Be Who You Are

You don't have to lower
your lids in fear
ashamed about
your presence here.

Don't be afraid
to live your part
to speak the truth
that's in your heart.

We each hold pieces
of the truth;
there is no other
one like you.

The world's approval
soon is past,
just for the moment,
fading fast.

Work instead
for fruit that lasts.
Make the most
of what you have.

Share the gift
that's yours alone.
Give it freely
for all to own.

Don't worry
that it has no worth.
Who knows
how it might heal the earth?

Let us all
be unafraid
to be the wonders
God has made.

Joy

This day is sacred to our Lord.  Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

                     
                                                                   Nehemiah 8:10

 I have battled depression for as long as I can remember.

 Losing my precious baby brother (he was 27 at the time, but still precious) the same year I lost a dear friend to breast cancer only deepened what felt at times to be an unbearable burden of darkness.

That was 12 years ago and the darkness still comes and goes with uncomfortable regularity.

But so does the joy of the Lord and I know that no matter how many times the darkness assaults me, He has promised I will not be defeated.

There are days I have to cling to that promise with every shred of faith that I've been given but I have never been completely forsaken, even when I felt like for sure that I had.

God is faithful and true to His Word.  If there is anything I have learned in these last 12 years, it is that fact.

God's Word has given me hope in the darkest of nights.

God's Word has given me joy in the simplest of pleasures.

God's Word has given me peace in the most improbable of times.

I know without a doubt that God's Word is living and active and that it may even have saved my very life.

Whatever your problem, there is a timely and perfect solution waiting for you in God's Word.

Blessings to you in your search!

Praise Him

The seabirds sing
their praise to Him
as joyfully
they dart and skim.
They trust
He always will provide
spring, summer, fall
or stormy tide.
Persistently they live
each day
as patiently they seek
their way,
their fill alone,
no more, no less,
just what they need
to be at rest.
They live to be
and not to kill
to seek, to find
and to be still.
Meanwhile in places
far and near
our murderous greed
kills someone dear
as men determine
to control
without considering
the whole -
but only what
they choose to own,
forget this world
is not their own.

Dear Lord, please heal
our broken hearts.
Remind us whose
we truly are.

Thank You, God

Thank You, God,
for eyes to see
the beauty of
Your artistry.

Thank You, God,
for ears to hear
the singing birds
which You hold dear.

Thank You, God,
for words to speak
and call upon You
when I'm weak.

Thank You, God,
for hands to write
of things that can't
be seen by sight.

Thank You, God,
for legs so strong,
a heart to sing
in endless song
Your promise of
unending love,
peace, joy and wisdom
from above.

Choice

He promises He will not quench
 a dimly burning wick
or leave me lone in my despair
so heavy, dark and thick.
He sets my feet back on the path,
 the Way of life and peace.
He takes my hand and leads me on
until the storm swells cease.
His tender touch brings quiet hope
and stills my racing thoughts.
His gentle presence strengthens me
and helps me pay the cost -
the cost of being given life,
to leave behind the wrong for right,
to move from darkness into light.
There always is the choice.
Lord, strengthen please
my feeble knees;
empower me to stand
strengthened by the hope I find
by clinging to Your hand.

A Prayer for Strength

Golden limbs of autumn
sheltering the way
bringing joy back to my soul
proclaiming a new day.

Tender twists of memories
rest on the faded bench
reminding me of where I've been
this journey inch  by inch.

I sense the Spirit's presence near
in blazing brilliant swells
remembering God's mighty hand
that rescued me from hell

replaced the fear with life and health
infused me with new breath
bringing hope back to my heart
and silencing the death.

I pray now for the strength I need
to make the wisest choice
to set aside all worldly things
and listen for God's voice.

Lord, strengthen me
to do your will
to live a truthful life
to have the courage to believe
the will to pay the price.

Hope

God of grace and glory
You are filling me with light.
The mourning dove
and sunny birdsong
chase away the night.
The looming questions dissipate
in sunlight's warming beams;
the pressing task of joyful hope
leads me toward a dream -
a dream I pray
that comes from You
and draws me
to Your side
where I can live and breathe
Your Love
which in all things abides.