Blessed Indeed

 

The day was off to a slow start,
I missed a step or two.
Until I stepped outside the door
And got that gift from You.
 
The sun rising behind the trees
That I would not have seen
Had I’d been out the door sooner,
As I planned to have been.
 
Then, down the street, the second gift
Flitted across my sight,
A pileated woodpecker
Flew by in the soft light.
 
I’ve not seen one for many years.
In the blink of an eye,
He flew by me and settled on
A pole as I passed by.
 
The timing was perfect, of course,
That’s how I know it’s true,
That both were gifts of love and joy
Sent just for me, from You!
 
Thank You for so many blessings, Lord!
 
Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
 
Jeremiah 17:7
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.

When Plans Get Changed

I wake up not knowing each day
What I will walk into.
The only confidence I have
Is that I walk with You.
 
The world has thrown a loop or two
In my path now and then.
It may cause me frustration, but
Such is the life of men.
 
I fuss and fume and then admit
It doesn’t change a thing.
Instead, I turn my eyes to You,
Lift up my voice and sing.
 
Simply changing my point of view
From me to You I find
Helps me step outside of the noise
That distracts heart and mind.
 
It’s easier to carry on
With a heart filled with hope,
Than with one full of frustrations
With which I cannot cope.  
 
I still start out with plans in place,
Those that are of my choice,
But now, when You change up my plans,
I'll concede and rejoice.  
 
Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
 
Proverbs 21:30
No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord. 

A Prayer For Peace And Comfort

 

A prayer for peace for all those who
Are facing down hard things.
Sometimes it’s not answers we need,
But the peace Your grace brings.
 
For those who stand upon the brink
Of changes great or small,
I ask for the strength to step out,
And faith to face it all.
 
For those in illness or great loss
Who are living in fear,
I pray that they know, without doubt,
That You are always near.
 
For those who feel they are alone
And no one sees their tears,
I pray they come to realize
You’ve been right there for years
 
I lift to You a prayer for peace
And one of thanks, also.
You are the greatest strength and hope
That we will ever know.
 
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
 
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Cast Off The Husk Of Sin

 

When we hear Him calling to us
To turn from who we’ve been,
We take on a life in His Word,
Leaving behind our sin.
 
We cast away the husk of death
To find life born anew
In the grace of His sacrifice.
We change, then follow through.
 
Like a river of joy and love,
His Word has washed away
The shell of who we were before.
We are made new that day.
 
Who we once were has passed away,
And we have been reborn.
The husk of sin that once held us
Is cast aside in scorn.
 
We walk in the path that He walked
When He lived here on earth,
Learning to love Him and to share
The wonders of rebirth.
 
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
 
Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

This is a Cicada exuviae. It is the shell left behind after molting.

We're Not Alone

 

We sometimes feel we stand alone
Against a world that’s lost.
We face the ridicule and hate,
And there can be a cost.
 
Yet, if we raise our eyes above
The world and look to Him,
We understand we’re not alone,
And hope should not grow dim.
 
We stand within His loving grace,
Never out of His sight.
Though we still stand against the world,
He’s with us in the fight.
 
It’s still a fight! Stand strong in faith,
Unyielding as a stone,
And know that He’s always with us.
We do not stand alone!
 
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
 
Romans 8:38-39
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

First Trust, Then Rest

 

Another day has come and gone,
Nighttime is drawing near.
I’m giving my worries to You,
The blessings stay right here.  
 
The things that I could do today,
You helped me to get through.
Those outside my control or reach
I surrender to You.
 
Tonight, though I feel overwhelmed,
I also feel Your grace,
For You have brought me through the noise
Into my quiet place.
 
I’ll rest tonight and start again
When You wake me at dawn.
I’ll make my plans, but trust in Yours,
Then rise and carry on.
 
Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
 
Psalm 23:2
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

In Storms And Hard Times

 

So many people that I love
Are walking through hard days.
For most, they know You and have peace,
But, Lord, please guard the strays.
 
There are some who deny themselves
The comfort of Your grace,
And when the storms come rolling in
They are swept out of place.
 
They hold on to what they can see,
Thinking that they are strong.
Yet, everything that’s of this world
Will fail them before long.
 
Please keep them under Your wing, Lord,
And open up their eyes,
That they may know You and Your peace
Though dark storms fill the skies.
 
Until the day they call Your name
Please help them hold on to
Only that which will help them reach
Their solid ground in You.
 
John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
 
Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Tired And Blessed

There are some days that wear me out,
I think age plays a part,
But, nonetheless, those are the days
That also fill my heart.
 
It’s such a joy to see that smile
With two teeth peeking through,
Or share a laugh with a loved one,
A memory or two.
 
Sometimes it’s just being right there
As a friend walks through pain,
Knowing that when their pain is gone,
That friendship will remain.
 
There are so many ways a day
Can wear me to the bone,
But being tired easily beats
Walking through life alone!
 
1 John 3:18
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
 
2 Thessalonians 3:13
As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.

The Bread Of Life, Or Toil

 

We always seem to want the thing
We don’t have readily.
While some pray that the rain would cease,
Others pray let it be!
 
Of all the needs and wants we have,
The one that matters most
Is that which comes from God Himself.
There is no greater boast.
 
It’s His mercy, His loving grace,
Made manifest on earth
In the life and teachings of Him
Who died for our rebirth.
 
There is no glory man can hold
Greater than redemption,
And that can only be granted
By grace, through Heaven’s Son.
 
He is the bread we need to eat,
He is the peace we seek.
His are the only truths this world
Still needs to hear us speak.
 
If you are hungry in your soul,
He is the bread of life.
If you are caught in anxious toil,
He’s your peace amid strife.
 
We each have a choice we can make,
It’s there for us each day.
We can walk through life without hope,
Or with Him all the way!
 
Choose then which bread you want to have,
The bread of anxious toil,
Or the bread of life He offers
To all of mortal coil.    
 
John 6:33-35
“For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
 
Psalm 127:2
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.

Where My Faith Rests

 

My weather app has lied again,
There’s just no truth in it.
Though I complain in frustration,
It doesn’t help a bit.
 
So many things in life seem to
Operate much like that.
Life always seems to pull a fake
Rabbit out of its hat.
 
I’ve given up relying on
Most everything I know,
But there’s still one in whom I trust,
Where I can always go.
 
I know that I can call His name
And He will hear each word,
Those I have spoken to the world,
And those just He has heard.
 
For His is an unending love
His grace and mercy, too,
There is no path that I have walked
That He’s not led me through.
 
I may not always like the way
He’s worked things out for me,
But I have always found His way
Brings me where I should be.
 
So, lie on little weather app.
You do what you do best,
But my faith rests in Him alone,
Whose love and grace don’t rest.
 
Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
 
Isaiah 26:3
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

The Dark Abyss

 

We stand upon the precipice,
Peering at the abyss,
Wondering how we reached a point
As dangerous as this.
 
The minions of satan’s domain,
Those who call him their king,
Wield sin and evil, hate and fear,
With all the death they bring.
 
They are not standing at the door,
They’ve already come in,
And we can see the black abyss
That dwells within such men.
 
If we don’t cast the demons out,
Then we become their prey.
There will be no place we can hide
Until the judgement day.
 
As we stand on the precipice
We have a choice to make.
Don’t be deceived, instead recall
Our children are at stake.
 
If we just step aside and watch,
Then I assure you this,
We’ll watch all those we love cast out
Into that dark abyss.
 
2 Corinthians 11:14-15
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
 
Ecclesiastes 3:8
a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

In Rain Or Drought

 

Some days it rains on my parade,
Other days it’s a drought.
Yet, either way I sing Your praise,
That’s what faith is about.
 
Whether the blessings are as asked,
Or what You know I need,
I’m raising up a song of thanks.
For they’re Your gifts, indeed.
 
It can be hard to just let go
Of me and hold to You,
But. when I recall Your vast grace.
That’s what I’ll always do.
 
As long as I have breath to sing,
To You, I’ll lift my praise.
Through rain or drought, my faith’s in You.
Your mercies still amaze!
 
Hebrews 13:15
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
 
Psalm 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Joy In Simple Things

 

It didn’t seem like a big thing,
A low spot in the lawn
Where the spring rains had pooled a bit.
By dusk it would be gone.
 
Since they were only passing through
They didn’t need a lake,
Just a small spot where they could find
Some rest and a short break.
 
They paddled happily a while,
Then, before dusk came on,
They quacked with joy and spread their wings,
Took off and they were gone.
 
I don’t know why this memory
Still brings me such delight,
But when I see this reminder
My day just feels so right.
 
I think I like to remember
That simple joys are best,
And that I’m wealthy past belief
When my soul is at rest.
 
Thank You, Lord, for this photograph
And the delight I feel
Each time I’m reminded my joy
In simple things is real.
 
Philippians 4:11
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content.
 
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Vengeance Is Yours, Not Mine

I’m listening to You tonight,
Not giving You commands.
I don’t need to explain it all
To one who understands.
 
You know my thoughts about this world,
And those who rant and shout,
Demanding that I praise their sin
And do not call it out.
 
I want to give them back the same
Rage they have poured on me,
But vengeance is not mine to take,
That’s not how I’m to be.
 
I need to hear You remind me
Of these points, now and then.
I may, and shall, condemn their deeds,
But give to You, their sin.
 
You know the path that they will choose.
I can pray they return,
But I cannot punish them for
The evil scars they earn.
 
Please give me strength when I should stand,
And, when I should not speak,
Please give strength to hush, instead.
Your wisdom’s what I seek.
 
I shall not pray that You destroy
Those who rejoice in sin.
You know when vengeance is needed,
And when grace should begin.
 
Romans 12:19
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
 
Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you. 

Eternity To Eternity

 

Yesterday, today, tomorrow,
One thing remains the same.
God’s in control and we are not,
Despite what some might claim.
 
His is the power to command
The heavens and the earth.
It will be so beyond earth’s end,
And was before its birth.
 
For any man to claim power
Is but a farce and lie.
God does not relinquish His might,
His kingdom cannot die.
 
Stand not within your own pride, then,
But in His holy name,
Knowing that His redeeming grace
Is there for us to claim.
 
Immortal and eternal King,
We lift to You our praise.
To You alone, in Trinity,
Forever and always.
 
Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
 
Isaiah 40:28
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
 
1 Timothy 1:17
To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

A Branch Of The Vine

 

God planted His Word in this earth,
And Christ became His vine.
All those who live and grow in Him
Are fruit, ample and fine.
 
As long as the branch stays attached
To the vine’s sanctity,
Then that fruit which it produces
Will grow abundantly.
 
If a branch grows apart from Him,
It withers and will die.
Without Him, it will bear no fruit,
However it may try.  
 
Time and again the vine has shared
His mercies with us all,
But few are those branches that choose
To answer to His call.
 
Do not be the branch on the vine
That withers and is lost.
Stay close to Him, rooted and strong,
Through drought or bitter frost.
 
Grow closer in Him and rejoice
As the harvest draws nigh,
For that fruit which still lives in Him,
He’ll gather by and by.
 
John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
 
Jeremiah 2:21
Yet I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed. How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine?

Nothing Fancy, Except...

 

There was nothing special today,
Except for all of it.
From seeing others live Your grace,
To helping out a bit.
 
I didn’t think it all made sense
Until You showed me how
The pieces all fit into place.
It makes sense to me now.
 
Sometimes it’s not about the task,
Simply that we obey.
The blessings spread beyond our sight,
For this is the Lord’s way.
 
We cannot know what we can’t see,
But His plan is in place,
And I am grateful that, today,
I got to share His grace.
 
Tonight I rest in simple peace,
Nothing fancy or fine,
Except for those lessons I’ve learned
Obeying The Divine.
 
Luke 11:28
But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
 
1 Samuel 15:22
And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

Blessings Beyond Belief

 

The blessings You poured out today
On those so dear to me
Are vast and unbelievable,
Yet, they are clear to see.
 
I didn’t ask You for that grace,
It never crossed my mind,
But You knew what joy it would bring.
Lord, You are more than kind.
 
I stand humbled once more by all
The mercies You display
To those who love and trust in You.
You never turn away.
 
Please help us keep our eyes on You,
Our feet upon the way
That brings us closer to You, and
Thank You for this blessed day!
 
Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
 
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Unyielding Love

 

I lay them down at Your feet, Lord,
My worries and my cares.
I know I tend to take them back,
When I’ve said my prayers.
 
This time I plan to just let go
And leave them in Your hand.
That’s how I see it in my mind,
The way I have it planned.
 
I bet You’re laughing in heaven
At my bold, well laid plan.
You know me well enough to know
Planning does not mean can.

 
I know that You know what is best,
Your sight exceeds my own,
And I know that I trust You first.
At least that much, I’ve grown.
 
Now I need to put in practice
What I’ve said I will do,
And leave them in the hands of Him
Who’s love will see me through.
 
Thank You for loving me so much
That, even when I flinch,
Your love is still unceasing, and
It does not yield an inch.
 
Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
 
1 Peter 5:7
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Rejoicing While I Wait

 

I’m stumbling in the dark tonight,
I need to hear Your voice
Before I can begin to write.
Until then, I’ll rejoice.
 
When a day’s pace is at high speed,
I sometimes cannot hear
Over the noise in my own head.
Yet, You’re still always near.
 
So, while I wait to hear Your voice,
I’ll sing a song of praise.
For You are always listening,
Even on my worst days.
 
Thank You for waiting patiently
Until my mind is clear
Enough to recognize Your voice
Speaking where I can hear!
 
Acts 17:27
that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
 
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Being A Nurse Tree

 

My heart’s been broken more than once,
And some wounds never heal,
But, when I lean upon His grace,
His love is all I feel.
 
I may never be whole again,
Yet, I’ve the faith to know
That, however broken I was,
I can help others grow.
 
I can assure the little ones
Who follow after me
Learn how to live and how to grow
To be all they should be.
 
I can help them to grow deep roots
Planted in God’s own Word
And teach them how to reach for Him,
To never be deterred.
 
It’s as if God sees beyond those
Broken places in me.
He knows the strengths that rest beneath
The scars that I still see.
 
The nurse tree in the old forest
Gives root to the new tree,
And it will grow to fill the place
Where she once used to be.
 
Yet, it could not grow without her
To help it get its start,
And that’s what I can offer to
Those rooted in my heart.  
 
Thank You for seeing what I missed,
What I still need to do,
Help my family tree’s new shoots  
Grow strong, rooted in You.
 
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
 
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.