I am a Dash

Who am I?
          A line, a dash,
A little space between two dates—
Little dates with honor's weight,
Little dates with baseness splashed.

Connecting finish to the start,
I fill the fullness of this time:
While toiling in the pure sublime
Or squand'ring all or even part.

How should I live to fill this space?
What purpose shall my life pursue?
I know I cannot worth accrue,
While life sits idly by its race.

For springtime turns to fall too soon,
Then winter with its discontent;
I want to see my life well-spent,
Not lived in waste nor anguished ruin.

So to my God I'll turn my heart,
My soul will closely follow Him;
My life well-lived as joyous hymn
Will purpose to my dash impart.

- D. Benning

Salvation's Hymn

Praise my soul, the King of Heav'n above;
Praise Him, Lord of all the Earth,
Mighty Potentate and God of Love,
Author of thy second birth.
From this heart shall praise flow endless days,
blessing God, the Holy One:
Clothed in righteousness I stand amazed
at Mercy and Grace begun.

Look upon His cross and dying shame,
oh, my soul, it was for thee!
Look, He took thy guilt, thy sin, thy blame,
as He died on Calvary.
That day turned to night and from that fight
sprang salvation's Genesis;
And above the Cross in shining light,
His Mercy and Justice kissed.

See, He carries thee upon His arms,
Lo! He draws thee to His breast;
and there is no danger nor a harm
that may take thee from His rest!
Thou needst no more fear; He bidst thee cheer,
trav'ling through this world of strife;
and then on that Day, thy vision clear,
thou shalt pass from here to Life!

 

Praise the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Blessed Lord and God on High,
Worship Him, O Earth and Heav'nly host;
come, ye seraphs and angels, nigh;
Then with upward wing and voice now sing,
Blessing God the Three in One.
Saints around His feet all triune bring,
worship Him for vict'ries won.

- D. Benning

Click here to hear the hymn