CARL'S SONG

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord , the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. II Timothy 4:7-8

The fight is over. The race is run. Our friend has received his crown, and I know he has laid it at the feet of Jesus, where he is kissing them now. He has waited so long to do that!

Although we will miss him, we can rejoice in knowing where he is.

This song is so appropriate. I don't have the technology to post the music, so here are the words. When I first heard it months ago, my wife and I called it "Papa's Song", because it reminded us of her Grandfather. Today however, its "Carl's Song"

His trembling hands, held the church pew that day,
struggling to stand, when they asked him to pray,
with wisdom and strength his words were spoken,
but his body grew weary, for his wings were broken

But he will fly once again
he will soar, with his wings unfolded
hear the angels applaud
as he rides on the wind
to the arms of God
and he will fly, he will fly again

And on that day, when he left for the sky,
I saw him smile, as he told me goodbye,
no more would he weep for missed tomorrows,
no more would he suffer in this land of sorrow

But he will fly once again
he will soar, with his wings unfolded
hear the angels applaud
as he rides on the wind
to the arms of God
and he will fly, he will fly,

I know that he's in a better place,
I still dream of a day, when I'll see his face
then we'll embrace,

And WE will fly once again
we will soar, with our wings unfolded
hear the angels applaud
as we ride on the wind
to the arms of God
and we will fly, we will fly,
WE will fly again.

WAKE UP

It seems that the poems have stopped, for now anyway. I find myself searching now, not for stories and rhymes, but for the truth. Not the truth of tobacco, disease, or the homeless, which are all very important, but the truth of God's word and his will.

I watched this video and was shocked at the truth of the words. Peter said that "the devil walks about as a roaring lion", which most of us should be able to recognize, but its when he takes the form of a snail, a slimy slug, that he very slowly, almost unnoticeable, creeps in and accomplishes his goal.

Watch for yourself and see if you recognize the truth.

IT'S OUR TURN

And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 2 Kings 2:9

As a very old (92) and very wise saint unfortunately spends his time at home and hospitals instead of his place on the front pew at church, his nephew has filled the void with the most graceful of transitions that only God could have prepared. There is no replacement, for we can never take the place of those who have done mighty works for God, but a continuation.

Jesus taught and prepared the disciples. The disciples taught and prepared the early church. The early church taught and prepared, and this cycle has continued through each generation. Now it is our turn, not just to teach and prepare, but to be ready to accept the responsibility of carrying the gospel torch that our elders pass down.

I wrote this poem back in May, but was never drawn to post it until now. If we could live our lives as this old saint, perhaps forty years from now someone will write about us!

The first time that I saw him,

I didn't know his name,

to hear him talk of Jesus,

he didn't show any shame.

Standing in the front of me,

jumping up and down,

lifting his hands to heaven,

the world would see a clown.

But if you listen to his words,

the love he holds inside,

was put there by the Holy Ghost,

and ever will abide.

I saw him first so long ago,

today he's still the same,

praising God forever more,

Carl is his name.