A Prayer For Our Boys

O God, for the boys whose lives are clean,
Who have never delved in the depths of sin,
Who opened their hearts at a mother’s knee
To ask a loving Saviour in;
Who stand today in the strength of youth,
As they fight for peace, may they fight for truth.

And, Lord, for the boys who have never known
The blessings rare of a Christian home,
As they wander far from the ones they love
May they cease, O God, from Thee to roam.
They were dead to Thee as they dreamed of life;
May they find Thy peace in the midst of strife.

And O for the son of a mother who kneels
To earnestly pray for the wayward boy
She has claimed for Thee since his babyhood,
Still his heart is closed to the source of joy,
May he kneel at the cross of his mother’s Lord,
May he learn to fight with the Spirit’s sword.

Bless those that are tired; may they rest in Thee;
Hold those that are weak that they may not fall;
May those who are longing for folks back home
Lean hard upon Thee as their All in all.
And for us who sit home with our comforts and joys,
O God, may we faithfully pray for our boys!


By Barbara C. Ryberg

The Test of Loyalty

The idea is not that we do work for God, but that we are so loyal to Him that He can do His work through us -- “I reckon on you for extreme service, with no complaining on your part and no explanation on Mine.”

- Oswald Chambers - My Utmost for His Highest

This quote caught my attention and I was about to post it without comment. Then, while dwelling on the words “extreme service” the following passages of Scripture came to mind:


“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1

“Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” Luke 17:9,10

Overall there is a good thought line in the quote. God does not always explain to us why things are the way they are, and He expects us to acquiesce without complaining. However, instead of it being “extreme service,” it is merely our “reasonable service.”

BECAUSE A TIME MAY COME

THOUGHTFUL care for worn and weary.
Tender heart for others keep,
Lest sad mem'ry come before us
When our loved ones lie asleep,
With their hands together folded.
Heeding never touch of ours.
Nor kiss, nor tears, nor tender drooping
Of beloved buds and flowers.

Leave the bitter word unspoken;
So shalt thou be strangely glad
If there lies no backward shadow
On dead faces wan and sad —
If a pale lip has not quivered
For thy careless, hot reply.
And no tears for thy transgression
Ever dimmed a lidded eye.

Soon shall come no quick forgiveness.
As to-day, for you and me ;
Though our tears and bitter wailing
Well attest our agony.
Calm and silent, calm and silent,
Never clod beloved wakes,
Though remorse sits close beside it,
And the heart repentant breaks.

Serve and wait, for when beyond us
Lives float off to yonder shore,
Never word or loving service
Can we render evermore.
And that river may be near us,
In this murky light unseen.
So let us strew along its borders
Boughs of living evergreen.

- Ethel Lynn Beers

Book review -- This Thing of Ours: How Faith Saved My Mafia Marriage

This Thing of Ours: How Faith Saved My Mafia Marriage by Cammy Franzese was disappointing. The description of the book, a lady who remained faithful to her marriage while her mafia husband spends eight years in jail, sounded interesting. If it were not for the Book Sneeze agreement to read a book in its entirety, I could have closed it with the third chapter.

The environment from the start of the book, movie industry and dancing, was not appealing. Even the author uses such language as “seductively” in describing the dancing, yet still approves of it. This coming from one who claims to be a Christian is astounding. As it begin to move into describing her mother’s remaining in a difficult marriage, it seemed the book was progressing to better territory. Then it reveals the fact that the man the author ends up marrying already had a wife and was divorced. From there, the book lost its worth. It talked about being faithful in marriage until death and the author stayed with her husband through all the trying years he was in prison, yet the point of stressing the permanency of marriage was lost in the fact she married someone who had already broken those vows in a previous marriage. Also, the book frowned on infidelity in marriage yet indicates, with no shame, that the woman was already with child when she married. This leaves the un-spoken implication that adultery is wrong, but fornication is not.

This book was a complementary copy from the Thomas Nelson to read and review. There was no obligation to give a favorable book review.

It Matters Not

It matters not what others say;
And less what they may think—
So long as I walk in His way,
And of His Spirit drink.

It matters not what they decree;
And less what they may plan—
The gallows which is built for me
Will hang the gallows man.

Yet, should the gallows built for me,
Still fall to be my lot—
By life or death I will be free.
It really matters not.

No other man can shut me up,
Though prison doors are locked,
For at His table I still sup
It really matters not.

For everyone the Son sets free
Is truly free indeed.
It matters not where you may be;
No hindrance shall impede.

So when your foes rise up like floods
To weave their wicked plot;
Remember...God alone is Judge.
It really matters not!


Larry Hodges

Lab dog woodburning

Someone sent me this picture:

And asked me to woodburn this box:

Box after staining: