Psalms 23: (A Poem By My Father)

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Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

0 posted 1999-12-01 02:39 PM

I want to share with you this poem written by my father in 1992. Most of us know Psalms 23 by heart or at least some of it, but I don't think I ever fully grasped the meaning of it till my father wrote this. For one, my father was not a poet. For two, he was on his death bed with cancer eating him alive. Yet, truly, as I look back I saw no fear in his eyes, in fact, almost a comfort to know he would soon be with God. He died within six months of writing this. This poem was read at this funeral.

Psalms 23:

God is my lord and shepherd,
His love I will not flaunt.
Under His care and guidance,
I know I shall never want.

God is watching over me
As I lie down to sleep.
Just as the rich green pastures
Bring comfort to all his sheep.

He leads me in the way of peace,
Like still waters before a damn.
My soul is filled with His love,
My gift from the God, "I Am".

Sometimes my faith grows weak and dim,
And into sinful ways I stray.
But God restores my soul with His love,
When I kneel to Him and pray.

God shows me the paths of right and wrong,
I have the choice of which one to take.
And I choose the path of righteousness,
When I choose in His name's sake.

When Death does cast his shadows
Over this, God's valley of life,
And through the wars and pestilence
That fill our lives with strife...

I will walk this valley, end to end,
But no evil will I fear.
For I'll know that God is with me,
And that He holds my life dear.

Yes, as I walk this valley of Death,
I am comforted by my God.
For I know I have the protection
Of His mighty staff and rod..

When my enemies grow strong and powerful,
And start to cause me misery.
God will prepare for me a table
And serve His love to strengthen me.

Thou anointest my head with oil, Lord,
And fill my heart with peace and love.
My cup of life runneth over,
God's love flows from Heaven, above.

As I try to follow the laws of God
Throughout this world of pain and strife,
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me
Through all the days of my life.

When my life on this world is over,
When I have left this world of sin,
I will rise up to Heaven and there I will live
In the house of the Lord, forever. Amen.

Charles T. Anderson

1992

Submitted in all respect,

Michael

[This message has been edited by Michael (edited 12-01-1999).]

PhaerieChild
Senior Member

since 1999-08-30

Posts 1787
Aloha, Oregon

1 posted 1999-12-01 03:08 PM

Michael, I really like this piece and it speaks volumes to the heart and to the soul.

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If you love me like music, I'll be your song.
~Heart~ Dreamboat Annie

Shawna R. Holder
Boise, Idaho

WhtDove
Member Rara Avis

since 1999-07-22

Posts 9245
Illinois

2 posted 1999-12-01 03:28 PM

This was so beautifully written I have tears running down my cheeks.
Thank you so very much for sharing this. What a gift he left to be carried on!
I cannot find words to describe how awesome this was. So biblical and truthful, and inspiring...just wow!

Severn
Member Rara Avis

since 1999-07-17

Posts 7704

3 posted 1999-12-01 04:49 PM

Truly beautiful - and truly peace giving.

Echo Rhayne
Senior Member

since 1999-09-17

Posts 1495
Canyon Country, CA

4 posted 1999-12-01 05:15 PM

I have to say I am also in tears. Truly beautiful, and inspiring. Thank you for sharing this with us all.

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~*~ Hell is not a place of fire and a devil with a tail and horns. But a place of torment because the light of God is gone. To escape this, accept the blood of Jesus Christ! ~*~

poetFemmeFatale
Member Elite

since 1999-07-25

Posts 2646
Arkansas

5 posted 1999-12-01 06:31 PM

Wow Michael, I know this is so precious to you, since your father penned it....Thank you for sharing...I have a few pieces that my dad wrote too, and they are even precious to me. So I can imagine what this is to you...It's a very beautiful poem...I do believe he was a poet....no doubt you took after him in that area. I'm glad you shared this.

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~~ Lift your head high - spread your "words" and fly - - poetFemmeFatale

Denise

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-08-22

Posts 22648

6 posted 1999-12-01 10:14 PM

Very beautiful, Michael. Your father truly had the heart of a poet and a child of God.
Thank you for sharing this with us.

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Denise

Jewl_24_1999
Member

since 1999-10-24

Posts 64
USA

7 posted 1999-12-01 10:25 PM

this was so beautiful, so moving. it truly touched my heart.

mirjam
Member

since 1999-11-24

Posts 246
Auckland, New Zealand

8 posted 1999-12-03 06:29 PM

absolutely ditto - very moving and what an
inspiration!

MADDavid
Junior Member

since 1999-12-04

Posts 26
Carrollton, TX, USA

9 posted 1999-12-05 01:49 AM

Stuff like this comes not from the "head", but flows forth on the streams of the spirit,from deep down in the depths of the "heart"..this message truly must have evolved from out of the "word" he had ingested over time,,he knew & was connected to his new home already.. the closer we get,the brighter our "glow"..When one goes home He always leaves "another"to take their place...Get It..? Bless you Michael..

Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

10 posted 1999-12-09 06:45 PM

Thank you all for the wonderful comments. I am sure my father would be smiling were he still with us.

MADDavid, indeed, He always leaves another. TY, I am honored by your words.

Michael

Nate Dogg
Senior Member

since 1999-11-15

Posts 1658
Georgia, Fulton

11 posted 1999-12-10 01:02 PM

Wow! this poem has a lot of soul to it.
This is exactly the type of poems that I like and try to write. Thanks for sharing this poem Michael. I'm definitely getting me a copy of this one beause, it's very deep and so special!!!

Nathan

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