by Randal Matheny

Jesus entered my prison cell last night,
and every stone flashed like a ruby, bright
with dizzy glory from so close a brush
with God, and burning with a shameful blush.
With human cries, without, they could not hush,
"Hosana! Praise and glory to the King!"
The doors still closed, the walls had taken wing.

----

I had deleted it. A quote that, at first glance,
said little. Then the sunburst spewed long
fingers of light, and I dug throught the trash to
redeem those fused words and ask forgiveness.

"Jesus Christ came into my prison cell last
night, and every stone flashed like a ruby."
--Samuel Rutherford

May your prison walls take wing on flights of
glory.

Randal

Fools live beyond their means, or break even, at best;
The wise spends less than he makes and saves the rest.

-----

Why be enslaved to interest and payments? Break free of crippling debt. Cut those credit cards, pay cash only, and pay off what you owe. Start saving for that rainy day.

Randal

Copyright © 2003, Randal Matheny

P.S. Would you share today's message with a friend? Help Uplift to grow and bless others. You're the only hope we've got!

There's no time like the present, don't we say?
Though, truly, there's no moment but today.

----
Earlier, I was writing a post on discipline for a forum and then turning that into an article for Forthright Magazine. At one point I wrote, "No time like the present, don't we say? Actually, there is no time BUT the present." Hmm, then I felt a couplet coming on!

Make today the day you get started with whatever it is you need to do to put yourself within the will of God.

Blessings,

Randal

Copyright © 2003, Randal Matheny

by Randal Matheny

Their quiet arc of light in trails of fire
Illume the skies and pepper Texas' earth,
While families line the runway to admire
With pride a flawless shuttle mission worth
The heady risk -- unspoken fears flash true.
No landing follows; silent stares belie
Their darkest dread for old Columbia's crew.
A dream explodes, rejoicing pales, the cry
Of disbelief dies in the throat as high
Reunion hopes are scattered in the trees
And NASA's steady calls raise no reply.
The stars are fallen, and we upon our knees.
In yards and woods lie only scorched debris,
But eyes are fixed on heaven's canopy.

Copyright © 2003, Randal Matheny

by Randal Matheny

Your sun will set no longer,
Your moon will never wane;
The Lord your light is stronger,
Your grief is gone, and pain.

Today's quatrian draws from Is. 60:20, NASB:

"Your sun will no longer set,
Nor will your moon wane;
For you will have the Lord for an everlasting light,
And the days of your mourning will be over."