BULLETIN NOTES – OCTOBER 8, 2000

Dear Friends and Family,

I love shopping – shopping for clothes, shoes, earrings, etc. But I also love shopping for books, especially the ones on the “bargain table”. Occasionally, I have come across some real jewels at the “bargain table”. One such jewel is Poems of Faith by Helen Steiner Rice. I have often had to rescue it from Funeral Directors who wanted to add it to their collection of poems for the obituaries. I hope you will enjoy some of her poems that have blessed me.

~ Rev. Dr. Sharon Adams

HOW TO BUILD A FORTRESS OF FAITH

By Helen Steiner Rice

It’s easy to say “in God we trust”

When life is radiant and fair,

Bet the test of faith is only found

When there are burdens to bear –

For our claim to faith in the “sunshine”

Is really no faith at all,

For when roads are smooth and days are bright

Our need for God is so small,

And on one discovers the fullness

Of the greatness of God’s love

Unless they have walked in the “darkness”

With only a light from above –

For the faith to endure whatever comes

Is born of sorrow and trials,

And strengthened only by discipline

And nurtured by self-denials –

So be not disheartened by troubles,

For trials are the building blocks

On which to erect a fortress of faith

Secure on God’s “ageless rocks”.