Standing Divided

 

We seem to have grown far apart,
And further every day.
We used to let each other have
Room to choose their own way.
 
Yet, somehow we forgot that grace
And patience have value.
We now cast condemnation on  
Those with a different view.
 
We’ve been down this path more than once,
And then found our way through.
In fact, the only constancy
In this life, Lord, is You.
 
When we are scattered, You are You,
When we are one, You’re You.
When nothing else makes any sense
You’re constant and You’re true.
 
I lift to You this broken land
And pray for healing grace.
I trust in Your unchanging love
For all the human race.
 
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Memories and Grief

 
The memories come crowding in
So tightly I can't breathe.
A sorrow builds within my heart,
For which there's no reprieve.
 
I’m broken, Lord, unmendable
By any hand but Yours.
The pieces, scattered, crushed and lost;
There are no other cures.
 
I call out to You in my pain,
For I’m lost in despair.
I don’t believe there’s a way out,
Unless, Lord, You’re still there.
 
Oh Father, call my name once more,
I pray You’ll lead me through.
I know that I will never heal
Until I’m next to You.
 
John 16:22
So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

Your Wondrous Ways

 

Morning mist on spider’s webs,
Bright colored leaves in dew,
And autumn settles in stillness
As winter comes in view.
 
I know I say it every year,
But it still remains true…
The earth and all its seasons, Lord,
Are such a gift from You.
 
The buds in spring, the summer fruit,
Autumn’s rain, winter’s snow,
Each season comes at Your command
And when it’s time, they go.
 
Lord, as I stand in autumn’s heart,
I lift my song of praise
To You, who laid each season’s course,
For all Your wondrous ways!
 
Acts 14:17
Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.

No Turning Back

 

As I look back over my life,
I see mistakes I’ve made.
The broken ground left in my wake,
Dark valleys where I strayed.
 
I hang my head in shame knowing
The price He paid for me
That I might live my life anew,
Despite myself, sin free.
 
I will not linger here for long,
I know what came before,
But that is past, those lessons learned.
I’ll wander there no more.
 
I’ll keep my focus on Him now,
And face what lies ahead.
I walked alone for long enough,
I’ll walk with Him instead.
 
Romans 4:8
Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.

Blessings and Blessings to Share

 

In quiet moments I take time
To count all my blessings.
They are so many, so varied,
And each, their own joy, brings.
 
The blossoms out of memory,
Planted by a lost friend.
The comfort of the gentle breeze
With every evening’s end.
 
The songs that raindrops on the roof
Play when I cannot sleep.
Sins forgiven and the promise
That my soul’s Yours to keep.
 
The fruit in autumn, winter’s snow,
Summer’s soft lullaby,
And how I feel You hold me close
When this life makes me cry.
 
Abundantly, they fill my life,
Your blessings overflow,
And I pray I can pass them on
Everywhere that I go.
 
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Weariness and Rest

 

This life is not an easy one,
More than a time or two
I’ve found myself wanting to quit
Rather than walk it through.
 
Yet, that gives credit to but half
Of all that this life brings.
For ever time I want to cry,
There’s two times my heart sings.
 
Today I’m weary to my core,
Both heart and mind are frayed.
While sanity may have been lost,
My sense of joy has stayed.
 
I’ll rest in You tonight, Oh Lord,
From this day’s harried pace,
And rise tomorrow, firm and strong,
Restored within Your grace.
 
1 Peter 5:10
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Of Life And Joy

 

Dark and cold, there in the ground
Lay the work of mankind.
Efficient in its purpose, yes,
But no joy there to find.
 
Until the seasons joyous dance
Brought the colors of fall
To drape the mundane works of man
In joy for one and all.
 
Thus, are the works of man and God
Aptly personified,
As mankind’s practical design,
By His hand, glorified.
 
We are His creation, it’s true,
But beyond our command
Are all the blessings we know well,
Yet can’t quite understand.
 
We know how the parts make the whole,
But not what makes it live.
True life is the Creator’s gift,
It’s His, alone, to give.
 
Appreciate mankind’s good works,
But know, with all your heart,
That life comes from the Lord alone
And joy plays a big part.
 
Psalm 92:4-5
For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
How great are your works, Lord, how profound your thoughts!

Songs of Joy, Tomorrow

 

Oh Lord, I need Your peace tonight,
Today was hard to bear.
Tomorrow will be brighter, though,
For Your love will be there.
 
This world can break a heart with ease,
But Your love heals the pain
With blessings greater than the loss,
And joy that will remain.
 
Lord, I will close my eyes tonight
And give my pain to You.
Tomorrow I will rise in joy
And sing Your praise anew.
 
Psalm 65:8
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.

Getting Back On The Path

 

Oh Lord, I pray that we might turn
Back to the path You set.
We seem to be a bit astray,
But we are not lost yet.
 
I think we lost sight of Your Word
As this world called our name,
But we have been Yours from the start,
And that’s the Truth we claim.
 
Please help us find the path again,
We’ll fix our eyes on You.
You set the path we are to walk,
I know You’ll lead us through.
 
Psalm 25:5
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Sing Out His Praise

 

How can the mind of mortal man
Understand who You are?
How can we comprehend the force
That formed each moon and star?
 
You called the universe to life,
Your name is in each breath,
And it is by Your grace alone
We’ve been rescued from death.
 
I cannot think of words of praise
Sufficient to the cause
Of honoring Your loving grace,
Your holy word, and laws.
 
There are no words that can express
What I can’t even know,
And yet my heart longs to sing out.
Dear Lord, I love You so.
 
Oh Father, please accept my praise.
Though I can’t understand
The full authority You hold,
I trust in all You’ve planned!
 
Psalm 68:4
Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.