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 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
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?
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
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
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
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 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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
Walk tall, walk secure
The hand that upholds you
Does not falter
Share his words, speak peace
The hand that guides you
Never sleeps
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
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.
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
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
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
Always after a mountaintop
Comes a Valley
Faith is tested through doubt
Convictions shaken to strengthen
The lessons You teach us about
4.18.24
Creation speaks louder
When distractions lead to doubt
For the mountains proclaim His glory
And our hearts, for Him, cry out
The sea and sky
They testify
To the vastness of His hands
The moon and stars
They whisper
Of the unfathomable “I Am”
Growth is a mindset
Pliable yet strong
Love is an action
Not tallying others’ wrongs
Faith is personal
Developed in experience
Wisdom is key
In knowing the difference
I’m driven into your arms
Where I’m known and embraced
I’m driven to your heart
Where my tenderness is safe
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalms 32:7-10
We don’t need riches, fame or fun
We don’t need to create our own purpose
When You have already established one
It’s in the day to day living
We get to experience You
To share love and compassion with others
Until our time here is through
Writing is my Red Sea
The waters part when I step in
Faith and obedience
Prompting my pen
“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Deuteronomy 4:9
I built my walls on fear
To protect me from the cold
To keep visitors at a distance
Feeling safer on my own
The Lord asked me to step out
To leave my dilapidated home
To led it fade from my vision
And trust in Him alone
Just one word
Whispered to me
My pride is silenced
The road turns to peace
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21
I think I’m going to stop overthinking
But let me think about that for awhile
😊
One drink led to twenty
Twenty led to years
No longer fun, my nightmare had won
And left me trembling in fear
A cunning ruler
Giving no mercy or peace
Yet I continued to serve it
Praying it’s rule would cease
Crouched in the dark, He led me out
He paved an escape route for me
No longer a slave, my freedom was won
Now I trust wherever He leads
If ignorant, make me wise
If hurried, give me pause
If blind, open my eyes
If selfish, state your cause
If the day calls for silence, mute me
If it is time for bold words, help me speak
If my heart trembles, bring stillness
If my faith weakens, lead me to belief
Faithful I will be
To follow where He leads
For I know his yoke is light
His provisions are my only need
When this life brings trouble
When the arrows fly
I will not cower in fear
For He remains by my side
A devoted soldier I’ll be
Whether I win or bleed
Surrendering to His battle plan
Guaranteeing His victory!
“The Lord your God is in your midst – a warrior bringing victory. He will create calm with his love; he will rejoice over
you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
Though arrows pierce
And more battles lay ahead
I know the road traveled
Is where Your omniscience has led
Thank you for all the others
Who have walked this path before
Who found their way out
Then came back to rescue more
Not in riches, not in debt
Not in busyness nor days of rest
Not in blessings nor past regret
Not in my future, not places I knew
Not in revelations nor trials I went through
No – my worth, my life, my salvation is found in You
Now rescue the others
Tell them what I’ve done
How healing came by my hand
And this victory I’ve won.
“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:39
If You lead me to dark places
You’ll give me power to shine your light
If life gets difficult and the weight is heavy
You’ll carry it with me
Through every sorrow and plight
Your will on earth is not hindered
By the will of any man
You preordained, saw beyond time
And worked it into your plan
So I am not afraid
You go before me
You light my stepping stones
I am not afraid
You are my confidence
To do Your will
No matter where I go
Sanctify me
Wash away
This crimson stain
By which I laid slain
Resurrect me
With your breath of life
Once buried but no more
My life is now in Christ
I knew it was beyond my own strength
To climb out of the deep holes I had dug
But once rescued, I could see
The waiting was ordained by His love
Blessed beyond measure
Overflowing with joy
My cup runneth over
With the abundance
No earthly ail could destroy
The table is set
In glorious fashion
Within the sight of my enemies
You pull out the chair
Ask me to take a seat
And join You for a heavenly feast
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Psalm 23:5-6
No addiction, no flaw
No matter how far you fall
He will take your brokenness
And mend it all
Surrender today
your futile attempts
Ask Him to rescue
And come to your defense
His love is great
His Spirit breaks chains
His grace covers shame.
Surrender to faith
In His unending strength.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-30
In your hope, I live and breathe
I turn away from fear and find your peace
In your will, my purpose is seen
I turn away from self and find your serenity
“Go forth”, You say, “in confidence”
Carrying your strength, I need no defense
On a mission to love and provide
Hope for the hurting with no ill-will or pride
To live a life of service to others
Setting all selfish motives aside
I follow your footsteps one day at a time
Breath, just breath
Surrender your burdens
Inhale my peace
Rest, rest in Me
Cease your toiling
All your worries, release
Live, live joyfully
Exchange your sorrows
For the new life I give abundantly
You give hope when we reach the end of ourselves.
You give purpose when our own agenda fails.
You give peace when our world has come undone.
You use the impossible to display your power and love.
I surrender my life to You
No other satisfaction will do
You carry my burdens and impress upon my heart.
Your Word and promises are true.
Law breakers, low lifes, outcasts
Shunned and looked down upon
Those are the ones He dined with
The reason He rose the 3rd day by dawn
The penniless, the nobodys
The ones who could see their flaws
Those are the ones He traveled with
He won’t stop until He gathers them all.
“I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do”. John 17:14-16
I was lost in the abyss of life
But felt your calling in my heart
Unable to see the right path
You pulled me out of the dark
My rescuer, My Savior
You walk into the storms
You calm the waters all around me
And safely carry me to shore.
Let yourself feel the sorrow of loss
Entrust to Him all the hurt
For He disciplines those He loves
And holds your worth
Don’t try to run from it or numb it
Let it result in your spiritual gain
Sanctification oft includes sacrifice
So with hope in His healing, endure the pain.
Each stage, each day
Is a step closer to You
You guide me, provide me
Strength and mercy to push through
You excite my heart with battles won
Using the past to direct me to Your Son
I have to suffer through my grief instead of fighting or fleeing.
Running away delays the process while suffering brings healing.
There is a time to laugh and a time for sorrow.
I can’t force the wind or rain, but I know who holds tomorrow.
Sometimes I forget to breathe
And the anxiety builds inside of me
Negative thoughts begin to attack
And all I can see is all that I lack
Other times life is roses and rainbows
I find purpose in every trial life throws
I feel strong, confident and unbreakable
I win every challenge and keep my life stable
Then there’s the in between, the unknown
Where I forget who I am and the wrong roads I follow
Reality is in question, I fear and I hide
False beliefs emerge, You disappear from my sight.
So what does your Word say to manage the three
Into a right and healthy mentality?
You say think on those things that are lovely and true
Things that are pure and of good repute.
Think on things that are just and have virtue
Honorable and bring praise to You
To take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ
To draw my strength from your sacrifice.
The battles in my mind with long suffering I’ll endure
Knowing the war has been won and You are the Victor
This world will bring trouble, but You have overcome
So through the trials and tribulations, I’ll cling to your Son
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
“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
Christian Poetry, Thoughts & Analogies 