Progressive Baptist Church's Website
Poetry Corner
General Poetry
NOT YET
Sometimes I ask the question, My Lord is this your will?
It's then I hear you answer me, "My Precious Child....be still.
Sometimes I feel frustrated, because I think I know what's best,
It's then I hear you say to me, "My busy child....just rest."
Sometimes I feel so lonely and I think I'd like a mate;
Your still small voice gets oh so clear and says, "My child...just wait."
I know the plans I have for you, the wondrous things you'll see.
If you can just be patient child, and put your trust in me.
I've plans to draw you closer. I've plans to help you grow;
There's much I do you cannot see, and much you do not know.
But know this child, I Love You, you are precious unto me;
Before I formed you in the womb, I planned your destiny.
I've something very special, I hope for you to learn,
The gifts I wish to give to you are gifts you cannot earn.
They come without a price tag, but not without a cost;
At Calvary, I gave my Son, so you would not be lost.
Rest child and not be weary of doing what is good;
I promise I'll come back for you, just like I said I would.
Your name is written on my palm, I could never ever forget;
Therefore, do not be discouraged when my answer is.......Not Yet."
LET GO-LET GOD
Have you ever tried praying about it,
That problem that clouds your day?
Have you ever tried turning it over to God
And letting Him have His way?
Have you ever tried saying, "Your will be done."
And practiced just letting go,
Knowing He'll guide you out of the fog
Of that problem that troubles you so?
You'll find He is ready to help you,
You need only open your heart;
He's waiting and willing to carry the load-
The "letting go" is your part.
I WISH
Oh, how I wish in this world so free
That I could find just one man who would love me for me.
A man who won't accuse me; a man who won't use me
Just one who will love me for me, not for who he wants me to be.
I wish on this earth I could find
True Love, Happiness, and Peace of Mind.
In this fair state, I wish I could see
A day without tears and misery.
I guess all and all I wish I could be
Loved, Wanted, and Needed Desperately.
(poem written by church member Ruthie Pratt)
A TRIBUTE TO A DEAR DAUGHTER
The Lord is thy Shepherd, for each and every day
He leadeth and guideth thee through life's narrow way.
Just trust and believe in Him as I know you do
And you will find comfort in knowing He will see you through.
You gave your flowers so that all could see
How loving and caring you could really be.
So lift your head toward Heaven, for you have done all you could do
And give the rest to Jesus and He will see you through.
(poem by Ruthie Pratt written for Jackie Alston at the loss of her mother, Rosa Howard)
THE WELL OF FRIENDSHIP
Just to tell, I wish you well; and may we both rely.
That never, shall our friendship's well, be ever found running dry.
WE ARE NOT ALONE
How good it is to realize that God will undertake
For all who, burdened, cry to Him "Help me for Jesus sake."
For through His Son He has for all not only sins release
But grace for every trial of life, He keeps the soul in peace.
Sometimes when we implore the Lord to meet some special need
It seems as if His ear is deaf, no matter how we plead.
But up above the leaden skies, He watches over His own
He sees our tear drops, hears our cry; no, we are not alone.
For every trial, care, and cross; He giveth us more grace
And every storm-sky has its rift that shows His loving face.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, it is true
But He delivers, bless His name---He sees His children through.
HE SIGNED HIS NAME
He signed His name in granite as the mountains tall were formed
He signed His name in sunlight and the cold earth slowly warmed.
He signed His name in water as He filled the seven seas
He signed His name in fertile soil where He placed the mighty trees.
He signed His name in clay made flesh as He created man
He signed His name on the earth He made according to His plan.
He signed His name in wrath as He destroyed the world by flood
But to save us from our wicked ways, He signed His name in blood.
TO MY CHILD
I gave you life but cannot live it for you.
I can give you directions but I cannot always be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom but cannot account for it.
I can take you to church but cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong but I cannot always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful clothes but I cannot make you lovely inside.
I can give you love but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to be a friend but I cannot make you one.
I can teach you to share but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can advise you about friends but I cannot choose them for you.
I can tell you the facts of life but I cannot build your reputation.
I can tell you about drinking and drugs but I cannot say no for you.
I can tell you about lofty goals but I cannot achieve them for you.
I can teach you kindness but I cannot force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sin but I cannot make your morals.
I can pray for you but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can teach you about Jesus but I cannot make Him your Savior.
I can teach you to obey but I cannot make Jesus your Lord.
I can tell you how to live but I cannot give you eternal life.
A MINUTE TO SPEND
So, you only have a minute to spend?
Well, here's what a minute will buy-
A word to let someone know that you care,
A smile to a passerby,
A bit of communion with God and His world,
A "thank you" that's maybe long due,
A deep look inward to change your sights
And broaden your point of view.
If you have all of a minute to spend,
How very lucky you are!
For a minute will buy you a whole heart's prayer,
And pay your way clean to a star!
SOMEHOW I KNOW
I have never seen the whole sea-
And yet I know the sea,
For I've felt its cooling waters
And I've heard it speak to me.
I can't conceive a total God,
And yet I know Him well,
For I've felt His presence
In a way words cannot tell.
I've never seen the the air around,
And yet I breathe the air.
I cannot see the God I love,
But, oh, I know He's there!
NO NIGHT IN HEAVEN
Jesus walks beside me and He never turns away
He's always there to guide me, to light the narrow way.
His hand reaches toward me; He says, "Just hold on tight
I'll lead you safe to Heaven where there'll be no more night."
When darkness closes around me and His light I cannot see
By Faith, I'll hold on tighter to the hand pierced for me.
I know He'll leave me never; on His word I can rely
And know that up in Heaven, no night will blind my eye.
There will be no night in Heaven, all darkness flees away
For Jesus lights up Heaven, where He bids us come and stay.
Night will soon be over and we can dwell eternally
In a blessed place called Heaven where night no more shall be.
WELCOME ADDRESS (ANY OCCASION)
W - is for the warm regards we feel for you
E - is for everlasting love we hold so true.
L - is for the Love we feel for all Pastors
C - is for the choir who sings zion songs to God our Master.
O - is for the Only God we know,
M - is for the music that sets our hearts aglow.
E - is for the end that always far, yet near,
Put these letters together, you are very welcome here.
(poem written by church member Florence Sanders)
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Mary had a little boy, his soul was white as snow,
He never went to Sunday School because Mary wouldn't go.
He never heard the stories of Christ that thrilled his childish mind,
While others went to class, this child was left behind.
And so he grew from babe to youth, Mary saw to her dismay,
A soul that once was white become a dingy gray.
Realizing he was lost, she tried to win him back,
But now the soul that once was white had turned and ugly black.
She even started back to church and Bible Study too,
She begged the preacher, "Isn't there anything you can do?"
The preacher tried, failed, and said, "We're just too far behind,
I tried to tell you years ago but you would pay no mind."
And so another soul is lost which once was white as snow,
Sunday School could have helped but Mary wouldn't go.
WHEN THE HEDGE BREAKS
The hedge of protection, for this we always pray
Not one with briars and thorns, but with flowers to display.
A hedge for all around us, our family and our friends
To protect us every day, with His love that never ends.
Suddenly one dark day we look up to see...
The hedge has broken down, "Oh what will become of me?"
But hedges are not forever as God wants us to grow
To a deeper level of trust, when trials bring us low.
For when the hedge breaks and pain is allowed in..
We need to keep looking up and not fall into sin.
How long will we question? "God, do you still love me?"
"Why must my hedge be broken?" "Why this loss and misery?"
But God says, "I still love you, though for now your hedge is gone,
I will never ever leave you and I will bring you home."
So when the hedge breaks and the future seems so dim,
Remember He is in control and keeps you close to Him.
PATHWAY OF PAIN
If my days were untroubled and my heart always light,
Would I seek that fair land where there is no night?
If I never grew weary with the weight of my load,
Would I search for God's peace at the end of the road?
If I never knew sickness or never knew pain,
Would I search for His hand to help and sustain?
If all that I desired was mine day by day,
Would I kneel before God and earnestly pray?
If God sent no winter to freeze me with fear,
Would I long for the warmth of spring every year?
I ask myself this and the answers are plain.
If my life were all pleasures and I never knew pain,
I'd seek God less often and need Him much less,
For God is sought more often in times of distress.
And no one knows God or sees Him as plain,
As those who have met Him on the pathway to pain.
