2026 March

 

I Don't Know Much, I Do Know This

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/1/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Ecclesiastes 1

 

I don't know much, I do know this,

Ecclesiastes says.

Wisdom is sorrow; ignorance bliss,

For that was the way it was.

 

It's vanity of vanities,

We toil under the sun.

Life is full of insanities.

Generations go and come.

 

There's nothing new under the sun,

It's all been done before.

I saw all the deeds that are done,

Chasing after wind. What for?

 

I Saw Wisdom Excels Folly

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/2/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Ecclesiastes 2

 

I saw wisdom excels folly,

As light excels darkness,

Yet with things to make life jolly,

All of it is foolishness.

 

Yet I perceived that that same fate,

He falls on everyone.

The wise and fools I contemplate,

Both are dead when life is done.

 

I toiled and used all my wisdom,

I toiled under the sun.

My successor in his kingdom,

Will live off of all I’ve done.

 

What do we get for all the strain?

This makes no sense to me!

For all our days are full of pain.

This too is vanity.

 

For Everything There's a Season

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/3/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Ecclesiastes 3

 

For everything there's a season,

A time for everything.

For all, God has a good reason,

For that, let us all now sing.

 

There is a time for life and death,

A time to plant and reap.

There is a time to weep and laugh,

A time to lose and keep.

 

There is a time to gather stones,

And then time to release,

Time together and time alone,

A time for war and peace.

 

Again I Saw the Oppressions

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/4/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Ecclesiastes 4

 

Again, I saw the oppressions,

Evil deeds that are done.

They left terrible impressions,

Evil deeds under the sun.

 

Better is a handful with rest,

Than with toil, two handfuls.

All those who rest are surely blessed,

Unlike all other fools.

 

A vanity under the sun,

Are those who toil alone.

All of their toil is never done,

This too I cannot condone.

 

Two are better than one because,

They have a good reward.

It's one of nature's profound laws,

There’s strength in a threefold cord.

 

When You Go Up to the Lord's House

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/5/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Ecclesiastes 5

 

When you go up to the Lord's house,

Draw near to listen to,

God's voice, be quiet as a mouse.

Listen! Let your words be few.

 

For dreamers come with many cares,

And fools with many words,

Many petitions each one shares,

They speak like they are prayer nerds.

 

The lover of money will not,

Be satisfied with it.

All treasures in the end will rot.

Vanity is all they get.

 

This Is Vanity and an Ill

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/6/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Ecclesiastes 6

 

This is vanity and an ill,

Many children and years,

Without enjoyment, it is still,

All vanity and tears.

 

For what advantage have the wise?

In the end all have sinned.

Better is the sight of the eyes,

Then the chasing after wind.

 

The more words, the more vanity,

How better off is one?

For who can tell them, what will be,

After them, under the sun.

 

Better Is the House of Mourning

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/8/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Ecclesiastes 7

 

Better is the House of mourning,

Likewise, the day of death,

Rather than the house of feasting,

At the day of someone’s birth.

 

Sorrow is better than laughter.

Sadness makes the heart glad.

The heart of the wise seeks after,

What drives the whole world mad.

 

Do not be too quick to anger,

Deep down in your bosom.

Why were the former days better?

This does not come from wisdom.

 

Wisdom’s a good inheritance,

An advantage, you see.

Wisdom gives life and relevance,

That is good for you and me.

 

There's Not Better Under the Sun

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/8/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Ecclesiastes 8

 

There's nothing better under the sun,

Know this from wisdoms ways.

Eat and drink and enjoy life some,

As you toil through the days.

 

When all wisdom they seek to know,

And see the business done,

No one can figure out below,

What happens under the sun.

 

Those sages may toil in seeking,

What wisdom’s all about?

Those who claim to be all seeing,

Still cannot find it out.

 

God's Always There

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/8/2026

(Tune: Amazing Grace UMH 378)

for Cheri Burt Cunningham

 

When life is dark and worrisome,

And pain’s too hard to bear,

Right where you are to Jesus come.

Thank God, God's always there.

 

When you are overwhelmed by grief,

And you're filled with despair,

Just when you feel there's no relief,

Thank God, God's always there.

 

When there is nothing you can do,

Let others share their care.

God’s love, through them, will embrace you,

Thank God, God's always there.

 

When you're emotionally drained,

Then and there, say a prayer.

By God's love you'll be sustained.

Thank God, God's always there.

 

Go Eat Your Bread with Enjoyment

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/9/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Ecclesiastes 9

 

Go eat your bread with enjoyment.

Drink wine as you are fed.

Always white, shall be your garments,

With oil upon your head.

 

Enjoy life with husband or wife,

Whom you love all your days.

For that is your portion in life,

For which you toil always.

 

Whatever your hand finds to do,

Do it with all your might.

There’ll be none in Sheol for you.

All will be out of sight.

 

When Your King Is a Simpleton

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/10/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Ecclesiastes 10

 

When your king is a simpleton,

Alas for you, oh land.

When your king is on nobleman,

Happy are you, oh land.

 

All feast for strength not drunkenness,

Through sloth the roof sinks in.

Through indolence the home’s a mess.

What a world we live in!

 

Feasts and wine are made for laughter.

Money meets every need.

Watch what you say about each matter,

For you will be judged indeed.

 

Were You There (Easter Version)

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/10/2026

(Tune: Were You There UMH 288)

 

Were you there when the stone was rolled away?

Were you there when the stone was rolled away?

Oh, because it causes me to praise God. Praise God. Praise God.

God was there when the stone was rolled away!

 

Were you there with the women at the tomb?

 

Were you there when disciples were confused?

 

Were you there when Christ rose up from the dead?

 

Were you there when Christ offered us new life?

 

Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/11/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Ecclesiastes 11

 

Cast your bread upon the waters,

To you it will return.

Share your wealth with your sons and daughters,

That from you they may learn.

 

You do not know what may happen,

When on the earth clouds rain.

With sunlight the crops will ripen,

Then the harvest comes again.

 

So, banish all anxiety,

And put away all pain.

For all of life is vanity,

Over and over again.

 

Remember the Great Creator

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/11/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Ecclesiastes 12

 

Remember the great Creator,

In the days of your youth.

In none else do we have better,

The teacher speaks the truth.

 

Before all the light is darkened,

When all comes to a halt,

The world as we know it will end.

In the end it will default.

 

Hear these stark words of the preacher,

Caring little to please.

This wisdom remarks the teacher,

Vanity of vanities.

 

Through the Spirit Who Lives in You

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/12/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Romans 8

 

Through the Spirit who lives in you,

Eternal life is yours.

Peace be with you your whole life through,

Guiding you to heaven's doors.

 

Through the Spirit who lives in you,

Cause all turmoil to cease.

Let the past go, take up the new,

God bless you with grace and peace.

 

Through the Spirit who lives in you,

Like Christ, rise from the grave.

As Christ was raised, so you are too.

For you, Jesus came to save.

 

In the Story of Lazarus

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/13/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) John 11

 

In the story of Lazarus,

When he breathed his last breath,

His sister's grieved like each of us,

At their loss by his death.

 

Jesus offers a new story,

To give new life to us.

For it is all for God's glory,

When he raises Lazarus.

 

With your new life, what will you do,

 

Let God's glory come shine through you,

In the most glorious ways!

 

With Palm Branches

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/14/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Matthew 21

 

With palm branches the faithful come,

The good news to proclaim.

Hosanna to king David's son,

Lord Jesus is his name.

 

Jesus rode upon a donkey,

As the people shouted.

This was quite the sight to see,

Many cheered, but some doubted.

 

And what of us on this great day,

What is it we believe?

For Christ has come for us today,

His blessing to receive.

 

God Has Given Me a Trained Tongue

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/16/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Isaiah 50

 

God has given me a trained tongue,

That I may help sustain,

Someone who has come all undone,

Through God’s word I do proclaim.

 

Each morning God speaks in my ear,

I hear as I’ve been taught,

The word of God clearly I hear.

I proclaim God's holy thought.

 

Who then will declare me guilty,

For the word that they heard?

It is the Lord God who helps me,

To proclaim God's holy word.

 

The Teacher Wrote of Vanities

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/16/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Ecclesiastes 12

 

The teacher wrote a vanities,

As in the way we live.

The world's full of insanities,

So, what answers can we give?

 

For everything there's a season,

Life is upsidaisy,

There's so much still under the sun,

To make us a bit crazy.

 

In the end are three epilogues,

To end it completely.

With verbose lines of monologues,

To wrap it up quite neatly.

 

The Book of Ecclesiastes

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/16/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Ecclesiastes

 

The book of Ecclesiastes,

From what the author wrote,

All’s vanity of vanities,

That's what life is all about.

 

In seasons of both this and that,

It is quite plain to see,

All depends on just where you're at,

All might not be vanity.

 

With centuries of histories,

When God's always been there,

Despite the unknown mysteries,

Faith in God is what we share.

 

The Great City Is Now Lonesome

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/20/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Lamentations 1

 

The great city is now lonesome,

A most desolate site.

How like a widow she's become.

She weeps throughout the night.

 

There is no one to comfort her,

Friends now are enemies.

Upon her cheek there is a tear,

For all of her tragedies.

 

Judah has gone into exile,

As prisoners of war.

In shock they now live in denial,

Their glory is no more.

 

All People of Daughter Zion

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/23/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Lamentations 2

 

All people of daughter Zion,

Cry aloud to the Lord.

Let tears stream down like a torrent.

Let wailing be out forward.

 

Arise and cry out in the night.

To God pour out your heart.

Before the presence of the Lord,

Pray that relief will start.

 

The young and the old are lying,

On the ground in the streets.

Our young women and our young men,

Are enslaved by life's defeats.

 

I Have Forgotten Happiness

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/24/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Lamentations 3

 

I have forgotten happiness.

My glory is all gone.

My heart is filled with bitterness.

My anguish goes on and on.

 

Bitter thoughts of my homelessness,

Is both wormwood and gall.

My faith gives to me hopefulness,

In God the Lord of all.

 

God's steadfast love never ceases.

God's mercy never ends.

As the morning light increases,

The dark the Lord upends.

 

The Sacred Stones Now Scattered Lie

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/25/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Lamentations 4

 

The sacred stones now scattered lie,

At the head of the street.

Pure gold is changed, made worthless by,

Mass destruction and defeat.

 

The precious children of Zion,

Worth their weight in gold,

Have nothing left to rely on,

All is naught if truth be told.

 

Those who ate life's delicacies,

Now perish in the streets.

Those who basked in life's luxuries,

Now cling to the ash heaps.

 

Remember, Lord, What Has Been Done

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/25/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57) Lamentations 5

 

Remember, Lord, what has been done.

You can see our disgrace.

Our world has now been overrun.

Foreigners now rule this place.

 

Against you our ancestors sinned,

And now they are no more.

On us iniquities are pinned,

For transgressions done before.

 

Restore us to yourself, O Lord.

May your face will you behold.

Finally, may we be restored.

Renew our days as of old.

 

It Was Still Dark

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/26/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57)

 

It was still dark on that Sunday.

The dew lay on the ground.

Mary discovered a mystery,

When they empty tomb she found.

 

She quickly then ran to Peter,

To tell what she had found.

He and John could not believe her.

Off to the tomb they were bound.

 

John arrived 1st and he believed.

Peter looked all around.

The clothes were there, but they perceived,

No body would be found.

 

Mary was there when Jesus came,

Because she's stuck around.

When Jesus called her by her name,

She was moved by that sound.

 

Early on That Easter Morning

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/27/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57)

 

Early on that Easter morning,

While all the others slept,

Despite Mary's grief and mourning,

Slowly to the tomb she stepped.

 

By the dawn's light she did perceive,

The stone was rolled away.

And so, the worst, she did believe,

There must have been some foul play.

 

To the disciples she did run,

For them to come and see,

But they might know what had been done,

And solve the mystery.

 

On Easter Christians Celebrate

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/27/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57)

 

On Easter Christians celebrate,

Christ triumph over death.

Our dry bones do resuscitate,

As we breathe in each new breath.

 

This is a glorious holiday,

As death gives way to life.

We believe we can live the way,

That leads to eternal life.

 

The Day Began with the Darkness

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/30/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57)

 

The day began with the darkness,

Before the world arose.

Mary came despite her sadness,

And her world was transposed.

 

It was not as it was before,

The stone was rolled away.

And life would change forever more,

Because of Easter day.

 

Not she, nor the disciples who,

Came running to the grave,

Yet understood what Christ did do,

Through death new life He gave.

 

Whether Sunlight or Cloudy Skies

                                  Jeffrey B. Childs 3/31/2026

(Tune: Azmon UMH 57)

 

Whether sunlight or cloudy days,

When Easter morning breaks,

In God almighty our faith lies,

When new life God awakes.

 

The past is past, life begins new,

In Christ resurrection.

With faith in God what might we do?

Take time in reflection.

 

This is the day the Lord has made,

And with it blesses you.

Whether in sunlight or in shade,

Do all the good you can do.