REST
 
           To take a drive and spend the day
                Pursuing peace of mind,
           To care not where -- just far away,
                Brings rest -- the sweetest kind.

           To leave behind our work and care,
                Our pain and troubles sore;
           With wife and kids the day to share,
                One ought to do this more.

           It takes one back to days of old,
                To times so gay and free;
           To tell again the tales once told,
                To show for all to see ---

           The deepest reaches of the heart,
                The hidden man within;
           From such a place one hates depart
                Back to the world of sin.

           But if one stayed away at rest
                And never worked or toiled,
           The ease of life he'd soon detest,
                The rest would then be spoiled.

           So do the work and feel the pain
                And bear your cross each day,
           When comes the time of rest again
                Your cares will run away.

                      H.L. Gradowith

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Gradowith Poems: Message #8
           Date:   Mar 25 2000 18:26:55 EST
           Subject:  Be Faithful

           Be Faithful

           Our days on earth are hard and few,
                Some trouble comes to all;
           Death comes for each -- yes, even you!
                All answer death's cold call.

           So hear, believe, repent, confess,
                Be buried in His name;
           Your soul He'll save, your life He'll bless,
                His blood removes all blame.

           In faithfulness His love to prove
                God sent His Son to die;
           Each spot and blemish to remove,
                Our souls His blood did buy!

           "Be faithful unto death," we read,
                His Will we must obey;
           Through rain or shine our Lord will lead,
                His word will light our way.

           If in this life we disbelieve --
                Rebel, reject His word:
           Come Judgment Day our souls He'll leave,
                So saith the Spirit's Sword.

           So come to Him while yet you may,
                His mercy do not spurn;
           Receive His call, turn not away,
                Be still:  and of Him learn.

           There'll come a time in ev'ry life
                When we will need His hand;
           We'll seek Him out amidst the strife
                In this low, weary land.

           If death has come to visit us
                Before we heed His call,
           Our treasures then will turn to rust:
                On Him -- too late -- we'll call.

                        H.L. GRADOWITH

 March 23, 1997

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Gradowith Poems: Message #9
           Date:   Mar 26 2000 07:24:44 EST
           Subject:  A Cup Of Water

           ............A CUP OF WATER............

           "If just a cup of water,"
                a measely thing at best,
           Is needed by the Potter:
                'Til done, I'll find no rest.

           For "just a cup of water,"
                may make the stranger's day;
           For once the lonely Potter
                passed through life's thirsty way.

           In need of just some water,
                to quench His awful thirst,
           The great and mighty Potter
                fell victim to the worst.

           They would not give Him water,
                but railed on Him instead;
           Until the mighty Potter
                before them all hung dead.

           If "just a cup of water,"
                is asked of us below,
           Let's give that for the Potter,
                as on our way we go.

           The One who asks the water
                is Jesus Christ our Lord,
           He is the Mighty Potter
                Who left for us His Word.

           It is the Living Water
                refreshing evermore,
           A map from Christ the Potter,
                that leads to Heaven's shore.

           ............H. L. Gradowith
 

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Gradowith Poems: Message #10
           Date:   Mar 26 2000 22:32:24 EST
           Subject: A Mighty Sword

           ..........A Mighty Sword..........

           We've from the Lord
           A mighty sword
           Now use it while you may.
           Train well while here
           While help is near
           Before the close of day.

           The call is clear
           To ones so dear
           Take up the sword and fight.
           'Tis disrespect
           To it neglect:
           Take arms for truth and right.

           Take time to train,
           There's much to gain,
           From studying that Book:
           He sends to all
           That precious call,
           It's open -- take a look.

           In it we see
           Ourselves set free
           From ev'ry care and strife;
           And led above
           With tender love,
           To God's eternal life.

           We also learn
           Of those who spurn
           Their chance at life on high;
           Who live each day
           To laugh and play
           As though they shall not die.

           They can't evade
           The choice they made
           When death has closed their eyes;
           Their death now passed
           Their die is cast:
           Too late they realize...

           It points the way
           To judgment day
           When men shall get their due;
           It calls us, friend,
           To leave our sin,
           And be forever true.

           ..........H. L. Gradowith..........

           April 28, 1997

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