as the day passes - winter

 

as the day passes
arching overhead
I'm grateful for the privilege
of being here
and being fed
the fruits of feeling
at life's great fleeting
while bravery and fear
come to all abiding here;
none are unscathed
so let us choose to be bathed
in whatever is good
and what is right
for this will save us
from feeding the night,
and at the end
the message we'll send
is that of the Light
and how God is the only
present and gentle Might;
let us just be
and make ourselves free,
so as time will press on
we'll not be in sorrow
when the day is gone. 

FAITH - winter

 the clouds today,

an obscuring smoke

o'er the fiery sun;

though unseen

yet it is not undone;

presiding over day

returning without fail,

just knowing that it's there

brings all else to pale

as we feel its warmth

receiving, we,

give thanks whether

it's faith that we feel

or faith that we see.

As I come to the cradle - Christmas Eve

  

As I come to the cradle

I see relief

through death and heartache

and pain and grief;

I see a baby

as new as the day,

with comfort, forgiveness

as real as we could pray;

a stirring of the heart

and yet so soothing be

this manger

and it's promise

fulfilled from the Father

to me.

too long forgotten - fall

 too long forgotten

the kindness that came

onto the helpless

and those without name;

never to see them

again in this world

but given that moment

of kind deed or word;

these moments slip past us

so what do they mean?

Eternal compassion

for a second is seen

and seized by the giver

and those in much pain -

remembering that goodness

is not given in vain. 

too long forgotten - fall

too long forgotten

the kindness that came

unto the helpless

and those without name;

never to see them 

again in this world

but given that moment

of kind deed or word;

these moments slip past us

so what do they mean?

Eternal compassion

for a second is seen

and seized by the giver 

and those in much pain -

remembering that goodness

is not given in vain.

 

we will not despair - fall

 

On a sunless day there’s no turning of shadow

the sun having been obscured,

and so many have lost their direction

with no fixed light that is pure;

indeed we look,

but if in vain

on days of clouds

and days of rain

yet knowing that the sun is there

carries those of us

who will not despair

but know it travels east to west

is never changing,

beyond request,

so in waiting for Thee

in Praise we’ll be

no confusion

have we,

beyond blessed.

 

forgiveness - summer

everything you're doing

will find its place

in the history of beginnings

in time and space

so in your action

be deliberate

embrace

forgiveness

is a conscious thought

and brings the bearer

grace

I will not leave this earth disheartened - summer

I will not leave this earth disheartened

over broken dreams

or loss imparted

oh no, everything it deems important

shall but fall away

and He whose promises I lived

shall be the same forever

as they are today

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

to follow in the footsteps

of someone who cares

who even in trouble

would always be there,

who leaves a lasting memory

of integrity and truth

coming from an honest place

since the time of his youth;

to find in life some humor

and courage when needed most

while taking on all life's challenges

but never one to boast,

working hard

but yet know rest

is a model

of life at its best;

to say a soft "I love you"

and a "thank you"

comes to bear

that which we already knew

but oh so good to share,

following a faith so true

the Lord above

was real to you

through songs you sang

and scriptures you read

always mindful of God

in the life you led;

your leading by example

leaves a mark upon the heart

and footsteps such as Dad has left

means we'll never have to part.

Overture to Eternity - when I get to heaven - spring

When I get to heaven will I say -

This is the healing music I heard

while on earth

when my soul was so disturbed;

and this is the warmth

that came my way 

when no one knew what to do or to say;

it is all here and it's come to pass

that faith in You

held steadfast,

was Your coming to me

and an overture to eternity.

The feeling of being held

was Your Spirit that swelled

inside of one who now can see

all that You are

is exactly what You said you would be.

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

and believes in him shall have eternal life,

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

John 6:40

peaceful places - spring

I want to rest in a melody 

that I have never known

and drift upon its lifting wings

wherever they are blown

trusting it will carry me

to peaceful places yet unseen

where health and healing

like a flowing brook

mingle with birdsong

to form a prayer book

shall we look at love - faith in trying times

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

Let today be a day of healing

when so much of it seems torn,

let nothing stand between us

no matter the burdens worn;

all the good we were sharing before

is still where we stand,

let the Comforter come near to us

and Lord, heal our land.

Let all the good that God has given

be an act among us all,

to love and to give mercy

wherever we find the call.

Keeping faith amid asking for grace

walking humbly hand in hand,

let the Comforter come near to us 

and Lord, heal our land.

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

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy 

and to walk humbly with your God."

Micah 6:8 

a good life - New Year living

there is nothing of money here

only the day is cloudy

or the day is clear,

there’s good found in the garden

for the weekly rain has come

we’ve worked our part and weeded

but God has sent the sun;

so stand I here

with people honest and true

because of their lives

I am knowing You;

a peace that passes

whatever lies outside,

since all of this was none of our making

there is no pride;

but to rest in peace

each night and each day,

things are as they are

it doesn’t matter if we have our way,

we just travel together

in prayer and in faith

while the Lord does the leading,

we will live in His grace.

Shepherd's Night - Christmas Eve

as the weakening light

gave way to night

the stars began to shine;

heavenly host would appear

brilliant and holy

to the humble and the lowly

revealing a sign

that salvation is near;

a moment - afraid

gives way to "in a manger laid"

no greater joy, no other Love Divine

the son of God is here!

Bethlehem Stable - Christmas

rest now, oh child of love,

it's time to sleep;

all the gifts

you've yet to give

will wait till morn'

in peace 

may you lay

as you become

of mortal ways

yet set aside;

this night abide,

with God and man

reside

the only hope 

of all mankind. 

So often alone and lost

reaching out and no one there

Dear Heavenly Father

that you for teaching me

the power of prayer. 

Not seeing yet believing

a power beyond my grasp 

this is what you give to me,

my present prayer

Your gift from the past.

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12 

eventide - fall

it's the sound of creatures

who've through the day been fed

happily singing their evening song

before retiring to bed;

it's the languid motions

that portray many hours awake

along with yellowing

liquid light together the dusk does make;

so less, the acts of dissension,

that contentment

tends to reign

ambition seems to seek its sleep

and all is well again. 

prayer for the persecuted- consolation prayer - fall

when God looks on those who suffer

may someone who serves Him be blest-

those who have lived in humility

and kept their faith throughout their test;

in desperate need of something good

they rest their eyes on Who they should

so the breezes of comfort in their spirit, consoled,

with all the goodness He possesses

and shares with believing souls;

the greatest rewards are yet to come

the day of dawning into the welcoming

of the Father and the Son.

what shall I take into my heart? - summer

what shall I take 

into my heart?

the deepest of places

shielded

set apart

fear is set around 

deflecting

so many wounding darts;

stay so soft

and unaware

of all the evil

desiring to reside just there

stay safely hidden

let no one see

so I may one day leave

 this earth

with life's true treasures

pure, and taken with me