Songs In The Night

Hymn for Thursday Follow On (Words: William O. Cushing; Music: Robert Lowry) Down in the valley with my Savior I would go, Where the flowers are blooming and the sweet waters flow; Everywhere He leads me I would follow, follow on, Walking in His footsteps till the crown be won. Chorus: Follow! follow! I would follow Jesus! Anywhere, everywhere, I would follow on! Follow! follow! I would follow Jesus! Everywhere He leads me I would follow on! Down in the valley with my Savior I would go, Where the storms are sweeping and the dark waters flow; With His hand to lead me I will never, never fear, Danger cannot fright me if my Lord is near. Down in the valley, or upon the mountain steep, Close beside my Savior would my soul ever keep; He will lead me safely in the path that He has trod, Up to where they gather on the hills of God.

God Leads Us Along (George A. Young) In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet, God leads His dear children along; Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet, God leads His dear children along. Chorus: Some through the waters, some through the flood, Some through the fire, but all through the blood; Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song, In the night season and all the day long. Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright, God leads His dear children along; Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night, God leads His dear children along. Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose, God leads His dear children along; Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes, God leads His dear children along. Away from the mire, and away from the clay, God leads His dear children along; Away up in glory, eternity’s day, God leads His dear children along. Isaiah 43:1-2 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fe...

It's In The Valleys I Grow Sometimes life seems hard to bear, Full of sorrow, trouble and woe It's then I have to remember That it's in the valleys I grow. If I always stayed on the mountain top And never experienced pain, I would never appreciate God's love And would be living in vain. I have so much to learn And my growth is very slow, Sometimes I need the mountain tops, But it's in the valleys I grow. I do not always understand Why things happen as they do, But I am very sure of one thing. My Lord will see me through. My little valleys are nothing When I picture Christ on the cross He went through the valley of death; His victory was Satan's loss. Forgive me Lord, for complaining When I'm feeling so very low. Just give me a gentle reminder That it's in the valleys I grow. Continue to strengthen me, Lord And use my life each day To share your love with others And help them find their way. Thank you for valleys, Lord For this one thing I know The mounta...

Lord willing, this week I would like to post poems and songs about the Valleys we go through in our Christian walk. Valleys are those times of trial and heartache, those tough or sorrowful times, those times where we seem to be surrounded by gloom and there seems to be no hope - until we look up to the Lord our God and remember the promises in His Word. In Song of Solomon 2:1, Jesus made this much loved statement: "I Am the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the Valleys." He is the Lily in all our valleys, He is always there beside us, and He has promised to bring us out of the valleys again in His perfect timing. The Lily Of The Valley (Words: Charles W. Fry; Music: William S. Hays) I have found a friend in Jesus, He’s everything to me, He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul; The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole. In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay; He tells me every care on Him to roll. Chorus: He’s the L...

Poem for Sunday The Bible The Bible reveals the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, Its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here, too, Paradise is restored, Heaven is opened, and the gates of Hell disclosed. The Lord Jesus Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. Let it fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgement, and be remembered forever. It involves the...

From Genesis To Revelation From Genesis to Revelation Lies hid one vast rich treasury, And the wealth of its Godly wisdom Is revealed in Jesus Christ, its key. There is milk for spiritual children, For the mature, there is bread and meat; And all who will taste of its promises Will find pure honey - wonderfully sweet. For the soldier, there is armour, For the farmer, seed to sow, For the pilgrim, there's a compass, And a map, showing where to go. But the richest of all its treasures, Lies in finding the Pearl of Great Price; For the joy of life's truest blessings Are found in the Lord Jesus Christ. January 20th, 2002 Jerry Bouey ...and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22:2 And as the leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of the nations, so likewise are the leaves of the Bible (The Word of Life) for the healing of our souls.

The Anvil Of God's Word Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith's door And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime; When looking in, I saw upon the floor, Old hammers worn with beating years of time. "How many anvils have you had," said I, "To wear and batter these hammers so?" "Just one," said he; then with a twinkling eye, "The anvil wears the hammers out, you know." And so, I thought, the anvil of God's Word, For ages, skeptics blows have beat upon; Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard, The anvil is unharmed - the hammers gone. John Clifford I have also read two additional lines to this poem, but am not sure of the original source: Hammer away, ye rebel bands! Your hammers break, God's anvil stands!

Poem for Thursday Show Me Christ Open up your Word to me, Lord Help me to understand Show me what you're teaching me, Lord And guide me by your hand. Show me the treasures in your Word Reveal them to my heart Open up my eyes to see, Lord Show me where to start. Teach me by your living Word Examples of how to live Teach me how to die to myself And then reach out and give. Show me Christ in all the pages Show me the wisdom of the ages Show me the end of all that's to be Show me the future laid up for me. Help me always to see you, Lord In each and every book In all sixty-six - I know you're there Please show me how to look. Teach me, oh Lord, your will each day Tell me how to live your perfect way Lord, I want to be pleasing to you Show me how to be faithful and true Show me how to be just like you. May 23rd, 1995 Jerry Bouey And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24:27 Search the scripture...

How Firm A Foundation (George Keith) How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! What more can He say than to you He hath said, To you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled? In every condition, in sickness, in health; In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth; At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea, As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be. Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid; I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand. When through the deep waters I call thee to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; For I will be with thee, thy trials to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply; The flames shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine. Even down to old age all My people shall ...

Somehow I had missed a day completely... Hymn for Tuesday We first sang this song in our church at our Bible conference about 1 1/2 years ago, and it has since become one of our favourites. It certainly has an excellent message! This is one where our hymnal has every stanza, so that is a blessing to me. The Bible Stands (Words and Music: Haldor Lillenas) The Bible stands like a rock undaunted ’Mid the raging storms of time; Its pages burn with the truth eternal, And they glow with a light sublime. Chorus: The Bible stands though the hills may tumble, It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble; I will plant my feet on its firm foundation, For the Bible stands. The Bible stands like a mountain towering Far above the works of men; Its truth by none ever was refuted, And destroy it they never can. The Bible stands and it will forever, When the world has passed away; By inspiration it has been given, All its precepts I will obey. The Bible stands every test we give it, For its Autho...

This week I want to focus on poems or songs on the Word of God. The first one is one of my favourites. In it. I attempt to present the Bible as the cure for all our problems in life - from a different perspective. Perhaps you will appreciate it. Life's Instruction Manual This machine was broken and empty, All my parts were in such a mess. Nothing seemed to be working quite right - How to repair it was anyone's guess. So I peered within for instructions, Some sort of clue to this bitter strife, But what was inside was no help at all; I found no real answers to this life. All of my components were worthless: My blackened heart was void of Love. No solution presented itself… Except one soul Manual from above. So I opened the Bible with caution, And to my surprise, there was a guarantee: "Just call on the Creator for assistance, And He can remake your model for free." It was Good News to know that the Author Had my very own frame in mind. When I went to Him for restoratio...

Poem for Sunday I met a family last spring. They were one of the customers at the Hotel where I work at. They had an adopted son who was handicapped - he had to come to Kelowna for some treatment. I learned that the parents, and even this son, were believers. I shared some poetry with them, and talked a little with them about some things regarding their son's situation. Last October, when I came back from my Mom's memorial, I found out that this family was staying at the hotel again, so I looked them up. It turns out that their son had passed away during the summer. There were some complications with his death (it was believed that he was given the wrong medication by the hospital staff) - so the father was struggling with anger, not only over the loss but the possibility that it should never have happened humanly speaking). I did my best to remind them from the Bible that God was still in control, and sought to comfort them by sharing the comfort the Lord had given me over th...

Poem for Saturday This poem was written for a couple who are involved in Rock Of Ages Prison Ministry. They sometimes visit our church on their way through to the prison in Kamloops, BC. The last time they had come through, they were grieving over the loss of their son, who had gone home to be with the Lord the year before. This poem was written to comfort them based on several passages out of Song of Solomon. Various places in Scripture, believers are compared to lilies. In Song of Solomon 2:1-2, Jesus is THE Lily of the Valleys, and believers are like (or as) the Lily in this world. In this song - inspired by the Holy Spirit and penned by King Solomon, we are referred to as lilies, and the King feeds (ie. fellowships) among the lilies. And then one day He gathers His lilies and takes them home where He may enjoy them forever. This poem is a reminder of the value God places upon His saints (His born again children, those who have placed their complete faith and trust in the Lord Jesus...

Because of my commitment to Christ, my Mom and I had been estranged for years. She was somewhat religious, but did not know Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour, until about two or three years before she died. As a result, there were many Mother's Days that went by without regular contact (or anything special done) - but last year, now that we were reconciled and she had become a believer, I wanted to do something really special for her. She had moved back up to Canada, so I was able to purchase an expensive flower arrangement for her and have it delivered to her - I had never done anything like that before, but it meant a whole lot to my Mom. A couple of months later, I was able to see my Mom for a couple of days and spend my Mom's and stepdad's 21st wedding anniversary with them (and my sister and her children - Lori had come up to help our Mom with her progressively failing health) - the last time I had seen My Mom was for a couple of weeks in 2000, and the time prior to...

Poem for Thursday Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 Through This Valley (Dedicated to my Mom, with love) There's a shadow looming over me, and the pain is often near; There's a storm cloud on the horizon, and the thunder causes fear; But in the midst of this uncertainty, MY LORD IS ALWAYS HERE! Through this Valley, with these tears, walking onward I go, Not running in a hurry, nor lagging behind too slow; For there's a peace within my heart - MY LORD IS HERE - I KNOW! The journey can't be much longer - oh, this body aches and moans; Though just around another corner, ahead is my eternal home; And I know within THIS Valley, I AM NOT WALKING ALONE! There's a hand that I am holding, though the path is rough and steep; There's a promise that I can cling to, that I know my Lord will keep - FOR THE LORD IS STILL MY SHEPHERD, AND I AM STILL HIS SHEEP...

This is the poem I wrote early last year to my Mom. This was when I first realized her health had declined so much because of her cancer and the complications arising from that. You can read a little more info on this poem (and the one for tomorrow - Through This Valley ) here: Our Mom's Victory Through Faith . This was the eulogy of sorts I preached/read at my Mom's memorial to lost relatives (an attempt to reach my family with a clear presentation of the Gospel - I also had an opportunity to share written copies of this at my Dad's funeral this spring) and those who knew her (including the hospital staff that attended to her). "She is sinking very fast," whispered an attendant in the dying chamber of a godly woman. "No, no," was the quick response of the departing saint, who had overheard the words; "no; I am not sinking; I am in the arms of my Saviour." Taken from Our Daily Homily by F.B. Meyer Rising In The Arms Of Love (Dedicated to my Mo...

Perhaps this week could be set aside to post poems about Heaven or our pilgrimage there. This poem is one that had an impact on me last year, and was a tremendous source of comfort. A friend, who was influential in my starting to preach at the Gospel Mission over 2 1/2 years ago, went home to be with the Lord at the beginning of 2005 - then later, my Mom also went home to be with the Lord. This poem is a testimony of where they are now: Since Yesterday Along the golden streets A stranger walks tonight With wonder in his heart -- Faith blossomed into sight. He walks and stops and stares, And walks and stares again At vistas of loveliness Beyond the dreams of men. He who was feeble, weak, And shackled to a bed Now climbs eternal hills With light and easy tread. He has escaped at last The cruel clutch of pain; His lips shall never taste Her bitter cup again. Oh never call him dead, This bouyant one and free, Whose daily portion is Delight and ecstacy! He bows in speechless joy Before the ...

This is one of my favourite poems, written by an online friend of mine, Jan McIntosh. Lord willing, I want to post more of her poetry here in the future. She used to have a website up with all her poems, but for some reason that is no longer available online, so I only have the few I saved (and some from an e-book she sent me). She has given me permission to use her poems. This poem, and another one of hers, is also available in my second poetry book, The Seasons Of Your Pilgrimage . If you are blessed by this (and other poems of hers), feel free to leave a comment here (I do not have a current email address for her), and perhaps if she someday visits this blog, she would be encouraged by the comments left by my visitors. Thanks Jan, for sharing your wonderful God-given talent with us. Your poems have been a blessing. Not Home Yet The road is hard, the road is long But, by God's grace, life goes on; And though my face like flint is set, I must remember... I'm not home yet. And ...

Poem for Sunday Under Thy Wings I find sweet comfort under Thy wings No matter what difficulty or trial As long as my eyes are focused on Thee On the pages of my blessed King James Bible A fountain of life for the thirsty soul With refreshment along life's walk Providing direction through valleys and hills Giving warning when the enemy knocks How I thank Thee, oh Shepherd of my soul For protecting me from the enemy's snares Under Thy wings I do safely abide As I find peaceful rest in Thy care Kate Plourde July 20, 2006 (Used With Permission)

This poem on friendship is dedicated to those Christians who desire to be faithful to their Lord in this apostate society. My Elijah Friends God bless all my Elijah friends, And give them comfort, Lord, tonight - Those faithful few who will not compromise, Who cling to You with all their might. God bless those precious servants, Lord, Who are so dear to Your own heart. They walk alone in this world at times When friend and foes alike do part. Taking refuge there on Higher Ground, In that cave, sheltered from the storm; Listening to Your still small voice That will soothe all fear and alarm. Hidden in the cleft of the Rock - Outside the tempest is fierce this hour. Give them peace within their souls; Keep them close and safe by Your power. Under the shadow of Your wings, Precious Jesus, there's no other place - Held so close beside Your heart, Where all else dims in light of Your face. God bless all my Elijah friends, There's not too many left, Lord, I know. Grant them bright ra...

Poem for Friday Higher Ground (Words: Johnson Oatman, Jr. Music: Charles H. Gabriel) I’m pressing on the upward way, New heights I’m gaining every day; Still praying as I’m onward bound, “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” Chorus: Lord, lift me up and let me stand, By faith, on Heaven’s table land, A higher plane than I have found; Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. My heart has no desire to stay Where doubts arise and fears dismay; Though some may dwell where those abound, My prayer, my aim, is higher ground. I want to live above the world, Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled; For faith has caught the joyful sound, The song of saints on higher ground. I want to scale the utmost height And catch a gleam of glory bright; But still I’ll pray till Heav’n I’ve found, “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

This is dedicated to all my e-mail friends. Thanks for your friendship and God bless you. True Christian Friends True Christian friends are a blessing that are sent out by the Lord. They come straight from Heaven (I'm sure that's where they're stored!) They can touch your life with joy and make all the difference in the world. They offer comfort and compassion when the storms of life are hurled. True Christian friends are a blessing that are sent from God above. They fill your life with wonder and crown it all with love. They are there with the answers when you haven't got a clue, And offer guidance and steadfastness when you don't know what to do. True Christian friends are like poems, composed by the Son of God. He made each one different, some may seem slightly odd, But Christ is molding every one of them in His own special way. Thank our Heavenly Father for each one He sends your way. August 29th, 2000 Jerry Bouey Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the co...

The Valley Of Weeping "I have been through the valley of weeping, The valley of sorrow and pain; But the 'God of all comfort' was with me, At hand to uphold and sustain. "As the earth needs the clouds and sunshine, Our souls need both sorrow and joy; So He places us oft in the furnace, The dross from the gold to destroy. "When He leads thro' some valley of trouble His omnipotent hand we trace; For the trials and sorrows He sends us, Are part of His lessons in grace. "Oft we shrink from the purging and pruning, Forgetting the Husbandman knows That the deeper the cutting and paring, The richer the cluster that grows. "Well He knows that affliction is needed; He has a wise purpose in view, And in the dark valley, He whispers, 'Hereafter thou'lt know what I do.' "As we travel thro' life's shadow'd valley, Fresh springs of His love ever rise; And we learn that our sorrows and losses, Are blessings just sent in disguise. ...

I wanted to add one more hymn by this same writer, before moving on to other authors: When I Survey The Wondrous Cross (Words: Isaac Watts; Music: Lowell Mason) When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood. See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown? His dying crimson, like a robe, Spreads o’er His body on the tree; Then I am dead to all the globe, And all the globe is dead to me. Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.

If you love the hymns of Isaac Watts, you may also appreciate the Psalms that he put in Metre so they could be sung. There is one you probably already know by heart - and that is Psalm 98, which has been retitled Joy To The World . Joy To The World Psalm 98 - Part Two The Messiah's coming and kingdom. 1 Joy to the world; the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing. 2 Joy to the earth, the Saviour reigns; Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains, Repeat the sounding joy. 3 No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow Far as the curse is found. 4 He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness, And wonders of his love. If you love poetry or solid Scripture-based songs, you will truly appreciate Watt's Psalms Of David In Metre. At the previous link, you will also find the Psa...

Hymn For Sunday This is another of my favourite songs. There are two versions of it: Alas, And Did My Savior Bleed, and At The Cross - the second one having an added chorus, though the words of the stanzas are still the same. In the hymnals I have seen, there are only the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 6th stanzas. At The Cross (Words: Isaac Watts; Music: Hugh Wilson) Alas! and did my Savior bleed And did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head For such a worm as I? Chorus: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight, And now I am happy all the day! Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine— And bathed in its own blood— While the firm mark of wrath divine, His Soul in anguish stood. Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree! Well might the sun in darkness hide And shut his glories in, When Christ, the mighty Maker died, For man the ...

John 3:16 For God (the greatest Giver) so loved (the greatest motive) the world (the greatest need), that He gave (the greatest act) His only begotten Son (the greatest gift), that whosoever (the greatest invitation) believeth (the greatest decision) in Him (the greatest Person) * believeth in Him (the greatest opportunity) should not perish (the greatest deliverance), but (the greatest difference) have (the greatest certainty) everlasting life (the greatest possession). ~ Adapted from several sources ~ *Alternative point given. John 3:16 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. For the message I preached with this outline, John 3:16 - The Gospel In A Nutshell

Poem for Friday About three or so years ago, I was given permission by a man to put his book of parables in poetry online. I put several up, but there didn't seem to be that much interest, and this project got lost in the shuffle. Perhaps posting some of them here might be the impetus I need to get the rest online. Let me know what you think of these. Click on the author's name below for more of Jesus' parables retold in poetry (and his Preface to his booklet, entitled Parables Of Jesus In Verse ). I will add more to what is available online shortly. Parable One: The Wise And Foolish Builders ( Matthew 7:24-27 ; Luke 6:46-49) How wonderful it would have been to live in Jesus' time, To sit at Jesus' feet and hear His words of truth sublime! For no one taught as Jesus taught when He was here on earth, Yet now we still may heed His words and recognize their worth. "Whoever hears my words," He said, "and lives by them as well, Is like a man who built a h...

This is one of those hard-hitting poems that sticks with you - all about how the Lord chastises His children, in a similar manner to a shepherd chastising one of his straying sheep. The Straying Lamb The Shepherd loved His little lamb, And gave it His tender care... And followed it with His loving eyes As it wandered here and there. And as He sat by His grazing flock Who so meekly His voice obeyed, He pondered sadly His little lamb As again and again it strayed. The little lamb had a loving heart, And adored His Shepherd, true, But would turn aside and seek his own way As lambs will so often do. With His gentle voice the Shepherd called, To His loved and straying lamb, "Come back, little one, for you are not safe Unless you are where I am." But still the lamb would soon forget And unthinkingly wander away, And not really noticing what he did, From the Shepherd's side would stray. Until one day, the Shepherd kind Took His rod in His gentle hand, And what He then did seemed...

Poem For Wednesday THE WILL OF GOD The will of God will never take you, Where the grace of God cannot keep you. Where the arms of God cannot support you, Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs, Where the power of God cannot endow you. The will of God will never take you, Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you, Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you, Where the army of God cannot protect you, Where the hands of God cannot mold you. The will of God will never take you, Where the love of God cannot enfold you, Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you, Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears, Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you. The will of God will never take you, Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears, Where the Word of God cannot feed you, Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you, Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you. -- Author Unknown

Just As I Am (Charlotte Elliot) Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! I come! Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot, To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come! I come! Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come! I come! Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind, - Sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yea, all I need, in Thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come! I come! Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come! I come! Just as I am! Thy love unknown Has broken every barrier down – Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come! I come! Just as I am, of that free love The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove, Here for a season, then above, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!