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Forsaking the Call

5 Apr

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.   Matthew 18:6

…

There are times in every person’s life when difficult decisions have to be made, knowing that those decisions will affect the lives of many others. When we are called to the faith we are to prefer others above ourselves and accommodate others, knowing that God will accommodate us.

…

Most recently I have observed brothers of the faith making decisions that were intended to destroy the character of another strong Christian. False truths and innuendo have been stated and spread to cover the true reason behind the attack – financial gain and career advancement.

…

I was contemplating a way to expose the ploy and show the true colors of those involved, but I hear the voice of God very clearly . . . “vengeance is mine.”

…

It is bad enough that friendships have been destroyed and jobs have been lost for others to gain power and finance. It’s terrible that integrity has been tarnished and respect destroyed. Now, when they least expect it, God’s anger and punishment will fall. What sacrifice this? Will there be restoration? Will trust ever be regained? Will opportunities be lost forever?

…

As believers, we are called to a higher standard of integrity, a higher obligation NOT to walk in worldly ways. When taking on the mantle of Pastor, that obligation massively multiplies. People are watching. Christians are disdained in general for the faults of a few. Shame falls on the family of God.

…

Lord, let me always be aware of the people and circumstances around me that I might not make a choice what would push others farther away from You. I never want to experience your vengeance; only your grace and love.

 

 

Written 10/26/2010

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FORGIVENESS

5 Apr

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: Matthew 6:14

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There’s a fire deep inside,

That spreads,

That dwindles,

That spreads.

…

No one else can see it,

No one else can feel it,

But it eats like a canker,

Into my peace.

…

Someone set the fuel in place,

Another provided the spark,

But I set the flame,

I keep it alive.

…

It isn’t a warming thing,

Based on love,

Although it replaced love,

A long time ago.

…

It is a burning thing,

Based on hate,

I can’t let go of,

I won’t let go.

…

And though I know,

Others can sense it,

Others shy from it,

I am the only one,

Who truly suffers.

…

As much as I want,

To be free of this sin,

It beckons me back,

It calls me friend.

…

It keeps me from growth,

It harnesses my joy,

It alters my path,

It chains me to me.

…

Lord, help me forgive,

The pains of the past,

That I might have freedom,

To live.

 

 

Written 6/26/98

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FOR GRANTED

5 Apr

…

“The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.”  Psalm 18:46

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Have I taken you for granted, Lord?

Can You forgive me?

…

Do you understand the pain of Circumstance,

That clouds reason.

…

You patiently wait as I blame you,

For events You had nothing to do with.

…

You sing to me songs of Love,

When I feel the depths of worthlessness.

…

You send me tender arms,

When I feel unloved and unlovable.

…

You send me songs of joy,

When tears steal my night.

…

You wake me with a tender caress,

Inviting me to intimate times with You.

…

You speak into my life the words of strength,

Courage and wisdom,

As I open the pages of Your Word.

…

You fill my mouth with the tongues of Angels,

A private language that only we understand.

…

Lord, do I take you for granted?

Will you forgive me.

Written 6/15/2002

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A NEW DAY

5 Apr

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 2 Peter 1:19

…

You take the darkness of night,

Through the chill of dawn,

And burst forth the morning sky,

Opening in fragrant gold,

As a beautiful yellow rose bud,

Firm yet delicate,

Opening its vulnerable petals,

To bless the waiting soul.

…

The colors race across the sky,

Painted by the wings of Angels.

The sun rises,

Orchestrating warmth and life,

Bringing hope.

…

It’s a new day!

…

And as these miracles of morning,

These miracles of life,

Explode all around,

So many pass right by,

Unaware.

…

My Spirit cries out,

“Look what God has done,

Look what He has made for you.”

They pass right by,

Unaware.

…

Let me always cling,

To the miracles of the moment,

Always aware,

Always grateful,

For the hand of God.

Written 4-2-97

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CYCLE

5 Apr

And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. Exodus 33:14

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The rose bushes are pruned and bare, dormant.

The valleys are brown, dry.

The air is crisp, clean, clear.

…

Crystals of cold hang in the air, waiting.

From the first appearance,

It seems as though death has come to overcome.

Look closer still.

…

The cold releases dew, seeping deep underground.

The brief glimpses of sunlight beacon tender buds,

Soon the cycle of life resumes.

…

Like seasoned Christians;

Pruned, trimmed, resting.

The Love of God surges forth,

When weariness gives way to rest in the Son.

 

 

Written 2-6-2002

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CONFESSION

4 Apr

“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy

unto all them that call upon thee.” Psalm 86:5

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Forgive me, Lord, for my doubts.

…

Forgive me, Lord, in my pain and fatigue,

Your voice was distant and faint,

I thought You didn’t care.

…

Forgive me, Lord, I forgot the blessings,

Of yesterday in the crisis,

Of today.

…

Forgive me, Lord, for not recognizing,

How very precious I am to You,

You showed me again and again,

Buy my self-esteem couldn’t receive it.

…

Thank you, Lord, for continually calling my name,

Calling louder and louder,

When my ears were turned away.

…

Thank you, Lord, for the friends and warriors,

That You sent to my side,

When I was to weak to fight.

…

Thank you, Lord, for forced rest,

When my body was in desperate need,

But I refused to rest.

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Thank you, Lord, that I am Your daughter,

And You are my Father,

And nothing can ever change that.

 

Written 6-14-2002

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A BRAND NEW DAY

4 Apr

 

“For now we see in a mirror, darkly, but then face to face.

Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 13: 12-13

 

Steam from the frigid water,

Rises up to kiss the sun.

Birds shake loose the morning dew,

And sing the sweetest song.

The leaves and petals raise their face,

To drink the first rays of day.

Music fills the air, chasing away the cold darkness,

Of the night.

Clouds part, allowing the gold and purple hues,

To dance across the sky.

Webs glisten in intricate geometric patterns.

Tiny footprints grace the fresh morning soil.

It’s a brand new day and God has given His first gift.

Lord, teach me to see with spiritual eyes,

The same daily beauty I see in the natural.

Remove the scales of circumstance,

That cloud my spiritual vision.

Help me to receive Your morning kiss,

With more joy and admiration,

Than simple nature.

Help me to receive the miracle of NOW.

 

Written 6-15-2002

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SECRET PLACE

22 Dec

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”   Psalm 91:1-2

—

I have a secret place,

That I alone know.

—

A place I call my own,

Where my Father and I,

Laugh together,

And cry together,

Face to face.

—

It’s a very special place,

I can travel to at will,

Without ever leaving,

The place where I stand.

—

In that secret place,

I see the face of God.

—

Sometimes in a stranger,

Sometimes in the sky,

As I bask in His Holy Creation.

—

My secret place has flowers,

And birds,

And streams,

And fields,

Sweet fragrances of memories,

And music that fills my soul,

Things that bring me closer,

To my Father’s voice.

—

You may sit right near me,

And never see me leave,

But you’ll notice a different glow,

That saturates my spirit,

And lifts me every upward.

—

My secret place can’t be found,

By anybody else.

But yours, my friend,

Waits for you,

Deep within your heart.

 

—

Written 6-16-00

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NEW WINESKINS

22 Dec

“Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.”  Matthew 9:17

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The old wineskin,

that covers this frame,

has become stiff,

and tough,

and bitter.

—

The New Wine,

that once filled this frame,

has been tasted,

and rejected,

and spit upon the ground,

leaving an empty skin,

tainted with yesterday’s desires,

allowed to go stale.

—

Like an old wineskin,

in the skillful hands,

of the Master,

it is time to have the stiffness,

beaten down,

the bitterness boiled out,

and the callousness,

scrapped away.

—

Cleansed,

supple, resilient,

once again this frame,

will be prepared to carry within,

the New Wine,

daily fresh,

daily blessed.

—

This time, Lord,

let me not sniff at,

let me not swirl around,

let me not fretfully sip,

and let me not spit out,

the New Wine,

placed inside.

—

But, let me savor,

every drop,

no matter the flavor,

or what I wish it might be,

or what I wish it could have been.

—

Let me cherish,

the new wine,

I’ve been prepared,

to carry,

that I’ve been sent,

to pour out.

—

And once again,

when I’ve allowed the wine,

to grow bitter and taint.

—

Renew the wineskin,

that covers this frame,

making it better,

than the first day,

it was sent,

to be a vessel,

destined to hold the best wine,

the wine that is served,

at the throne of the King.

—

Written 4-20-99

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IN JESUS’ NAME

22 Dec

 

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10-11 

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Life, I claim You, In Jesus’ name,

Beauty pure and free.

—

Love, I show you, In Jesus’ name,

All the world to see.

—

Lord, I praise you, In Jesus’ name,

You’re everything to me.

—

Gentle Days and tender nights,

throughout eternity.

.

.

I smile with every sun lit sky,

as gentle breezes blow.

—

I joy with every star filled sky,

the Heavens all aglow.

—

I warm with every tender bud,

drawn open by the rain.

—

I know they were all given me,

when I called in Jesus’ name.

.

.

Life, I claim You, In Jesus’ name,

Beauty pure and free.

—

Love, I show you, In Jesus’ name,

All the world to see.

—

Lord, I praise you, In Jesus’ name,

You’re everything to me.

—

Gentle days and tender nights,

throughout eternity.

—

Written in 1992 as a song

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