The joys of living

THE JOYS OF LIVING

The joys of this year will never be forgotten.

May the heartaches and tears become seed for -

The hope of a better tomorrow.

The joy of making a few friends,

The heartache of losing some in death

The hope that otherwise we have not lost any.

The joy of helping one be a Christian,

the heartache of watching some procrastinate -

the hope that it's not too late.

The joy of living and having plenty

the sadness of seeing many die for want of food - 

The hope that tomorrow will be better.

The birth of children,

the heartache of indifferent parents -

the hope of influencing these for good.

Tears of joy for those I love,

tears of sadness for those who reject His Son -

tears of hope that tomorrow's opportunities will last.

The joy of giving myself to others,

the empty feeling of not being able to do enough -

the hope that tomorrow I may give more.

~John W. Ellis II

I appreciate you

I APPRECIATE YOU

I really do, I appreciate you.

For your smile,

For just taking the time to speak-

Or just to take my hand.

I appreciate you

For the encouragement you give.

For the prayers on my be-half.

For the work you have done.

I appreciate the gift of God's Son-

For my sins, but I also

Thank Him for giving you to be my friend.

I love you from the depth of my heart.

Love and appreciation cannot exist,

Without each other.

So when you feel you are not appreciated,

Just remember, I appreciate you.

~John W. Ellis II

Beginning

My dad is an amazing man. He had always wanted to teach and preach. He served as an interim preacher for the Jemison Church of Christ for many years and as a deacon, then an elder of the Wetumpka Church of Christ until he stepped down a few years back. He edited the Alabama prison news letter for as long as I can remember until he gave it up a little while ago. He still does prison outreach and serves as an assistant chaplain, health permitting.  I wanted to do something to share his lessons and poems with more people.