Entry #43: The Choice of the Lord?

I am glad I know the author of the best book in the world, the Bible. It is God himself who used men to pen His thoughts. Some of the best poems I’ve seen, however, with the exception of some wondrous poems by family members, have been written by unknown authors. This particular poem, though I know neither the author nor the title of the poem is one of those wondrous poems, in my estimation. I do believe, however, that God knows the author (and that’s the important thing, isn’t it?). If I could name this poem, though, I might name it: “The Choice of the Lord.” See what you think of this:

I may never see tomorrow;
There’s no written guarantee,
And things that happened yesterday,
Belong to history.

I cannot predict the future,
I cannot change the past,
I have just the present moment,
I must treat it as my last.

I must use this moment wisely,
For it soon will pass away,
And be lost to me forever,
As part of yesterday.

I must exercise compassion,
Help the fallen to their feet,
Be a friend unto the friendless,
Make an empty life complete.

The unkind things I do today,
May never be undone,
And friendships that I fail to win,
May nevermore be won.

I may not have another chance,
On bended knee to pray,
And thank God with humble heart,
For giving me this day. 

Life without purpose is barren indeed.
There can’t be a harvest unless you plant seed.
There can’t be attainment unless there’s a goal.
And man’s but a robot unless there’s a soul.

If we send no ships out,
No ships will come in,
And unless there’s a contest,
Nobody can win.

For games can’t be won,
Unless they are played,
And prayers can’t be answered,
Unless they are prayed.

So whatever is wrong with your life today,
You’ll find a solution if you kneel down and pray.
Not just for pleasure, enjoyment and health,
Not just for honors and prestige and wealth.

But pray for a purpose to make life worth living,
And pray for the joy of unselfish giving.
For great is your gladness and rich your reward,
When you make your life’s purpose the choice of the Lord. 

- Author Unknown

Entry #42: Prayer of a Sportsman

Have you ever heard the expression, “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.”? I tend to be competitive (hopefully in a good way), especially when I think about running in this Christian race (endeavoring always to do better at something than previously done, striving to do what is right, striving against sin). Perhaps the biggest part of our striving “to win” should be in playing the game FAIRLY. I liked this poem that brings out this thought. See what you think:

Prayer of a Sportsman

Dear Lord, in the battle that goes on through life
I ask but a field that is fair,
A chance that is equal with all in the strife,
A courage to strive and to dare;

And if I should win, let it be by the code
With my faith and my honor held high;
And if I should lose, let me stand by the road,
And cheer as the winners go by.

And Lord, may my shouts be ungrudging and clear,
A tribute that comes from the heart,
And let me not cherish a snarl or a sneer
Or play any sniveling part;

Let me say, “There they ride, on whom laurel’s bestowed
Since they played the game better than I.”
Let me stand with a smile by the side of the road,
And cheer as the winners go by.

So grant me to conquer, if conquer I can,
By proving my worth in the fray,
But teach me to lose like a regular man,
And not like a craven, I pray;

Let me take off my hat to the warriors who strode
To victory splendid and high,
Yea, teach me to stand by the side of the road
And cheer as the winners go by.

-Berton Braley

And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
- II Timothy 2:5 

Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
- Daniel 6:3

Entry #41: Take Up Thy Cross

I came across this poem and thought I’d use it as my entry #41. See what you think:

Take up Thy Cross

Take up thy cross, the Saviour said,
If thou wouldst My disciple be;
Deny thyself, the world forsake,
And humbly follow after Me.

Take up thy cross; let not its weight
Fill thy weak soul with vain alarm;
His strength shall bear thy spirit up,
And brace thy heart, and nerve thine arm.

Take up thy cross, nor heed the shame,
Nor let thy foolish pride rebel;
The Lord for thee the cross endured
To save thy soul from death and hell.

Take up thy cross, then, in His strength,
And calmly every danger brave;
‘Twill guide thee to a better home,
And lead to victory o’er the grave.

Take up thy cross, and follow Christ,
Nor think till death to lay it down;
For only he who bears the cross
May hope to wear the glorious crown.               

—Charles William Everest

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

- Mark 8:34

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

- Romans 8:18