WIXLIB

Reflecting God’s Love 21It’s sorta’ strange the way folks live,it seems they don’t feel blestAnd yet they’ve gathered lots of stuffto feather up their nest.According to the TV adsour living’s up to parIf we live in a great big houseand drive a fancy car.The Bible says that godlinessand a contented mindAre what makes people happyand is really quite a find.So take a break, sit on your porch,enjoy the things you see,You might discover as you watchyou’re as happy as can be.But godliness with contentmentis great gain. 1Timothy 6:6

22 So Sing, My HeartServingIf you’re going to serve the Lord, my friend,then give it your best shot,Don’t only serve Him sparinglybut give Him all you’ve got.Don’t nod your head and tell Him, “Hi”and think He’ll understandFor He would like the best from youand wants to hold your hand.He really understands and knowswhat He sees in your heart;He knows if you are holding backor giving every part.It seems the friends that I hold dearand cherish very muchAre those who have a lot of loveand so we keep in touch.Our God is great and awesomeso don’t let the privilege passTo serve the Lord with all your heartand do it, friend, with class. . . serve the Lordyour God with allyour heart and withall your soulDeuteronomy 10:12

Reflecting God’s Love 23People-watchersSometimes I like to people-watchWhen I am in a crowd-The short, the fat, the skinny folks,The poorly dressed, the proud.Of course my observationsReally don’t amount to muchBut sometimes I see lots of folksWho need a loving touch.When I watch folks it makes me thinkHow busy God must beTo watch the billions on this earth,Including you and me.He knows the feelings of each heartAnd sees each deed we do,I don’t know how He does itBut the Bible says it’s true.The folks who really hunker downIn God’s great love and careAre awfully glad God watches themAnd sees them everywhere.They don’t worry ’bout the futureAnd stuff that could go wrong,They just let Jesus fill their cupAnd fill their heart with song.I will counsel you andwatch over youPsalm 32:8

2GodDid It

Psalm 19:1Psalm 104:24The heavens declarethe glory of God;the skies proclaim thework of his hands.How many are yourworks, O Lord!In wisdomyou made them all;the earth is fullof yourcreatures.

26 So Sing, My HeartActs of GodWe used to hear of “acts of God”when big events occured-Tornadoes, earthquakes, storms,and floodsour status quo has stirred.These things do happen nowand then,God does display His power,But there are other “acts of God”that happen every hour.Who puts the love in mother’s heartsto love a wayward child?Who feeds the birds and animalsthat live out in the wild?Who gives a peace to weary heartswho struggle through the day?Who gives our minds the power to think,and form the word we say?Who puts a song within the heart,a smile upon the face?Who makes a person want to helpsomeone of different race?Who doesn’t blame when things go wrong,and tries to make it right?My friend, it’s God who does all this-all day and every night!The Lord is faithful to all his promisesand loving to all he has made.Psalm 145:13

God Did It27SeasonsI like the seasons of the year-Each one is great, and when it’s hereI almost like that season best,For change can bring a kind of rest.The snow has beauty hard to beatIf you’re inside with warmth and heat;And Spring is welcome as can beWhen robins fly from tree to tree.Then Summer has it’s fun times, too,With picnics, sun, and Mountain Dew.When tired of heat the Fall looks goodAnd with it’s beauty, well, it should.Don’t frown and gripe when seasons come,Enjoy yourself, and sing and hum.When each day comes look up and thriveFor after all, you ARE alive.

28 So Sing, My HeartOur Awesome GodFolks, when I think on it a bitit kinda’ blows my mindHow really awesome was our Godwhen He made up mankind.To think there are no lookalikesno matter where you lookIs quite a marvel in itselfand wasn’t from some book.Not only are our fingerprintsour very, very own,Our DNA belongs to usfor it is ours alone.The scientists can tell a lotfrom just one single hairSo when our God created manHe did it with much care.Then there’s the brain with all its smarts-folks still can’t figure outHow it can tuck so much insideso we can move about.How come we taste, and hear, and talk,and have emotions, too;God didn’t clone a bunch of folksand fasten them with glue.

God Did It29God gave us personalitiesand also gave us choiceSo we can hack life by ourselvesor listen to His Voice.He also gave us talentswe can use or we can loseAnd some folks make the best of thembecause of what they choose.Some folks become musicians,others preach, still others write,God sure gave us varietyand really did things right.But best of all God gave us loveor we’d be incompleteAnd if you love Him in your heartthis life is hard to beat.I praise you because I am fearfullyand wonderfully made; your worksare wonderful. Psalm 139:14

30 So Sing, My HeartRoses and ThornsThere are lots of pretty rosesthat we ooh and aah about,Their colors are magnificentthere’s not the slightest doubt.Sometimes we sorta’ wonder whythe thorns are on the stemAs if God kinda’ goofed things upand spoiled a perfect gem.But when I think on it a tad,I wonder could it beThat it was no mistake at all-God wanted us to seeThat life has lots of blessingsand our road is smooth and straight,But at times we hit a speed bump-then we don’t feel so great.I wonder if the roseshave a lesson for us all:That life has lots of beautyif we stand straight and tall,But then whendisappointments comelike thorns upon the stemGod wants to polish us a bitso we can shine for Him.

God Did It31NestBuildingI saw two birds just yesterdaywhen I looked out the door,Their beaks were full of grass and stuff;they knew what it was for.For spring had sprung, the birds both knewthat they should build a nestAnd God had put inside their brainshow they could do it best.You know, the birds are pretty smartwhen they know what to doFor they can build a nest that lastswithout some super glue.I am amazed they can make neststo stand both wind and rainAnd then they raise their babies therewith seemingly no strain.I know if I collected stuffand tried to build a nestE’en with some string and glue and tapemine wouldn’t stand the test.When winds would blow my would-be nestwould drop and fall apart,But God gave birds a joyful soundand made them really smart.

32 So Sing, My HeartBy HeartMom’s don’t learn to mother babiesby reading from a bookFor Mom’s have something in their heartthat when they take a lookImmediately they fall in loveand heart will bond to heartAnd when that happens you can betthey’re off to a good start.I know Mom’s learn from old wives talessome steps they oughta’ takeIf babies seem to cry a lotand keep the house awake.Most babies are quite healthyand if Mom is healthy, too,They usually can figure outjust what they oughta’ do.And happy are the little oneswhose mother is quite smartAnd takes the time to give them loveand mother them by heart.

34 So Sing, My HeartThe HopalongsIf you’d go to Australiayou’d see the kangaroo;It’s fun to see them in a park,not just one in a zoo.Some of the large varietycan leap a nine foot fence,A twenty five foot leap is theirsif life gets pretty tense.Their back legs are a tower of strength,their tapered tail is strong,And with a baby in their pouchthey simply hop along.I’m not sure how a kangaroowould work out on a farm-They might leap over fences talland do your garden harm.I think when God created themHe made them to be freeAnd didn’t want them all fenced inor tied up to a tree.So if you go down underyou’ll enjoy thekangaroo-They’re in a class allby themselves,I know you’ll thinkso, too.

God Did It35AustralianTeddy BearsKoala bears are loved by all,they’re like a teddy bearAnd with their special hands and feetjust any limb’s a chair.They don’t stay on the ground too much,they’d rather live aloft;It takes six months before their furis thick and cuddly soft.They’re awfully small when they are born-an inch is far too long,They weigh much less than half an ouncebut once they’re grown they’re strong.They live in mother’s pouch awhilethen when they venture outTheir hands and feet grab mother’s furso they are safe, no doubt.The eucalyptus leaves are bestto curb their appetiteAnd when the leaves near by are gonethey choose a different site.These teddy bears seem unafraidas folks watch from below;They simply go on livinglike they always do, you know.

36 So Sing, My HeartShips of theDesertHave you sat upon a camel?It is kinda’ fun to do;I did it once some years agoand I’ve seen quite a few.I like those rugged-looking beaststhat walk the desert sand,God knew when He created themthey’d cross a lot of landSo He gave them a hump or twoso they could carry stuffAcross a burning desertwhere their living would be tough.All camels have three stomachsand two of them store fat,The other is for wateras they need a lot of that.Some camels that are sturdycarry up to half a tonAnd can walk close to thirty milesbefore their day is done.Don’t put off riding one of them,they’re pretty cheap to run,Besides you’d save a lot of doughand Wow! Would you have fun!

God Did It37GiraffesSome animals have beautyas they gallop o’er the plain,The tall giraffe has lots of classwith seemingly no pain.But if there was a big giraffewith problems in his neck,What kind of doctor should he seeto have a spinal check?But also if his throat was sorefrom eating thorny stuff,I wonder if they swabbed it goodwould that be quite enough?Those creatures stand and gaze aroundand look so worldly wise,Is it because they see a lot with headup in the skies?We may be lucky they don’t talkand tell us what they seeFor if they gave a full report’twould worry you and me.So I’ll just stand in awe of themand watch withwondering eyesAnd try to guess just whatthey seewith head up in the skies.

38So Sing, My HeartElephantsDon’tForgetI know you’ve seenbig elephantswhen you’ve gone to a zoo;Some really are quite teachableif one knows what to do.In India they’re used a lotto do a bunch of stuff,They can move tons and tons aroundwithout a huff or puff.The elephants in Africathat we’ve seen here and thereHave longer tusks and stroll aroundwith seemingly no care.If they have sugarcane to eatalong with leaves on treesIt seems that they are satisfiedand life is quite a breeze.One good thing to rememberis to not get in their wayBut watch them from a distance,also give them right-of-way.The elephants have mem’riesthat can last until they die;Alzheimers is unknown to them-it makes one wonder why.

God Did ItBuffaloWe’ve seen two kinds of buffalobesides the kind out west;The water buffalo are tameand we like those the best.It doesn’t bother them a bitif kids climb up and ride;They roam the streets in Indiaand they don’t run and hide.The other buffalo we sawwere of a different breedAnd they were called Cape buffaloand dangerous indeed.We saw this kind in Kenyaso we gave them due respectFor if they’re big and wild and fastit’s what one would expect.39

40 So Sing, My HeartThe King of BeastsThe lion is the king of beasts,at least I’ve heard it said,And other animals near bymay live in fear and dread.If they have had a great big mealthey sleep throughout the dayThen go to water holes at duskto sneak up on their prey.They’re not too much on forests,they prefer tall grass and sandSo they can scratch off really fastand cover lots of land.I’ve watched them lying ’neath a treewhere they lay fast asleepFor we were parked just feet awayand watching from a jeep.They look so harmless sleeping there,but don’t be fooled, my friend,If you got out and petted onethis story soon would end.

God Did ItGiant PandasOnce I saw a giant pandainside a Chinese zoo,I’d never seen one live beforeso this was something new.Its black and white thick furry coatwould surely fill the billSo they can live where it is coldand have some comfort still.Those giant pandas six feet longmust have a lot of clout;If I would see one in the wildI’m sure I would watch out.But I won’t have that problemit is pretty safe to betFor they’re in Szechwan, China,and they’re also in Tibet.I’ll leave that trip for younger folkswhose travel shoes are newWhile I stay home in my soft chairwhere you might join me, too.41

42 So Sing, My HeartZebrasIf you’ve been on safari, folks,or even in a zoo,You’ve seen a lot of animalsand watched the things they do.There’s one I like an awful lotwith stripes of black and white,It looks like someone painted itand really did it right.But I have heard from folks who knowno paint job is the same,I think God liked varietywhen He created game.We’ve seen the zebras single filewalk in the open plainStretched out for almost half a milein search of food and rain.Yes, zebras stand out in a crowdlike they’re a painted horse;I’m glad two got on Noah’s Arkfor us to see, of course.

God Did It43AardvarkYou may have safaried in park after parkAnd never have seen what is called the aardvark.It’s really quite different from beasts of the field-An eighteen inch tongue it can easily wieldTo lick up the termites in old termite moundsJust oohing and aahing as he makes his rounds.With ears like a donkey and snout like a pig,He also has claws with which he can dig.Another good thing is his kangaroo tail-With features like these he’s not likely to fail.One reason may be why you missed the aardvark:It seldom goes prowling unless it is dark.It never has said why it so hates the lightAnd sleeps through the day then worksthrough the night.But if he can see we should not give a careWhat schedule he keeps, or just when, even where.I’m really quite grateful there is an aardvark;It’s name starts with A, was it first off the Ark?

44 So Sing, My HeartCentipedesThe centipede has lots of legsbut these I will not count,Yet I suppose that if I didit’d have the right amount.And if that wormy centipedewould have to buy some shoesIt sure would take a lot of bucksif Nike it would choose.I guess the thing that baffles meis why is it so slow?You’d think that with so many legsa-flying it would go.

God Did ItMiceMice have some traits that are quite good:They’re nimble on their feet,Their eyes have lots of sparkle,They think cheese is hard to beat.And they are smart, though rodents small,They won’t a cat befriend,They realize that if they didTheir earthly life would end.I know it sounds like I defendThe quiet little mouseBut they are best when they are inMy next door neighbor’s house.45

God Did ItCatsWe’ve heard it said cats have nine lives,I wonder what they doTo have so many lives to live,much more than me or you.It seems they purr an awful lot,(I guess that’s how they sing),Do you suppose a happy heartlongevity will bring?Of course they like a little milkalong with fresh-caught meat;I’m sure those cheese-adoring micefor us would be no treat.I’m sure I’ll never figure outwhy cats have lives of nineWhile most of us have just one lifebefore we cross the line.But, I could theorize a bitand say if life is toughNine lives would be too much for us-just one would be enough.47

3Thank You,God

Psalm 100:1,2,4,5Shout for joy to the Lord,all the earth.Worship the Lord withgladness;come before him withjoyful songs.Give thanks to him andpraise his name.For the Lord is goodand his loveendures forever,his faithfulness continuesthrough all generations.

50So Sing, My HeartI Kinda’WonderI wonder if you’ve readin Psalmswhere it says loud and clearThat we should alwayspraise the Lordbecause He’s always near.I know sometimes when life gets toughwe’re prone to lose our songAnd join the folks who whine a lotbecause some things are wrong.I kinda’ wonder, could it bethings might improve a lotIf we would praise and thank the Lordfor all the things we’ve got?The folks who murmur and complainabout how bad they feelMay interfere with all the thingsthat make the body heal.So try a new approach to life:tell God how glad you areThat He has blessed you, oh, so muchthough you’re not up to par.God likes to bless the thankful heartsthough they may smile through tearsFor He knows how to share your loadand add life to your years.

Thank You, GodThisIKnowSometimes we hear the thunder rolland clouds obscure the sunAnd wind and rain beat down on usuntil the day is done.It kinda’ makes us feel depressedand really down a tadAnd then we end up feeling bluebecause we feel so bad.But if we’d count the sunny hoursthat we enjoy each dayWe’d find there are more sunny timesthan there are days of gray.It’s easy to let stormy cloudsmake some folks lose their gripUnless they have a song insideto brighten up their trip.There’s one thing that I know for surethat all of us can doIs simply count our blessings, friend,then we won’t feel so blue.The sun out-lasts the storms of life-it has and always willAnd if our trust in God is strongour cup He’ll surely fill.51

52So Sing, My HeartThank You, GodThank You, God, for loving meand giving me Your peace,There is no other thing on earththat gives such sweet releaseFor when my heart is heavyand burdened down with careI find you never fail me,in fact, You’re always there. I have a lot of friends on earthwho help when life gets tough,And though at times they help a lotsometimes it’s not enoughAnd so You see I need You, Lord,to care for me each daySo I will kinda’ keep in toucheach evening when I pray.I really have a lot of thingsI’d like to thank You forAnd while I think on it a bitI’ll mention three or four:I thank You for my family,for the flowers and the trees,I thank you for the sunsetsand the gentle evening breeze.

Thank You, GodI also have some neighborswho are very nice to me,With all the good things that You giveI’m blest as I can be.And so my soul will thank You, Lord,my heart will have a songBecause You’re watching over meall night and all day long.Give thanks to the Lord,for he is good; his loveendures forever. Psalm 118:153

54So Sing, My Heart//Do ItWith StyleWhen you do something for the LordPlease give it all you’ve gotSo He will know without a doubtThat you love Him a lot.It’s not too good to give to HimSome stuff you do not need,Remember, friend, when you buy thingsYou want them guaranteed.I know some folks don’t give to God,He isn’t on their list,I’m sure they do not realizeThe blessings they have missed.God’s love is all around usAnd He’d like for us to showBy words we sa

Reflecting God’s Love 15 Old Love We like to go to weddings And see the groom and bride All gussied up and smiling big As they stand side by side Just waitin’ for the preacher To pronounce them man and wife Then rush off on their honeymoon And start a brand new li