Today I Choose

I do not know if you get tired of my ramblings in the form of poetry. I just seem not to be able to express my inmost longings, yearnings, and heart felt desires except through verse that seems to flow effortlessly through my being when in the presence of God. 

I welcome any comments about what you read here, or suggestions you might add to improve this blog so as to answer needs or give more insights in our walk with God.

Having said all that, I offer yet another verse in rhyme for your contemplation.

I bow before your presence now,

In reverence to your thorn pierced brow.

It is I for whom you shed your blood,

That  christened me to share the flood

Of graciousness and love You give

To all who truly seek to live.

In the presence of heavens worthy King,

Of whom the hosts of angels sing.

Glory hallelujah for all You've done;

Swing wide the gates for the holy One.

 He rides in triumph to my door

To welcome me for evermore.

I sit before the One who saves,

And walk the streets of love He paved.

Today I choose to speak of Him

who lived without to live within.

I give to You with not a thought,

This heart of mine You bravely bought. 

copyright 1/28/2015

Wisdom

Let wisdom's angelic rainfall descend in full upon me,  
To rightly choose what is; what is not, and what is to be.

Teach me your righteous way is my earthly quest,
So when morning breaks, I will have passed the test.

Wisdom's eye sees and the ear hears all I am to know,
Counsel me and guide these feet so timid and so slow.


I wonder at the gentle voice calling out to me,
As you grip my hand through every trial in front of me.

I humbly bow my heart, my soul to wisdom's saving power,
Lifting me and loving me through every day and hour.


1/18/2015

A Word

As sun is to the flower,

So is an encouraging word from a friend.

From that word comes life,

And the opportunity to grow.

1/19/2015

The Lamppost

The Seagull was perched on t0p of the tall, metal, streetlight. He seemed so terribly out of place. I watched for what seemed to be a long time, but he never moved. I so wanted to ask him his reasons for why he would choose the lamp post in preference to the sand and rocks that line the Washington coast. I wanted to know why he would choose the sounds of city traffic over the soothing, melodic sounds of the sea lapping it's way to shore. Is not the rising; cresting waves where you belong; is that not your place? Are you lost?

Then I began to realize that I have been given the privilege of being the lamp post. Yes, I too have often felt terribly out of place in this world, and like Abraham, "looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God" Hebrews 11:10. One day I will take flight to that city where I have  citizenship, Philippians 3:20  but in the meantime, even though I long for the place where my Father has prepared a place for me, there are multitudes engulfed in earthly darkness looking and longing for light. 

The city streets are filled with empty souls searching for love and purpose; continually seeking, but never coming to the realization that it is God who they are missing. 

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned" Isaiah 9:2 "And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace...of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end." Isaiah 9:6,7

What greater honor is there than to speak of the gospel and light giving grace that is offered freely and in abundance from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Shout it from the lampposts; shout it from the housetops that Jesus reigns and is coming again very soon, and along with the Seagull, we will be find our way home.

"Even so come Lord Jesus"  Revelation 22:20 kjv And all of God's people say?.......aaamen!


copyright 1/10/2015

Out Of Darkness

When waves of darkness rush in to cover me,

And carries me tumbling out to sea;

When no one seems to know my pain or plight,

Or that I've lost the will to try or fight,

A line of hope is cast in my direction,

It is God's word of life for my protection.

I must cling to it with unrelenting might,

For it ushers my spirit back into the light.

Gods power filled words are meant for me,

Not a tumultuous night at sea. 



copyright 1/10/2015

Born Again

When I was a child I lived in a spiritually divided home. My mother's godly gentleness was a tower of strength for me. God was practiced by her, but seldom spoken about, out of respect for my father, whose only expression of God came in the form of curse words. He was what some people would call a  "man's man."  Spiritual things were not on his radar; he was tough, never cried, and seemed overly stern from the perceptive of a small child. Visiting friends would try to avoid any encounter with my father, so as he prepared to come home from the work day, they would scurry on home. 

Even with, what seemed to me, a mighty prowess, it was always evident that my mother’s inner fortitude out-weighed my father's efforts.  For my father, the idea of surrender was viewed as out of the question for a man like himself.

But then one day an utterly miraculous thing happened.  My mother’s unprepared spirit-directed words revolutionized our household. 

On invitation my father began to attend some Christian meetings being held at a local theater.  We all held our breath as he attended meeting after meeting. God manifested Himself there and met my father face to face. With tears flowing from a now open heart, he fell to his knees in humble submission. The surrender was complete; the change was incredible!

Mary was in her teens when the angel Gabriel appeared to her with the shocking words: “You who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!" (Luke 1:28.) 

It was revealed that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and she would conceive a son.  Not just a son, but the long awaited for, Son of the Lord God Almighty. His name would be Jesus; name above all names.

This holy conception was beyond comprehension, and totally unexplainable, but the evidence walked among us as Matthew wrote, “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:16)

This same Holy Spirit that came upon Mary to produce Jesus within her does the same thing for you and me. Our Father uses this event as a physical demonstration of the process of conversion. When Nicodemus sought out Jesus that night, he was in search of something he did not, at that time, possess. As Jesus often does, He came straight to the point, identifying Nicodemus’s need, “ you must be born again,” He said, which seemed quite confusing to Nicodemus. "How can I enter my mother's womb a second time?" he questioned. “I  tell you the truth, you must be born of the Spirit and of water," was Jesus’ response. (John 3:1-7)

When invited, the Holy Spirit comes upon us and the birth of Jesus takes place all over again. With that change He now calls us the light of the world. Scripture actually says that we are Jesus' mother, brother, and sister. (Matthew 12:46-50) 

It is at this moment of new birth that the onlooking world is witness to the profound change that takes place in the life of a sinner — from anger, greed, selfishness, and fear, to a life that reflects the attributes of Jesus.

The greatest evidence that God exists was, and will always be, a changed life, a life that now exudes love, joy, and peace.

I'm so glad my earthly father opened his heart for the Holy Spirit to come in. I'm so glad I was a witness to the birth of Jesus in him.

copyright 1/2/2015

Words

Why do I speak when my mouth is full of angry words? For my mantle is in silence, and my strength is in the blessed realm of quietness.

Guard my lips oh Lord, from the ravages of destructive and hurtful words, but open my ears to hear and then speak your words of truth, joy and peace.

For the sound of lovely words is as salve to the soul rather than wounding a spirit with harsh utterances, for in kindness the light of the morning becomes the brilliance of day.


copyright 1/1/2015