Joy In Simple Things

 

It didn’t seem like a big thing,
A low spot in the lawn
Where the spring rains had pooled a bit.
By dusk it would be gone.
 
Since they were only passing through
They didn’t need a lake,
Just a small spot where they could find
Some rest and a short break.
 
They paddled happily a while,
Then, before dusk came on,
They quacked with joy and spread their wings,
Took off and they were gone.
 
I don’t know why this memory
Still brings me such delight,
But when I see this reminder
My day just feels so right.
 
I think I like to remember
That simple joys are best,
And that I’m wealthy past belief
When my soul is at rest.
 
Thank You, Lord, for this photograph
And the delight I feel
Each time I’m reminded my joy
In simple things is real.
 
Philippians 4:11
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content.
 
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Vengeance Is Yours, Not Mine

I’m listening to You tonight,
Not giving You commands.
I don’t need to explain it all
To one who understands.
 
You know my thoughts about this world,
And those who rant and shout,
Demanding that I praise their sin
And do not call it out.
 
I want to give them back the same
Rage they have poured on me,
But vengeance is not mine to take,
That’s not how I’m to be.
 
I need to hear You remind me
Of these points, now and then.
I may, and shall, condemn their deeds,
But give to You, their sin.
 
You know the path that they will choose.
I can pray they return,
But I cannot punish them for
The evil scars they earn.
 
Please give me strength when I should stand,
And, when I should not speak,
Please give strength to hush, instead.
Your wisdom’s what I seek.
 
I shall not pray that You destroy
Those who rejoice in sin.
You know when vengeance is needed,
And when grace should begin.
 
Romans 12:19
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
 
Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you. 

Eternity To Eternity

 

Yesterday, today, tomorrow,
One thing remains the same.
God’s in control and we are not,
Despite what some might claim.
 
His is the power to command
The heavens and the earth.
It will be so beyond earth’s end,
And was before its birth.
 
For any man to claim power
Is but a farce and lie.
God does not relinquish His might,
His kingdom cannot die.
 
Stand not within your own pride, then,
But in His holy name,
Knowing that His redeeming grace
Is there for us to claim.
 
Immortal and eternal King,
We lift to You our praise.
To You alone, in Trinity,
Forever and always.
 
Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
 
Isaiah 40:28
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
 
1 Timothy 1:17
To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

A Branch Of The Vine

 

God planted His Word in this earth,
And Christ became His vine.
All those who live and grow in Him
Are fruit, ample and fine.
 
As long as the branch stays attached
To the vine’s sanctity,
Then that fruit which it produces
Will grow abundantly.
 
If a branch grows apart from Him,
It withers and will die.
Without Him, it will bear no fruit,
However it may try.  
 
Time and again the vine has shared
His mercies with us all,
But few are those branches that choose
To answer to His call.
 
Do not be the branch on the vine
That withers and is lost.
Stay close to Him, rooted and strong,
Through drought or bitter frost.
 
Grow closer in Him and rejoice
As the harvest draws nigh,
For that fruit which still lives in Him,
He’ll gather by and by.
 
John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
 
Jeremiah 2:21
Yet I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed. How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine?

Nothing Fancy, Except...

 

There was nothing special today,
Except for all of it.
From seeing others live Your grace,
To helping out a bit.
 
I didn’t think it all made sense
Until You showed me how
The pieces all fit into place.
It makes sense to me now.
 
Sometimes it’s not about the task,
Simply that we obey.
The blessings spread beyond our sight,
For this is the Lord’s way.
 
We cannot know what we can’t see,
But His plan is in place,
And I am grateful that, today,
I got to share His grace.
 
Tonight I rest in simple peace,
Nothing fancy or fine,
Except for those lessons I’ve learned
Obeying The Divine.
 
Luke 11:28
But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
 
1 Samuel 15:22
And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

Blessings Beyond Belief

 

The blessings You poured out today
On those so dear to me
Are vast and unbelievable,
Yet, they are clear to see.
 
I didn’t ask You for that grace,
It never crossed my mind,
But You knew what joy it would bring.
Lord, You are more than kind.
 
I stand humbled once more by all
The mercies You display
To those who love and trust in You.
You never turn away.
 
Please help us keep our eyes on You,
Our feet upon the way
That brings us closer to You, and
Thank You for this blessed day!
 
Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
 
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Unyielding Love

 

I lay them down at Your feet, Lord,
My worries and my cares.
I know I tend to take them back,
When I’ve said my prayers.
 
This time I plan to just let go
And leave them in Your hand.
That’s how I see it in my mind,
The way I have it planned.
 
I bet You’re laughing in heaven
At my bold, well laid plan.
You know me well enough to know
Planning does not mean can.

 
I know that You know what is best,
Your sight exceeds my own,
And I know that I trust You first.
At least that much, I’ve grown.
 
Now I need to put in practice
What I’ve said I will do,
And leave them in the hands of Him
Who’s love will see me through.
 
Thank You for loving me so much
That, even when I flinch,
Your love is still unceasing, and
It does not yield an inch.
 
Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
 
1 Peter 5:7
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Rejoicing While I Wait

 

I’m stumbling in the dark tonight,
I need to hear Your voice
Before I can begin to write.
Until then, I’ll rejoice.
 
When a day’s pace is at high speed,
I sometimes cannot hear
Over the noise in my own head.
Yet, You’re still always near.
 
So, while I wait to hear Your voice,
I’ll sing a song of praise.
For You are always listening,
Even on my worst days.
 
Thank You for waiting patiently
Until my mind is clear
Enough to recognize Your voice
Speaking where I can hear!
 
Acts 17:27
that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
 
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Being A Nurse Tree

 

My heart’s been broken more than once,
And some wounds never heal,
But, when I lean upon His grace,
His love is all I feel.
 
I may never be whole again,
Yet, I’ve the faith to know
That, however broken I was,
I can help others grow.
 
I can assure the little ones
Who follow after me
Learn how to live and how to grow
To be all they should be.
 
I can help them to grow deep roots
Planted in God’s own Word
And teach them how to reach for Him,
To never be deterred.
 
It’s as if God sees beyond those
Broken places in me.
He knows the strengths that rest beneath
The scars that I still see.
 
The nurse tree in the old forest
Gives root to the new tree,
And it will grow to fill the place
Where she once used to be.
 
Yet, it could not grow without her
To help it get its start,
And that’s what I can offer to
Those rooted in my heart.  
 
Thank You for seeing what I missed,
What I still need to do,
Help my family tree’s new shoots  
Grow strong, rooted in You.
 
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
 
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Blessed To Serve

You’ve blessed me with so much to do,
Helping those that I love.
It keeps me focused on life’s joy
And not its push and shove.
 
It doesn’t matter that I run
So fast I fear I’ll fall,
Because nothing delights me more
Than answering their call.
 
Thank You for seeing my calling
Is helping where I can.
It’s as if You made me for this,
Like it’s part of Your plan.
 
Thank You for giving me this chance
To help those I love so,
And for the heart that loves to serve,
Which You chose to bestow.
 
1 Peter 4:10
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
 
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

We Gather To Praise Him

 

We gather to sing the Lord’s praise,
Acknowledging the grace
That never fails to lead us through
Even the darkest place.
 
The mercy that will not condemn
Those who cry out to Him,
The light that never fails to shine
When all our hopes grow dim.
 
The love that sacrificed it all
That we might be redeemed,
Then rose again to prove His might
Was greater than it seemed.
 
We gather that we might draw near
To Him before His throne,
And rejoice in the ceaseless love
He offers to His own.
 
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
 
Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Even The Smallest Wonders

 

How vast is all of creation,
Each facet formed by You.
The heavens stretch beyond our sight,
The ocean depths do, too.
 
I am in awe of such grandeur,
Resplendent in display.
Yet, I’m awed also by all those
Small things I see each day.
 
A leaf opening up in spring,
The butterfly in flight,
And even an old spider web
Marked by mist and soft light.
 
I do rejoice in Your great works,
But, too, Lord, in the small,
For I know, in Your loving grace,
You formed them, one and all.
 
Psalm 104:24
O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
 
Romans 11:36
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Yours Is The Peace

 

I’m grateful that the world keeps me
Tasked with so much to do,
But, more than that, I’m glad I have
A quiet place with You.
 
The crazy pace of every day
Assures I can still run,
And run I will back to Your peace
When each wild day is done.
 
Please keep my eyes fixed on the prize
Of serving as You’ve asked,
While holding to Your perfect peace
Till I’ve done as I’m tasked.
 
Then let me rest within that peace
And praise You, heart and soul.
Yours is the peace I’ll always need,
You alone make me whole.
 
1 Peter 5:7
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
 
Psalm 55:22
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Working Like A Swallow

Work and worry go hand in hand,
And their impact can be
A burden weighing heavily
On simple folks like me.
 
Yet, if I choose to work with joy,
Each little task or chore
Can be a blessing beyond words
knowing what lies in store. 
 
It helps me to keep this in mind,
That all the work I do,
Is to be done with the same joy
I’d have working for You.

 

Whether the task is menial
Or of vast importance,
I want to work diligently,
Not leaving things to chance,
 
If I am to serve here on earth
With the same love You shared,
Then I must work harder than most.
For You left nothing spared.
 
If Your eye’s on the sparrow, Lord,
Then that’s what I will be.
Building and feathering life’s nest,
While singing joyfully.

 

I’m not looking for great reward
For the labor I do,
But that my work, done joyfully,
May bring delight to You.
 
I’ll never be able to do
The work You did down here,
But, when I work with joy and praise,
I always feel You near.
 
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
 
Psalm 128:2
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. 

In Faith, Not Doubt

 

I stood upon the windy shore
And watched the waves rush in.
Unrelenting in their fierce quest,
To sweep the beach again.
 
It’s easy to stand there and know
That each day those great waves
Will sweep back down upon the shore,
But knowing never saves.
 
Now that which we can clearly see
Is His work on display,
But faith is trusting when He says
What’s unseen’s on its way.
 
That’s not an easy thing to do
When you stand in the storm,
But He’s calmed the waves more than once.
Let faith become your norm.
 
For that which we cannot yet see,
Is a promise away.
He’s standing by you on that shore,
He hears you when you pray.
 
The answer isn’t always as
We see it in our mind,
But if He says it’s on its way,
It will be there to find.
 
Lift up your praise and call to Him,
Asking within His will.
Then don’t be too surprised to see
The tempest growing still.
 
Psalm 107:29
He made the storm to be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
 
James 1:6
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Heed The Warning Signs

Loud thunder starts to fill the sky,
And I will not complain,
For it is heralding the chance
Of some much needed rain.
 
There were some other hints of rain,
But I took little note.
They were so quiet I ignored
Those hints. They seemed so rote.
 
I realized, about the time
Those thunder clouds rolled in,
That we tend to give the same heed
To the warnings of sin.
 
They’re often quiet, those warnings,
And temptation is sweet.
If we don’t stay ever alert,
They’ll land right at our feet.
 
The voices and the choices of
Sin we will face on earth
Are so destructive to our souls,
While carrying no worth.
 
Don’t miss the small signs that appear,
Before it is too late.
There’s no use in barring the door
Once sin is through the gate.
 
So, while we need the rain that comes
Thundering though the skies,
Against the sin that slinks on in,
Keep guard with watchful eyes.
 
Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
 
Proverbs 14:16
One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. 

Plant It, Then Share It

I need to take time now and then
To teach myself The Word.
It’s well that I share it with all,
But not myself? Absurd.
 
We each should hold it in our hearts,
Ever prepared to give,
But also, to remind us of
The truths we need to live.
 
We cannot share what we don’t know,
However much we care.
While truth that’s rooted in our hearts
Is a truth we can share.
 
Take time to share His perfect truth,
But take time to, also,
Plant His Word deeply in your heart,
Where He will help it grow.
 
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the messenger of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
 
Psalm 119:30
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.

Above This Broken World

 

Oh Lord, this is a broken world,
But we will sing Your praise.
For there is nothing like our God,
Whose mercies still amaze.
 
Let all the hearts and tongues of earth
Declare His holy name,
And lift our voices up on high,
His glory to proclaim.
 
It falls not to the hearts of man
To seek honor on earth.
There is nothing that we can do
That’s equal to His worth. 

Instead let us raise our eyes up
Above this messy world
And sing to Him to who’s heavens glow
With His banners unfurled.  
 
For there is nothing like our God,
Whose mercies still amaze,
And we will sing with joyful souls
To Him our heartfelt praise!  
 
Psalm 113:5-6
Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?
 
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Watching For Signs

 

I try to be a listener,
And have eyes that can see,
But sometimes I don’t understand
What You're asking of me.
 
I’ve picked up and followed Your call
A time or two, I know.
I bet I’ve missed more than I’ve heard.
That’s not how this should go.
 
I think I need more than just eyes.
Maybe a learning skill
Would help me recognize the signs
That clarify Your will.
 
I want to go where You call me,
Do what I’m called to do.
I need to learn to hear and see
The instructions from You.
 
Lord, help to understand what
You’re calling me to do.
I may not get them quickly, but
I’ll watch for signs from You.
 
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
 
Psalm 37:5
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.

Beneath Your Wing

 

Tonight I rest beneath Your wing,
Someday before Your throne,
But in between I know that I
Will never be alone.
 
Within the stillness of the night
Your mercy does not sleep.
Through I may not see You nearby,
Your vigil You still keep.
 
You guard my going out, Oh Lord,
And, too, my coming in.
There is no place that I can go
That Your will has not been.
 
So, when I lay down and seek rest
My weary soul will sing,
For I am never out of sight,
Always beneath Your wing.
 
Psalm 36:7
How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
 
Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

A Simple Praise

 

Today’s is just a simple praise
To thank You for Your love.
I turn my heart, my eyes, my mind
To heaven up above.
 
I lift my praise up to You, Lord,
For waking me each day,
And for the strength to stand in faith
Despite what comes my way.
 
I know that I would not make it
If You cast me aside.
That’s why I’m grateful for the grace
In which I now abide.
 
I thank You that You called my name
To follow You. I’m Yours!
I’ll follow You and praise You in
The joy Your grace assures.
 
I thank You for the sacrifice
You didn’t need to make,
The suffering that You endured.
All of it for my sake.
 
I thank You that my eyes can see
How wonderful You are
And that my soul can feel the love
You carry in each scar.
 
A simple praise, but genuine,
For in it I proclaim
The gratitude I feel each time
I call upon Your name! 
 
Romans 5:2
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
 
Psalm 71:23
My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.

Inside My Own Bubble

 

I lift my pleas up to You, Lord,
With awe and reverence,
Until I start telling You how
I think You should commence.
 
I get caught in my own bubble,
My thoughts are all I hear.
I never stop to remember
You’ve made Your power clear.
 
You knew the path we each would walk
When You called down the light.
I might think that I know what’s best,
But You know what is right.
 
If I’d just stop sharing my plans
For a minute or two,
I’d hear Your voice reminding me
That You know what to do.
 
You’ve got me and all those I love
Tucked close in Your embrace.
You don’t need my instructions on
How to deliver grace.
 
Lord, thank You for hearing my pleas
And ignoring the rest.
My bubble may think my plan’s great,
But Yours are still the best.
 
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
 
Habakkuk 2:3
For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

I'm Focused In

 

Sometimes I question if I’m called.
Lord, please don’t get me wrong.
It’s not the call, but my own doubt,
My spirit’s not that strong.
 
I know You’ve called me, but I ask
Is this what I’m to do,
Or have I just misunderstood
What You’re calling me to?
 
I’d like to say that I will stand
Without question or doubt,
But You know all that’s on my mind,
And all that I’m about.
 
When I wonder if I heard wrong,
I stop and just listen,
For I know Your Spirit will speak,
Set me on track again.
 
I am aware some think I’m odd
To believe I hear You,
But when I just stop and listen
Your voice comes softly through.
 
You’ve never led me astray, Lord,
Though I’ve swerved now and then,
So when I hear You I focus,
Get up and start again.  
 
I know I cannot understand
All that You’ve seen and know,
So I don’t trust me over You.
I go where You say go.
 
Thank You for all Your patient grace.
Living beneath Your wing
Has made my choices easier,
For the wisdom You bring.
 
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
 
John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

A Calling, A Joy

 

When I first saw this sweet photo
My heart burst with delight.
That precious pup sat in the field
With sunflowers and light!
 
Yet, when I spoke with his human
I understood much more,
For he’d been flushing out the birds.
Doing what he’s trained for.
 
Though it is not that season yet,
He works at it each day,
Because that’s what he's called to do.
For him, it’s work and play!
 
It called to mind a simple truth
The Word offers to me,
The joy that comes from serving God
Comes to us innately.
 
He’s called us to love Him and those
Who share this life we live,
To praise Him and rejoice in all
The grace He’ll freely give.
 
I find I’m happier by far
When standing in His grace,
Then I have been at any time
Or any other place.
 
Lord, like this pup, let me do first
That which You’ve called me to,
Then rejoice in the vast blessings
I always find in You.
 
John 15:10-11
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
 
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.

This sweet photo is a gift from TT. Such a joyful blessing!