While There Is Hope

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and

when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6

The following poem was sent to my wife and I

by a dear man of God on the occasion of our tenth

wedding anniversary in 1997:

I took a piece of plastic clay

and idly fashioned it one day,

and as my fingers pressed it still

it moved and yielded to my will.

I came again when day was past,

the bit of clay was hard at last.

The form I gave it, still it bore,

and I could change that form no more.

My wife and I took five pieces of living clay,

and gently formed them day by day,

and molded with our power and art

these young boys soft and yielding hearts.

We come now when years are gone.

It is five men we look upon.

And they that early impress bear,

we thank the Lord we took time to care.

May God by His Spirit speak to each of us who

have influence in the lives of precious children.

Remember, the way for your influence to live after

you die is to die to self while you live.

–Tim Cruse

Home

Home

"…that where I am, there ye may be also."

John 14:3

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His own.

When they leave us, they go to their heavenly home.

Absent from the body and present with our Savior so fair,

They are home and no pain can enter there.

Home where the streets are paved with the purest of gold,

Home where the half has not been told,

Home where the gates of pearl are made,

Home where the radiance of God's glory will never fade,

Home where there is one endless day,

Home from which I am sure they would say,

"Make ready my dear loved ones so faithful and true,

Because death will soon be coming to you."

We are thankful they are well and have no more care,

But when the roll is called up yonder will you be there?

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

– Tim Cruse