Doing His Father's Will

What wondrous things the Lord has done.
They outnumber the stars,
And greater than all of the rest
Are dark Golgotha’s scars.
 
The sins He carried were not His,
But He carried them still.
For He knew we would never be
Able to do God’s will.
 
He bowed before the punishment,
And bore God’s crushing wrath
That we, who sinned, might be redeemed,
That we might walk God’s path.
 
He chose to do His Father’s will,
That we might not be lost,
Despite knowing that He would pay,
For us, the brutal cost.
 
How wondrous is the grace of God
And how vast the array
Of its blessings poured out on us
From the cross that dark day.
 
Matthew 26  
39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
 
42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”
 
44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 

A Prayer For Peace And Comfort

 

A prayer for peace for all those who
Are facing down hard things.
Sometimes it’s not answers we need,
But the peace Your grace brings.
 
For those who stand upon the brink
Of changes great or small,
I ask for the strength to step out,
And faith to face it all.
 
For those in illness or great loss
Who are living in fear,
I pray that they know, without doubt,
That You are always near.
 
For those who feel they are alone
And no one sees their tears,
I pray they come to realize
You’ve been right there for years
 
I lift to You a prayer for peace
And one of thanks, also.
You are the greatest strength and hope
That we will ever know.
 
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.
 
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

A Memory And A Smile

A few years back a friend dared me
To write a praise for her
Using an accidental shot
She took. I did concur.
 
The accidental photo popped
Up in my memories,
And I’m feeling nostalgic now.
I ask for patience, please.
 
I’m re-posting the praise I wrote
Because it made me smile
And because I still miss my friend.
Which I’ll do for a while.
 
So here it is, that praise from old.
Two things that still hold true,
We miss you here, we’ll see you soon.
To C, this one’s for you!

 

The world’s gone topsy turvy, Lord.
What once was up is down,
And I would try to smile on through
But, like this, it’s a frown.
 
I don’t know what to make of this,
The world’s all wrong somehow.
I’d love for You to set it straight….
And, by the way, right now.
 
I guess I’ll have to be patient.
That’s harder than you’d think,
And if I rise to carry on
While upside down, I’ll sink.
 
Oh yes, the world’s topsy turvy,
It’s all gone to my head.
And I could give up without shame,
But I’ll trust You, instead! 

Revelation 21:4
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

We love you, my friend! 

The Weight Of All Sin

 

I carry my sins through each day,
And they can grow heavy.
I can’t fathom bearing the weight
Of all earth’s sins on me.
 
Beneath the weight of that old cross,
Christ bore for all mankind
The weight of each sin we commit
In body, heart, or mind.
 
It wasn’t just the weight of wood
That forced Him to His knee,
It was the weight of all those sins
He bore to Calvary.
 
I’ve felt it time and time again,
The shame of what I’ve done.
Each time I sin, I add more weight
To that borne by The Son.
 
We can’t take back the weight He bore
For sins of yesterday,
But we can try to add less weight
By sinning less today.
 
John 19:16-17
So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.
 
1 Peter 2:24
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Out Of The Shadow Of Darkness

 
You have brought me through that valley
Out of darkness, sin, despair,
Into the Light of Your glory
For Your mercy’s ever there.
 
There is no path I can travel
That is not within Your sight.
There’s no place so lost in darkness
Where I cannot find Your light.
 
There is no fear I must face that
Stands defiant of Your might
If I rise up for the battle
In the armor of Your light.
 
Dark or light, the path before me
Leads me back into Your grace,
Where, rejoicing in Your glory,
I will rest in Your embrace.
 
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.
 
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

One Nation Under God

 

He spoke His Word into their hearts,
Breathed His grace through the land.
Though they struggled throughout the years,
He held them in His hand.
 
They built their nation on His truth,
Taught His words to their young.
From shore to shore in their nation,
His praise was rightly sung.
 
Though faith has wavered now and then,
Through struggle and travail,
He kept them close, beneath His wing,
Without falter of fail.
 
Founded upon His Word and law,
The nation thrived and grew,
And He has blessed them boundlessly
In all they have been through.
 
Today they still stand in His grace,
Though some have turned away,
And His praise still rings out across
That nation to this day.
 
Psalm 33:11-12
The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

Tears And Gratitude

 

Though we know that our broken souls
Have been restored by grace,
We’re still inclined to see the sin
Lingering in its place.
 
It’s not that we doubt we are saved,
But know we’re unworthy
Of the grace You’ve poured out for us,
The blood that sets us free.
 
We’ve lived so long chained to our sin,
It’s our habit to feel
That weight bearing down on our souls,
Though it’s no longer real.
 
We hear satan reminding us
Of all the ways we’ve failed,
That we deserve eternity
Hellishly bound and jailed.
 
It is with tears of gratitude
That I stop and recall
I am no longer stained by sin,
But redeemed before all.
 
I need to shift my focus from
Seeing the worst of me,
And fix it on my Savior ‘til
His glory’s all I see!
 
Romans 4:7-8
“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
 
Colossians 1:13-14
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

They Are All In Your Hand

 

The world feels so heavy today,
Too much sorrow and grief.
Knowing that I can’t help at all,
Affords me no relief.
 
The broken hearts, the shattered dreams,
The truth of what draws nigh
Weigh down upon me, heart and soul.
I cannot help but cry.
 
All I can do is give to You
The burdens I can’t bear.
Please wrap those hurting in Your grace,
Let them know that You’re there.
 
Give them Your peace, the faith to hope
That I could never give.
Renew in them the strength they need
To stand and fight to live.
 
If there is something I can do,
Then help me lend a hand,
But when I can’t, help me let go
And trust in what You’ve planned.   
 
Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
 
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

To so many family and friends who are struggling right now with suffering, sorrow and worries, please be at peace and know that you are still safe in His hand. 

The Warrior Defends

It’s hard, sometimes, to find the words
That my heart and soul seek.
Today it is of sacrifice
And love that I will speak.
 
Christ set for us the example,
He died to set us free.
Now those who live and follow Him
Know how blessed we can be.
 
Yet, even among mortal men
There are those who give all,
So those they love can know freedom
And peace, not live in thrall.
 
I walked the path of Soldier’s child,
And stood among the brave,
But now and then that meant I bowed,
Heart broken, at their grave.
 
So many cannot understand,
And I don’t call that shame,
All that a child grows up with when
“Service Brat” is their claim.
 
There’s strength and honor, pride and fear,
And so much more to life
For those who live with those who serve
To face down war and strife.
 
I’ve seen so many say goodbye,
And some who can’t let go.
While some, like me, were luckier,
My dad watched his kids grow.
 
Yet, through it all one thread remains,
As Christ assured His friends,
They loved us, fought and died for us.
The Warrior defends.
 
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Give Comfort In Times Of Grief

 

We each have carried the burden
Of grief too great to bear,
And yet we’ve had to find the strength
To live with our despair.
 
Because we understand such grief,
You’d think we’d know the way
To comfort someone who now fights
To keep such grief at bay.
 
Alas, that is not how grief works.
For each, the pain’s our own.
Try though we might we cannot heal
The pains we haven’t known.
 
I cannot heal their broken heart
Or mend the hole it leaves,
Nor can I take away the fears
And pain of one who grieves.
 
I cannot bid them walk my path,
For their healing’s not mine.
What I can do is give their grief
To the healer Divine.
 
For He can heal the broken heart
And make it whole again.
That’s comfort beyond the power
Of any mortal man.
 
I know because He has healed me
From more than one heartbreak,
And I know He will heal them, too.
His comfort’s theirs to take.
 
The greatest comfort I can share
Is God’s love and His grace,
And simply staying close until
God’s healing can take place.
 
2 Corinthians 1:4
who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
 
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

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

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.

The Pieces He Put In Place

 

The Lord knew that the hearts of men
Would tremble at the word
That He who died had risen up,
They would call it absurd.
 
He set in place the small details
To forestall any doubt.
That all who heard, would know the truth
The world would talk about.
 
No one had lain in the new tomb
So no mistake was made
That He who rose was He who died,
And in that tomb was laid.
 
He called not one, but two leaders
Whose word would hold value.
Assuring that His death was deemed
As verified and true.
 
The plan was laid well in advance,
The pieces all in place,
That man might truly understand
God’s power and His grace.
 
Yet still, for those who laid Him there
And those who watched in grief,
No prophecy or promises
Could offer them relief.
 
They sealed the tomb and left behind
Broken hearts filled with pain
Not knowing that, in two days’ time,
Only joy would remain.
 
John 19:39-41
Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.

The Debt Is Paid - Good Friday 2026

 

Tetelestai He cried, dying.
The debt is fully paid,
The sentence has been completed,
And victory’s displayed.
 
He spoke to those who gathered there
At the foot of the cross
Who wept with grief too great to bear,
Unfathomable loss.
 
He’d carried every sin and stain
Each wicked thought and vice
For those He loved, He paid the cost.
The unstained sacrifice.
 
Yet, when He looked down from the cross
At each and every face,
He saw not just those standing there,
But all in need of grace.
 
Each sin we live, even today,
Was added to that debt.
When He looked down, He saw us, too,
And died without regret.
 
Tetelestai, our sins are cleansed,
Rejoice then in their loss.
He paid the debt we could not pay
Upon that blood stained cross.
 
John 19:30
When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

The Storm Was Coming

 

I watched the clouds turn dark and grim,
The air heavy and thick.
I knew a storm was rolling in,
And it was coming quick.
 
I saw it forming, felt the wind
Grow more fierce in its pace,
And watched the trees twisting in fear
With no hope they’d find grace.
 
Though I am limited in sight,
I still felt my fear rise
Watching that storm draw ever near,
Drowning my fearful cries.  
 
He, too, knew what was drawing nigh
The storm’s wrath He would face.
Yet He stood strong, watching it come,
That we might live in grace.
 
Even knowing what lay ahead,
The brutal sacrifice,
That debt we owed had to be paid.
He stayed to pay that price.
 
Matthew 26:1-2
When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

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.

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. 

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. 

Smoke And Joy

 

The fires burned across the hills
Hundreds of miles away.
Yet, born on winds, it swiftly flew
To tarnish this new day.
 
The smoke was thick enough to taste,
It stifled every breath.
It seemed as if the world punished
Me with the forest’s death.
 
I wanted to cry bitterly,
But, before the first tear,
I felt such awe burst in my heart,
I knew that He was near.
 
The sun started to rise up through
The smoke obstructed skies
And, as it rose, it reflected
Its joy before my eyes.
 
The sun shifted the colors of
The sky and water, too,
Until, instead of smoke and pain,
Colorful joy shone through.
 
That which the world meant for my pain,
He turned to my delight
Using nothing more than His love
And His reflected Light!
 
Genesis 50:20
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.