Forty-four Thousand

Based on Luke 8: 42b-48

Forty-four thousand in need of His touch

Surely the multitude would prove too much.

How could I reach Him through the crowd?

I couldn't call; they were much too loud.

I couldn't text Him so He'd sit with me. 

Yet I needed His presence to truly be free.

Forty-four thousand inside the Dome

A place God had come to dwell in as Home--

Could all of us feel Him? Could all of us know

His heart for us? Could He stop our blood flow?

We worshiped and called Him, we asked for His grace

Until suddenly we realized--His robe filled that place!

We all saw Him sitting on a throne--exalted, 

Willing to heal the oppressed and assaulted.

He was there in His power as His glory descended,

Willing to make the broken hearts mended.

He was there in His love; his robes invited

Every soul to come, be refreshed and ignited.

And in our healing He rejoiced, delighted.

Forty-four thousand who've felt His power

Who no longer have a reason to cower,

We'll go in peace as Jesus told us,

Knowing His everlasting arms infold us.

We cannot consume Him, no matter how many

Reach out, but He can consume us plenty.

We're going out boldly to proclaim His name,

To do something now for His glory and fame.

For His glory we'll be the voice outspoken

To free the bruised, the battered, the broken.

We don't have to worry about the mocking from "them."

He'll be our renewal; we cling to His hem.

We're not ashamed of the One Who saved us!

Indifference and apathy no more enslave us.

"Jesus" will be our proclamation

To our country and every foreign nation.

We are the Lord's generation!

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.

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).

A Definition of True Awesomeness

True Awesomeness (ˈtrü ˈȯ-səm-nəs) n.
1. a state of Being
That only One possesses;
2. astounding in power
With no failure, only successes;
3. boundless in wisdom,
possessing all knowledge;
4. exalted over all,
true greatness acknowledged;
5. matchless in glory
and no counsel needing;
6. sovereign in authority,
no higher one heeding;
7. faithful to One's Word
no matter the cost
Even if that's taking
Another's cross;
8. dependable to the end
Never forsaking
Those that One loves,
No promise breaking;
9. an inspiration of awe
At the sound of One's name;
10. possessing the title:
Always the Same.
Related forms--Almighty, Most Holy God p.n

Behold Your God!

The mountain stands
Next in God's plan
For my life.

I complain
And fill my heart with pain
And strife.

Mountain so large.
I take charge
With fear.

And then I cry,
"Why, God, why?
Why here?"

And in His glory He speaks with power,
"I am your Comfort and your Strong Tower.
But you will not see My majesty
While viewing the mountain's enormity.

Clear your head of all those lies;
Trust My Word, child; lift your eyes
To My face, My very Being
Not the mountain high that you are seeing.

See that river? That waterfall?
The waters of the earth? I hold them all
Without a flinch within my palm.
Behold your God! Be calm.

See the stars, the moon, the sun?
I know their number every one.
In My hand is the universe's span.
Behold your God! Trust My plan.

See that mountain you worry about?
Why do you fear? Why do you doubt?
I know how much that mountain weighs.
Behold your God! Yield your days

To My will.
Be still.
Cease your strife.

That mountain stands
Next in My plan
For your life.

But think of My power;
Do not cower
At what you see.

Take comfort; your mountain tall
Is incredibly small
In comparison to Me.

Behold your God!

“Behold your God! ... Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?... 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: 9, 10, 12, 28, 29)

In the Name of the Lord of Hosts

They jabbered fearfully about the hoots

Of Goliath. Shaking in their boots,

They didn’t care to lose their heads

That day I came to bring them bread.

It had been forty days without relief

Still I listened to their chatter in disbelief.

They focused on Goliath’s might

And not one man volunteered to fight.

I looked at them and said, “Wait, wait.

I think you’ve made a grave mistake.

It’s not your skills or your resources

Or the size of the Philistine’s giant or forces.

I will fight this Philistine

For my God will be with me.”

First I was unjustly charged

With pride, then given armor large

Enough for the Giant. I said, “No.

You don’t understand. It’s the God I know.

Not the armor of Saul or a shield or a sword

But the power of the Lord of Lords!”

I grabbed my sling and five smooth stones

And asked for help from God alone.

The giant laughed, thought he had won,

But I went in the name of the Mighty One.

As the giant fell so fell the scales

Off the Israelites' eyes. Their faith had failed

For their faith was found in the strength of man.

But now, they’d seen the Almighty’s hand.

They knew the truth: We only boast

In the powerful Name of the Lord of hosts.

"Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand... that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel..." (I Samuel 17: 45-46)

What is Man to You?

Man.
O Lord,
So small
To You.
What
Is he compared to the heavens?
And the moon and the stars to You?
And yet,
You sent
Your son
To walk
This earth
And know
The life
Of man
To live
To die
To rise
To gain
For me?
Unto Your name be glory forevermore.
Amen.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

When I was made in secret
Your eyes beheld my form.
Yea, O Lord, You knew my soul.
Before I was born.
With loving hands and patient care
And wisest thoughts you knit
Each organ and each miracle
Of life – each one perfect.
My brain was made to think of You,
My ears to hear Your voice,
My eyes to see Your glory,
My heart to make a choice,
My hands to serve You only,
My mouth to talk of You,
And on throughout my body -
Each part Your will to do.
How perfect, Lord, Your wisdom
So, thus I will praise Thee.
Though all the universe is Thine
Thou choose to design me!
Yea, I will praise You all my days
Proclaiming Your great work.
And tell to others, one by one,
Your creation in birth.

Based on Psalm 5:5-6, Psalm 139: 13-19, Ecclesiastes 11;5
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, March 7, 2008
All rights reserved.

I Will Triumph

Lord, I will triumph in Your works
The creations of Your hand.
For great are they, and marvelous
According to Your plan.
Your thoughts, O Lord, are very deep -
With depths more than the sea.
To think that such a God on high
Would know and care for me!

Lord I will triumph in Your works,
From grass blade to hardwood tree.
The mountains do declare Your praise
Your strength in the plains I see.
O Lord, most high forevermore,
Lord, Yours the glory be.
What joy to know or even to think--
You came to earth for me!



Based on Psalm 92:4,5
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, March 1, 2008
All rights reserved.
Opt. Tune: I Sing the Mighty Power of God

Rejoice in His Might

Ye children of light, rejoice in His might
He giveth us vict’ry o’er powers of night.
No one can defeat us, with Christ on our side
He giveth us strength as we in Him abide.
Chorus

Chorus:
Children of Light
Joy in His might.
The vict’ry is ours through Calvary won!
Sing and Rejoice
Lift up your voice
Be strong through the power of Jesus the Son.

Ye children of light, the battle is His
The breastplate of righteousness our Jesus is.
Our peace and salvation, our truth and our joy.
With Christ as our Captain, no foe can annoy.
Chorus

Ye children of light, yield not to the wiles
Of Satan, but count all things joy in you trials.
Resist the temptations, give Christ Satan’s lies.
Draw strength from Savior, your God, ever-wise.
Chorus

Based on Eph. 6
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, May 14, 2007
All rights reserved.
Opt. tune: Saved by the Blood of the Crucified One

What I Can Do in Thee

Who art thou who is afraid;
My child, why fearest Thee?
For even I, the Lord, Thy God,
Is He that comforts Thee,
Is He that comforts Thee.

Ye need not fear a host by night
A mite of harm by day.
For I, the Lord, am Thy Defense
Thy Everlasting Stay,
Thy Everlasting Stay.

I am the God that teachest Thee
In the ways Thou shouldest go.
And if Ye hearken unto me
I’ll wash you white as snow,
I’ll wash you white as snow.

If Thou shalt walk within my ways
And make My plans your choice.
In my righteousness and in My name
Shalt Thou evermore rejoice,
Shalt Thou evermore rejoice.


Opt. tune: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
Based on Is. 48:17, Is.51:12, Ps. 89:15-16, 18, 20, Ps. 91
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, March 23, 2007
All rights reserved.

He My Mountain

I flee as a bird to my Mountain
I put all my trust in my God.
In low lands the Devil would snare me
To wander and sink in sin’s sod.
But Jesus so lovingly draws me
To places of safety and calm.
In places of rest and assurance
My soul finds an infinite balm.

I flee as a bird to my Mountain
With Jesus how shall my soul fear?
Though Satan would boast the world’s pleasures
The vict’ry is mine with Christ near.
Though others would mock and would try me
I seek my acceptance from Him
Who bought me and freed me on Calv’ry:
My Rock and My Mountain. Amen!


Copyright Miriam Rainwater, October 24, 2006
All rights reserved.

With Songs of Deliverance

With songs of deliv’rance my Savior compasses
My soul round about in His mercy and grace.
My Strength in the battle I shall have the victory
When He is my Rock and my Hiding Place.

With songs of sure vict’ry His Spirit doth strengthen
My heart in the trouble, He hears ev’ry cry.
Though Satan would tempt me, I call unto Jesus
My Tower of Refuge, my Fortress in nigh.

With songs of assurance, my Comfort doth help me.
Why should I fear with my Jesus beside?
I shall not fear what men shall do unto me
Still I will trust Him to lead me and guide.

With songs of forgiveness, my Jesus doth cleanse me,
When I acknowledge my sin unto Him.
He breaks down each stronghold if I would but ask Him,
Renews me to serve Him in truth once again.

With songs of His blessing He teaches me daily
Instructing therein in the paths of His choice.
I trust in His holiness and wait for direction
Glad in His presence, my heart shall rejoice.

With songs of deliv’rance, my Savior compasses
My life round about. He is all that I need.
The vict’ry is sure for it was won on Calvary
In Him I am free, yes free, free, indeed!

Psalm 32: 8
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, September 13, 2006
All rights reserved.

My Strength and Shield

My Strength and Shield, my heart doth help
I trust in Him, He shall not fail.
In this assurance I rejoice,
Though fearful thoughts assail.

My Strength and Shield my Jesus is;
He hears my daily prayer.
My Rock, my Fortress still is He,
The Bearer of my care.

My Strength and Shield, He keepeth me,
From paths of wicked men.
But firmly on the path of life
He plants my feet again.

My Strength my Shield, Thy name I praise,
My song shall be of Thee.
How sweet the blessed assurance is
That Thou hast given me!

Psalm 28: 1, 6, 7
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, September 1, 2006
All rights reserved.

Spring, Spring, Spring!

Spring, Spring, Spring!

March 21, 2006

The First Day of Spring

The daffodils spout forth the news

What joy this season brings.

When flowers from their buds break forth

Spring, spring, spring!

The cold of winter nears an end

And sun warms ev’rything.

It’s gold beams are a welcomed sight

Spring, spring, spring!

The summer birds migrate again

The sky is filled with wings.

And tiny eggs within a nest mean

Spring, spring, spring!

The humans feel the season, too

Each heart with joy doth sing.

But outside nature tells it best:

Spring, spring, spring!

Christ Sits Worthy on His Throne

Christ sits worthy on His throne,
He hath ransomed all His own.
He hath died on Calvary
To save and cleanse a wretch like me!

Chorus:
Worthy, worthy art Thou, O Lord!
All proclaim in one accord:
“Thou art worthy, thou alone.
Great and glorious, on Thy throne.”

Christ sits worthy on His throne,
He hath called for all His own.
He holds all within His grasp.
Alpha, Omega – first and last!

Christ sits worthy on His throne,
He hath risen for His own!
Through the ages, shout and sing
Praise to the Savior, King of Kings!

Christ sits worthy on His throne,
He adored by all His own.
Knell before on bended knee
Praise Him for eternity!

Christ sits worthy on His throne,
He hath fashioned all His own.
Rock of Ages, Great I AM,
Praises to Jesus, Calv’ry’s Lamb!

Christ sits worthy on His throne,
He hath guided all His own.
When at last I see His face
“Worthy the Lamb!” I’ll sing in praise.

Based on Rev. 5: 9-14
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, October 17, 2005

All rights reserved.
Tune: More, More About Jesus

How Great Thy Power!

How great thy power, Sovereign Lord,
How great Thy majesty!
Thy thoughts how great the sum of them
That thou wouldst die for me!
How great thy wisdom, strength and power
I shall not, WILL not fear.
Because I know that thou art Lord
And thou art ever near!

How broad thy wisdom, Sovereign Lord,
Yea, all the world is thine!
Mine eye doth see the wonders in
Thy intricate designs!
Thou knowest all, thou Lord of hosts
My thoughts, my hope, desire.
Lord, grant to me one prayer today,
“Lord, set my heart on fire!”

How great thy faithfulness, O Lord
The universe – thine own.
Thou carest for the little things
And ruleth from Thy throne!
Thy faithfulness is unto me
You freed my soul from sin!
Thy promises come back to say
“I love thee, yes, Amen!”

Based on Ps. 22
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, August 21, 2005

All rights reserved.

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon

Who can deny a mighty hand

In these vast miles of stone?

This multicolored handiwork

Was carved by God alone!

The canyon walls in beauty rise

In shades of every hues.

Beneath an Arizona sky

The river courses through.

Some believe all this was carved

By years of sliding mud

But anyone who sees will know

It happened by a flood.

And one thing that we learn as this

Catastrophe is explored

This grand canyon bears His mark –

The glory of the Lord.

For Granddaddy and Grandmama, in remembrance of our trip to the canyon in the fall of 1999.

 Copyright Miriam Rainwater, June 28, 2005