My Cup Runs Over

Oh Lord, when I feel sorriest

For all that I don’t own,
Please remind me of the grace
That you have always shown.

I have a life so bountiful,

My cup splashes the rim;
The feast of life you have prepared
Is far from sparse and grim.

I’m safe and warm in my own home,

There’s food upon my plate,
And when I’m feeling loneliness,
Your love spills forth in spate.

So I will not dwell on my lack,

Instead I’ll make the choice
To count the blessings in my life
Which cause me to rejoice!

Psalm 23: 5

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

An Enduring Song

It’s true; I’m just a little voice
Singing a simple song.
My voice will disappear in time,
Its echoes won’t last long.

But he who came to bring your word,

Sang a lasting refrain,
And long after the sun has died
Its blessings will remain.

I listen in the early dawn

And when the sun is gone
To hear the song that he began
Echoing on and on.

Psalm 72:17

May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.

Psalm 23:4

Though worries hover round me, Lord,

I will not fear at all,
For you are always by my side;
You answer when I call.

Though all my fears assail me, Lord,

I’ll raise them up to you.
You comfort me in times of grief,
Your love will see me through.

So let me not look back in fear

When life lies up ahead.
Help me turn from my useless fears
And look to you instead.

Psalm 23:4

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

No Darkness on Earth

However black the night may be,

The dawn will still return.

There is no darkness formed on earth

Through which His light can’t burn.

So, when the demons of your fears

Beset you in the night,

Deny them power to dismay;

Rebuke them with His light.

Pearls of Great Value

The rain had melted all my joy,

It swept the bed in whirls,
But in its wake it left a gift…
Bright blossoms decked in pearls.

Each pearl a rich reminder that

The rain is not a curse,
For rain blesses the earth with life;
Without it, things get worse!!

Please help me recognize the pearls

That sometimes slip my view,
You know, the ones that look misplaced,
But really came from you.

Matthew 13:45

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

A Perfected Reflection

I’m not the best friend out there, Lord,
I’m not the kindest heart.
I’m not a scholar of your word,
I can’t think where to start.

I’m not the servant I should be,

I cringe at each hard task.
I fall asleep in mid prayer,
I thank less than I ask.

I have these faults, and many more,

I’m flawed as I can be,
I wonder if even a trace
Of you reflects in me,

Yet still, you turn your face to me,

You look into my soul,
And find a love reflected there
That makes what’s broken whole.

I Will Seek Your Face

The world was dark, the rain swept through

And all hope had fled out of view.
My heart told me to call to you;
You loving grace came shining through.

Psalm 27:8
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face! ”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.

Fierce Dreams

I raise my wings and dream of flight,

I’ll rise upon the wind
And soar beyond my wildest dreams,
Beyond the world’s end.

I may be small, but I am fierce

In dreaming of my flight,
For I can never fly beyond
Your protective sight.

Though I may rush into the dawn

Or sweep across the sea,
I can’t out fly the loving grace
With which you guide me.

Psalm 139:9-10

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

Between Heartbeats

Today has been a crazy blur

And everything passed by so fast.
Before it ends I must find time
That I can spend with you at last.

I need to step back from the rush,

And take some time to just be still;
Let the world slip out of focus
So I can focus on your will.

In the silence between heartbeats,

Where you wait patiently for me,
I can hear what you are saying
And grow to be who I should be.

Long Days of Light

The longest day has come and gone,

They’ll grow shorter from here,
But darkness is still far away,
While long days linger near.

There are still many days ahead

When light will fill the sky.
There is no need to rush the dark.
It will come by and by.

So, while the days are filled with light,

I’ll greet them with a smile
And let thoughts of the darker days
Wait elsewhere for a while.

For you are master of the light

And darkness holds no fear,
Neither in the summer light nor
The dark half of the year.

2 Samuel 23:4

He is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’

Gratitude

In the blessings all around me,

Oh Lord, I see your hand,
And I’m grateful for the bounty
That flows at your command.

Psalm 36:8

They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.

A Leap of Faith

 

A leap of faith’s a simple thing,

You say a prayer and go.
What is harder done, by far,
Is knowing if it’s so.
Is this a leap I want to make,
Or is this leap for you?
I’m so afraid it’s just a whim,
I don’t know what to do.
I don’t want hesitation to
Imply my faith is small,
But if it’s just a vain impulse
Then I won’t jump at all.
Oh Lord, please help me recognize
If I should leap or stay.
Just let me know which way to go
And I’ll be on my way!

I Lift My Eyes To You

Oh Lord, I lift my eyes to you,

For I am torn by pain,
But I know your redeeming love
Will make me whole again.
 
Oh Lord I lift my eyes to you,
For I am lost in sin,
And only through your saving grace
Can my soul ever win.

Oh Lord, I turn my eyes to you,

I live within your grace,
And I will seek you constantly
Until I see your face.

Isaiah 51:6

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.

You Watch Over Me

I never fear that I am lost,

For you watch over me.
I cannot stray into someplace
Too dark for you to see.
As long as I am in your care,
I’m safe as I can be.
Though troubles may obscure my sight,
You’re watching over me.

Job 10:12

You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.

Make A Joyful Noise

Sing with me, friend, a song of delight,

Raise to the Lord your voice.

For He is father of all the earth

And taught us to rejoice.

Praise Him, who formed us in his image,

Raise to the Lord your voice.

For He has filled us with loving grace

And taught us to rejoice.

Psalm 98:4

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

Did I Hear You Call?

Was that you speaking to me, Lord?

I thought I heard you call,
But I’m too busy for a chat.
I have no time at all.

I have the chores to finish up,

The dish washing to do,
But as soon as I have a chance
I’ll have that chat with you.

All of my errands have piled up,

The lawn could use a mow,
But when I have all those things done
We’ll have that talk, you know.

What’s that you say? Those things will wait?

I hadn’t thought it through,
But now that you mention it, Lord,
I’d rather talk to you.

I get so caught up in the day,

In getting it all done,
That I forget my list should start
With YOU as number one!

Luke 10: 40 -42

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
 
 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,  but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Joshua 1:9

Lift up your heart in confidence,

Do not fear what you’ll face,
For I have told you to go forth.
You’ll walk within my grace.

Do not let your fears weigh you down,

Rise up and carry on,
For I am with you where you go.
I’ll stay til all fear’s gone.

Although the winds may buffet you,

Remember my command,
For they will never blow so strong
They toss you from my hand.

Joshua 1:9

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Matthew 3: 11

If all the powers of the earth

Were at my beck and call
There still would be so many things
I couldn’t do at all

There are some things that need your touch

For which I have no cure,
But you can heal them with a thought.
You’ve proven that for sure.

And though I wash my body clean

With waters of the earth,
It’s only through your baptism
That I will know rebirth.

So I will live as you have asked,

To do such as I can,
But I’ll leave you the greater task
Of healing mortal man.

Matthew 3:11

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Still in My Cocoon

She started life as just a worm,

Condemned to scorn and shame,
But you designed her to be more.
And so, more she became.

The hidden place where she transformed

Allowed her to be free
To take the form of perfection
That you knew she would be.

And when she burst forth from that shell

She spread her wings to dry
And showed the world a precious grace
Born in her maker’s eye.

I too am like that butterfly,

Though still a chrysalis,
I’m learning that God formed in me
A gift I can’t dismiss.

My beauty is not in my wings,

But in my servant’s heart,
And I know that it’s stronger now
Than it was at the start.

Oh thank you, Lord, for my cocoon

And for this time to grow.
Help me to be the better me
That you already know.

I know that my wings aren’t yet dry

But someday Lord, I know I’ll fly

Jeremiah 1:5

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Friendships Blossom

Friendship can bloom so quietly,

One day it’s just a sprout,
And then, before you realize,
A flower blossoms out.

I thought that I was all alone

Upon an empty vine,
Until another bloom appeared
Flowering next to mine.

And then a dozen joyful buds

Burst through the leafy green,
Reminding me that I have friends
That I have never seen.
 

So I will blossom where I am

And watch my friendships grow,
For I can hardly wait to meet
The friends I don’t yet know!

By Teaching We Learn

Let me teach others how to sing

That I might learn the song
Let me help others find the way
So I learn right from wrong
Let me show others how to praise
With all that thanks can bring
Let me plant love in others hearts
That mine will learn to sing

Colossians 3:16

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

For Where Your Treasure Is

It is often said of mankind
Our wealth lies with our heart
Be sure your treasure is well placed
Before counting can start:

Count your gains instead of your pains

Count your joys instead of your toys
Count your health instead of your wealth
Count your worth instead of your girth
Count your smiles instead of your miles
Count your kisses instead of your misses
Count your goals instead of your tolls
Count your measure instead of your treasure
Count your praise instead of your days
Count your years instead of your tears
Count your breath instead of your death

Be sure when counting all your wealth

That God, too, gets his share
For it is only through his love
That we have wealth to spare.

Matthew 6:21

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Still Life

I’m like that moment, stuck in time,

Captured within its frame;
Though it seems on the edge of life,
Each day it’s just the same.

The ocean’s waves will hit the shore

If one but waits a while.
The flock will burst up from the sand,
The sun will set in style.

Yet when you next look at the frame

The sun is still not down,
The birds still frolic on the shore,
The waves froth at their crown.

I’m learning to be still in life,

To handle it with grace.
I’m learning to find beauty in
Life at a slower pace.

The flocks rest gently on the shore

Beside the quiet sea.
The sun sets joyfully each night.
They teach stillness to me.

Psalm 89:9

You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.

Though I Am Small

Oh Lord, though I am very small,

My worries are so great
And though I try to hold them back
The flood will not abate.
I know that I can face them, Lord,
And do what I must do,
But let me hide beneath your wing
And rest awhile in you.

Psalm 143:9

Rescue me from my enemies, LORD, for I hide myself in you.

Psalm 63:8

I’m clinging by a thread today,
A thread I hope won’t break.
I’ve listened and I’ve had to take

About all I can take.

I know that you uphold me, Lord,
And you offer me strength,
But I feel like my slender thread
Is stretched beyond full length.

If I should just let go and fall

I don’t think I’ll survive,

So I’ll hold on with all my might,

And strength, from you, derive.

Psalm 63:8

I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.

My Silent Prayer

I wait in silence to find you,

Still, in the morning air.

I listen to my beating heart

And realize you’re there.

I recognize your warm embrace,

Enfolding me with care,

Reminding me you’re close enough

To hear my silent prayer.

Psalm 89: 52

52 Praise be to the Lord forever!

Amen and Amen.

Photo a blessing from L. Munoz

The Rain and The Dove

As rain spilled down for forty days,

The earth was washed away,

And all that they could do was wait,

Try to stay dry, and pray.

God swore he would not destroy man

In that same way again,

And yet the sky is sodden with

Another week of rain!

But God sent Noah a small sign

Of his redeeming love;

So I know our rain, too, will pass…

Today I saw a dove!

Genesis 8:11

When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth.

Songs in Captivity

I've always dreamed of being free,
But that's not what life holds for me.
Yet, you have made captivity
As lovely as freedom would be!
How could I live life woefully

When each day brings me such beauty?

So I will sing, rejoicingly,
My songs of joy in praise of Thee!

Psalm 137: 4

4 How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?

Angel's Wings

When my whole world’s in disarray

From all that turmoil brings,

I call to God, then listen for

The sound of angel’s wings.

When darkest times creep up on me

And, from my heart, fear springs,

I face my fear with faith that help

Will come on angel’s wings.

Now I will do all I can do

To handle little things,

But when I’m overwhelmed I know

Help comes on angel’s wings.

Psalm 91: 11-12

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

Attitudes

She sucked the joy out of my day

And left a bitter shell,

I had the choice to shake her off

Or live in her drab hell.

I put her darkness in a box

And walked out of the room.

I cannot heal her attitude,

But I can let mine bloom.

Proverbs 12:26
The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.