The Light Is Returning

 

The darkness is never far off.
Like the tide comes and goes,
It, too, sweeps in upon the world.
The darkness ebbs and flows.
 
The darkness does not easily
Let go its hold on earth,
But slowly its power will wane
Under the light’s rebirth.
 
Now, many who’ve lived in the dark
And walked its broken trails,
Have seen the light begin to shine
On this world of travails.
 
They speak to those still in the dark
Of the light they have seen.
A promise of a world from which
The darkness is washed clean.
 
One day we’ll see the light return,
While darkness fades away.
Until that time, we wait in faith.
Our Light is on His way.
 
Isaiah 9:2
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

The Viper And His Brood

 

The false prophets and false teachers
Still speak to us today.
They know the truth, but seek to lead
The unknowing astray.
 
He gave us all His instructions,
His law was sharp and clear.
Yet, the false prophets, vipers brood,
Whisper lies in our ear.
 
They smile and bid us trust their truth
And not what we have heard
Spoken by Christ, His apostles,
The truth that’s in God’s Word.
 
They seek to lead God’s children back
Into the sin He healed,
Knowing that, by the lies they preach,
The weak soul’s death is sealed.  
 
They stand upon a false pulpit
Speaking in silken tone
The lie that no obedience
Is needed to atone.  
 
No need to turn back from our sin,
To go and sin no more.
They say it knowing the dark fate
Such a life holds in store.

 

Christ bruised the serpents head upon
The cross at Calvary,
But there remains the viper’s brood
That’s hunting you and me.
 
Be careful then, do not let them
Take your soul by surprise.
Keep your soul fixed upon God’s Word
And not on satan’s lies.
 
1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Even On Crazy Days, I Praise

 

I can’t recall what day it is,
Or what I planned to do.
This really was one of those days,
But this I know is true…
 
That I will rise up in each dawn
And sing my praise to You,
Then when the sun is going down
I’ll sing them all anew.
 
However wonky life can be,
I’ll make a point to raise
A song of praise and rejoicing
To You through all my days.
 
You stay close by me through it all,
And I’ve made it my choice
To praise Your name to all the earth.
I’ll sing out and rejoice.
 
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Finally, Rejoice

 

The ending of each week, it seems,
Finds me weary and weak.
Yet, it is Your peace, not my rest,
That my heart and soul seek.
 
For, in Your peace, is rest secured,
And healing for what aches.
When my mind needs restoration,
Your peace is all it takes.
 
The week may set me scurrying
Until I want to weep,
But I am never far from all
The peace my soul can keep.
 
I simply have to turn to You
And listen for Your voice.
Then peace, and rest, and healing grace
Fill me and I rejoice.
 
2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Sailing In Faith, Not Fear

Life’s a breeze, I have heard it said,
Just hoist anchor, set sail.
The problem happens when that breeze
Becomes an outright gale.
 
When life’s a breeze sailing is smooth,
But, when the wind turns rough
And the keel tilts into the waves,
A blithe heart’s not enough.
 
That’s why I lift a praise of thanks
As each tempest moves through,
For I have seen Him calm the waves
For me a time or two.
 
I’ve heard Him tell me, “Peace! Be still”
And felt my fear abate.
Thus, when the horizon grows dark,
I don’t just sit and wait.
 
I call out to Him, lift my praise
Of thanks knowing He’ll hear
That my trust still rests in His grace.
I sail in faith, not fear.
 
Mark 4:39-40
And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

The God Of Hope

 

My life has never been tidy,
The pieces all in place,
But when I stand amid my mess
I still can see Your grace.
 
You wake me up with each new dawn
And guard me while I sleep.
Your promise to keep loving me
Is one I’ve seen You keep.  
 
I can’t hold onto much in life
Unless I start with You.
You are my anchor in each storm,
The light that leads me through.
 
I find I’m on the edge of tears
When some days get too wild,
But each time that happens I hear
You say, “I’m here, my child.”
 
You are my hope, my joy, my peace,
And You always will be.
I don’t think I’d be standing here
If You did not love me.
 
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.

Pain That I Can't Heal

 

I feel a little lost these days,
So much pain everywhere.
Although it isn’t mine, I still
Feel the weight of despair.
 
So many loved ones have been lost,
Too many tears are shed.
They are not mine, yet still I grieve
And wish them peace instead.
 
Oh Lord, I know that pain will ease
And tears will dry one day,
But until then I’m saddened that
All I can do is pray.
 
Although I cannot heal their pain,
I feel it in my heart
And I am grateful that You can
Complete what I can’t start.
 
You take the broken hearts of man
And bind them with Your grace
Until they heal enough to let
Your peace take the pain’s place.
 
Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Let Your Light Shine

 

There is no light that shines on earth
As brightly as the grace
That is embodied by the love
Of my Savior’s embrace.
 
He holds me when I start to weep,
From sorrow or from fear.
I may not feel His arms as flesh,
But I know He is near.
 
He guides me when I end up lost
Nudging me back on path.
He corrects my rebelliousness,
With mercy, not with wrath.
 
I hear Him laugh when I rejoice.
His blessings amaze me
For they pour out without ceasing.
They’re everywhere to see.
 
He is the light upon my path
And I hope everyday
To reflect His grace as I can
To others on my way.
 
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

His Grace, His Choice To Give

He did not save us based on works,
Nor was it based on worth.
He did not save us based upon
Our status at our birth.
 
He saved us based upon His love,
His choice to offer grace
To those of us who follow Him,
His word and truth embrace.
 
The choice was His, as was the grace
That’s restored our value.
There’s nothing we can do to make
Our broken souls brand new.
 
Rejoice now in His priceless gift
And serve Him with delight,
For He has love and grace enough
To set your wrongs to right.
 
2 Timothy 1:9
who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began
 
Matthew 20:15
Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?

We Will Rejoice Again

A rose from a summer long past
Blooms in my memories.
Though I may grieve for those I’ve lost,
I will hold on to these.
 
So many loved ones now are gone,
And grief tears at my heart.
Yet, all those memories of joy,
They’re still the better part.
 
Those sweet memories bring me peace,
But more so does knowing
That they’re rejoicing at the throne
Of heaven’s gracious King.
 
I could hold on to crushing grief
Or hold instead onto
The promise that death holds no sting
For those who’ve lived in You.
 
I look upon my father’s rose
And wipe my tears away.
For though I still feel sorrow now,
I will rejoice one day.
 
John 16:22
So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 

Obeying His Voice

I think I went astray again,
I seem to every day.
I set out, fixed upon Your path,
Then get in my own way.
 
I might have said a word or two
That I should not have said,
Or had a thought that had no place
Being heard in my head.
 
In point of fact, I need to say,
There’s no “might have” at all
I will confess I did it, Lord,
And You, You saw it all.
 
Help me recall that selfishness
Is not born of Your grace,
And is, therefore, an attribute
That I should not embrace.
 
Please help me get back on Your path
And fix my eyes on You.
Help me to guard my words and thoughts
In all I say and do.  
 
I know I’ll likely stray again,
Much to my great dismay,
But, when I hear You call me back,
I won’t get far astray.
 
Daniel 9:9-10
To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 

So Many False Prophets

I hear the words of false prophets
And my heart aches for those
Who listen and who then follow
Where each false prophet goes.
 
They claim to share The Word and yet
With each and every breath
They twist It and they hide Its truth
With lies that lead to death.
 
The souls who turn to them in faith
Are following the call
Of him whose only purpose is
To assure mankind’s fall.
 
The silken words in soothing tones
That mark the easy way,
Are all intended, in the end,
To lead us far astray.
 
Beware the voices who promise
Their truth’s the better one.
Turn back from that path to the dark
And seek again the Son.
 
Matthew 24:11-12
And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 

I Shall Not Dread

 

The fears that used to weigh me down,
No longer trouble me,
For my hopes rest upon Your grace,
As it is meant to be.
 
That doesn’t mean they don’t pop up
To haunt me now and then.
Yet, when they do, I pass to You,
That which is beyond men.
 
I work hard to do all I can,
But I no longer fear
That which I can’t see or predict.
For, Lord, I know You’re near.
 
I don’t go out seeking trouble,
But, when it seeks me out,
I do my best, give You the rest,
And trust You without doubt.
 
Deuteronomy 7:21
You shall not be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God.

Even Weeds Can Bloom

 

The world is full of amazing
People who bloom with joy.
They know Your Word and live in it
With faith life can’t destroy.
 
Their blooms can brighten a dark day
Or, too, a dreary room.
I look at them with true delight,
Though I am not a bloom.
 
I think I may be more a weed,
Not quite as bold and bright,
But I too cherish living in
My Savior’s golden light.
 
I tend to stay more out of sight
And have a thorn or two.
You might not think it about weeds,
But we are cherished, too.
 
We each are redeemed through His grace.
While some light up a room,
Others will praise Him quietly…
And even weeds can bloom.
 
Romans 15:7
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

As You Have Blessed Me

 

Please guard my going out, Oh Lord,
And, too, my coming in.
Keep my feet set upon the path
That leads to You, not sin.
 
Grant me the wisdom to see truth
And turn away from lies,
That I may bring glory to You,
Not give cause to despise.
 
Let me rejoice, even in pain,
Knowing that, by Your grace,
I will walk through each dark valley
Into a brighter place.
 
Lord, most of all, I ask that I
Share Your mercies with all,
That I may help reflect Your Light
So others will not fall.
 
You’ve poured Your blessings out on me
In an unceasing flow.
Now help me share that flowing grace
That all the earth may know.
 
John 7:38
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.

Praying and Listening

Are you praying to the Lord, or
Merely praying at Him?
Lifting up demands for grace
Whenever life is grim,
 
Or a wish list of wants and dreams,
Not grounded in His word?
Too often we will prattle on,
Demanding to be heard.
 
I’ve found that He’s less likely to
Engage with such demands
From those who place small value on
His laws and His commands.
 
Instead, when I ask for His aid
As it fits what He’s planned,
Then He will often answer me
In ways I understand.
 
The simple act of listening,
Letting the noise go still,
Helps me to pray to Heaven’s King
And live within His will.
 
Even those days when I ramble,
Too lost to find a thought,
He lets me know He understands
The pain this world has brought.
 
A prayer is a conversation,
His answers are best heard
When I stop talking and listen
To Him and to His Word.
 
Matthew 6:7-8
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 

This is one of the precious photos from AC and her trip to Africa a few years back. 

Rejoicing As It Rains

 

The gospel says we’re to rejoice
Even in grief or pain.
I never really understood,
But the gospel was plain.
 
Then came the time when, blow on blow,
The world beat down on me.
That was when my heart finally
Helped my mind clearly see.
 
When all that grief weighed down on me,
I heard His voice saying
Rejoice until the pain eases
For all the joy I’ll bring.
 
Rejoice for brighter days ahead,
For sunshine follows rains.
When all the tears you’ve cried are dry,
The rejoicing remains.
 
Life seems to bring more storms these days,
And age adds to their weight,
But it is to His word I hold.
I’ll rejoice while I wait!
 
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

More Friday Thank Yous

 

What is it about Friday nights
That’s leave me with one thought,
“Thank You for always being there
Through all this week has brought.”
 
It’s thank You this and “thank You that,
And Oh, Lord, I thank You….
But guess what, Lord, the truth remains,
I thank You, yes I do!  
 
You’ve kept my feet upon Your path,
And my heart fixed on You.
You’ve challenged me to offer grace
To all I run into.
 
You’ve held me when my strength gave out,
And also when I cried.
When I got lost along the way,
Your light has been my guide.
 
The storms roll in, my fears rise up,
But You just hold on tight
Until I realize I’m safe,
Sheltered within Your might.
 
Each week I hurry here and there
Trying to keep the pace,
Until, by Friday night I just
Want to rest in Your grace.
 
So, once again, I thank You, Lord,
For this week’s “things to do”
And for the time, this Friday night,
To just be still with You.
 
Hebrews 4:9-10
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.

I Praised You

I praised You when the sun rose up
And when the stars danced by.
I praised You with a grateful heart
For Your vast, wondrous sky.
 
I praised You from the mountain tops,
And from the valley deep.
I praised You with an awe filled heart
For Your promise You keep.
 
I praised You where the oceans roar
And where the forests rise.
I praised You with unending joy
For Your splendors surprise.
 
I praised You with a broken heart
And when I felt it heal.
I praised You with tears in my eyes
For Your mercy is real.
 
Oh Lord, I praised You, and still do,
And will for all my days.
You formed me, healed me, love me still,
Lord, Your blessings amaze.
 
Psalm 100:1-2
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 

Cleanse Me Of My Sin

 

When I was covered in my sin,
He cleansed me with His blood,
And lifted me up from a life
Of wallowing in mud.
 
I’m not the first one He’s redeemed,
I may not be the worst,
But there’s no doubt that He, the pure,
Died to save us, the cursed.
 
The sin that separates us all
From Him, the Lord of grace,
Could not be cleansed, by word or deed,
By us, the human race.
 
It took the perfect sacrifice
Of His life for our sin,
But, by His grace, we’ve been redeemed,
We’re not who we have been.
 
Pay honor to that sacrifice,
Stay out of sin’s thick mud.
Don’t turn back to the wayward life
That cost such precious blood.
 
Wrap your soul in His Word each day,
Fill your heart with His grace,
And share them both along the way
With all who seek His face.  
 
Psalm 51:2
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
 
Acts 22:16
And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.

This muddy water buffalo photo is a blessing from AC taken on her trip to Africa a few years ago. 

You See What I Can't

 

Each complication that arose,
You settled out of hand,
As if You’d seen them coming on
And had the answers planned.
 
You always see my bottlenecks
And find me a way through.
It seems You see more clearly, Lord,
Than I’m able to do.
 
I understand You are the Lord,
Creator of all things,
Yet, sometimes I cannot conceive
The differences that brings.
 
Not only do You see ahead,
You have plans set in place
To help me walk through everything
That I will have to face.
 
The way is not always easy,
But You provide me strength
Or someone who can help me walk
The hardest paths, at length.
 
I understand You have a plan,
And, though I cannot see,
Your plans are vast and they’re detailed,
And Your plans include me.
 
Knowing that truth, I will accept
That I won’t understand
The complex paths that I will walk,
But I’ll trust what You’ve planned.
 
Psalm 73:23-24
Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.

Take Refuge In Him

 

The days are getting longer now,
And spring is drawing nigh.
It almost seems as if I hear
The world begin to sigh.
 
The winter offers its delight,
But as the spring comes on,
I find I do not miss the cold
Now that it’s truly gone.
 
For some I know the snow lingers,
The days hold a hard chill,
And spring is a sweet promise that
The winter can’t fulfill.
 
I say to those still in the cold,
Hold on, spring’s on the way.
You, too, will soon feel its warm breath.
Don’t give in to dismay.
 
The Lord who formed you, loves you still,
Take refuge in His grace.
Trust that He knows each season’s path
And that His plan’s in place.
 
Psalm 34:8
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

For Those I Pray

 

Oh Lord, today I pray for those
Who have not found Your light.
Though they are trapped in the darkness
They’re not out of Your sight.
 
I pray for those who can’t concede
They are astray in sin.
Please give them the wisdom they need
To turn to You again.
 
I pray for those who still believe
That they are in control
Of all they’ve done and what will be.
Please heal each prideful soul.
 
I pray for those who can’t let go
Of the bad seeds they’ve sown,
The sins of yesterdays long past,
The shames that they have known.
 
Please help them to reach out to You
And find they have a place
Within the healing of the cross
And Your unending grace.
 
So many failures I have known,
Many scars my soul bears,
But You have always heard my cries.
Tonight, I give You theirs.
 
Proverbs 15:29
The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.