That Blessed Hope

Based on Titus 2:11-14

One night in hopeless Bethlehem

As Roman soldiers walked the streets,

As crowded inns are filled with travelers,

The world a newborn baby meets.

A baby Who came to change the world,

That it might no more in darkness grope;

He's Light of the World, Savior of all,

Our Righteousness, that Blessed Hope.

This day in hopeless America

As nothing is solid, nothing is sure,

As we wonder what will happen tomorrow,

He is the One Who shall endure.

He's the Rock to stand upon in trials.

Encourage each other; do more than cope!

For he fulfilled the first coming promise,

And he'll come again--that Blessed Hope.

And one day in this hopeless world

As we do not expect His shout,

As trumpets sound, He will descend,

Secure His children and crush all doubt.

The King Who reigns, forevermore,

Will reveal His glory in fullest scope.

We'll worship Him as we rise to heaven,

"All honor to You, our Blessed Hope!"

Big Enough

For the people of New York City; may God show His power and glory to each of you in a powerful way!


Just like the monoliths that tower above the city streets
Look so much bigger in person than what most generally meets
The eye when you look at pictures, that's what I'm like--enhanced,
So powerful and above all. You must do more than glance.
Refuse to rely on pictures that others give you of Me.
Draw near and take in My glory. Know firsthand My majesty.
I'm big enough to hold your hand in the crowded ways you face.
I'm big enough to meet your needs with My relentless grace.
I'm big enough to grant you strength to share My hope with them.
I'm big enough to pick you up when you fall and yield to sin.
I'm big enough to orchestrate all out for your best good.
I'm big enough to help you do things you never could.
I'm big enough to handle the moments when you cry.
I'm big enough to take it if you need to ask me why.
I'm big enough to sing with you when sun in your life shines.
I'm big enough on cloudy days to whisper "You are Mine."
I'm big enough to satisfy your hunger and your thirst.
I'm big enough to help you when your life yield you the worst.
I'm big enough to give you joy when the roadway seem too rough.
I promise you, my child. Be still. I am big enough.

Abba, Why?

for the family and friends of Camryn Pass, a precious, dynamic young lady that God took to heaven on October 9th, 2011

In pain and confusion

My heart questions, cries.

And I wonder if I'm sinning

By asking God, "Why?"

Why must death happen

To those who love You?

Why take the young ones

When there's so much to do?

Why hurt their families?

Why pain their friends?

How does this prove that

Your love never ends?

My heart is all numb;

This doesn't seem real.

I ask all these questions

But then guilty feel.

What if I'm not supposed

To question Your plan?

What if asking "why"

Is not trusting Your hand?

But a wise friend brings comfort

And helps me to see

That You want my heart's trust 

And yet full honesty.

"It's okay to ask why;

That's not a sin.

It only sin when you want 

An answer more than Him."

Abba, I want an answer;

I'm not going to lie.

But deep down, more than that

I want to draw nigh

To Your heart by Your promise

That You stay the same.

This is all for Your glory

And the praise of Your name.

So whether You answer me

Or blind trust request.

I will rest in the promise

That You do what is best.

Thank you, Abba, for letting 

Me ask You, "Why?"

And for counting each one

Of the tears I cry.

While I'd love explanations

For the the things that You do.

Above all else,

I want to know You.

You Make My Heart Sing

When my past tries to haunt me
And keep me down low,
When my future looks scary
And I don't even know
What I'm doing in this world,
When I'm tired of the pain,
When my sky is unviewable
Through the deluge of rain,
When the enemy attacks me
With outrageous fears,
When my body is aching
And I've cried all my tears,
When my throat is all scratchy
From calling your name,
When the fire of my joy
Is a mere struggling flame,
When I look at my friends lives
And I'm tempted to covet,
When I slip and forget I'm
In the world not of it,
When I recite the answers
In lifeless intonation,
When others don't listen
Or raise expectations,
When I wonder if I'll
Ever hear Your voice,
Then You send the assurance
And then I rejoice.
For I know You are worthy
And control all things,
When in the darkest times
You make my heart sing.

"He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God." (Psalm 40:3, The Message)

Looking over Jerusalem

Looking over Jerusalem,
Jesus wept
As the people performed
And opportunity was swept
Under the Rug of
Passing Time.
They misunderstood
The meaning of prime
-----And then He was gone.

Looking over our cities,
Jesus weeps.
For superficial religion
And performance keep
Us from Abba
And being a part
Of relationship
And Jesus' heart
-----That longs to give us rest.


Looking over my city,
My friends,
I weep for those who
View works as an end
To righteousness;
They do,
Forgetting Grace
And You.
------Caught in the clasp of Legalism.

Looking over Your people,
I pray
That You would reveal
Your gospel-filled way.
May my friends and I
Seek to know
The Giver of Life
And in You grow
-----That Christ might smile.

The Verbs of Restoration

Lying on my face

Tears falling fast,

Pleading for grace

For things in the past,

Knowing my sin

Has hurt Your heart,

Wishing deep within

I had not taken part,

Spilling out words

Of confession and sorrow,

Praying I'm heard

And that on the morrow

Beginning anew

I might follow Your plan.

Kneeling before You,

I stretch forth my hands.

Opening my palms

And yielding all in them,

Feeling the calm

Of the heart that has no sin,

Hearing You call

"Come know and be known,"

Being unafraid to fall

In Your arms as Your own,

Feeling the laughter

And joy that You give,

Rising up after 

Freedom's mine to live.

Sensing Your presence,

Seeking You with all my might,

Worshipping Your essence,

Laughing in delight!

Important

He sat writing,

Penning word after word again.

It seemed that every time I saw Him

Over and over in my dreams

He sat there, papers scattered 

Around Him in reams.

I could not help but wonder

What words lay under

His pen.

 What did He consider so 

Important?

I sat copying

The Words of Abba into my journal

Combating my discouragement with His paternal

Promises of peace and hope

That say nothing is outside the scope 

Of His watchful eye.

When I cry--

According to Psalm 56--

He makes a list;

Not one tear is missed.

He sat smiling.

Looking up from His writing, He turned to me,

Whispering, "Come here, my child, and see."

It was then I knew

What He found so 

Important.

I stood crying

Viewing trillions of pages:

The record of tears over the ages,

The ledger of Adam and Moses and Sarah,

And everyone thereafter to this very era.

And not only the tears but every heartache

Found it's way on the page with a time and a date,

Proving Psalm 56:8.

He sat writing,

As I observed the proof of His faithfulness.

And when I turned to look into His eyes

I realized

He was marking down those tears, also.

Those tears that overflowed

As I thanked Him for love so unrestrained

That He could consider me and my pain

So Important.

"You've kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, each tear entered in Your ledger, each ache written in Your book." (Psalm 56:8)

No Missing Tear (Psalm 56)

My enemy is against my very life

And torments me with words of strife,

Trying to get me to fall to sin

Twisting my words all around again.

My God, will You forget Your grace

Or hide Your face?

In You--You only--I put my trust;

I will fear nothing; I simply must

Rest in You.  You keep a list 

Of the tears I cry; not one is missed.

Oh, God, when their ridicule is appalling

You keep me from falling.

Your love-lit path is Grace applied,

May my life Your glory never hide!

Time to Die

When morning light

Steals away the night

And I wake, I will draw nigh.

To my Savior-King

I yield everything;

For it's time to die.

When I hear sin's call

And I waver to fall

Just in time Jesus's name I cry.

Help me drop this fire;

It's not what I desire!

And it's time to die.

When my flesh is strong

Or my will is wrong

Or I'm believing Satan's lie,

True life I will seek--

Strength when I am weak--

Because it's time to die.

May I follow hard

After You, my Guard

From sin; May Your grace supply

My victory

And humility

When it's time to die.

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Gal 2: 20)

God, Listen! (Psalm 143)

Listen, 

My God and my King

To what I am asking!

And after hearing,

Answer me!

Please!

Oh, God do not base

Your help on my merit

For I have none.  But grace

May Your child inherit!

Satan seeks to knock me down

And into a corner back me,

Convincing me light cannot be found

And victory is utterly lacking.

I'm overwhelmed within, without;

My tears have become my friend.

I try to rehearse, even shout,

Of the wonders You did "back then."

I stretch my arms out to mirror my soul

"Oh to know You more," I cry.

As in a desert land, I wearily toil;

My heart is thirsty and dry.

Please answer me, Abba! And fast!

Lest my spirit break or I fall!

Don't turn away or shirk my grasp

For without You, I've nothing at all!

Point out the way that I must walk;

Give me clues to unveil my mystery.

May I not simply talk the talk!

From idols, may You set me free!

Save me from all those who hate

Your will; All my hope I will place

In Your grace and mercy, and I'll wait

In Your presence till You show Your face.

Teach me how to live to please

You only. Let Your truth be shown!

For Your name's sake, all my worries seize

And make Your glory known.

Listen, 

My God and my King

To what I am asking!

And after hearing,

Answer me!

I am Your servant.

Identity

Pain clouds your eyes,

And you try

To be

Better

Stronger

Sweeter

More Unique

More Beautiful

More Lovable

Less of a burden

Less weary

Less emotional

More Hopeful

More Helpful

More Holy

Smart

Skinny

Best

But do you not realize?

You are

So Much More

Than what you DO.

Your identity goes beyond

Your body, too.

Your brains do not say

Who you are,

And you treat those labels

Like make-up on a scar.

Do you not know?

You are

So Much More 

Than DO and DON'T;

Your identity goes beyond

How you'll act and how you won't.

Others' approval

Cannot control

Whether you feel 

Half or whole.

Only the promise

That His love never fails

Should define you;

Crown of thorns and the nails

And the life of One

Who was perfect and true

Can label you

Not what you DO.

Only that Savior

Who died for me

Says who I am;

I'm free

To simply BE

Loved.

Spotless.

Beautiful.

Redeemed.

Righteous.

Real.

One-of-a-kind.

A new creature.

Fully alive.

Pure.

Whole.

HIS.

Nothing More Than More of You

Should I continue sinning--
Temptation winning--
That grace might prove true?
That's crazy!
I'm free,
And I need
Nothing more than more of You.

I stop my lying--
My pride denying--
In Christ I am made new.
I say no
That even so
I might know
Nothing more than more of You.

For more than rules I thirst;
The relationship comes first.
Still I do what I would not to do.
I will say yes
To Your best
And request
Nothing more than more of You.

No desire to sin have I
Through the strength of Jesus Christ.
There is no comdemnation of those who
You have lifted higher
Out of sin's mire.
I desire
Nothing more than more of You!

Here Christ Stands

Here lies a body

Cold with death.

No longer taking that

Life-giving breath. 

Only to be

A cavity

Wherein worms feed

Decomposition's deed.

Here lies a body

Like rotting pages

Sitting in a decrepid

Library for ages.

Once a story

Of glory

Now damned by death

To end.  And yet--

Here lies the body

Of Jesus Christ.

It laughs at death

And clutches life.

A Revised Edition,

Restored and Risen.

Defeat is not His plight

While the Author writes.

Here lay the body 

Of Christ the King

Until victory triumphed

And conquered death's sting.

Sin is not the end

While the Savior pens

The tale of His plan

With nail-scarred hands.

Here Christ stands.

"Like the Cover of an Old Book, its Contents torn out and stripped of its Lettering and Gilding, He lies here, Food for Worms.  But the Work shall not be lost; for it will (as He believed) appear once more in a New and More Elegant Edition, Revised and Corrected by the Author."  ~ Benjamin Franklin

I'm Speechless

for my Speechless sisters; thank you for all you've taught me about our God...

I look into Your Word

In expectation

I see my Hope, my Peace,

My Joy, and my Salvation.

And I'm speechless.

I see the miracles You do

As You make the blind see.

And I stand in awe

When You speak to me,

And I'm speechless.

I see You hanging there

Upon that cross.

Why don't You come down?

Without You, I'm lost 

And I'm speechless.

I see the empty tomb;

My heart begins to sing.

Say what? My God is risen?

Death could not hold my King?

I'm speechless.

One day I'll see you there

Upon Your throne.

I'll bow to give You praise,
Lift my hands toYou alone,

As always, completely speechless.

"O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek You;  my soul thirsts for You; my flesh faints for You, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary, beholding Your power and glory. Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift up my hands." (Psalm 63:1-4)

"Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him." (Psalm 33:8)

Re-Defining Sin

 In an effort to be

Holy within,

I defined sin

.

I made my list

And checked it twice.

I would avoid evil

In all my life.

To me, sin was breaking

My list of rules

By following

The way of fools.

It was things that 

I shouldn't do

Because the Bible

Said not to.

And while sin can be

All this,

My list,

I realized that

In reality,

This view puts

The focus on me.

What I'm not doing,

And what I do.

But how would I know sin

Without the truth of You?

My focus needed

To be changed;

My mindset had

To be rearranged.

I questioned myself

In an effort to 

Honor You.

And now instead

Of avoiding sin

Because of my rules,

I'll think again.

I choose to avoid

Those things You dislike

Because I know what

You say is right.

I focus on You

Trust the commands you give;

Being all in

Is the way I'll live.

I have decided to 

Be holy within;

I re-define sin.

Sin is choosing

Not to trust Your word,

Not claiming the truth

That my prayers are heard.

For each evil deed

Starts with a doubt

That You have the answers

And best thoughts about

My life. No longer is my reason

Just don't or do.

I choose not sin because

I want to love You.

Have Mercy, My King!

Have mercy, my King!

Cast me not away;

Blot out the transgressions

I've committed this day.

I seek restoration

Through the blood of Christ.

I know You forgive

And give me new life.

Have mercy, my King

On my guilty heart

Though I know you want truth

In the inward parts.

I no longer hide 

But all I confess,

Realizing my sin,

That I've made a mess.
 

Have mercy, my King!

I will not ignore

Your call to forsake,

To reject, to abhor

Those things that You hate.

May You wisdom give.

May I follow You

And in righteousness live.

Have mercy, my King!

I want to be clean.

I want to be humble

And on Your strength lean.

Help me learn from this failure;

Salvation's joy restore!

May I showcase Your deliverance;

May I desire You more! 

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions...Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation... I will teach transgressors Your ways and sinners will return to You." (Psalm 51:1, 10-13)

You Talk Of...

Note: The poem below may not be suitable for young children as it deals with human sex trafficking.

You talk of freedom

That American dream ideal.

But is it real?

Is freedom your house

With a white-picket fence?

Or something left entirely 

To the National Defense?

But if some are still enslaved

Is freedom still free?

What of the girls 

Who long to be

Free?

You talk of freedom

But will you show it to her?

You talk of change

That we mustn't lack

But you turn your back.

Is change the metal

That fills your purse

Or what you in 

Various banks disperse?

What if each night she

Seeks sex fifteen times

To meet her pimps quota

Or pay her fines?

To fate she resigns.

You talk of change

But will you show her the way?

You talk of love

That emotion that impacts

But you ignore these facts.

Is love the abuse

Of a lustful john

Who uses a child

As a turn on?

Today, as every fifty-four 

Seconds have passed

A child has been harmed

In Atlanta; may I ask

You to act fast?

You talk of love

But will you show her what it truly means?

You talk of a future

That hope in tomorrow

But what of her sorrow?

Is a future the fact

That four-hundred will be

Trafficked in the next month

In Atlanta, our city?

And if seven thousand

Three hundred men

Will purchase sex from these slaves

Month and month again?

What then?

You talk of the future

But will you show her one?

You talk of your God

Who has power to heal.

But is your faith real?

Is your faith the thing

That you do on Sunday?

Or that thing that you claim

When at mealtimes you pray?

What if alone she cries

In the dark of the night

For someone to show her

Her value in life,

The light?

You talk of your God

But will you show Him to her?

One of Those Days

It had been one of those days.

I felt tired and worn.

 Everything was crazy.

My heart was torn

Over the actions of others

And my own sin.

Emotions were racing;

And I knew deep within

That there had to be something

Greater to know

Than this discouragement

That brought my head low.

It was one of those days.

He felt tired and worn.

Everything was crazy.

His heart was torn

Over the sins of others

Though He had no sin.

Emotions were racing,

And He knew deep within

That He was giving us something

Greater to gain

He called to His Father

 In the midst of His pain.

It's been one of those days.

For the truly insane.

 I've been needed each time

Someone called my name.

I'm utterly exhausted

In an extreme sense

But Jesus found solace

In His Father's presence.

"Abba, if Jesus needed that

To remember His calling,

I surely need that time

To keep me from falling.

And when I recall a day

That was a daunting task,

I'll remember the things

That You've done in the past."

It's just one of those days

And all is not lost.

I'll remember my God;

I'll remember the cross.

May I Do What You Bless

At times when the clouds 

Cover my skies

And I can't see the road

For the tears in my eyes,

When I'm mad at the world

And the people in it,

When I look at my failure

And want to forget it,

When all of my hopes

And all of my dreams,

Are falling around me 

(Or so it may seem),

May I look to Your heart

And take in Your presence.

May I hear Your soft whisper

And know its assurance.

May I feel Your embrace

And Your love that's unending.

May I be real with You

And forget my pretending.

May You smile on me, Abba!

My greatest desire

Is to know You more

At my day's-end than prior.

May You show me Your glory

And remind me of peace.

And at the end of it all,

May my faith be increased

That wherever You lead, 

I will answer You, "Yes."

May You not bless what I do;

But may I do what You bless.

Words

Inspired by David Crowder Band's "I Need Words"

Words--those spoken sounds used many ways
To tell You how I feel; my voice I raise
To weave those morphemes together in a song,
Trying to explain You and knowing all along
I need words as deep as the sea
To explain the joy You've given to me.
I need You.

Words--the music of the human tongue
That into complex sentences I have strung
To seek to praise; I know that even then
To praise You human words cannot begin.
I need words as high as the stars
To attempt to describe Who You are.
I need You.

Words--units of speech that I explore
With my life, and yet I want You more.
With words and pen and page, I feel alive
And yet with the True Word I simply thrive.
I need words beyond my speech
I'm humbled by how out they're of reach.
I need You.

Words--those syllables of which this poem is made--
The utterance of a child who was a slave
Until You freed me. My Abba-King, I pray
Hear my man-made words today!
I need words more intense than my longing
To explain the glory to You belonging.
I need You!

I Will Lift You Up Again

for Brandon E., whose FB status inspired me...

"Let go of the wall," Daddy calls.
"You'll never learn that way."
But I grip the wall around the skating
Rink in complete dismay.
I can't further my chance of learning
To skate if I don't let go.
But I'm scared to face my fear
So I hear myself say "no."

"Let go of what makes you,
Feel sure and safe on your own,"
Abba calls, but I grip my wants
And make my desires known.
I can't further my relationship
With God if I don't let go.
But I'm scared to face my fear
So I hear myself say "no."

What if I fall?
What if I loose
All
Of my views
Of perfection?

What if I hit
The ground?
It
Can't be found
In God's will?

What if it hurts?
What if I fail?
What if my arms flail?

What if I cry?
What if I land
In a heap
With no plan?

Yet I must try;
I let go and
Skate out in the open
Until I land
On my rear.

A tear
Till I see a hand.
Close beside
Daddy stands.

Close beside
Abba stands.
With better plans.

He holds His hand out to me,
And I hear Him whisper, "See?
When you held those things you left behind,
You lacked a hand to hold Mine.
While you may fall and hit the ground,
As long as you are in Me found,
Grace abounds.
Keep your hands free
Don't foolishly
Fill them
With sin."

"Keep them lifted up to Me
And empty of life's depravity.
For then when you crash
You can easily grasp
My hand."

"Face your fear.
I am here.
You may fall
But you need only call."

"Humble yourself within
And I will lift you up again."

Still More Chapters

The Son had come--
The Redeeming One--
To free the slaves,
To seek and save.
But He broke the bread
Said He'd soon be dead.
All felt the gloom
In the upper room.
But there's still more chapters...

The truth He'd spoke
As the bread He broke;
On the cross he'd cried
As He suffered and died.
Wasn't He the King
Who could do something?
But through the cross
Was all lost?
Wait! There's still more chapters...

The darkness quakes
As dawn breaks;
He is the King!
Death has no sting.
He rules and reigns;
Hell has no chains.
The empty grave
Proves He saves.
And there's still more chapters...

I feel the strain
Buckle under the pain
Where is His hand,
His providential plan?
I'm tempted to doubt
And control my route,
But I'll trust His care
Confident that there's
Still more chapters.

Invisible Jello

Just friends, spending time
Chatting when you catch my eye.
You make me laugh, I turn
Away to hide how much I yearn
To hug you. I fear I'll show
You that I've turned to jello.
Afraid that you can see
Right through me
Until I recall
You can't see me at all.
You don't know I exist,
And it comes down to this:
I'm invisible jello
Wanting you to know--
I love you.

What you see as your buffoonery
Endears you to me.
With your sheepish grin
You draw me in.
You call yourself unworthy
Of love, but I disagree.
If you only knew
How I care for you!
And yet, you don't know;
Still I turn to jello,
Wishing you knew I exist.
But it comes down to this:
I'm invisible jello
Wanting you to know--
I love you.

Prayer to the God of Providence...

O God, You are my God,
And I come to You seeking.
My thirsty soul is longing
And my parched lips are speaking.
There's chaos all around me
When I try to find my life.
As I seek wisdom from counselors,
I meet only with strife.
I want to see Your heart, Lord
And follow all You would!
I know the hand of Providence
Brings both calamity and good,
Because of this, I worship
And lift my hands in praise.
Blessed be Your name, O Lord!
No matter the questions raised
By my human heart. I can rest
In the work of Christ. I know
Grace grows best in winter,
But mercy will melt the snow.
If saints like David, Daniel,
Or Ruth could trust Your name
Without the revelation of
Hope when Jesus came,
Then how can I--saved by grace
Through faith--go down to defeat?
For my God, You're in control
And in You, I am complete.

I Want to Hear

The chaos in her eyes
Because of lies
Cries
For hope in her mess,
Nothing less.
Yes,
I hear my name;
I'm called to proclaim:
He came.
His word is true,
And He makes new.
Do
I stand still
To hear His will?
Fill
My heart with Yours;
Lord, open doors.
More
Of You, less of me.
Only You can set free.
My plea
Is to show her
That pain You cure.
Pure.
Lord, here I am;
I seek Your plan.
You can
Soften hearts
And give me a part.
Start
To work; they cry
In Satan's lies.
Why?
I incline my ear;
I want to hear.
Draw near!
All You say is true,
And things that praise You
I'll do.

My Goodness

Those around me who follow sin prosper.
Am I following You in vain?
What are You doing? What are You up to?
Can't You hear me speak Your name?
I can't tell Your people how I feel,
But I'm questioning. God, please hear my cry!
Everything is difficult; life is painful.
What is this old world coming to? My,
Goodness!

Lord, I come into Your presence,
Throw my thirsty soul to Your grace.
Suddenly, I see You, Your perspective.
I weep for joy; You show Your face!
I see the realities of their "prosperity,"
How their destruction lies nearby.
You hear my voice; You know my pain.
Why did I doubt You? My,
Goodness!

You hold my hand; I see it now.
You guide and counsel, never leave.
You're the One that I desire;
I run to You; You're All to me!
My flesh and my heart both fail,
But You're my Strength; Lord, You draw nigh
To me as I draw nigh to You.
No matter what I know You are my
Goodness.

"But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked...All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence... But when I thought how to understand this,it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end... Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You hold my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel...there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You...My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the Strength of my heart and my Portion forever... it is good to be near God..." (Psalm 73: 2-3, 13, 16-17, 23-24, 26, 28)

Dropping Sticks of Prayer

Floating on the wings of the wind
Soaring higher to the peak
Of the mountain, looking for her friend,
Her heart to speak.
She finds him sitting high
Upon the tallest limb
Thinks longingly with a bird sigh,
"I'm in love with him."
She drops the stick she clutches,
Hoping that he will see.
The gesture his heart touches,
And he swoops down from his tree.
He grasps the stick she carried
And her heart goes pitter-pat.
They might be getting married!
And she tries again; with that
She shows him over again
How she feels and waits.
He catches the stick and then
Asks her on a date.
Together, up and up they fly
Until they go much higher
Than they will ever go in the future
Or ever have gone prior.
When they reach the summit the male
Eagle's talons with the female's lock;
They pull in their wings as wind assails
And drop through the air like a rock.
Their trust in each other placed,
They wait until the very end
To spread their wings and soar with grace
To be life-partner friends.

I drop sticks for you
From the mountain tops of prayer
Asking God to
Let you see me and care.
Longing for you to catch
My thoughts that I wish you
Could see as I watch
What you do,
But I know that I can't tell,
And it tears me apart.
I can't hint about my feelings;
I give God my heart.
I'm longing to make the upward assent
With you by my side,
To know you to a great extent
And in you confide.
But for now I wait
Simply dropping those sticks of prayer,
Seeking my emotions to abate,
My heart with God share.

For He has a plan.

Find Me, Bind Me, and Remind Me

"When I lose my way
And hopes are dim,
Will You look for me?"

"Child, I know each day,
Hopes are never slim.
I find every absentee."

"When I loose love's chains,
From Your victory run,
Will we stay apart?"

"No, My grace remains.
I have already begun
To bind you back to My heart."

"When I forget my name
And who I am.
Will I be too far?"

"No, I stay the Same
And have a plan.
I will remind you who you are."

"At the end of all your faith,
To the end of all your days,
Remember Me; You need
Not dread in all your ways.

Child, there's nothing left to fear.
I am here."

"So when I lose my way, find me; when I loose love's chains, bind me; at the end of all my faith to the end of all my days, when I forget my name, remind me..." ~ Andrew Peterson, Dancing in the Minefields

Safe in the Tower

In the midst of all this chaos,
My life is still devoid
Of adventure, substance, meaning;
Fleeting pleasures I've enjoyed.
But God, inside my soul,
There's a hunger, there's a thirst
To know Your very Essence
And to in You be immersed.
Will You make Your name my Tower?
Great I AM, Abundant Life,
Will You make my living rife?
LORD,
Show me Your glory!
Oh, Eternal Present Tense--
I AM--Live in me,
And be my one Defense.

In the midst of all this chaos,
For so many things I cry.
I'm in need of Your provision,
Long to hear Your calm reply.
And God, inside my soul,
There's worry, many fears.
Will you show me Your supply
That never disappears?
Will You make Your name my Tower?
Jehovah Jireh, My supplier
Will you hear of my desire?
LORD,
Show me Your glory!
Let me see Your face!
Omniscient One, be
My one Hiding Place.

In the midst of all this chaos
Is a battleground--my mind.
And I'm failing in the conflict,
One action at the time.
But God, inside my soul,
There's a longing to be free,
To know Your healing power
And to beat the enemy.
Will You make Your name my Tower?
Will You, LORD my Banner,
Show me triumph's manner?
LORD,
Show me Your glory!
Trials will end in jubilation.
Jehovah Nessi--Move in me
And be my Preservation.

In the midst of all this chaos,
I see my needs increase.
I'm tired and I'm struggling
And I long so much for peace.
And God, inside my soul,
There's no hope, no way to turn.
Will you show me Your full Presence?
May I of Your friendship learn?
Will You make Your name my Tower?
LORD of Lords and Prince of Peace.
Will you make each striving cease?
LORD,
Show me Your glory!
Peace and Pain juxtapose.
Jehovah Salom--Rest in me,
And be my Repose.

So many other names You have;
Unveiling You has just begun.
But may each name be the Tower
To which I quickly run.
A shelter from the struggle,
I'll find in Your embrace
Each time I reach the tower
I will be in You--safe.


"The name of the LORD is a strong Tower; the righteous man runs to it and is safe." (Proverbs 18:10)

Like Water in an Icy Stream...

Winter's chill takes the sensitivity out of my hands

As I walk along the snowy edge of the creek.

Doubt's chill takes the sensitivity out of my heart

As I walk through the cold paths of life.

I look at the water in the stream, moving, flowing, staying

Above freezing despite the icy conditions surrounding it.

I look at my own heart; is it moving and staying

Above the freezing point of indifference?

How does that water remain warm enough to respond

To it's destiny and speed onward to the sea?

How can I keep my heart warm enough to respond

To a holy God even when everything around me is frozen?

The water refuses to stop and hold contact

With the icy conditions that would lead it to lose it's warmth.

I must refuse to stop or hold contact

With the bitter fears that would lead me to lose His passion.

The stream must keep moving, busy

About the things it's meant to do.

I must keep moving, actively seeking

To know my Savoir's Presence.

Those droplets must keep themselves pursuing

The warmer waters that lie downstream.

No matter the world's chill, I desire yet warmer fellowship;

I must keep my eyes fixed on my goal: pursuing Him.

Your Nearness is My Good

With all that is within me,

I thirst to thirst for You.

You are the One I’m living for;

I want to want Your Truth.

I desire to desire Your desires

And to Your heart draw near,

To live Coram Deo

And to know Your presence here.

I know that You are Holy One,

And You I long to praise.

But I also know You’re “God with Us,”

Emmanuel, everyday.

No matter where I find myself

I want Your heart my heart to fill,

And the closer that I am to You,

I hope to be yet closer still.

I want to live in Your presence

And give You the praise that I should.

Like Moses, I cry, “Show me Your glory!”

Your nearness is my good.

~ ~ ~

“Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever… As for me, the nearness of God is my good…” (Psalm 73:25,26, 28).

~ ~ ~

“O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, that so I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, "Rise up, any love, my fair one, and come away." Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long.” ~A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

Carrying His Name

No theology, no religion will change their situations.

No huge, grand idea will bring hope to the nations.

You can talk about your stuff and the names of your possessions:

Apple, Lucky, Nike, whatever your obsession.

But no name on this earth deserves to be made known

More than the Savoir of the earth--Jesus Christ, God's own

Son, Who gave Himself that we might be saved

From sin and separation; we can have what we have craved:

A relationship with the Holy One. His name you must lift high.

Will Jesus be your exclamation? Will Jesus be your cry?

Will you keep His passion or will your heart grew cold?

Will you forget or will you His fame uphold?

Go where His passion leads you with your hearts aflame,

But wherever your life takes you--be carrying HIS NAME.

~~

"My heart will sing no other name-- JESUS, JESUS!"

Refuse to Trade that Birthright

Jacob stood above the fire
Stirring a pot of stew.
Esau came in from the fields
Too hungry to think things through.
He asked his brother for a bowl,
Not considering what was at stake;
Esau sold his birthright
For some porridge's sake.

I stood and played with fire,
Toying with that bowl of stew.
I had a appetite for something
And didn't stop to think things through.
Victory was my birthright
Through the power of Christ's cross.
But I sold that birthright;
The battle I had lost.

I let that appetite rule me
Rather than choosing to reframe
The thoughts that I was having
By calling Jesus' name.
I missed out on a blessing
By failing to refrain.
Victory was my birthright
And a privilege I could claim.

But the truth I now am choosing.
I want God's best for me.
And I must control my appetites
To be alive and free.
As I stand upon that victory
And daily my mind renew,
I'll refuse to trade my birthright
For that measly bowl of stew.

Worthy

I want my life

To make sense

In the light of Your gospel.

Consume me, Lord;

Teach me to follow You!

To give up those things

That don't matter

To Your kingdom.

To leave behind those distractions

That will burn as

Hay and stubble.

To know Your heart,

Your passion!

Raise up my generation,

And start with me!

Lord, make me worthy!

I give you everything:

Heart,

Mind,

Actions,

Choices,

Hopes,

And dreams.

Holy Spirit, fall on me!

Cleanse me.

Light the fire in my heart for

Eternity.

Help me to see

Those things which truly matter

To You!

Make me worthy to call myself a

Christian--

To bear Your precious,

Holy name!

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ...standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents" (Phil 1: 27-28).

Known by Name

Cold ground against my back

Night sky against my face,

I look up to the heavens,

Moon and stars hung in space.

Tears roll down my cheeks

As I view the celestial spheres.

I cry out to Jesus

With all of my fears.

"I feel so lonely;

I need a friend."

He says, "I'm dependable

Until the end."

"I don't feel like

Anyone really cares."

"He says, "I know the numbers

Of your hairs."

"I want someone

To speak my name,

To know my heart,

To be the same."

He says," I know

Your name and heart

Like I know the stars

And the galaxy's start."

"I am dependable to the end

And faithful to My own.

I'm with you in your best moments

And when you feel alone."

"Come, My child, look to the sky

And know that I know all.

If I know the stars intimately,

Wouldn't I hear you when you call?"

"I care so much about your life

That I've promised to see you through.

Nothing that happens escapes my eye

I have an all-knowing view."

"So smile, my child, and dry your tears.

My hand take a hold of

For nothing can take you out of My hand

Or separate you from My love!"

"Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing. Why do you say...“My way is hidden from the Lord... Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength" (Isaiah 40: 26-29).

Counting Each Breath

The clock downstairs chimes midnight,

And I still toss and turn,

Worrying about my circumstances

And letting my stomach churn.

Forgetting that my Protector

And my Provider my life keeps.

I close my eyes and try so hard

To doze off counting sheep.

Breathing in and out,

Hoping for sleep;

But the restless minutes continue.

But wait--I'm breathing in and out

While waiting for sleep.

Each breath because of the Holy One.

Instead of counting sheep,

I count each breath

All part of His amazing plan.

His awesomeness takes my breath away;

My life is from His hand.

In peace, I sleep.

"Who among you does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind" (Job 12: 9-10).

Free and Fully Alive

Can circumstances define me?
Can peril, flame, or sword
Separate me from the love
Found in Christ my Lord?
Can the setting of my life
Choose who I will be?
Or will I choose to rise above,
Living fully alive and free?

Circumstances do not control,
Cannot define my life.
Nothing can separate me from the love
That I find in Jesus Christ.
The setting that I find myself in
Does not choose my destiny.
I will choose to rise above
And live fully alive and free.

For if I live that is Christ
As I proclaim His name.
While seeking to be more like Him.
And I die, that's gain.
Death no longer has a sting.
When I live free and fully alive,
In death, my life will still witness of Him.
It is not death to die.


"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain"
(Phil 1:21).