And He wept ...

Behold, your King, My Son, is coming.
To you who gather He comes
lowly, as was His birth
astride a donkey … foretold
and regally,
a white horse His steed.

Jesus enters
The city
Your heart

To finish
To return
To restore
To carry you home
To conquer
To complete

Palms strewn at His feet
and hands lifted high in praise
cries of Hosanna! Save Us!
hammer the air

As His disciples proclaim,
“Blessed is He, the King, who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven and glory
in the highest!” (Luke 19:37-38)

But they knew not

Peace
was far from them
Rejoicing was in hope
of a “for the moment” fix
Wisdom and knowledge
hidden
as prophecy long foretold
not remembered.

And He wept.

 (c) March 18, 2016

Parenting and ...

Parenting and …
We know nothing firsthand
Yet we know much
Learned and still learning
when our grandson
and then later his brother
were born

We are not their grandparents
Yet we are

There are no blood ties
Yet heart strings pull hard

We love them so
We – Gramma and Papa

(c) March 7, 2016

Hearing Hearing

Hearing, Hearing
What do you hear
Are there many voices
vying for control
or just one
who bends your ear

Hearing, Hearing
What do you understand
of the words that are said
Do you know what is meant
when The One voice you hear stronger
is not yours alone

Hearing, Hearing
concentration a struggle
discernment more
So many voices
How do I know
one from another

Stay near
Walk close
The Lord Jesus says
Read My Word
Study My  Way
Follow My Life
Know My Truth

Hearing, Hearing
I wander
but the path is not rough
nor overgrown with weeds
Wherever I travel
I know the way
for the voice I need
is here beside me
One voice alone
I know His voice
and He knows mine
I hear
He speaks
I follow
His lead.

(c) March 3, 2016

“He who does not enter the sheep hold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow Him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”  ~ John 10:1-5

His Love ...

How wide
How long
How high
How deep

Beyond our comprehension
We can only imagine
A fullness we cannot experience
We must wait
until our time has come
and we see Him
face to face

Then we will not only know
but see and embrace Him –

The Lord Jesus Christ -
and His Love.

For now
there is much darkness
We struggle to focus
on His Light.

When we be still
in His Presence
His Light shines bright
glowing in us, through us, upon us
and the awareness of His Love
is enough
each and every day.

(c) February 24, 2016

He did, He did, He did

He did die
He died for all
He who knew no sin at all
took upon Himself
every one of ours

He did lie
buried
3 days
in a tomb

He did rise
The Son of God
arose
The stone did roll
The angel did say,
“Do not be afraid.
He is not here.
He is risen.
He is risen from the dead.”
(Matthew 28:5-7)

Alleluia! He is risen indeed!
 

He did give
He gave the gift
of eternal salvation
when we do accept
Jesus died for us all
each and every one

When Jesus rose from the dead
We too have risen
… from the deadness
of our sins
to new life

No longer to ourselves
are we to live
but to The One
whose life was given
as an
atonement
for ours.

He did
He did
He did

 He died
He rose
He gave

The death He died
and rose from too
Have you accepted
that gift He gave?

Have you become
a new creation?

Have old things
passed away?

(c) February 17-18, 2016

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” ~ II Corinthians 5:17

The Lord says 'Come'

He says to come.

Come to the Father
bring  your brokenness
find comfort in Me

I will shelter you
I will give you rest
I will renew, revive

You are not alone
I am with you
Do not flounder

Ah, My child,
you belong to Me

I see your pain
your  every struggle
I see your fear growing
I see your tears flow

What another misses,
I do not.

I know the longings of your heart
the misery that has captured you

 I will guide you

 Dwell with Me

Do not succumb to thoughts
that pull you down

 Take My hand
We will walk this path together, My child
I will not leave you
I will not give up on you
I am forever with you

Look unto Me
Do not fall prey to what
is lurking out beyond

I am The Way
Follow Me
through the quiet stillness
and the dark shadows

 I am The Truth
Obey Me
My commands
My instructions

 I am The Life
It is My life within you
that changes you
 You are restored, renewed
Do not look back - Look Ahead
Do not look down - Look Up

(c) February 15, 2016

“For with God nothing will be impossible.” ~ Luke 1:37

“…He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” ~ Ephesians 3:20

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul, He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.  Yea, 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 cocomfort me.”  ~ Psalm 23: 1-4

That One - Jesus

Being aware
of where we be
needn’t  keep us
immersed
in what may come

Only one and ourselves alone
know where we be

Only one and He, the Lord
know what may  come

We long to be free
of every strike
and blow
every ache settling
in our bones

So aware
of all holding us down
we miss
The One
The Only One
up above
the reaches of our mind
yet so near

wherever you are
wherever you’ve been
wherever you think your going

The focus
belongs on the Lord

 Stay in the midst of
His awesome Presence

 Embraced within the arms of
His Precious Love

 Strengthened by
His Almighty Power

and
wherever you are
whatever may come

will come to pass

The One who knows
your every move and thought

 The One who knows
yesterday
and tomorrow
and every today

 is with us always

His name

 That One

 JESUS

“I commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” ~ Psalm 37:5

“I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ~Matthew 28:20

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” ~ John 1:1-2

The light

The day is cold
The sun is bright
above a cloudless sky
oh what a sight
His light shines
our countenance grows
we less weary
by every weighty burden
we carry

But when the sun
hidden
where none can see
storm clouds gather
oh how frightening it be
The dark of day
The dark of night
away we run
looking for that precious light -
hidden.

“If I say, Surely the darkness shall fall on me, Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.”  ~ Psalm 139:11-12

The gift

The gift
given
Jesus
He who died
in your place
took upon Himself
your sins, everyone

What have you done?
Is it all in vain?
Does the gift you received
remain unopened?
Is it likened to an empty box
with colorful paper
and a pretty bow
decorating a corner of your home
as if to say
“See what I have.”

What is it you have?
Have you opened the gift?
Have you shared its contents?

Or does the gift
just sit upon a shelf
gathering dust
with each passing day

Does the gift of Jesus
given and received
warm your heart
fill you with love
and compassion
and obedience

or does your heart
grow cold and numb
filling you with the ways of the world

Do you reflect God’s love
or Satan’s hate
in your life?

(c) February 8, 2016

II Corinthians 5:20-21, 6:1 – “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us; we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.”

II Corinthians 13:5-8 – “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that you are not disqualified. Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.”

Galatians 5:25 – “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

I John 2:15-16 – “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 eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.”

Read also Romans 1:17-32 and Galatians 5:16-26

Come

Come
enter into My Presence
wherever you are

Seek
find my goodness, my love, my guiding light

Stay
attentive to My every instruction
and the life you desire
with fullness of joy 
will be yours.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

February 7, 2016

Come - Seek - Stay

Come 
Seek
Stay 

My Presence
beckons
My Peace 
awaits
My Rest 
restores 

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

February 6, 2016

Peace

The sunlight of His Presence
floods my soul
Gladness comes to my heart
as the brightness of
His everlasting love
settles over me, within me
My eyes twinkle
My whole face shines
as joy surfaces
Songs of praise come to my lips
My head bows in prayerful worship
Peace.

(c) January 29, 2016

It is what it is

I write 

The words
come
to mind
My pen
moves rapidly
or
with slow deliberation
across the page

I write
The words
come
to me
through the Spirit
of the Holy One
Jesus
My Savior
My Guiding Light

I write
The words
come
It is poetry
flowing
from the heart
feel the rhythm
His Spirit
embracing you

I write
The words
come
bringing
renewed hope
and joy
and strength
into weary lives

I write
The words
God gives me

It is poetry
as are many
of the psalms
penned by
King David
in The Holy Bible
Words
expressing
sorrow
love
forgiveness
encouragement
thanksgiving.

It is
as it is

Poetry
from the heart
be it
in any form …
rhythm
parallelism
symbolism
rhyme
free verse
and more.

 I write
 The words

 The Lord
said to me
to write
He would direct
He would set the tone

 And it is so.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

January 18, 2016

The Cradle and The Cross

 by A.S. Reitz

(published in The Speaker's Treasury of 400 Quotable Poems
compiled by Croft M. Pentz, (c) 1963)

When Bethlehem's manger first cradled the King,

And angels glad news to the shepherds did bring,
The blackness of midnight beamed like the sun,
As God gave to mankind His wonderful One. 

But when on the cross, as a sinner, Christ died,
With nail-pierced hands, and with spear-riven side,
The brightness of noonday was turned into night,
And men smote their breasts at the sorrowful sight. 

Yet Bethlehem's cradle and Calvary's hill
were all in the plan of God's infinite will.
The cross and the manger were made for this King
And heaven forever His praises wll sing. 

Today, Christ the light of the world will come in
And cleanse any heart from its midnight of sin.
His presence will banish the darkness of night,
And brighten the soul with His heavenly light.

All hail then to Jesus, our Lord evermore,
As men of all nations the Saviour adore.
To Bethlehem's Infant, to Calvary's King,
Our deepest devotion and homage we bring.

The Way that is His

(Based on readings in Isaiah 50:4-11 and Romans 1:18-22)

The Lord gives
instructions
to live
in the Light
of His Love

Do we hear
and comprehend
Do we speak
with the tongues
of angels
Are we awakened
morning by morning
aware of
His glorious Light
Are we obedient
to His teachings

or
are we rebellious
straying
down alleyways
filled with darkness
our words and actions
portraying anger,
hatred, impatience,
frustration, defiance …
that bring
shame
and remorse
and pain
to ourselves
and those around us?
Are we tormented
with thoughts
striking us down

or
do we trust
in the Lord
to bring us through
every trial

The Lord gives
comfort
to rest in Him
upon His lap,
at His feet
Are we refreshed,
encouraged
by His Life

or
do we grow old
and stale
with no life-giving fruit
of kindness, gentleness,
patience, goodness…
to pass on?

 The Lord gives
so we may know
how to talk and speak
hear and comprehend

 He shows The Way
into the Light
of His everlasting  Love

The way is open
We know the way
but
do we follow the way
Have we entered
into All of Him
or are we still standing
on the outskirts
doing life our own way

We make excuses
for why we do
what we do
but there is no excuse

We know the way of God
yet
we do not glorify Him
we are not thankful
for His provisions
we are not obedient
to His teachings

For all the wisdom
we think we possess
it is our foolish behavior
that shows better
what we deem important. 

(c) December 16-19, 2015

Your wants ... His wants

You wanted to know God
Do you?

You wanted to come to church
Do you?

You wanted to tell others
Do you?

He wants / desires a relationship with you
He wants worship and praise
He wants thankfulness
He wants His Holy Book opened
and His Word read and studied
He wants to give you joy and peace
He wants what is best for you
He wants to teach you life’s lessons
He wants your obedience

He loves you
He wants your love

He wants you
Do you want Him

Do you really want to know
                                       to come
                                       to tell

Or
do excuses become your answer
every time?

 (c) December 1, 2015

I cannot fix it

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye." ~ Psalm 32:8

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in Him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothng. ~ John 15:5

"And we know that all things work together  for good to those who love God, to thouse who are the called according to His purpose." ~ Romans 8:28

I cannot fix things
I want to
I have tried to
I have made every attempt
to bring opposing views together
to help see the right and wrong
Sometimes I succeed
Most times I fail
I cannot fix people
I cannot fix events
I can only fix me
and that I must say
is a work in progress

It is only when
I seek the Lord’s help
His response to my distress
I want to solve problems
I want kindness and gentleness,
patience, love,
for everybody
Yet I cannot fix
what is not mine to fix

I can pray
I can come before my God
and make petitions
I can consider,
“What would Jesus do?”
at every questioning point
I can ask the Lord for guidance,
for myself, for another,
but no,
I cannot fix what is not my responsibility

My responsibility is to stay focused on Jesus,
to rely on Him
for my everything

My personal connected relationship
with Jesus is what counts above all
When I abide in Him and He abides in me
all things will work together for good.

 (c) November 30, 2015

A Bouquet of Thankful Blessings

God showers His children
with an abundance
of blessings

Throughout our days
we receive,
gathering
a beautiful
bouquet

of His Love
given on the Cross
at Calvary

of His Presence
always with us
in front
behind
beside us, hand in hand

of His Peace
guarding our hearts
calming our fears

of His Patience
to persevere
to keep on keeping on
to not give up
to not worry and fret

of His Strength
to carry us, weak and weary,
through every struggle
to give us encouragement
to defeat our foe

of His Wisdom
to teach us right from wrong,
good and evil,
obedience and trust
understanding

of His Forgiveness
when we sin

of His Guiding Light
by the Holy Spirit
who abides in our hearts
guiding our steps
so we do not falter

of His Gift
Eternal Salvation becomes ours
when through faith we accept the death, burial and resurrection
of The Lord Jesus Christ
and proclaim Him as our personal Lord and Savior.

All this
and more, much more
blessings we receive
Is it honor
and praise
and glory
we give with respect
this Thanksgiving Day
and every day

Are we filled with overflowing joy
to be in the presence of the Almighty God
Singing songs of worship
Surrounded by His love
joined in sweet fellowship.  

(c) November 23-24, 2015

I AM the LORD your God

He, The Lord,
says to me -

My life
within you
changes you

like a baby growing
in your womb

yet I AM not.

like a disease spreading throughout
your body

Yet I AM not.

like a negative thought taking control
of your mind

yet I AM not.

It is Me - Jesus Christ
I AM He
who cleanses you
makes you new,
whole and complete,
radiant as pure light
filling you with the glory
of My love

My life
within you
changes you

I AM the LORD your God
and no foreign god shall be among you
No foreign god shall be worshipped
(Psalm 81:9-10)

like Allah
whose teachings are handed down
from the prophet Muhammad
who is a false god
whose Muslim followers bow to and profess is My Father

I AM not.

 like Buddha
a statue of stone

I AM not.

like the stars
the planets
water or fire
animals
nature

I AM not.

I AM the LORD your God
I AM Creator of the Universe.

“In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through Him,

And without Him nothing was made that was made.
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
And the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
(John 1:1-5)

I AM the LORD your God
I AM Jesus Christ,
the Son of God
I AM God the Father
I AM the Holy Spirit

When you abide in ME
and I abide in you
My life
within you
is changed.

(c) November 14-15-16, 2015

The Door

You want the door to open
You stand in front of it
tugging, turning the knob
but it does not budge
You think the door is the key
to any and every happiness
Life would be better on the other side
if only we could get there.

But it is not the door
Every door we enter
or attempt to
will only get us so far
The greatness we look to achieve
becomes meaningless
Our desires do not bring us
fulfillment
We go  in and out
over and over again.

No, the door does not hold the answer.

The One who stands at the door -
of your heart - He is the key.

He holds the answer to your every quest.

You seek,
but are uncertain what it is you look for
You find,
yet you are lost
You follow,
but the way is confusing

If you seek the Lord -
the Lord Jesus Christ -
The One
who stands at your heart’s door
and waits
for you to invite Him in
That One
you proclaim you do not need,
do not want, have no use for,

Him -  Jesus Christ
If you seek Him,
you will find Him.

“If you seek Jesus, the Lord your God,
with all your heart and all your soul,
you will find Him.” (Deuteronomy 4:29)

 And when you have found Him,
you will have the key
to eternal life
to blessings
to peace
to strength
to love
to so much and more.

If you are connected
you will want to follow
If your communication
is two-way between yourself
and The Lord
for every thing
every time
every situation
be it good or bad
happy or sad
healthy or ill
frustrating or peaceful

If you tear down the barriers
If you don’t build walls
If you stay connected,
focused on and trusting in the Lord
Jesus Christ,
He will open the door for you.
He will show you the way
You won’t be lost
or confused
You won’t travel the wrong path
when you travel with Jesus.

“I  am the way, the truth, and the life.”  (John 14:6)

“With God, all things are possible.”  (Matthew 19:26)

 Without God, without Jesus,
you will not find the Way
you will not know the Truth
you will not live a meaningful Life.

(c) November 5, 2015

IF

If you have accepted
Jesus Christ
as your personal
Lord and Savior
You are
a Believer

If you are a Believer
and have died to sin
and rose to new life
You are
a Follower
of Christ

If you are a Follower
of His Way
His Truth
His Life
You are
An Obedient Servant

If you are Obedient
to His commandments
to love God and your neighbor
You are
Blessed
A Child of the King

But….

If you do not follow
are not obedient
Do not believe
or seek His Way,
His Truth
His Life
for yourself

Have you really accepted
the Lord Christ Jesus
as your Lord
your Savior

Is it all a pretense
Where are you
What do you have to show for yourself
What are you doing for the one
who matters most
the one who died for you

Do you have a heart of stone
or a heart of love

(c) November 2, 2015

Do you?

Do you hear
Are you quiet and still
or always in turmoil

Are you thankful
for His blessings
or is good news
an accomplishment of your own

Do you seek His guidance
listening carefully
following His principles
or is your way the only way

Do you look for the best
or expect the worst
and respond to your expectations

Do you teach your children
about God’s love
and grace and mercy
and forgiveness
or do they learn
your authority rules higher
than God

Do you hear His whisper
Are you listening to His voice
Are you obedient to His instructions
Do you follow His way
or do you stop up your ears
look to the world
follow the drumbeat of your own desires

Lost ….
Found…
a wayward child

(c) October 30, 2015

Like the leaves of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter, He Is

Come
To Me
Come
into My Presence
Sit
awhile
Rest
Think only of Me

The leaves
like you
robed in splendor
My glory

In the Spring
budding
like newborn babes in Christ

In the Summer
green
and growing strong
in the knowledge,
heart and mind
of
My Son

In the Fall

arrayed in golds and reds
burnt orange
like mature believers
guiding others
to My Peace
My Protection
My Everlasting Love

In the Winter

a present
wrapping the whole earth
as a cover
to be covered
from the bitter cold
with  pure white snow,
like Jesus, My Son,
who, without blemish,
knew no sin,
came
covering the whole earth
with His love
offering Himself in the place
of every human being
a Perfect Gift
Eternal Salvation

Come
To Me
Come into
My Presence
Sit awhile
and rest
Think only of Me.

(c) October 27/29, 2015 

Gathering Together

Some go
Some stay
Some
claim busyness
Some
say it is futile, boring, tiring,
unnecessary

It is not for us
individually
to make determinations
reasoning to ourselves
For God has commanded
We unite

Do you not remember
what God’s holy word says --
“Do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another.” (Hebrews 10:25)

To gather together
To Commune with our maker
To Worship with our Lord and Savior
To Glorify God our Father in heaven
To Come into the Presence of the Most Holy One
and give Him our undivided attention

Come, He tells us
into My Presence
enter into fellowship sweet
with fellow believers
be open
share the joy and love
He bestows upon us

Whether you go
Whether you stay
Where two or more are gathered
in His name, there He will be
among you
but not to do what pleases you
but to come into His Presence
to study and discuss His word
to give thanksgiving and praises
to proclaim
to worship
to glorify
The Living God.

(c) October 19, 2015

Where is your focus?

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, Because he trusts in You.” ~ Isaiah 26:3

Focus
Set your mind on things above
and the Lord Jesus
and all that is in the world - where you live –
will be revealed to you

Each step taken in trust
will guide you
steadfast and sure

Obstacles
that may block your route
such as large boulders of hatred
and wrath and murder
and small stones of complaining
and arguing and irritation
and tiny pebbles of pettiness
get you off course


 But for every situation that comes up,
no matter how miniscule or gigantic the stone,
IF you seek the advice of your heavenly Father
and abide by His command
every perceived roadblock
will vanish

 We see the world,
aware of what comes and goes
We cannot see God, but our awareness
of Him is far greater
than the world
when our attention is centered on Him.

(c) October 18, 2015

 

Does His Light shine in and through you?

Does the Light fade, grow dim
Does the darkness
reach past our bodies cold
and intrude upon our minds
into every corner
Does what we believe we have
no longer exist
Have we allowed our thoughts
of despair and sorrow,
of pain and anger,
of irritation and frustration
to become our reality
Do we listen to the worldview
of right and wrong
and abide accordingly
Have we missed The Truth
and The Way
Do we fail to follow
The Life that is His?

Is the Light in our hearts hidden
or does it shine before all

How can the Light of Jesus
shine in us
If His goodness
is not ours
If His Truth
we do not believe
If His Way
we do not proclaim
If His Life
we do not practice

His Light overcame
the darkness of Sin

With His Light in us,
His Strength upon us
and our Focus on Him,
we too can overcome
the darkness
that seeks to destroy.

(c) October 6-8, 2015

"You are the light of the world ... let your lights so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." ~ Matthew 5:14, 16

"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotton Son of God and this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." ~ John 3: 18-21

"I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." ~ John 8:12

I do ...

A special day
shared
begun

I will
I do
on this day
forward
to love
and
to honor
in sickness
and
in health
till
death
do
us
part

Together
two souls
united
as one

Golden rays
of Light
as God encircles us
with His love

And then
the rains
come
clouds of doubt
silence
before the storm
erupts
thunder
booms
Lightening
sharp
across the night sky

Where have you gone
God asks
Here I AM
with you

You had but to call
to whisper My name
to reach for My hand
through every storm
every silence
every heartache

I AM with you

Why do you fear
You are not alone
I see your pain
I hear your agony
I love you still

I know the wait is long
I know your every desire,
and what you need, as well
I know your struggles

Lean on Me
Look toward Me
Listen to Me
Love Me

The answer you seek
will come
It will be as
you desire
I will show you the way
Do not look to another
for affirmation
only onto Me
Follow after Me

The road followed in days past
saturated in mud
Seek Me
in the midst
of the
downpour
and the calm

I AM
a special day
shared
begun

I will
I do

Will you be
and do
and go
and stay
Will you
be united with Me
surrounded by My undying love for you?

(c) September 29, 2015

Come. Hear. Respond.

"The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned,  that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary.  He awakens me morning by morning.  He awakens my ear to hear as the learned.  The Lord God has opened my ear;  and I was not rebellious,  nor did I turn away." ~ Isaiah 50:4-5

Come
Awaken
Hear

Respond
to
His
voice
Learn
Understand
His
wisdom

Stay
near
Rebel
not

Come
morning
and
evening
throughout

The
spirit
beckons

Come
to
Him
ready
willing
Sit
at
the
feet
of
Jesus
Commune
with
Him
in
the
stillness.

(c) September 26, 2015

Stay Connected. Trust Him.

"The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe." ~ Proverbs 29:25

Stay
connected.
Trust
Him
Every
step.

Commit
daily
your
life
seeking
Him
Above
All
pleasing.

Fear
judgments
condemnation
uncertainty
gone

Focus
the
path
ahead
The
One
Jesus
beside
you

your
protector
comforter
strength
healer
teacher
your
Everything

(c) September 25, 2015

Follow Jesus. Experience Life.

"I have set the Lord always before me; 

Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved." ~ Psalm 16:8

"You will show me the path of life." ~ Psalm 16:11a

First
Second                
Last

Always
Live
Stay
Aware

Him
His
Presence

Peace
envelopes

Love
Encouragement
given

Active
in
Removed
from
world

Follow
Jesus'
path

Experience
abundant
life

(c) September 24, 2015

That day gone by

Today could be Monday
it was a Monday
I seem to recall
19 years ago

I worked late
Time was fleeting

The hour was near
Soon to go home
to be with her Father in Heaven
and all her loved ones there

A long fight
Eight months it was
from first diagnosis
to final breath

She is gone
But not truly gone

She lives on
in the hearts
of those left behind
Fewer and fewer there are
Yet her daughters remain
her grandson too

as I pen these words
in memory of
My Mother
Mae Stoner Orrick
July 31, 1910 - September 23, 1996

(c) September 23, 2015

Who rules your world?

When you worry
When you fret
The way of the world
is what you get

Pulled down and away
your thoughts are selfish
your actions are contentious,
strife erupts
your words swallow and spew
hatred and anger
The way of the world
clamors for your attention
more and more
as the life you lead
the life you have
becomes less and less
about God

Awareness of God
and His Power
His Strength
His Presence
is blocked

You fail to see the good around you -
the blessings God bestows upon you daily

You see instead only pain
and you react to that pain
You see your life spiraling downward
and you want it to stop
but you can’t see how
Everything all negative
Outbursts of anger and bitterness
begins and ends the day
and each situation brings
only more anger, more pain
You want this life you’re living
to Stop.

The Devil has infiltrated your brain
into believing his every lie:

- give up
- it’s no use
- it won’t work
- there’s no way out
- you are worthless
- he or she is lying or cheating
or doesn’t deserve your forgiveness
or your love
- no one cares
- you hear words of condemnation
- you are put down for every comment
You feel so disconnected

You want your life to be pleasant,
enjoyable,
peaceful,
filled with goodness,
kindness and gentleness
and love
You want encouragement

Listening and believe and reacting
to the Devil’s lies will not
get you where you want to be

You must turn away from him and the darkness
and turn to God.

You do well to accept the Lord
as your personal Savior,
but it doesn’t stop there.
There is more
much more to the Christian life
As children of the Living God
we show our faith
and our love of, in and for Him
by demonstrating to others
His Way,
His Truth,
His Life.

Not our way,
or our truth
or our life,
but HIS

When we are disobedient
to the Lord’s teachings,
He is not pleased – with our attitudes or behavior

He wants a relationship
with each of us

When we are seeking the Lord
for everything,
studying His word,
worshiping,
so much of our pain
goes away

We still have hardships
but dealing with them
much easier to bear
The Lord God is with us

Look to the Father
Turn away from Satan
Jesus conquered the enemy
from the cross for you and me
We do not have to give in
to the unfruitful works of Satan

Live in the Light
Follow the Light
Look to the Light
Our God will lead you
out of the darkness
that seeks to erode
your every thought and deed
and bring you into
the joy of knowing Him.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

September 20-21, 2015

Who?

Who...
says the old man
from wisdom of ages past
present and yet to come

Who do you listen to
Who do you hear

Whose voice is it
whispering in the dark of night
making your heart pound

Who brings satisfaction
to your soul

Who hastens you
to move
to accomplish more

to be joyful
in the midst of agony
and apparent defeat

Who loves you
unconditionally
is always with you
does not depart

Who is the answer
to your every problem
every need

Who brings beauty
into your life ...
sunrises, sunsets, changing leaves,
a dandelion
a rose

Who develops a new life
Who grows a marriage
of two individual people
into one complete unit
a blossoming friendship
a baby
a family

Who stands beside you
Who walks your path
Who waits in the wings
for you to come back
to take that step
of love and courage
to remember
a past time
when you gave your life
to Jesus
The One who died for you

Who do you listen to
Who do you hear

Is it your co-workers
your boss
your teacher
your neighbor
your pain
your desires
your complaints

Do you hear only noise

Do you listen to encouragement

Do you hear love in the air
gentleness
kindness
patience

Do you listen
Do you hear
the cries of sadness

Who do you listen to
Who do you hear

and how do you answer

(c) September 12, 2015

I think ... I know ... I think again

I found a poem I wrote last year - June 21, 2014, that I didn't post.  When I searched for it by date, I found another -- titled  "I can pray for you."  It is good to review past posts.  The one I didn't post I wondered if it was worthy of posting.  Now I think perhaps it was and is.

I think and that gets me in trouble
I know God is the answer to everything that is and was and is to come.
I believe this in my heart as well as know it in my mind.
However, sometimes when I stumble, I forget and  think there is more.
And then I am reminded, there is not more.
God is it.
He is enough.
If you don't have Him, you need Him.
And if you have Him, but don't walk steadily with Him
100 percent of the time, you need to return to Him.
Thank Him for His grace. His love. His mercy.
Thank Him for everything every time,
even for those times we find ourselves struggling,
which is often,
and for those other times when it is good.
For every part of our life, God is what we need.
He has every answer.
We only have thoughts ...
Thoughts on what we think,
thoughts on what another thinks,
thoughts on what we perceive.
God's thoughts are higher. And purer. He knows.
His answers bring us hope. And Truth. And always Love.

(c) June 21, 2014

published September 11, 2015

Did you?

Did you take
a wrong turn
wandered down a path
of lies and misguided information
that goes on and on
an endless road
going nowhere

Did you miss
the fork in the road
the one that read
“All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth.”
(Psalm 25:10a)

Did you forget
to ask directions
from the one
who knows The Way
and then follow

“Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me.”
(Psalm 25:4-5a)

Did you turn away
going your own way
taking the wrong turn
following your own thoughts,
your own ideas,
your own beliefs

or

 Did you repent, turn back
ask for help
seek a better way

Did you remember
The Lord –
"He will keep you in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Him.”  (Isaiah 26:3)

(c) September 9, 2015

God's call to Come

Based on Psalm 42

Come
to the inner circle
I do not condemn you
You are one of Mine
and I shall abide with you
all of your days

Come
into My Presence
There is much that saddens you
brings distress and weariness to every bone
Against you they have come
but I will hold you up
higher than they tear you down

Come
be not afraid
Let the Light of My Love
shine upon you, through you, within you
as you enter in
Praising Me and My Holy Name
moment by moment

(c) September 8, 2015

a rebel nation

(Based on Genesis 16)

"Where have you come from?
Where are you going?" God says.
He knows
but still He asks.

Fleeing,
running away
We see
understand
to a point
but how accurate do we see?

We despise another
and that one sees it -
dismayed, disheartened
the response is to lash out.

And we run

but we are sent back
tail between our legs
we return
submitting to a higher authority.

Mistakes made
errors in judgement
We think our thoughts, our plans
are just as high as God's
or higher,
but foolishness
is upon us.

He is Creator God
and we are created by Him
He is our Master,
our King
We only dust
a whisper in the wind
created.

We look for a word from God
"I will multiply your descendants exceedingly." (verse 10)
Your child you carry
a son
Ishmael
wild
"His hand against every man and every man's hand against him." (verse 12)

And it is as it is written.
Ishmael is a rebel
The beginning of a nation
destined to kill
any standing in its way.

(c) August 30-31, 2015

As the leaves of autumn change, so do our lives

The days are cool

The nights chilly
The warmth of the summer sun
shines upon us
ever so briefly
It is August
closing down
making way for September
when the air becomes crisper
and the leaves
begin to change
into a beautiful array
of many colors
green to yellow and orange and red
and even brown
Such a magnificent
transformation
of God’s creation.

We too change.
With each passing day
our lives are transformed
into that which is good
and acceptable to God
or that which is not so good
more acceptable to ourselves
and the world we live

Where do the changes
in  your life take you?
Is goodness,
kindness,
gentleness,
patience,
faithfulness,
self-control,
love
your path
or do you travel
down the alleys
of adultery,
uncleanness,
idolatry,
sorcery,
hatred,
contentions,
jealousy,
outbursts of wrath,
selfish ambitions,
envy,
murder,
drunkenness,
conceit …
What rules you?

The colors of autumn
are grand
How about the colors of your life? 

(c) August 28, 2015

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service, and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."  ~ Romans 12:1-2

My Presence - Let it shine

nearer
closer
My Presence
speaks
inside walls
of those hiding
in fear
loneliness
terrified
of the evil one
seeking
to crush the glow
and curse His Light

His cleansing power
washes through
every crevice
of the evil one
and those who travel
in the darkness
The blood of My Son
of Jesus the Christ
overcame the world
Sin will not
does not
rule
Sin is not the winner
Satan stands
and pushes and pulls
but his eternal existence
dies
and those who follow
his path,
believing every lie is truth,
will do likewise

nearer
closer
My Presence
The Light of the world
Let it shine
within you
and through you.

(c) August 24, 2015

Success brings satisfaction when we live God's adventure depending on Jesus

A question posed -
How do you define successful?
I thought,
replied.
Successful is accomplishing what the Lord has willed, proposed, designed for me and being satisfied with it.

But then,
what
would your response be
if someone has
and is not…
satisfied

 

Woe to you
I  say

Do not expect
success
to come to you
when you fail
to abide
in
The Lord Jesus
The One
you proclaim
as your Savior,
your King
Your Master

Your Teacher

If you abide in Him
fully and completely
and
have accomplished
His will

His proposal
His design
for you,
why would you be dissatisfied

I must confess
I do not know
and wonder
where your allegiance lies
I have no words; I  must pray
for guidance
for trust

The Lord sets us on an adventure
every day
and when we are dependent on Him
and not on personal gain
we will witness joy
and be at peace
find fulfillment
and be satisfied

for you cannot be
all you are meant to be
without His guidance
His instruction
His wisdom

If dissatisfaction grows
and failure clings to you

I ask,
Where is your relationship with the Lord?
Is He no longer central to your life
Is your focus settled on you alone, your desires, your perceived needs,  your wants
Where is Jesus?

Depend on God
Do not fret
or be envious
of what others have
and you do not

Trust in God
Dwell where He has placed you
Read, study, meditate
on the faithfulness
of God – He is always with us
Commit your every day life
to Him

Trust in God
Wait for His response
Do not be anxious
He will show you the way
He will deliver the very response you need
Do not be angry
Do not fret
Pray for guidance

Depend on God
for everything
You think you can
fix whatever the problem
You think it’s is such a little thing
You think it’s no big deal

but
everything that comes,
every situation is
… a big deal
no matter what it is,
when it hits you
square in the face
you are aware
of your every inadequacy

Depend on God
Open your heart
to Him
Pray
Talk
to Him

Read
Study
His word
Contemplate
Meditate
on Him

Dependency …
your child needs you,
depends on you
as you,  a Child of God,

needs Him
and are to
depend on Him

You and you and you
All of us are His Children
All have need of Him
through every step of life

(c) August 20-22, 2015

“If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.” ~ Ecclesiastes 10:10

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in his way.” ~Psalm 37:23

“He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied.” ~ Isaiah 53:11

God says, Stick to The Way

This is a second message from God re: the book He has given me to write.

How can I
I see
God has shown
The stones
of sin
and righteousness
of truth
and lie
of wise
and fool
All and every question and answer
found
in His Holy Word

 so

How can I
I repeat
The task
too great
How can it be
accomplished
How can I fulfill
Your request
How can it come together

Stick to the stones,
He says
The stones that take one away
from Me
and show The Way
to the Rock
of My Son – Jesus Christ
who is their Deliver
and yours too, My child. 

(c) August 10, 2015

Have you come ... Do you enter?

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” ~ Matthew 2:2

“We give You Thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come.”  ~ Revelation 11:17

"This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it."
~ Psalm 118:24

Have you
Do you
come
enter
The Holy of Holies
His House
of Worship
with fellow believers
to meet and greet
The Lord Jesus Christ
He who sought you and bought you
with His redeeming blood?

Have you come
Do you enter

Have you made ready

Is your heart open
to receive
His glorious Truths
and eternal Promises
Is your mind alert
eager to learn
how to apply
His Teachings
to your life

Have you come
Do you ener
into songs of praise 
and gladness
for His Blessings
big and small

Have you come
Do you enter
The Meeting Place
The Temple of God
His Church
where believers,
also a temple
of The Holy One
gather
in honor and praise,
thanksgiving and love
of our precious Lord,
Jesus Christ

(c) August 7, 2015