LAST YEAR'S GARDEN
Another year passes now,
Another row in life’s garden has been laid behind the plow.
Looking back, inspecting every row,
What crops have sprouted from the seeds that you did sow?
Can you look back and truly say,
“I helped some lost soul to find his way?”
Did you take time to share the Word,
With someone who might not have otherwise heard?
Did you take the hand of the hurting, when heartache made them cry,
And try to help them understand when they kept asking, “Why?”.
Are there weeds in the garden of your life,
Which might have caused someone to stumble, or caused somebody strife?.
Its not too late, put your hand to the plow,
It is time to serve the Master, starting here, starting now.
Last year's garden may not have a lot to show,
This year can be better, be careful what you sow..
By; Lillian Carol Russell.
NEARING LAST CALL
Soon the lord is coming, soon He will be here,
He speaks with signs and wonders and the time is very near.
So many bombings, so much hurt and pain,
wars and rumors of wars are raging once again.
It is all part of the many signs that in the Bible we can read,
telling us that the Lord’s return is eminent indeed.
Innocent and tender hearts are being guided astray,
as Satan opens wide his path to hide the narrow way.
Who knows but that tomorrow raptured souls might all be gone,
and those who don’t know Jesus will be left to stand alone.
We must put on our armor full time not now and then,
for a mighty battle’s raging and only by faith in Jesus can we ever hope to win.
By: Lillian Carol Russell
I painted my wagon then hitched it to a star,
in youth I thought I'd do so much, but I haven't traveled very far.
My wagon needs repainting now, it's weathered and it's worn,
my bubble hasn't burst yet, but it's pretty badly torn.
When did it happen that my youth slipped away,
I was so young and active, it seems like yesterday.
Now my body doesn't work so well, each movement causes pain,
My nimble days are over, my youth has been slain.
Each step I take now seems uphill,
sometimes just getting out of bed takes all my will.
This vessel's breaking down a little day by day,
but it's only temporary, it's only made of clay.
When the Master calls me home, how wonderous it will be,
a glorified body for all eternity.
Never an ache, not a twinge of pain,
I'll be with my Lord and my loved ones again.
No tears in heaven, my God has promised no tears,
joy ever always, no worries, no fears.
For God so loved the world, He sent His only Son,
now when I die, I know for sure, life's only just begun.
By: Lillian Carol Russell
The crickets sing in the nearby wood,
their happy tune makes my heart feel good.
The mourning dove sings a sad sweet song,
I hear him calling all day long.
The birds are all busy making melody,
taking their part in God’s symphony.
From my lily pond a bullfrog sings bass,
there’s so much rhythm around the place.
The wind gently blows through the lush green leaves,
to blend with the humming of the busy bees.
Much has changed in life’s ebb and flow,
there’s a little less get-up in my go.
The sounds I hear grow sweeter each day,
as a little bit more of my life slips away.
Has my life counted I wonder at this minute,
is the world a little better place because that I am in it?
What have I done for the cause of Christ, He has done so much for me,
in fact He gave His very life back there at Calvary.
I look beyond the stars at night and feel so very small,
even the hairs of my head are numbered by the God who created all.
I listen to Him speak through the insects, the birds, the wind in the trees,
I feel His touch in the gentle blowing breeze.
He is an awesome God, a mighty God is He,
and awesome is the very thought that He loves even me.
AFTER LIFE'S BRIEF FLING
Not a sign of a cloud in the sky today,
the breeze is cool that blows my way.
The trees look so sad I could almost cry,
as they reach their bare arms to the bright blue sky.
Around my feet the leaves lie dead,
no lovely colors of green, gold or red.
Soon the air will lose it's chill,
once more to spring our hearts will thrill.
The flowers will bloom, the grass will grow,
once more earth will begin the greatest show.
Winter like death is a cold lonely thing,
it would be unbearable without the promise of spring.
My life would be the same if I didn't know,
that my Savior has prepared a place for me to go.
More beautiful is heaven than the rarest bloom is spring,
and heaven shall be mine after life's brief fling.
Because Jesus, shed His Blood and bore my pain,
after the winter of my life, heaven shall be my gain.
No death, no sickness, no tears will I shed there,
to the beauty of heaven, not even spring can compare.
A valentine for all the world to span down through all time, was the heart that God through Jesus gave, the heart of love sublime.
The heart that beat within the body that bore the pain, the heart that let itself be still, that I might heaven gain.
The heart that pumped the blood that flowed and dripped from Calvary's cross, that everyone who claims this blood be saved, none need be lost.
The heart that breaks when we turn away, putting off salvation 'til another day.
I thank God for His infinite love for all he's done for me, for His love that lives beyond all time through all eternity.
Looking through the eyes of autumn it's plain to see,
winter days ahead of me.
The birds all seem to know by the way they sing,
they seem to be calling, it's a long time 'til spring.
The squirrels are quite busy harvesting nuts from the tree,
knowing cause God tells them, winter's soon to be.
The first chill is upon us and fall's crisp breeze,
plays an enchanting melody in the rustle of the leaves.
In a blaze of glory we soon shall see,
the very special kiss of autumn upon each tree.
The flowers all will fade away,
and wait for new birth on a bright spring day.
Looking through the eyes of autumn, I know it's soon to be,
the winter of my life waits just ahead of me.
I face the road to winter not in fear and dread,
because I know of golden streets and better days ahead.
I'm aiming for heaven, keeping that as my goal,
knowing that through Jesus' blood, my God will save my soul.
Once I'm past the barren winter, transformed to the other side of life,
there'll be no more tears and sorrow, no more pain and strife.
There spring shall be forever through all eternity,
how precious precious is the Blood, that gives this gift to me!
by; Lillian Carol Russell
THANKSGIVING
On the breath of autumn's breeze,
the leaves float gently down from gaily colored trees.
There are so many blessings to be thankful for this time of year,
as the special day set aside for thanking God draws near.
Let us not limit our thanks to just one day but always be thanksgiving,
praise and thank the Lord for everyday we're living.
Thank Him for the butterfly that floats on velvet wings,
for every plant and every bird that sings.
Thank Him even for the bad times for they help to make us strong,
it seems sometimes we learn the most when everything goes wrong.
Even though my children won't be with us Thanksgiving day,
I'm thankful that they're happy, well and safe though far away.
There are so many memories of Thanksgivings past when the kids were small,
though I'll be a little sad this year I have happy memories to recall.
When the frost has spread it's diamond dust and the green colors change to crimson, gold and rust, we know by the signs Thanksgiving is here,
and we praise thee oh God for our bountiful year.
By: Lillian Carol Russell
COUNTING THE COST
David didn't count the cost when he took Bathsheba to his bed,
desires of the flesh blinded his eyes by his command her husband would soon be dead.
David's joy would all be lost,
because he didn't stop to count the cost.
It's so easy sometimes to just give in,
to the simple pleasure that we know is sin.
The little sin though very small,
is a stumble that will someday lead to a fall.
Though married each one to another,
they felt desire each for the other.
They found the chance to steal away,
no one would be hurt it was just for the day.
The lust of the flesh made them hunger for more,
each left the mate they did once adore.
Now the pain is very real a family has been lost,
all because someone sinned and didn't stop to count the cost.
Before we embark on any deed,
we should try to look ahead to where this journey will lead.
If it's contrary to God's word no lasting pleasure will we know,
for heartache is the just reward for every sinful seed we sow.
The joy of our lives can be destroyed like the kill of a winter frost,
stop and think before you act, be sure you count the cost.
by; Lillian Carol Russell
SATAN'S HOLIDAY
The time is almost here,
Satan throws a party every year.
It's depressing to watch it grow,
Halloween is satan's holiday and I think that you should know.
"The devil made me do it", is often said in jest,
but the saying has more truth than you ever might have guessed.
On TV now, they bid you call the physic line,
or call to get your horoscope, most folks think that this is fine.
Fortune tellers and seers of sooth,
are empowered by the devil that they may know your secret truth.
Satan is a lion, seeking whom he may devour,
don't think he's only make believe, he's filled with evil power.
Halloween is his unholy holiday,
the witches and goblins are more than games we play.
The stores are filled with emblems of Satan's evil tools,
while his holiday is celebrated in our homes and in our schools.
by; Lillian Carol Russell
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
(Written for the funeral services of Georgia Fulda,
a dear lady who helped lead me to Christ.)
Weep not for this empty vessel of clay,
let your tears be tears of joy, for at last I am away.
Free of the mortal cage that had bound me here,
walking with my Savior now, and with my loved ones dear.
Remember me with a smile upon my face,
for now I'm smiling always, in this most glorious place.
I walk and talk and smile without a worry or a care,
I wait for you in heaven, BE THERE!
by; Lillian Carol Russell
SMOKY MOUNTIAN RUSH
Who can know the splendor of the mountains as they reach so very high,
Appalachian splendor where the tree tops touch the sky.
Untouched by man the trees so green and lush,
as I look upon this unspoiled land I get a Smoky Mountain rush.
I looked in awesome wonder at the mountains rising high,
never had I seen a place where earth reached to the sky.
Like ghostly apparitions as far as I could see,
the hazy blue mountains speak of God's amazing majesty.
NIAGARA FALLS
Niagara Falls at night,
the water changes in the beam of multi-colored light.
Rushing water falls in shades of purple, yellow, pink and blue,
then the mist rises in pastel color hue.
Like a fairy tale adventure such a lovely sight to see,
yet in your mind you know this goes beyond reality.
The falls pristine and white,
made me glad we'd returned to see them in the light.
A river flowing gently over rocks in it's bed,
belied the danger waiting just ahead.
Suddenly it tumbles to the boulders far below,
certain death in that thunderous flow.
The crashing of the water in a sound that never dies,
mingles with the mournful seagull's cries.
The mist that rises on the ever blowing wind,
feels like a kiss of coolness to the skin.
The vivid blue-green water reflecting in the light,
contrast the ripples of foam in snowy shades of white.
Rainbows in the mist you can see them every where,
this is God's signature this awesome beauty rare.
By Lillian Carol Russell
HOW CAN MAN SAY HE IS NOT REAL
Why did He bother to place so much beauty beneath the sea,
where there were no human eyes to know it be?
Rare fish both great and small,
so numerous that man will never see them all.
The color of the coral reef,
so vivid, rare beauty beyond belief.
There are plants unique that grow in forest deep,
and vines that round the trees do creep.
Fragrance and color of flowers there,
to the brightest roses can compare.
The bird that glides on brightly colored wing,
God put beauty in everything.
How can the unbeliever look around,
with so much beauty to be found?
How can he say God is not real,
if he can see, smell, touch and feel?
By; Lillian Carol Russell
A CHANGE IN THE AIR
Thunder rumbles in the distant sky,
large dark clouds go rolling by.
I feel excitement at the change,
this kind of weather now seems strange.
The leaves never had a chance they just turn brown and die,
even the weeds have wilted from weather so hot and dry.
They say El Ni`no will bring a change our way
, lots of cold wet weather we'll face in the winter day.
Drag out the long-handles and get ready to build a fire,
crisp and cooler mornings are now my heart's desire.
It is time for gardens and earth to rest,
get ready for Thanksgiving, Christmas and greeting holiday guest.
I thank God that He lets the seasons come and go,
how boring it would be if it were not so.
Spring would not excite us if spring was always here,
and I'd miss that happy feeling when fall is getting near.
By; Lillian Carol Russell
BUMPS
Life isn't always easy there are changes along the way,
some of the good times you leave behind to be lost with yesterday.
The clock of life keeps ticking, changing all the while,
some days you greet with tears, others you greet with a smile
If I place my heart in a box to protect it from hurt and harm,
it will grow cold and die for a heart must be kept warm,
The bumps in life are painful but I guess it should be know,
although they are rough we use them to climb they teach us we must hold on.
By; Lillian Carol Russell
THE PRICELESS GIFT
Peek-a-boo my pumpkins, as I play this game with you,
it seems like only yesterday your mommy played it too.
Soft little fingers that grasp my own,
how fleeting is childhood how quickly they are grown.
The excitement of Christmas that once filled the air,
as I dressed your mommy with ribbons in her hair.
She and Uncle Norman couldn't wait fort Christmas day,
vividly I remember how hard they would play.
With love in their heart and laughter on their face,
what joy filled our lives in that time and space.
I'm lost in memory tears moisten my eyes,
gone forever are the days of their lullabies.
You are too young to read this today,
you would not understand what I'm trying to say.
I love you so much with all of my heart,
and herein lies the message I hope to impart.
God the father sent Jesus the Son,
to die for our sins to be the crucified one.
We celebrate His birth on Christmas day,
Jesus the truth the light and the way.
God loved us so much that He sent us His Son,
knowing the anguish of the deed that would be done.
It must have caused Him pain when He made Golgotha's Hill,
for He knew it was here that His Son's blood would spill.
It goes beyond the Christmas presents the paper and bows,
the lights in the windows and the tree that glows.
God out of love gave us His Son,
of all the gifts we'll ever get this is the most priceless one,
I hope that you will read this when you're old enough to know,
and understand the message of our God who loves you so.
by; Lillian Carol Russell
(for my grandchildren)
MY CHILDREN ARE AWAY
Away, away, my children are away,
no longer do I ever hear their laughter as they play.
I often think of how I rocked them as they drifted off to sleep,
precious days that only in our memory can we keep.
I remember how sometimes they would wake me in the night,
a noise or some bad dream had given them a fright.
They would snuggle up beside me in our big old bed,
until every scary thought had left their little head.
The years of their childhood so swiftly flew,
into adults my babies grew.
God in his wisdom healed the pain,
by sending grandchildren for me to love again.
No sweeter blessing in life could I know,
but all too soon it was time for them to go.
Sometimes I feel so sad,
I miss the precious children, I miss them oh so bad.
The love that God plants in the heart of a mother,
is a stronger bond than any other.
Though now I have heartache I think with a smile
God blessed me with children though it seems for just a while.
Never waste a moment or resent the time raising a child demands,
for some day you will be old with nothing but time on your hands.
By; Lillian Carol Russell