by Faith

Follow the Clues
     I will lift up my eyes unto the hills
        Seeing the trees drop leaves
        Only to return each spring
        Alive again with a new song to sing

Ask for Guidance 

     "Follow me," says the Carpenter
        In fear I put my feet out of the ship
        Leaving it's "safety" only to flail
        Nothing of mine to hold me                  

Inspect the Record
     Abraham left home for the unknown land
        Noah's ark, Abel's witness, Moses' stand
        All esteeming the reproach of Christ
        Greater gain then self's demand

Take the Gift
     Freely offered--He reaches out to me
        Waiting for my struggle to rest fully
         In His love--my helpless soul
         Redeemed by His Holy Blood

Hide in the Shelter
     My heart sees Truth--Perfect Peace my reward
        My feet now fall where He placed His own
        Walking on water in the midst of the wind
        Something precious provided--the Promise.....

                 I'm His!

Titus 2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar (special, one's own) people, zealous of good works.

Growing in Christ happens very much the same way as accepting Him for salvation: by faith. God's Word is revealed to the heart, a choice is made to deem it worthy of trust, and to  follow God's direction. It is a claiming of God's promise for a personal need.

How much more true this poem is to me today than when I first wrote it! Like one of the older hymns have said, " Each day He grows still sweeter than He was the day before."!

Isaiah 12:2

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

I love that I can trust God and not be afraid. He never lies.He has perfect love--no one on earth has ever been able to touch the empty places in my heart and fill them with joy like Jesus has. Even though I have had many friendships, a wonderful husband, and caring parents, no one could totally understand or fill all my need.

Just a small example:

Ever since I was a child and saw a tree blow over in my Grandmother's front yard, I have been afraid of wind. Last night the wind was howling. It woke me up and I felt the anxiety begin; however, I remembered that Jesus controlled the wind and I also remembered the words: "Peace, be still!" The wind didn't stop, but my heart calmed and I returned to sleep. No one else even knew I was afraid at that moment--even if they had known they could not have calmed my fear because they did not control the wind.

God is my strength--in all areas of my life I must depend on him.

He is my song--not just any song but a song of overcoming! A praise song glorifying Jesus for transforming my heart and continuing to reveal more of His great love and grace.

The Eye of the Beholder

To my Grandpa

You stood behind me watching

As I sat playing your upright piano

I cringed inside with each sour note

Feeling the glare of your disapproval

But my feelings were not truthful!

You really stood behind me smiling

Listening to the song of my youthful heart

Willing to guide my growth and depth

Enjoying the time around the music

* * * * *

Dear Sweet Jesus

You, too, stand watching me

Nothing I do is hid from Thee

My sin and guilt set my face aflame

My feelings cry out in deepest shame

Then You whisper my name!

Child, sing the song of Victory!

 My Cross and Blood have made you free!

You are so precious in my sight!

Your contrite heart is My Delight!

Ps. 51:17 and Isa. 57:15

Praising God!

Yesterday
Psalm 148

An ocean of blue
Warming waves of sun
All creation laughing
I sang Your praise


Today
I Peter 1:3-9

A curtain of gray
Shivering solitude of  night
Thunderclouds weeping
I am singing Your praise


Tomorrow
I Thes. 4:16-17

The trumpet of God
Announcing the Faith's Sight
The saints rejoicing
 I will forever sing Your praise!

Happy Resurrection Day!

It took three nails just to show how much you love me--

Your Rugged Cross
     Wounded Side and
            Crown of Thorns.

My sins were great but your grace has    proved much greater

Please take my heart and make
a Love-gift fit for you

Sing!

                                     Speaking 
                                        in Songs

God the Father wrote the composition

Framed before the world's foundation

 Justice and judgment in perfect notation

Holiness and Love

God the Son knew the Father's heart

He played the instrument--each painful part

Hammers strike strings and His hands like darts

Forgiveness and Grace

God the Spirit brings Their melody release

Vibrating heart language of this wondrous piece

 Speaking of the Cross and Christ's increase

Understanding and Faith

We, the sinners, hear the timeless song

The chords echo the love we have searched so long

His Word urges our soul to come, to belong

Will we turn away or sing along?

Romans 5:5-6; Epe. 5:19; Is. 12:2