Redeemed, In the Light

 

I am free of my sins at last,

Not through death, but rebirth,
For, when Jesus rose from the grave,
He restored me to worth.
 
I rejoice in His gift of grace,
I sing His praise in delight,
He is the Eternal Lord
From whom comes life and light.

The Time Between Hope and Pain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’re in that time of in between

What brings us hope and what has been.
We know the truth that lies unseen,
But not yet quite what it will mean.
 

Last night you died for all my sin,

Tomorrow you will rise again;
But grief consumes me until then
And sorrow shrouds the world of men.

Yet still, behind that mournful shroud,
The Hope of Man, reborn unbowed,
Already rises through the cloud,
As yet unseen, with Grace endowed.

This photo is a blessing from AF. She said that when she took it she noticed that, although the bank was shrouded in clouds, still the water reflected that which was otherwise hidden by the mist. She felt that is was a perfect metaphor for our lives, for, while we cannot always see what is to come, God has a perfect view of it and knows what will be.

Thank You For Healing My Soul

Thank you for the sun that rose,
The blossoms on the tree,
The whirling dance of the swallows
And the murmuring bee.
 
Thank you for a day well spent,
The cheery golden sun,
Thank you for the singing frogs
Who tell me day is done.
 
Thank you for a comfy home,
The clothes that keep me warm,
The folks who make my life sweet
And help keep me from harm.
 
Thank you for the life you lived,
The lessons that you taught,
The death you died, brutally,
My healed soul that it bought.
 
Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Luke 22: 4-6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He took their silver for a kiss,

His own Lord, to betray,
He knew the path that he should walk,
But still he went astray.
 
I wondered, as I pondered this,
Have I betrayed You, too?
I know I’ve failed to do some things
That you’ve want me to do.
 
I cast a judging glance at those
Whom I pass on the street;
That judgment is not mine to make,
Though my thoughts are discreet.
 
I mention the small flaws I see
In someone that know,
Which illustrates the greater flaw
My unkind words must show.
 
As I reflected on my faults
The list just grew and grew
Until I realized that I
Had also betrayed You.
 
I do it each day, every day,
But without meaning to.
Yet that does not absolve me of
The wrong I’ve done to You.
 
I have no silver in my hand,
My kiss does not betray,
And yet I understand his guilt;
I live it every day.  

Luke 22: 4-6

And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

The Power of His Name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He cast the stars across the sky

And lit their burning flame.
He called them forth from endless night,
They answered to his name.
 
He formed the wild and raging seas
And then whispered his name
Until the roiling waves were calm,
The seas were still and tame.
 
The skies and seas were born in him,
His wonders they proclaim,
And each one glistens with his light
To glorify his name.
 
Job 9:8
He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.

Releasing Control

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are so many little things

To which you must attend;
The little blossoms of the spring
That herald winter’s end,
The nesting bird, the butterfly,
The stormy, autumn wind,
That special spot on bumble bees
Where black and yellow blend.
 
The details are so very vast,
Or they can be so small,
It’s hard to think that you can keep
A watch on one and all.
Lord, that’s why I hold on so tight,
Afraid to drop the ball,
On all of MY priorities,
Lest you think them banal.  
 
I know that I should just let go
And that, Lord, is my goal.
Let’s face it, I trust you so much,
You saved my mortal soul,
And not trusting it all to you
Is taking such a toll.
So help me, Lord, unclench my hands
And just release control.
 
Psalm 118:8
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.

My Wandering Thoughts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today my thoughts wandered too much,

Missing those I have lost,
And, even in the warm sunlight,
I felt a chilly frost.
 
The thought of those I cannot hold
And those who soon will leave,
All overwhelmed me through the day,
But there’s no time to grieve.
 
The living need me at my best,
There’s much I need to do,
And I should not linger in grief
For those who’ve gone to you.
 
For their world is a brighter one,
That I hope I will see,
But right now I must do the work
That you have asked of me.
 
So help me to get back on track
And lift my spirits high,
For there is too much joy in life
To let it pass me by.
 
Jeremiah 8:18
You who are my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me.

When I Look Back

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t want to look back one day

And think, “I did it wrong”;
I missed a chance to hug a friend,
Or left an unsung song.
I found someone who was in need
And offered them my back,
Or turned, in fear from giving aid,
To one under attack.
 
I want to look back, at the end
Of all my earthly days,
And hope that I’ve lived life such that
I’ve earned my master’s praise.
“Well done, my good and faithful child,
Your servant’s heart came through.
Now leave behind the world of woe;
You’ve rejoicing to do.

Matthew 25:21

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Psalm 9:10

When I am riding on your wing

I’m not afraid to fly;
When I see you in every tear
I’m not ashamed to cry;
And when the clouds grow black and grim
Across a darkened sky
I still trust you with boundless faith
And never question why.
 
Psalm 9:10
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Facing A Hard Decision

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The water rises round the rock,

The cold winds whip and sigh.
You can try to ride out the storm
Or spread your wings and fly.
 
The choice is not an easy one,
Either way you will cry;
While such decisions can be hard,
You know that you must try.
 
The moments pass so quickly now,
Decision time draws nigh,
And the choice you’ll have to make
Becomes a do or die.
 
I don’t know which choice you should choose,
Sit still or seek the sky;
The known is always easiest,
But you have wings to fly!
 
Psalm 25:12
Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.

The Still, Small Voice

 

Listening for that still, small voice,

Waiting so patiently.
I may not hear you right away,
But you will speak to me.
 
I’m learning how to still my thoughts
That I might hear your voice,
And I can’t do it easily.
I have to make that choice.
 
Yet when I set myself apart
And let my thoughts grow still,
I’ve always heard you answer me
And trust you always will.
 

1 Kings 19:11-13

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

Romans 8:17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The way he walked was never smooth,

His life was one of pain,
But I am grateful every day;
His pain was for my gain.
 
He lived that I might have a path
To follow through this life,
He suffered that I might find strength
Through all the pain and strife.
 
He died that I might live with him
Within God’s perfect light,
And that light is what guides me still
As I face each new fight.
 
Romans 8:17
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Finding Joy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where is that joy you promised me,

Why is it hard to find?
I’m not a picky sort of child,
I never was that kind,
And yet it seems, when they talk joy,
I’m feeling left behind.
 
Look up from where you sit and mope,
Turn your gaze to the sky.
For there is joy abundantly
For those who look on high,
But joy is seldom to be found
By those who will not try.
 
I see it now, it’s everywhere,
In every crack and nook.
I simply had to look for it,
A nudge was all it took,
And now my world is filled with joy,
It’s everywhere I look.

Job 8:21

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

Romans 15:13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the lost leaves of last summer,

Burst the first new blooms of the Spring.
Offering, to a wearied world,
All the hope that new life can bring.
 
Lift your praises in the morning,
When the sun’s light first sweeps the sky.
Though the past is lost forever,
Tomorrow’s hope is sweet and nigh!
 
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 66:10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes, to get where we should be,

We must pass through the flame;
Refining all that is mere dross,
The darkness and the shame,
Until we’re burnished bright enough
That we reflect his name.
 
Psalm 66:10
For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.

Caring for His Little Ones

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saw the blossom on the bough

Its petals fine and fair,
It hung upon the rainy branch,
Seemingly, without care.
 
It was so bold, there on the branch,
Its beauty soft and pale,
And yet it seemed so delicate,
Tenuous and frail.

I wondered that it seemed so bold,

As if shielding its young,
Protecting something much more frail
As, on that branch it hung.
 
Until I saw it nestling
Beneath one petal fair,
A raindrop with a smaller bloom
Was snuggled there with care.
 
Thus I was taught to understand
That even one so small
May have a great obligation
When answering His call.
 
John 21:15-16
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

Still Water, Reflected Grace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead me beside the still waters,

And there let me find a safe place
Where I can just rest a moment
Away from the world’s hurried pace.
 
Lead me beside the still waters,
Where, sacred and blessed by your grace,
The currents are only rippled
By the reflection of your face.
 
Psalm 23:2
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside still waters,

Psalm 132:15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for the many gifts

With which you fill my days;
For shelter, safety, warmth and food
I give you grateful praise.
And, though it seems I don’t check in
As often as I should,
I thank you Lord that, all in all,
My life is sweet and good.  
 

Psalm 132:15

I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food.

Morning Stillness

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes the still mist of the dawn

Hides just what my heart needs;
A chance to sit in quiet silence,
Wrapped up in thought not deeds;
A chance to listen to my sorrows,
Then tuck them all away;
A chance to count the blessings which
Come my way every day;
The chance to give my weary heart
A moment to just rest
Before I rise to meet the day
And tackle the next test.

Mark 1:35
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Leap of Faith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I stand upon the precipice,

The chasm gaping wide;
I wanted to shrink back in fear,
Go find some place to hide.
 
Instead, I looked forward in faith,
Trusting your hand was there,
And, as I ready for my leap,
I raise to you a prayer,

“Oh Lord, please give me strength to do

What I must do today,
For, though I do not see the path,
I know you’ll show the way.”
 
So, now I’ll leap forth in full faith
That your hand will hold me.
I won’t let fear keep me from that
Which you’ve called me to be.

Hebrews 11: 1-3
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Tears and Beauty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes come so fast these days,

Like raindrops in a storm,
But in this tempest all the drops
Take a more painful form.
 
Yet even as the torrent falls
The beauty is still there,
You simply have to look for it
Through the tears of despair.

Renewal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The darkness passed, a new day dawned

With all the joy of spring.
And I’m grateful for the healing
That prayer and faith will bring.
I raise my arms to you, My Lord,
For, though I’m broken now,
I live in faith that you’ll renew
Each withered leaf and bough.
 
Job 14:7
“At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail.

The One Bright Spot...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things could not have gone too much worse

Than this day went for me;
Right from the start, until the end,
Was worse than it should be.
Yet, through it all there was one thought,
As bright as it can be,
Tomorrow has to be better
Than this day was for me!
 
So thank you, Lord, for seeing me
From beginning to last,
And even more I thank you, Lord,
That this day now is past!

1 John 4:12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am not a perfect blossom,

I’m torn and frayed, it’s true,
And yet, when his light touches me
My real beauty shines through.
 
For, in and of myself, I’m plain,
But he lives within me,
And that is what makes plain old me
A plain delight to see!
 
1 John 4:12
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Rise Up and Rejoice

I rise up when I hear your name

I rise up and rejoice

Whatever I face, I will sing

When my soul hears your voice

Let the angels sing your praise

Let all the heavens ring

But as for me, I will rejoice

And bid my soul take wing!

Taking Time to Enjoy

I get so caught up in my day

I don’t slow down to see

The lovely world that you have made

And laid out just for me.

The leaves are budding on the trees

While new blooms start to show,

And yet I don’t take time to watch

The blossoms as they grow.

There is no reason for such haste,

The work will still be there,

If I take time out, now and then,

To sniff the fresh spring air.

Thank You Bouquet

Tonight I’ve just a small bouquet

To thank you for this day.

I know they came, first, from your hand  

Before they passed my way,

But I collect them in my heart

For just such days as this,

When I need to say “Thank You, Lord”,

For times of gentle bliss.

Joshua 1:9

I woke to worry for the day,

For those placed in my charge.

I fear that I’m not strong enough

For problems quite this large.

But then I read your loving words,

I feel my courage grow,

For I remember that your love

Goes with me where I go.

So I face this new day with joy,

My worries set aside,

For I cannot be fearful, Lord,

When you are by my side.

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Photo a blessing from Michael Baker

Ecclesiastes 7:8

With patience grows the twining moss,

Draping the alder’s face,

Until it covers root and branch

In its strangling embrace.

It’s not with speed that we achieve

The great deeds we must do,

But when we set forth in good faith

And see the task well through.

Ecclesiastes 7:8

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.