06 Friday Sep 2019
Oh God, what if –
I were to You obey –
With all my life, through all my days,
endure my cross, obey Your will,
regardless the pain or strife I feel
Bear humiliations and sorrow’s
cold breath
Brave disgrace and live bereft
Face the choice of a martyr’s short, short life
Just to live my life for Christ?
12 Friday Jul 2019
Posted in Fiction, From the Heart: Poetry, FYA, Just Poems & Prayers, Love, Short Story
(A short story by Steven R. Harrel)
Tom pulled Joe up eye to eye and said to his face, “Joe, I’m ordering you to take me to Shire; it’s of the utmost importance!”
“Yes sirs, Mister Tom.”
“I means, yes Sirs Captain Tom sir”. Joe just shrugged his shoulders and then left the powder-cart on the side of the road. “Comes dhis a way Captain, we haves ta go up dhat dhere road to reach Shire”. Joe points up the road to where many of the refugees were heading.
As Tom and Joe began walking towards Shire, the Sergeant intercepted them, inquiring with his deep Southern accent, “Pardon me Sir!” The sergeant salutes Tom, “May I ask where you’re takin’ my Powder-Nigger?”
At first, Tom was offended, even set-back by the callused manner in which the sergeant referred to Joe; still, after a moment’s thought he remembered when and where he and Joe were. Tom replied, “I have need of this nigger, Sergeant! You will get someone else to resupply your powder cart. Is that understood?” Continue reading
09 Tuesday Jul 2019
Posted in Fiction, From the Heart: Poetry, FYA, Just Poems & Prayers, Love, Short Story
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Pa pushed Tom back into the barber’s chair. “Now sits still so I can finish shavin ya, boy. Ya can’t goes no-wheres till I’s done and finished”.
It was all Tom could do to sit still while Mr. White finished his shave. When Pa finally lifted the barber’s cloth and brushed him off, Tom felt he had to look to Pa’s scrinchie face for approval before getting up. Pa just nodded; then and only then did Tom spring from the chair and dash to the window.
Pulling his arms back to avoid Tom’s quick extrication, Pa raised his voice, “Boy, you’s wound tighter dan an ole Timex. You’d better settles yourselfs down fors you gives yourself a correlary.” Continue reading
04 Thursday Jul 2019
Posted in Fiction, From the Heart: Poetry, FYA, Just Poems & Prayers, Love, Uncategorized
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(A short story by Steven R. Harrel)
Though not surprising, neither Tom nor Nancy could find Shire on any Alabama State map. Nancy did remember her grandmother saying Shire was in the back hills of Southern Alabama, somewhere near or south of Montgomery where her great‑grandmother’s daddy was buried after the Civil War. So, Montgomery Alabama would be Tom’s starting destination.
For the next few days, Tom traveled the highways and back-roads with that Erie voice echoing in his mind. He couldn’t quite shake the overwhelming feeling of being guided by some other-than-natural force. While driving Tom dared not touch the watch in his pocket for fear it could spell disaster, Tom did however clutch the watch to his chest each night before falling asleep.
Tom was three long days on the road before he finally pulled up to the Courthouse in Montgomery Alabama. The pillars at the front of the Municipal-Building made the structure look almost palatial. Continue reading
01 Monday Jul 2019
Posted in Fiction, From the Heart: Poetry, FYA, Just Poems & Prayers, Love
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Part Three
(A short story by Steven R. Harrel)
Suddenly, as Tom’s fingers brush the old timepiece, Tom swoons and falls back into his chair. In his head, at what seemed something akin to a great distance, Tom hears a liquid voice, “You must be filled before she can be healed!” The voice echoed several times and then faded into his soul…
Nancy catches Tom before he falls out of the chair, “What’s the matter Thomas! Are you all right?”
Clutching the watch, Tom’s mind clears as he finds himself looking down at the old timepiece in a trembling hand. As if bitten Tom drops the watch on the table and backs away. “You didn’t hear that” Tom’s exclaims? Continue reading
29 Saturday Jun 2019
Posted in Fiction, From the Heart: Poetry, FYA, Just Poems & Prayers, Love
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(A short story by Steven R. Harrel)
“Oh my God! Oh my God, no!” Nancy’s cries stung as she buried herself in Tom’s chest. “What about my babies” Nancy wept? What are we going to do about my Shana and Danny?
Tom envelops his wife attempting to shield her from the world of pain. Deflated he turns pleading eyes on his friend. “There has to be something Freddy. There just has to be something we can do?”
“Not That I’m aware of Tom. There’s not even an experimental drug or treatment program available, and I’ve looked. Continue reading
25 Tuesday Jun 2019
Posted in Fiction, From the Heart: Poetry, FYA, Hope, Just Poems & Prayers, Love
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(A short story by Steven R. Harrel)
Dusk settles over the sleepy little western town of Williams, Arizona; light fades as a cold northerly sweeping down Billy William’s Mountain bringing a chill to the already cool night air.
Dr. Frederick Anderson, family physician and friend, shares the long awaited test results in whispered tones, “The prognosis is grim, Nancy.” Continue reading
18 Tuesday Jun 2019
Posted in Faith, From the Heart: Poetry, FYA, Just Poems & Prayers, Love, Without Love
In the temple of our human souls stands an altar of solid unblemished gold
Where polished and burnished, flawless and without seams,
Our hearts are revealed both young and old while living out illusionary themes,
And though without question our hearts are not empty,
They are filled with visions of our deeds, our lives, our desires of flesh.
Yet our living souls in perfect image – where no other can truly read – nor gaze.
It is a place of grand communion – a temple impossible for another soul to brave.
Neither father nor mother nor lover or friend can share this great chasm
Or its unobtainable great seat,
For only Jesus our Savior, Jesus our friend can commune with our soul in our lives without end.
This unique human place where God and human soul can chance meet,
Where God can become friend and our soul He can mend,
Beyond treasure, beyond prize in our short diminutive lives,
Christ abiding in the Temple of our Souls as Bridegroom with Bride,
Friend and befriended, alive and ever alive.
By Steven R. Harrel Finished 6/18/2019
07 Friday Jun 2019
Posted in From the Heart: Poetry, FYA, Hearing God's Voice, Just Poems & Prayers, Love, True Life
I’ve been married for more than 40 years and have grown through many echoes of life, especially as a married man.
Sometimes you just have to laugh through the pain because the joy of marriage is on the other side of the table from you.
I was laughing through my tears,
From a distance I drew you near.
Though I hate and love you so;
Please just stay when you should go.
By Steven R. Harrel 6/6/2014
IN 1977 the Lord spoke to me when I was posted at Fort Hood, Texas and told me to return to Phoenix where I would find Pam. The Lord told me to remove any and all obstacles and marry that sometimes annoying woman.
I can’t say I’ve always been glad she listened that day but I’m always glad I listened.
Marriage, like life is a journey. Choose your companions well. 
16 Tuesday Apr 2019
Posted in From the Heart: Poetry, FYA, Hope, Just Poems & Prayers, Love
The beauty of my woman is found not in the fit of her clothes, nor the application of her cosmetics.
It matters not how plaited her hair or the fall of it upon her shoulders
Neither does the color of her hair matter, nor the smoothness of her beautiful skin.
All these fail to show the real beauty of who she has become to me. Continue reading
