Wait, o child, on Me
Don’t press on in your puffed up pride
Or desire to control the scene
Wait, o child, on your knees
With a silent heart, resting in Me
Wait, o child, on Me
And you will see my plans come to fruition
In an ending that glorifies Me
Run to You
In the night, You shine
When I’m alone, You’re by my side
When I stray, try to pull away
You wait and whisper my name
I’m not running
Unless I’m running to You
Into the arms that hold me up
The heart that never gives up
My faithful Father, Savior and Friend
My beginning and my end
In All Things
You call the winds
You calm the storms
You hide us in darkness
Until Your time comes
You do as You will
For a purpose unseen
You give us Your words
To bring division or peace
The end we need not know
Nor the way Your paths will go
You promise to stay near
To provide and guide
To cleanse and renew
Until our lives reflect You
We praise you deep within
We give thanks for Your miracles
We give thanks for the grief
That lands us on our knees
Where Your face is clearer
Your Word is louder
Your hand is tighter
You get us alone
Move Mountains
I will go where You command my feet and by Your mercy overcome mountains I had met before with defeat.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105
“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” Mark 11:23
How and When to Go
It was time to go, but I stubbornly stayed
Even when the land around me went dry
Abandoned to this wasteland
Endlessly searching for signs of life
But no sustenance would be found
Only drought and silence would abound
In this dry and fallow ground
With reluctance and tiny steps
And a good bye to all buried below
I gathered up my belongings and heart
And found His footsteps to follow
““ ‘If after all this you will not listen to me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over. I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze. Your strength will be spent in vain, because your soil will not yield its crops, nor will the trees of your land yield their fruit.” Leviticus 26:18-20
Home is Where He Leads Us
I felt the Lord impress on my heart it was finally the right time to put my house on the market. In the 14 years we lived in that house there were many wonderful memories of my little ones growing up, times at the dinner table with family, making home improvements and entertaining friends. There were also many losses endured and regretful memories. I had debated off and on over the last several years whether or not I should sell it. But not until recently, did I receive confirmation in my spirit “it’s time”.
Statistics in the current housing market were not looking too favorable, but I was reminded the Lord is above any and all statistics. So, I moved forward in faith, entrusting the outcome to Him.
With the help of my realtor, who also happens to be a sweet friend of mine for many years, we received a listing price offer in under 3 weeks. The entire process ran smoothly and I was asked for only 2 minor repairs after the inspection. Closing was completed this week without a hitch! So, yes… the Lord is above any statistic. When He wills it, it will happen.
And although I had 1 good cry saying goodbye to my home, it is still just brick and mortar. My home is wherever the Lord leads and my heart feels fully at peace in my new, “smaller” place because He guided me here. And I know He’ll continue to guide and provide on the road ahead.
“Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.” Psalm 127:1
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine” Isaiah 55:8
Entrusted with Troubles
Fear gripped me
I saw the shadow of death
But as hard as it tried
It did not overtake me
For Jesus stood at my side
Despair tried to crush me
But I followed His voice
Pressing in on every side
Confounded by the noise
Yet I made faith my choice
In these troubles I’ll give thanks
He allows them knowing I’ll endure
And will use them to draw me nearer
To know Him even more.
“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
“But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” Luke 12:48
Deep Roots
I entered a search in google to find a photo that would go with my writing this morning. I entered “a tree that is not destroyed by storms” and Google replied with the following:
“No single tree is completely immune to storms, but certain species are highly wind-resistant due to flexible wood, deep taproots, and strong branch attachments. Maintaining tree health and structural pruning are critical to preventing them from snapping or uprooting during severe weather” which reinforced the importance of this simple plea…
Plant Your message so deep in my heart that the storms of life do not blow it away.
Jesus
Who would you like to talk to soon?
Every minute, every day
To know my words and thoughts are heard
And received with love and grace
He gently nudges in the way to go
As I sit at His feet
Every minute, every day
Daily Prayer
May my need always be great enough, that I stay aware of my need for You. The greater I recognize my need and look to You to sustain me, the more powerfully I see You act on my behalf.
Thank You for never leaving me, never giving up on me, and for being my sufficiency.
This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Amen
Praise
Jesus, Jesus
Lord Sabaoth is your name
As we lift our voices
And shout your praise
We see heaven open
The gates of hell shake
Earthly woes fade from view
As You reveal your face
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Guard Your Thoughts
Countless lies the enemy hurled
I regarded as truth
With empty thoughts to fill, I fell down that hill
Instead of studying You.
The enemy came to steal, kill and destroy
And cunning as ever was he
But my sword and my shield is the truth of your Word
And now I am counting on Thee
“And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15
Tangible Presence
Unusually near You are to me
Your presence so tangible
I touch Your sleeve
For why You choose to bless me so
I cannot perceive
Tightly, tightly, I cling to You
Confident in the journey ahead
For I do not walk this path alone
No, You go in my stead.
Never Alone
I could hear your footsteps walking in the gravel beside me. I could have felt all alone, but I knew I wasn’t.
For I am never alone. It is in the darkest places where my need is the greatest, that my eyes are open to see You act on my behalf – to shine your light, bestow your grace and execute your power so that all who see what You do for me will know it comes from You alone.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
No Matter What
No matter my lot
You reign
You measure
You determine justice
You distribute grace
No matter my thoughts
You are truth
You are supreme
You are peace
You are eternal
No matter my steps
You guide
You obstruct
You design
You construct
Prayer of Praise
To God be the glory for all the great things He has done. He has refined me with fire and walked me through deserted wastelands. He has whispered his will and direction when I could not see. Out of tribulation and calamity, He has opened up opportunity. Through raging waters, He has cleansed me and protected me from every foe. He is righteous and just and disciplines those He loves.
Amen
Thought Life
Faint echos of discouragement
Claw at the surface
They want to break through
But I’m relying on You
“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8
Thank You
Thank You for your tenderness
Your gentle wisdom in a whisper
Your direction at every crossroad
Your shelter when our feet are blistered.
Thank You for the rest You give
The hope You provide for tomorrow
The gift of joy in every day moments
The strength of Your embrace through life’s sorrows.
Calculating
I tried to put a number to it
Tried to hold it in my hand
Placed it under a microscope
So I could possibly understand
The measure of Your grace
But it was unmeasureable
The formula to apply grace
But it is undeservable
I tried to imagine eternity
But my mind would only go so far
Tried to see You with my eyes
But felt You in my heart.
Fears
I stare so intently at the things I fear, they become all I see.
I want to step back and widen the focus to all of the good around me.
Rest
Put one foot in front of the other
Until my light appears
Let my Spirit keep you quiet
My presence keep you still
Give Me your burdens
So I can carry you through
Rest your worried mind
Trust in my care for you
Expectations
What am I waiting for?
Someone to prove to me I’m worthy?
Someone to heal all of my problems
And make the world disappear?
Even if I found love
It now seems so trivial
So unnecessary and inconsequential
To what I’m doing here.
Relationships can be a blessing
But also what a load they bear
That is no longer the answer
There’s something more
That needs to happen here.
A change in heart
In perspective and motivation
A change in my view of the world
And a decrease of selfish expectation
Into Thin Air
I’m sorry for the things I spoke
When I should’ve been thinking
But instead I was drinking
I’m sorry for the arrows
I hurled in a hurry
Carelessly aiming
When my sight was too blurry
I’m sorry for apologies
That are needed everywhere
Thank you, oh faithful blog
For letting me clear the air
Tattered Cloak
I’ve worn the heavy cloak of my past like a shield.
I’ve washed it, clung to it, apologized for it
But took so long to remove it to fully heal.
I finally laid it down, my bare skin now revealed.
But not ready to abandon it, I dragged it behind me up every hill.
Until one day I saw the load I carried.
It had lost all purpose and use.
So I set free this ever increasing noose.
The journey became so much lighter.
My strength quickly increased.
The burdens of my cloak now buried
The past with it lay deceased.
Realign
Realign my fractured thinking
Strengthen the muscles of self control
Inject healing to my areas of tension
Widen the gaps that have become narrow
Let movement occur with ease
As I rise from my surrendered knees
To walk upright in confidence
Empowered with all my tools of defense
Prepared to walk with a purpose in mind
To give hope our lives can be redefined.
“13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:13-20
Counselor
My one true Counselor
My all in all
My kind and loving guide
Defender and comforter
Father and Friend
Who never leaves my side
Oh the Valley
Oh the valley
Where all my weaknesses are attacked
My mind so quickly forgets your promises
To instead obsess over worries and lack
Oh the valley
Where surrender counts ten-fold
Where my mustard seed can move a mountain
When I press on in the truths You’ve told
Oh the valley
What a treacherous terrain
Visions of the mountaintop barely remain
But faith, I muster the strength to reclaim.
Don’t Forget the Soap
I have a baking sheet that is used more often than I’d like to admit whether it be for frozen pizzas, mozzarella sticks, chicken bites, or French fries. Usually when I’m done with it, I just scrub away the grime with water and let it dry. Built-up grease (like in a cast iron skillet) is supposed to add more flavor to future meals, right? Ok, maybe not. But, occasionally I realize it’s time to use soap, too. No matter how hard I scrub, the soap cleans the pan in a way water alone cannot.
God works in our hearts and minds with a power we do not possess in the same way soap washes away germs in a way water cannot. No matter how hard we scrub to wash away the struggles within ourselves, we need God’s power and cleansing to do the job only He can do. So, before you scrub yourself into exhaustion, use a little soap. Trust God for the deep cleansing. Surrender that part of the job to Him. Don’t forget the soap.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Focus
Worrying about the news
Relationship problems
Financial stress
Personal ambitions
Past or potential pain
Only distracts our minds
From where we should place our aim
This world is temporary
And so are all these things
Instead share His heart
His love and presence
Our only truly valuable gain
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” Matthew 6:25
Patience
I pleaded with You
Told You I was stuck and needed You
But each time, it took years for my rescue
Were You waiting on me?
Were You not listening?
Or were you preparing me, teaching me
My grace is sufficient for thee?
“For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee…”
2 Corinthians 12:8-9…
Heaven’s Timeline
Empty this vessel
Until it’s ready to be filled
By only your Spirit
And heaven’s will
My needs, my wants
Mean not a thing
When all my desires
Are born from my King
You keep watch
You’ve numbered my days
Fulfilling Your purpose
Through each promise displayed
Thankful
Thankful my seed of faith doesn’t die
No matter how hard the evil one tries
To discourage, defeat and cast doubt
The Lord empowers new fruit to sprout
Obstacles turn to opportunities
To further His heavenly plan
All outcomes remain surrendered
As we joyfully walk hand in hand
Reflection
I often don’t stop talking long enough to hear your reply.
I don’t sit still long enough to receive your direction.
I pace and worry and try to make things happen on my own.
I doubt and question and fail to see You sitting on the throne.
I confess my sins to the world but do I proclaim your glory?
Do I trust in your forgiveness enough to proclaim your salvation story?
His Kingdom
Set your life aside
Do not love only those who love you back
For sinners do the same
Do not complain about service
Do everything in my name.
Give your worries to me
There is much work to do
My kingdom is coming
I am making all things new
“If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.” Matthew 5:46
Beloved
You don’t have to carry
The weight of who you’ve been
You don’t have to carry
The weight of who you are
When you place your identity in me
I will use every part of you
Every gift, every scar
You don’t have to weigh your worth
Your worth is mirrored in Me
You are priceless, purposed, redeemed
Live in my joy, rest in my safety
Walk in my Spirit
We have much further to go
I am yours, you are Mine
My beloved, blessed, betrothed.
“I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy;” Hosea 2:19
Do’s and Dont’s
Don’t look for others’ sin
Look for the Savior
Don’t worry about the clothes you’re in
Trust only God’s favor
Don’t contemplate the days ahead
Surrender today’s trials and behavior
Rebuilt
You hollowed the core
Then filled it anew
Fuel from your fire
To steer all I do
Old ways suit me not
Your power at play
My life lay surrendered
Your glory on display
Edify
Edify by Your Spirit
Until the rivers of conviction
Knock us down
But You don’t place us there
To drown, but to be found
You reveal what’s in the heart
But not to condemn
It’s an invitation to repent
If we choose to let You in
“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” Ezekiel 36:26
Life in the Spirit
Words are just words
Until Your Spirit breathes life into them
Actions run circles
Until You give them aim
Happiness and fear can both be
self-seeking (One in the same)
Value is found in surrender
Seeds start to grow when planted by faith
Circumstances fade as You become clearer
Sinners hear Your call
When spoken in love, not shame
Designed
Uniquely created
in this body and mind
With perceptions
Instilled by design
Experiences lived
Provide visions to share
The faith that carries
the burdens I bear.
To My Boys
The Christmas songs can be annoying
The planning and prepping
Event attending
May feel unending
But my biggest gift is making these memories with you
Each Christmas marks a year in time
In which you’ve grown taller
You’re tastes and gift requests differ
Your voices deepen
Your independence increases
And One day not far away
You’ll be beside your own tree
And I’ll treasure the gift these moments
Have given to me
Proverbs
If you look to be fully and completely understood by another, you will find dissappointment.
God and God alone is the only one to provide us with full understanding.
That is the beauty of having a relationship with Him. You are fully known, fully understood and fully loved.
If you place your dependence and security on a person, place or thing, you will find uncertainty and fear. For the world is flawed and broken. But He has overcome the world, so we are safe to depend on Him.
Do not match an eye for an eye but walk uprightly looking to His Holy Spirit for your direction, not to others motives.
Do not judge others’ hearts. For just as He is working in yours, we do not know the wonders He is doing in the hearts of others as well.
Holy Ground
Death, where is your sting?
We serve a God
Who endured your suffering
Fear, you have no power
For our God walks ahead
And holds each tomorrow
Worry, cease
Anxious thoughts, turn to peace
Self-will, look around
For this land you walk is Holy ground
So we will not fear
Our God is here
We will not tremble, nor shake
His purposes are at stake
And He never fails.
Revelations
The earth proclaims your glory
The stars set stage for your plan
For the lost to be found, the blind to see
Deaf ears come to understand
May addictions be lifted
Confusion become clear
Earnest searching find answers
Distant hearts sense You near
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20
His Hands
Walk tall, walk secure
The hand that upholds you
Does not falter
Share his words, speak peace
The hand that guides you
Never sleeps
Take Aim
Live to be satisfied
Or live to be sanctified
Serve self or serve Me
Not every day is comfortable
In discomfort, rely on my peace
Detours
I sat in the back of the church praying my life would change.
My heart had so many needs, tears always stained my face
Twenty years later I visited the church again
My whole life was different, all thanks to Him
His timing was not what I expected with detours of hard lessons to learn
But I wouldn’t ask Him to do anything different since I saw his face at every turn.
Reliable
There You are
My sturdy ground
When all the winds around me blow
You’re the anchor for my soul
Through smiles I feel Your joy
Through tears, I feel Your peace
Roads ahead although unknown
Are unseen only to me
Your hand remains steady
Whether green grass or rocky stone
Whatever griefs I may bear
I will not bear alone
Selfless
Give me eyes to see your will
When I’m searching for my own
Discipline to quiet my emotions
When their source remains unknown
Give me love to share
When my mind is scared
Peace to embrace
When I feel out of place
Discernment to live by your Spirit
Instead of my own or others’ merit
Dichotomy of Life
The tides wash over me
But I don’t drown
I walk through darkness
Yet I’m found
Your love pours down
I battle with demons
Yet You lend strength
My feet tread this world
But my spirit in grace
I see your face
Beautiful, wonderful
Glimpses of your heart
Too great to fathom
But this vision You impart
I’m not scared of the dark
Christian Poetry, Thoughts & Analogies 