Come walk with me down memory lane,
Dear old friend of mine.
Well escape the present with its pain,
And life will be just fine!
Our first stop will be the general store,
Where well spend an hour or two,
Conversing with those friends of yore,
That you and I once knew!
Well buy an R C and a delicious moon pie,
Like we always did.
'Tis one fact we can't deny,
It was a joy just being a kid!
Then, well visit the little country school,
Where you and I first met.
It was there we learned the Golden Rule.
It's words we will never forget!
Next we will go to the church on the hill,
Where we sang Amazing Grace!
In memory it always will,
Be a very sacred place.
Our last stop will be the old homeplace.
We'll be welcome there I know.
It will be sweet to see each smiling face,
Before we have to go!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
A IS FOR ALTZHEIMERS
She manages a puzzled stare,
For the old man standing there.
Not recognizing her husband of over sixty years.
Her short term memory is gone,
And though life for them both goes on,
It's enough to drive a grown man to tears.
She talks about places from long ago,
And people she used to know.
To her those images are very real.
She speaks in a voice so low,
One can't always know,
Exactly how she may really feel.
Altzheimers, that dreadful disease,
Has driven many a man to his knees,
Calling out to God in prayer,
"God can't you see,"
"Why this is happening to me?"
"Are you sure you care?"
It's natural for these questions to enter one's mind,
And though the answers are impossible to find,
We must eventually place things in God's hands.
Yes, we mortals are prone to fear.
But, our God is always near!
He knows our problems and he always understands
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
Mary and the others were in awe,
At what they saw,
That first Easter day!
In the cool morning air,
They could only stare,
For someone had rolled the stone away!
Jesus' body had been stolen they feared.
But then holy angels appeared,
Alleviating every misgiving!
"Jesus is no longer dead,"
The angels said,
"Behold, He has rejoined the living!"
Sister Mary run and tell,
Now Jesus is alive and well!
He conquered death, hell, and the grave!
'Twas a critical hour,
But through His mighty power,
He arose our souls to save!
Now any member of Adam's race,
Through God's amazing grace,
Can rise up and joyously sing,
"Sin's mighty flood,"
"Is under the blood!"
"Thank God I'm a child of the King!"
Robert F. Dotson © 2003,
Lord, as before You I kneel,
I can joyfully feel,
Your glory all around!
And as the moments unfold,
Much like Moses of old,
I find myself on Holy ground!
All my troubles seem so few,
When I come to You,
And soon they're gone without a trace.
Each time it has only took,
Just one look,
At Your precious smiling face!
I often wonder why,
A sinner such as I,
Would have the Lord of Glory think on me.
Yet when I was lost,
You paid the awful cost.
I was pardoned and from sin set free!
Once I was so alone,
With no place to call my own,
Like a lost sheep wandering in the cold.
Ah, but then You heard my feeble cry,
And with compassion You came by,
And welcomed me into the fold!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
Press on weary pilgrim.
The end is in sight.
Just a few more battles.
Just a little more night.
Older warriors are leaving.
God's calling them home.
Step forward then young soldiers.
The work must go on!
Strap on God's armour.
Prepare for the fight!
There's fields that need plowing,
While it is yet light!
There's seed for the sowing,
And water for the grain.
Let's work through the harvest,
'Til Christ comes again!
Yon Brother has fallen.
Run swiftly to his side!
A cup of cold water,
His thirst will subside!
Bind up the broken-hearted.
The weary relieve.
Sow seeds of the gospel,
To those who will believe!
Plow straight rows of Holiness!
Read! Fast! and Pray!
There's no time for slackness,
For narrow is the way!
The enemy is advancing.
The battle is hot!
Strong warriors are needed,
To give all they've got!
Our ranks are now thinning.
Some are turning back.
Even our Shepherds,
Are under attack.
Let's raise up the standard!
The banner wave high!
Take courage my Brother.
We'll fight 'til we die!
Our cause is righteous!
We're following the Lord!
And if we remain faithful,
We'll receive our reward!
Our mansion is waiting,
On Heaven's fair shore!
We'll live with the Master,
And cry nevermore!
When we reach Heaven,
Our home in the skies,
Our Jesus will wipe,
All the tears from our eyes!
No more sickness or sorrow,
No trouble or strife.
We'll inherit the promise,
Of eternal life!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
I'VE COME TO WORSHIP HIM!
Even in the Eleventh Hour,
I can still feel God's mighty power,
And His presence is so sweet!
I respond to His call,
Giving Him my all,
And victory replaces defeat!
As I whisper His name.
My soul is set aflame,
And my heart is filled with praise!
There's no room for fear and doubting!
'Tis a time of joy and shouting!
These are glorious days!
It is ecstasy to find,
Healing for my mind,
That can only come from the Lord!
Then, it's rapture divine,
As our hearts entwine,
And we become in one accord!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
CLOSE TO THEE, LORD
Lord, just to be,
Close to Thee,
Is my soul's desire!
Along the road,
Toward Heaven's abode,
I long to climb up higher!
Though for miles,
Troubles and trials,
May try to block my view,
Your hand I'll grip,
And I'll not slip.
For I've put my trust in You!
When I'm tried,
You're by my side,
Giving the strength I need!
Day or night,
All is right,
If I'll just let you lead!
Sweet Heaven awaits,
With it's pearly gates,
In welcome swung open wide!
So, at my journey's end,
With Jesus, my Friend,
I shall joyfully step inside!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
I'll NEVER FORGET !
Lord, it seems so long ago,
Since we first met.
I've learned to love you so,
And I'll never forget,
You said You'd go away,
To prepare me a place,
Where some glorious happy day,
I'll see Your face!
There will be a crown of life,
For me to wear!
No sickness, toil, nor strife,
Shall enter there!
We'll need no sun to shine,
On that fair shore!
All Heaven will be mine,
Forevermore
I'll meet my precious friends,
Who've finished life's race!
They made it to the end,
By Your marvelous grace!
Every kindred, tongue, and tribe,
Will be gathered there!
Ah, mere words can never describe,
The beauties rare!
Robert F. Dotson © 2003
NEEDED: CLOSE FRIEND
Were it possible to place a sign on my heart,
That could be seen by mortal eye,
The message would read, "Close friend needed."
"Only the serious need apply!"
Recently my precious close friend passed away.
He's gone to Heaven for aye!
His dying left an empty place in my heart,
That just won't go away.
We were vey close, you see.
A new friend may be hard for me to find.
I need someone to be my friend,
Who will share common spiritual goals,
A friend who'll stand by me when the chips are down,
And watch out for my soul!
I need a friend who will pray with me,
And for me when we are apart,
A faithful Brother in the Lord,
Who has my best interests at heart!
We can share life's joys and sorrows.,
A good listener I"ll try to be.
Then, when I need a "sounding board,"
I hope he will listen to me!
The Bible encourages brotherly love,
Not the mushy or slurpy kind.
True Brothers in Christ can fellowship,
And a spiritual union find!
At times we all need encouragement.
It could just be a pat on the back,
A firm handshake, or a pleasant smile,
to keep us on the track.
I need a friend who will talk about Jesus,
And how He brought us out,
Of satan's terrible prison house.
That's enough to make us shout!
I'll pledge to be the kind of friend,
That I want my friend to be.
And with the love that Jesus gives,
I'll stand by him faithfully!
Close friends are hard to come by.
I've only been blessed with a few.
But, they have all been a Godsend.
Friend, can I include you?
"Friends are forever,"
I've often heard folks say.
A friend loveth at all times.
That's the Bible way!
I believe that friendship started here,
Will continue in Heaven!
We shall know as we are known!
That's the promise given!
I'm not a "spiritual giant.",
I'm just a soldier of the Lord!
I'm seeking a Brother of like precious faith,
To worship with in one accord.
Robert F. Dotson © 1992
