below
their Savior did confess
and to the end did persevere
in mockery of pain.
In self-abasement, these the Sad
received eternal gain.
January 2012
But the Greatest of These is Love
How strong is Faith and stalwart!
How vast is Hope and free!
But Love is still the greatest
of these, the greatest three.
January 2012
On the Marriage of a Friend
I did not think I’d live to see
this day become reality.
So hard this world, so sad and ill—
who would have guessed that grace would fill
the deepest, saddest voids that ache
with peace that love and kindness make.
October 29, 2011
Canticles 8:6, 7
How strong is Death, the murderer,
that sweeps all men away,
but just as strong is gentle Love
that can its force allay.
No flood can drown sweet Charity,
nor waters wash away,
nor can a man obtain her
or for her favor pay.
Beyond all price, enduring still,
the greatest of the three,
first Faith, then Hope, then Charity,
that shall forever be.
February 14, 2012
For the Rev. Dr. Henry Krabbendam
(From Psalm 92:14)
Now you are old, but glory shines
brighter and brighter on your way,
the evidence of Love Divine
which shall shine to the perfect day.
Mercy that’s come to age, and faith,
peace, love, and virtue, hotly tried,
hope that’s more near fulfillment now
than when your soul was justified.
About to feast on Heaven’s joy
more than your little taste below,
still full of sap and very green
that shall eternal Glory know.
So shall the cold, refreshing chill
of Grace from Heaven streaming down,
quench the hot, fiendish fires of Hell
with Mercy flowing all around.
February 2012
The Unintended Blessing of Balaam
How can I curse when God has blessed
His very own, though vile and weak
In their own selves, yet strong in Him
The mighty, holy, and the meek.
I see him from the highest rocks,
God’s Israel dwelling safe below,
A sprawling city, tent on tent,
That shall eternal Glory know.
Who can the dust of Jacob count,
A quarter of their army see?
O let me die like one of them,
A righteous end give Thou to me!
This people all shall dwell alone,
No other folks shall venture nigh.
No unclean soul may enter in
Unto the holy city high.
For God has sworn to bless His own
Who will not change His holy will,
Who cannot lie like sons of men,
But will His purposes fulfill.
In Israel He sees no sin,
No wickedness and evil will.
Shouts of the King are in his camp,
And God will bless his dwelling still.
How fair thy dwelling, my belov’d!
How good thy tents all spread abroad!
No longer bound in slavery
But dwelling ever with thy God.
March 2012
Naaman’s Maid
(II Kings 5ff)
I would I were like Naaman’s maid,
The little captive unafraid
Who would her captor’s blessing see
More than her own sweet liberty.
No faith the king had like the child,
In Providence she rested mild,
Content to serve, a captured slave,
And longed the mighty man to save.
Her faith a fearsome valor knew,
And so the weak, the poor, the few
Can topple battlements so high
When stronger folk dare not draw nigh.
This little maid, so poor and mean,
Beheld the warrior made clean.
Her faith a blessing was to those
Whom in eternity God chose.
If Providence should seem to frown
Let me embrace the thorny crown
And know that He works all things well
Who has redeemed my soul from Hell.
March 2012
On Folks Joining the Church
Come ye sheep and come ye lambs
Out the darksome night and cold
To the Gentle Shepherd’s arms,
To the safety of the fold.
Strong the wolf’s ferocity
And the lion’s threatening roar,
You beside your mighty King
Shall be safe forevermore.
Fed and sheltered, safe and warm,
Free and freer yet to be,
Nestling in the refuge sure,
You shall Christ’s protection see.
April 2012
Hosea
(From Hosea and Romans 9–11)
He loved her, and He married her,
Though she would faithless prove to be.
He