David dwelt in the strongholds of En Gedi
This oasis of water and wine
Cutting off a corner of Saul’s robe
David fled until God’s time

Traveling by the Dead Sea
We don’t see its importance
Minerals mined all the time
This place looks like a waste

Just a place to travel from
Only a spa to most
Through the years a special place
Now it probably won’t register on our mind

Look close, smell the eggs, see the death
After that day fishermen will line the banks
The water will flow fresh and alive
We have seen the place as Ezekiel saw in his vision

Israel is alive with the Word of God
All around we can see His face
This is His place and we are here
The Lord is speaking to us and He is near

Clay Corvin
3/20/08

Look around
What do you see?
Does any one think of you?
Are you loved?
Does anyone care?

You are the one called to care
It begins with you
Care for others, they need you
Jesus said people need love
Christ called you

Love is an action
It’s what we do
Not an emotion that will see us thru
Get busy and love, people need you
Jesus said love one another

The Lord wasn’t kidding
He spoke so plain
People need love in Jesus name
Love the unlovely
We are charged to care

Clay Corvin 2/29/08

Expect the best each breath you take
Honor God with your life
Build a life that stands by faith
Jesus will guide your day

Christ is in control
Not waiting for our okay
He knows our ins and outs
Jesus is always the same

Fear is not an option
His presence gives us strength
So we can walk with eyes of faith
We see His promises coming our way

Others see the stand you take
They see His strength in you
This encourages them to see
Jesus will see us through

Claiming all that Christ can give
Requires our daily focus
Grabbing hold of all His Word
Praising His presence in us

Honor God with your life
His promises are never old
Walk His way each moment, each day
Discouragement will run away

Expect the best each breath you take
Your life belongs to Christ
He will live inside of you
His life no fear can shake

Clay Corvin
February 8, 2008

I’m sitting here in New Orleans; you will be back soon
Surrounded by pictures of history, my history in Rome
I rejoice in them, they bless me at unscheduled times
Some of you are in them and now you’ve done Rome again

I remember and rejoice with you; it is an absolute treat
To walk and talk and listen; to the sounds on Roman streets
We walked from the Coliseum; to the Wedding Cake
Everyone rejoiced; see the way the sunlight streams through the trees

We learn a lot from travel; it is college on the hoof
Seeing how the world changes; and yet is still the same
The challenges are many; I relish each one
Time often stands still; until the trip is done

Tomorrow will be another day; who knows what will be
The pictures I have taken; will stay and comfort me
They hold precious memories; wonderful friends
Pictures of Rome enable me to live this trip again

Clay Corvin
1/10/08

I love the morning at the Lancelot, walking out the gate to the street
Turning left and seeing the Coliseum, strong, old, used
The picture is commanding, uplifting, and controls the sky
Just a few blocks from where I’m standing thousands of people died

I like the sense of space; everything seems so calm
Two thousand years ago, gladiators trained here, and plied their trade
Now there are restaurants, stores, homes, hotels, normal things
I can feel the energy in the air; now I’m headed to the sights

Thinking about where we are and what we are doing requires us to stop and focus
We are finishing an Italian tour, still some things to do, but what an experience
We have so many pictures, emotions, and bits of history tumbling in our heads
Today we will remember and grab hold of these waning hours

Fellowship with friends is sweet, especially at meals and on trains
Thoughts for now and then are important to keep
We will take in all of Rome and add Venice and Florence
And soon when we are gone we will remember walking out the gate to the street

Clay Corvin
1/9/08

We are traveling through Italy in a very short time; we’ve seen history in a capsule
Yet it has touched us as we’ve walked Venetian streets, canals everywhere
History has put its hand on our shoulder as we’ve reveled in the Renaissance
Now we turn our thoughts back to Rome, our home on this trip

So many things to love in Rome, this eternal city, more than 2,700 years old
In the middle the Catholic Church, unlike any, amazing history, powerful
But we aren’t seeking power; we are enjoying Rome, this precious place
The Lancelot beckons, fellowship meals, and the secrets Carla will unfold

Three more days to see histories ways, in Rome, with our hearts full and feet weary
The day will unfold our return on the train and walks in pastel streets, I love them
Pictures to take and buildings to wake, I am going to see all I can in Rome
For too soon, we will be gone, back to home, our beloved home and not in Rome

Clay Corvin
1/8/08

JIMMY

Friendship is descriptive of him, gives his all to others, he is a friend of God
A servant complete, living at Jesus feet, powerful in God’s Word
Bending his knee to be heard, humility is a trait, kindness is his way

Biblical scholar seeking to help others grow in the Christ and His Word
Teaching as one who knows Jesus personally, sacrificing his life for Christ
His journey consistent as one who is faithful and true

His family central to his life, a wife dearly beloved
Two Godly sons he lives close to, they love him and he loves them
A man who is an example that can be followed, teachable and good

His life had so many options, yet he was always faithful in Christ
Choosing to be the one God could use, walking with Jesus each day
His journey continues, Christ is his Lord, Jesus guides his way

Clay Corvin
1/8/08

DON

An attorney of note, capable and strong, well known and honest
Wise as a lawyer, wise as a child of God, he serves the Lord in all he does
Committing his practice to Christ, his work for the Lord a major part of his life

Loving parent with many kids, more grandchildren than is easy to count
Loves each one, devoted to his wife, a privilege to see what the Lord has done
In this life committed to family and the Son, Jesus is the center for him

There is a joy in his life, he freely gives to all, and includes others in
Gentle and strong, wise and able, quick to fix a wrong
He is the kind of man who gives all of his self to Christ

A legal eagle, an eagle for Christ, strong in sacrifice
Giving his time, giving his life, in pursuit of the Lord’s way
His life is valuable to Jesus, he gives of himself each day

Clay Corvin
1/8/08

William (Bill)

He is a scholar of world renown, and known as a pastor by friends
Serving Jesus in every area of his life, a committed son of the King

His heart is strong, he loves Jesus and shows by everything he does
Beloved by students, a teacher of note, he gives all he has to God

Searching the details, he works with the Word, developing learning texts
Patient and caring, he works his way, to teach others Christ’s way

Godly husband, loving parent, a family closely knit
He is committed to doing God’s best with each opportunity he gets

Faithful in his heart, at home and work, his life aligned with Christ
Strength in his journey, the Lord has his heart

Clay Corvin
1/8/08

STAN

We are honored to know this quiet man, one of God’s beloved ones
Organized in all he does, faithful in his work and life
Hard worker, good husband, loving parent, a person to be admired

Each day seeking to serve, his heart is molded by Jesus
He is thoughtful of others, and kind to all
Helpful, loyal and trustworthy

What a joy to see his life, the way the Lord uses him
A man without evil or strife, open and patient in Christ
His life is a testimony to the activity of God in us

Clay Corvin
1/08/08

ROBERT

A man with a swagger, committed to Christ, a hard working servant
Competent, and quiet, quick to serve and never quits
Great skills surrendered and sacrificed, Jesus is his life

Faithful, loving husband, committed to his wife
Loving parent, close to his children all their life
A man refined by Jesus, caring and strong, a giving life

Wise in his work, able and kind, Jesus always on his mind
Thoughtful, patient and quiet, he does not demand the spotlight
His life in Christ is a blue print that yields a Godly life

Clay Corvin
1/8/08

Throughout my life, I turn to God, King, Father and Lord
He hears me as I seek His face, His comfort indwells my soul
He speaks to me of daily things, reminding me we are all important
Calling me to account for love, His presence commands my view

All of life is in His sight, nothing is hidden from Him
He came to us as Jesus Christ, so we could see and hear
A life lived pure, and a death so sure, the Cross is calling me
To live a life of surrender and care so Jesus can be seen in me

Throughout my life, I’ve turned to God, King, Father and Lord
His hand of strength is on my life, His calling is assured
We bend our knee, we give our time, He is looking at us
His words are inscribed in His wondrous life-Salvation in Jesus is sure

Clay Corvin
1/7/08

Florence just ahead, once a Roman camp
Built on the Via Cassia, to connect with Rome
Now the Duomo crowns its architectural skyline
Florence before the Renaissance was just a place to move

Then it came, that moment in time when people and events crossed
All of Europe looked to Florence for brilliance blossomed there
The statute of David, the Academia, so many things
Florence was happening, the Medici’s wanted to run things

Now we’ve walked the streets and heard the lore
A city of beauty that offers much more
A love hate relationship with the Arno
Ponte Vecchio guarding the central shore

Lives can be like that, beautiful on the outside but old
We can live in what we think is perfect control, then one day
It all changes in the flickering of an eye, the world is that kind of place
You and I were born to die, this is a truth we cannot deny

The journey is up to us, we can follow the world and its lust
We can change and follow Jesus, putting others first
The joy of life is what we give, the more we give the more we have
The results of a life well lived is made up of people to whom we give

Clay Corvin
1/7/08

Riding on a railroad train, passing thru the vale
All around I see the things, the Lord has made so well
The world is such a lovely place, yet evil often appears
Those who ride these rails with me are special, Jesus cares

Special in a literal sense, kindness, charm and warmth
Special in an eternal sense, each made with care and grace
All around we see His work, some now old and grey
We know Him and He knows us, His sacrifice paid our way

Jesus calls each one of us, to love those that He made
A simple choice for us to make, His house rule to be obeyed
The choice of love is urgent, the world needs love so much
Jesus calls us to His way, His love an action we take

Clay Corvin
1/6/08