A Simple Procedure, A Needless Worry

 

Tomorrow may be a rough day,
But nothing I can’t face
If I do so within Your strength
And through Your loving grace.
 
A little thing compared to all
That others have walked through,
And even I have faced worse things.
Still, I’m glad I have You.
 
You are the calm within my storm,
The laughter, midst my fear.
When I am anxious, I recall
That You are ever near.
 
Tonight I’ll sleep, then rise at dawn
To prepare for the day.
Before I leave, I’ll take a breath
And a moment to pray.
 
Then I will step out in the faith
That Your peace will abide
And all my worries mean nothing,
For You are by my side.
 
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
 
Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Finding His Peace

 

In times of sorrow or of stress,
May your soul seek His peace.
When life is too busy to think,
May your soul seek His peace.
 
It is in Him, true peace is found,
And He gives it to all
Who turn to Him and call to Him.
He will answer that call.
 
The world may still be turbulent,
The storms may still roll through,
But you’ll face them with peace and joy,
For He’ll give that to you.
 
He is the strength, the hope you need,
In Him they both abound.
Yet, even more, He is the source
Where peace and joy are found.
 
So, when life’s outside your control
And troubles will not cease,
Then turn your heart to Him and know
Your soul will find His peace.
 
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.

Love Your Neighbor Anyway

 

Love your neighbor as yourself, yeah,
That’s what we’re called to do,
But have you seen some of the folks
Who share this world with you?
 
They drive slowly in the fast lane,
Or right up on your tail
When you are stuck behind a truck
Right beside the guard rail.
 
They count out pennies while you wait
In the express check out.
They tell you how you ought to think
And what to live without.
 
I know the commandment is clear,
But this is also true,
There are many annoying folks
That we each run into.
 
Yet, let me say it once again,
For those who didn’t hear,
Just love your neighbor as yourself.
His instructions were clear.
 
It wasn’t a mere suggestion
Though we may wish it so,
It was a commandment from God.
That’s what you need to know.
 
You wake up each day needing grace
So, share that grace with all,
And give it with the same patience
God uses when you call.
 
Matthew 22:39
And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

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.

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. 

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.

This Day's Grace Was Enough

 

Let me start out tonight with thanks!
Though sometimes things got rough,
And by the end some stress remained,
This day’s grace was enough.
 
I stumbled now and then, oh Lord,
But I knew You were there.
So, I picked up and tried again.
There’s no need for despair.
 
Life threw a few wild hits at me
Over the past few days,
But each time I started to quit,
Some new grace caught my gaze.
 
I know that I will struggle here,
And trip more times than not,
But You’ve taught me how to rejoice
No matter what my lot.
 
You’ve shown me that pure self pity
Avails me not at all,
But lifting my voice up in thanks
Frees my heart from its thrall.
 
A thankful heart sees more blessings,
Than one blinded by tears
For everything that has gone wrong,
Or might in coming years!
 
I don’t always remember that,
I’m just human, it’s true,
But, when I get lost in the dark,
Your Light comes shining through.
 
Lord, I will finish up tonight
The way I started out.
Thank You for helping me see joy
Instead of fear and doubt.
 
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

By Myself To Pray

 

I need to leave behind the noise,
And seek that peaceful place
Where I can hear the voice of God,
And feel His perfect grace.
 
I know that He is always near
And He can hear my call,
But often I cannot hear His
Through the noise of it all.
 
It’s in those times I seek the wilds
Where wind sings in the trees,
And rivers laugh as they rush by
On their way to the seas.
 
There in the heart of creation
My mind at last can hear
The voice for which my soul has longed
Growing vibrant and clear.
 
I feel His peace wash over me,
His words refresh my soul
Until even my weary heart
Has been healed and made whole.
 
Then I can rise and return to
The noise that this life brings,
Still hearing His voice, soft and clear,
Speaking as my heart sings.
 
I do not doubt that He is here
Beside me every day,
But now and then I need to go
Away, listen, and pray.  
 
Matthew 14:23
And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

To Dance With Joy

 

Tonight, I seek the joy and peace
That rest within Your Word.
The world has spoken, all day long,
And noise is all I’ve heard.
 
The busy rush of everyday
Can weigh upon my heart
Until I feel the stress born tears
Slowly begin to start.
 
That is my clue to just step back
And rest upon the rock.
Read Your words of hope, peace, and joy,
In which my soul takes stock.
 
I read the wisdom of prophets,
The insights of old kings.
I speak the words You spoke to us
And feel the hope it brings.
 
The world begins to fall away
When I focus on You
And listen with heart, mind and soul,
As You taught me to do.
 
Then, as the world grows to silence,
I feel the joy unlock
Until Your hope, Your peace fill me.
I dance, Lord, on The Rock!  
 
Romans 15:12-13
And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 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.

When You say Go

 

Each time I seek to hide away
I hear You call to me,
You have a task for me to do,
Somewhere I need to be.
 
I tend to try to be alone,
To hide from the world’s eyes,
But You know what is best for me,
Despite what I surmise.

 

I tend to panic, just a bit,
But I have learned one thing…
When You tell me it’s time to go,
I go with rejoicing.
 
I give the panic and complaints
Enough time to be heard,
Then send them off while I head out,
Grateful and undeterred.
 
I may come home a bit weary,
But I am so blessed, too,
For You trusted me to get done
What You sent me to do.
 
While I may hide out from the world,
I’m always in Your sight.
When You call me to stop hiding,
I dance, Lord, with delight!
 
Jeremiah 23:24
Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.

To Which I Cling

 

The answered prayer, unending grace,
A hope made manifest,
And now a precious little life
Rests on her mother’s breast.
 
There is no fear You cannot calm,
If I give it to You.
I need to learn to just be still
And trust You’ll lead me through.
 
Your mercy is my hope, Oh Lord,
Your grace is mine always.
The strong refuge in which I rest,
Even on fear filled days.
 
You are always right here with me,
I need but call Your name
To feel Your presence strong and clear.
Your help is mine to claim.
 
Your grace and peace, my hope and faith
All cause my heart to sing,
But it is Your enduring love
To which my soul will cling.
 
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Satisfied And More

 

I struggled with my chores today,
At least twice nearing tears.
I called out for Your peace and grace,
Help managing my fears.
 
I stepped up and I tried again,
To find what I needed.
I called out to You knowing that
My words would be heeded.
 
I turned around and there it was,
The first answer to prayer,
Then suddenly, each place I looked,
One more answer was there.
 
My soul was hungry for Your grace,
I feared it might stay so.
Yet, You have feed me, filled me up
With more than I can know.
 
You met my needs, You threw in joy
To satisfy me more,
And reminded me that You have
So much more love in store.
 
You feed my soul with boundless grace,
My heart with loving joy.
The perfect peace You give to me,
This world cannot destroy.
 
Oh Lord, I rest within the dusk,
My spirit satisfied.
I praise You for the loving grace
That You’ve never denied.
 
Psalm 22:26
The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever!

Too Much Sad News

 

Oh Lord, tonight I have no words.
My thoughts, scattered and frayed,
Are drowning in the waves of grief
That will not be allayed.
 
The sorrows rush in ceaselessly,
A never-ending flow
From which I fear I can’t escape
However far I go.
 
I know that these storms, too, will pass,
But right now I feel lost.
In wave on wave of pain and grief,
My poor spirit is tossed.  
 
Lord, hold me close within Your grace
Until once more I stand
Far from the ocean of my grief,
Beyond this shifting sand.
 
You are the rock to which I cling,
The anchor that won’t fail.
I know that Your love is greater
Than this passing travail.
 
I’ll cling to You within this storm
Until You cry, “Be Still”,
Then all my tears, my grief will cease
In answer to Your will.
 
Psalm 107:28-29
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.

Rely Not On Ourselves

 

I piled my worries on my heart
And carried them all day.
I fussed over them til they grew
Too big to push away.
 
They weighed upon me constantly
Until I thought I’d drown
In all the tears and frustrations
That just kept pouring down.
 
I had to step back, take a breath
And give it all to You
Before I could think and recall…
You’re here, You’ll help me through.
 
Before, my troubles in this world
Would bring me to my knees
And leave me wondering what I
Should do to find some ease.
 
Until I came to understand
What I was going through
Was You nudging me to reach out
And learn to lean on You.
 
Just letting go a little bit,
Was all I had to do
For You to take hold of my hand,
And all my troubles, too.
 
My worries still linger about,
But they don’t weigh me down,
For I don’t carry them alone
And You won’t let me drown.
 
2 Corinthians 1:8b-9
For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

I Can Rest, Despite Travail

 

The day will come when all the world
Will rest within Your peace,
But for right now, it seems that wars
And troubles will not cease.
 
That good that we are called to do
Gets lost within the noise
Of those who proclaim false idols,
And praise their barren joys.
 
The grace You share with each of us
Is cast aside as stale
By those who worship all the sins
That cause mankind to fail.
 
Lord, I know You are in control,
You’ve overcome this world,
And, I can stand in faith despite
Each curse and stone that’s hurled.
 
I find I can rest and be still,
Though I still face travail,
For I have Your peace in my heart,
The peace that does not fail.
 
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

The Family Of Believers

 

The rough, wild lands spread all around,
But, in its midst, they stand.
Joined in their faith, sharing their joy
And living His command.
 
The family of believers
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.
 
They’ll welcome you in from the wild,
And share with you His grace,
For that is what He did for them
When they were in your place.
 
Galatians 6:10
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! 

Be Still, My Child - Reprinted In Memory of a Friend

Be Still and let my words heal you,
Don’t talk, just listen please.
I formed you in your mother’s womb
And I can give you ease.
 
You run so fast, you cannot stop
Until, at last, you fall.
Why do you wait so long before
You answer when I call?
 
Listen to me, I’m telling you
That I am all you need.
Let go of all the ifs and buts.
Listen, my child, take heed.
 
This world is not an easy place,
But you still have a choice.
Go on as if you are in charge,
Or listen to my voice.
 
Be still and rest within the peace
That I have formed for you.
Be still and listen to my voice,
As I’ve asked you to do.
 
I hold all things within my hand
The heavens and earth, too,
And you, who are more precious yet,
Be still child, I’ve got you!
 
Isaiah 44:24
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: “I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself

Your Strength In Me

 

I cry out for Your strength tonight.
The day was long and rough,
But I’m still standing in the faith
That Your grace is enough.
 
Those little things that just pile up
Despite all that we do,
Leave me even more thankful that
I can find strength in You.
 
When I am weak, I call to You,
When I am strong, I praise
The King in whose strength I can stand
Even on these rough days.
 
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Your Voice, My Peace

 

The world’s been coming at me fast,
Too much fury and noise.
Today, however, by Your grace,
I can regain my poise.
 
You gave me thunderstorms and peace.
To most that makes no sense,
But I’ve always treasured the sound
That can make others wince.
 
The soft rumble, the crackling roll,
They are my lullaby.
I find myself closest to You
Without mankind near by.
 
In a forest, a windy shore,
Outside the cultured rim
Where I can hear You, loud and clear,
And mankind’s voice grows dim.
 
Tomorrow I will start again.
I’ll rise and make the choice
To walk the path You’ve set for me.
Today I need Your voice.
 
Psalm 29:2-3
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters.

A Soul In Need

I stand before You, once again,
My soul, feeling adrift.
Though I know You are by my side,
It’s as if there’s a rift.
 
I struggled with my day today.
Knowing I often fail
At being who I’m meant to be,
I stressed to no avail.
 
I offered grace and spoke kindly
To those along the way,
But I felt wave on wave roll in
Of worry and dismay.
 
I lifted up Your name in praise,
Gathered to worship You,
And then I went about my day
While grief filled waves swept through.
 
I need to sit with You a while,
We both know that I do.
A weary body heals with rest,
A soul needs time with You.
 
Jeremiah 31:25
For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.