The Pathway Of Pain - Poem by Helen Steiner Rice

The Pathway Of Pain

If my days were untroubled and my heart always light,

Would I seek that fair land where there is no night?

If I never grew weary with the weight of my load,

Would I seek for God’s peace at the end of the road?

If I never knew sickness and never felt pain,

Would I search for a hand to help and sustain?

If I walked without sorrow and lived without loss

Would my soul seek solace at the foot of the cross?

If all I desired was mine day by day,

Would I kneel before God and earnestly pray?

If God sent no winter to freeze me with fear,

Would I yearn for the warmth of spring every year?

I ask myself these and the answer is plain,

If my life were pleasure and I never knew pain -

I’d seek God less often and need Him much less,

For God is sought more often in times of distress.

And no one knows God or sees Him as plain -

As those who have met Him on the "Pathway of Pain."

Helen Steiner Rice

Ecclesiastes 7:2-5  It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

Ecclesiastes 7:14  In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:11  He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

He Restoreth My Soul (Poem)

He Restoreth My Soul

 

Gently guiding, prompting, leading

this wandering sheep back into the fold;

By the streams of living waters,

in the pathways that are old;

Resting, restoring, renewing

for my spirit that once was so dry;

Graceful showers of blessing falling,

Refreshing from the Lord on High.

 

From strength to strength, my Lord is leading,

preparing my heart and showing the way;

From my shadows into His presence,

His Word shines out as clear as day;

From weak and faltering footsteps,

to steadfast assurance as I pray;

His Spirit is there to remind me,

His strength is sufficient for today.

 

From faith to faith, Jesus is leading

in the paths of righteousness, I see;

There's a new purpose and fulfillment,

learning the plans that He has for me;

Peace and contentment flood my soul,

from the goodness that He has in store;

God's mercies and lovingkindnesses

will be my song forevermore.

 

August 3rd, 2016

Jerry Bouey

 

Psalms 23:1-3 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

 

I thought Through Darkened Skies was the first poem I had written in nine or ten years, but I found this in the Notes on my phone tonight - from almost five years ago. I hope it is a blessing to you.

Torn Between Two Desires (Poem)

 Torn Between Two Desires

I am waiting daily for the shout -

Your Word says it, there's no doubt.

I am waiting eagerly for the trumpet to blow,

But deep in my heart, there's a voice I know.

Saying, "Come to Me, My people. Go and tell others too.

Come freely take the Water of Life - it is flowing for you.

One day I am coming from Heaven to take you home;

To those who are willing to listen, I bid you come."

I know You are coming quickly,

That day can't be too far away.

I want the world to know Your love,

I want others to be able to say:

"Come, Lord Jesus - we long someday to see Your face,

Come, Lord Jesus - of night, there will no longer be a trace,

Come, Lord Jesus, oh do quickly come,

Come soon, Jesus, and take us home."

I am thirsty for the Living Water,

And I know others are thirsting too.

I want to see everyone come to You, Lord,

But oh how I want to see You!

Come, Lord Jesus.

September 1st, 1995

Jerry Bouey

Philippians 1:21-24 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

O Taste And See (Poem)

 O Taste And See

There is an emptiness in all our hearts;

A longing only the Lord can fill.

There's turmoil inside, a restlessness,

Only the peace of God can still.

O taste and see.

The burden of sin weighs heavily -

A burden that is too much to bear.

You can cast them all upon Jesus Christ,

He died for your sins because He cares.

O taste and see.

There's a new beginning - a blank page -

Waiting to be written for you.

Turn to the Saviour; He can cleanse each stain.

He alone makes all things new.

O taste and see.

O taste and see that the Lord is good,

He loves you so much, that's true!

O taste and see that the Lord is gracious,

See how much He cares for you!

O taste and see.

O taste and see that the Lord is good,

The Shepherd is seeking and calling you.

The price was paid for all who will come.

Jesus Christ died on the cross to save you.

O taste and see!

December 2nd, 2002

Jerry Bouey

O taste and see that the LORD is good:

blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.

Psalm 34:8

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word,
that ye may grow thereby:

If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

1 Peter 2:2-3

Casting all your care upon Him; 

for He careth for you.

1 Peter 5:7

My Servant, Israel (Isaiah 43) (Poem)

 My Servant, Israel 

(Isaiah 43)

Fear not for I have redeemed you

Fear not - I have called you by name

And you are Mine!

When you pass through the waters

Fear not - I will be with you all the time.

Through rivers you will pass

But they will not overflow

Through the fire you will walk

As the flames and embers glow

But you will not even be scorched

Nor shall you suffer a burn

For the Lord, the Holy One is your Saviour

Oh Israel, won't you learn?

You are precious in My sight

I have honoured and I will love you

Though you blindly walk in night

My glory will shine above you

I, the Lord, have formed you

Behold, I have called you by My name

I will exchange your life for others

And ransom you with the same.

Fear not, My children

I will gather you to Me

Though you have ears and you have eyes

You are deaf and cannot see

I have made you to be My witnesses

Oh My servant, hear My voice

There are no other gods, but Me

I Am your only choice.

It is I who have declared

I have proclaimed and I will save

I will rescue from captivity

All of Mine who are enslaved

I Am from eternity

All I have created I hold within My hand

Is there any other who can deliver?

Tell Me now if you can.

Remember not your past, oh Israel

Though it was for you I parted the Red Sea

I did this for My people

So you would praise and glorify Me

Behold, now I will do something new

Something that has never before been done

I will wipe out all your sins for My sake

If you will just call upon My Son.

March 23rd, 1995

Jerry Bouey

"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

Meaningless? (Poem)

Meaningless?

Life is meaningless

As Solomon said, "All is vanity."

Nothing is worth living for

Except God

Nothing is worth everything

Except God.

He is my only reason for living

He is in my heart

Always on my mind

The possessor of my soul

He is the great "I Am"

His throne is established from of old.

Jesus is my Lord, my Saviour

My Shepherd

I am a sheep of His pasture

I know Him

And that knowledge alone is worth eternity.

The fellowship, the lovingkindness

And mercy He showers upon me

I could never give up

He is the only Way

He is ultimate Truth

He is my Life.

He is the only God

I worship only Him

I will never turn away

Or give Him up for anything.

Life is utterly meaningless

Vanity of vanities

From beginning to end

Without the Alpha and Omega

The First and the Last

Who is, who was, and who is to come

He that liveth, and was dead, and is alive forevermore

The Almighty,

My Saviour, My God,

Jesus.

August 3rd, 1994

Jerry Bouey

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher,

vanity of vanities; all is vanity...

What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

...The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be;

and that which is done is that which shall be done:

and there is no new thing under the sun...

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun;

and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit...

Ecclesiastes Chapter One,

written by King Solomon,

the richest, wisest man who ever lived.

Without the Lord Jesus Christ, everything life could possibly offer is only Vanity of Vanities. As Alexander Grosse said so meaningfully in 1632, "Where Christ reveals Himself there is satisfaction in the slenderest portion, and without Christ there is emptiness in the greatest fulness."

What are you doing under the sun? Why don't you set your heart on the things of Heaven. Look above this sin-cursed world with its gaudy trinkets and worthless baubles. Look above the sun, to the Son! Set your heart on Jesus! And find life's true meaning in Him.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth...

(Colossians 3:1-2)

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

(Matthew 6:19-21)

Listen To My Voice (Poem)

 Listen To My Voice

Trust in Me, I'm calling you.

Hear My voice speak inside of you.

My love is so great - if you only knew.

My grace is so real - I died for you.

(John 3:16)

I have a mansion that is being made.

It is prepared for you, the foundation is laid.

It was purchased already, the price was paid;

Furnished with love and glory that will not fade.

(John 14:1-6)

There is only one thing, that I ask of you:

That you give Me your heart, and your future too.

I have great plans, if you only knew.

A life of hope; still, I'm calling you.

(Jeremiah 31:3 and 29:11-13)

Behold, I stand at the door, with joy and peace forevermore,

But there is something, that keeps Me from you:

I Am holy, as Isaiah knew,

Your sinfulness separates Me from you,

A distance so far between us two.

(Isaiah 6:1-8; 59:2; 64:6; Romans 3:9-26; Revelation 3:20)

All I desire is that you open your heart,

And give Me your life - each and every part.

Believe fully in My sacred Word;

Accept Me and I will be your Lord.

I Am the sacrifice, the atonement for sin,

I paid the price, I died and rose again.

I offer you life everlasting -

But there is one final thing.

(Isaiah 53; 1 John 5:10-13)

You must believe in Me, and trust in My love;

Believe that I care, and that I reign from above;

Turn from your ways, and turn towards Me;

I Am God alone, there is none beside Me.

I Am the only one that can ever save.

I Am the first to resurrect from the grave.

I Am Jesus Christ and I give you this choice:

Today in your heart, listen to My voice.

(Acts 4:12; Isaiah 43:10-11; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 4:7)

Believe in Me and I will heal your soul;

Turn to Me and I will make you whole;

Accept My grace - It is a gift of hope -

A new life within, a reason to cope;

I will renew you, restore you, if in Me you confide.

My love is unending, so deep and so wide.

The life I offer is not without cost,

But it is the only way.

I look forward to your answer.

Will it be: "I accept your love today?"

(Matthew 11:28-30; Ephesians 3:14-21; Romans 10:9-17; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Isaiah 40:29-31 and 41:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 8:28-39)

May 5th, 1995

Jerry Bouey

The Place Where Jesus Lives (Poem)

The Place Where Jesus Lives

Have you been to the place where Jesus lives?

That little church by the side of the road;

Where God's children meet in fellowship sweet,

And where the Gospel of Christ is told.

Have you been to the place where Jesus lives?

That peace-filled home along the way;

Where a loving family meets in fellowship sweet,

With joy and thanksgiving, they pray.

Have you been to the place where Jesus lives?

That contrite heart that has turned from sin and shame;

Where a humble soul meets with their Lord so sweet,

And rejoices to know the Saviour's name.

October 22nd, 2000

Jerry Bouey

Ephesians 3:17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

On My Knees (Song)

On My Knees

On my knees I will worship

the King of heaven and earth.

Lord of all creation,

You alone are worth

More than a million diamonds,

or pearls from the sea,

For they will pass away, my Lord,

but You will always be.

When troubles come, my God,

I know You will conquer all.

You will heal my heart and rescue me

every time I fall.

In the darkest night of despair,

my Jesus, You'll pull me through.

There is no other Saviour, Lord,

there is only You.

When my heart is tempted away, Lord,

I know You will pull me back.

When riches start to sway me,

remind me there's no lack

Of Your glorious blessings.

I have no use for greed.

You are love eternal;

that is all I really need.

When the world grabs at my attention

don't let me be lured away.

All the money I can dream of

is not worth one single day

Of being without You,

my Lord, my God, my King.

You alone are worth forever,

You're worth everything!

May 18th, 1994

Jerry Bouey

If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious... Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious... 1 Peter 2:3-4, 7

Take My Life (Poem)

Take My Life

Take my life, Lord, take every part,

Look deep within and reveal my heart.

Show me the areas 

where I need to change.

Take my life - it's yours to rearrange.

Take my life, Lord, take it all.

Please pick me up each time I fall.

Grant me to know

what you love and hate.

Help me to enter through the narrow gate.

Wash my sins, Lord, wash them away.

Cleanse my heart, help me to obey.

Teach me self-control

and make me pure.

Grant me your strength, help me to endure.

July 12th, 1995

Jerry Bouey

True worship is humbling yourself before Jesus Christ for salvation, and committing yourself to following Him and obeying Him according to His Word. All else is just being religious, which doesn't please God and won't get you into Heaven. There's a reason Jesus Christ is called both Lord and Saviour. When both titles are put together in Scripture, it is always Lord and Saviour, never the other way around. You can only truly receive Christ as Saviour when you accept His Lordship in your life, then as His disciple you follow Him by seeking guidance from His Word.

But as many as received him (Jesus), 

to them gave he power to become the sons of God, 

even to them that believe on his name: 

John 1:12.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:13.