Watchful In Prayer

I find myself just saying words,
Now and then, when I pray.
My mind is off on some tangent,
Not hearing what I say.
 
Oh, shame on me, and it should be,
For all the grace I’ve known,
To not stay focused in my thanks
For the love You have shown.
 
I stop and ask Your forgiveness,
And then I start once more
To praise You and lift up my thanks
To You, whom I adore.
 
I know I chat with You often
As I move through the day,
But when I come in earnest, Lord,
I should focus and pray.
 
Your blessings flow unceasingly,
I see them everywhere.
I need to thank You for them with
A heart focused on prayer.
 
The many hopes and fears I place
Before You in my need,
Should not be uttered as rote thoughts,
But prayerfully, indeed.
 
Oh, Father, help me keep my thoughts
Fixed on You as I pray,
That I’m sincerely offering
My praise and thanks each day.
 
Colossians 4:2
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Standing Firm In You

 

My world has been shaken today,
And nothing I can do
Will mend or heal or change a thing.
Therefore, I stand in You.
 
So many blessings came my way,
And so much heartbreak, too.
I’ve wept and laughed and praised Your name.
Through all, I stand in You.
 
This world will never be easy,
But this I know is true,
Easy or hard, You are my Rock.
Firmly, I stand in You.
 
I thank You for the faith and hope
That always brings me through,
And for Your peace within the pain.
Oh Lord, I stand in You.
 
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

Keep Running The Race

 

The land was frozen, dawn approached,
But darkness still held on.
It planned to hold the day at bay
Until all hope was gone.
 
Then there, across the forest rim,
I saw a gull sail through.
It mattered not what the day planned,
He did what he should do.
 
He rose above the frozen world
And sailed across the sky.
The wind and cold could not stop him
From taking wing to fly.
 
I stood up in that winter dawn
Within the rising light,
And felt God’s Spirit stir in me,
Bidding my soul take flight.
 
For God has called us each to task
Carrying forth His Word
To all who don’t yet call Him King,
And those who have not heard.
 
If that bird can rise up and fly
Despite winter’s cold bite,
Then I, too, will find faith to rise
And keep sharing His Light.
 
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

In Humble Gratitude

 

My life may not be glamourous,
But it is filled with grace,
And I have lived life long enough
To praise You any place.
 
I’m just a small voice in the world,
But You taught me to sing.
I’ll lift my voice up and rejoice
In all that wealth can’t bring.
 
Your perfect peace as each day ends
Means more than gold to me,
For I find gold in each sunrise
That I am blessed to see.
 
I have more than enough to eat
And still have some to spare,
So, I am grateful for others
With whom I get to share.
 
You led me through some dark valleys,
And some green pastures, too.
It didn’t matter where I was,
I walked that road with You.
 
Yet, in the end, You brought me home
To friends and family,
And I find comfort in each day
That’s shared so lovingly.
 
There is no wealth, no palace great,
That my soul could value
With half the joy and gratitude
For all I have in You!
 
Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

The Third Choice

 

In times of worry or dismay
It seems all I can hear
Is an unending litany
Of everything I fear.
 
What might go wrong, what might get worse,
How much I have to lose.
And either choice made could go bad,
But still, I have to choose.
 
Within that whirlwind I’d be lost
If He were not my rock,
The anchor holding me in place
Beneath each wave of shock.
 
I know, my friend, you feel it, too.
I truly understand,
But I know He also holds you
In the palm of His hand.
 
There is no safer place to be
When storms of doubt roll through.
Please hold in faith to His promise
That He is holding you.
 
Be still and let the whirlwind fade,
For you have a third choice…
The storms have no authority.
Wait for His still, small voice.
 
1 Kings 19:11-12
And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.

Remembering No More

 

I laid my sins before the Lord,
They numbered beyond count,
And He poured out His grace on me
Like a swift flowing fount.
 
I see them still, when I look back,
Then shudder at the shame
That I could have lived such a life,
And still, His mercy, claim.
 
How could it be that one so pure
Would not just cast away
A world of sinners, scarred by shame,
Who chose to go astray.
 
Yet, since I turned back, called His name,
Declared Him to be Lord,
I’ve watched those scars heal, one by one.
His mercy’s my reward.
 
I cannot wait to see the day
When all my scars have healed,
All sin behind me, and His Light
Is completely revealed.
 
Until then I’ll count my blessings
Praising Him, Heaven’s King,
For His forgiveness of my sins,
And not remembering.
 
Hebrews 10:16-17
“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

The Bruised Reed Did Not Break

All of the forces of evil
Sought to break Him on earth,
But He would neither bend nor break
Til He redeemed our worth.
 
They tried to silence both His voice
And those He called by name.
Yet they could not smother the wick
That burned with His bright flame.
 
I was not there when He called them,
Nor when they answered Him.
Still, I stand here with faith I learned
By listening to them.
 
Try though they might, He would not break,
He stood in victory
Until He had bought absolute
Healing for you and me.
 
They bruised the reed, the wick smoldered,
But my Savior held true,
And that’s why I, a mere Gentile,
Can hold on in faith, too.
 
Matthew 12:20-21
a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope. 

His Steadfast Love Endures

He called the universe to life.
The heavens He secures,
While moon and sun both call Him King.
His steadfast love endures.
 
He filled the earth with mountain peaks,
With rivers, swift and wide,
Then wrapped them all within the arms
Of the sea’s shore and tide.
 
With life abundant, He filled them,
A vast, varied array
That flourishes, each in its time,
And, in time, fades away.
 
Those created in His image
Are blessed above them all,
For when they cry out, He hears them.
He answers when they call.  

 

For He who holds the sun and moon
Resting within His hand
Holds them, as well, His love endures.
Praise Him throughout the land
 
Psalm 136:7-9
to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever; the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever 

Be Vigilant And Faithful

 

Be vigilant and guard your heart
For it has been foretold
That evil spirits, evil men
Will keep growing more bold.
 
They seek to claw us from our faith,
Or lead us far astray
From the truth living in His Word.
Be alert, turn away.
 
Keep your eyes fixed upon His Word,
And question prayerfully
The one who whispers promises
Of wondrous things to be
 
If you but follow this slight turn
Away from the path laid
By all He taught, the blood He shed,
The covenant He made.
 
Live in His Word, attend your thoughts
And keep your soul secure.
Be vigilant and guard your heart,
No false prophets endure.
 
1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Songs Of Joyous Praise

 

Oh Lord, my heart cries out with joy,
Your name is on my tongue.
For I am blessed beyond belief.
Your praises will be sung.
 
I lift my thanks up with great joy,
Your peace I claim as mine.
Lord, I’m grateful to have a place
Within Your grand design.
 
I cannot fathom why You called
A broken soul like me,
But I will follow, rejoicing,
For Your love set me free.
 
I’ll sing to You, oh Lord, my God,
From mountain top to shore.
Through all the earth my praise I’ll sing
To You, whom I adore.
 
Psalm 98:4
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

He Carried Away My Sins

 

He carried my sins far from me,
So why do I still call them mine?
You’d think I’d leave them in my past,
Not let them age like some fine wine.
 
They are the scars I carry now
To remind me of all my flaws,
The many times I willingly
Turned my back on His love and laws.
 
Yet, He has given me new life
With strength and wisdom I will need
To stay on path and follow Him.  
What I need most is to pay heed.
 
That He died seemed somehow mundane,
Yet it becomes breathtaking when
I found all my sins died with Him,
And, unlike Him, they’ll stay dead sin.
 
Those sins are now no longer mine,
I need to stop holding to them
And turn my heart, my mind, and soul
To forever hold on to Him.
 
He carried my sins far from me,
So why do I still call them mine?
I will surrender them to Him
And claim instead His grace divine.
 
2 Peter 1:8-9
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.

Reflect His Light To All

 

When the day shines with heaven’s light
It sleeps upon the shore.
Yet, when darkness falls on the land,
Its light shines bright once more.
 
So, too, should we, in this dark world,
Offer to all His light,
Reflected from hearts fixed on Him
And filled with pure delight.
 
We cannot shine with His brilliance,
But can reflect His grace,
Casting it out across the earth
That all might seek His face.
 
We have been given a great light
That we’re not meant to hide.
Let His love shine in this dark world,
Reflect Him far and wide.
 
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Awed And Blessed

 

He stood there in the quiet pond,
Not seeing his own face,
Seeking instead his morning meal,
Depending on Your grace.
 
I stood in awe of the beauty
I saw reflected there.
He was hunting for His meal,
And I, for peace to spare.
 
The week had been so very long
And lived at such a pace,
That no matter how fast I ran,
I knew I’d lose the race.
 
I’d lost the peace that comes from You,
But held on to the fear
That I would let everyone down
Whom I hold to be dear.
 
I got caught up in getting done
My list of things to do,
And that had lead me to forget
To just listen to You.
 
Yet, when I saw him standing there
Reflected in the light,
I heard Your voice and felt Your peace
And knew I’d be alright.
 
It’s funny how well You know me,
I don’t always hear You,
But I will always stop in awe
At such a stunning view.
 
Thank You for knowing me so well
And loving me enough
To remind me that I am blessed
Even when life seems rough.
 
Psalm 144:15
Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!

Higher Than The Earth

 

The vast empires born of man
Rise up and then they fall.
Those who once ruled with great power,
Later realms can’t recall.
 
We see for just the brief moment
When we stand on this land,
But He who rules beyond all time
Holds the earth in His hand.
 
We’re not just dust that’s here and gone,
For each one bears His mark,
But most will come and go from earth
Without knowing His spark.
 
We see this world and this life from
Our foothold on the earth,
But His view covers time and space
Beyond ending or birth.
 
Therefore, all glory man achieves
Is meaningless until
It’s measured by obedience
To Him and to His will.
 
Those who ruled kingdoms long ago
Have nothing now to claim,
For we who stand where they once stood
Don’t even know their name.
 
Speak not, oh man, in arrogance
Of what you know and see,
For you are blind in sight and mind
Within eternity.
 
Yet, He who sees beyond our sight,
Knowing what we can’t know,
Is He who formed us, called us His,
And He still loves us so.
 
Rejoice then, knowing you can’t see
Beyond this life’s domain,
And fix your eyes and heart on Him.
In Him is life’s true gain.
 
Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

This amazing photo of Egyptian ruins taken from a hot air balloon is another gift from TAF and her adventures! 

Staying Close To You

 

You are the way, the truth, the life,
And I know that is true,
For I have traveled other roads,
But they led back to You
 
It took a while for me to learn
To stay upon the way
To which You have directed me,
Lest I should go astray.
 
For go astray, I surely have,
And, like a wayward sheep,
My shepherd came to bring me home.
My soul is His to keep.
 
I didn’t see the path as well
When I was young and wild,
But, as I've grown, my sight’s improved.
I’m a less wayward child.
 
Now, with great joy, I stay on track
As You’ve taught me to do.
You are my way, my truth, my life
And I’ll stay close to You.
 
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Whatever the season

There are those who complain of heat,
And those who fear the cold.
There are a few who dislike both,
More so as we grow old.
 
Yet there are those who seek Your peace
Despite the season’s pain.
We simply rejoice in the gift
Of sunshine or of rain.
 
There is no season without You,
For You have formed each one,
And we will seek Your blessings in
The moon’s light or the sun.
 
In summer’s warmth, or winter’s cold,
Or autumn’s growing chill
I’ll relish each day as it comes,
Rejoicing in Your will.
 
Psalm 74:16-17
Yours is the day, yours also the night; you have established the heavenly lights and the sun. You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter. 

Rejoice, Even In Suffering

 

I’ve watched as those I love suffer,
Yet still lift up Your praise,
Knowing that You will hold them through
Even their darkest days.
 
When they walk through the dark valley,
Your light is at their feet,
And though they cannot see ahead,
You know the path complete.
 
Therefore, their trust is safe in You,
They rest beneath Your wing.
Even when life’s troubles arise,
They lift their voice and sing.
 
That is the faith I want to have,
The faith to see me through.
When I am lost and broken, Lord,
Let me rejoice in You.
 
I ask You, Lord, to keep me close
Along life’s dark pathways,
And help me keep a heart of praise
Even on pain filled days,
 
Psalm 103:1
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

This amazing photo of the sun setting on the Nile River is another gift from TAF on her trip to Egypt. 

Oh, Look... A Squirrel

 

Thank You for Your patience with me
As I move through each day.
I bet You shake your head and laugh
At me along the way.
 
I know I’m not the best of Yours,
But also, not the worst.
Yet I am smart enough to know
That You are always first,
 
And I will get right back on track,
For… oh look, a squirrel!
That's why I’m grateful Your patience
Is still there for this girl.
 
I love You, Lord, with all my heart,
Though my focus might stray,
My heart will always praise You, Lord,
And will not go astray.
 
Psalm 119:175-176
Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

I've Been Distracted

I’m going to step back from the world,
And turn my eyes to You.
I’ve found myself distracted by
The things I shouldn’t do.
 
The world seems out of line right now,
But I don’t have to be,
For I am Yours and have been called
To be a better me.  
 
That isn’t always my instinct,
I’m not a perfect child,
But I’d rather stay close to You,
Than out there running wild.
 
Oh Lord, remind me who I am,
And to whom I sing praise.
Let me not be distracted from
Your word and all Your ways.
 
Psalm 119:5-7
Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. 

In Grief And Joy

 

The day was filled with tears and grace,
A little bit of both.
It has been said it’s in struggle
That we tend to find growth.
 
I guess some days I grow a lot,
On days such as today,
But please know I’m grateful for grace
When You send it my way.
 
I know that You suffered in life
That we might live again,
So I should expect my share of
The sufferings of man.
 
I could not bear the pain You knew,
And You’ve not asked me to.
Yet, even when grief weighs me down,
I hope to love like You.
 
To stand up under the sorrow,
And offer grace to all
Who walk the path that I am on,
Lift them up when they fall.
 
Still, I am most grateful to find
As day comes to its end,
That I have counted more blessings
Than heartbreaks I can’t mend.
 
I rest tonight in joy and grief,
And lift my praise to You
For holding tightly those who grieve,
And those who know joy, too.
 
Galatians 6:9-10
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Two Camels Short

 

Too often we seek our desire
Instead of our great need.
We want the world, or so we think,
Succeed, and then exceed!
 
The glass we think that we have filled
Looks emptier by far
Than what we thought we had achieved
Reaching that higher bar.
 
For, though we have it all, we find
Our lives still incomplete.
We own the world, but not the wealth
Found at our Savior’s feet.
 
All of the gold this world offers
Is of no real value,
When compared to the redemption
That He freely gave you.
 
We can gather all of the wealth
That mortal man values,
But we’ll still live unsatisfied
If that’s the life we choose.
 
If you feel two camels short of
The wealth you seek on earth,
Then seek God first, His grace and peace
Exceed all this world’s worth.
 
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

This delightful photo is a gift from TAF, taken on her trip to Egypt. 

I'll Rejoice In You

I’ve stumbled and I’ve fumbled, Lord,
Trying to find my praise.
I think this might be one of those
“Just be still” kind of days.
 
So, I will do as my heart bids,
And listen for Your voice.
While I’m waiting, I’ll use my time
To sing out and rejoice.
 
For though I cannot find the words
That speak to my heart’s praise,
My soul never hesitates to
Rejoice in You always!
 
Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand

Breaking Bread Together

 

As it was in the early days,
When His voice still echoed,
And those who’d heard it understood
The truth His words bestowed,
 
Then they would gather lovingly,
Sharing with each other
The words He spoke, the bread they ate,
And grace for one another.
 
Today we try to keep alive
That same breaking of bread,
Though sharing seems a bit harder
With stiff neck and hard head.
 
Too often we tend to aspire
To pride in what we give
Instead of trying to inspire,
To live as we should live.
 
Let us look back and learn from those
Who had much less to share,
But shared it gladly, nonetheless,
Because they felt You there.  
 
Lord, help us share Your Word, Your grace
With loving hearts these days,
For Your Spirit still lives in us.
Let us break bread and praise.
 
Acts 2:46-47
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Keep Guard On My Mouth

 

We live in frictious times, that’s true,
And some are prone to wrath,
But I am trying to live life
Walking along Your path.
 
You taught us to speak out with grace,
Though truth is still a must.
Yet there are so many who choose
To speak rage and disgust.
 
It’s easy to be drawn into
Responding out of ire,
But You’ve called us to speak from love,
So I must quench that fire.
 
Lord, when I start to speak my mind
Please remind me to pause
And seal my lips until I’m calm
In respect of Your laws.
 
Help me to hold my tongue and think
Before I speak harshly.
Then give me wisdom to speak truth,
But do so graciously.
 
Psalm 141:3
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

It Was Always There

 

Those still waters were hard to find
I thought I never would,
But then I listened with my heart,
As You had said I should.
 
I heard a soft whisper of peace
Beneath the day’s wild rush.
It held a gentle note of joy,
So soft, almost a hush.
 
The ripple of reflected light
Rustled upon the shore
And I followed that gentle sound
Where I’d not been before.
 
The water flowed, peaceful and sweet,
My old soul felt brand new,
And it was then I realized…
The water flowed from You.
 
The still water was always there,
Yet, I had failed to see
That I’d been standing all my life
In Your love and mercy.  
 
John 4:14
But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.