as we allow our feet to be washed, and as we wash the feet of others.