Do You Know Whom To Turn To When You Are Overwhelmed?...July 31, 2012

Do You Know Who To Turn To When You Are Overwhelmed?

Psalms 61:2

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed? I mean really overwhelmed, by life, by circumstances beyond your control, just listening to the media can bring overwhelming grief.

The feeling of being overwhelmed is not new, nor is it unknown to the Christian. Remember even Elijah became overwhelmed, and right after he’d seen God do a great work. (1 Kings 19:4)

Turning the television on to “catch the news reports”, or even just to “check the weather” can be depressing, frightening, grievous and just downright overwhelming. Overwhelming to the point our heart just hurts. Case in point the senseless murders and other random crimes that happen on a daily bases. The most recent high-profile case being the shooting incident at a theater in Colorado, that left 12 dead and many more seriously injured.

How do you find comfort or give comfort when something so horrible happens? Really it is near impossible, for any of us to truly comfort anyone when something so hard happens. Because death is so final and painful for those of us left behind. It is heartbreaking to have no words for someone who is truly overwhelmed. It is the same when we ourselves are overwhelmed, when we are at the end of our rope; we need a glimmer of hope.

When the David wrote this Psalm he states that “when my heart is overwhelmed” …”…I will cry unto thee”. He also states in the next verse that God has been a strong tower and shelter to him.

Psalms 61:3

For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

This Psalms is comforting because it is saying there is someone that you can turn to, someone who is unmovable, who is steady. Christ is all of that he is someone who will never change, or move from what is true. He is someone we can call out to, at any time from where we are.

When tragedy strikes unexpectedly as it often will, we can turn to the Psalms to draw strength and comfort. We can also point others to Christ by showing them from scriptures those who have been deeply hurt, or greatly discouraged, but God strengthened and encouraged them.

From Psalms we can also remind ourselves that we are safe, and secure, no matter how bad things are, when we’ve built our trust, faith and hope on the Lord. True peace and safety comes only from the Lord.

Even as this corrupt world continues to darken we can know that our eternity is secure if we’ve truly accepted Christ. It is when we are sure of our own eternity that we are most able to help those who face the horrible tragedies that come from living in a lost and corrupt world.

We can fully apply this last verse to our lives when we remember that whether we live or die, if we are a child of God, our safety is sure.

Psalms 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety

"Redundancy, Spider's and King's Palaces"...June 2012

Proverbs 30:28

“The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.”

Speaking of spiders, have you ever stopped to look at the intricate detail of a spider’s web?

Walking in the woods or fields of an early morning just as the sun is venturing over the horizon; often enough you may see a spider’s web as the dew has not yet settled.

Appreciation for the dedication, determination, consistency and artful work of the spider’s web, generally ends, right at your door, or when the spider’s web is in your pathway. Brushing away the work of a spider is not common. It is also just as common for the spider to rebuild in the exact same place, over and over again.

 While there are many very good reasons to avoid spiders, and to not allow them to remain inside your home, we can learn something from the spider.

First, the spider makes her home where she finds herself. The dedication of the spider is expounded on for us in this verse.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Never, will you see of find a spider complaining or sulking about the task before her. Not even if her home is swept away repeatedly. She will just gather herself together and begin once again, with the same determination, and dedication that she had before.

This is something that is often very hard for us, because we are not spiders, and our resolve to continue, can and will often falter. Especially when our focus is wrong, or when circumstances, illness, or another move comes up. Life in and of itself can be very difficult, and trying at times. Redundant I know, but life is often redundant.

Redundancy is easily enough found. Think of how many times you wash dishes, brush your teeth, make your bed, remind you kids of various things, how many times you take the garbage out, and so on. Life is redundant.

How we deal with redundancy however, is what the world sees. Do we complain when we find more dirty dishes after we have just cleaned the kitchen, or are we thankful, that we have food to eat, dishes to eat the food on, and a sink to place the dishes in. Do we complain about making up our beds, or are we grateful we have a bed to make, and a home to live in. Do we make up our beds as neatly or do we take our bed for granted? Remember the spider she applies the same dedication to every web she spins as she did with her very first web.

Consistency in our lives, in all areas even in the smallest of areas, not only helps us to do the redundant chores of life well, but helps us, when we must relocate, or when we have unexpected guests. Consistency with a daily schedule helps to make all areas of our life easier.

Psalms 119:88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindnes; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

Trusting In God's Will ............June 2012

Trusting In God’s Will

Solitary tears silently fall.

As the silent night drowns out our whispered call—

Our beloved so far, yet in our heart so near—

Separation, anxiety parades a lonely tear.

Hearing condemning voices err, encouraging voices echoing old refrains.

How is it no one lingers when distance our heart strains.

Turning once, and again, wiping away the silence, we lay our burdens down.

Praying, trusting in God’s will for our lives, even as the night clouds drift across town.

Twilight has fallen, the fields so ripe.

Trusting, God’s will, how shall we gripe?

Laying our burden down, we lift our eyes teardrops soon to be forever dry.

Strength and wisdom, lovingly our Lord provides, hearing our every cry.

For our soldier so far away we pray.

Praying for safety, for strength, but have we remembered it might not be God’s will our soldier stay?

In strained silence, we listen as a knock we hear on our door.

So many have returned, so many have not, the knocking continues, graciously we have told others we know the score.

Today, our resolve, our confidence is shaken; as our tears begin to fall.

Officers at our door, we never truly believed we would receive this final call.

Knowing our soldier died valiantly, knowing he was fighting for us, should lessen the pain.

We know we should be proud, we need to be strong, yet, today our tears fall like rain.

We have told all our friends how we trusted our God in all things, accepted His will.

Today, our testimony walks alone, stabbing pain lingers, as we face deaths final chill.

Accepting God’s will, it is so easy, when no fatal sacrifice has been made.

Our heart breaking never so clearly have we known God’s sacrifice for us as in death He paid.

Paying all our debt that we might be free—

Once we said we believed, said we trusted His will for our lives, yet, sacrifice until today we did not clearly see.

Separated for a time we thought.

Nothing major, we would get by, knowing some die, never fully believing we would see our freedom bought.

Death so sudden, death so unexpected even though it’s opportunity is known.

Finality certain, yet how we’ve squander our days, forgetting so often the seed that must be sown.

As our tears fall like rain, suddenly we are reminded of the words we’ve oft said.

Washing our face, once again we remember our words, we remember the promises we’ve read.

Our testimony on the line, yet not ours alone, dying to self, we open our eyes and see.

“The fields are white unto harvest”, so many have never heard, though our trial may linger harsh for Christ we must bear witness, a faithful testimony.

“…Not my will, but thine,…” and we remember it was God’s will.

Once and again, we are reminded that the Lord is ever faithful, as all have an appointed time, so in faith we must remain still.

In gleeful pride when all has gone well, we give thanks to God.

Yet, how are we not as Job, who said “the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. …” are we not odd?

We tell so many others to believe to trust God’s will, but do we remember that upon every door the first death must come to call?

Calling once, upon all those who have truly accepted the gift freely given, calling twice on those whose voice their final rejection as into deaths arms they fall.

Rejecting the gospel that’s presented so clearly by all creation, rejecting the Christian testimony that wavers, rejecting what they cannot see.

Praying so oft for the lost, did you not think that some will never believe lest they see your faithful testimony.

Not the testimony given when life is good, not the testimony when life is weary, but the testimony shown when Satan has knocked you to your knees—

My dear friend, your testimony so strong, faithful, and true, never shines so much as when in your darkest hour to the Lord your praises cross the night’s seas.

Praying faithfully for another, pray also if that unwelcome knock ever to your door comes, you will not be persuaded to curse God and die.

Always a witness for Him must remain, my dear it is through your fiery trial that your testimony may another lead far from that second death, of which so many fail to warn, my child God has heard your cry.

No stronger testimony can you give, no clearer witness can you define, than to accept God’s will when it is clearly not your own.

With your tears many fields will soon be sown.

Summer Time a Delightful Time of Year (assignment write a summer time poem)

This was a writing assignment (write a summer time poem) 2012


Sumer Time a Delightful Time of Year


Fireflies, sparkle beneath the trees.
A soft-breeze whispers singing soft melodies.

Summer skies bright and cheery-
How soon is lifted the past winters burden, that left many weary.

Summer a promise, a renewed hope, sealed with cheer.
How the water does shimmer and shine, the oceans sparkle in places, yet so clear.

Summer a brilliant destiny sown once and again, filled with many delights.
Encouragement seen from earliest dawn to the nights, latest blinding lights-

Summer a time of warmth, a time of outdoor picnic's, of camping, of visiting.
Summer such a wonderful time to sing.

Summer it is so very near.
For winter we'll shed nary a tear.

Summer time, it's coming, are you my friend ready to go outside?
Such a delightful time it is to go for a long summer ride.





Summer Time a Delightful Time of Year

6/6/2012

Summer it is such a peaceful time of year, this is written for the assignment "Summer Time Poem". I hope this reminds you of summers catching fireflies, visiting, camping, and having a relaxing fun summer.

A poetry assignment for Father's Day 2012

A Little About My Daddy, Who Died Far Too Soon

Going for a walk,
Just to talk.

Walking all over town-
Walking, walking, walking words flow unbound.

Seems such a long time ago now, we walked everywhere.
Walking, just to talk, walking to shop, walking to get some air.

Such a long time ago, you held out your hand.
Holding your thumb, I walked across the sand.

Walking it was what you did to rest.
Fishing is what you loved best.

Reading, reading, reading, from daybreak till twilight
Stacks of books by your chair, cigarette in your mouth, cups of tea wash away the night.

Every day, you read so much, sitting in your chair.
Yet, some day's to the park we go, walnuts to gather, paper kites we send into the windy air.

Staying awhile you linger as a statue, unbending, in silence moodiness gathers.
Soon a decree is declared, a divorce and you're but a memory left in tethers.

Gone away, we see you no more for many days.
Then once and again, we see you along our pathways.

First you're here, now you're gone, then you're back again, a cycle of broken promises, I assume.
Then finally you're gone for many years, but time, and circumstances your life consume-

We see you again, but briefly, then away to a detainment cell you flee.
Wishing constant companionship, in mental delusion, in ignorant pride accept a plea.

Guilty or not, it makes no sense, as a stroke left you paralyzed all along one side.
Sitting, alone you stayed year after year, choosing some other guide.

Finally from your detainment cell you are released.
Yet, to a world you cannot comprehend, your health has failed, your mind is not pleased.

Somehow, you believe you'll once and again regain time lost.
How it is you never truly believed the cost?

Staying with one then another, hardly believing the Reaper was stalking you.
Fleeing away once and again, you linger in rue.

Pleading once, pleading twice, asking your children to come, as you wish to say a final goodbye.
A final goodbye, a thankful heart filled with unrelenting pain, yet, too ashamed to cry.

Forgiveness, standing waiting pleading for you, did you ever truly accept this free gift?
The gift of life for all eternity, did you finally to Christ forever your eyes lift?

Dear Daddy, praying for you, I prayed, dear daddy did to Christ you ever finally go?
Perfect you were not, but then neither are any which is why all who enter must go under the blood flow.

Under the flowing blood of Christ that was shed for you, and for me.
Dying, He paid, buried He sealed, risen He completed all that was needed to set free.

Dear Daddy, I remember you.
Dear Daddy, I prayed for you that you might be free from unending rue…






A Little About My Daddy, Who Died Far Too Soon

6/6/2012

This poem is a little about my daddy, who died not too very long ago. I could have wrote more and maybe I will sometime, but probably not today.

Earth Day...............a poetry assignment from 2012

http://voices.yahoo.com/earth-day-11231652.html?cat=47



Earth Day



Today is a bright and new day.
The sun has shined, the wind has blown
The rain has danced the rainbow smiles across the bay.
The harvest has been sown.

The pine trees wave as the wind tosses the ocean waves once more
The mountains tremble just a bit, perhaps a mere chuckle?
The snow falls, the ice melts soon summer heat will whistle from just outside the door.
The birds soar, the butterflies prance, and the bees fly from honey suckle to honey suckle.

A small child wanders out into a meadow.
A young couple smiles and says "I do".
The stars fade, and the night begins anew, and soon once again will come the snow.
Searching for lost time, the widow forgets the rue, as memories float across the skies so blue.

A grave once again, stands open, a casket is sown.
As a seed once planted now "the Harvest" will ever bloom
To dance on the streets of gold, or perhaps a soul to horrors untold has flown.
Sweeping the cobwebs away, life once again resumes.

Tears shine, and fade.
Laughter so loud, so silent-
As today we walk this Earth, seeking some new fancy to wade
How soon we forget, this world, to this Earth, we are only for a moment lent.

Lent but for a moment in time.
Treasure each and every day; leave every space in better shape.
Remember what you leave behind it is of no value, if sown upon the "material dime".
My dear friend, I've told you once, and yet I've lingered to say once again, from eternity there is no escape.

Choose wisely my friend.
Treasure your days, plan for the future, love with passion.
Yet, remember my friend the festivities of this day you celebrate will one day end.
Earth day, it is a treasure, a day to shine.

Yet, how dim is your treasure if this worlds treasures you worship, celebration of times, seasons and days.
Plant a tree, plant a garden, celebrate your world, keep your space clean remember only the outside is seen.
Earth as we know it will one day pass away, will we have shown any what "His" word says?
We laugh, we mock, how we forget every seed planted will sprout; will our "dust" be the final bursting seam?

Once and again Earth Day it is we celebrate, plant a tree, plant a garden, remember the final Harvest.
Clean up your space, inside and out, for someone's watching you.
Look away one, look away twice, your testimony follows you, someone's watching you, someone's riding your crest.
Earth Day will one day, be no more than a distant memory, this it is abundantly true.

As you stand silently, amazed at the beauty all around you, remember all creation shows "His Hand".
Today, through a darkened glass we gaze, tomorrow, brilliance we'll see.
Today, as yesterday, I extend to you a helping hand.

As you celebrate Earth Day, remember you can be truly free.

Freedom my dear friend, you say you have obtained, this I hope it is true.
However, my dearest and best, how can you be free if to this world you cling?
Share, prosper, and treasure the things you have, yet hold lightly to this world of rue.
Listen silently; listen closely, for soon will the final bell for you ring.

Time my friend marches steadily on, never waiting for you, nor me.
The mountains, shake, they tremble too, seeing what we cannot, the grass soon to be turned into the final fire.
The wind whispers, the storms scream, all creation shouts, all creation warns, yet, still many walk in pride never free.
Time my friend; it is fast coming to an end, will you this Earth Day, not tremble, and bow the knee, do you not know the situation for the lost it is dire?







Earth Day

4/19/2012

Every day is special, no day however is more special than the day, that the lost soul has been set free.

A poetry assignment for Easter

http://voices.yahoo.com/easter-not-so-long-ago-distant-shadow-11145070.html?cat=42





 Easter Not so Long Ago, a Distant Shadow



 Excitement fills the early morning air.
As we get up and begin to search, searching high and low.

As one after another discovers yet another colorful basket, still one remains.
Hidden behind the forbidden glass, mockingly hiding with flair-

Pretty candies, trinkets and toys fall from overflowing baskets, still for one the search goes on.
Searching high, searching low, finally pressing of the nose against the window glass, the final basket is found.

The last Easter basket hunt of the day, before the terrible nightmare began, so many long years past-
An unopened camera carried for many day's waiting till the okay would be given, yet in vain was the wait.

Waiting years, the plastic it remained, yet faithful to wait till at long last the final Easter Basket gift was lost to time untold.
Other Easter baskets I'm sure may have passed through that child's hand, but never again would excitement fill the air.

The gift once so treasured and now remains behind the shadowy windows of times past.
A dim and dwindling memory of a child who lived on the third floor apartment right down town, shadows only now remain.

Friends and family from that time long since gone away, was that Easter really so long ago.
Dyed eggs, candies and toys, all filling baskets, waiting for play, all so long ago…

Who knew, who could know that thirty odd years would pass, and time would reveal cruel hearts.
Time has passed, so too, will the lingering memories one day.

Easter now, for that long ago child is not made of trinkets, candies and hidden baskets filled with woe.
Today, Easter is remembered not so much as it is truly the "Passover" that means ever so much more.

So now the door is shut to yesterday's childhood memories, and yet another shadow walks out that old door.
If of another Easter memory I could tell, I'd willingly share, but I'm sorry my dear friend, as I've not so many memories of Easter holidays, of yester year, and now I must close without much flair.

Laugh if you mus,t complain my poem makes no sense, not for Easter, nor for any other holiday.
Yet, I'll stand still behind the glass, pressing my nose to the glass, looking out at you as I see your holding your overflowing baskets, yet, never content, nor happy.

Still yet, I must not stand but for a moment, for you see, soon my Saviour he will call, and I must be on my way.
Never a home here, yet tis soon a home beyond compare I'll see, as I walk through that final door.

Easter, celebrations, Easter so bright colorful, and filled with cheer, yet how it is we neglect to turn away from all that materialist cheer.
My dear, listen closely, for it is for you He is calling, it is for you, it is for I, that He lingered but a moment looking past the pagan practices of that day, which continue even today, He lingered but a moment in time, inside that final tear.

My dear, as the inside of a teardrop cannot truly be hidden, His love shown that day, out shinning many celebrations of that day.
Still today, His love shines, as no Easter story could ever, so now I'll turn as I must soon go away.

Time and distance hides many years.
Yet, never can the promise be broken, for long ago was that grave opened, as life entered in, never to leave.


Yes, my dear, even as our past is forgotten, and lost to time, so too is the stain of sin lost.
If to Him we turn, if within the final teardrop we reside.

A teardrop so clear, shining so brightly because it is His, covering all our shame.
Now my dear, you know it was not for Easter He came.






Easter Not so Long Ago, a Distant Shadow

3/23/2012

An Easter memory, and a reminder that Easter isn't the message you need to hear, instead it's the gospel of Jesus Christ.