Poems & Quotes
1 Peter Introduction
"…It is a cold and lifeless thing to speak of spiritual things on mere report; but when men can speak of them as their own–as having share and interest in them, and some experience of their sweetness–their discourse of them is enlivened with firm belief and ardent affection; they cannot mention them, but straight their hearts are taken with such gladness as they are forced to vent in praises."
–Robert Leighton, A Practical Commentary on First Peter
1 Peter 1:2
"Having recognized the sovereign right of God over His creation and having assigned to Him a rational purpose in all His plan, the truth contained in the doctrine of election follows in natural sequence as the necessary function of one who is divine."
–Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology
The Reverend Dr. Harcourt, folk agree,
Nodding their heads in solid satisfaction,
Is just the man for this community!
Tall, young, urbane, but capable of action,
He pleases where he serves.
He marshals out the younger crowd,
Lacks trace of clerical unction,
Cheers the Kiwanis and the Eagle Scout,
Is popular at every public function.
And in the pulpit eloquently speaks on divers matters
With both wit and clarity–
Art, education, God, the early Greeks,
Psychiatry, St. Paul, true Christian charity,
Vestry repairs that shortly must begin–
All things but sin.
He seldom mentions sin.
–Phyllis McGinley
1 Peter 1:3-6
"…foreknowledge in God is that which He Himself purposes to bring to pass. In this way, then, the whole order of events from the least detail unto the greatest operates under the determining decree of God so as to take place according to His sovereign purpose. By so much, divine foreknowledge is closely related to foreordination. Likewise, foreknowledge in God should be distinguished from omniscience in that the latter is extended sufficiently to embrace all things past, present, and future, while foreknowledge anticipates on the future events."
–Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology
1 Peter 1:10-16
I Needed the Quiet
I needed the quiet so He drew me aside,
Into the shadows where we could confide,
Away from the bustle where all the day long
I hurried and worried when active and strong.
I needed the quiet though at first I rebelled.
But gently, so gently, my cross He upheld
And whispered so sweetly of spiritual things.
Though weakened in body, my spirit took wings
To heights never dreamed of when active and gay.
He loved me so greatly He drew me away.
I needed the quiet. No prison my bed,
But a beautiful valley of blessings instead–
A place to grow richer in Jesus to hide,
I needed the quiet so He drew me aside.
–Alice Hansche Mortenson
1 Peter 2:5-12
Higher Education
I don't have a Ph.D., or credits from Purdue,
But, I have learned a lot in life as I've been passing through.
I have a course of study, perhaps of it you've heard.
A Book known as the Bible, God's own Holy Word.
It teaches how God sent His Son, redeeming sinful man.
In Him believe, by faith receive; not, "Do the best you can."
You'll never need a credit card, because salvation's free.
Accept Christ as your Saviour. How happy you will be.
I'm in my last semester, and I can hardly wait
To wear my brand new cap and gown at Baccalaureate.
When on my graduation day I leave this world of strife,
I'll read on my diploma, "Received Eternal Life!"
–Author unknown
1 Peter 3:1-9
"I am out speaking in Bible conferences a great deal. When I come home, I am not looking for an assistant pastor, I'm not looking for an organist, I'm not looking for a soloist, and I'm not looking for the president of the missionary society. I want a woman there to meet me who is my wife and whom I can put my arms around and love."
–Lewis Sperry Chafer, speaking to Dr. & Mrs. McGee on the duties of a preacher's wife
1 Peter 4:1-4
Religion
If you've got religion, you don't know it.
If you know it, you haven't got it.
And if you've got it, you can't lose it.
And if you lose it, you didn't have it.
And if you never had it, you can't get it.
–Author unknown
1 Peter 4:1-12
The Bible and the TV Guide
On the table side by side,
The Holy Bible and the TV Guide.
One is well-worn but cherished with pride,
Not the Bible, but the TV Guide.
One is used daily to help folks decide.
No, it isn't the Bible; it's the TV Guide.
As pages are turned, what shall they see?
Or what does it matter? Turn on the TV!
Then confusion reigns and they can't all agree
On what they shall watch on the old TV.
So they open the book in which they confide,
No, not the Bible....It's the TV Guide.
The Word of God is seldom read,
Ere maybe a verse as they fall into bed.
Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be,
Not from reading the Bible, but from watching TV.
Then back to the table side by side
Is the Holy Bible and the TV Guide.
No time for prayer, No time for the Word.
The plan of salvation is seldom heard.
Forgiveness of sin so full and free
Is found in the Bible, not TV.
–Author unknown
1 Peter 4:12-19
What God Hath Promised
God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.
God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain, rocky and steep,
Never a river, turbid and deep.
But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the laborer, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
–Annie Johnson Flint
In The Crucible
Out from the mine and the darkness,
Out from the damp and the mold,
Out from the fiery furnace,
Cometh each grain of gold.
Crushed into atoms and leveled
Down to the humblest dust
With never a heart to pity,
With never a hand to trust.
Molten and hammered and beaten
Seemeth it ne'er to be done.
Oh, for such fiery trial,
What hath the poor gold done?
Oh, 'twere a mercy to leave it
Down in the damp and the mold.
If this is the glory of living,
Then better to be dross than gold.
Under the press and the roller,
Into the jaws of the mint,
Stamped with the emblem of freedom,
With never a flaw or a dint.
Oh, what a joy, the refining,
Out of the damp and the mold.
And stamped with the glorious image,
Oh, beautiful coin of gold!
–Author unknown