My back is bent,  but it's not broken,
hard labor will do that,  my dear friend;
but soon the day will come when work,
will cease to be, by some uncertain end.
We all must go that path that lies ahead,
but what happens to us,  once we've gone?
will we come back with karma waiting?
to play once more, that same old song?
Frankly, I don't care to be a cow or turtle,
or another different person altogether;
it's still a guessing as to what we'll be,
let's all hope that it will be a pleasure.
The Bible says, that there's a resurrection,
God says, He would  like to save us all;
but you must keep His ten commandments,
but you cannot,  if you don't hear His call.
Life's tough,  but there awaits, for us, a choice,
we can follow the Father of all untruth and lies;
or the Son of God who died for all our sins,
and for salvation, because He heard our cries.

Why do you keep hiding?
you're a fickle, funny thing;
the winds keep right on blowing,
so I know, it isn't Spring.

There's still the cold and frost,
to remind us you aren't here;
but subtle hints of promise,
remind us that you're near.

You doing it in reverse,
coming in like a lamb;
exiting like a lion,
are you weather's sham?

We need heat and blossoms,
some budding would be nice;
we had our fill of chills,
and were tired of the ice.

Show yourself for what you are,
the hope of things much better;
let me leave my coat at home,
so all I wear's a sweater.

Be more like Spring my friend,
get those gardens growing;
warm those spring-like days,
and get that sap a-flowing.

I repent of all my sins,
greed and lust and malice;
give me grace and knowledge,
to enter in Your palace.
I repent of anger Lord.
of lies, of hate and cheating;
make them problems of the past,
let the memories be fleeting.
Forgive my carnal mind Lord,
wash clean,  the heart of me;
remove the veil from off my eyes,
so that I can truly see.
Let me be Your shining light,
for others that are lost;
let me spread the truth of You,
no matter what the cost.
I repent of all my sins,
make my creation new;
alive instead to Jesus Christ,
one of His chosen few.

Morning sun, entering the sky,
bright and clean and fresh;
promises of warmth ahead,
as the hours of midday mesh.
The Spring of a new year,
lies dormant, full of hope;
the promises of  change,
from winter's slippery *****.
We wait with anxious breath,
as the cold goes in retreat;
as the frost of dawn recedes,
on silent, cat-like feet.
We wait, with new found spirit,
for the best of times ahead;
we wait, with bated feelings,
these tiered clothes to shed.
Old Sol is rising quickly,
on the back, the heat is felt;
I watch with satisfaction,
the icicles that melt.

Once there was a precious love,
freely given,  without measure;
the fulfillment of a hope,
my most glorious treasure.
But nothing lasts forever,
and in time,  I left;
my love was just one-sided,
in my heart, there's now a cleft.
I couldn't thrive on hope,
or a love you cast aside;
a love that wasn't there,
which you in time did hide.
Why beat the drum and holler,
when the music isn't there?
when the one you love,
acts like she don't care.
I had to leave, for my own sake,
all those mournful wasted years;
accompanied by sorrow,
and now, my wasted tears.
I wish you well my darling,
seems so very long ago;
that said you didn't love me,
like a fool,  I did not know.

Love has many faces,
which one does hers show?
if it's one of happiness,
then that's the one I know.

Love has many voices,
does her laughter always flow?
if joy is in her nature,
then she's the one I know.

Love has many moods.
is her peace the wind that blows?
is her manner ever pleasant?
that one, my heart knows.

Love has many meanings,
in her eyes, that special glow?
does her kisses satisfy?
then she's the love I know.

Love has many waters,
is her love a tender row?
is she a lovely fountain?
then she's the love I know.

Heaven, love and truth
in my world do reign
soul and spirit shining
nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Peace and understanding
obedience to Him
make this world  a nothing
makes all else but dim.
Praise and song and glory
there's nothing else that matters
His word is paramount
though your heart be shattered.
Though your heart is hurting
His great love will mend
and not just for tomorrow
but it will never end.
Heaven, love and truth
peace and joy and bliss
eradication of the past
that you will never miss.

Over my morning coffee,
I read the poems that flow;
the heartache and the happiness,
of people I don't know.

It stirs the heart and tugs the soul,
emotions words do capture;
the pains of life,    the joys,
are lovely in their stature.

Poetry's the gift of God,
rhymes for every season;
lyrics for the wounded heart,
for,   whatever reason.

The seeds of every thought,
now printed on each page;
in celebration of the day,
the madmen and the sage.

Poetry walks hand in hand,
with God's uncertain lovers;
it blankets them in peace,
what love the world discovers!

Why mindful of mere man my Lord?
a creature formed of flesh and blood -
mixed with earthly dust and clay
and a good amount of mud..

We all fell when Adam did
blessed by God, cursed by sin -
we struggled from that fateful day
in ancient eons, we have been.

Some liked dark, much more than light
they're children of the lie -
performing evil works
their souls are born to die.

Some liked the light and followed it
they are children of the Lord -
they follow God's great plan
the word of truth, their sword.

They cast off carnal thoughts
and sought the Holy Spirit -
so we they faced temptation
they came nowhere near it.

Your creation Lord...
some will hear Your call -
and some will surely falter
they'll not be there at all.

A sad goodbye is better
than no goodbye at all
love has faded out
did you hear its fall?
Did you feel the hurt
that lovers sometime share?
or were you but indifferent
and swept aside your care?
Not all love goes smooth or well
when attitudes do change
when once you were in love
but now you feel it strange.
Better sadness at goodbye
than no regrets at all
love has lost its balance
did you hear its fall?

Take me in your loving arms
do with me what you will
calm this restless soul
and let this heart be still -

Then kiss me tenderly
and set these lips afire
so I may realize my dream
that's fueled by my desire -

Hold me close, hold me tight
whisper words I want to hear
the night is cold without you
but warm when you are near -

Your eyes are stars that shine
they stun me with their glow
hiding treasured secrets
that I'd like to know -

Take me in your loving arms
it is there,  that I am safe
put your cheek right next to mine
so that I can kiss your face.

How my heart ached when you left me!
how the days were drowned in sorrow;
the nights seemed endless, dreary
still, there came, the bright tomorrow.

How my soul cried days without you!
days that offered little hope;
I couldn't think, but of your face
I just sat around and moped.

Then the morning fog was lifted
how good again, to see the sun!
I looked forward to the evening
now convinced my life's not done.

I was saved, that day from drowning
she was like you, in many ways;
but she never left, like you did
she loves me, and she stays.

How my heart was broke in pieces!
when our pledged love went awry;
how we struggled hard to save it
how long it's been since it did die.

The daily fight is never easy,
so much that's evil in the air;
so much, the world's temptation,
don't let it catch you - unaware.

Keep the faith and keep the hope,
you must endure, until the end;
be patient,  kind,  forgiving,
and like the willow tree - just bend.

What matters is the path you travel,
the straight and narrow way's the best;
the road to hell is broad and wide,
no need to follow all the rest.

Be content, whatever your position,
whether you are rich -  or not;
take heed of God's commandments,
and the measures He has taught.

Then you can say you've won the race,
kept the faith and finished strong;
then reside in God's great family,
and learn with others, His new song.

On your high horse, you passed me by,
never heard my voice, its quiet sigh;
never took your eyes off straight ahead,
passed me by, just like I was dead.
You're too high and mighty for my taste,
your upper lip, too stiff, your demeanor, cold;
and now, that I have thought about it,
you are too ****** old.
You were a passing fancy for my mind,
to think you might notice me, was silly;
you were after beauty I could not touch,
so you found yourself a lovely little filly.
I was young and foolish in my dreams,
to picture you and I, as two, together;
you only wanted flesh for satisfaction,
another wasted night of groaning pleasure.
On your high horse, you passed me by,
and lost the chance of me to coarsely ply;
and I laugh as I recall, that stupid, vapid day,
you rode by, not looking, on your merry way.

The cold comes creeping up my legs
in exposed limbs, there's a trace;
suddenly, it comes full force
and slaps me in the face!
The wind makes things much colder
what is called "the wind chill factor";
today feels ten degrees chillier
I refuse to be an "actor."
To run around in shorts and t-shirt
to show I'm unbothered by the cold;
but I'm not young and invincible
In fact, I'm rather old.
Can't handle cold as I once did,
the sun's a friend to me;
Florida and Arizona beckon
(that's my humble plea).
In dreams I lay contented
in a hammock, in the sun;
wishing I were somewhere warm
as the day is done.

Father you know well,
the things that trouble me;
the things I overcome,
just wanting to be free.
I sing to you in praise,
let my soul be glorified;
hear my fervent prayers,
know my heart has tried.
Let my voice be heard,
by angels in my keep;
give me peace of mind,
when inside,  I weep.
Keep me strong in Spirit,
and let my lamp be bright;
let me feel Your love secure,
in the forest of the night.
Father guide me on the path,
that leads me to salvation;
so that the day will come,
when I reach my kingly station.

The field has far too many
the choices, far too few
not much hope of any
making progress through.

It's a star show in the making
dressed up, upon the stage
are they real or are they faking?
when will they turn the page?

Where do they stand on this?
where do they stand on that?
it seems it'***** or miss
methinks they need a map.

Politics is strange and weird
often, it is tragic
they want to be endeared
as if, perhaps, by magic.

The candidates stand short and tall
stating all their  views
they'll celebrate today
tomorrow...just old news.

The wind is at my back
the evening sun is setting
I walk the grass-lined track
easy, carefree - no fretting;
the lake shines in the light
with the granite dells behind
it's a clear and lovely view
that these ancient eyes do find;
a bit of nature for the soul
it nourishes the heart
it makes this body whole
of which it is, a part;
when the day is nearly done
and the heat is on the wane
I say goodbye to sun
on its long orbital train;
here's twilight, creeping fast
the shadows, now encroaching
comes the stillness then at last
sunset,   now approaching.

From pictures far away
I watch you slowly grow -
behind the scenes of silence
the images do flow.

I pray for you and love you
being ostracized not fun -
my family is too far away
but what's been done is done.

From pictures far away
I see your smiling faces -
from my visits long ago
there isn't any traces.

We smiled and laughed together
don't you remember when? -
it took me by surprise
when it all came to an end.

From pictures far away
from a Facebook page you're making -
I gather back the love
that keeps my heart from breaking.

God is faithful...are we?
are we doing things we do not see?
doing things we think are right,
scoffing at God's will and might.
God shows love...do we?
do we let all others be?
turn away from what is wrong,
we dance and sing the same old song.
God shows love...do we?
or from commitment do we flee?
just deciding to live together,
for a moment's passing pleasure?
God is merciful...are we?
at what cost,  at what fee?
can we offer up - compassion?
or is that something,  we just ration?
God endures...do we?
do we pray on bended knee?
God's the Rock of my salvation,
and of our very troubled nation.

Desert rose is in full bloom,
I can smell its strong perfume;
a hawk is dipping in the wind,
in fluffy clouds the sun is pinned.
The air is light, no humidity,
a hundred miles my eyes can see;
one mile high, on rolling hills,
evening brings its springtime chill;
I walk along the lonesome road,
shedding quickly, daytime's load;
Content to set a modest pace,
content to be within this space;
relishing the twilight coming,
I begin my quiet humming.
The desert rose is in full bloom,
I can smell its strong perfume,
there's nothing now, that I lack,
as I make the turn to head on back.

After we left each other,
I thought it for the best;
we only hurt each other,
when we were put to test.

The atheist and believer,
weren't meant to get along;
two different points of view,
two different modes of song.

Love cannot exist in doubt,
love can't find its way;
when minds think separately,
when different thoughts hold sway.

Life's more complicated,
with questions we can't solve;
with solutions left unanswered,
with which we can't absolve.

Yet, I don't love you any less,
for your divergent view;
your honesty's refreshing,
coming straight from you.

The winds of March
they came in May
with rain and hail and cold
the wind was rushing,
numbing, chilling
forceful, brash and bold.
The snow stayed on the peaks
maybe skiing until June
I bundled up my body
whistling a listless tune.
I braved the wind and rain
dodging hail, ignoring cold
gathered all the sunshine
my aching limbs could hold.
The winds of March
they came in May
they may be here till June
meanwhile, I'll keep writing
these silly little runes.

In a dry and barren desert,
in a stark and lonely land;
I searched for ample shade,
and touched its friendly hand.
In the canopy of cottonwoods,
in the coolness of its leaves;
I hid from pouring rain,
as it wet my sleeves.
In the vastness of a canyon,
I marveled at its sight;
and slowly headed back,
at the coming of the night.
In the dark and velvet evening,
I looked up and kissed the stars;
stood staring at the moon -
a world away from cars.
On an island in the sky,
I gazed at brown-scorched earth;
the diversity of nature's child,
the variety of its birth.

What will you do with love
when once it comes your way?
will you put it all aside
for another rainy day?

Will you visit other pastures
that look greener and more fair?
is there something you don't like
perhaps the color of her hair?

What will you do with happiness
that knocks upon your door?
will you wait until it stops
until it's there no more?

Happiness is fleeting
grab it while you can
tomorrow waits the sorrow
to ruin one's own plan.

What will you do with love
when it "falls" out of the blue?
will you turn aside and wonder
if it's really love you knew?

It's Your morning Lord,
take me where I want to go;
away from all the politics,
of public face and show.

Away from Trump, Obama,
let me hear the Holy Spirit;
let me feast upon your Word,
draw my soul to where it's near it.

Give me peace of mind,
not the broadcast of a killing;
take me safely to Your shelter,
let Your blessing make me willing.

The choices made are all too wrong
don't they know the path they're treading?
without You to guide them,
they pick roads they now are dreading.

It's Your morning Lord,
I sing out with praise;
keep me free of evil,
all my live-long days.

I called to say hello,
a thousand miles away;
I said my brief hello,
and your answer made my day.

It took away the rain,
it took away my fear;
when I heard your voice,
so very close,  so near.

I called to say hello,
on my weary way back home;
tired of the miles I'd come,
bored of the restless roam.

You voice was sweet and pleasant,
like a balm to jangled nerves;
such is the voice of love,
and the emotion that it serves.

I called to say hello,
from across the neighborhood;
much closer than we've been,
from the distance that we've stood.

I saw you again last night,
you were with another man;
I turned around in flight,
I just couldn't understand.

Why you left in great distress,
with a note that left me blue;
I miss you so my darling,
when you wrote that -
we were through.

What happened to the dreams,
we had for you and me?
love just fell apart it seems,
were we so  blind we could not see?

What made you run away my dear?
was I so awfully bad?
now I'm left with only fear,
we've lost what we once had.

I saw you once again, tonight,
you were laughing and carefree;
I was standing, in dim light,
I guess you never noticed me.

God is not the author of confusion
but can we say the same of man?
he shoves aside the word of God
is that something we can understand?

Man has tried his best to make peace
but his efforts destroy his very plan
it's time to put God back in our life
lest we fall,  as we attempt to stand.

Wars do not solve the anger issues
conflict brings sorrow and more pain
we're left with nothing much accomplished
with little solace  - and very little gain.

We've removed God's blessing by rejection
with abortion, with the wickedness of life
the violence that spreads and conquers
is as deadly and as sharp as any knife.

We are no longer,  what we call united
division covers us, just like a plague
nothing more in life is certain
only something that we call vague.

You cannot start again
what's gone is gone-
time forgets its place
and moves on.

Days still bright and sunny
nights still dark and long-
strangers passing by
with life's old sweet song.

Love is buried and forgotten
in a place you can't recall-
memory fades with aging
like the trees that grow so tall.

Someone says that time is healing
but you do not find it so-
words are often meant to heal
but they're wrong I think you know.

All but bitterness has vanished
in the void that swallows all-
in the echoes of your mind
when you woke up from your fall.

I swear, I never saw it coming,
just the note that said goodbye;
now I've left with only questions,
who and what and where and why.

I searched for answers, there were none,
no pieces of a puzzle could I form;
left with nothing I could hold,
I could only weep and mourn.

Mourn for what we had and lost,
mourn for love that disappeared;
mourn for happiness, now gone,
inheriting all things I feared.

In the silence of the night I cried,
my heart and soul, they were in pain;
I wondered if I could hold together,
wondered if you'd return again.

Love hurts too much when it is over,
from joy, it falls to desperate grief;
the hurt is, it might last forever,
and that this pain will never cease.

The road has been too long Lord
but the end is now in sight;
shelter me this little while
while I keep off the night;
the night from which, I won't wake
once this body's lost its fight.

The road was winding, twisting,
never knew, what's round the bend;
only sadness Lord and sorrow
that I thought had no **** end;
obstacles thrown in my path
that I thought I could not mend.

The road was way too  long Lord
until I saw Your light;
until I felt Your blessings
that made it all...all right;
when you took away the darkness
and made each new morning bright.

Hello Lord;  seems I talk to you so little
memories of time have made them brittle;
yet You're nor far off from me I know
You alone can make the waters flow.

Time does not heal...no, I know I'm right
only You, the truth, gets me thru the night;
there are such things that will not go away
only faith in Your power, gets me thru this day.

I cry to You,  because no one feels my pain
with no hope, tomorrow's but a  foolish game;
and I would be alive but I would die inside
because in this world, there is no place to hide.

And so, I turn to You, the Captain of Salvation
You know my state of being...my true station;
the comfort from Your love keeps my heart strong
and it's in Your family, that I feel I must belong.

When all else fails,  You're still standing there
You hear and listen carefully to my prayer;
and time becomes a thing that slowly fades
and too, the world's grand and great charades.

I am the blanket that covers -
your body, from head to toe;
that protects you from the night
and relaxes your evening's woe.

I am the blanket that moves -
when you turn in troubled sleep;
keeping the dreams more safe
as you're falling into the deep.

You slumber under my cover -
as the sandman creeps on in;
stealing away before dawn
as the sun slips over the rim.

I am the blanket that loves you -
from your head to the tips of your toes;
no one suspects our belonging
to each other -  nobody knows.

I am the blanket that covers -
every fiber of your dear soul;
that stretches from end to end
the body that makes you whole.

in the chill of morning,
when the sun is at its rise,
and light grows in the east,
in the west, the full moon dies.

my cheeks are touched by cold,
with my fingers feeling numb,
I raise my arm above my chest,
blotting moon out with my thumb.

the trees are black and barren,
now stripped of any leaves,
they still have symmetry,
though they have lost their "sleeves."

outlined against the sky,
they're still a lovely sight,
dark in the morning's glow,
they're shedding off the night.

the silence of the coming day,
is refreshment to my soul,
gaining peace in solitude,
fulfilling my own role.

I know what love is..
it's the smile in other's eyes;
it's the laughter of woman,
it's the sound of lover's sighs.

I know what joy is...
it's the comfort of your arms;
it's the sunshine that you bring,
along with all your charms.

I know what sorrow is...
it's the weeping at a death;
it's the loneliness of friends,
the sudden intake of a breath.

I know what fears are...
it's that the day won't end;
it's nights that are too long,
it's what's around the bend.

I know what love is...
it conquers fear and sorrow;
it accepts things as thy are,
so that we can face tomorrow.

I know what love is..
it's a poem that speaks;
to the heart and to the soul,
and to the love we seek.

There are no roses in this garden blooming,
they've withered and died on their stalks;
like the flickers of love that we had,
when we started stopping our walks.

When the kisses gave up their warmth,
when the touches soon became brief;
and embraces were often forgotten,
in various stages of grief.

There are no flowers in this garden growing,
just the tangled masses of weeds;
that perished with our troubles,
that ceased, just like our needs.

When the silence became the norm.
when our eyes looked the other way;
and the nights became too long,
for anything good to stay.

There are no roses in this garden blooming,
only a barren plot;
adrift in memories,
of bitter unanswered thought.

She speaks of love,
what little she's had;
her words echo,
lost, alone, and sad.
Why do not the Gods
comfort her and  sing?
maybe she has no hope;
in what they say and
things they bring.
A prayer is silent,
tossed in  the wind;
and woe continues,
without an end.
One day, her prince,
might come;
and straighten out,
the things undone.
A surprise to her,
and no one else;
dreams come true,
of what she's felt.
Love is patient,
love is kind;
first in the heart,
then in the mind.

When the  light came to the world,
the people knew Him not;
until the blind and deaf were healed,
they knew not what they sought.

Until the lepers skin was cleansed,
and Lazarus was raised;
until the miracles occurred,
was He ever praised.

Until the crowd, they followed Him,
did the Pharisees run scared;
and plotted then to **** Him,
and whip His body bared.

They nailed Him to the cross to die,
all part of God's great plan;
He died for all the sinners,
but they didn't understand.

A perfect sacrifice was he,
to shed His blood for all;
He paved the way for man,
so they could heed His call.

And the darkness never knew Him,
because His light did shine;
giving life to others,
in this present time.

I remember my first love,
she came without a song;
no fanfare in her entrance,
but I saw in her, no wrong.

In time my heart was captured,
she was lovely and pronounced;
I was smitten and bewildered,
as my desire pounced.

For twelve years that it lasted,
the cup of love just flowed;
but came the day of reckoning,
we paid back the price we owed.

Love falls too hard for lovers,
when they drift and crumble;
they're left without an anchor,
too proud to say they're humble.

Now, first love's but a thought,
recessed   far in my mind;
as the birth of love is magic,
so is the ending, too unkind.

Let the rain fall hard and fast
pelting arid ground
the darkened clouds won't last
before sunshine's found.
Let the tears fall as they may
wipe and dry the eye
tears will finally fade away
and then you will get by.
Forgive the hurt that he deals out
but don't forgive forever
do not weep and do not pout
take on your own endeavor.
Love it comes and love it goes
don't stay in the web
let him flee where no one knows
let the waters ebb.
Let the winter run its course
let the sorrows die
all things go to their own source
we don't know just why.

Wherever there's  a breeze a-blowing
wherever there's a trail a-winding;
that's the spot that I'll be going
that's the path that I'll be finding.

Among the petroglyphs and grasses
on wind-swept mesas high above;
I give the views long-looking passes
familiar scenes I've come to love.

On mountain crossings way up high
I marvel at the rounded peaks;
drink in the spirits of the sky
gaining solace that one seeks.

Along the sandy canyon's wall
the season's evening sun is falling;
my shadow stretches ten feet tall
I hear the song of nature calling.

Wherever there are hills to walk
wherever there are eagles soaring;
wherever there's no need of talk
I'll listen to the waters,  roaring.

Hello Lord, it's good to have You here
I awaken with the sun, and joe
it's a boon to have You near
but then, You always know.

You make each day a treasure
walking by my side
Your love's beyond a measure
I've nothing left to hide.

When all the shadows fade
Your light becomes my road
in this world we never made
I give to You my load.

You never fail me Lord
it's just me I have to change
all those rivers I did ford
when other thought me strange.

Hello Lord, it's good to have you near
to stabilize my heart
with You, I need not fear
that You will ever part.

114 degrees in the valley
glad I moved up north
away from killer heat
in numbers, I was fourth.

My folks moved here first
then my brother and sister
I finally made it up  here
(slowed by a heat blister)

The summer days in Phoenix
go on for way too long
even in the fall
there's no September song.

Triple digits make their mark
from April through October
relentless, oven-baked days
before the season's over.

It's a dry heat, so they say
but when you're hot, you're hot
when you're a 100 miles northwest
it's a much more pleasant spot

The heat comes, in little waves,
lapping at my neck and shoulders;
my search for shade is futile,
I walk amongst the boulders.
Their granite faces solemn,
standing mute above me;
I escape the burning breezes,
and set my spirit free.
The heat seeps through the air,
there's only scattered shade;
I wish for pools of water,
the image quickly fades.
Not much water in the desert,
only dried up pools of muck;
there's no freedom from the heat,
I'm simply out of luck!

Under the golden maple tree,
nestled in fields of clover, green;
across a meadow of flowers -
that's where my dreams are seen.
Along a trail of fallen leaves,
beside the clear cold streaming brook;
you'll see the dreams I have -
but you must carefully look.
You cannot gaze,  then say,
"I cannot see a thing" -
you must know what dreams look like,
and what such dreams will bring.
Look very close and you will find,
the dreams my heart do hold;
seize the moment and the dream -
if you would be so bold!
Under the golden maple tree,
against the earth so green;
across a meadow of violets,
that's where such dreams are seen.
Along a path of scattered leaves,
beside a fast flowing stream;
look close, look hard,  - you'll see
the reality of my dreams.

Each love has its own tale,
of passion and emotion;
of changes now forgotten,
a taste of its bad potion.
Some love dies so easy,
while others never do;
but in the final ending,
both of you are through.
What you had is gone,
what you felt has died;
if it slowly fell apart,
at least you know you tried.
Love stays for a moment,
but then it fades away;
no amount of trying,
can get someone to stay.
You get on with your life,
for a while, a broken heart;
but one thing you don't do,
you will never fall apart.
Each love tells a tale,
but the end is still the same;
sometimes friendly parting,
sometimes against the grain.

Thank You Lord, for this day,
for quiet meditation;
for sins You've washed away,
for joy... and for elation.
For the blessings I receive,
for health and happiness;
for strength when ere I grieve,
for fortitude when I have less.
Thank You Lord, for this night,
that gives us restful sleep;
for guiding us to do what's right,
as Your promises we keep.
Let us always praise Your name,
in any situation;
for being our continual flame,
in this Godless, stricken nation.
Thank You Lord, for Your Word,
that as a light, shines through;
for precious love that's always heard,
wrapped in arms we seldom knew.

You are my rock Lord
the horn of my salvation
the anchor of my soul
the hope of one great nation.
You are my love Lord
through good times and the rest
when I was lost and all alone
You saved me for the best.
Now I know Your ways Lord
and the path that leads to grace
the road that leads to peace
in Your treasured place.
You are my strength Lord
without You I would falter
thank You for Your blessings
at the footholds of Your altar.
You are my rock Lord
the faith that never dies
the hope of a tomorrow
wherein my future lies.