THE OPEN ROAD

POP 335

6/15/2019

   POP 335

Some have called him Father
Some have called him Dad
We have always called him Pop
Ever since we were a lad

It takes a life of selflessness
To become the cream of the crop
But we know one that surely fits the bill
We affectionately call him Pop

We have met the best of the best
And watched those at the top
But none are dearer to our heart
Than the man whom we call Pop

O, heroes may come and go
And we hope they'll never stop
But we have one we're fondest of
He's a gentleman we call Pop

(Written on June 19, 1977)

ISAIAH 56:1,7

6/15/2019

ISAIAH 56:1,7

Thus saith the Lord,
Keep ye judgment
and do justice,
for my salvation
is near to come,
and my righteousness
to be revealed

Their burnt offerings
and their sacrifice
shall be accepted
upon mine alter,
for mine house
shall be called
an house of prayer
for all people

IT''S STILL A GRAND OLD FLAG

6/15/2019

IT'S STILL A GRAND OLD FLAG

Pardon me while I propose a toast
For I certainly intend to boast
Of a land that has the most
Of nearly everything supreme

O how I love that old American dream
Where old glory still flies high
And freedom's still our battle cry
Let me salute that old American flag
Until the very day I die

For it's still a grand old flag
And I certainly intend to brag
For its colors still ring true
I just want to say
Hooray, Hooray; Hooray for
The red, white, and blue

(Written by Bill Morgan
on June 14 and 15, 2019)

(morganofriverton.com)

(I was dissatisfied with the original
wording of the last stanza. I like what
is now written, and do not anticipate
any further changes. bm. 6.15.2019)

A SON OF MARYLAND 586

6/9/2019

   A SON OF MARYLAND 586

  I'm happy to be living
In this land of liberty
That lets others be themselves
And permits me to be me

No soldiers come a knocking
At my door, in the dead of night
In my home, my haven, I retire
Free from terror, free from fright

I open up my Bible
And read any verse I choose
With no fear of losing life or limb
For believing in God's good news

I'm proud to be an American
I'll say it as often as I can
I'm proud to be an American
And a son of Maryland

(Written on February 11, 1979)

ONE ALONE 585

6/8/2019

ONE ALONE 585

As dutiful parents, do you ever
get the feeling you may not
not be giving enough attention
to your children?

We feel this way, at times. Especially
on an individual, one on one basis.

So, one day, when we took a overnight
visit to Washington, D.C.
We parceled out three of our children
to some of our friends, and took
only our oldest daughter, Tammy, with us.

We reflect on this action with a great deal
satisfaction. For we were able to communicate,
easily, laugh, and enjoy one another's company
without the usual squawking, bickering, arguing,
etc. that often takes place when all six of us
take up space in the car.

And Tammy was able to glean an understanding
of the importance of this individual attention.

We hope to do more of this type of individualizing
in the future, and would heartedly recommend it
for you and you children, too.

(Written February 8,1979)

ISAIAH 55:12,13

6/1/2019

   ISAIAH 55:12,13

For thou shall go out with joy
and be led forth with peace;
the mountains and the hills
shall break forth before you
into singing
and all the trees of the field
shall clap their hands

Instead of the thorn
shall come up the fir tree,
and instead of the brier
shall come up the myrtle tree;
and it shall be to the Lord
for a name, and for an everlasting
sign, that [thou] shall not be
cut off

HOPE ON 216

6/1/2019

HOPE ON 216

When night is at its darkest
And many clouds surround
When your mind has given up
And your friends have let you down
Let hope control the center of your heart
For God's love doth still abound

Rejoice in the Lord always
'Tis He who shall set us free
He washes all our sins away
He still lets blind man see
We may now have faith in tomorrow
With trust as our soliloquy

Hope on, Hope on
'Mid the struggle and the strife
Through the turmoil of this life
When your foes seem undefeatable
And your woes seem indefatigable
Hope on, Hope on, Hope on.

(Written on September 12, 1979)

0 Comments 637-8687 217

ON GIVING THANKS 584

6/1/2019

  ON GIVING THANKS  584

During the past year,
we have encountered many
of the typical problems experienced
   while raising a young family.

Often, these problems encouraged us
   to become discouraged and to complain
far more frequently than we know we should.

Recently, some of the problems were resolved,
or at least their solutions became foreseeable.

And so, we breathed a sigh of relief
and thanked  the Lord.

   But, we suspect there is a tendency within us
to complain much louder and more often
   than to give thanks to the Lord.

We have been continually blessed
by our Heavenly Father. And we hope
   in the months to come, our praises
shall far outweigh and out distance our
complaints.

(Written on February 9, 1979)

ISAIAH 55:6,7,8,9

5/25/2019

ISAIAH 55:6,7,8,9

  Seek ye the Lord
while he may be found
Call ye upon him
while he is near

  Let the wicked forsake
his way
and the unrighteous man
his thoughts
And let him return unto
the Lord

  And He will have mercy
upon him
for he will abundantly pardon

For my thoughts are not
your thoughts
Neither are your ways
my ways, saith the Lord

For as the heavens are higher
than the earth
so are my ways higher
than your ways, and my thoughts
than your thoughts

A TOUCH OF WONDER 208

5/25/2019

   A TOUCH OF WONDER    208

When we were children
We tried to count all the stars
In the sky and we were struck
With a touch of wonder

As we grew, it often amazed us
How little puppies grew
And grew and grew and grew
And every day was new
With a touch of wonder

In our youth, we often sat
At our parents' feet
And marveled at the miracles
Of Jesus, and dreamed
With a touch of wonder

   We cuddle our children now
And snuggle them warm in their beds
Who has privileged us so
We ask as we kneel in prayer
With a touch of wonder

One day we shall take
That fateful journey
Across the gulf of immortality
And place our hand in his
With a touch of wonder

(Written on August 24, 1978)