How did he live?

So he died for his faith. That is fine,
More than most of us do.
But stay, can you add to that line

That he lived for it, too?
In death he bore witness at last
As a martyr to truth.
Did his life do the same in the past
From the days of his youth?

It is easy to die. Men have died
For a wish or a whim-
From bravado or passion or pride.
Was it harder for him?

But to live: every day to live out
All the truth that he dreamt,
While his friends met his conduct with doubt,
And the world with contempt.

Was it thus that he plodded ahead,
Never turning aside?
Then we’ll talk of the life that he led-
Never mind how he died.

-Ernest Crosby

Preaching

 Photo by (Tres)

There isn't a word that a preacher can say,
    no matter how lovely or true,
nor is there a prayer that his eager lips pray
    that can preach such as sermon as you.

You vowed to serve Christ, and men know that you did;
    they're watching the things that you do.
There isn't an action of yours that is hid,
    men are watching and studying you.

You say you're "no preacher." Yes, but you preach
    a wonderful sermon each day.
The acts of your life are the things that you teach;
    it isn't the things that you say.

If Christians were Christians, as they do profess,   
    men would notice their glorified mien,
and say, "What wondrous things they possess
    who follow the meek Nazarene."

Oh, Christians, remember, you bear his dear name,
    your lives are for  others to view.
You are living examples; men praise you or blame,
    and measure all Christians by you.

-- Florence Belle Anderson