Audio Of Poems Presented In Church in 2022

 Poems Presented In Church

In 2021 to 2022, for about 10 months in the two main Sunday services, I presented poems in church as a ministry. Usually I shared an introduction to the poem (perhaps the story behind it if it was one of mine or if I knew of the events surrounding it), then I presented the verses behind it and a Biblical exhortation to draw closer to the Lord. 

While we were recording the sermons preached each service, we did not think to actually record the poem presentations until about the last four months. The poems were a blessing to share and God's hand was definitely upon that ministry, as the poems and challenges I read often went with the theme of the sermons preached, the songs chosen, and many times both - yet the hymns chosen each day and the Pastor's themes or passages were not announced to me in advance. It was a ministry wholly dependent upon the Lord's guiding, and His hand was very evident for all those months.

For various reasons, the Lord guided me to stop this particular ministry the end of last Spring. In several of the poem presentations you can actually sense that there was spiritual warfare going on, and the introductions did not come across as smoothly or as coherently as other poems I had recorded. I have still decided to post the audio of those couple of poems too - as the stories are still a blessing to hear and the poems themselves came across clearly, even if the introduction seems rough. If you choose to listen to them, please do not judge the whole ministry in light of the few that did not go as well as the others.

The poems that were actually recorded are listed below in the order they were presented. Feel free to leave comments here or on their individual pages if there were any that really touched your heart, strengthened you spiritually or simply blessed you in some way.

Poems Presented in March 2022:

Two Roads Or Three? - Morning of March 6

In The Presence Of The Lord - Evening of March 6

Poems Presented in April 2022:

The Touch Of The Master’s Hand – by Myra Brooks Welch - Morning of April 3

All My Springs Are In You - Morning of April 10

Immanuel – by Charles Spurgeon - Evening of April 10

The Day My Saviour Died - Morning of April 17

Take A Second Look At Calvary - Evening of April 17

Thou God Seest Me - Morning of April 24

"God Meant It Unto Good" - by Freda Hanbury Allen - Evening of April 24
(Rough presentation, but good story and poem read clearly)

Poems Presented in May 2022:

Thirsting In This Wilderness - Morning of May 1

Under Construction - Evening of May 1

Mother’s Day In Heaven - Morning of May 8

God’s Love Through The Storm – Author Unknown - Evening of May 8

Quietness And Confidence – by E.J. Carr - Morning of May 15

I Sleep, But My Heart Waketh - Evening of May 15

Waiting For A Change - Author Unknown - Morning of May 22

“No Accidents” - by Felicia Doss - Morning of May 22
(Bit of technical difficulties accessing book on my ipad - story and poem presentation are very good)

When This Lion Begins To Roar - Morning of May 29

God Is – Author Unknown - Evening of May 29

Poems Presented in June 2022:

Wrestling Until The Break of Day - Morning of June 5

Be Thou Clean - Evening of June 5

Death Meets His Match - by Elwood McQuaid - Evening of June 12
(Good presentation of poem, but no introduction)

The Father Of The Fatherless - Morning of June 19

Slow Down, Daddy - Evening of June 19
(no introduction, but good poem presentation)

Because You Passed My Way (Poem)

Because You Passed My Way

My load's a little lighter now,
Because you passed my way -
The sun's a little brighter
And the clouds have passed away.

I've found my Saviour nearer,
And each day He grows still dearer
And I'm on my way to Glory,
Because you passed my way.

I was lost and no one seemed to care
Until you passed my way,
You saw me, and led me to Christ
Oh, what a happy day,

Now I'm living all for Jesus,
And with Him I'll be some day,
For I found a new beginning,
Because you passed my way.

And when in realms of glory,
I see His precious face,
And hear the angel voices
Within that heavenly place,

I'll remember that sinner,
Who once had gone astray,
Might not be there in Glory,
Had you not passed my way.

- Eleanor Taylor Rhodes, in Gospel Herald

Fear (Poem by Martha Snell Nicholson)

FEAR

My friend went on ahead

And left me here

To walk my last, long mile

Alone; and Fear

Stepped to his vacant place

And said that he

Would walk with me, and my

Companion be.

And so he dogged my steps

In this dark vale

Where death's wings shadow me.

My face grew pale,

My spirit quailed. I called

One precious Name

In my distress, and lo,

That loved One came!

He closely holds my hand,

This tender Friend,

Nor will He let me go

Until the end.

And as He walks with me,

Daily more dear,

I find that trust and love

Have cast out Fear.

Martha Snell Nicholson

(From A Daily Visit To Ivory Palaces)

On The Death Of An Aged Minister (Poem)

On the Death Of An Aged Minister
By James Montgomery

Servant of God, well done!
Rest from thy loved employ!
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter thy Master's joy.

The voice at midnight came,
He started up to hear;
A mortal arrow pierced his frame,
He fell, -- but felt no fear.

Tranquil amidst alarms,
It found him on the field,
A veteran slumbering on his arms,
Beneath his red-cross shield.

His sword was in his hand,
Still warm with recent fight,
Ready that moment, at command,
Through rock and steel to smite.

It was a two-edged blade
Of heavenly temper, keen;
And double were the wounds it made,
Where'er it glanced between.

'Twas death to sin, -- 'twas life
To all who mourn'd for sin;
It kindled and it silenced strife,
Made war and peace within.

Oft with its fiery force
His arm had quell'd the foe,
And laid, resistless in his course,
The alien armies low.

Bent on such glorious toils,
The world to him was loss,
Yet all his trophies, all his spoils,
He hung upon the Cross.

At midnight came the cry,
"To meet thy God prepare!"
He woke, -- and caught his Captain's eye;
Then, strong in faith and prayer, --

His spirit, with a bound,
Left its encumbering clay;
His tent, at sunrise, on the ground,
A darken'd ruin lay.

The pains of death are past,
Labour and sorrow cease;
And life's long warfare closed at last,
His soul is found in peace.

Soldier of Christ, well done!
Praise be thy new employ;
And while eternal ages run,
Rest in thy Saviour's joy.

Take Another Look At Jesus (Poem)

Take Another Look At Jesus

Take another look at Jesus,

And see Him clearly once again;

Observe how the Mighty God

Dearly loves the children of men.

See Him in the Passover Lamb,

Yearly offered for our sin;

For those whose view is clouded,

Take another look at Him.

Take a clearer look at Jesus,

Even when the view seems dim;

See Him often in types and shadows -

All of Scripture speaks of Him.

See Him anguished in the Garden,

See Him suffering upon that tree;

Now risen at the right hand of our Father,

Pleading fervently for you and me.

Take a look at all creation -

Marvel greatly at what you see;

Then take a greater look at Jesus,

For He’s the Creator of you and me.

February 16th, 1999

Jerry Bouey

Isaiah 45:22  Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

John 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Hebrews 12:1-2  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I Sleep, But My Heart Waketh (Poem)

 I Sleep, But My Heart Waketh

I sleep, but my heart waketh - my Shepherd is near -
The voice of my Beloved is knocking;
I’ve grown so comfortable here in my room -
Outside, in the cold, I hear Him talking.

“Arise, and come away with Me, My love,”
He tenderly calls to me, but I waver.
Though due to my sin, He withdraws Himself;
Yet, in the night air, I still smell His savour.

Slowly, I rise, but can’t feel His presence:
The dark street seems so desolate and empty;
I cannot find where my Beloved has gone -
My own lukewarmness made Him depart from me.

The watchmen of the city wounded me sore,
They tore my veil away and left me senseless;
Stripped of my covering, there was nowhere to hide;
My own compromise had left me defenseless.

My heart leaped in anguish and I cried out in fear;
Repentant, I sought Him whom my soul loveth;
No longer desiring to be left on my own,
Quickened again, I called out for my Beloved.

“What is thy Beloved more than another beloved?”
The daughters of Jerusalem wondered,
“Where has He gone, that we may seek Him with you?”
And then, within my heart, the answer thundered:

“My Beloved is gone down into His garden,”
Feeding among His children, He meets with them there -
I am still my Beloved’s, and He is still mine!
Rejoicing, restored, I seek Him now in prayer.

May 9th, 2022
Jerry Bouey

In the Song of Solomon, Solomon, the Shepherd, is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ and the woman in the song, the Shulamite, represents the believer. This poem is based mostly on Song of Solomon chapter five, with some references to other verses within that book. That chapter covers a time of backsliding in the believer’s life until she gets her focus back upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and is restored to her Shepherd and Saviour.

For a study based on this theme/chapter, please read: Is Your Armour On?

Less people must read and study the Song of Solomon than I previously thought. Instead of digging in deeply to this poetic allegory that presents an awesome picture of our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ, they neglect this book completely or quickly read through it without attempting to understand it - which is sad and frankly discouraging. If we can study and trace out the symbolism of the book of Revelation through the rest of the Bible, surely we can do the same with this book. It is a blessing to understand the picture and how it fits our walk with the Lord, our struggles, and our victories, ending with the longing for our Beloved Bridegroom to take us home to be with Himself - just as the final book of the Bible ends with (Revelation 22:20).

I challenge you to compare what is said in this poem with chapter five of the Song of Solomon. Do not be afraid to dig in deeper or make others (like me) seem to be out to lunch because you personally haven’t bothered to take the time to see what this book of the Bible says for itself and have only the wacky words or comments of some carnal or unsaved preacher to go by who tries to make this book about sex. The believer in the book is not even married to the Shepherd yet (see Song of Solomon 3:11 and Matthew 1:18). The whole Bible warns against fornication and adultery (and the New Testament word for fornication is porneia - which we are commanded to flee from in 1 Corinthians 6:18), and we are commanded to be pure and holy in our walks with the Lord; therefore God is not going to write a pornographic sexual song for His people. If you have that viewpoint and this book makes you uncomfortable because you are bringing sin and your carnal thoughts into it, then the problem is with you - not with this devotional or the Song of Songs, which many sound believers of the past have referred to as the Holy of Holies of the books of the Bible.

I know I am standing on good ground in my interpretation of this book because I have taken the effort to trace out much of its symbolism through the rest of the Bible (as I do with any symbol or type found in its pages - which I might add is always consistent through the whole Bible), and I have studied out some of the great preachers of the past on this book - Charles Spurgeon, Matthew Henry, Hudson Taylor, and some others - and have found them standing in the exact same place as I am - or to put it better, I have found I am standing in the exact same place as they are. Don’t take my word for it, check out their writings, their commentaries and books that touch upon this poetic book, and see for yourself. Don’t neglect this wonderful book because you don’t understand it yet. All Scripture is holy, pure, and written for the benefit and blessing of all God’s children, from the youngest believer to the oldest saint (therefore God would never allow or put anything impure or unholy in it), and it all teaches about our Saviour (see 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 3:14-16; Luke 24:25-27; Psalm 40:7 and Revelation 19:10).

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

To hear my presentation of this poem in church, please visit this page:
I Sleep, But My Heart Waketh

All My Blogs

I wanted to try something new, so I created two new blogs.

One new blog, called The Substance Of Things Hoped For (Faith-based Stories and Illustration), was created for a place for me to be able to quickly repost all the stories and illustrations that Angela Trenholm (my webpartner) had on her family site (Trenholms Of Kelowna). EarnestlyContending.com (our domain and the central hub for all our personal sites) got repeatedly hacked a little over two years ago and we lost all the content and had to rebuild from scratch. It is a lot of work trying to repost articles, stories, songs, etc. that were posted from approximately 21 years ago onwards, but I am making a valiant effort. Doing it in a blog format also gives me the opportunity to easily add new content.

The second blog is for posting Daily Devotionals once again - devotionals and poems. I had done that for several years back in 2004 onwards, but eventually it became too much work to keep doing that project and work full time, developing new messages to preach at the Kelowna Gospel Mission. I had turned many of those outlines into full length studies and stored the rest in various boxes to hopefully develop more fully someday. That time did not come till now (of course, now I need to sort through all those boxes!!). This new devotional blog is called Just A Closer Walk With You (Daily Devotionals And Poems).

For those who may be new to Buy The Truth or my blogs in general, or perhaps had not visited for quite a while, I also wanted to list all the other blogs here for you as well, so you can easily check them out and bookmark them if you so desire.

• Buy The Truth (KJB IFB Bible Studies)
• Faithful Men Of God (Solid Christian Articles)

• A Shadow Of Things To Come (Outlines and Short Devotionals)

• Songs In The Night (Christian Poetry and Songs)
• The Psalms Of David In Metre (By Isaac Watts And The Church Of Scotland)

My original websites (before I started any blogs) are:

• Eagle's Wings Ministries (My Bible Study Site)

• Bookmark this page: EWM Table Of Contents

• Home Of The Real McCoy (My Christian Poetry Site)

• Bookmark this page: HOTRM Table Of Contents

Most of the content on Home of the Real McCoy are my own poems, plus some poems that I have included in several books of poetry I have put together; whereas Songs In The Night contain both my poems and any poems, songs or hymns by others I wanted to pass on to others. I have added pages for various poems that I presented in church in 2021 or 2022 (as I cannot seem to add the audio files to my blogs). Just look for those poems within Songs In The Night or Home Of The Real McCoy Table Of Contents. I do have them marked on there. Still a few more to put up with the audio files, but I will indicate those ones too when they are made. I have also decided to duplicate my personal poems on Home of the Real McCoy and Songs In The Night, in case we are ever hacked again. Building all those pages from scratch was more work than I ever expected.

I hope all these blogs and pages are a blessing to you.

In Jesus' precious name,

Jerry Bouey

Under Construction (Poem)

 

Under Construction

Under construction by the Lord,
Pieced together in perfect accord,
Bit by bit, each part joined carefully,
Fitted and arranged with wisdom, tenderly.

As the Holy Spirit smoothes the edges,
And transforms His vessel into honour,
These changes, blessed by God's own touch,
Are wrought by His glorious power.

When God's final product is presented,
It will have been tested and proved.
Fired in the kiln of life's afflictions,
Refined and the impurities removed.

Though I can't imagine the end result as yet,
This work of art will someday be done.
Molded by the Potter with His very hands,
Lovingly crafted into the image of His Son.

August 22nd, 1995
Jerry Bouey

Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Being confident of this very thing,
that He which hath begun a good work in you
will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6

The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me:
thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever:
forsake not the works of thine own hands.
Psalm 138:8

For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained
that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10

The word for "workmanship" in this passage is the Greek word "poiema",
where we get our English word "poem".

If you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour,
you are God's poem, and He is still working on you!

If you are interested, please visit the link below to hear this poem presented in church:
(The audio recording is at the top of the page)

Under Construction

Take A Second Look At Calvary (Poem)

 

Take A Second Look At Calvary

When I went through times of loneliness, I thought, “Lord, where were You?
Don’t You know, Lord, can’t You see all this pain I’m going through?”
Then in the midst of my devotions, I was thunderstruck one day
When I realized: in my Saviour’s darkest hours all His friends had turned away.

When I struggled through depression, I cried, “Lord, where were You?
Can’t You take these doubts and fears away; help me somehow make it through?”
But I knelt in sweet submission, surrendered all and my heart was still,
As I remembered my blessed Saviour praying, “Not Mine, but Your will.”

When my heart ached in bitter anguish, grief-struck and broken too,
I cried through tears of agony, “Oh my Lord, where were You?
I can’t fight this battle anymore, I can’t overcome this gloom.”
Then in my self-pity, I recalled, that Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb.

When I think that I’m forsaken, bitter, anguished and alone,
I remember that my Saviour made all my pain His own.
He tasted death, He suffered much, He was tempted, tried, beset,
And in all His trials and afflictions, Jesus loved me yet.

A man of sorrows - He knew our grief, He bore our sin and shame,
He was forsaken by God above that we may never be again.
He was wounded for our transgressions - as the Bible has revealed -
But most of all, Jesus shed His blood and by His stripes we are healed.

So when you are feeling lonely, depressed, and are haunted by your grief,
Here’s a solution that, through eyes of faith, will surely bring relief:
When you are wondering if the Lord cares and if He is watching from above
Take a second look at Calvary – and there behold God’s wondrous love!

March 12th, 2001
Jerry Bouey

But God commendeth His love toward us,
in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

Hebrews 4:15-16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

If you are interested, please visit the link below to hear this poem presented in church:
(The audio recording is at the top of the page)

Take A Second Look At Calvary

Still (Poem)

 

Still

If the stars should fall down from their place,
If the tears fell slowly down my face,
Lord, still would I trust You,
And give You my praise.

If the world should be overcome by evil,
Still would I thank You for the good that remains;
If I am overcome by evil,
Lord, I ask You to remove the stains.

If life ever becomes too much to bear,
Remind me of how much You deeply care.
If all Your blessings suddenly ceased to pour,
Still I want it to be You that I adore.

Yea, though You slay me, Lord,
Still would I trust You.
Though my path may seem dark,
Still would I follow You.

Still would I wait for You,
Until Christ is standing at the door,
But no matter how much I love You, Lord,
Still I know that You love me more.

April 30th, 1995
Jerry Bouey

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender,
and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass,
know that it (Christ's return) is nigh, even at the doors.
Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
Mark 13:28-30

Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him:
He shall also be my salvation.
Job 13:15a, 16a

His Voice Cries Out (Poem)

 

His Voice Cries Out

When this world loudly screams at you,
And steals away your song,
God's gentle voice whispers deep within,
"To Me, My child, you belong."

When you're overwhelmed by the things you've done,
And are haunted by your past,
A tender voice cries out and shelters you,
"Mine is a love that will last."

When it seems your heart is hardening,
And you sense that there's a blindness,
Remember the Lord Himself has called you,
And drawn you with lovingkindness.

When the hurting is so very real,
And the pain seems to touch your soul,
Jesus is beckoning so softly,
"Come to Me. I will make you whole."

When the aching inside overwhelms you,
And you need a friend who's near,
The voice of Heaven keeps on calling out,
"Oh My child, I am here."

When you feel that you're left all alone,
And through these tears you can't even see,
God's voice still cries out to comfort you,
"My dear child, you are precious to Me."

October 5th, 1996
Jerry Bouey

Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer;
thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am…
Isaiah 58:9

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me,
saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:
therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Jeremiah 31:3

For A Season (Poem)

 

For A Season

For a season, there will be troubles,
For the needed time, then they will go.
God has a purpose for every trial;
They are only for a season, you know.

Overwhelmed with sudden loss and anguish,
With a heavy heart, broken in despair.
Look up to Jesus for His comfort -
Even for this season, He will be there.

For a season, sufferings are our portion,
But, then, in a moment, they will pass away.
And after the season of our sorrows,
Heaven's glory will shine bright as day.

February 24th, 2002
Jerry Bouey

(Dedicated to the Lockharts)

Romans 8:18 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season,
if need be, ye are in heaviness
through manifold temptations.
1 Peter 1:6

The Bible teaches that we will have manifold (many kinds of) trials. That we are to rejoice in them. That there is a need for us to go through them, that the Lord has a purpose for every trial He allows in our lives.

There is also a bright ray of hope shining through that verse, which at first, in the darkest moments, we may overlook. It is just five simple words:

Though - though it may not seem joyful when we are going through them. Our hearts may be heavy and weighed down.

Now - right here, right now, you are going through a trial, but the trial isn't all there is on the horizon. All is not bleak or gloomy, though it may seem like it now.

And finally, for a season - There is an appointed time for every trial, there is a season of struggle that we go through, but like the seasons of the year, they will end in time, and a new period will begin in our lives. In Ecclesiastes 3:1, God says "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."

Let the Lord fulfill His will in your lives, cling to Him through the trials, let Him teach you what He wants you to learn from this season, and cling to the Biblical hope that "...we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

The Lord Jesus Christ knows what He is doing! Just trust Him, and if the road is rough, let Him be your refuge and let Him carry you safely in His everlasting arms. (See Deuteronomy 33:27)

Written February 24th, 2002

Jerry Bouey

The Good News (Poem)

The Good News

When you compromise and give in to your gravest sin,
and you realize that it’s not what you thought it would be,
When you look within your heart and abhor the blackest parts,
and wonder who can cleanse and make you free.

When you tremble at the thought of all the pain and grief you’ve wrought,
and you shudder down to your very soul,
With horror at your shame, you realize that you’re to blame,
and you long to be forgiven and made whole.

When you think that it’s the end, think again my friend,
Jesus died upon the cross for you and me.
He was our sacrifice for sin. He died and rose again,
so that we could have peace with God eternally.

Our sins deserve the wrath of God entire in the eternal lake of fire,
but there is yet a better way.
Jesus Christ offered Himself in our place, and by repentance and faith,
we can be reconciled to God this very day.

If you need another reason; remember sin’s pleasures only last a season,
but the joys of Heaven last forevermore.
If you forsake your life of sin, and you want to enter in,
Jesus, the Son of God, is the only door.

The Bible still proclaims today: Jesus Christ is the only way –
you can’t get to Heaven any old way you choose.
Your good works won’t earn you a place, it’s a gift solely by God’s grace –
freely offered to all, now that’s Good News!

I urge you: hear the Gospel and believe, and Jesus Christ receive.
Become a child of God this very hour.
Commit yourself to the Lord. Let Him transform you by His Word,
and behold God’s life-changing power.

January 23rd, 2000
Jerry Bouey

For the wages of sin is death;
but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:
if any man hear my voice, and open the door,
I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20

Handle With Prayer (Poem)

Handle With Prayer

May the Lord who weaved us in our mothers' wombs,
Knit our very hearts together.
May our God who knows us intimately,
Be our comfort in stormy weather.

May the Lord who made us family in Christ,
And has our very lives in His hands,
Be the one we pour out our hearts to -
Because I know He understands.

May Jesus, who walked this way before us,
And knows our deepest sorrow,
Give us grace to help in time of need,
So that we can face tomorrow.

He experienced our temptations,
Our trials, and our pain;
He knows what it is like to press on
Through the driving rain.

May the Lord who has graven us
On the palms of His hands,
Be our source of lasting hope,
The Rock on which we stand.

There is nowhere we can go to
That our Lord isn't by our side;
He has given us life eternal -
A love that can never be denied.

God knows our deepest emotions;
In Him we can truly confide.
He is our trust, our treasure,
His Spirit is our guide.

When the burden is heavy and life
Weighs us down with many a care,
Jesus who knows us heart and soul,
Says, "Life is fragile - handle with prayer."

February 19th, 1995
Jerry Bouey

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched
with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16

Can a woman forget her sucking child,
that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Yea, they may forget, yet I will not forget thee.
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands;
thy walls are continually before Me.
Isaiah 49:15-16

The Darkness Is Passing Away (Poem)

The Darkness Is Passing Away

The shadow of death will turn to morning like the breaking of the day,
Our trials will turn to blessings in God’s own wondrous way;
These light afflictions are for a moment, then they too will pass away,
When the brightness of His glory is here forevermore to stay.

Though the shadows overwhelm you, and you can’t see the path ahead,
At times the storm clouds gather round you, and frighten you with their dread;
Jesus will turn your mourning into dancing; your sorrow and pain will pass away -
The bright Morning Star is coming soon - with the dawning of a brand new day.

One day, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,
We’ll pass from death to immortality, when we meet our Lord in the sky;
Working together in our lives for good all the parts we thought were wrong,
Transforming our darkness into light, and changing our sorrows into song.

June 12th, 2023
Jerry Bouey

Amos 5:8 Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name:

Psalms 23:4 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.

Throughout their lives, true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Sometimes this shadow looms over them for months and sometimes for years - but one day our Saviour will return again and turn the shadow of death into morning, overthrowing and transforming the time of darkness into glorious dawn, when our bright and Morning Star comes in glory to judge this dark world and take His people home to be with Him forever - another reason to be blessed by the repeated phrase in the Song of Solomon: Until the day break, and the shadows flee away...

Song of Songs 2:17 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.

Song of Songs 4:6 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.

Psalms 30:11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

Isaiah 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Will You? (Poem)

Will You?

Will you be submissive to God's leading in your life?
Will you accept His very best when searching for a wife?
Will you search for wisdom, as others search for gold?
Will you give Jesus your whole heart, and not a part withhold?

Will you always stand for truth, and defend against the lies?
Will you live a life of righteousness, and not of compromise?
Will you abide daily in God's counsel, and take heed unto His Word?
Will you strive to be more Christlike, more like our precious Lord?

November 28, 1998
Jerry Bouey

(Dedicated to my nephew, Andrew, who is searching for God's will in his life. I found this old poem in a box in 2023, written literally two weeks before he was born.)

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Wresting Until The Break Of Day (Poem)

Wrestling Until The Break Of Day

Alone with God - salvation’s story,
Wrestling until the break of day.
This is worth the greatest glory,
To cling to Jesus come what may.

Wrestling, praying, holding on so tight,
Like a prince, I won’t let Him go.
Transformed by grace throughout the night -
Oh how much He must love me so!

Running from fear, and troubling trials,
Faltering, afraid, stopped in my tracks;
From worry, to peace - yet, all the while,
Knowing inside there’s no turning back.

Wrestling until the darkness shatters,
A part of me won’t give up this fight;
But it’s not my hold on God that matters:
He is wrestling with my soul tonight.

Struggling, pleading, in desperation,
Until my strength is taken away,
Wondering at my situation -
Believing He’s the victor this day.

Within my own heart, there is a peace:
He will not leave His work undone;
Transforming my life piece by piece,
Until the rising of the sun.

Wrestling in faith, like Jacob of old,
Until his life was rearranged -
Now touched by God, lo and behold,
I find myself forever changed.

When trouble comes to darken our trail,
Though it seems we can’t find our way,
Our Saviour’s love will never fail -
Wrestling until the break of day.

June 1st/2022
Jerry Bouey

(Dedicated to my nephew, Andrew. It's wonderful to see you grow in your faith day by day.)

Jacob was in distress and worried about his brother, Esau, and his 400 armed men coming his way. Left alone with the Lord, his only option was to cling to God until the day break. This is much like us, wrestling with ourselves and our Saviour, until the day break and the shadows flee away - not letting the Lord go until He blesses us by changing our situations or ourselves.

Genesis 32:24-31 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.

Hebrews 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

Jacob’s encounter with the Lord God changed his life forever!

Song of Songs 2:17 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.

Bether means “division,” ie. what separates us from our Saviour. Jesus will come leaping over the divisions and difficulties in my life.

Song of Songs 4:6 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.

From the time the Song of Solomon was written until the time of His return again, the Lord Jesus Christ would go to the mountain of myrrh (ie. myrrh meaning death, to face death on Calvary), and the hill of frankincense (ie. incense represents prayer, and He would go as our High Priest to pray to the Father for His brethren).

Song of Songs 8:14 Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.

This song ends with the Shulamite looking forward to her Beloved Bridegroom’s return, much like true believers are awaiting Jesus’ return to take His bride home to be with Him forever.

Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The last book of the Bible ends on the same note. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

For a devotional study on this theme, please read: Wrestling Until The Day Break

If you are interested, please visit the link below to hear this poem presented in church:
(The audio recording is at the top of the page)

Wrestling Until The Break Of Day

A Reststop Along The Way (Poem)

A Reststop Along The Way

When the valleys of life seem so dreary,
And the way ahead seems so hard,
My soul aches and cries out for a reststop -
Somewhere safe I can let down my guard.

A place of calm within the tempest,
A hiding place from the wintery blast.
A place of refuge for my troubled heart -
Where Shiloh’s waters flow gently past.

A comfort in my time of trouble;
A haven of rest in my darkest day;
A sanctuary where my soul is safe,
A blessed shelter along the way.

When I am dry and my soul is thirsty,
You alone bring soothing to my pain;
You are the only shadow in this weary land -
The refreshing cloud that comes with the rain.

My soul is hid in the cleft of the Rock -
You’re my High Tower in the midst of my strife,
You hold me close in your everlasting arms,
And feed me with Your words of life.

All that I need I find in You, Jesus -
You are the Shepherd that leads me each day;
Your peace prevails in this heart of mine,
In You, I find the rest I need along life’s way.

You are my Reststop along life’s way.

April 11th, 2023
Jerry Bouey

Dedicated to a dear friend who gave me this wonderful quote in the midst of the trial she is currently going through (and where the idea for this poem came from):

"This is God's will, His plan, the roadblocks won't stop Him. I don't know what is to come, but I do know God is paving the road. Somewhere, in His time, there will be a reststop, where the view will be beautiful, and our great God will be there to carry us home on the great wings of love."

Isaiah 32:2 And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

Genesis 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Isaiah 8:6 …the waters of Shiloah that go softly…

Psalms 107:28-30 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

Psalms 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

Proverbs 16:15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

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.

Abide In Me (Poem)

Abide In Me

(What I imagine Jesus would say
to comfort and encourage someone)

I am with you in sorrow,
I will share your pain.
I will stand beside you when
the sun comes up again.

I'll protect you and keep you
safe in the day,
Bring you back close beside Me
whenever you stray.

I'll bless you and hold you
in My arms so strong,
Sing you gently to sleep
with a tender love song.

My beauty will fill
your heart with peace,
My comfort and love
will never cease.

I'll stay with you forever,
My truth will make you free.
I'll be your joy, your hope, your life
if you will only abide in Me.

September 7th, 1993
Jerry Bouey

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty;
He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy;
He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

See also John 8:31-32, 36; and 15:4-5

Ready For Christmas (Poem)

Ready For Christmas?

"Ready for Christmas," she said with a sigh,
As she gave a last touch to the gifts piled high,
Then wearily sat for a moment and read,
Till soon, very soon, she was nodding her head.

Then quietly spoke a voice in her dream,
"Ready for Christmas? What do you mean?
Ready for Christmas when only last week
You wouldn't acknowledge your friend on the street.

"Ready for Christmas, while holding a grudge?
Perhaps you had better let God be the judge,
Why, how can the Christ-child come and abide
In the heart that is selfish and filled with pride?

"Ready for Christmas when only today
A beggar lad came and you turned him away
Without even a smile to show that you cared?
The little he asked - it could have been spared.

"Ready for Christmas? You've worked, it is true,
But just doing the things that you wanted to do.
Ready for Christmas? Your circle's too small -
Why, you are not ready for Christmas at all!"

She awoke with a start and a cry of despair,
"There's so little time and I've still to prepare.
O Father, forgive me, I see what You mean,
To be ready means more than a house swept clean."

Yes, more than the giving of gifts and a tree,
It's the heart swept clean that He wants to see;
A heart that is free from bitterness, sin -
Ready for Christmas - and ready for HIM.

A revised version of the poem by:
Alice Hansche Mortenson

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Matthew 25:34-40

Christmas In Heaven (Poem)

Christmas In Heaven

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below,
with tiny lights like heaven's stars reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear,
for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,
but the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you the joy their voices bring,
for it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart,
for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I can't tell you of the splendor or the peace here in this place.
Can you just imagine Christmas with our Savior face to face?

I'll ask Him to lift your spirit as I tell Him of your love,
so then pray for one another as you lift your eyes above.

Please let your hearts be joyful and let your spirit sing,
for I am spending Christmas in heaven and I'm walking with the King.

Copyright 1999
by 
benckefamily@hotmail.com

A note from the author:
Lysandra Kay Bencke was my thirteen year old handicapped daughter.  On
Christmas day 1997, Lysandra had a seizure and was in a coma for five days
before she passed away. During those five days I wrote "Christmas in Heaven."

Facing Your Goliath (Poem)

Facing Your Goliath

You followed the Lord out of Egypt,
Buried your old master in the Red Sea,
Wandered around in the wilderness,
Knowing your Redeemer has made you free.

Crossed over the flooded Jordan,
A new beginning, a brand new start;
From death into life everlasting,
God’s Spirit has given you a new heart.

Now you are facing a fearsome foe,
That causes swords and shields to rattle,
Though weakened by the prolonged fight,
You rush determined into battle.

Like David versus Goliath,
In the Valley of Strength that day,
You face an enemy like no other -
But the Lord has prepared the way.

As you gather each smooth stone by faith,
And grip your sling firmly in your hand,
You are ready to claim God’s promises,
And take each step as He has planned.

Fully equipped in God’s armour,
You fight for the Promised Land;
Steadfast with the eyes of faith,
Victorious, in Christ Jesus you stand.

August 21st, 2023
Jerry Bouey

(Dedicated to John Nevokshonoff, who is facing his own Goliath of cancer right now.)

Colossians 1:12-14 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

1 Samuel 17:40-42, 45-48 And [David] took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance… Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

Day By Day (Poem)

Day By Day

Day by day, I will trust Christ
Day by day, He will provide
He will give me grace and mercy
If in His presence I abide.

Day by day, He knows my sorrows
Day by day, He shares my pain
Jesus is my joy and comfort
He's my strength and life again.

Day by day, I can trust Him
Though some days I come unglued
As I wait upon the Lord
I find my strength is renewed.

Day by day, I have God's blessings
Which Christ's sacrifice affords
I cannot rely on my own strength
I will rather boast in the Lord.
Day by day...

August 3rd, 1999
Jerry Bouey

"...and as thy days, so shall thy strength be."
Deuteronomy 33:25b

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13

Written when I was dealing with chronic muscle pain (Fibromyalgia) and realized that my own physical strength was undependable at times - and I wanted to remind myself that my Lord is always dependable, and His strength is always there for the asking.

Be Thou My Vision (Hymn)

 Be Thou My Vision

1 Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
be all else but naught to me, save that Thou art;
be Thou my best thought in the day and the night,
both waking and sleeping, Thy presence my light.

2 Be Thou my Wisdom, be Thou my true Word;
be Thou ever with me and I with Thee, Lord;
be Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son,
be Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

3 Be Thou my Breastplate, my Sword for the fight;
be Thou my whole Armor, be Thou my true Might;
be Thou my soul’s Shelter, be Thou my strong Tow’r,
O raise Thou me heav’nward, great Pow’r of my pow’r.

4 Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
be Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
be Thou and Thou only the first in my heart,
O High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

5 High King of heaven, Thou heaven's bright Sun,
O grant me its joys, after vict'ry is won;
Great Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be Thou my Vision, O Ruler of all.

(Translator: Mary E. Byrne)

Psalm 119:18  Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Ephesians 1:17-18  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Tender Moments Of The Heart (Poem)

 Tender Moments Of The Heart

The treasure of your memory
will be with us always;
We thank you for the love you shared
and all your thoughtful ways.

We miss you now and know
that somehow we will go on;
Reminded of the care you showed –
the family ties are still strong.

Things will be different now;
We no longer have your laughter nor smile.
Instead we have reminders that
your love was so worthwhile.

We see your faded photographs –
now everything has changed.
In every card, in every teardrop,
love was so carefully arranged.

We are so saddened by the suddenness
with which you did depart,
But we can rejoice in your memories –
these tender moments of the heart.

March 1996
Written by Jerry Bouey

Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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.

The Old Refiner (Poem)

The Old Refiner

He sat by a fire of seven-fold heat,
As He watched by the precious ore,
And closer He bent with a searching gaze
As He heated it more and more.

He knew He had ore that could stand the test,
And He wanted the finest gold
To mould as a crown for the King to wear,
Set with gems with a price untold.

So He laid our gold in the burning fire,
Tho' we fain would have said Him 'Nay,'
And He watched the dross that we had not seen,
And it melted and passed away.

And the gold grew brighter and yet more bright,
But our eyes were so dim with tears,
We saw but the fire--not the Master's hand,
And questioned with anxious fears.

Yet our gold shone out with a richer glow,
As it mirrored a Form above,
That bent o'er the fire, tho' unseen by us,
With a look of ineffable love.

Can we think that it pleases His loving heart
To cause us a moment's pain?
Ah, no! but He saw through the present cross
The bliss of eternal gain.

So He waited there with a watchful eye,
With a love that is strong and sure,
And His gold did not suffer a bit more heat,
Than was needed to make it pure.

(Taken from Streams In The Desert devotional)

Arthur T. Pierson - Our Father, who seeks to perfect His saints in holiness, knows the value of the refiner's fire. It is with the most precious metals that the assayer takes the most pains, and subjects them to the hot fire, because such fires melt the metal, and only the molten mass releases its alloy or takes perfectly its new form in the mould. The old refiner never leaves his crucible, but sits down by it, lest there should be one excessive degree of heat to mar the metal. But as soon as he skims from the surface the last of the dross, and sees his own face reflected, he puts out the fire.

You may also be blessed by this wonderful illustration:

The Silversmith's Reflection