By Grace, Not Works - Re-Posted

How mighty are we, in our eyes,

And yet how small, in fact.
We list our talents with a pride
That can’t remain intact.
 
For pride does not salvation bring.
That’s born only in grace,
And faith is all that leads us to
Redemption, from disgrace.
 
However mighty you may feel
There’s nothing you can do
To bring the grace of forgiveness
His life, and death, brought you.
 
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Troubles Will Pass - Re-Posted

The rain will not last forever,

The snow will melt away
And we shall find the sun will rise
Upon another day.
 
So don’t give up through troubled times,
Turn your face to the dawn,
For God gives us the strength we need
To rise and carry on! 

Psalm 126:6

Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

Like Drifting Snow - Re-Posted

I wouldn’t say I cling to guilt,

To anger or sorrow,
Instead I feel they cling to me
And pile up like the snow.
They bury me in layers deep
Until I disappear
And there is nothing left to show
That I was ever here.
 
But I have learned that, when they come
And settle in on me,
If I lift up a song of praise,
Then joy will set me free.
At first, it simply warms my heart,
But then, I feel it grow
Until the anger and the guilt
Drop off like melting snow.
 
Psalm 126:3
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

This wonderful photograph is a blessing from Russ Vaughn. Many thanks... I just love it!

In the Darkness, Light - Re-Posted

There, through the tempest coming on,
I saw a gleaming light
And understood that light can live
Within the darkest night,
That hope can thrive within despair,
And fearlessness in fright.
In that moment I ceased to weep;
I knew I’d be alright.

2 Samuel 22:29
You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.

Beyond Our Sight - Re-Posted

The mist and rain drip through the leaves

And sparkle in the light,
For they see past the darkened skies
To where the sun shines bright.
 
Thus, in our lives we need to look
Beyond the bounds of sight,
For God’s grace is not limited
To that touched by earth’s light.
 
2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Rooted in The Rock - Re-Posted

When I am rooted in His word 

No storm can tear me down.

My roots remain fast in the rock

Though wind whips at my crown.

I grow, protected from the worst,

And reach up for the sky

Knowing that, through the wind and rain,

My roots are strong and dry.

The Rock is my stronghold and home;

When all is said and done,

I’m rooted fast within The Rock

And growing in the Son! 

Psalm 18:1-2

I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I Didn't Know Then - Re-Posted

The moments slip slowly away,

Disappearing with time.
They seem to pass more quickly now,
Without reason or rhyme.
Yet when I reflect back on them,
In each one it is clear
That no matter what I faced then,
I see now, You were near.
I don’t regret the minutes past,
Though they won’t come again,
For each one was spent close to you…
Though I knew it not, then.

Joy, Instead of Peace - Re-Posted

I came to the hills to find peace

But that eluded me,
For all the Hills cried out with joy,
Birds sang from every tree.
 
Your praises rang across the sky
And echoed down each vale,
For all the earth knows You are Lord
And Your grace does not fail.
 
So I no longer seek the hills
As a peaceful domain.
I go instead to feel their joy
Lift me in its refrain!
 
Isaiah 55:12
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Never Out of Sight - Re-Posted

I wandered lost within the world

Until You called me home.
But I was never out of sight,
Though I'd chosen to roam.
 
For You watched over me out there,
Though I did not see You.
Until I called out hopelessly
And You led me back through.
 
You brought me back to live with You
And flourish in Your light.
Lord, I am grateful that I live
Forever in Your sight.
 
Genesis 28:15
I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.