Today is The Day -- a precious gift

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

-- Psalm 118:24

Today is The Day – a precious gift
God has given

Will you seek Me today
Will you open the door
of your heart
so I may
gain entrance

Will you permit Me
to stay awhile
and show you
the wonders
of this day

Will  you feast your eyes
on the beauty
surrounding

Will you bring
every prayer
every praise
into My Presence

Will you believe
I AM
God the Father
Jesus the Son
and the Holy Spirit
who hears your call
your every petition
your songs of praise
and thanksgiving

Will you partake
in the good,
keeping a positive outlook
on this day
the Lord has given

Will you seek My guidance
My power
My mighty strength
to enable you
to overcome weaknesses

Will you tell Me of your
every trouble
big and small
so I can show you
My provision
My protection
is enough

Will your need for quietness
and rest
bring you to Me

I AM God
I AM He who is
and He who was
and He who is to come

Today is The Day --
a precious gift
I give to you

Will you accept My gift
and spend the day
with Me?

(c) February 5, 2015

Follow ... Follow ... Follow ...Me!

“For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, And by my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”                                              - Psalm 18:28-30

Follow
Follow
Follow
Me!
He says to us
one
step
at
a
time
Does it fall on
deaf ears
Hollow
to the core
Do we sit
and stew
about all
that needs
done
and all
that is
wanted done
Fearing
nothing
will be
done
Deciding
it won’t
and
give up
How do you know?
Follow Me
God says
repeatedly
Trust Me

Don’t get
caught,
entangled
in the
frustrations
of the
moment
your own
or another’s
Follow Me
Walk with Me

The mountains
you see
in the distance
or
around the next bend
may dwindle
Do not
assume
your way
is
the only way
nor
the best way
My way,
God tells us
is
The Way
to go
Follow Me!
I will guide you
If you move
as I instruct
I will
equip
you
to accomplish
much
Trust Me

but,
if you act
and react
and respond
as
you alone
believe
to be
correct
and true,
you will not
accomplish
all that I,
Your God,
have planned
for you.

Remember,
I know the plans
I have for you.
Plans to prosper,
not to harm.
Plans to give you a hope
and a future.

To be
at peace
wherever
you are,
come into
My Presence
and commune
with Me
I will bring you
rest.
I know more
than you
about you.
I know
what you need,
when you need,
why you need,
how you need.
Look to Me
Focus on Me

…when your children whine
when your husband
or your wife
procrastinates
or sees more negatives
than positives
or
doesn’t listen
doesn’t hear
doesn’t understand
or struggles
to get out of bed
and moving full speed ahead
when soreness and achiness
and pain is everywhere.
Focus on Me
for it all.

Don’t lost sight
of Me
in the midst
of your
personal crisis
Don’t neglect
to pray
to Me
for guidance
to praise Me
for who I AM
to thank Me
for everyday
blessings
bestowed
simple joys
of love
shared
with family
and friends
and yes,
even for
the struggles,
for without the pain,
how would you know
when there is no pain.

Turn from you
Turn to Me
I AM The Way
I AM The Truth
I AM The Life
for you
Follow ….
Follow Me
Don’t look back
wishing
life
was different
Follow Me
Focus on Me
Trust Me.
You have miles to travel
Travel them with Me
I will protect you
I will provide for you
I will give you rest. 

(c) February 3-4, 2015

Winter stillness

Winter
lies still
Trees
once stark
now shrouded,
like leaves,
ice and snow
upon its branches
waiting
to plummet
to the ground
one by one
all in a heap

The winds
blow hard
tree limbs
break and fall
the frigid air
penetrates
all in its path

 (c) February 1, 2015

He called you

“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. “Then He said to His disciples, The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” – Matthew 9:36-38

He called 
us all 
you and me 
believers in Christ Jesus 
children -- 
sons and daughters 
of the most high. 
He called 
us 
to go out 
in the midst 
of the harvest,
ripe, 
like fruit on a tree 
ready to take and eat.

Those,
not us,
are they ready
to gain wisdom
and understanding
they do not possess
Are they ready
Are they willing

And we

whom God called
Are we ready
and willing

Have we moved
out of our comfort zone
to the couple
next door
to the family
across the street
to the homeless man
on a street corner
or walking
up and down
sidewalks
for warmth

They are weary
They are scattered
They go about
day in
day out
what is done
is done
but do they know
do they know You
and do they know
where they will spend
eternity

Who will tell them
Who will show them
Will it be us
whom God called

They may not hear

They shut up their ears
and their hearts
They thrive on foolishness
and fruitlessness


But what is that
to us
God did not call us to judge
or condemn
or second guess another

 He called us to go
to see the need
to meet the need
to be merciful
and kind
and gentle
and loving

Are you ready
Are you willing


 Have you answered
the call He makes daily
upon you?

(c) February 2, 2015 

Do you hear ... Are you listening?

Do you hear
Are you listening
Does the voice of God
enter your consciousness
and keep you alert
to all the possibilities, opportunities
that come your way

Do you hear
Are you listening
Is your response
true and sincere
“Speak Lord, for Your servant hears.”
(I Samuel 3:9-10)

Do you hear
Are you listening
Do you wait
for His command
and then go
obedient to His instruction

Do you hear
Are you listening
Do you spend quiet time
alone with the Father
reading and studying the Holy Bible
meditating on words of wisdom
that leap off the pages
into your heart

Do you hear
Are you listening
He is calling
Calling to come
into His presence
Calling to go out
and serve Him
for the harvest of unbelief
is plentiful
and there are few
willing to
share the love of Christ
with those fallen
by the wayside of life.

“But when He (Jesus) saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” – Matthew 9: 36-38

Do you hear?
Are you listening?
Have you answered?
Are you obedient?

(c) January 28, 2015

He is The One we follow

God always directs our steps
when He is The One we follow

“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. Do not be wise in your own eyes.” – Proverbs 3:5-7a

We plan
We think the course is set
And then,
there is a change
and dismay strikes

But, God is still in control
God still directs our steps
He instructs us to be
watchful and waiting,
ready
alert to His call
to be about Him
and He will bring prosperity
doing the work of the Father

We must Trust Him

A new plan unfolds
We think the direction clear
but the road is muddied
and we cannot see the outcome

Do we settle for less?
Do we become downhearted
and disenchanted?

or
Do we pray
asking God to provide opportunities
to serve Him

Are we thankful
praising God for the opportunities
already come
and those yet to come

Do we acknowledge
trusting in God in all ways and all times,
not hindering His divine plan
because of our own
poor choices and decisions

Do we believe
in God’s power, His timing, His goodness, His mercy
In ALL He is, all we cannot comprehend,
yet know in our hearts to be true

God always directs our steps
when He is The One we follow.

“Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles; They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

(c) January 27, 2015

I will follow You

Acts 19:19-29, 32 (NKJV)
¹⁹ Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.
²⁰ So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
²¹  When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome."
²²  So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.
²³ And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.
²⁴ For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen.
²⁵ He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: "Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade.
²⁶ Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands.
²⁷ So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship."
²⁸ Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"
^29a So the whole city was filled with confusion.

³² Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.

I will follow You
wherever you go
whatever you do
I will follow.

But what are you following
What are you being led by
Are you part of a crowd
filled with confusion
feeling obliged
to respond as another

The people of Ephesus were followers
One person caused a commotion
“The Way” is not prosperous
We will be destroyed.
The crowd distraught,
anger and confusion
controlled choices

Bowing down to prosperity and wealth
and worshipping foreign gods
is what they know
Why change
Why look elsewhere

But what they know
and what you know
is not wisdom from God

Why do you follow other gods
when there is only
One God

One Savior

Why do you follow the crowd
when there is only
One Way

Why do you follow false teachings and lies
when there is only
One Truth

Why do you follow the hold of Sin
on your life
and the road that leads nowhere
when there is only
One Solution

I will follow You
Who
What

Do you follow Christ
Is it He who leads you

Is it His voice
His teachings
His love
His mercy
His commandments
His life
who you follow

“I am The Way, The Truth and The Life. No one comes to The Father except through Me.” – John 14:6

(c) January 26, 2015

Desires of the heart

“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”  - Psalm 37:3-4

Desires of the heart --
She wanted a child
a daughter, a son
born from their union

He wanted a pastorate
to lead and disciple

Another wanted a marriage
full of love and compassion

Another still wanted a fulfilling retirement

He gives us the desires of our heart
In His time

When we wait
When we are in close fellowship with the Lord
When we are awake, attentive to
His every instruction
When we seek His guidance
in every area
at every juncture of our lives

The desires of our heart come

We must abide with Christ
We must look and relook to Him
for all that passes

Or we will miss the blessings
The blessings
are these our desires
hidden

Do we have the child
the pastorate
the loving marriage
the fulfilling retirement

Is it there to
have and to hold
are we blinded
Do we not see what God
has given us
Are we so wrapped up
in personal beliefs
and circumstances
we’ve missed it all

Woe that be
to have lost
what we have so desired
wrapped up in ourselves
and in what others say or don’t say

The desires of our heart

Not ours to give
to ourselves
Not another to give
to us

But a step of faith
in the Lord

Individually, by ourselves, alone,
we cannot give ourselves a child,
or a pastorate,
or a loving marriage
or a fulfilling retirement
It is not for “one” to accomplish

But if you are bonded with the Lord
If you are one with Him,
abiding with Him,
reading and studying His Word
and being obedient
to His principles
and listening and praying
and meditating and praising
and worship God Almighty

Then, you will discover
bit by bit
the desires of your heart
are before you
and beside you
all around you

Take that step of faith
and trust God to be your guiding light
for everything
in everything

and witness the blessings --
the desires of your heart.

(c) January 22, 2015

from nothing

from nothing to something
The dust of the ground
we were
molded
like clay
into His image

from nothing
God
made us
from nothing
we came to life
Man and Woman

from the dust of the ground
to the salt of the earth
God is our creator.

from nothing to something
we became
the light of the world
to shine among all
to spread the Gospel
of Jesus Christ
to give glory
and honor
to our Father
in heaven

from dust
trampled
to salt
seasoned
We become messengers
to show the way
and the  truth
and the life
of He who is and was
and is to come

Have you …
seasoned your life
patterned after Christ
so your light shines
of God’s eternal love

(c) January 21, 2015

¹³“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.  ¹⁴You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  ¹⁵Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.    ¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  - Matthew 5:13-16

“Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  - John 14:6

One Day at a Time

One day at a time
The Lord has given
As the sun comes up
and as it sets
The moments between
Ours.

He tells us
instructs us
not to think ahead
of what
may come
but stay in His presence

For each new day
He will strengthen
and prepare us
to meet the challenges
with trust
without fear

I AM with you always
He reminds us
One day at a time
The trials and difficulties
we face this day
and perhaps yesterday
and maybe tomorrow too
are meant to grow us
give us patience
and wisdom
looking unto the Lord
Jesus Christ
for everything
every time
all the time.

 (c) January 16, 2015

Hidden

I see you …

hidden
under cover
asleep
silently speaking
with words no one hears
eyes open
but vacant

I see you …
in the corner
on the stairs
like a pebble
plain and simple
amid other pebbles
and stones
deemed
more worthy
than you
alone.

Alone and lonely
A pebble
few see
but for pokes and jabs
joking effortlessly.

I see you …
crying in the night
through the dark of day
lost and forlorn
A child
no one sees
or hears
or shows compassion for

But,
I see you
I hear you
I love you.

I have always loved you.
You are one of Mine.
There is no other like Me
I AM God
and you are My Child.

I see …
deep into your heart
your soul longs for release
a place to belong
a place of comfort and safety.

Come.
I will give you
the protection you seek
the rest you need
the love and compassion you desire

Come …
Out of the dark
and
Into the Light.

“For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – I Samuel 16:7b

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”  - Matthew 18:6

(c) January 14, 2015

I AM with you always

I will not show you
but you will see
as you go
what you need
It will be provided.

Let not every if, and or but
concern you
nor twists and turns and turn-abouts
bring distress

Remember …
Look beyond --
beyond the blue
and the gray
and clouds afloat
Look in your hearts
where the Lord abides
He reigns in the heavens above

I will not show you
but you will see
as you go
what you need
It will be provided.

A step of faith
I ask of you
One,
then another
proven mighty
Guided by My hand
My way ever
Trust Me

I will not show you
the journey ahead
today or tomorrow or the next
yet it is
I
beside you
behind you
all around you

Come
Commune with Me
Begin this day
with thanksgiving
and praise

You are weak.
But, in Me and through Me
you will be made strong
You will accomplish much
in My power

Pray.
Seek My will
before determining your own

Every request that comes
made known
before Me – The Almighty One.
I know your every coming and going
I see your tears
hear your anxiety
feel your pain

I will not show you
but you will see
as you go
what you need
It will be provided.

Wait. And wait again.

Do not hurry.

Do not waste time
being discouraged
and frustrated
and irritated
and angry
and fearful

Take that step of faith
Trust in the guiding Light
of My Son,
Jesus Christ
Live in My hope
My promises
My love

For I AM with you always.  

 (c) January 12, 2015

This Christmas Day

One lone star
amid the black sky of night
shining bright
leading us
to the Holy One
The Christ Child
asleep in manger bare

The shepherds
watch their flocks
One lone star
upon them
an angel before them
fear grips tight
but “Do not fear”

 Come
Follow the star
Good News awaits
Great Joy to all
for today
this Day
this Christmas Day
a Savior is born
His name is Jesus
and He is
Christ the Lord

Praise and glory and honor
unto Him
and on earth,
peace, good will
to all
who receive His grace
to all
who are called.

(c) December 25, 2014

A new day rises

A new day rises

Is it as dismal as days before
with our eyes of sight to see only pitch black darkness
our ears of sound to hear only unending silence
our hands of touch to feel nothing … no one
our minds of thought to think only selfishness
our mouths of words to speak only discouragement, defeat, complaints

A new day rises

every day
a new start, another chance

Is it the sun
that brightens your day
that clears your thoughts

or would you still live
in darkness
in silence
in selfish indignation

A new day rises

All
we are
creations
of God
Our physical birth
gives us life

and choices
as each new day rises

God
who rules the heavens
the earth
all everywhere
He is merciful
filled with compassion
and everlasting love
“They are new every morning.”
(Lamentations 3:23)

God is our Hope
as His Son, Jesus
He is our Savior

In Him, With Him,
Through Him
we are made new
Our spiritual birth
gives us new life

A new day rises

Fill your hearts
and what you see
hear
feel
think
speak
with love and peace
and joy and kindness
and goodness
and compassion

As each new day rises
the new you
will also rise
and Jesus’ love
will shine forever bright.

© December23, 2014

The Gift of God

The message comes   – It is given to all people

“… I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”                   ( Luke 2:10-11)

The gift arrives   -- It is delivered to all who call upon His name

“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.”   (John 3:16)

The promise foretold   -- It is unveiled to all who abide with Him

Isaiah 9:2-7 shows us the promises of Light, of Gladness, of Liberty, of Peace, of an Extraordinary King, of an Everlasting Reign.

In awe and wonder,
we praise and worship
Our Lord and King

 The Holy One

 whose birth
 is celebrated
on Christmas Day

whose death and resurrection
is commemorated
on Easter

 whose life
guides us
Every Day

Jesus Christ!

Our Immanuel – God with us

(c) December 22, 2014

Love came down as Jesus - the Light of the World

“To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” – Luke 1:79

“We walk by faith, not by sight.” – II Corinthians 5:7

Jesus is the Light of the World
sent down
to Earth
from above
by His Father.

Jesus -- a babe born
into a world filled with darkness of soul and mind,
endless pain and destruction
yet surrounded by the Light of God’s Everlasting Love

Jesus is the Light of the World
We, receivers of His Light
who once sat in darkness
to share with others,
who remain in darkness,
the Good News of His Coming
and the Gift He Brings.

Woe to you,
You who the darkness constrains
You who do not see the Light
You who fail to heed the Light
You who turn from the Goodness of God
and the faith once carried
to a place of wrongdoing and evil.

Jesus is the Light of the World
He shines into the hearts
of men and women and children
everywhere
He guides our feet
our hands
our words
our every action
into the way of peace, and love, and joy and hope

Abundant blessings flow
when we are one with The One
who is greater, greater still,
Greatest of all, over all.

© December 21, 2014

Turn. Turn.

You accepted Christ
a born-again believer
obedient
to the call of Christ

Until one day
an encounter
changed your thinking
No longer awake to His teachings
Small steps become giant strides
distancing yourself from all
that is God

Your newly chosen path
not pleasing to Him
not bringing eternal rewards
only temporary pleasantness

Is that enough?!
To be given new life only to waste it?
To live like the prodigal son (see Luke 15:11-32)
whose desires stronger;
and overcome,
he took and went
far away
and squandered
his livelihood.
Later, realizing
the error of his ways
returned
to his father
seeking repentance
asking forgiveness.
His father,
overwhelmed with love,
said,
“my son was dead and is alive again;
he was lost and is found.” (Luke 15:24)

Turn. Turn.
Turn away from.
Turn to … return to
The One
whose life was given
for yours

He took the old
and made new.
He is always with you.
He waits
in anticipation
of a joyful reunion
with a child
gone astray.

© December 17-18, 2014

“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.”  ~ 2 Corinthians 4:1

“…For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness …” ~ verse 6

“We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed.”  ~ verses 8-9

“The things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  ~ verse 18

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”  ~ 2 Corinthians 5:7

“Therefore, we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.”  ~ verse 9

“For the love of Christ constrains us, because we judge thus; that if one died for all, then all died. And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”  ~ verses 14-15

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

Saved, but

“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.”   ~ Isaiah 60: 1-2

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance.”  ~ Hebrews 6:4-6a

It IS impossible
Yes
It IS.
Jesus
died once
for you
for me,
Not over and over again,
repeatedly,
every time you fall away
and come back.

You soul be saved
but your life …
you’ve missed the boat
disobedient to His teachings.

No time do you make
to open His book
to read and study His Word
You may attend church
You may listen to the preacher
But do you apply what you hear to your life
Do you consider the consequences of every thought and action you partake
Do you pray

Do you seek God’s goodness all around you
or only folly

Be still
Hear My voice
Surround yourself
with My Presence
Do not dwell on that which you find wrong
with your surroundings
Seek My Presence
and My Glory will brighten the world around you
and you will see
and hear
and smell
and touch
and speak
an abundance of good things

When you refuse to come
into My Presence
I am grieved
but you too,
are filled with a sadness
unable to define

I offer you so much

But until you turn the page,
live life moving forward rather than backward
learn from the errors of your selfish ways
Until you want more of My Goodness,
more of My Love
More of My Joy
More of Me
Until you hear and obey My Voice,
you do not really know Me.

Your soul be saved,
but your life is being wasted. 

(c) December 16, 2014

Remembering ...

I was 10 years old.

Going back
in my mind
I can remember ...
that crisp cold December day

It was the 9th
the year was 1961
and I was 10
my sister, 7

We lived on 80 acres,
land farmed
first by my grandpa
and later by tenants
hired by my mother

My parents,
married 18 years,
split two years before,
The year I was 8

Childhood fragmented
Schooldays difficult
Yet only a few
saw my struggles
and even fewer cared
and reached out to me

One I remember, always remember
Though his name long forgotten
I see his face
his offer of friendship
someone to talk to,
to confide in
He was a school counselor
He helped me conquer hurdles
often too big and cumbersome
for me to handle alone

The year I was 7
1958

The following year

Two years later
I was 10
The Christmas season upon us
One more grief to bear
in too few years gone by

It was morning ...
the day my grandpa died

Forever missed
Forever remembered

George Arthur Stoner
July 20, 1880 - Dec. 9, 1961

Psalm 23:4 says,
"Yea, though I walk
through the valley of
the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod (protection)
and Your staff (guidance)
they comfort me." 

I wish
it was the Lord
I had known then
I wish
it was His Presence
I had felt
many years past
He may have been
but so unaware
was I
Yet I am grateful
for His Love
and His Mercy
now upon me
and I pray
for His protection
and His guidance
in the days
ahead.

I pray the steps I take
gazing backward
and marching forward
are those
He desires.

(c) December 9, 2014

Where am I?

The Lord is present
Where am I?
He does not leave
He has not departed
He is not absent
His promises are true
He said, He will not leave us,
He will not forsake us

Where am I?

Am I on the outside looking in?
Did I travel
the valley of despair
and release my grip on Him?

The Lord is present
So is Satan
But I gave my life to Jesus
not the devil!

Where am I?

I was lost
and then I found ... Him -- You
and now,
Where am I now?
falling, falling

Catch me Lord
Hold me Lord.

I reach out
The air so thin
a part of the greater good
yet separated
from that goodness

Hold me Lord
Wrap Your mightiness
lovingly around me

Take me away
The griefs of this place
too much, too much

Bring me back
Renew in me
the Spirit of love
and gentleness
and kindness
and patience

Bring all of me to You Lord
Return me to Your fold
so I will know
where I am

I do not like the paths traveled
yet I cannot turn around
unless it is You
who guides me,
who leads the way.

(c) December 8, 2014

Dear Lord: here I am, here I pray

Dear Lord Jesus,

Here I am today
thinking of that
which perhaps
should not
have been spoken
Concerns voiced
perhaps belonged
to Your ears alone
I am unsure

Dwelling
on insecurities
not useful for me
focusing on You
and your direction for me
much more fruitful

Lord,

I pray You keep me
always connected
to Your way
so I do not wander
this way and that way

I want to be
Your messenger,
and do Your will
for all it takes

Keep me ever mindful
of You
so I
will know the way
I go
is the way
You desire

For all I share
or show another
decisions made
choices chosen
belong to each one
separately

It is not for me
to choose
or decide
for another

We each pay
the consequences
whenever
and wherever
they come

Yet, I pray
You will intervene
Keep us all safe and secure
amid the wrongs
of what we say
and don't say
and what we do
and don't do
and bring us back home again.

I pray when judgment comes
it is on familiar ground
and the fire
we play with now
will not become full blown
but lessen, died out

I play the Holy Spirit's nudging
will be effective
upon us
and the ways we go
will be glorifying to You
always.

Amen.

(c) December 6, 2014 

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.
And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart; you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)

"You shall not tempt the Lord your God ... You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God ... You shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you." (Deuteronomy 6:16-18)

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Jesus. But he who does wrong will be repaid for the wrong which he has done, and there is no partiality."  (Colossiand 3:23-25)

Surely, He is

"Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it." - Genesis 28:16

I do not understand
what God is showing me,
where God is leading me
as excruciating pain radiates

The Lord says
to let Him, His Presence
override everything
every experience
to concentrate, focus on Him
not on the current situation -
the pain
the depressed feelings
that overwhelm

Do not let situations
of any kind
draw you away from Me

Pray for awareness
of My Presence,
and know
My comfort
My love
My mercy
My protection
My shelter
My strength
My promises
My peace

Remember,
"I am with you
and will keep (protect) you
wherever you go,
and will bring you back
to this land." (Genesis 28:15abc)

Know - without any doubt or question
The Lord IS in this place.
In the midst of all,
He IS ...  surely He is. 

(c) December 5, 2014

a lesson to be learned

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." 

- Ephesians 6:12

The darkness of the night
troubled my ability to see
and direction was almost lost
as steering took me (and others)
down wrong ways
and across bumpy median strips

What was going on?!
Was talking to others
a distraction from focusing,
from concentrating
on what was before me?

What was God showing me?
Was this an example
of how Satan enters our lives unaware?

God was with me
And then I was turned around
and I had no way
to remove myself.
The consequences were before me
I wanted to hide,
crawl under a barrel
and not have anyone see my stupid actions.

But God sees our every move,
stupid and foolish
smart and wise.
Oh my!
A word flew out of my mouth
not spoken in many decades
a word that didn't belong
but said nonetheless
Why that word?!
Why then?!
Why repeat it?!
Why remind myself of it?!

... to keep Jesus closer to me
so I do not unravel

The road God leads us on
is narrow
right in the midst
of the opposition

I look up and see
and wonder
more
why

The wrong way
can seem so clear
yet it is
rather fuzzy.

Have we stepped outside
of God's guidance
Do we not see
nor utilize
the protection
and security
He offers?

Do we fail to move
past ourselves and see only me?
My woes
My mistakes
My headache
My pain
My depression
My sorrows
My misery
My longings
My complaints
My worries
It is all about me

But it isn't.
It is not all about me
It is about God
It is about Jesus
It is about what He teaches us,
what we learn,
what we do with what we learn,
who we follow - are obedient to

The wrong way
is as clear as mud
Why do we go there
or stay there
stuck,
pulling us down continually

God's way opens doors
showers us with blessings
disciplines us to make us better,
more productive
He is always with us
loving us

We must step beyond
each of us
individually
go where He leads ...
into the Light
so when the darkness
of the night
comes upon us
we remain safe
and secure
in His loving embrace.

December 3 and 4, 2014

"that good part"

(Jesus speaking) "...Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."  - Luke 10:41-42

That good part

What is it?
Do you have it?
Do you utilize it regularly?
Is it about you?

Martha
and you
and me
and many others too
often worried
and troubled
about many things

For Martha,
it was about food preparation and serving
but it could easily be |
about financial woes
health
lodging
clothes
transportation
education

Jesus tells us
only one thing is needed.
and Mary
and some of us as well
have chosen that good part
which will not be taken away

That good part
always present

is our relationship
with Him - Jesus
our Savior and Lord
He will guide us
for every way
we should go 

Are you connected to Him?
He is the answer
to every moment
of  life
Whatever comes our way
reach out to the Lord
first and foremost
and go and do
where He alone directs

All the fixings
we think we have the power to accomplish
only weigh us down

Let the thoughts of your mind
stay on Jesus. 

So easy
it is
to be
swallowed up
by discouragement
discontent
distress
divisions
desolation
defensiveness
doubts

Our mind, instead of focusing
on that which is good
and kind,
patient and faithful,
gentle, loving, joyful,
on that which is Jesus,
we travel down roads
that speak of stupidity
and foolishness

The devil looks
for ways to bring us down
and we fall prey to it

We look for easy fixes
We think we have all the answers
when in retrospect
it is God
who knows all
who has all
who is all 

He created us
not vice versa

It is easy
to take our focus off 

The One
who is everything we need
and all that we desire
and put it
on ourselves

The "Me" syndrome
is childish behavior
but it is not solely
a child's thinking

Adults are
just as much
into themselves
as children,
sometimes more so.

Children learn
from their parents
and other caregivers

As adults,
we stay stuck

Too hard
we often think
to get out from under,
so why bother
Let's just focus
on me

Why get into His Word,
Why pray
Why pay attention
to a better way shown,
when 

Satan
has you believing
it is useless,
it is confusing,

it is too much work
to have a plan
and to stick to it

Focusing
on that good part
is hard to do
Hard to stay there
day in and day out
Hard to start over
when mistakes
and errors in judgment
are made

Life is not easy
God never said it would be

What do you look for?

Is it
the Light of God's Son
rising and shining upon you?

or
is it
the cunning, deceiving ways
of Satan infiltrating
every part of your life
and darkening every corner, 

taking you places you
should never go?

There are blessings
to be had

Choices


By focusing on God
and Him alone,
The Way to go
will be clear

Satan's plan
is always
to keep you way
from that good aprt

Christians are not free
from poor choices
nor
from the consequences
of those poor choices

Do you seek God's best,
God's blessings for you
or
do you settle for a whole lot less? 

(c) November 30 / December 2, 2014

Psalm 25: 1-21

"To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul, 

O my God, I trust in You; 

Let me not be ashamed;

Let not my enemies

triumph over me.

Indeed, let no one who 

waits on You be ashamed;

Let those be ashamed who 

deal treacherously without cause.

Show me Your ways, O Lord;

Teach me Your paths,

Lead me in Your truth and teach me,

For You are the God of my salvation;

On You I wait all the day.

Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies

and Your lovingkindnesses,

For they have been from of old.
Do not remember the
sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness' sake, O Lord.

Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He teaches
sinners in the way.
The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He
teaches His way.
All the paths of the Lord
are mercy and truth,
To such as keep His covenant
and His testimonies.
For Your name's sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

Who is the man that fears the Lord?
Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.

He himself shall dwell in prosperity,
And his descendants shall
inherit the earth.
The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him,
And He will show them His covenant.
My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.

Turn Yourself to me,
and have mercy on me,
For I am desolate and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart have enlarged;
Oh, bring me out of my distresses!
Look on my affliction and my pain,
And forgive all my sins.
Consider my enemies,
for they are many;
And they hate me with cruel hatred.
Oh, keep my soul, and deliver me;
Let me not be ashamed for I put my trust in You.
Let integrity and uprightness perseve me,
For I wait for You." 

Do we look for the Son everywhere?

"...Let the peace of God rule in your hearts..."(Colossians 3:15)

"For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting. And His truth endures to all generations." (Psalm 100:5)

Alone
with God

We may find
it easy
to meditate
and pray
and give thanks
behind closed doors

but then

our refuge
of God's
strength and protection

wanes

We exit
and come face to face
with the reality
of distractions

People
Places
Circumstances

The distractions
are everywhere

We fail to see
miracles
Our life is centered
on the negative --
complaints
and irritation
and frustration

We do not praise
our Father in Heaven

We are not thankful
for ALL that comes our way

We do not look
for the positive
in every situation

Our emotions run us ragged
Up and down

We do not see the Sun / Son Rising
We do not see the Light
of His Presence
saturating the whole earth

Somewhere it is sunny

Somewhere the Light of the Day is bright

Somewhere God's Light is shining upon those who strive to do His will

Somewhere annoyances do not roam, but peace settles

Somewhere His Light shines in the darkest dark

Somewhere another will know Him, will come to be His

Somewhere another will die, persecuted
by people
who lack understanding,
who do not see the truth, God's Truth,
who only see and understand their own truth

It is God's Truth that endures.
ALL will come to know
and all will come to bow
and the peace of God will rule.

(c) November 27, 2014

  

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