Oh how I miss you, my friend.
Our fellowship here too soon did end.
How precious it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
That scripture Brother depicts you and me.
You were my spiritual Elijah, my Jonathan, my friend,
An elder brother not tossed about by every doctrine's wind.
The same Holy Ghost that moved on you at times moved on me.
He was the eyesalve that helped us see.
You have left a plain path along the narrow way.
Footprints on the sands of time lead to a brighter day.
I am filled with mixed emotions when I see an empty space,
Where once I heard you stand and joyfully sing Amazing Grace.
But, I know within my heart that on a brighter shore you sing,
As you stand with God's redeemed ones in honor to our King.
I miss your firm handshake and pat upon my back,
And the many times you encouraged and kept me "on the track."
I'm so glad that God saw fit to let you walk through my life.
I'm glad you've escaped from this world of sin and strife!
Yes, while you were here on earth we sat in a heavenly place,
And worshiped with kin and loved ones, basking in God's grace.
We've felt the power of the Holy Ghost move on our lowly frames,
As we bowed before God's throne and praised His holy name.
Oft times I go to church and sit down in my pew.
I then start reminiscing and can almost picture you.
Your winning smile, firm handshake, and shout of joy combine,
To make you all you were to me, precious brother of mine.
Mere words can never explain how you feel about someone.
Life is but a vapor. Too soon we'll all be gone.
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
Lord, lead me again to Mount Calvary,
In my mind and spirit today.
Show me once more those nail-scarred hands,
That point to the narrow way!
Show me again your nail-scarred feet,
Pierced side and thorn-crowned brow.
I know that I'll never be the same.
Touch me dear Lord, just now!
Let me now feel your precious blood,
As it slowly floods over my soul,
Cleansing, reviving, and renewing,
As glory o'er me rolls!
I ask not for wealth or vain glory,
Prestige, honor, or fame.
I just ask to once more feel Your Spirit,
As I call on Your wonderful name!
When I see Your lost sheep all around me,
I'm reminded that I too was lost.
The dark pit did surround me,
"Til I knelt at the old rugged cross!
Satan's strong chains did bind me.
His miserable slave I became.But,
just one touch from the Master's hand,
Meant freedom. Oh, praise His wonderful name!
Oh, take me again to the fountain.
Show me that crimson flow.
Then help me to remember,
Your blood washes white as snow!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
LET BROTHERLY LOVE CONTINUE
Let brotherly love continue,
To us the Bible does say.
Love thy neighbor as thyself.
Show them you care today!
Lift up the weak and the fallen.
Go to the stranger in need.
Proclaim good news to the captive.
Go forth bearing precious seed!
Love not the world, my sister.
Help bring the wanderer in.
If you know to do good and do it not,
Then to you it is sin!
Bind up the broken-hearted.
Help the sick and the lame.
Lift up the hands that have fallen.
Do so in Jesus' name!
Visit the sick and imprisoned.
Represent Jesus our Lord.
Rescue those in danger.
Seek to heed God's word!
Let's speak words of kindness,
To friend and to foe.
And lift up the name of Jesus,
Wherever we may go!
Love not your life to the finish.
Carry your cross to the end.
We are the clay. He's the potter.
Broken vessels He'll mend!
Our life is just as a vapor.
Soon in will vanish away.
Only the unseen is eternal.
Let's work while it is yet day!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
BROTHER JOE
We have a Brother in Christ.
Joe Bill Houston is his name!
Being the direct descendant of the great Sam Houston,
Could be his claim to fame.
But, even greater than being directly related to ole' Sam,
Joe is a royal descendant of Jehovah,
The Great I Am!
Brother Joe was raised in a coal mining camp,
Down in the Bluegrass State.
He says, "When I get to Heaven,"
"I'm goin' in the Southern gate!"
He occasionally talks of his Mom and Dad,
And how it was back then,
Of times when life was simple,
And God was man's best friend.
He tells of how his Mom and Dad,
Took many preachers in,
Fed them, loved them,
And treated them like kin!
His Mom could whip up a big feast,
In almost record time.
She was a "Holiness" lady.
She was always good and kind.
His dad was a coal miner,
A hard worker like Brother Joe.
You can tell when he talks about them,
That he dearly loved them both.
There was no need for a doctor,
When something was broken or there was pain.
They just called the Great Physician,
And He answered time and time again!
Brother Joe came from a very large family.
You might even call them a clan.
That's where Brother Joe got his religious heritage,
That made hime a "Holiness" man!
Brother Joe is a fine example,
Of good clean Holiness living.
He's loved by young and old alike.
My friend, he's always giving!
He may bring you some delicious apples, Or some peppers hot.
He's sure not a "stingy gut."
He'll give you anything he's got.
Joe loves to sing the old songs.
He sings them all with joy.
I remember hearing them sung in church,
When I was just a boy!
He travels to campmeetings.
He's loved in several states!
No, he's not a rich man,
But we sure think he's great!
I love to hear Joe sing.
He has a unique "shout!"
I love to see him "strut his stuff,"
And watch him dance about!
Yes, he's a unique person.
There's not many like him around.
He believes in "Old Time Holiness,"
And a doctrine that's good and sound!
He's stood by our church through thick and thin,
When others went their way.
I believe he'll be rewarded,
On God's great judgment day!
I sure appreciate God's great warriors.
Brother Joe is at the top of my list!
I know when God calls my Brother home,
That he will be sorely missed.
So, let's give them flowers while they're livin',
Give honor where honor is due.
Then, if you follow the example they're leavin',
Someone will follow you!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
A BRAND NEW ME!
Come, my friends and rejoice with me,
For this I surely know,
From my sins I've been set free!
My soul is as white as snow!
I've lost the passion for earthly things.
The old life has been left behind!
"How great Thou art, " my happy heart sings,
For I've found such peace of mind!
With mere words I could never explain,
This wonderful feeling in my heart!
Gone is the sorrow, heartaches, and pain,
Which made the teardrops start!
In their place I've joyfully found,
Contentment like I've never known!
My spirit has been lifted to higher ground,
Since Christ has made me His own!
God daily supplies all my needs,
From His storehouse up above!
So, I will follow wherever He leads,
And pledge my undying love!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
AS FOR ME AND MINE
There are abundant living waters,
For our sons and daughters,
Flowing from the throne of grace!
There’s Holy ghost power,
For each trying hour,
The problems they will face!
Friend, I’m glad to say,
God’s promises today,
Are the same as in days gone by!
Our Heavenly Father above,
Will extend to them His love,
If to Him they will cry!
As parents we must be bold,
Like Joshua of old,
Who took into account His final reward!
With a determination divine,
He said, “As for me and mine,”
“We will serve the Lord!”
If we train them the right way,
For awhile they may go astray,
Or their relationship with God may grow cold.
But, if they get Holiness in their heart,
They will never depart,
When they’re growing old!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
ALL OF THIS AND HEAVEN TOO!
Dear Lord, I feel Your presence,
And in essence,
My soul is set aflame
Gone are the cares of the day!
They’re immediately swept away,
By the whisper of Your name!
Toil and strife,
Those natural things in life,
I file away upon a shelf!
Oh Master divine,
Thy will becomes mine,
As I forget about myself!
Your presence is so sweet,
And as victory replaces defeat,
Past failures are forgotten and left behind!
In the shadow of the cross,
Great gain replaces loss,
And joy, wonderful joy I find!
As I humbly bow,
I see through a glass darkly now.
But, one day through God’s amazing grace,
This feeling of ecstasy will never end!
I’ll be forever with my Friend,
Where I shall see Him face to face!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
MY DAD, MY HERO!
Noone ever had,
A finer dad,
And yet I couldn't readily see,
That amidst my childhood years,
And my hectic teenage years,
You were always there for me!
On this your special day,
It's hard to find the right words to say.
But, I'm sure going to give it a try.
I want you to know,
You're still my hero,
And will be 'til the day I die!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
JUST A BROKEN EARTHEN VESSEL
A Broken earthen vessel was I,
Cast along life’s roadside to die.
There was no peace in my thirsty barren soul.
But then the King of Glory came in,
And freed me from the debt of my sin!
Now I’ll be His while eternal ages roll!
I know the Master Potter that day,
Could have just tossed me away.
But he handled me with tender loving care!
Jesus’ precious presence I could feel,
As He gently placed me on the wheel!
And I became a vessel of honor there.
Now I am a child of the King!
So praises to His name I shall bring,
As long as my time on earth shall be
. Then in a Fairer and Better Land,
With the countless millions I shall stand,
In honor to the One who died to set us free!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
LORD, LET ME LEAN ON YOU
When my heart is bleeding,
Over things a friend has said,
Lord, You know I’ll be needing,
A place to lay my head.
So, let me lean upon Your breast,
While dark clouds are passing o’er.
Then, when I have had some rest,
Once again my soul will soar!
Let me lean upon Your breast Lord,
When the storms are raging high.
Then, I’ll be ready for the test,
When mountains seem to touch the sky!
Hold me close to you,
And let me feel You’re beating heart!
Then, I know when you do,
The tears of joy begin to start!
Lord, You’ve been so good to me,
More than words can ever say!
You, broke sin’s chains and set me free,
And paid a debt I could not pay!
So, I offer You my heart!
I place my future in Your hands!
For, in the world of sin and strife,
You’re the only one who understands!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
