- Anonymous

AN IRISH WISH May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be ever at your back. May the good lord keep you in the hollow of His hand. May your heart be as warm as your hearthstone. And when you come to die may the wail of the poor be the only sorrow you'll leave behind. May God bless you always.

- RAYMOND A. FOSS

INSPIRED WORDS Words of history, of power his words reminding us of the work to be done, needs yet unmet, vision and calling unfulfilled still in the congregation the goals set but the feet still marching marching in place, waiting for the start for the challenge, the task at hand to seize the initiative, needing more leaders, visionaries who can implement guide, cajole, prod, pull the more reluctant do good work now in our community move out beyond our walls, see the thing to be done and do it

- ELLA WHEELER WILCOX

INSPIRATION Not like a daring, bold, aggressive boy, Is inspiration, eager to pursue, But rather like a maiden, fond, yet coy, Who gives herself to him who best doth woo. Once she may smile, or thrice, thy soul to fire, In passing by, but when she turns her face, Thou must persist and seek her with desire, If thou wouldst win the favor of her grace. And if, like some winged bird she cleaves the air, And leaves thee spent and stricken on the earth, Still must thou strive to follow even there, That she may know thy valor and thy worth. Then shall she come unveiling all her charms, Giving thee joy for pain, and smiles for tears; Then shalt thou clasp her with possessing arms, The while she murmurs music in thine ears. But ere her kiss has faded from thy cheek, She shall flee from thee over hill and glade, So must thou seek and ever seek and seek For each new conquest of this phantom maid

- ELLA WHEELER WILCOX

INSPIRATION Not like a daring, bold, aggressive boy, Is inspiration, eager to pursue, But rather like a maiden, fond, yet coy, Who gives herself to him who best doth woo. Once she may smile, or thrice, thy soul to fire, In passing by, but when she turns her face, Thou must persist and seek her with desire, If thou wouldst win the favor of her grace. And if, like some winged bird she cleaves the air, And leaves thee spent and stricken on the earth, Still must thou strive to follow even there, That she may know thy valor and thy worth. Then shall she come unveiling all her charms, Giving thee joy for pain, and smiles for tears; Then shalt thou clasp her with possessing arms, The while she murmurs music in thine ears. But ere her kiss has faded from thy cheek, She shall flee from thee over hill and glade, So must thou seek and ever seek and seek For each new conquest of this phantom maid.

- GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL

INSPIRATION Lightest of dancers, with no thought Thy glimmering feet beat on my heart, Gayest of singers, with no care Waking to beauty the still air, More than the labours of our art, More than our wisdom can impart, Thine idle ecstasy hath taught. Lost long in solemn ponderings, With the blind shepherd mind for guide, The uncreated joy in you Hath lifted up my heart unto The morning stars in their first pride, And the angelic joys that glide High upon heaven-uplifted wings.

- GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL

INSPIRATION Lightest of dancers, with no thought thy glimmering feet beat on my heart, gayest of singers, with no care waking to beauty the still air, more than the labours of our art, more than our wisdom can impart, thine idle ecstasy hath taught. Lost long in solemn ponderings, with the blind shepherd mind for guide, the uncreated joy in you hath lifted up my heart unto the morning stars in their first pride, and the angelic joys that glide high upon heaven-uplifted wings.

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Inspired Words by Raymond A. Foss Words of history, of power his words reminding us of the work to be done, needs yet unmet, vision and calling unfulfilled still in the congregation the goals set but the feet still marching marching in place, waiting for the start for the challenge, the task at hand to seize the initiative, needing more leaders, visionaries who can implement guide, cajole, prod, pull the more reluctant do good work now in our community move out beyond our walls, see the thing to be done and do it

- ELLA WHEELER WILCOX

INSPIRATION Not like a daring, bold, aggressive boy, is inspiration, eager to pursue, but rather like a maiden, fond, yet coy, who gives herself to him who best doth woo. Once she may smile, or thrice, thy soul to fire, in passing by, but when she turns her face, thou must persist and seek her with desire, if thou wouldst win the favor of her grace. And if, like some winged bird she cleaves the air, and leaves thee spent and stricken on the earth, still must thou strive to follow even there, that she may know thy valor and thy worth. Then shall she come unveiling all her charms, giving thee joy for pain, and smiles for tears; then shalt thou clasp her with possessing arms, the while she murmurs music in thine ears. But ere her kiss has faded from thy cheek, she shall flee from thee over hill and glade, so must thou seek and ever seek and seek for each new conquest of this phantom maid.

- ANONYMOUS

JUST ONE One song can spark a moment, One flower can wake the dream. One tree can start a forest, One bird can herald spring. One smile begins a friendship, One handclasp lifts a soul. One star can guide a ship at sea, One word can frame the goal One vote can change a nation, One sunbeam lights a room One candle wipes out darkness, One laugh will conquer gloom. One step must start each journey. One word must start each prayer. One hope will raise our spirits, One touch can show you care. One voice can speak with wisdom, One heart can know what's true, One life can make a difference, You see, it's up to you!

- JOHN NEWTON

AMAZING GRACE Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, That sav'd a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears reliev'd; How precious did that grace appear, The hour I first believ'd! Thro' many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; 'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home. The Lord has promis'd good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures. Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease; I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, who call'd me here below, Will be forever mine.

- UNKNOWN CONFEDERATE SOLDIER

PRAYER I asked God for strength, that I might achieve, I was made weak, that I might humbly obey. I asked for health, that I might do greater things, I was given infirmity, that I might do better things. I asked for riches, that I might be happy, I was given poverty, that I might be wise. I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men, I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life, I was given life, that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all men, most richly blessed.

- LESLEY CHOYCE

I'M ALIVE, I BELIEVE IN EVERYTHING Self. Brotherhood. God. Zeus. Communism. Capitalism. Buddha. Vinyl records. Baseball. Ink. Trees. Cures for disease. Saltwater. Literature. Walking. Waking. Arguments. Decisions. Ambiguity. Absolutes. Presence. Absence. Positive and Negative. Empathy. Apathy. Sympathy and entropy. Verbs are necessary. So are nouns. Empty skies. Dark vacuums of night. Visions. Revisions. Innocence. I've seen All the empty spaces yet to be filled. I've heard All of the sounds that will collect at the end of the world. And the silence that follows. I'm alive, I believe in everything I'm alive, I believe in it all. Waves lapping on the shore. Skies on fire at sunset. Old men dancing on the streets. Paradox and possibility. Sense and sensibility. Cold logic and half truth. Final steps and first impressions. Fools and fine intelligence. Chaos and clean horizons. Vague notions and concrete certainty. Optimism in the face of adversity. I'm alive, I believe in everything I'm alive, I believe in it all.

- JOSH MITTELDORF