So Softly, quietly your voice comes down to me.
Just before dawn, when sleep has flown free.
So I lie here and allow You control of my mind.
I ask you for names that I could never find.
People whose needs fill them to overflowing.
Those that only You have any idea of knowing.
And so one by one, as your Holy Spirit leads,
Prayers flow from my lips like ripe fertile seeds.
I present each and every last one back to You.
Asking you to plant and sprinkle with morning dew.
It is so early, Lord, the ground is so wet and ready.
And these people You give me are so very needy.
This two-way petitioning is precious at this hour.
The world outside sleeps, I sense your Spirit’s Power.
Needs pass down to me like a vision urgent and new.
I’m not an author just a conduit You flow through.
I want to be moved by others, be available to you.
I desire meaning and want to have purpose too.
Life is so very empty when it is not useful to you.
Praying for others is the work that I want to do.
I’ll never be out of work and my guide will be you!
Oh Lord, I so love these early mornings times to pray!
I know you woke me up, now please tell me what to say,
Your Spirit has blessed me with so much joy and peace
I never want our special prayer times to ever cease.
If it took this pain in me to bring me to my knees,
May you ever remind me of what this schoolroom sees.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
No Regrets
You are never going to be sorry for thinking before acting
For taking the time to listen before you pass judgment.
For forgiving your enemies, and forgetting words said too.
For helping a fallen brother, be it someone known or not.
For being honest in business and in all you say and do.
For thinking before opening your mouth and speaking.
For being faithful to your church family and to your God.
For standing up for your principles, doing what is right.
For covering your ears to gossip, and let it stop with you.
For bridling a slanderous tongue and let it not be yours.
For harboring evil thoughts; let your thoughts be pure.
For having compassion with suffering, the mind of Christ.
For being courteous and kind to all that pass your way.
Matthew 20:25 - 40
THE MESSAGE
"Jesus responded, ‘You have no idea what you’re asking.’ And he said to James and John, ‘Are you capable of drinking the cup that I’m about to drink?’ They said, ‘Sure, why not?’
Jesus said, ‘Come to think of it, you are going to drink my cup. But as to awarding places of honour, that’s not my business. My Father is taking care of that.’ When the ten others heard about this, they lost their tempers, thoroughly disgusted with the two brothers. So Jesus got them together to settle things down. He said, ‘You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads. It’s not to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served ... and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage.’
As they were leaving Jericho, a huge crowd followed. Suddenly they came upon two blind men sitting alongside the road. When they heard it was Jesus passing, they cried out, ‘Master, have mercy on us! Mercy, Son of David!’ The crowd tried to hush them up, but they got all the louder, crying, ‘Master, have mercy on us! Mercy, Son of David!’ Jesus stopped and called over, ‘What do you want from me? 'They said, ‘Master, we want our eyes opened. We want to see!’ Deeply moved, Jesus touched their eyes. They had their sight back that very instant , and joined the procession."
For taking the time to listen before you pass judgment.
For forgiving your enemies, and forgetting words said too.
For helping a fallen brother, be it someone known or not.
For being honest in business and in all you say and do.
For thinking before opening your mouth and speaking.
For being faithful to your church family and to your God.
For standing up for your principles, doing what is right.
For covering your ears to gossip, and let it stop with you.
For bridling a slanderous tongue and let it not be yours.
For harboring evil thoughts; let your thoughts be pure.
For having compassion with suffering, the mind of Christ.
For being courteous and kind to all that pass your way.
Matthew 20:25 - 40
THE MESSAGE
"Jesus responded, ‘You have no idea what you’re asking.’ And he said to James and John, ‘Are you capable of drinking the cup that I’m about to drink?’ They said, ‘Sure, why not?’
Jesus said, ‘Come to think of it, you are going to drink my cup. But as to awarding places of honour, that’s not my business. My Father is taking care of that.’ When the ten others heard about this, they lost their tempers, thoroughly disgusted with the two brothers. So Jesus got them together to settle things down. He said, ‘You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads. It’s not to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served ... and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage.’
As they were leaving Jericho, a huge crowd followed. Suddenly they came upon two blind men sitting alongside the road. When they heard it was Jesus passing, they cried out, ‘Master, have mercy on us! Mercy, Son of David!’ The crowd tried to hush them up, but they got all the louder, crying, ‘Master, have mercy on us! Mercy, Son of David!’ Jesus stopped and called over, ‘What do you want from me? 'They said, ‘Master, we want our eyes opened. We want to see!’ Deeply moved, Jesus touched their eyes. They had their sight back that very instant , and joined the procession."
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Easter
(This poem was printed on the front cover of last Sunday's worship folder at South Langley Church)
Three days and I will surely
rise again, that’s what Jesus said.
And just like He promised He did
rise again from the dead
But to get to that empty tomb,
we have to first see the cross.
We have to share in His suffering,
and feel His followers’ loss.
But then Hallelujah! The glorious
resurrection, He truly lives!
To all who believe the promise
of eternal life, He freely gives.
This is something to rejoice about,
to sing and yes, shout about
We that know Him will see Him again,
this we have no doubt.
He never once reneged on any of His
promises! Amen!
Three days and I will surely
rise again, that’s what Jesus said.
And just like He promised He did
rise again from the dead
But to get to that empty tomb,
we have to first see the cross.
We have to share in His suffering,
and feel His followers’ loss.
But then Hallelujah! The glorious
resurrection, He truly lives!
To all who believe the promise
of eternal life, He freely gives.
This is something to rejoice about,
to sing and yes, shout about
We that know Him will see Him again,
this we have no doubt.
He never once reneged on any of His
promises! Amen!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
My Own Way
Just once in a while I want things all my own way.
And then I rebel against what the Spirit has to say.
I begin try to rationalize just what I am trying to do,
I endeavor to open doors that God has closed too!
Disaster strikes when God then allows me my way.
I finally stop to listen to what the Spirit has to say.
I’ve walked this road so often, wanting my own will.
You would think I would learn to stop and be still.
God’s leading is obvious when you walk close to Him.
It is when I rebel that my way walks right into sin.
Listening is an action word telling me to wait and pray.
Not to move ahead until I know what Jesus has to say.
At times His answer takes too long and I run ahead myself.
Then I tend to ignore God’s word and leave it on the shelf.
It is not until I reach rock bottom that I cry out to Him.
"Dear Father please help me for I find I’m locked in sin!"
I ignore the Spirit’s voice as He’s called "come this way".
I run ahead and ruin things, not caring what He has to say.
"Forgive me Father, can we wipe my slate clean again?
Every time I try to rule my life, it always ends in pain.
This schoolroom is familiar, the one of "My Own Way".
The lessons are so costly for its with my growth I pay."
Like a stubborn goat that keeps banging against a wall
I refuse to surrender myself to Him until I take a fall!
I want to be used of Him and not such an impatient child.
Why can’t I learn to be more gentle, meek and even mild?
My own way has always lead to such a disastrous walk
Once I rebel against you, I neglect to listen to You talk.
Oh Lord, if only your Spirit could jolt my point of view
Point me in the right direction, point me right to YOU!"
And then I rebel against what the Spirit has to say.
I begin try to rationalize just what I am trying to do,
I endeavor to open doors that God has closed too!
Disaster strikes when God then allows me my way.
I finally stop to listen to what the Spirit has to say.
I’ve walked this road so often, wanting my own will.
You would think I would learn to stop and be still.
God’s leading is obvious when you walk close to Him.
It is when I rebel that my way walks right into sin.
Listening is an action word telling me to wait and pray.
Not to move ahead until I know what Jesus has to say.
At times His answer takes too long and I run ahead myself.
Then I tend to ignore God’s word and leave it on the shelf.
It is not until I reach rock bottom that I cry out to Him.
"Dear Father please help me for I find I’m locked in sin!"
I ignore the Spirit’s voice as He’s called "come this way".
I run ahead and ruin things, not caring what He has to say.
"Forgive me Father, can we wipe my slate clean again?
Every time I try to rule my life, it always ends in pain.
This schoolroom is familiar, the one of "My Own Way".
The lessons are so costly for its with my growth I pay."
Like a stubborn goat that keeps banging against a wall
I refuse to surrender myself to Him until I take a fall!
I want to be used of Him and not such an impatient child.
Why can’t I learn to be more gentle, meek and even mild?
My own way has always lead to such a disastrous walk
Once I rebel against you, I neglect to listen to You talk.
Oh Lord, if only your Spirit could jolt my point of view
Point me in the right direction, point me right to YOU!"
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Worry - The Plan
Some people simply name them “worry beads”
But I know in myself these are Satan’s seeds.
If worry is of Satan and not an impulse of man
This spore that grows inside me is part of His plan.
If he can chase myriad worries around in my head,
My thoughts are not my own but are His instead.
He captures my mind, His seeds flourish and grow
Then those seeds of doubt He will carefully sow
Quickly they consume and then they shackle me
So that my life is no longer God’s, no longer free.
That is how the subtle Prince of Darkness begins.
We’re unaware worry and doubt are His cache of sins.
If He can capture our thought life He knows He has won.
For we will have little time left for knowing God’s own Son.
If we cannot leave all our burdens at the foot of the cross.
Then this new life in Jesus we can count it all but loss.
Worry , dis-ease of the body, Satan’s occupation for man..
I think He spends all His time creating such a plan.
But I know in myself these are Satan’s seeds.
If worry is of Satan and not an impulse of man
This spore that grows inside me is part of His plan.
If he can chase myriad worries around in my head,
My thoughts are not my own but are His instead.
He captures my mind, His seeds flourish and grow
Then those seeds of doubt He will carefully sow
Quickly they consume and then they shackle me
So that my life is no longer God’s, no longer free.
That is how the subtle Prince of Darkness begins.
We’re unaware worry and doubt are His cache of sins.
If He can capture our thought life He knows He has won.
For we will have little time left for knowing God’s own Son.
If we cannot leave all our burdens at the foot of the cross.
Then this new life in Jesus we can count it all but loss.
Worry , dis-ease of the body, Satan’s occupation for man..
I think He spends all His time creating such a plan.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Distraction
It is as if a living entity transgresses my unseen mind.
Filling my head with thoughts that I never expected to find.
I am deep in prayer, thoughts of God refreshing my soul.
Then in an instant all is changed and he tears my life apart.
It is then a fleeting shadow, Satan captures me once again.
With needless trivia he causes me so much shame and pain.
For he has stolen my thought life, destroyed my desire to pray.
And he has replaced it with endless lists or needless fears
More abhorrent is the fact that he’s been doing this for years!
He doesn’t restrict his thought-theft to my devotions at home,
He even attacks me when I am listening to music all alone.
I’ve even found him in my church pew sitting right next to me.
His critical spirit changes my focus until through his eyes I see.
I’ve caught him before Communion; learned to prepare ahead.
If I didn’t fight to contest him, the message goes over my head.
He is wily and so wicked and he knows the weakest part of me.
I feel such a deluded failure when his scheming I do not see.
Depart from me I often shout, for I know your name so well!
Oh if only I could send you to the deepest depths of hell!
These thoughts have no part to play in God’s own worship time.
I want no portion of you here and I stand and draw the line.
But alas my peace he has broken and filled my heart with fear!
For if I commence talking to Satan he has stolen my very ear!
Through a ‘chink’ in my mind he then controls my worship hour
Causing me to cry out to God, “Send down Your Holy Power!”
To annihilate this devil who knows where my weaknesses lie
To allow this spawn of darkness to invade my worship time.
With thoughts so wicked I scarcely can believe they are mine!
I determine to become more aware, I will not cower and cry.
I have the power of the Spirit given to me with full control.
I have been given plenteous verses of scripture available to extol.
God’s word says he searches to and fro to find whom he may devour,
But my God is always listening and I must draw upon His power.
Being more assertive I will strike even before I commence to pray.
Using stronger language claiming Jesus blood, demand he goes away.
And one day I am going to meet the devil on equal battle ground.
I will then have all of my armor on, and scripture will be found.
He’ll whisper a word, a sly suggestion, in that way he tends to do.
And I will be prepared for him, Lord the battle will be won by YOU!
Filling my head with thoughts that I never expected to find.
I am deep in prayer, thoughts of God refreshing my soul.
Then in an instant all is changed and he tears my life apart.
It is then a fleeting shadow, Satan captures me once again.
With needless trivia he causes me so much shame and pain.
For he has stolen my thought life, destroyed my desire to pray.
And he has replaced it with endless lists or needless fears
More abhorrent is the fact that he’s been doing this for years!
He doesn’t restrict his thought-theft to my devotions at home,
He even attacks me when I am listening to music all alone.
I’ve even found him in my church pew sitting right next to me.
His critical spirit changes my focus until through his eyes I see.
I’ve caught him before Communion; learned to prepare ahead.
If I didn’t fight to contest him, the message goes over my head.
He is wily and so wicked and he knows the weakest part of me.
I feel such a deluded failure when his scheming I do not see.
Depart from me I often shout, for I know your name so well!
Oh if only I could send you to the deepest depths of hell!
These thoughts have no part to play in God’s own worship time.
I want no portion of you here and I stand and draw the line.
But alas my peace he has broken and filled my heart with fear!
For if I commence talking to Satan he has stolen my very ear!
Through a ‘chink’ in my mind he then controls my worship hour
Causing me to cry out to God, “Send down Your Holy Power!”
To annihilate this devil who knows where my weaknesses lie
To allow this spawn of darkness to invade my worship time.
With thoughts so wicked I scarcely can believe they are mine!
I determine to become more aware, I will not cower and cry.
I have the power of the Spirit given to me with full control.
I have been given plenteous verses of scripture available to extol.
God’s word says he searches to and fro to find whom he may devour,
But my God is always listening and I must draw upon His power.
Being more assertive I will strike even before I commence to pray.
Using stronger language claiming Jesus blood, demand he goes away.
And one day I am going to meet the devil on equal battle ground.
I will then have all of my armor on, and scripture will be found.
He’ll whisper a word, a sly suggestion, in that way he tends to do.
And I will be prepared for him, Lord the battle will be won by YOU!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
SONlight of My Day
Barely has another new day begun
When you come to me as the morning sun.
Breaking the light after a night of pain.
Showing me your love and care once again.
Sometimes the sun shines ever so bright,
But inside there are clouds as dark as night.
I thank you Lord that you are my all in all.
You sooth my pain when there is a squall.
No matter how difficult the road I travel gets
You hold my hand until once again the sun sets.
Always by my side, always you are my guide.
You experienced pain and rose again, death defied.
How can even I murmur at my own happenstance!
It was you that died and offered me a second chance.
My Praise of you obliterates the focus on myself.
I’m certain it is prayer that is changing my health.
You wipe my tears and make the pain go away.
You let hope shine bright when troubles are at bay.
You inspired life in me when no-one else could.
You’re my rock, my stronghold where I have stood
You told me to be aware and keep my armour on.
The victory of battle was one that you have won.
I will stand at your gates when they open wide.
I will thank you Lord for always being on my side.
When you come to me as the morning sun.
Breaking the light after a night of pain.
Showing me your love and care once again.
Sometimes the sun shines ever so bright,
But inside there are clouds as dark as night.
I thank you Lord that you are my all in all.
You sooth my pain when there is a squall.
No matter how difficult the road I travel gets
You hold my hand until once again the sun sets.
Always by my side, always you are my guide.
You experienced pain and rose again, death defied.
How can even I murmur at my own happenstance!
It was you that died and offered me a second chance.
My Praise of you obliterates the focus on myself.
I’m certain it is prayer that is changing my health.
You wipe my tears and make the pain go away.
You let hope shine bright when troubles are at bay.
You inspired life in me when no-one else could.
You’re my rock, my stronghold where I have stood
You told me to be aware and keep my armour on.
The victory of battle was one that you have won.
I will stand at your gates when they open wide.
I will thank you Lord for always being on my side.
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