Written by James A. Frost

Moonlight shining through leafy branches on a gentle summer’s night,
The sky of stars shone like so many diamonds bright.
How to the unseeing eyes so much beauty hides unseen,
So many times He touches me awake and I realize it’s not a dream.
So many roses for he gathering…
Unequaled is the music of His birds that sing…
I stand amazed each time I view the sunset painting palaces in the west,
Knowing I am His child and that He always gives to me His best.
My list of blessings, daily longer grows,
Life with Him so happy, no beauty like the beauty of Sharon’s Rose.
My Father, Keep my mind stayed on thee,
In order that my heart may know thy peace and serenity.

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Mr. Frost’s poem brought to mind a couple of my favorite hymns. First I thought of  “How Great Thou Art” (Second Stanza)

“When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze;
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee; How great Thou art!
How great Thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee;
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!”

Then I remembered “Fairest Lord Jesus” (Second and Third Stanzas)

“Fair are the meadows, Fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heav’n can boast.”

I love Mr. Frost’s expression of praise and I love the old hymns, but do we find any evidence that these poetic expressions are biblical?  Yes!  We find many instances in the Bible of the Lord revealing Himself through his creation.  In Psalm 19, we read about David praising God for the forms of revelation known to him:  i.e nature (in Psalm 19:1-6) and biblical revelation, the Law (Psalm 19:7-14).   Creation continues to reveal the glory of God to men.  In the New Testament, The Apostle Paul, in Romans 1:18-27, tells us…

“…the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.  For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

That is a sobering warning for us in this culture.  So many today refuse to see the holy, and the divine or acknowledge they exist.  Many will not even consider the possibility that God created the earth and universe.  As a result, we see more and more debasement of mankind.

I am thankful I can stop and smell the roses, and sense the presence of the Lord in His creation.  Jesus can “make the woeful heart to sing.”  My prayer is that you will take time out today to acknowledge Christ as your Creator and your Lord.

~ Samuel Lawrence~

Written by James A. Frost

I am never without, I’m always in His circle of grace.
Courage is mine each time I see His sweet face.
He is with me in my valley, always to bring me a grander gift.
My Father loves to reach down, His child to lift.
He is the bridge that Spans every gulf I will have to cross.
In every situation, in every trial, is gain not loss.
He is the crimson on the roses that He directs my eyes to see.
I feel His velvet gentleness as He enlarges my knowing capacity.
Grace that knows no measure, for my weakness all His strength.
My heart knows it matters not… the valley’s length.
I will walk through triumphal arches that, but to thee lead.
In thee I will always find the answer for my every need.

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What a wonderful word picture of our relationship with the Lord Jesus. Yes, trials do come.  We spend time in valleys in our lives.  Without the valleys, the mountaintops could not be fully appreciated. This reminds me of what the Bible says in James 1:2-4

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Oh to have the grace to remain steadfast during trials.  It is not an easy thing. It is a hard thing. However, through God’s grace we can.  We must train ourselves and exhort one another to stay the course, to stay faithful, to avoid temptation, and to remember the source of our spiritual blessings.  James 1:12-18 reminds us…

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

Be encouraged today, and then encourage those around you with the promises of God.

“All of Heaven hushes at the sound of His voice…”

Written by James A. Frost

Out beyond the mists that veil eternity,
there is a Hand that awaits mine, though
I cannot see.
My heart knows, and kneels at the alter
It finds there.
For He has shown at Calvary, a love
beyond compare.
My little cares flee, they’re unimportant
now.
Vows are strong again, as humbly I
bow.
I am bathed in this light of such
infinite love.
No power on earth can keep my soul,
it will come to thee above.
I reach up for a blue sky of star
sheen tapestry.
His love lasts forever, I know
completeness as His hand reaches
down for me!

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Today’s poem from Mr. Frost brings to mind Psalm 18:16. The New International Version (©1984)
says “He reached down from on high and took hold of me.”  Then in the New Testament, we see the ultimate picture of God reaching down to man… on Calvary’s tree.  And so, follower’s of Jesus Christ can know that abiding peace.  Jesus said “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might ha peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).  Paul told the Philipians “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).  We can indeed have peace while we travel upon the earth because our Lord left us His Legacy of peace.  Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).  Do you know that peace today?

Written by James A. Frost

My children… what is it that I
have always wished for thee?
Only that each of you would
fulfil thy best self, you see.
In so doing, would you find pure
happiness and serenity? “YES,” comes
forth loud and clear.
Enjoying His companionship, and
always wanting Him near.
Once to Him we learn to yield…
then a worthwhile life we begin to build.
Purging that which is not beneficial,
emptied for His glorious filling.
Until you know Him to be close, until
you follow His path, until your feet are willing,
may you know the discipline of faith,
that will chart your course.
For your every tomorrow, may
your heart know He is the source,
may you know the resonance of the
deepest of joy’s chords.
In and through you, I’ve seen such
beauty…, it could only be the Lord’s.
I love you!

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Written by James A. Frost

The Father places great importance on humility,
A quality found in all saints, they never question His ability.
They have learned not to ask, that which they know to be,
never doubting their course, only follwing Thee.
Knowing that nothing that is not God’s will, can come their way,
waiting patiently, theirs is only to trust and obey.
They have long since died to their own wisdom and strength.
It matters not the valleys that come with torturous labyrinth.
I have seen in their faces a real and fascinating glory, a trust beyond prayer,
Knowing behind every trial is triumph, in every prison…
a palace, because their God is there!

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This is an interesting poem from Mr. Frost.  We see in the Old Testament that humilty is necessary to the service of God: Micah 6:8 says “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”  In the New Testament, Jesus explains spiritual greatness in terms of humility and in service: Matthew 20:26-28 “…but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”  This can be easily forgotten in today’s culture, even among the elect.

Romans 8:16-18 says “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”  Near the end of this poem, I see shades of Romans 8:26-38.

As followers of Jesus Christ, today’s message from Mr. Frost gives us a proper perspective of the Christian life.

My soul is not a rudderless boat,
tossing to and fro.
It follows Heaven’s beam,
I feel His love flow…
Love unmerited, infinite,
priceless and unchanging.

Every valley that is mine,
is through His arranging.
Ofttimes, from the womb of thy night
is born a beautiful song.
His deepest chords of joy are most
often taught when the night is long.
The times He so sweetly
touches me through pain,
His never failing presence,
is the rainbow after the rain.

I hear the music of the choir
invisible in the shadows there.
I know I am in His presence
as I kneel in prayer.
My hand reaches out, and
I feel the nail-scarred print.
Then my heart knows that
every valley was by Him meant.

~James A. Frost.~
July 6, 1920- April 21,1993

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Today’s message is one that reminds us that the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives, even in the storms we face. Jesus told his disciples in John 16:33 that they will face troubles and trials but offers the sweet assurance that HE has overcome the world. Poppy reminds us of that too in this poem.

Holy Spirit

Until We are brought to the end of
ourselves, We continue to doubt.
He cast us in the crucible, only to bring
His Glory out.
It is in the storm that comes by His
hand, that we learn to trust,
though we can see Him not,
to have faith is a must.
He withholds, in his wisdomn until
our storm subsides.
Though our sea is rough, and we
are tempest tossed, his love abides.
It is “not my will, but thine” that He
wants so much to hear,
And then He appears to star your
darkest night, to erase your fear.
The Holy Spirit falls upon me, and
I will never be the same.
Trancendent Glory! Bless, oh bless,
His Holy Name!
Ours is not to question, only to obey,
through whatever comes to me.
Be still my heart and recognize
His Majesty.
Whatever the obstacles, I know my
God at last will deliver.
Through it all, I will know better
the Giver.

Written by James A. “Poppy” Frost

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