THE OPEN ROAD

REPENTANCE 558

2/22/2019

REPENTANCE 558

Richard Fuller once wrote...
"You cannot repent too soon,
because you do not know how
soon it may be too late."

Perhaps one of the most difficult
tasks any of us shall encounter is
the task of repenting.

It does not take long for most
of us to realize that we need
to repent or to change. But, alas,
for most of us, repentance becomes
a lifelong process.

The lessons and events of history
teach us the need for repentance.
For it is very difficult to bask in
the sunlight, if clouds continually
hang over our heads.

Let us repent, today, while we have
the time, before it is too late.

(First written on December 5, 1978)

THE AMERICAN DREAM (1976)ary 18th, 2019

2/18/2019

    THE AMERICAN DREAM (1976)

                         Occasionally, we talk with some of our colleagues,
                         and in so many words, they insist that for them,
                      "the American Dream has died."

                      At this point in the conversation I always like them
                         to define their terms and detail their meanings.
                         Because, for as we are concerned us, the American
                         Dream is very much alive.

                        Oh yes, America gets a fever once in awhile...
                         But most of us do what most of us do when diseases
                         and corruption enter our bodies.

                         Then we seek to clean out our system or take some
                         bad-tasting medicine or even get a few shots in our
                       posterior.
                         Now, as anyone who really enjoys living can tell you,
                         it is better to be sick three or four times a year, than
                         than to be dead once.

                         And, oh the recovery. The recovery is such a wonderful
                         thing...Rededication to higher truths, to greater purposes,
                        and nobler ends enter our thoughts and way of life.

                         The American Dream is very much alive in us and in our
                         children and it shall continue to be for as long as each
   generation  is willing to pass that dream along.

God bless America!

(Written on July 26,1976)
(Last line added on February 18, 2019)

A LOT OF SINNING IN THE VALLEY

2/16/2019

   A LOT OF SINNING IN THE VALLEY

Winter lingers on
There must have been
a lot of sinning
in the valley
last year

Snow covers all
It is good that Winter
is the last season
of the year

It gives the redemptive flakes
the opportunity to cover
every sin and every sinner
with the love and mercy
of the Lord

Let it snow, dear Lord
O yes, let it snow

   (P.S. I did my part)
(Written on February 16, 2019)

ISAIAH 51:9,11,12,16

2/15/2019

ISAIAH 51:9,11,12,16

Awake, awake, put on strength,
O arm of the Lord
Awake, as in the ancient days,
in the generations old

Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord
shall return and come with singing
unto Zion,
And everlasting joy shall be upon
their head

They shall obtain gladness and joy
and sorrow and mourning shall
flee away

I, even I, am he that comforteth you
Who art thou, that shoulest be afraid
of a man that shall die
and of the son of man which shall
be made as grass

I have covered thee
in the shadow
of mine hand
that I may plant the heavens,
and lay the foundations
of the earth and say unto Zion
Thou art my people

I WILL REJOICE 556 (HABAKKUK 3:17,18)

2/14/2019

   I WILL REJOICE 556 (HABAKKUK 3:17,18)

Are you going through a valley right now?
Perhaps these words from the prophet Habakkuk
might help you through the tough times and
over the rough spots.

"Even though the fig trees
   Are all destroyed,
And there is neither blossom left
Nor fruit
And though the olive crops
All fail,
And the fields lie barren,
Even if the flocks
Die in the fields,
And the cattle barns
Are empty,
Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord
   I will be happy
In the God of my salvation.
(Habakkuk 3:17,18 Living Bible)

(Written on November 30,1978)

O LORD, AS WE WAITED FOR THEE

2/13/2019

O LORD, AS WE WAITED FOR THEE

O Lord, as we waited for thee
It snowed again, last night
While floating gently on the wind
Dispersing softly falling bits of snow
Touching every particle of ground
Spreading loveliness for miles around
Claiming redemption in our hometown
Perhaps we shall one day see
Our savior's face
As our dear dire sins
Have turned to snow
O Lord, as we waited for thee

(Written on February 12, 2019)

THE GIFT OF A CHILD 561

2/8/2019

   THE GIFT OF A CHILD   561

The gift of a child
Is a wonderful thing
It makes the heart
Skip a beat
And resurging hope
Take wing

The gift of a child
Is a magical thing
It makes old folks
Grow younger
And silent voices
Sing

The gift of a child
Is a most holy thing
A gift far greater
Than any Magi
Could ever bring

(Written on November 12, 1975)

  (Note:This was written forty years
prior to today's vicious and evil
abortion propositions being touted
by our national and state legislators
and governors. BM February 2, 2019)

ISAIAH 51:1,3,4

2/8/2019

ISAIAH 51:1,3,4

    Harken to me,
Ye that follow righteousness
Ye that seek the Lord

Look unto the rock
whence ye are hewn
and to the hole of the pit
whence ye are digged

    For the Lord shall comfort Zion
He will comfort all her waste places
He will make her wilderness like Eden
And her desert like the garden of the Lord

Joy and gladness will be found therein
  Thanksgiving and the voice of melody

      Harken unto me, my people
and give ear unto me, O my nation
For a law shall proceed from me and
I will make my judgment to rest
for a light of the people

THE SIMPLE LIFE 191

2/8/2019

   THE SIMPLE LIFE 191

  "I am bound to praise the simple life," wrote
John Burroughs, "because I have lived it and
found it good."

To live in the country. To bask in the sun.
To not feel pressured or pushed.
To walk quietly and gently down country roads.
To notice the zig-zagging of a butterfly.
To watch a dog roll in the grass under a shade tree.
To watch tree branches sway and saunter in the breeze
as an occasional leaf hesitatingly makes its way to the ground.
To watch a garden grow.
To plant just a few seeds and watch
God multiply and give the increase.
To be at peace with one's self and all of nature's creatures.
For these experiences and many more left unwritten,
we too, are "bound to praise the simple life."

             (First Published July 13, 1976)

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD 549

2/8/2019

  THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD 549

The Lord is my shepherd
I'm merely a sheep
He gives me green pastures
In which I may sleep

He leads me besides still waters
And restoreth my soul
He nurtures me while young
And tends me when I'm old

Tho' I walk through death's valley
No evil shall I fear
For his rod and staff comfort me
And I feel his spirit near

He prepares for me a feast
In the midst of all my woes
And gives me joy unspeakable
In the presence of my foes

He anoints my head with oil
Fills my cup up past the rim
I'm glad he is my shepherd
I'm glad I follow him

His mercy and his goodness
Continually follow me
Oh how I praise my shepherd
His touch hath set me free
                                        (First published on November 12, 1978)