Soli Deo Gloria†
SELECTED, SONGS,
CONFESSIONS, POEMS
Youth and Romance
By
Joe M. Ragland, J.D., LL.M., LL.D., Esquire
Copyright © MMXVIII by Joe M. Ragland
All rights reserved under International and United States Copyright Law
Youth and romance are not a time of life,
but a state of mind,
not just finding a husband or a wife,
but a matter of the will,
a quality of a beautiful soul,
a time of brightness and vigor of the
emotions, and of the bounce and freshness
of the deep springs within.
Youth and romance mean courage over
timidity of the appetite,
exploring and adventures over
the love of ease.
Nobody grows old and feeble merely by a number of years,
but with a “poor me” pessimism of regrets,
looking back, choosing not
to forget things forgiven,
judging the faults of others,
and of deserting one’s dreams and ideals.
I reach forth in the joyful now and to the good things daily
coming my way as I love God and rejoice in Him.
Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up
the enthusiasm of life wrinkles the soul.
Let me smiling declare, “That’s your problem,
angry and unhappy individual, reckless driver,
prejudice-bitter person, not mine! I refuse to
let you infect me with your negative vibes
as I hardly even notice a suffered wrong.”
In my heart is the love of the wonder of it all,
having the unfailing childlike appetite of enjoying
today and laughing at the days to come.
In my heart is a wireless station of receiving
and giving messages of love, cheer, courage, beauty,
and the power of the Holy Spirit living in me.
I catch the little foxes of life, having all junk mail securely blocked.
I receive and give out waves of optimism,
being satisfied with my lot in life,
even into my eighties and nineties and then
throughout eternity with the joy of
my Lord and Savior giving me strength, youth,
and, yes, romance, and all these abundantly.
Ever since time began, nothing has ever
been found stronger than love!
When my Lord has tried me under
“The Law of Love,”
I shall come forth as gold
to a place where I’ll be safe!
Sincerely Agape Yours,
PSALM 91
(Amplified by Attorney Joe Ragland)
I dwell in the secret (few know it) place of the most High.
I abide (rest) in the shade (staying under the cooling protection and safety)
of the Almighty God.
I say of the Lord Jesus,
You are my place of safety (refuge) and my protection (fortress),
my God, in You I trust.
You deliver (rescue) me from the snare of the fowler (treacherous lure; hidden traps),
and from deadly diseases (threats of sudden death).
You cover me with Your feathers (angels), and under Your wings I trust.
Your truth is my shield and buckler (armor to defend me).
I am not afraid of the terror (hunts to do me evil) by night;
nor for the arrow (any weapon, evil plots, or slanders of the wicked formed against me)
that flies by day; nor for the pestilence (epidemic; plague) that walks in darkness;
nor for the destruction (calamity that spreads havoc) that destroys at noonday.
A thousand shall fall (die) at my side, and ten thousand at my
right hand, but it shall not hurt (come near) me.
I will only watch (from a distance) and see the wicked punished (recompensed).
Because I have made the Lord Jesus, my habitation, no evil befalls (happens to) me,
nor does any disaster (plague; blow) come to (even approach) my dwelling.
For the Lord Jesus gives His angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways.
They bear (catch; lift) me up in their hands, lest I dash my foot against a stone.
I tread on (they are under my feet) lions and serpents (all evil powers) and
trample into the ground the young (having an angry prideful roar) lion and
the dragon (the devil seeking to kill, steal, and destroy).
Because I have set my love on the Lord Jesus, He
saves (protects, rescues) and honors me.
Jesus has set me on high because I have known His Name.
I call upon Jesus, and He answers me!
The Lord Jesus is with me in trouble (any distress).
He loves and delivers (rescues; honors) me!
With long life, He (Jesus) satisfies me and shows me
His (today and throughout eternity) salvation!
You are Christ Body!
Lyrics by
Dr. Joe Ragland
Copyright © 2019 by Joe M. Ragland
Jesus, God’s Son, the Savior of the World,
Desires all to repent and not to Hell be hurled.
Now believers must go into all the world and tell,
“Jesus saves and will keep one out of Hell.”
Jesus’ sacrificial Blood cleanses deep within.
The more chief the sinner, the greater the win.
The devil pleas, they are predestined for me.
Liar, Liar, Hell on fire, Jesus will set them free!
Jesus’ sacrificial Blood cleanses from all sin,
even the repenting prodigal in the pig pen.
Now joyfully tell, Jesus desires no one to go to Hell.
Jesus saves – this good news for all people will prevail.
Yes, Jesus’ body on Earth is yours.
Your feet, hands, and eyes for Jesus will endure.
Let the defeated lying devil scream and fuss,
Evil cannot stop the delivery of the Gospel by us.
Love Never Fails!
Lyrics by
Joe Ragland
Sung to the Tune in the Public Domain of “Love is Little” (Shaker’s Settlement 1834)
God is Love. Love is strong.
Love is good, hating the wrong!
Loving My God, with all my heart,
My Lord, my friend, I will not depart!
Love is gentle; Love is quiet.
Love does things that are right!
Loving My neighbor as myself,
Taking my love off the shelf.
Love is kind; Love is rest,
Seeing in all the very best!
Loving truth, enduring long,
Love sings joyful songs!
Love is creative. Love is bold,
Bound for a land to never grow old.
Enjoying God’s mercy and grace,
Looking into Jesus’ happy face!
You’re invited: “Come and go with me,
For the Son desires to set you free!”
His blood paid the penalty owed for sin;
Born again, with Jesus, I joyfully win!
Hallelujah,
Love Never Fails!