Finding The Secret

More Than Conquerors
March 2005
Second Anniversary Issue

A few thoughts for the year

“Maybe when the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don’t see the one which has been opened for us.”

“Always put yourself in others’ shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.”

“The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.”

“Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.”

“When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you are the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.”

Author Unknown

I should have been too glad, I see,
Too lifted for the scant degree
Of life’s penurious round;
My little circuit would have shamed
This new circumference, have blamed
The homelier time behind.

I should have been too saved, I see,
Too rescued; fear too dim to me
That I could spell the prayer
I knew so perfect yesterday,—
That scalding one, “Sabachthani,”
Recited fluent here.

Earth would have been too much, I see,
And heaven not enough for me;
I should have had the joy
Without the fear to justify,—
The palm without the Calvary;
So, Savior, crucify.

Defeat whets victory, they say;
The reefs in old Gethsemane
Endear the shore beyond.
’Tis beggars banquets best define;
’Tis thirsting vitalizes wine,—
Faith faints to understand.

—Emily Dickinson

Looking To the West

I saw the sun flee in the west,
And so I followed with my eyes
Like puppies chasing after it
As if somehow they’d reach the sky.

And like a faithful hound I’d wait
With eyes attached to the horizon
Where happiness had disappeared,
The view I thought the sun would rise on—

But once a door has closed in life
It seldom opens any more—
Though we are often blind to it
God brings us joy through different doors—

And once again, so foolishly,
My eyes are looking to the west,
But when the sunlight taps my shoulder,
I know God’s answered my request.

—Benjamin Graber

Living by the spirit
Walking with my Lord.
Daily reading the Bible,
His holy, written Word.

Bring forth fruit,
In depths of deepest despair.
Bringing forth fruit
In heights of highest air.

Clinging to the cross,
Though doubts and fears assail.
Clinging to the cross,
For He will never fail.

—Terra Mandrell
© Terra Mandrell. Used with permission.

My Mom’s Last Days

We remember:

The doctor led us to an adjoining room,
I knew I was staring at her for the last time.
Her journey home was now in bloom.
Too early, her tenure was in her prime.

She also knew her end was here
the cancer had slowly worn her down.
Like mighty Elms surrounded by deer,
the best would go with head in crown.

And she did, with dignity,
she closed her eyes and met her Lord.

She left six children in much pain,
and a spouse of almost thirty years.
We’ll limp through life with this strain,
and soaked-up day filled with tears.

Years have passed and we still remember,
the holidays we’ve spent alone.
She left us the month after November.
We talk of her when we’re all home;

It makes the pain bearable.
Mother’s Day is manageable.

For surely God has helped us cope.
Its like a toothache that’s so dull.
He wrapped His arms around us in hope,
And it gives us comfort knowing
that He took her like flowers.
He selected her from the cull.

Sowing Seeds Of Love

Sometimes the seeds I plant in
The garden of my life
Produce a crop of sorrow,
Unhappiness, and strife.

If I neglect to water
And feed the soil with prayers,
I scarce can find one blossom
Among the rocks and tares.

My garden needs the sunshine
God’s Word supplies each day,
So I can share with others,
And point them to The Way.

Lord, send to my life’s garden
Your blessings from Above;
And may I grow more like You,
While sowing seeds of love.
© by Betty Jo Mings
http://www.bettyjomings.truepath.com
Used with permission

Marriage Song

“They have no more wine!” she said.
But they had enough of bread;
And the vessels by the door
Held for thirst a plenteous store:
Yes, enough; but Love divine
Turned the water into wine!

When should wine like water flow,
But when home to glad hearts go!
When, in sacred bondage bound,
Soul in soul hath freedom found!
Such the time when, holy sign,
Jesus turned the water wine.

Good is all the feasting then;
Good the merry words of men;
Good the laughter and the smiles;
Good the wine that grief beguiles;—
Crowning good, the Word divine
Turning water into wine!

Friends, the Master with you dwell!
Daily work this miracle!
When fair things too common grow,
Bring again their heavenly show!
Ever at your table dine,
Turning water into wine!

So at last you shall descry
All the patterns of the sky:
Earth a heaven of short abode;
Houses temples unto God;
Water-pots, to vision fine,
Brimming full of heavenly wine.

—George MacDonald

Have I Made A Difference?

My dear Father, have I made a difference for you?
Oh, how I pray that I have and will continue to do so.
My desire is to find my purpose that you placed me here to do.
Have I made a difference?

In some small way, I often pray
That you will send someone my way
Where I can witness for you, dear Lord.
Your bird is sitting by the window to let me know you are so real.
Have I made a difference?

I look out, at the sunshine you gave me, today.
My desire is to bring that light into someone’s life, I pray.
If only I could tell someone of your love, today,
Maybe I could make a difference.

Lead me to some soul who needs you.
I would walk a mile to let them know your love.
Just lead me to that person who is so distraught,
Whose heart is breaking and needs you to mend their heart.
Father, help me to make a difference.

© 2005 by Sarah Berthelson
Sarah@Berthelson.com
Used with permission

True Happiness

Whatever problem, worry, or care—
Bring it to Jesus. He’s always there.

Whenever your heart does meet with His,
Then you know what true happiness is.

John 16:24
© by Joyce C. Lock
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SmileSharing
Used with permission

Up-Hill

Does the road wind up-hill all the way?
Yes, to the very end.
Will the day’s journey take the whole long day?
From morn to night, my friend.

But is there for the night a resting-place?
A roof for when the slow dark hours begin.
May not the darkness hide it from my face?
You cannot miss that inn.

Shall I meet other wayfarers at night?
Those who have gone before.
Then must I knock, or call when just in sight?
They will not keep you standing at that door.

Shall I find comfort, travel-sore and weak?
Of labor you shall find the sum.
Will there be beds for me and all who seek?
Yea, beds for all who come.

—Christina Rossetti

Happiness

It’s not a risky lottery
Where you get lucky, tip the scales
And laughter’s spilled into your lap;
Or else your every try will fail—
While every day you watch the news
And hope coincidence prevails;

Instead, it’s the ability
To see the ocean in a pond—
To grasp a smile and not a frown,
And every trial to look beyond;
It’s not about what life has dealt you
But how you will respond.

—Benjamin Graber

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or
nakedness or danger or sword?… No, in all these things
we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
—Romans 8:35, 37

If you have any comments or questions, or if you have a poem to share, please send an e-mail to bgraber@neo.rr.com

Visit our web page at http://home.neo.rr.com/thegraberclan/Fts/morethanconquerors.htm to read past issues of “More Than Conquerors”.

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