As I come to the cradle - Christmas Eve

                                                 

As I come to the cradle

I see relief

through death and heartache

and pain and grief;

I see a baby

as new as the day,

with comfort, forgiveness

as real as we could pray;

a stirring of the heart

and yet so soothing be

this manger

and it's promise

fulfilled from the Father

to me.

we will not despair - fall

On a sunless day there's no turning of shadow

the sun having been obscured,

and so many have lost their direction

with no fixed light that is pure;

indeed we look,

but if in vain

on days of clouds

and days of rain

yet knowing that the sun is there

carries those of us

who will not despair

but know it travels east to west

is never changing,

beyond request,

so in waiting for Thee

in Praise we'll be

no confusion

have we,

beyond blessed. 

forgiveness - summer

everything you're doing

will find its place

in the history of beginnings

in time and space

so in your action

be deliberate

embrace

forgiveness

is a conscious thought

and brings the bearer

grace

I will not leave this earth disheartened - summer

I will not leave this earth disheartened

over broken dreams

or loss imparted

oh no, everything it deems important

shall but fall away

and He whose promises I lived

shall be the same forever

as they are today

Father's Day - to my recently departed Dad who is now with Jesus

to follow in the footsteps

of someone who cares

who even in trouble

would always be there,

who leaves a lasting memory

of integrity and truth

coming from an honest place

since the time of his youth;

to find in life some humor

and courage when needed most

while taking on all life's challenges

but never one to boast,

working hard

but yet know rest

is a model

of life at its best;

to say a soft "I love you"

and a "thank you"

comes to bear

that which we already knew

but oh so good to share,

following a faith so true

the Lord above

was real to you

through songs you sang

and scriptures you read

always mindful of God

in the life you led;

your leading by example

leaves a mark upon the heart

and footsteps such as Dad has left

means we'll never have to part.

Overture to Eternity - when I get to heaven - spring

When I get to heaven will I say -

This is the healing music I heard

while on earth

when my soul was so disturbed;

and this is the warmth

that came my way 

when no one knew what to do or to say;

it is all here and it's come to pass

that faith in You

held steadfast,

was Your coming to me

and an overture to eternity.

The feeling of being held

was Your Spirit that swelled

inside of one who now can see

all that You are

is exactly what You said you would be.

"For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the son

and believes in him shall have eternal life,

and I will raise them up at the last day."

John 6:40

peaceful places - spring

I want to rest in a melody 

that I have never known

and drift upon its lifting wings

wherever they are blown

trusting it will carry me

to peaceful places yet unseen

where health and healing

like a flowing brook

mingle with birdsong

to form a prayer book

shall we look at love - faith from the heart in trying times

shall we look at love
from many points of view
the angles open up
in these trying times we're going through;
shall we turn our heads
from side to side to see
who really is around us
and what the need might be;
shall we look at love
to open up our eyes
turn our faces heavenward
to the Love beyond the skies;
shall we look at love
to find it all anew
may the trying times we're living in
find the love in me and you

Let today be a day of healing

when so much of it seems torn,

let nothing stand between us

no matter the burdens worn;

all the good we were sharing before

is still where we stand,

let the Comforter come near to us

and Lord, heal our land.

Let all the good that God has given

be an act among us all,

to love and to give mercy

wherever we find the call.

Keeping faith amid asking for grace

walking humbly hand in hand,

let the Comforter come near to us 

and Lord, heal our land.

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy 

and to walk humbly with your God."

Micah 6:8 

He remains strong

When I fast - I become weak,

He remains strong.

When I commit sin- do wrong,

He overcomes anything I could ever do;

He is strong.

When I am faint

He is Light- and continues on;

He remains strong.

When I take the guilt for more

than I could ever be responsible for,

He is Lord - over all.

Let nothing more weigh down on my shoulders

for You took it and died

and rose again - it is gone;

You alone are strong.

I will release and stop holding on;

You alone are strong.

I'll be living proof that You are God

by letting go of blame and moving along

creating paths of peace and joyful song,

for You are the one and only strong.

And when I pray now

it's to lift it all

and to bring Your Love down.

To take on more is to leave You out

let this confession drown all doubt

let us leave behind

the enemy's tricks of the mind

and be resigned -

You alone are the power

and the glory

forever and ever

amen

what shall I take into my heart? - summer

what shall I take 

into my heart?

the deepest of places

shielded

set apart

fear is set around 

deflecting

so many wounding darts;

stay so soft

and unaware

of all the evil

desiring to reside just there

stay safely hidden

let no one see

so I may one day leave

 this earth

with life's true treasures

pure, and taken with me

Who returns life - summer

Oh Lord

I stand away

too awestruck

and amazed

to even be near

the power

in a person

that You are here

Who returns life

that has left

is something only You can save

surely every heartbeat

is in Your hand -

I can only stand away.

messengers - summer

perhaps you came

maybe you sat

perhaps your words

were enough so that

a hurting heart

knew a little less pain

for even a moment

and overcame

the mortal, this flesh,

to the world beyond

where angels minister

and worldly cares gone

I pray this for you

and may ministry come

from mercies messengers

one by one

take your pulse - summer

take our pulse

feel the life beneath

each one different

every one unique

God is in there

or we wouldn't be alive

with the blood that flows

He can thrive -

let us then 

find our identity

take your pulse today 

He'll supply what you need

a plea - summer

tell me what will take me away

to that slice of heaven

beyond today

light as a dove

and soft as a feather

raise my eyes

be lifted up

to praise the God in heaven

who knows my thoughts 

and prayers from afar

just a slice of heaven please

to hear 

from where you are?

sinking into summer - summer

I'm sinking into summer

like a cozy stuffed chair,

all warm and barefoot

surrounded by the soothing air.

Nothing here so pressing

that I have to jump and run,

so lazily I'm lounging

moving slowly as the sun.

Living in the outdoors

whose arms are open wide,

there's a different pace

in the place of grace

less confined than when inside.

Sinking into summer

like a warm cozy chair,

storing up for winter -

like a hibernating bear!

Mother's Day - candle in the window

that one thing
she used to do
the candle in the window-
welcoming peace 
was in view,
oh mother
from far away
I know your love
your candle calls to me today
with never a disappointment
of what was waiting there
only the light and love
that a mother can share
so that one thing 
you used to do,
remembering the candle in the window,
peace is in view

Eternity Reclaimed - spring

How far back can we remember???

There’s a cry for the children,

those that are here

and those that are now,

who we once were –

we can reach them somehow;

knowing we’ve all come

from our youth

learning good things and bad

the lies and the truth

the sweet days of innocence

sunshine and breeze

warmth while out playing

a feeling at ease

yet how deeply we felt

when evil had its way

but we’ve lived to come through it

to another day.

The Lord’s reaching out

He heals and He saves

it’s all there in Him

come what may.

Bless us Lord

in the darkest of night

sit with us and bring us

to the Glory of Your Light,

Your message received

that was proclaimed

Hallelujah for

the healing –

praise He

who overcame!

For eternity’s calling

we’re but in a time frame

our past, present, future

through Him

reclaimed!

Empty Grave - Easter morning

we can never go farther

than the empty grave

even with modern

or enlightened ways

His was the triumph

where once He lay

risen to never

see decay.

let's stop here 

and gather to praise

with worship

at the empty grave

Easter hold me fast - spring

help me to hang unto Christ,

He who hung upon the cross,

who gave up ever treasure of heaven

to be with us in our loss;

selfishness and society

would try to pry me

loose from Thee

but only Your enveloping arms

will hold me fast

and safe from harm