Excerpts from "Heart Breathings"
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---------------------- A Talk at the Wellside ---------------------- She came to the well - 'twas her custom, With waterpot, burden, and care; Came at noonday so no one would see her, And found just a Stranger sat there. He asked for a drink of well-water. (How deep her need only He knew!) She asked, "Can a Samaritan woman Give drink to a thirsty young Jew?" He said, "You should have living water That needeth no earthenware pot." She gazed with a wide-eyed amazement And wondered what secret He'd got. She said, "Art Thou greater than Jacob, Our father, who gave us the well?" She stayed, and she listened enraptured To all that the Stranger could tell. He said, "Thou dost draw of this water, But comest again and again; I can give thee the life-giving Water And in thee a well will remain!" She answered, "Oh give me this water!" But hardly did she understand. He said to the woman bewildered, "Away, and call thy husband." She started this deep conversation And secretly wished she could stop it, For now, to her great consternation, She found that this Man was a prophet. Before, she had talked at the wellside And often enjoyed the short tryst; But knew not on this great occasion She talked with the Savior, the Christ. She said, "When Messias cometh, How wonderful He will be! For He shall tell us of all things." He answered, "I, Woman, am He." Away to the city to tell it, The news that could never be priced: "Oh come, hear a Man Who knows all things! I found Him, and He is the Christ." ------------------ Lord, Don't Ask Me ------------------ I'm just a week-kneed Christian, So, Lord, don't ask of me That I go to the battle front To do exploits there for Thee. I like to read of courage And Christians who make their mark; But, Lord, that's surely not for me; I'm quiet and hate the dark! I sometimes lie in bed at night, And it upsets my quiet To think of heathen far away, Diseased and drunk in riot. 0 Lord, a coward then I feel As in my bed I sink; I'd like to sleep, forget it all, But I just think and think. I muse on that great final day When at Thy throne I stand. With flaming eyes You look at me And, under great duress, I see excuses torn from me; I stand in nakedness And hear You say, "You called me 'Lord,' And did not things I say. You missed your glorious, great reward, You toyed your life away. "You did not read and pray aright, Gave time to eat and drink, And left the heathen far away To fall, fall right o'er the brink "Of time, to hell's eternity To grope in endless night. You could have stretched a hand to save, You could have changed that plight "Less comfort had You had on earth; Then scores of precious souls Had got the truth, and by your help Had reached God's offered goals." From all my folly, Lord, I turn, I'll do as well as say; And, from this hour, may all my works Survive the judgment day. ----------- This I Know ----------- Lord, I love Thee, this I know For my conscience tells me so; Sin I served for long, too long, I was weak, but it was strong. Chorus: Savior, I love Thee, Savior, I love Thee, Savior, I love Thee, And love to tell Thee so. Lord, I love Thee and will stay In this love-life all the way; Jesus Savior is my song In the night and all day long. Lord, I love Thee, love Thee still With my heart and soul and will; Through Thy Cross I've perfect peace, By Thy power have sweet release Lord I love Thee for Thy grace, And I long to see Thy face; I will love Thee till I die, Love Thee then for eons on high. Lord, my love can only be That Thou first hast loved me. I love Thee much, I'd love Thee more; All Thy love through me outpour. --------------------- I Did the Will of God --------------------- I fled Him when His grace pursued, I did despite unto His name, And delved me into sin so rude That there my soul enforged a chain. When captive to my own desire, When blue with guilt and unnamed shame, His long arm reached into the mire And plucked me out - blest be His name! Shall I leave others in their woe? Shall I ignore their cries who sink? Forbid it, Lord; I'll rise and go 'Twixt Thee and them to be a link. Unwearied may I lift the load Of those who stagger 'neath sin's spell; Stab my poor heart with love's strong goad To battle powers of earth and hell. Earth's little strand is far too small To barter for the judgment day, When Powers and thrones and wealth and all Forever shall have passed away. Oh, Day of days, when I shall be The cynosure of ten million eyes, Oh, may my Savior say to me, "Well done," as my eternal prize. When unsupported I shall stand Before Thy blazing bema seat, Give me, my Lord, to understand, I did the will of God complete. ------------ I Am a Slave ------------ I am a slave! I have no will, no claim To property, to time or sleep. I am a slave, and bear my Owner's Name! His ways are mine; with Him I joy or weep. I am a slave! No tears are spent for ease, Nor do I freedom crave; I willing slave am I to follow to the grave My Master. Bless His Name! --- Excerpts taken from "Heart Breathings" by Leonard Ravenhill. Used by permission. Copyright 1995 by Harvey Christian Publishers, L.L.P. United States Address: Harvey Christian Publishers Inc. 3107 Hwy 321 Hampton, TN 37658 Tel / Fax (423) 768 2297 E-Mail Harveycp@psknet.com British Address: Harvey Christian Publishers, L.L.P. PO Box 510, Cheadle Stoke-on-Trent, ST10 2NQ Tel / Fax (01538) 756391 E-Mail jjcook@mac.com | ||
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