Psalm 139:1-2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I rise up or when I sleep

You know what’s in my heart.
You know what I will face each day
Before I ever start.
 
I turn to you each day in prayer,
I praise you as I rise,
But you’ve seen all the day will bring
Behind my sleeping eyes.
 
And when I search my heart and mind
To find these words each day,
You know before I even start
Just what it is I’ll say.
 
I sing with joy that I’m so loved
By one who knows me well,
For there’s so much locked in my heart
That I can never tell.
 
Psalm 139:1-2
1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

Romans 8:28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The world is sometimes washed in rain,

As life is washed in tears,
But each can bring a brighter day
When viewed over the years.
 
So, while the rains splash down the clouds
And tears splash down your face,
Take heart and dance within the storms
Anticipating  grace.

Romans 8:28
God works all things together for good

Finding Grace

All the twists and turns of fate

That brought us to this place
Can only have a single name,
And that name must be Grace.
 
The cruel pain of emptiness
Has healed without a trace.
And that can only happen through
Interventions of Grace.
 
The lonely soul, cast off like scrap,
Returns to loves embrace
And must, in gratitude, declare
Lord, thank you for this Grace.
 
And so it is that I found her,
That she now knows my face.
For I am blessed beyond my due
And thus I call her Grace.

Isaiah 44:22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The day was misty from the start

The world was cold and gray

I had no hope, as I watched dawn,

That it would burn away.

 

But then the sun found one clear spot

And broke through, bright and bold,

To prove that in the darkest days

There is a streak of gold.

 

Isaiah 44:22

I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”

Watching Over Me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In all the things that I may do,

Dear Lord, watch over me.
In all my searching for the truth,
Show me what I should see.
In going out and coming in,
Please be where I must be
And when I’m trapped within my sin
Dear Lord, please set me free.
 
You always keep a loving watch
While I go through each day,
I’m thankful that you’re always there;
In grateful thanks, I pray.

Light in the Dark Days

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the winter’s wet and cold,

When even day is dark,
It seems that light is hard to find
Nothing beyond a spark.
 
And yet that spark can light my world
And lift me from despair;
However dark the world may be
I know you’re always there.
 
John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Trust Your Plans to the Lord

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A little hope, a little plan,

A dream that might come true,
But if it fails to happen, Lord,
It’s okay, I trust you.
 
For, though I have my plan in mind,
Your plans are always best.
So I will do all that I can
And trust you for the rest.

Watching and Waiting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I never was a patient soul,

But I will wait on you.
And even though the wait is long,
I’ll gladly see it through.
For your timeline’s not quite like mine,
You view is longer, too.
You see the things that I look past,
What I don’t want to do,
And know that those steps I would skip
Will help me to reach you.
So, though I wish this part was done,
I’ll do as I’m asked to
And I will wait upon you, Lord,
I know you’ll bring me through.

Proverbs 8:34

Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.

To Comfort Those In Need

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I was hurt, someone stepped in

To help me ease the pain,
And when, in fear, I wandered lost,
They led home again.
 
I saw the sorrow in her eyes,
The grief that bore her down,
And I reached out to lift her up
So that she wouldn’t drown.
 
She then stepped up to comfort him
When he was all alone,
She held his hand til he could stand
Upright and on his own.
 
We each look out for those in need
And do what we can do;
We seek to ease the burdened lives
Because he asked us to.

Galatians 6:2

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

The Busy Bee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I scurried all about today,

The busy little bee.
I had so much piled on my plate,
So much to do and see.
I flittered here and scurried there,
As rushed as I could be,
I had no time to give to you
I just had no time free…
But fortunately, all day long,
You had time to help me!
 
Thank You!!!!

Sunlight After the Rain

The skies were draped in dreary clouds,

Until the sun burst through,
Burning fiercely between the clouds
Turning the sky deep blue.
 
I turned to draw the window shades,
To filter the bright glow,
But then I thought, when clouds come back
I’ll really miss it so.
 
I find that I do that to you
When things are going right,
I shift my glance away from you
As if you’re bright sunlight.
 
Yet, when the dark clouds close back in
I turn to look for you.
But unlike Sol, you’re always there.
Your love comes shining through.

 

2 Samuel 23:4

he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’

Secret Dreams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Behind the locked gate of my heart

A simple garden grows,
Where the fountain of my dreams
Still ever sweetly flows.
 
The little blooms will never die
For they’re maintained with cheer.
They are the fondest hopes I’ve held
And they are ever dear.
 
There are so many blooms that grow
Where everyone can see,
But these blooms are my private joys
Blossoming just for me.
 
Song of Songs 4:12
You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride; you are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain.

Safe Pastures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I walked within the busy world,

I did what it required,
But my heart never was at peace,
My soul was not inspired.
 
I thought it was a bitter fate
That forced me outside my world,
Until I realized what waits
Where your beauty is unfurled.
 
My life is much richer, by far,
Out of the world’s busy flow.
And I’ve found my inspiration
Where peace and wild blossoms grow.
 
Psalm 37: 3
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Psalm 90:14

 

In that moment when the morning

Is still patterned with first light
And the mists that fell with darkness
Scatter as the skies grow bright,
All the birds rise up in singing
Melodic hymns of delight.
For they know that day is coming
Turning back the fears of night.
 
That is when, in silent fervor,
My joyful heart wakes up and sings;
Joining with the birds in chorus,
Grateful for all each morning brings.
 
Psalm 90:14
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Why I Love You

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the hustle and the hurry

Of this, my busy day,
I took time out here and there
To just be still and pray.
 
I turned my face to heaven and
Thanked you for all you do,
I praised you for your boundless grace,
And just said, “I love you…”
 
“I love you for the worried times,
I love you for the good,
I love you for helping me face
More than I ever could.”
 
But most of all, Lord, I love you
Because you loved me first,
And you have loved me all my life,
At my best and my worst.
 
Psalm 66:17
I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue.

A New Point of View

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I woke this morning wracked with woe,

But too tired to weep;
Days filled with too many cares,
And nights with little sleep.
 
I needed to see your face, Lord,
Or maybe hear your voice,
But I had no time for a chat
And thus, I had no choice.
 
I faced the day, I headed out,
My tears began to spill,
“I need you Lord”, my heart cried out,
“I need to see you still.”
 
Then, through the blurring of my tears,
I thought I saw your face
Within the colors of a leaf...
I felt a calming grace.
 
And as I looked, I saw you there
In every passing tree.
From within their vibrant hues,
I saw you smile at me.
 
Then I saw your face once again,
Within the misty sun,
And, when I smiled, you smiled right back
Like we were having fun.
 
I heard your voice within the rain
That pattered a sweet tune,
I heard it in the swirling trill
Of a melodic loon.
 
I saw you in the great beauty
Created by your name
And realized I’ll never view
This world as quite the same.

Joyful and Faithful

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Though autumn winds sweep down on them,

Yet still they’re bright with joy,
For they wait, patient through the storm,
And faithful prayers employ.
 
The turbulence of coming storms
May tear them from the tree,
But even then they’ll dance with joy
On winds that set them free.
 
Much like those leaves, I feel the cold
As autumn nears my tree,
But death is not my enemy
For Christ has set me free.
 
So I will shine in brilliant shades
Until winter grows grim,
Then I will dance upon the winds
That carry me to him!
 
Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Numbers 6: 24-26

Quiet is the morning light
Before the day’s begun,
Whispering into the sky
On the breath of the sun.
 
That still peace, which starts the day,
Lives deep within each soul,
Lighting each step on life’s path,
Making the broken whole.
 
For it is born, not of this earth,
But in God’s loving grace,
And offered to each human soul
That turns to seek his face.
 
Numbers 6: 24-26
24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Plans to Prosper You

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be not afraid, though you are small,

For he is great indeed,
And he will lead you by his grace
When you are most in need.
 
Quake not in fear, though you are weak,
For his love’s always strong.
That love will fill your life with joy
And lift your heart with song.
 
However small, however lost,
You'll thrive at his command,
And he will shelter you within
The hollow of his hand.
 
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Bread Alone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I pray each morning for blessings,

For things I think I need.
I pray that you would assist me
In each effort and deed.
 
I pray that you would set me up
With hearth and clothes and bread.
I pray that you would heal my ills
And give me health instead.
 
I pray that you would give, give, give,
The list is long indeed,
When right there at my finger tips
Is what I truly need.
 
You know the things my body needs,
But what’s so clearly true,
The thing my spirit really needs
Is more time spent with you.
 
More time spent studying your word,
With diligence and care
And much more time spent listening
To what you have to share.
 
So give me, Lord, my daily bread
And help me, through your word,
To feed the hunger in my soul
That my faith may be stirred.
 
Matthew 4:4
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

Stillnes Amid Chaos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the chaos crashed around me

I felt such great dismay,
That I thought I would not recover
Before the coming day.
 
Then I heard, amidst the turmoil,
A voice speak up to say,
“Be still, my child, for I am here.
I’ll listen while you pray.”
 
So, I settled right where I was,
In fear and disarray,
To find the still place in my heart
Where I know that you stay.
 
And, though chaos whirled around me,
I felt it slip away,
For you were there, arms around me;
All my fears, you allay.

The very lovely photo is a blessing from Nate's Mate, for which I am most grateful.

The Eagle in the Mist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A mist had filled the silent bay,

Morning was hushed and still,
As if the new day held its breath
Outside my window sill.
 
I leaned my cheek against the pane
Trying to catch a view
Of anything that wasn’t gray,
Within that pallid hue.
 
Just as I moved to turn away
There, at the edge of sight,
I caught a glimpse of something quick
That flashed like pale sunlight
 
An eagle had swept up the bay
And turned into the mist
His dark body melting to gray
Like he did not exist.
 
The ashen mist consumed his form
Within seconds of flight,
But, bright against the dismal world,
His tail shone fiercely white.
 
My heart leapt up within my breast,
As if to follow him,
It sailed across the misty dawn;
Hope spilling past its brim.
 
And even now, I see it still,
The flash of his white tail,
As he wings, fearless, through the mist. 
My heart follows his trail.

Exodus 19:4
You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.

I will Follow You

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The world keeps tugging at my heart

With things I’d love to do,
But I have made my choice in life;
Lord, I will follow you.
 
So often I think wistfully
Of all that I’ve been through,
But I don’t let it hold me back;
Lord, I will follow you.
 
Although I have been tossed about
By every storm that blew,
I’ve kept my eyes upon your face;
Lord I will follow you.
 
So, lead me, Lord, and I will go,
I pledge my life anew.
To live in faith within your word;
Lord, I will follow you.

Deuteronomy 13:4

It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.

Let Your Joy Rise Up

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go! Let your joy fill up the earth

And fling it to the sky!
For God has blessed you with his grace,
So raise your joy on high!
 
Oh, Let your joy fill up the earth,
Raise up your voice in song.
For God is watching over you
And He is ever strong!
 
Yes, Let your joy fill up the earth,
Raise up your banners high!
Trust in his love with all your heart,
For His love will not die!
 
Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Living Out On A Limb

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life’s not always in our favor,

The odds can get quite slim.
That’s when you have to find your faith
And live out on a limb.
 
God holds us each within his hand.
If we have faith in him,
Then we can live with confidence…
Even out on a limb.

Psalm 86:2
Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God;

The Heart Only He Can Heal...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What kind of heart just walks away

And leaves it all behind?
What kind of person just lets go
And becomes hard to find?
 
What kind of soul can turn away
And not look back with tears?
How hard must that heart have become
To block out all those years?
 
Perhaps it’s not a hardened heart,
But one that broke that day;
A heart so damaged it must hide,
One too shattered to pray.
 
Perhaps it drowned, the day it broke,
In tears that have run dry,
For how can love grow green within
The desert of that eye?
 
Or maybe it took what was left,
The little it could save,
And buried it within itself,
A fearful, living grave.
 
What kind of heart just walks away
And leaves its love behind?
The kind that crawls away through shards
That used to be its mind.
 
Psalm 34:18
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.