The Breaking of the Dam

It was such a little leak

Trickle of gossip

Ripple of lies

Wily whispers

Truth compromised

 Just a few words out of place

Isn't that why we have grace?

Flood of pride

Sly and snide

River of strife

Destroying life

A wicked wall of wordy waves

Wounding souls and digging graves

Hearts hardened

In unbelief

Prayers hindered

The Spirit grieved

Every single time we speak

We choose to build or to make weak

**********

James 3:5

Even so the tongue is a little member, and  boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

Ps. 19:14

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation if my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Love's Wardrobe

When giving direction...

You dressed in garments clean and bright

The Sinless Son, the Heavenly Light
"Follow me!" You lead the way
 Teaching truth and why to pray

When offering comfort...

Your sandals strode across the waves
The wind and seas obeyed as slaves
"Peace, be still!" was Your command
 Faith accepts what God hath planned

When starting a friendship...

You girded your robe to kneel on the floor
Washing my feet--a Servant's sad chore
 This gentle touch, this loving care
All of life's burdens with You can be shared

When providing healing...

You wore a crown of thorns and died
A spear thrust through to wound Your side
What Perfect Love--So pure and sweet
Truly found in You--complete!

**********

Love always dresses in work clothes
And knows not that it is a sacrifice
 For the joy that is set before suffices

Heb. 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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."!

Why do I sing (and write) about Jesus?

1. I love talking about my Saviour--He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I had heard these words and believed them when I was a child, but they have grown sweeter and dearer. The Lord truly is my Shepherd.

2. It is fun to share with others this joy!

I John 1:4-5
And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
This then is the message which we heard of him, and declare unto you, God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

"I"

To Follow His Example

You suffered from the very beginning

From the Robes of Glory to scratchy manger hay

From the power of God to weakness made of clay

From the Father's Beloved Son to Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief

Yet, You came

Taking from the Father's hand to supply the needs of others

Walking meek and lowly--a servant to your brothers

Bleeding and Dying on Calv'ry's Cross--Risen again to reach the lost

Therefore

 God hath highly exalted You

He's given you a Precious Name:

The Way, the Life, the Truth

**********

May I, too, this suffering choose

To follow You, the world I lose

Bearing Your burden I take up my cross

To know Christ is gain--all else is loss

I Peter 2:21

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.

I Peter 1:3-8    Phil. 3:10

Faith, Hope, Charity

Failing to find peace in the life that I
           make
Acknowledging sin, my way I forsake
Inspecting God's Word, its path to take
Turning to Jesus Who died for my sake
Having true peace, His life I partake


Happily anticipating a joyful end
Opening the Book that God did send
Promised blessings of my Faithful Friend
Exercising confidence--on Him I depend

                  And

Crying over the sufferer's plight
Humbly serving in Jesus' might
Asking that sinners receive their sight
Rejoicing in The Truth, The Light
Iniquity causing me no delight
Taking reproach without holding a spite
Yearning that others come out of the  
           night

And now abideth faith, hope, and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
        I Corinthians 13:13

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
          I John 4:10