Somewhere to shine

God has put us
where we are

Somewhere straight away
Somewhere to train
Somewhere to sit and pray

No matter where He puts us
we are always
Somewhere to shine

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." ~ Matthew 5:16

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
12.26.2018

I say ...

Glorify God
always
in all ways

I look for joy
I look for peace
I even look for love
All to be found
and is truly so
in God above
through My Lord
My Jesus

I say I'll follow
wherever He leads
but the road is rough
and I often stumble

I say whatever Your will
no matter the cost
but the pain and
suffering is often more
than I can bear

I say the darkness
cannot harm me
You are my refuge,
my help, my hope
but even in the light
I sometimes fail to
open my eyes
or my heart

I say I am Yours
I say I'll show Christ
in my every word
and action
but often my sayings
and doings
fall short

I say this, I say that
I pray Lord Jesus
It is true
It is wise
It is loving

Only You Lord
know me best.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
Dec. 11, 2018

God answers...

Trust Me
He says
Trust Me
and do not waver
Look up to Me
past yourself,
past another,
past the pain
that surrounds
your physical body
past the anxiety
that penetrates
your mind

I know My child
what you need
and what you desire.

I see your struggles ...
everyday
Look up to Me
Come to Me
In the morning
before My glory has risen
with the rising sun
and throughout
each day
In the evening hours
stay near Me
My child
and do not allow the gloom
of circumstances
prey upon you

I am with you
always.
I will not forsake you.
You are My child.
My son died for you
to set you free.

Stay close,
near Me
all the time.

Be aware
of circumstances
around you,
but do not fall
into traps set
to put you in bondage.

Look up to Me.
Come to Me.

In Me, you will find
the solace you seek.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
Nov. 29, 2018

My Lord knows ...

My Lord - Jesus
He the one I still cling
in the midst of every failure
every painful,
exasperating moment
every struggle to understand
to my very core

My Lord - Jesus
He knows me
and just what I need
and He
He will provide
He will enable
He will deliver
He will bless
He will restore
He will comfort
He will rescue
He will be with me

My Lord - Jesus
He knows me
He knows just what I need

I do not doubt Him
or His word
It is man's word and action
which I collide

Show me the way, Lord Jesus
Lead me through the tunnels of despair
Guide me
Take away that which I do not need
Help me to know what I am to know
and to learn what I am to learn

Help me to stay ever focused on You
Help me to be Your loving servant
for another - for him or for her ... here or there, near or far
Help me to help them through You
I pray in Your holy name, my Lord, my Jesus.
Amen.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
Nov. 26, 2018

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; ... and lead me in the way everlasting." - Psalm 139:23-24

"the enemy (within me) has persecuted my soul; ... my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is distressed."  - Psalm 143:3-4

Our focus belongs on Christ alone

Our focus belongs
on Christ
alone

Stay with Him

Do not stray
into the world
and become
enamored
with every delight
you think should be yours
or get caught up in
life's circumstances

Stay close to Christ

Do not stray
For when you do,
you have allowed
Satan to rule
your life journey
that takes you
along paths leading to
Rebellion
Resentment
Rejection
Rage

Do not let it be so

Repent -
Turn away from all that the world teaches
for "Friendship with the world is hostility toward God. So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God." (James 4:4)
and
Turn toward Christ

Resist -
"Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands ... Purify your hearts." (James 4:7-8)

Stay close
Draw near
Keep your focus on Christ Jesus
He is your refuge
He will guide you
along paths of righteousness
He will provide comfort to your weary body
peace and joy
to your heart and soul.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

October 29-30, 2018

joy comes

for a little while
we weep
we mourn
our sorrow is full

but then
in a little while too
joy comes
fills our hearts
We are one
with the Lord

Until that day
when we return
to our Father in heaven
... for it is He
who gives us
the breath of life
and new life.
Until that day
we ask
we seek

Because as Jesus
says in John 16:23-24,
"anything you ask
the Father in My name,
He will give you ...
so that you may be complete."

And then,
O blessed thought,
we no longer need to ask
because we know.
We are complete. 

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

Oct. 26, 2018

The Lord's desire

The Lord's
desire
is for us
to be
still
silent
long-suffering
(patient)
in the
midst of battles
that come
at us
on every side.

To lay aside
to put away
everything that
hinders,
prevents us
from walking,
journeying
with Him.
Do not fall into
traps that catch us
off guard
that lead us along
paths of neglect
for those under
our care
or destroy
relationships
because of mistaken
thoughts and beliefs.

Do not follow
the world
that shows you
its perception
of right
and wrong

Follow Me
Run with Me
My strength
My power
All that I am
within You
My child
will help you
endure
all that lies
ahead of you.

Keep your eyes,
your focus
on Me
I am the prize
you seek
There is nothing
better or greater
than Me
for I am
the source
I am
He
who perfects you
I am
Jesus,
I am
His Father,
Your heavenly Father
I am
He
who
suffered for you
bled for you
died for you
was buried for you
and rose again
for you.

Through Me
you have
a new life
a new hope

Be still
Be silent

"... lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfector of our faith."  ~ Hebrews 12:1-2

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

Oct. 24, 2018

always a reason

always a reason
for every answer
God gives
every no
and
every yes

We do not understand
His reasoning
We ponder why not
for one thing
and why this
for something else

His plan
His reason
His thoughts
all are bigger
and greater
than any of our own

He sees the whole picture
We see but bits and pieces

When His time
is right
for us to know
the whys and wheres
it will be revealed

We will know
without a shadow
of a doubt

He always has a far
greater good planned
A greater gift
A compassionate blessing
Love

Our Lord
loves us so

We should not
ever
second guess
Him
He knows all things
in all places at all times.

He Is.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

Oct. 10.23.2018

sometime, somewhere

sometime, somewhere
it will be

the blessings
promised
will come

Our Lord, My Lord, My Savior

Every promise made
will reach fulfillment
He said so
He does not lie

but too, we will learn
(I will learn)
to wait
wait through tears
and prayer
through relationships
through trials
unimaginable

sometime, somewhere
it will be
the blessings
promised
will come

perhaps already
we have received
a promised blessing
but fail to see it

Our eyes, our hearts
are blinded by
misconceptions
and we think
God has failed us

He has not!!

sometime, somewhere
His every promised blessing
for you and for me
will come

and we will see
His eternal love
spilled out and overflowing
upon us.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

Oct. 17, 2018

called to ...

Called to follow
Christ

Called to goodness
and kindness
and faithfulness
and gentleness
and self-control
and love
and joy
and peace
and patience

Called to endure
suffering
in the midst

Why?

Because of Christ
Because He suffered for us

He suffered
in the midst of all,
yet He remained
faithful
to His Father God.

"He himself bore
our sins 
in His body
on the tree...
so we 
might live 
for righteousness." 
(I Peter 2:24)

Jesus
is our example -
His steps
we are
to follow

No sin
No deceit
No insults
No retaliation

Called to follow
Jesus

Not our own
selfish
wants and desires

Called to follow
our Savior,
to endure
the pain
life throws at us

Called to receive
God's blessings
because of
our obedience
and love
for The One
who loves us
so much
He endured
the pain
and suffering
of the cross ...
all for us.

We are called

Have we answered

Do we answer
daily - hourly - minute by minute

Do we
endure
every pain
and remain kind
and gentle,
loving,
joyful,
peaceful,
patient,
faithful,
good?

Do we ask
the Lord's forgiveness
for our own
shortcomings?

Do we seek
His guidance
to overcome
every setback?

Have you
"now returned
to the Shepherd
and Overseer 
of your soul?"
(II Peter 2:25)

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
Oct. 6, 2018

We ...

We come
He and I
asked by another
sent by God

We go
He and I
to preach The Word
to guide

A pastor and his wife

We stay and we give
He and I
to show The Way
to offer suggestions

We question
He and I
why our help
is met with silence

We remain
He and I
until God says
to move on.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

October 2, 2018

He knows

Jesus says, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ... I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me." 

~ John 15: 1, 5

It seems
pruning
destroys,

cuts all away
and there be 

nothing to see. 

But He

who is the
pruner - The Master Gardener 

He knows
what will be.

Pruning

brings 

life
and an abundance
of fruit-full
blessings.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
Sept. 20, 2018

There is Jesus

No matter what
There Is JESUS

No matter who passes on
Jesus sits with you
He is near to comfort you

No matter the pain
of physical or mental aches
Jesus is near to calm and soothe you

No matter the weather --
be it rain - hot and humid -
tornado - hurricane -
earthquake - avalanche
- forest fire - flooding
Jesus walks with you
He stands beside you

No matter the sleeplessness
Jesus quiets you
and shelters you

No matter what comes
into your life
or that of your children
and spouse or any other
loved one
JESUS is always present
always within reach
unseen with your eyes
but recognizable with your heart.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
Sept. 6, 2018

Readiness...

We wait on God
for a response
from Him
It will come
He will have
an answer
But He waits
until He knows
we are ready.

We wait for God
for a response
from Him
It will come
He will have
an answer
But He determines
when He is ready.

We cannot rush into
or rush along
We must be
patient
The answer
will come
when all is ready
for it to be accomplished.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
Sept. 5, 2018

Becoming new

To move ahead
Look forward,
not back
Look upward,
not down
Become
a new person -
Not the one
we were
before things
unraveled

A New Beginning

Memories -
good and bad
The bad ones
we need to stay away from - 
do not dwell there.
Only when we can see the good
that God brought about
because of the bad,
should we consider visiting
and even then
the visits should not be too long.

Think of lessons learned
and where we do not
want to return

Move ahead
Look forward
One step at a time

The steps
backward
are a stumbling block
Pick yourself up
dust yourself off
and continue on

Take hold of the One
whose hand reaches
toward yours
The Lord Jesus
will be with you
through every bad moment
and every good

Just trust Him
to guide you
along the way.

Do not lose sight
of the One
whose Light
shines
in the darkened corners
of your minds
and your hearts.

Believe in His Promises
made to you and me
centuries past
current
and to come

Love Him
for without God
without His Son
without The Holy Spirit

There is no beginning.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
Sept. 3, 2018

The Light of Jesus shines through

Paul
in captivity
tight
yet
freedom
reigned
within
his soul.

He was
a prisoner,
yes,
but not of
some people group
or government
but rather
for the Lord.

The bars
kept his body
imprisoned
yet his soul
was free
to be and do
the work of
His Lord.

The darkness
did not
overcome
him

The Light
of Jesus
shined
through him
and beyond him

Messages
sent forth
beyond the cold
and damp
and solitude
to
buoy,
encourage
others
even you and me
in the days ahead
for centuries to come.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
Aug. 27, 2018
based on devotional readings
in Streams in the Desert

Our longings are with Jesus

We long to be
where we are not
We think our efforts
to find and dwell
and be satisfied
will be
right around the next bend.

But it is not.

Our longings are not
found in another person
or another place

Our longings
are with Jesus
God Himself
Our Creator
Our First Love
Our shelter and refuge
Our confidante

Our home is in the heavens
That is where we long to be
Long to have
But many do not see
and many who come in search
do not find what they have sought
and many do not know where to go.

But there remains
a remnant
of God
who search and find
who see
and know where to go

It is I, is it not Lord Jesus,
to show another
the way to Your Holy Throne?

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
Aug. 26, 2018

You say you know ... but

You say you know
But how can you.....

unless you have opened the Holy Book
and read God's word
of His wisdom
His knowledge
His promises

You say you know
But how can you....

unless you pray, bowing before Him
turning your heart toward the heavens
pouring out heart and soul
to the Lord Almighty
with your every fear
your every question
your every hurt

You say you know
But how can you....

unless you have a personal relationship
with the God you believe in
with Jesus, God's son, whom you accepted as your Lord, your Savior
with the Holy Spirit, who resides in your heart

You say you know
But how can you....

unless you gather with other believers
to worship the Holy One
to sing praises
to join in a Bible study
to learn how to apply  what you learn in living your life anew
to make friends

You say you know
But how can you....

unless you take your children with you to Sunday School
so they too will learn about Jesus
and how much Jesus loves you all

You say you know
But how can you....

unless there is a change -
in and out -
within your heart
and your witness shown on the outside

You say you know
But how can you....

unless you take the necessary steps to know.

You say you know
But how can you....

unless you love the Lord your God
as He loves you
for He died for your sinful soul

You say you know

But,
until you go the way of Jesus
until you are obedient to His commands / instructions
until you do - walk / live the life Jesus shows us

you do not know.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

July 12, 2018

Be ALIVE!

Don't give up
when you see
life around you
dwindling to nothingness,
being destroyed by the world's enticements

The Lord Jesus called
you to Himself
and you answered,
surrendering
to a life with Him
and Him alone

Don't fall into the pits of hell,
where Satan waits,
biding his time
to snatch you away
from God's goodness
and unending love

Satan wants only to show you
a better way to
succumb to death
It is death he seeks for you,
an eternal, endless
place of flame, torture and pain

Life IS Jesus -
remember ...
He was born
He grew to manhood
teaching Christian principals
He bled at the cross of Calvary
He died for the sins of all
and He rose - again
He is ALIVE! He is ALIVE!

Jesus is the epitome of LIFE
He shows The WAY
He imparts The TRUTH

Wake up and BE ALIVE!

Right now
you are dead
Dead to thoughts
that bring you down
Dead to memories
that remind you
of your faults
Dead to comments
from others
whose words and actions
deteriorate you

You believe the lies.
Their blame,
their bitterness
their hate
becomes a part of you
and you believe
what they say
is who you are

But is it really?!
God, the almighty God,
creator of the heavens
and all the earth
and of you
called your name
in the stillness
of your beating heart
and you answered ...
Yes

Jesus is Alive! He is Alive!

And you too are alive
a child of the King
Not of Satan
You have been forgiven
God forgave you
the moment you believed Christ died for you
and accepted
Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection

The Lord has filled you with His love,
His peace, His joy, His gentleness,
His kindness, His goodness,
His patience, His self-control. He has
given you eternal life.

Do not spend your days
wasting what you have
been given
to cower in a darkened corner,
reminding yourself
of every negative thing

Trust in the Lord
Believe in Him

Be ALIVE!
Go The Way of Christ
Obey The Instructions of Christ
Do The Will of Christ

Trust He is who He says He is
Believe His every promise
Read His every miracle
Follow the Lord Jesus -
He will never lead you astray.

Be ALIVE!

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the yes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world." ~ I John 2:15-16

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

July 11, 2018

He does not tarry

"For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it, Because it will surely come." ~ Habakkuk 2:3

You pray
You make known to God
the desires of your heart
of which He does know
He has told us
time before
and now
and again
Do not be anxious
Do not fret
Do not question
when

The Lord will answer
in His time
All is in His time
not ours
He knows what we want
and when we want it
But our wants are not
always His best for us
And our time table is not
always His

We may think He tarries
But He is NEVER too early
NEVER too late
But just the right moment

God still rules
in every facet of our lives
Thank Him for His provisions
Be grateful
instead of in a state of
constant turmoil
Keep your focus
on the Lord Jesus
He will guide you
and bring a calming peace
to your every struggle.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

July 4, 2018

Are we "being still" or are the sounds destroying us?

The sounds can destroy us

The Lord speaks
I have heard His gentle voice
I have listened to His words of wisdom
I have obeyed His instruction

Yet
It has not always been so
and is not now

I could hear Him -
I was "still"

Now
It is hard to be still
when pushed and pulled
in every direction

My own thoughts
tear me down
filling me
with questions, concerns,
irritation,
even outrage

Calling
Asking
Seeking

Noises distract
ringing, rattling, talking

Where is my time
with You, Lord?!
When will the "stillness"
You desire of me
return

The Enemy seeks to devour, destroy

I miss what I know
I miss what I had,
what I remember

My Jesus
My Lord
My Father God

Show me the way back
to being still in Your Presence

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
June 30, 2018

___________________

I wrote the following on April 24, 2015, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is titled "Be still, and know."

"Be still, and know
that I AM God." (Psalm 46:10)

God is here
with us
His Presence
our refuge
our hiding place
our strength

Be still
Will yourself
to focus
on Him
who is...
GOD

Remove
yourself
from endless thinking
planning
for any and every
circumstance

It is not easy
Keeping yourself
away
from where
you should not be
should not travel

Oh Lord
guide my steps
my every step
guide my thoughts
so I am not
led places
that are unfruitful

You are my Light
How can I be
fruitful
and multiply
if I stumble
along the path
before me?

You, Lord
show us
love
and joy
and peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
self-control (Galatians 5:22)

to show
another
the way
to You
the way
You lived
the way
You are
the way
for us
to become
like You

So much
seeks
to destroy
our walk
our life
with the Lord
Selfish desires
become
a higher priority
than
God's desires (Galatians 5:19-21)

We hear
but not
that which
God wants us
to hear
We see
but our vision
is cloudy
We think we
comprehend
but are misguided
True Understanding
escapes us

Do not fear
but we are afraid
The Almighty God
creator of the universe
and of us
lowly humans
We fear His Promises
are not real
We fear His Presence
is not surrounding us
We fear His Power
is not enough

Oh we of little faith
Where is our trust
We make ourselves
bigger
We are so small
so insignificant
yet God loves us
Loved us
so much
He sent His Son
to be
the sacrificial lamb
to die
in our place

Be still
and know
Ask for all
you do not receive
Seek all
you do not find
Know
as much as
He will share
and understand
He Is.

Jesus had it

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."                                                                                         John 14:27 NKJV

"Rest is a state of calm rising from a heart deeply and firmly established in God."                                                                         ~ Henry Drummond

Jesus had it
within His heart

Although turmoil and
life's everyday troubles
wore His body down
Peace
and rest
sustained Him
and gave others
Hope.

Cathy Orrick Luders
June 13, 2018

Later... we will know

"You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." ~ John 13:7

Our days
we do not understand
Sometimes dismalness
crosses our path
and stays a while
We are saddened
No one seems to notice
or care
But God is at work
If only we would
remember
He is always with us,
always working
Life is not about me
nor you
It is about the Lord
Yet we forget
to look only and always
unto Him,
letting our thoughts
take precedence,
becoming our reality.
Woe is me.

God told us
through the apostle Paul,
"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Do we not love Him
Did we only say we did to get Him off our back

Woe indeed we are
My good
Your good
Those who love Him
who follow Him
study His book
meditate on His word

Those who are called ...
We all are
but not all have heard the message
nor listened
nor obeyed
nor trusted
nor believed

God is calling
God has called

The call goes forth -
Come
Come to Me as little children
Come to Me and sit at my feet
Come, My child
learn and know
Bring your every burden unto Me and find rest

Take that step
One step at a time
not one forward and two backward,
but one in front of the other,
Come, Follow Me

The dismalness of your days
will dissolve
as you rely more and more
on Me
for I AM
He who was
and is
and forever will be.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

The Lord knows - do we?

Jesus said, "Do not be afraid, only believe. ... The child is not dead, but sleeping. ...And they ridiculed Him."  ~ Mark 5:36, 39-40

The Lord knows
if one is sleeping
as at rest
or
as dead

Who are we to ridicule
He who is greater
more powerful
than all we are
all we know
all we think

Who are we to reject
He who came to earth
to save our souls
from the pits of hell,
worse than any terror
we face on earth

Who are we to condemn
He who spoke the truth of His Father
who knew no evil

Who are we to love
He who died,
bearing our sins upon His body
who was buried
and three days later,
rose from the grave

Who is He we say
He who we have ridiculed
rejected
condemned

He is Jesus
Our Savior
Our Redeemer
Our Foundation Rock
Our Everlasting Promise
Our Teacher
Our Refuge
Our Protector
Our Strength
Our Witness
Our Truth
Our Hope
Our Wisdom
Our Light
Our Life
Our Way
Our Peace
Our Patience
Our Kindness
Our Faithfulness
Our Joy
Our Gentleness
Our Forgiver
Our Healer
Our Judge
Our All

Jesus
is He
Who is The Way
The Life
The Truth

Jesus
is He
who loved us then
loves us now
will love us tomorrow.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

June 2-3, 2018

An Ode of Remembrance

He lived
He died
But he is not dead
His soul lives on
in the hearts
of every loved one
left behind

He was born
and lived life
as he saw fit

But then one day
he discovered God
became re-born -
a believer
in the Lord
who saved him
from an eternal hell

and lived life anew
with Jesus
his redeemer
his Savior
his refuge
guiding his way
to the golden gates
of God's heaven -
our eternal home.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

May 31, 2018

His sweet, sweet song

Sing a song of gladness
Sing a song of praise
Sing a song of love
     to our Savior
Sing a song of hope
     to our redeemer
Sing as if there were no tomorrow
Sing a song of pure joy
     for God has defeated the foe
Sing a song in the morning
and at noon-day fair
Sing a song in the dark of night
or when the moon shines bright.

~~~~~

I hear ...
the melody lingers
as she sings
and he sings
and sometimes, me too
but often, perhaps,
our lips are silent
our hearts stilled
as the circumstances of life
     overwhelm us.
Stop!
Listen!
and Sing!
Surround yourself with Jesus
     and be lifted up daily
through His sweet, sweet song.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
May 5, 2018

God's way

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." ~ Joel 2:32

God made the promise
Not me
Not you
and God will find a way
to keep the promise.

It is not up to me
or you
to direct His ways,
but rather,
to obey His commands.

Are we listening
Are we doing
Do we go to Him
or do we plan our own course of action
and then
pay for the misfortune that results?

"He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." ~ Isaiah 2:3

The Lord God is gracious
He waits
for you
He hears
your cry
He answers.

Adversity comes
and pain abounds
He teaches
"This is the way, walk in it." ~ Isaiah 30:21

Do your eyes see?
Do your ears hear?
Do you obey His commands?
Does your life reflect the Lord and His way, His truth, His life?

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
May 3, 2018

God said ...

"in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised." ~ Titus 1:2

Faith.
Believing God's promises
True
Resting in that belief
because God said so.
He does not lie.

Faith.
Believing God sent it,
therefore,
it must be good for me.

Faith.
Believing God said
trials will come,
therefore,
it must be good for me.

Faith
Believing
His Word
His Truth
His Way
His Life

Where is our faith?

Why
is it only the misery
we see in the midst
of every trial?

Why
do we not see the good
that will come out
of our struggles and pain?

Why, in our wildest imagination,
do we not see
any good thing?

"The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all." ~ Psalm 103:19

It is His - our Lord, Jesus Christ
His kingdom 
that rules over all

The best of times

The worst of times

We are to bless Him
for all of it.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul;
and all that is within me,
bless, His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits
who forgives all your iniquities,
who heals all your disease,
who redeems your life from destruction,
who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
who satisfied your mouth with good things."  ~ Psalm 103:1-5

Bless Him
and bless others through the blessings God has bestowed on us

Love Him
and love others through the example Jesus has shown us

Seek His forgiveness
and forgive others as Jesus forgave us,
being reconciled through His grace, His peace, His love.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
May 2, 2018

We can live in victory

"Morning by morning The Lord wakens me and opens my understanding to His will." ~ Isaiah 50:4

The best of times
in our lives
can become useless
and we can become defeated

Why?!
Is it because
we do not look anew unto Jesus?

We pray
but is our approach to His throne
fresh, full of love and hope
for each day after
or
do we give up,
no longer open to new ideas
Do we not hear the Master's voice
and when we do,
what is our response?

Is it Yes?
Yes, Lord! Yes!
Wherever Lord
You lead Lord
I'll go wherever you say
or do our fears
take over?
Do we refuse to allow Him
to govern our life?

The best of times
do not have to end
Discouragement
and bitterness
need not be

We can live in victory
every day
every hour
every minute

The Lord Jesus was and is victorious
He defeated the enemy
We can too.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
April 30, 2018

We pray

We pray
We wait for God's response
We pray again
We look for God's revelation
but there is nothing
Are we so wise that we give up
or do we continue
with relentless endurance

The Lord said He is with us always
We shall pray and pray again
Pray continually
Pray without ceasing
Pray without questioning
Pray without seeing
Pray without knowing the end result
Pray earnestly
Pray always
Pray hopefully
Pray fervently
Pray expectantly

We believe
God's answer will come
God will reveal
in His time all we are to know

In the meantime
We pray.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
April 29, 2018

Do not give up... Do not give in

"Stand firm" (Exodus 14:13)
The Lord says
Wait for His response
to your plea

Do not give up
Do not give in
to despair,
but be cheerful
and courageous,
rejoicing in His love.

Do not give up
Do not give in
to cowardice,
but follow the Lord only
because we are
children of God.

Do not give up
Do not give in
to impatience,
but keep your mindset
continually on the Lord,
who is always with you.

Do not give up
Do not give in
to arrogance,
but stand firm
as a rock
until you hear
His mighty response,
"Move On. Go Forward." (Exodus 14:15)

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

April 19, 2018

Wasted years...?

Were those years
wasted
as we think and thought?

Others vehemently against,
opposed to what God
had called one to do,
because of mistakes made

Were those years
really wasted?
Maybe not.

The Lord sees
all everywhere
We see oh so dimly
thinking we know how
things are to be
and respond as such
because we are oh so smart

But we are not smart
Our foolish thinking
does not deliver wisdom

God tells us to trust Him
and we try,
but because our focus
has moved from Him
to ourselves
and to those who
think they know all,
we fail.

Our desire
should be in the Lord
Our lives lived
should be led by the Spirit

When our focus
is not on God
our Father
but elsewhere,
we become trapped
within locked doors
with steel bars.

The fruit
of the Holy Spirit -
love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness,
goodness,
faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control -
ours
when we have
professed Jesus
as our Lord and Savior

The fruit
of the Holy Spirit
within us
is truly ours
but not developed
or at best, under-developed

Instead of kindness and gentleness,
we become indifferent,
thoughtless,
mean.
Patience gives way to fear,
frustration,
anxiety.
Goodness is not good,
but evil, dishonest, cruel.
Instead of controlling ourselves,
we are filled with pity
and selfishness.
We trust no one
We look to ourselves
for help, for answers.
There is no joy,
no peace,
no love.

Jesus shows us
how to live
our lives abundantly.

What do we have?
Do we live abundantly?
Do we follow His path?

Or is the only thing we have
an oversupply of foolish,
stupid behavior?

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
April 13-14, 2018

Face to Face

Face to Face
we shall see Him
Oh! What glorious thought
My Lord
to whom I gave my soul
He loves me so
more, much more
than shall I ever

Face to Face
now only dimly
and trembling
Soon and very soon
longer than we'd like
He will come
on high
in all His glory
white as new fallen snow
to gather
all His children
together -
even me
even me. 

Face to Face
Come quickly, Lord Jesus
The trials and sorrows
of this world grow
But You are all-powerful
You are stronger
than any two-edged sword
You have defeated the foe - 
Satan -
for all
even me
even me.

Face to Face
even me Lord
even me
I will see You
to whom I gave my soul. 

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

March 27, 2018

God sees all

"...we know in part ... but when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away ... For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face." ~ I Corinthians 13:9-10, 12

"Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see, but does not see, and ears to hear, but does not hear." ~ Ezekiel 12:2

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts." ~ Isaiah 55:8-9

"The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile." ~ Psalm 94:11

"The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." ~ Luke 18:27


God sees
We think He only sits
in the heavens
and watches
but does nothing -
an uncaring, unloving Father

We are so wrong.

God sees
our pain
our mishaps
our discord

Today
every day
He is not inactive
He is preparing us
for greater service,
strengthening us
for the time-consuming days
of suffering ahead.

We abhor waiting.
Patience is not
our specialty

The days drag into weeks
and months
and years

We strive
to be pleasing
to God
but we drown in
dismay.
We have lost
all strength
and fortitude
to go on
and patiently wait.

What will You have us
to do this day, Lord?

Don't be impulsive
Don't run ahead of Me
Wait.
I will show the way

God sees all.
We only see partly -
Partly the way
Partly the truth
and although
we may live life
we do not see
the fully complete life
we are to follow.

O Lord,
help us
we pray
to see what You want us to see
to do what You want us to do

Help us
see
and understand
any strength lies only in You.

Without You,
without awareness of You
a dismal life
is all that we see.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

March 22-23, 2018

...can it be?

And can it be ...
That I
should be redeemed
That My God
should die for me?

God said ... and it was so

Do you believe
My Father says
You and you and you,
do you believe
that I am able to do (this)?

...can it be?
I who caused Your pain
I who should have died
I who you did not condemn

... can it be?
That I
should be redeemed
That My God
should die for me

and
He touched me
He loved me so much
and He loves me still

I am His
His child
forever I am
and He is mine
My Savior
My life
My all

His promise fulfilled
according to
my faith
My trust
in Him.

"Do you believe that I am able to do this?" ~ Matthew 9:28

"God said ... and it was so." ~ Genesis 1:9

"According to your faith let it be to you." Matthew 9:29

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

March 21, 2018

It's all about Love

"My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him,
For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives." ~ Hebrews 12:5-6

You discipline your sons
and daughters
So why should you also 
not be disciplined?

They do wrong
in your eyes
as you do wrong
in the eyes of God

Their punishment 
you consider reasonable
You remove things
from their enjoyment
so they will learn
right from wrong

You, too, are punished
Whatever God determines is best,
will be removed from you
so you, too, will learn
right from wrong

You want your sons
and daughters
to mind
to say "please" and "thank you"
and "I'm sorry"
Just as God wants you
to mind
to be obedient to Him

You have desires
you want met
God, too, has desires -
to ask of Him in prayer
to thank Him in worship and praise
to forgive another
and not constantly remind them
of their faults

God forgave you
He knows your faults,
your Sin
He knows everything
about you
and He forgave you

It's all about Love -
He loves you 
Do you love Him? 

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
March 16, 2018

We are A child of God

"Almighty God can make us stronger than our circumstances and can turn each situation to our good." ~ John Henry Jowett, Streams in the Desert

We are nothing
yet we are
God's creation
made in His image
from the dust of the earth
and given the breath of life
We are
A Child of God


We are nothing
yet we have
God's strength.
With Him
we can do all things
we can go all places
we can be all we can be - 
loving, trustful, godly, truthful
believing, faithful, gentle
patient, honest,
a reflection of our Lord,
Jesus Christ.
We are
A Child of God


We are nothing
yet we know
God's instructions, teachings
show us the way
to rise above and beyond
our every fear and temptation.
We can trust God
to guide us
along life's crooked path
and make it straight.
We are
A Child of God


We are nothing
yet we profess
Jesus
is The Way,
The Truth,
The Life
We are
A Child of God

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

March 15, 2018

Promises

"Every promise of Scripture is a letter from God." ~ Charles H. Spurgeon,                                                                                   Streams in the Desert


Every promise of God is built on:

His justice
His holiness
His grace or goodness
His truth

He will NEVER deceive us
He will NEVER forget us
He will NEVER change

On the other hand,
every promise of Satan is built on:

Lies

He ALWAYS deceives us
ALWAYS forgets us
ALWAYS changes

Who do you believe ... What do you believe?

To be like Him

Many trials we must face
through suffering we run the race
In God's wisdom He bestows
strength for our weary souls
encouraging us to glow bright
and brighter still, like the light
of Jesus, His beloved Son.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
March 4, 2018

Soon and Very Soon

God’s desire
Our mission - to cling to Him
and not become distraught,
seeking escape
from difficult circumstances faced.

Tired and so weary
We lay upon our pillow,
praying.
Won’t You please take me home?
Why am I still here?

Cling to Me He says
Cling My Child
and as you cling, sing praises
thanking Me
for every blessing bestowed
given then
given now
given later

Your room
not yet ready
You are needed
where you are
Do not question
the whys and whens

Just soak in My goodness
Be content to bask in the Light of My Son
and soon and very soon,
You will be in the
Almighty Presence of My Unending Love.

Dedicated to my adopted mommy, Anna, on her 105th birthday. 

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
March 1, 2018

Possible Promises

We are
powerless
alone

We are
distraught
and
fearful

We don’t come
to the Lord
who said
He would be
with us,
who said
with Him
ALL
is possible

We are
believers
yes,
shortsighted too

We may be
willing, but …

Step by step
one forward
two back
onward march

We are
powerless
alone

When
will it be
we
to trust
in the
mighty Power
of The Lord?

When
will it be
we
who read of
His Promises
to take
every one of them
to heart
and really know
these
Possible Promises
to be true?

You do
or
you don’t
Believe
in the
power of God

You do
or
you don’t
Come
before His throne
in prayer
and
fasting

When you believe
“nothing will be
impossible for you.”
(Matthew 17:20)

“If you can believe,
all things are possible
to him who believes.”
(Mark 9:23)

Believe
in Me
He says
Believe
in Me
and take
that step of faith

Without
believing
and
putting action
to your belief
all the
promises
given
will not
be yours

“Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass. (bring it about)”
(Psalm 37:5)

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
Feb. 21, 2018

God blesses ... and then

God blesses
and then...
the battle begins

It was so
with His Son
"whom He loved
and was well pleased"
(Mark 1:11)
It is so
with us
His children
adopted through the shed blood
of His Son
who died to set us free

God blesses
and then...

at once
we are in a quandry

Tested and retested
God knows the final result
But we ...

we are not all and always
like Christ
who stayed committed
to His Father
no matter what
Satan attempted

We think
whatever Satan
poses to us
is different
from what he
posed to Jesus

But is it?

Sin is sin
No matter what the sin
saying no to it
refusing to give in to it
trusting God
and being obedient to Him
is what it is about

We will be
blessed again...
to give us hope
and to strengthen us
for the darkness
to come.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
Feb. 3, 2018

When you pray ...

When
you pray
to God

When
you ask
of God

Believe.

The answer
sought
will come
IF
you believe -
not with your mind,
but with your heart -
He hears
your plea
and will provide
what you need.

Our prayers
must be
focused
on Him
and His will
not
on our
circumstances
of the
moment

When
you pray
to God

Remember ...
His promises

When
you ask
of God

Trust ... 
He will
shed light
on the
darkness
that beckons you
to come
and follow -
a place
of fear
and unbelief

When
you pray

Listen.

God listens
to you.
Do you listen
to Him?

Do you
spend time
with Him
to hear
what He
has to say
to you?

or do you
turn Him off,
tune Him out
when you
have had enough?!

When
it is
to God
you pray

When
it is
of God
you ask

When
it is
from God
you receive

Believe
Trust
Listen
with your whole heart,
your whole being

True faith
will prevail
when
anxiety
passes,
bringing
in its wake,
calmness.

In Mark 11:22-24, Jesus said - "Have faith in God. ... whoever does not doubt in his heart, but believes... whatever things you ask when you pray that you receive them, you will have them." 

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
Jan. 4, 2018

He remembers

All that is
Jesus remembers

Great or small
On mountaintops
or deep valleys
Jesus remembers

He remembers
your capabilities
and strengthens us
or allows us to rest
in His shadow

He remembers
your discontent
and encourages us
to spend time with Him
focusing on His Love

He remembers
from where you came
and is patient
and gentle and kind
in your suffering moment
faced
facing
and will face

He remembers
the lies heard and told
and the truth
for He is the Truth
In Him, "it is impossible to lie"  (Hebrews 6:18)

He remembers
your desires
your faults
your shame
and opens His arms wide
to envelop you
To set you free
as you were,
as you are,
as you always will be -
His -
yet you travel
a path of your own
making

He remembers
you do not travel
the route He has chosen
you do not seek
His guidance
you do not listen
to His words of wisdom
you do not know
of the promises
He has given you

He remembers
all of it
Even that which you think
is hidden
He knows
"For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light." (Mark 4:22)

He remembers
your selfishness
your pride
your disobedience
your conceit
your defiance
your jealousy
your bitterness
your unbelief

He remembers
seeing all that you were
and all that you are now
and all that you will become
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth..."  (II Chronicles 16:9)

He remembers
"because, although (you) knew God, (you) did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in (your) thoughts and (your) foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, (you) became fools."  (Romans 1:21-22)

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
January 3, 2018