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The Looking Glass

The looking-glass upon my heart 
Is of antiquity;
Its power surpasses secret art:
It judges verily.  

I hold this glass between my eye
And all the silver world;
Its glories wither with a sigh,
Damnation there is hurled.

I turn the glass toward trials sore,
Transformed they now appear;
In them, why saw I not before
This Hand of strength and cheer?

So up to God I turn the glass,
And trembl at my gaze:
His just and holy righteousness
Brings pure and holy praise.

Then to my dread the glass reveals
My image, vile but true:
A sinful, filthy wretch who feels
I should be cleansed anew.

This looking-glass is wisdom sound,
God's law enlightening me,
To know in Him salvation's found,
And He can make me free.

Lord, thank You for this looking-glass,
Whose power is not its own;
Its glory nothing can surpass,
For it is all Thine own!


Mysterious Grains of Time

Myster'ous grains are trickling from above; not grains of sand,
But grains of time, a steady stream, flow in and past my hand.
Innum'rable, the wasted, useless moments falling down;
Unseen as yet, the moments I've invested in my crown.

Grains hid in pleasant by-path fields will sprout not nor take root,
Nor will those sown before their time, though in their place, bear fruit;
But rain and sun will bless the seed which meets the Gard'ner's goal – 
‘Twill grow to be acceptable, a grain offering whole.

So few to make a difference, yet so many to place right,
These grains of mine confound me, and I plead for Heav'nly light.
How else could I invest each moment in the perfect way,
Or make each tiny one to brightly shine on Judgment Day?

Accept this moment and redeem it, God, from Satan's power.
In good soil plant this grain, this seed, to die, bring forth a flower.
In worship, witness, prayer, good works, or tasks I wish to stop,
Provide an oyster into which this grain of sand may drop.



A Sword!

A sword–I cringe, I hide, I flee!
This sword is lunging straight for me!
Not made to kill my body part,
This sword will pierce my soul and heart.

A sword–I gasp, I cry, I hiss!
This sword's alive and cannot miss!
And sharper, too than all the rest,
This sword my inmost thoughts will test.

A sword–I sigh, I yield, I fall!
This sword enslaves me, takes my all!
I can't escape its dreadful blade;
This sword to change my heart was made.

A sword–I fear, I search, I see!
This sword has come to set me free!
It quickly cuts my iron chains;
This sword will stab with righteous pains.

A sword–I faint, I won't, I can't!
This sword requires I do just that
Which I cannot, but I must learn;
This sword gives power for which I yearn.

A sword–I read, I think, I love!
This sword is God's word, from above!
To sin alone this sword brings death;
This sword has life: Jehovah's breath!




Humble, Lord?

Humble, Lord? Far from it; 'till my dying day
It seems my soul will cling to its rebellious, sinful way.
Satan has a foothold; pride has cast me down;
How bitter is the end of all my self-proclaimed renown!

Humble, Lord? I'm trying, though the path is steep; 
I'm led not up but downward to the valley, like a sheep.
Jesus knows my pathway; sweet will be the rest
Attained when I've surrendered all and lain upon His breast.

Humble, Lord? I can't be; short is my supply
Of strength to act the way I will; despairing now I cry.
Take all my desires; burn up all my dross;
And manifest the grace of Him for whom I suffer loss.

Humble, Lord? How glorious is the life I live!
For Thou art free to work when all my inner self I give.
Pride has lost its power; sin, its former glee;
I gained anew my Savior as I sought humility.




Desire, Desire

Desire, desire, why lodgest thou
In secret places of my heart?
With thee, through mire like lead I plough;
Thy stinging stab doth sharply smart.
And through the fire, to God I bow
And beg that thou shouldst soon depart.

I spare no tears, as thou, cursed lust,
Hast spared my heart no throbbing pain;
Thou bringest tears, undue, unjust,
Which at thy bid I entertain.
Thou stole, through years, my loyal trust
From God, though from thee naught I gain.

O burning will, I died to thee;
Henceforth I live to God, not sin.
On Calv'ry's hill the cross I see
Where Christ my ransom did begin;
There He did kill thine enmity,
So o'er thee victory I can win.

I know I've grieved God's righteousness,
His heart, which for my own sin bled;
Since I believed, my sinfulness
Has gripped my soul; I have not fled,
Nor yet conceived the gratefulness
I owe Him, ransomed from the dead!


The Way of the Lord

The way of the Lord is the way where I walk,
A narrow path, dangerous; when doubting I balk.
The way wide and easy will worsen one day;
I walk in His steps who said, "I am the way."

The way of the Lord is a way strong and sure;
Through thousands of years it will always endure.
Soil hard-packed bears witness of those gone before;
All entered through Him who said, "I am the door."

The way of the Lord is a sorrowful road;
The thorns by the way press me on like a goad,
And, shaping my life, make me focus above,
Becoming like Him who said, "I am the love."

The way of the Lord is a way of deep joy;
Not even will Jordan its fulness destroy.
'Neath billows my soul sings sweet songs in the strife:
I soon shall see Him who said, "I am the life."



I am not what I ought to be

I am not what I ought to be,
I am not what I want to be,
I am not what I try to be;
Jesus, Savior, break me.

I try to do what I cannot,
I try to do the things I ought,
I'm in the snare of trying caught;
Jesus, Savior, free me.

For when I try to be a saint,
I stick my brush into Thy paint,
The finished product badly taint;
Jesus, Savior, stop me.

But when I cease to try to be,
And start to simply rest in Thee,
Thy promised blessing rests on me;
Jesus, Savior, keep me.

For those who render up their soul,
Abide in Thee and yield control,
Through perfect strength Thou wilt make whole;
Jesus, Lord, receive me.



Just One Moment's Pleasure

Just one moment's pleasure couldn't damage me,
Just one look outside the walls of my authority,
Just to boost my knowledge, not be shocked at sin,
I can watch what's going on without my joining in.

Just one flashy garment, though it may defraud,
Just one friend who's popular, although he mocks my God.
Just one little skirmish; why wage war so hard?
I'll relax, and next time I'll stand firmer for my Lord.

Just one brush with evil; just one little look,
Just one worldly movie and then just one Godless book.
I am in control here; I'll stop when I please – 
Though I lose this battle I will win the war with ease.

My, the foe is comely; tasty is this dart;
It supplies my appetite and couldn't reach my heart.
Just one dart won't hurt me; my good Lord won't know;
When the fight gets heavier, my loyalty will show.

Strange, my Lord seems distant, though we were so close;
Never mind: I'll fill the void with great things of the foe's.
Just one small amusement, reading nothing bad,
Just a game instead of prayer when I'm feeling sad.

Just a dinky battle – why put up a fight?
I sure need a break, so I'll display a flag of white.
When the heat of war comes, watch me fight so brave!
I'll destroy the foe – for him no bit ground I'll save.

The foe understands me; watch him really care!
Now he needs this plot of land for an exciting fair.
How could I refuse him one request so small?
Just one little piece of ground – he wouldn't take it all.

For the big, main battle, on my armor goes;
Broken, stained, and rusted, it is no match for the foe's.
Searching for my fellows, I can find no one;
Panic grips me wildly as I yell for them and run!

Hateful is the chuckle, "You're a bit too late;
You gave me your battleground and now I've shut the gate.
All your friends have left you; now the war is done,
And you are my captive prisoner because I won."

How could this have happened? Whence came my defeat?
Where went that great chance to show my skill in battle's heat?
Pris'ner by my own choice, on my former ground,
I look back with deep regret to see mistakes abound.

Just one place surrendered adds up here and there,
‘Till the land my Lord gave me becomes the cruel foe's share.
Just one moment's pleasure – what became of it?
The foe did not steal this land; I gave it bit by bit.

The foe is deceitful, father of all lies;
Herewith he destroys all good, or at the least he tries.
Every dart is fiery, smeared with his deceit;
If we do not quench each one we'll end in sure defeat.

Just one small amusement, never is just one;
Just a brush with evil ends up anything but fun.
Just one small amusement, never is it small;
Just a brush with evil ends with evil all in all.

There comes no temptation that's beyond our power;
To gain victory we must be on alert each hour.
There comes no temptation too small for God's grace;
Thinking we can handle it will surely bring disgrace.

One unguarded moment could bring greatest sin.
Flee at first approach of evil – do not look again!
Better Pharaoh's dungeon, there to spend a life,
Than a fleeting moment's fun with Potipher's cute wife.

Such a small temptation – what could be so wrong?
If the foe suggests it, you must fight it sure and strong.
Others may enjoy it; yes, but you cannot.
Would you sacrifice your freedom for this one small shot?

Just one self-denial, just one plea for grace,
Just one moment's loneliness and just one steadfast face,
Just one mind kept holy, just one heart kept pure,
Just one faithful warrior gains the victory for sure!