Cards

There was a day I knelt before my Saviour and felt the cleansing of His precious blood--
My burdened heart leaped up in rapturous freedom, for Christ had borne away sin's heavy load!
As day by day my heart rushed forth to meet Him, I felt His love, and fellowship was sweet.
There was no spot on earth I loved so dearly as the place of rest and peace at Jesus' feet.

Too soon I felt the vengeance of the tempter; the wretched man within me raised his head.
I felt again the weight of sin upon me; my once-free spirit lay in dust as dead.
I struggled hard against the dark temptation and longed to feel the freedom from its power.
The sin I thought was conquered seemed to bind me; my strength grew weaker with each passing hour.

'Twas in this darkest hour I heard Him calling. My one-time eager heart drew back in fear;
But softly He pursued until He found me and, with a look of sadness, drew me near.
I heard Him say, "My child, do you love me?" My guilty spirit shrank in deep dismay.
My sins paraded hauntingly before me; in shame I turned my tearful eyes away.

What heart could claim to love amid such failure? And yet I felt a burning deep within--
"You know all things, my Lord," I whispered sadly. "You know I love You even though I sin.
But I have lost all hope to feel your presence, or ever in Your service useful be,
For I am weak and sinful, quick to falter, and I do not deserve Your love for me."

And then I felt His loving arms enfold me; with such a look of tenderness He cried,
"Think not my love could wane because you faltered--'twas when you were My enemy I died!
Although, 'tis true, you are an earthen vessel, I've placed My treasured Spirit in your soul
And pledged that, though your flaws and cracks are many, My own unfailing power will make you whole.

My grace will be sufficient for your weakness; My blood will cleanse and cover all your sin;
I'll work in you to will and do My pleasure; I'll give you faith the victory to win.
My purpose will be done both in and through you, and I will give you strength to run the race.
Look not upon your own imperfect vessel--remember that within is perfect grace!"

May the faithfulness and grace of God be your hope.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
II Corinthians 4:7

And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. One of the servants . . . saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? Peter then denied again, and immediately the cock crew. John 18:25-27

He [Jesus] saith unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto Him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. John 21:17

Christ, the Lamb of God, is seated there beside His Father's throne;
All His work on earth is finished; all His sacrifice is done.
Yet in Heaven His work continues as He daily intercedes,
Laying out before the Father His requests for all my needs.

In my times of greatest trial, I could hear my Saviour say,
"May this child now lost in weakness know My perfect strength today."
Then my heart, by grace uplifted, rose up as on eagle's wing.
Filled with peace past understanding, songs of joy my heart could sing!

When the vengeance of the tempter would upon my heart assail,
I could hear my Saviour praying, "May this child's faith not fail."
Then His righteousness engulfed me, and His truth became my sword,
And the power of temptation fell away before His Word!

Now my earthly frame grows feeble as the end of life draws near.
I can feel Him bending nearer, and His tender words I hear,
"Father, grant that this, my loved one, may be with Me where I am."
When this prayer of His is answered . . . I'll be seated by the Lamb!

May you look forward with joy to eternity in Heaven!

Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given Me be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory. John 17:24

God regards our faith, though feeble, like a bowl of precious gold,
Let us watch Him purify it, as His plans for us unfold . . .
He’s the Master Metallurgist; we’re the gold within the pot;
There’s a fire underneath to heat the metal till it’s hot.
As the metal turns to liquid, the impurities arise,
And He scrapes them from the surface and surveys it with His eyes.
He is searching so intently—there is something He must see
In the precious heated metal, as He works on you and me.
As the surface grows unclouded, see His gentle smile appear;
In His eyes there is a twinkle; an approving sigh we hear.
He has seen what He is seeking! It is there! But it is dim,
So the Master Metallurgist turns the fire up again.
And the process is continued, tempered well by love and grace,
Till He sees upon the metal the reflection of His face!

May your trust in His wise purposes give you grace to endure your present difficulty.

But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Job 23:10

. . . Now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:6-7

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations: Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4

My life was like a lump of clay upon the Potter’s wheel—
No skill had I to shape myself, nor power to fight His will.

I knew His plan was for my good; I knew His hands were skilled;
I knew He promised joy and peace, so I resolved to yield.

But when the Potter’s hands began to poke, and rub, and press,
To twist my form and change my shape, I cried out in distress,

“Why must Your hands inflict such pain? Would love deal thus with me?
I thought the hands I yielded to would kind and gentle be!

If thus I must continue on, my fainting heart must know:
What proof is there that I should trust the hands that hurt me so?”

Without a word the Potter rose and stretched to me His hands;
It only took one look at them to silence my demands!

I still don’t know just why He chose this ugly lump of clay,
Nor what He forms, as on His wheel I spin from day to day.

Nor can I fully reconcile the goodness of His plan
With all the pain and loss I’ve felt since He His work began.

Yet in my heart is perfect peace, for there this memory stands:
The hands with which the Potter works are love-scarred, nail-pierced hands!

May thoughts of His love for you carry you through this difficult time.

And they that know Thy Name shall put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee. Psalm 9:10

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:28, 38-39

This Father's Day, Dad, I don't know what to give,
For no gift could express how I feel--
How I wish I could take half the love that you gave
And return it in ways just as real!

I 'd like to give back all the increase of joy
I received when you shared in my gain;
And I'd like to repay the investment you made
When you lovingly shouldered my pain.

I'd like to express how my life has been changed
As I've watched while you follow the Lord,
And I want you to know just how grateful I am
That you faithfully taught me the Word.

If I knew of a gift that included all this,
I would search earth and Heaven above,
Then I'd pack it up tight, and I'd wrap it just right,
And I'd sign it, "To Father, with love."

Happy Father’s Day!

Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in His ways. For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. Psalm 128:1-4

Could any words on earth describe a mother's special part?
A family needs a mother like a body needs a heart!

A child knows instinctively her love is like no other,
For there’s unfailing comfort in the heart-love of a mother.

That's why I always ran to you with eyes that brimmed with tears--
I knew your gentle strength would soothe away my greatest fears.

In spite of all my questions, you would never scold or chide;
And when I needed comforting, your arms were open wide.

Your life was like a portrait painted by God's loving hand--
A picture of Himself that even I could understand!

For, Mother, in your faithful love, so constant and so sure,
I learned the peace of resting in God's loving arms secure.

Your joy in serving God by meeting countless petty needs
Inspired me to trust God's will and follow where He leads.

I often count my blessings, listing one and then another;
Among the ones I count most dear is this--that you're my mother!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Strength and honor are her clothing: and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:25-31

Because they heard Him calling, they left everything behind
And followed after Jesus, giving heart, and soul, and mind.
They watched Him heal the blind man, and they ate the loaves He broke;
They knew God's Spirit touched their hearts whenever Jesus spoke.
It seemed that all was perfect, for He met their every need.
Then suddenly it all was changed--a tragic day, indeed!
The soldiers came to take Him, and He calmly went away,
And e'er the thing was ended, within a tomb He lay!
Had not this very Man declared that God alone is strong?
Were all His teachings empty words? Could they have been so wrong?
If death could conquer Him, how could He free them from their sin?
Their faith was dashed in pieces, and confusion reigned within.
Then came the joyful news which caused their spirits to revive--
The dreadful tomb was empty! Their friend Jesus was alive!
And yet, as they beheld Him, faith was dimmed by doubt and fear,
For the memory of agony and loss was hovering near.
Then Jesus, knowing faith was small and hearts were still afraid,
Sweet reassurance gave them, as triumphantly He said,
"All power in the earth and Heaven is given unto Me;
From this day on, till time is done, I'll always with you be."
Reflect upon these words of Christ whene'er your faith is small--
And know that He who conquered death is ruler over all!

May the living Christ be your life, and the power of the resurrection your strength!

And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:17-20

And [that ye may know] what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:19-20

I'm here at last, your newborn child, a gift from God above,
The fruit that blossoms forth with joy from two lives joined in love.
I have a lot of tiny parts, all meant to give you pleasure,
Like shiny eyes and dimpled knees and sweetness without measure.
The most important part by far is one you cannot see--
There is a small eternal soul that's deep inside of me.
The devil has his traps all laid--he wants my soul to keep;
His darts are sharp; his lures are bright; he will not rest or sleep.
Since I'm so trusting and naive, I'll be an easy prey;
If you two don't put up a fight, he'll surely have his way.
And since my heart is stained with sin, I'll fight you too, you know;
But though you'll often weary be--oh, please, don't let me go!
I know you'll work and plan and save to take good care of me;
I'll eat good food and wear nice clothes, and loved I'll always be.
But though providing food and clothes must surely have its part,
By far your most important task is what you teach my heart.
For time will pass, and death will come and breath from body sever;
The parts of me you see will die--my soul will live forever.
So through my life, dear Mom and Dad, please keep this as your goal:
To take with you from earth to heaven my small eternal soul.

Congratulations on the birth of your baby!

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy 6:5-7

Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. Proverbs 29:17

For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring. Isaiah 44:3

When long ago upon a cross our loving Saviour died,
' Twas then that Christ, the Bridegroom, purchased us to be His bride.
His pledge of love was made in Heaven before the Father's throne;
He chose us for Himself and put our good above His own.

His love was not inspired by any merit on our part--
' Twas born of grace and goodness springing forth from God's own heart.
And thus our faithful Bridegroom shows no change in constancy,
However cold in heart or undeserving we may be.

Now day by day our hearts are filled with growing love and trust,
As we behold our Bridegroom, Who is loving, wise, and just.
We cease from caring for ourselves and choosing our own way--
'Tis His to care for us, and ours to trust Him and obey.

O, pattern sweet, for you who now as bride and bridegroom stand,
Two lives to be forever joined by God's almighty hand!
And yet a third, the Heavenly Bridegroom, stands with you today,
And you, the earthly bride and groom, each have two parts to play!

As bride, you see, you're twice a bride--you also are Christ's own;
The vows made to your earthly groom are not to him alone.
And though you stand today as groom, you're also Christ's own bride,
And ever faithful to your vows to Christ you must abide.

As bride, you come to meet your groom adorned in glorious dress--
So both of you, as bride of Christ, must wear His righteousness.
The wonder of your Heavenly Bridegroom's all-forgiving grace
Will fill your hearts with patience as each other's faults you face.

As groom, you have not in yourself the strength to face each day--
' Tis only as you follow Christ that you can lead the way.
As bride, you can't give o'er your will and follow without fear
Apart from faith in Christ’s own power to keep your bridegroom near.

' Tis in this three-fold union that the joy of marriage lies,
For Christ will put within your hearts His love that never dies.
He'll guide you with His wisdom when your path grows rough or dim,
And He'll bind your hearts together as you each draw near to Him.

Congratulations! May you walk together joyfully toward God.

Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it. Ephesians 5:24-25

I saw the sun break through the night; my joy rose with the dawn.
But when the clouds obscured the light, my gladness, too, was gone.
Look not to fading earthly light to gladden and to cheer you--
I am the Dayspring from on High, and I am ever near you!

I sought fulfillment in a goal of which I long had dreamed,
But learned too late, to my dismay, 'twas not as it had seemed.
If in a dream you put your trust, its emptiness will grieve you--
I am the Life, the Truth, the Way, and I will not deceive you!

So pleased was I with good I'd done, until I looked within.
'Twas then I knew my purest breath was tainted through with sin.
There's naught but trusting in My blood can from sin's guilt relieve you--
I am the Lord your Righteousness, and I'll in grace receive you.

I found a friend so kind and true; my heart so strong had grown.
But flesh is frail, and death is cold, and now I walk alone.
If strength depends on earthly friends, defeat will soon o'ertake you--
I only am Eternal Love, and I will not forsake you!

I filled my life with treasures dear; my heart was so content.
But now the things that brought me joy are faded, soiled, and bent.
The things of earth will pass away and of their joys bereave you--
'Tis I who am your Great Reward, and I will never leave you!

May eternal values be your guide, and Christ Himself your goal.

I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him: for He is thy life, and the length of thy days. Deuteronomy 30:19-20

I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Psalm 16:8