Prayers with Old John Offered by Doug Blair, Waterloo ON, 2020
Out for a walk
In autumn splendour
Night turning cold
But whispering tender.
Blocks quickly pass
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And households tucked in
John at his window
His wave his grin.
Often a chat
As he works
On his yard
Widower long
Ruth and cancer
Took hard
Scarcely a hint
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Of aught amiss
Bible and prayer time
His frequent bliss.
Waves me on in
And quick to the door.
News to be shared
Of neighbours and more
Not at all gossip
But helpful ways sought.
We bow our heads
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In spirited thought.
So natural you see
John takes the lead
Partners with me.
We praise intercede.
Topics abound
As our Father
Draws near
Nothing of form
Or of posturing here.
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Mercy comes down
As the words
Richly flow.
We have held Church
In John’s den
Don’t you know.
http://histocall.blogspot.com/2020/09/seated-with-him.html
Commonality of Clutter We have it…every one
The thought that likes to run
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To yet another disparate space
Leaving peace and prayer small place.
But persevere and let the balm
Of thanksgiving come near
You have a past with rescues and delight
Visit there and soothe your restless night.
God of course must visit at your call
Tell Him of the mess, yes tell it all
His very presence starts the turnaround
Sweet confidence and fellowship are found.
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The Power of Thanks I know where lies the answer
To make glooms flee away
Remembering past rescues.
The sunrise fresh each day.
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My God so grandly visits
This gnat of small design
And thrills me with His presence
And whispers Hope Divine.
It starts with my thanksgiving
Perhaps not choosing much
But growing with each memory
And laughter at His touch.
The Friend Close By ​He shakes His head
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But keeps alert
He loves me so
Knows I am hurt
Knows I have moved
With common sense
But this mess proves
Much more than tense.
If I had only paused
In prayer
And given thanks
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For all His care
Some helpful signs
Just might have come
To foil the threats
To see them done.
But even now I can repent
Go back a ways
See what He meant.
He is so close
Seems more this time
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And rescue comes
In ways sublime.
I am His child
The blessed thought
The Grace, the Glory
Sure, blood-bought.
Psalm 84
10 F or
a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather [g ] b e a doorkeeper in the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
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11 ​For
the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.
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