Walking, I am listening to a deeper way.
Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me.
Be still they say. Watch and listen.
You are the result of the love of thousands.
~ Linda Hogan

The Oak Tree
A mighty wind blew night and day,
it stole the oak tree's leaves away,
then snapped it's boughs and pulled it's bark,
until the oak was tired and stark.

But still the oak tree held it's ground,
while other trees fell all around,
the weary wind gave up and spoke,
"How can you still be standing oak?

The tree said I know that you can break
each branch of mine in two,
carry every leaf away,
shake my limbs and make me sway.

But I have roots stretched in the earth,
growing stronger since my birth,
you'll never touch them for you see,
they are the deepest part of me.

Until today I wasn't sure,
of just how much I could endure,
but now I've found with thanks to you,
I'm stronger than I ever knew.
~ Johnny Ray Ryder Jr.

A Prayer For Geneologists

Lord help dig into the past and sift the sands of time,
That I might find the roots that made this family tree mine.
Lord, help me trace the ancients roads on which my fathers trod,
And led them through so many lands to find our present sod.
Lord, help me find an ancient book or dusty manuscript,
That's safely hidden now away in some forgotten crypt.
Lord, let it bridge the gap that haunts my soul when I can't find,
The missing link between some name that ends the same as mine.
~ Curtis Woods

[A Prayer reported to have been found on the body of
an unknown Confederate soldier at Gettysburg.]

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but got everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all people, most richly blessed.

Walking, I am listening to a deeper way.
Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me.
Be still they say. Watch and listen.
You are the result of the love of thousands.
~ Linda Hogan

The Oak Tree
A mighty wind blew night and day,
it stole the oak tree's leaves away,
then snapped it's boughs and pulled it's bark,
until the oak was tired and stark.

But still the oak tree held it's ground,
while other trees fell all around,
the weary wind gave up and spoke,
"How can you still be standing oak?

The tree said I know that you can break
each branch of mine in two,
carry every leaf away,
shake my limbs and make me sway.

But I have roots stretched in the earth,
growing stronger since my birth,
you'll never touch them for you see,
they are the deepest part of me.

Until today I wasn't sure,
of just how much I could endure,
but now I've found with thanks to you,
I'm stronger than I ever knew.
~ Johnny Ray Ryder Jr.

A Prayer For Geneologists

Lord help dig into the past and sift the sands of time,
That I might find the roots that made this family tree mine.
Lord, help me trace the ancients roads on which my fathers trod,
And led them through so many lands to find our present sod.
Lord, help me find an ancient book or dusty manuscript,
That's safely hidden now away in some forgotten crypt.
Lord, let it bridge the gap that haunts my soul when I can't find,
The missing link between some name that ends the same as mine.
~ Curtis Woods

[A Prayer reported to have been found on the body of
an unknown Confederate soldier at Gettysburg.]

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but got everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all people, most richly blessed.