For Nancy

Oh love that will not let me go
I rest my weary soul in Thee
I give Thee back the life I owe
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be

Oh joy that seekest me through pain
I cannot close my heart to thee
I trace the rainbow through the rain
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be

Oh cross that liftest up my head
I dare not ask to fly from thee
I lay in dust, life's glory dead
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be

WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE LOVELY

BARTER

Life has loveliness to sell,
All beautiful and splendid things,
Blue waves whitened on a cliff,
Soaring fire that sways and sings,
And children's faces looking up
Holding wonder like a cup.

Life has loveliness to sell,
Music like a curve of gold,
Scent of pine trees in the rain,
Eyes that love you, arms that hold,
And for your spirit's still delight,
Holy thoughts that star the night.

Spend all you have for loveliness,
Buy it and never count the cost;
For one white singing hour of peace
Count many a year of strife well lost,
And for a breath of ecstasy
Give all you have been,
or could be.

-- Sara Teasdale [Photo by Joan Elise]

Lessons From Noah's Ark

ONE: Don't miss the boat.
TWO: Remember that we are all in the same boat.
THREE: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
FOUR: Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, God may ask you to do something really big.
FIVE: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
SIX: For safety's sake, it is always best to travel in pairs.
SEVEN: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board along with the cheetahs.
EIGHT: When you're stressed out, just float a while.
NINE: Remember that the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals!!!!
TEN: No matter what storm you face, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting for you.

(Author Unknown)