Walking In Your Light

 

I stand in silence in the dusk,
The night is on its way.
Still, I hold no fear of darkness,
For You rule, either way.
 
You formed the universe we know,
And called forth dark and light.
To this day, it is still Your voice
That governs day and night.
 
Since I have called You Lord and King,
I do not walk in fear.
In dark or light, I will not quake,
For I know You are near.
 
Yours is the light that marks my path,
Whether by moon or sun,
And I will praise You for Your Light
Until my journey’s done.
 
Psalm 91:4-5
He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day

In Humility

My heart is humbled by Your grace,
The mercies You’ve shown me.
I find myself lost, not in awe,
But in humility.
 
For I know I am unworthy
Of the mercies You show,
And yet You fill my days and nights
With more grace than I know.
 
I count the great gifts, but the small
I used to overlook.
That is, until I stopped to see,
And that’s all that it took.
 
You gave me food enough to eat,
And a place I can sleep.
You gave me reasons to get up,
And promises to keep.
 
You let me serve with joyful heart,
Those who needed me there,
And helped me recognize how much
Of Your love I can share.
 
You’ve shown me that just being still
Can bring me close to You,
And being still with someone else
Will help them grow close, too.
 
I see all the big blessings, Lord,
And those I thought small, too.
It turns out they’re more vast, by far;
Through them, I’m more like You.
 
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 

This sweet photo of a group of Zebras caring for each other is a gift from AC on her trip to Africa. 

What Tomorrow Holds

 

The morning dawns within a mist
So thick that I can’t see,
Yet that mist will soon fade away.
The same applies to me.
 
I don’t know what each day will hold,
Just that I’ll do my best
To serve the Lord and trust in Him
To handle all the rest.
 
I used to worry, day to day,
About what lies ahead,
But half my plans fall by the way
Before I’m out of bed.  
 
I’ve come to see, that like the mist,
All of my plans are frail.
I choose to plan, but understand,
That His plans will prevail.
 
I can’t explain what I don’t know,
What tomorrow may hold,
But I have faith in He who knows,
And that faith makes me bold.
 
James 4:14-15
yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Sing To The Lord Always

 

Sing to the Lord with all your heart,
Whether in joy or grief.
Sing to the Lord in your delight,
Or sing to seek relief.
 
Each morning will bring a new day,
Sing in hope and delight
That you have risen in the dawn
To rejoice in the light.
 
As each dusk settles around you,
Lift up a song of praise
That He will guard you as you sleep
Beneath the moon’s soft gaze.
 
Sing when your heart is broken
For comfort from the pain.
Sing when He lifts you from despair,
For His peace will remain.
 
Sing out a new song to the Lord
And praise Him every day,
For His love is everlasting.
It will not pass away.  
 
Psalm 30:4
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.
 
Psalm 68:32
O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, Selah

Staying In Your Light

I’ve walked through darkness, now and then,
And I prefer Your Light,
So, I’m doing my best to stay
Right here, within in Your sight.
 
When I walk near You, I’m at peace,
Though troubles come my way,
For I know You always see me
And listen when I pray.
 
I’ll stay as close as I can stay
While walking through this life
And keep my eyes fixed on Your Light,
Whether in joy or strife.
 
You called us to live in Your Light
And that’s what I will do.
For I know, living in Your Light,
Means I’m living in You!
 
John 12:46
I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

Work, As For The Lord

 

The great and mighty claim power,
That they can never own,
For all the power and glory
Are His, and His alone.
 
He formed the oceans and the stars,
The winds move at His will.
Though man may see himself as great,
All glory is God’s, still.
 
Let your hearts be humble, not proud,
Work hard at all you do.
Let all the glory that you seek
Be for Him, not for you.
 
For when we work at what we do
As if it were for Him,
The work we do is of value,
And not done on a whim.
 
Serve others as you would serve Him,
Rejoice in all you do,
And don’t let mankind’s vanities
Distract or distress you.
 
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

He Will Not Leave Me

 

My path was not always easy,
Yet I was not alone.
At first I didn’t understand,
But understanding’s grown.
 
As Joshua was told to trust,
So, too, have I been told
That He will always walk with me
Though this world’s dark and cold.
 
He will not leave me without hope,
For He is close to me,
And close to Him’s the only place
That my heart longs to be.
 
I may not see Him at my side,
But I know that He’s near,
For I find I can face what comes
With more faith and less fear.
 
I cannot know what lies ahead,
But He who loves me knows,
And He will stay close by my side
Wherever this path goes.
 
Deuteronomy 31:8
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Avoid Anger, Be Gentle

 

I see the anger in the world
And shake my head in shame.
For I know we are called to share
His grace and not our blame.
 
It seems to just pop out sometimes,
When we ought to refrain.
We seem to forego all kindness
And let anger remain.
 
Yet, what is gained by that anger,
Better still, what is lost?
For anger, carried for too long,
Levies a brutal cost.  
 
It robs us of the peace we seek,
The joy of each day’s grace,
And sears the heart with its poison.
Of love, it leaves no trace.  
 
After a time, we cannot see
The damage that’s been done,
Until we turn to find a friend
And learn that we have none.
 
Be gentle with your fellow man,
Set quarreling aside,
And find a way to walk in peace.
In His mercy, abide.
 
Titus 3:2
to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

My Refuge In Troubles

 

You’re my refuge, my hiding place,
When troubles come to call.
You are the greatest strength I know
When my back’s to the wall.

I try to stand up and be strong,
But, when my strength grows weak,
I call out to You for shelter
And for the peace I seek.
 
Though this world is filled with danger,
I know I’ll make it through,
For my hope rests not in myself,
But wholly, Lord, in You.
 
You are my strong fortress, my rock,
And I will sing Your praise,
For You’ve sheltered me in Your grace
Through all my hardest days.
 
Psalm 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.

The photo of this handsome fellow is another sweet gift from ATF! 

Jesus Wept

 

Jesus wept for Lazarus,
And for his sisters’ pain.
Though He was God, He was human,
Both aspects still remain.
 
The Son of God wept for a man,
But not for him alone.
He bore the grief we all will bear
While He was flesh and bone.
 
He knew, with the knowledge of God,
What each of us must face,
Each broken heart, and broken soul,
Each torment and disgrace.
 
In grief, He wept for Lazarus,
And that same love He kept
For each of us, through all we face.
For us, too, Jesus wept.
 
John 11:35
Jesus wept.

Time To Count Blessings

 

I stopped to count my blessings, Lord,
And praise You for such wealth.
I’m overwhelmed by so much grace,
My home, my food, my health.
 
I’ve finished my chores for the week,
One more way I’ve been blessed.
For now I have the time I need
To just be still and rest.
 
Tomorrow will bring more to do,
And more blessings for me,
As I gather with friends at church
And then with family.
 
Oh Lord, the wealth of Your sweet love
Is vast in its array.
I thank You for this quiet time
To count blessings today!
 
Psalm 144:15
Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!

The Robes Of His Teachings

 

Though I may wear the finest robes
And strut for all to see,
Still, I will be but scattered dust
For all eternity
If I do not put on instead
The robes of His mercy,
And all the blessings I’m to share,
As they’ve been shared with me.
 
Colossians 3:12-13
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

His Word Stands Forever

 

The empty voices of the world
Cry out, then fade away.
For, without substance of their own,
They hold no force or sway.
 
The winds sweep through, destroying all
Within their path and yet,
The trees regrow, the rivers flow,
And the earth will forget.
 
The empty voices, like the winds,
May bluster in their wrath,
But they will not deter God’s Word
Or move it from its path.
 
The grass will wither, as will they
Who claim God’s role and name.
While those who stand within His Word,
Eternal life may claim.
 
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

Fret Not

 

There is great evil in the world.
Darkness holds many hearts
Captive to anger and the sin
Which mindless rage imparts.
 
Let not the poison of the world
Infect your mind and soul.
Fret not, when evil shows its face,
For God is in control.
 
Don’t let your heart be infected
With that rage and despair,
For God’s Light still outshines the dark.
His love is everywhere.
 
Be still and wait, with faith in Him,
Trusting His perfect plan,
For God’s love does not fade or fail.
Fret not, oh child of man.
 
Psalm 37:7-8
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

Bright As The Noonday Sun

 

The seasons come and soon pass on,
Until the years have flown.
Then we look back on all we’ve lived
And wonder if we’ve grown.
 
Are we much wiser in our years
Or still foolish and wild
As we were in our younger days,
That willful, selfish child.
 
I fear I may be some of each,
Wiser, but still beguiled
By all those elusive treasures
And those I have compiled.
 
I count my blessings every day
And praise God with full heart,
Then get sidetracked on things in which
I’ve given Him no part.
 
At least I’m wise enough to see
How foolish I remain
And how much of this worthless world
I struggle to retain.
 
Once more, I reach out for His grace,
And wisdom to teach me
How to reflect His righteousness
For all the world to see.
 
Psalm 37:5-6
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.

His Strength, Not Mine

 

Oh Lord, sometimes even small things
Seem too big to get through.
Wash the clothes or take out the trash,
Just clean a dish or two.
 
The world can weigh so heavily
That small chores become large.
It’s in such times I hold on to
The One who is in charge.
 
The One who set the moon’s orbit,
And calls each star by name
Can help me stand up through it all.
His strength, not mine, I claim.
 
Oh Lord, this day has worn me out,
But it is nearly through.
Please, let me lean upon Your strength,
Then rest and start anew.
 
Psalm 105:4
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Healing The Broken Hearted

 

This world can break a mortal heart
Without a second thought.
Despite all we may try to do,
No healing can be wrought.
Nor is there a price we can pay,
No cure that can be bought,
To bring the restoration for
Which all mankind has sought.
 
That healing only comes from Him,
The price already paid
Upon the cross at Calvary
Where all our sins were laid
Before the Lord, The One who heals
The broken and dismayed.
Only in Him is found the peace
By which healing’s conveyed.
 
Give up to Him your broken heart,
Let go of all the grief
Which you have carried through this life,
With no hope of relief.
Moment by moment the pain will ease,
Like a new budding leaf,
Until you realize at last
The peace born in belief.
 
Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Keeping My Eyes On You

 

Tonight, I sing of eagle’s wings
Mounting up to the sky
And, though I still stand here on earth,
My soul joins him to fly.
 
For he drew my eyes to heaven
As he rose up in flight,
Until I caught a glimpse of You
And Your eternal Light.

 

I’m grateful that I stopped to look
When I saw him pass through
For he reminded me, once more,
To keep my eyes on You.
 
Isaiah 40:31
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

You Love Me More

I love You, Lord, with all my heart,
But You love me much more.
You took my sins and washed them clean.
What I break, You restore.
 
I walk this earth and fail each day
To follow faithfully,
But You do not cast me aside.
You keep Your eye on me.
 
The lost lamb that You came to find,
You rescued me by grace.
Though I try to stay close to You,
I often lose my place.
 
Yet, You don’t let me wander far
Before You call me back.
You are my hope and shield in life,
In You, I find no lack.  
 
I love You, Lord, with all my heart,
But You love me much more.
You’ve guarded and You’ve guided me
Since birth, even before.
 
1 John 4:18-19
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.

In Your Hand

 

Oh, Lord, who formed the universe
With a word of command,
Then, from the darkness, called forth light,
To hold within Your hand.
 
Your voice still whispers through the stars
And sweeps across the land.
All of creation moves in time
With the design You’ve planned.
 
The heavens and the earth proclaim
What man can’t understand,
The glory of all creation
Still rests within Your hand.
 
Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

I Can Rest, Despite Travail

 

The day will come when all the world
Will rest within Your peace,
But for right now, it seems that wars
And troubles will not cease.
 
That good that we are called to do
Gets lost within the noise
Of those who proclaim false idols,
And praise their barren joys.
 
The grace You share with each of us
Is cast aside as stale
By those who worship all the sins
That cause mankind to fail.
 
Lord, I know You are in control,
You’ve overcome this world,
And, I can stand in faith despite
Each curse and stone that’s hurled.
 
I find I can rest and be still,
Though I still face travail,
For I have Your peace in my heart,
The peace that does not fail.
 
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.”

As Water Reflects

 

I look in awe upon the earth,
This creation You made,
With all its beauty, majesty
And mystery displayed.
 
The patterns of the earth and sky
Connect so vibrantly,
But now and then a pattern forms
That steals my breath from me
 
The peaceful lake reflects the sky
In whatever its tone,
Grey when the clouds come rolling in,
Deep blue when they have flown.
 
Yet, up against the shoreline, there,
Where water meets the trees,
The lake becomes a vibrant green.
It reflects what it sees.
 
A lesson in beauty and joy,
But more than that to me.
It reminds me to reflect back
The loving God I see.
 
Let Your love be what others see
Reflected on my face,
And let my words and deeds each day
Mirror Your wondrous grace.
 
Proverbs 27:19
As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.

The lovely photo is another gift from ATF, this time from the Pacific NW!

No Rest And Greatly Blessed

 
I

I thought that I would have one day
When I could simply rest,
But You turned my plans upside down…
And that was for the best!
 
Instead of rest I visited
With family a while,
Then, went to sit with a sick friend,
To share joy and a smile.
 
Then I came home and found a gift
Of absolute beauty,
Hand crafted by another friend
Especially for me.
 
I mowed the yard, I cooked the food
That I’d need through the week,
But when I sat down to complain,
I had no words to speak.
 
I realized my busy day
Had not left me too stressed.
This day without a moments rest,
Was well and truly blessed!  
 
My prayer for you, as this day ends,
Comes down to this request,
May you find your day was as mine…   
No rest, and greatly blessed!
 
Psalm 115:15
May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Perfect Peace and You

It’s Friday, Lord, I look to You
As my week ends at last.
The busy pace is winding down,
The worst of it, now past.
 
I settle into solitude,
To rest within Your peace.
I gaze upon Your creation
And feel my stress release.
 
What is it, Lord, about Your works
That soothes my restless mind?
A moth, a mountain, the wide sea,
In each, Your grace I find.
 
Such wondrous beauty on display,
And some too vast to see,
But that which You know I need most,
You always give to me.
 
Tonight I sit in breathless awe
And let Your peace wash through.
Tomorrow may bring fresh chaos,
Tonight, it’s me and You.
 
Isaiah 26:3-4
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.

In Looking Back

 

I feel as if I’ve been off track
The past few days or so.
I’ve struggled to keep my eyes fixed
On where I’m meant to go.
 
I haven’t really gone astray,
Overwhelmed is the phrase
That I think best describes my mind
During the past few days.
 
Though I may have lost sight of You,
I know You’ve kept Your eye
Upon Your wayward servant, Lord.
For I’ve felt You nearby.
 
I heard You tell me, take a breath,
And felt Your peace wash through.
Though I was running circles, Lord,
I’m now at rest in You.
 
As I look back, I recognize
That You were always near.
I simply needed to be still
To hear You loud and clear.
 
Psalm 119:176
I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.

Live In His Light

The God who called light from darkness,
Then gave that light to man,
Is the same God who calls to us.
Listen, while you still can.
 
Don’t linger in those dark delights
Thinking He’ll never know.
As He is the true source of light,
He knows the dark will grow.
 
Don’t let darkness lay claim to you,
Reach quickly for His light.
For the dark is not inclined to
Let go without a fight.
 
Let His light fill your soul once more
And burn away the dark,
Until you shine before the world,
Your life a joyous spark!
 
1 John 1:5-6
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 

Reflect On His Word

 

Reflect upon the word of God,
Remember His teachings,
Keeping it always in your thoughts
For the wisdom it brings.
 
Ponder within your heart and mind
His truths you’ve often heard
That you may draw closer to Him,
Reflecting back His Word.
 
2 Timothy 2:7
Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.