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GOSSIP TOWN

Have you ever heard of Gossip Town, On the shores of Falsehood Bay? Where Old Dame Rumor, with rustling gown, Is going the live-long day. It isn't far to Gossip Town For people who want to go; The Idleness Train will take you down In just an hour or so. The Thoughtless Road is the popular route, And most people go that way. But it's steep down-grade; if you don't watch out, You will land in Falsehood Bay. You glide through the Valley of Vicious Talk And into the Tunnel of Hate; Then, crossing the Add-To Bridge, you walk Right into the City Gate. The principal street is called "They Say", And "I've Heard" is the public well; And the breezes that blow from Falsehood Bay Are laden with "Don't you tell." In the midst of the town is Tell-Tale Park; You are never quite safe while there, For it's owner is Madam Suspicious Remark, Who lives on the street of "Don't Care." Just back of the park is Slanderer's Row; `Twas there that Good Name died, Pierced by a shaft from Jealous' Bow, In the hand of Envious Pride. From Gossip Town, Peace long since fled; But Trouble and Grief and Woe And Sorrow and Care you'll meet instead, If ever you chance to go. Submitted by Otis Rainwater

Dear Lord, help me to place my life - all of my life - before you as an offering. Let me be a living sacrifice, knowing that it's the most worshipful way I can live my life. I realize, though, that the tendency of living sacrifices is to crawl off the altar. Keep me there, Lord. On that altar, keep me totally surrendered to you. May that sacrifice provide daily nourishment to the body of Christ, giving a blessing in place of curse, forgiveness in place of revenge, peace in place of strife. And may those small, sacrificial acts of worship change me from inside out. Amen.

(From a church bulletin) Submitted by Bette Jones