Often times in memory I go,
To the little church on the hill,
And a place in time that I love so,
And I know I always will!
We’d sing those good old gospel songs,
From the bottom of our hearts,
And everyone could sing alongl,
For we all had our parts!
Daddy played the piano.
Mommy shook the tambourine.
All us kids were dressed in white.
Such a sight is seldom seen!
Sometimes we’d sing a song or two,
And the “power of God” would fall!
Then, there wasn’t nothing left to do,
So Daddy gave the “altar call!”
Oh, how I love the old songs!
They mean so much to me,
Like “Amazing Grace”, “How Great Thou Art,”
And “Nearer My God To Thee!”
I’ve sung them in church with those I loved.
And I’ve sung them when I was alone.
And by the grace of God above,
I’ll sing them ‘til I get Home!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
I FORGOT TO REMEMBER
“A Senior Moment”
Today I forgot somebody’s name,
I had known for quite awhile.
But, I continued conversing just the same,
While wearing a pleasant smile.
Ah, senior moments!
In my home I’ll go to a certain place,
And suddenly feel a twinge of fear.
Then, with a puzzled look on my face,
I’ll say, “Why did I come in here?”
Occasionally I take a phone call,
And my memory goes dead.
For I can’t remember at all,
What the other person just said!
I have to make myself a list,
In order to perform a task or two,
Then, double-check to see if I’ve missed,
Something I was supposed to do!
Ah, senior moments!
My wife and I only have two boys.
So they think it’s quite a shame,
And to be honest it really annoys,
When I call one by the other’s name.
Ah, senior moments!
No, I can’t remember like I once did,
And it’s really awkward you see.
But, when remembering things I did as a kid,
It’s as plain as plain can be!
Friend, when I reach Heaven’s fair shore,
Perfect peace and joy I’ll find!
And I won’t wonder any more,
About things that slipped my mind!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
THOUGHTS OF HEAVEN
Just to think I shall behold,
Gates of pearl and streets of gold,
Is enough to take my breath away!
Ah, through heartaches and trials,
And for many long miles,
My soul has longed for this very day!
Oh, but most of all I want to see,
The One who died for me!
I want to bask in His presence so sweet!
I’ve lost the desire for fame.
I just want to whisper His name,
As I lay my life’s trophies at His feet!
Then, before Him I shall rise,
And gaze into the eyes,
Of my Saviour, Lord, and King!
But, I shall not stand alone.
There will be millions around the throne!
“Holy! Holy! Holy!,” we will sing!
There will be no such thing as worry!
We won’t have to hurry,
In that Land of Endless Day!”
And in that Heavenly domain
There will be no more pain,
For behold old things have passed away!
Ah, friends and loved ones beckon me,
From that Land beyond life’s sea!
So, in this old world I no longer want to stay!
Oh, it will be so sublime,
When it comes my time,
The desire to join them grows with each passing day!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
A TRUE AND FAITHFUL FRIEND
My heart is beating like a drum.
My lips are filled with humble praise.
When I think of where God brought me from,
I vow to serve Him all my days!
My troubled past is left behind.
The bridges I have gladly burned!
And now I find such peace of mind,
Since to the Saviour I have turned!
I've found a true and faithful Friend,
Who will never turn His back on me!
He'll go with me to the end,
And then His blessed face I'll see!
Oft times the road of life gets dim,
So much these natural eyes can't see.
But, then He lets me lean on Him!
Sometimes He even carries me!.
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
I don’t know what you’re going through.
But, I wanted you to know,
I’ve struggled through some hard times too,
When tears began to flow.
It was then I called on Jesus’ name,
During a time I could not cope.
And my circumstance was not the same,
For Jesus gave me hope!
He said, “My child come unto me,”
“And I will give you rest!”
“Just have faith and you will see,”
“I’ll help you stand the test!”
His voice then calmed life’s troubled sea!
The billows ceased to roll!
A wonderful peace came over me,
As great joy filled my soul!
Now I’ve learned to trust in Him,
No matter, come what may!
And though life’s path is often dim,
He’ll guide me all the way!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
I was wandering way out in sin,
When Jesus came to me,
And He said, "Oh, my wayward child,"
"Come and follow me."
"You won't have all happiness."
"You must have some tears."
"But you'll know it's been worth it all,"
"If it takes a hundred years!"
So, I fell down on my knees,
And gave my heart to God!
I started out walking,
The road that saints have trod
Yes, I've had a lot of heartache,
Trials and tears.
But, I know it will be worth it all,
If it takes a hundred years!
If it takes a hundred years,
Or if it takes a day,
I must go by Him.
There is no other way!
When I get over yonder,
He'll dry all my tears!
Look for me on Glory Avenue,
If it takes a hundred years!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
To a life filled with doubt and fear,
Lovingly, the Lord drew near,
And whispered sweet peace to my troubled soul!
Doubts and fears all melted away,
When the Saviour came to stay!
Now, I shall live on while the ages roll!
Christ has become my Friend and Guide!
He walks closely by my side,
Ready to ward off old satan's blows!
Great joy has filled my mind,
And daily I now find,
The calm assurance only a Christian knows!
Soon I'll leave this world of woe.
To Heaven I shall go,
To meet friends, loved ones, and saints of old!
In that "Land OF No More Care,"
I shall view its beauties rare,
While strolling down streets of purest gold!
Ah, in that blessed Promised Land,
Jesus will take me by the hand,
And together we shall walk on Holy ground!
Then with my happy soul afire,
I will join that heavenly choir!
There will be shouting and singing all around!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
Gone is all my sin and shame!
Bless the Saviour's precious name!
I shall evermore exclaim,
"Hallelujah!"
There's no cause for fear and doubt!
Jesus led this captive out!
I have every right to shout,
"Hallelujah!"
On a dark and stormy night,
Or in the early morning light,
He always knows this pilgrim's plight!
Hallelujah!
As my Shepherd, Christ will lead!
In green pastures I shall feed!
He will supply my every need!
Hallelujah!
When I've finished my life's race,
I shall see His blessed face,
Not by works but by His grace!
Oh, Hallelujah!
Yes, when I've crossed over Jordan's tide,
I'll be eternally secure on the other side!
'Tis Heaven where God's saints abide!
Hallelujah!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
I don't know what,
Will be my lot,
It could be joy or sorrow.
But come what may,
By faith I can say,
With God I'll spend tomorrow!
At the setting of life's sun,
My race shall be run.
I'll need no time to borrow!
For with Jesus' hand in mine,
We'll cross the finish line,
Where with God I'll spend tomorrow!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
My Friend, it certainly means a lot,
To buy the truth and sell it not,
For if we know the truth,
The truth shall set us free!
And though within our hands we hold,
A great portion of earth's silver and gold,
If we know not the truth,
A pauper we shall be!
Now it is for sure,
The world has its allure.
There are many things which catch the eye.
But if we are entrapped we shall find,
We will become spiritually blind.
Then the truth within our life will wither and die.
So, we must hold fast to the right.
For soon comes the night.
In the distance lies a far better land!
Earthly things shall pass away,
Wither and decay.
But in the end truth alone shall stand!
Robert F. Dotson © 2001
There isn’t a doubt,
I love to shout!
But that’s not the only way,
I want to be known!
I cherish writing!
It’s truly exciting!
God has blessed me,
And my ministry has grown!
Occasionally I write a song,
And the melody comes along!
God has blessed me in so many ways!
I truly love,
To do all of the above!
So that I can give my Saviour praise!
Oh, I may aspire,
To climb up higher,
On the Heavenly plane!
But if I don’t “walk the walk,”
As well as “talk the talk,”
My efforts will have been in vain!
I must be careful with the kind,
Of legacy I leave behind!
For others will follow the path I trod!
They must not be lead astray!
Then they can easily find the way,
That leads to home and God!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
I think of days gone by,
With a tear in my eye,
For I realize,
Things will never be the same,
As up life’s hill I climb,
I’ve reached another time,
With a new set of rules,
And a different game.
Oh, with longing I remember still,
The unique sound of the whippoorwill,
And the cooing of a lonesome dove.
As a cricket strummed his merry tune,
I would gaze at the moon,
And God’s handiwork in the sky above!
I remember in public school,
We were taught the Golden Rule,
And love of God, country, and our fellow man.
“Our Father who art in Heaven,” we would pray,
At the beginning of each school day!
It was an intricate part of the master plan!
However, there’s been a radical change.
Our ways seem so strange.
“You’re old fashioned,” the young folks say.
But I wonder with the decisions they’re making,
And the course they’re taking,
Where will it all end anyway?
Oh, my soul do not fret so,
For to Heaven I shall go,
When this vapor called life is o’er!
I’ll leave this all behind,
Sweet peace to find,
Once I reach that heavenly shore!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
Oh, my soul be not sad.
Rejoice and be glad,
For great is God’s faithfulness to me!
This storm will not last,
And when it is past,
A beautiful rainbow I’ll see!
I’ve been here before,
Behind this closed door,
With no hope of relief in sight.
I was trying to cope,
When a small ray of hope,
Like a beacon pierced the night!
I heard Jesus’ voice,
Say, “My child rejoice!”
“Reach out and take hold of My hand!”
“There’s no need for despair.”
“Just remember I care,”
And your problems I understand!”
So, to Him I drew near,
And the path grew clear.
Together we walked through the fire!
Everything became all right,
And my heart felt so light,
As my soul soared higher and higher!
So, I’ll call out once more,
To the one I adore,
“Help me dear Jesus I pray.”
Then this storm shall cease,
And I will have peace,
As the darkness fades away!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
