A Gift of Poetry for Capt. Billy

One of the men who prays on my Pastor's Prayer Patrol heard me say that my Dad, Capt. Billy, loves poetry. In response, this kind man of prayer and poetry, Gene, sent some original lines to share with my Dad during his cancer challenge season of life. When I read it to my Dad, tears lined his eyes and he said, "Son, write those lines on a 3x5 card so I can keep it in my Bible." Here is the simple but profound gift of poetry for Capt. Billy and for the rest of us:

Lay your tear-stained cheeks at His blood-stained feet
He may not dry your eyes or make your problems flee
He will however give you strength to endure and joy through sorrows
as the bitterness of your tears turn sweet.
-- Gene Stainback

Grateful

Bitter Tears Turn Sweet

After reading my post yesterday, my friend Gene wrote this reply. I asked if I could use it? He kindly agreed:

"Lay your tear-stained cheeks

at Christ blood-stained feet.

He may not dry your eyes

or make your problems flee.

He will, however,

give you strength to endure,

and joy through your sorrow

as the bitterness of your tears

...turn sweet."

-- Gene Stainback

Grateful

 

The Hammer, The Nails, The Cross

One of my Tuesday morning prayer patrol partners, Gene, wrote this poem leading up to Passion Week. It seems perfect for Good Friday, especially. While it is a poem, it is also a transparent testimony.

I carried the hammer. I carried the nails.
I refused to hand them to the soldiers.
Not because I was trying to protect You,
I used them to nail You to the Cross myself

My nails pierced Your hands.
Your eyes pierced my soul.
You had already forgiven me,
Before my hammer made it's final blow
-- Gene Stainback

Lord, we thank you for the Cross.

We agree with Max Lucado who wrote: "The Cross says that God would rather go to Hell for us, than go to Heaven without us."
Grateful

Awakened to Pray

Following a special prayer gathering at our local church, one gentlemen, Gene Stainback, e-mailed me an encouraging message about how God has awakened his soul to pray. He also wrote a sacred poem based on the Scripture I opened our prayer gathering with, Matthew 26, and gave me permission to share his poem with you:

What a sad sight to see
Our Lord Jesus alone on His knees
In a dark garden on a dreadful night
Pleading with our Father with all His might
Blood drenched tears cry "let this cup pass
Is there another way, My strength is fading fast"

Heart so heavy, exhausted to the core
"Dear friends please stay awake with Me one hour more
My sorrow is deep the end draws near
I hear the rattling of the enemy's spear
Not My will but Yours be done
If there is no other way I will obey, I am the Father's Son"

"Wake up friends My time has come
Slumber no longer My capture has begun"
Sorrow upon sorrow pain upon pain
Our Savior led away shackled and chained
What a sad sight to see, alone in the dark
Friends wide awake now watching as the Savior departs

Lord, awaken us all to pray with You. Now.
Grateful