"Passing the Torch,"

Tribute to Stadem Aunts and Uncles

by a Grateful Nephew, Ronald Ginther

DEDICATED TO STADEM-LINE COUSINS

Aunts and uncles--faithful souls!--

Have taught us how to reach our goals.

The years have touched their hair with gray,

And taken some of it away.

Their steps, once so firm and strong,

Now fade like strains of ending song.

What is that gold on them I see?

It seems to shine eternally.

Round each runner soon to part,

God sheds glory from His heart.

'Tis good to think of those who've gone

Ahead of us in this our race.

At the finish they passed on

The Torch of Faith that is life's base.

Arthur, Bob, were first to go,

But they won crowns while still both young.

They flew together, high and low,

But "Christ is Lord" these lives had sung.

Carl was a gentle man,

Southern-style, with his smile.

Grace ran with him, hand in hand,

He was a victor every mile.

Tom joined Plain View late in life,
Always quiet amid life's strife.

Steady, kind, and, oh so true!

He had a sense of humor too!

Russell was our noble knight.

Complete in Christ, Truth's sword held tight.

He charged at darkness with Christ's light

And always served the cause of right.

Bill shared his Savior everywhere.

And gave his family loving care.

Mercy was his special gift,

He knew just how to give a lift.

The men did well, as you can see,

And Myrtle, too, ran faithfully.

Her love for Jesus burned like fire.

She praised the Lord right to the wire!

Bernice walked the race straight through

With dignity and hard work too.

Complete in Christ, she won her crown

Without once tripping on her gown!

But now the torch is drawing near,

At fingertips, it's almost ours!

Yet let us take it without fear,

We follow One who broke Hell's bars.

He's promised to run with US too,

Just so we keep Him in plain view.

Nothing else must take His place,

Until He greets us, Face to face.

What does the Torch of Faith entail?

What does it mean? What will it do?

Will old roads we've known avail?

Or will God lead us from Plain View?

Whither, Lord, that you may lead,

We must be willing to set out.

It may seem rough, our feet may bleed,

But cast down all our fear and doubt.

It's only certain, we can't hold

Onto Plain View ways of old.

We must set out, in faith that's bold

To forge new life with a new mold.

************

The Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.--Deut. 3:6

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. --I Cor. 9:24

Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee, whithersoever thou goest. --Josh. 1:9

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. --Hebrews 12:1

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth. --Psalm 121:8

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. --Hebrews 11:8

By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. --Psalm 11:29

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest anyone should boast.

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