Looking Forward

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I leave behind the past, the lost.

I know its price, I’ve paid the cost.

And now I face the coming year

With hopeful joy, instead of fear.

There’s so much still ahead of me

And I’m excited as can be.

For what’s to come beats what is past

And God has promised it will last.

So come on, New Year, bring it on,

Let’s don’t look back at what is gone!

 

2 Peter 3:13

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

In His Peace

There was a moment in the dawn,

When everything was still,
And He was waiting for me there,
To ease my restless will.
 
I feel I have to fight each day
The demons I create,
I have to work to curb and tame
My ever changing fate,
 
I have to roar defiantly
To face down my own fear,
But in that stillness, born at dawn,
I knew that He was near.
 
The tendrils of that peaceful dawn
Still twine within my mind
And all the stresses of my day
Continue to unwind
Until His face, His peace, His grace
Is all that I can find.
 
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Storm Winds

The wind howls coldly through the eaves

And bites into my heart.
I know that dawn will come again,
Though night’s just had its start.
I feel so cold, just listening,
I shiver, though I’m warm.
It’s as if, just by hearing them,
The winds can do me harm.
 
How is it, though I know I’m safe,
There’s still a fear in me?
How can I not have faith in walls
That were built so strongly?
Is this how the disciples felt
When the storm stirred the waves?
Though they were safely in His arms
Did they still fear their graves?
 
Luke 8:25

“Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.

Gifts of Love

It is the purest gifts of love

That helps to see us through,
When we feel lost, so overwhelmed
We don’t know what to do.
 
It doesn’t take an act so large
The whole world will take note,
For just a little love can keep
A sinking heart afloat.
 
And I have known such acts of love
In this last month or two.
And, though they come from angels here,
I know they start with You.
 
So, Lord, please know I’m holding on,
For love will bring me through,
And, when I thank them for their love,
Please know, I thank You, too.
 
1 Timothy 1:5
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Look Around

There are so many splendid things 

That we simply don’t see
Though they are right before our eyes
As God meant them to be.
I wonder if God tests us thus,
We ask for many things,
But seldom turn to notice what
Each one of those prayers bring.
 
We say, "Oh Lord, please bring me through",
But when the night is done
We seldom stop to see the joy
Of a new rising sun.
We ask the Lord to bless our plan
When things seem to be grim,
But when the plan goes well at last
We seldom think of Him,
 
So take the time to look around,
There’s beauty everywhere
And proof abundant of God’s love,
Of His enduring care!

Storm Clouds

We watch the dark clouds rolling in,

A new storms on its way.
There are those times when we are sure
All we can do is pray.
 
But as the storm clouds pass on by
We once more understand
Whatever life may send our way,
God holds us in His hand.

Christmas Dawn

In the fresh light of the dawn,

As Christmas comes again,
I am reminded of His Grace
On behalf of lost man.
                              
He sacrificed immortal life
To walk on earth with man,
And then He died that we might live
To be born once again!

The Snow Was Deep

The night was cold, the snow was deep.

They huddled by the fire to sleep
While watching over flocks of sheep.
 
Then there, above the snow’s cold creep,
Waves of Angel songs did sweep,
Proclaiming vows that God would keep.
 
Then they rose up and left their sheep.
Such joy required they take a leap
And find the child who lay asleep.
 
Though the snow lay cold and deep.
 
Luke 2:15
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Twisted Roots

Even among the twisted roots

Of a long fallen tree,
There is a lacework loveliness
That’s obvious to see.
 
Though you may not see it that way,
It’s clear as it can be,
It’s that same twisted loveliness
That my God sees in me.
 
For I was fallen, dead and lost,
Twisted from root to bough,
But despite all my brokenness
He saw beauty somehow.
 
He brought that beauty out in me,
Though I still don’t know how,
But this old twisted, broken tree
Is something precious now.
 
Isaiah 61:4
They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

Facing Hard Times

Oh Lord you must have something great

That’s on its way to me,
Because the devil’s at my back
And I’m scared as can be.
 
They say that those for whom You’ve planned
Something that’s really great
Will often find the Devil’s there
Trying to twist their fate.
 
Well he is breathing down my neck,
Whispering in my ear
That I can’t handle what I face
With confidence and cheer.
 
I’m tempted to listen to him,
As tears form in my eyes,
But that temptation will not work
Because I know he lies.
 
Please help me to remember, Lord
That You’re in charge, not him
And I can call upon Your Grace
Though things seem mighty grim.
 
Acts 14:22
strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

A Flash of Insight

I caught a glimpse into You, Lord,

As I thought through my week.
And when I saw You in that flash
Lord, I could barely speak.
 
There are no words that I can use
To describe that insight,
But. Lord, it left me shivering
With awe and with delight.
 
I can’t say what specifically
It was that touched my soul,
But this I know, without a doubt,
Its touch has made me whole.

I thank You, Lord, for giving me

That glimpse into Your light.
It was a moment of true Grace,
I am blessed by the sight!

Rainy Season

The rain is falling ceaselessly

I’d hoped it would be gone,
But since this is still winter time
The rain goes on and on.
 
The seasons are always the same
They come and then they go.
But while they’re here they can drag on.
At least it seems that’s so.
 
Such are the seasons of our lives
They come and then pass by,
Though some can seem to linger on
So long we need to cry.
 
But hold to faith, for seasons pass
And so do troubled days.
Soon both winter and our troubles
Give way to joyful praise!

A bit of Sunshine

Just a little ray of sunshine

To cheer my winter day.
Yet, it is no coincidence
This photo came my way,
As I had just been asking God
For some bright joy today.
He may not answer as you’d planned,
But God hears when you pray,
So lift your heart, then lift your prayers
And let His Will have sway.

So Many Memories

The memories are fresh tonight,

They sparkle in my mind,
And each one is a precious gem,
The painful and the kind.
Is it the season of the year
That brings them all to mind?
Or am I simply longing for
The moments left behind?
Whatever the reason might be
That they’re twined in my mind,
Each memory touches in me
A place only they find.

Seriously?

“Seriously”, I said to Him.

“This is how it’s to be?
A day that’s seems turned upside down
Is what You’d planned for me?”
 
I know that I looked quizzically
At heaven’s clouded face
Without quite understanding, yet,
That in chaos there’s grace.
 
The Grace that comes when all else fails
And we reach out to Him;
When He reminds us we are loved,
Our cup spills past the brim.
 
That was the point at which chaos
Slipped quietly away
And I no longer questioned Him
On His plans for my day.

Lemondrop Sun

The sun sets on a restless sea,

I know that night will follow.
The sky will soon grow dark as pitch,
The starlight cold and hollow.
But I’ll hold that lemon drop sun
Snug within my memory
And all the darkness that may come
Cannot take that joy from me.
 
There are choices that we must make
That shape who we will be,
Do we see only coming night
Or the sun on the sea?
Do we seek that which darkness breeds
Or do we change our gaze
And focus instead on the hope
That’s born in the sun’s rays?

Dancing on The Rock

Dancing on the Rock

Praising His Holy Name
Dancing on the Rock
Won’t you come do the same
 
Dancing on the Rock
His Name rings in the air
Dancing on the Rock
Rejoicing everywhere
 
Dancing on the Rock
Blessed to live in His Grace
Dancing on the Rock
My soul seeks His embrace
 
Dancing on THE ROCK!

Thirsting

I seek you, Lord, I thirst for You.

Your word gives me new hope.
Without You, Lord, I fear I’m lost,
I’d have no way to cope.
 
So I will drink from Your Word, Lord.
Until my thirst has past,
And that won’t happen, Lord, until
I’m in Your arms at last.
 
Psalm 42:2
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

Wild Hair Day

I keep thinking tomorrow’s it,

The one where things go right.
Yet every day some new problem
Steps in to pick a fight.
 
So if I look a bit wild eyed
My hair a bit astray,
Just assume that I fought back
Against what came my way.
 
And I may look worse for the wear,
But I know that I’ve won,
Because I’ll stand and fight again
When each new day’s begun!
 
Proverbs 24:16
for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

Too Tired To Type

Lord, tonight I’m a weary child

Who’s faced a world too big and wild,
And kept the faith, though doubt beguiled.
Now, at this day’s end I have smiled,
For, though weary, I’m still Your child.

Storm Battered

The wind is battering the house,

Windows quake with each blow.
How much more of this it can take?
I truly do not know.
 
The house has stood upon the bank
Withstanding storms for years,
Yet as I listen to the winds
I have my doubts and fears.
 
In some ways I am like this house.
As storm winds swirl around,
I may be rattled by each blow,
But I will hold my ground.

The Snare

Everything is so complex

With layers on layers of pain
Some days I just want to give up
And run from all the stress and strain.
 
But I can never get away,
I’m trapped in my despair.
And even if I tried to run
I’d never escape from the snare.
 
So I must find the faith to fight,
To break free from each bitter strand.
For, as long as they bind me fast,
I cannot reach out for God’s hand.

Psalm 25:15

My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.

Perfect Plans

I thought I had the perfect plan

With everything in place
Until the moment that my plan
Collapsed right in my face.
 
Oh yes, I thought I’d try again…
It was a perfect plan,
But I’d forgotten the first rule
That binds the plans of man.
 
Perfection is not born on earth,
It lives within God’s heart.
My plan is perfect only when
His plan is where I start.
 
So now I’ll put my plan in place,
This time with His in mind.
I’m sure “my perfect plan” will be
More perfectly refined.

Stillness

Some days I want to find myself

Upon a peaceful shore
Where wave and tide have spent themselves
And trouble land no more.
 
To sit and listen to the song
Of wind and wave and sand
While time stands still and I can hold
A moment in my hand.
 
But God needs me now for His work,
So that’s where I will be.
Until the day when I can sit
In stillness by the sea.

Not Abandoned

I called to God, He answered me,

Though not as I had planned.
But there was never any doubt
He held me in His hand.
For, though the world still came at me,
I had the strength to stand
And fight my way through every storm,
To rest here on the sand.
 
So I will sing His praises out
No matter what may be.
My God has carried me this far,
He won’t abandon me.

Quiet Reflection

Quiet reflections, Christmas past,

Christmases yet to come.
Looking forward to what’s in store
Recalling where I’m from.
The longer nights, the shorter days,
The dark half of the year
Remind me how grateful I am
That He is always near.
 
Each year I find myself right here
In quiet reflection.
He came to give me everything,
In turn, what have I done?

Metamorphosis

I find myself, in thinking back,

Seeing a different me.
I’m not the person I once was,
Nor, yet, who I should be.
But like the butterfly in spring
Preparing to burst free,
I’ll just keep changing to become
The me I want see.  

Prickly Day

I was prickly all day today,

It showed in every deed.
It seems that every thought I had
Was one more “grumpy seed”.
 
No matter how I tried to smile,
It seemed more like a sneer,
And sarcastic commentary
Found my lips near and dear.
 
It wasn’t how I’d planned to be,
That’s just how my day went,
Until I saw that friendly smile
That seemed so heaven sent.  
 
It wasn’t perfect or sublime,
But it sure made my day
And that was all it took to make
The prickles go away.

Shake It Off

I found myself shedding a tear,

Then two… or maybe four.
There wasn’t really a reason.
There were reasons galore.
 
I think that I was overwhelmed
By all that I now face
And I’d forgotten, for a bit,
That I’m awash in Grace.
 
I’d let the darkness bring me down
From where God had placed me.
So I turned back and shook it off,
I felt myself break free.
Then I noticed even my tears
Sparkled more brilliantly.

Facing Hard News

My worries curl around me, Lord,

Trying to drag me down.
I only hold the tears back, Lord,
For fear that I might drown.
Those who love me are near-by, Lord,
Yet still I feel alone,
And if You were to leave me, Lord,
My heart might turn to stone.
 
I call upon Your name, my Lord,
I claim Your healing Grace.
I choose to walk faithfully, Lord
Til life falls into place.
I’ll rise above my fears, oh Lord,
And place my faith in You,
For win or lose, You’ve got me, Lord,
And I can count on You.

My Father's Work

Now I must be about my work,
There’s so much left to do.
And I know that it won’t get done
If I don’t see it through.
 
It’s good to have a task again.
It means so much to me
To have something I need to do,
Someplace I ought to be.
 
There are so many without work
To see them through each day,
That I am even more thankful
For that which comes my way.
 
But though I’m grateful for the work
That this world provides me,
I’m happiest when it’s God’s work
That keeps my hands busy.
 
John 10:37
Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father.

So Small

I’m so small, Lord. The world’s too big.

I fear I could get lost
If You don’t keep an eye on me
I’ll be storm blown and tossed.
 
Please watch me, Lord, and keep me safe.
Protect me with Your care.
For, though I’m small, I’ll know I’m loved
If You are always there.

Always on Watch

There’s something stark about the scene

That touches me deeply.
I can’t pin down quite what it is,
Only that it moves me.
A solitary figure stands
Surrounded by the snow.
Despite the dark, the bitter cold,
He chooses not to go.
It is as if he stands on guard,
Watching throughout the night.
A quiet figure, dark and still,
Against the frozen white.
                                 
What is he watching in the night,
What does he see coming?
Is it something that I should fear,
Or joy to make me sing?
Will it take strength I don’t yet have,
A faith that’s growing still?
Or is it something I can face
If I stand in God’s will?
Or is it just a moment caught
Within the photo’s frame?
A moment now a memory
That lingers just the same…
 
Luke 21:36
Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Teach the Young

It’s not the voices of the great

That touch us to the core.
Instead it’s those voices we know
That move us to be more.
 
The famed may speak words rich and wise,
But those we listen to
Are the voices we love the best,
Those we trust to be true. 
 
Especially the little ones
Who learn to say and do
All that they should know in this life
By, each day, watching you.
 
Speak gently to the little ones,
Who walk with you each day,
And teach them what they need to know
So they don’t lose their way.
 
Teach them to be kind when they should
And help out when they can.
Teach them to love and praise the Lord
And serve their fellow man.
 
Speak of the Lord and all His Grace,
Be sure they hear your voice,
For it is you they’ll listen to
When they must make their choice.
 
Proverbs 22:6
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Reflection and Thanks

Taking time to reflect on life

Counting my blessings, too.
Thanking You for all I have,
And all that I’ve come through.
I know the road is long ahead,
There’s much still left to do,
But I’ve been blessed with so much, Lord,
And well beyond my due,
That I can only credit Grace
And that Grace comes from You.

Perfect Days

Whatever this day holds in store,

It mixes good and bad.
There never was a “perfect day”
In all the days I’ve had.
 
But that’s a blessing in itself,
There’s beauty in contrast.
It takes both shadows and sunlight
For impressions that last.
 
So don’t look for a perfect day,
One flawlessly arrayed,
Instead enjoy each, flaws and all,
For it’s the day God made!

This photo is a blessing from TT. Thank you for a sunrise of perfect contrasts!

Be Thankful

I keep hearing these words today,

“Be thankful in all things”.
For there is much to be thankful for
In all that your life brings.
 
You say that times are hard right now,
Well they’re hard for me, too.  
And yet I find blessings galore
In everything I do.
 
The traffic was a snarled mess,
It gave me time to sing.
It rained until the streets filled up,
Things will be green in Spring.
 
The bills pile up, the worries too,
So I spend time with Him.
Which helps improve my attitude,
Even when things are grim.
 
There are worries and fears enough
To bring me to my knees,
But when I’m there I lift a prayer
Of thanks that’s meant to please.
 
Because the faith that sees me through
Is not a faith that’s blind,
I don’t get lost in all that wrong,
It’s happiness I find.
 
So when I felt my spirits sag
I listened to that voice.
“Be thankful in all things today”,
And that’s been a great choice.

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

In The Storm

I’m caught within the rising storm,

Pelted by driving rain,
But I will stand within your grace
Despite my fear and pain.
 
I’ll hunker down before the wind,
But keep my eyes on You.
I feel the storm tear at me, Lord,
But You will see me through.
 
I don’t ask that You turn the storm,
That lack of faith is wrong,
But what I do ask of You, Lord,
Is that You make me strong.

Light Up the Clouds

I watched the sun rise into clouds,

Thinking its light would dim.
Instead the clouds began to glow
From rim to golden rim.
 
We too can be just like that sun,
Rising to face each day.
When darkness lies across our path
Our light can still hold sway.
 
We can refuse to give the dark
The chance to hide our light,
Instead we can light up the clouds
And make our whole world bright.
 
Luke 8:16
No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.

Such is His Love

I used to think that all my sin

Might turn His heart from me,
But, when He died and rose again,
He proved that could not be.
 
I was afraid that all I’d done
Would cause Him so much shame
That He would turn away from me
And never speak my name.
 
Instead, He sought me in my sin
And spoke to me of Grace.
He said He would not give me up
Or turn from me His face.
 
In fact, He made it clear to me,
No matter where I run,
He’ll find me and He’ll love me still,
Despite all I have done.
 
So I am now convinced of this,
There’s no place I might be,
That God won’t find me, when I call.
Such is His love for me.
 
Romans 8:38-39  
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Still Water and Peace

After the flurry of the day

When I, at last, was still,
I felt Your peace within me, Lord.
I feel it linger still.
 
Within my mind I find that place
Where silent waters flow,
And, when I need to see Your face,
That is the place I go.
 
My world is filled with busy days,
That make me long for peace.
And, when I’m with You on that shore,
I find, at last, release.
 
So I will meet You every day
In my mind, by the lake,
And all the peace You offer me,
Lord, I will gladly take.

Weary

I’m tired and weary,

But all will be well
If I can just sit here
And rest for a spell.
 
I’ve travelled so far, Lord,
With farther to go,
But I know I’ll get there,
Though I’m moving slow.
 
So, Lord give me shelter
From the wind and rain,
Then help me to get up
And fly once again.
 
Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

My Injured Heart

I watch her sleep, hear her small cries.

I’m grateful she is here.
She is my comfort when I stress,
My joy filled dose of cheer.
It may not seem like much to you,
But she’s the world to me.
And when she hurts, like she does now,
It breaks my heart to see.
 
But I have faith that she and I
Will come through this just fine.
I’ll take care of her, heal her pains
And she’ll take care of mine.

Not So Alone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wanted, in my weariness,

To cry out, “I’m alone!
There is no one to see or care
If should weep or moan.”
But lonely doesn’t hug me tight
Or help me when I fall.
It never stops to cheer me up
When I am down and call.
Loneliness never had my back
Or brought food when I’m sick
It never helped me find the light
When the dark grew too thick.
While lonely never helps me out
There are many who do.
I guess I’m not quite as alone
As I feel when I’m blue.