Winter's Gale

Winter's gale is icy and chill.
For summer's sun I do so yearn,

Will You Walk With Jesus?

Jesus promised, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  Throughout the Bible Jesus tells us not to be afraid.  He is our refuge and fortress, and He's there to help us when we're in trouble and give us courage.

I wrote the song "Will You Walk With Jesus?" in 2010, and have included the lyrics, as well as an imperfect recording from one of our recent live performances, below.

His Love Will Never Fade

Is my smile so sweet

As on the first day I met my Savior?

Is the love so deep,

As on the day that Christ, His hand

Toward me did reach?

Does my face still shine

With the passion He gave

When He my pardon signed?

Christ Died

Jesus walked carrying a cross Through crowds of lost and dying;

Men who knew not their souls’ great loss, Throngs of poor men repining.

Always There for Me

As long as the mountains stand,
As the sun for ages has brilliantly shined,

I’ll go with you as to the end this trail does wind

I’ll always be there to hold your hand.

Cars at Culvers

Driving through Marshalltown on our way to Menards the other day, Papa and I noticed many classic cars on the road.  Where were they all headed?  We soon found out.  The Culver's parking lot was filled with beautiful, classy rides--and people admiring them.  It wasn't something we were going to miss!  I've paid to visit a museum with cars like these.

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."  --St. Augustine

Wake Me Up

It's lambing season, and one of our neighbors has a flock of sheep.  Not long ago, we asked him if we could come see his lambs and their mothers.  Some were tiny--only a day old--and others were already growing into sturdy little lambs.  He has to bottle feed any that are rejected by their mothers or whose mothers do not have sufficient milk.  

Bridges

"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered.  

An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered."   --G.K. Chesterton

A bridge I saw before me; it's way I fain would take.

I strained my eyes to see, but the darkness made me quake.

If the bridge I do not cross, it will fore'er be my loss.

Courage whispers on, but will all be well at dawn?

The Road of Life

On this road of life we've traveled many miles

Surviving only by His grace.

It will be worth the agony and the trials

When we shall see Him face to face.

We've oft been confused as we journeyed this road,

And giants have compassed our trail.

These troubles can't compare to glory I am told,

Where we will see beyond the veil.

Our problems are far surpassed by Christ's love.

He leads us as sheep of His fold.

Soon we shall see His glory and splendor above; 

His promises He shall uphold.

My fondest desire is to dwell in His presence.

His mercy is without measure.

Jesus alone is our rock, tower, and defense;

The fount of true joy and pleasure.

© Bethany Carson 2014

Sunset - Skywatch Friday

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised. --Psalm 113:3

Oh, How I love to put into verse and rhyme

Things that have been filling my mind:

A beautiful red, orange, and purple sky at night,

Fireflies twinkling, like stars in my sight,

Autumn's Gold

 Autumn's gold is summer's goodbye.
Life is beautiful as it dies,
Leaving its joys in the glories for which we vie,
Bidding farewell and heaving a sigh.

Tears

This poem was written by my grandmother, watercolor artist Colleen (MacArthur) Carson, while she was in high school in 1947.  She recently found and gave it to me with permission to share with you. 

If each tear could tell its story, 'twould make the earth's bowels shake.

If each tear could tell its story, 'twould make the mountains quake.

I See You, Jesus

Many a man's wish may be
To sing in a grand hall,

To fill a cathedral or mall,

To serenade the rich

With the power of every pitch.

But I see you, Jesus, Lord,

Alone on Calvary,

Not in glamor this world affords,

Dying to set me free

That I, your glory may see.

I see you, Jesus,

Caring for the dying and poor.

I see you, Jesus,

With your sweet Spirit,

Knocking at their heart's living door.

I see you, Jesus,

Giving life to souls without hope.

I see you, Jesus,

Saving those vexed sore

Saying, "Follow me to Bright Shore."

© 2010 Bethany Carson

Only Yesterday...

They were in the front row in wheelchairs,

But they seemed so far away.

She placed her hand on his knee,

But he pushed it off that day.

She softly cried, and another sight I did see.

It was only yesterday,

A beautiful couple with stars in their eyes.

They vowed they’d love in sickness and in health.

Their children grew and joy was their wealth.

But it was all gone too soon…

Senility and dementia had laid their claim,

Any breath could be their last.

They loved each other just the same,

But life had flown by all too fast.

It was all gone too soon…

Lay up your treasures in paradise,

This life is but a dressing room for eternity.

Build a relationship with Christ,

With whom there is hope beyond this life.

Because all else will be gone too soon.

© 2011 Bethany Carson

“Live so that when the final summons come you will leave something more behind you 

than an epitaph on a tombstone or an obituary in a newspaper.”  --Billy Sunday

Perfection

I see perfection: the cry of beauty.

I see perfection: the crown of thorns?

I see perfection: the long sought for goal.

I see perfection: a sword-pierced side to nations shown?

I see perfection: the love of God.

I see perfection: the agony of a dying man?

I see perfection: Jesus Christ, He, and He alone loves me so.

I see perfection: 'tis perfection, 'tis greatest love.

I see Jesus, beaten, dying, and alone.

And what have I, what am I, that He should love me so?

What am I, that He would call my name?

What am I that my Savior, bruised and beaten, should make me His own?

© 2009 Bethany Carson