Thomas's Thoughts
        by
     Pastor Van

Have you ever talked about someone
	(And since you had no fear)
You said some things that you hoped
	They would never hear?

I had been quite outspoken
	Before the other men
When we returned to Bethany
	With Him once again.

I was sure that they would kill Him
	Or at least they would try,
And so I suggested that we go
	And together we could die.

But when the people welcomed Him
	With shouts of Hosanna & praise,
Then once again those dreams of ours
	Our hopes began to raise.

But, when in the garden,
	He would not accept our aid,
It was then we ran in panic
	For we were all afraid.

But now that He was dead,
	Why go to the "Upper Room"?
Why listen to some idle tales
	From those who saw His tomb?

Of course, I wasn't there
	When they saw the risen Lord
And I kind of laughed at them
	And gave to them my word.

I said that I would not believe it
	(I'm sure you understand)
Until I could put my finger
	Into His nail scarred hand.

Can you know how my heart raced
	He entered the room that night
I thought it was only a vision
	And I shuddered at the sight.

Then He called me to Him
	And told me what I'd said
He offered me His nail scarred hands
	To prove that He was not dead.

I knew in that very instant
	What I had never known before.
I cried out, "My Lord and My God"
	As I knelt there on the floor.

How gently he dealt with my doubts
	He did not really blame me.
And what He did He did not do
	In order just to shame me.

For now I know that He is risen
	And you can know it to.
What He did for me that night
	He will also do for you.

So if you find it hard right now
	To believe what His friends say
Just tell Him that you need His help
	In order to trust Him and obey.

He will make Himself available
	For His Holy Spirit is here
And He will find a way to help
	And He will make it clear.

For the Christ who died at Easter time
	And rose up from the grave
Loves you and seeks you even now
	And wants your soul to save.

GHVS 3/1/97