Christmas in Heaven

 Christmas in Heaven

I’ve had my first Christmas in Heaven:

A glorious, wonderful day!

I stood with saints of the ages,

Who found Christ the Truth, and the Way.

I sang with the heavenly choir:

Just think: I, who longed so to sing!

And, Oh, what celestial music

We brought to our Saviour and King!

We sang the glad songs of redemption,

How Jesus to Bethlehem came,

And how they had called His Name Jesus,

That all might be saved through His Name.

We sang once again with the angels,

The song that they sang that blest morn

When shepherds first heard the glad story

That Jesus, the Saviour, was born.

Oh, how I wish you had been here:

No Christmas on earth could compare

With all the rapture and glory

We witnessed in Heaven so fair.

This poem was written by Dr. Reitz after the passing of his wife. Dr. Reitz was pastor of Inglewood’s Fairview Heights Baptist Church and was past 80 years of age when this was written many years ago. He also wrote the hymn, “Teach Me to Pray.” 

This was distributed by The Chapel as a pamphlet decades ago. It has been an encouragement to many as saved friends and family have gone to join the Lord Jesus Christ who purchased their salvation.

Mercy Drops

The Valley of Trouble

Becomes the Doorway of Hope

Mercy drops are falling

Rain soaks parched ground

A heart aches for answers

When none can be found

This side of Heaven

Sin and rebels abound

But Mercy Drops keep falling

Through loss, pain and grief

Turn your face heavenward

Feel them fall one by one

When hope wears thin

They are cleansing, crisp, cool

Catch a glimpse, grasp the wind

Mercy Drops are falling one by one

A Street Called Mercy

There is a street marked Mercy down around the bend,

You find it where the road is narrow and the travelers few.

Keep on walking a little farther along

Mercy Street is just around the bend.

A time or two I almost found it, but I turned back.

Oh how I wish I continued on and followed along.

That bend in the road and the narrow way,

It all seemed so hard and I lost my way.

But then one day it was different, thank God it was.

Something kept me walking, as if no longer alone;

That bend wasn’t as scary and the narrow lane bid me come.

Soon I saw Mercy Street and ran right along.

You can only carry something so long.

When it gets too heavy,

You have to lay it down;

Yes, it’s time to lay it down.

Mercy Street is where heavy burdens roll away,

The ones too heavy that only the cross can save;

Carried for seasons long overdue,

Mercy Street beckons, come be made brand new.

I saw the sweet faces shining so bright,

With burdens laid down, went from darkness to light

It’s like stars in the heaven that shine at night,

The faces of joy showing forth His light.

You can only carry something so long.

When it gets too heavy,

You have to lay it down;

Yes, it’s time to lay it down. 

Sailing Forth

Our prayers are sailing forth,

Not on a sea of forgetfulness

But on a great ship of mercy and grace,

Heavenward they sail to the throne above.

The Lord hears the mother’s plea

He bends to the cries of the brokenhearted.

Tears are gathered into His treasured bottles

The answers are on the way.

The centurion cried, “My son is ill,

Please come before he dies!”

Our pleas and cries are urgent too,

Lord help, we need you now!

Soon that ship delivers those pleas,

Landing at the throne of grace.

Angels bow down, wings cover The Glory   

Holy, Holy, Holy is their cry.

Behold, the answer arrives, amazed we stand

It came the hour Jesus heard.

It left our lips, sailed to His Heart,

He spoke and it was done!

John 4:43-54

A Seat At The Table

 

Sometimes in life there is no seat,

No room for a wounded heart.

The door is shut, the light is off,

Today you’re not welcome here.

An outcast feels the sting,

As others are welcomed in.

The message is loud and clear,

There’s no seat for you here.

There was a day you had a table,

All was set and readied for them.

The food, the fun, the preparation,

Gladly you welcomed them in.

There is One who sees and knows, 

The Man of Sorrows rejected by men.

He knows the pain of an outcast,

Many spoke, “Not welcome here”.

One day a banquet is coming,

He’s gone ahead to prepare for us.

Take comfort dear wounded outcast,

There's a seat at His table for you.

Until that great day we see beyond,

The family of God welcomes in.

Far and wide, loving and kind,

There’s  a seat at the table for you.                                                                  Rev. 19:9

                                                                                                                Mt. 26:26-29

                                                                                                                Mk. 14:22-25,

                                                                                                                Lk. 22:18-20

                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                

Breaking Up With Target

Dear John (aka Target)

Since I cannot talk to you in person, I decided to write this letter instead, sad though I am to write it. To begin, let me take a trip down memory lane.

When we first met, I was thrilled! You were everything I wanted, and more. You were handsome, thoughtful, fun and playful, yet you had a serious side too. I loved spending time with you and I enthusiastically told all of my friends about you. Many of them came to hang out with us over the years. It was extra special when you moved into my neighborhood!

I never knew exactly how our time together would turn out. Sometimes it was a quick visit, and sometimes we lingered and passed the time walking and taking in the sights. I loved many of the souvenirs from those visits and they all had a special place in my home or closet :-) 

I always left you feeling good about those times together.

As I spent more time with you, I spent less and less with my old friends. It wasn’t hard because you were so special and I really didn’t miss them at all. Once in awhile I would spent just a few minutes catching up with them if you were unavailable, but it didn’t compare to what I had with you.

That is why it is so hard to write this letter to you but I must. You have shown by your words and actions that you have little regard for me, my thoughts, my opinions, and yes, even my feelings. You seem to have disdain for me, rather than the desire to please that you once had. It has been hard for me to comprehend this; indeed for awhile, I even overlooked it and tried to believe it wasn’t true. Recently, I could no longer deny it and your actions made it clear that you no longer wanted to spend time with me, my family, and my friends.

I am sorry to say goodbye on Mother’s Day,  but I must and I will move on. Recently I have visited with some of those old friends and we are getting reacquainted. They are helping me recover from the loss of our relationship and seem grateful to have me around.

It is unfortunate it turned out this way but it was your choice. Thanks for the memories.

Sincerely,

Once Loyal Customer

Why Won't They Believe?

November 10, 1983

Why won't they come my heart cries out
why won't they believe in Him?
A gift so freely given in love
And yet they won't receive

If I offered them a shiny new bauble
Clothes, a car, or maybe a trip
There would be no hesitation then
They'd gladly accept that gift

You offer them the gift of life
Your precious, holy Son
The One who holds a matchless treasure
Freely bestowing love beyond measure

They could have it all if they would believe
Boundless horizons as the Master's child
The joy, peace and life's deeper meaning
All of this for just receiving

Their hearts seem cold and so unyielding
Some say, "No thanks, I have no need
They shake their head and shift their glance
Feet shuffle, they go, will there be another chance?

How it must grieve You when they refuse
Please help me to keep proclaiming the truth
They wander aimlessly, blinded by sin
But amid the masses is a soul to win.