Your Love

Your love is like a mountain stream,

Its water, pure and sweet,
Nourishing all as it washes
Around the mountain’s feet.
 
Yet love, that has its source in You,
Is sweeter in its flow
Than any stream born of this earth.
Its spate won’t ebb or slow.
 
Its feeds even the barren heart
Until it lives anew
And opens up in verdant joy
As Your love cascades through.
 
Isaiah 41:18
I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.

Another nod to ATF. She has sent me so many wonderful photos, we may never run short again! Love her!

The Path Ahead

The road lies dark before me, Lord,

The sun is at my back.
I’m frightened of what lies in wait
Upon that darkened track.
 
There’s so much that can go wrong now,
As I near the path’s end,
And I have no way of knowing
What’s just around the bend.
 
The fear of facing it alone,
With no one to help me,
Has me frozen upon the path
And shaking tearfully.
 
But I know that I must walk on,
The road must be followed.
So my doubts must be put aside
And all my fears swallowed.
 
I’ll say a prayer before I start
And step toward the shade.
The sun may not seem to shine there,
But it’s a path You’ve made.
 
So, I will step out on the way,
With lightness in my stride,
For though the sun is behind me,
Your Son is by my side!
 
Luke 24:15
As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them

This is another wonderful vacation photo from ATF! I love that she takes so many with us in mind!

In His Peace

The mist still nestled on the land,

A reminder of night,
But dawn whispered of things to come
Within the breaking light.
I stood and watched the new day dawn,
Frozen in my delight
That all the tumult of this world
Is stilled before His might.
 
I stood within that morning peace
Until it filled my heart,
And then I carried it with me
As my day got its start.

A lovely moment of peace captured and shared with us by my friend MPM. Thanks, M, for the peace.

One Baptism

John called them into the water

That they might start anew.
He called them and they answered him,
But they came seeking You.  
 
Today I stand upon a shore
Where still waters flow deep,
And pray that promised redemption’s
A promise You’ll still keep.
 
For I have wandered far in sin,
Made many a poor choice,
But then I heard a call to come
And I’ve answered that voice.
 
I turned from the world I have known
Because You called my name.
And now I stand here by the shore
In all my guilt and shame.
 
I don’t think there’s water enough
To wash them from my soul,
But in Your love, is redemption
Enough to make me whole.
 
So I stand ready, on this shore
To start my life anew,
Baptized, not by its cold waters,
But by my faith in You.
 
Ephesians 4:4-6 
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Another vacation photo from ATF! I'm sure enjoying her vacation!

A Bit Askew

The world may seem wonky these days,

As if it’s gone askew,
But I know that it’s in good hands
Since they belong to You.
 
I don’t ask that You make it straight,
I’ve come to understand
However lopsided it is,
It’s still in Your command.
 
But I do ask one thing of You,
Knowing You’ve got this planned,
Please help me keep my balance and
Teach me I can still stand!

This is another delightful photo from ATF of her travels through the NE!

Into Your Light - Republished

Glory shone upon the mountain,

Rising at your command.
Robed in light, the morning trembles,
Gilding the sleeping land.
My heart is swift to rise to you,
A hawk above the strand,
Winging cross the brightening sky
To rest upon your hand.

 Psalm 104:2-3

The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.

How Vast His Love

There is no measure of His love

That man can understand,
But we can glimpse it when we see
The world formed by His hand.
 
The height and breadth that mountains spread,
The deep reach of the sea,
The force of the great hurricane
All give a hint to me
 
Of how eternal and how vast
The love of God must be,
Expanding beyond all we know
And all that we can see.
 
Although I cannot comprehend
The love at His command,
I still am grateful for that love.
That much, I understand.
 
Ephesians 3:18 
that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

This phenomenal shot was captured by ATF this morning as she flew over the northern Cascade range! WOW!

Sufficient

Peace walks before me as I go,

It’s in Your grace, oh Lord.

Though all up hill, I can still walk,

Mind and soul in accord.

I feel a tempest rising now,

Yet in its eye, I’m calm.

For I walk within Your peace, Lord,

It is my spirit’s balm.

So let the storm winds rise and rage

And let the path grow rough.

Your peace and grace will bide with me

And that, Lord, is enough.

2 Corinthians 12:9 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Late Bloomer

It’s meant to bloom in early spring

Yet there it shines today.
It doesn’t seem to know or care
That winter’s on its way.
All of its fellows are long gone
Yet still it blooms brightly,
And I must admit to the joy
I find it brings to me.
What courage does it take to bloom
Midst last season’s decay
And do it with such sweet delight
As to dispel dismay.
In fact, it blooms with such sweet joy,
At closer glance I spied,
A new bud, echoing its joy,
Is nestled at its side.

The Quiet Place-republished

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I dwell in sorrow half the night,  

The chaos of the day

Can overwhelmed me ‘til I run

And try to hide-away.

 

But in the silence where I hide

I find good company,

For you are always waiting there

And you always love me.

 

I’m not your finest creation,

My faith is often frail,

But you have always stood by me

Through every new travail.

 

It’s not your faithfulness that’s weak

But mine that fails the test;

Yet every time I quit or fall

You hold me to your breast

 

And let me know that I am loved

In spite of all my shame;

You lift me up and dust me off

You call me by my name.

 

All of the heavenly voices

And all the songs they’ve sung

Cannot be sweeter than the sound

Of my name on your tongue

I am not worthy of your love

And yet you still love me;

Each day I chain myself with fear,

Each day you set me free.

So meet me in that silent place,

Where I am on my knees,

I’m not as strong as I should be,

But let me serve you, please.

 

First published September 28, 2010

Valley of Shadows

I walked the dark valley today,

Its shadows looming grim.
I would not have found my way through
If I had not had Him.
 
I felt the dark sweep over me
As I knelt down to weep.
I had forgotten the promise
That I am His to keep.
 
But, as the tears spilled from my eyes
To settle in heart,
I heard Him call my name softly
And I felt new hope start.
 
The valley may be long and dark,
But it will end someday,
And I won’t walk that path alone.
He’ll guide me all the way.
 
So I rose up and turned my face
Toward the growing light,
No longer fearful of my path,
Protected by His Might.

This gorgeous photo of the Tennessee Valley is a gift from LRS. What a breathtaking view and it makes me long to see it in person. Thank You, L! 

Flowing Waters

The stream flows sweetly down the hill

Its water running free
To nourish all along its path
As God meant it to be.
 
The storms of life may stem its flow,
Or turn it from its bed,
But patiently it finds its way
Back to the path instead.
 
For God has set it on its course,
Its water flows from Him,
And it would not fail in this task
Though all the world turn grim.
 
Thus is it, too, in my life now,
My mind clogs and moves slow,
But no debris can stem the stream
Where Living Waters flow.
 
I’ll stand in faith and hold to Him
Whose grace wells up in me,
Until I am the flowing stream
That He’s asked me to be.
 
John 7:38
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

This photo is a gift from ATF, who always looks for the perfect shot for me! Love you, A!!! 

Tonight marks the end of my sixth year of writing “Each Day A Praise”. When I started out this project, I thought that it would be a one year project. Each year now, for the past three years, I have wondered if I had enough brain power to continue for another year, and each year God has encouraged me to carry on. This year I am sensing that I can step back a bit, write some new verses, but re-post old favorites as well. I told a prayer partner and dear old friend, our meme maker, of my worry that I was getting too caught up in anguishing over the quality of the praises and less focused on just trusting “My Collaborator’s” direction. I asked her to pray for me to have a clear direction on what to do. Without having discussed my plan with her, she agreed to pray and suggested that I write a few new praises and re-post a few old favorites each week. I took that unprompted suggestion to be an endorsement of what I had been leaning toward and I am stepping forward on that course.

Thus, Each Day A Praise will continue on and I am grateful to my sweet Meme Maker, to all of you who offer love, support, guidance, input and PHOTOS, and, most especially, I am grateful for my “Collaborator” and all the Living Water that He continues to pour through my life!  AMEN!!!!

Winter's Harbinger

Time is moving slowly now

Tomorrow it will fly
It’s odd how, when I rest, it’s slow,
But work makes it fly by.
 
The seasons seem to me the same
Spring and summer fly fast,
But autumn lingers on a while
And winter’s never “past”.
 
It’s fortunate, then, that I love
The brilliant autumn days,
And that I relish the slow pace
Of winter’s rainy haze.
 
For autumn days are on us now,
They’ve settled in the trees
And whisper of the coming cold
On every chilly breeze.
 
I’m growing used to the slow pace
And to the cooler days,
I’m recalling how much I love
The drowsy winter ways.

He Loves Me

I remember that game we played,

When in our younger days,
And when I look at daisies now
I recall childish ways.
 
“He loves me and he loves me not”
The petals one by one
Declared a love, or lack thereof,
From an absent someone.
 
But I have grown to understand
A new form of the game,
And when I count the petals now
I do so in His name.
 
For I have seen the miracles
That happen every day
And I have counted many more
Than should have come my way
 
So these days when I play the game
I count it differently,
“He loves me and He loves more”.
 Now that’s the count for me.

Before the Dawn

 

I don’t know what comes with the dawn,

Or what my day will be,
But I will rise and give this day
The very best of me.
 
My time is brief upon this earth,
Someday I won’t be here,
So I am inclined to live life
As if my time is dear.
 
I want to love with all my heart
And never fear to try.
I want to know it mattered that
I lived, before I die.
 
I don’t want those I leave behind
To weep when I am gone.
I’d rather that they live with joy
And boldly carry on.
 
My life is not significant
And neither, thus, am I,
But I have a part in God’s plan
To play before I die.
 
So I will rise up with the dawn,
Giving each day my best,
Until I watch my last sunset
And settle to my rest.

This cheery, sweet photo is a gift from my niece, RM. It is Lake Geneva, in Switzerland. Love that girl!! Very much!

At His Command

How splendid are the works of God,

Formed by His mighty hand
And still, despite their awesome mien,
They answer His command.
 
Moving forever in their path
Above both sea and land,
They seem eternal, yet someday
They’ll crumble into sand.
 
How fleeting, in the sight of God,
Yet endless to our eyes,
They remind us of His power
As they sweep through the skies.
 
Genesis 1:16
God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.

My Place of Peace

Come find me in my place of peace,

That’s where I know I’ll be
When all the world is upside down
And life becomes crazy.

There has to be some quiet place
Where I can hear His voice,
A place where I can remember
That He gives me a choice.
 
I can give up and let the world
Drag me down in its woe,
Or meet Him in my quiet place.
I know where I will go!

Deep Waters

When I was lost and foundering

You came to rescue me.
Stilling the waves, You took my hand
And drew me from the sea.
 
You led me to the distant shore
Where I could rest and heal,
And in Your love I found the peace
I never knew was real.
 
The seas may rise up once again
But this time I won’t fear,
For, though the sea is wild and deep,
I now know You are near.

2 Samuel 22:17

He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.

Rejoicing Always

Rejoicing on life’s sunny days

Is easy as can be,
But dancing when the rain falls down
That’s more precious to me.
 
It takes an extra bit of grace
To smile through all the tears,
But those have been my brightest smiles
Through all my many years.
 
Oh Lord, I love to see the sun,
With warmth that can sustain,
But even more I thank You for
Rejoicing in the rain!!

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Harvesting Bounty

Abundant was the harvest, Lord.

The work of many days
Has led to such a bounty that
I lift a heartfelt praise.
 
I had no thought through spring’s bright chill
Or summer’s steamy haze
That autumn would be filled with grace  
Enough for winter’s daze,
 
But here I am, still harvesting,
And grateful for the ways
That You have blessed me through the years
With bounties that amaze.

A Whispered Word

I look for You within each dawn

And at the fall of night.
I find You just beneath each thought,
Waiting just out of sight.
 
You have created all the worlds
And hold them in Your hand,
Yet still You answer when I call.
I barely understand
 
The force of love that is so great
That You would pause to hear
A whispered word from one lost heart
That needs to know You’re near.

Going Nowhere

It looks as if it leads nowhere,

But that’s where I must go.
For when I’ve left the world behind
My thoughts turn clear and slow.
 
The chaos of this busy world
Settles in its true place
And I, once more, remember life
Is formed within Your Grace.
 
Then I can hear that still, small voice
That I love tending to,
For there, at the end of the path,
At last, Lord, I hear You.

Anew

Such is the hope of a fresh day,

That I might start anew
And strive once more to live my life
In reflection of You.

Alone With My Fears

I’m feeling all alone out here,

Swallowed up by the night,
And I have little hope that dawn
Will bring a cheerful light.
 
I know that fear offers no aid,
Yet fear still fills my mind
With thoughts that offer small comfort
And little peace to find.  
 
It would be so easy to quit,
To give in to my fears
And wallow in my deep despair
Or drown myself in tears.
 
But I will put my trust in You,
Though fear may make me quake,
For You faced more than mortal fear
When You died for my sake.

Perfect Peace

The evening settles quietly,

My day is done at last.
I cannot change the way it went,
For that dye has been cast.
But I can let the evening’s peace
Find its way into me
And I accept that this day went
As You meant it to be.
I don’t mind all the ups and downs
As long as You are there,
For I know that I’m in good hands
Through joy or through despair.
So I will settle in Your peace
That comes at end of day,
And I will let that perfect peace
Hold me within its sway.
 
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Passing Seasons

The season’s drifting to its end,

As seasons always do,
But I find I am hesitant
To bid this one adieu.
 
The summers pass more quickly now
And autumns hurry through,
Though winter seems to linger on
Longer than it needs to.
 
The spring is bright, the summer warm,
Dappled with gentle dew,
But, as autumn gives way to snow,
Earth seeks peace to renew.
 
And I am feeling that need, Lord,
My seasons pass on, too,
But I am grateful, as I age,
That I’m renewed in You.

In Your Stillness

There is a stillness in the dawn,

A peace that I had lost,
For there had been no place to rest
When I was blown and tossed.
 
I paused there, in that place of peace,
Regaining my lost strength,
Knowing that I will rise, renewed,
To fly again at length.
 
Oh Lord, You are that peaceful place,
Where I can rest and heal.
The storm still rages all around,
But Your stillness is real.
 
You are within me once again,
I feel You in my heart.
You are my strength and the refuge
Where hope and healing start.
 
Psalm 59:16
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Prayer for Abundance

I pray for you, abundant life,

In all things of value;
Love and joy, mercy and peace
Enough to see you through,
 
Family and friends who love you
When life is hard to bear
That you might find the strength you need
Never to know despair,
 
A chance to do more than you thought
And even sometimes fail,
So you can face whatever comes
With faith that will prevail.
 
I pray for you, abundant life
Filled with God’s gifts of grace,
And, most of all, I pray that you
Live life in His embrace.
 
Jude 1:2
Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

Faith to Rise

I almost walked right by it there

Where it should not have grown.
It had no business standing tall,
That much it should have known.
 
It never should have found its way
Into the light at all,
A flower does not grow out of
A solid concrete wall.
 
What kind of faith must it require
To rise up to the sun
When all the world believes you can’t
Do that which must be done?
 
It took less than a mustard seed
For that flower to rise,
It only took a faithful heart
Longing to see Your skies!
 
Matthew 17:20
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

When Feeling Small

The world seems much too large for me,

I’m lost within its scope.

I try not to feel overwhelmed,

But some days I can’t cope.

But, when I feel I’m getting lost,

I boldly make a claim

Upon Him who ordered the heavens

And yet still knows my name!

For He is mighty in His ways,

Yet gentle in His grace

And I cannot help but rejoice

When I look on His face.

Psalm 147:4

He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.