A Great Site to Visit
My father in law has a great web-site called The Pastor's Pen. He is a missionary, evangelist to Thailand and many other surrounding countries. He is a great man of God and another one of my many blessings - I am proud to have him as my father in law. I encourage you to click on the link above and check out his web-site. It will be a great blessing to you also.
This is one of the many poems he has written. There are things happening in our family right now and this was a real encouragement to me. I hope it will be an encouragement to you also.
Weeping In The Night
I've been preaching about heaven, while going through a little hell
I've been trying to lift up others, but not doing it very well.
He who smiles and makes you laugh, sharing joy and happiness.
May have the biggest heartache, and often weeps in loneliness.
You may see him on the topside, as his spirit keeps you blessed.
But hidden are the sorrows, numerous trials and serious tests.
We see an athlete run a race, appearing like he never strains.
And never know his hours of training, his sacrifice, nor his pain.
We love to hear a musician play, a piece so flawlessly,
But between recitals unknown to us, she practiced endlessly.
To own a famous painting, surprised, the price that we must pay,
Not considering all the ruined cloths, the painter threw away.
We stand in awe at structures built, by some great architect
Not giving thought to all the sandcastles, in his youth he wrecked.
Her meals display her culinary art, yes, she can cook so well.
Forgotten are those meals she burned, and all the cakes that fell.
Your preacher preaches hard and long, to rescue men from sin.
Knowing the depths of degradation, the disgrace where once he'd been.
He who knows and gives forgiveness first was guilty of transgression.
He knows and found God forgiveness for his own sin and indiscretions.
Those who freely bless in public, touching lives along the way.
Have learned that when in secret, there's a costly price to pay.
Joy comes in the morning, that's God's promise and it's right.
But always it's foreshadowed, by much weeping in the night.
While others sleep your tears may flow, unseen, unfelt, unknown.
But God caught them in his bottle, and in heaven they shall be shown.
Tis hard to stand back silently, while an enemy scoffs and jeers.
But one day up in glory you'll find, God knows, He sees, he hears.
Not until you've felt the blow of cruel, and ugly words of hate.
Can you here experience the victory, waiting inside heaven's gate.
Only when you've been slandered, criticized, and openly crucified.
Can you know the joy set before Christ when on the cross He died.
So don't give up the battle, though the way seems rough and long,
There comes a day, God's promised, when He'll make right every wrong.
God's radiance shining through your tears, will take away the dread.
Those tears will form the rainbow, 'round a crown upon your head.
