SHEPHERDS
Afar we now stand, from that blest band,
Of shepherds in the fields.
Men that had sheep, were given a peek,
Yea, the plan was revealed;
It was not new, not even then,
And it is not old – never has been.
Now see them start, with a joyous heart,
Start where? to see the King.
Lives once so sad, at once, made glad,
Joining the angels to “sing.”
The heavenly beings announced the gift,
Then back to heaven, their wings did lift.
– eab, 12/6/68
Dad # 1 His signature was Clyde D. Bryan in large “circular” flowing letters. I saw Dad last, 41 yrs ago (he died of severe burns the morning of Christmas Eve). He stuttered but was not bashful. He was 5’5” could’ve been taller but had bowed legs (3 broken legs before I was born & 2 later). His hair was brown & when the sun was right had a reddish tint. When younger he combed it straight back (called a pompadour) but as he aged he had one of those ever-widening-parts.J Aged? He turned 39 six days before I was born.
– eab, 12/22/17
NATURAL OCCURRENCE
I can’t believe, when snow is made to fall,
That’s its simply frozen ice – and that’s all.
Natural occurrence, each had its lesson
If we can but read or properly listen.
– eab, Dec ‘73
Dad # 2 Dad & christmas: Sometime near my birth Dad learned to weld. He welded years at Anchor Hocking & Timken Roller Bearings before his eyes went bad. While at Anchor he made me (about age 5) a tractor with a universal joint so as I pedaled it along & turned the steering wheel I also turned the front wheel. He painted it red (sorry, J D lovers, it wasn’t “spring-grass green & yellow”). You talk about one pleased little boy when I saw it Christmas morning! Loved my dad.
– eab, 12/22/17
“Every child has a right to a Christian heritage.”
– H Robb French, 4/10/85
Dad # 3 Dad & cars: I’ve liked cars & have memory of his ’37 medium blue Chevy, his ’41 dark blue Pontiac, his ’50 (again blue J) 2-door Chevy & (as far as I know) his first new car, a’52, green 4 door Chevy Deluxe, bought as the ‘53’s were coming out. I wish I’d written down a list of the cars Dad had in order. I didn’t. Now’s the time for YOU to visit your dad. Ask him about his memories of “x” or “y” or “z.” If your dad’s alive, spend some time with him this season.
12/22/17
Rom 5. 8
“…God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
You attend a center-to-right-of-center evangelical church where the New Birth is preached – have you been born again? Why not?
You attend a holiness church where full salvation is taught & lived – have you allowed the Spirit full right-of-way? Why not?
– eab, 12/21/17
