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Grafted

29 Mar

It was a deep wound,

Intended to bring death,
Inflicted by the spear,
Of a Roman Soldier.

Gaping open,
It released blood and water.
The blood of the new covenant,
The water of the Holy Spirit,
Yet to come.

The precious liquids,
Oozing to the surface,
Were the precious nutrients,
To give food and strength,
To the nation to come.

Inside that wound,
Deep in the side of my Savior,
The wound Satan meant for evil,
God planted a seed,
A bud,
A grafted nation,
A place for me.

That wound,
And the seed inside,
Were anointed with myrrh,
With aloes, and with spices.
Wrapped so carefully,
With the finest linen,
Preparing a cleft,
Of most Holy foundation,
For the Gentile to join,
God’s chosen.

Then came the moment,
When the linens were left,
In the shape of a man,
But hollow and unaltered,
As a message of release.

The moment when Christ,
With the grafted children,
Tucked safely beneath his arm,
Faced Satan and conquered death.

Now this nation,
Birthed in the side of Christ,
As Eve was birthed,
In the side of Adam,
Sat in communion,
At the right hand of God.

Guided forth,
Performing greater miracles,
Exhibiting greater power,
Flowing in the Holy Spirit,
The seed branched forward.

Inside that graft,
With its roots entwined,
Deep into the Master,
There is a leaf,
Turning to the Son,
Preparing to break forth,
And follow the way,
Set forth by Him.

It’s just one leaf,
Of the many branches,
Just one small part,
Of a mighty tree.
But on that leaf,
Is a name,
And that name belongs,
To ME.

olive-branch

Written 3-9-1999

By Linda J Humes

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Into Every Hand

27 Nov

Into every person’s hand,

God brings life.

Sometimes they are the children of our passion;

Sometimes the children of our compassion;

Sometimes the hopes and dreams of our soul.

.

And with the honor comes obligation;

to breathe truth, to breathe love,

to breathe hope, to breathe light,

into that life.

.

With the guard of ministering angels, life can grow.

But tempted by the guard of the fallen,

they find anger, they find strife,

they embrace perversion.

.

We choose their angels, in their toddler years;

They choose their angels, in their teens;

All choose again, in the maturing of life.

.

Where have we sent them, these precious lives?

What have we shown them?

What example have we set?

.

Do the angels of our light,

war with the angels of their darkness;

Or do the angels of our darkness,

strive to drive away the angels of their light?

.

Into every hand, God places the gift of life.

Some are the children of our passion;

Some are the children of our compassion;

Some are the hopes and dreams,

of our soul.

Written By Linda J. Humes

10-11-98

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Humble Pastor Glen

3 Oct

(The Parable of the Little Red Hen)

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James 4:10

Once upon a time . . . a Philosopher, a Bible Scholar, a Theologian, and Humble Pastor Glen, all dwelt together, in the same peaceful church.

The Philosopher liked to sit all day in his fine overstuffed chair and think on what could be, what is, and what might have been, except when his “thinker” became so overwhelmed that he fell soundly to sleep.

The Bible Scholar liked to read and study all day long, for knowledge was the key to his happiness. He studied on this scripture, he studied on that scripture, and he studied about what others thought about this scripture and that. Mostly he delighted on how very much he knew – or thought he knew, anyway.

The Theologian knew all of the religions, great and small. He knew all they agreed on, and all they didn’t. He would pace his library floor and ponder all the concepts and dogmas and how they related to mankind. And though he could tell you what each sector believed – he wasn’t altogether sure which one was correct; so he pondered some more upon that.

If there was work to be done, Humble Pastor Glen did it, all by himself.  He vacuumed the sanctuary floors, and dusted all the pews. He fixed the youth bus, and repaired old leaky faucets. He brightened the church with fresh coats of paint. He even mowed and trimmed the small patch of grass the children loved to play on.

One day, as he was busy at work, Humble Pastor Glen saw a family pass with burdens great and heavy. As he wondered how he could make a difference, a Rhema Word quickened his spirit. Then he ran to find his friends.

“Who will take the fruit of Jesus into the community with me,” asked Humble Pastor Glen?“Not I,” said the Philosopher – for he considered the dangers of walking the street and the possible rejection. Besides, he was very tired (and just thinking about it made him fall soundly to sleep).

“Not I,” said the Bible Scholar – for he had not completely studied the scriptures on “the fruit being taken into the community” yet. He decided he would pick up a book on that subject and see what others had to say about it.

“Not I,” said the Theologian – for he had much too important issues to think about. He thought he might study the major religions and do a survey on what each of them felt about the concept of “fruit in the community.” “Hmmm, that would be interesting.”

“Then I will reach out myself,” said Humble Pastor Glen. AND HE DID!

When the people received Jesus, Humble Pastor Glen became very excited. “Who will help me care for these new sheep,” he asked.
“Not I,” said the Philosopher – for he was still trying to figure out what horrible past had put these “sheep” in such turmoil to begin with. He was sure he really didn’t want to know, and he didn’t want to take a chance that they really weren’t changed at all.

“Not I,” said the Bible Scholar – for he was still researching the benefits of “reaching out” had not come to an absolute conclusion that there was an unrefuted scripture to support it. Only after coming to the absolute conclusion that “reaching out” was scripturally correct in the mind of every Bible Scholar could he even contemplate studying the scriptural basis of “caring for the sheep.”

“Not I,” said the Theologian – for he was still on the survey and the percentages were not looking good for the “reaching out” issue. “Perhaps,” he thought, “I should begin a new survey which incorporates the ‘caring for the sheep’ concept. Hmmm, that would be interesting.”

“Then I will care for them myself,” said Humble Pastor Glen. AND HE DID!

All summer long, Humble Pastor Glen went into the streets and spoke to the hurting and helpless. He brought them food, taught them about Jesus and showed them someone cared. After weeks and months, one by one, they gave their heart to the Lord. Soon it was time to bring them to his peaceful church. “Who will drive the bus to pick up the people who want to know more about Jesus,” asked Humble Pastor Glen?

“Not I,” said the Philosopher. “The nerve,” he thought, “to ask such an important person as me to drive a bus!”

“Not I,” said the Bible Scholar – but he made a note to be sure and study the scriptures on “bus driving.”

“Not I,” said the Theologian, and off he went to mail a new survey. “Hmmm, that would be very interesting.”

“Then I will drive the bus myself,” said Humble Pastor Glen. AND HE DID!

When the bus route was set and the schedules posted, Humble Pastor Glen set up the programs to tend to the peoples’ spiritual needs. “The people need to be greeted, made to feel welcome, shown around the building and given a bulletin. Who will usher them into God’s chambers,” asked Humble Pastor Glen?

“Not I,” said the Philosopher – for he was still sure they were going to return to their old heathen ways and he didn’t want to be around when they did.

“Not I,” said the Bible Scholar – for he was just finishing his study on “reaching out,” and although it appeared that it was going to be scripturally sound, he still had the “caring for the sheep” issue and the “driving the bus” issue to resolve. He promised to put
“ushering in” on his list of studies.

“Not I,” said the Theologian – for the survey of the major denominations on “reaching out” was looking quite against the issue, “taking care” was only half complete, but not looking good, and “bus driving” was still in the mail. But, “ushering in,” “Hmmm, that would be interesting.”

“Then I will usher them in myself,” said Humble Pastor Glen.  AND HE DID!

Humble Pastor Glen welcomed every person with a handshake and a smile, passed out the fliers and guided a few tours to the men’s and women’s “Facilities.” He even kissed a few babies and piggy-backed a toddler or two. He introduced the previous members to the new attendees and started them talking about interests in common. Everyone felt very welcome.

After everyone was seated, and quite content, Humble Pastor Glen preached the most humble and satisfying message about “reaching out” and “saving the lost,” everybody thought so, even the Philosopher, the Bible Scholar, and the Theologian. All in all, the service was very successful.

The next day Humble Pastor Glen pondered ways to teach his congregation about Jesus and the Biblical ways. Evening Bible Studies and Cell Group Mentoring would greatly add to his humble Sunday services. Humble Pastor Glen called out to his friends, “Who will help me teach the Bible and Mentor the congregation?”

“Not I,” said the Philosopher – for that was too below his standing, and besides, wasn’t it enough that he was giving up Sunday morning for church. Thinking was hard work, let someone else do it. Besides, he was tired (and just thinking about it made him fall soundly to sleep).

“Not I,” said the Bible Scholar – for he was much too busy studying to even consider stopping to teach. And this “Mentoring” business, he was just sure he had never seen the word “Mentor” in the King James Version of the Bible. Let someone else do it.

“Not I,” said the Theologian – for every survey he’d completed so far was either against this whole program or had been invalidated because there wasn’t anyone else out there who had even considered such a thing, let alone tried it. He surely wasn’t going to get mixed up in something that might fail.

“Then I will teach and mentor them myself,” said Humble Pastor Glen. AND HE DID!

The church grew and flourished. Many were healed, many delivered. Families were restored and people waxed strong in God’s Word. Those that were the fruit of Humble Pastor Glen’s seed were raised up to lead, and they did so with a grateful heart, for they remembered from whence they came.

Music filled the sanctuary all week long. People danced, people laughed, people sang, people cried, and people drew together in a new and wonderful family. It was a sweet, sweet fragrance in the nostrils of God. That fragrance traveled outside of the church, into the city streets, into the homes of the people, and into their workplaces. It was so clear that God had blessed the church and the congregation of Humble Pastor Glen.

When other church leaders would see the miracles there, they would venture the question of how such a miracle could be. “Who was responsible for this fruit enriched land,” they would ask.

Humble Pastor Glen would always reply, “Not I.” For he knew it was a special gift, sent for the fruit of his labor, direct from the throne room of God.

Written by Linda J. Humes

10-20-1994

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The Day The Angels Cried

11 Sep

Twin Towers 9-11-2001

“And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: [30] And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. [31] And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”           Mark 12:29-31

September 11th, 2001 will be one of those dates that no one will forget. It has engraved its importance upon our spirits and hangs heavy in our memory. September 11th, 2001 was the day the angels cried.

No one will forget the horror of the airplanes bursting through the tower walls of the world trade center, or the empty helplessness of watching the men and women falling the 80 to 90 stories to the ground. We felt hope as we watched the fire, police and rescue personnel head into the chaos and devastation when the towers swallowed them up.

When we saw the 110-story towers implode and disintegrate into powdery dust, dust made from concrete and glass, snowing down in a suffocating blizzard, we were there. Who the dust covered people were wasn’t important. The race, creed or color of the person wasn’t important. They were life – that was important. They were family – brothers and sisters who’s names we may never know, who’s stories we may never hear, but they were family – tied to us by the horror of the breach of freedom we so generously share.

America. A country so tender that we sat for hours glued to a TV screen and prayed, encouraged and cheered when rescue workers freed baby Jessica McClure from an abandoned well. A country so generous that we open our arms to the thousands of immigrants who cross our borders every year – providing them food, shelter, medical care and education. A country so strong that after wars and conflicts, we have been able to return home and raise our families with humility and a sense of forgiveness and peace. A blessed country, graciously blessing others. A country betrayed.

America. The tenderness and generosity grievously stunned by such a horrific act. America. Attacked strategically to destroy our economy and military intelligence – but rising up to recognize that in the moments of tragedy only one thing mattered – life and the preservation of it.

Helplessly scattered across the nation, we reached out with truckloads of food, clothing and medical supplies. We donated money from our household budgets to send to the Red Cross and Salvation Army who tended the victims and the rescue workers. We stood hours in line to give blood to send to the hospitals near ground zero. We mourn the deaths, rejoice with the miracles, encourage the jobless – and we pray. When we could do no more, we sat and watched the live news, for hours, days, weeks, and prayed; even still – we pray.

The probability of life in the wreckage is no longer. The fires that have burned in the stories of the crushed building for weeks send eerie symbolism of the bowels of Hell. Satan came down to destroy a country built on the premise of the Bible and dedicated to God, but he failed. What Satan has done to destroy America, God has turned around and created a new and wonderful understanding of what America is. God brought back to us the very foundations that this country was birthed on. God united the people and told the world that we are ONE. One people, one race, one color, one family – one AMERICA.

We will never forget the thousands entombed in the death of that majestic building – just as we have never forgotten the sailors entombed in the USS Arizona. In time we will forgive the misguided souls that did this – but we will never forget. Life will go on with some changes, but nothing that we, as individuals and as a nation, cannot overcome.

Since that day, the American people have been a little quieter; introspective. Mothers and fathers hold their children a little closer, holding their hands when they’re in public. Trivial things don’t matter any more. People don’t squabble in line at the grocery stores. Traffic is reduced, only traveling if necessary. The malls, restaurants and theatres are nearly empty where they used to be overflowing. People work less hours and spend more time with their families. We have become more aware of the treasures of life, and less caught up in the luxury available. We have re-established contact with distant family and old friends. Families are going back to church and re-establishing their relationship with their creator. People are more aware of the things around them and how very precious they are.

Satan took away the lives of 6000+ members of our family – and God showed us the way back to the true meaning of life. America – the land of the free, the home of the brave – family bound together by God. Victorious.

Many families now are seeing their children off to a war in a land where life has no meaning. A land where poverty is overwhelming and need is so great. A land where one man has orchestrated a gross evil that has marred their world. Some of our families are sending their children to an ultimate sacrifice, to ensure that our country is once again safe.

Jesus, grant us the grace to see you at every turn, no matter what the daily outcome seems. Jesus, build our faith with each passing moment. And Jesus, give us the strength to forgive, and the power to overcome.

Written by Linda J. Humes

10-13-2001

WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

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YOUR LOVE

17 Sep

“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19-21 KJV

🌹

Lord, with the gentle fall of snow,

With the opening of a rose,

You have shown Your love for me.

🌹

Then, when the day has turned to nigh’,

When the angels touch the sky,

You have shown Your love for me.

🌹

How could I ever doubt you’re there,

With the wonders that we share,

Everyday and everywhere.

🌹

Lord, keep me humble in my walk,

Let me teach as You have taught,

Show the world how much You care.

🌹

Written as a song on 1991

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TURNING AROUND

17 Sep

“Be still, and know that I am God: . . .” Psalm 46:10

 

❤

I have never known the love of a natural Father.

But through the unconditional love of my children,

You have shown me how precious it can be.

❤

I have found it so very hard to trust man,

But You have shown me that love can be present,

Without performance or expectation.

❤

I have struggled through past loneliness,

But You have shown me the treasure of being alone,

And quiet before You.

❤

Thank You for turning my world around.

 

 

Written 6-15-2002

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TO BE 50

17 Sep

Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and depise not thy mother when she is old. 

Proverbs 23:22 KJV

❤

Oh, what enjoyment to be 50.

At the stroke of midnight,

I went from rebellious to eccentric,

Opinionated to wise,

Distant to decisive.

❤

I’ve seen the joy of a new century,

And remember the fear of nuclear fall-out.

❤

Saw a man walk on the moon,

Which disproved a childhood belief,

That the moon was a ball of green cheese.

❤

I’ve seen skirts go up, and down, and up again,

And pants that bell, then snuggle, and bell again.

❤

I’ve started a life without TV

And now enjoy home theatre,

In my own living room.

❤

I started with out-houses,

And ended up with 2 wonderful bathrooms,

One totally “Mickey” and one totally “Sports”.

As long as the water continues to go down,

And not come back up,

They can stay in the house.

❤

I’ve grown up to big bands,

Country/Western,

Folk Songs,

Rock & Roll,

And Rap.

I’ve heard it loud, I’ve heard it soft

– I prefer it soft.

❤

I’ve seen my children born and grow,

Laugh and cry.

❤

I’ve seen things that were once

So important to me,

Rest in boxes headed for a thrift shop.

❤

I’ve found the value of a 2-hour nap,

And the treasure of eating out.

❤

I still love reading a good book,

While sitting in front of a warm fire,

If it’s winter.

A cool air conditioner,

If it’s summer.

And out on the deck if it’s spring.

❤

Have I changed?

Maybe a little over the years.

But, I still wear Mickey Mouse shirts

And Eeyore overalls.

❤

I have overindulged in surrounding myself

With pets,

Still treasure my family,

And covet my “free” time.

❤

What has changed?

The way you look at me.

❤

I slipped quietly into the next level of life,

And it made this wild ole’ grandma acceptable,

With just the stroke of a clock.

❤

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be accepted

Without having to grow old?

 

❤  Written 11-28-2000

 

❤  Wow!  That was 20 years ago!!!

Other than longer naps,

nothing much has changed!!  ❤

 

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THANK GOD

16 Sep

 

“Surely “the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.”  Psalm 140:13 KJV

 

✝

In the sunrise, in the clouds above,

In the gentle lifting movement of a dove.

✝

In the quiet of a sweet sleeping child,

Thank God, Thank God.

✝

In the Stillness of a star filled sky,

In the company of loved ones on a cold night.

✝

In the riches and the fullness of life,

Thank God, Thank God.

✝

Thank God, Thank God,

For the blessings brought before us everyday.

✝

For the wonders and the peace in our hearts,

Thank God, Thank God.

✝

For the Spirit, in the hungry soul,

For the Words of truth that teach us of His love.

✝

In the fire, when the pulpit explodes.

Thank God, Thank God.

✝

In the filling of a new born child,

In the words and tongues of Angels spoken prayerfully,

For the moments when He calls out your name,

Thank God, Thank God.

✝

Written as a song in 1991

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STAND BACK

16 Sep

“And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord‘s, and he will give you into our hands.”  1 Samuel 17:47 KJV

✝

I say stand back, stand back in the Lord.

I say stand back, stand back in the Lord.

✝

Egypt’s Red Sea seemed a mighty foe.

With Pharaoh close there seemed no place to go.

The people stood and cried aloud with fear.

Forgetting all along their Lord was there.

✝

I say stand back, stand back in the Lord.

✝

His mighty hand can move the sea from shore to shore.

✝

I say stand back, stand back in the Lord.

✝

Shielded by Armor of Faith we’ll stand.

Jericho was girded all around,

A mighty fortress set on solid ground.

If rushed the army within would abound,

By marching feet and trumpets it went down.

✝

I say stand back, stand back in the Lord.

✝

Gideon was sent to take the land,

With only three hundred men he had to stand.

With pitchers, lanterns, horns, he did God’s will,

Though all the enemy died, he did not kill.

✝

I say stand back, stand back in the Lord.

✝

Deborah sent her army off to war,

The army would not go without her near,

The chariots of iron saved not the foe,

For God provided the rain, they moved no more.

✝

I say stand back, stand back in the Lord.

✝

Joshua was sent to take Ai,

To win this one he must be very sly.

Place armies front and back, came God’s reply,

And hold your spear up high, high in the sky.

✝

I say stand back, stand back in the Lord.

✝

Do you have an enemy today,

Take your troubles to God, get down and pray,

There is nothing He can’t rise above,

He’s there to raise you up in perfect love.

✝

I say stand back, stand back in the Lord.

 

 

 

✝ Written in 1992 as a song

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SACRIFICE

16 Sep

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”  Hebrews 13:15  KJV

✝

The Ancient of Days,

cast Himself to the earth,

in the form of a seed,

in the womb of a virgin.

✝

Subject, now, to heat and cold,

to fatigue and illness,

to prejudice and ridicule,

to suffering and pain.

✝

The Ancient of Days,

became man,

flesh, blood and Spirit;

willingly giving,

the power of deity,

for the birth of a nation.

✝

The God of Jessie,

born through the sacrifice of blood,

to become the blood sacrifice.

✝

From the promises to Adam,

to the revelation shown John,

the blood of God coursed the earth,

changing strength and direction,

at the tributary called Christ.

✝

The new stream of Christ,

fed the trees of new life,

where the roots of the old,

were washed clean.

✝

The water, most pure,

chased the stagnant pools of red,

that once rinsed man’s hands,

but touched not the soul.

✝

The water, most pure,

flowed over and cleansed,

the wounds of the past,

refreshing the hope,

of a dark, tarnished dream.

✝

The water of life,

borne from the blood,

of an innocent man,

takes sweet revenge,

on the deepest of sin.

✝

Released to be washed,

by the power of mercy,

by the treasure of grace,

it rises back up,

to the base of the cross.

✝

There, at the cross,

the blood and water,

of grace and mercy,

flows down to the earth,

as forgiven sin reaches up,

meeting at the feet of Christ.

✝

Running together they became one,

the earth shook with promise,

the sky darkened,

to reveal a new light,

and the rivers flowed,

with a new wine,

washing clean the weary souls,

of all that would reach forth,

in praise.

✝

 

 

Written 10-18-1998

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