Friday, December 19, 2008

Shop Until You Drop

They are starting their plan earlier every year.
Attempting to drum up all your Christmas cheer.
Already their training you just to not think.
Ensure you carry charge cards and sign in red ink!

They’ll advertise months ahead, play tunes in your head.
Colourful flyers come to ensure that they’ll be read.
But, it’s not needed, why think to save up instead?
Come January such a shock, the Bank’s in the red!

Consumers consume and don’t even question why.
Accumulate and store until things are piled high.
Gadgets continue to grow at an enormous rate,
All new from last year, they’ve got you in a state.

Your children play into the "got to have it" too.
Leaving you in a quandary of just what to do.
Searching the aisle for something to catch your eye
You feel you’ve been fooled and not even sure why.

You’re not sure where you’ll find God in all this push
Or even find time to reason and think in this rush.
Food to feed thousands gets thrown out every year
You’ll eat some more, avoiding the scale with such fear.

Come January they’ll clear at half-price like last year
But somehow they absconded with your joy and your cheer.
And leaving in their place a sharp and bitter taste
They took the Christ out of Christmas leaving such a waste.

And you vow you won’t get ‘sucked’ in again next time.
This crassness of "Ho Ho" is just merely another sign.
They used another religious holiday to steal your last dime!





Vonnie Mostat

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Life-Giver

Precious Life-Giver, Ruler of our life forces.
Great Physician, from whom flows healing water courses.
You, who sees our needs before our hands we raise.
We present our petitions to you in an attitude of praise.

Our needs are many, and all you infinitely know.
That when we are weak, your power then you show.
We want it all our way, the seeds that we have set
If we can but manipulate, our answers then we’ll get.

We are like the blind man begging, "Oh please let us see!".
Not realizing there may be other ways you desire to set us free.
We say we long for heaven while living here today,
When talking with each other this is what we say.

We go through the motions of asking when we pray.
But have our plans set out before we bargain you to say,
"Grant our request Lord", then maybe we’ll follow through
To do what all along was your plan for us to do.

We say we long for Heaven while enjoying the ‘Here’ today.
When talking with each other this is what we say.
We’re taught not to get too comfy for heaven is our home.
Always to have our suitcase packed while listening for your ‘phone.

There is lots for us to do on earth while waiting for that call,
But oft times we run on ahead and that is when we fall.
We have our own road map folded, labelled in such a way
So obvious we’re the driver and too soon we forget to pray.

Father God, you whose eye sees the baby sparrow fall
Who told us in your word that you love us best of all.
Teach us how to take our hands right off the driver’s wheel
Allow your Spirit to show us how we should act and feel.

You said ,"Take my yoke upon you", that you would guide us through
As the bit becomes soft in the horse’s mouth you’ll lead us home to you.
Precious Life-Giver, Ruler of our life forces.
Forgive us Great Physician, when we make such foolish choices.

Amen

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

God Is Always Available

I admit that there are times
That I am tempted to despair.
Then God speaks in all His mercy
To let me know He's there.

He took care of yesterday for me.
Tomorrow is in His care.
Today He will walk beside me
In answer to my prayer.

He brings constant joy and comfort
To ease my concerns away.
I could not go on without Him
To be my companion through each day.

I would just like to remind you
To lean hard upon His breast.
Release each trial to Him.
Wait for Him to do the rest.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Draw Me Nearer


Closer, closer, draw me closer Lord to Thee
Until when looking, others can no longer see the Me.
Deeper deeper, hide me Lord so close to Thee.
Cover me with Thy blood that you shed to set me free.
Wiser, wiser, let me sit at your feet learning more from you.
Fill me with your Spirit, send me forth your work to do.
Flowing, flowing, let your love flow freely from me.
So that I become a mirror reflecting light from Thee.
Joyful, joyful, let my life be so rich with your joy.
That deep and lasting "Bubble" this world cannot destroy.
Singing, singing, let my life become an unending song.
Brand me Lord to show that its to you I now belong.
Freely, freely, I now surrender my life up to you.
I now know that in so doing it’s the best thing I can do.
Weeping, weeping, I see now what you did for me.
I want to show to others it’s the only way to be.
Rejoicing, rejoicing, come rejoicing along with me.
Raise your voices higher and consider all He’s done for Thee.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

The Pendulum

The Pendulum swings in both directions
Don’t judge others for their own imperfections,
Or to be sure yours will come shining through!

See over there sits your Mrs. Drew
With her three little, ‘giggly, motley crew.'
Thank goodness your children won’t dress like that!
At least not so according to you!

The Pendulum swings in both directions
Don’t judge others for their own imperfections,
Or to be sure yours will come shining through!

The Pastor is running late again today.
The sermon runs on in an endless way.
That means lunch in the oven will have to stay,
Sandwiches watching TV on a tray!

The Pendulum swings in both directions
Don’t judge others for their own imperfections,
Or to be sure yours will come shining through!

Look at the hairs on Mr. Browns’ old sweater!
You’d think that his wife would really know better
Than to send him to Church looking like that!
And it seems to me that he’s really grown fat!

The Pendulum swings in both directions
Don’t judge others for their own imperfections,
Or to be sure yours will come shining through!

Sit up my children and look the other way,
When you get home you’re really going to pay!
No one’s going to judge me and be able to say
That I don’t teach mine how to properly pray!

The Pendulum swings in both directions
Don’t judge others for their own imperfections,
Or to be sure yours will come shining through!

There’s somebody whispering just behind me
Now what an embarrassment that’s going to be!
Children, don’t turn around or people will see
What a poor example you’re reflecting of me!

The Pendulum swings in both directions
Don’t judge others for their own imperfections,
Or to be sure yours will come shining through!

If we sing this chorus just one more time
Slowly pausing softly after each single line,
I’ll mention to Pastor that one should be fine
In a note that I’ll conveniently forget not to sign.

The Pendulum swings in both directions
Don’t judge others for their own imperfections,
Or to be sure yours will come shining through!

The Sermon’s all about giving again today
Couldn’t they go about it some other way!
It seems so ‘tacky’ just to "plead" pay.
Our expenses go up but our wages just stay!

The Pendulum swings in both directions
Don’t judge others for their own imperfections,
Or to be sure yours will come shining through!

The Sound System’s not working as well it should be,
Competing with static, can’t they but see!
More care should be taken it sure seems to me
Hard to let my voice soar so nice and so free.

The Pendulum swings in both directions
Don’t judge others for their own imperfections,
Or to be sure yours will come shining through!

We’ll stop in the hallway, just a minute will do
Careful to by-pass people looking at you.
Just say "Hi" to just a select happy few
You know that our lunch is already past due.

The Pendulum swings in both directions
Don’t judge others for their own imperfections,
Or to be sure yours will come shining through!

Church is finally over for one more week
Now quickly out the side door we’re going to sneak.
Our example is what others should consider and seek
See, those not attending are really just weak!

The Pendulum swings in both directions
Don’t look to others for their own imperfections,
Or to be sure yours will come shining through!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

An Unlived Life


Oh Lord let me not die an unlived life
Not even one spared from sorrow or strife.

I truly desire to be happy all of my days,
Little realizing not following in God’s chosen ways.

I choose to inhabit my days with His endless praise,
Rather than dwell on my past forgiven ways.

I choose to risk what others think of me.
My desire is for my ways and God’s to agree.

Oh Lord let my life here not be in vain.
Help me choose the path to cause others no pain.

I choose to risk my significance so other’s don’t see me,
But through your eyes what You want me to be.

I desire that "spark" again to realize anew
That the only life worth living is lived for you.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

On Being Genuine

Do I surrender myself to be used of God
Or just proclaim that to be my desire?
Do I continue on as an empty shell
While I boldly ask God to light my fire?
Is the outward sign that I show to others
Truly the inward evidence of a changing me?
Am I just living my life as a white-washed mask
Fearful to show you the genuine me?
Is the Jesus in me truly shining right through,
Or do I try to produce His image on an empty screen?
Am I a false prophet claiming to be a seeker of truth
Or simply a poor actor in a walk-on part?
Do I merely strut my lines across the stage of life
Or have I truly given God all of my heart?
Do I project to you a vibrant living Christian
Playing the part only one day of the week?
For one tires so easily of having to perform in life
What in breathing doesn’t come naturally to me.
If God isn’t the very essence of my own life
How can I possibly share Him with you?
It doesn’t take long in the bustle of life
Until the genuine will come shining through.
God separates the wheat from the chaff
With one quick breath and brushing of hand.
An act can be played out for only so long
Before the real person you begin to see.
I’d rather be God’s person deep in my heart
And not worry about what you’re thinking of me.
To be conformed to the image of Christ
Is what I genuinely want to be

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Singing Praises Unto Him

Father, you said if we do not praise you the rocks will cry out
How can we fail to acknowledge you, why do we still doubt?
Even the birds in the trees trill their praises to Thee
I pause to acknowledge it is you, only you that set me free!
All nature joins the chorus and surely the listener must perceive
When all around us is evidence to cause us to believe.
The firmament beams down imploding the evidence of you,
How can man stand before you and claim he never knew?
You constantly watch over us with your infinite eye,
And we blatantly curse you and ask for reasons why.
We see not the tapestry you are weaving at the other side
Yet evidence of a Master Craftsman still cannot be denied.
Your word tells us we were created to simply praise you
There is evidence of a creator throughout all that we do.
Yet still we hold back though marvelling the skies,
Knowing you’ve used the foolish things to confound the wise.
We only have to pause, reflect and finally decide
To realize it was because of our sins you hung and you died.
I’ve pledged to raise my hands giving evidence of praise
And serve you unflinchingly to the end of my days.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

You Too Must Weep

Let me not live a life that's free
From "The Things" that draw me close to Thee
For how can I ever hope to heal
The wounds of others
I do not feel...
If my eyes are dry and I never weep,
How do I know when the hurt is deep.
If my heart is cold
and it never bleeds,
How can I tell what my sister needs...
For when ears are deaf
to the beggar's plea
And we close our eyes and refuse to see,
And we steel our hearts
and harden our minds,
And we count it weakness
whenever we're kind.
We are no loner following the Father's Way
Or seeking His guidance
from day to day...
For, without 'crosses to carry'
and 'burdens to bear'
We dance through a life
that is frothy and fair,
And 'chasing the rainbow' we have no desire
For 'roads that are rough'
and 'realms that are higher'
So spare me no heartache
or sorrow, dear Lord.
For the heart that is hurt
reaps the richest reward,
And God enters the heart
that is broken with sorrow
As He opens the door
to a Brighter Tomorrow.
For only through tears can we recognize
The suffering that lies
in another's eyes.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

If Only

If I knew it would be the last time
I could spare an extra minute
To stop and say "I love you,"
Instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
So I can just let this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
To make up for an oversight,
And we always get a second chance
To make everything just right.

But just in case I might be wrong,
And today is all that I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
And hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
Young or old alike
And today may be the last chance
You get to hold your loved one tight.

So hold your loved ones close today,
And whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
And that you'll always hold them dear.

Consider the neighbor and friend you love
Or one that politely holds a door for you.
Smile in response, and pay it back too
This may be your last chance to follow through.

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me, "Thank you, or "It's okay"
And if tomorrow never comes,
You'll have no regrets about today.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

And I said to the Man at the Gate

I walked up... and I said to the man at the gate
It's busy down there... am I able to wait?
There's so much to do on earth!
He looked very sad but said with a smile
Come your time for the gate
there's no waiting a while
For your time spent on earth
is not measured in work
or even in good that you do
It comes for inside and a thing you don't hide
A God that you know, not a task to be done.

I sat down... and I said to the man at the gate
The life that I lived was not always so true
But t'was a desire that I wanted to do.
The task seemed so big and the faith was so small
Time, energy, will, seemed always too few.
He seemed to know what I meant
about time well spent
and regret about wanting to wait
It's a thing we all face when we look at God's grace
A measure that we weren't asked to do.

I bowed down... and I cried to the man at the gate
Oh, what have I done, for I've made nought of the Son
And His sacrifice given for me.
It wasn't the 'shoulds' or even the 'coulds'
That made me a child of God
It's His love from inside that gives joy to the 'do'
It's easy to show when you're willing to grow

I stood up.... looked up... and said to the man at the gate
I'll walk throught the gate, not for what I have done
But t'was the life of the Son that gave me the access here.
It's more than just works though that is a progression
Of an inward confession that seems only nautral to do.
Though I counted it joy to serve my Lord,
The regrets were alwys there too
But if access to heaven were dependant on striving to do
The measure would never be reached by many.
It's His love that constrains us and not all the guilt.
And I'll meet Him with joy in my faith
Through His measure of grace I will look in His face
And rejoice in His sacrifice given.

Then the man at the gate smiled and nodded and said:
Let's not discount works for they have to be done,
To fulfill His commission on earth
But away with your yardstick when measuring your worth
As a criteria for entering here.
This entrance was paid but in so doing,
His love compelled you to show,
T'was not out of fear, for His work was all finished.
As He said on the cross long ago.
Accept and go on for life in the Son,
Is a daily faith-walk of grace.
When you walk up that hill and look in His face,
You'll know your battle is won.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Before You Can Dry Another's Tears - You Too Must Weep

Let me not live a life that's free
From "the Things" that draw me close to Thee
For how can I ever hope to heal
The wounds of others
I do not feel....
If my eyes are dry and I never weep
How do I know when the hurt is deep
If my heart is cold
and it never bleeds
How can I tell what my sister needs....
For when ears are deaf
to the beggar's plea
And we close our eyes an refuse to see,
And we steel our hearts
and harden our mind,
And we count it a weakness
whenever we're kind,
We are no longer following the Father's Way
Or seeking His guidance
from day to day....
For, without 'crosses to carry'
and 'burdens to bear'
We dance through a life
that is frothy and fair,
And 'chasing the rainbow' we have no desire
For 'roads that are rough'
and 'realms that are higher'
so spare me no heartache
or sorrow, dear Lord,
For the heart that is hurt
reaps the richest reward
And God enters the heart
that is broken with sorrow
As he opens the door
to a Brighter Tomorrow
For only through tears can we recognize
The suffering that lies
in another's eyes.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

There All The Time

I lift my praises up to you my Father,
For your Holy Spirit has filled me with your songs..
In my pain you have sat close beside me
And comforted me with your words.
For you are my Saviour and my God.

Out of my lips have flowed verses learned long ago
Locked deep in my memory you have released them
In such times of their deepest need.
Your voice is ever with me when I cry out to you
For you are my Saviour and my God.

Your ear is bent toward me when I lie awake at night.
When I cry out to you in my deep despair
You brush the tears away from my face to re-affirm
That you understand and yes you do still care.
For you are my Forerunner and my God.

There was a time in pain I felt you were no longer there,.
That I had displeased you and you withdrew your care.
My prayers reached the ceiling and bounced right back
I longed for the close fellowship that we once had.
For you are my Guardian and my God.

It was then that in prayer I finally realized
That You had not removed your face from me,.
And I experienced a renewal of your bountiful grace.Humbly I fell reverently down upon my face,
For you are my Confessor and my God.

Your Spirit reached out to me and gave me a sign
I had felt that I could not go on in this abyss of pain.
You told me to be patient, I will serve you yet again
No longer to walk through this valley of pain
For your words are True and you are my God..

You ensured that I would not walk this path alone
You surrounded me with Prayer Warriors ever
Willing to reach out and stand in the gap for me.
For this I give you and them my endless praise.
For you are my Enabler and my God.

Father God help me in this schoolroom never to ask Why,
But rather to realize you have not finished with me yet.
For truly you are right here with me all of the time.
Ready to place your hand in mine when things are bad.
For you are my Physician and my God.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

The Anvil - God's Word

Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith's door
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor
Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.
"How many anvils have you had," said I,
"To wear and batter all these hammers so?"
"Just one," said he, and then, with twinkling eye,
"The anvil wears the hammers out, you know."

And so, thought I, the anvil of God's Wrod,
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed... the hammers gone.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Eternity

Out of this life I shall never take
Things of Silver and Gold I make
All that I cherish and hoard away
After I leave on this earth must stay
Tho' I have toiled for a painting rare
To hang on the wall I must leave it there
Tho' I call it mine and boast of it's worth
I must give it up when I leave this earth
All that I gather, and all that I keep
I must leave behind when I fall asleep
And I often wonder what I shall own
In that other life when I pass alone
What shall they find and what
Shall they see in the soul that
Answers the call for me?
Shall the Great Judge learn
When my task is through
That my Spirit has gathered some riches too!
Or shall at last it to mind I find
That all I'd worked for I'd left behind.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

This Man of God That You Gave Us on Communion Day

You knew what we needed God
A man with a servant's heart
Someone who looks on his own imperfection
And can readily overlook ours
Feed my sheep runs through his mind
But to me it seems you gave him
A daunting impossible task
Open up the windows of Heaven
And lean far over the ledges and hear
My prayers for Him this Commnion morning.

O Lord, this man of God, your servant
Who breaks the bread of life to us
Instructing us directly from your word
Hold him in the hollow of your hand
And keep him out of the line of the devil's arrow
Take and prepare him Lord this morning
Wash him with hyssop inside and out
Dry him with the warm winds of your Spirit
And speak through him sledge hammers of truth
That we many truly know his words came from you.

Fill him full of your Spirit Lord so that he many impart to us
A full measure of your truth emboldened by your power
Cause the words of his mouth to beat on the heart of sin
That we may bow in the knowledge of you chastening.
Give us the knowledge that this man's words come from you
Make him a direct conduit of your love and power
And anoint his hands with your healing power
That on this Communion day we may seek this man you gave us
And boldly ask him for a lightning touch from Thee.
That we might rise up not only renewed but healed.

And now, O Lord...
As we finish drinking the cup representing your blood
That was shed for us that we might live life anew.
Give us a heart for you that knows no defeat or tiredness
But is renewed every day with rich words of scripture.
And if we start again down that slippery slope of unbelief
Bring us up sharp with the telescope vision of eternity.
And allow this man that you have given to us
To continue to preach openly and boldly what you have said,
With no concern for what man might think of him.

Friday, May 9, 2008

The Way to God

If my days were untroubled
and my heart always light
Would I seek that fair land
Where there is no night?

If I never grew weary
with the weight of my load
Would I search for God's Peace
at the end of the road?

If I never knew sickness
and never felt pain
Would I reach for a hand
to help and sustain?

If I walked not with sorrow
and lived without loss
Would my soul seek sweet solace
at the foot of the cross?

If all I desired was mine
day to day
Would I kneel before God
and earnestly pray?

If God sent no "Winter"
to freeze me with fear
Would I yearn for the warmth
of "Spring" every year...

I ask myself this
and the answer is plain...
If my life were all pleasure
and I never knew pain

I'd seek God less often
and need Him much less,
For God's sought more often
in times of distress

And no one knows God
or sees Him as plain
As those who have met Him
on "The Pathway to Pain."