Turn Back To Him

 

Each one of us has, at some time,
Turned our backs on His grace
In pursuit of some desire
That we’ve sought in His place.
 
For those sins we have each been judged.
Though we turn back to Him,
The punishment for selfish pride
Is eternal and grim.
 
It’s for our sake He took the cross
To die on calvary.
He paid the price earned by our pride
And set our lost souls free.
 
We all must weigh that sacrifice
Upon our hearts each day
That we might keep our eyes on Him
And not be led astray.

 
Hold out your hand to those you know,
And those met on the way,
That they, too, may walk close to Him,
Not drift further away.
 
This world is full of distractions,
But none of such value
They’re worth losing sight of the grace
That His love bought for you.
 
Hebrews 3:12-13
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

His Black Sheep

 

Though I may be called a black sheep,
My sins have been washed clean,
For, while I was lost in that sin,
I did not go unseen.
 
He did not see my sins, just me,
The lost lamb He held dear.
When He called me, I turned to Him
With no more doubt or fear.
 
My Savior saw me, forgave me,
And called me by my name.
Now, all the mercy my soul needs,
Through Him, is mine to claim.
 
I may still be called a black sheep
By those who knew me then,
But He still sees me as He did
When He cleansed me of sin.
 
Romans 5:8-9
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

Family, Travel and Blessings

 

The road was long before us, Lord,
But Your grace brought us through
With lots of joy and family
And praises raised to You.
 
We gathered there to celebrate
The new couple to be
And all the little additions
To the family tree.
 
We spent the weekend rejoicing
Then once more hit the road
Carrying with us in our hearts
The blessings You’d bestowed.
 
You brought us safely home, at last,
Our travels, now complete,
I take my thanks, my joy filled heart,
And lay them at Your feet!
 
Psalm 91:11
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Where I Focus

 

The road lies dark before me now,
It twists beyond my sight.
Yet, I know that however dark,
I’ll walk it in Your Light.
 
I will not let the vast unknown
Scare me off of the road
That leads me straight back to Your throne,
Your heavenly abode.
 
This world can weigh heavy on me,
Dragging me to my knees,
But in Your Word I find the peace
That brings heart and soul ease.
 
That’s when I take “poor little me”
And put You in my place.
With my focus on You, not me,
I see, not grief, but grace.
 
What matters is not what I face,
But where I place my gaze.
If I am focused on You, Lord,
Then You make straight my ways
 
Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Unfading Beauty - Re-posted

While I am nothing much to see,
Even I look quite grand
When I am nestled in the world
Created by His hand.
 
For every creature, dull or great,
Was formed within God’s grace
And each has beauty of its own
In heart or soul or face.
 
Don’t look at others as they seem,
But see them through God’s eyes.
You may be startled that you find
A glorious surprise.
 
1 Peter 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 

Principalities And Powers

 

There is a darkness in the world,
Born of a greater war,
And we are caught up in the fight,
However small we are.
 
The Darkness calls out to our sin,
The Light calls to our soul.
One will break us before the end,
The other makes us whole.
 
Yes, there is delight in the Dark,
In focusing on “me”,
But that delight fades away fast
And leaves just misery.
 
This life on earth is but a mist,
Forever’s closing in.
When this life ends where will you be?
You know the Light will win.
 
The prophecies have all come true,
And those few that remain
Confirm the Light’s true victory,
Removing the Dark’s stain.
 
Choose you, today, whom you will serve,
Whose side you will be on.
The Darkness will never prevail…
God’s love is never gone.
 
Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Between The Tick And Tock - Re-posted

We spend our lives in tick and tock,
The moments that life brings,
But in between the big moments
Are all the precious things.
 
The stillness of the early dawn,
The rainfall on the roof,
The fruit blossoms in early spring
That lead to autumn’s proof.
 
The joy we find in simple things,
Like simply being still,
Can matter more than the events
That test our strength and will.
 
Life brings us to the ticks and tocks
That shape the world we know,
But how we live the in between
Determines how we grow.
 
Ecclesiastes 4:6
Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind. 

Where True Treasure Lies

The treasures that we store on earth
Seem precious in our day,
But in the long run they will fade
And fall into decay.
 
For there is nothing of this earth
That holds the same value
As the grace through which Heaven's King
Forever will see you.
 
The gold gets lost, your power fades,
The world forgets your name,
But His redemption and His grace
Will still be yours to claim.
 
Choose then the wealth heaven offers,
Secure it in your heart,
And you will find that it’s still there
When this life falls apart.
 
Matthew 6:19-20
 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."

This amazing photo is a gift from TAF, taken on her trip to Egypt! 

When I Was Thirsty

How unceasing is the flow
Of Your gracious mercy.
It is the only hope I have
That my soul will be free.
 
I cannot do it on my own,
I’m too broken by far,
But You poured Your grace over me
And washed away each scar.
 
From You flows the water of life,
As it has always done.
You’re the beginning and the end,
You are my redemption.
 
I cannot ever repay You
For the love You give me,
But I will love and praise You, Lord,
For all eternity.
 
Revelation 21:6
And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 

All The Earth Rejoices

 

I lift my voice in songs of praise,
I rejoice in Your name,
But mine is not the only song
Your wonders to proclaim.
 
The bird sings joyful songs to You
Within the new day’s light.
The blossoms sing out in Your praise
In colors sweet and bright.
 
Even the trees whisper in joy
Their songs of praise to You
As the soft breezes stir their leaves
While it is passing through.
 
All of creation lifts its voice,
In joyful praise they sing.
Rejoicing, each in their own way,
To You, our Lord and King.
 
Psalm 98:4
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

Pretty, Poison Lies

 

Though it is joyful on its face,
There’s poison at its core.
Be careful that you’re not deceived,
Death’s all it holds in store
 
So is it, often, with mankind,
Behind a smiling face
There lies a heart that longs to lead
Innocence to disgrace.
 
They speak as if they hold wisdom,
Their words are sweet to hear,
But there is poison in their hearts.
Be cautious when they’re near.
 
They preach His words, but twist them up
To lead you far from Him.
The vipers, as in days of old,
Still harbor souls most grim.
 
Heed those who share His word, not man’s.
Turn back from those who try
To make you believe something that’s
A pretty, poisoned lie.
 
Matthew 24:11
And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
 
James 3:8
but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Grass Withers, Flowers Fade

 

I found a photo just today
Of loved ones lost to me.
I felt fresh sorrow fill my heart.
That’s how it’s meant to be.
 
We’re not immortal in this life,
Like blossoms, we all die.
Yet, He has promised renewal,
And His Word does not lie.
 
The grass will fade, the blooms wither,
But His Word will live on,
So, if He’s called them home to Him,
Then they aren’t really gone.
 
For they both loved Him openly
And knew He’d redeemed them.
Knowing that, I choose to rejoice
And give my thanks to Him.
 
When my time comes to fade away
And wither in the sun,
I’ll rejoice that His Word stands true
And my new life’s begun,
Then turn my fading gaze toward
The Light of Heaven’s Son.
 
Isaiah 40:7-8
The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever

Renewed Each Day - Re-Posted

Oh Lord, the little blessings fall
Like raindrops from the sky
And scatter on the barren ground,
Refreshing what was dry.

My weary spirit springs anew
And blossoms with delight
Thanks to the blessings of Your grace.
I grow, Lord, in Your Light.

What kind of love can offer me
Such grace and such blessing
That, from a withered, broken soul,
New life and hope can spring!

2 Corinthians 4:16
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

Greater Is He

 

Greater is He who calmed the seas
Than he who stands on shore
Shaking his fist at the tempest,
Achieving nothing more.
 
Greater is He who filled skies
With stars in the dark night
Than he who stands with eyes cast down
Denying there is light.
 
Greater is He who gave us life
Then redeemed us from sin
Than he who calls out from hell’s gate
To come and sin again.
 
How great are You, how vast Your love,
Your wonders on display
All fill my soul with hope and peace
And I praise You each day.
 
Psalm 71:19
Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?

You Make Straight My Path

 

I often overthink my fear,
Or let my worries grow
Until they bind me, tie me down.
Tonight I’ll let them go.
 
You know what I am bound to face
And I know You love me,
So, I am giving them to You.
That’s where they ought to be.
 
If I have placed my trust in You,
Then I’ve no cause for fear.
I’ll watch my step, but walk the path
That You’ve made straight and clear.
 
Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Joyously And Diligently

Work each day, as if for the Lord,
With diligence and faith.
Don’t be distracted by your pride
For that’s a hollow wraith.
 
Though we know we are not worthy,
Still we ought work and praise
And thank the Lord that He loves us
Despite our wayward ways.
 
Don’t lose sight of the One you serve,
But serve Him with such joy
That none may doubt He is the one
Whose teachings you employ.   
 
Work not for man, but, in God’s name,
Work with all of mankind
That they may also see in you
The life that He outlined.
 
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men 

Broken, Now Restored

 

When I was broken, heart and soul,
You restored me to grace.
You healed the broken pieces and
A new me took their place.
 
You lifted me back to my feet,
And held me to Your side.
The scars that had once marred my soul,
Removed and cast aside.
 
To all the world, I looked the same,
The outer me unchanged,
But in Your sight I am made new.
The old me is estranged.
 
You gave me back the joy I’d lost
When You restored my soul.
Please help to hold faithfully
To You who made me whole.  
 
Psalm 51:12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Your Footprints Are Unseen

 

I see the miracles You do
In each day that I live.
The blessings poured out on my life,
The grace You always give.
 
I hear Your voice upon the wind,
The thunder rolling in.
I feel Your peace fill up my soul
When my hope’s wearing thin.
 
In each new day, in many ways
I see the works You do,
But, despite the wonders I’ve seen,
Lord, I’ve never seen You.
 
I know You’re there, creation rests
Firmly within Your hand,
And all the universe unfolds
Exactly as You’ve planned.
 
Yet, still I wonder what I’ll feel
When I first see Your face.
I suspect I’ve had a preview
Each time I’ve felt Your grace.
 
The mountains rise, the spring rains fall,
The oceans roll on shore.
I see Your presence everywhere,
I feel it so much more.
 
I know one day, I’ll see Your face,
But until that day’s here
I’ll watch for the signs of Your grace
That prove You’re ever near.
 
Psalm 77:19
Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.

Fig Trees And Faith

 

He spoke in parables each day,
But this one He lived out.
There’s more to this than meets the eye…
Here’s what it’s all about.
 
The fig tree bears fruit in the spring
That ripens in the sun.
A second growth appears by fall,
When first harvest is done.
 
Even when winter claims its leaves,
The winter figs remain.
So, when the leaves burst out in spring
The winter fruit shows plain.
 
He knew when He came on that tree
With leaves, but without fruit,
That it would not bear figs again.
To argue that was moot.
 
He chose, instead, to make a point
About the fruit we bear.
Though we wave bright leaves in display,
We’d best have fruit to share.
 
Though we might proclaim we are His,
Without faith it’s a lie.
For when our faith takes root in Him,
Then our fruit will not die.
 
Yet, those who proffer a false faith
Can harm those who seek Him
By distracting them with false truths,
Leaves on a fruitless limb.

 

The fruit we bear by what we share
Should help His harvest grow,
And He will prune or uproot trees
Which bring His harvest low.
 
Let your roots run deep in His Word
And your faith grow each day,
That your fruit will bring Him such joy,
He’ll smile at its display.
 
Matthew 21:19
And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once.

Ask With Thanksgiving

 

When we lift up our daily prayers
Which approach should we choose?
Give me this, Lord and that, too, or
Would thanks be best to use?  
 
We keep thinking of our needs first
The requests of our heart.
While supplication does matter,
Thanks is the place to start.
 
Thank Him for watching over us,
For the roof overhead,
And for His Word, by which we grow,
Our precious daily bread.
 
Thank Him for those we love in life,
And those who love us, too.
Maybe even the hardships that
He’s helped us to walk through.
 
Thank the Lord with a praise filled heart,
Then lift your requests up
Knowing His love tends to lead to
An overflowing cup.
 
Philippians 4:6
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Peace Within The Storm

Your grace always amazes me.
You know just what I need
Before I even realize,
No need to beg or plead.
 
You give me peace within the storm,
Comfort when my heart aches.
You give me strength to walk in faith.
Your grace is all it takes.
 
Your works are wondrous, amazing.
I cannot contemplate
How vast is Your authority,
Your mercy’s never late.
 
You calm the seas and Your child, too.
As the tempests pass through
I do not fear the storm’s wild wrath
Because I trust in You.
 
Thank You for knowing what I’d need
Before I rose today
And having it prepared for me.
In praise and thanks, I pray!
 
Isaiah 32:18
My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
 
Psalm 62:7
On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 

Reflecting Him, Not Me

 

We see ourselves through our own eyes,
Thinking others do, too.
Yet, they see us in their own light,
From their own point of view.
 
I am not always the best me.
In that, I’m not alone.
We ought to reflect grace to all
And not a heart of stone.
 
Yet, more often we show the world
Our broken, human side.
Thinking we’re reflecting You, while
Showing not grace, but pride.
 
We need to learn to reflect You
And praise You before all.
We won’t be perfect reflections,
But we can share Your call.
 
Lord, help us to walk humbly and
Praise You every day,
That, when others see us, they see
Your Light to mark the way.
 
Matthew 5:16
"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

This photo is a precious gift from TAF on her trip to Egypt! 

Darkness Is As Light With You

 

Though my path may be lost in night,
The way rocky and steep,
I will not let fear rule my heart
For I am Yours to keep.
 
Though all the stars are lost in cloud,
The moon hiding its face,
Still, I will find my way to You,
Relying on Your grace.
 
You are the light upon my path,
My strength during travail,
And I will not quake in despair,
For Your love will not fail.
 
I know this life’s a rocky road
That leads me down dark ways,
But I know, too, You’re always near,
Even on my worst days.
 
Let then the darkness do its best
To trap me in the night.
For I know there’s no darkness, Lord,
That can obscure Your Light.
 
Psalm 139:11-12
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

Being Kind, Giving Grace

 

People can be so difficult
To deal with now and then,
But that has not changed over time.
That’s how it’s always been.
 
There have been days I want to hide
And just tell people, “No!”,
But we, His children, have been called
To give the grace we know.
 
Learning to be patient with all
Is what we’re called to do.
As He bears patiently with us
We’re to be patient, too.
 
That doesn’t mean we tolerate
Evil within our space,
But those who are walking with Him
Deserve to feel our grace.
 
Thus, when I feel I’m put upon,
I thank Him with true joy
For giving me another chance
To give grace I enjoy.
 
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Sorry for the poor resolution of this cowbird, perched on a cow. It was taken from across the road, through the wire fence on my cell phone, but it was too funny to skip over! 

So Many Other Things He Did

 

He walked with them for several years,
Teaching what they should know.
Giving them gifts that they could share
With others as they go.
 
He did so many wondrous things,
But there was so much more
Than what they were able to share,
And so much more in store.
 
For all the wonders, signs, and works
The records show were done,
There were so many more that were
Performed by Heaven’s Son.
 
His students said time and again
They couldn’t share them all,
And they only knew those He did
After they heard His call.
 
Between creation’s call to be
And where we stand today,
There are more miracles to count
Than any man could say.
 
How wondrous are the works of Him
Who formed us, set us free.
Imagine how much more awesome
The full list’s bound be!!
 
John 21:25
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.