Blooming In The Mud

 

Skunk cabbage, that is what it’s called.
That really is its name,
And even though it’s accurate
That’s not its greatest claim.
 
It grows within the muck and mire
Where the saltwater flows,
That cheerful blossom sweetly blooms
Where the tide comes and goes.
 
If it can bloom so cheerily
Within the dank mudflat
Then there is hope that we can bloom,
Though we may still doubt that.
 
For God has called us to be His
And redeemed us from sin.
The muck and mire of our past…
We’re not who we have been.
 
Don’t listen to the whispering
That you still stand in mire,
Instead, praise Him for every chance
To bloom and to inspire.
 
The God who helps skunk cabbage bloom
Will do much more for you.
His love is greater than your sin,
For His grace blooms in you.
 
John 14:20
In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

Paltry In Comparison

 

How wondrous are the works of Him
Who formed them with a word.
The oceans, rolling in their depths
Where voices are not heard.
 
The heavens rising beyond thought
Into the dark washed night,
Beyond the dawn of a new day,
Forever out of sight.
 
As great as are the works of man,
They’re paltry when compared
To Him who called us into life
And, from our sins, then spared.
 
Though all mankind might sing man’s praise,
Creation calls Him King
And it is to His name alone
That all praises should ring.
 
Lift up your eyes from this small world
And seek His holy face.
Sing to the Lord in joyous praise
For His unending grace.
 
Psalm 105:1-3
Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

Unending Waves of Grace

I stood alone on a wind swept shore
Knowing I could not win,
Until a wave of His sweet grace,
Once more, came rolling in.
 
I never doubted He loves me,
I just forgot how much.
There is no struggle I can face
That I don’t feel His touch.
 
I know I’ve failed Him many times,
But He never fails me,
Though when I’m standing in the storm
That can be hard to see.
 
Yet every time I lose all hope,
Another wave of grace
Comes rolling in with new blessings
To fill the empty space.
 
I may not know all this life’s truths,
Yet I can promise this:
His love does not depend on us,
But we depend on His.
 
Psalm 117:2
For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! 

Stand Vigilant

 

How often do we see the sins
That others perpetrate
Without noticing our own sins
Until it is too late?
 
It’s hard to step back from a sin
That hurts another’s heart,
And simply posing “a clean slate”
Does not make a fresh start.
 
That is the whole point about sin,
It hurts others and you.
Although you try to take it back,
Your hurtfulness shines through.
 
I often remind myself to
Be ever vigilant
For all the sins to which I’m prone,
Avoid cause to repent.
 
I still am not good at this task
That I have set for me,
But I work on it every day,
As it is meant to be.
 
Then, when I fail, as I still do,
I call upon His grace
And confess that I’ve sinned again,
Admitting my disgrace.
 
Out of His love, He forgives me
And sets me right once more,
That’s why I stand in vigilance
And seek to sin no more.
 
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

This vigilant seagull photo is another gift from ATF in Galveston. 

Rest For My Soul

 

If You have got a moment, Lord,
I’d love to chat a while.
I’m feeling battered by this day
And I could use a smile.
 
You always know just what to say
To get me back on track.
Would You mind giving me a bit
Of the peace that I lack?
 
I just want to sit and be still
And let Your love flow through.
Whatever this world throws at me,
I find my rest in You.
 
I know I thank You for big things,
You do a lot of those,
But thank You, too, for the small things…
Like this moment’s repose.
 
You ask of us what we can give,
But give more in return,
For this peace I find here with You
Is something I can’t earn.
 
Thank You for letting me chatter
And process this day through.
I’m always better for the time
I spend sitting with You.
 
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.

The Sabbath Approaches

 

The Sabbath is fast approaching,
A day of rest and praise,
An ending to a busy week
Consumed by this world’s ways.
 
Walk into the Sabbath joy filled,
Lift up your voice in song,
For heaven’s King is on His throne
And His Word is still strong.
 
Live in the truth of His promise,
Trust in the grace He shares,
Rejoice in the sweet redemption
That proves to us He cares.
 
The Sabbath is fast approaching,
A day holy in His name.
For He’s the Lord of heaven and earth,
His glory and wonder proclaim.
 
Exodus 20:8
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Standing In the Winds

 

I wonder if I’ll ever know
The plans You’ve made for me
Until I stand before the throne
And my life’s history.
 
Each time the storms roll through my life
I try to stand up strong
And hold onto the promised grace
That’s been mine all along.
 
When those dark winds beat down on me
I listen for Your voice.
I understand that You calm storms;
In that truth, I rejoice.
 
How many storms I’ll have to face,
I doubt I’ll ever know
Until the last one brings me home,
Then I will gladly go.
 
Until that storm, I’ll stand in faith
Through all the winds that blow
And listen for Your voice saying,
“I’m here, I won’t let go!”
 
Matthew 8:26
And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

Beyond Measure

 

He formed the stars and gave them names
The mountains call Him Lord.
The winds that sweep the ocean waves
Praise Him in full accord.
 
The smallest bird rests in His hand,
No creature goes unseen,
For all creation calls Him Lord,
Powerful, yet serene.
 
Such is the splendor of the Lord,
Beyond all we can know,
And greater still, the boundless love
He never fails to show.
 
Psalm 147:4-5
He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

Share His Word

The church is called to many things,
And first among them, still,
Is share the gospel He taught us;
His words and truths, instill.
 
Teach the young to walk in Him.
Lead those fresh in their faith
To the wisdom to distinguish
The Word from the world’s wraith.
 
Teach them that His Word stands alone
And needs no man-made laws
To give them precedent or strength.
Teach them faith, not applause.
 
Above all else, teach them His Word
And His redeeming grace
Are theirs to claim and then to share
With all the human race.
 
Titus 2
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

Blessed To Be Yours

I count my blessings, one by one,
As I sit here tonight
Watching the sun setting into
A sea filled with its light.
 
How rich the wonders of Your love,
Displayed in vast array,
From little moments filled with joy
To heaven’s bright display.
 
The kind word offered, the warm hug,
The chance to speak of You,
Even the windy tempests that
I had to struggle through
 
All leave me resting gratefully
At the edge of this night
Counting blessings beyond belief,
Each one born in Your Light.
 
Psalm 144:15
Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!

Another delightful blessing from ATF and Galveston!