Jesus Loves You

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(c) October 12-13, 2014

Is your light shining?

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

We are to be
like Him -
The Lord

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

All He says
All He wills
All He commands

Not less

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

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

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

Be all that God intends for you

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

Do not let the light diminish

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

(c) October 9, 2014 

Who ... is it God?

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

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

(c) October 8, 2014 

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

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

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

Where are you --

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

(c) October 6, 2014

God says, Yes you can, Yes you can

How Lord?
I started
Stopped for study
Discovered a different plan
revealed by You Lord
I see the benefits
I have prepared the groundwork
Yet I don't understand
the way to bring it all together
I think to myself, I can't do this.
But I hear You say, Yes you can.
Like the childhood storybook,
"The Little Engine That Could"
Yes I can, Yes I can
Belief.
In my abilities, yes,
and primarily in God
who will shape my thinking,
my words
who will locate the many pieces
scattered in numerous journals
and within me
struggling to find release
I have begun
I am excited
I am also scared
unsure of myself
I remember
God says,
don't focus on yourself.
Focus on Me
I will bring you through
I will be with you every step
Do not falter
Let Me be your guide
Continue where you have left off
The journey is unending
This is but a glimpse
So much you have to share
The gift I give you
to pass on
will show My glory
to the utmost.

(c) October 4, 2014

A glimpse of God's beauty

A glimpse
of God's beauty
of His wonder
in the morning light

Tree limbs
upward
outward
reaching
Leaves
of orange
and red
and gold
and green
come together
joining
like a spiderweb
in technicolor
A spot of sky
blue
gray
white
Sun so bright
dances
among the leaves ....

and then it's gone.

Rushing wind
bending limbs
leaves
a coat of many colors
struggling to cling
scatter to the ground
cascading
one on top of another

Storms coming
Winter
is
near.

(c) October 3, 2014

Who do you refuse? Who do you accept and believe?

John 10:10 -- "The thief (Satan) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." 

James 4:17a -- "to him who knows to do go and does not do it, it is sin."

God tells us
to go
and
to stay

He lets us know
when
the time is right
for what we are to do

When we go against Him
and purpose
in our hearts
what we will
or will not
do
we can expect
an answer
from the Lord
showing
his anger
and
displeasure
over
our lack
of obedience
and
trust.
We will pay.

You think not?!

Our just punishment
will come.

If we say
we are His
and do not
live accordingly,
the way
we think we go
will be
cut off

Seek what is right
and true
Seek the Lord
at all times
Do not harden your hearts
Be open to all the Lord
has to say to you.
See His goodness
all around you
Witness His judgment
when His instruction
you refuse.

The enemy
is everywhere
into every tiny crevice
he strides
He has no fear
His goal is to destroy
however he can
whatever it takes ...
through your mind,
your job,
your co-workers,
your computer,
your phone,
your family,
your next-door neighbor,
the guy or gal at the grocery store.
Wherever you are and go,
the enemy -- the devil, Satan
will work to put you down
and keep you down.

Is that really where you
want to be?

Don't claim this is who you are.

If you believe all that
Satan says of you
what does that say to you
about Jesus --
Jesus is the one who died for you.
Satan didn't.

Satan's goal
is to kill and destory.

Jesus' goal is for you to live ...
abundantly.

Return to Him
Stay with Him
everytime,
all the time.

Say no to all that is evil.

With Jesus
in your court,
you possess all the power
you need to overcome.

Who do you refuse?! Who do you accept and believe?!

Is it God and His love

or is it the Devil and his lies

Do you want to be built up
growing strong in His love

or
Do you want to be torn down
weakened by endless lies

(c) September 30, 2014

He lives ... He reigns ... He is the way

He died
His body is no more
Yet He lives
He reigns

He died and
was buried
and when
the women came
bringing spices
He was gone

Absent
unaccounted for
Yet He lives
He reigns

Where
Who
Why
When

The questions
bounce off
each man
each woman
each child
beloved ones of Jesus

He
born
of God
and the virgin Mary -
betrothed to Joseph,
a carpenter

He
grew,
raised up
by His mother, Mary
and His stepfather, Joseph
in the grace of His Father God
to be
and
to do
the will of His Father
The Almighty God
who lives and reigns
in heaven and here on earth

He stepped out
when but a lad
pursuing the way
He must go.

At 30
His earthly ministry
begun
but the end
near

He died
Yet He lives
He reigns

"It is Finished"
He proclaims

Yet
It has only begun

Jesus came
Jesus left
Persecuted
charged with crimes
we alone are guilty of
Wept
overwhelming sorrow
for His Father -
separated from
and the many us (es)
clinging to
sin
not righteousness
Died
hung on a cross
gave up His life
for you and me
Undying Love
Unending Love
Buried
Three days lay
and He arose
He lives
He reigns

Jesus Christ our Savior
Forever

God sent His Son
Jesus
to be the way
and a helper
The Holy Spirit
to remind us
His way
of obedience and trust
and faith and love
and patience and kindness
and gentleness
should be our way too.

(s) September 29, 2014

We are God's temple

God's temple is holy

Whatever God enters
becomes holy
We as
believers in Christ
are holy
because
God's Holy Spirit
entered us
when we
accepted
God's Son, Jesus,
as our Savior

We are
God's temple
for
God's Spirit
dwells
within
us

But when we
or another
come against
and defile
the temple of God
Destruction
and
Death
will come

For God said,
He would destroy
anyone 
who defiles
what is His.

^"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are." (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NKJV)

(c) September 27, 2014

I am a child of the King

I am
a child of The King
Daughter of The Most High
Son of the Living God

Wherever I am
He is ...
there
everywhere

Whoever I am
communicating with
He hears and listens
and makes suggestions
through His Spirit
who abides
within my heart

Whatever I feel
stress - anger - loneliness - depression
Just emotions
They do not
define me.

I am above the world
I live in the world
but
I am not of the world

My home
My heavenly home
is heaven
Jesus
is my brother
my friend
my Lord, my Savior, my King
God, His Father
is mine too

He is with me always
when I am joyful
when I am troubled
He is there
in sunshine and rain
He is never far
He restores my soul
He lightens my burdens

Always remember
He is your Rock
He is No. 1
For all you seek --
whatever it is,
whenever it happens
wherever you are,
whyever the reason
-- go first to Him.

(c) September 26, 2014

Be aware ... and focused

Be aware
stay aware
of
The Holy One

He will keep you
steady
and firm
on the path
He has set
before you

He is the anchor
that holds us
secure

Trust Him
above all
with all
that is around you

Do not fear
the thoughts of others
the outcomes
of
another day

Keep Him
front and center
so nothing can
come to distract us
from Him

Keep our
awareness
of Him
central
so we do not
become distracted
in our service
of love and encouragement
to others

He is the potter
We are the clay
He molds us
makes us
in His image
after His will

We follow
His rules
and regulations
We listen
to His guidance
for
He knows best

The deep valleys
we fear
how will we escape
Strongholds that capture us
like stress
and other negative influences
bring us down down down

He -- the Lord God
is constant
He does not waiver
unlike we

We must stay
connected
to The Lord
with every step
we take

It is through
His almighty power
we are enabled
to accomplish
many things

We must remain
focused
and aware,
faithful,
loving,
true to God
to achieve
the peace He offers.

(c) September 25, 2014

Benefits and Blessings

Benefits and blessings
abound
We receive
when our days,
moment by moment,
are filled
with God-given thought
rather than
dark areas infiltrating
to negative
selfish
worldly thinking

Difficulties always
present
by why be ruled by
have nots

Thankfulness
and praise
comes when
the benefits and blessings
are seen
when we are grateful
for what is given
in the spirit of His Love
without complaint
without expecting payment

Remorse takes us backward
Sunshiny skies forward
Doom and gloom backward
Joy and laughter forward

Wouldn't we rather be
making forward-moving strides

We all have occasions
when backward glances
sadden our faces
but joy
is in
the morning.

Let us be glad,
stay in tune, in time
with His step.
He will never
lead us astray.

Keep me near you Lord.
All the time.

(c) September 23, 2014

All we are is less than He

All we are
is
always
less than
He --
God the Father
who created us

less than
He --
God the Son
who died for us

less than
He --
God the Holy Spirit
who lives within us

He --
I AM
Truth --
Perfection --
Love

There is
none
greater.
No
not
one.

(c) September 22, 2014

Listen ....

He's not in the noise
around us,
but afterward ....

Listen
for His still small voice
weaving
its way deeper
into
our
hearts.

We must
stop!
bogging
our mind down
with
painful
clutter
that
circulates
and
recirculates
distracting us
from Him
and
His perfect voice
that
calls
to us
continually.

Bring it all
every big
every little
all to
to Him
and
wait!
in
anticipation
of
His reply.

Listen! 

(c) September 21, 2014

God is the answer ... every time

I want to be
and do and act
whatever ways God desires
yet I seem to fail
day in, day out

Is He ever pleased with me?

Where is my kindness
My gentleness
My patience
My love
Where did it go
Did I ever possess those attributes
Do I now

Am I really on a road God designed

I do not know.

Jesus tells me to look up
Keep my focus steady on Him
I do.
I try.
I am not very successful.

I make errors.
I am accused of things
that are not true.

So did Jesus --
He didn’t error,
but there were many,
and still are,
who accuse Him
of things that are false.

Yet,
He was kind
and gentle
and patient …

There were times too
for His anger
and condemnation
and judgment.
He knew what and when
to say what was needed.

Where is my discernment?

I am at a loss --
for words and action
I am tied in knots
So,
I become silent
and even then,
silence is not golden
but wrought with tears
and dismay.

I cry out to God
I cry within

God hears my pain
He knows my heart
And,
He points me to Himself.

I AM
the answer,
All you need
is found in Me.
Do not lose hope, courage.
Do not stop
what has begun.
Carry on.
Step out
on the faith
you have in Me.
I will help you
be effective.
Rely on Me,
not on yourself.
Rely on Me.
Remember,
I am with you Always.

(c) September 16, 2014

Who is leading your life?

Are you constantly in a game
with yourself
 of choosing
between
What you want to do
and
What you should do?

Who is leading your life?

If you accepted the Lord as your Savior,
He is
or
He should be,
BUT
if you refuse to be obedient
to His leadership,
then  you are still directing
your life’s paths.

Are you listening to suggestions
or refusing?
Are you obedient to instructions
or disobedient?

If God is the true leader of your life,
you will not fall prey
to the evils lurking around you
in every form,
including your thoughts.

IF WE WALK IN THE SPIRIT -- 
if we read – study – meditate - pray
to our Father in Heaven,
worship His holiness,
give Him the honor and glory due Him,

we will not get caught up
in the desires of our flesh – our sinful nature,
which includes
sexual immorality
impurity
lustful pleasures
hostility
quarreling
jealousy
outbursts of anger
selfish ambition
envy
drunkenness
wild parties
division
sorcery
idolatry
(Galatians 5:19-21)

The Lord lives within you
But what are you doing --

Do you open His Holy Book?

Do you study His passages?

Do you consider what He says to you?

Do you thank Him daily?

Do you give Him honor and glory?

Do you come to Him in worship?

Do you sing of His greatness?

Are you grateful?

Are you obedient?

Are you trusting and believing Him?

Are you loving?

The Lord lives within you. Are you abiding in Him?

 “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.” – Galatians 5:24-26 New Living Translation

(c) September 13, 2014

Quietness and trust

Quietness and trust
accomplish so much
yet instead of meditating
on the power of the Almighty God
we contemplate
on our own next plan
of action or course of attack
against perceived foes

We replace quietness
with anxiety and worry
and trust
with falsehoods and lies

How can we be there for another
How can we build another up
How can we share the light of Jesus
when we find ourselves
being torn down,
torn apart
pushed and pulled on every side

It is God
who builds us up,
encourages us
to boldly go onward and upward
being His messenger to all

God’s desire
is not
to seek and destroy,
but to
save and redeem

We are
to hear,
to listen intently
when the Holy Spirit
speaks to us
We are
to be obedient
to Him
who guides us
in the way
we are to go

We are to seek the quietness
of the Lord
surroundng us
and trust in Him

(c) September 12, 2014

Acceptance

Acceptance
God tells us to accept
each day
exactly
as it comes to us

The circumstances of our day
The condition of our body

God gives us
each
assignments --

To be
the best
wherever we are

giving glory and honor and praise
to Him
in Everything

To trust Him
in the circumstances
of our day
everyday
always

To believe His promises
to hold tightly
to His wisdom
and His strength
and His love

To rely on His Presence
within us
rather than our selves
for His provisions
protection
comfort
guidance

Accept all that comes
to your day
even those times
of frustration
discouragement
anger

Come to Him
Trust in Him
Believe in Him
Rely on Him

(c) September 8, 2014

The appointed time

These are my feelings upon hearing news that the ministry we are currently serving may soon end. I am happy and excited for the congregation as they look to God for their new pastoral leadership. I wouldn't dream of dampening their enthusiasm, but I am saddened by the thought of leaving this place and the people God has brought us to.  

The time would come
The appointed time
He said it would

It's not yet good-bye
but it seems
the end of this chapter
is near

Another chapter may open
That is up to God
for us
is the choice
to go on

Sadness comes
But
it's not my wants
nor my desires
but God's ultimate purpose

I should not be
selfish

We here in the interim
between a former time
turned to mourning
and a new time
of rejoicing

We here
to encourage
and rebuild
as God desires

Yet still
sadness comes

Friendships formed
will they remain
or fall away

Remove my sadness Lord
and bring me
to the place You prefer --

a place
of fulfillment
wherever we are
wherever we go

a place
of faithfulness
and obedience

a place
of love
and hope
and truth

a place
where
You
may always
be found

a place
where
You
are
always near
always present.

(c) September 7, 2014

Who made you?!

God does not condemn those who are clothed in His righteousness. Our righteousness only comes to us through the death, burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. God abhors, sourly distastes the use of guilt as a means of motivation among Christians.

I am free
sin removed and given righteousness
through the Lord Jesus Christ

Who made you judge
Who placed the gavel
of sentencing another
in your hand

I am free
I am not perfect
and neither are you

Who made you more righteous
than another

Who instructed you
to tear down
to destroy another
who deserves My love
as much as you

Who made you more important,
more noble, more pure

Who made you less guiltless

You
All of you are sinners
Saved yes
but sinners nonetheless

Don't use your freedom in Me
to motivate your brother and your sister
through their guilt.

They, as you, are sinners saved by grace
My grace

Be loving
Be kind
Be gentle
Be helpful
Be teachers

Be no more
no less

Just be
You are My Child
You and you and you
My Children

Show by example
as My Son
showed you.

(c) September 7, 2014