Greetings fellow poets in Christ. Themessagefromgod.com is a website that addresses the realities and challenges of Christian living and encourages Christians to live by Spiritual Wisdom and integrity. I pray that you will visit the site and find it worthy and will consider becoming a poem contributor (See the Call for Contributors link). God Bless you for your work in His service. C. Price.

OUR DESIRE IN LIFE
Should be to please God first
Fulfilling God’s purpose
Will quench our thirst

For the things of the world
And the world’s acclaim
And God will reward you
For glorifying his name

You’ll trade a life of wages
For a life of service
And a life of discontentment
For a life of purpose

Seek him early
In the choices you make
If you heed his voice
Your destiny, He will create

~ Carletta Price ~


THE ROAD TO SUCCESS
Is not corporate acclaim
Or great personal achievement
Or accolades or fame

To be successful
We must first die to self
Put God’s will first
Place our will on the shelf

We become His clay
He shapes us with His hands
His glory is our desire
To obey his commands
And take up our cross
According to His plans

God will bless us
Because our love is fervent
We are now successful
A good and faithful servant

~ Carletta Price ~


GOD LEFT US A ROAD MAP
His Word is that indeed
Giving cautions and stops
Turn around and proceed

He does not need our help
But he expects us to heed
The roadmap that he left us
To direct our deeds

It is our reasonable service
In this life we live
To use the wisdom
That God so freely gives

He points to the narrow way
If we would just obey
We could avoid many situations
In our lives today

~ Carletta Price ~


TEMPTATION
A magnet if you will
A desire of the flesh
A very poison pill

Pleasant to the tongue
Easy to swallow
But once inside
You’ll begin to hollow

Emptied of the Spirit
Headed for the fire
Stepping in its center
Lured by your desire

Temptation only grows
Where there’s fertile soil
A place in our heart
Caught in Satan’s turmoil

We must kill it quickly
Time is strength and power
The longer that it lives
It gains power to devour

It will lead us into Hell
A heated place in life
You will have to endure
The consequences and strife

We must be watchful
When we might fall prey
And turn towards God
Seeking healing for our way

The battle is fought
In our heart and mind
Put on the whole armor of God
And break Satan’s bind

~ Carletta Price ~


THE SHEEP ARE ALL SCATTERED
Many have gone astray
We must do our part
To save them from their way
Christ has gone home
Now we must represent
Our Lord and Our Savior
To the sheep whom we are sent
Speak on His behalf
Pray the sheep will hear
His voice from within you
Drawing them near
Near into salvation
And eternal life
When this world is over
The end of pain and strife
If we don’t do our part
Many may be lost
Each one of us
Will
Have to share the cost

~ Carletta Price ~

AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

Our Father who is in Heaven
Hallowed be your name
Your Kingdom come, your will be done,
But life goes on just the same.
Lord I want, no, I need, your Kingdom to come,
And not just in me but everyone.
The darkness around me is laid to my shame,
The darkness of sorrow, sickness and pain.
I want the sick healed and the blind and the lame,
Healed to your glory, healed through your name.
For surely this purpose you came down and died,
For surely this purpose you live, glorified.
So Lord, in my life, have your own way,
Break me, knead me, mould me as clay,
Make me your salt, your light and your leaven,
That your Kingdom come, your will be done,
On earth as it is in Heaven.

~ Ray Stephens ~
England

Proverbs 19:11, NIV
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

The little slight, the initiated fight,
The cross words for no reason,
The unwelcome look, a trespass took,
Words spoken out of season…

Lord, forgive them for they do not know
Quite what they say, what they do,
Let your example on the cross
Be the one that we look to…

May it be our cross to bear,
We can turn our cheek,
May they be surprised by grace,
For You ask us to be meek…

To lay down our rights, our pride,
Without revenge or recompense,
You have told us in Your Word,
It's our glory to overlook an offense.

~ Cindy J. Evans ~
Duluth, Georgia

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD

Be still and know that I am God
A God that can deliver
And give you Joy like a river

Be still and know that I am God
With conviction, he will let you know
Right from wrong
And in your heart God will
Give you a new song

Be still and know that I am God
With my voice, I will Praise God in advance
I know that he will give me a second chance

Be still and know that I am God
In Psalms 23, the Bible says, The Lord is my Shepard
With God I have a track record

Be still and know that I am God
The Bible says to rebuke the devil and he will flee
Pray that God will give you
Discernment to see

Be still and know that I am God
The Lord gave you the Power
To cast the devil out
Lift up your hands, and Praise
The Lord with a shout

Be still and know that I am God

~ Celes Mickle ~
Massachusetts

CITY OF STONES

City of names, city of stones
City of stories and bones
Citizens waiting to reap what they’ve done
They’re waiting to stand at the throne

There is a pillar to someone of fame
The trumpet will sound his blame
Here is a stone for someone unknown
She’s bound for a shining home

It is better to go to a house in grief
Than go to a house to feast
‘Cause that is the end of every soul
And the wise man breathes it deep

City of stones blanket the hill
Silent it screams a demand
The fire will test the work of your hand
The fire will prove your plan

He is no fool who abandons the vain
To get what he can not lose
All will be sifted and weighed on the scale
Your prize will be just what you choose

No one can fathom the power to come
No one can stand in the wrath
Drag in the serpent, bring him about
Into the fiery bath

City of ash, city of dust
Kiss the Lion or perish you must
The reckoning soon will be righteous and just
Who is the prophet you trust?

The Fury of heaven is bringing a sword
Vengeance will be complete
Every knee breaks at the thunderous Word
The sickle will spare the wheat

City of names, city of stones
Should the sky part will you be alone?
Will you bide there in the guilty ground?
Open the book, can your name be found?
Yourself or the Son, who do you trust?
The reckoning soon will be righteous and just

© 2011 Dan Baker
Indiana

Here are three short poems written by Lang Leav.

HE AND I

When words run dry,
He does not try,
nor do I.

We are on par.

He just is,
I just am,
and we just are.

 ~ Lang Leav ~


BEFORE THERE WAS YOU

When I use to look above
all I saw was sky;
and every song that I would sing
I sung not knowing why.

All I felt and all I thought
was only just because;
never was it ever You
until it was all there was.

~ Lang Leav ~


~ A DEDICATION ~

She lends her pen
to thoughts of Him
that flow from it in her solitary.

For she is his poet
and he is her poetry.

~ Lang Leav ~

THERE IS A PLACE I GO TO

Where whispers boom in subtle tones, though heard not by an idle ear
And rivers flow while standing still, and carve not canyons through the years
Where skies exhale tremendous breath, though stir not leaves upon the tree
And rest unspoiled throughout all time, with strength replenished endlessly
Where the sun shall rise and set all day, to eyes un-ceased with sight
And darkness brings not worried thought, and subtly blends with light
Where spirits drift, as soft snowflakes, and light upon my skin
And as they loose my fettered soul , they set afloat again
Where Holy Ghosts proceed in Faith, the Father and the Son
And gardens grow where prophets stood, an Eden for each one
Where Samuel rests while Eli speaks, and Aaron takes my hand
And leads me to a Holy Bush un-scorched upon the land
Where Shadrach has un-girthed his loins, by faith maintained un-singed
And Paul has written many times, and lists me amongst friends
Where Daniel soothes the lion brood, and commands me to stay brave
And Elijah brings me in to rest, within Mt. Carmel’s caves
Where Peter calls me out by name in search of my account
And takes me to three Holy Men aligned upon the Mount
Where Jesus walks and guarantees that all my needs are met
And I can sit and hear him speak in the groves of Olivet
Where I am young in heart and mind, and have not thoughts of pain
And Noah walks beside my path, and shelters me from rain
Where Abram’s faith we all possess, and bring forth tribes of Kings
And John has chosen ‘ME’ to show, a multitude of things
Where James has sent a simple note, delivered by a dove
And what it says in four brief words, “Remember to Show Love”
Where “Whither thou goest, I will go”, is the message of the day
And I take the time to laugh in joy, as Cain and Abel play
Where calm has come, the trumpets’ blare has given way to peace
And Joshua, the Son of Nun, can finally rest his feet
Where Job shall knock upon my door, a smile highlights his face
And the Curtain torn reveals the world as one large Holy Place
Where Jacob’s ladder guides the way, directly to the throne
And I can wrestle with the Angels, when we are left alone
Where Prodigal Sons shall all come home, and Prodigal Daughters too
And John the Baptist lays us under, to heal the family wound
Where Solomon can call my name, and I shall heed his call
And stand in line to place my stone, within the Temple Wall
Where blessed by God to stitch upon the Tabernacle Tents
And pitch these all across the land in new-found covenants
Where ichael need to argue not, the nature of my soul
And only words confessed in Christ, eternally shall flow
Where Ezra prays, not self-abased, for holiness is sought
And we can visit synagogues where Christ the Child once taught
Where I can help to spread the Word, suppressed by brewing hate
And calm the crowd, extend my hand, lead Stephen from his fate
Where breath is felt upon my nape, as Gabriel passes by
And faith renews abundant life, and joy can make me cry
Where alone I am, when I choose to be, unburdened once tears are shed
This is the place I like to go, this place within my head

~ Kevin L. Wince ~
USA

Here are several poems written by 21 year old Elijah Sims from California.

INTO THE HANDS OF SINNERS WAS MY MASTER BETRAY'D

(Taken from Matthew 26:45).

Into the hands of sinners was my Master betray'd,
With tears a-dripping and thoughts bewray'd;
Void of smile, shut up for a while,
And on His knees, He bow'd and pray'd.

Canst thou with ears hear His cries,
As moths on garments, consuming the night?
The silver glow of the moon's bright bow
Illumined His sorrowful soul's plight.

That cup o' trembling, that cup o' wrath
Fill'd His heart as a blood-fill'd bath!
O, the distress! But nevertheless
Was it drank for sinner's righteous path.

On His feet Jesus took His stand,
According as His Father had plann'd.
But lo, at last it came to past,
Him they took into their woeful hands.

~ Elijah Sims ~


O JESUS, JESUS, ALL TO THEE!

O Jesus, Jesus, all to Thee!
My hands, for labor Thine;
Take this faith of mustard seed
And plant it in Thy vine.

Stay the fox of spoiling tread
Which mar the pleasant fruit;
Strike the unyielding branch as dead
Which in thee takes no root.

Thy gentle love embraceth me,
Thy warm-enclosing grace!
Thy rock’s-cleft hedge formed from Thee
That I may behold Thy face.

O glorious Jesus! High and divine,
How wonderful Thou art!
Forever I lift my hands to praise Thee;
Bright and Morning Star!

As the hart panteth the waters by,
My heart panteth after Thee;
Look up, thou fleeting life of mine,
Ascend to His great majesty.

As smoke from burning coals arise
To champion incense about His throne,
Savor for my Saviour, be not despised;
Thou ascendest to Him, and Him alone.

Could Eye, in sleeping wonder wake
When my Redeemer calls?
Could earth, with gaping mouth intake
The rain of mercy that falls?

Then shall my prayers as odours sweet
Perfume the nightly sky:
Bestow my gifts at my Master’s feet
Who blesseth me by and by.

Let mercy as the rivers flow
Like ardent springs of life;
Thy hand of tenderness doth show
As a husband doth His wife.

Into the Everlasting’s hand
I cling with grip-tight hope;
Flee my desires to seek Thy commands,
More favorable in scope.

Look here now at the Saviour’s hands,
The nail-print indentures of love!
When life arouses troubling bands,
I seek my help from above.

Bruised for my iniquities' sake,
No balm could heal His wounds;
For sinners, their chastisement take
The Father’s striking blows.

From henceforth came the crimson tide
From Calvary’s fatal wood;
All heaven knelt as Jesus stood
As waters to the shores subside.

Meet me at the tarrying brook
When dawning breaketh day;
The gleaming Sun o’er yonder took
And thawed my sins away!

O Jesus, Jesus, all to Thee!
The summation of my life’s story;
Count all but loss, my life shall be:
To God, be all the glory!

~ Elijah Sims ~


WHILE SILENCE HANGS IN CLOUDLESS NIGHT

While silence hangs in cloudless night,
I to Thy divine bosom take flight;
In darkness spills o’er all Thy light
Til all that’s vain is gone from sight.

Crowns are wreathed upon Thy brow;
In flames of fire Thine red eyes see
A heart prepared for Mercy’s plow,
And all that’s good, Thou givest me.

…But lo! Cast away Thy glance!
For my nature’s tamed in sin’s arrest;
The Lamb hath died and broke my bands;
Pardoned, Free, O sacred rest!

Now holy prayers are freely made;
Do shine, O Lord, my heart make cheer.
And if all mortal glories fade,
Do shine, O Lord, my heart draw near.

~ Elijah Sims ~


THERE IS A REFUGE THE WATERS O'ER

There is a Refuge the waters o’er,
Where many a-scurried sailors go;
The hill, where Zion’s planted on shore,
Where edged tides cease their ebb and flow.

Thereby gleams the brilliant Sun,
Steadfast in awe-gazing poise;
Two eyes fair no more than one,
For single-eyed hearts bid men rejoice.

Look on now! Unmov’d is He,
Dressed in royal, splendid light!
Wherefore unfix thine eyes to see
The eerie, Sunless, evil night?

Hold not back! Do press on still
Unto the Christ’s serenity!
His feet to bow at Zion’s hill;
Leave off thy pale solemnity!

~ Elijah Sims ~


BLESSED ROCK, UNMOV'D IS HE!

Blessed Rock, Unmov’d is He!
Firmer than any ancient stone;
Prince of Peace from Galilee,
Steadfast still, til time is done.

Then said I unto my soul,
‘As He is, then shall I be!’
Then said I unto my soul,
‘As He is, then shall I be!’

Blessed Rock, elect and tried!
Disallow’d indeed of men;
God’s exalted Cleft to hide
Those whom Thou hast called His friend!

Then said I unto my soul,
‘As He is, then shall I be!’
Then said I unto my soul,
‘As He is, then shall I be!’

Blessed Rock, smitten of foes!
But hence the fount of blood that flows;
Sinners come, behold the springs
This Blessed Rock of ages brings!

Then said I unto my soul,
‘As He is, then shall I be!’
Then said I unto my soul,
‘As He is, then shall I be!’

(Alternative ending)
Blessed Rock, smitten of foes!
Dire pain and wailful woes;
But lo, the fount of blood that flows
And cleanseth sins where’er it goes!

~ Elijah Sims ~


DREAMS OF MEN - SONNET

When I do consider the dreams of men -
As dreams do often have their scores with kings,
Who would shatter the moon with a fervent pen -
I say I am frightened of what they bring.
If they be for self-profit and self-use,
Such ardent beasts musn't be watch'd by the blind.
Wintry times of the past ignite a fuse
And conceive demons that dwell in the mind.
And yet, perchance, there is a fairer hue,
Opposing the shadow'd dream's visage taint
Whose arbitrary effects in time due
Will cover the world in its darling paint.
So now to reconsider, dreams be glee,
But not if darkness resides within thee.

~ Elijah Sims ~

OUR NEIGHBORS

Life is not just about me, it's about each other
It's not about you, it's about one another
Life is to love and care about each other
Is it your enemy, friend, sister or brother!

It's about our neighbors that Jesus told us to love
Look to your right, left, front, back, down and above
Do you see someone who needs your help to fare?
Or don't you have a heart that really cares.

If you don't love your neighbors you don't love God
Your heart is cold then you need our Savior as you trod
To change your heart to loving and kind
Like he turned water into wine!

It's about that special love that comes from above
If you walk with Jesus you will have enough
To share with your neighbors with a heartfelt soul
It's a love that changes hearts that are cold.

Love is not just taken, it's giving from the heart
It's a wholesome pack that God created from the start
When you do unto your neighbors as you do unto you
That is the meaning of love that Jesus teach us to do.

Life is about one another to love, share and care
Giving each other a helping to fare
In health and sickness, a smile, a touch
Kind words and loving actions, that is how much.

~ Rosalene Wurtz ~

MANY WANT YOUR ATTENTION

Many want your attention for one reason or another;
But God is the only one who will be your true Lover.
Jesus calls to us again and again;
Hoping just for a moment of our attention.
Do we heed His calling and find what we need?
There is so much I can give you; Jesus sighs with a tear.
As we work to build our hopes here…

~ Jessica Potter ~

Here are three poems from a lady who pens herself with the nickname StrngWmnNChrst.

UNCLEAN

Unclean, unclean
I am unclean

In the light of His word
I am beheld and seen

A light shone on my weaknesses and sin
The realization of it all, weighs deep within

But, thank God for Jesus and his gift of life
I have a way out and didn’t have to pay the price

Washed in His blood
My sin taken away

Cleansed by His power
To the devil’s dismay

Unclean, unclean
No longer unclean

I can now proudly stand, beheld and seen

~ StrngWmnNChrst ~
 

THERE IS HOPE

In the morning when I rise
Even as I open my eyes
Help me to realize
There is Hope.

As I prepare for the day ahead
Even as I make my bed
And thinking of the challenges ahead
There is Hope.

So you say you want to die
Life is not worth living
Stop for a minute, take a closer look
And see the progress you’re making

Obstacles and challenges we must face each day
But refusing to deal with them will not make it go away
Giving up is so easy, anyone can do it
But it takes a strong person to face life and get through it

They say the grass is greener on the other side
This may be true
But don’t hate where you are now
And let it make you blue

Timing is everything
Don’t despise your beginnings
Take inventory of your life
And see how much you’re winning

Yes times are hard, yes times are tough
But there is coming a time when God will say
Enough is enough

Know that God loves you and He has a plan
Just be a bit more patient and take a stand

Don’t ever give up, don’t you ever give in
Listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying deep within

There is hope for today and hope for tomorrow
There is hope for lives filled with sorrow

So rise up each day with hope
Even if there will be obstacles to face
Just know that tomorrow will be filled with new grace

I’ve said it before and I will say it again
There is hope if you’ll believe it, and just know you’re going to win

~ StrngWmnNChrst ~


IN THE ARMS OF MEN

In the arms of men, I look for love
In the arms of men, I put aside the one above

In the arms of men, I think will bring me peace
But in the arms of men, there is no release

In the arms of men, I let go
In the arms of men, I put on a show

Who is this person and does she even know?
That in the arms of these men, she’s put down so low

In the arms of men, I look to satisfy
This longing within and that’s no lie

The longing is strong; it makes me feel powerless
The longing is strong; I don’t know how to get over it

So to the arms of men I run, hoping to find rest
Yet in the arms of men, I’m more of a mess

Lord, your arms are strong
Lord, your arms are true
So Lord with everything in me; I will run to You

Save me Lord and heal me
Show me who I am
So I will never run again
Into the arms of men

~ StrngWmnNChrst ~

MY HEART IS NO LONGER MINE

My heart is no longer mine
For what they see in me is divine,
In my darkness, his light came to shine;
And his perfect strength made me fine.

The love of God is so strong, it cannot decline,
And for his mercies, words fail me,
I cannot define;
I was down, I was out of line,
But He rescued and transformed me into the sublime.

This I have seen and have taken as a good sign,
that God is with me,
all the time...

~ Kingsley Ayi ~

The author of the following poem, Gerald Bergeron from Grand Rapids, has written over 300 poems. He also has a great Christian website for you to visit at www.geraldsbooks.com. On his good looking site you can also read many of his well-written poems on a variety of topics.

GOD’S PUZZLE

The bible is like a puzzle, each piece contains a plan. With the sixty-six pieces in this puzzle, the outcome is so grand.

Many authors added their pieces, inspired to write God’s design. God was the one who gave them the pieces, so that each one would fall in line.

Not even one piece could be missing, or His plan could not be complete. However, they beautifully came together, and the plan was oh so sweet.

Still men kept trying to change the pieces, to the way they wanted them to fit. It made the pieces harder to see, so the plan they could not get.

They cut away the good stuff, and they added of their own. They could not see where God had warned them, to leave His plan alone.

Darkness quickly filled the place, and the design they could not view. The puzzle God had given them, they replaced with something new.

However, God still kept His plan intact, His puzzle still complete. Those who were now His enemy’s would be crushed beneath His feet.

While all who took His plan to heart, and accepted His gift of grace. Could gaze upon His wonderful puzzle, and clearly see His face.

It started with the fall of man, and every puzzle piece now would cost. When He put the final piece in place, His plan would save the lost.

For there in this picture laid out in His puzzle, a cross came into sight. There on that cross was the Son of God, and the puzzle filled with light.

Then as you looked more closely, the pieces changed again. A Stream of blood flowed from the Lord, to wash away all sin.

Many people have viewed this puzzle, to try to see His plan. Yet they missed the most important piece, which was at the Father’s right hand.

One day that piece will finally return, and the puzzle will be so sweet. Then the world will see the truth at last, God’s plan will be complete.

Gerald Bergeron
www.geraldsbooks.com

APART

The darkness has come
but it cannot efface,
the passionate heart
or the empty space
that is left
when you're not beside me.

Light burns strong from
Our God who sees,
and dispels the darkness
as I'm on my knees.
Oh to see your face in His face.

~ Martin Hartigan ~

EVERYTHING IS TRUE!

Here is a poem; one that I want you to read.
There is something I want; it is for you to succeed.
There's an emotion of yours that I want to feed.
It's your love; and it's important to me indeed!

So why do I want your love you might say?
Because without me, your life will be gray.
But if you accept me, in your heart I will stay.
And your future will be; a never ending day!

So call on me now, I will be waiting to hear;
Your humble voice, then I will bring you near.
There is one more thing, let's make this clear!
I have always loved you; to me you are so dear!

Now you might not feel the way that I do;
To come into my presence, may be something new.
But when you're with me, EVERYTHING IS TRUE!
My name is JESUS CHRIST; and I DIED FOR YOU!

~ James Andrew Feather 1st ~

SALVATION

Salvation's something we all need;
First we must fight against life's greed.
We seem to hurry, and want more speed;
Lord, slow us down to plant your seed.

We cannot help you in this fight;
If we don't give, you all our might!
Satan really wants to hurt us all;
He gets a laugh when he makes us fall.

But you don't leave yours on the ground;
Because your love is more than sound!
Now when you're near, Satan can't be found;
And in the end, our joy will abound!

So teach us Lord, how to obey;
Your words of wisdom, we need today.
The war is not over, there's more to do;
Hell is for real; and thankfully Heaven is too!

~ James Andrew Feather 1st ~


MY HOPE IS IN YOU

There are a lot of things, that should not be;
Sins without remorse, temptation for a fee!
To lie, cheat, and steal, is acceptable you see;
Some do whatever it takes, to receive their glee!

Poverty is expanding; the rich do not care;
Crime is getting worse, security just is not there!
Disease is spreading, I know we must beware;
The way the world is going, truly is a scare!

Not everyone lives this way; and I have found;
That your Hope and Love, is still here all around!
You have so many children, whose Love is sound;
Who want to help; for this deed, they are bound!

Now there's a life, that's going to be new;
Sin is not a part of it, bad things you cannot do!
Happiness is how you will feel, and never blue;
I know that I am going Jesus; because
my Hope Is In YOU!

~ James Andrew Feather 1st ~

GRASPING FOR EXPRESSION

I remember filling up and falling down to my knees
When Your love anew came over me
Gasping for air and grasping for expression
Long after I was born again

Desperate, frustrated and trying to earn it
Inadvertently, I almost spurned it
Till Your love cascaded over me
And finally…through me
Like bathing in a lightfall

Step down from golden throne through stars?
To take on flesh and pain .. be marred?
To feel the sting of broken nature
I cannot but worship this humble posture

Not just forgive but love your enemies?
Pray for the religious, rebellious murderer?
Touch the leper, comfort the prostitute
And even forgive the one who prostituted her?

You would heal Malchus’ ear
So that he could hear
You say, “Permit even this”
How deep, how wide, how long, how high
Is this love? Four dimensions –
A hint, perhaps, that it is beyond comprehension
And beyond condition – but not beyond the malnutrition
Of our starved and thirsty heart.

It takes both a father and a mother’s heart
To fully express how kind “Thou art”
To take back a wayward child
Though proud, rebellious and wild
Not even a lecture to hear?
No.
Just an embrace… .and a tear.
What love is this?

~ Joseph Harder ~
British Columbia


INVISIBLE DISEASE

An invisible disease has stricken me
An invisible disease is all I see
Some days
Not only cannot they see
This disease that has stricken me
But they cannot perceive, understand or believe
For experience seems to be the only way
That others can fully say
The oft miss said “I understand”
Not even half the man I used to be
I work harder , push further , endure longer…
Just to seem… below average
Sometimes I cannot begin to understand the misunderstanding
Of the ailments that have been allowed my way
The locust that eats my day
Yet I am no worse off, or worse , than any other man
Despite the voices that say I am
I am not a victim
I am, in fact, a victor… through Him
I am more than a conqueror in my weakness
Than Caesar or Alexander in their greatness
Because of Him
And the blessings I see when I have clarity
Well, That is far more than enough for me
Like Jean Valjean
I have experienced grace
It invaded me
It took my place
For all Eternity – Blessed be
But also day by day – how sweet

~ Joseph Harder ~
British Columbia

OUR COUNTRY'S SOUL IS BEING “TORN APART”

The very soul of America is being “torn apart.”
It’s a problem that’s striking at our very heart.

There’s a “blowing wind.” A “time for change.”
As the country’s moral fabric is being “rearranged.”

As many question what the true meaning of life is for…
Many don’t seem to know what’s wrong or right anymore!

As so much pornography is allowed into our homes…
The moral decay is “eating” right at “the bones.”

Many have a hard time “defining what marriage is.”
So many are really “messed up” in how they live!

The news seems to be “fascinated” by man’s depravity…
Leaving a huge vacuum of a monstrous “moral cavity.”

Many who attend church want what’s “soothing to their ears.”
A God of holiness and righteousness is what they “fear!”

As we look around as to what our society is becoming…
God’s judgement is soon! It is surely coming!

We must come back and leave all of our “false idols!”
We must come back to the God of the Bible!

Jesus must be our cord of love the forever binds!
It’s only in him can we find true love for our minds!

It’s only in Jesus that we can find a purpose and meaning!
It’s only in him that we need to put our trust and start believing!

He is and always will be the right choice to be taken…
Without him, our country’s is “doomed and forsaken.”

He brings healing and righteousness
“beneath his wings…

He is what we truly need!
He is our EVERYTHING!

Jim Pemberton 06/15/12

OUR AMERICA

America, she’s in trouble. I think everyone can understand.
All the dead Babies, Drugs and Violence.
Just some of the things that are defiling this Our American land.

The weather is changing as Farmer's crops have already begun to fail.
It’s time to make a difference.
Our America isn’t well.

It’s time to heal America are you willing to make a stand.
Our Soldiers are doing their part.
Time to get our heads out of the sand.

America needs a Revival we’ve been too much at ease.
Both young and old should be present.
Praise the “Lord” it’s time to get down on our knees.

We have to make a difference or more little Babies are going to die.
Must we keep on killing?
The stench is rising to the sky.

Pray for Our America before it is too late.
It’s time to turn to “Jesus.”
It’s time to love and not to hate.

Praising “God” is the answer for He’s the only way.
Go to Him with you heart in repentance.
Please hurry; there may not be another day.

~ Raymond Carey ~
Texas, 7-28-2012

Abraham’s Journey was long but it started with a single step
on a dusty road with no idea at all of where he was going

I wonder
did Jehovah’s voice in his ear
seemed far away or very near

I wonder
if he ever lay on the beach in the shade of a Mangrove Tree
trying to count the sands of the sea

I wonder
if he wondered why promises from Jehovah were so hard to bear
While his beautiful wife laughed and cried In her despair

I wonder
if he longed for the silent gods of his father’s house
when his son lay trussed on a bed of stone

And I wonder
if he thought when he raised his knife
that eternity could come way too fast

I wonder
if Abraham ever cried wondering how many blessings he could take
how far he would travel and if Jehovah’s promises would ever break

And I wonder
if he ever really understood
that you can’t snuff out a faithful Life with fire or with wood

Jean Bonin
Alberta

Here are three thought-provoking poems from Ryan Pyle.

INSTEAD

All of my pride
To which I cling in this life;
My own selfish ambition
Appallingly clear in Your light.

I look through the things
That I want for myself,
And I see that I've pushed you
To the back of the shelf.

I am suspect to pleasure,
And the things that excite me;
If You left me alone,
I'd indulge all things unsightly.

But God You are so good,
Loving me beyond my disasters;
Constantly bringing me back,
From each fruitless pasture.

There's not much I can do,
That's truly good in this life,
But extol Your great beauty,
With every verse that I write.

For there your Spirit lifts me,
To inconceivable heights;
Where I am given such glory,
And shown such great light.

I employ meagre words:
To herald Your fame;
To speak of Your goodness,
And Your power to save.

Instead of the thorn-brush,
This pine tree shall grow;
Instead of the briers,
The myrtle shall show.

~ Ryan Pyle ~

THE RABBIT

I am convinced,
That it would be best for me,
To not seek quick pleasure,
And wait patiently.

Yet the desires within me,
They create such fierce friction,
I must daily lay hold,
Of that great crucifixion;

Where Adam was joined,
With my Lord at the cross,
Where Satan was stripped,
And sin's pow'r was lost.

So here I say no,
To the desire to rabbit,
I will wait on my Lord,
And make this my habit.

~ Ryan Pyle ~
6/15/12

Here's one I wrote for my Heavenly Father on Father's Day

FATHER

On the day for the Fathers,
I owe this to You;
For all that You've been,
And have promised to do.

When my father left me,
Before I was born,
You've been right here with me,
Through each raging storm.

With a wound in my heart:
A sadness in my soul;
The love that You've shown me,
Has made me feel whole.

And because You are with me,
I know I can do this;
I will walk like a man,
And trust my way through this.

With Your unfailing love,
I'll be able to do this.

I love you, Father.

~ Ryan Pyle ~
6/17/12

RANSOMED SOLDIER

I will press on with unwavering faith
Set on learning your holy ways
Born with a purpose I'll fight 'til the end
when my time has come to The Lord, I'll descend

I'll carry the scriptures wherever I go
I'll shine for Jesus making the gospel known
I was created to proclaim the word
Steadfast in truth, ill carry my sword

I'll stand for my Saviour
My light, strength, Saviour and friend
With righteous passion I shall fight to the end

Ransomed soldier hear the battle cry
It's time to go to war for His return is nigh

~ Kathy Maxted ~

CALM THIS RESTLESS SOUL

Lord please calm
this restless soul,
things are happening
so quickly, here below.

Seems this ole world
is coming apart,
So much on the news
I'd rather just depart!

How I long
for Heavens Shore,
With Jesus waiting
at the Door!

Many burdens,
Shoulders weighed down,
I see their faces,
and many frowns.

Put Joy in our hearts,
Let us look to You,
You made us dear Lord,
You know what to do.

Carry these burdens,
Lighten our load,
Lift our Spirits,
Let your mercies unfold.

Heal the broken hearts,
strengthen the frames,
You came to redeem us,
In Jesus precious Name!

Give us new vision,
let us enjoy each new day,
Remove those storm clouds,
Teach us to pray!

Open our eyes
to the beauties around,
Let us be thankful
In You, we are found.

We are here to serve
our Sisters and brothers,
And most of all, God,
We are to love one another.

Strengthen our hands,
for the battle ahead,
The Watchmen are warning,
More wars and bloodshed!

Still our hearts,
We must not fear,
Jesus coming
Is Very Near!

The Earth groans
The Nations tremble,
So much dissension,
Man is not able.

But the Father knows,
when all this will end,
We lift up our eyes,
Waiting for Jesus to descend!

I feel the trumpets
deep in my Spirit,
Angels awaiting God's orders,
And Your children will hear it!

Glory to God
for sending His Son,
To redeem Mankind,
Truly, our lives have just begun!

© Mary Ann Trott
February 23, 2012

NO MAN IN CHRIST IS DEATH

Though earth
Six feet beneath
No man in Christ is death
But paced sleep longest path
Will wake when rapture calls

~ Kufre Udeme ~

SOUND OF THE TRUMPET

When the sound of the trumpet comes
For some it will be joy
Others will perish in woes

O sound of the trumpet come
A shout from the archangel
Call me to the eternal home
Away from this sinful world.

A loud sudden sound
Shall beckon on the elects
Fulfilment of promise abound

O sound of the trumpet come
A shout from the archangel
Call me to the eternal home
Away from this sinful world.

And all my troubles shall cease
Persecutions lost their powers
I'll fly to the land of peace

O sound of the trumpet come
A shout from the archangel
Call me to the eternal home
Away from this sinful world.

Marriage supper of the Lamp
Imagine me an important guest
The memory forever shall stamped

O sound of the trumpet come
A shout from the archangel
Call me to the eternal home
Away from this sinful world.

Then in His glory I'll end
My home, a mansion in paradise
An everlasting gift from my Master and Friend

O sound of the trumpet come
A shout from the archangel
Call me to the eternal home
Away from this sinful world.

~ Kufre Udeme ~

LIFE ON EARTH IS AN EMPTY VESSEL

Life on earth is an empty vessel
In vain are much of our toils and sweats
For limited are the rewards of our hustle
Shall we then keep forging on for temporary meats?
Nay, most important is tomorrow than today
For there hang the declaration of our eternity
Wise then is he who keep worldly pleasures at bay
Meditating always on paradise entity
Where fadeless crown shall be exchanged for gospel labour
Ever secure life for the downtroddens
O, what, from the king of kings an honour!
And so, with Him, shall we forever live without burdens.

~ Kufre Udeme ~

I'LL TAKE A GLORIOUS REST
(For Christians who will sleep before rapture)

I'll take a glorious rest,
A peaceful kind of sleep;
Someday after this task,
To the grave I'll be a guest,
Wish that no one would weep.

~ Kufre Udeme ~

ON TIME

What's great about this moment?
I ask it all the time,
It's a way to keep in focus
Both the mundane and sublime.

If our thoughts are elsewhere
Than on the task at hand,
We let the day just slip away
With a paltry sense of grand.

By questioning our senses
As we wend our way,
We learn the power in an hour
And appreciate the day.

"This is the day
That the Lord hath made,"
Let us rejoice...
And be saved!

~ Mary Mona Dorman ~

NEW LIFE

The sun has come, the cold is gone;
Winter has lost and spring has won.

The icy ground gives way to earth
And birds come out and sing with mirth.

And now into the earth has come
New life in every house and home.

But more than this life we receive
For God gave us One to believe

His only Son, for us He died
And on a tree was crucified.

Yet He oe’r powered the sting of death
Escaped Grim Reaper’s chilly breath

And He stands on in victory
New life—a gift, is giv’n to me.

~ Josh Asmah ~

TEARS ARE FALLING

The tears are falling like falls leaves that hit the ground. A bright light turns into a roaring thunder sound. The Creator of all has left His throne, sent down to His children to perform what is not yet known. Do I walk into the light to see what could be. Or sit in silence while others will make they're plea. Down on their knees they weep and pray. Oh glorious saviour please show us the way. Don't leave yet were still not done He is patient and waiting for other's to come. The lost are found as He calls them by name. The rules may be different but the game has never changed. The prize is eternal and worthy to note, you wont carry this trophy in a worn out tote.

Dennis Smith
West Fork, Ar.


SAD BUT TRUE

Sad but true that on this day, as we go about our merry way. Some of us will not stop to say, thank you Lord for a wonderful day. In the valley or on the mountain you love us all, skinny or fluffy short and tall. Have mercy on us dear lord I pray, and thank for such a wonderful day. A time to gather and remember why, the rusty nails and spear that pierced His side. He died so you could see the light, not walk among the dead in the deepest night. Glory to Him that took the keys, can we gather together and thank Him please.

Dennis Smith
West Fork, Ar.


DOWN IN THE VALLEY OR UP ON THE MOUNTAINTOP

Down In The Valley or up on The Mountain. His living water flows thru the fountain. The water flows so rich and so free with healing powers that are waiting for me. Let me dip my bucket in, slosh it about and do it again. You tell me this well, it just can not be. I know the truth, of how He died for me. It is you my dear friend who has loss of sight, you walk among the dead in fear of the light. He came not to condemn but that the world may see, that salvation thru Him is for you and for me.

Dennis Smith
West Fork, Ar.


WHO AMONG US SEEKS A SIGN

Let me tell you about a time, certain among us looked for a sign. He walk roads and sat in they're houses, played with children and prayed for spouses. The sign we seek is right before our eyes, it's not been removed or put on a disguise. We say we believe with little effort at all, yet we seek another out side of these walls. We build them up one day at a time, some cost a penny or more than a dime. Credit or debit twenty items or less, waiting in line puts our patience to test. The sign we seek can't be bought with any money, tossed in the trash or ate with honey. Search in you're heart for a still small voice, it's not a demand, it's of your own free choice.

Dennis Smith
West Fork, Ar.

YOU

Happily I woke today,
Had You on my mind,
Before the moment passed away,
I took a little time,
Not knowing really what to say,
I closed my eyes, began to pray,
You are worthy of all honor, praise and glory,
Create in me a word, a page, a book to share Your story,
Please take my life and use it however You desire,
Build in me the faith of Daniel dancing in the fire,
Set my feet upon Your path, reveal to me Your plan,
I promise to abide in You and do all that I can,
Make me acceptable, fill me with Your love and grace,
That all those who,
You lead me to,
See only YOU
Upon my face.

David Dobbins, Georgia


MY FATHER'S LOVE

Listless almost mind dead,
Thoughts race,
From place to place,
Inside my head,
Both extremes and all so fast,
How long can such emotion last,
Silently there I sit,
Try to get a grip on it,
Wronged so viciously,
The uttermost cruelty,
Vengeance sinking rancid teeth in me,
I simply pile on another heap,
Until its head is buried deep,
In the only weapon I yet keep,
Surprise, then dread,
And then it’s dead,
Not expecting LOVE to reap,
A multitude of forces,
Assault my troubled soul,
I know what their course is,
Of my life they want control,
Alas, as long as I am sane,
I give myself to my god’s NAME,
Yahweh, Papa, Lord of mercy,
Let your holy ghost embrace me,
Steady, calm and everlasting,
Answers all that I am asking,
In my innocent childish prayer,
I understand He’s always there,
Until my life’s last breath,
When this body,
Surrounding me,
Knows death,
The love I feel,
And know is real,
I pray will be,
All that others see,
Not fear, pain or animosity,
Who me complain, let it not be,
I pray I stay eternally,
A reflection of,
My Father’s love

David Dobbins, Georgia


LOVE

Love without reason,
Song without rhyme,
Kindness in season,
Patience in time,
All things considered,
Nothing forgotten,
Life will be seasoned,
Joyous or rotten,
Smell the roses,
Where you find them,
Take the least travelled trail,
Live to the fullest
And you will not fail,
Each one of us is perfect,
In our own special way,
If that's something you don't get,
For you shall I pray,
Trials, temptations,
Sin and disgrace,
Every sensation,
Is seen in your face,
Perhaps you can hide,
How you're feeling inside,
I know I tried,
And to myself lied,
All have come short,
Of the measure for grace,
And are invited to the same place,
Only one thing,
Can set any apart,
Salvation's NAME,
In the book of life,
And upon the heart,
By their fruits shall ye know
Both deed and word,
They shall show,
You believe what you heard,
The spirit inside
Is both saviour and guide,
Comfort confidence,
But never pride,
If to such a one
One day you are led,
And choose to ignore it instead
You won't know the difference,
'Til after you're dead,
The chaff is discarded,
The kernel remains,
Wheat to flour on the grindstone,
Chaff to the flames.

David Dobbins, Georgia

Here are four unique Christian poems written by Barbara Rose.

GOD IN NATURE

A single sunbeam crept
Upon my child’s pillow today
Blessing him while he slept
And chasing my terror away.

The gums that stood so tall
On the morning of my madness
Seemed to give Him all
Turning my sorrow into gladness.

The wind that quietly swept
The dust from leaves perfection
Whispered that He kept
His Word in its completion.

And when I see the clouds
Sail another sunset
They seem to say out loud:
“For His grace you must wait.”

There is no dark so deep
Than when I lose my way
Yet in multiple ways He keeps
Turning my night to day.

~ Barbara Rose ~

A VOICE CRYING IN THE DESERT

A voice cried out in the desert
While I trudged through the sand
Even the raging sky depicted
His coming to my land.

How my heart was lifted!
How my heart did sing!
As that sound resounded
My very soul found wings.

Yet my weary hands never lifted
To praise His name on high
It seemed the burning sands drifted
Through my fingers now bone dry.

In blackness is the diamond set
In deserts is the voice well met
In my weakness is his glory strong
It is my silence and His song.

It is when we are on our knees
And the desert winds are strong
That His Spirit with great ease
Rights what has gone wrong.

~ Barbara Rose ~


MADE OF CLAY

I am the instrument
Of one who plays
The music of the firmament
On that made of clay

My earth is not silent
My earth will sing
When He who is significant
Plucks my waiting strings

To Him my silence is a storm
My unseen tears His pearls
He is love and I His newborn
Safely in His hands curled

Walk kindly now
Across my scars and tears
You may discover how
He plays the music of the spheres

~ Barbara Rose ~


GOD’S MUSICAL

God help me to strike sense
From the strings of humankind
Let me hear the music meant
To sound from mind to mind

Man is your greatest musical
Your most beloved piece
Let not one song be still
May full glory be released.

With a bagful of excuses
We travel the endless miles
Turning prophets into recluses:
Anthems of your love exiled.

Lost are precious moments
In the famine of our souls
Our neighbor is the music
God sent to make us whole.

~ Barbara Rose ~

Here are two poems, both on the Love of God. The first, called “The Love of God”, comes from the perspective of the vastness of God’s love – the more we experience of it there is still so much more to be discovered. The second, “Love”, is from our perspective – how all of us have need of love and have it in God’s love.  Desley Finedon (Australia)

THE LOVE OF GOD

The love of God… beyond comprehension!
Its depth and height above all measure!
Full and bounding, faithful, matchless;
compared to a feast, we but lick its sweetness.

If God's love is seen as the heavens,
we stand amazed at His majestic Presence.
The sun, the moon, the planets, stars
are but reflections of His love so vast.

God's love when viewed as a mighty ocean,
our understanding only skirts the surf.
Deep beneath lie unfathomed waters
longing to be explored and searched.

His love described as the richest mine
is full of jewels to seek and find.
'Tis like a book unfolding an enthralling tale;
as a well whose living waters never fail.

How do we know He truly loves?
Just look at what He's done and does!
The Son of God, reigning above
in the Trinity of love
chose to lay Heaven aside…
stooped… and came to earth beneath
to live and die for our need,
so from sin's curse we are set free.

This love of God is infinite,
glorious, faultless, clear, pure light.
Let it melt our stubborn hearts with tears,
fill us so we're free from fears
and feed and keep us through the years.
But only then will we have scratched its surface,
for whatever we could speak or think,
God's love exceedingly surpasses!

~ Desley Finedon~
Australia


LOVE

Our hearts connive, demand and seek
for love we think will make complete.
We hurt, we pain, seek to repay
when our rights have been betrayed.
But anger, bitterness, hatred, pride
grow and grow when left inside.

Why do we look and tell our hearts
no-one loves or cares a part.
The greatest love on earth about -
ours with no shadow of a doubt.
Tis a love that loves with no wrong
and is never lost for joy in song.

This love loves the ugly, horrid, poor,
mean and selfish, wounded, raw.
It will not change, can never fail
and kindness follows in its trail,
for it lifts the helpless, forgives, restores,
shows mercy to us and so much more.

What love is this? Where do I find?
It is priceless and by grace is mine…
mine forever, no matter what!
And it changes me for it rids of rot.
A new heart is given in the old one’s place
to show to others this same grace.

This love is God! He gave His Son
to die for us – His love has won!
He makes secure, gives peace and rest;
we know forever that we are blessed.
When the love of Jesus fills our hearts,
we’ll love each other and He’ll not depart.

~ Desley Finedon~
Australia

OUR COUNTRY

America the Beautiful was made by the Almighty God
Animals, Trees, Rivers, Mountains and Sod
Everywhere we look is so unique and neat
Let's be a Country that Praise and Follow him complete.

Let's take him as our Leader and ask for guidance and follow it through
Every individual or whatsoever which occupation we do
Let's make our Country strong and sturdy with him as our guide
Then united we'll stand strong and never be divide.

People, pray to the Lord to show us the way
Our Country needs his healing touch now more than always
A praying Country can't be broken it shall stand tall
With him as our Leader we wouldn't crumble or fall

Everyone take it to heart what the Bible says
The Ten Commandments are broken day by day
If we don't change our life and serve God always
Then our Country will crumble slowly day after day.

God wouldn't help us in time of our needs
If we turn away from him, Satan will lead
Then there will be Destruction, Wars and Pain
Like you never know it will pour like rain.

Everyone acknowledge God and follow his way with a steady pace
Believe in his begotten son, he will cover you with Love and Grace
There is no other but the Father and Son
Those are the ones you should choose, then victory you won.

People this is the answer to Hope and Peace
With God as our Leader Pain, Hatred and Fights will cease
Give him your heart and stay true
Then he will protect OUR COUNTRY know matter what others pursue.

~ Rosalene Wurtz ~

A FATHER'S MANTLE

There's a mirror in the mantle , in the dust and the mold
It hangs like a poem , with a story to be told

Now it's pitted and boned , and reflects only cracks
By a candle that flickers , dripping tears full of wax

A story of neglect , like a hinge full of rust
Of words never written , of a Father's trust

Gone in those books , with a poet on the spine
Sleep knights full of armor , and thrones masculine

This mirror in the mantle , with reflections now dim
Once looked over a family and father within

Now it's forgotten , and waits on the wall
To beam a reflection that covers us all

It's pitted and boned , like a scroll by the sea
And hangs like the Savior still looking at me

~ Daniel Hall Kleinmeier ~
American Christian poet

I'm Aaron Merle Moyes, 17 years old from Arizona

EMMANUEL

Come with me.
An invitation, not a demand.
If you desire to see,
than take my hand.
You will find what you have lost,
and gain so much more.
Your heart will warm from its frost,
and will beg for more.
Break away, from these chains!
Leave your possessions.
I'll wipe your smothered stains,
when I hear your confessions.
Blasphemy;
Simply the past of thee.
Now you're white as snow,
so take courage and don't let it go.
Live the life you had as a child.
Strength, so meek so mild.
I am the wind, the trees,
the thunder and lightning and all of the seas.
Your trust in me, has unlocked the door.
You are my creation that I adore.

~ Aaron Merle Moyes ~

Here are four Christian poems written by Jessica Raines, from Georgia:

WHAT HE DIDN'T DO

As they nailed you to the rugged cross,
And pierced you with my sins,
you didn't cry out for help,
or beg for mercy from them.

You watched as they laughed and mocked your claim to be the son of God above,
And when they spit upon your face, You turned the other cheek, All because of love.

With every drop of blood and the crown of thorns upon your head,
You took away my sins and made me new.
You stayed on the cross, when you could have got off.
And I'm forgiven, for what you didn't do.

You could have split the heavens open,
or sent your angels to destroy humanity.
Instead, you let them persecute you,
for all the world to see.

They taunted you. They said, "If you're really the Messiah,
Get yourself off the cross; break yourself free.
And even though you could have easily saved yourself,
you sacrificed that, to save me.

You could have walked away and left everybody to drown in their sin,
Instead, you opened up your arms on the cross, and took the whole world in.

With every nail and every lash, you took away my sins and made me new.
You stayed on the cross, when you could have got off.
Thank you Jesus, I'm forgiven, for what you didn't do.

~ Jessica Raines ~
Georgia

THE ONLY FATHER (I'VE EVER KNOWN)

The man that called me daughter,
left this world when I was only two;
Leaving me without the guidance;
a daddy's supposed to give to you.

He wasn't there to lift me up,
when I was too weak to stand on my own.
And when I lost my way,
He couldn't reach out his hand, and lead me home.
When I cried, he wasn't there to wipe away my tears.
to help me make it through.
He wasn't there for any of the things;
A dad's suppose to do.

And though I don't remember him at all,
I still can't understand why and it still hurts that he had to go.
Because I'll never forget how it felt growing up;
Without the love of the father I never got to know.

As I got older, I found myself questioning God.
I cried out, "It isn't fair. Can you just tell me why?"
Then I heard a voice from heaven ask, "Who am I?"

At that moment, it all became so clear to me,
as if I'd been blind and could suddenly see.
I'd never once been fatherless;
There wasn't a moment in my life when I'd been alone.
"You've always been here with me," I replied.
"You're the only father I have ever known."

You lift me up, when I'm too weak to stand.
And when I'm lost, you reach out your hand.
When I cry or feel like giving up,
You wipe away my tears and help me make it through.
You've done everything for me; just like a dad's supposed to do.

God, you've been here all along and I can finally see;
You are the only father, I will ever need.

~ Jessica Raines ~
Georgia

ALL WE'VE DONE

I was the coins of betrayal in Judas' pocket and his deceitful lips upon your cheek.
I told the guards, "The one I'll kiss, that's Jesus; the man you seek."

I was the guard that bought you to Pilate and told him you were pretending to be God's Son.
And then I spit upon your face in mockery and thus the blasphemy begun.

I was the crowd of people who chose to kill you and have a guilty man set free instead.
And I was the person in the crowd that first shouted out, "Crucify him! We want him dead!"

I was every lash upon your body and every drop of blood you spilled that day.
I was the nails they hammered into your hands and feet and the pain that wouldn't go away.

I was the men who raised the cross up and laughed; and I was the tears that your mother cried.
I was the sign hanging over you head and the spear they jabbed into your side.

But you forgave us anyway.
Yes, you saved us anyway.

Even after everything this world has put you through,
You stayed on the cross, when you could have got off.
Forgiving us, for all we've done to you.

~ Jessica Raines ~
Georgia

IN YOUR HANDS

I don't know my purpose.
I don't have a plan.
That's why I'm down on my knees;
lifting up my hands.

Because You made the heavens and the earth.
You placed the sun up there in the sky.
And with those same two hands, you made me.
So, could you please just tell me why?

What is my purpose?
What is your plan?
Because I'm ready to be,
whoever I am.

Sometimes I feel lost and insecure; l like I'm facing the world on my own.
But then I remember your promise, that I'll never walk alone.

Show me my purpose.
Show me your plan.
God, I'm asking you to direct my path,
with the guidance of your hands.
My feet are ready to follow after you, and you alone.
I'm prepared to walk down any road you want me on.

I don't know my purpose or what's to come in the years ahead.
But I know you love me, because it was written on the cross in red.

So, When the world tries to lead me into darkness,
And my earthly struggles start to get the best of me.
I'll just take your hand and hold it tight.
For you're my eyes when I can't see.

You are my purpose.
I am part of your plan.
God, I am ready to be,
All you say I am.

In those hard times, when everyone in my life has walked away.
You've never once left my side; not even for a day.
So, I won't give up; I will fight for what I know is true,
And In the end, I won't be surprised if I'm left with only you.

Whatever your purpose is for me,
Whatever your plan.
I give my life to you.
Lord, I lay it in your hands.

~ Jessica Raines ~
Georgia

Here are four Christian poems written by Daniel Younger from Texas

CHRIST IN ME

We grieve too much over material things
in the precious time of life.
We have committed adultery
when we take the world as wife.

We need to hold a funeral
long before we die,
to bury our old man
and here is the reason why.

If Christ is to live in me
and my life to be like him.
Then I must willingly put away
my fallen state so grim.

~ Daniel Younger ~
Texas

REMOVE THE BEAM

If you believe you follow Christ
and desire to help others.
Jesus told us what we must do,
so they can become our brother.

We must remove the beam
that is found within our eye.
So we can clearly see
how to help others try.

Will you take the Bible
and study every word?
So you can identify
the truth when it's heard.

Raise up a child in the way
means teaching him of God.
Morning, noon and night you sow
the seed in his heart, the sod.

Once upon a hillside
many years ago
Jesus carried the heavy cross
obedient he would go.

In reading the written word
I am blessed and can see.
Everything that Jesus did
was to save you and me.

~ Daniel Younger ~
Texas
 

A BETTER VIEW

Lord, you know I'm homeless.
I remember so were you.
Everything seems a little tough,
but I know you will see me through.

I awoke a little stiff,
as I slept on the street.
But watching people as they pass,
is a very blessed treat.

There was this young lady,
who stopped as she passed by.
She gave me money to buy food.
She said please take it, as she begin to cry.

Spiritually you had fed me, Lord,
materially she did too.
Lord it's great just to know
the ones that follow you.

As I started to buy myself
something I could eat.
I passed by a hungry child,
who was also on the street.

I took the money to the child,
and bought the meal for him.
For I was full and could not eat,
but softly sang a hymn.

~ Daniel Younger ~
Texas
 

TELL ME THE STORY AGAIN

Father, tell me the story again.
How you loved us so very much,
You sent your only son to bear our sin.
How he healed all sickness, the lame need not a crutch.

How the blind can now see,
and the deaf they can hear,
How demons from him flee
and they tremble with great fear.

How the righteous run unto him,
and little children have a place.
Where sinners can find redemption
by his agape love and saving grace.

How enemies can love each other
and anger is what they slay.
Where all have strength to labor,
to have to give away.

Where neighbors care for one another,
wanting the very best for you.
Showing the love of God in them
as this life are passing through.

Where families stay together,
sharing life with one another.
Knowing all things are possible,
for God made Jesus our brother.

~ Daniel Younger ~
Texas

THREE RIGHTEOUS MEN

Old Noah was righteous,
And he walked with the Lord;
He preached and he labored, and trusted God’s word,
He sailed o’er the Flood, but suffered no loss,
But Noah didn’t carry the Old Rugged Cross.

Now Daniel found favor in the eyes of the King,
And told him the secrets of all of his dreams;
Faith brought him out of the old Lion’s den,
But Daniel could not pay the price for my sin;

Now Job was a man whom God richly blessed,
Tormented by Satan, his faith stood the test;
In sorrow he cursed the day he was born,
But Job didn’t wear a Crown made of Thorns;

Only my Savior could pay the great price,
To save a lost soul from sin and from strife;
Though we love the old Prophets, and honor their name,
No one but Jesus could bear all my shame.

~ Arvil Jones ~

Here are three poems written by Hope Le. She says, "I have been a Christian for over 10 years and my faith is very special to me. I have had my fair share of ups and downs along the way and poetry is a wonderful blessing in which I can express my experiences, feelings, thoughts and ideas.
 

Dear God…

I am the work of your hands…your child…you love me and I am precious to you
Please take away my self doubt and help me to see myself the way you do…
I am special to you, a unique child, with a unique life and purpose in your eyes
You know all about me, you know all about my life… all my lows and all my highs
Every day planned for me was written in your book before I was even one day old
You watch over me and care for me as the story of my life continues to slowly unfold
You orchestrated exactly when and where I should live and the person I would be
You gave me my own unique life, my own story, my own family, friends, and ME
You care for me, in every way, nothing can happen to me without your knowing
You look after me, protect me and help me to keep, learning and growing
Every hair on my head is counted, every tear is recorded… I matter so much to you
You are behind me… in front of me… and beside me in absolutely everything I do
You have a purpose for me, you knew your will for me, even before the world began
And no matter what may happen, nothing can ruin the future you have in your plan
Help me to live the life you created me to live and to be the person you made me to be
Please help me to live my life, enjoy my life and to love my life and ME
Help me write the story of my life with you, so that we may work in complete unity
With your grace and love, help me to fulfil my God given purpose and destiny
At the last chapter of my story, I must give account of how I lived my life - to You
Please help me to live my life in a way that you can be proud of everything I do

Amen

~ Hope Le ~


HOPE

God began my faith, surely he will finish his work in me
I must trust that he will take me to where I need to be
And to remember that I’m his child and everything is done in love
That despite everything that happens he’s keeping his eye on me from above
For nothing can happen to me, without his allowing and his say
He will watch over me, both in the future like in the past and today

Always have hope, its something you must always hold on to
Along with faith and love, it will pull you through
God is able to do more than we could ever ask, imagine or dream
So trust in his power and goodness, no matter how bleak things may seem
For he said, ‘I will get praise him’ a promise for better times ahead
And so by faith, hope and love may we be led

For remember, God is a good God, not out to punish, hurt or destroy
He has plans to prosper us, to give us a future, a hope and joy
Nothing and no one can ruin the plans God has made
For he knew his will for us, even before the foundations of the world were laid

God will fight for us, often all we need is to trust him and be still
No matter what happens God is able to carry out his will
God promised never to fail or to leave me until his work is done
He will keep moulding and shaping me until I am more like son

All the days planned for me, were written in your book before I was even one day old
I needn’t worry or be afraid but let go and let everything unfold
For nothing can happen without it being part of your awesome plan
You can see everything, your love and wisdom is by far greater than any man
We may have so many questions, never stop wondering or ever fully understand
But trust in God and that our lives and everything that happens are all in his hands

~ Hope Le ~


I ANSWER TO GOD ALONE

Each and everyone of us will one day have to answer to God for life we have liven
and for what we have done with all the blessings and gifts that we have been given
So when the Lord asks me what I did with my life when we meet face to face on judgement day
I want to be able to stand before Him without regrets and this is what I want to be able to say...

I want to say 'Lord, I tried my very hardest to do all I could, with everything you gave to me
I really tried to live my life the best way I knew how and to be the person you created me to be'

I want to say 'I lived my life to the fullest, living each day knowing I had so much to be thankful for
Appreciating that I was so blessed and content to know I simply couldn't ask for anything more'

I want to say 'Lord, I hope I was a good friend, sister, daughter, auntie and hopefully a good wife
that I patient, kind and loving to all the wonderful people you blessed me with in my life'

I want to say 'Lord, I also tried to help the poor and the needy just like you wanted me to do
because I know that you love and care about everyone - and that each of us matter so much to you'

I want to say 'Lord, even though sometimes life was really tough and I felt like I couldn't keep going
I never gave up, but trusted in you...because without the rain, I wouldn't have been able to keep growing

'And Lord, even when I was in the fire, even there you were purifying me so I could be like gold
I trusted that you knew what was best for me and that you never let me out of your sight or hold

'And Lord, finally I want to be able to say that I fulfilled the purpose that you had in life for me
and that I lived the life you wanted me to live and became the person you made me to be

'But Lord, the day has not yet come for me to stand before you and meet you face to face
you have given me a chance to work on my weaknesses because you are full of mercy, love and grace

'Lord, thank you for giving me the opportunity each and everyday to try my best in all I say and do
...help me to live my life each day, in a way that I'll be ready... when I finally have to stand before You

~ Hope Le ~

POETRY

The cadence of one word or two,
That rhymes with every line.
Reminds me of a rocking chair,
Moving back and forth in time.
And as I read, my soul reacts,
To the motion of each verse.
A quiet peace comes over me,
As if we just conversed.
I hear the poems and my soul responds,
With stillness from above.
The mirrored lake reflects the sky,
And my heart beats, loved, loved, loved.

~ Connie Centrella ~

WHY WAS AMERICA GREAT?

Why was America great?
Because God was on the throne!
Everyone loved their neighbor!
God takes care of his own!

Men were honest in their trade,
not wanting to beat anyone.
There was no deceit or lying grade,
just being fair to everyone.

Families were all secure.
Wedding vows made before God.
Everyone was very careful
as to where their feet would trod.

Do not attend anything
where you would not take your child.
Staying meek and merciful
keeps you honest all the while.

Older children learned quickly
of the responsibility that belonged to them
by watching Christian parents
as they prayed or sang a hymn.

Men were not dealing drugs
or stealing in spare time.
God's laws were in their hearts
and they had peace of mind.

Having lots of money
did not weight their back.
They all raised a garden
so there wasn't any lack.

Grandmas and mothers
the produce they did can.
Not just for the family
so there was no hunger in the land.

Yes, to give to others
if they had a need.
By doing this and helping
then both would succeed.

~ Daniel Younger ~

SALVATION

Drinking, smoking, drugs
The best way to get high.
Drinking, driving
The best way to die
My soul fluttered
And I saw it come out of my body.
It went high, high, high
High into the sky

Until it reached
A place where
moaning and groaning prevailed
Bed of worms
Blanket of maggots
Fire burning, bodies decaying.
Please, please get me out of here.
Wiped, dragged, trotted
The humans screamed.
Demons, imps, dragons moved
Darkness prevailed.

Until I saw a light
The light of peace
The light of love
The light of Jesus
Why, why am I here
I cried
He was sad
And he cried and moaned
Why, why am I here
I cried again
You refused to listen
Jesus spoke
You rejected me
You hated me
Many spoke for me
But only laughter was the response
Now, you shall
stay, stay, stay
for all eternity
Remembering your deeds

Then the light moved
Moved away from me
No, come back
Come back, come back, come back

I was left with
agony, pain and tears
Then I remembered
The evangalists, the pastors
The Christian club
My friends, my family
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
All they spoke
The Healer
The First and the Last
The Living One

Accept him and be saved.
Baptise yourself in water
Baptise yourself in the Holy Spirit
Baptise and accept
I ignored him
I went my own way
Now, I will spent
all eternity remembering
How Jesus is the Way
How Jesus saves!

Sharon Ann Alexander, UK

A PRAYER OF ADORATION

Dear Jesus…
Please, forgive us.
Forgive us of our sin,
So, that we may enter in.

Enter into Your Gate…
With Praise.
From dusk until dawn,
Let us praise you all day long.

Sing praises to the King of kings…
Our offerings we bring.
Into Your court,
To Christ our Lord.

Thank you for Your sacrifice…
By giving Your life.
Upon the cross You did die,
Being raised from the dead was Your plight.

How we worship and adore, our Lord…
Thanking You, for the blessings in store.
Now we have peace and rest,
As He takes us through each trial and test.

Buried with Christ Jesus…
We are risen with Him through crucifying the flesh.
Trust in Him for all things,
While we praise and sing.

Hallelujah…
Hallelujah…
Praise His Holy Name.
For it is from God, Jesus came.

King of kings…
Lord of lords…
We kneel down before,
It is You, who we worship and adore.

As our Father…
We bring honor,
To Your Name.
The gospel of Christ we proclaim.

~ Cinda Carter ~
 

Here is another poem written by Cinda

REAPING THE HARVEST

The harvest truly is plentiful...
Many seek to fill their empty souls.
Empty inside,
Is there someone to answer their cry.

A cry for help...
To be delivered from sin and self.
Is there more to life?
Than meets the eye.

What is the answer, does anyone know?
Dear Jesus, lead the way and show.
Show us the way we should go,
No longer to be tossed about to and fro.

We as the church...
Lord, give us a heart to search.
Searching to redeem the time,
Salted with the seasoning of Jesus Christ.

Let our light so shine...
In a world that Satan blinds.
The Sewer plants the seeds of life,
They are watered by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Go tell it on the mountain...
That their is a fountain.
Where we will thirst no more,
Clear waters that gently flow.

From the living waters of the Holy Spirit...
We will thirst no more because of Jesus who was pierced.
Pierced in His side, for all mankind.
Jesus who freely laid down His life.

He saw what it would be like with a life without Him...
Doomed to a life to die in our sins.
When mankind sinned he lost his first state and fell,
We were doomed for an eternal life in hell.

Dear Lord, let us remain faithful to Your calling...
By planting seeds of Your Word in hearts who are wondering.
Wondering if there is anything more to this life at best.
While we plant His seeds, Jesus will be Reaping the Harvest.

~ Cinda Carter ~

THE WHISPERING ROSE
(originally written for Queen Elizabeth)

The aged but gifted poet
From a far and distant time
Strolled sad and slow through flowering fields
He was searching for a rhyme
The words will surely come he mused
Yet many years had passed
And not one line had he composed
Is my gift quite gone? He asked.

Perhaps if I but pause and rest
Sweet words my mind shall fill
I must not worry, fret nor groan
But bid my soul be still
So there amidst wildflowers bright
No other soul around
With prayerful heart and hope renewed
He lay upon the ground.

Soft breezes made the blades of grass
To dance with joyful grace
They played among the flowers fair
And swept across his face
In quiet slumber long He’d lay
And rest his weary frame
But wait! What’s this? His heart replied
Did someone call his name?

Nay, but it cannot be, he said
For no one else is near
>Tis but the sound of rustling leaves
That fall upon my ear
But now the soft voice came again
And many voices more
From whence they came he could not tell
And yet could not ignore.

The breeze had now ceased blowing
Not a leaf moved on the trees
Then at his feet he beheld a sight
That made him bend his knees
It could not be true, and yet it was
Down there among the clover
The lilies and the daffodils
Were laughing with each other

I’ve gone quite mad, the poet cried
It’s just a childish dream
I’m wise enough to know that things
Aren’t always what they seem
Surely God would not allow
That mindless flowers should talk
If it were so, then rocks might grow
And the great Sequoias walk.

Have all my senses grown so dull
Or am I so racked with fear
That I’d mistake one drop of dew
On this tulip for a tear?

Again I must lie down and rest
And sleep in sweet repose
But before his eyelids closed he spied
One tiny, blood-red rose.

Ah yes, he laughed, could not be wrong
To gaze on this a while
And then he saw its petals move
As if to form a smile
He leaned a little closer now
With trembling hand, and weak
Then soft as a timid angels sigh
The rose began to speak.

I know your troubled thoughts, it said
And how its been so long
Your soul has searched for words that rhyme
For the lines of some sweet song
Your prayers have all been heard above
Your quest is nearly done
You’ll have your very heart’s desire
Ere the set of tomorrow’s sun.

Fear not, kind Sir, reach down your hand
And pluck with gentle care
For the one you cherish waits to fix
My petals in her hair
The journey we must make today
Is treacherous and long
Please tarry not a moment more
Arise, let us be gone
Oh hasten now and stop for naught
Except it be to pray
For my fragrance will but last until
The dawn of one more day.

So with lightened heart and quickened step
And his treasure newly found
To him it seemed his tired old feet
Now barely brushed the ground
The Eastern sky was greying now
Faint shadows crept along
He caught the sound of a whip-poor-will
Then the larks began their song.

The distance mattered not at all
Nor yet the evening’s chill
O’er mountains steep, across meadows wide
Though tired, he journeyed still
The sun was hastening Westward now
And he had yet miles to go
He dared not stop to ponder now
For his steps were getting slow.

But yonder in the distance
At long last now he sees
And old familiar cottage
Nestled under tall oak trees
And now across the narrow stream
A hundred paces more
Then up the little winding path
He stood in her open door.

In the candle’s glow he viewed her face
Sweet countenance bathed in Heaven’s grace
Now in her tender hand he’ll place
The tiny rose, and plead his case
The rhyming words for which he’d searched
Now came with greatest ease
And gathering all his courage up
He bowed there at her knees.

Accept this tiny gift, my love
I pray, refuse it not
To bring it here has taken nearly
All the life I’ve got
This rose I offer with my heart
With not a blush of shame
I know God grew this rose for you
For I heard it speak your name.

And then with stars all smiling down
Beneath the pale moon’s crest
She smelled and kissed the tiny rose
And drew him to her breast
Content at last, all strength now gone
His soul in rapture’s deep
One soft embrace, one gentle kiss
And the poet went to sleep.

Then quick the shining Seraphs flew
To bear his soul up high
Above the clouds and far beyond
The realm of Earth and sky
On through the garnished gates he passed
As silver bells did ring
He knelt before the throne to touch
The scepter of the King.

And then a whisper, soft but near
Who’s this? Ah yes, he knows
For fixed in the braids of her golden hair
Are the petals of a rose.

~ Arvil Jones ~

YOU ARE CHERISHED BY GOD

May the Creator of the rose
Be the one who holds you close
Come what may.

May you wear
Christ’s bridal dress with pride
And hear the silver bells of hope
inside you every day.

May He comfort you
through all you’re called to bear
and lift you high above
All pain and care.

May your reward be great
May God enable you to anticipate
All the joy you will claim
When He calls you home and gives you
Your brand-new name!

~ Bonnie Pomroy ~

Here is another Christian poem by Bonnie

THE LORD MY ROCK
(From Psalm 31)

Security and trust are well-woven
Bound by You, Lord, Great Guardian of Hope.
Your sinless life, crucified and broken
Exchanged my sin for loving freedom’s yoke.

So standing on Your Promises, I cry
Bow down to hear, move swiftly to help—save!
When secret traps spring open, still I’ll fly
Upward, angel-borne, Holy Spirit’s Grace made brave.

Idols, grotesquely vain, give me shivers
Wastelands of metal are no help to man.
The God of Truth my soul delivers
Praise Him, Jesus, Only Son of God, yet man.

The Lord preserves-- let the faithful take heart
We are unstoppable—right from the start!

~ Bonnie Pomroy ~

AUTUMN DAYS

I love winter’s chilly blow
Seeing footprints in the snow
Each blade of grass revealing spring
Summer’s sun warms everything

But what I love best of all
Are the reds and browns that tell of fall
Some green remains and that’s find too
Nothing diminishes that golden hue

Hay rides now, with friends in tow
Autumn’s blush on faces glow
Brilliant Maples now will be
A yellow-orange canopy

Cool breezes rustle the fallen leaves
As squirrels hide secrets in the trees
All make ready, for winter is near
Then these bright colors will disappear

God who changes the times and seasons
Has given us so many reasons
To marvel and to make us smile
And with Him come and rest a while

Cause now its harvest time again
Summer’s work has found its end
Time to reap what was sown
And thank the Lord who keeps His own

"And He changeth the times and the seasons..." Daniel 2:21

© Wonda Elizabeth

Wonda also created a stunning video for her poem.
Click here to watch her poem unfold in the video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysP75SHnpRA

NECESSARY BUT SUFFICIENT

HE is divine,
Enshrined in Human flesh,
Wholly divine,
An offering ever fresh,
HE is divine!
One with the Father HE,
Fullness divine,
In him alone we see.

He is a must,
The man of sorrows died,
The living way,
To ≡GOD to open wide,
HE is a must,
HE is the only way,
Naught but HIS blood,
Cleans every sin away.

HE is enough,
Naught further do we need,
≡GOD satisfied,
By HIS death are we freed,
HE is enough,
The Father asks no more,
Coming in HIM,
Our welcome is secure.

~ Bill Greig ~

The Word from High

From the heaven's far above
The Word from High was sent
Bearing the message of Love
For all precious souls to repent

Isaiah saw what was to come
And John said he was the 'One'.
Few of Jacob's own did welcome
David's descendant, the 'Holy One'

He was the 'Son of Man', Amen!
'The Bread of Life', he said 'I AM'
He taught them to be fishers of men
The Good News to sons of Abraham.

He made the blind men to see,
And raised to life again, the dead.
The oppressed, he came to set free
Li'l did they know, for them he bled.

Of Him did the Psalmist say,
'My servant won't rot in the grave'
He did rise up on the third day
For this he had come, to save.

~ Raziel ~

HOPE IS ETERNAL

I heard a little bit of sadness
Talking with my fears
They were looking for some hope
In their aging years
Since once again the doctors
Repeated what they said before
I’m afraid that for your cancer
We do not have a cure
So sadness told my fears
Find hope and we’ll be strong
Only God knows all the answers
Doctors can be wrong
And so they talked together
Sunset until sunrise
And found in the day before them
Hope shining in their eyes
Glowing in their hearts
With grace from God above
Hope had attitude and gratitude
Embracing trust and love
So sadness took fears hand
And then as one they walked away
Within their aging years
And the new born hope of day
With attitude and gratitude
Thankful for the gift of life and love
Finding hope that springs eternal
From God’s kingdom up above

~ Richard A. Diem ~

Here are a number of Christian poems written by Daniel Younger from Texas.
 

COAT HOLDER OR ROCK THROWER?

Saul had learned, being taught by man,
But the will of God did not understand.
The only choice before meeting Christ
Made him dangerous and not very nice.

The only choice Saul could be
Was coat- holder or rock -thrower, see.
All man can offer with good intent
Should make you stop, your clothes to rent.

One must learn Christ, wearing His yoke,
Walking in obedience, and not to choke.
Trying to accomplish on his own
Man is no more than the cast stone.

Man may try with all his might
To achieve perfection is out of sight.
You must know Jesus, God's only Son
To fully understand the battle He won.

Daniel Younger
Texas
 

WHAT KEEPS YOU FROM SERVING GOD?

What keeps you from serving God ?
We need to ask Our Self
Make a list and check them off
until there is nothing Left

If we do not serve Him
then we are none of His
We are all about our self
Not tending to the Father's Biz

Jesus told us Himself
If we do not forgive Others
His Father cannot forgive us
and allow us to be Brothers

Forgiveness is a choice we make
to do the Father's Will
We must follow every command
knowing He is God and stand Still
 

LOOKING BACK

I remember years ago,
when our children were Small.
A lot of money we did not have,
but we heard God's Call.

We had a neighbor
that moved just down the Road.
I never had met them
but they carried a heavy Load.

They had no groceries
I some how got the Call.
We went through our freezer,
searching all in All.

We made up a sack
and carried to them Fast.
It was not what we gave,
but what we received would Last.

We received more
than we could ever Give.
Putting on the yoke of Christ
were learning how to Live.

Our oil did not run low
and neither did our Meal.
We moved about in love and peace.
The best we'll ever Feel.

But as our lives went on,
we became a little Slack.
We followed to much of self,
forgetting to look Back.

Going down the road,
an extreme sharp curve Ahead,
came upon it fast
Made us turn our Head.

And as it made us turn,
we saw in looking Back
the joy and peace we had left,
and what our life did Lack

In doing good
to all Men
you walk in peace
and not in Sin.

Daniel Younger
Texas
 

WHEN

When we can bear the hurts of Life
and still show God's perfect Love
We know our treasures are not on earth
But clearly stored above

When others fail to do God's will
If I just sit and Judge
When Jesus looks in the book of life
I fear my name a Smudge

When we give to meet others needs
Knowing God has given Us
Abounding peace and joy overflows
Covering me in a rush

Our life should be an Orchard
Where fruits of the Spirit Grow
Producing in due season
Our Savior to better know

Daniel Younger
Texas


TWO SEAS, SAME WATER

The same water from the Jordan
runs into both Seas
The only difference between them
let me tell you, Please

Every drop that flows into Galilee
another drop flows Out
The sea is full of living things
that feed the people About

But looking at the Dead sea
and the water that flows In
all the water just stays there
Not much life Within

We should learn a lesson
Freely we receive - freely Give
We must do as God intends
Supporting life - helping others Live

Daniel Younger
Texas


Infection of Sin

We all carry the infection of Sin
Only one way to do it in
Repentance at the foot of the Cross
The only other choice is to be Lost

Sin is contagious and easily spread
Crippling many, leaving some dead
Won't you hear God's Truth today
Humble yourself, kneel and pray

It is not I but Christ in me that Lives
It's His Spirit that is willing to give

Daniel Younger
Texas


Hearing Correctly?

You can follow an Apostle
saying what is True
Have many in a crowd
gathered watching You

You may think you are Okay
others think you Obey
asking what you could do More?
Turn to the book of Acts
read chapter 16 verses 16 - 24.

Daniel Younger
Texas


Where Am I ?

"He shall send forth His Angles
to gather out of His Kingdom" (Matt:13:41)
So many do not Hear
Are you in the Kingdom?
Should you be covered with Fear?

Do you know the story of a wedding dinner,
and one without proper dress
He made it right up to the Last
But into the outer darkness
He would soon be Cast

I walked through life
thinking I was Right
In all I say and Do
But life has Past
And now at Last
I stand in judgment before You.

Daniel Younger
Texas

THE WOMEN WE LOVE

The women we love,
On an ordinary day, a day like the day before
You could be walking in the rain,
Or shopping at the store,
You turn and you see her at just a glance
And in a second your heart skips a beat and you’re in a trance,
Many things run through your mind at the speed of light,
You wonder who she is, where she’s from, or what she’s like,
You question yourself if you have the nerve to speak
You scramble the words trying to find something sweet,
You make your move hoping to be charming and smart,
Hoping she is not able to see your racing heart,
You say hello, you tell her your name,
Awaiting the response, hoping she says the same
You feel each other out, where you from, where you been, whatcha do,
Then you move in to make the final move,
It's how to ask her out, or how to even start,
Because you know she’s the one, you feel it in your heart
You stumble upon the words, and tell her how you feel,
As you await her response you begin to feel ill,
But her answer is yes, which blows your mind
Like the best rush, living on cloud 9,
A few dates and a few months,
You place a ring on her hand,
Praying that for life she’ll let you be her man.
She accepts again, with tears from her eyes
Makes you so happy you begin to cry,
Now the wedding plans, the alter, and then before God you stand,
To take your place in this world as one, (woman and man),
As you look back on how it all began,
Or how life would be without her in your hand,
A voice speaks to you so sweet and so warm,
The voice tells you, this has been the plan since you were born
The voice is God speaking to your heart,
Telling you he was there right from the start,
From the nervous words to the shaking knees,
He tells you this was always meant to be,
I gave you the words, I put them in your heart,
I stood there beside you, right from the start,
I gave you a wedding and I gave you a bride.
A helpmate and lover to stand by your side
You made an oath to your wife at the alter that day
I already knew this would happen, I paved the way
The woman you have was hand-picked by me,
She was made special for you, no one else you see.
So the only thing you do now is thank God up above
Because He provided us with the women we love!

~ Keith Merkel ~
Texas

IN THE DISTANCE

In the distance I see horsemen
As time hurries to an end.
I hear hoof beats fast approaching,
With the changing of the wind.

There are famines, there are earthquakes,
There is pestilence and snares,
I hear hoof beats fast approaching,
There is violence everywhere.

The earth labors for her freedom
As the birth pains have begun.
I hear hoof beats fast approaching,
Now the final days have come.

Good and evil merge in battle
Light and darkness round me dwell,
I hear hoof beats fast approaching,
As the Savior did foretell.

I look yonder to the heavens
As time hurries to an end.
I see Jesus fast approaching,
The trump blowing in the wind.

~ Deanna Malawy ~
Illinois, USA

The following poem was written by Terrance Fitzgerald
who says that the subject is a true story about a
 church that selected a wolf to lead them unknowingly.

OF WOLF & MAN

He was welcomed in with a wink and a nod
We believed he was sent by the Spirit of God
The folks took a vote to welcome him here
The vote was read with clapping and cheer
And so he came here to be the guide
Claiming that he had nothing to hide
The doctrine was changed, but that didn’t matter
The sermons grew deeper and stronger and fatter
Some said that love was being put on the shelf
And that he spoke way too much about himself
People were neglected, relationships broken
But this contradicted what was being spoken
Loving community were the words of the day
But in his life it wasn’t working out that way
When this was mentioned three others spoke back
They said they had planned to pick up the slack
But they never did and the problem grew stronger
And many couldn’t bear his pride any longer
Then the first third went out the door
And soon there would be several more
“Trust me” he said, “I know how to lead”
His time in the service had shown him the need
But the promise was empty, broken, and hollow
For he could not lead and no one could follow
So onward we struggled with no functional head
Chaos and pettiness is what we got instead
Yes men promoted, others pushed out the door
The numbers kept shrinking, the treasury got poor
If he didn’t get his way quite often he pouted
Then he’d think of a plan to make sure you were ousted
Jealously and envy were leading the way
Divisiveness and strife seemed here to stay
The three charged to watch stood idly by
And refused to correct the pride of this guy
They didn’t want to see it, they believed all were lying
Even though a faithful few kept on trying
They said let us make peace in the small faithful band
The effort was ended with a giant back-hand
And so more had left and the numbers were dwindling
So many relationships burnt up like kindling
The flock has been beaten, devoured, and scattered
Some who’ve remained are spiritually battered
The end seems to be coming faster and faster
The church has become a limping disaster
We have forgotten the way of our master
Because at the start we called the wolf pastor

Based on Matthew 7:15-17 and Acts 20:29

~ Terrance Fitzgerald ~

I USED 2 B

I remember the old me back in the day
Who always let the sin in me have its way.
I now look back at those days and wonder how
I talked with a very nasty mouth so foul.
I always tell people who didn't know me then
How they would hate to see the old me again.
If they only knew what I was like so full of sin
A dark cloud hovered over my devilish grin.
I crucified that old me some 20 so years back
Who tries to rise up often with a surprise attack.
Trying to get me to choose selfish sin over Godly love
But thankfully I choose right from my Help above.
People who I used to not like, I no longer hate them
It's hard to do that after I became a new creation.
I need to get in contact with old friends who need to see this
They need to see the new me who truly loves Jesus.

~ MK Douglas ~


TIME IS ON MY SIDE

Time Is On My Side. Where has the time gone?
I long to see some change and to stop singing the same old song.
I'm ready to live a victorious life. I'm tired of things always going
wrong.
I'm dying to see real changes. I've been waiting so long.
I don't mean to complain. I do count my blessings.
I have endured a lot of pain. My sins I keep confessing.
Time is on my side. I should do what's right with it.
I better use what God gave Me. I'm truly gifted.
24 hours a day and I just keep on living.
I pray that no selfishness overtakes what I keep on giving.
Hours and hours of time spent letting God love through me.
I truly don't want to live this life in vain, you see.
I don't want to wait until I get to heaven to love, as crazy as it sounds.
As long as I'm living I choose to do what really counts.

~ MK Douglas ~

THERE

Jesus was 'there' before there was a 'there.'
He was there for you and there for me
before there was a 'we'
(before we came to be.)
And it is He...
Who placed those who are there for you there for you,
And when there’s no one there for you,
Jesus will still be there for you.
And Jesus will care for you
When no one else will care for you.
And He will bear for you what no one else could bear for you.
Because He dared to do what no one else would dare to do –
Nor cared to do - nor was prepared to do.
And now He's waiting there for you –
In heaven - ready to hear a prayer from you.
And all that He has, He can share with you.
But beware...
It wasn't 'fair' –
The grief He chose to bear for you.
Beware that not all will be spared
That not all will share
In that which He's prepared for you.
For all have sinned and all deserve to bear their dues –
Eternity impaired without a soul to care for you.
That is the wage of sin - the rightful rut we’re in – it’s true.
And thank the Lord for Him, for Jesus tore sin’s veil in two.
Would you believe in Him?
Would you let Him be there for you?

~ Robin Gonzalez ~

WHEN MY HEART IS FREE

I want to sit with you
And listen to you speak
Words of beauty and truth
That make my spirit meek

You inspire and thrill my soul
Giving me courage and peace
You make my spirit whole
Bringing a sweet release

I want to hold you tight
And kiss your beautiful face
As I enter into the light
Of mercy, love, and grace

Sitting with you my friend
Enjoying this circle of love
My heart now free from sin
Singing to the stars above

~ Cole Houx ~
Texas

The following series of inspirational poems were written and submitted by Kenneth Boone.

ECOLOGY OF SOULS

Crystalline porcelain transparent eyes
Chandeliers swing from the tops of the skies
An atmosphere of auras
A refuge of realization
An ecology of souls
And seeds of elation
Jeweled basketballs suspended in bliss
Aim at a basket
And will never miss
A palette of prisms
Rooms with infinite walls
IV's of rainbows inject them all
Sin is clear here for only a moment
For here there is no fear
And nothing will own it
Each has a purpose
Each has a mission
A plan so grand that
Only one has the vision

Ian Moore
PA, USA

IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE

In The Blink Of An Eye
By the Heavenly Trumpets cry,
Christ will split the Eastern sky.
In The Blink Of An Eye
To gather believers who reply,
While to others a sad good bye.
In The Blink Of An Eye
Our waiting loved ones to see,
As our souls are set free.
In The Blink Of An Eye
Our possessions remain behind,
The evil spirits for to find
In The Blink Of An Eye
Those who doubted from afar,
Christ forever will He bar
In The Blink Of An Eye
Ask forgiveness for your sin,
And your soul forever mend.
In The Blink Of An Eye
God's grace stands ready for all,
Who by faith will freely call.
In The Blink Of An Eye
Looking forward to Heavens affair,
And the grand meeting in the air.
In The Blink Of An Eye.

I Corinthians 15:52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.

~ Charles C Robey ~

ODDITY THESIS

Opened my eyes first glimpse a somber haze
Traversing a tangled, wooded maze.
Distant sun avoids gloom and transgress
Hiding behind my dreaded distress.
Distressed, as damsel, I await nautical day
Entering endless nights lost at bay.
Inner dreams of my heart rest chastised.
Shuddering, my eyes reveal revised.
Teach me, oh Lord, warmth of endless love
Indwelling trust from heaven above.
Yesterday has passed. Today is new
Substantiating all domain I knew.

Oasis arrived with morning rise
Thriving paired luminescence prize.
Dual differs the Morning Star and sun
Hitting horizon, but Star shines one.
Defense from dark returning again
Everlasting love and Holy Friend.
Innocence identifies my helpless stress
Shoving sinful nature outward press.
Thanksgiving and praise sings I, the maiden
Influencing my heart change—love laden.
Yellow beam brakes black, the Light has won
Saving always those who trust the Son.

Opaque blindness eliminates mist
Teaching either light or dark exist.
Deity now encompasses charm
Holding destiny without alarm.
Different, this love from all I knew
Entitling royalty renew.
Impeccability proves Son rules
Shining as King on the throne of jewels.
Thoughts pure, life whole and eternity,
Ignoring past, found gift modernity.
Yonder, I live peaceful in the Land
Singing praises forever in His hand.

Amanda Hutzelmann
Pennsylvania, United States

NOTHING GOLD CAN STAY

Standing at the threshold
of Death's ultimate door,
my last gasp escapes me...
As I've never experienced before.

Into the Heavenly realm
I ascend in wonderment,
now housed in an incorruptible body
and thankful that from sin I did repent.

Standing in God's throne room
freed of all Earthly flesh,
my spiritual essence is energized
and feeling fully refreshed.

Now gathered unto my Savior,
unencumbered reality is more than it seems;
for to be in His Presence
is my accomplished dream.

Having been given my kingly reward,
in these times of everlasting days,
willfully I set my crown at His feet.
For upon my head, nothing gold can stay.

Joe Breunig

You can learn more about Joe and his poetry at:
http://www.squidoo.com/book-isbn-1419650513/

THE GLEANING JAR

Leviticus 23:22 "When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the stranger. I am the LORD your God."

On a hilltop north of Derby
In a shack of good repair
Lived the widow Agnes Murphy
Quite alone and happy there

Every Sunday she would venture
To the church in Derby Square
Always sitting front row centre
To endure the people’s stare

For her features were not handsome
And her words she’d fairly shout
For alone upon the hilltop
Agnes’ hearing had gave out

So she heard the Word each Sunday
Though she rarely took it in
For the preacher was long winded
And the message rather thin

Then one Sunday Pastor Cleary
Told the story of Boaz
How he did not glean his harvest
He would leave the farther edge

And the message struck poor Agnes
Like a blade to pierce her heart
And she wept in lone conviction
For she had not done her part

Twasn’t grain that Cleary spoke of
Nor the wheat be what it seemed
Agnes figured that her pension
Was the harvest to be gleaned

All that night she lay a frettin’
And her thoughts tossed to and fro
For her pension was but little
And she loved her pleasures so

Come the morn it was decided
And she said a thankful prayer
She would glean her copper pennies
In a jar placed by the stair

For the stranger and the poor ones
She would save as best she could
Who they were, she had no answer
But she figured Jesus would

Day by day the jar was filling
Yet no stranger came to call
“Where’s the poor?” prayed widowed Agnes,
“I ain’t seen no poor at all!”

Then one day as she was walking
To the store to buy some tea
Sat some boys along the roadside
In a circle knee to knee

Passed among them was a cupcake
Take one bite and pass it on
And the pleasure on their faces
Lasted till the treat was gone

“Are ye poor?” ole Agnes hollered
And the boys gave quite a start
“Come with me. I’ll feed ye proper.”
And with that she did depart

Faces glum the boys did follow
Widowed Agnes up the hill
Since they must obey their elders
For it was their parents will

“I’m so scared!” said one wee laddie
As the tears began to leak
“Shut your mouth. Don’t be a baby!
Can’t you see she’s old and weak?”

In reluctance they did enter
Round her table, took a seat
Agnes reached within her cupboards
Spread before them every treat

There was butter, bread and honey
Biscuits fine and maple ham
Boiled eggs and round red apples
Creamy milk, a pot of jam

“Come back now” screamed widow Agnes
“And I’ll feed ye all agin.
Look at ye, yer fairly starving
Why your all just bones and skin.”

So the days passed for the widow
Every week the boys were fed
Gleaning coppers from her pension
To supply their weekly bread

Now the gleaning jar stood empty
“Do Ye want me nickels too?”
Cried the widow to her Maker
Though the answer she well knew

Soon the boys were boys no longer
They grew tall with strength and might
While poor Agnes seemed to shrivel
Eyesight dim and head of white

Then one day her boys came callin’
On a cold December noon
T’was no Agnes at the door frame
All lay quiet in the gloom

So the lads, they tiptoed inward
Anxious thoughts filled every head
As they crept into her chamber
Saw the widow on her bed

Though her ears had long forsake her
She could hear them softly cry
“There now boys, no need to worry
Don’t cha know we all must die?”

“Lean in closer. There’s me laddies
For I’ve something I must say
God is good. There’s no denying
And I’m glad He had His way.”

“I have given precious little
Yet His mercy has bestowed
Ye good lads who’ve been me comfort
I have reaped more than I sowed.”

On a hilltop north of Derby
By a shack in good repair
Lies the widow Agnes Murphy
Safe at rest in God’s own care

Roberta Prentice
Ontario, Canada

MY PETITION

Resurrect my flesh, oh Holy Ghost;
May only in You this heart of stone boast.
Draw me away from my indiscriminate pride;
I’ve tried living dead, Lord, make me alive.

Empty my mind of sinful inclinations;
Permit me instead to bring good tidings to the nations
For in a world held captive to terror and strife,
You came as a baby to bring sinful man life.

Deliver my soul from this horror and grief;
And whenever I fall please stand underneath.
Provide me escape from the pain of my loss;
And take me instead, Father, to your wonderful Cross.

Embolden my spirit, for no exaltation but Thine;
This world is so dark; make my light shine.
Give me the courage to be Your hands and Your feet;
To do Your hearts bidding ‘til that day when we meet.

May also you bring me great friends and good health.
But before all this,
Oh God.
Bring me Yourself.

The author did not want her name published. She stated that "This poem is for others, not for me."

SPRING DEVOTION

The hills are dimpled and dappled
With greys of winter,
Baby leaf greens,
Sparkling pinks,
Lacey whites and creams,
Fireworks of fuchsia,
Bushes bloating with bursts of yellow,
Pom-poms of peonies, tiny buds in endless minutia.

Flowers freckling yards and roadsides,
Daffodils and tulips,
Large, languid, lilies,
Butterflies tottering,
Mares with their fillies.
Crocus hail the start,
While melodic frogs and singing birds
Signal the quickening pulsation of Mother Nature's heart.

What was at rest is now resplendent,
What had left has now returned,
What seemed dead is now resurrected,
A kaleidoscope of sound, scent, and sights charmingly churned.

No other season could better reflect the story,
Of the rise from mute death by our Savior Jesus
To life everlasting and symphonic glory,
A resounding revelation to repeatedly please us.

Judith Kittredge
April 2006

THE CAPTAIN

On this voyage that is our life there will be times that bring us strife.
Rainy seasons of darkened clouds and stormy seas that billow loud.
Winds and waves engulf our boat until we barely stay afloat.
Silt and salt tear at our sail; with all our strength we try to bail.
In the dark we lose our way and this is when we think to pray.
A voice commands the raging sea; the winds and waves obey Him still
In the calm He beckons me to come to Him on bended knee.
I AM the Lord and I will use the parts of nature that I choose;
Captain of the boat you thought, but My will you never sought.
So I have brought you to this shore in order to reveal much more.
A chosen vessel you will be but Captain of your life is Me.

Maria Egilsson
Manitoba, Canada
www.thewoman2woman.com

I WROTE THIS POEM AFTER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001. Nan from Ohio

GOD'S COMFORT FOR HIS PEOPLE

When you fear the trouble in today's world,
Read Isaiah 40, you'll find comfort in God's word.
When you consider our nation's enemies
and tremble at what they may do,
Wait on the Lord, He'll deal with their evil, while
giving strength to you.
Who has measured the waters in the hallow of His hand
and who has measured heaven with a span?
It is He who sits in a circle above the earth,
All nations before Him have no worth.
He is sovereign over every nation,
He makes princes and judges useless,
For without Him, the world has no foundation.
Lift up your eyes on high,
He calls all earth's inhabitants by name,
By the greatness of His might.
The Lord God shall come with a strong hand,
He will gather with His arm His lambs,
And carry them in His bosom to the Promised Land!

Nan also has a Bible poem blog for your to visit at
www.foodforyourbodyandsoul.blogspot.com

WINTER DEVOTION

Quiet, peaceful quiet,
Snowflakes confused and falling,
Falling in every direction,
As they whirl with dancing inflection,
Finally alighting without a sound.

Grey upon endless grey,
Barren branches with no shadow,
Spread before a frosted sky.
Filmy sun like a cataract eye,
Diffusing frail eclipsed light all around.

Cold, enveloping cold,
Hot is noisy, buzzing, chirping,
Cold is quiet, stilling, chilling,
Lifeless fields awaiting tilling,
While seed is renewing under ground.

Winter, restful winter,
After seasons of long, tired days,
We land softly upon reflection,
Ask our Creator for new direction,
As weary spirits revive and rebound.

Judith Kittredge
February 12, 2006

LEGACY OF A SONGBIRD

The voice of a songbird he has given me, deep as a river that flows free. The heart of a lamb loving and true, imparting the courage of a lion when the adventure is through.

The role of a handmaiden, he has placed in me; dressed in a garment of fine linen as a hidden key. Woven together by listening to the song of His heart; expressed in the quiet in and through Him that I can impart.

The brilliance of a diamond, the softness of spring with a freedom of movement that strengthens ones wings.

Joanne Cain

This is a letter/Poem to the Lord. Not sure if others feel this way too, but it's from my heart and was written free hand. ~ Tanya Steward, Cambridge, MA

If I could just hear your voice things would be so much easier. All of my guessing would come to an end and I would then know exactly where my purpose begins. Not much to ask for one would probably say, but perhaps those are the very ones you speak to everyday. A whisper, a laugh or nudge in the night-- I would give anything to hear you say “there’s no secret to my delight”. Uphold my commands you say & stand humbly before me. Use caution to pray always and don’t forget to pray with fervency. In all thy ways acknowledge me by abiding in the Word of truth. Read it, meditate on it and never let it depart from you. I understand all of your instruction and appreciate every word you say, but how does one battle to do these things when flesh stands in the way. Fast and pray I have done and longer than I anticipated. However after all was said and done I am still not feeling completely liberated. Your voice is just as distant in addition to a renewed war in my mind. I wander to and fro to get a sense of what I didn’t do right this time. Did I not forgive as I should have or grieve you by some other sin? If I could only hear you voice to silence the battle being waged within.
 
It’s like torture not knowing if what is being thought about is coming from you or just a sick mind game being played by the enemy. My thoughts are no longer my own, so I stopped short of being confident in prayer. The nemesis of faith grips me daily to the point of grabbing hold of busyness to be reminded less of a life plagued by prayer incompetence. Life without you speaking? What a miserable state to be in!
If I could just hear your voice things would be so much easier. Do you hear me? I’m still listening.

Tanya Steward
Cambridge, MA

The following poem written by Brian Lenville is based on the disability of blindness, and how through eternal faith and unswerving loyalty to our Lord, he was able to regain the gift of sight. It won poem of the week at the Cramlington poetry society which he attends.

WEEPING EYE

I have lived without the gift of sight, my troubled days have seen no light.

For I only had one eye to see, but this did not remain to be.

An accident robbed me of this sense, leaving me alone and tense.

An embrace of our faithful Lord resulted in an epiphany.

I held the door, whilst our Lord held the key.

He came into my eye. He came upon my body.

My face streamed with tears of gold from his power.

For he had blessed me with his golden shower.

A wish to see light again had become a prayer for me, before I said goodbye.

Until on one bright dawn a huge shaft appeared, and brought tears to my weeping eye.

Now I could witness the Holy Father in all his morning glory.

And you and I can now share my story

Brian Lenville, Britain

JOSEPH BEFORE THE DREAM ~ Matthew 1:18-19

Two months she says, two months with child is she
I don’t know who the Father is, but I know that it’s not me
I wanted so to marry her To have her by my side
But now I want to move away, just move away and hide

She said that Gods Angel made her pregnant with a word
And that the child that she is carrying is the Saviour of the World
I want so to believe her but I just cannot take it in
I feel that’s she’s betrayed me, with someone else she’s been,

Lord God you know I love her, but her stories so absurd
Your Angel appearing to her, it just does not make sense
She said that she had agreed to bear the child,
That would set the people free,
where in all this My God, where does all this leave me?

Shall I leave her to it and let her bare the shame.
Just walk away from Mary and let her take the blame
You are my God and I love you through and through
O God you spoke to Abraham just show me what to do.

George Knowles
Nottingham, England

Here are three poems written by Rod Ferbrache. He has a good looking website of poems, thoughts, ramblings and stunning pictures at www.rodferbrache.com.

THE CLEMATIS AND THE OAK

The Gardner stood with his hand outstretched, and in it held a seed
A closer look revealed to me it wasn't any weed
For in his grasp I clearly saw an acorn small and round
I wondered for a moment the reason why he found -
The need to have this item so common, so well known
But he said to me, you wait and see, until it's fully grown

Into the ground the acorn went, t'was tended with such care
Yet what seemed to me like endless months the soil remained so bare
But then one day I saw a shoot emerge above the soil
The Gardner too had noticed it, but never ceased to toil
He weeded, feeded, kept an eye on what was now an oak
The ground around was kept so clean, this seedling mustn't choke

And then he stretched his hand again; I leant forward so I could see
The tiny seed inside his grasp was as small as small could be
He told me this was a special seed that needed extra care
It couldn't go in open ground that now was cold and bare
It went inside the glasshouse where conditions were just right
The Gardner gave it water, and gave it heat and light

It too began to germinate into a plant so fair
Eventually it too was placed outside in the fresh air
The years went by unnoticed, the oak and plant did well
The tree grew tall and handsome, the clematis, a beautiful smell
But something happened gradually, that no one seemed to see
The plant and tree grew bit by bit until it came to be
The plant reached out and grasped the oak and both grew up together
They soon became inseparable, that no matter what the weather -
The oak gave to the plant support and strength and protective cover
The plant brought scent and beauty as they entwined each other

I met the Gardner recently; we spoke of this and that
It didn't take so very long before we began to chat -
About the tree before us, and the beauty of the shrub
I pointed out those two were one, and what an awful job -
That we would have to separate the two now joined together
He said that wasn't in the plan, and had I thought that whether -
When he had planted both those seeds he had upon his mind
That if he grew them close enough together they would bind

You see we meet today together not because of chance
It's not a coincidence that tonight Kate and Wynter will dance -
Together as husband and wife, that two become as one
The Gardner planned it years ago, today it has been done
God brought you both together, a woman and a man
We are not here by accident; it's all part of His plan

Marriage brings so many strengths; there are challenges with it too
But as you start this step together there's one thing you must do
And that is like our story of the oak tree and the flower
If you hold each other tightly you will have such power
Let God who brought you both together, who tended plants and earth -
Give you both a marriage that you agree is worth -
More than any money, than any life apart
I urge you both that every day you give your life, your heart -
To one another, may you be ever true
Start and end each day together, with the words "I love you".

Rod Ferbrache
Channel Islands, UK


THE EVENINGS ARE DRAWING IN

I love the start of summer
With days that are long and hot.
The memory of winter's cold
Is something almost forgot?
For in those dark short days
We can feel so low and restricted,
Then spring comes round the corner
And our spirits feel so lifted.

The energy we feel within
Seems like the sap, to rise.
I do enjoy those daylight hours
Plus the sun high in the sky.
There's time to do the gardening
When coming home from work,
Or on the bike for a quick ride,
No hint of winter murk.

We're woken in the mornings
By the sound of singing birds.
They sing their very hearts out
Determined to be heard.
Everywhere there's colour
No matter where you look.
It's as if God used every shade there was
In His painting book.

The month of May has more treats
Than all the months before.
All around the island
There's migrant birds galore.
Each sporting brand new feathers
Their mate they must impress.
Then butterflies come on the scene
They too in fancy dress.

All of this continues
At such a frantic pace,
It's as if a clock is ticking
And all are in a race.
For so they are, it's true to say
That as each day comes and goes
The urgency grows greater
As the daylight hours grows.

It's well known in my family
Come June just what I'll say
Because it happens every year
Following the longest day.
It's fact, there's no denying it,
Yet there's a knowing grin-
When I come out with my annual phrase,
"The evenings are drawing in".

"The evenings are drawing in",
With a feeling that starts to sink.
But as I do, a little voice says
Something that makes me think.
I'm reminded of a time to come
When the sun will forever shine
No dark and dismal winter days
Or passing years and time.

I will no longer be able to say
"The evenings are drawing in".
You will however see me
With a massive infectious grin.
No cloud, or rain, no wind or snow.
Just endless sunny days
Will be my portion evermore,
To sing my Redeemers praise!

Rod Ferbrache
Channel Islands, UK


WHO WOULD BE IN JESUS CHURCH?

A question slipped into my mind,
They often do these days,
Of all the people in our church
Who walk in different ways,
We've young and old, thin, fat and tall,
They vary quite a bit,
But generally are all the same,
No matter where they sit,

Respectable and dignified,
Middle class, well spoken too,
We all have cars, and lovely homes,
And rather well to do.
Life for most is comfortable,
With food and drink a-plenty,
We never know of what it's like
To sleep outside, cold - empty!

We don't look out of prison
With windows barred and bleak,
Where liberty is taken from us
With a visit once a week.
No urge to steal for drugs or drink
To get us through the day,
No selling of our bodies
Not with strangers do we lay.

So I got to think
if Jesus had a church
Who would He have in it?
For which people would He search?
Because as I look at Scripture,
And see the folk He found,
They were not the sort of people
We would like around.

Isolated lepers,
With sores that smelt and wept,
Tax fiddlers, enemy soldiers,
Were the company He kept,
Rough and rugged fishermen,
Women of the night,
These were the sort of people,
We see His heart delight.

So when I ask the question
Who would be in Jesus' church?
The answer that returns to me
Makes my own heart lurch.
For it would not necessarily be
The people here today,
But the ones the world has
Turned its back on,
Are the ones who stay away.

The reason that they stay away,
Is often plain to see,
They simply don't feel good enough,
To mix with the likes of me.
There's a feeling of unworthiness
That can keep them from this place,
Their shame and degradation,
Isolation and disgrace.

Yet Jesus always had the time,
In fact He sought them out,
Never did He turn away
Never did He doubt
That in the schemes of glory
There would be a place
For the dirty, down and out,
He made for them a space.

So as we go to church each week,
And fill the same old seat,
If we see a stranger,
Let's stand and go to greet
Those people Jesus sends us,
Let's make them feel at home,
It was always His intention
This should be their home.

Rod Ferbrache
Channel Islands, UK

See more at www.rodferbrache.com

My name is Joshua Takahashi. Here is a poem that describes a certain view on Christian living that we rarely see.

THROUGH GLASS

I peer through the window at the young and the old;
They eat and they drink as I stand in the cold.
I see them through the window but they are unaware,
That I stand here alone and no company I share.

Why have you forgotten me?
I’ve given you what you eat!
I’ve blessed you and clothed you,
It is I, your friend you cheat!
You sit by the fire while I stand in the night;
You bless me with your tongue,
But your heart is full of spite!

I’ve washed you clean from head to toe,
But you have forgotten and think me a foe!
The tears off my cheek fall down to the ground;
While the anguish and sorrow of betrayal compound.
Yet in my remembrance is patience unyielding;
For you are my children in need of my shielding.

You once adored me and gave me a place;
I enjoyed your presence you enjoyed my grace.
We laughed and played and often sang;
As the pain and sorrow no longer rang.
No better time could ever there be;
For with peace unspeakable I set you free.

To forget such a liberty and give place to sin;
To finish with holiness and wickedness begin;
You have sent your friend to be out of sight;
So you could revel in evil and return to your plight.

Anger and rage rise up in my throat;
Revenge and jealousy I wear as a coat;
With a word from my mouth I could darken your sky;
I could close my ears and make deaf your cry.
In an instant I could take the strength of your life;
And put there instead warfare and strife.
I hold the key to the joy of your heart;
And I have the power to make it depart.
All the good you have is owing to me;
If I held back my love you would no longer be.
Your dependence on me is complete and entire;
You are week and you fall when to me you aspire,
But there is still one thing to you from above;
My promise to be with you, and my unexhausted love.

For though you forget me and send me outside;
You are my children and you will I chide.
You are mine and have been purchased by me;
I will protect you and make you to see;
That I am your hope your one true desire;
To help you and lift you from your own foolish mire.
One day you will see – one day you will know;
How much you need – how much you owe.

But as indulgence and pleasures and luxuries amass,
Our friendship is reduced to looking through glass.

Joshua Takahashi
Missouri

Here are two poems written by Yvonne Osborne from England to share to the Lord's Glory. She also has a poem in memory to her mother which you can read on our Memoriam page.

He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. Psalm 104 vs 3,4

WHERE THE SILK WIND BLOWS

I stood in the corn where the silk wind blows
Caressing its sway like gossamer thread,
The old stone church with its spire and tower,
Stood on the hill where the wild things flower
Under the trees that dapple and spread.

In a fathomless sky the evening sun
Tinged with flame where the sky-lark wings,
To glint on flint and the silvery plough,
Where the brown earth turned on a distant brow,
And a blackbird brightly sings.

Lifting the scents of the well worn path,
Strewn where the ripe corn spread its seeds,
A thousand poppies by the grassy edge,
White meadowsweet, sage and sedge,
By straight spired ranks of river reeds

I stood in the corn where the silk wind blows,
Where whispers of angels rise and fall
From my lonely soul to the far off ground,
And heard on the winds of sacred sound,
“Fear not, for I love you best of all.”

Yvonne Osborne
Surrey, England.


Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me-- a prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42 vs 7,8

DEEP CALLETH UNTO DEEP

Scattered far in blue and gold,
In softly shades and deeper hue,
The dancing lilies of the field
Cry out in joyous praise anew.

A ragged path beside the streams,
And wings above in dipping flight,
Lead through Nature’s glorious themes
And hover o’er the waters bright.

Amidst the oceans giant roar,
All creatures rise and fall and leap,
From heavens plain to ocean floor,
As deep calleth unto deep.

My Lord and Saviour and my King,
I stand on Holy ground by Grace,
My wounded spirit here I bring
And weeping look to seek your face.

You are the Author of my life,
What mercy can I know but thine,
Within an evil world of strife
I am yours and You are mine.

What depths of Love are entered here,
Upon this solid Holy ground,
You draw my broken spirit near
And hold me fast, thine arms around.

So tenderly you touch my face
And draw me to that sacred breast,
And within that strong embrace
Gently bid me come to rest.

I love thee Lord and praise the name,
The name of Jesus wrought above,
Of He who paid the price of shame
And drew me to this place called Love.

I hear the sounds of field and shore
As now you hold me fast in sleep,
And none but Thee could love us more,
As deep calleth unto deep.

Yvonne Osborne
Surrey, England

A MINISTER'S PRAYER

Listen to my prayer O Lord hear my humble plea - my heart and mind are weary from people needing me

I know You want me to be sunshine in the rain - but just who can I talk to when my heart is filled with pain

Please don't get me wrong O Lord, I long to do your will - but there are times I just need to listen and be still

Sometimes I need to go away where no one is around - a place where only you can speak like to Moses on Holy ground

Then after you have spoken and I'm feeling ten feet tall - please give me strength to minister for I know this is my call - Amen

~ Joye Atkinson ~

LEAP OF FAITH

It took a leap of faith.
For me to see.
The Lord was waiting patiently.
But...my hard head took trials.
My heart would pound sweat would roll.
The Lord was working, It took a toll.
He brought me straight to my knees.
I was asking, praying, Lord, please.
Everything I needed was before my eyes.
The scripture never tells me lies.
The only thing he wanted, I knew from the start,
...Was praying hands and my whole heart.
A leap of faith I took that day.
I hit my knees and began to pray.
"Lord, take anything that would hinder my walk."
He whispered softly, "I already have it."

~ Jason Kirk Bartley ~

JESUS AND A WIFE...

Its hard to quite understand.
Words that someone might state.
When they're filled with such anger and hate.
We try to let our ears not hear,
But somehow our heart finds a way to interfere.
And when this happens love beware.
Cause your heart will begin to tear.
Your body shuts down and your mind cannot think.
And on your cheeks your tears will sink.
Gasping for breath as the hurt takes place.
Starting to wish it would all erase.
Looking at them wondering why,
Such a big part of your life would want you to cry.
But on their face you see a blank stare.
Their eyes are dark and not a trace that they care.
The words are harsh and nothing you deserve.
Just yesterday you were kissing, but today you were thrown a curve.
How can you love someone so confusing?
How can your heart take such bruising?
Why do you wipe your eyes and move on?
What is in you that longs to be strong?
And then she gulped her pain down.
And the frown on her face turned around.
In a breath she simply said.
Did Jesus not die, with a crown on his head?
Sacrificed his life for the words that YOU said.
Beaten and tortured just for your life.
Lives that were corrupt and caused great strife.
Did he not forgive the things you did.
Or the repetitive sins you would commit.
So why wouldn't I want to love like that.
Jesus felt what I felt in more ways than that.
Who am I not to forgive?
Who am I to choose how to live?
Whether on the cross or with a spouse.
In the streets or in my house.
Jesus died so we could live an eternal life much better than this.
So, Why would I waste my thought in this pain?
when I know there is a rainbow at the end of this rain.
I forgive in my heart and so in yours.
And when I did that, God opened more doors.
I am happy today more then yesterday.
God taught me everything I need to know.
That sacrifice and hurt will only make you grow.
A wife is pure in her hurt with this.
That with Jesus you are able to forgive.
Love is patient and love is kind.
In my heart this you will find.

~ Tabatha Carlisle ~

Here are three great poems written by Timothy W. Tabada.

YOU AND ME

I am so unable and I am vain it's true,
But I know You'll able to carry me through.
You're the Great Creator, You're the Holy One
I believe Your favor, Grace and One True Son.

I'm a shameful sinner, works I cannot offer,
You're the faithful Healer, Life in You's forever.
Deceit and Pride in my heart reside,
But Tenderness and Humility, You always abide!

I have always wandered with worldly greed.
Jesus is the Way and that's all I should need.
Abundant is Your Hope, yet others die on rope!
Overflowing is Your Mercy, but others are still thirsty!

What's the difference between YOU and me?
Is it because the letters of the word are three?
What's the difference between YOU and me?
Is it because of Your Sovereign Deity?

YOU are LOVE and I am loved.
YOU'RE the LAMB, I'm the damned.
YOU DIED for me, I look up to Thee.
YOU carried that TREE, just to set me free.

Timothy W. Tabada


HOW GOOD, HOW BETTER AND HOW BEST

Oh how good it is when it's God's Love we feel,
Oh how better, when we walk according to His will,
Oh the best, when we will be with Him for real.

Oh how good it is when we read the Bible day by day,
Oh how better, when we act about and not just say,
Oh the best, 'cause in His Word, Jesus is the way.

Oh how good it is when we pray fervently,
Oh how better, cause He'll answer faithfully,
Oh the best, when we do it wholeheartedly.

Oh how good it is, when answers aren't enough, He is there,
Oh how better, for in circumstances He will always care,
Oh the best, 'cause even in great failures He will bear.

Oh how good it is when the moon is bright at night,
Oh how better, if our burden's been made light,
Oh the best, when were reconciled from a fight.

Oh how good it is when we have been thankful,
Oh how better, when were contented and delightful,
Oh the best, when we look up to Him and be grateful.

Oh how good it is when we have the talent and ability,
Oh how better, if we would say "I'll use these, for THEE"
Oh the best, if were humble, and give Him All Glory.

Oh how good it is to acknowledge God in our life.
Oh how better to give our full trust to Christ.
Oh the best, if with our life, God is glorified!

Timothy W. Tabada


DO YOU KNOW HIM?

Do you know who holds your tomorrow?
If comes pain and grief and much sorrow?
Do you know someone who'll fill up that hollow?
If your boat is sinking, who will row?

Will you make up your mind today?
To know the One and Only Way?
He has paid your sins, so what can you say?
In His loving bosom, you can lay.

Oh I know, yes I know Jesus holds my tomorrow,
If comes pain and grief and much sorrow.
Oh I know, yes I know He'll fill up this hollow,
If my boat is sinking, He will row.

Do you know someone who'll be there?
To guide and nurture like a father's care?
Do you know someone who could count your hair?
Who knows no greed, who will always share?

Have you made up your mind already?
If your answer's "yes", then you should be ready.
Don't think twice, never say "maybe".
Just trust Him completely, He'll set you free.

Oh I know, yes I know Jesus will be there,
To guide and nurture, ti's my Father's care.
Oh I know, yes I know He could count my hair.
He knows no greed, He will always share.
Jesus Loves me, no one can compare!

Timothy W. Tabada

Mold Me

God, I come before you a spiritual mess,
what's ahead for me I cannot guess.
I put my faith in you to mold me,
to open my ears to hear and eyes to see...
All the blessings that can be mine,
when I live for you and your love Devine.

Tammy Wood
Florida

REMEMBRANCE

In a world so incomplete
There’s a miraculous feat
We show who we really are
When we try to make some sense
Of a world that is so tense
Looking for answers on earth
Trying to prove our own worth
Instead of looking above
For answers given in love
Demonstrated by the cross
And everything that it caused
The days of old long forgot
The price at which we were bought
Not by any coins of gold
But by blood whose worth’s untold
And the loving sacrifice
That was used to pay the price
With the piercing of the lance
We received another chance
So we may spread his story
And give God all the glory

Timothy Bowers, Ontario

WHAT IT TAKES

It takes one itch to ensure a scratch.

It takes but a spark to light that fire.

It takes only a thought to finally act.

It takes but a word to make a speech.

It takes but a kiss to make love.

One cry to bring your mother

One pause to hear the silence

One debate to start a fight

One candle to make it light

His death to make it right.

~ Erica J. Smith ~

THE THOUSAND YEARS 
 
Oh to write a thousand years
for you whom washed away the tears
of those who rose above the land
and watched them drown the wicked man,
 
who chose to soil the soil this way
for every drop the righteous paid
and so they pay this very way,
 
the day the Son of man reclaimed
the saints that suffered for his name.
 
Oh to write a thousand years
of night turned day and richer years
as sunlight passes to true light
to learn and grow in paradise,
 
no memory...of death and fear, of hate and war
as fog would clear...and lift us all from all restraints,
for this I would write every day.
 
So long as I not drown in tears
would I weep to write a thousand years. 
 
~ Malcolm Ian Hodge ~

I was a Muslim who recently accepted Christ as my Lord and Saviour. This poem came to me as if it were someone else typing the words for me.

THE MESSAGE

As all live on
Forgiveness to some
a woman feels none
a man has not a son

a moment of silence
seeking hope with despair
in this life, what its become

warn the life
with truth I write
that day is near
and your journey is clear

how hard you will cry
when all the land becomes dry
and the people pant and sigh
for peace and evil are mixed to try

and then the sky fills with light
When the earth has sight
then people will be tried
and the good will have right

In the father's name we command
and in the sons name we love
and with the holy spirit we live

Sometimes I feel defeated; unneeded, unheeded,
I can take this life or leave it,
I think thoughts of solitude, like I’m one of a kind,
Nobody understands my mind.
I fly without wings and cry without tears,
I live with great fears and misunderstood by love ones and peers.
My fire is cold, I feel bone weary and old,
Please God lighten my load.
I have the audacity to ask, because I know you can do all tasks
I’m blessed and I have overcome the demons of the past.
But my purpose is missing and nobody but you will listen
Can I provide happiness for others, because of love?
But I starve at the feast of happiness; I only have joy from above.
I’m empty, yet full, I’m smart but because of my nature I have no pull
I’m looked at as someone that’s easily outsmarted and taken lightly
I’m the prey for the wicked and the mighty
I offer you my service, train me, let us become we
I beg for direction on bended knee.

~ Sean Jones ~
Florida

GOD IS GREAT

Each day is special I live it all that way.
Another chance to do better.
Another chance to pray.

Some days I go through, they seem a little rough.
I’m glad they’re out numbered by the good ones.
I make it because of JESUS and not because I’m tough

I think of all the many things that CHRIST created for me.
My family and my neighbors.
The people that I see.

Each day brings the beauty with all its natural sounds.
Its GOD’S little Critters.
Both in the air and on the ground.

I look out my window and see the melting snow.
Spring time is around the corner.
Everything will began to grow.

GOD is in my heart.
This I truly Feel.
Because of his great love we will never be apart.

I’ve made many mistakes along my earthly path.
But JESUS has always been near by.
He has keep me in his grasp.

~ Raymond Carey ~
Texas

HEAVEN RULES
Daniel 4

A great man once dreamt himself a tree
High and mighty, the whole earth could see.

Fair leaves and fruit, enough for all
But to his horror the tree did fall.

Down to the ground and lower still
Stripped bare of glory and made to feel

The dew of heaven upon his skin
The great tree had become the lowest of men.

Seven years alone in the field
Eating like cows, could he be healed

From the heavy hand that God did bring
Upon this proud and arrogant King?

Until he learned that Heaven rules all
Only then would God reverse his fall.

So walk in pride and be brought low
Until His reign you come to know.

For none can resist God’s mighty hand
None can rightly question His plan.

Learn this now before it’s too late
Or lower than grass will be your fate.

Pastor Chris McKnight, Texas

FORGIVEN AT LAST

Forgiven at last, praise God I am free
of long lasting sins that have binded me
I gave them to Him on bended knee,
and He erased them eternally.

He entered into my tattered soul.
and made it beautiful and completely whole
I'll thank Him and praise him till He comes for me
and then go with Him forever free.

Melinda Dean ©2008

GOING HOME

When I think of going home glorious visions come to mind,
The thought of loved ones gone before, precious ones to find.
In my heart these visions come, the faces of those so dear
Those who taught me right from wrong, those I hold so near.

My mind goes back to bygone days when all the family got together.
Those special holidays of yore, no matter what the weather.
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter were times of family feasts,
Aunts, uncles and cousins by the dozens celebrating our grateful peace.

Then in my thoughts of going home my visions grow much wider
I think of all who know the Lord who is the great provider.
I’ll meet with all who gone before like Peter, James, John and Paul
Men and women who love the Lord: Moses, Elijah, Abraham and all.

I’ll meet them all and hear them tell the story of God’s great salvation
To see their love for God above and celebrate his creation.
But most of all I long to see the face of Him who died for me
The one who long ago, in pain, gave His life upon a tree.

As I approach the gate of Heaven I’ll see the Savior standing there
With out stretched arms he will bid me come into His loving care.
There to spend eternity singing praises ‘round his glorious throne,
Through all the ages yet to come to live in that immortal home.

~ Richard Hosea ~

GOD’S LOVE!

Into the woods I walked ALONE.
But I never felt so.
Into the world of strangers I walked ALONE.
But I never felt so.
Through the streets of darkness I walked ALONE.
But I never felt so.
Now, I came to know GOD’S love and the biggest TRUTH
That he has never left me ALONE!

Brijit Auxsheelia

A SIMPLE WOMAN

I am a simple woman
But come from royal blood
My family escaped from exile
Led by a cloud above

Although I might seem shallow
I’m usually deep in thought
Curious about my Maker
And the battles He has fought

I am a simple woman
Yet moulded from His hands
Chosen to walk from exile
Into the Promised Land

Although I appear unworthy
His grace will cover me
While walking through the desert
Towards my destiny

I am a simple woman
And live a simple life
Not craving wealth and riches
But a world with no more strife

Although this all seems hopeless
A faith runs deep within
For the One I am in search of
Is carrying all my sin

I am a simple woman
But come from royal blood
Some held the hands of Jesus
Some heard His words of love

Although I cannot see Him
A key was left for me
To open my inheritance
Heavenly room prepared for me!

~ Lois Macdonald ~


DOVE SONG

Make me as pure as a gentle dove
representing love and peace
with an olive branch from long ago
softly cooing words so sweet.

Let me soar to Your mountain tops
like the mighty eagle dares
not a worry of what lays ahead
trusting daily for his fare.

Make me pure
Make me pure
Make me pure
as the dove
while the eagle soars
round the mountain tops
always praising
GOD above.

As the lonely sparrow builds her nest
near Your altar Lord most High
blessed are those who dwell near You
flying safely in Your skies.

So now join the flight
of God's chorus
as they praise Him
in the skies
from the first of
HIS creation
perfect witnesses
of God's love.

Last the graceful swan sounds her bugle call
as she glides upon the lake
all who watch her sense that God is near
stand in awe of what He makes.

So now join the flight
of God's chorus
as they praise Him
in the skies
from the first of
His creation
perfect witnesses
of God's love!

~ Lois Macdonald ~

AT THE FOOT OF ZION

How awesome is our God ; how marvellous His ways!
Mighty are His words and wondrous all His deeds:
Countless ages through faithful as He stays,
Sovereign though He is, the faintest cries He heeds.

High and lifted up is His glorious throne;
Roaring waters fade before His thunderous voice;
Kings and princes fall as His glory is shone
Ceaseless music flows , all of heaven’s choice.

Lightning bright and strong; rumblings all around
Trembling angels cry, as the elders fall;
Holy, holy, holy; shouts of praise abound,
As heaven says amen to the solemn Worship call.

But the saints feast, on His visage sweet;
Drunk with Spirit they, in His bosom dwell:
Neither do they stare, at pearls and a golden street ,
Nor the precious stones, all set so well.

There’s a place of rest, hidden from the rest
Where His precious saints in ecstasy sit still:
Endless flow the streams all around and blest,
Holy and sublime is the Zion’s hill.

Dr. C. K. Sunny, India

THE TIME WILL COME

You're at a high
Sometimes a low
And when it's time to say goodbye
Your life seems to go by so slow
One day they're here
the next they're gone
But it's okay to shed a tear
At times you feel like you're alone
It feels like reunion is so far gone
And when that time comes to face your fear
It'll be the moment when you will hear
Well done my good and faithful servant
and your loved ones will run into your arms
and at last the reunion is finally here!

~ Destinie Verret ~

Here is another poem written by Destinie:

THE COMMANDED PATH

Down the path of life I walk
As myself and Jesus talk
Until I come down to the end
And turn around the crooked bend
But as I stare down at the ground
There comes two paths
with no way around
Right then I hear his words softly spoken
My senseless self I cannot be
"Follow me and You'll be free"
When He heard my desperate plea
His spirit rose up inside of me
For He's the one that lights my path
And keeps me from the enemy's wrath
I knew right then that I should make
The decision of which path to take
And as I listen through the air
I hear him say "Follow me, I care"
And that command I do not question
I simply take His kind suggestion
I look right past the optional rebellion
And take the path through Him I've chosen
The choice I made kept me from dreading
And made me say, "This Changes Everything".

~ Destinie Verret ~

Please accept my poem for your Christian site. It is from the heart!

FAR FROM YOU

When I was far away from You
The world enthralled! It drew and drew!
I saw not, heard not, found no peace,
To soothe my heart nor pounding cease.
I ran from this, to that instead,
Never to rest as I fled and fled,
I thought that this was life in bold
And so it was I ne-er was told.

My life was weak and almost went,
Time was slow and then was spent.
I passed into the timeless zone.
No thing there, was on my own.
I waited, lost and empty too,
I knew not me, I knew not You.
When all at once, I was thrust forth
Now going South, from facing North!

Oh what joy I’m here, anew!
This is Life! This is true!
I gather strength and slowly climb,
Two rungs up, down one, I find!
I met myself when going down,
I felt! I saw! No need to frown!
I passed on by, to travel on…
My Friend is there! He is not gone!

I hunted down my every thought
I traced it back where it was caught,
I faced again the life I’d lead
Cut right thru, ‘til each was dead.
When I was not, You came! You were!
Thru the clouds a ray of care!
I felt Your light, then You were gone!
I peered again but there was none.

So on I went, right thru the web
Of tangled memories and dread,
From no, to yes, and yes, to no,
A fearful dream! It was to go!
And when I finally gave in
Surrendered me to what I’d been,
We saw each Other bright and clear
No time or space for thought and fear!

Janet Honour Hedgecock
North Wales, UK

HOPE

I hope as I get older I'll be careful about what I say.
Please help me LORD not to offend someone today.

I pray I won't say anything that might hurt the feelings of my family or my friends.
I've made a lot of mistakes when I was younger. I hope I do better in the end.

I'm thankful for JESUS shedding his precious blood upon that cross.
Thankful for his love that keeps me from being lost.

I don't want to be mad at anyone or even hold a grudge.
Someone else is coming HE will be the judge.

Sometimes when we get older, we like to gripe a lot.
Please help me to always be thankful for what I've got.

I'm thankful for each day the LORD gives me to see.
The beauty of all his creations that he made for me.

I see the world changing.
It doesn't seem to be the same.
I hope the younger generation don't forget his name.

The best advice I can give to help them through the day.
Open up your heart to JESUS and take the time to pray.

Raymond Carey, Texas

GOING HOME

Now my time has come,
From the sting of death, I cannot run.
I lived a long and fulfilling life,
Some of it good, some filled with strife.

As with all I did some good and some bad things,
Prayed to God for forgiveness to bring.
I surrendered my life accepting free salvation,
From that point I felt jubilation.

Now approaching my very end,
I cannot help but testify to my friends.
I tell of God's goodness the thing he has done,
How in my heart I know the race I have won.

I begin to ramble about the dead love one's I see,
How with out stretched hands they are coming to meet me.
I still pray to God let them usher me in,
Please Dear Lord forgive me of my sins.

So goodbye to you all please do not weep,
For in my grave I shall only sleep.
For when the great trumpet sounds,
My spirit, my soul shall leave the ground

I will with the others rise up high
To meet the Lord in the sky.

~ F. Wells ~

SATAN'S WISH

Satan's wish is to get Gods chosen ones in his claws
His angels work overtime and without a pause
To get every single soul to do his will
Be very careful his flock is never still.

Satan's wish is to be the winner of every soul
Watch out and listen for he's always on patrol
Be always on guard, so he wouldn't win
Then someday you will lodge in the Heavenly inn.

Satan's wish was to get Jesus out of his way
He tries to persuade Jesus to do what he says
He tempted him three times, but he didn't succeed
Then he left in a hurry with a jealousy speed.

Satan thought his wish was granted and complete
When Jesus died on the cross, he was happy as can be
He celebrated in Hell that day, but was in for a surprise
When Jesus came down and rescued his own, from that bitter life!

Satan's wish is to catch everyone in his hole
He attempts to capture every person soul
Satan wish that every soul, will be his, to have and to hold
When Jesus rose, he knew that it was out of his control.

~ Rosalene Wurtz ~

GOD'S MIRACLE

A Seed Is Planted Under Dampened Sod
A Gardener Tends It Well With Rake And Hoe
Yet Only By The Grace And Love Of God
Will That One See Push Through The Earth And Grow

Still Other Seeds Are Planted In The Earth
By Farmers Who Must Carefully Reap And Sow
Yet Only By God's Will (Not By Man's Worth!)
Will Those Seeds Finally Pierce The Earth And Grow

Yes, Man May Make Life Easy For Those Seeds
(Machines Can Plow The Fertile Ground, You Know)
Can Even Ease The Soil And Pluck Out Weeds
Yet By Themselves They Can't Make One Seed Grow!

For Seeds Will Grow Despite Man's Toil Or Pain
Despite Machines--Without The Rake Or Hoe
'Cause GOD HIMSELF Has Placed Within Each Grain
The Power And The Need For It To Grow

A Farmer With Self-Pride Now "Reaps The Fruits"
But Will This Farmer Ever Really Know
That God Himself Was Hiding At His Roots
To Make Each Seed Unfurl Itself And Grow

Though Modern Tractors Plow The Fertile Ground
Until The Fields Do Rich In Harvest Show
I'm Sure That In The End It Will Be Found:
THE LORD DID MAKE THE HARVEST RISE AND GROW!


~ Al Fogel ~

MY WALK WITH GOD

Read for Family & Friends to the Tempo of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”

God woke me so early -- He took hold of my hand,
He said “Come walk with me and survey My land”
Then He suddenly stopped as if looking for Words,
Glanced up to the trees and enjoyed the birds
He smiled as they chirped, how they sang a long tune,
The Angels hummed with them, as the sun replaced moon
God peered at the Heavens then spotted a cloud,
He watched as it hung there -- He looked awfully proud
Together we sat, without uttering a sound,
Content with the moment, nature’s beauty abound
Then all of the sudden, the silence He broke,
I watched His emotions and the Words that He spoke
He asked if I ever just looked at His stars,
Small planets, formations, all distant and far
And why all His children are looking for reasons,
For planets, for bugs, why, even for seasons
Science takes far too long to see what is true,
By the Words that I spoke, I made all, even you
They can’t figure out, but with My holy voice,
The rains will come quickly, and the wind has no choice
In just one of My hands, I capture a small little breeze,
Or silence the thunder and the waves in the seas
Man studies an earthquake and examines the shore,
But ignores all My children, turns his back on the poor
Nature’s song is a melody and My stars they do glisten,
I send all these gifts, but no one stops just to listen
Then He told many stories, as He tried to explain,
Why He visits today, and the source of His pain
He told me of Noah and of the great flood,
Then of His Son Jesus, and His innocent blood
He reminded of times in all the stories I’d read,
When His children earned freedom, from wars that God lead
Then He suddenly paused, while He pondered Creation,
Then actually asked of the state of our Nation
I said when you suffer injustice in your God-given rights,
You take up your armor and prepare for the fight
He asked if I thought of His Children at War,
Did they fight for our rights – or to even the score?
He explained war has purpose, those you love you protect,
You go with a mission– the battle swift and direct
But when the battle is fought and the victory is won,
In a very short timeline, the war is over and done
God’s heart seemed to hurt for the blood that’s been shed,
And the cries He hears daily for the missing & dead
What makes this so painful is that pride has a cost,
The freedoms we save versus the children we lost
Then the mood once more shifted as God picked up my hand,
He said I’m concerned for much more than this land
He told of the days while He formed all Creation,
Then sin entered in, and spread through the Nation
God’s goal was to give a paradise in which to live,
But instead at the Cross, His Son He must give
Jesus gave his life freely, with great mercy and grace,
The result of his pain, I could see in God’s face
Now I watch from the Heavens, all run a fast pace,
As if for great glory or to win a big race
God took no big rush in creating this earth,
He realized the value and immeasurable worth
We take it for granted, as He patiently waits,
We demand all His mercy, while we continually hate
Then God whispered so quietly, right next to my ear,
“Are you loving humanity – are you bringing good cheer?”
Next, He asked if I’m happy of what has become of my life,
Jobs, friends, and family – I’ve been a mother and wife
Strangely I found myself speechless and searching my heart,
Did He mean my good deeds, or the things I should start?
Before sitting with God, Good things I could tell,
But, I realized that moment, He should send me to Hell
He smiled as if responding to how sad I’d become,
I’d forgot in an instant that the victory is won
God placed right beside me a very small gift,
He nodded to take it but its weight would not lift
I asked what’s within, that carried such weight,
It’s My gift from mankind, all their sins and their hate
I wondered what victory we thought we had won,
The rat race continues, even though it’s not fun
One more gift was given—He placed a huge box next to me,
Upon it my name, this gift I must see
I realized that moment, inside was His heart,
Then He said “my dear daughter, this is where you must start.”
He said that He heard me, as I prayed in the night,
Asking a gift of His heart, His hands or His sight
So I might reach the needy and comfort the poor,
With this I had realized, I could do so much more
He then asked with real wonder about the way that I pray,
Why do you hesitate often, of what you will say?
Have you not realized by now, that I know all your thoughts?
Worry not what to say, just speak from the heart
He said I’m there with you, each time that you pray,
Or when you worry and struggle to start the new day
He recited each prayer, He remembered each word,
But they sounded so different, with all that I heard
My words made petitions, many blessings for me,
But for pain of all others, much less did I plea
Was the reason He came to visit this morning,
To point out my error or yield me a warning?
My days I’d spent planning on what must be done,
Only taking short spurts to remember God’s Son
But I suddenly realized when I struggled to pray,
That He just came to show me that He heard what I say
Whether speaking out loudly or just in my mind,
He sorts through the questions, real purpose He finds
No matter how large my worries become,
He will not ignore me – or like me, turn and run
You should see He’s not rushing to show which bill we should pay
But He sits quietly beside you, as with me on this day
For all He had given, only love did He ask,
But we had forgotten or thought it too big of a task
We can never imagine when God suffered great loss,
But He stood in the Heavens as his child died on the cross
I realized God’s might—he made both Heaven and Earth,
But the hairs on my head have much greater worth
So please take just one second to really hear what I say,
Tonight if you would – take just a moment to pray
Please pray for the Nation, the homeless and lost,
That time on your knees, not a penny it cost
And if you believe He won’t hear what you say as you talk,
Remember my words, when I told of my walk
Then next time you wake early and God grabs hold of your hand,
Be prepared for a journey to survey much more than just land.

~ Cindy Daniel ~
Christmas 2009