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RISE UP AND WALK!
While sitting along life's road one day,
I heard a voice so sweetly say,
"Rise up and walk!"
"My child, be made whole!"
"Give unto Me the rags of your sin."
"Come, oh come and be born again!"
"By grace, through faith,"
"I'll save your lost and dying soul!"
So, I cried, "Dear Lord, please rescue me."
"I am so blind that I cannot see."
"For much too long,"
"I've been under satan's ruthless hand."
Right then, I received what I need so much!
It was the Master's loving touch,
As with love and compassion,
He helped me to stand!
Thank God, I no longer carry a heavy load,
Nor do I sit beside life's road!
Now, I gladly walk the straight and narrow way!
I'm not bound by satan's strong chain!
The scars on my wrists are all that remain!
But, they too shall disappear some glad day!
When I shall stand before my Lord,
I will receive my eternal reward!
I will be judged for the deeds I have done.
If I have accomplished the tasks,
He wanted me to do,
And I remain faithful and true,
I will hear the words "Well done,"
From God's own Son!
Robert F. Dotson © 2014
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FAREWELL TO SUMMER
As I gaze through my window pane,
I see the cool October rain,
Falling on flower blooms,
Of yellow, pink, and red.
Ah, too soon it will be Fall,
And the beautiful blossoms,
One and all,
Will disappear from my flower bed.
How beautiful the flowers have been!
I could have counted at least ten,
Different colors all in bright array!
Though they soon will be gone,
Lord willing, I can depend on,
Them blooming again one summer day!
However, Jack Frost's icy breath,
Soon will cast the spell of death,
Upon my colorful summer friends.
So, I must carefully savor them,
Each blossom and each stem,
Ere this beautiful season ends!
As Summer waves goodbye,
I look toward the gray stormy sky,
And watch the clouds rolling in.
And it won't be long I know,
'Til we could have snow!
But, Friend that's the way it's always been.
Robert F. Dotson © 2014
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JESUS, THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
Robert F. Dotson © 2014
Under the Law the High Priest could only appear,
Behind the veil of the temple once a year,
In an attempt Israel's sins to atone!
But, what would seem to be a flaw,
In that part of the Law,
Was that he must sacrifice for sins of his own.
So, a Permanent Sacrifice must be found,
For man, who God formed from the ground,
This Sacrifice must be Holy and pure!
Therefore, our Heavenly Father above,
Gave His only begotten Son in love,
A Love that shall evermore endure!
The blood of animals could never suffice,
To be the needed sacrifice!
At best it was just a covering for sin.
But, when Calvary's Lamb was slain,
The veil of the temple was rent in twain,
Now, through Jesus Christ we all may enter in!
When to the cross Jesus came,
And though "despising the shame,"
He remained God's dutiful Son!
Jesus never gave up,
And as He drank death's bitter cup,
He said, "Father, not My will but Thine be done!"
Friend, today the gospel call,
Goes out to one and all,
No matter how sinful or depraved!
Salvation is not just for some!
Whosoever will may come,
For God's desire is that all will be saved!
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THE ROAD LEADS TO CALVARY
Robert F. Dotson © 2014
Born in a stable in Bethlehem, He was destined to die on the cross.
Jesus took on Himself our sins and suffered the pain and loss!
The long road to Calvary started at Jesus' birth.
Yet, He went about doing good while He was here on earth!
The road led to the temple when He was but twelve years old!
He reasoned with the scholars who were stone-faced and cold!
Where he obtained this wisdom the chief priests and scribes could not see!
Was not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, the carpenter from Galilee?
Jesus came in contact with the poor as well as those who had fame!
Friend, after they had met Jesus, they were never the same!
Jesus gave hearing to the deaf and eyesight to the blind!
He loved the little children! He was so good and kind!
The winding road to Calvary led Jesus to a mountain high!
There he talked with Moses and Elijah about how He would die.
The road to Calvary led to Bethany where He raised the dead!
"Lazarus, come forth," were the words Jesus said!
The road later led to the lonely Garden of Gethsemane,
Where He asked His disciples, "Couldn't you watch one hour with me?'"
Jesus had handpicked his twelve disciples knowing that one day,
Judas with a kiss his Master would betray.
Jesus, who said, "Love thine enemies," without a shadow of a doubt,
Practiced the same love He was talking about!
For, there in the Garden of Gethsemane with His life coming to an end,
Though Judas was betraying Him with a kiss, Jesus called him "Friend."
The road to Calvary led to Pilate's judgment hall,
Where Pilate exclaimed, "In Him I find no fault at all."
But, though Jesus was innocent, Pilate sentenced Him to die.
"Away with Him," "Crucify Him," had been the mob's angry cry.
From Pilate's hall Jesus went to Calvary where the road came to an end!
They crucified Him between two thieves. He was without a friend.
But, when He cried, "It is finished," the world's sin debt was paid!
Judgment had demanded a payment and through mercy it was made!
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THE MIRACLE OF MOUNT CALVARY
Robert F. Dotson © 2014
God so loved the world that He gave His Son to die,
A cruel death on Calvary for sinners like you and I!
Jesus, our Lord was willing His life to lay down!
He stepped from His throne and laid down His Heavenly crown!
He came as a little babe, a Heavenly King in the form of a man!
No other sacrifice was sufficient to fulfill Salvation's plan!
He lived a life of poverty so Heaven's riches we might enjoy!
Friend, salvation is free to every man, woman, girl, and boy!
Jesus took the road to Calvary knowing all the while,
By His friends He'd be forsaken when He walked that last mile!
What wondrous love and compassion on Calvary was displayed!
Jesus' blood became a fountain whereby our sin debt was paid!
The most elegant words of mortal man could never explain,
How the precious blood of Jesus can wash away sin's stain!
However, we don't have to understand but only believe,
And cleansing for our sins we shall receivel
The miracle of Mount Calvary is healing for the body and soul!
Now we may enter Heaven where we'll live while ages roll!
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SCENES FROM MOUNT CALVARY
By Robert F. Dotson © 2014
Can you see Jesus hanging there?
Listen to His dying prayer,
"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."
The reason our Blessed Saviour came,
Was to bear all our sin and shame,
Thus providing salvation for me and you!
As He hangs there dying,
The angry mob is crying,
"Crucify him, away with this man."
Can you hear them rant and rave,
"He saved others but himself He cannot save?"
Ah, but unfolding before us is God's redemption plan.
Jesus came unto His own and they received Him not.
Now Roman soldiers cast lots,
For, the very clothes our Saviour wore!
Jesus' physical appearance is so marred,
And terribly scarred,
More that any other man before!
When Jesus was suffering the worst,
He cried, "I thirst!"
Oh, the excruciating pain!
Then, just before He died,
"It is finished," He cried,
And the veil of the temple was rent in twain!
After three days in the ground,
Jesus' disciples found,
That He had risen true to His word!
Now both Gentile and Jew,
May receive salvation too,
Wherever the "Good News " is heard!
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THE CRIMSON TIDE
By Robert F. Dotson © 2014
Three crosses stood on Calvary's brow.
It was Crucifixion Day.
In my mind's eye I can see them now,
On that hillside so far away.
"Father, forgive them," Jesus cried,
"They know not what they do."
And as the blood flowed from His side,
It brought redemption for me and you!
Roll on oh cleansing crimson tide,
Flow on forevermore!
On thee our ransomed souls shall ride,
'Til we reach Heaven's shore!
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EASTER MORNING
By Robert F. Dotson © 2014
Mary and the others were in awe,
At what they saw,
That first Easter Day!
In the cool morning air,
They could only stare,
For someone had rolled the stone away!
Jesus’ body had been stolen they feared.
But, then Holy angels appeared,
Alleviating every misgiving!
“Jesus is no longer dead,”
The angels said!
“Behold, He has rejoined the living!”
Sister Mary run and tell,
Now Jesus is alive and well!
He conquered death, hell, and the grave!
‘Twas a critical hour.
But, by His mighty power,
He arose our souls to save!
Now, any member of Adam’s race,
Through God’s amazing grace,
Can rise up and joyously sing,
“Sin’s mighty flood,”
“Is under the blood!”
“Thank God, I’m a child of the King!
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THE EMPTY TOMB!
By Robert F. Dotson © 2014
The tomb is empty!
Oh, what a glorious sight!
The long night has ended,
With the first rays of light!
The crucifixion is passed,
With its sorry and gloom.
Now hope springs eternal,
From the empty tomb!
The tomb is empty!
Our Lord conquered death!
He cried, "It is finished,"
With His final breath!
Yes, Christ was the Victor,
O'er death's impending doom!
Now we shall live forever,
Because of the empty tomb!
The tomb is empty!
There's hope for tomorrow,
Beyond this world of sin,
Pain, and great sorrow!
For we have our Lord's promise,
Though storm clouds may loom,
Our future looks bright,
Because of the empty tomb!
The tomb is empty!
So, let's go tell the story,
Of how our Lord was "caught up",
To His home in Glory!
He sent the Holy Ghost message,
To the upper room,
Signed, sealed, and delivered,
From the empty tomb!
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JESUS LIVES!
By Robert F. Dotson © 2014
Mary came to the sepulchre,
Awhile before dawn.
And finding it empty.
She alerted Peter and John,
That the tomb was empty,
Was a puzzling sight .
Jesus’ body wasn’t there,
Had someone stolen it,
During the night?
Ah, but all of His clothing,
Was lying in place,
Including the napkin,
Which had covered His face!
Wondering in their hearts,
What might have been,
Peter and John,
Returned home again.
Ah, but staying awhile longer,
Mary stood outside crying,
And took one more look,
At where Jesus’ body had been lying.
Then, she saw two angels,
Arrayed in white.
They certainly were,
An awesome sight!
“Why are you weeping?”
She heard the angels say.
Mary loudly lamented,
“They’ve taken my Lord away.”
As she turned to leave,
She met Jesus face to face!
But, she thought Him to be,
The gardener of that place.
“Woman, whom seekest thou,”
Jesus tenderly said.
She had forgotten Jesus teaching,
He would arise from the dead.
“Where have you laid Him,”
She continued to say.
But, then Jesus said, “Mary,”
In that old familiar way!
And immediately Mary was rid,
Of all sorrow and gloom!
She was renewed with vigor,
As she departed from the tomb!
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