He Always Sees Me

 

I thought that I was overlooked,
Too small and plain to see,
But You have proven I was wrong
For You’ve clearly seen me.
 
In my frustration, You gave ease,
You calmed my frenzied state.
In worry and anxiety,
You gave me peace in spate.
 
Oh, Lord, You see me every day.
Despite my doubts and fear,
Your Word, Your love, Your endless grace,
They’re always ever near.
 
The world might never see me, Lord,
I get lost in plain sight,
But I am always in Your view.
And that truth’s my delight!
 
Psalm 35:27
Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, “Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant!”

Work Diligently For Him

 

Work diligently in all things,
Rejoice in all you do.
For when you work for others here
You’re working for Him, too.
 
As you move through this world below
Reflect His Word to all.
When you let His love live in you,
The lost may hear His call.
 
You may not know when what you live
Has touched another’s heart,
But you can trust that He’ll complete
Any blessing you start.
 
Work for the Lord in all you do,
Praising Him every day.
Let your labor help mark the path
For those seeking His way.
 
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.

Blooming In The Mud

 

Skunk cabbage, that is what it’s called.
That really is its name,
And even though it’s accurate
That’s not its greatest claim.
 
It grows within the muck and mire
Where the saltwater flows,
That cheerful blossom sweetly blooms
Where the tide comes and goes.
 
If it can bloom so cheerily
Within the dank mudflat
Then there is hope that we can bloom,
Though we may still doubt that.
 
For God has called us to be His
And redeemed us from sin.
The muck and mire of our past…
We’re not who we have been.
 
Don’t listen to the whispering
That you still stand in mire,
Instead, praise Him for every chance
To bloom and to inspire.
 
The God who helps skunk cabbage bloom
Will do much more for you.
His love is greater than your sin,
For His grace blooms in you.
 
John 14:20
In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

Paltry In Comparison

 

How wondrous are the works of Him
Who formed them with a word.
The oceans, rolling in their depths
Where voices are not heard.
 
The heavens rising beyond thought
Into the dark washed night,
Beyond the dawn of a new day,
Forever out of sight.
 
As great as are the works of man,
They’re paltry when compared
To Him who called us into life
And, from our sins, then spared.
 
Though all mankind might sing man’s praise,
Creation calls Him King
And it is to His name alone
That all praises should ring.
 
Lift up your eyes from this small world
And seek His holy face.
Sing to the Lord in joyous praise
For His unending grace.
 
Psalm 105:1-3
Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

Unending Waves of Grace

I stood alone on a wind swept shore
Knowing I could not win,
Until a wave of His sweet grace,
Once more, came rolling in.
 
I never doubted He loves me,
I just forgot how much.
There is no struggle I can face
That I don’t feel His touch.
 
I know I’ve failed Him many times,
But He never fails me,
Though when I’m standing in the storm
That can be hard to see.
 
Yet every time I lose all hope,
Another wave of grace
Comes rolling in with new blessings
To fill the empty space.
 
I may not know all this life’s truths,
Yet I can promise this:
His love does not depend on us,
But we depend on His.
 
Psalm 117:2
For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! 

Stand Vigilant

 

How often do we see the sins
That others perpetrate
Without noticing our own sins
Until it is too late?
 
It’s hard to step back from a sin
That hurts another’s heart,
And simply posing “a clean slate”
Does not make a fresh start.
 
That is the whole point about sin,
It hurts others and you.
Although you try to take it back,
Your hurtfulness shines through.
 
I often remind myself to
Be ever vigilant
For all the sins to which I’m prone,
Avoid cause to repent.
 
I still am not good at this task
That I have set for me,
But I work on it every day,
As it is meant to be.
 
Then, when I fail, as I still do,
I call upon His grace
And confess that I’ve sinned again,
Admitting my disgrace.
 
Out of His love, He forgives me
And sets me right once more,
That’s why I stand in vigilance
And seek to sin no more.
 
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

This vigilant seagull photo is another gift from ATF in Galveston. 

Rest For My Soul

 

If You have got a moment, Lord,
I’d love to chat a while.
I’m feeling battered by this day
And I could use a smile.
 
You always know just what to say
To get me back on track.
Would You mind giving me a bit
Of the peace that I lack?
 
I just want to sit and be still
And let Your love flow through.
Whatever this world throws at me,
I find my rest in You.
 
I know I thank You for big things,
You do a lot of those,
But thank You, too, for the small things…
Like this moment’s repose.
 
You ask of us what we can give,
But give more in return,
For this peace I find here with You
Is something I can’t earn.
 
Thank You for letting me chatter
And process this day through.
I’m always better for the time
I spend sitting with You.
 
Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

The Sabbath Approaches

 

The Sabbath is fast approaching,
A day of rest and praise,
An ending to a busy week
Consumed by this world’s ways.
 
Walk into the Sabbath joy filled,
Lift up your voice in song,
For heaven’s King is on His throne
And His Word is still strong.
 
Live in the truth of His promise,
Trust in the grace He shares,
Rejoice in the sweet redemption
That proves to us He cares.
 
The Sabbath is fast approaching,
A day holy in His name.
For He’s the Lord of heaven and earth,
His glory and wonder proclaim.
 
Exodus 20:8
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Standing In the Winds

 

I wonder if I’ll ever know
The plans You’ve made for me
Until I stand before the throne
And my life’s history.
 
Each time the storms roll through my life
I try to stand up strong
And hold onto the promised grace
That’s been mine all along.
 
When those dark winds beat down on me
I listen for Your voice.
I understand that You calm storms;
In that truth, I rejoice.
 
How many storms I’ll have to face,
I doubt I’ll ever know
Until the last one brings me home,
Then I will gladly go.
 
Until that storm, I’ll stand in faith
Through all the winds that blow
And listen for Your voice saying,
“I’m here, I won’t let go!”
 
Matthew 8:26
And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

Beyond Measure

 

He formed the stars and gave them names
The mountains call Him Lord.
The winds that sweep the ocean waves
Praise Him in full accord.
 
The smallest bird rests in His hand,
No creature goes unseen,
For all creation calls Him Lord,
Powerful, yet serene.
 
Such is the splendor of the Lord,
Beyond all we can know,
And greater still, the boundless love
He never fails to show.
 
Psalm 147:4-5
He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

Share His Word

The church is called to many things,
And first among them, still,
Is share the gospel He taught us;
His words and truths, instill.
 
Teach the young to walk in Him.
Lead those fresh in their faith
To the wisdom to distinguish
The Word from the world’s wraith.
 
Teach them that His Word stands alone
And needs no man-made laws
To give them precedent or strength.
Teach them faith, not applause.
 
Above all else, teach them His Word
And His redeeming grace
Are theirs to claim and then to share
With all the human race.
 
Titus 2
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

Blessed To Be Yours

I count my blessings, one by one,
As I sit here tonight
Watching the sun setting into
A sea filled with its light.
 
How rich the wonders of Your love,
Displayed in vast array,
From little moments filled with joy
To heaven’s bright display.
 
The kind word offered, the warm hug,
The chance to speak of You,
Even the windy tempests that
I had to struggle through
 
All leave me resting gratefully
At the edge of this night
Counting blessings beyond belief,
Each one born in Your Light.
 
Psalm 144:15
Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!

Another delightful blessing from ATF and Galveston! 

Justified or Condemned

 

You cannot claim the grace of God
And then deny His word.
There’s no relief from sin for those
Still sinning undeterred. 

You cannot walk salvation’s path,
Dragging your sin behind.
The deeds you do, the words you speak
Reflect your heart and mind.
 
If you would claim the redemption
Of Christ’s pure sacrifice,
Then you, too, must follow closely
The one who paid that price.
 
Feed then your soul upon His truth
And guard your words, your heart.
For from dead branches no fruit grows,
As from a sin filled heart.

Matthew 12:33 & 37
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. …  for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Praising The Lord

 

Praise the Lord from a grateful soul,
Rejoice in His blessings.
For from His love they flow freely,
As if from endless springs.
 
Praise the Lord from a joyful soul,
Rejoice in His mercies.
For in His love they burst brightly,
Like blossoms on the trees.
 
Praise the Lord from a humble soul,
Rejoice in His sweet grace.
For by His love each soul is cleansed,
In heaven’s sweet embrace.
 
Psalm 34:1
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

The River of His Love

 

Let not your heart be troubled, friend,
But let his peace flow in.
He is the living water’s source
And your freedom from sin.
 
Believe in His loving mercy,
For His love never fails.
Like rivers flowing to the sea,
Boundless, His love prevails.
 
He came to bring us redemption,
Remind us of the love
That flows through Him to all the earth
From His father above.  
 
Stand in the flow of His mercy
Rejoicing in His grace.
Let not your heart be troubled, friend,
Walk into His embrace.
 
John 14:1-3
Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

Storm Scattered Thoughts

 

Oh Lord, I turn to You tonight
And pray that You’ll help me.
For I feel as if I’m adrift
Upon a windswept sea.
 
My thoughts are scattered in the gale
That’s sweeping through my mind.
The words of praise I seek tonight
Are difficult to find.
 
Oh, Lord, please fill me with Your peace,
And find each scattered thought,
That I might lift up words of joy
And praise for all You’ve wrought.
 
I know that You are in control,
All my faith is in You,
So, I will hold on in the storm
And praise You when it’s through.  
 
Psalm 107:28-29
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.

My Strong Foundation

 

The sandy beach, the rolling waves
And the soft, warm sunlight.
You’d think it makes the perfect home,
But you would not be right.
 
The palace grand built on the sand
Will wash out to the sea.
No matter how strong it may seem,
That fate will come to be.
 
The foundation is critical,
For if it’s without strength,
The walls will not remain standing.
They’ll tumble down at length.
 
Yet, if it stands on solid ground,
The foundation holds true.
That’s why my faith’s built on Your Rock.
Lord, I am strong in You.
 
Matthew 7:26-27
And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

Another beach blessing from ATF and Galveston! Love it! 

Alone, But Never Alone

 

I stand alone, but not alone,
For You still hold me dear.
No matter how lost I may feel,
Your love is ever near.
 
It is the light upon the path
That guides me on my way.
It is a shield that covers me,
Guarding me every day.
 
When I feel lost, or too alone,
I call out in Your name.
Seeking the peace that comes with faith,
I stand firm in that claim.
 
I may feel lost and all alone,
But I know that’s not true.
For I am covered by Your grace,
I’m always close to You.
 
Psalm 7:10
My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. 

Keep On Fishing

We stood upon the shore to fish
For blessings from the sea.
We cast our line or tossed our net
In hopes of what might be.
 
Some days the catch was abundant,
Some days the catch was small,
While some days we pulled in a catch
That held no fish at all.
 
Yet we just kept right on fishing,
That’s all we knew to do.
At least until everything changed
The day we heard from You.
 
You called us to keep on fishing,
But, this time, fish for men
That there might be even more souls
Saved from the depths of sin.
 
Some days it seems the catch is rich,
Some days the catch is small.
Yet big or small, we still rejoice
That You have saved them all.
 
So, we will keep on fishing, Lord,
As You’ve called us to do.
For all those ”fish” still in the sea
Are precious in Your view.
 
Matthew 4:19
And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Another sweet blessing from ATF out of Galveston.

A Surprise and A Blessing

You caught me with an attitude,
Again today, Oh Lord,
And You called me out on my pride,
You pierced it like a sword.
 
I ask You to forgive me now
For what I thought back then.
It wasn’t bad, but not gracious,
As my thoughts should have been.
 
You set me straight with gentle words,
I heard them loud and clear,
But I also heard that young man
Say that he holds You dear.
 
I thank You for reminding me
That we’re not all the same,
But we’re each still Your precious lambs,
And You call us by name.
 
I ask, then, Lord, for Your blessings
Upon that nice young man.
He loves You and he clearly has
A real place in Your plan.
 
Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Walking On Water

 

What faith it took to leave that boat
And step out on the waves,
But he stepped out on the command
Of Him whose teaching saves.
 
I don’t think Peter thought it through
When He said, “Come to me”,
He simply took that step in faith
And walked upon the sea.
 
It wasn’t until distraction
Intruded on his faith
That he felt himself start to sink,
And faith became a wraith.
 
Yet, even still, Christ took his hand
And drew him back upon
The waves that once more held his weight.
His lack of faith was gone.
 
How wondrous would that walk have been
And even more the grace
That saved him from faltering faith,
Christ’s forgiving embrace.
 
Matthew 14:29-30
He said, “Come.” So, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”

Praising In The Dark

 

I give to You, my light, my hope,
The praises of my heart.
Though night is coming down on me,
A new day will soon start.
 
I’ll rise up in the faith that You
Have laid a path for me.
Though I may not have a clear view
You see what I can’t see.
 
I will not let the night compel
Me into doubting You.
I’ll simply raise my voice in praise
Until Your Light shines through.
 
Psalm 42:5
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation

As We Forgive Others

The world seems so contentious, Lord,
With little room for grace.
It seems like people seek conflict,
They run to its embrace.
 
I find myself wondering why
Many seek out a fight
Instead of just passing on by
Those certain they are right.
 
Until I catch myself, also,
My umbrage on the rise,
Seeking to set the record straight…
Self-awareness applies.
 
I cannot ask to receive grace
If I have none to give.
There is no peace within the soul,
And that’s no way to live.
 
Please help us, Lord, to turn from wrath
And seek to share Your peace,
That we may then ask You, in turn,
For our own sin’s release.
 
Matthew 6:12
and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.

Don't Look Down On Them

Do not despise the weak, the poor,
Don’t look down upon them.
We all have dark paths we have walked.
Through trials harsh and grim.
 
We all have called upon His grace
From within our travail.
He always answered us with love,
A love that does not fail.
 
When you can help, then lend a hand,
But don’t disdain, despise.
Remember that He was disdained,
Looked down on by man’s eyes.
 
Yet, He chose to take on our sin,
Shield us from God’s disdain,
That we might never fully know
The depth of our sin’s pain.
 
We’re called to help the poor, the weak,
To not look down on them.
For how we deal with others here
Should be based upon Him.
 
Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Weary, with Sorrow

 

Oh Lord, I need Your peace today,
I’m weary to my soul.
My hope rests in Your grace alone,
To make what’s broken whole.
 
Too many days without much rest,
A precious loved one lost.
Sometimes I wonder if this life
Is worth all of the cost.
 
Then I remember the true price
That You paid for my life,
And I’m ashamed that I complain
About my daily strife.
 
Lord, teach me how to live for You
As You have lived for me.
Open my mind, my heart, my eyes
That I might clearly see
 
The path You marked with Your footsteps,
The person I should be.
This life may weigh upon me now,
But Your love set me free.
 
Psalm 119:27-28
Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds. My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.

I'll See You Again Soon

 

Goodbyes are not easy to say
To those you’ve loved so long.
You cannot hug a memory,
Though it is sweet and strong.
 
You cannot share just one more chat,
Or laugh at one more joke,
But you can treasure those you shared
The last time that you spoke.
 
I know that you are now at peace,
Where your treasure was stored,
In heaven’s halls, in the presence
Of our Savior and Lord.
 
I will not weep that you’re with Him,
Though tears already fall
For all the precious things I’ll miss,
Those moments, great and small.
 
Yet, I have so much to cherish
From these years I’ve know you,
That joy will soon erase the tears
And that will see me through.
 
I’ll see you soon before the throne
And we’ll stand side by side
Rejoicing in His loving grace,
Where no more tears abide.
 
Psalm 119:76
May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.

To my sweet Uncle Charles, I love you!!