One of my favorite poems about books was my “poem of the week” last week. Robert Southey (1774-1843) “His Books” My days among the Dead are past; Around me I behold, Where’er these casual eyes are cast, The mighty minds of old: My never failing friends are they, With whom I converse day by day. …
Ghosts of Dreams WE are all of us dreamers of dreams, On visions our childhood is fed; And the heart of a child is unhaunted, it seems, By ghosts of dreams that are dead. From childhood to youth’s but a span, And the years of our life are soon sped; But the youth is no …
Just last night I came across this poem and found it to be a wonderful statement on how we should approach the Bible, especially the last two stanzas. The fact that this poem was originally written for children will discredit it for some, but such an assessment would be unwise. I am currently reading Mark …
I read this poem tonight and was taken with its spirit. I don’t know authorial intent, but it strikes me as a compelling portrait of life lived without regard for the shifting winds of public opinion, standing for God’s truth regardless of the cost. “It Is Glory Enough” IT is glory enough to have shouted …
My poem of the week this week is James Russell Lowell’s “Once to Every Man and Nation.” This version, which appears in some hymnals, is edited from Lowell’s original, and I have left out some verses which are problematic. These three verses powerfully communicate the need to stand for truth whether or not you will …
My poem of the week this week is another selection from Edgar Guest. My boys are to recite it this morning. “Determination” I’ll see it through, whate’er the danger be. One death is all that God assigns to me. I’ll stand erect against the odds and shout: “I may be whipped, but will not turn …
My poem of the week this week is one my oldest son found a few months ago when I gave them a few books of poetry and required them to find one they would read and explain for all of us the following day. After reading it aloud for us he suggested it would be …
My poem of the week has been Edward Monro’s “The Story of the Cross.” I discovered this poem reading Anthony Esolen’s recent column at Touchstone Magazine. I appreciated the meditation on Jesus’ cross work, enhanced by Esolen’s comments, and hope you will as well. In His own raiment clad, with His blood dyed; Women walk …
Re-reading J. I. Packer’s Knowing God I came back across this hymn by Charles Wesley which I have chosen for this week’s poem of the week. Wesley wrote this hymn right after coming to faith expressing his joy in conversion. It is a marvelous expression of the wonder of being redeemed. Where shall my wondering …
The “Poem of the Week” on my office door this week is Richard Baxter’s “Lord, It Belongs Not to My Care,” which I encountered while re-reading Packer’s Knowing God. It is a powerful testimony of trusting God, come what may. The hymn was published in 1681 in Baxter’s Poetical Fragments, where it is accompanied by this …