Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906 - 1945) was a major writer and thinker in Germany between the wars. His books of theology are still read and as influential among contemporary evangelical believers as the work of C.S. Lewis and Billy Graham. In 1939 he refused to take the loyalty oath to Adolf Hitler. Shortly after that he was invited to participate in a plot to assassinate Hitler. He was eventually caught, imprisoned, and executed. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Prison Poems

"When I was in prison, no writings encouraged me more than Bonhoeffer's" - Chuck Colson

Further reading - Dietrich Bonhoeffer A Biography - Eberhard Bethge

Modern Living

In the dear dead days of recipe books,
Papa came home and asked "What cooks?"
Now, when hunger pangs are gnawing
He walks in and says "What's thawing?"

~taken from our grandmother's book: Don McNeil's Breakfast Club Memory Time

And mind you...that was 1952! What would the poet think of us today?

The Breakfast Club was a morning program that ran on ABC radio from 1933-1968 which makes Don McNeil the longest talk show host ever, beating Johnny Carson and Bob Barker.

Loving Our Neighbor on Our Knees

More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are men better than sheep or goats
That nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friend?
For so the whole round earth is every way
Bound by gold chains about the feet of God.
~Alfred Tennyson

Intercessory prayer might be defined as loving our neighbor on our knees.
~Charles H. Brent

Moreover, as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord, in ceasing to pray for you. ~I Samuel 12:23

Silver Platters and Everyday Dishes

by Debbie Allred

"It's just a Silver Platter,"
Cried the Everyday Dish,
As the Master took it from it's
Place and polished it.
"How can he keep it there with
Nothing to do all day?
He only uses it once in a while
To put it on display.
But I on the other hand work
Very hard all day.
I never get a special occasion
For which to be on display."

"It's just an Everyday Dish,"
The Silver Platter said,
As the Master used it for the seventh
Time before he retired to bed.
"Why does he seem to care for it,
And use it everyday?
Since it's just an Everyday Dish
And can never be on display."
But I on the other hand sit
Here all the day.
I'm never used the seventh time.
I must wait to be on display.

"O Lord I thank thee for they goodness,"
Said the Master as he prayed.
"I have both an Earthen Vessel
And a Silver Platter for display.
By thy hand you have made a very great house,
And given strength to us all
By thy bounty in the vessels
Whether great or whether small.
They are both only vessels by
Which you serve your food.
Help us to remember
To in them place the good."

So we are only vessels, Lord
By which you serve your food.
Help us to depend on you to in us
Place the good.
That we might serve you worthily
Whether it be everyday,
Or perhaps an occasion of your choice
To serve while on display.

~Debbie shared this poem with a ladies group many years ago, during a wonderful Bible study where she walked us through the Life of David.

Goody O'Grumpity

A nice book to read during this time of year. The book summary reads," Children come from near and far to taste Goody O'Grumpity's wonderful spice cake."

The 1937 poem is written by Carol Ryrie Brink and in 1994, Ashley Wolfe, illustrated it by using linoleum block prints painted with watercolors. Wolfe says this about the name Goody:

"I knew that it was a custom in early America to call a married woman "goodwife", so perhaps Goody was a shortened term of endearment."

She also was able to find a 17th century spice cake recipe which is at the end of the book.

Goody O' Grumpity was a Pilgrim woman with a great big heart!

Lina Sandell

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
~Lina Sandell

Lina Sandell (1832-1903) At the age of 26, she went with her father Jonas Sandell, a Lutheran pastor on a boat trip, during which he fell overboard and drowned before her eyes. The tragedy affected Lina, inspiring her to write hymns. She poured out her broken heart in an endless stream of beautiful songs. Sandell is known as the Fanny Crosby of Sweden. ~Wiki

10 Commandments in Verse

Thou no gods shalt have but me:
Before no idol bend the knee.
Take not the name of God in vain:
Dare not the Sabbath day profane.
Give both thy parents honor due:
Take heed that thou no murder do.
Abstain from words and deeds unclean;
Steal not, though thou be poor and mean.
Make not a willful lie, nor love it
What is thy neighbor’s do not covet.

Sum of the Commandments :

With all thy soul love God above,
And as thyself they neighbor love.

Little Drops of Water

In 1845, Julia Carney, a Boston schoolteacher, wrote this poem as she was preparing a Bible lesson. She wanted to emphasize the value of small things. The poem was later included in a McGuffey's Reader and became world famous.

Little drops of water,
little grains of sand,
make the mighty ocean
and the beauteous land.

And the little moments,
humble though they may be,
make the mighty ages
of eternity.

Little deeds of kindness,
little words of love,
make our earth an Eden,
like the heaven above.

So our little errors
lead the soul away,
from the paths of virtue
into sin to stray.

Little seeds of mercy
sown by youthful hands,
grow to bless the nations
far in heathen lands.

Glory then for ever
be to God on high,
beautiful and loving,
to eternity.

~Julia Fletcher Carney (1823-1908)

Doe the Nexte Thynge

Elisabeth Elliot often uses the phrase, "Do the next thing." It's from a poem she found pasted on a page of her mother's prayer notebook. She said it was comforting to her during all kinds of circumstances, especially the ones that leaned toward self pity, times that often paralyze us.

From an old English parsonage down by the sea
There came in the twilight a message to me;
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,
Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.
And on through the hours the quiet words ring
Like a low inspiration: "DOE THE NEXTE THYNGE."

Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, guidance, are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, doe the nexte thynge.

Do it immediately, do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe 'neath His wing,
Leave all resultings, doe the nexte thynge.

Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
Working or suffering, be the demeanor;
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance be they psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.
Then, as He beckons thee, doe the nexte thynge.

Chief Delight

A Child's Prayer

Lord, teach a little child to pray, and then accept my prayer;
For thou canst hear the words I say, for thou art everywhere.

A little sparrow cannot fall unnoticed, Lord, by thee;
And though I am so young and small, thou dost take care of me.

Teach me to do the thing that's right, and when I sin, forgive;
And make it still my chief delight to serve thee while I live.

Q. What is the chief and highest end of man?
A. Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully enjoy him forever.

Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, are all things: to whom be glory forever.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsover ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Take Care

Little children, you must seek rather to be good than wise,
For the thoughts you do not speak shine out in your cheeks and eyes.

If you think that you can be cross or cruel, and look fair,
Let me tell you how to see you are quite mistaken there.

Go and stand before the glass, and some ugly thought contrive,
And my word will come to pass just as sure as you're alive!

What you have and what you lack, all the same as what you wear,
You will see reflected back; so, my little folks, take care!

And not only in the glass will your secrets come to view;
All beholders, as they pass, will perceive and know them, too.

Out of sight, my boys and girls, every root of beauty starts;
So think less about your curls, more about your minds and hearts.

Cherish what is good, and drive evil thoughts and feelings far;
For, as sure as you're alive, you will show for what you are.

~ Alice Carey (1820-1871)


Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is.

For the New Year

Father, I know that all my life
Is portioned out for me,
And the changes that are sure to come
I do not fear to see;
I ask Thee for a present mind,
Intent on pleasing Thee.

I would not have the restless will
That hurries to and fro,
Seeking for some great thing to do
Or secret thing to know;
I would be treated as a child
And guided where I go.

Wherever in the world I am,
In whatsoever estate,
I have a fellowship with hearts
To keep and cultivate .
And a work of lowly love to do
For the Lord on Whom I wait.

~ Anna L. Waring 1850

A Book by Edgar Guest

“Now” - said a good book unto me -
“Open my pages and you shall see
Jewels of wisdom and treasures fine,
Gold and silver in every line,
And you may claim them if you but will
Open my pages and take your fill.

“Open my pages and run them o’er,
Take what you choose of my golden store.
Be you greedy, I shall not care -
All that you seize I shall gladly spare;
There is never a lock on my treasure doors,
Come - here are my jewels, make them yours!

“I am just a book on your mantel shelf,
But I can be part of your living self;
If only you’ll travel my pages through,
Then I will travel the world with you.
As two wines blended make better wine,
Blend your mind with these truths of mine.

“I’ll make you fitter to talk with men,
I’ll touch with silver the lines you pen,
I’ll lead you nearer the truth you seek,
I’ll strengthen you when your faith grows weak -
This place on your shelf is a prison cell,
Let me come into your mind to dwell!”

October

O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild,
Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call,
Tomorrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow.
Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know.
Release one leaf at break of day;
At noon release another leaf;
One from our trees, one far away.
Retard the sun with gentle mist;
Enchant the land with amethyst.
Slow, slow!
For the grapes' sake, if they were all,
Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,
Whose clustered fruit must else be lost--
For the grapes' sake along the wall.

~Robert Frost (1874-1963)