[Faith-talk] Good Night Message for Wednesday, September 5 2012

[Paul]

Hello and good evening to my fellow saints of the Most High God residing in the western hemisphere, and good morning or afternoon wherever in this world you happen to live.  I hope that, by God's matchless grace and His providential care, that you in North America had a productive day today and that the rest of you are having the same or, if you live in the UK or Europe, that your Thursday will be fruitful in every way your Master and Lord deigns to have it so.

Frank B. Relik (not sure of spelling) of Landsburg VA contributed today's poem entitled "The Mountaineer." Judging by his descriptions and the ZIP code of his community (24351) he lives in southwest Virginia, in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Anyway his poem is rendered as follows:

I love those quiet places
Along the old Blue Ridge.
I love the open spaces,
The river and the bridge.
I love those secret places
Along the dusty trail
Where the web of nature
Laces the beauty of the vale.

Where the goldenrod and violet
Lift their heads to sky so blue,
>From the pine tree and the ivy
The sun comes peeping through.

I love the pathway
Creeping down beside
The meadowbrook
Where the trout are worth the keeping
When I have a line and hook.

I love the massive roughness
Of the old oak tree and the pine.
With all their silent gruffness,
They are mountain friends of mine.

I love those solemn places
And I never have a fear.
If you love the open spaces,
You're another mountaineer.

Now I know at least one person receiving this who can identify with the author's sentiment.  Although not directly identified, I wonder if, by the bridge, he could have been referring to a natural formation in that part of the country simply called Natural Bridge? Well, I guess I'll never know this side of Glory, but it doesn't hurt to wonder, does it now?

And now may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob just keep us safe, individually and collectively, throughout this night or day and especially in these last days in which we live.  Your Christian brother and friend, Paul