Thankfulness

Thankfulness
the language of love
does not deny reality
brings us closer to the Lord,
where we can hide
under His wings,
protected

He will give us stamina
for the troubles ahead
and keep us safe
from the troubles that come
our way
when with Him we abide

Feeling thankful
may be absent
we must step beyond
and give glory and honor
and praise to the Almighty One
who gives us life

Our faith is in God
and in His Holy Son
He deserves our praise
regardless
of what our emotions
say of us

"Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)

I am:

• GRATEFUL for my relationship with Jesus
• GRATEFUL He is always with me - in every event and circumstance that comes my way
• GRATEFUL for the people He has placed in my path
• GRATEFUL for Pastor Dan who listens and obeys God's commands
• GRATEFUL it was God's desire for Jim to serve the congregation at First Baptist - Dunkerton following the unfortunate death of their pastor Tommy Rucker
• GRATEFUL for continued service to Him through pulpit supply at Wilton Baptist - Wilton
• GRATEFUL God has wakened an intensity in Jim to go and preach His Word wherever sent
• GRATEFUL for our adopted family - Rocky, Christina and Austin
• GRATEFUL we can provide a place for them to stay as long as they need
• GRATEFUL for Austin, their son, our 3-year-old grandson, who brings joy and wonder and love into our lives
• GRATEFUL God knew they would come and we would open our home  and we would have so much we didn't have before
• GRATEFUL for learning experiences
• GRATEFUL for the freedom to worship when and where we please, to study God's truths, witness His blessings of days pst, present and future
• GRATEFUL for His love - His love that is patient and kind, that never gives up, this is always with us every step of the way to guide us, to show us the more excellent way for us to be and do
• GRATEFUL for His Spirit within me
• GRATEFUL for my Christian brothers and sisters all over the country
• GRATEFUL for prayers - given to others and received for me, for my husband, for all our loved ones
• GRATEFUL for my adopted mommy Anna, who also is my mentor, my dear sweet friend
• GRATEFUL for medical procedures that prevent cancer cells from growing
• GRATEFUL for humane doctors and nurses and technicians and thousands of others who give care daily
• GRATEFUL for all those who serve, paid and volunteer, past and present veterans of wars fought on our land and foreign soil
• GRATEFUL for those who share of their experiences, of what they have, of what the Lord has blessed them to provide for another - food, clothes, time - to visit or to listen, lodging, bills paid, extra funds
• GRATEFUL for Jimmy who came into my life at God's direction 
• GRATEFUL for the up and down travels in our lives, for without them, how would we ever know or come to understand God's plans for us
• GRATEFUL for memories, for shared dreams, for standing alongside each other through everything, for trusting in God to see us through the dark days that have come and gone and returned and will go away again
• GRATEFUL for the hope of heaven, our eternal home
• GRATEFUL for pets, for stuffed animals, each with their own personality
• GRATEFUL for laughter
• GRATEFUL for warmth, electricity, running water
• GRATEFUL for eyes that see, ears that hear, hearts that understand
• GRATEFUL for the pain that strikes with a vengeance, for without it, how could we be ever so grateful for the pain-free days? Christ endured so much.

With thankfulness, there is joy. With joy, there is peace.  With peace, there is love. With love, there is God. Always. And God is Good. All the Time. 

Amen. 

(c) November 24, 2014

Is it His Light we share?

Sunny skies.
If only our dispositions
could be as such
Words said lead down roadways
of ill content
You don't believe what another says
You weren't alert to hear
and elsewhere written copy
shows no indication
of something different

Seems to be
just like God's book
God's guiding Light
He gives us instructions
in His Word
through His messengers
for how we should live our lives

But we don't see
those guiding principles
and we don't hear
His words of wisdom
and if we do hear and see,
we don't understand

Jesus fed over 5,000
with 5 loaves of bread
and there were 12 baskets of leftovers

Jesus asks of us --
"Having eyes, do you not see?
and having ears, do you not hear?
and do you not remember?" (Mark 8:18)

"How is it you do not understand?" (Mark 8:21)

His Light shines for us
Yet our anger takes precedence
We do not see His love and mercy
We only see our own dismay and frustration

Satan's bow and arrow strikes
and our injury is the focal point

Not until we stop and listen
stop talking
stop thinking
and listen
do we come to understand

and then we are filled with sorrow
and our anger
is over our stupidity

How can we share His Light
that He has put inside us
if doom and gloom
is our only answer?

(c) November 20, 2014

Not my direction, but His

I cannot say
"This is the way you should go"
I can suggest
I can point you to The One
who is The Way
I can provide examples
of ways I have gone
that have led down sinful paths

It is for you to keep your mind on The Lord
For you to listen to His Voice
For you to study and meditate on His Word
For you to pray
For you to thank
For you to trust
For you to believe
For you to obey

Each of us has been given life
to which we owe our every fiber
to Him who died, was buried and rose again,
for us

You are free
in God, to whom you belong
But
Are you ... truly free?

Who is it who condemns
who judges
who punishes

It is not me
I am not the way
nor the truth
nor the life

My way leads to uncertainty
My truth is whatever I choose
My life is all about me, mine, myself

Jesus is The One
who says and is
"I AM the way, the truth and the life.
NO ONE comes to the Father except through Me."
(John 14:6)

How can we truly live
if our whole being
is not focused on
The Way of Christ
The Truth of Christ
The Life of Christ

It is not just in arriving, but in the journey.

(based on readings in Isaiah 30:21, Romans 8:1-2, John 3:16-18, John 10:27)

(c) November 17, 2014

My gifts

Believe and receive
Believe in Me
not yourself
Not in what you do
But in what I AM

You alone can do nothing
It is only through Me
My love for you
that you are enabled
to do and be

Believe in Me My children
Believe in My Son
who I sent to you
to die for you
who was raised up on the third day
to bring new life to you

Believe and Receive
The gift of My Son
The gift of eternal life
The gift of love,
of peace, of joy
The gift of abundant blessings
and thankfulness
and
May the pleasure of My giving
and the pleasure of your receiving
flow together in harmony

Belive in Me
and Receive
My Son
as your Savior
your Lord
The Ultimate Gift
for all.

(c) November 12, 2014

Seek Him

Psalm 105:4 says,
"Seek the Lord and His Strength; Seek His face evermore." 

Do we seek Him,
His power and strength
or
do we look within ourselves
and consider how best
we can handle what comes

I know,
from repeated experiences
when relying on me
I do not handle anything well
I get frustrated
and angry
I react and respond
with irritation in my voice
I slam doors
withdraw from those around me
pout, frown, glare

Oh I know
I am one in a crowd, right

No.
It is not only me,
but you too struggle to be composed
when life's moments
catch up with you
in one big gigantic pile
and all you really want to do
is bury yourself under a rock

It is called STRESS
At one time or another
it has hit us all
We are not immune
to the trials that come
and go and come again.

S ... Are we Selfish or Self-Controlled?
T ... Do we allow our Tongue to control us and cause untold damage on another
         or do we control the words we speak?
R ... Do we Rebel when things don't go our way
         or do we Reconcile our differences with another?
E ... Are we Empty of love, kindness, gentleness, patience
         or  do we Endure every step of the way?
S ...  Is Strife the way of our life?
         Do we Stumble and fall and react negatively every time a choice made causes trouble?
          or
S ...  Do we Seek the Lord's face and His arms of loving protection against the storms that come?
         Do we Study His word, Striving to understand and follow His instructions?

(c) November 11, 2014

"Do not let anyone deceive you with foolish words; it is because of these very things that God's anger will come upon those who do not obey him."  ~ Ephesians 5:6

"... Let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross!" ~ Hebrews 12:1-2

"You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right side of God. Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth." ~ Colossians 3:1-2

"But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control. ... And those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature with all its passions and desires. The Spirit has given us life; he must also control our lives. We must not be proud or irritate one another or be jealous of one another." ~ Galatians 5:22-26

"Remember that there will be difficult times in the last days. People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful and irreligious; they will be unkind, merciless,slanderers, violent, and fierce; they will hate the good; they will be treacherous, reckless, and swollen with pride; they will love pleasure rather than God; they will hold the outward form of our religion, but reject its real power." ~ 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Whose way?

"Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you,  for God will judge you in the same way you judge others, and he will apply to you the same rules you apply to others. Why, then, do you look at the speck in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the log in your own eye? How dare you say to your brother, 'Please, let me take that speck out of your eye,' when you have a log in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will be able to see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." ~ Matthew 7:1-5 (TEV) 

God warns us
sends us warnings
through other people
through circumstances
through pain
showing itself physically, emotionally, spiritually

Are we paying attention
to those warnings?
designed specifically for us, each individually
or
do we only see how it applies to another?
do we only remind another of their shortcomings
and never see our own?

Are you so close to God
you need not take responsibility
for the warnings you receive?

Did God say
you have done well - Continue on the path you travel,
being disobedient to My instructions
and to those who offer a word of wisdom
in My name?

Why has love and kindness and gentleness
lessened
and instead
frustration and anger and anxiety
increased its hold on you?

The Bible is filled with warnings
that apply as much to us today
as they did in Biblical times

We profess to be Christians,
followers of Christ.
Yet do we ... are we following?
Are we living what we profess
or
do we still miss the mark
and follow the ways of the world?

Focus on Me
Rejoice in Me
Draw near to Me
Follow Me
Be with Me
Remember Me

Do we condemn another
because of our perceived thoughts,
which, if not fully centered on God,
are wrong?!

Where is God in us
How is God flowing through us
if it is not Him
with whom with live?

We cannot thrive and be
All God desires of us
if  the way we go
in all we do
and say
and feel
is not The Way of Christ.

(c) November 10, 2014 

My wish, my prayer

I wish Lord
Oh  I wish
Not worthless dreams
and desires
to pass the time of day
but that which may be
Your desire
entwined
You and I
us
together.

I wish
I wish
but no, it's not a wish
but a prayer
from this heart of mine
to You, O Lord.

A pastorate
as interim
for Your servant
Jim and I
to share
perhaps at
Wilton
or elsewhere
if it be
Your will.

A procedure
removal of tissue
with risk high
for dangerous
growth
accomplished
and to be no more.

Wise instruction
given
to be followed
rather than
doubts believed
and excuses made

The Bible
our guidebook for Life
Those who follow,
who walk in the Spirit
as professed they live
are blessed
The Lord
guides their steps
so they do not stumble.

This my wish, my prayer to You O Lord.

(c) November 3, 2014

Miss you

Jim and I were gone
eight months away
then one day
returned
and discovered

We were missed --
I was missed
by someone dear

such unexpected joy
She and I visited then
and later too

but often
Jim and I
were off
serving the Lord
wherever He led

One day
another day came
and she was gone
a sudden illness
struck
and she lay
quiet in a hospital bed

The stopped visits
became prayers lifted up
and within not many days
she entered
into the presence
of her Lord and Savior

and now
I find
I miss her.

but someday
we will meet again
she and I
and the reunion
will be forever
and ever.

In Memory of
Geraldine "Jerry" Grimm
5/29/1922 - 10/28/2014

(c) November 2, 2014

Ring those bells and hear His voice

(Based on readings in Psalm 100, Psalm 23 and Jeremiah 29:13-14a)

Ring those bells
Ring them loud and strong
filled with joy
and gladness

Hear those bells
in the stillness
of the night
in the clutter
of the day

Remember the promise
the bells
continually bring
I AM WITH YOU
I AM WITH YOU
I AM WITH YOU

Open the eyes of your heart
See God's glory all around
Hear the angels singing
Hallalujah to the King
and the bells of heaven
ringing strong, filled with joy
and gladness

Come into His Presence
with thanksgiving
and praise

The Lord
my Shepherd be
Giving me rest,
quiet moments,
guidance,
comfort,
protection

Listen! to the bells

Once you had sought and found
but now
I have been misplaced
and your searching
lays dim

Awaken! My child
and hear the bells
Seek Me again
and you will find
True Freedom
from all
that keeps you in captivity

Ring those bells
Ring them loud and strong
with joy and gladness
always remembering
I AM THE LORD
YOUR GOD
and
I AM WITH YOU

(c) October 30, 2014

The Light of Jesus lives in you .. walk in His Light

The Light of Jesus
lives in you
But the light
does not
shine through
so others
near and far
can see
the love within.

You chain yourself
to the ways
of the world,
giving way to
discensions
selfishness
jealousy
envy
frustration
hatred
negativity
discouragement
bitterness
outbursts of wrath.

You think yourself
above reproach
but you are foolish
(like the 10 bridesmaids --
five were prepared
and five were not
when it came time
to meet the bridegroom)
You cannot be filled
or refilled
with the Spirit
of God's Love
when days are spent
doing that which is contrary
to His will.

The Light of Jesus
lives in you.
When it shines through,
the love
and joy
and peace
and patience
and kindness
and goodness
and faithfulness
and gentleness
and self-control
will permeate the darkness --
the current state you are in
and you won't live there anymore

The Light of Jesus
lives in you.
Won't you walk in that very Light?

You are God's workmanship
He created you
for good works
to walk in them
not to give in to selfish desires
that do not uplift
yourself or those around you

You are weary and discouraged
You fail to share, to open yourself
to your personal struggles
So no one will see,
no one will know
you are timid, afraid
you are human

You hide behind doors
(not literal, but figurataive) --
you do not allow
another to enter

If you could, would only see
the error, the folly
of your ways
His Light
God's most Holy Light
His Son, Jesus Christ,
lives within you
You can do anything through Him
He is with you always

Step away from the darkness
that seeks control of your mind
Trust in Jesus
Believe in His promises
Be open to instruction
You are not always right
You do not know all the answers
but God does.

(based on readings in Ephesians 2:10 and Hebrews 12:1a-15)

(c) October 29, 2014

The Leaves

The leaves fall

If leaves could speak
would one think of another
why do you still cling
when I am falling,
falling,
falling
one another another
upon the ground
hard

Fallen,
the leaves lay silent
or are scattered
blown here and there
by breezes light
and winds strong

some caught, sucked up
and discarded
burned to nothingness

others, still arayed in beautiful
reds and oranges
become a covering
fading to shades of brown
upon the ground
no longer green and plush

Are we like leaves ....

Do we cling
when we should let go?
when past experiences reveal
The Truth

Do we let go
when we should stay?
when our focus belongs on He
who made us who and what we are

Have we fallen
are we scattered about
not knowing what to do or where to go?

or
do we follow The Very One
who is The Way
and The Truth
and The Life?

"Jesus says, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.' " ~ John 14:6 

(c) October 28, 2014

Don't become preoccupied ... unless it's upon God

Preoccupation
hangs on

God tells us
keep your focus,
your concentration
on Me
not on what may develop
nor on future plans and decisions

The what if's
are not where to dwell

God says
My child
stay close
be aware
and more aware
of all I AM
No need to go
round and round
in circles
without end

Abide in Me
Where I lead you
you should go
for I know the way --
I AM The Way.
I will not lead you astray

The path,
filled with adventure
will show you much
you don't know
Follow Me
Stop and see
the good,
the blessings,
and be
grateful

Don't transport yourself
down the road
of negativity
It won't bring glory
to Me
and it won't help you
be fruitful

Be conscious of Me
at all times
See My wonder everywhere
you go
See the blessings,
see the good

and Be a blessing
to him and her,
all those around you.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you." (Psalm 32:8-9 NKJV)

(c) October 27, 2014

Sun (Son) rising...

"Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:78-79 NKJV)

"For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," Says the LORD of hosts, "That will leave them neither root nor branch. But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.
You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this," Says the LORD of hosts." (Malachi 4:1-3 NKJV)


Dayspring
Sun (Son) rising

The world
much lies in darkness
sin and wickedness
we let it be
our fear
greater
than our faith
in the Almighty One
who was and is and is to come

The sun (Son) has risen
Day has sprung forth
but clouds permeate
the skies
The Light
hidden
Our visual view
absent
as is
our hearts of love
for the
downcast
and
downtrodden

The fog may lift
Will our heartlessness
our selfish attitudes
also

The sun (Son) bright
and intense
burns through
cleansing
all within its path
Intensity building
No more
will the opposition prevail

The sun (Son) will return
when day has come
The Day that is coming
The Day of the Lord

All who do wickedly
will become as cinder
burned to a crisp
beyond recognition
Caght in the fires of hell

And the righteous
will arise
and live

(c) October 24, 2014

We are given...His Word, His Joy, His Truth, His Glory, His Love

(Based on John 14:12-26)

Given
God the Father
to
Jesus His Son
to
us His Children,
who believe
and accept Him
as their almighty Lord
and Savior
and abide in Him

We are given
His joy (v. 13)
His Word (v. 14)
His Truth (v. 17)
His Glory (v. 22)
His Love (v. 23)

We are set apart
No longer united with the world
but sent out into the world

to bring others
to saving faith
in Christ
the Son of god,
having been sent Himself
from the heavens
into the world
by God His Father

to be one --
in unity

As God the Father
and God the Son
are one,
abiding in us
we are one
through God the Holy Spirit

We petition you to witness the Love
that brought God the Father to His knees,
coming to earth as the Christ Child,
declaring to all mankind,

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)

(c) October 23, 2014

Do you?

Do you have a heart of stone
or a heart of love .... which is Jesus, our Rock?

"I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by my own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd."  ~ John 10:14-16

(c) October 18, 2014

The slide

The slide of my youth is all shiny and new
waxed for so much fun
down straight and curvy slopes

begun high
where fear sometimes sits  ... where dreams and ambitions may be born

because we are alone
and those around us are unaware

We climb the steps -- sometimes our mom or dad or grandparent watches

They sometimes see our fear and think of their own fears
They sometimes see our pride and  think how brave and strong their child

as we step out and up
onward we go
in this journey called Life
They let us go

One time I fell off the slide.
A short detour, but a long way down
hurling through space.
a broken arm
the result of my thud
when I hit the ground

My arm in a cast
and later a sling
Careful I was
in returning to this place
of doubt and fear ...  of high hopes and expectations

I had to face the doubts ... the anxiety
the fears that loomed high in front of me
and plagued me with questions
too immense for a child.

Preparation for a future time
The future just around the corner
One step in front of another
Take the steps
Don't let fear of the unknown overcome you
Don't let pride and greed become your downfall

The slide of today
seems more frightening
The unknowns are far greater
and the thud at the bottom
harder, more painful
and we remember
the questions of yesterday
and wonder.

Between the years of then and now,
we found God.
He knew where we were,
where we are now
Always
All the time

Not until I let go
of all my perceived notions
reached up
looked up
Did I find the answer.

(c) October 16-17, 2014

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." ~ Psalm 34:4 NKJV

"Take head and beware of covetousness (greed), for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." ~ Luke 12:15

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God in all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." ~ 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4

Jesus Loves You

Jesus loves you
I do know
He loves me too
His Word tells us so

He sees and hears
all we do and say and feel
and covers us
with His Love
His forever, unending Love

He offers His hand
to walk with us
through every high
and every low

He extends His arms
to carry us
when our footsteps
are so worn and weary

He stops to dine
to sit with us
and share a word or two
His wisdom
brings
understanding
and hope becomes trust
and belief more and more true

In the beginning was the Word
and the Word was God
He was and is Life
and that Life is our Light
(based on John 1:1-4)
but in our life's journey
we have lost our way
and the light shone
we cannot see

Jesus loves you
I do know
He loves me too
His Word tells me so

His Word
His Life
His Love
shines
Seek Him out
wherever you are
Come into His presence
and find
peace.

"The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
and give you peace."  (Numbers 6:24-26)

He is the Savior of my soul
The Lord of my life
I Love you, Jesus
and you, praise God, love me.

(c) October 12-13, 2014

Is your light shining?

To shine
like the glowing sun
at noon day bright
or like the twinkling stars
across a wide expanse
of night sky

We are to be
like Him -
The Lord

Loving
Joyful
Peace-filled
Patient
Kind
Good
Faithful
Gentle
Self-Controlled

All He says
All He wills
All He commands

Not less

If our days, our nights
are weary
and we do not shine
with the light from above
we travel a path
not pleasing to God

Our tendencies to grumble
and complain
overcome a better plan
and we give in to
self-pity, hatred, anger, envy
SIN

The light of God dwells in us
We must not keep it hidden
Jesus' death and resurrection
destroyed Satan and Sin

Be all that God intends for you

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of
evil, to give you a future and a hope."  (Jeremiah 29:11)

Do not let the light diminish

Focus on the Lord above
to guide you
through every day and every night.

(c) October 9, 2014 

Who ... is it God?

When we cease trusting God
and listen instead to our own desires,
following those wants over the Lord's will and commandments,
we also cease pleasing Him.

Who do you trust - is it God?
Who do you please - is it God?
Who do you follow? - is it God?
Who do you obey? - is it God?
Who do you love - is it God or is it self?

(c) October 8, 2014 

We can't go back ... where are you?

We can't go back
We think we can
We think things will be the same
the way they were
when last we saw,
even if only a few hours
or days have passed
but change is already evident
Our memories keep it all together
The good and bad, the indifferent, the grief and remorse, the good-byes, the hellos

Beyond our memories, there is no return to what was
We can stay glued to the current situation
or we can move forward into the light
The light of hope -- Jesus
Our light, Our hope.

Where are you --

Are you caught up in memories?
Are you stagnant?
Are you charting new territory with God as your guide?

(c) October 6, 2014