Category Archives: Poetry

I Pledge My Life

Leave a reply

I love you Lord with all my heart
I live for you with all my soul
I praise your name with all my strength
Renew my mind and make me yours

CHORUS
All that I am. All that I’ll be
Comes from the times I’m at your feet
Bowing before your royal throne
I pledge my life to you alone

I honor you with hands upraised
I worship you as grace endures
I tell the world your mercy reigns
My one desire is to be yours

CHORUS

Now I will rest as peace abounds
Your joy is rolling through my veins
I’ve found a hope that never fails
I bow before your throne again

CHORUS

It is one thing to say I love the Lord. It is quite another to be fully engaged in living for Him and abiding in Him. In polling of adults, 65% of Americans say they are Christian. The number has declined considerably through the years. Put that alongside these numbers: 76% of Americans favor that abortion should stay legal, 63% agree that same-sex marriage is acceptable, 40% of marriages end in divorce and 66% of couple cohabitate before marriage. Add that to the alarming fact that only 37% of people go to church at least one a week, and you can see that we may say we are Christian, but our actions are far from it. Basically, people say they are Christian because they believe in God. They think that’s all it takes to be a Christian. They don’t read their bibles to see that God expects a whole lot more than that out of them. He expects them to take up their cross and follow Him. He expects them to be light and salt to a world that is screaming for help. He says we are blessed if we are poor in spirit, meek, hungry and thirsty for righteousness, merciful, kind and so many other things.

This world is searching for answers like they never have before. If we would all just be Christian to each other, we could change this world. It takes me and you determining to carry out the Father’s will on this earth. That is exactly what Jesus did. Even at a young age He told His parents that he musty be about His Fathers business. Are you about the Fathers business today. Are you preaching the Gospel and reaching others. Are you truly a follower of Christ – a Christian?

2 Timothy 4:2 King James Version
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

Sunrise in June

Leave a reply

There is nothing like the beauty of a sunrise
Nothing like the singing of the birds
Nothing like the golden rays
Bringing forth a brand new day
I can hardly out it into words

I was walking my dog yesterday morning and just knew something glorious was about to happen. I had been out earlier on my own walk, listening to the wonderful worship music of Michael W Smith, when I noticed the crescent moon peeking through the clouds every so often. It was then that I actually started to set out my timing to take the dog. We have a walking trail in town that was laid where an old rail line had been deserted. The trail slices through town from north to south about a half mile from my house. When I walk down the street and turn left to go north on the trail, there is a bench about ¼ mile up that faces east. There is a gap in the bushes and trees to the east of that bench which gives a perfect view of a summer sunrise. I was thrilled when I realized that this day I had timed my walk perfectly to catch one of the more glorious sunrises we have had in a while. I snapped a dozen or so pictures with my phone, and one of them is before your eyes right now.

Are you as amazed as I am at what God can paint in the sky? Changing every second, the beauty He adorns His clouds with is breathless at times. Man can paint a picture of it, but that rarely gives the account of the slow motion changing of the colors. Every minutes the picture changes, giving us an awesome view. Each, day and every day a new painting emerges. Each night the sunset does the same. Creativity abounds in the mind of our God. This creativity also shows itself in the way he answers our prayers. We may not always get the exact answer we want. But He will creatively fill our needs every single time. He does this by utilizing our faith, giving us the power to call into existence those things that are not. He is an awesome God!

Ephesians 3:20 King James Version (KJV)
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

In Christ Alone

Leave a reply

I’ll lift my hand
I’ll lift my voice
In Christ alone
I will rejoice

I’ll bow my head
I’ll bend my knee
In Christ alone
I’ll always be

In Him all sin will be erased
In Him no enemy escapes
In Him all victory is mine
In Him I’ll gladly lose my life

For He is my rock, my sword, my shield
To Christ alone I gladly yield
All of my strength and soul and mind
Giving my heart my life I find

He’ll take me places
Yet unknown
I’ll gladly follow
Christ alone

Why do I even think about dwelling anywhere else but in His presence. Look at this world we are living in right now. We have a virus that is scaring the masses on one side, and violence in our streets on the other. We have disheartening stories about businesses being destroyed and lives being taken for a cause that should b e fought in the individual hearts of men, not in the chambers of our government. This is not a government issues. It’s a heart issue. I heard someone say to me the other day that it would work out best if everyone would just treat people with respect, the way they want to be treated. Now where have I heard that before? The words of Christ ring true. His promises never fail.

I need to spend time in His presence. I need to meditate on the words He spoke. I need to lift up His name in praise. I need to spend time on my knees in prayer, praying for my brothers and sisters in this country who just can’t seem to get it right. I need to pray for government leaders, whether I agree with their policies or not, that they will find the will of God for this great country of ours. I need to allow the Holy Spirit to guide my every step. When I do these things and more, I am walking in Christ. Life will be so much better then!

Leviticus 19:18 New International Version (NIV)
18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Make Time

Leave a reply

I wish that I could find more time to thank you
For all the gracious things you’ve done for me
I couldn’t live another day without you
For your Spirit is the air that I must breathe

I wish that I would take more time to pray to you
For you have answered prayers throughout my life
I’ll lay all of my burdens at your feet, Lord
For I know you that will answer in your time

I wish that I would take more time to listen
For your sweet voice to guide me through the day
I often feel your Spirit gently leading
For He alone knows how to show the way

I wish that I would take more time to be still
For that is when I’ll sense that you are near
I get so busy I can’t seem to find you
When all the time you have been right hear

I wish that I would take more time to praise you
For you are worthy of each word I speak
I moan and groan too often through my failures
When it is you that I should long to seek

I wish that I would take more time to read, Lord
The wonders you have stored up in your Word
I know that life would be so much more peaceful
If I would only trust my heart to yours

All of us find time for the things that are important to us. We tell people we are too busy quite often, but that is only because the thing they are asking is not a priority for us. If what they were asking us to do was something we really wanted to do, we would make the time. Make time? Find time? Wait a minute. I thought time was pretty much set in stone. 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year. It does not change. It never changes. No matter what we do, we cannot change those facts. We cannot lengthen or shorten a second. We cannot make an hour disappear. So how in heaven’s name can we make time or find time? In reality we can’t. But what we can do is rearrange the things we are doing so that a slot of time is opened up to fit another activity in there.

I don’t know about you, bit I need to make more time for God. More time to do all the things listed in this little poem. More time out of my busy day, a day too busy with the things of this world and the cares of this life, and not busy enough to be about my Father’s business. I need to reevaluate my priorities and see if they line up with His. I need to look at the unproductive time in my day and make it productive for Him. It can be done, and it will be done. I do have the time to do that much!

Ephesians 5:14-16 King James Version
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Bump In The Road

Leave a reply

Please reblog this great educational piece from my daughter.

travelingwithbear8812's avatarTraveling With My Bear

This last week I hit a bump in the road when my inverter to my solar system went out. See I travel in my van and I wanted to find a way to make it so I could virtually live off grid. The only way I could think to do this was to install solar panels on the top of my van that would power things like my fridge, fan, and electrical appliances. I ordered the solar panel kit which came with 4 – 100 watt panels, the solar wiring, and the charge controller. I then ordered a 12V deep cycle battery and the inverter separately. I researched how to install and got it all installed using 3M tape instead of drilling any holes. I did want to test it out so I traveled across Iowa for a few weeks to see what I needed to do. These are the…

View original post 451 more words

Not Now

Leave a reply

You come to me softly, calling my name
You ask me if I will do your will today
I say not now Lord, my sin is my game
I have such a hard time removing these chains

You say, Oh my child look around you and see
All the wonders I have laid out just for thee
The sun and the moon, the bird and the bee
How can you choose to have sin and not me

I hear His sweet voice whisper love in my ear
I realize now that it’s God whom I hear
The voice of the enemy soon disappears
I say to my sin, Not now God is here

Then I feel the soft breeze of His wonderful grace
I look for His eyes and the smile on His face
As I lift up my hands and sing out His praise
My sin has now left me and all is erased

Jesus, my Lord is so gracious to me
When I say not now He finds just what I need
A trial or trouble brings me to my knees
He turns my not now into Yes Lord indeed

I find it simply amazing that He could love me. I am an inconsistent brat of a child. I want my own way so often. I fuss and moan and complain when I don’t get what I want. Sometimes I’m like that kid in the grocery store who wants a candy bar but is told no. the cries can be heard throughout the store as the parent drags the child by the arm through the checkout lane, embarrassed by her child’s actions. Discipline is sure to some in some form. Once it is administered, the child comes running to their parent seeking only their love. It is there every time, with arms open wide and a hug for good measure.

God is so patient with me. I may be 68 years young, but I am still a work in progress. There are times I say not now Lord and he sits back and lets me make a mess of things. In the middle of that mess, He comes calling softly, saying He loves me, He wants me, He has forgiven me, He has washed my sins as white as snow. Just when I think I have tested His grace one to many times, He says “My grace is enough for thee.” I feel this rush of new life come inside me as I fall on my knees and seek Him once again, broken and ashamed. Even in my not now moments, He finds me right where I am.

Luke 15:20 King James Version
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

 

Because You Are There

Leave a reply

If I am walking in the mountains
To see the view from atop the highest peaks
Beautiful lush valleys filled with forest leaves
Blue sky above with a wisp of cloud in the distance
The air cool and a slight breeze
As I still myself I can hear your voice
Because you are there

If I am walking in the lowest valley
Lush plants and trees all around me
Flowers springing up wild that provide color
Red, yellow, orange, blue, white
So beautiful
Adorning to the pleasant trail I am walking on
Birds sing their songs of praise from the trees above
Glorious trees springing forth from the lush soil below
A brook gently babbling in the background
The squeal of locusts here and there
As I still myself I hear your voice
Because you are there.

If I am out in the midst of the largest sea
Waves gently rolling
Lapping against the sides of the boat
Rocking it slightly as I sit
A soft breeze keeps the waves coming
It is night and the stars shine brightly
The constellations are all assembled
A shooting star occasionally darts across the sky
There is not a sound to be heard
Except the waves rolling in
So I still myself to hear your voice
Because you are there

No matter where I am
Or what I am doing
No matter what trial I am facing
Or where I need healing
No matter what I might be thinking
Or how I might be running
No matter where my heart is
Or where I think I’m going
No matter how strong I am
Or how prideful I’ve become
No matter what your are there

You are always with me
Always beside me
Always before me
Always behind me
Always for me
Always guiding me
Always healing me
Always helping me
Always providing for me
Always protecting me
Always watching over me
Always my Savior
Always my redeemer
Always my King of Kings
Always my Lord of Lords
Always loving me
Because you are there

There are not many words I can add to what this poem already says. He is with me all the time, every day, everywhere. He will never leave me alone, no matter what stupid things I have done. He is our loving heavenly Father and we are safe in His arms.

Isaiah 43 King James Version
43 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

See His Mercy There

Leave a reply

When I was a young lad I fell right through the ice
My friend was there to rescue after I had gone down twice
Today I would not be here if he had not saved my life
I look back and I see His mercy there

In my teens I wandered and I became a hippie child
I live a carefree life and was always much too wild
One time I flipped my car three times but injuries were mild
I look back and I see His mercy there

At a fifth high school reunion my friend was there again
He told me about Jesus but I turned my back on him
He persisted for I year until I gave my heart to Him
I look back and I see His mercy there

Then two years later traveled fifteen hundred miles
I met a gal who won me by her pretty little smile
God told me marry her after just a short while
I look back and I see His mercy there

After having three great children my pride got in the way
I looked to everyone a saint but I had gone astray
Sin had taken hold on me so I had to go away
I look back and I see His mercy there

So many more examples I could give to you today
I picked these five out because I had a lot say
But the point of all these stories is show you every day
If you look back you can see His mercy there

All of our lives we have been surrounded by His mercy. It has never left us just as he has never left us. His mercies are new every morning because He is faithful. He does not have to make the sun rise or bring the cooling breeze. He does not have to make the stars to shine or the moon to glow. He does not have to give us breath, or light, or anything else for that matter. After all, he is all powerful, and we are completely unworthy of anything he supplies. We have not earned any of the riches and blessings He gives us. We are only deserving of death because we all have sinned and come short of His glory. We sin when we disobey His commands. We are field with sin from our mothers womb and it manifests itself as we get older. We make a decision to disobey and sin is at the door. But God, in His great mercy, sent His Son to die for us and take away that sin. He had mercy on us then and he continues to have mercy on us today. What a glorious God we serve!

Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV
It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

I Cry Out

Leave a reply

I cry out in the desert
I cry out in the valley
I cry out in the darkness
I cry out in the deep

I cry out when I’m lonely
I cry out when I’m sad
I cry out when in sorrow
I cry out when I’m bad

You incline your ear to me
When I’m filled with misery
You pour out your loving grace
When I cry out with my praise

Holy, holy Lord I love you
Holy, holy Lord I praise you
Holy, holy Lord I worship
All my heart I give to you

It may seem sometimes to the reader that I must have it all together. I read your comments on these words and I am humbled and blessed that they touch you the way they do. I give God glory for using me as a fountain to pour out these writings to you. But that is all I am. A vessel that is overflowing with praise so much that these words just spill out as I sit at my computer. When I went through my cancer battle I learned to listen to His voice, and He started giving me these words. They reflect my life though, my thoughts, my desires, my heart. Only God knows my heart. Only he can bring these things out of it. Only he can bring the truth out.

The truth is I am a sinner saved by grace, just like you. I have the same struggles and maybe more. The truth is I am not near as close to God as I would like to be. The truth is I cry out to Him often. Then I remember that the psalmist says God inclines His ear to me. Like a loving Father, He stoops down and outs His ear near my lips to make sure He can hear every syllable I speak. He cares so much for me that He wants me to come running to Him. He wants me to communicate my deepest fears and failures. Then he will lift me out of that place and pout me back on solid ground, back within the walls of His fortress. He loves me so much. He loves you so much!

Psalm 116:2 King James version
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.