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

The path

“…I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. Concerning the works of men, by the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer. Uphold my steps in Your paths, that my footsteps may not slip.”    ~ Psalm 17:3-5

The path taken
Everyday
sameness
yet not

Thoughts come
Words spoke
Movements step
in
out
up
down
Whose direction
followed?
my own
another’s
a higher power -
Our Lord Jesus

He sees
He hears
He watches
He enables

O Lord
The path
is uneven
I start out
full of hope
and promise
Looking forward
to Your miraculous day
and then
struck down
The destroyer meets me
at the door
as complaints
arguments
physical pain
anxious moments
push
against me
my balance is off-center

O Lord
yes, You, my Lord
help me
keep me away from the worldly path
of destruction
and deliver me
Keep me close, closer still, to You
and Your will
so my steps do not slip
and my balance is steady.

 (c) August 6, 2015

Hear My Voice

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them,
and they follow Me.  And I give them eternal life,
and they shall never perish;  neither shall anyone
snatch them out of My hand.”  (John 10:27-28)

Hear Me
My voice
I call
I know you
You respond
and come

I AM
everywhere
I bring
love
and peace
life eternal

forever
mine

but some
are they
I call
deafness
surrounds
My voice
rings true
but you
do not hear
going out
as coming in
dead in your sin
You live in a world
of evil

Hear Me
My voice
I call

Be forever mine
safe and secure

or

follow the path
of eternal destruction.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

July 25, 2015

He ... endures

"His truth endures to all generations." - Psalm 100:4b

Enter into His Presence
with thanksgiving
and praise
Bless His Holy name
because He Is
All and Forever

The real deal
filled with loving kindness
gentleness
goodness

The Light
filters
through 

the darkness
of our mind
Remember
He who is in you
Is greater than he
who is in the world

He who is
The Great I AM

of the universe
His love forever
His truth endures
to all peoples,
all generations

Do not lose your way
to feelings of dismay and doubt

that strike
bringing fear to your being
Do not give in nor give up
Do not listen to the past
rearing its ugly head
and raining down 

Remember the love
of those around you
and of our Lord
Jesus,
who loved us,
loves us still
so much
He gave His life
for ours

Do not travel roads
of remorse and falsehoods
The past is not the present
You are surrounded by love
Do not allow your thoughts
to settle upon you
so you fail to see 

all that is good and loving

Reach out to Jesus.
Trust Him.
He will provide
for your every need.
He will walk with you
Side by side, hand in hand.

(c)Cathy Orrick Luders
 July 24, 2015