Tag Archives: Love

MOAB IS MY WASHPOT

24 Nov

Psalm 60 and Psalm 108

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I have been set between two warring factions,

Each is dear to my heart.

—

I stand between the two and push each back,

Trying in the physical to do that,

Which only the spiritual can change.

—

The anger and violence that explodes is frightening,

It cannot continue – it must not.

—

One faction leaves in rage,

Tainting the lives of those left behind.

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I grieve.

I grieve in travail that seemingly,

Cannot be quenched.

—

I pray and clean my house,

I pray and stand in faith,

I pray and wait for my miracle,

It is taking so long.

—

“Moab is my washpot,” says God,

my thorn, of incestuous birth,

and my cleansing bowl.

—

Moab is my washpot,

A chosen outsider that I love,

With all of my heart.

—

I long to draw him close,

Yet he has pushed me far away.

—

I kneel before God,

Cleansing my past,

Cleansing my generations,

Cleansing the ground on which I stand,

Cleansing the future for my family to come.

—

As I prepare a new path,

A new home, a new way,

The heaviness of anger and grief lift.

—

When my loved one returns,

Peace will overcome turmoil,

Love will overcome rage.

—

There will be much pain to be healed,

There will be times of testing,

Times of patience,

Times of re-washing and cleansing,

Times of reconciliation.

—

I bless God for the times that Moab rose up,

For we had a mere existence,

An acceptance of the way things were,

Things that were not right.

—

Without Moab, things might never have changed,

Now God can work His will,

In drawing us together,

The way we should have always been,

But couldn’t find the way.

—

Thank you God, for the trial of Moab.

 

 

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Written 2-8-2001

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Only By Faith

24 Nov

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. Luke 7:50

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By faith stood Abraham,

in the promise of Isaac.

—

By grace it came to pass.

overcoming natural life,

birthing a child,

in a lonely golden year.

—

Faith took the promise,

and blew life into lifelessness.

—

Faith saw Isaac as the sown seed,

laughter come at last,

then grace matured it,

multiplying it.

—

Fourteen generations flowed,

from Abraham to David,

through Jacob and Obed,

and Jesse.

—

Fourteen generations flowed from David,

until the carrying away into Babylon,

through Solomon,

through Manasses,

through Josias.

—

Then fourteen more flowed,

from Babylon to Christ,

the Word manifest in flesh,

the Keeper of eternity.

Through Achim,

Eleazar to Jacob,

the father of Joseph,

the husband of Mary,

the mother of Christ.

—

By faith did Mary accept the promise,

that grew within her womb.

—

By faith did Joseph accept Mary,

heavy with child,

not of his loins,

not of his love.

—

By grace they stood as one,

on a destined night,

the sky brightened,

by the Glory of God,

in the shape of a star,

pointing down to the Son.

—

By faith Joseph took Jesus,

adopted now,

into the lineage of Abraham,

adopted now,

as a child of promise.

—

By grace Joseph watched,

as He grew to a man,

well before His years.

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Our perfect pattern,

our Shepherd and King.

—

Now, by faith, we trust in His Word,

our heritage blessed by driven saints,

and tarnished by those who did evil,

in the sight of the Lord.

—

By faith are we accepted,

are we adopted,

into His kingdom,

joint-heirs with Christ,

children of promise,

just as He did,

so long ago.

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By grace will we walk,

in His footsteps,

as best as we are able,

crying out for strength,

for peace, for love.

—

By faith we receive all,

grace has promised,

and more,

for only by our limited faith,

can we see into,

God’s limitless plan.

 

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Written 11/8/98

 

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INTIMATE

24 Nov

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.   Psalm 91:1

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Through tender sighs of angel’s breath,

I speak to you, my Lord.

—

You listen intently for my desires,

Protect me from the harsh world around me.

—

With tongues of praise I call to you,

The faintest sigh you caress.

—

A love song, flowing tenderly forth, is held,

Oh so gently, in your mighty arms;

Then returned to me in a River of Peace,

Intimately shared, eternally kept.

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Written 9-1-96

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THE LOST

23 Nov

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”   Luke 19:10

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The road before me seems narrow and unending,

Fear stands before me,

Regret trails behind,

Why must I travel this path?

—

To the right are green pastures,

To the left are mansions of gold,

Yet my feet won’t veer,

Destiny pulls firmly,

Is this the path I walk for me,

Or do I walk for another?

—

Fatigue drains the strength from my bones,

I thirst,

The green pastures call to my desires,

“Rest and Drink,”

Forward I walk, determined.

—

Mansions of gold call my name,

Fulfilled dreams, riches,

Reason fights the Spirit,

Think what I could do with all these,

What lives I could touch,

Forward I walk – steady.

—

Those who call me loved bite angrily at my sides,

Bitter words echo in my mind,

Must love hurt,

Throbbing starts in my palms,

In my feet.

—

Who must I walk this path for?

Is it for You?

Is it for me?

Is it for lives yet to be touched?

—

Forward, Lord, place Your hand in mine,

Let me walk in Your footsteps,

Let me see Your path,

Let me lay aside my selfish dreams,

So that I may reach the broken soul,

That sits at the side of the path,

That You have sent me to travel.

—

Anoint me, Lord,

With wisdom, with love, with peace,

That I may overcome the burden,

That You have placed in my life,

To reach the lost – for You.

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Written 4-2-2004

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RUNNING AWAY

27 Oct

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

I have been most blessed. God has given me three wonderful boys to love, encourage, and enjoy. Each of them has a strong call of God upon their lives, all in different capacities. We call each one by the name God has placed upon our heart – Pastor Jon, Deacon Eli and Chaplain Paul. In the body of Christ, all positions are of equal importance (1 Cor 12:12), this we have shown them so that neither feels of less importance than the other.

Having children called to the ministry is a tremendous challenge. The challenge isn’t in Bible study or scripture memorization, they strive to meet those desires themselves. The challenge is in recognizing the Spiritual Warfare and the schemes of the enemy that tempt them away from the call God has upon them.

Although there are many stories of miracles and answered prayer for each of them, our greatest challenge has been with our oldest son. He is currently a teenager (written in 2000), raised most of his life in Christian education, but placed into the public school system during the 8th grade, when the Christian school he had been attending closed. Placed in an environment he had never been subjected to, the enemy tempted and attacked, stole and taunted. However difficult these trials were, they couldn’t compare to the luring and wooing that called his name.

With peer pressure and Satan’s enticing whispers, he was drawn into a life we never expected. Although the rejection of family values was difficult for us, it was the running away that tormented our family. Where was he? Was he eating? Did he have a safe place to sleep? Who is he with? Why has he left us? Doesn’t he love us anymore?

Doesn’t he love us anymore? Rejection by your own child. Harsh words and accusations fly about. Why didn’t we see this coming? Only prayer brings us peace, difficult travailing prayer. I can’t begin to explain the depth of emotions a parent goes through in circumstances such as these. Love, hope, anger, hopelessness. Faith, doubt, pain, faith. Sorrow, prayer, memories, trust.

As I prayed one night, I asked God if He could understand the special relationship that grows as you hold that baby, child, young man in your arms and protect him from every possible danger that could come against him – God showed me Jesus, sent to earth to be born in a lowly manger, vulnerable to man, protected by the angels; the same angels that he has sent to watch over my son. I asked God if He could ever understand the pain and the rejection of a child not wanting to be near you, after you’ve been his best friend for most of his life – God showed me Jesus, standing before the crowd, as they chose Barabas to live and Jesus to die. I asked God if He knew what it felt like to sit in your child’s room, empty, hollow, except for the memories that line the walls and shelves – God showed me Golgatha, and Jesus’ lifeless body on the cross. I asked God if He could understand the pain of searching every street, every car, looking closely at every child the same age and build, in hopes of seeing your child, even at a distance – God showed me the people at the cross, dividing Jesus’ clothes, cutting into His lifeless body with a spear, laughing at all He was, void of any righteousness or desire of God. I asked God if He knew what it was like, waiting for the phone to ring or the front door to open, just to hear your child’s voice calling again, waiting , praying – God opened my ears to hear Jesus’ last cry, “Why hast thou forsaken me?”

Yes, He knows. He gave His son willingly, to walk in places of evil that all may be saved, even my son. He gave His son to bring hope, life and peace, knowing the pain and agony His son had to feel before it could be done. He watched as everything His son did was rejected and scorned, even as He lay lifeless. Yes, He knows.

Then God reminded me of the many times I have turned from Him. How many times have I turned my back on the family He has placed me in? How many times have I rejected the values and desires He has placed inside me? How many times have I spoken harsh and hurting words to Him, as I ran away to a world of selfish pleasure? How many times have I simply chosen to be somewhere else instead of in the sweet relationship with my Father? How many times have I put other things, people, places before Him? How many others have done the same?

Forgive us Lord, with your unlimited mercy, for all the times we fell to temptation and disappointed You. Forgive me, Lord, for thinking that You could never understand the pain of a Mother. Remind me that you are in control of all things. Help me to trust You and run back to You all of my days.

 

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Written 7-14-2000

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PURE GOLD

22 Oct

And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It [is] my people: and they shall say, The LORD [is] my God.   Zechariah 13:9

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I can see you little children,

I can see the tenderness within.

—

I see the pain with which you shield it,

Open up and let Me in.

—

Let Me strip away the torments,

Let Me free the child inside.

—

Let Me open what’s within you,

I’ll show you why, for you, I died.

—

If you could only see with My eyes,

Could see the crown and jewels you hold.

—

If you could only love with My heart,

You’d know that you’re pure gold.

—

. . . .Pure Gold . . . . PURE GOLD.

—

 

Written 3/5/95

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TENDER BUDS

22 Oct

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:1-2

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How splendid, Lord, the flow of Your words,

Delightful, they float through my days.

—

How precious the promise I carry within,

As I walk and I live in Your ways.

—

How tender the souls that search for the joy,

That only Your children can know.

—

How blessed the moments of sharing God’s love,

And watching those tender buds grow.

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Written 5/24/92

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WHAT DO YOU SEE

15 Oct

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13 KJV

 

Lord,

     In the drifting tides of time – you knew me.

     You were preparing a way – for such a time as this.

     What do you see in this tarnished,

               broken vessel.

     Why did you give so very,

               very much for me.

     What do you see, Lord?

     What do you see?

.

My Child,

     I see the saints – generations passed –

               paving a way for you.

     I see your family – speaking God’s Word –

               protecting your days.

     I see a child growing – strong in me –

               strong In love – strong in compassion.

     I see a vessel of clay – not broken, but repaired.

     I see a tender heart – humbled by a life of trials –

               fought and conquered – through me.

.

And I see tarnished, broken vessels –

     waiting for you –

     to breathe hope and life –

     into them.

.

I see you, Child – going forth –

     to be my hands, my words –

     repairing those tarnished broken vessels.

.

Just as another came to you –

    the night you first called –

               My Name.

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Written 10/20/1994

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QUIET PLACE

15 Oct

“My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.” Isaiah 51:5

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Gathered in His arms, resting In His lap.

A daughter held safely in the tender arms of her Father.

—

We rock gently, back and forth,

To the song You’ve placed in my heart.

—

The warmth of love radiates through me.

It is a preciousness I feel nowhere else.

—

And as the pressures of the day begin to push in,

I will step away to a quiet place.

 

I will wrap Your arms around me,

And taste the sweetness of Your love,

That burns always in my heart.

 

 

Written 6-15-2002

 

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CHANGES

12 Oct

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God.    Matthew 3:16

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Life races by in a smattering of light and noise,

Glimpses of love and warmth stir past.

How could I have missed the changes?

—

Oh, to stand still and recognize the fragrance of time.

To linger long enough to be refreshed in a spring rain.

To notice that flowers grow wild in a field.

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Help me, Lord, to stop and see,

The simple treasures,

You’ve given to me.

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Written 2-6-2002

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