Time, as the swinging pendulum, Brings the new millennium. Man fears what is to transpire, Hearing the predictions dire. Some are worried, many fret Over things unseen as yet. People prepare in rapid paces, For preservation of the races. While others plan to celebrate This much anticipated date, With merriment…
Mrs. Looyenga is a member of South Holland Protestant Reformed Church. She wrote this poem for the 75th anniversary and read it at the Pre-Convention Singspiration. When energy burst forth from God’s creating mind, His Spirit, by the power of His spoken Word, gave form, And there was light. What…
Communing with God in the morning When the day is beginning to dawn; Seeking His help and His guidance Enabling me to go on. Communing with God in the noontime In the toil and heat of the day; Claiming the words of His promise, “Lo, I am with you alway.”…
“Living waters,” gushing, flowing Ever from the Fountain free; Came from Him, the Source, the Giver, Down in this poor world to be. Matchless gift from matchless Saviour, When back to the Father’s throne He had gone—His love so perfect To His own thus fully shown. “Living waters,” full, exhaustless,…
Suzanne Looyenga is the wife of Dr. David Looyenga, mother of six children, and a poet. With her family, she is a member of the Protestant Reformed Church of South Holland, Illinois. The poem is based on Luke 10:2. The blaze of noontime sun has passed And golden fields, sun-blest,…
The church and the World walked far apart On the changing shore of time; The World was singing a giddy song, And the Church a hymn sublime. “Come, give me your hand,” said the merry World, “And then walk with me this way.” But the good Church hid her snowy…
(At the occasion of the farewell program for Rev. Carl Haak by Lynden Protestant Reformed congregation, Lynden, WA, on October 21, 1994.) When Christ Himself was yet upon this earthly scene, Pray ye, said He, the Lord of Harvest, when you see fields unto that harvest white. That He the…
Blessed Thought (John 1:12) A child of God am I! God’s love to me is sure! No storms of life can harm me; With Him I am secure. A child of God am I! And thus I’m set apart; I now forsake the things of earth, For Christ lives in…
True Thanks I thank Thee, Lord, for blessings Which Thou hast given me; For health and strength, for freedom To freely worship Thee. For food and drink abundant For body and for soul; I thank Thee for a Savior Who cleansed and made me whole. I thank Thee, Lord, for…
Reckoning (Romans 8:18) Counted — All counted — hairs, Sparrows’ falls, and tears, Stars, stumbling sheep; He knows their number, Does not slumber, Does not sleep. And we, Who, nightly counting, Tally losses slowly mounting, Numbering trials, griefs, and pains, Fail to reckon, Fail to see our Keeper beckon As…
The Christ, by Israel long expected— He is born! Events occurred as God the Lord directed— He is born! In a stable, born of virgin lowly, Jesus Christ, the Sinless One, Most Holy, Following the plan of God’s decree He is born! At the time selected in eternity He is…
Communion with my Lord— Can aught more precious be? Is there a joy that can compare To fellowship with Thee? Ah, this I truly know— No treasure is so sweet As that to lay my burdens Down at the Savior’s feet. My weary, sinful heart, So burdened and distressed— I…
Do I begin each day anew In prayer to God above? To seek His guidance through the day, To praise Him for His love? Do I awake with songs of joy For having such a Friend; Who, though all others may forsake, Will keep me to the end? Do I…
God knows the heart of a pastor, How often ’tis laden with care; In sharing the burdens of others And seeking their needs in prayer. God knows the work of a pastor, The many tasks he must do; As he goes forth in His service The power of the Lord…
A special gift that God prepared for me— ‘Twas given me ‘ere I saw the light of day. This gift was someone specially prepared To guide my footsteps in His holy way. Day after day, she cared for me and taught Not just the skills I’d need for daily living;…
Ah, thou pristine globe, fresh from thy Creator’s hand; embryo within the waters of thy firmament land. Pure and warm, the very essence of exquisite beauty. “It is good,” proclaimed He then, though not His last words to thee. Would thy newborn innocence remain – alas, ’tis lost, e’en worse…
Another year has just begun — Another year my earthy race to run. How shall I run? What is my goal? Where shall I find rest for my soul? “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ ]esus. Philippians 3:14 Another year…
A sovereign Protector I have, Unseen, yet for ever at hand: Unchangeably faithful to save, Almighty to rule and command! He smiles, and my comforts abound; His grace as the dew shall descend; And walls of salvation surround The soul He delights to defend. Kind Author and ground of my…
When unto Thee we come With heads bowed down in prayer May our first impulse be To glorify Thy holy name — To praise Thee for the fact that Thou art God — In deep humility and awe to see Thy matchless grace, Thy power, Thy glory, mercy, holiness, and…
Paradox He is I AM. Before the world began He was and is. And by His great command That which was nothing Came to light and life as planned, And void became His vast domain of praise. Ancient of Days, He drew a time out of eternity And scooped the…
In Lodebar, the Pastureless, I languished, far, Far from the courts that I had known Near to Grandfather’s throne. A dead dog such as I Could cry And none would hear From Lodebar. And who would understand The wretched poverty, The burden of infirmity That swallowed us The day we…
Suzanne Looyenga, wife, mother, and poet, is a member of the Protestant Reformed Church of South Holland, Illinois. The poem is based on a communion sermon that had the Song of Solomon 2:4 as its text: “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.”…
Mrs. Looyenga is a mother in the Protestant Reformed Church in South Holland, Illinois. The land is parched here. Not one small, tender root has sprouted forth from this cracked ground, it seems, forever. Our god, our Baal, is found to be no friend to widow or to fatherless. It…
Dear Father, as I kneel in prayer to Thee Grant that my sin I may more clearly see; That I may be appalled by its immensity. The very best accomplishment of mine Stands not alone, but sin does e’er entwine; It chokes out righteousness as tendrils from a vine. With…
Precious Drops Wrought of water’s face O’er by Spirit moved Hung in early space Precious drops of Dew In a mist descend Mingled with the sweat Adam’s brow portends ‘Til the garden’s Wet With the latter mist Kissed upon free slaves Sign of sins dismissed Midst the Red Sea Waves…