Category Archives: Ministry

Love Like Jesus Loved

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To love like Jesus loved we have to love them all the same
It doesn’t matter where there from or how they spell their name
Thin or tall, large or short their size is not an issue
Neither is the color of their skin or what they’ve been through

To love like Jesus loved we must remember who we are
Sinners that are saved by grace because we gave our heart
No one deserves His grace at all especially not me
Who am I to keep that grace when He says set it free

To love like Jesus loved means to reach out every day
We must give all we have to those who need to find their way
We cannot pick and choose who comes across our daily path
Each person that we meet is someone He has planted there

To love like Jesus loved means to put away our pride
It means that when we get put down we take it all in stride
It means that grace is over all and mercy rules the day
It means that when someone needs help we take the time to pray

To love like Jesus loved is not an option we can shun
He gave us His command that we must reach to everyone
So let’s get busy church and do the bidding of the Lord
Because to love like Jesus loved is what He truly called us for

Lonely People

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I walk into the church here in Iowa
Waiting for the choir to begin
I settled into the back as I always do
And an elderly gentleman walks in

I have seen him here before, but it had been a while
His appearance seems to drive some folks away
I was sitting in the pew on the other side
As the congregation starts to sing God's praise

Why are there so many lonely people
In a country where so many claim to know
That Christ came for the Lost
And He paid such a cost
Now our mission is His love to show

As I sang I couldn't help but notice him
Tears were welling up with in his eyes
His feeble voice did lift his praise to Christ the King
I sensed His heart was breaking inside

The worship service came to a mighty end
The sermon was inspiring to all
As the pastor gave an altar call prepared that day
The old man slowly walked down the aisle

Why are there so many lonely people
In a country where so many claim to know
That Christ came for the Lost
And He paid such a cost
Now our mission is His love to show

A sudden urge came over me to join him there
So I went and knelt beside him for a while
He was weeping as he bowed his head in silent prayer
Then he turned and looked at me with a smile

He said “Son, my wife passed on 5 years ago
And I was blaming God that she was gone
But this morning I awoke and felt the Holy Spirit call
And I knew that God had loved me all along

I hadn’t been to church
For all those many years
And when I heard the choir sing, I was so blessed
For God to still love me
When I had turned on Him
Overwhelmed me and brought me to His rest"

We left the church that morning as friends
And vowed that we would keep in touch through time
I thanked the Lord He’d given me this day to realize
That a simple deed can change a person’s life

Let’s all try to look for lonely people
And ask the Lord what he would have us do
His mission is the same
His love will never change
He desire is to reach them through you

A Reminder

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Many of you have been faithful followers for years, and may have wondered where I have gone, since I have not posted on this site since April. I have not stopped writing, I assure you. I have merely decided to post my poetry and some other content on my own website at petegardner.net. This website is a hub for all of the various projects the Lord has me working on. So there are links to my YouTube channel, my Bible study page, my church’s Facebook page and others. There is also a link to my cancer testimony and to my book on Amazon.

I hope you will add this page top your reader and see what the Lord continues to pout into my head. I look forward to seeing you there.

My Part

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 I often sit and wonder,
 In my quiet little place –
 If this love will last forever,
 And a smile comes on my face.
  
 Again, this is so different – 
 The feelings are immense,
 My first life has been spent
 Without question of expense.
  
 I can feel his love so deeply
 In my heart throughout the day,
 And I know that I will always be
 Walking in his Holy way.
  
 And I truly thank you Lord of all
 For the love you bring within;
 I have heard your true and Holy call,
 I will never turn again.
  
 You fill my life with joy
 In a world where I was lost,
 I no longer feel that I’m a boy – 
 I’m a man; I’ve paid the cost.
  
 Now Jesus lives within me,
 And a love does fill my heart
 That I wish to share with all of you
 To fulfill my rightful part. 

(Note: This poem was written back in 2002 and never posted.  The Lord led me to this today and said to post it for you.)

The Voice of My Heart

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 What does it matter Lord?  Why am I here?
 What is my purpose Lord?  Please make it clear.
 I’m praying daily and hoping you hear
 The voice of my heart cries out.
  
 What does it mean that I write these words?
 What is your will for the thoughts of this verse?
 I try to listen.  Each day I am yours
 The voice of my heart cries out.
  
 Hearing your voice means more to me
 Than what I should smell or what I should eat.
 Whenever I hear your voice start to speak
 I sit down and write your words
  
 I pray that these words will bring comfort to all
 No matter how big.  No matter how small,
 That these words my keep them from having a fall
 Drawing them closer to you
  
 So I end this verse by giving you praise
 I lift up my voice and my heart is raised
 Jesus I worship your wonderful name
 The voice of my heart cries out
  
 I try to explain to people that I don’t just write poetry to have something to do.  I don’t write it because I have something to say.  I don’t write it because it’s a passion of mine.  I have written poetry since I was in high school.  It has been something inside me for over 50 years.   Then it was my thoughts, my imagination, my words.  It became like a journal of the struggles I was having in my youth.  I wish I had keep them all, but I did not.
  
 Now it is different because I write what the Lord dictates to me.  Usually it starts with a word, or a line, or a whole stanza.  When I hear it, I sit down and start typing and don’t stop until he stops talking.  It may sound like my lament, or my questions, but I think God has a bigger purpose in each one of these psalms.  All I am is a vessel.  That is why I am here.
  
 2 Timothy 2:20-21 King James Version
  
 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
  
  
The Believers Life

Go and Do

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Do you wonder who you are
or what you should do
if you are a Christian?
Do you wonder what His plan is
or what His will is
for your life?
The answer is clearly written
Clearly spelled out
In His word

You are the salt of the earth
The light of the world
The hope of nations
You are a child of the king
Adopted into God’s family
An heir of His blessing
You are a royal priest
A peculiar person
A chosen generation
You are washed in the blood
Redeemed by the Lamb
Unto good works

Your mission is to preach the gospel
Unto all the earth
Baptizing as you go
Heal the sick
Bring sight to the blind
Open the deaf ears and dumb mouths
Let your light shine
So all may see your good works
And glorify God
You are to be meek
poor in spirit
hungry and thirsty for righteousness
Peacemakers
Mournful over sin
Reapers of the harvest
You are to speak
words of edification
That will minister grace
You are to show
love to your enemy
joy in the midst of trials
You are to forgive
all who may wrong you
and not be offended
You are to love
without hypocrisy
unconditionally
You are to bear all things
Believe all things
Hope all things
Endure all things
You are not to be proud
Or backbiters
Or gossipers
You are to be pure just
‘ Honest and true
Virtuous and full of praise

All of these things and many more
Are found in His word
A letter of love to you
If you’re looking for your purpose
It is already written
Now Go and Do!

My Mission 

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I looked out to the world

To see what there would be

And everwhere I looked

I saw pain and misery

There was no understanding

Compassion seemed misplaced

People were elusive 

They would lie right to my face

Then I looked to God

To see what I would see

His mercy and His grace

Did flow abundantly 

I saw it streaming to me 

Like rays shine from the sun

The blessings that they brought me

Did lift my heart in song 

I asked the Lord to show me

How this blessing could reach out 

To those who only saw the world 

Missing out on God above

He told me that’s my mission 

My calling from above

To share with everyone I know

The message of His love

I must admit I’ve faltered

At this task He’s given me

From this day forth I promise

This mission will drive me

My Offering

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I offer you my life, my heart, my soul

I offer you myself, dear Lord

I offer you my praise, my words, my mind

I give it all to you, my Lord

 

It’s my offering of praise

The worship of my heart

All I have I give to you

I lift up holy hands

I lift my voice in song

All I have I give to you

 

I offer you today, tomorrow and all time

To use me as your vessel, Lord

I offer you each hour, each minute of my day

Fill me with your love, oh Lord

 

Everything I have

Everything I am

All of it is yours

Lead me in your plan

All that I can do

All that I can say

I offer it to you

Use me, Lord, today

 

It’s my offering of praise

The worship of my heart

All I have I give to you

I lift up holy hands

I lift my voice in song

All I have I give to you

Touch The Lord

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I see the Lord

Most every day

He’s right beside me

As I pray

He walks with me

Along the way

He’s everywhere I go

 

When I see someone

Steeped in pain

I see the Lord

Inside of Him

I go and pray

That health would win

And I have touched my Lord

 

If someone’s feeble

In their home

And I go visit

When their alone

They brighten up

That someone comes

And I have touched my Lord

 

Jesus said that when we touch

One of His children, him we touch

He asks us to go out of our way

To make a difference in the world today

 

If one’s in prison

For their crime

And I go visit

And give my time

It cheers them up

They glad I came

And I have touched my Lord

 

Do you see Jesus

As you walk

In other people

In the park

He’s right there

Inside their heart

Waiting for a touch

 

Open your eyes

To others needs

And soon you’ll see

Their needs are real

It’s up to you

To help them heal

Your time to touch the Lord

Lending the Light

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A birthday cake is always fun

When children are involved

Their faces will light up the room

As the we sing a familiar song

 

The candle count goes with their years

They are lit and shining bright

The light reflects in the child’s eyes

As they blow them out of sight

 

But much more important is the light

That my candle shines each day

The love of Jesus in my heart

Must show others the way

 

And I must guard real closely

That it never gets blown out

Because that child depends on me

To know what God’s about

 

Keep your candle burning

Let it always lend it’s light

To those who need a Savior

Let it shine both day and night

 

 

 

In response to the daily prompt  Candle