Susie's Musings

Psalm 118 - My Strength and My Song

2009-08-27T14:41:00.002-05:00

The Lord brings songbirds to my backyard each day.
He also brings a songto my heart as I meditate
on his saving grace extended to me.

“I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.”

“You are my god, and I will give you thanks;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.”

Psalm 118:13-14, 28-29

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.”
He is my strength to carry on
each day in every endeavor.
When I’ve been about to fall,
the Lord has helped me to stand.
My God is sovereign: he is Lord,
and nothing can thwart his plan.
You are my God. I give you thanks.
You’re my Savior to whom praise is due.
You will be my constant song,
and forever I’ll worship you.

Psalm 118 - What Can Man Do to Me?

2009-07-17T08:16:00.004-05:00

When the squirrels in my backyard sense danger, they flee up a tree because God has given them the ability to climb and the coloring to hide them. When I am in distress, I need to flee to the Lord; for he will cover me with his pinions,
and I will find refuge and hope only in Him.

“In my anguish I cried to the Lord,
and he answered by setting me free.
The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
I will look in triumph on my enemies.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.”

Psalm 118:5-9

Man can ridicule and insult me
and slander my good name.
Man can take my job from me
for not playing by the rules of his game.
Man can steal all that I own,
injure me, even take my life.
But he can only do what the Lord allows!
Then after this world of strife,
I know I’ll be safe for eternity
within my Savior’s arms.
Man thinks he can do all manner of things,
but I’ll never suffer ultimate harm.

Psalm 118 - His Love Endures Forever

2009-07-16T13:02:00.002-05:00

Oak trees live a long time, but not forever.
This bird was perched on a high branch
in one of the old oak trees in our yard.
After watering the flowers in the morning,
I often sit very still on the patio,
camera on maximum zoom, and watch for birds.

**************************************************

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Let Israel say:
‘His love endures forever.’
Let the house of Aaron say:
‘His love endures forever.’
Let those who fear the Lord say:
‘His love endures forever.’

Psalm 118:1-4

Thank you, Father, for you are good.
Your mercy and kindness endure.
Though I am frail and often fail,
your mercy and grace are assured.
Your love toward me is immeasurable
and lasts through eternity.
You walk with me through life on earth
and are preparing a home for me;
for your love endures forever!

Psalm 17 - Forever Faithful Father

2009-07-13T08:14:00.003-05:00

I bought this rose bush
at our church missions plant sale this year.
In the early morning light, it seemed to glow!
I like roses because the blooms last long.
However, even the rose fades and petals fall;
but my Father’s love endures FOREVER!

*******************************************************

“O praise the Lord, all you nations!
Praise Him, all you people!
For His mercy and loving-kindness
are great toward us,
and the truth and faithfulness 571
of the Lord endure forever.
Praise the Lord!
Hallelujah!

Psalm 117 (Amplified Version)

***********************************************************

I praise you, Father, For your love is sure.
Your truth and faithfulness shall endure.
I know you work all things for my good.
Even difficult days will go as they should.
When I face trials, I can consider it pure joy;
for the testing of my faith is a tool you employ
to make me mature, not lacking a thing.
Forever faithful Father, your praises I sing!

Psalm 116 - Be at Rest, O My Soul

2009-06-18T13:18:00.002-05:00

North Texas storms can be brutal.
I took this storm cloud photo
While standing on my front porch.
When hail and tornados are all around,
I call out to the Lord rather than worry.
He has the power to protect from harm
or to give grace to ride out the storm.

“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live…

The Lord is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the simplehearted;
when I was in great need, he saved me.

Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.”

Psalm 116:1-2, 5-7 (NIV)

The Lord heard my voice when I cried out for mercy
and compassionately extended His grace.
He saved me from the death caused by my sin,
and someday I will see him face to face.
My soul can be completely at rest,
my mind can remain at ease;
for my ultimate home is with Jesus,
and in his compassion he meets all my needs.

Psalm 115 - Blessing and Praise

2009-06-16T14:39:00.002-05:00

Since I knew Mother and I would be at home most of the time,

I prayed specifically that the Lord would bless our flower garden this year

and provide beauty in my own backyard.

My miniature roses have never been this prolific!
Praise the Lord!

“May the Lord make you increase,
both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.

The highest heavens belong to the Lord,
but the earth he has given to man.
It is not the dead who praise the Lord,
those who go down to silence;
it is we who extol the Lord,
both now and forevermore.

Praise the Lord.”

Psalm 115:14-18 (NIV)

Our God is the owner of heaven and earth,
and everything therein is His to give.
I can trust Him for my daily bread
and to provide all I need to live.
But He blesses me exceedingly,
that I may have abundantly more
than I ever deserved or knew to desire.
Surrender to Him brings blessings galore!

Psalm 115 - Trust in the Lord

2009-05-31T14:48:00.003-05:00

Mom looked out the window and said, “There’s a red-headed woodpecker pecking a hole in our tree!” I grabbed the camera and began taking pictures. Mr. and Mrs. Woodpecker have now built a secure home in which to hatch their eggs. They’ve spent much time and effort preparing this hole for nesting. If God gives the birds instinct to prepare a secure home for their children, I can be certain the home Jesus is preparing for me is going to be perfect!

“O house of Israel, trust in the Lord –
he is their help and shield.
O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord –
he is their help and shield.
You who fear him, trust in the Lord –
he is their help and shield.

The Lord remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless the house of Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron,
he will bless those who fear the Lord – small and great alike.

Psalm 115:9-13

I run to You for refuge.
You are my help and shield.
I trust in you with confidence;
and to Your will, I yield.

I fear You, and I trust You.

You will make my path sure.

I can be completely confident;

for in You, I am secure.

Psalm 115 - God Does Whatever Pleases Him

2009-05-29T16:56:00.002-05:00

I’ve never understood how people could worship idols of metal, wood, or stone that obviously had no power to create or rule.
Our God, Creator of everything, is so amazing! Look at the beauty of this woodpecker beginning its nest hole in my tree! How can anyone think the endless variety in nature just happened? All glory goes to God!

"Not to us, O Lord, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.

Why do the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Our God is in heaven;
he does whatever pleases him.
But their idols are silver and gold,
made by the hands of men.
They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes,
but they cannot see;
they have ears, but cannot hear, noses,
but they cannot smell;
they have hands, but cannot feel,
feet, but they cannot walk;
nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them."

Psalm 115:1-8 (NIV)

Lord, you are glorified in heaven,

and whatever pleases you is done.
We need not fear your sovereignty,

Father God, omniscient One.
Your love and faithfulness to us

extends through the generations.
The way you use adversity to mold us

is not obvious to the nations.
We glorify your name, O Lord,

for you’re the only omnipotent Lord.
We trust when we cannot understand.

We have your promises in your word.

Psalm 114 - Tremble at the Presence of the Lord

2009-05-28T17:07:00.002-05:00

I prayed that since I am unable to go for walks in the park right now

that God would bring nature to my own backyard.

I had in mind birds, turtles, and things.

Our sovereign Lord outdid my expectations

with this fox standing in my yard before breakfast one morning!

Praise the Lord!

"When Israel came out of Egypt,
the house of Jacob
from a people of foreign tongue,
Judah became God’s sanctuary,
Israel his dominion.

The sea looked and fled,
the Jordan turned back;
the mountains skipped like rams,
the hills like lambs.

Why was it, O sea, that you fled,
O Jordan, that you turned back,
you mountains, that you skipped like rams,
you hills, like lambs?

Tremble, O earth,
at the presence of the Lord,
at the presence of the god of Jacob,
who turned the rock into a pool,
the hard rock into springs of water."

Psalm 114:1-8 (NIV)

Amazing the mighty works of our Lord…

Creator, Sustainer of all that we see!
He brought Israel out of Egypt, controlling the earth;

and now he takes care of me.
The God that parted the Red Sea for Moses

and for Joshua made the Jordan turn back;
is my Master and Owner, Controller of my life,

and provides everything that I lack.
The earth trembles at the presence of Almighty Creator

who turned the rock into a spring.
I bow before him, and worship in awe;

for he’s my Father, my Savior, my Everything.

Psalm 113 - The Lord Raises Us Up

2009-05-27T13:38:00.003-05:00

When I came across this tiny turtle
while cleaning out my flower bed,
I thought,

“Wouldn’t my granddaughters love to see him!” God keeps bringing nature’s beauty
to my own backyard!

"He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes,
with the princes of their people.
He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children.

Praise the Lord."

Psalm 113:7-9 (NIV)

Lord, you raise the poor from the dust

and lift the needy from the ash heap.
Once we have given our lives to you,

your promises to us you will keep.
We are lowly and wretched beings, b

ut one day with you we will reign.
You will lift up each humble person

in front of those who looked on us with disdain.
You have already taken this barren woman

lifting me to be a merry-hearted mother.
I will never cease to give you praise.

Glory belongs to you and no other.

Psalm 113 - The One Who Stoops Down

2009-05-16T17:00:00.004-05:00

“The Lord is exalted over all the nations,
his glory above the heavens.
Who is like the Lord our God,
the One who sits enthroned on high,
who stoops down to look
on the heavens and the earth?”

Psalm 113:4-6 (NIV)

When talking to a little child, I try to get down on their level.
I like to be able to talk face to face and eye to eye.
Oh, Lord, to speak to me required that you stoop down,
and humbled yourself to leave your throne on high.
Jesus, you brought the love of Almighty God to me.
You left your throne in heaven to dwell on earth.
You stooped down to the level of this little child
through your incarnation, your lowly birth.

Psalm 113 - Praise God Sunrise to Sunset

2009-05-15T21:38:00.006-05:00

Sunrise from my kitchen window.

Sunset from my front porch.

“Praise the Lord.
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
Praise the name of the Lord.
Let the name of the Lord be praised,
both now and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun
to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised."

Psalm 113:1-3 (NIV)

Let me not be afraid to appear foolish in my praise.
May I create a scene as I clamorously raise
my voice in celebration of Your compassion and might.
May I sing of Your goodness from morning to night.

Psalm 112 - True Security

2009-05-06T20:57:00.002-05:00

The leafy, round plants directly behind the red Crown of Thorns,

are hostas that bloom later in the summer.

These particular hostas have been established in my garden for years.

Each fall I cut back the dead foliage;

and each spring the plants come up with renewed vigor.

The ferns with the tall white flowers

that grow around the tree are perennials, aslo.

Perennials remind me that God always sends spring after winter.

“Good will come to him
who is generous and lends freely,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
Surely he will never be shaken;
a righteous man will be remembered forever.
He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
His heart is secure, he will have no fear;
in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor,
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn will be lifted high in honor.

The wicked man will see and be vexed,
he will gnash his teeth and waste away;
the longing of the wicked will come to nothing.”

Psalm 112:5-10 (NIV)

Lord, may I always be generous and just,
my heart steadfast on Him I trust.
Leaning on Jesus my heart is secure,
With confidence I can endure
all the enemy may place in my way;
for I know Christ will triumph on that day.

Lord, may my children live uprightly.
Draw them to You daily and nightly.
May they also never be shaken.
To your true security may they awaken.
May their hearts remain steadfast,
trusting in You and standing fast.

Psalm 112 - Delight in His Commands

2009-05-05T14:35:00.003-05:00

My garage is very dark, but in the side mirror of my car I catch a glimpse of my garden bathed in the morning light. The ground hugging fern between the trees shoots up tall flowers to spread its offspring into the wind as the blooms die.

"PRAISE the Lord.
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
who finds great delight in his commands.
His children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.
Even in the darkness light dawns for the upright,
for the gracious and compassionate
and righteous man."

Psalm 112:1-4 (NIV)

Father I fear and am in awe of you.

Help me to abide in your word.
I will take pleasure in following your commands,

remembering that you are Lord.
I pray that my children will follow this example

that they may be truly blessed.
Help them to remember they can be upright

as in Christ’s righteousness they’re dressed.
May your light shine brightly in their darkest hours.

May they derive strength from you.
May they be gracious and compassionate in your name

and to your commands be true.
May the legacy I leave to my children’s children

be one of obedience to Christ.
I pray that your grace, love, and peace

will be evident throughout my life.

Psalm 111 - The Beginning of Wisdom

2009-05-04T14:01:00.003-05:00

This vibrant vermillion rose
stands out in the midst
of my garden.

The Lord God stands way above
anything else people claim as god.
He is holy and awesome!

“He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
They are steadfast for ever and ever,
done in faithfulness and uprightness.
He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever –
holy and awesome is his name.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts
have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.”

Psalm 11:6-10

God’s beautiful and majestic works, the grandeur of all creation
cause me to show reverence to the One in whom I trust.
His mighty and powerful deeds, conquering the nations
cause me to bow in fear of the One who is faithful and just.
Realizing God is holy and awesome is the beginning of understanding
my need of eternal salvation through Jesus who died in my place.
His precepts are trustworthy though they may seem demanding,
but His Holy spirit gives wisdom and strength for the race.

Psalm 111 - With All My Heart

2009-04-28T09:17:00.004-05:00

This white rose reminds me
I must love God with a pure heart,
one that has been cleansed
by the blood of Jesus.

“Praise the Lord.
I will extol the Lord
with all my heart
in the council of the upright
and in the assembly.
Great are the works of the Lord;
they are pondered by all
who delight in them.
Glorious and majestic
are his deeds,
and his righteousness
endures forever.
He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever."

Psalm 111:1-5

I will praise, I will thank, I will love the Lord

with all my heart, with all my being.
For great are the works, glorious the deeds,

of God almighty, all-knowing, all-seeing.
Forever righteous, yet gracious and compassionate,

is the loving Father I serve.
He cleanses my heart, provides all my needs.

I will give him the praise he deserves.

Psalm 110 - The Lord's Footstool

2009-04-24T12:36:00.004-05:00

Christ will trod upon His enemies

as easily as I walk across my lawn!

“The Lord says to my Lord:
‘Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.’
The Lord will extend
your mighty scepter from Zion;
you will rule
in the midst of your enemies.”

Psalm 110:1-2

This life is a spiritual battle that we’re engaged in every day.
We must remember that Jesus wins this war though we’re in the middle of the fray.
Everyone and everything is ultimately subject to our Lord.
We can stand upon this truth because it’s stated in His word.
Christ sits at the right hand of God on his throne until the day our faith is sight.
Then everything opposed to Him will be His footstool by the power of His might.
Today I can draw strength in knowing that His Spirit is by my side,
And He will guide me through this life when in His grace I abide.

]

Psalm 109 - Extol the Lord

2009-04-23T16:10:00.002-05:00

This spring my miniature roses seem to shout praises to their Creator!

With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord;
in the great throng I will praise him.
For he stands at the right hand of the needy one,
to save his life from those who condemn him.

Psalm 109:30-31

With my mouth I will extol the Lord,

praising Him in the midst of the crowd.

I am poor and needy in spirit

and have done things for which I am not proud,

God assures me there is now no condemnation

for those who are in Christ Jesus;

For He in His love sent Christ to die in my place,

shedding the blood that frees us.

Therefore, I will approach the Lord with thanksgiving,

ever praising His holy name.

Because of His greatness, His surpassing compassion,

I know I will never be the same.

Psalm 108 - Awaken the Dawn

2009-04-22T12:59:00.002-05:00

Ray clouds always remind me of the glory of God. When I saw this view over the tops of my neighbors’ trees, I just had to run into the house for the camera. When I can’t get out and about to see God’s beauty in nature, he graciously brings it to me.

"My heart is steadfast, O God;
I will sing and make music with all my soul.
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
and let your glory be over all the earth."

Psalm 108:1-5 (NIV)

Because of your faithfulness, my heart is steadfast.
Standing firm in my faith, I will not be moved.
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies, O Lord,
Your love for me has often been proved.
Therefore my songs will awaken the dawn.
I will begin each morning with praise.
You will be exalted above the heavens,
My Lord who died for me and was raised.

Psalms 106 & 107 - His Love Endures Forever

2009-04-21T21:01:00.002-05:00

Red roses are a symbol of love.
“Greater love has no one than this,
that he lay down his life
for his friends.”
(John 15:13)

"Praise the Lord.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord
or fully declare his praise?

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Let all the people say, “Amen!”

Praise the Lord."

Psalm 106:1-2, 48 (NIV)

"Give Thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say this –
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south.

Whoever is wise, let him heed these things

and consider the great love of the Lord."

Psalm 107:1-3, 43 (NIV)

The psalmist recounts your mercy and love

in spite of your people’s rebellion.
Your loving-kindness didn’t depend on their faithfulness,

but solely on your own.
Today your character remains the same:

you redeemed me from the midst of my sin.
My salvation does not depend on my works, b

ut on the grace of Christ alone.
I give thanks to you, Lord, for you are good.

Your love endures forever.
I’ll live my life in praise to you,

and trust in you to bring me home.

2009-04-20T13:15:00.002-05:00

The sky was actually this color when I photographed the rainbow
over the crape myrtle in my front yard.
The rainbow is a symbol of God’s covenant with Noah,
and a reminder of His awesome act
of covering the entire earth with flood waters.

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;
make known among the nations
what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always.
Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced."

Psalm 105:1-5

When I remember the wonders I read in your word
and those you have done in my own life as well,
how can I keep from praising your name?
When I meditate on your mighty acts, I must tell
everyone I know that you are awesome God!

My heart rejoices as I seek your face.
On your strength I know I can rely.
Help me to make known all you have done.
When people ask about my joy, may I reply
by recounting the wonders of my marvelous Lord!

Psalm 104 - Meditating Minstrel

2009-04-18T08:36:00.003-05:00

Sometimes when I meditate upon the scripture, my thoughts are like the colors of this rose – mingled. I struggle at times for a clear focus; but as I pray, God puts it all together for me and helps me understand.

"I will sing to the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
as I rejoice in the Lord.
But may sinners vanish from the earth
and the wicked be no more.

Praise the Lord, O my soul.

Praise the Lord."

Psalm 104:33-35

Father, focus my meditation on you

and give me understanding from your word.
Let my songs continually praise you

and draw others to you as Lord.
I rejoice that you desire

to have communication with me.
Praise the Lord, O my soul.

God, help me to clearly see
your glory that endures forever,

the many works of your hands.
You are creator, sustainer of all the earth,

and my Father who understands.

2009-04-17T13:24:00.002-05:00

These flowers are like the Lord’s blessings:
too many to count! They seem to shout a chorus of “Praise the Lord!” as they fill my flower bed with passionate pink.

"Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits –
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed
like the eagle’s."

Psalm 103:1-5

From deep within, I praise you, Lord: I praise your holy name.
Because of all your benefits, I’ll never be the same.
My sins you have forgiven: you redeemed me from many pits.
These are just the beginning of your precious benefits.
Often times you’ve healed me or given me grace in my pain,
But most importantly you have blotted out my sin’s guilty stain.
You crown me with love and compassion, I’m completely filled with good things.
You renew my strength and empower me to mount up with eagle’s wings.
My soul will magnify you, Lord, and forever I’ll sing your praise.
Praise the Lord, O my soul. Praise him all of my days.

Psalm 101 - A Blameless Heart

2009-04-16T13:28:00.004-05:00

Snow is often used to symbolize purity and innocence.
I love the way my garden looks when draped in snow.
This snow was especially pretty because the hyacinths were already up,
and the pansies were still blooming.

"I will sing of your love and justice;
to you, O Lord, I will sing praise.
I will be careful to lead a blameless life – when will you come to me?

I will walk in my house
with blameless heart.
I will set before my eyes
no vile thing.

The deeds of faithless men I hate;
they will not cling to me.
Men of perverse heart shall be far from me;
I will have nothing to do with evil."

Psalm 101:1-4

The true measure of character is how you behave

when no one else can see.
Do I walk in my house with blameless heart,

when no one’s watching me?
Lord, help me to be careful

to live in truth and integrity.
Help me to interact with others

with grace and sincerity.
Help me to guard my eyes

from anything profane or vile.
Help me to flee from perversity

and keep my eyes on you all the while.
I will sing of your love and justice,

and thank you for your grace.
To you, O Lord, who chose to save me,

I will always sing your praise.

Psalm 99 - The Lord Reigns

2009-04-15T14:28:00.004-05:00

The top branches of one of our oak trees were wrenched off during a storm. My neighbor helped me move them up onto the yard since they were blocking my driveway. By the grace of God they stopped within two feet of my mother’s bedroom window! According to Jeremiah 10:13 God controls the wind and all its awesome power.

"The Lord reigns,
let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim,

let the earth shake.
Great is the Lord in Zion;
he is exalted over all the nations.
Let them praise
your great and awesome name –
he is holy."

Psalm 99:1-3 (NIV)

I tremble at your power, Lord,

but I also trust.
Knowing that you reign supreme

makes dependence a must.
Insurance companies call “acts of God”

earthquakes, tornadoes, floods.
Yet we’re discouraged from acknowledging

your most important act, your blood
that you shed willingly on the cross,

to bring salvation to sinful men.
I pray our country will have revival

and turn to you once again.
Our nation needs to tremble,

to quake with violent fear;
for many refuse to turn to you,

to acknowledge you are here.
You are exalted above the nations,

to you we lift our praise,
and pray that you will heal our land

and bring others to your ways.

Psalm 98 - Shout for Joy!

2009-04-14T12:39:00.003-05:00

Vivid colors are a visual shout.
In the early spring,
my flower bed bursts into
jubilant song.
My ears can’t hear it,
but my eyes delight
in the harmonies
of the variety of blooms
and foliage.

"Shoutfor joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
make music to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn –
shout for joy before the Lord, the King."

Psalm 98:4-6

We are commanded to shout for joy,

make a joyful noise to the Lord.
Bursting into jubilant song

is good behavior according to God’s word.
So, Lord, I sing and shout my praise,

accompanied by instruments, too.
Music is my favorite expression

of my praise and adoration for you!
Lord, let my proclamation be heard

as I sing of the joy that you bring.
Thank you, Father, for saving me

and giving me reasons to sing!

Psalm 97 - Light is Shed on the Righteous

2009-04-13T13:29:00.002-05:00

Now that I've finished the 40 days of preparation for Good Friday and Easter, I'm back to my study of Psalms and photographs of Beauty in My Own Backyard. This picture was taken a couple of years ago, but was in my backyard.
This much snow is rare in my part of Texas. God used these early hyacinths peeking up through the blanket of white to remind me of his ability to brighten up even the dreariest times of my life. Spring flowers in the snow are like joy in the midst of sorrow.

"Let those who love the Lord hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Light is shed upon the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name."

Psalm 97:10-12 (NIV)

You deliver me from the wicked. You guard my life: in you I trust.
I will hate evil and turn from wickedness. If I love you, Lord, this is a must.
You shed your light upon me, for I’m covered in the righteousness of Christ.
You illuminate the path, making your way clear to me as I seek your light.
You bring the brightness of joy even in the midst of what seem to be dark days.
I will rejoice in you, my Lord, and seek to bring you glory and praise.

Easter Sunday

2009-04-12T14:31:00.003-05:00

It's Easter Sunday, and I have a cold or something. I didn't get to go to worship services this morning; but I have been contemplating the resurrection of Christ. If Christ had not risen from the dead, we would have no hope; but since He has risen, I can be certain of my future. In John 14, Jesus tells believers that He has gone to prepare a place for us. When a Jewish man became betrothed, he began preparing a place for his bride in his father's house. Then he had to wait for his father to give the okay before going to claim his bride and bring her to her new home. Jesus is preparing a place for His bride, the church. When God the Father gives the word, Christ will return to take us to His Father's house. What a glorious day that will be!

When I was in high school, I took a few years of Spanish. My teacher challenged me to write poetry in Spanish as well as English. Spanish speaking readers, please forgive me if the following is not perfect grammar in Spanish. I wrote it when I was 16, but it still expresses my heart.

Tengo una esperanza
por cosas que viene
un día en el futuro
cuando Cristo volverá.

Y tengo un gran fe
que Dios hoy día existe
porque está viviendo
Jesús en mi corazón.

Y tengo un amor
porque conozco a Cristo,
un amor por todo el mundo,
un amor por ti también.

TRANSLATION:

I have a hope
for things that come
one day in the future
when Christ will return.

And I have a great faith
that God exists today
because Jesus
is living in my heart.

And I have a love
because I know Christ,
a love for all the World,
a love for you also.

Thoughts on Easter Eve

2009-04-11T17:08:00.002-05:00

I wrote this poem years ago on rainy Saturday, the day before Easter. Today has been lovely, but it might as well have been raining because I have a cold and didn't feel like getting out an enjoying the sun. At least I could enjoy my miniature roses in the garden through the french doors to my patio. At times, our lives feel like a rainy day; but because of the resurrection of Christ that we celebrate tomorrow, we know the day of SONshine in Heaven is coming!

Thoughts on Easter Eve

The rain is tumbling down today
watering the earth.
Tomorrow will be Easter morn,
we'll celebrate rebirth.
And as the flowers rise in spring,
stretch toward the sun above,
our Savior rose up from the tomb
and shines on us His love.
He died to save us; lives to raise us;
we can be born again.
From death to life now the Bible tells how
We can become new men.
Feel the conviction; change your direction.
Surrender your life to the Lord.
He won’t ignore you. He will restore you.
God will stand by His word.
Life is glorious; we are victorious
when we live in His light.
He will guide us, stay right beside us
as against Satan we fight.
Sin can’t conquer us if in the Lord we’ll trust.
Christ will always come through.
If we confess to Him, and then we rest in Him,
we can start out brand new.

Karen Sue Hale
April 10, 1982

40 Days to Live - Day 0

2009-04-10T13:30:00.003-05:00

Luke 23 - Be Crucified with Christ - Galatians 2:20

LIVE IT: From this day forward, die to yourself every day.

Is Christ’s anguish on the cross diminished
if we consider His omniscience,
that on the cross, He knew “It is finished!”?
Does the fact of His omnipotence,
that He could call angels to His defense,
make His suffering in our place less intense?
I think His love intensified
because He didn’t have to die
but willed Himself to be my sacrifice.

Jesus, I desire to be totally yours every day and in every way. Thank you for taking my place on the cross that I might live abundantly and eternally in your presence. Let me never take your sacrifice for granted. Live through me this day in such a way as to bring others closer to you.

40 Days to Live - Day 1

2009-04-09T12:49:00.002-05:00

Luke 22 - Agonize with Christ

LIVE IT: Surrender to the Father's will at all costs.

Christ gave His life for me. How can I give less than my all to Him?

Lord, help me to serve you no matter the cost.

Help me daily to take up my cross.

My selfish desires, help me to deny.

Let me live for Christ, and to myself die.

THOUGHTS ON THE ARREST AND CRUCIFIXION

What would I do if all my friends forsook me?
Would I forgive them and love them just the same?
And if one of my best friends then denied me,
would I love him and then take on me his blame?
If the soldiers spit on me and mocked me,
then beat me and struck me in the face,
would I suffer, knowing I could stop it?
Would I take the pain to save the human race?
If they had me drag my cross to Calvary,
and I stumbled and fell along the way,
would I keep silent and not ask intervention
or complain that it’s too high a price to pay?
Would I lie down and let them drive the nails in?
Would I stay there though my flesh began to tear?
Would I endure the untold mental anguish
as the sin of all the world I had to bear?
For the friends who denied they ever knew me,
for the sinners who had not yet been born,
would I go through death and hell on Calvary?
Would I volunteer to wear a crown of thorns?
I wouldn’t do it for all the earthly riches.
I couldn’t do it; I don’t have that kind of love.
But I’m thankful that Jesus Christ went through it.
I’m so glad the Father sent Him from above.
For Jesus has that kind of mercy,
and Jesus has that kind of grace
that though His own men did forsake him,
He would suffer and die in their place.
And Jesus loved this unborn sinner
and bore on Calvary all my sin.
He suffered the penalty that I deserved,
rose from the grave the victory to win.
Because of His love, I am victorious.
Because of His mercy, I’m set free.
Because I’ve accepted Him as Savior and Lord,
I have joyous life with God eternally!

40 Days to Live - Day 2

2009-04-08T08:31:00.001-05:00

Luke 21 - Lift Up Your Head

LIVE IT: Pray that you will persevere until the Day of Christ.

Will persecution come right here in America?

I do believe this possibility exists.

If persecution happens on my very doorstep,

will I be able to stand and resist

the temptation to give in, to deny my Lord?

Will my faith in Jesus Christ pesist?

Not by my own power, nor my intellect,

but by God's Spirit I will stand.

He promises He'll provide the words for my mouth,

and I don't need to worry beforehand.

So, Lord, I'm going to trust you to help me persevere.

Help me stand firm following Your command.

40 Days to Live - Day 3

2009-04-07T14:02:00.002-05:00

Luke 20 - Fall on the Stone

LIVE IT: Fall on the mercy of Jesus Christ and confess your unworthiness.

A Circumcised Heart

I cannot follow my moral compass.
I cannot rely on religion or creeds,
Being born of a certain nation or race,
Or submitting to ritualistic deeds.
It is impossible to obey God’s law completely,
Never committing sin nor omitting good.
In my flesh, by my will, I cannot attain
To all of the rules I know that I should.
Only a circumcised heart can change me,
Only a spirit made new by the Lord.
Giving my life completely to Jesus
Is what will enable me to obey His word.
His blood has covered my many failures.
He gave His life to pay for my sins.
Accepting His precious gift of forgiveness
Frees me to live a life pleasing to Him.

“A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly,
nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.
No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly;
and circumcision is circumcision of the heart,
by the Spirit, not by the written code.
Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.”
Romans 2:28-29

40 Days to Live - Day 4

2009-04-06T13:56:00.002-05:00

Luek 19:45-48 - Turn the Tables

LIVE IT: Cast out any false idols or empty religion in your life.

Sometimes we find ourselves going to church out of habit or feeling of obligation. Lord, help me hunger to know You, serve you wholeheartedly, and drop any religious pretense that gets in the way of a vital relationship with my Savior.

I was driving one day and passed by a U-Haul location with it's trucks neatly parked in a row. I said to myself, "There's a country song waiting to happen." When I got I home, that country song had to come out, and I wrote the following.

The U-Haul Song

I’m gonna rent me a U-Haul and fill it up

with all of the junk in my life that gets in the way.

Gonna give the keys to my heavenly Father.

Gonna wave good-by as He drives

that truckload of junk away.

‘Cause ain’t no junk gonna come

between my Lord and me.

I give my Lord permission to take it all

and set me free.

Gonna follow Him wherever He leads.

Won’t need that junk

‘cause He’ll take care of my needs.

Why don’t you rent you a U-Haul and fill it up

with all of the junk in your life that gets in the way.

Then give the keys to your heavenly Father

and wave good-by as He drives

your truckload of junk away.

Don’t let no junk come

between your Lord and you.

Give your Father permission to do what

you need Him to.

Then follow Him wherever He goes.

Won’t need that junk

because your every need He knows.

40 Days to Live - Day 5

2009-04-06T13:47:00.002-05:00

Luke 19:28-44 - Weep Over Your City

LIVE IT: Weep over your city today - pray for a spiritual awakening.

Recently I sang a song for my Sunday school class. I wrote "Prayer for Santa Fe" after a mission trip to that city with the youth group from Glenview Baptist Church. After I finished singing it, one of the class members said, "You could just as easily be singing about Fort Worth." How often do I weep and pray over other places I've traveled on mission trips and fail to weep and pray for my own DFW area?

Prayer for Santa Fe (or FW or Hurst or Bedford)

High upon a hilltop in the morning light we stood,
and from that view the city looked so clean...it looked so good;
but as we closed our eyes to pray, their faces filled my mind,
and the thing that I remembered most was the darkness in their eyes.

Darkness had filled their minds.
Myriad philosophies had made them blind.
They were searching for salvation but apart from Christ.
Could our words bring hope to them and bring them life?

Lord, I pray for Santa Fe, for all of her people who have gone astray,
who think they’ll find salvation in some mystical New Age.
I pray that You’ll shine down on them and show the way.

For darkness has filled their minds.
Their myriad philosophies have left them blind.
They’re looking for salvation, but they don’t see Christ.
Let the things we shared bring them to Your light.

Father, take the seed that we planted on that night.
Grow it in their hearts and minds, fill them with Your light.
Take away their darkness. Replace it with Your truth.
Than let Your light so shine in them that it draws more men to You.

Chase the darkness out of their minds.
Take the myriad philosophies that made them blind.
Replace them with salvation, the light of Christ.
Then let their lives help others see that You are life.

40 Days to Live - Day 6

2009-04-04T20:49:00.002-05:00

John 12:1-11 Worship Richly

LIVE IT: Praise God in an extravagant way today.

Mary anointed Jesus' feet with an expensive perfume, the best she had. The fragrance filled the room, so everyone was aware of what she had done. Judas criticized her as being wasteful, but Jesus rebuked him.

Sometimes we are criticized for praising Jesus extravagantly. I remember in my youth being told that I sang too emotionally and must be just trying to draw attention to myself. I took that so to heart, that the next time I was asked to sing, I insisted that I be hidden off stage. I wanted the people to only be aware of the song, not the singer. I wanted them to focus on the lyrics, not my face. I know I have been distracted by singers who seem to be so carried away with their praise that they are unaware of anything else. I should not feel this way. I should be glad they have the freedom to give themselves totally to praise even when before an audience and realize they are not performing for me, but for the audience of One; and He may be most pleased with them.

Longing to Praise Perfectly

I am so weak;
I am so bad.
I know my actions
must make You sad.
And my inaction
toward the things I should do
must be a great
disappointment to You.
You gave Your all.
You died for me.
You rose again
so I could be free.
My greatest love,
my most sincere praise
cannot be enough
to merit Your gaze;
yet You look at me
with love ever true,
forgiveness and grace
that come only from You.
To be so incapable
frustrates me so,
and I cry bitter tears
because I want to show
a love that is perfect
in every way,
to stand without flaw
in the bright light of day…
But I just have to praise you
for loving me now
although I’ll admit
I can’t understand how
You could possibly claim me
with all of my sin.
Through Jesus, cleanse me
anew to begin.
Thank You for loving me
as I am tonight,
but I pray for the day
when we’ll live in Your light.
And then, up in Heaven
I’ll be able to give
the perfect love You deserve
as long as I live…Forever!

40 Days to Live - Day 7

2009-04-03T13:24:00.002-05:00

Luke 19:11-27 - Leave Your Comfort Zone

LIVE IT: Follow Jesus into a day that is not safe or comfortable.

Two men in the parable risked losing the master's money in order to gain more for him. One hid the coin he was given for fear of reprisal if he lost he one coin. The master rewarded the servants who used what they had to the best of their abilities. He punished the one who sat on the money and did nothing. God has given all of us in America many blessings...not only monetary wealth compared with other nations, but also freedom to live for Him boldly. Much too often we sit on what God has given us, take it for granted, and don't use it to the fullest each day. We fear what people think or the loss of social or financial standing if we follow Christ to the fullest measure. Will our careful Christianity receive a "well done, good and faithful servant"?
I think not.

Father, move me out of my safety,

away from my comfort zone.

Help me use all that I have,

my talents allow you to own.

Use my writing as you will.

Help me to risk my feelings

by submitting my work to publishers

that others might find healing.

Lord, help me to speak more boldly,

sharing You with the lost.

Remove all fear of rejection,

all worry about the cost.

May my reputation not matter.

May all be done to glorify You.

Let me know You more deeply

and to Your calling be true.

40 Days to Live - Day 8

2009-04-02T12:48:00.002-05:00

Luke 19:1-10 Eat with Sinners

LIVE IT: Intentionally enter the world of someone who is not in Christ.

This one may take me a couple of days to do unless I do it via email or facebook. On Sundays I go to the grocery store. Most of my sack boys are Christians but occasionally I get to interact with a muslim young man who carries out my groceries. Last week I mentioned to him that I was going to a 5th Sunday sing that afternoon, and he shared with me that his mosque does that too! I didn't even realize they sang at mosque. He asked me how many hours I spent at church Sunday morning, so I told him a little bit about Sunday school and worship service. Perhaps this week I can try to check out where he's sacking and share more of Jesus with him.

Christ commands us to be His witnesses both at home and abroad. Much of the time I expect Jesus to bring the lost person to me when He has clearly told us to go out into the world and seek out those who need to hear about salvation. Although my going out is clearly limited right now, I can still watch for opportunities to share Christ at the store, the beauty shop, the bank or in line at the post office. Even though I might not have the freedom to invite them to my mother's home, I can invite them to this blog or to email me in order to share more of Jesus with them than our brief face to face encounters allow.

Lord, you came to this earth to serve,

to seek and to save the lost.

Help me to pour my life into others

no matter what the cost.

Open my eyes to see those in need

at the bank or the grocery store.

Help me to do more than smile and nod.

Open my mouth to share more.

When strangers share their pressing needs

as they often seem to do,

help me to say more than "I will pray."

Enable me to point them to you.

40 Days to Live - Day 9

2009-04-01T16:04:00.002-05:00

Luke 18:35-43 - Be Healed

LIVE IT: Trust God for healing today - physical, emotional or spiritual.

While Dad was in the hospital following a major heart attack, God enabled my mother and me to encourage and witness to many people who came through the ICU waiting room. One mother even asked me to go into her daughter’s ICU room and pray over her, a request I’d never had before. I did pray for the young woman, as did several of my friends; and although the doctors said she had less than a 5% chance of surviving a severe illness stemming from a fungus in her lungs, she completely recovered and was able to go home for weekend visits within 5 weeks. God answers prayer! Daddy also survived triple bypass surgery a few days later even though the doctors thought his heart was too damaged to make it. Then he went on to live a fairly active life until cancer took him home on January 28, 2001 at the age of 75.

Trust Him
Karen Sue Hale
January 9, 1988

I serve a great and mighty God.
He knows my hurts and needs.
He places me in places
where He knows I need to be.
He works the worst of circumstances
to glorify His name.
He allows my life to touch others
so they’ll never be the same.
It’s not always easy to trust Him
when it seems the picture’s dim.
I must constantly remind myself
things are focused well for Him.
He sees the total picture
as clearly as can be.
All I can do is trust Him
through dark times when I can’t see.

40 Days to Live - Day 10

2009-03-31T13:58:00.002-05:00

Mark 10:35-45 - Lead by Serving

LIVE IT: Commit yourself to serve in every relationship and circumstance.

Too many times we approach a personal, business, or even church home relationship with the attitude, "What can this do for me?" According to Jesus, the question should be, "How can I serve the Lord and others here?" Even those of us who are in the spotlight as preachers, teachers, and worship leaders, need to approach those responsibilities with humility and not for the praise of people. Do I enjoy applause when I sing or speak in a service? Certainly. It gives me the feeling that I've performed to the best of my ability. However, if the applause of people is my only motivation, I have fallen far short of what the Lord has gifted me to do. All glory needs to be given to God and my talents need to be a service to Him and to the hearers/readers. If the attention has been drawn to me rather than to my Lord, I have failed. If I step off the stage or climb off the piano bench and fail to care about, pray for, and if possible meet the needs of my brother or sister, I have failed. The good leader is the servant of those she leads. Father, help me to have a servant's heart today!

Thoughts on Philippians 2:6-8

Humility, servitude, obedience…
Lord, you epitomize all three.
I’m instructed to have the mind of Christ.
Lord, develop these attitudes in me.

40 Days to Live - Day 11

2009-03-30T13:19:00.002-05:00

Luke 18:31-34 - Die to Yourself

LIVE IT: Evaluate your commitment to God's Kingdom today.

Sometimes the poor disciples seem clueless; but as this passage points out, the full meaning of Jesus' words was hidden from them. However, on this side of the cross, looking back, we should understand their meaning completely. Christ predicted his death and resurrection. Jesus died in my place on the cross, but He tells me to die to myself daily and live completely for Him. Complete commitment to the Lord and the work of His Kingdom is something I've grappled with most of my adult life. Many times I fall so terribly short, so I must praise Him for His grace! At the time I wrote the following prayer, my singleness and childlessness were what I struggled to surrender. God has since given my my children and shown me that He is my true love. However, surrender to the Lord is a daily battle. Christ knew that when he instructed us to take up our cross daily. I need to pray each morning that the Lord will show me anything that needs to be turned over to Him in order to bring glory to His Kingdom.

Lord, I try to tell You
What I think is best for me…
a godly, loving husband
and a happy family.
Lord, when will I realize
only You can truly see
what lies in the future
and what You know is best for me.

All I want right now, Lord,
is to give my all for You…
give up everything I own;
do what You’ve called me to do.
The path may not be easy
and my friends, they may be few;
but when the trials You do allow,
You’ve the strength to bring me through.

Keep my eyes on You, Lord,
and not on this world’s gold,
not on earthly pleasures
that can make my heart turn cold.
Help me to remember
that it’s to Your hand I hold.
When I share Your gospel,
through Your Spirit make me bold.

1985
Karen Sue Hale

40 Days to Live - Day 12

2009-03-30T13:10:00.002-05:00

Luke 18:18-30 - Give It All Away

LIVE IT: Let go of whatever is impossible for you to give up today.

I recently let go of a possession that I would have thought impossible to give up - my vanity dressing table. But God enabled me to give it to someone who needed it and be joyful in doing so. However, it's much harder to let go of strong opinions and certain attitudes. It's hard to let go of a desire for praise. May the Lord help me to remember that He is my inheritance and I need nothing else.

Jimmy Draper shared a good sermon illustration when he was my pastor. He told us of a type of monkey that can be trapped by placing food it likes in a container with a hole that will allow ithe monkey to get its empty hand in but not be able to pull out his fist once it is full. The monkey WILL NOT let go of his prize and is, therefore, trapped. Today's lesson reminded me of that sermon and the poem I wrote that day. I needed to be reminded not to hold on tight but to give God everything!

Are we like the little monkey
who has his hand so full
that he won’t let go to free himself,
and we think him such a fool?

But in ways aren’t we just like him?

For we hold within our grasp
things that keep us from the Lord,
things that will not last.

It may not be a thing we hold.
It may be an attitude,
something that we should confess
so that we may be renewed.

And yet we hold on tightly
to these items we hold dear,
and we remain trapped in our sin,
in bitterness and fear.

If, in wisdom, we’d let go,
our freedom we would find.
For in giving everything to God,
His peace will fill our minds.

May 11, 1986
Karen Sue Hale

40 Days to Live - Day 13

2009-03-28T13:54:00.002-05:00

Luke 18:15-17 - Celebrate Children

LIVE IT: Do something special to pour life into a child today.

I love the simple faith that children exhibit when discussing God. I remember asking a group of 5-yr-olds what they would thank God for if limited to just one thing. One said, "I would thank God for skunks." I asked him why on earth would he be thankful for skunks. He said, "My mom says we are to thank God for everything, and I think that's the hardest thing to thank Him for; so that would be my one thing." He wanted to give his best to God by doing the thing hardest for him. There's some good logic in that. Another child said, "I would thank God for God." Well, that says it all, doesn't it?

In my many years teaching at Glenview Christian School, I was privileged to observe the faith of children. I had one first grader come to me to talk after Bible time. Earlier in the week, we had a lesson on Adam and Eve being cast out of the Garden of Eden and away from the tree of life. He had asked, "So what's all this talk about that Heaven place, if no one can eat from that tree and get there anymore?" The other students did their best to express the gospel in a nutshell, and I told him to stay tuned for further lessons because Genesis was just the beginning of the story. Now he was demanding to talk to me "while those other kids are busy doing seatwork." He asked questions, and I answered with the good news of salvation. I asked him if he wanted to pray and surrender to Jesus to be the "boss of his life." He said he thought it might make his dad mad (the family was not in church, and as far as I know his father did not profess Christ). I answered him that he might be right: his dad might not be happy about it. He thought for a minute and said, "Well, the way I see it, God is bigger than my dad. Let's pray!" The faith of a child!

More recently, I've had the opportunity to talk to my great-nephew about God. One Sunday after church, he climbed into his car seat singing, "I am so glad that God made me." I said, "I'm glad God made you, too!" He asked, "But Aunt Susie, how did God make me?" I was not sure the birds and bees discussion should be had with a 4-yr-old but plowed on anyway.

"Remember when baby brother was inside Mommy's tummy?"

"Yes."

"God was making baby brother inside Mommy."

"It took a long time."

"It does take a long time for God to put everything together. Then when He was finished, he let baby brother know it was time to come out."

"And baby brother told Mommy, and she went to the hospital and said take him out, he's done."

"That's right. God made you the same way. Inside your Mommy's tummy."

"Oh, okay. I am so glad that God made me!"

I'm so glad he didn't ask how baby brother got inside Mommy's tummy in the first place or why God would choose to do it that way. We've also had conversations about how old God is and why God takes people to heaven when he knows we'll miss them. I pray for wisdom every time I take him to church because I know there will be more questions. I thank God for the privilege of sharing with him and being encouraged by him. Sometimes my nephew's conclusion when he can't quite understand it all is simply, "That's because He's God."

Father, help me to have the faith of a child,

to accept that I don't have to understand.

I simply need to trust in your love,

and know that you have things perfectly planned.

40 Days to Live - Day 14

2009-03-27T13:56:00.002-05:00

Mark 10:2-12 - Celebrate Marriage

LIVE IT: Sow encouragement into a marriage (especially yours) today.

The Lord spoke strongly against divorce in the passage from Mark. God intended marriage to be for life because he knew that it is a joining not only of two lives but two families. I know the pain of divorce firsthand since my husband left me five days before our first wedding anniversary. I remember walking through my house like a zombie the next day. The firemen thought I was crying because my add-on den was under water. They assured me they could water-vac most of it. The neighbor girl came over to sell magazines for a school fundraiser but stopped in mid-sentence when she saw my tears. She said, "You don't need to hear about magazines today: you need to talk to my mother. Whatever it is, my mom is good with people who are hurting." Praise the Lord for that 13-yr-old girl! She took me by the hand and led me to her mother's bedroom. Then her mother (an evangelist's wife) came and comforted me. She invited me to FBC Euless that Sunday (my 1st wedding anniversary). Jimmy Draper as preaching on reconciliation to God. I realized God was speaking to me through that sermon. No matter what my husband chose to do, I needed to reaffirm my relationship with Christ and yield more completely to His control. I joined the church that morning.

I remember my niece, then 6 years old, asking, "Aunt Susie, doesn't Unlce Steve love us anymore?" I wasn't the only one who felt rejected. How do you explain to a 6-yr-old that he may still love her but wouldn't feel comfortable coming to see her? That makes no sense. If you love someone, you're there for them. But I know I missed Steve's family but would have felt awkward traveling to Esteline to see his granny even though she made clear to me that I was always welcome in her home.

I asked Steve to go to counseling with me, but his mind was made up. At this point, I didn't know there was another woman involved. That lack of knowledge was by the grace of God because I was so weak at that time I might have hurt someone had I known. By the time I found out almost two years later that Steve had remarried four months after the divorce was final, I had undergone much healing from the Lord and learned the importance of forgiveness. God is good. Divorce was not good, nor was it what God intended for my husband and me. Divorce is not God's will for us. However, God has used my singleness for his glory; and I am thankful.

What would I say to my married friends, relatives, and especially my son?

1. Marriage takes committment and hard work. WORK AT IT!
2. Watch the movie "Fireproof", get the "Love Dare" book, and JUST DO IT!
3. Pray for and with your spouse DAILY!
4. STAY IN A BIBLE TEACHING CHURCH!
5. Make time for each other even if it means paying a sitter or turning down overtime pay.
DATE NIGHTS!
6. Talk, REALLY talk and LISTEN to each other. Not just uh-huh and hmmm while watching
TV, playing computer games, or reading. TURN IT OFF AND PUT IT DOWN!
7. Read God's word together or share what He is showing you in your own QUIET TIME.

One of the best illustrations I've ever heard for a Christian marriage involved a ladder. This is the type of ladder than can be climbed on both sides. Imagine the husband climbing one side and the wife the other. At the top is Jesus. If both parties are getting closer to Jesus, they are also getting closer together. If either one goes back down or even stands still while the other continues to climb, they are getting farther apart. Both of you need to keep moving closer to Christlikeness. Being conformed to the image of Christ is always in God's will. Work on your own relationship to the Lord and encourage your spouse in his/her walk.

I wrote the following song many years after my divorce. I was at a retreat and still feeling the rejection and the stigma of being divorced, but God reassured me of his constant love for me through many events at the retreat. So, if you have already been divorced or are currently going through a divorce, know that God still loves you and wants to heal the hurts caused by the sin of unfaithfulness.

I Am His Treasure

Autumn Singles Retreat 1996

When I felt rejected, abandoned, and unloved,
I felt like someone’s garbage on the curb out by the street.
Then Jesus picked me up, held me in His arms,
and whispered that He’d always treasure me.

I am His treasure...He bought me with a price.
He treasures me...He paid with His own life.
The price was costly...The Father gave His Son.
And to think He would have done it if I’d been the only one...
I am His treasure.

I look into the mirror, and I don’t like what I see.
Then Satan whispers to my heart that no one could love me.
But it matters not if anyone ever sees my worth
because Jesus says He’ll always treasure me.

(chorus)

It’s not because of what I’ve done or who I have become.
I did not earn His love through worthy deeds.
For ’though He sees beyond my words and looks into my thoughts,
it’s by God’s grace that Jesus treasures me.

(chorus)

You are His treasure...He bought you with a price.
He treasures you...He paid with His own life.
The price was costly...The Father gave His Son.
And to think He would have done it if you’d been the only one...
You are His treasure.

40 Days to Live - Day 15

2009-03-26T15:47:00.003-05:00

Luke 18:9-14 - Pharisee

LIVE IT: Confess your sins individually to God - cry out for mercy and humility.

Lord, help me to not be a Pharisee,

comparing myself to others.

Help me to remember the standard

is Jesus Christ, not my brother.

To be holy as You are holy,

I must in humilty,

confess to You my secret sins

that no one else may see.

For when I am truly honest,

I know I fall short of the goal.

Oh Lord, I need You to mold me

and make me completely whole.

Father, I ask for your mercy

and praise You for extending grace.

Conform me to the image of Christ,

and help me to run this race

to the glory of God the Father

in spite of all my sin.

Forgive me, Lord, and cleanse me

that I might begin again.

40 Days to Live - Day 16

2009-03-25T13:22:00.002-05:00

Luke 18:1-8 - Enter His Courts

LIVE IT: Enter God's presence and stay there - all day long

On a singles' retreat, the leader instructed us to leave the morning worship and talk ONLY to God until the afternoon meeting. We were told to read the Bible, pray, sing; but whatever we did, communicate only with the Lord. We were to silent unless praying or singing to the Lord. This was a challenge for many of those in attendance because the social aspect of retreats was high on the list of reasons to attend. This "quiet time" lasted from about 9:00 a.m. until about 2:00 p.m., if I remember correctly. That encompassed lunch. I knew right away that I would have to take my lunch tray to the opposite side of the room, away from all people, if I were to keep silent because normally I could talk the bark off a tree! I chose to read in the Psalms because I always feel very close to God and find much to pray about there. I found myself singing Psalms to God, confessing to Him, pleading for friends, etc. The time passed more quickly than I would have thought and the Holy Spirit moved in my life that day in many ways.

I set aside time to spend with the Lord every day, but rarely an entire afternoon, let alone the entire day. When I was younger, I used to go on "Thee and Me" dates...just go someplace like the botanic gardens and spend time with the Lord for most of the day. Although I can't just hop in the car and go right now, there is no reason I can't spend more time with the Lord. I do pray often while I work in my flower beds or clean house. But I need to take time occasionally to just "Be still and know that He is God." It seems that in times of crisis, I am more apt to do this. I need to learn to do it during the calm times as well.

Lord, please keep me on my knees,

because from that position I can see

that You are truly all I have,

yet You are all I need.

Lord, please keep me on my knees.

40 Days to Live - Day 17

2009-03-24T13:57:00.002-05:00

Luke 17:20-37 - Lose Your Life

In light of the fact that we do not know when the Lord will return, we should be living each day as if his return will be in the next few moments. Losing my own life by surrendering completely to the Holy Spirit is the way to be prepared. One of my favorite hymns is "Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee." As that hymn says, everything I do should be a result of the impulse of Christ's love for me and for those He would have me minister to. Each breath should be dedicated to His service. Am I there yet? By no means! Each day I need to yield myself anew, and ask the Master to show me how He wants to use me that day.

LIVE IT: Die to your own opinions and desires today for His sake.

The world continues to spin on its axis.

People marry, party, and pay their taxes.

People live in the moment giving no thought

to Jesus the Christ who our pardon bought

by His death on the cross in our place.

They give no thought to the judgment they face.

We who know Jesus should be ready.

We must be serving, calm and steady.

May we dedicate each new day

to serving Christ, dear Lord, I pray.

Show me Your ways, and teach me Your paths,

may I pray with the Psalmis and each day ask

for the strength I need to serve my Lord.

May I daily seek You in Your word.

40 Days to Live - Day 18

2009-03-23T13:27:00.002-05:00

Luke 17:11-19 - Give Thanks

LIVE IT: Thank God for every blessing that you can remember today.

Obviously, if I blogged everything I'm thankful for, you would tire of reading it; and I would suffer carpal tunnel syndrome. So I'm going to list broad categories here that may prompt you to think of your own blessings in the same categories.

Thank you, God, for saving grace.

That, of course, must take first place.

The loving family I grew up in.

My children and my grandchildren.

Faithful friends of many years,

sharing joys and sharing tears.

Newer friends and such good neighbors

doing me so many favors.

My mother's roof over my head,

comfortable furniture, comfortable bed.

Plenty of food upon our table.

Health enough to make me able

to care for Mom as she cared for her mother,

not having to trust her care to another.

Clothing to wear upon my back,

through gifts from friends, I never lack.

A beautiful yard for my enjoyment.

This respite from outside employment.

Confidence in Christ for the years ahead.

Nothing to fear. Nothing to dread.

40 Days to Live - Day 19

2009-03-22T22:32:00.002-05:00

John 11:1-44 See the Glory of God

Today we took a detour from the Gospel of Luke and turned to the Gospel of John. We read the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. The Lord waited two days after being notified that Lazarus was sick before journeying to Bethany. He did this so that His disciples and others visiting Mary and Martha could see the glory of God as he raised Lazarus from the dead. Mary and Martha went through four days of grieving the death of their brother, but I'm sure they thought it worth the temporary sorrow once they witnessed the miracle of Jesus raising him from the dead!

I long to see the glory of the Lord

and to glorify God all my days,

to turn away from my own understanding

and learn to walk in His ways.

I know that following Christ is costly,

for I must surrender my all.

But I can trust in my sovereign Lord

who will not allow me to fall.

When days on earth seem bleak and gray;

and God's glory seems hidden from view,

I pray that I'll stand firm in the Lord.

Then my spirit He will renew.

May I never be satisfied

with only a glimpse of God's power.

May God's will and glory be done in me

as I trust in Him hour by hour.

40 Days to Live - Day 20

2009-03-21T13:43:00.002-05:00

Luke 17:5-10 - Use the Faith You've Got

"The apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith - that trust and confidence that springs from our belief in God. Andthe Lord answred, If you had faith (trust and confidence in God) even as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, Be pulled up by the roots, and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you." Luke 17:5-6 (Amplified Version)

You can’t go out on a limb for God
unless you’re climbing the tree!
You cannot possibly walk on water
if you’ve never set foot on the sea!

It has been my experience, that our faith, our trust and confidence in God, grows as we exercise it. Remember God's faithfulness to us in a small matter helps us to have faith in Him for the next, larger challenge. I have faith that God will take care of my needs while I care for mother and later on in my retirement years because I exercised faith when I taught at a Christian school for over 10 years. He provided food, clothing, and shelter even when I was living below poverty level. He still provides. Yesterday, I mentioned to Mom that I would like to have a 2nd pair of jeans before I go to Alaska this summer. Last night, our friend Glida from down the street called to tell me a lady had given her some clothes that didn't fit her and asked if I could use a pair of jeans and several pair of shorts! God provided not only the jeans but also shorts for working in the yard as it gets hotter. I have to believe that the same God who sent me jeans, can give me words to witness to the lost, comfort the grieving, and encourage fellow believers. I simply must use the faith I have, make the first step, and rely on God to propel me to the finish line!

FITNESS TRAINING
I Corinthians 9:24-25 – May 20, 1983

Every runner who strives to win
puts himself into training.
He eats the right foods, sleeps when he should,
and works out with muscles complaining.
If he does all this for a temporal prize,
then how much more should I strive
to eat daily God’s word, rest in the Lord,
and exercise faith to change lives?

40 Days to Live - Day 21

2009-03-20T13:52:00.002-05:00

Luke 17:11-4 - Actively Forgive

Lord, keep me from being a stumbling block.

Help me never to stand in the way

by being a poor example

in anything I do or say.

Lord, keep me from being judgmental.

Help me never to cut with my words.

Help me to tame my tongue,

refuse to gossip of things seen or heard.

Lord, keep me from unforgiveness.

Help me never refuse to forgive.

For you have forgiven me freely,

given me a new life to live.

40 Days to Live - Day 22

2009-03-19T13:06:00.002-05:00

Luke 16:19-31 - Believe in Hell

The only thing in life that matters is whether or not Jesus is our Lord. Success, education, riches all fade in comparison with where we will spend eternity. Life on earth is just a mist compared with spending eternity either with our Lord in Heaven or in torment in Hell. Christ died to pay for our sin. If His Holy Spirit is speaking to your heart, drawing you to God through Jesus, then you have the opportunity to be completely controlled by a sovereign but loving Father. In Romans 10:9-11, we read, "...if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heat that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved: for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, 'Whoever belives in Him will not be disappointed.'" The Amplified version renders the word believes as "adheres to, trusts in and relies on" and confesses as "declares openly and speaks out freely his faith". This is not a light confession made just to get "fire insurance" against hell. It is a complete reliance on Christ which will result in His control of your life. There is nothing you can do to earn Heaven. It is a gift you receive from God. Jesus died to make it possible.

ONE HEARTBEAT FROM HELL
Karen Sue Hale
October 7, 1984

He laughs and he acts merry,
yet he’s one heartbeat from Hell.
When his life on earth may end
no one here can tell.

One heartbeat from Hell he walks
and goes to work each day.
He finds time for recreation,
but he finds no time to pray.

This man may be your neighbor.
He may even be your friend.
Have you invested any time
to warn him of the end?

One heartbeat from Hell he sits
and reads the daily news,
and yet the words of life from God
he’ll often times refuse.

Perhaps you are this man who walks
just one heartbeat from Hell.
Please give me just one moment;
hear the news I have to tell.

One heartbeat from Hell you stand
and listen to me now.
There is a way to change your life.
Please let me tell you how.

Jesus Christ has died for you
that you might be set free.
The debt you owe was paid by Him
that day on Calvary.

Confess you are a sinner
and believe that Christ is Lord,
that God has raised Him from the dead
according to His word.

If you’ll pray to Jesus
and yield to Him your life;
he will save you from the fire,
from Hell’s eternal strife.

One heartbeat from Hell you live
for death may come this hour.
This may be the last time
you can call upon God’s power.

Do not waste one second more…
just kneel to God and pray.
Trust in Christ to change your life
and be Heaven bound today!

40 Days to Live - Day 23

2009-03-18T13:33:00.002-05:00

Luke 16:14-18 - Take God at His Word

It seems that each time I read God's word, I am convicted of some wrong thing I've done or some good thing I've neglected to do. I have the responsibility of having friends who look up to me, and I take that seriously. I do not want anyone to stumble because of disappointment in my behavior. Yet, like all of you, I struggle with sin. No, I've not murdered anyone; but I have harbored ill will toward people. I've not stolen from a person, but there have been times that I've stolen from the Lord by not giving Him all He is due. God looks into our hearts, so we cannot hide wrong motives or the fact that we may dwell on inappropriate thoughts. Praise the Lord that He is slow to anger and gracious in His dealings with His children.

Father, look into my heart and reveal the real me.

If there is any blackness there, help me, Lord, to see.

Purify my heart. Refine me in Your fire.

Conform me to the image of Christ...

let that be my true desire.

40 Days to Live - Day 24

2009-03-17T13:31:00.003-05:00

Luke 16:1-13 - Be a Wise Steward

My current position as Mom's caregiver gives me added insight into the idea of stewardship. I am a signer on Mom's checking account. I pay all the bills, go to the grocery store, and handle hiring repairmen as needed. Because Daddy was a wise steward of all God provided, our house is paid for, which helps a great deal. However, I must be careful with Mom's money and try to live within her monthly income from Dad's social security and retirement. My sisters and I agree that we need to avoid dipping into her savings as much as possible because we may need it for nursing care or major repairs to the house. My family is counting on me to be a wise steward of mother's funds.

God expects me to be a wise steward as well; and in reality, all that I have is His. Since the decision to give away the dressing table (which by the way has been accomplished), I've been taking stock of other things in my possession that might be given to ministry such as the annual church auction, or donated to the ARC for the use of those affected my mental retardation. I have also decided to begin sending some of my children's books to my grandchildren and giving some to my sisters' grandchildren. I may not be drawing much in the way of salary, but there are still things I can share with others. Because of my parent's good example through the years, I know the importance of tithing even when the amount seems small. God can bless those funds and have them reach farther than I could if I spent them myself.

Sometimes I feel sad that I'm no longer able to give over $300 a month to the church. That's why I really appreciated the "Live It" statement on the study guide today: "Consider that everybreath and moment today belongs to God." It's not just about money. Money is actually a small portion of our stewardship. We need to be good stewards of our LIVES. I am finding more and more ways I can be actively ministering to others with my life right here from home. No excuses! Each breath is HIS!

Each time I breathe, may I exhale praise;

for the air I drew in came from Father.

May I view each moment as a gift from God,

never considering life a bother.

May I be a good steward of the life I've been given,

each step taken to the glory of the Lord.

May I allow Him each day to transform my mind

by spending time with Him through His word.

May the words that I speak edify others,

and never be used to put down.

May the message I share, the seeds that I sow,

fall on listening ears, fertile ground.

40 Days to Live - Day 25

2009-03-16T13:44:00.002-05:00

Luke 15:1-32 - Look for What's Lost

In all three of the parables in today's passage, someone was looking for something/someone that was lost. Once they found what they were looking for, they rejoiced. It was not that the other things or the other son were not as valuable or moreso than the one that was lost. The rejoicing, especially in the case of the prodigal son, was that something of value had been thought hopelessly lost; and now it/he was returned.

Our brothers and sisters in Christ are dear to us, and we enjoy spending time with other believers. However, if we never go out and seek the lost, how will they hear? What joy might we be missing by failing to share our faith? When someone comes to the Lord or a straying Christian returns, there is great rejoicing in Heaven. We can share in that joy if we are actively involved in spreading the Good News to the lost.

My current situation means that I am not in contact with many people on a day to day basis. However, I am going to make a concientious effort to seek out people with whom I can share Jesus at the grocery store, beauty shop, Sam's Club, etc. when I am able to get out. Most of my neighbors profess Christ, but some are unchurched. Perhaps I can be more forward in inviting them to North Pointe.

Lord, lead me to someone who needs

to hear the Gospel message from me.

Let me be bold to plan some seeds

that might help a blinded soul to see.

Help me to actively seek the lost

and point them to Christ on the cross.

Remind me, Lord, to count the cost

and consider all but You as loss.

40 Days to Live - Day 26

2009-03-15T21:33:00.003-05:00

Luke 14:25-35 - Carry Your Own Cross

Our student minister, Curt, preached this morning. The challenge was to count the cost and take up your own cross. In the Voice of the Martyrs publication, I read of people persecuted for their faith who have counted the cost and continued to carry the cross. I have friends who are with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Papua, Indonesia. They and their 5 children have had multiple cases of malaria, endured the flooding of their town, and many other hardships such as not being able to be stateside as their parents age. They have counted the cost and continue to carry the cross. The day may come, sooner than we probably think, when serving Christ in America will be more costly than it is today. If I cannot follow Christ in the relative comfort and ease we have now, how will I possibly remain faithful to Him when times get tough?

I wrote the following poem many years ago after a sermon series by Jimmy Draper, then pastor of First Baptist Church Euless. I once shared it with a group of singles gathered for a Bible study. We were meeting in the one bedroom apartment of our poorest member, seated on the floor for lack of furniture. I turned out the lights, had two guys "confiscate" Bibles as the group came in, and asked everyone to pretend we were meeting in secret. I then read the poem. Afterwards, I asked everyone to share memorized Scripture, hymns, choruses, and personal testamonies all without Bibles or notes.

WHAT IF?
Karen Sue Hale
1986

What would happen if an army came
and conquered our country and changed its name;
and suddenly all of the laws had been changed,
and it was now a crime to speak Jesus’ name?

What if they took our Bibles away;
made it a crime to worship and pray;
and we’d have to guard every word that we’d say?
Imagine it happened just yesterday…

Imagine the sorrow. Imagine the fear.
perhaps you might muster at least one small tear.
Imagine we’re meeting in secret here,
afraid of losing the ones we hold dear.

How would we comfort each other tonight?
Who has a word that would help in our plight?
Do you know some Scripture? I hope that we might
encourage ourselves in the spiritual fight.

I hope that we have Scripture memorized.
I hope that God’s word is part of our lives.
I hope we know songs and hymns line by line.
What is stored in our hearts, God would now bring to mind.

What if this nightmare were reality?
Would there be enough hope stored within you and me?
What if our Bibles were taken away?
What if it happened just yesterday?

But you say, “This couldn’t happen!” And I pray it never will.
Yet I tell you there’s a greater danger still…

What if the Christians just didn’t care?
They ceased to stand up. They ceased to be wary
of atheist creed and humanist teachers
and dozed apathetically before godly preachers.

What if the church were content to be
just one more wave on philosophy’s sea;
placidly drifting, not stirring the waves?
Not cold, nor hot, “lukewarm,” Christ would say.

What if we saw this sea full of sin
then comfortably watched as our neighbors fell in?
What if we heard the Word preached each Sunday
then promptly forgot it on the way to work Monday?

What if our church were really so dead
that the words of this poem drift over your head,
and you look at the next guy and say, “It’s his fault”?
Yet we’re all so lukewarm we’re neither light nor salt.

Perhaps, it would be better if an army came,
made it a crime to speak Jesus’ name,
and shocked us into the spiritual fight.
Please, brothers and sisters, pretend it could happen tonight.

40 Days to Live - Day 27

2009-03-14T14:02:00.002-05:00

Luke 14:1-24 - Compel Them to Come

Jesus healed those that others thought unworthy or unclean. He dined with tax collectors and sinners. He encouraged his followers to be humble, stating that the last shall be first and that those who would lead must be the servants of all. He told a parable of a man whose invited guests refused to come to a banquet, so he invited the poor, crippled, and homeless. I'm thankful that North Pointe Baptist has a ministry to reach our neighbors in apartment complexes, sometimes even taking a cookout to them and inviting all to dine. I'm thankful we are involved in prison ministry and helping with a local ministry that meets material needs. Because of my current situation taking care of my mom, it would be difficult for me to be actively involved in these ministries, but I can give them my prayer support and occasionally donate small items. However, I can take Christ outside the church building myself. I can take an encouragement card to the flower lady at the grocery store, share Christ with someone at Sams Club, or invite hurting friends to my home. I can be faithful to witness to those people placed in my path. Christ touched people right where they were, and so should I.

I'll share here a song on this subject that the Lord put in my heart a few years ago. The first impression I had was the title, "Portraits of People". The idea would not leave my head. So I prayed, "What people, Lord?" The answer that came to mind after a few days of diligent prayer was "people the Lord Jesus touched." So I began a study of people that Christ physically touched while here on earth. The result was the following lyric set to the most driving music I've ever written. (I'm usually 1960's folk rockish). When I sing it, I envision the scenes in my mind.

Portraits of People

The boy was so controlled by demons that he threw himself in the fire.

His father came and begged the Master to save his precious boy’s life.

Jesus didn’t say, “Clean him up, and bring him into the church.”

Instead He cast those demons out and touched him right there in the dirt.

Portraits of people for whom Jesus cared...

He’s called us to follow Him and His compassion share.

The woman had been bleeding for twelve terrible years.

She touched the hem of His garment as hope conquered her fears.

Jesus didn’t rebuke her for touching Him although she was “unclean”.

Instead He said, “Your faith has healed you. Daughter, you may go in peace.”

Portraits of people for whom Jesus cared...

He’s called us to follow Him and His compassion share.

He was just the servant of the man who’d have Christ killed,

but when Peter tried to defend our Lord, it was the slave’s blood he spilled.

Jesus did not say to him, “You got what you deserved.”

Instead He put that ear back on healing every vessel and nerve.

Portraits of people for whom Jesus cared...

He’s called us to follow Him and His compassion share.

Perhaps she may be dirty, or maybe he has AIDS...

Someone who’s been in prison or a homeless renegade.

How would Jesus touch them if he were here today?

In my heart I can’t believe He’d turn and walk away!

Portraits of people for whom Jesus cares...

He’s called us to follow Him and His compassion share.

40 Days to Live - Day 28

2009-03-13T14:39:00.002-05:00

Luke 13:31-35 - Pray for Revival

I own a DVD set that is the book of Matthew dramatized, but is word for word in the NIV version. When Jesus laments over Jerusalem and says he would have liked to gather its children under his wings like a mother hen, he is on the verge of tears. That's how I've always read this, that Christ was mourning their lost state. In 1987, I was studying an old testament passage (wish I'd written down which one) in which the prophet was weeping over his country. I had to ask myself, "Do we ever weep?". Please join me in praying for revival in our own hearts that will spill over to those around us and begin revival of God's people in our nation and an awakening that brings many to repentance.

DO WE EVER WEEP?
Karen Sue Hale
February 10, 1987

Do we ever weep
for the nation that is falling,
for the children who are calling,
the teenagers now crying?
And some of them are dying
to find someone who cares enough
to tell them the word “no”.

Do we ever, ever weep
for morality that’s crumbled?
Do we have a heart that’s humbled?
On our knees are we now praying;
or are those only words we’re saying,
thinking someone else will care enough
to follow God and go?

Will we sit and watch
while our world turns from the Father?
Are we too lazy to be bothered?
Wait for someone else to tell them
’cause we don’t think we can “sell” them
on the only One who cared enough
to die, His love to show.

Will we stay content
as church time only Christians?
Never have a sense of mission
for the people out there crying,
for our nation literally dying
for someone just to tell them
there’s a Savior they can know?

Oh, I hope that we’ll rise up
from our knees where we’ve been praying,
listening to the words God’s saying,
marching forth that we might serve Him
(keep in mind we don’t deserve Him);
and we’ll share His plan with others as we go.

40 Days to Live - Day 29

2009-03-12T14:19:00.002-05:00

Luke 13:22-30 - Face Eternity - see also John 14:6

Lord Jesus, I know I've been redeemed by your blood;

and I pray for friends and family that they, too, might know

that You are the only Door to the Kingdom.

Let my actions and words consistently show

that You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life,

and no one comes to the Father, but by You.

Please use my life to draw others to Your Kingdom.

Let my deeds and words be noble and true.

40 Days to Live - Day 30

2009-03-11T14:50:00.002-05:00

Luke 13:10-21 - Live Outside the Box

When I was teaching at Glenview Christian School, I had a spice jar of mustard seeds that I kept in my desk to show the students exactly how tiny they are. One year my 2nd graders decided I should try planting one. I protested that they were processed to be food and had been in my desk for years, so they probably wouldn't grow. The students dared me to try and had great faith that the seeds would grow, so I planted three of them. I explained to them that the type of mustard we have does not grow into trees but that it can take over an entire field if you let it go to seed. Two of my mustard seeds sprouted. When the plants were large enough to survive, I transplanted them from the little plastic cup into our 2nd grade garden. In a few weeks I had two rather large mustard plants beginning to bloom. As I did not want our garden overrun with mustard, I pulled up both plants. I took them home, stripped off the best leaves, and par boiled them. I poured off the first water and boiled them again with a little butter and salt. I took pictures of the process and the final mess of mustard greens on my plate. I reported to the class that our mustard greens were very tasty.

Father, when you show me what you want me to do,

let me not let convention, tradition, or skepticism stand in my way.

Help me to search your word, seek your face,

and do what you show me to do every day.

Take my faith that is so much like a mustard seed,

grow until it takes control of my being.

Let me lose myself in following you,

for the Holy Spirit's control is freeing.

40 Days to Live - Day 31

2009-03-10T12:45:00.003-05:00

Luke 13:1-9 - Value People, Bear Fruit

Sometimes I am guilty of measuring myself by what I think I see in other people. When I do this, I am falling short in two ways. First, I'm judging others, and second, I'm measuring myself by a smaller standard than God tells me to. The word says I am to "be holy, for HE is holy." Jesus is the standard I am to follow. I am to trust God to conform me to the image of Christ and not compare myself to others or judge them, but allow God to work in them as well.

Father, Master Gardener, please dig a trench around me.

Fertilize me with your word, let me drink it in.

Help me bear good fruit for you, increase my witness, Lord.

Let me not judge others; and instead, confess my own sin.

40 Days to Live - Day 32

2009-03-09T21:34:00.002-05:00

Luke 12:49-59 - Understand theTimes

I'm a little later than usual with my writing tonight, but I did read the passage this morning and have thought about it today. The "Live It" instruction was, "Approach today as if you have one month left on the earth." Wow. I'm not sure a followed that, but I thought on it throughout the day. My priorities would definitely change if I were told I had one month left to live this life. I would be much more diligent to share the gospel with everyone I meet and especially with my loved ones. I would cling to things less and value relationships more. I would also make sure everything was in order for whoever would take care of Mom. I would write letters for my granddaughters to read as they got older. I would be in the Word every day without fail. There's really no reason I can't do all of those things now. There is every reason I should because none of us are promised tomorrow. We eagerly await Christ's return but often forget He could call us home with our next breath.

Jesus, help me live each day as if it were my first,

drinking in your creation, having unquenchable thirst

to know you better, serve you more, live life abundantly.

Wake me refreshed each morning, thankful for all you've given me.

Jesus, help me to live each day as if it were my last,

sharing your gospel with everyone before the moment is past.

Not sweating all the small stuff, but focused on eternity.

Lord, focus my eyes on your kingdom and take my mind off me.

40 Days to Live - Day 33

2009-03-08T15:39:00.002-05:00

Luke 12:35-48 - Be Faithful with Today

Carpe Diem...But for whom am I seizing the day? If I am living only to satisfy my own desires, I am falling short of the glory of God. What would complete obedience look like in my life today? How might I be different, set apart from the crowd? How would this make me better prepared for the Master's return?

Lord, help me to seize the day...

not to satisfy my own desires,

but to be sure I fulfill what You require.

Lord, help me to put the past behind...

repent of every offense and sin,

receive grace and forgiveness, begin again.

Lord, help me to entrust you with my future...

Believe the truth revealed in your word,

Lay my worries beneath the cross of the Lord.

Lord, help me to seize each day...

Identify what you want me to do,

Go in your power and follow it through.

40 Days to Live - Day 34

2009-03-07T13:25:00.003-06:00

Luke 12:22-34 - Don't Worry, Trust God

This is a timely reminder for me to trust God to provide rather than fret about how to take care of Mom and myself on her income alone. God's word is true and His love everlasting. I can reflect back over my life and remember how he has provided for me in the past. When I first started teaching at Glenview Christian School my salary was $900 per month for the 9 months I taught ($8100/yr) with no income during the summer break. After that first year, I took a leap of faith and moved out of my parent's house. Over the years there my salary increased but never to the level of a public school teacher. But God was faithful to provide. One of my students had a grandmother who lost a drastic amount of weight. She gave me all her fat clothes - filled my car from floorboard to ceiling. I had enough "new" clothes and pajamas that I shared some with another friend who didn't have much either. I think I'm still wearing some of those things about 12 years later! She had great clothes! There was the time I was desperately in need of a retreat but could not afford the $60 to go with our singles. The singles' minister walked over to the school to tell me that someone had paid for my retreat anonymously! Over the years, I've always had food on my table, clothes to wear, and a roof over my head. God is faithful!

So at the present time, I know He'll provide for Mom and me as he has in the past. Mother has experienced this as well. Early in the their marriage, when my older sisters we small, a missionary preached at their church. Daddy told her he felt led to give his entire paycheck to help this missionary continue to reach people. She asked him who was going to feed his own children since they needed that money for groceries, but he was confident God would provide. On the way home, they decided to visit Dad's parents on the spur of the moment. Grandpa and Grandma were glad to see them because they had just purchased a side of beef and didn't have room for all of it in their deep freezer. They gave Dad more meat and vegetables from their garden than he and Mom could have purchased at the store. God is faithful!

What of the future? How will I ever retire since I spent years working in an environment with no retirement plan, spent other years working for the federal government (no Social Security paid in), and am now only taking enough of Mother's monthly income to pay my tithe, insurances, internet, phone, medical bills, with just a small amount left over most months. I cannot worry about that. It would be sin to do so. I need to rely on the fact that God has called me to this ministry of taking care of Mom just as He called me to teach in a Christian school for over 10 years. When the time comes that I can no longer work, God will provide. God is faithful!

Lord, help me to remember

the birds of the air.

They neither sow nor reap,

but are in Your tender care.

Let me reflect on

the flowers of the field.

They neither toil nor spin,

but glorious beauty they yield.

Remind me that being anxious

will not increase my life's span.

I need only to trust in You,

for You hold me in Your hand.

Lord, You know my needs,

and I know You'll provide.

Help me seek first Your kingdom

and on Your grace rely.

Lord, let not my treasure

be stored up in my closet.

But instead teach me

to make a heavenly deposit.

40 Days to Live - Day 35

2009-03-06T13:44:00.002-06:00

Luke 12:13-21 - Be Rich Toward God

The assignment for today is to "Give away something that you value to someone who needs it." As I read the passage and contemplated what I could give away that someone else might actually be able to use, God brought only one thing to mind...the dressing table stored in my garage. Why is it of value to me? It is the one of two pieces of furniture I still own that I personally chose and paid for. I bought it at an antique store as it was made in 1957, the year I was born. I have treasured it and refused to let go of it for the 8 years I've lived with Mom. I think that is why the Lord brought it to mind.

It is a dark wood, with a curved design, not flat like so much furniture today. It has a large drawer and a small drawer on either side of where you could put a chair in front of the mirror. In the middle there is a sectioned drawer that pulls out, perfectly made for storing cosmetics. That drawer also features a small mirror that lifts up. The large mirror that attaches to the back is beautifully designed. It is a lovely piece in good condition, but I have no place to put it in my mother's house. It would be perfect for someone who does not have room for a large dresser but could use a place to put lingerie, socks, etc. I would not be able to deliver to someone because it does not fit in my car, but I would be happy to give it to someone who could come pick it up. I'll take everything off of it, polish it up, and tighten the screws that hold on the drawer pulls. Perhaps one of my readers knows of a family that could use such an item but is unable to afford to buy one. Please contact me at 7609@att.net if you or someone you know could use this.

The rich man in the parable

made plans to store up what he owned.

"MY crops, MY grain, MY goods"

all of the things he had grown.

Not once did he think of sharing

with those nearby who lacked food.

Not once did he consider

the Lord's command to do good.

His treasure could all be stored in barns,

but he was not rich toward the Lord.

He did not store up treasure in heaven

according to God's holy Word.

Lord, help me be unlike the rich man.

Let me remember that things are not mine.

For all that I have, you've given me

to be used to your glory by your design.

Help me to let go of possessions.

Steer me away from all greed.

Help me never to miss the opportunity

to meet a brother's or sister's need.

Let my wealth not be stored in garages,

but rather treasure your Word in my heart.

Help me lay up treasure in heaven.

Draw me near you never to part.

40 Days to Live

2009-03-05T14:06:00.002-06:00

Day 36 - Luke 12:1-12 - Fear God Alone

Too many times I fail to share Jesus with someone because of fear. Fear of failure, fear of misunderstanding, fear of unacceptance. Somehow it is ingrained in me to worry about what others think. When I do this, I am fearing man. I subscribe to a monthly publication from Voice of the Martyrs. In it I read of brothers and sisters in Christ who have been beaten, burned, tortured because of their proclamation of the Word; and yet they continue to share Jesus to their own peril. How do I dare to tread lightly in a country where I am free to share?! These Christians know what it means to fear God and not man. They truly understand that man may kill their bodies, but God preserves their souls.

Father, you know me intimately,

my inmost thought as well as what I say.

You know I desire to be bold in You.

Help me to do so, I pray.

Remind me that you have the power

to preserve me through any trial.

You remember each tiny sparrow,

and I know You'll take care of Your child.

Lord, rid me of this fear of men;

and help me to fear only You.

Let me boldly proclaim the love of Christ

in all that I say and do.

40 Days to Live

2009-03-04T13:57:00.002-06:00

Day 37 - Luke 11:37-54 - Go Beyond Appearances

The pharisees were guilty of keeping up appearances instead of serving from the heart. They liked to pray loudly, wear large phylacteries (boxes with scripture inside worn on the arm or forehead), sit in the place of honor at gatherings, and anything else that would make them look important and righteous. However, they completely missed the point that our service is not to be seen of men but to be done to the glory of God. They enforced the tiniest detail of the law but forgot the most important commandments - "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind...You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37&29 NASV).

The people who have had the greatest impact on my life were those who served quietly in the background and from a heart filled with the Spirit. My parents were like this. Daddy served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He also headed up the building and grounds committee of our church when I was in junior high. In his case this meant doing much of the work himself and allowing me to serve alongside him. Mother was the head of the hostess committee, and I was allowed to help her set up the fellowship hall for Wednesday dinners, special gatherings, and wedding receptions. My parents were an excellent example of people who served the Lord with gladness, not to be seen by others, but to please the audience of One. I'm blessed to have such good examples.

My friend, George, from my former church was the person who turned on the heat or air and opened all the doors for Sunday services. He was a quiet man; but when he prayed, you felt the Spirit moving. When he retired from teaching, he became a janitor at the church.

My friend, Susan, often worked behind the scenes during the dinner theaters we performed each summer as an outreach ministry. Her cooking, serving, and cleaning were just as crucial to that ministery as my singing and attempting to dance; but hardly anyone knew she was there. She and my friend, Jennifer, used to carry my keyboard, guitar, and bag of music when we would minister in song at other churches. I was the lead singer and spokesperson, but their physical help and prayer support was what made reaching people possible.

The Lord has blessed me with many friends like this. I would do well to become more like them. Therefore, I'm going to post the lyrics to a song I wrote about them and in honor of all who serve unseen. Matthew 6:6.

FATHER SEES

You’re not the kind of person to stand in front of a crowd.
You may never preach a sermon, and you barely sing out loud.
Your service for the Lord is often behind the scenes;
and though you’re always hard at work,
people seldom see those things.

But Father sees...and Father knows...
Though your work seems unrewarded,
your heavenly treasure grows.
And someday soon the Lord you’ll meet,
and you’ll have the joy of laying crowns
at our precious Savior’s feet.
Father sees.

You always make the coffee after opening the doors,
and joyfully you carry out so many mundane chores.
The most important work you do is seldom ever seen...
when you do battle for us in prayer upon your knees.

(chorus)

You help prepare the dinner while on the stage I sing.
While I enjoy the crowd’s applause, you clean up everything.
But the thing that others never see
happening several times a week
is the way that you encourage me as the will of God I seek.

But Father sees...and Father knows...
Though your work seems unrewarded,
your heavenly treasure grows.
And someday soon the Lord you’ll meet,
and you’ll have the joy of laying crowns
at our precious Savior’s feet.
Father sees.

I remember as a little girl I’d stand upon your feet,
and then we’d walk together.
Oh, Dad, those times were sweet.
As a teen I helped you as you kept the churchyard clean.
Lovely grounds and building evidence
of a work that seemed unseen.

But Father sees...and Father knows...
Though your work seems unrewarded,
your heavenly treasure grows.
And someday soon the Lord you’ll meet,
and you’ll have the joy of laying crowns
at our precious Savior’s feet.
Father sees.

40 Days to Live

2009-03-03T13:08:00.002-06:00

Day 38 - Luke 11:27-36 Walk in His Marvelous Light

I just went to the optometrist this morning and discussed the possibility that I may develop glaucoma. Therefore, I need to return in 6 months to repeat a test I had today in order to determine whether I need to begin treatment with eye drops. Glaucoma gradually robs a person of vision starting with peripheral and moving in until a tunnel of light is left before becoming blind. However, it's very treatable with drops and, if necessary, surgical procedures. The important thing is to catch it early.

What does all this have to do with our 40 Days to Live study? God, in His grace and perfect timing, knew I would have my eye exam today. It is no coincidence that he gave me food for thought on the day when our instructions included "Confront any darkness that is trying to put out His light in you."

Father, you sent your only begotten Son

to die in payment for my sin.

After three days within the tomb,

You raised Christ to life again.

Wiser than Solomon, greater than Jonah,

the name of Jesus is greatest of all.

Only the Lord Jesus can save me

and make me stand when I'm prone to fall.

I have routine checkups and specialized tests

to prevent my eyes from growing dim.

Only Christ can prevent loss of spiritual sight;

so I must focus my thoughts on Him.

Lord, let your light so shine in me

that others are drawn to Your grace.

Take the lies of the world out of my mind.

Help me to seek only Your face.

Help me to identify darkness early

and remove it by the truth of Your Word.

Help me to be a light to the world,

to lead others to trust in You, Lord.

40 Days to Live

2009-03-02T13:18:00.002-06:00

Day 39 - Luke 11:14-26

Without the Holy Spirit, darkness would fill the earth.
Sin would run rampant, men devoid of self control.
For only though the indwelling of Your Spirit in me,
can I remain pure and be made completely whole.
Help me to give the Spirit absolute reign.
Guard my heart and mind, dear Lord.
Unholy thoughts try to lodge in my brain.
Lord cleanse me by the washing of Your Word!

40 Days to Live

2009-03-02T12:56:00.003-06:00

Yesterday my pastor, John Tyler, began a 40 day countdown of the final days of Christ. He has provided the congregation a study guide with a passage to read, questions to contemplate, and life changes to make for the next 40 days. The Lord willing, I intend to blog my responses each day. Some things may be too personal to post, but I plan to post what I can each day.

Day 40 - Change the Way You Pray - Luke 11:1-13

Father, help me to constantly remember that you are sovereign.
As your child and servant, I need to seek and submit to Your will.
Daily, may I be thankful for your provision for me.
Physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, I can count on You to fill.
As I wake in the morning, may I submit to You
My expectations, my hopes, and my dreams.
May I extend forgiveness as You've forgiven me.
May my love for others and Your Kingdom on earth be extreme.
With bold humility may I pray, Holy God,
until Your answer You make clearly known.
May I live in the spirit of prayer at all times,
boldly approaching your throne.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, O Lord,
That I might drawer nearer to You.
May others see Jesus as I walk through this world
In all that I say, all that I am, and all that I do.

Psalm 96 - The Trees Will Sing for Joy

2009-02-28T15:56:00.000-06:00

2009-02-28T15:48:00.002-06:00

My bubble gum colored crape myrtle may not sing for joy,

but its blooms are definitely a triumphant tribute to their Creator.

They brighten my front yard all summer long

causing me to rejoice in the Lord who satisfies my longing for beauty.

Sometimes it’s hard to understand why the Lord allows certain things.
I must remember he’s a righteous judge. Then in my joy, I will sing.
The day is coming when his truth will reign, and all the earth will be glad.
He will judge the world in righteousness, and justice will finally be had.
Rejoicing heavens, jubilant fields, a glad earth, and resounding seas
will be joined by all the trees of the forest, the rejoicing, singing trees.
Many times I do not understand the Lord’s mysterious ways,
But I can depend upon his love and trust him with all of my days.

Psalm 96 - Sing to the Lord a New Song

2009-02-26T21:14:00.002-06:00

This peony dwarfs the miniature roses.
In both I see the splendor
of God’s creativeness.
Great is the Lord!

Let the song of my heart be fresh every day.
May each morning bring a new reason to praise.
Lord, help me to proclaim your salvation and glory.
Wherever you lead me, may my lips tell the story
of your marvelous deeds among the children of men.
Open their ears that they may turn to you then.
For you, Lord, are great and most worthy of praise.
Help me follow your will and recognize your ways.
You made the heavens: your splendor amazes.
Your strength and your glory evoke my praises.
Each morning help me discover new reasons to praise.
Let the song of my heart be fresh every day!

2009-02-25T21:11:00.001-06:00

God created the intricacy of this white Iris as

well as the majesty of the mountains.

My backyard constantly reminds me God is worthy of all praise and worship.

I cannot help but sing and shout for joy to the Rock of my salvation.
I must come before him with thanksgiving, singing in exultation:
for he is ruler over everything, holding the world in his hands.
He made the sea, and from nothingness spoke into being dry land.
Join me in bowing down to pay homage, to worship the Lord, our maker.
For we are the flock that he shepherds, and he is our loving Caretaker.
Come let us sing for joy, let us shout to the all powerful King.
Give thanks with me to the Lord, our God, and thank him for everything!

Psalm 93 - Robed in Majesty

2009-02-18T12:54:00.002-06:00

Excellent things adorn you, O Lord.
With majesty you are clothed.
You are from all eternity,
your throne established long ago.

Mightier than pounding waves you are.
Your statutes firmly stand.
Your house is adorned with holiness.
I move at your command.

Psalm 86 - An Undivided Heart

2009-02-17T13:10:00.002-06:00

The purple leaves of this oxalis are almost heart shaped.

They grow in threes which reminds me of the trinity -

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

*****************************************************

Lord, teach me to follow you and walk in your truth.
May my inmost understanding be united to you.
Help me to be undivided in my devotion
and my love for you much more than emotion.

May my words, my songs, bring glory to your name,
and may my attitudes and actions do the same.
For your love for me is far beyond measure,
and my relationship with you is my greatest treasure.

Psalm 84 - House of God

2009-02-16T13:10:00.001-06:00

How blessed I am to know that I will dwell in your house,
in the place you are preparing for me.
I have put my trust, all my hope in you;
so someday jeweled gates and streets of gold I’ll see.
On earth my soul yearns, looking forward to the day
when your courts will forever be my home.
I run to you for refuge on life’s stormy days,
and my heart cries, even so, Lord Jesus, come.

Psalm 68 - Sing to the Lord

2009-02-15T14:21:00.001-06:00

I will strum my guitar and extol him who rides on the clouds.
I will play my piano and sing praise to his name out loud.
I rejoice before the Lord my God, and love to sing his praise;
The father of orphans, defender of widows, to him my song I raise.
From his holy dwelling, he saw my lonely heart.
So he sent two teenagers, so we could be a part
of a family crafted by a heavenly father who looked down on us in love.
And now I simply must raise my songs to our wonderful God above!
He gave this barren woman children; and has now made me a grandmother.
He is the one who rides on the clouds. I will praise him and no other.

About the Poems

2009-02-13T12:53:00.002-06:00

The poems I am posting right now are from my study of the Psalms. I have been reading and praying through the Psalms and working on a devotional book I'm calling Beauty in My Own Backyard. The photographs have been taken in my own yard over the last few years, and I continue to take pictures in and from my yard this year since I don't leave the house much because of my caring for Mother. Please let me know what you think about the poems and the pictures.

Psalm 67 - Our God Will Bless Us

2009-02-13T12:50:00.003-06:00

I am surrounded and awestricken by your marvelous grace!
You have delivered me from evil into the glow from your face.
I’m elated and sing for joy, praise to you I raise.
May others see your work in me and also lift their praise.
You guide the nations of the earth. Your rule o’er us is just.
May all the people praise you; may your blessing fall on us.
For you are worthy of our fear and worthy of our trust.

Psalm 63 - Thirsting for God

2009-02-12T13:44:00.003-06:00

Dew covered hostas in my backyard garden.

When my mouth is dry, my foremost thought is, “Water, I must have water!”
And thus my soul cries out to God, “I thirst for you! Come satisfy my soul!”
I pine for the Lord. I long intensely for intimacy with my Father.
My body cries, “Without you, my Lord, my Savior, I cannot be whole!”
I know my appetite for God, will be completely sated.
He promises to fill those who hunger and thirst for him.
Even during the night, I think of Christ and am elated.
I can sing his praise, and cling to the Lord, even when all seems dim.
The love the Lord gives is more precious than life, great is his mighty power.
So I will praise and glorify my King, giving him all of my days.
My passion will be devotion to Christ and trusting him every hour.
He satisfies my longings like a fantastic dessert. I reserve for him all my praise.

Psalm 61 - Sheltered

2009-02-11T13:29:00.001-06:00

This little owl visited our backyard one night and perched on a large rock in my flower bed. I could only hope he was there to eat insects and mice for me.
Owls shelter their young and even teach them how to hunt prey by dropping prey near them instead of bringing it right to the baby. They also model hunting for them.

When all I can do is shriek out your name, when my heart is too faint to go on,
I know I’ll be sheltered under your wings, guided to the Rock who is strong.
For Jesus will be my refuge, my strong tower to shelter from harm.
When I cry out, I know you will hear me, calm me, help me not be alarmed.

Psalm 47 - Sing His Praise

2009-02-10T13:16:00.000-06:00

I approach you as my Father, sometimes forgetting you are Lord Most High.
You made the earth from nothing. You control the clouds in the sky.
You alone subdue the nations, you are awesome and to be feared.
Yet you extend me the privilege of calling you Father, you who are to be revered.
I sing your praises; for you are worthy, terrible yet loving Lord.
I will sing to you a hymn of praise found written in your word.

Psalm 23

2009-02-09T13:32:00.001-06:00

2009-02-09T13:27:00.000-06:00

You are my Shepherd, my master, my caretaker;

and you will provide all I need.
You lead me to the deep water of your word

and allow me on your precepts to feed.
Your death on the cross enables me

to find the righteousness that God requires.
You guide me to be a witness to you,

so that men by your love will be inspired.
Even if I find myself near death on this earth,

I know I need not fear;
For your rod of correction and staff of protection

will comfort me as you draw near.
You lay out a banquet and welcome me,

lavishing more than I can hold.
You show me your favor in my enemies’ presence.

Confident in you, I am bold.
Your goodness, loving-kindness, and mercy

will be with me all of my years.
When you call me, I will be welcome forever

in your house where there are no more tears.

Psalm 1 - Like a Tree

2009-02-08T14:57:00.001-06:00

You tell me I’ll be happy if I avoid taking the advice of the ungodly,
standing placidly with sinners, or sitting down to rest with those who mock.
Rather, I am to take joy in studying your word, chewing on it throughout the day,
and deciding that the path I learn from your word is where I’ll walk.
Your word is for me like water to the trees, helping me grow and bear fruit.
Drinking deeply from your word will allow me to mature and not to faint.
The wicked man who is not in your word you describe as worthless chaff,
and a certain outcome of death is the picture of him you paint.
Because I have obeyed your word and am covered with the righteousness of Christ,
you tenderly watch over my path, guiding me to join you someday.
But the way of the wicked, those who reject your salvation,
will perish as chaff from the threshing floor blows away.

New Year's Song

2008-12-31T18:30:00.001-06:00

New Year’s Song – My Grandmother died in October 1985. I wrote this to sing at our singles’ New Year’s Eve party. I just wanted to be sure no one went away without understanding the brevity of life here and the importance of trusting Christ and leading others to trust him.

If this were to be my final night upon the earth,
I know that I’d have confidence that I’ve received new birth.
I know that I would be with You, Lord,
the moment that I died;
and yet to think that I could die tonight
my eyes fill up and cry...
Because there’s so much here to do.
I have some friends and family who still do not know You.
And even though I say with Paul. "for me to die is gain;"
for then I’d be with Jesus Christ, and I would have no pain;
I must also say with Paul, "for me to live is Christ."
So if I’m given one more day please let me live my life
in praise to You, dear Lord,
telling others what You do through Your word
making sure that all my friends have heard
bearing witness to the world about Your love.

If this were to be Your final night upon the earth,
would you have the confidence that you’ve received new birth?
Do you know you’d go to heaven if you died tonight?
If not, I pray you’ll open up your heart to Jesus Christ...
Because there’s so much love right here.
You could have a brand new life to start a brand new year.
There are people here who’d love to show you how to start.
Just come to one of us if God is speaking to you heart.
Then we will show you in His word how you can know him too.
Believe me when I tell you it’s the best thing you can do
to give your life to Christ, to allow Him to come in
and change your life so that you can know for sure tonight
that you will see heaven’s light because of love.

If this were to be your final night upon the earth,
do you have the confidence that you’ve received new birth?

Christmas Poem by a Soldier's Mom

2008-12-24T09:58:00.002-06:00

I sent this poem in with my son's Christmas card when he was serving in Iraq. Praise the Lord, he's home now; but I put it here to remind us all to pray for those sons and daughters still serving in Iraq and Afghanistan this Christmas.

Peace on earth, good will toward men,
Tidings of comfort and joy…
These words seem trite in the Christmas cards
To send to Iraq to my boy.
But I know that the peace we have in this world
Is a peace that settles within
When we trust in our heavenly Father
And the power that comes from Him.
And the Lord has sent us His good will
In His ambassador, His Son,
Who from the cross cried “It is finished!”
His mission on earth was done.
Tidings of comfort God brings to me
As I pray for my only boy.
God’s only Son was sent on a mission,
So I can share tidings of joy.
He’s no longer the Babe in the manger…
He’s my rock, my fortress, my defense;
And knowing my son is in His loving hands
Overcomes fears most immense.
Peace on earth, good will toward men,
Tidings of comfort and joy…
I no longer hesitate to send that card
To Iraq to my only boy.

Incarnation Contemplation

2008-12-16T16:15:00.001-06:00

A long time ago in Bethlehem
a tiny Babe was born,
the King of kings and Lord of lords
on earth in mortal form.
What did it mean for Christ to come
to walk on earth as man?
And what is the significance
of this part of God’s plan?
I’ve often thought it interesting
that Christ came as a child,
a little, tiny baby,
helpless, meek, and mild.
But since He came in just that way,
I know He understands
every small frustration
of living as a man.
He understands the growing pains
of our own little ones;
although when He was 12 years old,
He knew he was God’s Son.
He knows just how it feels
to go through difficult teen years.
He knows the loss of friends through death.
He knew pain, and He cried tears.
My Jesus knew temptation
and yet remained sin-free.
He was the perfect sacrifice
who died for you and me.
And so we celebrate each year
the coming of our King.
Because He came with love for us,
His praises we will sing.

February 10, 1983

Hectic Holiday

2008-12-15T14:24:00.002-06:00

Things have been a big crazy around here trying to prepare for last Saturday night's family Christmas celebration and to get ready for surgery this Thurs, Dec. 18th. Therefore, I haven't tried to send out Christmas cards this year. I'll try to post a few more Christmas poems in the next 2 days, and then I'll probably be offline for at least a week as I recouperate.

Everyone, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Remember that Christ came to change lives, and allow Him to work in you and through you to His glory!

Christmas Lists

2008-12-12T13:41:00.000-06:00

As a child I wanted Teddy bears and trains,
a stocking filled with oranges, nuts, and candy canes;
but as I grew up the things I wished grew harder to obtain.

I found the things I wanted most (back then as well as now),
that seemed the hardest to obtain, intangible somehow,
are found in Jesus Christ our Lord when we before Him bow.

Christmas Touch

2008-12-10T13:58:00.001-06:00

A simple touch
can mean so much
in time of human need.
I want to thank
each one of you
for times that you’ve touched me.
For isn’t that
what God has done
in sending us His Son?
At Christmas
He reached down His hand
and touched us, every one.

A Christmas Prayer

2008-12-09T23:15:00.000-06:00

Dear Father,

It’s Christmas time again, and there is so much to distract me.
there’s a rehearsal, a musical, or a party almost every night.
There are presents that need to be purchased,
and, of course, they’ll need to be wrapped.
And with all this hustle and bustle,
I long for that “long winter’s nap.”
It’s Christmas time again, and I’m feeling just exactly
like I need to sprout some wings and fly so that I might
keep up with the schedule before me
and make it to each thing on time.
I covet just ten precious minutes
to sit and have peace of mind.

Slow me down.
Help me be still
and to know that You are Lord.
Help me make
the time each day
to meditate on Your word.
Focus me
Your will to see
and draw me near to You.
Be my guide
close by my side
In all that I say and do.

Christmas Melodies

2008-12-01T13:14:00.000-06:00

Christmas is full of melodies
that strike the chord of memory
reminding us of Jesus Christ
who came to give for us, His life.

Philippians 2:6-8

Christmas Reflection

2008-11-28T21:39:00.001-06:00

Almost every year I write a Christmas poem. I'll share a few in the days to come.

Merry Christmas!
Reflect this year at Christmas on what the Lord has done for us.
He gave up Heaven's glory to walk on this earth's dust
As a tiny baby, placed Himself in mortals' hands.
He could have trod the streets of gold, but chose to walk in sand.
He spent His life in service to those who should have served:
Then he hung upon the cross and took what we deserved.
So, as we think of what he gave to us by coming here,
Let us purpose in our hearts to live differently next year.
May our resolution be commitment to our Lord,
Renewed determination to live according to His word.

What Lies Within - July 22, 2002

2008-11-23T14:01:00.000-06:00

People spend a great deal of their lives fretting over events they cannot change. We cannot undo mistakes already made, nor can we completely insure a positive future. Yet we dwell on what has been and what will be instead of living in the present. I understand this phenomenon because I have wasted considerable time regretting my past and worrying about my future.

Perhaps I should have worked harder in high school and tried to be valedictorian, or maybe I should have had more fun instead of working as hard as I did. I carried around a load of bitterness from my divorce for years after the fact. I felt I had missed out on the possibility of studying at Cambridge or having some other overseas adventure by staying here to marry when my parents moved to England. As years of singleness rolled by, I wondered if I’d missed my chance to have children (I hadn’t, but that’s another story of God’s grace). I can’t count the number of times I’ve questioned getting my bachelor’s degree in music education.

I’m equally good at stressing over things that haven’t happened and may never happen. I suffer from the “what if” syndrome. What if I never remarry? What if I don’t have enough money in my retirement fund? What if my car conks out before I have money saved up for a down payment? What if I have cancer and don’t know it? What if I tell everyone I believe God has led me to write and nothing ever gets published?

God clearly tells us that dwelling on the past or being overly concerned about the future are counterproductive to living a life of peace, power, and joy. Paul writes, “…forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13b-14) He is leaving his past behind and moving toward a secure future. In what has become known as “The Sermon on the Mount”, Jesus admonishes us not to worry about our food or clothes or tomorrow. He tells us to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness and ends by saying, “Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:25-34)

I’ve always struggled with how to do these things, but recently I came across a quote that God used to open my eyes. It was not a scripture verse or something said by a famous theologian. It wasn’t even in a book by a popular Christian author. As I was reading my notes in a traveler’s journal used to record the events of a mission tour in Europe, this printed page topper jumped out of the book:

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

God immediately began to reveal what lies within me. God in the person of the Holy Spirit is within me, and He is more powerful than any problem in the world (I John 4:4b). Jesus teaches us that we are to be in Him like the branches are in a vine. When we are staying close to Him in this way, then He pours into us His life and the ability to do what He has given us to do each day (John 15:5). Jesus prayed for us, His future followers, that we would have unity as He is in us and God is in Him (John 17:20-23). In reality, I no longer live my own life, but Christ is living in me (Galatians 2:20). “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me – I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me, [that is, I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]” (Philippians 4:13, Amplified Version).

Even though I was certain that Christ indwells me, I still found myself asking how to tap into the power He has promised. The answer again was “what lies within us.” I have been instructed to treasure God’s word in my heart in order to avoid sinning against Him (Psalm 119:11). If I have hidden in my heart the fact that I am to “be anxious for nothing,” but instead make my needs known to God, He will use that knowledge to remind me to replace worry with prayer. If I have memorized Romans 8:1, I know that since I have trusted Jesus, God does not condemn me; nor should I condemn myself. The psalmist says, “I rejoice at Thy word, as one who finds great spoil” and “Those who love Thy law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble” (Psalm 119:162 & 165).

How can I plug into the Lord’s supply of grace for my past and my future? When I am tempted to fret, I will take my needs to God. My worry log will become my prayer list. When I catch myself dwelling on the past, I will focus my attention on memorizing scripture about forgiveness, assurance of salvation, and God’s control. I will spend more time abiding in Him and letting “the word of Christ richly dwell” within me (Colossians 3:16). God will enable me to trust Him with what lies behind me and what lies ahead of me as I become more sure of Who lies within me right now and forever.

Psalm 103 - Praise the Lord, O My Soul

2008-11-16T13:43:00.003-06:00

2008-11-15T13:41:00.000-06:00

RE-CREATED
based on Ephesians 3:20-21 - May 12, 1985

I tried in vain to remodel my life,
to cover up all of its pain and its strife.
I’d put on a smile and a good attitude.
I’d try to be positive; try to be good.
But try as I might, my life didn’t change.
The same old me was just rearranged.

But God didn’t want to remodel my life;
to simply paint over the pain and the strife.
Instead, he created a whole new me;
made me what I never thought I could be.
Exceedingly, abundantly beyond all I thought
God’s Spirit for me a new life has wrought.

A Woman's Call to Prayer

2008-11-13T13:44:00.000-06:00

Christian women, God is calling you to pray,
Not just in a crisis but every single day.
We have a mighty power when we call on Jesus’ name,
And as we stand upon His word, we will not be dismayed.

Single woman, pray for yourself
And for your friends in the Lord
That you’ll stay true to His word
To live in purity and faith a life that’s clean.

Young wife, pray for your man
as he walks out the door,
that he’ll follow the Lord
not just at church, but at home and work and in between.

Mothers, pray for each child,
As he takes his first walk,
As she first learns to talk,
That Christ will draw them ever closer to His side.

Grandmas, keep praying for your kids,
And the grandchildren they raise
That the Lord they’ll learn to praise
And that your family ever near Him will abide.

Childless woman, pray for the ones
To which you give your mother love
For God has blessed you from above
With unconditional love He has given you to share.

All women, pray for the souls
Who seem to have no one to pray
Who so easily stray
That the Lord will help them see how much he cares.

Christian women, you can change your world
Not by following flags unfurled
But by standing on the word of God and falling to your knees
To call upon the power of God who loves, and cares, and sees.

Thoughts Over a Pumpkin Spice Latte

2008-11-12T13:24:00.002-06:00

It's my favorite time of year again - Autumn. Multi-hued leaves blowing in the breeze, cool evenings, and Starbucks has my favorite drink again! Here are my thoughts from last year while drinking my favorite drink at the in store Starbucks at Target:

Sipping expensive coffee in the “Baptist bar,”
Listening to Jazz as I drink my decaf down;
Watching the people passing by in the store,
I see so few smiles, so many frowns.

I wonder what would happen if I walked about smiling
At each passerby if I know her or not.
Would it brighten her day, would it make a difference?
Or would she be thinking, “Is she off her rocker or what?”

I think I’ll go try just greeting these strangers,
Smiling and trying to spread some good cheer.
I’ve had my tall latte; I’ve bolstered my courage.
Here I go overcoming timidity and fear.