Because in each day, no matter how dark or how long, there is a praise to be found. Sometimes our hearts are too weary or too frightened to voice them, but our souls cry out to God... and He is there.
Reflect upon the word of God,
Remember His teachings,
Keeping it always in your thoughts
For the wisdom it brings.
His truths you’ve often heard
That you may draw closer to Him,
Reflecting back His Word.
Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you
insight into all this.
I long to soar on eagle’s wings
Above life’s shifting winds.
Though that is not my fate right now,
It’s how my story ends.
That rise up now and then,
Trusting in You to lead me through,
Whether I lose or win.
You’ve told us that is true.
I’ll gladly walk through all of them,
If they lead me to You.
But in You, Lord, alone.
In Your promise I know I’ll soar,
Beyond mere flesh and bone.
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they
will walk and not be faint.
Sing songs unto the Lord, oh earth,
Let your voices be heard.
From mountain top or ocean deep,
Lift up praise to The Word!
Sing songs of His mercies.
Lift up His praise to heaven’s heights,
To Him who hears your pleas.
In joy or deep sorrow.
For He shields you within His love,
His grace, an endless flow.
That He who loves you still
May know that this earth praises Him
And that it always will.
Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst
into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have
compassion on his afflicted ones.
We gathered, gladly, together,
In prayer we praised Your name.
Then, shared the laughter and the hope
That, in You, we can claim.
Our fellows in the church,
And even shared tales of the lost
Still mired in their search.
As You called us to do.
A time of company and love
Shared with those who love You.
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with
them.
It ain’t no bed of roses, Lord,
This life You’ve given me,
But I rejoice in You each day
For the bright blooms I see.
Sweet, fragrant buds of joy,
And fresh patience in bright array
When thorns tend to annoy.
Amazes and delights.
I find I’m often overwhelmed
By all the wondrous sights.
But You have given me
A life, a garden filled with grace,
Blooming abundantly!
Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has
come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.
He calls us all to walk with Him
And in His Word remain,
But many prefer their own way,
And, His calling, disdain.
And walk as He commands,
Will find the peace for which they long
Rests in His loving hands.
From all our pain and fear,
We find when we turn back to Him,
Who loves and holds us dear.
That truth I have long known,
But I’ve seen how, trusting in Him,
Both hope and peace have grown.
Of all that might go wrong,
I listen to His Word instead
And, with faith growing strong,
I pray that those still wandering
Turn back before too long.
You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look
about you and take your rest in safety.
I called to You in my worry,
I asked for Your advice.
I knew that if I just listened
You’d speak, clear and precise.
And here I stand tonight,
Not sure if it’s better or worse,
But I’m sure it was right.
I give those up to You,
For, often there’s nothing that I
Alone can really do.
You know what I can’t see.
Your understanding far exceeds
What I might think should be.
That I lacked yesterday.
I’m grateful that I’m learning, Lord,
To listen when I pray.
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word
of God and obey it.”
I call upon the Lord, my King,
The God who formed the stars,
Who healed the sins of all mankind
And bore for us the scars.
To cry out for Your grace,
For one who knows You, but is lost,
In need of Your embrace.
For one who needs healing,
Too many sorrows, born too long,
Without the peace You bring.
For one who shares Your Word.
Despite the dangers he will face,
He speaks what must be heard.
The God who formed the stars,
Who healed the sins of all mankind
And bore for us the scars.
To thank You for the love
And for the mercy You pour out
From heaven up above.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great
is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far
has he removed our transgressions from us.
A broken heart, a broken world,
And nothing I can do
To make it any better, Lord,
Except give it to You.
But clouds come rushing in
To block my view and steal my hope
That light will ever win.
When all that I cling to
Is Your promise that You are near,
That promise remains true.
My tears and my despair
To You, Lord, in full trust and faith,
You heard me and my prayer.
And offered me a view
Of the unending light of life
That’s burning bright in You.
To give me a brief peak
Of what lies beyond these dark days.
Yours is the Light I seek.
To block You from my sight,
But I’ll hold to the truth I’ve seen;
Your Light is shining bright.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has
not overcome it.
Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in
heart.
My heart is filled with peace tonight,
My mind rests and is still,
For I know all heaven and earth
Still move within Your will.
And fill the day with light,
Then it reflects back Your glory
As it moves toward night.
An even wilder day.
Yet I held on hoping I’d find
Some rest along the way.
Be still and call Your name.
That’s when I heard You remind me,
Your peace was mine to claim.
This evening’s filled with peace,
And I can rest, as the sun sets,
Knowing it will not cease.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the
knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
This gorgeous moment of peace is another blessing from ATF.
Oh Lord, I watch the storms roll by,
The raging winds abound.
Yet I will stand strong, undeterred,
Within the faith I’ve found.
As they demand of me,
But I’ve seen Your truth in my life.
That’s all I need to see.
Nothing I’d rather do
Than walk this path, ride out the storms,
And hold in faith to You.
Before its winds subside,
But I will still be standing here,
When those storm winds have died.
Be strong, live not in fear!
The Lord, your God, has called you His
And He is ever near.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do
not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you
wherever you go.
I woke up grumpy this morning
And wishing I could sleep,
But I had chores I had to do
And promises to keep.
That didn’t work just so,
I even snarled at a car
That was moving too slow.
Remind me of the grace
That I’d received and now should share
To others in my place.
And the heart that formed them.
Our words reflect what our hearts hold,
And mine were harsh and grim.
And asked You to help me
To find the heart I’ll need today,
Then be who I should be.
And find each loving word
That I would rather hear from me,
Than those I’d said and heard.
Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door
of my lips.
This wonderful photo of an owl watching us is a blessing from TWT and beautiful Wyoming!
Each night my final prayer has been
Please guard me while I sleep.
I know that it’s a wasted prayer,
For I am Yours to keep.
You’ve promised us Your love endures,
Your mercies will not fail,
And I can sleep without worry
That Your grace will prevail.
By the end of each day,
Your mercies are renewed each dawn
And always on display.
Your love has not failed me.
I have no need to pray for grace,
It’s mine abundantly.
In thanks, not in request.
Your faithfulness is enduring,
By faith in You, I’m blessed.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for
his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your
faithfulness.
Each day the world brings some new pain,
Struggle or frustration
That often leaves me overwhelmed,
Doubting how to go on.
Don’t give up in dismay.
I brace myself for what is next,
What life’s sending my way.
I hear You remind me
That I can take refuge in You,
You’re always there with me.
But I won’t fight alone.
I’ll have the shelter of Your grace,
Stronger than steel or stone.
If I walk by Your side.
You are my refuge and my strength,
In You my hopes reside!
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares
for those who trust in him,
So much grace, so many blessings,
Far too many to count.
Your mercies, Lord, have overflowed,
A swift and rushing fount.
I stand within the flow
Praising the name of heaven’s King,
The Lord who loves me so.
Nor even Your mercy,
But You have poured them out on me,
Flowing abundantly.
Exceeding every prayer.
Please help me share Your flowing grace
With others in despair.
Which You’ve poured out on me,
Onto others who’ve not yet heard
Of You or Your mercy.
Amid all Your blessings,
The best of which is, without doubt,
The joy sharing it brings!
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all
things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good
work.
I always hope I’ll see You, too,
When I’m looking at me.
Though I will never be like You,
In some ways, I should be.
I need to see Your grace in me,
I need to see Your strength.
I need to see the kind of love
That goes to a great length.
And mercy for the lost.
I need to share the redemption
That You bought at such cost.
I find in You each day,
Enough to strengthen me and some
To share along the way.
I know I cannot be,
But I will pray with all my heart
To see more You in me.
As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the
heart.
We have been called to walk in faith
And that’s what I have done,
Though I get anxious, now and then,
In this walk I’ve begun.
The places You’ve led me,
But I know You have plans in place
That are too big to see.
That’s why, when I find myself in
Some unexpected place,
I pause and lift my voice in prayer
For Your guidance and grace.
Before I start again.
I trust You and I’ll walk in faith,
Though I don’t know the plan.
but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your
God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it
may go well with you.
Though I may stand upon the crest
Of earth’s mightiest peak,
I still will not be close enough
To find what I now seek.
And beyond heaven’s roof,
I still would find Your holy throne
Distant, Lord, and aloof.
And called to You in prayer,
Then You heard and You answered me.
I have no doubt You’re there.
You’re everywhere I look.
From mountain peaks to distant stars,
And prayer was all it took.
But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in
your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.
My eyes are fixed upon You, Lord,
And that is where they’ll stay.
Through all the madness and the mess
That this world sends my way.
I’m a child of Your grace,
And I will keep my eyes on You
Until I see Your face.
Nothing can change that now,
But I know that this world will try
To distract me somehow.
To share Your truth, Your Word,
To all who still walk in the dark,
Who have not seen or heard.
With work that I’m to do.
Father, please keep Your eyes on me,
And I’ll keep mine on You.
They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify
them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have
sent them into the world.
Oh Lord, I’ve led a sinful life,
As has all of mankind
Since Eve first disobeyed Your law.
Sin’s too easy to find.
Our pain and shame You bore,
That we might have a second chance
To “go and sin no more.”
Contrition or remain
Living in sin despite Your grace.
The choice is stark and plain.
We’d rend our clothes in shame,
Then cover our head in ashes,
Your forgiveness to claim.
That’s not where sins abide.
Instead, I’ll rend my heart and leave
Sin with no place to hide.
Where sin dwells and holds sway.
We must open our hearts to You
To wash that sin away.
And rend my heart anew,
Knowing that true forgiveness, Lord,
Is always found in You.
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord
your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in
love, and he relents from sending calamity.
The rough, wild lands spread all around,
But, in its midst, they stand.
Joined in their faith, sharing their joy
And living His command.
So often stand alone,
But they are tasked to share with all
The grace they have been shown.
Even when life is bramble filled,
There’s always joy to see,
And that joy grows abundantly
Within His family.
And share with you His grace,
For that is what He did for them
When they were in your place.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all
people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
These Ring of Fire sunflowers are another beautiful gift from ATF!
I walk the shoreline in the dawn
That I may hear Your voice
Before the chaos of the day.
I listen and rejoice.
Wondrous it is to see,
But even more wondrous, indeed,
Is that You walk with me.
To listen as I pray.
I know that You have many calls
Upon Your grace each day.
You hear me when I speak.
You answer patiently and share
Your guidance, which I seek.
More vast than sky or sea,
And for the quiet time You spend
Each day walking with me.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does
the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly
with your God.
This sweet photo is another gift from ATF, this time from Semiahmoo.