My Country ‘twas of Thee By-Joseph Sexton Dec 4th  2003   There is a place, A country where I grew into a man A place that claimed to be for God, It was a nation grand. A place where people worked for wages, A land where folks took pride A place where real heroes were made, and were legends when they died.   It’s now a land where but a few have taken center stage Telling us all we can or can’t like something in a cage. To speak of God or of His Son, is strictly un-allowed And politicians take their side, forgetful of the crowd.   They have other gods, they say, much mightier, and grand There is no right, there is no wrong, in this new promised land Do what you want to do, they say if you have the price But don’t you step on toes, by mention of the name of Christ.   And judges point their fingers now, and decree this and that And toady to the atheist, who stir this immoral vat, Oh how they strut, oh how they boast, before some microphone That someone puts before them, leaving them there alone.   To spew out all the wickedness, to our daughters, and our sons To lead them from the righteous ways, with platitudes and puns And there are drugs of every kind-to turn into a blur The foolishness of what they teach-they spread it everywhere.   They deny things that come by faith-use logic as a song When even the logic that they use, should tell them they are wrong There is a theme in God’s own word-from Eden to time’s end That’s oh so perfect and so right, it shall forever stand.   The story of great faith and trust, obedience and love All in harmony and given by our God above And there’s great hope for one and all thru Christ, His only Son Who paid the price, giving His life for every wrong we’ve done   Oh how sad and tragic too, to think back on it all To know we’ve let a few give threat, to speed this nation’s fall And from a land once of the brave, and the home of the free It becomes more clear every day, “MY COUNTRY ‘TWAS OF THEE   In every tongue of every tribe way back to Adam’s youth A lie can change 10,000,000 times but truth is the truth, is the truth So give us strength and courage too, Almighty God above To win the race, and by your grace, help us to live on love And may those words ne’er need be said, by any, even by me Those awful words of hopelessness-“MY COUNTRY ‘TWAS OF THEE.”

ONLY FOR A MOMENT My days unfold like a beautiful flower, As I open my eyes to a brand new day. The beauty of life is a precious vision, All around me in great display. And when the day dimly fades away, And all is now at rest, I vow more love, more faith and trust, And more constant search of God’s best. When sad things come, the joy is gone. But only for a moment, you see, For things with Jesus stay the same And he strengthens and comforts me. When I look up at the sun and stars And up and down God’s earth I ponder all my blessings And realize their worth.

IT’S HOWDY HUG TIME We were looking for a church      and in the paper read. “Casual dress, All welcome,”      was what was said.   The church was in      a gussied up barn that was permeated      with charm.   We sat in a chair      There was nary a pew That was the strangest church      I’ve ever been to.   I heard some music      Looked up from the page They were strumming guitars      Up on the stage!   This fellow named Charlie      Said, “It’s Howdy Hug Time! And people began      To get in a line. I leaned to my nephew      And said in his ear. “Do you think there’s a way      We can sneak out of here?”   “Don’t look now”      He said with a shrug. “There’s a bunch of folks comin’      And they all want a hug.”   We sat back down.      The music did start, beautiful hymns,      That touched my heart.   Then we listened to      What the pastor said. I couldn’t get it all      Out of my head.   When the service was over      I said with a grin, “We’ll come back next Sunday      And do it again.   –Written by Paula Borchert