No Room?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There is God
The God we worship
praise
Bow down before

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

No room for Jesus

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

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

(c) June 13, 2013

I am new, I am free

I am New

I am Free

I became new

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

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

I became new
I was set free

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

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

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

His life
a new life
He became human

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

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

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

(2 Corinthians 5:17)

I am new
I am free

Free from sin

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

I am free
I am new

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

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

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

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

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

I am free

Free to walk in the Spirit

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

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

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

I am New
I am Free
I am indeed!

(c) June 10, 2013

God does not fail me

I am reminded
yet again
God does not fail me

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

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

I may pray
and make bold petitions
to the Lord

I may dream dreams
and make big plans

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

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

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

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

He, who does not fail me

Have I failed Him?

(c) June 8, 2013

My prayer ... Another Time

I pray

Not now

Not today

Not tomorrow

Not that day soon to come

I am ready

Yet I am not ready

Fearful yet joyful

I pray Lord

Don’t let it be

More time I pray
I desire more time

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

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

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

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

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

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

Help us move on
alone

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

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

Helps us Lord
hear my request
deem it worthy

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

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

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

Amen.

(c) June 7, 2013 

God leads

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

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

But again
Is it the best route

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

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

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

We will follow Him.

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

(c) June 5, 2013 

Are you ready?

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

(c) June 2, 2013

My truth -- God's truth

My truth
focused on me
splattered with falsehoods
enslaves me

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

(c) May 30, 2013

Three Gifts

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

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

(c) May 27, 2013

God loves us all

God loves us all

My worst enemy

My best friend

There is no in-between

no middle ground

He wants us all 

to come to Him
be One with Him
Through His beloved Son,

Jesus,who came to earth

because of Love
who walked the road to death
on the cross
because of Love
who was resurrected
and sits at the right hand
of His Father in heaven
because of Love

God wants us all

to come to Him
be One with Him
Through His Son, Jesus Christ,

who offers us Salvation

His blood shed for ours
He loves us so much

He holds forth his nail-pierced hand
The Gift offered
Will you accept
The Gift
Will you begin the journey
to be one with Him,
He who loves us all,
oh so much.

 (c) May 18, 2013

a glimmer of hope

a glimmer of hope
arises
a heartbeat is heard
an opportunity for God’s Love
to thrive
and bring joy in the midst
of a cruel world.

a glimmer of hope
arises
and then dashed
by medical doctors
whose level of compassion
lay dormant
beneath “their” wants
“their” desires
“their” beliefs

a glimpse of hope
arises
a baby grows within the womb
Abort! Abort! is heard
but no! it will not be
That is not my desire
Not mine, not ours
and certainly not God’s.

God’s will will rule.

a glimmer of hope
arises
God brings life
into the world
His will is not to destroy
that which He has created.
He desires to bring life --
abundant life.

May the glimmer of hope
be ever brighter and bolder
and come to fruition.

(c) May 14, 2013

The expectant waiting is fulfilled

Sunset to sunset

in Old Testament day
a time of expectation

Sunrise to sunrise
in this New Testament day
the time of expectation
fulfilled
The Lord –

promised, prophesied
has risen …
from the dead
has He been reborn.

JESUS

A light in the darkness
is born
a babe in Mother Mary’s arms
Night falls at midday
with suffering and death
on Calvary’s cross
But in the morning,
on the 3^rd day
a glorious light
fills the heavens

He has risen!
He is alive!
The expectant waiting
has been fulfilled

A new day has come.

Are you living in the new day
Are you alive in Him
or are you still stuck
in the Old Testament
waiting for what is already here?

(c) April 30, 2013

The Lord God does not deceive

The Lord God does not deceive.

gods of other nations refute the claim
claiming their god
is the one
to whom all loyalty belongs;
propaganda chains them,
believing promises made of a greatness
that will instead lie in waste.

The Lord God does not deceive.

He
The Mighty King,
King of Kings
Lord of Lords
The Lord Almighty
Ruler of the Universe,
of all Creation.

Deception will be squashed.

The Lord’s response
is swift and just
when the time is right – in His time.

We must wait
wait and pray
and listen

and obey.

(c) April 23, 2013 

God will

God will avenge
the deaths of His people,
His inheritance,
the work of His hands.
All that is His
will remain --
a remnant of Jew and Gentile
will reap the crown of life.
All that comes against
to dishonor
will perish,
drowned in shame.
God will prevail.

(c) April 20, 2013

Bud, Flower, Bloom

The darkness
The gloom
invades our every pore.
Trapped.

We envision sunny skies
and warmth
to remove the tiredness, achiness
and negative thought that permeates
our mind, body and soul.

The darkness
The gloom
Evil surrounds us
so subtle
it is missed
we let it pass
It is as it is.

But No!
Not as it should be.

Never God’s plan
The darkness
The gloom
The pain
The grief

We decide.
The consequences
ours to bear.

“This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

It is for a season
Today, maybe tomorrow
and another.

The Lord has made everyday.

The darkness
The gloom
We can overcome.
Spring is coming
New life is near
Jesus will return

Bud, Flower, Bloom
Today!

No more darkness
No more gloom

 Live each day rejoicing
and be glad in it. 

(c) April 19, 2013

God's Plan brings Peace

God created

humankind
and commanded obedience
Human heard
and listened
until personal will
got in the way
Obedience fell
and any love esteemed
for The One
who made him
was evaporating
like the mist
that watered
God’s Holy Paradise.

God cringed
when His will
was bypassed
Deeply saddened and angry
God strove to right the wrong
created by His people,
the  very ones He created
in  “Our Image” – the image of
Spirit,  of God, of Jesus.

Rightness,
righteousness in His people,
among His people
was not the standard
Evil and wickedness prevailed.

God judged and punished.
Sentences of long-term captivity,
of fire and brimstone, of floods
were carried out,
yet still,
His people went their way,
esteemed Him not.

God determined another course

He came as Himself,
born of Him, of God,
and the Virgin Mary,
who carried His seed
and from her womb,
He came – Jesus.

And when the time had come,
When it was His time,

God executed judgment
on Himself – on Jesus,
Son of God, Son of Man –
taking every sin from every person
He created
upon Himself.

Our sins
upon His shoulders
brought His death
Our sins became His shame We look up at Him,
see Him hanging limp
on that cross
and see His blood,
our blood – the blood
of our guilt
flowing from His lifeless body.

God reconciled Himself
with His people

He offers hope

All who come to Him
through His son, Jesus,
who accept His death,
His burial, and His resurrection
All who believe
He died for me personally,
All who commit their lives
to following and obeying
All who love the Lord
with all of their body, mind and soul,

There is Peace.  

(c) April 13, 2013

Our fear ....

Our fear
of offense
be it true or false
hinders us
from moving forward.
We take a step back
wondering if we said
or did
something
to another unaware.
We sleep,
but in those moments
when we
suddenly wake
the fear comes to us
again
and sadness
intrudes upon our faces
our eyes downcast.

Oh woe
we cry
but why?

The valley of doubt
lies deep
Our fear
of wounding another
with words
brings our misery
deeper still.

But is it true?
Or  is it false?

Ask.
Ask he or she --
that one perceived to be
the offended one

Ask Jesus – The Holy One
who casts out our doubts
and fears,
replacing with trust
in The Only One
worthy of all reverence.

Ask. Pray.

Apologize if necessary.
Move on.

There is no room
There is no time

Our fear can drive us
to a wasted life
a stagnant life
a miserable life

Or
to a God-filled life
of love, faith, hope, obedience.

Our fear of offense
need not hinder us
but take us forward,
growing step by step,
with the Lord our always guide.

(c) April 8, 2013 

We err, We stumble

(Based on readings in Isaiah 28)

We err in vision, we stumble in judgment
Our heart is not resting with the Lord God
We are intoxicated with foolishness,
selfish desires and lie upon lie
The Lord teaches
Little by little
but we do not learn
nor understand
We refuse to hear

We fall
Our vision is darkened
Our judgment lost
We fall
We are in a continuum
on and on we go
backward
We are caught in a trap
We are desolate

We err
We stumble
We faintly hear the Lord’s calling
but we do not answer
We refuse to give up our ways
We refuse to give in to Him
We know the way

We will be trampled
Destruction will come
The Lord will have the final say
He is The Way.

(c) April 6, 2013

God answers in His time

God answers
when the time is right
His time
Only His

Not when we think
the time is right

God waits

 We think He doesn’t care
and wonder where He is

 But God is there

 Just because we don’t see
Him
at work
or feel His presence
does not mean
He is not there

He is

 and God answers
in His time
when it is the right time
not too late
not too early
Just the right time 

God answers

(c) March 27, 2013

To be as Christ

To be as Christ
He who suffered
for our sins
and was rejected
and cast out
We too must suffer,
be rejected
and cast out

He died without dignity
and honor
He hung upon a cross
shunned
and shamed by thousands

Out of love He came
to save mankind from
their sins
Yet many did and do
refuse Him
forsake Him
spit upon Him

To be as Christ
He who suffered
for our sins
and was rejected,
cast out
We too must suffer
and be rejected
and cast out

But no,
not dejected

Jesus
sent to do His Father’s will
to fulfill the commandments
and the prophecies made
centuries earlier
by prophets of
the Almighty God

There was no room
for dejection
Not a lasting dejection
He was sorrowful
full of pain and remorse
for the world
so lost from
Eternal Salvation
Eternal Peace

If it could be
He asks of the Father
Remove this cup
but if it could not
Let it be Your will

Giving up and Giving in
would not be His way

To be as Christ
He who suffered
for our sins
and was rejected
and cast out
We too must suffer
and be rejected
and cast out

But not dejected
Not giving up
Not giving in
Not believing
cruel comments made
only to harm and shame you

To be as Christ
He who suffered
and died for our sins
He who was rejected
and cast out
We must get past,
get past and overcome
what others say and do

For Jesus overcame
the world

He knew … He lived it

He told us
again and again
The tribulations
we would endure
until  His return
endless pain and sorrow
and fear

But Jesus said
and He is living proof …
“I have overcome the world.”

We can be as Christ
Rejected
Despised
Cast out
and we can overcome it all
when it is with Christ
we abide.

(c) March 6, 2013

Words ... silent before the Lord

Words
unnecessary words

remain unsaid, unwritten

We are silent
quiet and waiting
listening fervently

For God’s word
to come to us
in the morning hours
as we awake
throughout the day
and at nightfall
when we return to slumber
We are silent
not because of fear
or desolate thought
but of love and respect
for Him
who is and was and will be
The Lord God
shows us the way.
In silence
we can connect
with Him
He will explain His truths
We learn
We understand
He will guide us
The whole day
becomes a blessing.
We are silent
before the Lord
waiting, listening
fine tuning our ears, our hearts
our whole being
for words of wisdom
He alone can give.
We are silent
before Him
and His word
found in His holy book
provides insight
clarification
promises
and oh so much more
We are silent
The silence calms us
frees us
The right word
at the right time
will come
and it will be enough.

(c) February 27-28, 2013

Our True Victor

Warriors are we
We go out and conquer
That is our attempt
Our weapons
a disgrace
Guns and knives
fail to disarm
the advancing enemy
Our fear
overcomes us
day and night

Warriors are we
we go out
and we return
But to have conquered,
to have been fruitful
we must abide
we must
keep the way of the Lord
be strong in Him
and in His mighty power
We must clothe ourselves
with the armor of God
to stand against
our opposition boldly

Our armor…?
We are not girded
with heavy metals as Goliath
when David came against him in battle

No.

Our battle gear
is fully of God
We arm ourselves
with The Truth,
God’s Holy Word – The Bible
We walk righteously
before God,
having  been forgiven
of our sins
We are ready
at a moment’s notice
to share God’s message
of love and peace
We carry our faith
with us,
believing wholeheartedly
what the Lord says He will do,
has done, and will do again
We accept His gift
of salvation – an offering
of eternal life with God the Father
and Jesus His Son
We take up His sword
The Truth of The Word of God -
written in the Bible
and
Jesus Christ, the Living God
who resides in the hearts of forgiven souls
as the Holy Spirit
We pray and seek His guidance

Warriors are we
We go out and destroy
and when we return
it is with peace in our hearts
and joy in our steps.
Total dedication  to the Lord
whom we forever
worship and praise.
Our True Victor.  

(c) February 21-22, 2013

Obedience is nothing without love

Being obedient
 to the laws, rules, commandments
of God
but disrespecting
and dishonoring Him
does not show
a true regard for Him.

It only shows
our selfishness,
our disdain for all
but ourselves

Love
should be
the why of our obedience
not mere obligation

Obedience is nothing
without Love,
Respect,
Honor,
Reverence.

Love
the greatest gift
given to us
by God
first at Creation
then at Redemption
when He sent His Son
to be our redeemer

We
so undeserving of
His love for us

Our heartfelt answer
of this undeserved,
unselfish love for us
should be
unreserved and overwhelming
gratitude.

Our love
for His love
shows itself
in our obedience
our respect
our reverence
our honor
our holy worship
to God.

(c) February 16, 2013

It's not me ... It's God

It’s not my right, but God’s right
It’s not about me, but about God

It’s not my laws, but God’s laws

It’s not my judgments against you, but God’s judgments against us all

It’s not about what I think is good and evil,
but what God knows is good and what God knows is evil --
God’s wisdom surpasses any and all.

It’s never about me, although we live like its about us --
We are in charge of us.

It’s about Him --
Him
 who created us
who sustains us
who protects us
who redeems us
who loves us
who desires a relationship with us
who guides us
who encourages us
who imparts wisdom unto us
so we will know right from wrong
and desire to walk in the footsteps of Jesus
who showers us with blessings every day
who strengthens us in our struggles
who comforts us in our hours of sadness and remorse
who gives us answers
who shows us the way
but leaves the choice up to us

It is my choice how I live,
your choice how you live
We choose to be obedient to God
and His commands
or we live only for ourselves

However we choose,
good or evil,
with Jesus as our Lord and Savior
or Satan our enforcer
God reigns forever and ever

Satan will be terminated.
And all who
do not follow the Lord,
who refuse Him
and refute His words of wisdom
will be banished
to the deep dark trenches
in the bowels of the earth
Destined to a life of
total  and complete misery.

There is no prayer
to bring one back
from the grave of hell.
You live your life
You make your choices
You pay the price.

Jesus died for us.
He paid the ultimate price
to bring us
true freedom,

Hope.

Will you say yes

or will you say no

Will you live your life
looking unto Jesus

or will you only look inward
and determine
how you can fix
all your problems
yourself?

It’s a lifelong decision, commitment

Moment to moment,
you choose to allow God
to guide your steps
OR you choose to allow Satan
to rule.

(c) February 15, 2013 

The Path

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

“Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.” Proverbs 4:26

We travel the path
before us
The one established
at the beginning of creation
and became ours
when we accepted
God’s Son as Our Lord
Our Savior
Our Redeemer
Our Master and King

We travel the road
of heartache and sadness
and anger
of love and joy
of life and death
The one destined
at the beginning of sin
and became ours
when God’s blessing turned
and Adam and Eve’s disobedience
became God’s curse on us all.

We travel the highways
and the byways
We come to forks
We consider
should we go left
or right
or straight ahead
or should we go back?

We decide.
If the path we are on
is that one where Jesus
is The Way, The Truth
and The Light
He will be with us
as we go
when we seek His guidance
for  every step.

We travel
We stay for a while
along the route
Then we move on
This is not our
permanent home
We are only sojourners,
a wayward people.
Our home is in Heaven.

We travel the path
We listen to His wisdom
imparted
We do His good will
We seek out others
to travel the road too

We are heading home.

(c) February 14, 2013

If you hear … when you hear, do not turn away

“Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” – Psalm 95:8

What God created
Man destroyed
When God expected obedience
Man rebelled
When God judged
Man cringed
Of the blessings God had bestowed --
To be fruitful and multiply,
To fulfill the earth and subdue it
To have dominion over all living things

Man was cursed
Our sorrow and pain was multiplied
Thorns and thistles were plentiful
upon the earth we toiled to bring food
Animals fought against all creatures
God had provided a beautiful and heavenly
place for us to live our lives --
The Garden of Eden
But our disobedience, our rebellion 

sent us away – out into the World
The world, where sin was rampant
where our fears got the better of us
where we fought and clamored and lusted
and laughed and stole
where we no longer heard God’s voice
where we no longer cared

God gave us life
and we chose death

And then,

God sent His son
God gave us a second chance
A chance to return to the Father
to be blessed
to  live with Him
forever

Do you hear His voice
perhaps it's so very quiet….

Listen!
Listen carefully
and if, when you hear His voice
calling you,
do not turn away.

(c) January 30, 2013

I wish

I wish I knew
I wish I might

I wish more than a few
to conquer the night

I wish the light
of God above
would portray to all such a sight
of His undying love

I wish what drives us
was communication
and dedication
commitment to be our best
when we are put to the test

I wish we all knew
of His love
I wish we didn’t stew
about  endless things we should be rid of

I wish the love He gave to me and you
We shared with another, even our beau

I wish I knew
why to argue
seems normal
when a kind word or two
could mend a quarrel

I wish I knew
why we complain
and bicker
why it just stays the same, rains and rains
and we continue to get sicker.

I wish I knew
I wish I might

I wish for love
and delight

I wish for forgiveness
I wish for love
I wish for quiet days
and honest answers

I wish I knew
for you
I wish I might
make it right

I wish.  

(c) January 27, 2013 

... and so He rested

Our day is 24 hours
God’s day is however long or short He desires

It is not us who determines or decides

It is God
and God alone

The earth
a planet empty of all but water
a planet surrounded in darkness

God brought light,
He spoke and it was so
The light of Day
separated
the eternal darkness of Night

God separated the waters one from another
and in the midst
God formed an open expanse,
a firmament --
that and that above
Heaven
and of all below,
amid the waters,

Dry Ground

The Earth
and The Seas
filled with grasses and trees
fruits, animals and birds,
fish of every kind

God said,
“Let there be lights.”
Lights in the heavens
to be for signs and seasons,
days and years,
for  light upon the earth
and God made the Sun
to rule the Day, and
the Moon to rule the Night
and also the stars.

God created humans --
from the dust of the ground
He breathed life into mankind
in His image, His likeness,
male and female
and He blessed us
Be fruitful and multiply,
Fill the earth and subdue it
Have dominion over the fish,
the birds, every living thing
that moves on the earth.

God was pleased.

He saw everything
He had made
and it was very good

and so He rested. 

(c) January 23-25, 2013

Can you stand before your Maker?

Do you run
Did you do wrong
Has God called you on the carpet  and you hang your head low
Have the consequences of your actions driven you away
from The One whose aim is to save you from your sins
Are you safe
Has the separation created made you better
Are you justified
Are you free
Has your fear tightened its grip
Do you continue to rebel

Have you considered returning
Have you said I’m sorry Lord
Have you asked for forgiveness
Have you asked the Lord to show you the way back to Him
Do you want to return
Do you want to be complete, one with Him, at peace

Can you stand before your Maker --
Can you hear His voice wherever you are --
Can you say Here I am Lord
Can you face His chastisement

Will you stand before The Lord
Will  you hear His voice
Will you answer
Will you be healed

Will you return

Will you?

The day begins again

The day
begins again
Light invades the darkness
of the night before
We awake
to a newness
God’s wonder to behold.

Much may be
the same
as countless days
before
But do we
wallow
in past miseries
or do we
greet the day --
The Lord’s
created day --
full of hope
and love
full of compassion
and joy
full of praise
and worship

Do we greet the day
this new day
abiding in the Lord,
studying, listening
in the quiet
to His Word
of wise instruction
Do we greet the day
every new day
that comes
with admiration  for
The King of Kings
seeking His best
for our best
in every way

Or
Do we instead
become
disgruntled
dissatisfied
irritated
angered
in the new day
as in a previous day
and miss
the wonders
God has given us?

 (c) January 22, 2013

Mission sent

God sends
one
and more before
to
pave the way
for He to come

Jesus is He
He who comes
He who is
The Way

He too sends
sends us all

a mission to go
and share
the gospel
to baptize
and teach
how to live

a mission to go
and reach out
to the
poor and desolate
the lost

a mission to go
and to be
as He

and onward,
as we go,
The Lord our God
will be with us
forever and always.

(c) January 21, 2013 

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen." -- Matthew 28:19-20

"Let there be Light"

“Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.”  -- Genesis 1:3-4

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”  --John 1:5

Morning Light
but not the sun
separated
the grand expanse
of the deep abyss
of nothingness

All was chaos
what was
could not be
distinguished
It was without form

With the Light
that came into being –

(not created light)
there was Life.

Birth
Freedom
Freedom to praise The Almighty

Chaos gives way
and of the darkness
Light is revealed

Morning Light
Jesus is the Light
He is The Son
He is Life

It is His Light
that shines
upon the souls
of mankind
bringing them
out of the darkness
of sin
and into a
new life.

(c) January 20, 2013

The Beginning

In the beginning
There was God
There is God
He was in the beginning
He is the beginningand He created

 and thus begins Our own beginning
The moment
of our birth

 and throughout
that moment of time
we live and we die

 And IF we become
acquainted with
God, The Holy One,
we are reborn

 and
begin again.

(c) January 17, 2013

Farewell again my friend

They were here
They are now gone
We are angry, distraught
They who were here
and we who remain

 The family of unity
of many years past
a business yes
but people joined together
for a like-minded purpose

 Friends we became
Gone

 Led out the door
one by one ….

 yet,
we go on.

(c) January 16, 2013

We must remember again and again

Every day we forget
we must remember again
Not as a must do
out of obligation
But a must do
out of love
Only love is worthy
Only love keeps
remembrances alive

Who is worthy
Who is loved

We remember

Memories lie within us
and no matter
where we are
where we go
memories remain
love remains

God's Word
His love
His grace
His salvation
His judgment
is worthy of remembering
Day after day

To move forward
we must remember
always

God loved us all
Loves us still
Gave His Son
His only begotten Son
So we, whoever,
believe in Him
would not die in
our self-made world
but have a new life,
a new quality of living,
a life redeemed.

God loved us all
Loves us still
Sent His Son
into the world
of untold sin
not to condemn
but to save

To save from
forever damnation

We must remember
again and again

If we do not remember
we have forgotten
and if we forget,
we are lost
and if we are lost,
who is there to find us?

(c) January 14, 2013

"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. 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 begotten 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 3:16-21 NKJV

If (Since), then why?

If (Since) I profess to have complete faith in God,
Why do I become so concerned,
so consumed with questions
when life takes a sharp turn?

If my security is found solely in the Lord,
Why is the amount of my paycheck so important?

If it is as I claim it is,
Why do I allow news reports and newspaper articles
to grow my fear
instead of God’s Holy Word
to bring calm?

If I believe the Father God is creator
of that that is – human, plant, animal
Why do I act like something else is stronger

and more powerful? 

If I have accepted His Love, His Grace,
His Holiness,
If I am complete in Him
and ALL He is,
Why do I continue to falter along His path?
Why do I say no to His guiding?
Why do I still consider myself self-sufficient?

Why indeed?!

(c) January 12, 2013

Jesus has been there

No matter how low,
how poor,
how deprived
we are,
Jesus has been there.

He understands
our dismal surroundings
our lack of food
and sometimes shelter
He knows
of our struggles
to put food on the table
to pay bills

He sees
our dreams
and yes, even our nightmares

He desires
love and hope
for us all.

No matter how much pain
we bear,
Our Lord has been there
He continues to be there  --
walking, talking, guiding
He knows you
He knows me
He understands
how things can get the best of us.

He knows you.

But do you know Him?

Do you know
He was born to die
to set us free from sin?

Do you know
He holds every answer
to every question
we may have?

Do you know
He loves you and me
so much He died for us?

Our Lord,
our precious Lord
was crucified.

Any pain
we are dealt --
emotional, mental, physical –
cannot compete
with the pain undergone
by our Lord Jesus
and He did it all
out of Love

Love for you
Love for me
Love for all of mankind

It was because
of His great love
for you and me
that He went to the cross,
and died.

It was because
of His great love
for you and me
that death was not
the end.

It was because
of His great love
for you and me
that after 3 days
in the grave,
He arose.

It was because
of His great love
for you and me
He lives forever.

He offers us

Hope
Love
Peace
Joy
a future
a relationship
Salvation
Freedom

No matter where
we are now
or have been before ....
Jesus has been there
and
He can be with you now.

(c) January 10, 2013

He wakens me

“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 wakens me morning by morning. He wakens 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

He wakens me
Every morning He wakens me
not from sleep
to  do the day’s tasks of drudgery
But rather
He wakens me
to  His call
His call of obedience

We who ware His
are complete in Him
We look forward to what
the Lord will bring us
that day.

He wakens me
before the world of
living and doing
invades my space,
before the phone rings
or the baby cries
and I am off on this or that mission.

He reminds me
that what I speak
be as what Jesus
would speak --
in  love,
filled with blessings,
not curses,
not cruel, mindless comments
that only pain another.

He reminds me
that what I hear
come from what is
True and Good
and trustworthy.

Jesus, my Lord,
is He
He is the True One
The Good One
He is faithful
and trustworthy

The Lord wakens me
morning by morning

His wakening
renews me
rejuvenates me
energizes me
through His Holy Word
My prayers
The silence

The Still Small Voice of God
booms loud
as we are wakened anew
morning by morning.

(c) January 4, 2013