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?

Freedom

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, Then

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

Psalm 23 Rendition

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

Faithful

He collects our tears in a jar

To one day be redeemed

He sees who we truly are

And loves us all the same.

He sees our struggles

He sees our pain

He heals, restores

His faithfulness remains.

Hope

You are near to the broken hearted

You are near to those lost

Your faithfulness to us

Came at a great cost

You don’t see our iniquity

You don’t see our faults

Your Son paid that price

On the cross

We live in a world

Where questions abound

Doubt seeps in

And hopelessness is found

But Your Word and truth

Gives hope

Your voice and forgiveness

Helps us to cope

Every moment brings a new promise

A new sunrise and change

Every prayer makes us feel heard

And gives us hope for the next day

Hope Beyond all Reason

If the Lord wills it, it will come to pass

Although his timing looks different than mine

While in the waiting, I can rest assured

Knowing at his determined time, his promises I’ll find

“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:19-21

Illustrations of Love

The truth of our redemption

Is the perfect picture of beauty

It embodies the fullness of your grace

To all who will receive and believe

It represents a new covenant

Through your Spirit and sacrifice

It is You ending our lawless attempts

And uniting us as your bride

Iron, Silver & Fruit

We sharpened each other

Like an axe to the grind

Bearing down all the edges

Smoothing sin we tried to hide

Our weaknesses surfaced

But in grace we loved anyway

As little by little his righteousness

Burst forth and took the stage

For you, my friend, bore fruit in me

And I the same in you

I’ll never forget and always be thankful

For the refining we went through

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

“This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’ ” Zechariah 13:9

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.” John 15:1-2

A Thorny Way

Not near the rose pedals

Or lavished with ease

But fighting with the devil

And down on your knees

Trust Him, Trust Him

In bitter tears and strife

His peace He’ll give

As you surrender your life

Unchanging

Should sorrow come my way

and darkness cover all I see

Should I lose my dreams

And tragedy descend upon me

I’ll cling to You with my last grip

And place all my hope in You

Knowing your heavenly purposes

Prevail regardless of earthly truths

Your love remains the same

Your promises do not change