I DARE YOU II

I dare you, that’s what I said!  [1]

To meet the greatest challenge made.

You claim to have an open mind,

To be unbiased to the rind,

Would you believe it takes a lot,

A victory always has to be fought!

You will be there.

If you care, to dare.

                – eab, Apr. ‘69

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[1] The four “I Dare You” poems were used as “radio jingles” for a rally put on by some ofHobeSoundBibleCollege’s young “preacher boys.”

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C. Ponder Frederick – death, Feb. 17, 1977

 “You can be so sanctified that everyone around you is getting blessed, you aren’t, but it OK.  Or you can be the only one getting blessed and you do not deride them for not being as blessed as you are.”  – (This is an essence of Frederick’s idea – in Bryan’s words.) 

 C. Ponder Frederick died this date, 2/17/1977.  He was born 6/3/1931 in West Blockton, AL.  He was married to Joyce Abernathy and the father of Sheila, Stephen, Larry, and Kendall.  Frederick was an early professor and one time board member of Hobe Sound Bible College. 

Very few men I have known, equaled him in living the holy life.

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A STUDENT’S LAMENT

Christmas vacation? So soon? ^[1]

 

Now how can that be?

We are enjoying the boon,

Of school, work, and study.

 

Do we really have to go,

Leave themes and all that,

And go see snow,

Wear gloves and muffled hat?

 

Well, since you say so, O.K.

Matter of fact, that’s fine,

But this I would like to say,

We’ll hurry back for sixty – nine.

 

Good, God bless you, we pray

On Christmas as every day.

                – eab, 12/16/68

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^[1] Written for our second Christmas party at Hobe Sound Bible College.

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PERFECT NUMBER

Seven, the perfect number,

A year; from June to June.

Yes, seven years together,

They have passed so soon;

Our time of wedded life,

My time with a good wife.

 

The seven years were perfect?

No, not in every part;

I’ve attempted to correct, 

I appreciate a forgiving heart.

God bless you, my wife,

For the best years of my life.

 

Happy Anniversary Dear

On this our perfect year! 

-eab, 6/68

Written after teaching my first year at Hobe Sound Bible College.

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Four Years

Four years have past, fast as light,

Since you – and you began.

Play and work, day and night;

How swiftly they all ran.

Graduations – Congratulations!

          – eab, 5/68

Written as I finished my first year of teaching at Hobe Sound Bible College, Florida.

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Useful Waste

The coconut came to land,

On the damp and even sand,

Of an island in the ocean, in the east.

On its third side it set,

Its face all dark and wet,

Glad the ceaseless surging had ceased.

 

It had been long at sea,

Or at least it seemed to me,

That it might have come from a land afar.

Where the wind had forced it in,

To the home of scale and fin,

And it blinked on the blue like a star,

 

Till in due time and space,

It was left as useful waste,

Settled by the sea, on the sand.

It was life in its beginning,

A palm in the making,

When the coconut came to join the land.  – eab, – 10/67

 

Written my first fall teaching Literature at Hobe Sound Bible College.  Inspired by a coconut seen on the beach of Jupiter Island.  This is my first song.

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Just Christmas, Again

Is it just Christmas, again,

In a world of war and sin?

Another year of tinsel and paper,

Of glamorous gifts (paid for later)

Of loveless homes and empty lives,

And husbands separate from their wives?

Another day, the same as last,

The only difference, a year has past?

 

No, this year can be,

A joyous, Christian reality.

A year when Christ is personal,

Yes, more than an a year, eternal,

The Lord of your life, and heart.

If not now, then now start.        -eab, 11/67

Written while instructor of literature at Hobe Sound Bible College, Martin County, Florida.

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That Life, That Influence

Years have now past since He was seen last,

In Jerusalem or Bethany.

His step in the land, is not on the sand,

At Jordan or blue Galilee.

 

Some men have said (they’re long since dead)

That He would be forgot.

Where are they now – who were they, anyhow?

I’d like to tell them a lot.

 

That Life has changed, that Influence ranged,

To men of every clime.

And even the date, is not by fate,

But according to His time.

 

He didn’t publish a book, notes He never took;

A few sermons He gave,

On justice and peace, joy that will not cease,

And, words on how to behave.

 

His travel was small, not far at all,

His life – an untimely end.

But enough to reach, ole time to breach

Centuries, the story to send.

 

So there in part, weak rhyme, less art,

Are thoughts on my Lord.

This season of the year, praise to Him so dear

The Living Eternal Word.          -eab, 12/1968

 

Written while teaching literature at Hobe Sound Bible College when, Steve D Herron was president.

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A Grandkid’s Thanks

Thank you God for ten fingers, and my running toes,

Thank you for my two big ears and my runny nose.

Thank you for the hair on my head,

And for sentences my eyes have read,

Thanks for the words my tongue just said,

And thank You for my tummy–well fed.

 

Thank you for the good Mother of mine,

Who does my cloths and supper so fine.

Thank You God for my grand ole dad

Though at times he makes me sad,

Spanking (he thinks I’m been bad!)

All other hours he makes me glad.

 

Thank You God for your Holy Bible,

Because by it our family is able,

To read the promises that are very old,

To hear the story of David so bold,

Be warned to be either hot or cold,

And read of parables which are ten-fold.

 

And Lord, I’d really be remiss,

(Image my grandchild saying this.)

If I forgot to thank You for

Gram and Gramp (wish they lived next door).

Thanks for cousins, aunts, uncles and more,

Thanks for blessings, blessings galore.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ! ! !

            -Gramp, Thursday, November 23, 2000.

Written while Associate Professor of Bible, Hobe Sound Bible College, Florida

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Temple Talk

He went into the temple

Where you’d think one could look up.

But his attitude was humble,

He saw “dregs” in his cup.

 

He asked God for mercy;

He beat upon his chest,

Called himself a sinner

(Not better than the rest).

 

He cast his eyes downward,

They sought the lowly ground.

But God, who measures all things:

The simple, the profound,

 

Liked his honest spirit,

Heard his call and cry,

Knew he meant his temple-talk,

Knew it more than “humble pie,”

 

And justified his soul;

He went back to his own place,

With a calm in his heart,

And heaven’s smile upon his face.

 

Friend, the next time you go to meeting,

The next time you’re in church

Avoid petty piousness,

Avoid the highest perch.

 

Look at God, worship Him,

And see yourself contrasted,

As this man of old did. 

His grace has ever lasted.            – eab, 5/2000

 

Written while Associate Professor Bible at Hobe Sound Bible College, Florida

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