"in the dark"

In the dark
we listen to our selfishness
and follow our hearts
to wherever we are led

We have determined
The Lord does not see
nor hear

We are mistaken
but we do not care

It is our body
Our life
What is the difference
anyway

The Lord has turned His back on us

but He has not
Time and time again
He seeks us

but we refuse
Refuse to repent
from the violent acts,
relentless wickedness
pursued

We will worship who we please
and when it pleases us
We will honor ourselves
We have time only
for ourselves, our wants
our needs, our desires

The Lord punishes
His punishment we read
as forsaking us

We do not understand
why His fury and anger
is set against us
Why He has condemned us
Why He does not care
about us, our needs

Woe to you
Woe to me

He has been with us
He remains with us
He loves us
We are His children
He  wants what is best for us

But we have turned from Him
It is us who have forsaken Him
We have gone astray

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” ~ 2 Peter 3:9

He calls
continues to call to us,
seeking us, encouraging us
to return,
to engage in Him
be in Him
One with Him
He wants us with Him.

The seeking,
The calling,
The encouragement
given is not forever

You who continually stand against
will fall
The darkness
you surround yourself
with now
will become more intense
There will be no escape

The “I’m sorry Lord”
will not be heard
for your compassion
is not

The darkness will be your own doing
Your destruction

The Lord has not forsaken you
You have forsaken the Lord
You have forsaken yourselves

You have quenched the Spirit,
the Light of the Lord
and darkness has overcome you

You are doomed
Woe is you

If only we would repent
If only we would abide
in Him,

In His love
If only ….

but we could.

(c) June 16-17, 2013

It is Christ's Church

The church
The body of Christ
The human form of Christ
The followers of Christ

Not independent to self
Not separate
United with Christ
The head of the Church
His Church.

(c) June 14, 2013

No Room?

“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” – Luke 2:7 NKJ

No room
No room for Mary and Joseph
No room for Jesus

There was no room
yet space hindered Him not
His ministry began
He witnessed
and proclaimed
and taught
to the world all
not a select few

And what about today’s church
God’s church
comprised of Christ’s followers
Some claim too “No Room”
Others “No One”

We become caught up
the affairs of the world
and of self
result in fightings
and frustration
and endless whistleblowing
and confusion
We consider ways
to do something for ourselves
and have forgotten
our primary purpose

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Acts 1:8 NKJ

God is the bringer
and the taker
People come
to hear the Word
to seek fellowship

Some stay
some leave
Departure
need not destroy
bonds formed,
friendships made

It is not
the number of individuals,
families
It is not
the age
It is not
the activities
for children and youth

There is more than this
more than amenities
like that found in a new home
or hotel stay

There is God
The God we worship
praise
Bow down before

God
is the reason
for church
a body of believers
united
one common goal

No room for Jesus

He may have been born in a stable
But that was not a hindrance
to all God His Father called Him to

We have much more
yet it seems we are hindered
and have little or
no room
for our King.

(c) June 13, 2013

I am new, I am free

I am New

I am Free

I became new

A new person
with new beliefs
new thinking
when I found He
who I sought
The Mighty One
All power
and majesty
belonging to Him

Him who I sought
Him who I found
Master of the Universe
Creator over all
The Lord God and King
Jesus!

I became new
I was set free

God’s Holy Word
penetrated my whole being
The gifts of
peace
and joy
and faith
extended
I received
I accepted

Jesus
Son of God
Son of Man
My Savior
My Lord
He died for me
He lived His life
He showed me the way
not once
or twice
but countless ….
through His Holy Book

His death was planned
It was His destiny
God, His Father
ordained it

His life
a new life
He became human

His death
my sins
yours too
He carried to the cross
He bore the pain
and humiliation
deserved by those He came to free

His rebirth
His body laid to rest
in a borrowed tomb
three days buried
and then
He  was alive!
Born again
His body resurrected
a new creation

and I
through my faith
in  Him,
The Lord Jesus,
am a new creation
Old things have passed away
All things have become new

(2 Corinthians 5:17)

I am new
I am free

Free from sin

I
made free
because of Christ’s death
and resurrection
I
profess
I
claim
I will live
according to His Spirit
pleasing to the Lord
and not myself,
my own desires.

I am free
I am new

“Morning by morning
the Lord wakens me
and opens
my understanding
to His will.”
(Isaiah 50:4b)

I profess, make claim
to live
as the Lord desires
of me
I strive to be
what He asks
of me
….to be obedient
to trust

I strive to distance
myself
from the sins
that circle me,
that want to keep me
locked in to
me, me, me.

It’s not about me
Not really
We think it is
My Life, My World, My Dreams

My life
set free
to serve
… not myself,
but the Lord Jesus

I am free

Free to walk in the Spirit

and not in myself
not in bondage to the world
that seeks control
over every finite detail  of my life

Free to be the new me
designed by Christ
He  created me
and re-created me
I am free in Him
I owe Him
my life, my love, my praise, my honor, my all

He is my Hope
My Anchor
My Teacher
My Friend
My Everything

I am New
I am Free
I am indeed!

(c) June 10, 2013

God does not fail me

I am reminded
yet again
God does not fail me

I fail myself
Expectations I put on others
fail me
and cause me
to become disgruntled
but that is only them
them and me
Not God
No, God does not fail me.

What is time
What does tomorrow matter
or yesterday
It is today
and this moment
that is
Significant

I may pray
and make bold petitions
to the Lord

I may dream dreams
and make big plans

But I cannot flee
from His presence
from this moment
for it is now
that is Significant

If I flee
from the present
and from His presence
I am lost

I may recognize
who is God
I may bow before Christ,
my Savior
I may give space
to the Holy Spirit

But
Am I present
Am I abiding in His presence
Am I serving …
not myself
not others
but God

He, who does not fail me

Have I failed Him?

(c) June 8, 2013

My prayer ... Another Time

I pray

Not now

Not today

Not tomorrow

Not that day soon to come

I am ready

Yet I am not ready

Fearful yet joyful

I pray Lord

Don’t let it be

More time I pray
I desire more time

My life
His life
in Your plan
when our work is done
when You deem it is time
It is time

Yet I pray
Not now
Not today
Not tomorrow
Not that day soon to come
Another time

Bring peace
comfort
Not comfort from pain
different
to put it into words
difficult,  cumbersome
God knows

Bring  peace
to me
to him
Sorrow not our hearts
with fear
when “what if’s”
become “why” and “how”

Help us rely on You
Help us listen
to Your still small voice
to hear it above
the roar of the pounding
of our heartbeat

Help us stay calm
Enfold us within Your
loving embrace
Keep us content
Help us rely on You
for our every need
our every want
and desire

Help us move on
alone

But yet Lord
I still pray
Not now
Not today
Not tomorrow
Not that day soon to come
Another time

Help us remain faithful,
obedient to Your call
on our lives
always

Helps us Lord
hear my request
deem it worthy

I pray dear Lord
My Savior and Redeemer
I am Yours
as is he

The walk
we’ll take
alone to You
Let it not be

Now
Not Today
Not Tomorrow
Not the day soon to come
But another time
Another Day.

Amen.

(c) June 7, 2013 

God leads

God leads
We seek His direction
We follow the route deemed to be
We are relieved
assured we have chosen the best route
for we have asked …
and why would God lead us astray

But another
one like us
points out other routes
routes to the same end
shorter routes
less costly routes

But again
Is it the best route

We sought
We looked to the Lord for guidance
It was no foolhardy decision

Where we are to go
Where we do go
will be where God brings us

He knows the best route,
the best of everything we need
It is not always the shortest path
that leads us to where
God wants us to be

We will follow Him.

Another’s opinion is
worthy to be heard
But it is God’s answer
that we are to obey.

(c) June 5, 2013 

Are you ready?

Any minute He could come
Are you ready
Are you ready
Have you reconciled
Have you told
shared God’s love
with another
Are you ready
Are you ready
It need not be you,
perhaps your spouse
or your children
your parents, siblings, friends
Are there things left undone
unsaid
Are you filled with remorse
or with joy
Are you ready
Are you ready
He could come
today
This minute
Do you know the Lord
Have you made preparations
Are you ready

(c) June 2, 2013

My truth -- God's truth

My truth
focused on me
splattered with falsehoods
enslaves me

God’s truth
focused on others
beyond me
is love, grace
does away with hatred
makes us free

(c) May 30, 2013

Three Gifts

They came
Astrologers from afar
to worship
the baby Jesus
King of Kings
prophecy foretold
bearing gifts
…  of  gold
frankincense
and myrrh.

We too come
to this Holy One
Accepting His love
Believing His death and resurrection
was and is for our salvation
God the Father
Christ the Son
and the Holy Spirit
indwelling within
and Jesus
gives us gifts
…  of peace
and joy
and faith.

(c) May 27, 2013