The Touch Of The Master's Hand
'Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin
But held it up with a smile.
"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried
"Who'll start the bidding for me?"
"A dollar, a dollar," then, two! Only two?
"Two dollars, and who'll make it three?
"Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three..." But no,
From the room, far back, a grey-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loose strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said:"What am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow.
"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice;
And going and gone," said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried.
"We do not quite understand
What changed its worth?" Swift came the reply:
"The touch of a master's hand."
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin.
A "mess of potage," a glass of wine;
A game -- and he travels on.
He is "going" once, "going" twice,
He is "going" and almost "gone".
But the Master comes and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the Master's hand.
You may think that your life is worthless, a piece of junk due to
something you may have done, but let me remind you, that the Master's
hand can change that all around. He can change your worth. And the
Master is none other, but Jesus Christ himself.
~A Better World~
God, look down on our cold hearts
and warm them with Your love
And grant us Your forgiveness,
which we’re so unworthy of.
Help us to do better
in this day that we’re beginning
And give us strength to overcome
our selfishness and sinning.
Give us strength and courage
to be honorable and true
And to place our trust implicitly
in unseen things and You.
And keep us kind and humble
and fill our hearts with love,
which in this selfish, greedy world
man has so little of.
Helen Steiner Rice
Let Your Wish Become A Prayer
Put your dearest wish in God's hands today
And discuss it with Him as you faithfully pray,
And you can be sure your wish will come true
If God feels your wish will be good for you...
There's no problem too big or question too small~
Just ask God in Faith and He'll answer them all~
Not always at once, so be patient and wait,
For God never comes too soon or too late...
So trust in His wisdom and believe in His word,
No prayer's unanswered and no prayer's unheard.
Helen Steiner Rice
Through My Eyes
Through my eyes
I see hope
Where there is only dispair
Through my eyes
I see a kinder place
Where there is much torment
Through my eyes
I see peace
Where there is only war
Through my eyes
I see a child, carefree and innocent
Inside each stressed and troubled adult
Through my eyes
I see a pot of gold
At each rainbow's end
Through my eyes
I see joy
Where sadness overwhelms
Through my eyes
I see compassion
Where others sit in judgement
Michelle Byrd
The Way To Happiness
Keep your
heart free from hate,
your mind free of worry,
live simply....expect little....
give much...
Heaven's Beauty
Have you ever tried to imagine the beauty you'd behold,
If ever you had the pleasure of walking Heaven's streets of pure gold?
We've heard preachers preach it; our parents talked it too,
You only have this pleasure by being born anew.
I sometimes sit and think of the wondrous things there'll be,
The only way to know for sure is take the trip and see.
There must be lovely angels with flowing gowns of white,
And above their heads a halo shining oh so bright.
There'll surely be no sadness among the people there,
Because in this beautiful place, no one has a care.
I can see Jesus standing with his arms opened wide,
It's his way of saying, "Come stand by my side."
The music that I'm hearing has the prettiest sound and tone,
It's played on harps of gold by Jesus' very own.
I don't mean to rush the journey; I'm not quite ready to go,
But when I do reach that city, happy I'll be, I know.
Ann Moncrief
The Mud Puddle
Sometimes I'm just like a child who went outside to play
After a brief, little rain shower on a warm spring day.
Out in the yard, there was a big puddle of muddy sin
And I couldn't resist the temptation to jump right in.
I rolled in it and splashed 'till I was covered from end to end.
Soon I heard my Heavenly Father calling my name.
He took one look at me and said, "It's a real shame.
I love you, My child, but I just can't let you come in
As long as you're covered with all that muddy sin."
When I heard His words, I cried and was ashamed of where I'd been.
He said, "Please don't lose heart and don't despair.
There's nothing you've done that is beyond repair.
Just go to the cross and be washed in Calvary's flow
Instantly you'll find you are clean as new fallen snow.
After you're cleansed, put on a robe of pure white,
Then you can come on in and be a beautiful sight.
by Beatrice (Bea) Filkins
In His Care
My soul was downcast and weary,
That dark and gloomy day.
I truly felt, with deep despair,
The world was fading away.
Down by the turbulent waters,
Helplessly I stood.
The black ocean in its fury
Seemed angrily to brood.
Yet the beauty of it all
Stretched across the endless sky.
In hues of faded pinks and golds,
That sunset bathed my empty life.
The clouds were edged with silver,
Shining alabaster, pure.
The vast heavens became like open arms,
Welcoming and secure.
Where dismal thoughts and hopelessness
Had once brought many tears,
Came a brilliant ray of sunlight,
Overshadowing my fears.
As the gentle breeze caressed my cheeks,
Blowing softly through my hair,
I realized that my very life
Was in my Savior's care.
No longer would I worry,
When I have no strength to stand,
For every time I fall I know
He's there to hold my hand.
Knowing Christ
Is there a treasure worth comparing
To the joy of knowing Christ?
A wealth that's capable of bearing
The burden of an empty life?
Has money ever held the hand
And whispered words of love
To even a single dying man,
And if it could, is that enough?
Can riches ever light the way
When you stand on eternity's shore,
And does it know just what to say
Before you face "Forevermore"?
Will gems impress the Lord of all?
Could they redeem your sinful life?
No jewels dim and gold is dull
Beside the joy of knowing Christ!
Rachael Ruth Steward
In Christ We Have...
A LOVE that can never be fathomed;
A LIFE that can never die;
A RIGHTEOUSNESS that can never be tarnished;
A PEACE that can never be understood;
A REST that can never be disturbed;
A JOB that can never be diminished;
A HOPE that can never be disappointed;
A GLORY that can never be clouded;
A LIGHT that can never be darkened;
A PURITY that can never be defiled;
A BEAUTY that can never be marred.
-Avis B. Christiansen-
The God Who Knows
When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts...
God knows how hard you have tried.
When you've cried so long and your heart is in anguish...
God has counted your tears.
If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by...
God is waiting with you.
When you're lonely and your friends are too busy even for a phone call...
God is by your side.
When you think you've tried everything and don't know where to turn...
God has a solution.
When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated...
God has the answer.
If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope...
God has whispered to you.
When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for...
God has blessed you.
When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe...
God has smiled upon you.
When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow...
God has opened your eyes and called you by name.
Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing...
God knows.
--By Kelly D. Caron
God Said
GOD SAID . . ..
