LIGHT in YOUR EYES

LIGHT in YOUR EYES

My friend, you've always been so calm,
A help in many ways.
I know YOU often go through trials,
Some low and gloomy days.
I don't know how you carry on.
You've heard your share of sighs.
It's sweet that others see the love
Light shining in your eyes.

You always do so many things,
Diverse and everywhere.
I pray you'll stop and care for YOU,
Let others do their share.
I know you must be spread so thin.
You go when you hear cries --
Some laughter, too, and I can see
Light shining in your eyes.

But lately, friend, your steps seem strained,
Distracted, maybe blue,
Pressing toward a better land
When this short life is through
I'm with you there as I grow old
And loose these earthly ties.
It's fine as slow it slips away
Light fading from our eyes.

There comes a time to pass the torch.
It's hard to lay it down.
Sweet sadness, memories, letting go,
Forced smile to hide your frown.
I'm grateful for the things you do.
We all know how time flies.
God bless you for what all you do with
Light shining in your eyes.

~ by Netagene, May 22, 2016. I can think of more than one person this fits, but I got the idea and initial thought from something Mrs. Davis said a few days previously. The preacher where we worship recently has had shingles and bronchitis, in addition to diabetes and heart problems. He also fell a couple of months ago working in his backyard garden. He IS spread thin, and tries to go every time anyone calls, in addition to preaching 2 sermons and teaching 2 (sometimes 3) Bible classes every week. Lately he has really looked tired. Mrs. D said that it looked like the "light had gone out of his eyes". For years he's been highly involved with the FC Alabama camp. I told him at lunch one day last year, when he was talking about camp, that maybe it was time he "passed the torch". I could tell he wasn't happy with that. This year, he isn't even going to the camp, so in that, he HAS passed the torch.

What Jesus did for Me

What Jesus did for me

(I can’t imagine)

I can't imagine love so true

Mercy abundantly
Giving me a life anew
What Jesus did for me.

I can't imagine love so strong
That gives me liberty
Bound to right instead of wrong
What Jesus did for me.

I can't imagine how He died
He suffered on Calvary.
Raised on the cross and crucified
What Jesus did for me.

I can't imagine how He prayed
On earth, such humility

Then in a tomb, His body laid

What Jesus did for me.

I can’t imagine that He cared

He is God – equality!

Because of Him, my life is spared

What Jesus did for me.

I can’t imagine how He saw

My pride, my vanity

Yet He who was without a flaw

What Jesus did for me.

I can’t imagine how he cried

When He saw into me

Yet took me in, His arms held wide

What Jesus did for me.

By Netagene Kirkpatrick, April 24, 2016.

I was blessed to get to attend the Texas Normal Singing School in Abilene, Texas, July, 2018, thanks to being awarded a scholarship. Other friends paid my airfare. Two of my 5 classes were hymn writing (song lyrics) and Finale (the music notation program used by most composers from one person to a full orchestra, etc.). In part of hymn writing, the teacher Randy Daw told us to choose a poem, psalm, etc., original or from anywhere, and write a melody to it. I had this poem with me. Randy liked it. I was able to write a tune for it, using no keyboard, etc., just simply free-hand. The next day, he told us to write a bass line. I had a fairly simple one in mind but because Randy had guest composers there 2 or 3 times, we didn't have enough time. He, and James Tackett, the teacher of the Finale class, quickly put a bass line into Finale (which I had on my laptop), plus typed in 4 verses (also into Finale). About 30 minutes before the Thursday night chapel, Randy told me that my song (and 3 others from the class) was going to be performed!

Sitting on the Premises

Sitting on the Premises

(To the tune of "Standing on the Promises")

  

Sitting on the premises – I can't take wing.
Always, ever mumbling, never try to sing.
Nodding just a little, to the pew I cling --
Sitting on the premises of God.

Sitting on the premises – wish I could bail.
When the preacher speaks about an end in Hell.
Feel like I am falling down a deep dark well.
Sitting on the premises of God.

Sitting on the premises, O woe is me.
Feel like I'm Egyptian in the deep Red Sea.
Sitting here in prison's what it seems to be.
Sitting on the premises of God.

  

Sitting on the premises, though I am bored,
Like I'm catatonic, too much wine was poured.
Only once a week is all that I'll afford.
Sitting on the premises of God.

Sitting on the premises, I don't stand tall,
Waiting for the time when I can leave this hall.
Almost took a nap but that would cause a brawl --
Sitting on the premises of God.

Probably most church goers know the song, "Standing on the Promises", but probably everyone occasionally has a bad day – maybe worked a double shift on Saturday, stayed up too late Saturday, woke up with a headache, something heavy on your mind, etc. … But you know that if it's Sunday, if at all possible, you should be worshipping God with others in a church house, even if you don't really feel like it ...

Parody by Netagene Kirkpatrick, April, 2016