Fingers of the morning sun pierce the clouds,
Like Your hand extended over the landscape,
Hovering above us all as sweet reminder of
Your goodness, Lord…
Your mercy, Lord…
Your continual grace that allows us to
Begin each new day with Your breath of life.
The deeply blue-gray clouds outlined
With golden filaments of light
Starkly contrasts pale blue-white sky
Like the wounded world against the healing heavens…
All held together in Your palm.
Category: Poetry
Today I feel like sunshine
Though it’s cold and wet and gray.
Inside my soul I feel fine
Though the storms of life hold sway.
It is odd but I can stand fast
Feeling rest and grace and peace
Never minding as I sail past
Other ships and harbors’ ease.
For the way of strength in Jesus
Is to know that I am weak
To acknowledge in my stresses
That His wisdom helps me seek
Past the folly of man’s goodness
Into truth and faith and love
And to stand upon God’s promise
With His new life from above.
Today I know just who I am
Though I sometimes forget
I am a child held in His hand
And should not grasp regret.
Repenting, I receive new life—
Confess, release, advance
Through Christ whose awesome sacrifice
Gives me a second chance.
Interesting, Lord…
The way You do things
Never ceases to amaze me.
So many “suddenlies� recently
In my life and those around me
Teach me again that
The waiting is always worth it.
I never know when it will end
(And it always seems endless),
But then You turn my life inside out
Or upside down… or right-side left.
I never know quite how
Things will end up these days.
I can sense though that
One of those “suddenlies� is almost here.
I’m not really stressed about it—
Just pondering how different
My life will be in just two months.
It’s like the anticipation I felt on
The first day of every school year.
What new things will I need to learn?
What new people will I meet?
How will I feel when
The holidays come this year and
I am in a different place?
Knowing that change will come, but
Not knowing what change will look like…
This is a good thing.
My faith grows every day because
You did say, after all, that
Father causes his sun to rise
On the evil and the good, and
Sends rains on the righteous
And the unrighteous.
So I know I can rely on You to be
“My strength and my fortress,
My God in whom I trust,�
Whatever change and happenstance
Brings my way.
You confuse me.
Some days you act so belligerent and angry.
Then before I realize what’s happening,
You treat me with civility and courtesy.
It leaves my head spinning and
My insides churning because
I never know what to expect.
I don’t understand you at all.
Some days you act so belligerent and angry.
Then before I realize what’s happening,
You treat me with civility and courtesy.
It leaves my head spinning and
My insides churning because
I never know what to expect.
I don’t understand you at all.
I don’t think I ever will, if the truth be told.
I can only be grateful for the peaceful moments,
Let go and forgive the angry ones, and
Be thankful I am no longer with you…
I only count the moments now
Until the kids are grown and I can
Let it all go behind me with the rest
Of the clouded confusion and anger.
I can only be grateful for the peaceful moments,
Let go and forgive the angry ones, and
Be thankful I am no longer with you…
I only count the moments now
Until the kids are grown and I can
Let it all go behind me with the rest
Of the clouded confusion and anger.
In the meanwhile,
Today only reminds me again
How deep this old wound is
To still make me shiver with fear,
Then tense with angry, runaway thoughts
Of all the imbalances and inequalities
I still have to endure at your hand,
Whether politely or otherwise.
Today only reminds me again
How deep this old wound is
To still make me shiver with fear,
Then tense with angry, runaway thoughts
Of all the imbalances and inequalities
I still have to endure at your hand,
Whether politely or otherwise.
Dear Jesus, help me breathe again–
Out with the old stuff and unforgiveness,
In with all Your grace and mercy,
Remembering that what You gave to me,
I must give to others.
Out with the old stuff and unforgiveness,
In with all Your grace and mercy,
Remembering that what You gave to me,
I must give to others.
You are astonishing, Lord!
It amazes me to stand here
As your hand slowly unfolds
To reveal the tiny gift inside.
The waiting isn’t over, but
It seems as if Your plan is clear.
My friends are rejoicing
With some reserve as of yet.
But life bundled up in a baby boy
Just bounces around and
Smacks you in the heart with joy!
It’s hard not to hope that
Your hand is holding grace, that
Your goodness will be the sure hand–
Even though, for now, we still wait,
I’m going to trust You to know best
Still hoping for long years of prayer
To be answered in THIS gift.
Father, make us one in Your Spirit and Your Son
That the world will know Your love is in our lives.
Remind us of Your grace; draw us all to seek Your face;
Let Your glory fill our hearts and minds and eyes.
Help us see Your light, and teach us with Your sight
To throw down every stronghold of Your foe.
By speaking what is true and focusing on You,
Your Spirit moves through us so all can know
The glory of Your name and power of the same
Will heal the sick and set the captives free.
Dear Jesus, let us speak so all will come and seek
And find Your love through all eternity.
Father, make us one in Your Spirit and Your Son.
Unite our hearts until Your work is done!
It’s very obvious to all who know you—
The stirring in your heart,
The deep longing of your soul
To win the lost.
Holy Spirit moves and you respond
With tearful intercession,
With passionate desire
To see all of us reaching out as you do.
It’s a marvel to my being—
This change in you so amazing(!)
That you are not who you were
Before Father spoke to you.
I can but rejoice and pray
That God will stir me up again
So I might intercede
For continued change in both of us and
Healing for the nations.
For all the silly things I do in this life—
Things that make me feel foolish or stupid—
You offer Your graceful arms
Like a mom to a small child.
You comfort me.
You remind me of
Your eternal perspective and infinite wisdom.
If I could just remember to ask You,
Maybe I wouldn’t make so many mistakes.
Still, You pick me up, love on me,
Set my feet on Your path again, and
With a disciplinary swat to my rear,
You help me remember the lesson.
…And I… I’m sure
I shall do other silly things as I grow in You,
But by Your mercy, I’ll learn each lesson
(Even if it’s more than once)
Till everything is done and
I can stand before Your throne,
Covered by Your grace,
Grown-up in Your love.