"We Three Boys"

We three boys of captivity
Loving God, we chose not to eat
Pepp’ry spices, sacrifices
Refused the idol meat

 O God our savior, God of might
 Lord with royal beauty bright!
 Ever speaking, still repeating
 Thy Word to our ears’ delight!

Soon the king announced he was proud:
Work of gold, demanded we bow
Fiery furnace, he would burn us
Still we did not go down

 O God our savior, God of might
 Lord with royal beauty bright!
 Ever speaking, still repeating
 Thy Word to our ears’ delight!

King afraid, he begged us recant
Fearing God, we declared, “We can’t”
Angry sire: “Stoke the fire!
Live longer? No they shan’t!”

 O God our savior, God of might
 Lord with royal beauty bright!
 Ever speaking, still repeating
 Thy Word to our ears’ delight!

Bold the king, he sat back and beamed
Three went in but four men were seen
“They’re deserving, yet not burning!”
Pondering what this means:

 “O God their savior, God of might
 Hebrews’ God is surely right
 Ever speaking, still they’re preaching
 His Word is believers’ life!”

These three youths of legend and more
Legacy we shall not ignore
Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego
Proclaiming Christ is Lord!

 O God our savior, God of might
 Lord with royal beauty bright!
 Ever speaking, still repeating
 Thy Word to our ears’ delight!

---

adapted from "We Three Kings"
John Henry Hopkins, Jr. (1857)

"O Beautiful"

O beautiful in Heaven’s light,
How can we be with You?
For contrast us with holiness
There’s nothing we can do!
Jesus the Christ! Jesus the Christ!
You took our sin away!
You nailed it to a rugged cross
And gave us a new day!

O beautiful Thy sacrifice,
Thou perfect lamb of peace:
Gave up your life and forgave us,
Revoking satan’s lease!
Jesus the Christ! Jesus the Christ!
Redeemer of the lost!
And come quickly to claim thy Bride,
Those ransomed at great cost!

O beautiful Thou holy Lord,
We worship Thee above,
For wonder and in gratitude
Your everlasting love!
Jesus the Christ! Jesus the Christ!
God shed His grace through Thee
And crown thy brow with righteousness
From birth to victory!

---

adapted from "America the Beautiful"
Katharine Lee Bates (1895)

"Caught In The Act"

I found myself needing him
Never thought we’d fall to sin
He embraced me
Then disgraced me
And left me alone again

I started to sob
Then came an angry mob
Broke down the doors
Dragged me on floors
Even kids began to cod:

 “Married, married!
 Quite contrary!
 How d’you like the taste of stone?”

Postponing the task,
They pause to ask:
“Worthy teacher,
How would Moses reach her?”
Strain to see thro’ teary mask

Ignoring my hurt,
He draws in the dirt
Now he rises
Sees their disguises?
“The sinless may throw first”

 (Glaring, staring)
 Stones they carried
 One by one they drop, echo

I am shocked
I was not rocked!
He looks me in the eye
“None to condemn, nor shall I”
True love unblocked

He turns to leave
I long to cleave
Stops at the door,
“Go. Sin no more.”
I am, of shame, relieved

"Time To Die"

Belligerent
Anti-
Roman
Activist

Blood boiling

BLUDGEON!

Anger
Satiated

Caught
Slammer

Tried
Guilty
Convicted
Sentenced

Time to die

Realization
Not really God’s will
Time to die
Not ready
Sorry

Forgive?
Pardon?
Please God!

Sorry!

Need a priest—
Need a lamb!

Who is that?
Governor questioning
No response
Silent before accusers

Not like me
Not at all

Governor questions
Crowd this time

They shout my name
What was the question?

“CRUCIFY!”

Time to die
Not ready

Soldier approaches
Sneering and smirking
Raises fist
Jingle of keys?

Hands unbound
Shoved down hall
Pushed out door

Bright sunlight
Blinding

But now I see
I am pardoned
I am free
He took my place

"Interview Answers"

Enough
Thirty-seven
As much wood as he could
Seventy-seven inches
No
Yes
Not likely
Usually not
Depends on the size of the swimming pool
Glue (and bubblegum)