THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES

On the other side of Jordan,
When we're settled in the land,
We'll look back upon this journey
And our trials, understand.

We'll rejoice in how He led us
Through drought, and fire and flood,
And brought safely over Jordan
All those covered by His blood.

We'll lift our voices in rejoicing
And we'll sing the victory song
When we're dwelling in the promised land,
With all the ransomed throng.

When our labors all are ended
And the harvest is all in
And we dwell with Him who loved us
And saved us from our sin -

Then, we'll thank Him for His blessings
And we'll sing and shout His praise -
For the one who IS eternal life,
Led us safely through these days!

fcc

TREE OF TIME

From the tree of time, one by one,
Like leaves, the moments fall,
And in mouldering piles lie useless,
That held such promise in the spring.

No hope to make them green again,
But through them, lessons learned,
Like mulch on tomorrow's garden,
Leaves of yesterday live on.

Each year, a bough to bear the fruit,
That gives purpose to the tree;
Each thought and deed, within itself,
Enfolding living seed.

Waste, the blight that turns the leaves,
And withers budding hours,
Burdens the bough with bitter fruit,
Enfolding seed of sorrow!

Ideas; Desires; Frail blossoms;
Shielded from the icy winds
Of discouragement and greed, prosper
And bring the joyous harvest!

fcc

WHAT IS A 'CHURCH' ?

Whether the building is small and humble
Or great and gleaming white,
Is not the measure of a Church
To indicate its might.

It's not the number of the people
Or the finery they might wear,
Or the eloquence of the preacher
That assures us God is there.

But where the Word is preached and practiced
With faithful purity,
And Saints can grow from 'new born babes'
To full maturity.

Not built by man's devices,
True Churches carry on:
The Lord still adding members;
Each one a living stone.

With singleness of purpose -
And that, to please the Lord;
She proclaims the living gospel
As commanded in the Word.

Rejoicing as she labors,
She knows her Lord will come -
She prepares herself to meet Him
When He comes to take her home!

fcc