Deep in the Rock - Re-posted

My roots run deep into the rock

That shields me from the storm,

And though my world is tossed and whipped

I’ll come to no great harm.

 

I may be battered by the gales,

And weep before it’s done,

But with my roots deep in the rock

I know my fights been won.

 

I love to rise up in the sun

And feel a gentle breeze,

But I can hold on through a blast

That shatters mighty trees.

 

For I am rooted in the rock

And my roots still will grow

Deeper each day into that rock

From which true strength will flow.

 

Luke 6:48

They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

In God's Time - Re-posted

It bides its time and slowly grows,

Some things cannot be rushed,
It has the patience that it takes
And faith that can’t be crushed.
 

For all that happens at God’s pace

Works only for our good,
And God gives everything the time
To turn out like it should.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

A Grateful Prayer - Re-posted

It’s but a milestone on the path,

A day like other days,
Yet, Lord, I feel compelled today
To lift a special praise.
Thank You for bringing me this far
Across life’s ragged sky.
Thank You for giving me my wings
And teaching me to fly.  
Thank You for offering Your strength,
When mine proved all too frail,
Then helping me to rise above
Each storm, and to prevail.
But, most of all, I thank You, Lord,
Through all the joy and tears,
That You’ve loved me unfailingly
And will for all my years.

Precarious Times-Re-posted

Lord, these are precarious times,

All that was right is wrong.

I want to keep my balance, Lord,
But I’m not always strong.

I find that I want to fight back,
Though Love is what You ask.
I’m just not sure I love enough
To live up to that task.

The balance is so difficult
And I’m so near the edge,
I don’t know if I should hold on
Or climb back off the ledge.

I don’t like what is happening,
Or what I have to do.
I only know my single hope
Of doing right is You.

John 15:12
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

A Sparkle in His Eye - Re-posted

It startles me, sometimes, to see
The world formed by His hand,
Where even insects in a pond
Appear regal and grand.
Mountains may tower to the sky,
The oceans swathe the earth,
But something smaller than my hand
Still equals them in worth,
For it was formed by the same grace
That shaped the boundless skies.
However tiny it may be,
It sparkles in His eyes.

I'll Try Again - Re-posted

I have to confess to You, Lord,

I’m not perfected yet.
I start each day with good intent
And end up with regret.
 
I ask You to forgive again,
What You forgave before.
I try each day to give my best
And end up failing more.
 
I don’t see how You can forgive
And watch me fail again,
But I pray You love me enough
That, one more time, You can.
 
So as the sun seeks a new dawn
I rise to face the day
Vowing to try today to do
What I failed yesterday.
 
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

What Lies Ahead - Re-posted

I try to see what lies ahead,

But I can’t see that far,
So I will trust the one who shaped
The mountain and the star.
 
There’s nothing in heaven or earth
That He did not place there.
As He has laid plans for my good,
I’ll trust I’m in His care.
 
He formed the worlds, and all therein,
Then set them all on course.
And nothing can alter the flow
That spills out from that source.
 
No, I may not see far ahead,
But this much I can see,
There’s nothing that can hide from Him,
And He’s shaped what will be.

Jeremiah 23:24
Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.

Reflecting on Good-bye - Re-posted

She wept as she spoke of her pain

For those she’ll leave behind
And worried that a final peace
Was something she’d not find.
 
So many came to say good-bye,
But could not speak that thought,
As if they broke beneath the pain, 
That single word had wrought. 
 
“I don’t feel sorry for myself,
At least I try not to,
I just wish I could show them all
How their love pulls me through.”
 
“I wish the words still found their way
From my thoughts to my voice,
But what comes out of my mouth now
Is often not my choice.”
 
She cried a little as she spoke.
Of course, it broke my heart, 
And I held her in trembling arms
As her world fell apart. 
 
But then she straightened up and smiled,
And wiped a teary eye. 
She said she wanted to be strong
Each time she said good-bye.
 
She hugged me tightly, one more time,
Then held me by the hand.
“I’m glad you came to see me, dear, 
I knew you’d understand.”
 
“And now I think I need to rest,
Come back if you’re nearby.
I’ll see you soon,” she said to me,
“And let's not say good-bye.” 

This was a conversation with a friend on Hospice, just a few days before heaven called her home. I still think of her and miss her warm smile. And we never did say "good-bye". 

Under His Watch - Re-posted

With thunder rumbling on the air,
And lightening drawing near,
It flitted joyfully along
Seemingly without fear.
 
I marveled at the fearlessness,
The reckless sense of joy,
With which it braved the rising storm.
It was not cowed nor coy.
 
As if it knew it would be safe,
No matter where it sailed;
Its comings and its goings watched
By One who’s never failed.
 
Psalm 121:7-8
The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Out of Darkness - Re-posted

I tried to hide, but You found me.

You called me to Your side
And from that moment I knew, Lord,
I had no need to hide. 
 
I still am who I was before,
With scars and warts and all,
But I no longer hide in shame
Since I have heard Your call. 
 
I may not have it all worked out,
But, Lord, I’ll follow You.
You called me out of my darkness
That I might live anew.

Genesis 3:8
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Life and Hope - Re-posted

The winter had broken its heart,

Clearly the tree was dead.
I had every intention of
Tearing it from the bed.
 
But spring came on far too quickly,
Faster than I’d foreseen,
And that dead tree began to show
Some tender shoots of green. 
 
And so I nursed it gently through
April and into May
When that old tree cast death aside
In life’s verdant display. 
 
I learned a lesson from that tree,
That, despite scarring frost,
We ought not give up on a soul
Until it’s truly lost. 
 
For even those we think beyond
Salvation’s healing scope
May still find redemption and grace.
While there is life, there’s hope. 

The photo and the idea are from a dear friend who recognizes blessings all around her and inspires that vision in others! Thank you, CS!!

A Bed of Roses - Re-posted

They say life’s no bed of roses,
And maybe that is so.
But, though life scatters many seeds,
We choose which seeds we grow.
 
You may choose weeds of bitterness,
With thorns that pierce your heart,                                     
Or blooms of anger whose fragrance
Can tear your life apart.
 
But I will choose to pick blossoms
Planted where kindness grows,
In loam of love and faithfulness
Where peace and joy repose.  
This life is filled with weeds and blooms,
For me, I’ll take the rose.  
 
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

What He Left Behind - Re-posted

On Father’s Day my thoughts still turn
To one who’s lost to me,
At least, he isn’t there each day
To talk to or to see.
And it’s at times, much like today,
That we most inclined
To speak of all the things we miss,
Not those he left behind.
So let me mention all the things
That I don’t miss today
Because he left them here with us
That day he went away.
 
I see his smile on each grand child,
His strength lives in his son,
The wisdom that he shared, in love,
Still guides us everyone.
One sister has his focused mind
Another his kind heart,
While yet another lives the faith
He taught us from the start.
His brilliant mind, his gift of gab,
He left those with us all,
As well as the will to defend
The helpless when they call.
 
His face, his eyes, his loving smile,
His brilliant quirky mind,
The heart that loved all those he knew…
These things he left behind.
Although I miss him every day
I don’t have far to look
To see the pages that he wrote
That fill my family’s book.

A Simple Faith - Re-posted

The simple little faiths of life

We use to see us through
Spring from the things of everyday,
The things that we’re used to.
 
The blossoms bloom with summer sun,
The rain assures they grow;
The little bee gathers its gold.
They all do what they know.
 
They step into the every day
With faith that what they do
Is done because it fits the plan
That was laid out by you.
 
And so I try to keep in mind,
Though things may not seem right,
That you control the universe,
The darkness and the light,
And if, in faith, I spread my wings
You’ll lift me up in flight.

Shadow and Light - Re-posted

We live our lives between the light

And the shadow of death.
We never know how precious is 
Each and every breath. 
 
The days that we have to spend here
Are not left to our count,
For God alone can know for sure
Their purpose and amount.
 
But we are given, in that time,
A chance to choose our way,
To walk within the shadowed paths
Or where the light holds sway. 
 
Choose well, for more than life’s at stake,
Between shadow and light,
The choice is never easy, but
There’s only one that’s right. 
 
Psalm 90:12
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Working Faithfully - Re-posted

Though life may sometimes bring a chore

That you’d rather not do,
Still it’s a mark of faithfulness
To simply see it through.
 
Not every task we have to do
Will fill us with delight,
But there is satisfaction in
Simply doing them right.
 
And though mundane and meaningless,
Might seem the dreary chore,
By doing it as if for God
You make it so much more.
 
So do each task with joyful heart,
However great or small,
Each task has merit of its own
And God’s ordained them all.
 
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters

Just Too Tired - Re-posted

I want to write to You tonight,

It’s been one of those days,
And, while my heart is willing, Lord,
My mind can find its praise. 

My heart is full of joy, Oh Lord,
My brain, well, not so much.
I know my heart is willing, Lord,
But my brain’s lost its touch. 

So I am left with scattered thoughts
And a heart filled with You.
Please listen to my heart tonight,
My brain is sleeping through. 

Lie Down in Peace - Re-posted

I sleep in peace upon the rock,

The fortress of His Grace,
And I won’t lie awake in fear,
For God protects this place.
 
I shelter in love that won’t fail.
I’m safe in His embrace
And I won’t cower from the dark,
For God protects this place.
 
So let the sun go down tonight,
And the moon show its face.
I will lie down and sleep in peace,
For God protects this place.
 
Psalm 4:8
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Abba, Father - Re-posted

She guarded them and guided them,

Sheltered beneath her gaze,
That they might grow to live full lives;
To thrive through all their days.
 
So fragile is the mortal heart,
And sinful, to alarm,
Yet that heart rises to the need
When its young faces harm.
 
How much more then is God’s own love,
Not born of fallen earth,
To those who call Him “Abba”, “Lord”,
Despite our lowly birth.
 
Matthew 7:11
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Holding On - Re-posted

Today I’m at my limit and
I’m barely holding on.
I’ve run so fast in circles, Lord,
That all my strength is gone.
But You are all the strength I need
And I will call on You
To help me hold on long enough
To feel my strength renew!
 
1 Chronicles 16:11
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

Just Be Still - Re-posted

I think that I will just be still.

It’s time to let things go
And simply trust that God’s in charge,
He knows what I can’t know.
 
He sees beyond my field of sight
And has a plan for me.
So, though I have to do my part,
Tonight I’ll let it be
 
And just take time to exalt Him,
To praise His holy name.
I’ll just be still and know He’s God,
Then get back in the game.
 
Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Contemplate and Emulate - Re-posted

When I sit still, take time to think,
I’m sometimes mystified
At why you would step down to earth,
And then be crucified. 
 
You cast the stars across the sky
And call them each by name,
Yet you chose to become so small
And suffer for our shame.
 
What is it that you see in us
That made that sacrifice
Something that You would choose to do,
Paying an awful price?
 
You are so great, we are so small.
It’s hard to contemplate
A love so rich I cannot help
But want to emulate. 
 
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Braced for Surprises - Re-posted

What can be passed by, let me pass,
For what can’t, give me strength
To hold in faithfulness that You
Will pull me through, at length.
 
I find myself braced for each day,
Fearing what I can’t see,
But I know what I’m going through
Is not what life should be.
 
So I will fight through with good cheer,
Though braced for what’s to come.
I’ll live believing in Your Grace,
And I will not succumb.

Wings of Faith - Re-posted

I wanted to rise up and sing,

But the night seemed so strong
That I was too afraid to fly
And could not find my song.
 
And so I prayed and huddled there
Beneath the pitch black sky,
Wondering if I’d sing again,
Much less have faith to fly.
 
I sat there praying in the dark
Hoping that I’d soon see
The morning sun rise on the ridge
To share its song with me.
 
And as I prayed I realized
My prayers became the song
That I had held within my heart
Through all the dark night long.
 
I felt my wings grow strong with faith,
And, much to my surprise,
Behind me, as I sought the sky,
The sun began to rise!
 
Malachi 4:2
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.

Missing the Point - Re-posted

I know I’ve asked for patience, Lord,

And said, “Please, right away.”
I know I’ve asked to trust You more,
“But please do things my way.” 
I know I’ve asked, “Please give me peace,
But also the last say”.
And there was the time I asked, “Please,
Lord, take my sins away.”
 
I think I’m missing the whole point 
Of what I’ve asked from You.
Although I’ve done it politely,
I’ve had no follow through.
And, until I learn to give back
A heart faithful and true,
You can give me all that I ask
And I will still fail You.
 
Proverbs 3:5-6 
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Peonies For Mom - Re-posted

Pink peonies and memories,

They both can be so sweet.
Especially when there’s a place
Where both are bound to meet.
 
Mom used to love her peonies,
Their fluffy, fragrant blooms.
She’d pick a few to scatter through
Her house’s many rooms.
 
She’d leave many there in their beds,
And some she’d even share
With neighbors who stopped by to chat.
There were enough to spare.
 
But she’s not here to see them now,
For earth has set her free,
So I now bring home peonies
In my mom’s memory.

Creator and Still King - Re-posted

The mountain rises from its roots

And towers above earth
In peaceful stillness, wrapped in snow,
A contrast to its birth.
 
It rose in fire, rupturing
The ground from which it sprang,
Spewing death from out of its heart.
Its birth song cracked and rang.
 
It slumbers now, in fitful sleep,
Fire still in its heart.
It knows its place within the world,
Content to play its part.
 
Lord, You have shaped the mountain’s heart,
You taught it to obey,
And now it slumbers in silence.
Peace holding rage at bay.
 
You are more than creator, Lord,
Though that is no small thing.
You are the master of this world,
Its undisputed king.
 
Isaiah 43:15
I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator, your King.

This photo incredible photo is a gift from KS. What an phenomenal shot of Mt Rainier from above!

F.R.O.G. - Re-posted

I faithfully rely on God
In all I do each day
For, when I’ve tried it on my own,
I flounder on the way.
 
I faithfully rely on God
To guide my daily walk,
And lead me in the words to speak
When He asks me to talk.
 
I faithfully rely on God,
I trust His loving grace,
And I will walk in faithfulness
Until I see His face!
 
Faithfully
Rely
On
God
 
Galatians 3:8-9
Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Shining in the Dark - Re-posted

The sun rises up in the dawn

To wash the world in light,
And it reflects off of the moon
To brighten the dark night.
 
Though it is broken, cold and scarred,
The moon glows golden bright
When it reflects the sun’s glory,
Smiling in its delight.
 
Oh Lord, I’m much like that old moon,
I’m scarred and cold and plain.
I’ve lived in the dark for so long
No light seems to remain.
 
Yet, when I look to You in faith,
You touch me with Your light
And even I, lost in the dark,
Am burnished and shine bright.
 
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.”

However Far - Re-posted

Where ever life may carry me,
However far from shore,
There is no place that I can go
That God’s not been before.
 
Whenever I feel lost at sea,
Sinking beneath each wave,
With my compass firmly on Him
I’m not too lost to save.
 
So I will set sail in the storm
And dance before the gale,
For God will always be my guide
And He will never fail.
 
Psalm 139:9-10
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.