More Than Conquerors
April 2003


“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him... we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.”
—1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, 17-18 (NIV)

We have all felt the pain of losing someone we love. Whether a family member has passed away, or we have had to say goodbye to a friend, we know the hurt that comes of knowing that your relationship is at an end.
When you have given so much of yourself for another person, it is really hard to say goodbye. Your heart is broken, and you are left to wonder why God has brought them to a different place. After God has brought you together, why would he want to separate you?
But when we trust in our heavenly Father, there is always hope. When we live for Jesus, we will someday be brought together some day for eternity. Eternity is a long, long time. In fact, it is more than time—it is an incomprehensible region that is outside of time. All believers who are alive, and all who have “fallen asleep” will be caught up together to be with the Lord for eternity!
We have been given this hope. Cling to it! It is the anchor of our souls. Sometimes love has to say goodbye, but we know that we’ll see each other again, when we get caught up in the clouds. As Michael W. Smith put it in his song Pray For Me, “The hardest part of love is letting go, but there’s a greater love that binds us… And someday love will bring us back around again.”


This first poem is a song that was written by a good friend of mine. It is one of my favorite songs, and has a beautiful combination of the sadness that comes when you say goodbye, and a hope that someday we will all see each other again.
“Promise me you’ll build on Him, and we’ll walk together again… And I’ll be missing you till then.”
Thank God that someday we will all walk together again!



I’ll Be Missing You Till Then

When you hear this song
Softly sing along
And know it won’t be long
Till He’s coming back for you

His promises are true
So look to the sky
When the tears fill your eyes
’Cause you’ve said your goodbyes

Don’t let your heart ache
Let it bend and it won’t break
Take the road in front of you
And do what you must do

I’ll be missing you till then…


You are someone’s dream
And so you must do well
Though I won’t be there to see
Promise me that you won’t fail

Promise me you’ll build on Him
And we’ll walk together again
Though we lose our lives for Jesus
We’ll find them in the end

I’ll be missing you till then…


Think of those who’ve gone before
Who’ve already reached the shore
It’s you they’re cheering for
They’re waiting ‘round the bend

I’ll be missing them till then…


You are someone’s dream
And so you must do well
If I won’t be there to see
Promise me that you won’t fail

Promise me you’ll build on Him
And we’ll walk together again…


I’ll be missing you till then…


—Joel Rodd
© 2001 Joel Rodd. Used with permission
You can e-mail Joel at JARodd@tantryx.com



In The New Jerusalem

He’s gone—oh, Father! He’s gone!
The path of death to travel
Where we cannot even see
And yet we must journey on,
The gift of life unravel
Looking with hope to what will be
In the New Jerusalem

Why do the tears keep flowing?
Is there no end to the pain?
We seem surrounded by dark
But through the dark we’re growing
And living through hurt we gain—
By dying to self we embark
For the New Jerusalem

Sin plagues me every day
Surely there must be a light,
Some place I can be at rest!
Jesus came to make a way
He came to make all things right
And turn the trials for our best!
At the New Jerusalem

So, my friend, I will see you
Someday on the other side
Even if we must part here—
But believe that love is true
And someday we’ll all abide
In a land with no more tears!
Our home—New Jerusalem

—Benjamin Graber



I Hafta Go

I’m sorry that I hafta go
And I thank you for your prayers.
But my Father, who lives up above,
Needed me up there.

And though you were so very sweet,
I know you’ll understand
That hosts of little angels wait
For me in Gloryland.

I can’t see a rain drop
Or a cloud up in the sky.
I can run, and jump, and play;
Without a pain or sigh.

I hope that I accomplished what
Father God sent me to do.
I hope you realize I’m His
And was only loaned to you.

I can’t come back again, you know.
But you can come to me.
Your treasure up in heaven
Is a girl that’s almost three.

So, please remember all the times
That filled us all with glee.
Make your way sure to heaven -
To come and live with me.

© by Joan Clifton Costner
Used with permission



To know just how he suffered would be dear;
To know if any human eyes were near
To whom he could intrust his wavering gaze,
Until it settled firm on Paradise.

To know if he was patient, part content,
Was dying as he thought, or different;
Was it a pleasant day to die,
And did the sunshine face his way?

What was his furthest mind, of home, or God,
Or what the distant say
At news that he ceased human nature
On such a day?

And wishes, had he any?
Just his sigh, accented,
Had been legible to me.
And was he confident until
Ill fluttered out in everlasting well?

And if he spoke, what name was best,
What first,
What one broke off with
At the drowsiest?

Was he afraid, or tranquil?
Might he know
How conscious consciousness could grow,
Till love that was, and love too blest to be,
Meet—and the junction be Eternity?

—Emily Dickinson



Life Is Like A House

Your life has strong foundations
Laid down before Creation:
Baptized and fed the Word,
You learned to love the Lord.

You’re built upon a Rock
This foundation won’t crack.
Will hold you at all times
When life lacks rhythm, rhyme.

A choice is given you.
Exactly what’ll you do?
When building on this Rock;
Of this you must take stock.

What life are you to live?
What house will you build to give?
Are you content with less?
Did you fight to build the best?

You must decide right now
What house to build and how:
Of rubies, pearls, and gems,
Or stubble, hay, and stems?

When life is at an end,
Your life to trial is sent.
A trial by fire to see
If your house strong will be.

Though you’ll escape the fire,
The reward that you desire
Will not be given you
If your house isn’t strong and true.

My message I’ll make clear:
What life will you build here?
A life that served the King?
Or settled for other things?

—Samuel Popiel



Three Seasons

“A cup for hope!” she said,
In springtime ere the bloom was old:
The crimson wine was poor and cold
By her mouth’s richer red.

“A cup for love!” how low,
How soft the words; and all the while
Her blush was rippling with a smile
Like summer after a snow.

“A cup for memory!”
Cold cup that one must drain alone:
While autumn winds are up and moan
Across the barren sea.

Hope, memory, love:
Hope for fair morn, and love for day,
And memory for the evening gray
And solitary dove.

—Christina Rossetti



I see your picture smiling there
Or recall a memory of some kind—
A day doesn’t go by without
Something bringing you to mind.
I wonder what you’re up to,
And how your day will be.
I think of you
And the thoughts become a prayer.
I take you to the Throne
And plead for you there.
I tell Him of your struggles,
Ask His strength for you today.
I pray that He will bless you,
Draw you close to Him in a new way.
And I thank Him for the special friend,
That you have been to me.
I think of you
And the thoughts become a prayer.
I take you to the Throne
And thank God for you there.
I get a letter from you
Or talk to you for a while,
Hearing how things are going,
You make me laugh, cry, or smile.
I think of you the rest of the day
Sending many a Heavenward plea.
I think of you
And the thoughts become a prayer.
I take you to the Throne
And pray for you there.
I just wanted to tell you,
You’re prayed for each day.
God brings you to mind,
And I smile and begin to pray.
For I thank my God for you
Upon every precious memory.
I think of you
And the thoughts become a prayer.
I take you to the Throne
And leave you there.
-Gretchen Glaser
© 2001 by Gretchen.L.Glaser. Used with permission



Tiles

The heart is a mosaic
Made up of colorful tiles
It is composed of a set
Of many different styles

Each tile was set by someone
Who came and touched your heart
Either for good or for bad,
They added to the work of art.

Some have laid down many,
Helping you in many ways,
Working to make your heart
Worthy of the highest praise!

Some have come and set just one—
Just one magnificent tile
Caring enough to take time
To share with you a smile

And sadly, some have laid down
Tiles that are chipped and ugly
Leaving others to fix your heart
As well as it can be

So today you have a chance
On life to make an impact:
Each tile remains forever—
One for every caring act

—Benjamin Graber



Captive Of Time

Well, dear Lord, here I stand
Feet stuck in this quicksand.
Cannot move, hard to think;
Slowly I begin to sink.
I’d run out but flesh is weak.
Head hangs down while soul shrieks.

Fear to move, death to stay
I cannot go on this way
Obvious, the reason is
I can’t go where I wish
No, I’m stuck right where I am
Time is stuck: caught and dammed.

Cast me out, Lord—hear me!
Listen to my frail plea.
Hardly prayed, barely thought.
Deliverance, come!—though weakly sought.
Time is frozen, set me free!
Grasp the hand I’ve hid from Thee.

—Samuel Popiel



All Alone in a Garden

All alone in a garden,
He knelt down on one knee—
He shed a few so painful tears
And breathed a prayer for me—

All alone in a garden,
He begged my soul for me—
He asked His Father to keep me dear
And my heart for His to be—

All alone in a garden,
He saw my destiny—
He knelt down, groaned in pious pain,
And then He wept for me—

—Joanna Spencer
© 2003 Joanna J. Spencer. Used with permission



Your Best Friend

When you’ve lost everything that your whole life you did win,
And there’s no way you can begin to pick up again;

There’s only one way to take control of your life
And be victorious over all of the strife.

Give your heart to Jesus. Just give your whole life to Him.
All He ever wanted was to be your best friend.
© by Joyce C. Lock
Used with permission



The Gift

I thank God each day
For His beautiful, amazing gift.
Yes, for His incredible blessing
Of your undying love.

When the world is foreboding
And all peoples, with a million little spears
Franticly and wildly are goading,
When I think that I can’t go on,
And that I’m going to fall,
God’s gift picks me up,
And nothing seems wrong at all.

When the world seems dark and dreary
And has put troubles in my cup,
God’s gift is there for me
To support, to lift me up.
You give me attention
I certainly don’t deserve
And you're always there for me
Whenever life throws me a curve.

Surely, God has given to me
Someone I definitely haven’t earned.
But He has also sent me
A person I can’t live without.

—Jason Spencer
© 2003 Jason Spencer. Used with permission



Sharing Height

It is no simple thing
To climb a tree.
An enchantment it brings
Being among the leaves.

Strive to gain highest height;
Survey the land.
Stretched away out of sight,
It’s more than grand.

Feel the breeze lift my heart
Among the limbs.
With this wind I’m a part,
Swaying from its whim.

Spirit soaring up here.
What a gift to be
At the height of wooden tier!
My thoughts are free.

I will cherish this time
Of lonely quiet,
’Til again I will climb
To swaying heights.

—Samuel Popiel



It’s Friday But Sunday’s Coming!

Out of the garden they were driven
Spiritually dead, the curses given
It’s Friday . . . but Sunday’s coming!

Martha and Mary shedding tears
Living through their worst fears
It’s Friday . . . but Sunday’s coming!

Abraham and Isaac to the alter climb
God will provide a lamb, they chime
It’s Friday . . . but Sunday’s coming!

Jesus hung and died on The Cross
His Followers can’t believe their loss
It’s Friday . . . but Sunday’s coming!

Calvary was God’s redemptive plan
They slaughtered THE Passover Lamb
It’s Friday . . . but Sunday’s coming!

Not here, He’s risen; as He said
The Son of God alive, not dead
He told us . . . This Day was coming!

One day He’s coming back for me
My Lord and Savior I shall see
It’s Friday . . . but Sunday’s Coming!!

—Bobbi Troyer
© 2003 Bobbi Troyer. Used with permission



~ Don’t Cry ~

Don’t cry any more tears for me.
I am at peace. I’m finally free.
Like the eagle in the sky,
I am soaring. So, please don’t cry.

I know you love me.
I love you, too.
But, my time was over;
was finally through.

I have ascended
to a better place,
which is not confined
by time or space.

To those that loved me,
I did not fall.
I only succumbed
to a higher call.

Do not mourn me.
I am with you still.
I’ll be with you always,
from dawn—until…

© 2000 by Kathi Toups
Used with permission



Up and Down
This poem was written for children, but it holds simple truths
that can bless the heart of anybody

The sun is gone down
And the moon’s in the sky
But the sun will come up
And the moon be laid by.

The flower is asleep,
But it is not dead,
When the morning shines
It will lift its head.

When the winter comes
It will die! No, no,
It will only hide
From the frost and snow.

Sure is the summer,
Sure is the sun;
The night and winter
Away they run.

—George MacDonald



On this wondrous sea,
Sailing silently,
Knowest thou the shore
Ho! pilot, ho!
Where no breakers roar,
Where the storm is o’er?

In the silent west
Many sails at rest,
Their anchors fast;
Thither I pilot thee,—
Land, ho! Eternity!
Ashore at last!

—Emily Dickinson



I’ll See You On The Other Side

I remember the many smiles
That decorated our faces
And the laughs that echoed and filled
All my heart’s empty places

And I ask—why do we move on?
Why did that heaven have to end?
Did growing up really mean
That you were no longer a friend?

Ah, but I am slowly learning
God is love, and He is sovereign
And that He will do what is best
And we’ll see each other again

I know I’ll miss you many times
But today I must say goodbye
I’ll see you on the other side
Beyond the blueness of the sky

—Benjamin Graber



Good Bye, Good Night, God Bless

I never knew you when I had the chance
Yet I knew that you were special with just one glance
I remember just talking and listening to you
You talking about your dreams like you knew
Yet I never saw what was really inside
And yet now I am seeing myself say good-bye
Please know that I was never trying to ignore the situation
And yet I never saw the light that you gave my foundation
I lay at night thinking what I could have done to make things better
And yet with tears streaming down my face I ask myself what is the matter
It has only been a few hours since the phone rang
By your side I do one last song and sang
I try to figure things out and yet can’t
Since you have left my world has been at a slant
What to do and say when I can’t even see you in that place?
When I go to the coffin to see you one last time face to face?
I look at you and stare into a heap of confusion
I try to speak and there is no verbalization
So I gather myself and clean up the mess
And stand and say Good Bye, Good Night, God Bless

—Darren Ziegner
© 2003 Darren Ziegner. Used with permission.




“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 that you would like included in the next issue, please send an e-mail to bgraber@neo.rr.com

© 2003 Samuel Popiel and Benjamin Graber. All commercial use of our poetry is forbidden without our permission. However, we do allow you to copy our poems for sharing with a friend.


Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.