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.

A Sabbath Rest

The cold is coming back again,
The dark night settles in,
The air is filled with chimney smoke.
Let the long night begin.
 
I’ll step back from life’s hurried pace,
Take time to count blessings,
Then rest until the dawn calls me
To all a new day brings.
 
In You alone my soul finds peace,
A hope to see me through,
And, as a new week commences,
I’ll fix my thoughts on You.

Hebrews 4:9-10
So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

Your Glory, My Thanks

I give to You my thanks, tonight,
For watching over me.
You kept me from the harm ahead,
Which I could not foresee.
 
You reminded me to give grace,
And then, abundantly,
You poured it back into my life.
I praise You thankfully.
 
I sleep each night without the fear
That once haunted my life.
Though this world hasn’t changed, I have.
I no longer fear strife.
 
I try to give more of myself
To those who need a hand,
For I’ve received from You more grace
Than I can understand.
 
I pray that I’ll give You glory
In everything I do,
And, in the name of my Savior,
Grow closer, Lord, to You.
 
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Resting In Your Hand

 

Where do I find the courage, Lord,
To speak to You at all?
You are the creator of worlds,
while I am weak and small.
 
I have no voice the mountains heed,
The heavens ignore me,
And there are no commands I know
That will calm a wild sea.
 
Yet, every day I lift my voice
And call Your name anew,
Praying that You will hear my heart
As it cries out to You.  
 
Each day, without fail, I hear You,
In words I understand,
Assuring me that I still rest
In the palm of Your hand.
 
Psalm 8:3-4
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

I Will Trust And Not Fear

 

The Lord is my strength and my song
I will not be afraid.
Though this world lives in upheaval
My soul is not dismayed.
 
I could stand here, fist in the air,
And curse the ways of man,
But I will choose to trust in You,
And rest within Your plan.
 
If I were of this world alone,
My soul would quake with fear.
Instead, I walk within the peace
Of knowing You are near.
 
Though there will be troubles and war,
My salvation’s in You.
Therefore, since You bid me fear not,
Then, Lord, that’s what I’ll do.
 
Isaiah 12:2
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

Recognizing Sin

 

The first step in our repentance
Is recognizing sin.
You can’t heal from the evil lived
If you still let it in.
 
The little things that taint a life,
We may simply dismiss.
Yet, that makes them dangerous, so
Let us consider this:
 
The anger of self-righteousness,
Telling those “small white lies”,
Giving the laws that He gave us
Our “updated” revise.
 
There are so many little things
Which we don’t count as sin,
But His instructions matter, not
The preferences of men.
 
He’s given us the chance to choose
Which one we hold most dear,
His laws or those of mortal man.
For me, that choice is clear.
 
While He charged us to turn from sin,
It’s not easy to do.
Yet still, it matters that we try
And not just pretend to.
 
We need to recognize small things
Can become very large
If we place our values before
Those of Him, who’s in charge.
 
His love is beyond measuring,
His blood shed to restore,
But He also admonished us
To go and sin no more.
 
Luke 15:10
Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
 
John 8:11
She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

Too Much To Bear

 

I feel I’m carrying a weight
That’s too heavy to bear,
But, I will carry it to You.
Then, Lord, I’ll leave it there.
 
I cannot fix what You can fix,
I cannot heal the lame,
I cannot give hope to the lost,
But I can share Your name.
 
I can’t make right all that’s gone wrong,
Nor mend what’s torn apart,
But I’m not too proud to ask You,
For I’m lowly of heart.
 
The anguish and the fears of all
Who cry out in despair
Are more than I can bear or heal.
I’m grateful, Lord, You’re there.
 
Oh, Lord, I’ll lay them at Your feet,
Then fall upon my face
And give to You what I can’t bear.
My hope lies in Your grace.
 
Lamentations 3:24-25
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.

And We Are Yours

 

You called our names and we are Yours,
And it is by Your grace
That, when our lives on earth are done,
We too may see Your face.
 
Those who were called in the long past
And walked beside You then,
Who heard Your voice and saw Your face,
Were the most blessed of men.
 
I doubt they truly understood,
Until You rose again,
That they were walking at the side
Of heaven’s Son of Man.
 
Yet, even now when we can’t see
The face that they all knew,
We still can hear You call our names
And turn our hearts to You.
 
For You have called us by our names
To walk within Your light.
You redeemed us and we are Yours.
My heart bursts with delight!
 
Isaiah 43:1
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

A Time To Dance

There has been sorrow enough, Lord,
To fill my past few days,
And mourning has drained all my tears.
Tonight, I’ll dance in praise.
 
I’ll lift my voice up to the skies
And praise Your holy name.
Let sorrow slip away for now,
Your peace and joy, I claim.
 
Lord, I will dance, rejoicing in
Your blessings, not the tears,
For they are what I’ll remember
With joy through all my years.
 
It’s time to dance, and to rejoice,
So, that’s what I will do.
The world may scoff, but I will dance
And sing my praise to You.
 
Ecclesiastes 3:4
a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance

Love One Another

 

Lord, guide my heart and mind each day,
Set my eyes on Your Word
And help me share Your way, Your truth
With any who’ve not heard.
 
I tend to walk forth in this life
Focused upon my plan
And not, as I know I should be,
Upon my fellow man.
 
I do not doubt my love for You,
Nor the love You give me,
But I tend to overlook those
Who You want me to see.
 
Those who walk by me every day,
Or those met now and then.
Though I may not know who they are,
They’re still my fellow men.
 
For some, I must learn to forgive,
Ask some to forgive me,
And show to all the patient grace
That my soul longs to see.
 
I want to do as You have tasked
Your followers to do,
But I know I will need Your help
To become more like You.
 
John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Your Glory And Love

Earth’s mountains reach up to the sky,
The clouds reach higher still.
However vast, your creation,
It all moves by Your will.
 
You called them forth from the darkness
And washed them in Your light.
When I feel overwhelmed by life,
I remember Your might.
 
There is no power great enough
To do what You have done,
Nor hope to ever unravel
The work You have begun.
 
Thus, Lord, I will not be dismayed,
Whatever I may face,
For You who formed heaven and earth
Sheild me in Your embrace.  
 
All of the majesty of earth
And heaven’s crown above
Are manifestations to me
Of Your glory and love.
 
Psalm 102:25
Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
 
Psalm 8:1
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

Joy Along The Way

The January lavender
Bloomed sweetly in the bed,
While the bees softly hummed a tune
That lingers in my head.
 
There, passing through on his way south,
A monarch butterfly
Stopped to rest in the lavender,
Beneath the sunny sky.
 
He fluttered there, from bloom to bloom,
But never for too long.
As if he planned to greet each bloom
Before he moved along.
 
He only lingered for a while,
He had something to do.
As much as he enjoyed the blooms,
He was just passing through.

 

There was such joy within my heart
To see him flitting there.
The bright colors, the simple life,
And the plan we both share.
 
Lord, I am grateful in this life,
All You’ve called me to do,
But even more I’m grateful that
My real home is with You.
 
John 14:2
In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?